The Talking Walnut

You know you are officially pregnant the moment you’ve realized you can no longer button up your favorite pair of jeans–no matter how hard you try. And if you’re anything like I am, a good pair is one you treasure and hold on to until that last thread is practically irreparable. When maternity jeans just won’t do, you can invest in Denim Therapy, a service that enables you to hang on to your beloved jeans through those nine months and still be able to wear them once you are back to your pre-pregnancy self. Using a special thread selection process, each pair of jeans is stitched with expandable side inseams to accommodate growing bellies. Then once you’re ready to wear your old blues again, they can be restored to their previous condition. The cost for both services is $60–comparable to a pair of new jeans that you might settle on once you realize your favorite pair is no longer an option. And a small price to pay for an emotional reunion money can’t buy: you and your jeans.

In a Nutshell: Make like Neil Diamond, and be forever in blue jeans. At a time in your life when your self image could use a little boost, you’ll take comfort in your trusted pair.

I can hardly believe how often we lose my 15-month-old’s socks–and that I can’t even blame it on our washer/dryer, which seems responsible for usurping all the grown-up ones in our home! Much to my chagrin, my exploratory toddler has decorated the floor of one too many grocery stores and our local library with her missing socks. Well, we’ll be having no more Cinderella of socks (that’s off, one on) in this house, thanks to Stay With Me socks , which proudly live up to their name. Even the most determined toddler can’t wrestle these stay-put socks off her tootsies; a simple Velcro strap around the ankle keeps them in place, no matter how much your little one tries to remove them. And as your baby’s foot size grows (quicker than you’d like–gasp!), you can adjust the fit accordingly. Stay With Me socks are available in a variety of colors and designs for newborn up to 14 months.

Once your baby has grown, keeping track of her footwear can still be an issue, plus now you have a person who can vocalize her fashion preferences and her feelings (Does “Mom, my feet are cold…I don’t like these socks!” sound familiar?). Nowali moccasins are the cold feet cure-all that your kids won’t protest wearing. Designed to look more like a sock in a soft shoe, this Swedish moccasin is perfect for padding around the house once shoes have been kicked off for the day. I like that the soft leather non-skid soles work just as well for my sometimes clumsy 5-year-old as they do for my not-yet-walking toddler, both of whom are navigating a part wood floor-part area rug indoor landscape. The fact that they are adorably stylish–designs range from robots to rockets, and monsters to monkeys–is the icing on the cake. Sizes range from 6 mos. to 5 years, and vary by style.

In a Nutshell: Footwear that’s fun and functional to boot (pun intended) is a wonderful addition to your child’s closet.

Breastfeeding your baby is one of the many choices you make as a new mom, and for many, one you may struggle with before you get the hang of it. I decided to bottle-feed both my daughters, but the mom friends who nursed their babies have shared their stories of both the upside–the tremendous bonding–and the downside (soreness, intense commitment and oh, the soreness). When I heard about the Shower Hug, a product designed to give some extra support and comfort to nursing moms, I wondered if it might make a difference. I can remember that even just after giving birth, I was a bit anxious when showering for the first time; the soothing spray that felt so wonderful on my back while pregnant was now a potential source of pain. I can only imagine what a nursing mom might be feeling as she steps into the shower everyday. I checked in with a friend who is currently nursing her infant son and she admitted to not having the easiest time with showering. When I told her about the Shower Hug, she seemed a bit skeptical, but was willing to hear more about it. What she likes is that it really doesn’t look like a nursing bra, but more like something you might wear at a spa (hey, us moms will find anyway to feel good about ourselves!). It’s a bandeau top made from super-soft terry velour meant for soothing sensitive skin. And what’s nice that it not only works in the shower as a protective wrap, but feels good worn during the day and even while sleeping.

In a Nutshell: If breastfeeding has turned you into a bit of a shower-phobe, this wrap will give you a little comfort. You’ll welcome sudsing up once again. Now, to conquer showering undisturbed…