Want to make Diaper Duty a little sweeter on Mother’s Day? The gift of a designer diaper bag might just do the trick. Check out these fabulous finds:

Bumble Bags. Imagine a stylish looking bag that converts to a shoulder bag, backpack, or messenger (across the chest) bag. That’s what you’ll find with Bumble Bags Diaper Bags. These popular bags also fit over stroller handle bars, so mom can finally get the rest she’s been dreaming about!

Skip Hop Duo Double Diaper Bag. The perfect bag for a busy mom of multiples. Everything fits! This bag is designed to easily hang on a double stroller. Want something smaller? Check out the Skip Hop Duo.

Fleurville Escape Pod. The name says it all. What mom doesn’t need a simple, compact designer bag for that quick little escape? Easily fits a small stash of diapers and wipes. Fleurville is now offering a line of green diaper bags, too.

If you can’t get your hands on tickets to those hot celebrity style, kid-friendly dance parties–like Baby Loves Disco, which transforms popular night clubs into kid-proof dance playgrounds–or you live too far away from the club scene, why not throw your own party at home?

While you’re rockin’ out to your favorite tunes, don’t forget about baby. Save the classic lullabies for bedtime. Check out these hot kid tunes:

1. Rockabye Baby! Rockabye Baby has won iParenting Media awards and offers kid-approved renditions of Green Day, U2, Led Zeppelin, among other artists. Rockabye Baby renditions were recently listed as one of new celeb baby Harlow’s (Nicole Richie) favorite things in People.

2. Baby Jamz. Solange Knowles’ voice transforms traditional nursery rhymes into “jump up and down” and get “wiggly” hip-hop songs. My toddler LOVES his Baby Jamz CD! This is one of those rare CDs that just doesn’t ever seem to get annoying.

3. Mother Goose Rocks! Mother Goose Rocks transforms Top 20 hits into totally entertaining kid music, like Mulberry Bush by Gwen Stuffunny (a.k.a. Gwen Stefani). I’ve yet to meet a kid–or parent–who doesn’t love these songs.

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On Earth Day 2008, baby-Wise officially relaunched as babyearth! Babyearth offers one of the largest selections of baby products on the planet. Babyearth is the only site you need to visit for everything baby. Plus, the site is eye candy–filled with beautiful images and thoughtful descriptions for new and expecting parents. Check it out here.

Looking for a creative nursery theme? What about bugs? That’s the theme I would have picked for my little guy had I known just a wee bit earlier that he would come to love bugs. He loved bugs so much as a baby and toddler that he used to fall asleep with Margaret Wise Brown’s book I Like Bugs tucked in next to him.

The bug theme is simply adorable for a boy or girl. Plus, you can spin off so many cute nicknames for baby-to-be–hmmm…buggy, snuggle-bug, ladybug. If you’re looking for baby bug nursery paraphernalia or theme inspiration, check out these luscious bug washcloths by Little Twig to get your creative juices flowing.

Have a creative theme to share with other readers who are seeking nursery theme inspiration?

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As many of you have probably guessed by now, I’m an avid Washington Post reader. One of my favorite places to read the newspaper is in the car, while I wait for preschool pick up. Since my last post mentioned the preliminary federal report about the chemical bisphenol-A (”BPA”) in plastic containers, like water bottles, sippy cups and baby bottles, I just had to write about the highlighted news in today’s Business section. Box store giant, Wal-Mart plans to stop selling baby bottles and other products containing bisphenol-A early next year.

Wonder why a chemical that is suspected of posing cancer risks to babies is even used in the first place? Well, the chemical is known for giving plastic containers those rugged, hard and practically unbreakable characteristics. If you’ve ever seen a Nalgene Water Bottle, you probably know what I’m talking about. By the way, in case you’re wondering, Nalgene plans to stop using the chemical.

In light of recent findings about bisphenol-A, if you’re concerned about your child’s safety (or your own), check out these awesome bisphenol-free products:

SIGG Bottles. Made in Switzerland, apparently completely free of leaching risks posed by plastic bottles.

Thinkbaby bottles. Thinkbaby offers a line of bottles and sippy cups free of Bisphenol-A, phthalates and lead.

BornFree Drinking Cups and Bottles. BornFree offers baby cups and bottles free of Bisphenol-A.

If you’re in need of a baby shower gift, children’s bottles and sippy cups free of potentially dangerous chemicals make great gifts to show you really care–not to mention that you’re totally up on environmental (eco-friendly) news!

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SIGG Kidz Bottle Check out the great selection of designs and tops at baby-Wise.com!

