Saturday, November 29, 2008

Just Ask Baby

I was recently asked to review a website, Just Ask Baby. I put it off and then put it off some more. I finally got around to it and wish I would have started perusing it when I got the first request. This is a great website! You can sign up for a free 15-day trial and take advantage of the perks Just Ask Baby has to offer it's members.
Once you register, you can create your personal homepage. On this page, you can upload photos of your child, log personal milestones (using these cute little stepping stones) and keep a personal baby diary. Just Ask Baby provides you with videos that clue you in to what your baby sees, says, thinks, does and feels at different stages of development. Each video gives tips as to how to ease your child from milestone to milestone.
The Chief Scientific Advisor is David Elkind. He is Professor Emeritus of Child Development at Tufts University. He obtained his Doctorate at UCLA. There are several articles posted on the site that he has written, along with his book titles that can be viewed. He writes a blog and makes posts about every 3-4 days. The topics are very interesting and helpful! The site also has a great forum with several discussion groups you can join into!
I found this site to be extremely interesting and there is so much to explore!
http://www.justaskbaby.com/blogs/professor-elkind/too-many-toys
http://www.justaskbaby.com/ebooks
http://smr.newswire.ca/en/just-ask-baby/justaskbabycom-reveals-what-toy-manufacturers-dont

Friday, November 28, 2008

Doyle's Diaper Cakes


I received the cutest diaper cake from Doyle's Diaper Cakes. What a great idea these cakes are! I received the Christmas cake which contained 50 diapers, Christmas receiving blanket, Christmas Bib, Christmas burper, Soft rattle block, Grins & Giggles lotion, Christmas teether, Christmas slippers, Christmas onsie, plush Christmas teddy bear and a picture frame Christmas ornament.

It was so fun opening an unwrapping the cake to find different treasures at each level. There are so many uses for these diaper cakes. It is so great to give a practical gift that is fun as well. Use Doyle's Diaper Cakes as center pieces at your next baby shower. When the party is over, the new mom has a unique, functional gift to take home and get her started on her long journey of diapers! You could send this to someone in the hospital who just had a baby. It will brighten their room and definitely be the topic of conversation. This is also a great Christmas, First Birthday or Just for Fun present!

The site is well put together and easily navigated. You can find anything you need simply by choosing one of the many categories they have. There are tons of choices so it will definitely be difficult to choose. You can find more than cakes too, they have diaper castles, diaper teddy bears, diaper baskets and even a daddy diaper toolbelt! They also except custom orders! The diaper cake came securely packaged and when I opened the box, the contents looked as if they had just been placed in the box. The cake is wrapped in a clear plastic with a big bow and when you open that, the cake is held together by ribbon that matches the cake. The cake comes with a cute little card that lists the "ingredients" but for me it was fun to take it apart and see what was inside! The owners couldn't be more friendly and they make the whole experience a delight. Doyle's Diaper Cakes can be for anyone's budget. You can definitely find something that fits yours. Next time I have a shower, I will be ordering from Doyle's Diaper Cakes!

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

GaGa Gourmet

I would like to introduce everyone to a really great company, founded by a mom looking for nutritious food for her little ones. GaGa Gourmet produces great food for your little one, delivered frozen right to your door. This food is all natural and is made from the freshest fruits and veggies around. All the food is steamed, never boiled and then frozen shortly after. This helps ensure that there is no loss of nutrients and creates a fresh flavor for your little one. There is never any sugar or salt added. GaGa Gourmet contains no additives, no preservatives and there are never any fillers added.

When my little one first started to eat solid foods, I made all her food. I wanted her to have the best around. This helped me open her taste buds to food that may not have been available in a jar (such as cantaloupe). Not all parents have the time to make all their little ones food! I went away for the weekend and left Baby G with my best friend. Let me tell you...I spent the entire day before up to my elbows in pureed food, so she would have enough for the weekend. If I would have had GaGa Gourmet then, everything would have been so much easier. You can order the food right online and have it delivered to you, still frozen. You have several choices: First Tastes for 4 months and up for $1.99, First Taste entrees (which combine ingredients) for $2.29 and then there is Foods for the active toddler at $2.49. You may think this is expensive, but I think it is worth it to have fresh and flavorful food for your little one. Did I mention that they are in the process of obtaining their organic certification? Even better!

The containers are food grade containers, microwave safe and dishwasher safe (top rack-so they can be used again).

