Author Archives: Tanya H. Franklin

A Superhero Party for a Super Girl!

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Super Quinn with her Super Mommy and Daddy

Super Quinn with her Super Mommy and Daddy

Superheros: the theme for my daughter’s first birthday party demonstrated how special she and the children in attendance always will be. Unfortunately, I quickly realized that many companies tend to cater towards “boys,” sending the message that girls can’t be superheroes nor idolize them, but this could not be further from the truth. All children should feel empowered and super special, especially my little girl,  With this in mind, I thought of creative ways to not simply promote the commercialized superheroes but the hero within each child, regardless of one’s gender.

To help out other parents who are eager to put together an unforgettable superhero party for their little girl or just a gender neutral party where all children feel like superheroes, I’ve provided some of the companies and ideas I employed for Quinn’s party.  (All images can be enlarged after clicking on them, and the links to the company web sites are in purple)

Super Quinn InvitationIllustrations: Rather than use existing superheroes, why not make it extra special with a personalized illustration of your child as a superhero? Sandy Ford, of Sandy Ford Design is an awesome illustrator I located through Etsy. She does far more than just illustrations of superheroes in your child’s likeness, and her prices are extremely reasonable. I was able to get an entire party package with the digital invitations, poster, coloring page, thank you card, banner, the iron on for my super mommy t-shirt, etc. for approximately $25. She’s in London and I’m in the US; nevertheless, I received everything electronically within 48 hours, and I certainly will use her services in the future for other illustrations. 

Superhero GirlsI found another company, Clip Artopia, that supplies superhero illustrations at nominal fees, ranging from $2.50 to $5.00 to use as you wish. Since I have a digital design background, I was able to modify some of the illustrations to have them reflect the likeness of the children attending Quinn’s party.

 

 

Super QuinnSuperhero Capes: Though most of the children attending the party came dressed as their favorite superheros, the birthday girl’s outfit had to be original. I located another fabulous company through Etsy, Shooting Kisses, who makes superhero capes with many colors to choose from for toddlers, older children and adults. The cape was a little over $50, and there are many companies to use at a cheaper rate, but it was well worth it. The stitching on the cape and emblem is professionally done, the satin material is high quality, and the cape is reversible.Quinn certainly will be wearing this cape for Halloween or just for fun.

 

Klassi Kreations Superhero CapesYes, I’m one of those “over the top” party planning moms, and I wanted to send the children home with something special as well, so I ordered a party package with capes and matching masks from Klassi Kreations, another Etsy shop. Each set was approximately $15. They arrived ahead of schedule, were good quality and a big hit with all of the children.

SupermommyI also got a little creative and purchased some materials from Joann’s Fabric and made my own cape for the special occasion after following the free instructions for making a superhero cape from Sewing With Nancy. I modified it some to fit an adult, but it is an awesome resource. Just to give you an idea of how easy it was, I created the cape with my arm in a cast from a broken wrist and used “no sew” tape to get it done quickly. (In the picture, you can actually see the cast sleeve I created)

 

 

Super Quinn and Super Mommy

Personalized crown: This little superhero needed a crown to top off her outfit, and Oh So Sweet Creations, another company found through Etsy, was perfect! I was able select the appropriate colors and design with no problem. This company has crowns for many occasions, and I’ll more than likely use them again.

 

 

2014-05-03 13.41.51Personalized Party Supplies: Though I was able to use the banner and other materials from Sandy Ford Design, I was able to take it a step further by personalizing the table center pieces and plates through Birthday Express

 

 

2014-05-03 13.20.22Personalized Birthday Cake: I looked at several specialty superhero cakes which were fabulous but very expensive. Then my husband said, “What about BJ’s; don’t they have birthday cakes?” BJ’s Wholesale actually has really good cakes with butter cream icing, so I was able to take the illustration I got through Sandy Ford Design and have it put on Quinn’s cake. It turned out great!

DIY Projects: Super Hero Shield Superhero Shields: These are relatively easy to find by simply doing a search online, but the quality may not be the best because many of them are at a low resolution. So if you have Adobe Photoshop or another program, you can recreate them if you need a larger size. I was able to make the iron-on shield for my daughter’s shirt as well as some of the party favors.

