Babes and Kids

NEW SITE!

2009-05-18T23:15:00.001-06:00

Babes and Kids has MOVED!
Please change your bookmarks to: http://www.babesandkidsreview.com
Thanks :)

Health Master

2009-05-15T21:00:00.002-06:00

As moms, aren't we always looking for products that make our lives easier? I know I definitely am. So when I heard about the Health Master and how it could make my life easier by combining 20 different kitchen appliances, you'd better believe I was interested. The Living Well Health Master was introduced by Montel Williams with a focus to help others include a healthy diet in their everyday lives.

Pros: We've been through quite a few kitchen appliances in our house in the last few years. Choppers, blenders and mixers; we've had at least 2 of each of these. The Health Master packs a serious punch, and is incredibly powerful. As taken from a Health Master press release:

"The HealthMaster’s design enables effortless food preparation without compromising efficiencies. The machine can perform numerous processing functions while working with one large batch. It features a 1100-watt, dual horsepower motor with a 100-year warranty and commercial-grade culinary angled stainless steel blades that emulsify at over 3000 RPM. Such blending reduces graininess and results in mixtures that don't chunk or separate for extended periods of time. The centrifugal friction allows soup to naturally cook, while simultaneously presenting the option to make a frozen sorbet—all with the same machine."

Isn't it amazing that you can cook soup in this? I'm sold right there!

The first recipe that I tried was a banana strawberry smoothie. I put everything into the health master and turned it on. It was completely pureed in less than 10 seconds. Best of all, there were no chunks, it was so smooth. My boys devoured these smoothies. I felt good knowing they were getting fruits and dairy without the added sugar.

Other pros? Watch the video below:

Cons: None! Where was this appliance when I needed it!?

The Bottom Line: A professional grade emulsifier that does everything!

Price: $199

Where to Buy: Health Master Website

Rating: Excellent!

Strong as Steel

2009-05-15T10:02:00.002-06:00

Summer is fast approaching, and that means swimsuits and less bulky clothing. I love getting to the gym and getting a good workout, but when I'm trying to balance family life and work, it doesn't always happen. GE has introduced a new workout video, Strong as Steel. It uses appliances you have in your kitchen to help you get fit! To learn more watch the video below, and to purchase, visit here.

Strong As Steel from Strong As Steel on Vimeo.

Gymboree Discount

2009-05-14T08:12:00.003-06:00

Gymboree currently has a 30% off coupon circulating. You can use it in store with this printable coupon.
Or, if you don't have a Gymboree near you, you can use the code CFFRIEND or CFCIRCLE to get the discount online. If you order online, shipping is $6.50. On top of all of that, gymbucks are going, so for every $50 you spend, you get a coupon for $25 off your next $50 purchase in a given time range.

My Tot Clock - Review & Giveaway

2009-05-13T08:03:00.006-06:00

Web md's definition of sleep deprivation:
"A sufficient lack of restorative sleep over a cumulative period so as to cause physical or psychiatric symptoms and affect routine performances of tasks."

As a mom, this definition is all too familiar, right? It seems like as moms, we make a lot of sacrifices, one of them being sleep. I don't know how many times I've woken up with Chandler trying to climb into bed with DH and me, or feel someone breathing on me and wake up to find Chan staring me right in the face. Many times I've wondered how I could get him to stay in bed. Now there's something that will do just that: My Tot Clock.

As taken from the My Tot Clock Website:
"My Tot Clock is an all-in-one sleep aid, alarm clock, nightlight, and timer for children ages 2+"

Pros: My Tot Clock is another great mom inspired company. Pamela Gonzalez was a sleep deprived mom who needed to teach her son to stay in bed and establish a routine. Thus, My Tot Clock was born.
I love how many functions this clock performs. Across the top of the clock, there are five different colored buttons. Each one correlates to a different activity.
Green = Encouragement
Red = Discipline
Light Blue = Naptime
Yellow = Awake Time
Dark Blue =Sleep Time
The face of the clock lights up each of these colors too, which makes it easy for a child to know what to expect. One function of this clock we've actually used a lot is the discipline. Since Chandler is 3 years old, when he gets in trouble, he goes to the naughty spot for 3 minutes. A lot of times it was hard for me to gauge how long he was in his naughty spot and it was a pain to always run to the oven to turn on the timer. Now I just make sure that My Tot Clock is close, we are able to set it to 3 minutes, and push the button. Chandler knows while the clock is red he is to stay in time out. Once his time is up, the clock isn't red anymore and a buzzer signals to let him know it is over. He is no longer trying to weasel his way out of time out, and I'm amazed at how effective this is.
Another button we really like is the sleep time. You can preset the sleep time button to the time your child normally goes to bed, and the bedtime routine will automatically start at that time. You can choose to have music, a story, and even white noise. Chandler loves to sit on his bed and listen to the story; it actually makes him excited to go to bed.

