Deerfield Insider

Baby showers represent the happy celebration of having a baby. These are the parties thrown for expectant mothers. They are basically non-relative in the sense they are usually given by friends or co-workers. Baby showers bring excitement along with loads of gifts for the baby as well as the mom-to-be as well as the people who throw the shower. They are usually given 2-3 months before the delivery date.

Baby showers need a lot of preparation. They should be planned as per the convenience of the expecting mom as well as the cultural and religious traditions of the family; for example, some cultures do not receive presents until the baby is born. Some showers can also be planned after the birth of the baby as this enables the guests to have to look at the new born (and plan gifts accordingly), though basically baby showers are thrown before the birth only.

The shower can be thrown in just about anyone’s house, at a restaurant, a reception hall, an outdoor area like a garden or a park, or in the office (I’ve been to one of these before. Very classy). Baby shower parties can be based on a theme and they can also include interesting games like naming games to make the party last for a couple hours. Baby shower favors are also given to all the guests who attend the shower.

Now a days, Co-ed baby showers, which include both the mom and the dad, are also very popular. Traditionally showers were held only for the first baby, but these days, baby showers are being held for succeeding babies as well (good news to some). Baby showers for subsequent babies are known as “sprinkles.”

Today: 1:20 p.m., Comcast SportsNet, 720-AM. Elizardo Ramirez (2-3, 3.72 ERA) vs. Kerry Wood (0-1, 6.30).
Source: www.suntimes.com

Imagine the least expensive wedding you d like: you need to pay the $55.00 fee for the marriage license and you have to pay someone to perform the service. There s also the witness who must be present at the ceremony (who you may have to pay as well). And you have to perform the service somewhere, although it doesn t have to be lavish. There are many places in and around Las Vegas that will perform the service and provide the witness for as little as $40.00. And they ll even throw in a CD in the background featuring traditional wedding music (how romantic).

A small wedding in Las Vegas may not be the wedding of your dreams but for $40.00 what did you expect? Go for another $60.00 and they ll throw in a limousine ride back to your hotel, a few photos taken with a disposable film camera that you ll get developed on your own, and a bouquet of flowers.

You ll have more than just your memory of the event to take home and share with friends and family. Getting married on the cheap in any other city but Las Vegas would be, well, not as good. Cheap Las Vegas weddings have been turned into an art form, unequaled in any other city in the world. Anybody can spend a lot of $$$, but doing a fun wedding and reception on the cheap shows real moxie!

Cubs closer Ryan Dempster found himself in a tight spot Tuesday even before his team faced the Florida Marlins.
Source: www.suntimes.com

Marlins 9, Cubs 3
MIAMI, Fla. — Joe Borchard and Miguel Cabrera hit three-run homers and the Florida Marlins roughed up shaky Greg Maddux, beating the Chicago Cubs 9-3 Wednesday for a three-game sweep.
Source: www.suntimes.com

Dusty keeps hoping luck will change
MIAMI — General manager Jim Hendry didn’t accompany the Cubs on this trip, staying behind in Chicago to pursue a trade that would upgrade the team’s offense and maybe the starting pitching, even with Mark Prior and Wade Miller expected to return next month.
Source: www.suntimes.com

Rothschild monitoring Prior, not radar gun
MIAMI — Geographically, Mark Prior will be a long way from the Cubs when he starts today in an Arizona rookie-league game for the Mesa Cubs. But his performance will help determine how close he is to returning to the majors after straining his right shoulder in early March.
Source: www.suntimes.com

As the mother of a two year old, I am always looking for activities that encourage his development. I find that most of the activities we do together that result in learning are purely by coincidence and luck not by any skill or training I have.

For instance, lately my son has shown a real passion for music. He has even begun to choose between styles of music he likes and dislikes his preferences are rock and country. He is drawn to music and feels the need to express himself in many ways when he hears it.

For example, he has learned various dance moves from the television characters on his favorite programs and recreates those moves on his own whenever he hears a song he likes. He is using his creativity and memory to express himself, which I believe is helping build his character. He also tries to sing, and this is another form of expression and he is increasing his vocabulary by wanting to say the right words. He claps to the music and tries his best to keep a rhythm. These activities are encouraging many facets of his development: physical (clapping, stomping, other dance motions) social (a way for him to interact with those around him) cognitive (he is bridging pathways from what he s learned to how he wants to use the information to express his own personality); emotional (a definite sense of pride accompanies all forms of learning in children).

If your child enjoys music, you can encourage them by making music readily available for them. Toys that make music and books that play it are great. Even just turning on the radio throughout the day and finding a station that is suitable for you both can be a very rewarding experience. Capture those moments and make the most of them!

Cubs closer Ryan Dempster found himself in a tight spot Tuesday even before his team faced the Florida Marlins.
Source: www.suntimes.com

Dusty keeps hoping luck will change
MIAMI — General manager Jim Hendry didn’t accompany the Cubs on this trip, staying behind in Chicago to pursue a trade that would upgrade the team’s offense and maybe the starting pitching, even with Mark Prior and Wade Miller expected to return next month.
Source: www.suntimes.com

Rothschild monitoring Prior, not radar gun
MIAMI — Geographically, Mark Prior will be a long way from the Cubs when he starts today in an Arizona rookie-league game for the Mesa Cubs. But his performance will help determine how close he is to returning to the majors after straining his right shoulder in early March.
Source: www.suntimes.com