Extended Entry Articles

Children develop at different rates, however for the most part they will fall under a general time line. If your baby is premature, the time line they fall into will be in accordance with their gestational age, not their birth age, which means they may be behind by a few weeks or months. If your child seems to be behind, or you are worried about their development it is wise to talk to your pediatrician. There are certain milestones that your child should meet within a few weeks of the average. If they are not meeting those milestones, they might be experiencing developmental delays. The sooner you catch developmental delays, the better chance your baby has of treatment being effective.

The first thing your pediatrician will tell you is to trust your gut or instincts on the matter. If something seems odd or wrong to you, pay attention to that feeling, you know your baby better than anyone else. If you have any concerns at all, pick up the phone and ask your pediatrician about it. If nothing else, you get the peace of mind of knowing you did not let something slide that should have been looked into.

"Spotting developmental delays in your baby" »

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When babies are first born they have no inhibitions, and they love everyone. While their love for everyone may not be equal, in that they love their mom and dad better then strangers, they do not cry or fuss when a stranger holds them. As they grow and develop socially, they become more interactive, but with that they also learn the idea of who they know, and who they do not, and sooner than you know it they become individuals with their own distinct personality, and the idea of separation and independence start to take root.

"Social development in babies" »

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When a baby is born prematurely they often have some delays in development. They also may need some special care. Most babies who are released from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) don't need special medical equipment when they leave the hospital. But some do. If your baby is one that does, be sure that you are comfortable with how to use it. Usually the company that provides the equipment will send someone to show you how to use it properly. Be sure to ask any questions you may have. Also know who to call if you have further questions once you are at home.

"Preemie care and feeding" »

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Your baby's physical development is a very important part of their health. As you take them to the doctor for their check-ups and well child visits you will find that your doctor will weight, and measure your child. Usually they will then tell you what percentile they fall into with regards to other children in their age range. Based on these percentiles your doctor will determine if your child is growing as they should be, are average, above average, or not developing fast enough.

"Physical development for babies" »

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Toddlers can be extremely difficult to discipline because there is very little you can do to reason with them, and often they may not understand the problem. However, toddlers are in the learning stages of what behaviors are acceptable and which are not. Thus, learning to properly discipline your toddler is very important. Toddlers are generally in a stage of self realization. They are starting to grasp the concept that they are an individual that can think and act for themselves. Thus, poor behaviors start to emerge as they test the waters, and determine what they like. As a parent you will start to hear the word "no" come from your toddler's mouth. You will see them refusing food, activities, and help, even if they normally would want it. This is all normal and natural. It is all a part of them deciding who they are, and resisting you as they make their own choices. While it is normal and natural, that does not mean you should ignore their resistance, or allow poor behavior. Just the opposite in fact is true. If you can learn good discipline strategies for your toddler, it will likely carry over to the rest of their life.

"Discipline for toddlers" »

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There is a lot of hype and worry about how to bond with your baby. many new parents, or parents to be worry that they will not know how, or that they will do it wrong. Many people who have poor relationships with their own parents worry excessively about how to create bonds, and good relationships with their child or children. The following is a look at how to bond with your baby, whether you are mom or dad, bottle feeding or breast feeding, and no matter what your past, present, or future holds for you in the way of your relationship with your own parents:

"Bonding with your baby" »

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Toddlers are a fun age, they are finally getting out of the stage where they need help with everything, and are now big enough to do things on their own. However, with this independence often comes some behavioral problems. Toddlers have a tendency to recognize that they are their own person, and as they become more self-aware they start to resist you some, which often leads to behavior problems. Temper tantrums, hitting, biting, teasing, and saying "no" to everything mom and dad ask is very common. However, no matter how common it is, it does not make it any easier for a parent to deal with, or be okay with. If your toddler is being normal, and that is causing you some stress, or others, there are things you can do. The following is a look at some things you can do to help your toddler behave better.

"Behavior Help for Toddlers" »

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Holiday greetings are in short a selection of greetings used during the holidays to give family and friends, as well as strangers a verbal pat on the back and let people know you care. They are spoken with good intentions to strangers, family, friends, and anyone else for a few weeks in December, and sometimes in January as well.

