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If you’re a child of the 1980s, like me, you’ve probably worn leg warmers. And you probably (secretly) loved them. I am 100% guilty. I luh-huvd leg warmers. I had a light blue pair that my grandmother knitted for me. They weren’t too thin and weren’t too thick. They were perfection. Then, for my birthday I got this great pink, gray and white wool sweater with – drum roll, please – matching leg warmers. It was like I had died and gone to heaven! I wore them once a week until I outgrew them. Over jeans, under skirts, in 90 degree weather. It didn’t matter, nothing would ruin my love of the warmer.

Well, I have to admit, part of me is kinda excited they’re making a comeback. I’m still undecided as to whether they look cool or stupid, but there’s a goofy kid with a bad perm and big bangs looming inside me that is dying to wear a pair.  Ah, the feel of itchy wool against the outside of your calf under your jeans. Priceless.

Lindsay Lohan of all people, figured this out somehow and launched her spin on it, the “Ankle Glove.” By the way, they instantly sold-out at Fred Segal. Seriously! Now it seems you can buy them online for $42. They are animal print and -hate to say it – maybe cute too? Maybe.

Even your tiny little non-Lindsay-like princess can wear them. Baby girls will most certainly be sporting some kind of leg warmer this fall. Baberoo makes 100% certified Organic Leggies for baby girls. They can be worn up to age 5. I must admit, these are CUTE! And you can change diapers in a snap!

Has the leg warmer been slimmed down and sassed up enough to see a happy rebirth? Better yet, will you be wearing them? I will..

Every now and then MommyQ needs a few days off and welcomes contributions from friends, fellow moms and interested readers. This entry was submitted by a friend with experience in the hotel industry. Having witnessed firsthand catastrophic hotel meltdowns and tantrums (thrown by both children and adults), she’d like to remind readers how to travel drama-free.

1.) Do your homework. It pays to spend extra time researching hotels and lodging options until you find the right one. If you’re looking for amenities such as room service, a spa and car valet, a full-service hotel is likely the best choice. Or, if you prefer a more casual home-like atmosphere with an equipped kitchen and more living space, renting a condo or private home might be the right option.

2) Location, location, location. I cannot overemphasize the importance of selecting the right location for your needs. Most properties have links to maps on their website plus detailed information about local transportation. Take advantage of these services because no one wants to take baby on a 12 mile enduro-hike to get a cup of coffee.

3) Call the property. Once you have selected the appropriate lodging, call the property directly about two weeks prior to arrival. Most times when you are booking a reservation, you are calling through a central reservation service. Central reservations typically lack intimate property knowledge or use older information when describing the rooms and services. By calling the property directly, your odds of achieving tips 4-6 greatly increase.

4) Ask for the front desk or rooms control. Not only will you dazzle people with your knowledge of hotel jargon, but also you will increase the likelihood of speaking with someone who handles room assignments. By calling two weeks ahead, you will allow the hotel enough time to plan for any special needs such as early arrival, a crib, etc. Of course, make these requests at the time of booking but be assured, it’s always a good idea to reconfirm with the property directly.

5) Plan your activities. After you have confirmed your room, ask to speak with the concierge desk. If your little ones are old enough to attend children’s activities, these people can assist you with selecting age-appropriate activities and booking them in advance. If you are visiting a resort destination, these activities always book in advance. Speaking of booking in advance, if you are planning a special night out and require babysitting services, book those in advance, too.

6) Have fun. Traveling can be unpredictable and tiring for everyone so a good attitude is essential. Plus, since you have followed the previous tips, this one should be much easier!

Not a fan of gadgets and gizmos? Okay, we understand. But if you’re about to bring home a new bundle of joy, this handy tool may change your mind. New moms & dads agree, the ITZBEEN Baby Care Timer is not just another device, it’s a lifesaver.

Why? Because as a sleep-deprived parent trying to remember your own name can be a challenge. Trying to remember when your baby last ate, when your baby got a new diaper and when your baby napped – practically impossible.

The ITZBEEN Baby Care Timer is a multi-purpose tool that helps you remember the basic details of baby care. It has four timers for changing, feeding, napping and more that count up with the touch of a button!

The ITZBEEN has several other helpful features including a nursing reminder switch that easily reminds mom which side baby nursed from last, a soft-glow nightlight to help parents find their way in the dark without waking the baby and a backlit display so parents can read the times and the clock in the dark. Plus, a back clip makes the ITZBEEN totally portable and allows for hands-free use of the nightlight!

The latest & greatest in the world of pacifiers has arrived. Welcome, Wubbanubs. If you haven’t heard of these cuddly little guys yet, you will soon. They must be special because they were included in the infamous Academy Award gift bags this year. Talk about interesting swag!

The WubbaNub is a plush toy pacifier designed to give your baby comfort with a soft, bean-filled animal friend that not only provides stimulation for little fingers, but positioning support for the pacifier. The Soothie pacifier is sewn into the WubbaNub for safety and is made of Medical Grade Silicone that is latex-free. The beans in the WubbaNub plush toy are sewn in separate safety sacks within the plush and conform to US government safety code requirements.