Superhero Coloring BooksColoring Book: Getting the coloring page from Sandy Ford Design and illustrations from Clip Artopia inspired me to create coloring books for each child. Adobe Photoshop actually has a feature where you can take just about any illustration and turn it into a sketch for coloring.

Superbaby

Tattoos: I was also able to use the illustrations to order special temporary tattoos from Sticker You for the children. This company allows you to upload your own illustrations or to use illustrations they have available. You can also order stickers and other products as well to customize party favors.

 

superquinnand friendsposter 20x30Masks TemplatesParty Games: Rather than pin the tail on the donkey, I customized the game and made it “Pin the Mask on Super Quinn.” I located superhero mask templates and modified them through Adobe Photoshop and printed out a large poster, laminated and mounted it myself.

Another game was a maze for helping Super Quinn get to her cake.

 

2014-04-27 13.34.13Bubbles: Children love bubbles, but I’m sure they love personalized bubbles even more. I used the illustrations provided by Sandy Ford Design and was able to print them out on sticker paper and adhere them to the bubbles I purchased at Target for just $2.00 for six.

 

 

Superhero Place MatsPlace mats: Superheroes have to eat, but sometimes it gets a little messy, so I created customized place mats using contact paper and scrap book paper as a party favor that the children can use long after the party is over.

 

2014-04-27 13.31.17Party Favor Bags: I want the children to always remember how super they are, so I customized superhero canvas bags with iron-on superhero shields and a little puffy paint and glitter for the girls for them not carry around all of there super items and feel empowered.

2014-05-03 14.20.14Party Location: Even though children are able to have fun at a party just about anywhere, if you are in the Philadelphia, PA area and looking for a place that is age appropriate for a one year old up to age ten, Kix and Giggles is awesome.  It is reasonably priced, and you have the option of paying a bit more to make the party private. Though there were additional fees, they made all of the arrangements for Spiderman to make an appearance as well as a face painter. They also have a toddler area which is perfect for younger children.

It certainly was a lot of work planning Quinn’s party, but it was also a lot of fun. I hope that some of the information I provided is helpful for you in planning a superhero party for you child.

All the best,

Supermom aka Tanya 🙂

Wow! My Baby Loves This Cup

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Quinn Wow Cup

Quinn trying out her Wow Cup for the first time after eating her snack

My little girl has been using a sippy cup occasionally since she was four months old, but the big milestone came when she turned one a few weeks ago: no more bottles! On Mother’s Day, we did some window shopping and stumbled upon the “Wow Cup” in Boscov’s “As Seen on TV section.” After reading the label, “from ages one year and up,” I couldn’t resist getting it for Quinn. Oftentimes, we see these infomercials and chuckle at how exaggerated they are and how the product probably doesn’t work, but if you ask me, my husband, my mom and especially Quinn, we’ll tell you the Wow Cup is awesome and left us saying, “Wow, it really works!”

Since Quinn has only drank from sippy cups, some with straws and some without, I was very impressed when I gave her the Wow Cup, and she knew exactly what to do with it. I’m amazed that the company targets mainly older children and makes no mention of how this product is excellent for teaching toddlers how to drink from a cup without messy spillage. Just yesterday, Quinn spent the day with her Nana (my mother), and my mom just raved about the Wow Cup and said that she wishes they were available when I was younger since I was such a “Messy Tessie.” I’m hoping when I go back to Boscov’s that they still have some Wow Cups left where they’re only $10, without the $6.95 shipping and handling fee you’ll incur in ordering it. I just might get one for me too!

All the best,

Tanya

My Baby Loves Food Fights: It’s all organic!

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Quinn eating her organic waffles and strawberries

Quinn eating her organic waffles and strawberries

 

Peas and carrots go flying! Tomato sauce smeared on the table. Smashed blueberries scattered on the floor. Green beans mushed, chewed up and spit out. No, this isn’t a food fight at an elementary school; it’s my baby girl Quinn expressing her emotions towards eating solid food.  Sometimes she loves them, and other times she loathes them. From her eating habits alone, I can see that my little one year old is formulating her own thoughts and figuring out that she can choose what she likes and dislikes and if she wants more or has had enough.

