Love, love, love. Love, love, love. Love, love, love.

There’s nothing you can do that can’t be done.
Nothing you can sing that can’t be sung.
Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game
It’s easy.

There’s nothing you can make that can’t be made.
No one you can save that can’t be saved.
Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you in time
It’s easy.

All you need is love
All you need is love,
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need.

All you need is love
All you need is love,
All you need is love.
Love is all you need.

There’s nothing you can know that isn’t known.
Nothing you can see that isn’t shown.
Nowhere you can be that isn’t where you’re meant to be.
It’s easy.

All you need is love
All you need is love,
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need.

All you need is love
All together now!
All you need is love
Everybody!
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need.

In times like these it can sometimes be hard to stay optimistic, to stay positive. I truly do believe in the power of love, and what is better than the love you show your baby!

Top 10 Ways To Give Your Baby Love:

1. Hugs
2. Snuggles
3. Kisses
4. Play peek-a-boo
5. Read a book (or two or three!)
6. Sing
7. Talk, about anything and everything
8. Fly baby like an airplane
9. Tickle toes
10. More hugs. More kisses.

It is not hard to give a baby love. It can be hard to do these things with distractions like dishes, older children, spouses, jobs, Facebook, etc. I am going to challenge you all to do everything on this list today, fully, without distraction, and then come up with your own list. Come back and share your top ten ways to show your baby love!

Who can resist this sweet little apple?

So I have spent the last day and a half combing through old photos of my three as babies, well one still is but that’s beside the point… I spent so much time reminiscing that I never got the chance to put up my photos! Here are a few favorites from each and you can see me attempting to use those tips I have continued to attempt to put into practice!

There’s nothing like having a baby to bring out the photographer in all of us. Every movement, every expression, every cute little finger and toe just needs to be captured on film, right? Or these days, on our digital cameras to be uploaded to the computer to be shared with the world! I know how it is. Taking photos of my kids, especially when they were tiny, was something I loved to do. Luckily I am a good editor or we would have millions of images.

Here are our top ten tips for getting better photos of your baby:

1. There are a lot of variables to look at and things you can change, but the most important tip I can give is to just shoot. Shoot picture after picture, especially if you have a digital camera, and you will end up some good ones, also some terrible, but it’s worth it to get to the really great ones. If you’re really interested pay attention to what you did when you created a great photo so you can do it again! Take your camera everywhere and just take pictures.
2. I know how frustrating it is when you see your baby do something simply amazing and the picture comes out all wrong. Sometimes you are not going to get a great photo, but capturing the moment is still important. Don’t hold back on capturing your baby’s first bath because the lighting is all wrong or you have the wrong lens. You also might be surprised what you can get in less than perfect situations. Plus, you don’t need every photo to look perfect and posed.
3. Use natural light whenever possible. Very rarely is using your built-in flash a good idea, unless you are able to “bounce” the light off of the wall or ceiling. Soft light coming in through a window is my absolute favorite. Morning and afternoon light is also lovely for outdoor shots.
4. Move in close to your baby. Move in even closer than you might first think. Emphasize what is really important and cut out the rest. This will make your photos much more impactful than seeing a basket of laundry, toys, and whatnot lying around your adorable angel.
5. Get really, really close. I don’t think there is anything much sweeter than an artful photo of a newborn’s tiny feet or hands. Using a macro lens or even a macro setting can make for some great shots.
6. Experiment with angles and perspective. Try starting at baby’s eye level. Then try other positions like getting down on the floor or getting up high by standing on a (sturdy) chair. You might be surprised at what you get.
7. Try to keep backgrounds simple. Whether you’re indoors or outside, be conscious of what is going on behind and around your baby. You want the focus of the photo to be on your baby, not her surroundings.
8. Have fun with scale. Particularly for babies, and as they grow, it is fun to take photos with something that really demonstrates their small size. I love taking photos of my baby girl every three months in the same rocking chair. I love seeing how she is grown in just a year by comparing the photos. Or take shots of your baby’s tiny hand wrapped around her daddy’s finger.
9. Experiment with color. With the digital age, it is easier than ever to make changes to your photos after the fact. Change it to black and white, boost or fade the color, erase small imperfections. All of these manipulations can be done by whatever program you use to upload your photos to your computer and are typically simple to do. If you are so inclined, there are more expensive and expansive programs to learn to use!
10. Include other people. While your baby may be the cutest subject ever, it is so wonderful later on to see the photo with him and great-grandpa or auntie. And don’t forget to make sure someone is taking pictures of you too! Don’t just hide behind the camera. As your baby gets older she will love to see photos of the two of you together, and yes she will probably mock your hairstyle or clothing as a teenager, but isn’t that a rite of passage?

Tomorrow, for Wordless Wednesday, I will post some of my favorite photos that I have taken of my little ones. If anyone wants to include one of their own, e-mail me the photo and what credit you would like shown. Happy shooting!

Outright funny, tongue-in-cheek, or plain old useful, enjoy our new feature for Tuesdays: Tuesday Top Ten!

Thought we would start this Tuesday off light.