Some of Baby G's favorites are Vibrant Veggie Trio (the container has 3 rows: 1 of carrots, 1 of broccoli, and one of cauliflower), Remarkable Rice & Beans, Yummy Yogurt Pancakes, Bouncin' Banana Bread Muffins and Freshly Picked Blueberry and Pear Compote. You can check out the GaGa Gourmet site and see the difference between Gerber food and GaGa Gourmet. If you are expecting, visit their site for a free sample delivered to your house 4 months after your due date! I am simply GaGa over GaGa Gourmet!

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Zoobies Are Here!

I love this 3 in 1 animal! My daughter has Mashaka the Monkey. He is a plush, lovable monkey-a comfy pillow-and a snuggly blanket all in one. Zoobies are definitely moving in as your little ones favorite toy and blankey! Mashaka is a great friend for my little one to play with and when playtime is over, he becomes a pillow or blanket to snuggle with. The stuffed animal unfolds to be a pillow, the pillow unzips to become a blanket. And you don't need to follow any directions to get that blanket back in the stuffed animal. Just fold it up and stuff it in, very simple. The blanket is quite large, made of coral fleece and is machine washable. Zoobies have won the iParenting Award and the Top Toy Award of 2007. There are two collections, the Zoo collection and the Safari Collection, both offering many animals to choose from. They even have baby Zoobies that are tad bit smaller than their grown-up counterpart. The babies can be found for $25 and the grown-ups for $35. At first, I thought this was a bit expensive,however, when I thought about it, I feel it is a deal! You are getting a great stuffed animal, a pillow and a blanket. These Zoobies are great for the home, but would be even better for travel-there is no need to pack 3 things when you have all 3 in 1!

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Grandma El's Diaper Rash Remedy & Prevention



Diaper rash can be irritating and painful to any child (and their parents). This is where Grandma El's diaper rash remedy and prevention ointment gives other ointments and creams a run for their money (and saves yours).

Prevention is the best way to attach the topic of diaper rash. Grandma El's does just that, prevents diaper rash. This ointment should be used at every diaper change, in order to prevent diaper rash. Of course, if your little one already has a painful rash, Grandma El's should be used right away! It works overnight. Put this ointment on your little one and the rash will be gone in about 1 day. It works that fast! Grandma El's soothes a baby's bottom while letting the skin breathe, to heal more quickly.

This ointment is 100% all natural, hypo-allergenic, preservative free and pediatrician recommended! It has several other handy uses as well...I found that it works great as a lip balm- moisturizing, soothing and letting dry cracked lips heal, hand cream-sealing in moisture for the dry winter months, and soothes eczema-helping to moisturize and heal dry skin while letting the skin breathe. You can find Grandma El's at Target or on my site through the Amazon link, for a very affordable price of about $14.95 for a 3.75 oz tub.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Symphony-All In One Car Seat


I have so many people come to me looking for recommendations on car seats. Everyone who reads my blog knows that I had a hard time giving up my infant carrier. I definitely went through withdrawal for weeks! However, the Symphony All In One Car Seat by Evenflo made my transition super easy! It is a great looking seat, so easy to install and super comfy for my little one. We started off with the seat rear facing and moved it to face forward in a matter of minutes! It has great features and won the iParenting Media Award for Greatest Product! You also have a choice between colors and patterns.
  • The Symphony has the easy to use, SureLATCH™ Connectors for easier installation— Just Click, Click, Push… And GO! This exclusive system provides a super-fast, tight and safe installation, in a fraction of the time. There is no guessing as to whether or not your latches have fastened.
  • This is a great All-In-One Car Seat! 3 seats in one that fits children 5-100 pounds.
  • Infinite Slide™ Harness Adjustment System simply slides to any height with no rethreading
  • Removable and washable ComfortTouch™ pad and pillows provide extreme comfort for your baby! Easily remove the pad without rethreading the harness!
  • Contains Energy Absorbing Foam liner
  • Side Impact Tested! Meets or exceeds all applicable U.S. Safety Standards AND Evenflo’s Side Impact Test Standard.
  • ReclineRight™ multiple-position upfront recline is easy to use and adds comfort for the child!
  • Flip-out cup holder conveniently holds drinks, or folds up out of sight!
  • 5-point harness provides security for your child
  • One-hand Adjustable Headrest makes adjusting to proper height a breeze!
  • 2-piece chest clip allows child to be put in and taken out in seconds!
  • Designed and tested for structural integrity at energy levels approximately 2X the federal crash test standard
You can purchase this great seat at a great price, under $200! You can visit Babies R Us, in store or online to purchase.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Table Topper & Disposable Bibs by Neat Solutions


Table Toppers are the single most great, innovative and useful invention I have come across. These great sheets stick to table tops and provide a clean surface for your child to eat off of. The Table Toppers protect your child from germs, dirt and chemicals on restaurant tables. They come in many fun, bright and educational designs to keep your child occupied. When you are finished, simply pull them up and throw them out! And don't worry, they are BPA-free, PVC-Free and phthalate-Free.