Some greetings are used frequently and others are reserved for more intimate situations, friends, family, etc. The reasons that some are more prevalent than others is because of culture, or religion.

There are a number of fun Christmas greetings people use during the Christmas season, and all of these greetings have fun potential for Christmas gifts and card ideas. The following are some creative ways to incorporate Christmas greetings into your gift giving:

"Unique ways to use Christmas greetings in gift ideas" »

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"Happy Christmas" is a term or greeting that is considered to be an equivalent to "Merry Christmas". This greeting is not as popular as "Merry Christmas," but is commonly used in the United Kingdom and Ireland, as well as some use in North America and the US. This greeting first gained popularity, and a wide usage in the late 19th century, when by "Happy Christmas" they usually meant a "tipsy" or "drunken" Christmas. However, it also means the same thing Merry Christmas does, and in fact in the original version of one of the most popular Christmas poems of all time, Clement Moore's "A Visit from St. Nicholas" (1823), the final line, originally written as "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night", but due to the popularity of the equivalent term "Merry Christmas" many editions have the last line reading "Merry Christmas to all".

Despite the origin of the term, or the popularity of its usage, it is a good sentiment to have a happy Christmas. Why wouldn't you want to have a happy Christmas? While it makes sense to strive for this as your goal, what can you do to achieve it?

"How to have a happy Christmas" »

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Christmas is a celebratory time, for Christians it is a time to celebrate the birth of Christ and to entertain children with stories of mystical gift givers, reindeer, and elves. Christmas time is supposed to be a time where families come together in love to share in the season and enjoy one another's company. However, the realities of Christmas are often far different then the idealistic portrait painted on television.

For some, Christmas is a time of stress, where fighting holiday crowds, spending money they don't have, and trying to fit the endless engagements into an already stuffed schedule really starts to take its toll. Often the spirit and true meaning of Christmas are lost in the rush and hubbub to meet the expectations and demands of the season. If you ever feel that the spirit of Christmas is getting lost, and you are succumbing to the pressures of finding the perfect gifts, hosting the most elaborate party, or finding a way to buy something for everyone that is on your list, it is time to sit back and remember the spirit of Christmas and how the season is supposed to be. The following are some tips to help you get into the spirit of Christmas and remember the true meaning.

"Getting in the spirit of Christmas" »

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History of the Christmas tree

The Christmas tree has been a part of our indoor celebration of the Christmas holiday since the 16th Century. It is hard to say exactly when it was that the Christmas tree originated but the history of the use of a cut and decorated fir tree is certainly a long one. According to some scholars the origins of the Christmas tree date back longer than even Christianity itself, while others argue that it was during the American Revolution that the Christmas tree was born. Records of trees being decorated as part of a celebration span the globe. The Egyptians were said to have treasured and worshipped evergreens, while the Romans used evergreens in their celebration and worship of the god of agriculture. Centuries ago in Great Britain the branches of evergreen trees were placed over doors to keep evil spirits away. It wasn't until the late middle ages that evergreen trees found their way indoors when the Germans and Scandinavians placed evergreen trees inside their homes or just outside their doors to show their hope in the forthcoming spring. Some say that it wasn't until the fifteen hundreds that the tradition to decorate trees as a way to celebrate the birth of Christ begun.

The history of the Christmas tree was born in America sometime during the Revolutionary war but did not begin to become widely accepted until 1851 when a farmer sold six ox sleds full of trees in New York City. By the year 1900 about 20% of Americans celebrated Christmas with an evergreen tree in their home. By 1920 the custom spread not only throughout much of the country but to other countries as well. There are several species of Christmas trees that are traditionally used. Scots pines and Douglas firs are the most popular species of evergreen trees used for Christmas trees. But other trees cut down and used for the Christmas holiday include the noble fir, white pine, balsam fir and white spruce.

The evergreen tree has long had symbolic importance that carries a purpose with it as well.
The Christmas tree is a symbol of a living Christmas spirit and, to some, a living Christ. The pleasant aroma of the tree reminds us of the forest, nature and natural beauty. Balsam fir twigs have long been thought to resemble crosses, explaining why Balsam fir trees were among the first to be used as Christmas trees.

