According to Wikipedia, the Friday the 13^th fuss is the combination of two older superstitions: that thirteen is an unlucky number and that Friday is an unlucky day.

In numerology, the number twelve is considered the number of completeness evidenced by the twelve month calendar, twelve hour clock and twelve zodiac signs.  Thirteen was considered irregular, transgressing this completeness.  Of course, what’s wrong with 13 in a baker’s dozen?  We see thirteen as a plus and many people even favor is as their personal lucky number.

Friday has been considered an unlucky day since at least since the 14th century when many were reluctant to begin new projects, make business transactions or travel. Friday is also synonymous with several historic Black Friday disasters from financial scandal in 1869 to a tornado touching ground in 1987.  We tend to look at the bright side and consider Black Friday a day of shopping deals!  It’s also the last day of the week which means two days of rest, relaxation and time focused on family.

If you choose to look at today as just another day on the calendar, you might be on to something.  Superstitions get the best of you if you keep your focus on the negative however, if you think positive thoughts as you go about your day, you may just turn Friday the 13^th into a day of luck.

 Share your story: Have you had any strange things happen to you on a Friday the 13^th?

Whether your goal for the new year is to be more organized, simplify or take better care of yourself and your family, you have to start somewhere.  Below are three steps you can take to help get you started on the path to change.

Step one: Evaluate.   You have to know what it is you would like to accomplish.  Do you want to de-clutter?  Do you want to help contribute to the family income?  Do you want to be more prepared and on time?  Do you want to be more active or involved?  You have to have a goal in mind to start on your path to change

Step Two: Organize.  Once you figure out what you would like to accomplish, it’s time to lay out the steps to make it happen.   Start with easy tangible goals.  For example, if you want to be more on time this year rather than late, creating a family calendar is a great way to start.  Write down all your family activities, meetings and appointments in one central location so the entire family knows what is going on and when.  The kids will appreciate knowing what to expect and they will help remind you to get them there on time.  Besides, if it is written it shall be done! 

Step Three: Persist!  You know the goal and you’ve got the plan to make it happen now you have to stick to it.  Don’t be discouraged if you find yourself loosing site of your goal.  Tomorrow is a new day.  There is no rule as to how often you can put you plan into action and you certainly don’t have to wait another year to start over again.  Think of each day as a clean slate.

Use the the new year as a springboard to start anew, make a change for the better and get back on the path that you want to be on.

Maybe you welcomed a new child to the family this year or were more organized at home. Maybe you made strides at work or were on time more often than you were late. Maybe you made that trip you always said you would or lost the few pounds you set out to loose at this time last year.

Whatever you accomplished this year whether big or not so big, we wish you health, happiness and the strength to do it all again in 2012!

Have a safe and Happy New Year!!

1. Santa can be frightening to a young child!  OK, he can even be scary to some not so little kids.  If your child is not feeling the Santa vibe, don’t’ force it.  They’ll be plenty more opportunities as your baby gets older to catch a photo op with the big guy – at least one where they don’t look terrified.
2. You don’t need 100 professional holiday photos of your new baby!  It is difficult to narrow down those adorable photos to a select few but it will save you money for the next photo shoot if you show a little restraint from the professional photographers sales pitch.  Just say, “No thanks!” and don’t worry, you’ll have a lifetime to fill up all the picture frames you received at the baby shower.  Besides, if you plan on having more kids, you won’t have to answer why you don’t have as many photos of their first Christmas
3. The best gift is the wrapping paper!  Let’s face it, you don’t need to spend a lot of money on elaborate gifts for your little one.  Babies are just happy to have warm arms to hold them, full bellies and maybe some wrapping paper to keep them entertained.  Trust us, you will make up for elaborate gifts when their list becomes more complex as the enter the teen years.
4. Keep it simple!  The best Christmas is one that the whole family can enjoy.  Babies can sense if their caregiver is stressed so by keeping the holiday simple, you are giving you and your child the most wanted gift of all – the gift of you!