Prior to Quinn being born, my husband and I decided to go the organic and non-GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) route as much as possible and have been conscientious in selecting and preparing her baby food. Now that she’s eating more solid foods, putting together a variety of toddler friendly meals has become an arduous yet exciting task. Though I enjoy shopping at Whole Foods, coming out with just one bag of groceries worth $50 or more to prepare one week worth of meals for my daughter is not something I’m looking to do on a regular basis. So I’ve been compiling places and brands that have been helpful on my quest to keeping Quinn’s food organic as well as non-GMO when possible.

Trader Joe'sTrader Joe’s has been one of my favorite “go to” places. I can get organic fruit, vegetables, cereal, etc. at a reasonable price for the entire family. One of my favorite deals is the bag three pound bag of organic sweet potatoes for a little over $3.00

 

Simply BalancedTarget actually has a nice selection of reasonably priced organic foods in their grocery section. Not all but some of their Simply Balanced line is organic and may even be non-GMO. I’ve been able to use some of the frozen organic fruits and vegetables to prepare meals for Quinn instead of going the “prepackaged route.”

 

Annie's HomegrownAnnie’s Homegrown is actually a line I stumbled across at Target. Many of their foods are non-GMO and organic. They’re great when I need to prepare a quick meal. My daughter, like most children, loves their macaroni and cheese, and the pasta noodles are small enough for her to chew without choking being an issue.

Earths BestEarth’s Best has far more than breakfast, but their organic waffles with no growth hormones  are the perfect size for my daughter, and this is the first solid food breakfast item that Quinn happily eats up with little to no assistance from me.

 

Ella's Kitchen

Ella’s Kitchen has been wonderful in helping Quinn transition to eating solid foods that require more chewing. She loves the perfectly pleasing tomato-y pasta with plenty of vegetables. I love this meal because it has many nutrients unlike the few organic options Gerber has for toddlers. Though I’ve been successful at replicating the meal by purchasing my own organic ingredients, it is great to have it readily available when Quinn wants dinner “now.”

 

 

Tots Teensy Fruits Plum Organics is our “go to” not just for quick dinner meals but for healthy snack options as well. Though many of Quinn’s snacks are fruits such as bananas, strawberries, blueberries and kiwis, occasionally she gets a packaged snack. When comparing the organic snacks Gerber offers with the ones Plum Organics offers, the latter has more nutrients an less empty calories. (I want to instill the importance of eating healthy with Quinn from the very start)

I’ve located two toddler meal recipe books for preparing healthy, organic meals:

first meals

First Meals by Annabel Karmel

Start Fresh by Tyler Florence

Start Fresh by Tyler Florence

Perhaps my list above will help out some mommy’s and daddy’s going the organic route and looking for more reasonably priced alternatives. If you have any suggestions for me, please feel free to share.

All the best,

Tanya

My First “Mommyversary”

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Tanya H. Franklin & Baby QuinnA little over a year ago, I celebrated my first Mother’s Day; my baby was merely one week old. I was awestruck and simply overwhelmed with all that motherhood had in store for me. A year later, I’m still awestruck and perhaps even more overwhelmed. I love being a mom and am glad it has been added to the many labels I have accumulated over the years. Though family and friends have let me know that I am doing a good job, several questions and concerns are constantly on my mind. I am sure this is only natural, but I really wish there was a way to just get a glimpse into the future to make sure my actions are to the benefit, not the detriment, of my little girl. In the meantime, I will continue to try to be the best mom  I can for my daughter and hope that she knows how much I love her and how much I love being her mother.
All the best,
Tanya

My Baby Girl is One!

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Tanya H. Franklin and Baby QuinnOn May 3, 2013 at 2:20 am, I gave birth to a healthy and beautiful, eight pound baby girl. Today, I am not only celebrating her first birthday but my first anniversary as a mother. We’ve both grown and learnt so much, she more than me, and the experience has been awe-inspiring. Yesterday, we went to Quinn’s mommy and me class at “The Little Gym,” which I highly recommend if your child is not in a childcare facility yet you want him or her to occasionally be around other children his or her age, and the parents were to say one thing they love about their children. For me, I love Quinn’s inquisitive nature and desire to fearlessly explore. Quinn has been walking for a little under a month now and wants to get into everything. Chasing her around and having to put up boundaries  for her safety can be a major undertaking at times, but seeing how much she has thrived in just 365 days is absolutely amazing. It is my hope that she will keep on this path well into adulthood, always seeking out knowledge and exploring with no fear. This truly is a happy first birthday for my little one and a happy first anniversary as a mother.