"Christmas tree" »

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An introduction to the Christmas holiday

Christmas is a very important time of year for families everywhere. It helps them celebrate religious beliefs as well as spend time with family and friends in a setting that doesn't happen but a few times each year. There are many reasons why Christmas is important to so many people.

Christmas is an annual holiday that is meant to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. It refers to the day of his birth as well as the season which it begins called the Christmastide which then ends with the feast of Epiphany. The date is only traditional and is not actually considered to be the birth date of Jesus but only a celebration of his birth. Christmas also combines this celebration with other winter festivals like the Nativity. Christmas is normally a Christian holiday, which can be deduced from the name, but is also celebrated by people of other faiths too. There are also some Christian faiths that don't celebrate Christmas. The date of Christmas in most places all over the world is December 25. Christmas Eve is also celebrated in many places and some places like Germany begin the celebrations on the 24th of December. The day after Christmas, the 26th, is called Boxing Day in the UK and many other places celebrate St. Stephen's Day in primarily Catholic countries. Some churches observe Christmas on other days. For example, the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates it on January 6th each year and the Eastern Orthodox Church, who still uses the Julian calendar, celebrates it on January 7th.

Christmas has long been an important holiday, but its prominence came about after the rule of Charlemagne, who was crowned on Christmas Day in the year 800. Christmas has evolved over the years and different things have become important in the celebration of it. Modern tradition is more focused on the Nativity scenes of Christmas and other important symbols like hilly, Christmas trees, exchanging gifts and Santa Claus. The general theme of Christmas has become a time to celebrate friends and family and to promote goodwill and peace.

"Christmas holiday" »

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A remodel to your formal living room can vary in costs depending upon the dimensions and how extensive you want your remodel to be. If you want to remodel on a budget, here are some ways to remodel your formal living from for under $750.

Start by replacing the lighting in your formal living room. Tall lamps are a beautiful way to accent the corners in your formal living room. Two tall floor lamps will run you $110 each at the Home Depot. You can opt for cheaper lamps, but a formal living room lamp should be a bit fancier. If you have ceiling lighting, you should consider new light fixtures or new lights altogether. Recessed lighting creates a dramatic effect; however it may run out your entire budget, especially if you hire an electrician to install the lights. Fancy lighting fixtures can be picked up for $75 each at the Home Depot. You can always opt for more expensive lighting fixtures if your budget permits it.

To create a fresh new look, you should consider painting your formal living room. A formal living room should create a soft, warm feeling so the paint color you select should be soft instead of harsh. Light yellows, tans and off-whites are a great way to create a feeling of warmth to your formal living room. A professional painter can come in and do the formal living room for an average cost of $300. If you choose to paint the room yourself, the total cost with all the necessary supplies will run you about $100. If your formal living room has baseboards and other moldings, you should consider painting two different colors. A darker color can be used to accent the above color, just be sure the colors don't clash. A dark burgundy goes well with white and a dark blue looks just as stunning with a white or off-white accent.

"How to remodel your formal living room" »

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A remodel to your entertainment area can cost a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.

If you would like to remodel your entertainment area, here are some tips to keep it under $750.

Keep in mind that with a smaller budget, remodeling your entertainment area is going to consist mostly of creating a new space for your television and electronics, and freshening the look of the room with paint and possibly new rugs to cover your existing flooring. You probably can't afford to do new wiring, or a surround sound, etc. at that price.

A new HDTV tends to be the driving factor behind many entertainment area remodels. Since the HDTV sets are bigger and heavier, they require more expensive decorating. You can purchase a nice stand from Wal-mart for around $300. However, the best option you have is to build one yourself. You can purchase a steel kit for around $100. A steel kit is pretty strong and you can construct it in about an hour. The steel kit will hold the TV, DVD player and a cable box.

"How to remodel your entertainment area for under $750" »

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Remodeling your bathroom can be a major undertaking that can last several weeks, or it can be something that can be finished in a day or two. In addition to the time that it takes to remodel a bathroom is the cost. You can remodel a bathroom for a fairly insignificant amount, or you can spend half a year's salary. Let's take a look at a bathroom remodel example that costs less than $500, less than $1500, and far more.