If you miss bedtime, or want to put your child to bed earlier, you can manually start the bedtime routine, which is nice. Once the bedtime routine is over, my tot clock makes a great night light and shines blue to know your child is to go to sleep. When we first started using this, I thought the blue light was way too bright. I then realized there was a dimmer on the back. How nice that someone has already thought of that.
You can also set an "alarm" so your child knows when it's ok and time to get out of bed. The clock will turn yellow and fun wake music starts to play.
My Tot Clock is very easy to use and has different cartridges you can buy and change out for the bedtime stories. The faceplate is also interchangable, and with 10 different choices, there's bound to be something for everyone!

Cons: I feel like the story that plays at bedtime is a bit fuzzy/static when you listen to it on the clock. Chandler doesn't seem to mind it, but I notice it. There were a couple different functions that I was also confused about when we first got My Tot Clock. For example, a few days after I got the clock, the face turned red and I couldn't figure out why it was doing this. Thanks to the FAQ on the My Tot Clock website, I was able to get my question answered. This particular page on their website is very helpful as it lists all FAQ's as well as tips and an online version of the user's guide. If you are planning on buying the Tot Clock, I would definitely bookmark this page.

The Bottom Line: A must have for parents with young children. Creates structure for different activities in an easy to understand way for you and your child.

Price: $49.95

Where to buy: My Tot Clock

Rating: Great

My Tot Clock has generously agreed to give one of these clocks away!

To Enter:
Visit My Tot Clock and tell me about a feature I didn't mention in this post - 1 entry

Additional Entries:
Blog about this giveaway with links back to Babes and Kids and My Tot Clock - 2 entries
Follow this blog - 1 entry
Enter another giveaway on Babes and Kids (All giveaways are listed on the top right sidebar, just click on one to enter.) - 1 entry
Grab my Blinkie or Button - 1 entry

Please leave each entry as a separate comment!

Contest is open to US residents only and will end May 27th, 11:59 MST. Winner has 48 hours to contact me!

Wordless Wednesday - My Mother's Day

2009-05-12T22:50:00.005-06:00

Courtesy of DH......

Free Shipping at Land's End

2009-05-12T15:00:00.000-06:00

With summer right around the corner, one can’t help but fantasize about a tropical getaway. In celebration of the season, Lands’ End has just launched “The Island” at www.landsend.com/getaway, where one can enjoy a virtual island getaway. Amidst the backdrop of a private island paradise, you and your community can shop for Lands’ End swimsuit styles, enter an exciting sweepstakes and share the experience with friends through popular social media channels.
To celebrate the launch of The Island, Lands’ End is providing a promo code for free shipping starting Monday, May 4, and ending Monday, May 25. Simply enter the promo code and pin number below at http://www.landsend.com/ checkout and you will get receive free shipping off your entire order.

Promo Code = ISLAND

PIN = 5262

If you've ever shopped Land's End you know they have great quality!

They have some incredibly cute swimwear, plus some great sales.
Links to Sales:
Womens
Boys
Girls
I also thought that this diaper tote was cute, and it's only $12.99.

Thomas dvd w/double trains, $6.49

2009-05-12T07:46:00.003-06:00

Chandler is still a huge Thomas fan and Rowan is starting to like to play with all of the trains too. Right now, there are a bunch of Thomas & Friends dvd's starting at $6.49 with a double train! You can't even get 1 train in the store normally for $6.49. They run around $10. Really great deal. It's through Amazon, so if you spend $25 you get free super saver shipping.

Here are a few of the ones at $6.49

Thomas & Friends: Races, Rescues and Runaways
Thomas & Friends:James Learns A Lesson w/ double train

For a full list of the sale dvds with trains, visit here.

Baby Sign Language Book - Review & Giveaway

2009-05-11T07:20:00.001-06:00

It seems that Sign Language for babies is being more and more widely used. Parents are reaping the benefits of being able to communicate with their babies when they are young, which is actually very rewarding for the baby and the parent. Diane Ryan, the author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Baby Sign Language is there to help parents achieve successful sign language. I tried signing with Chandler, but wasn't consistent. I didn't have any particular method, I just showed him the sign over and over. He didn't pick it up right away, so I became frustrated and just gave up. We have struggled with communication until about the last 6-7 months so it's been a long road. I really believe if I had kept trying to sign with him, communication would have come easier.
Generally speaking, babies who learn to sign speak sooner and have less frustration with communication. When we received this book, I was quite excited to give it a go with Rowan, now 16 months.