1. Smile. Simple, but true. Babies love to see their mama (or dada) smiling at them.
2. Silly faces, especially if you shake your head, are sure to bring on the giggles.
3. Peekaboo. Surprise your baby with a little “boo” from behind or around another object.
4. Raspberries on bellies and nibbling necks, fingers, or toes may bring on the sometimes elusive belly laugh. Warning, this one can be addictive.
5. Singing and dancing. Either making a fool of yourself for baby or with baby is great fun for her, plus you can sneak in some calorie burning moves while you’re at it.
6. Pretend to sneeze. A favorite of photographers everywhere.
7. Tickling. Always a crowd pleaser. Just be careful to know when baby has had enough because you will never get enough of squeezing those chubby little baby thighs!
8. Chasing. For older babies this is a great game. Not so great if it’s because you are in a non-babyproofed environment and have to chase her, but you’ll still get the giggles when you catch and snuggle her.
10. Big brothers and sisters. These are probably the funniest people in your baby’s life if he is lucky enough to have them. For those first-borns and onlies, any older child will do, especially if your baby knows them well.

I love secrets, surprises, finding hidden treasures. Really love them. As a child, I loved Easter Egg hunts (and one of these years I am going to make it out to Alpenrose’s hunt just for moms!) If you are anything like me, have I got the sale for you!

Every day during the month of June, Clementine NW will have at least one item on super sale- up to 50% off! But… You are going to have to find it before it’s gone! The super secret sale item could be anywhere on the site starting at 12:01am PST, so look hard and be quick! Plus every Wednesday (starting at 10am PST), there will be at least one FREE* item hidden somewhere on the site. It could be something small or something big, you will just have to wait and see!

If our super secret sale item has not sold out before 3pm PST then we will give a hint (or two) here on the blog, on our Facebook fan page, and/or on twitter. So, if you aren’t subscribed to the blog, a fan on Facebook, or following us on twitter now is the time! (There may be some bonuses involved.)

What great deals are you going to find?

* With any purchase. Shipping costs may apply. Clementine NW offers FREE shipping for orders of $100 or more and a flat rate of $6.95 for all orders under $100.

Sale Hints will now be given in new posts each day.

So in the wake of the recent Mylicon recall I wanted to focus on some easy, natural ways to help ease gas. Some of these methods can also be used to help colic and constipation as well. First realize that most babies will be gassy from time to time, it’s just a part of the maturing digestive tract and most will be able to manage gas more easily as it matures.

Still want some help?

1) Time: For most babies this will be the most effective treatment for gas. If you can’t determine a specific cause for the gas, you will just have to wait until baby’s digestive tract matures. Unfortunately this does not help you when you are dealing with an unhappy baby. Try to remember that it will pass eventually.

2) Infant Massage: I have been learning infant massage techniques with my baby girl. I never learned much with my boys, but know a great teacher now and have been lucky enough to benefit from her expertise. There are certain strokes you can do to ease baby’s discomfort. We have been using grapeseed oil for this. I invite you all to look for an infant massage class near you. I know many hospitals have classes. Or check your local library for a book. For more information check out www.infantmassageusa.org.

3) Carries: Carry your baby in the “football hold”, with baby’s head in the crook of your elbow; drape baby’s stomach along your forearm and grasp the diaper area firmly. The pressure on baby’s tummy will help relieve the discomfort.

Or try the “colic curl”,  holding baby with his back against your chest and encircle your arms under his bum. Curl baby up with his head and neck resting against you.

Also the “neck nuzzle”, hold baby against your chest with her head snuggled up under your chin. Hum or sing to her while moving side to side. Dads can be great at this one. Their lower pitched voices can be very soothing.

4) Soothe: Rhythmic movement, soothing sounds, visual distractions, and close physical contact all might help soothe a fussy baby.

Soothing sounds can be a vacuum cleaner, bathroom fan, your singing, music, or white noise machines.

Visual distractions can be a mirror to look at themselves, silly or happy faces along with eye contact from you, lights, ceiling fans, other children, or pets.

Many of these soothing techniques can be and should be used in conjunction with close physical contact between you and baby, either being held or in some kind of baby carrier.

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Please do not use star anise. It has been linked to serious neurological effects.  Mint tea should also be avoided for baby and breastfeeding mothers. Be careful about any herbal treatments. Read labels. Talk to your doctor. Be informed about anything you or your baby ingests.

This is rapidly becoming a favorite CD in our house! Putumayo Kids has created this CD/DVD set featuring songs and music videos from Sesame Street productions around the world. Thirteen songs from Brazil, France, China, India, Israel, Mexico, the Netherlands, Palestine, Russia, South Africa and Tanzania complement two from the U.S. flagship production. Pick one up today! I know your kids will love it as much as mine do!

Our giveaway is over, but now you can get free shipping on all your favorite Robeez styles through August 31, 2008!! Supplies are limited.

Take advantage of it while you still can! We will extend free shipping for all orders over $50 until August 1, 2008.

Only 2 days now until baby girl arrives! The boys are really excited, well mostly just my 4 year old. I don’t think the 2 year old know what he is in for!

The next couple of days I forsee being incredibly hectic trying to get all those last minute things done. Today started out lovely. I heard my 4 year old yelling/crying for someone to come get him, at 5:30am. When I get to his room I discover he is throwing up all over his bed. Not exactly what I had in mind! Luckily he is feeling fine now….

I am also getting some new products ready to add to our Summer Sale and gearing up for the next giveaway in August!!