If you thought glass baby bottles were old school, think again. Glass baby bottles are making a comeback. Babylife is just one company to reintroduce glass baby bottles, only with a modern safety sleeve that helps prevents breakage. BornFree and Dr. Brown’s make glass bottles, too.

Why the glass craze? In light of recent concerns about exposure to chemicals in plastic bottles (leaching), manufacturers are responding to the growing demand for plastic alternatives by offering glass bottles that are bisphenol A, phthalate, PVC and polycarbonate-free. Now, parents have more choices than ever when it comes to baby bottles. Even fashionable and totally funky glass bottles!

If you’re looking for a baby shower gift that has eco-chic mama written all over it, glass bottles are it!

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I’ve raved before about California Baby products, and since I’m not one to stay quiet for long, I’m going to rave some more. I stumbled upon California Baby in a natural food store weeks before giving birth to my first child. What then attracted me to California Baby was my mother-to-be obsession with finding natural and organic products for my baby. Only the best, right? My first California Baby purchase was Calming Shampoo & Bodywash. I admit, given that I was expecting a baby girl, the product’s label featuring an adorable little girl sealed the purchase decision. Hmmm…I guess the company knows how to make great products and market them, too!

California Baby’s Calming Shampoo & Bodywash cleans and smells delicious. While there are plenty of shampoos and bodywash products on the market that clean and smell good on babies, not many can claim they contain organic or sustainably grown ingredients. And few can claim that they don’t contain Sodium lauryl sulfate, DEA, or other ingredients that could potentially impact health. California Baby Calming Shampoo is a popular choice for babies or older kids (even adults) with sensitive skin. No tears and non-irritating, too.

Since I bought that first Calming Shampoo & Bodywash product, California Baby has greatly expanded their natural care line for babies, kids and sensitive adults. California Baby offers organic and natural options to traditional baby essentials such as non-talc baby powder and diaper cream, as well as unique baby products like Colds & Flu Bubble Bath. California Baby even sells products in travel sizes and sampler totes.

If you’re looking for organic and natural products for your baby or young child, check out California Baby. You can find a huge selection of California Baby products at baby-Wise.com. There’s a lot of piece of mind that comes along with buying and using a product on your baby that is as natural as baby care products probably get.

Do you have a California Baby Love Affair, too? If so, please leave a comment and give other parents the scoop.

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I spent the entire day STUCK in an airport–me, myself and I…plus three young children (a preschooler, toddler, and a baby). Given that the flight was supposed to be short and entail a very brief airport visit, I didn’t spend much time packing entertainment toys in the diaper bag. As shocking as it may sound, after eight hours waiting in the terminal, we finally walked off the plane at our final destination with big smiles on our faces–and still in good spirits.

Curious how I managed to survive all those hours WITHOUT losing my cool or dealing with meltdowns? Thank Melissa & Doug! As soon as I realized we were officially STUCK, we headed off to the terminal bookstore in search of puzzles. I found a fabulous, gigantic Melissa & Doug floor puzzle. We all plopped down on the floor near our gate and the kids spent hours assembling, disassembling and reassembling the puzzle. I even had a chance to read a book while they played beside me!

I’ve always loved Melissa & Doug products, but now I’m a bigger fan!

Do you have any airport survival tips for parents traveling with kids?

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Growing up, the Easter Bunny often left creative, sometimes even practical “baskets” filled with goodies. Rarely did a traditional basket make its way into the house. I’d still take a toy wheelbarrow, laundry basket, or garbage can any day over a traditional pastel basket.

If you’re also into unique Easter baskets, check out this totally chic kid Shopping Cart by Plan Toys.

What young child wouldn’t be thrilled to find this cart loaded up with a gigantic chocolate bunny on Easter morning?

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“How long has it been since I last fed the baby?”

If you’ve ever asked yourself this question or any other baby care timing related questions, check out the coolest, must-have baby gadget on the market: ITZBEEN’s Baby Care Timer. You don’t have to be a gadget geek to use ITZBEEN’s Baby Care Timer (but if you are, you’re going to WANT to get your hands on this item!).

Winner of the 2007 iParenting Media Award and awarded the DadLabs.com #2 Dad Invented Product of the Year, ITZBEEN’s Baby Care Timer is the ideal tool for keeping track of everything baby. In addition to reminding you how much time has elapsed since baby last ate or napped, the gadget helps nursing moms remember the side upon which to next feed baby.

Perfect for mom or dad use–especially new, overtired parents who want a simple, push button reminder of the zillion timing details related to having a new baby.