Living in NYC is  great because there are literally a thousands ways to enrich your lil’ darling’s life (as our great sitter2Mom, Samantha, talked about in her post this past Wednesday). However, the downside to this is that busy parents don’t have the time to  actually find, research, and compare the hundreds of class providers, classes,  and scheduling options NYC has to offer for children. There are so many options,  it can sometime be a little overwhelming to find the perfect fit for your  budget, interests, and schedule. Cue Kidz Central Station, company founded by a NYC mom of two young kids, that makes searching, finding, and enrolling children  in classes and activities painless. The website is simple to use and saves you  hours of research by combining all the information about different classes and  activities onto one site. Instead of combing through hundreds of different websites looking for the perfect fit for your lil’ darling, just go to Kidz  Central Station and find all the info you need including prices, schedule, and  location in one easy-to-use website! A parent can search by location, class  type, price, age and schedule!

Lauren, founder of Kidz Central Station, and her daughter

The great thing about Kidz Central Station  is that they offer enrollment for thousands of Manhattan and BK-based classes  for all ages, including infants and toddlers, and are adding new class providers  and classes every day, so there is something for everyone! Using Kidz Central  Station also saves you money because every class you purchase on the   website earns you points which can be used to save money on future classes. This  is a fantastic resource for busy families looking to enroll their kids in a  class or activity!

Like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter for  updates!

Hold the cheese, please
The command “say cheese!” has been used to invoke smiles since at least the 1940s. While it generally succeeds in getting the mouth formation into a smile, if the eyes aren’t matching a grin then the result is often closer to a terrifying zombie face (something to keep in mind for Halloween). Try conjuring up laughter instead of smiles on command – singing ridiculous songs, making animal noises (I’m working on mastering a seal bark), or telling jokes.

The little details of life
Pay attention to all the tiny details that are making up the whole scene you want to capture. Maybe you want to remember your son’s beautiful curls, your daughter’s tight fist around her favorite blanket, or your children’s hands intertwined as they sit together. Come in close and capture fractions of the entire setting.

Up, down, over, under
Think of different vantage points to photograph your children from instead of staying seated with them. Lay on the ground to be eye level with a baby, climb up on a chair to tower above a toddler, or hang out under a chair and have your child peek out from above you.

Glorious lighting
Soft, even lighting will generally be the easiest to photograph in and will help to produce the most pleasing results. If you’re outdoors, look for open shade (shade caused by large objects such as trees or buildings where a large light source – generally the sun – is still illuminating the area). Indoors, try to move your child close to and facing a window. Having your subject in direct sun will usually cause squinting or shielding eyes, and harsh shadows. You can also try filling in some of the shadows by bouncing a little more light back on to your subject. Anything white will work if you bring it close to the face: poster board, a blanket, or a large piece of paper. This is usually easiest if you have someone else there to hold it while you take the photo.

Most important: have fun!

-Emily Dewan is a Photographer based in NYC. She specializes in glimpses of life of families with their children and pets. She loves barking like a seal to get children to laugh. Find out more on her website, blog, Facebook page, or Twitter feed. 

Georgia has a degree in photography and worked behind the camera in NYC for years before moving down to Sayulita, Mexico for a change of scenery. Georgia now regularly schedules photo shoots for families traveling to her beautiful city, and runs a babysitting service on the side. Her goal is to create timeless images that record those special moments in her client’s lives, whatever they may be. She especially loves any opportunity to work with children!

Georgia explains that speaking with strangers comes easily for her- which is exactly how she and someone from the Lucky Lil’ Darlings team met. We love her website which showcases some of her kid, baby and family photography and we wanted to share with all of you!

If you are interested in hearing more about her work or scheduling a photo shoot in NYC- her next availabilities in NYC are November 8, 9, and 10. Her contact information is:

 email:  info@georgiaglennon.com

 phone: 917 748 0977

]]> http://www.nynanny.com/uncategorized/introducing-georgia/feed/ 0 http://www.nynanny.com/reviews/having-a-new-baby-get-your-nanny-get-your-baby-box/ http://www.nynanny.com/reviews/having-a-new-baby-get-your-nanny-get-your-baby-box/#comments Thu, 19 Sep 2013 14:59:19 +0000 Lindsay Bell http://www.luckylildarlings.com/?p=1586   Read more (...)]]> As you probably already know, it’s NANNY WEEK here at LLD, so we’ve been talking to a lot of new moms. A common theme keeps recurring — they are all, understandably, looking for anything and everything to help simplify their lives!