Neat Solutions also provide disposable bibs (also BPA-free, PVC-Free and phthalate-Free). These bibs provide a soft, absorbent front with catch all pocket and a leak proof backing to keep your child dry. There is no need to fill your laundry with bibs, this is totally disposable! The one major problem is that it secures with Velcro...this bib did not last more than 2 minutes on my little one. She ripped it right off.

Neat Solutions provides many great products, including a floor topper, similar to the table topper. I did not test this out but I think it is a great idea to keep your floors clean! All items are very inexpensive and can be found at most Walmarts!

Friday, November 7, 2008

A stylish and functional umbrella stroller


It has always been a complaint of mine that the handles on umbrella strollers are so low, you have to hunch down to push it! Why should we have to get back aches just from taking a walk with our little ones? Well, no more back aches here, the Trip, by Inglesina has handles that are tall enough for anyone to push without having to hunch over.

The Trip is great all around. The handle are soft touch and the stroller is ultra light, with its aluminum frame. Even with it being lightweight, does not mean it can't hold the weight! This stroller will hold a child from 6 months up to 45 lbs. It comes standard with a cup a holder, adjustable footrest, waterproof canopy and shopping basket underneath (quite large in fact). The umbrella stroller has a 4 position reclinable backrest, which most umbrella strollers do not have.

I am so happy to have the Trip by Inglesina, it folds and unfolds so easily I use it when running errands. It is great to throw in the trunk for those quick runs and is sturdy enough to use as your everyday stroller for walks! The only problem I ran into was that the front wheels seem to shake a bit when they were not in their locked position. This did not pose much of a problem, I just kept them locked, which did not have much effect on the turning capabilities. For a little over $100 this is a great investment.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Something for Mom-Shape Up Shoes


I am sure everyone has wanted to gain the benefits of working out, without working out every day...right? Shape Up Shoes help you do that. These reverse platform flip flops work your legs and tone your booty as you walk, in just 30 minutes a day. Obviously, these Shape Up Shoes are not a replacement for working out and a proper diet. However, they are great to help you when you miss a couple days at the gym or want to gain a little extra tone while doing what needs to be done. Just wear these great shoes when you are going for a walk or doing chores around the house. They will help increase your balance as well! You many feel silly at first, like I did, but let me tell ya-the first time I wore these shoes, my calves were burning! They really work, so no matter how silly I felt, you can bet I put these Shape Up Shoes on every time I took my little one for a walk! They come in a handful of great colors and all sizes, you can order them for $39.99 in a sandal, $60 in a clog or $80 in a boot. I have taken an exerpt from the site, they list the benefits the best!



Benefits- Increase leg strength.- Lengthen muscles.- Help prevent injury.- Ease
pain from plantar fasciitis naturally.- Greatly improve circulation in the legs
and feet, reducing swelling.- Cut exercise time in half.- Help you burn calories
and lose weight (with proper diet).- Improve posture and lessen low back pain
naturally.- Greatly improve balance and inner core strength, improving back
health.- Create healthy looking lower extremities.- Exercise your lower body
while you are doing everyday activities.- Can be worn any time, any place
(except sandals and boots in wet weather or while driving).- Inexpensive.- Make
exercise enjoyable and affordable.- Increase your health awareness.- Allow you
to exercise when you don't have the time.

Baby Legs


I am so jealous of the winner of my Baby Legs contest! I have one pair and my daughter is so cute in them, I will definitely be buying another pair. These cute leg warmers keep my little one warm when crawling around the house in her onsie, and keeps her knees from some of the crawling "battle" wounds! These little warmers are also great under a jean skirt! They come in so many great styles, you are sure to find one to fit your little one's personality! For $22, they fit anyone's budget, and if you visit the specials page, you can find some great deals!

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