All the best,

Tanya

My Baby Love

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20140214-190209.jpgThough most people associate Valentine’s Day with romance, I cannot help but think about the love I have for my baby girl Quinn. I love being able to work from home three days a week so that I can look into those big brown eyes and listen to that cute giggle all day.  It truly is amazing how much love I can have for a person I’ve only known for a little over nine months. Observing her and seeing what she loves as she explores the world around her allows me to have a greater appreciation and love for my surroundings and what I am capable of doing. Thanks so much Quinn for for giving me the opportunity to see the world from your perspective. Though it is a lot to process for the both of us, I am loving every minute of it!

All the best,

Tanya

Baby Your Scratch Left Me Itching for Answers

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Baby Quinn and Tanya H FranklinImagine purchasing a brand new car: a beautiful, shiny, sweet ride.  How upset would you be if you saw a scratch on your prized possession shortly after purchasing it?  Now imagine that this was not a car but your beautiful, brand new baby with her first major scratch on that sweet face of hers. This is what I endured last week with my eight month old.  She’s had tiny scratches before as a result of her fingernails growing so quickly and has even given her father and me some good scratches. But this was the first time she had a scratch about an inch and a half long, on her face no less, and I can’t figure out where it came from.

I noticed a faint mark above her eyebrow that did not quite look like a fingernail scratch when she woke up from her nap, and it worsened as the day progressed.  As it worsened, so did my guilt. I felt like a negligent mom and then thought about how daycare workers must feel when a scratch or mark seems to have “appeared from out of the blue” on a child, especially a child who is unable to explain what happened. Was I not keeping a close enough eye on Quinn?  My husband tried to reassure me that I am doing a good job, but my anxiety got so bad that I was ashamed and nervous to visit my mother fearing that she would be upset and admonish me for not knowing what happened to Quinn. When my mom saw Quinn, my heart began to race; what was she going to say?  “Oh, I see Quinn got a little scratch. It’ll heal before you know it. This is the first of many more little bumps and bruises. Just keep an eye out for her. She’s a real mover!” That’s all she said. She didn’t pick Quinn up and hold her tightly saying, “What did you let happen to my grand baby?” She didn’t question my abilities as a parent.  Though I certainly will be even more attentive with Quinn now that she’s crawling and pulling up to a standing position every chance she gets, my mom’s words made me feel much better about not solving the mystery of Quinn’s scratch. Now, less than one week later, it is barely noticeable.

I’m sure I am not the only parent who has experienced this and will not be the last, but I felt the need to share my experience with others and say, “Please don’t be too hard on yourself if…no when your little one gets that first major scratch.”

All the best,

Tanya

Baby Got the “Drop” on Me!

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When a baby reaches a milestone, what parent doesn’t get excited? Unfortunately, we can’t witness them all, but there is a way to keep a watchful eye and listening ear even when we are not present (or just not mentally present). Instead of carefully listening to a garbled and static-filled baby monitor as parents did years ago, technology allows us to not miss a crystal clear moment. What would I do without my Dropcam?

A few weeks ago, Quinn was restless but did not want to sleep during her usual bed time, so I sat by her crib playing Lumosity (a great web site with brain games) until she relaxed and went to sleep. Little did I know, my Dropcam captured Quinn pulling herself up to a standing position for the first time in her crib. This let me know that it was time to put her crib to the lowest level. It also confirmed that I’m extremely happy with the camera we’re using as a baby monitor.

