James and Jennifer were happily anticipating the birth of their first child when an ultrasound revealed Claire had a life-threatening congenital defect. After Claire’s long recovery in a bay with four to five other sick children and their families, they have committed to raise $50,000 for Children’s Hospital’s Fill a Room program to fund a private room.

What was your reaction to Claire’s diagnosis?
Jennifer: As a mother, it was absolute despair. They were really clear about the fact that there was a chance that Claire might not survive. You just don’t expect that in your first child. You just don’t think about your child’s mortality.

What were your lives like during Claire’s time in the hospital?
Jennifer: She
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Tired of confining your baby shopping to chain stores? Still searching for the perfect unique shower gift? Look no further than these Twin Cities’ gems, devoted to putting a unique spin on the search for baby necessities.

Pacifier
First off, be sure to visit one of Pacifier’s two Minneapolis locations. They have a wide range of hip and eclectic products, including fun and colorful clothing (newborn to size 12), gorgeous nursery décor, great toys for all ages, strollers, and much more. Even if you can’t get to a store, their online shop has a great selection and is very easy to navigate. You can even set up your gift registry online, so friends can know exactly what you need with the new addition of a baby. 310 Hennepin Ave. E., Minn
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Sleeping,
Eating
Both by Liesbet Slegers
Clavis Books, $5.95 each, ages 12 months and up
“These are my pajamas. I drink my bottle of milk and read my book.” Ah, how simple and sweet are the early days of toddlerhood. With heavy cardboard pages and bright, easy illustrations, Sleeping and its sister book, Eating, expound upon the uncomplicated existences and creature comforts of the toddler.

Max & Roby’s Bedtime Book
By Rosemary Wells
Viking Books, $17.99, ages 3 and up
The newest adventure from Rosemary Wells, featuring the bestselling funny bunny brother-sister duo, Max and Ruby. Begging their Grandma for a bedtime story, she complies, with three stories in all! In one, Ruby opens a restaurant; in another Max is a lifegu
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While parents-to-be are choosing baby names and colors for the nursery walls, more Minnesota parents are facing another decision: where to give birth. And they are increasingly thinking beyond the hospital — to their own homes or one of a new crop of freestanding birth centers in the metro.
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It gave me an odd feeling last spring to pull up outside the middle school and see my 13-year-old daughter waiting for me with a “baby” in a car seat.

I knew the baby wasn’t real; it was an infant simulator she was bringing home for health class. But I also recognized that under different circumstances, Louisa could be a teenage mom. Earlier that year, a classmate of hers had become pregnant.

As Louisa secured her “newborn” in the car, I felt grateful for two things: the close relationship that my husband and I have with her, which allows us to talk openly about topics like sex education; and our school district’s decision to provide a better-than-average sex ed program starting in fourth grade.

At least, I think it&rs
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My six-year old daughter has been dying to go to the farmers market for a week. Every day she asks if it’s Sunday yet, at least once, sometimes more. It’s not a hankering for roasted beets or that odd yet addictive sweet corn gelato that has her counting the days.

She gets an allowance of $2 per week. And it’s burning a hole in her pocket.

Each week she manages to find another must-have trinket that keeps her interest until next payday. This week, she’s obsessed with a teensy, stuffed seahorse, that somehow swam its way into our all-local market.

It drives me nuts. No amount of discussion about needs and wants, delayed gratification, saving for big purchases, or giving money to those less fortunate quells her desire to spend those c
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We asked readers of our weekly e-newsletter, Minnesota Parent This Week, if they considered or employed in-home childbirth. Here’s what they said.

Nope, I like having people and equipment around in case something was to happen.
— Jason Sievert, Coon Rapids

No — childbirth is scary enough without worrying that you might have to rush to the ER with complications — or have something go wrong and not know until it’s too late.
— Anne Schoolcraft, Fridley

No, I didn’t. My house at the time was not clean enough to even consider giving birth there.
— Jannaya Nelson, Hibbing

I would not, because I had a C-section previously, and I feel it might be dangerous to try a VBAC at home.
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