So we figured this would be the perfect time to introduce many of you to The Baby Box Co., the ultimate starter kit for new moms, with a Q&A featuring the company’s founders, Jennifer Clary and Michelle Vick. The Baby Box Co. is launching with a pre-sale today, so if you order anytime between now and October 6th, making sure to enter presalesavings at checkout to get $15 off your purchase plus a FREE surprise bonus gift!

Baby Sawyer

1. How did you come up with the idea for The Baby Box Co., and could you tell us a little bit about the boxes?

JC: Our baby boxes are designed in the 75 year old Finnish tradition of maternity packages gifted by the government to all expectant mothers in Finland to promote the safety and well-being of infants. They contain all the basic new mom must-haves, from diaper rash creams and baby shampoo to onesies and swaddles. The box itself is lined with a securely fitted mattress so that it can be used as a lightweight bassinet or travel crib. This Finnish baby box model for safe infant sleeping and transport was highlighted in the news recently when Will and Kate received one as a gift. The Baby Box Co. is the first company in the world to offer these affordable and extremely helpful starter kit/baby bed combos to consumers outside of Finland.

MV: We’ve essentially recreated these “new baby starter kits,” filling them with all of our favorite brands and can’t-live-without products. It’s been fun putting together the perfect box, full of everything I wish I had received when my daughter was a newborn!

2. What’s the most exciting part of the business for you?

MV: Helping new moms! I remember how terrified I was when I first came home from the hospital. I’d like to help other moms feel a little more prepared, and to help save them from the frustrating, lengthy process of trial and error that I had to go through in order to determine which products and brands were the best (and which were a total waste of money).

JC: Another thing we’re really excited about is our company’s mission to help poverty-stricken mothers across the globe — for every box that is purchased, a portion of the proceeds goes towards sending a box to a new mom who is struggling to make ends meet. We built our “Box a Week” outreach program into The Baby Box Co.’s business model from the very start. It’s a priority for us to know that our company is providing shoppers with the best baby products available while simultaneously making a positive difference for moms in impoverished countries.

3. In honor of Nanny Week here at LLD, would you mind giving us some advice, from your experience, on finding the right nanny?

MV: Before you meet anyone, it’s important to sit down with your family and determine what your priorities are and exactly what you’re looking for. Would you prefer someone young and energetic, or someone who’s older and has tons of experience? Do you want someone who speaks English as her first language, or do you see this as an opportunity for your children to learn a foreign language?

Also, when you start interviewing candidates, don’t let a charming personality distract you from what matters most! Chemistry is important, and you of course want someone who you get along with well, but you’re looking for a new nanny, not a new best friend.

Finally, I can’t underestimate how valuable it is to go through a reputable source like LLD. They’ve performed background checks, spoken with references, and rigorously screened the candidates they send you, so you can rest assured that you’re meeting the cream of the crop!

For more information on The Baby Box Co., check out their website,  follow them on Twitter, and like them on Facebook. 

Recipe for your perfect nanny! Lucky Lil’ Darlings has acquired New York Nanny Center (NYNC) and is pleased to be  offering the service of nanny placements… now you too can have a Mary Poppins!

Ingredients needed:

1 cup of responsibility

3/4 cup each of love and care

2/3 cup intelligence

1/2 cup  creativity

1/2of understanding

1/3 cup patience

1/4 cup honesty

1T energy

1T creativity

1/2 T fun

add a dash of flexibility

Directions:
Make your ideal nanny. Collect all the ingredients and mix together in recipe order. Knead gently until desired shape forms. Serve with the perfect family, one filled with love, friendship, kindness and generosity.

Enjoy!

If you are in need of that perfect nanny for your family contact NYNC @ nynanny.com or 212.265.3354

-Mama Bell, mother of 5 and lover of nannies

Provide onesies for all attendees & encourage them to decorate.  You can buy iron-on backed material at Joann Fabrics or some place like that then ask everyone to draw some shape, cut it out and have an ironing board set up to apply.

The hostess drew the cute  whale onesie below, but you can use stencils for the less artistic.  There was a cute baseball and bat one for a summer too –they all were great really. Of course the shower has to be at someone’s home not a restaurant or this activity won’t work.

The hostesses of the shower also bought the white cotton onesies and cloth ahead of time for everyone in varying sizes. They used Carter ‘s oneises 3, 6 and 9 month sizes. The iron patches work for quite a few washings, but could be tacked down with zig-zag stitching on a sewing machine if you wanted  to secure them.

The watermelon baby stroller is cute also–you can find the recipe online.