If you are looking for not just a baby monitor but a monitor in general, I highly recommend the Dropcam which is “Mommy Approved” by me! I must, however, give my husband credit as he was the one who conducted research for the best baby monitor and selected this one. Here’s a few reasons we went with this monitor:

  1. The video and audio can be viewed from anywhere in the world by using a computer, iPad, iPod or Android. You do just need to have a Wifi connection.
  2. It has a two way microphone feature so that I can listen and talk as well from anywhere, not just inside the home.
  3. The night vision feature is awesome too, and the baby is clearly visible throughout the course of the night.
  4. For an annual fee, you can actually review and save clips from the past.  Without this, I would not this video of Quinn reaching a milestone.
  5. Lastly, it can be used for more than just a baby monitor. Though I’m sure there will be something even more hi tech, it may come in handy when my baby becomes a teen.

If you are going through the process of looking for a monitor, I suggest that you check this one out.  It may be a bit pricier than the basic baby monitors, but it can be used long term. I hope my insight helps.

All the best,

Tanya

Don’t You Wish Your Baby Had a Tutu Like Me!

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Quinn's Half Birthday (Photo Taken by Devon Anne Photography)

Quinn’s Half Birthday (Photo Taken by Devon Anne Photography)

For the past few years, tutus have been the craze for little girls’ special moments. So of course my baby Quinn had to have one for her half-birthday photo shoot. Unfortunately, there were a few problems with getting that special tutu. Though it looks too cute, I can be frugal at times and was not willing to pay for a pricey tutu in addition to the adorable half-birthday onesie and bow with a party hat (KenaBows did an excellent job by the way!) for a six month old to wear for about a half hour, and I just could not find the right color scheme either.

Actually, this was the perfect opportunity for me to apply some of my crafting skills and save a little money, which I love doing. I’m no fashion designer, but I’m really good at following basic instructions. There are so many tutorials out there, but I located this wonderful You Tube video by Sandy Bell for how to make a tutu provided below. Her video is clearly presented, and I was able to use it as a guide and then make a couple of modifications with the supplies and method for creating the tutu since Quinn is just a baby, and her child is much older.

Here’s all that I purchased to make a $6 tutu:
  1. Purchased Tulle (Pink, Green, Yellow and Blue) at Michael’s because it was on sale, and I was able to use a 40 percent off of my entire purchase coupon: the only way to shop! Each roll was 25 yards for a little over a dollar a piece for a total near $5 including tax.  I still have plenty of tulle left over for future projects too!
  2. Purchased White Crotchet Stretchy Headband (Yes, a headband can fit a baby’s waist) from Michael’s for just a $1 to create a “no sew tutu.”

If you think a tutu would be too cute for your little girl but are just a bit apprehensive about spending $30 or more or you would like to make something special from the heart, give it a try. This mommy did it, and baby, Quinn looks great!

The Battle of the Binkie

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Baby Quinn, Mia the Monkey & Best Friend Binkie

Quinn taking a quick nap with Mia the Monkey & Best Friend Binkie

“Are you putting pacifiers on your registry?” the woman asked her friend. She emphatically replied, “No baby of mine is using a pacifier. I don’t know why moms let their kids use them. I saw a four year old still sucking on one the other day!” As my baby girl sucked away on her pacifier dozing off into dreamland, I shamefully tucked it under her bib as the women approached us to dote over six month old Quinn. Prior to Quinn being born, I too vowed that she would not be a “paci baby” for fear of her craving it for comfort as a toddler or even a preschooler. Needless to say, Quinn had other plans.

After giving it some serious thought, I decided that for Quinn’s “eight month” birthday which was just two days ago, I would drastically cut down her pacifier usage. So I removed her pacifier clip when she was consumed with playing, and she did just fine unless it was nap time, bed time, she was getting her diaper changed or was just a little restless and longing for the comfort of her best friend. Of course, I lost the battle, caved in and gave it to her each time. She clutched the pacifier strap with delight, plopped her binkie in her mouth and gave me the “please-don’t-take-it-away-from-me-I-need-it-look.”  I know eventually I will need to stand my ground even if she cries for it, but how will I know when the time is right?

Freud stresses the importance of the oral stage which lasts until around 21 months, which means Quinn has plenty of time with her binkie. I want to do what’s best for my baby girl, but is nearly two years old too old? I know each child is different, but I’d love to know what other parents think through the poll provided below and/or by providing your insight by posting a comment. Thanks in advance.

All the best,

Tanya