We wish all new (and seasoned) parents a relaxing holiday this year and to those celebrating with a new baby… soak it in – after all, baby’s first Christmas only happens once in a lifetime!

Don’t have an annual ritual?  Don’t fret!  Below are ideas for inspiring your own holiday traditions.

1. String popcorn garland for the tree
2. Bake holiday cookies or candies
3. Put a peppermint stick in your hot chocolate and enjoy on Christmas eve
4. Make a gingerbread house
5. Decorate your tree in a new theme every year
6. Take a holiday family photo
7. Wear a Santa hat while you write out your holiday cards
8. Give the same gift every year, like a new ornament, snow-globe or pj’s
9. Read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ at bedtime on December 24th
10. Make a birthday cake and sing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus on Christmas
11. Hide candy canes in Christmas tree
12. Have a special treat on Christmas morning like cranberry pancakes or sticky buns
13. Have a candlelight dinner on Christmas eve
14. Give to those less fortunate by donating to Toys for Tots, Coats for Kids or the Sharing Tree at church
15. Keep a journal or scrapbook of Christmas memories to add to every year

Whether your tradition is common, out of the ordinary, old or just getting started, we hope you and your family cherish the memories you create now that just may end up being passed on from generation to generation.

We’re curious:  What holiday traditions do you and your family share?   Share your comments below

Remind your kids to be safe, use polite words and have them eat at least one decent thing during the day. 

When thinking healthy, fruits and vegetables come to mind but unfortunately you’ll be dubbed crazy if you choose to give out carrots or apples.  You can, however, give out healthier individually wrapped Halloween treats that are easy to buy and easy to give.

Here are some excellent ideas from our friends at Green Halloween.  They partnered with the Non-GMO project to come up with a list of Non-GMO Halloween Treats.  You can find this valuable report here.

A couple ideas from the report are:

• Nature’s Path Crispy Treats
• Yogavive Snacks
• Funky Monkey Snacks

Most of the Non-GMO treats are available at Whole Foods and Health Foods stores.   If you’re like us, we’ll be handing out treats to well over 200 trick-or-treaters, so the organic, non-gmo route could get a little expensive!   Well, they thought of that too.   Also on the report are a list of non-food ideas, like stickers, crayons, and more.   Additionally, they provide an educational overview on why GMO’s can be harmful for children.

If you these specialty foods are unavailable in your area, or simply too expensive, here are some additional ideas we came up with that are healthier options than candy bars and packaged Halloween candies.   Some of these ideas are also available in natural and organic option:

1. Sugar Free Gum
2. Raisins (Plain, yogurt or chocolate covered) or dried fruit like craisins – individually packaged
   
3. Mini-bags of microwave popcorn
4. Snack size package of pretzels
5. 100% Fruit-Roll Ups or Fruit leather
6. Granola bars (available in snack size)
   
7. Fruit bars
   
8. Pre-packaged trail mix or sunflower seeds
9. Peanut butter crackers or cheese crackers – individually wrapped
10. Individual packages of applesauce or sugar free fruit

Your turn: Do you have ideas for healthy Trick-or-Treat alternatives this year?  Leave a comment and share – thanks!

Don’t let the prices scare you away.  Shop by clicking the link above and get 10% off and free shipping.  As an added bonus, if you order totals more than $175, take 15% off.  As you wardrobe options become more limited, you will be reaching for those comfy maternity garments more often so why not make it something special and something that can take the wash and wear it will endure.  If you factor in the price per wear, you’ll more than likely be ahead of the game in the end.  Also, be sure to shop the women’s clearance section for deals on maternity wear.  You’ll have to search a little but you can get a bargain as low as $18 with free shipping to top it off.

You can also pick up something coordinating for baby too while you’re there.    There is always a lot of cross-over in the Boden palette with mini-boden and baby boden.

Have you tried Boden Maternity?  We’d love to hear how you like it.