It is a well known fact that the bathroom and the kitchen are the two most expensive rooms in the house to remodel. This is because unlike many rooms, you have additional fixtures. You don't just need walls with paint, and flooring, but you also have cabinetry, plumbing fixtures, etc. However, despite the fact that a bathroom is known as an expensive room to remodel, it is possible to do so for under $500, and see a significant difference.

"Bathroom remodel" »

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A concrete or stone foundation walls in a basement can save you thousands, but it is in your best interest to finish your basement. Here is how you can finish your basement for under $3000.

The average 1,000-square-foot basement runs right on $3,000 for a drywall finished basement with electric and paint. Drywall materials are pretty inexpensive, costing about 50 cents per square foot. You can do most of the labor yourself and save yourself a ton of money, costing $500. You will need to read up on how to tape, finish and sand if this is your first drywall project.

"How to finish your basement" »

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For less than $750 you can dramatically improve your backyard's landscaping. Here are some ways to improve your backyard for $750.

A quick and easy fix to your backyard is to add lighting. Purchase solar lights that can line your entire backyard, this work's best if you have a flower garden lining the yard. You can purchase a set of 12 solar powered lights for $120.00 from Sears, Lowes and Home Depot. You should also consider purchasing a solar flood light to attach to your deck; this will cost $90.00 from Target.

Fire pits are becoming increasingly popular in backyards for many reasons. Many people are installing fire pits as a social gathering area for their neighbors, while others simply enjoy roasting marshmallows in their own backyard. You can build a fire pit yourself with a few tools from the Home Depot or you can purchase a complete unit. A complete unit will run you about $200 or you can build one for around $100.

"How to improve your backyard" »

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Christmas ornaments are a fun part of Christmas decorating that make for a festive look and feel in your home, but where did ornaments come from? The following is a look at the history and origin of Christmas ornaments:

The earliest ornaments were seen in the early 1800's. Back then ornaments were not nearly as elaborate as they are today. They were usually fruit and nuts that were strung together and put on evergreens.

As the years went on other fruit besides apples were added to the nuts, and sometimes paper streamers and bits of shiny metal foil. The foil would reflect the light in the room where the tree stood, and made the tree a lovely focus, which added to the idea of lights being used as ornaments.

As the idea of decorating trees took hold, especially in Germany, other ornamentation was added, such as gingerbread and other hard cookies cut into the shapes of other foods and fruits would adorn the trees. Then came the idea of shaping the like angels and bells.

"Christmas ornaments: Feature Article" »

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Christmas is a very popular holiday that is celebrated around the world. For most children the thoughts of Christmas keep them awake at night because of the expectation of parties, gifts, and surprises. Families tend to gather, homes are decorated, and the spirit of generosity and love tend to fill the air. So what is Christmas? How did it start? And what is it about? The following is a look at the holiday Christmas, why it is celebrated, some various ways it is celebrated, and more:

First and foremost, the holiday of Christmas was originally started as a way to celebrate the birth of Jesus. It is a Christian holiday that commemorates the birth of the Savior of the world. While most Christians do not actually believe the date of celebration is the actual date of birth, but rather a day to celebrate the birth, and commemorate the Nativity etc.

"Christmas: Feature Article" »

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The Christmas snowman is a symbol of the winter holiday season. A snowman is a figure molded out of snow. Most snowmen are not taller than the person who builds them. Snowmen can be any size you like and decorated with anything you like. There are a couple different ways you can construct a snowman.

The snow must be hard enough to form together. Snow that is fluffy will not mould together and form a ball. The traditional snowman has 3 different sized balls pilled on top of each other. You will make a large ball for the base, a medium sized ball for the body, and a smaller ball for the head. The other method of building a snowman is to roll one large sized ball for the body and a smaller one for the head.

"Christmas snowman: Feature Article" »

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Christmas is the most observed and popular holiday of the year. The commercial promotion of the Christmas season is one of many reasons why it is so popular. The Christmas season is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and show love and compassion for the fellow man. There are many traditions that are associated with this glorious holiday.