It’s always a great photo opp to hang onesies on  a makeshift clothesline with clothespins at the shower.

Comment below if you used some of our ideas!

-Lindsay with the help of Mrs. W

One thing in particular that I have been obsessed with is swaddling. The twins were literally taken from the womb & placed immediately into a swaddle.

Here is what a swaddle looks like.

This simple technique mastered by many hospitals to comfort a newborns is preached to new moms as they take their lil’ ones home & boy does it work.  The twins stay nestled in a swaddle all day & night. They are completely at ease. It’s when they are taken out of the swaddle for one of their many changes that it gets loud.

Swaddling is quick & easy. Most swaddle blankets even include instruction. Check out these photos to show you how to properly swaddle a baby.

Tuesday at 3pm

Thursday at 10:30am

Friday at 9pm

Saturday at 2pm

For those of you who don’t live in the Hampton’s, this video shows the connection between Cycle for Survival & LLD. Cycle for Survival is very important to us as many of our families and sitters have been directly affected by rare cancers. We want to help raise funds to find a cure & need your  help!

Lindsay at a past Cycle event with ESPN’s Chris Mullin

All funds raised at Cycle for Survival go directly to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center for research on rare cancers, which  drastically reduces the time it takes for new treatments to reach patients – in some cases cutting the span from years to months.

This event is especially meaningful to LLD because of Perry and her family, long-time members of LLD, who are dedicated to participating in this indoor cycling event.

Perry is a HUGE Cycle for Survival supporter!

From the moment Perry was born, she has been battling cancer, but the lil’ firecracker has remained extremely positive and is currently recovering. Perry is a huge supporter and lover of Cycle for Survival along with her family. Perry has been receiving treatment at MSKCC and all of the proceeds from Team Perry goes to research on retinoblastoma and children’s brain tumors.

To donate to LLD’s team click here.

To donate to Perry’s team click here.

-LB

My girls and Grandma Sylvia.

RECIPE
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup cocoa unsweetened
1/2 tsp salt
2 1/2 tbsp corn starch
3 cups milk
3 egg yolks
1 tbsp butter
1 1/2 tsp vanilla

Meringue:
3 egg yolks
1/2 tsp cream
tartar
1/4 cup sugar *add gradually

Mix milk with sugar, cocoa, salt, corn starch, and flour over heat until thick. Let cool. Make Meringue. Put over pie. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-15 minutes.

Mama Bell is our mother of 5 & weekly Monday columnist

When I landed my first job out of college with the Radio City Rockettes I was over the moon. My job as coordinator was to manage a troupe of 200 women across the USA with their auditions/interviews, press appearances, shows, etc . Every year I go see the show to kick-off the holiday season. It has been a tradition for years & each year it gets better & better.  Here is my take on this year’s show.  Congratulations ladies on 85 years!

Before entering the show you are greeted by a friendly staff and exciting decorations, an environment that puts a smile on your lil darlings’ faces and puts the family at ease. The curtains open with “Sleigh Ride,” grasping kids’ attention with a magical, brilliantly lit performance. The Reindeer choreography here will impress and enchant people of all ages, and that’s only the start! Don’t worry about your kids attention spans waning- there is so much to see throughout this whole performance.

My first road show was in Detroit 2005. One of these Rockettes is now a LLD sitter!

The kiddies will be glued to their chairs- unless they’re jumping up to point out how many Santas multiply across the stage as Santa shows how he can be in more than one place at a time. Mommies might have to stop themselves from jumping up during one sequence that shows off decades worth of Rockettes original costumes and another that displays impossibly sparkling costumes, each containing 3,000 Swarovski Crystals. One of the kids’ favorites is sure to be when the Rockettes aboard a life-size double decker bus that playfully moves in front of a huge screen showing images of New York City landmarks. They’ll love pointing out all of the ones they recognize! The whole family will be engaged when it’s time to put on your 3D glasses and follow the enchanting images that dance all around you. But one of our favorite new numbers is the Rockettes video game, the visuals are tantalizing, the music and affects really are out of the world. Your lil’ darlings will be thrilled as live camels and sheep are introduced on stage during the re-telling of the birth of Jesus. Everyone will recognize classics like “Hark the Herald” and “Joy to the World”. This pageant-like ending will leave you feeling like it’s Christmas Eve.

Here’s a shot from one of the past shows, this year’s is x10!!

Round up all the kiddies who have been good for Santa this year and don’t miss this Magical 85th Anniversary Performance!

For tickets click here & enter the code CELEBRATE at checkout for 25% off tickets!

-LB