Available in dog, pink horse, blue horse, frog, kitten, and duck. So moms, waddya think of WubbaNubs?

This past weekend MommyQ took her two boys to the neighborhood swim center. This is not your average neighborhood pool. It is a huge oasis with water slides for adults, small slides for little kids, picnic areas, a skate park, a chess board with 3-foot-tall pieces, concession stands and more.

The boys were lathered up with suncreen and ready to play. About 20 minutes into our adventure, my youngest who is almost 10-months-old, managed to eat a small leaf he found floating in the pool. I tried to get the leaf out of his mouth, but he had already swallowed it. Well, sort of. He started gagging so I lifted him out of the pool and sat him on the side. He coughed up the leaf, as well as some carrots (baby food) he had eaten for lunch. We happened to be right next to a lifeguard stand, so I asked her if she could grab some napkins for me to clean up the little puddle of orange. She grabbed napkins and another lifeguard who spotted a few drops of carrots dissolving in the pool.

Suddenly loud whistles were being blown and “Everybody out of the pool!” was being shouted. They closed the pool – the entire pool – due to the carrot dribbles. And they closed it for a full HOUR. Two birthday party groups and about 16 families sat in the 102 degree Texas sun, waiting for the pool to reopen. Some families left with disappointed pouting kiddos while others eagerly arrived with excited (soon-to-be sad) kiddos.

My husband was embarrassed. The pre-mom me would’ve been humiliated. The current me – a mom for close to four years now – wasn’t embarrassed at all. Like most moms, I know it could’ve been far worse than a few drops of carrot spit-up.

We’re seeing a growing trend in dresses and for once, the hemline is dropping instead of rising. The shorty short mini dress may be in high demand, but the Maxi Dress is rapidly gaining popularity. What could potentially look like something Mrs. Roper from Three’s Company wore, has been streamlined and sassed up.

The Maxi Dress is a long (ankle-length) frock that is usually flowy and often has an empire waist and a floral print. Embraced by big designers like Missoni, Marc Jacobs and Diane Von Furstenberg, these dresses are creating quite a stir.

What’s good about this trend? If you want to hide a few parts, you’re in luck. It’s also easy to assemble – no mixing and matching separates. Just grab a necklace and some shoes and BAM! – you’re done. The downside? Don’t you have to be Heidi Klum to make something shapeless take form? Moms, what do you think about the Maxi Dress? Love it or leave it?

What does an active 10-month-old like to play with aside from electrical cords, electrical outlets, stereo equipment, televisions, pets and so on? Well, MommyQ has identified a list of baby toys that will entertain your almost 1-year-old AKA Bulldozer. Your laptop (and cats) will thank you.

Based on my personal experience, the Graco Baby Einstein Discover & Play Entertainer is a fantastic activity center for your growing and curious baby. One of the best features is the 360 degree swivel seat, so baby can easily play with all of the cool gadgets, as well as keep an eye on things happening nearby. It also incorporate bi-lingual language into baby’s vocabulary. The seat can be removed easily and is machine washable. This activity center does take up a bit of space, but the entertainment value is worth it.

Brightlings Exploration Station by LeapFrog is another favorite. Housing Bobblers, Tumble Tunnel, Babbling Bandshell, Rainbow Balcony, and Alphabet Alley, all the Brightlings friends come to play.

The Fisher-Price Peek-a-Boo Piano is a cute toy that baby can play with as a stand-alone piano or you can tie it in the crib and baby can activate by kicking it. The piano is soft and plays sweet songs. Best of all, the little birdie can play peek-a-boo, which all babies enjoy.

It’s hard to go wrong with the Sassy Poppin’ Push Car. This little car is perfect for little hands and the popping noise seems to be thoroughly amusing, prompting some cute expressions from baby and lots of giggles from everyone.

Even though your baby is getting bigger, don’t forget the travel toys. For rides in car, strolls in the stroller or just to amuse baby at a restaurant, make sure to carry a few of these with you. Sassy makes a Rock-N-Roll play pad stroller accessory and Tiny Love makes a Stroller Play Set featuring three unique activities for babies on the go.

Which toys amuse your 10-month-old?

Green baby showers have quickly become the “hip” thing to do in 2008. Afraid you’ll miss the cute gift wrap, frilly ribbons and coordinating paper plates? Don’t worry, you’ll be wowed at just how cute a green shower can be.

A green baby shower is just as much fun as a traditional shower, it just has a sprinkle of eco-friendliness. The centerpiece can be a cake made with cloth diapers, decorated with fresh flowers. The party favors can be glass baby bottles with organic ingredients like popcorn, M&Ms or Cheerios. Instead of a guestbook, everyone can sign an organic baby t-shirt as a keepsake. Ditch the paper plates and wrapping paper to keep stuff out of landfills. It make take a little bit more creativity, but the benefits are worth it. Enjoy the photos!