Most people think of Christmas as a single day, when it is indeed a 6 week season. The celebration of the Christmas season begins 4 weeks before Christmas and extends 2 weeks after the holiday. The time before season is referred to as a season of Advent. Advent is the time when Christians await the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

"Christmas season: Feature Article" »

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Christmas is known as a religious holiday to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Many people still participate in Christmas celebrations despite their different beliefs. Christmas has evolved to be more than just a religious holiday. There are many symbols involved in the celebration of Christmas. Understanding how they became Christmas folklore can be quite entertaining. Here is a look at Christmas folklore:

Santa Claus
Perhaps the most recognized symbol of Christmas, besides baby Jesus, is Santa Claus. Like any other folklore the history of Santa Claus has been changed and influenced by several cultures. Many people date the history of Santa Claus to have started in 4th century AD. Bishop Nicholas was known for his generosity, especially to the young. As the years went on, he became known as Saint Nicholas. Over time, adults began to dress in the manner of Saint Nicholas and re-enact the kindness he showed toward his fellow man. The children began leaving their shoes outside the doors of their homes so they could have them filled with candies and toys.

"A look at Christmas folklore: Feature Article" »

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Christmas decorations are a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday season. You can change simple things in your home to spruce it up for the holiday season. Your Christmas decorations can be as simple or elaborate as you would like. The key to creative Christmas decorations is to make them uplifting and eye-catching. When you are looking at new ways to spruce up your home, you need to always consider your budget. Determine exactly how much money you can spend on Christmas decorations and then you can decide what your theme will be. Many people like to pick a similar theme such as "Christmas Bells, Christmas Trees, Santa Claus, Snowmen, etc." Of course, you can easily stick with a color theme, anything that includes red, green, white, silver, or gold will work perfectly.

A simple Christmas decoration is a wreath that can be laid in the center of your table. Use a plain green wreath and begin decorating it with anything you desire such as snowmen, reindeer, or gingerbread men. Adorn the wreath with ribbons and bows and place a large candle at the center of the wreath. A unique way to add some creativity to the wreath is to use several small candles called tapers. The tapers look impressive when they are at different heights and scattered throughout the wreath. Of course you need to have a small glass plate under each taper or candle to catch the hot wax. Hot wax on a wreath can easily cause a fire.

"Get creative with Christmas decorations: Feature Article" »

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"Jingle Bells", "Silver Bells", and many other Christmas songs focus on bells. Bells have been associated with Christmas for a long time. Originally bells were used to ward away evil spirits. Years ago people thought that evil spirits overtook the earth during the winter months. These evil spirits would come out in the winter and harm people. When the fall season approached, many people would participate in ceremonies that would ward away evil spirits and keep bad things from happening to them. Bells later became a sound of happiness and were carried over into the celebration of Christmas.

Most churches had a large bell or several bells that would ring when something important happened. The celebration of Christmas is to recognize the birth of Jesus Christ. Bells are also rung to start the service of church. In the Catholic and Anglican churches, the church day begins at sunset and the first service of the day will start after sunset. The Catholic Church will also hold mass at midnight on Christmas. In some catholic churches, the bells will be rung at the hour before midnight on Christmas Eve and at midnight.

"Fun with Christmas Bells: Feature Article" »

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Christmas collectibles are some of the most memorable parts of Christmas. Most Christmas collectibles are figurines, or ornaments. Most people will carefully store their Christmas collectibles each year and lovingly pull them out for display during the holiday season.

Where can you buy Christmas collectibles?

Christmas collectibles can be purchased new or used on the Internet. There are some specialty type shops that sell Christmas collectibles, but the best sources for them are online, as there is more variety to choose from and more vendors. You can also try buying Christmas collectibles on online auction sites. These are sites like eBay, Overstock, and more.

What you should know about Christmas collectibles?

In many cases it is cheaper to buy new collectibles then it is to buy the older ones. If it is a collectible, it is usually worth more the older or rarer it is. So, used Christmas collectibles are the way to go, the problem is, this means you need to do your best to stay up to date on the value of collectibles so that you do not overpay for them.

"Christmas collectibles: Feature Article" »

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