Pros: This book has a great introduction. It outlines what the fuss is all about, how you and your baby will benefit, and why and how it works. I think this is incredibly important. You need to know the benefits and why you should sign. Once you have some background, it makes it that much more motivating to do.
The second part of the book includes introducing signs, and my favorite part - teaching your baby to sign in 2 weeks! We have introduced the first three signs to Rowan, which are: more, eat and milk. (We are actually using drink instead of milk since he is a bit older.) We have been emphasizing "more" since it is a sign that babies easily pick up and according to the book is often their first spoken word. One thing that the book really emphasizes is consistency and making sure that all caregivers are signing. My DH is definitely on board and we are both making sure that we sign with Rowan. Often times, it seems when you start signing, you just sign. This book teaches you different techniques on how to actually teach a sign, which has been incredibly helpful. Another sign that I am really excited to start teaching Rowan is "pain." Once a baby learns this sign, they should be able to tell you where they are hurting or having pain. Nice, right? There are some great techniques outlined to teach this sign.
The next chapter focuses on teaching your baby to sign in 2 weeks. 2 weeks! Isn't that amazing? In order to do this, Diane suggests your baby be at least 11 months old. We started signing almost 3 weeks ago, and with the techniques outlined and a lot of consistency, Rowan has started signing more and eat. He signs more by clapping the tips of his fingers, but I bet he'll be doing it right in no time, and I'm impressed he's making an effort! He has only done both signs a few times and I was really hoping to get it on video, but we all know that babies do things on their own time and most times not on demand. I'm confident as time goes on, he will use both signs in his daily vocabulary.
The book has very clear, concise illustrations which are wonderful aids, and there are small tips throughout the book as well.
The next part of the book is about advanced signing and signing with toddlers. I've noticed Chandler has started to pick up some signs and looks quite proud of himself when he signs them. I think it's pretty cute too and love that he is learning a new skill.
As if this book isn't a good enough teaching aid, it also includes an appendix with FAQ's, dad's special rules, fun and games, and online resources. There is also journaling space in the back, which is nice to write down notes.
I think if I had read this book before signing with Chandler, I wouldn't have given up so easily with him.

Cons: I honestly have never read a book on baby sign language, so I don't have anything to compare this one to, but I don't have any Cons. The book is very well written, is concise and easy to understand, and has great illustrations, plus the techniques really work.

The Bottom Line: A wonderful book that will help you and your baby learn sign language. I would definitely recommend this if you want to start signing with your baby.

Where to Buy: Amazon - The Complete Idiot's Guide to Baby Sign Language, 2nd Edition

The book retails for $14.95, but I noticed you can get it for $10.12 on Amazon. Definitely worth every penny! It would make a great baby gift too.

Rating: Excellent

Want to win a copy?

Here's how to enter: (There will be 2 winners!)

Tell me why you think signing with your baby is important - 1 entry

Additional entries:

Put me on your blogroll (text link) - 1 entry

Follow me - 1 entry

Blog or tweet this giveaway - 1 entry

Please leave each entry as a separate comment.

Giveaway is open to US & Canada residents and will close May 25 at 11:59 MST. I will contact winner and winner has 48 hours to reply or I will draw a new winner.

Happy Mother's Day!

2009-05-10T08:26:00.002-06:00

Happy Mother's Day to all you mamas! I hope you are able to have a nice day and take some time for yourself, you deserve it!

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Working Moms

2009-05-09T00:20:00.001-06:00

I'm wondering how many of you are feeling the pull of the economy? I'm sure most of you are affected one way or another. I know our little family definitely is. My DH's company has been downsizing some, and we just found out his bonus for the year is getting cut. He gets his bonus as an advance each month, so that means less money every month. We decided back in December that it might be a good idea for me to get a job to pay off student loans, get out of debt, and build our savings and food storage. I looked for months without any success and was literally applying everywhere. This was discouraging as I have a B.A. in Health Science. I didn't particularly want to work days because I wanted to be home with my boys. I finally got a job as a Health Unit Coordinator in an Emergency Room 45 minutes from where we live. It pays well, but I am definitely feeling the stress of trying to work, clean house, and take care of my boys. My DH helps out a ton, which is amazing, but it's still stressful. I work graves so a lot of time I am running on little sleep which tends to wear on a person. As I write, I am going on about 3 1/2 hours of sleep in the last 40 hours. I don't really want to work, I'd rather stay home with my lovable munchkins, but I'll do what I have to do to make sure our family stays ahead of the game.

I received this yesterday and thought it was quite interesting:

According to Adecco’s latest Workplace Insight Survey, 80% of women are working because they have to, not because they want to. Additionally, almost half (48%) of working moms are more stressed due to the current economic climate and the majority (65%) are cutting their family budget.
Some further evidence that the economy is taking a toll on working mothers is that almost half (48%) of working moms wish they could spend more time with their kids with nearly one in five (16%) reporting that their work hours have increased in this economy. Also, nearly one in five (19%) of working moms are overcompensating by purchasing material goods for their children.

Other stats you may find interesting include:
• Re-entering the work force – 13% of working moms went back to working full-time in this economy
• Feeling overwhelmed – Nearly 1/3 (30%) or working moms feel overwhelmed with responsibilities at home
• Being a role model – Working mothers are nearly 20% more likely to think their kids find them to be a role model than non-working moms
• Children of working moms are better behaved and better in school – 74% of working moms think their children do well in school while 60% of nonworking moms feel this way. 72% of working moms think their children are well behaved compared to 65% of non-working moms

While the majority work because they have to, there are distinct advantages to being a working mother. According to the survey, children of mothers who work are more likely to be better behaved and do better in school. 74% of working moms think their children do well in school compared to 60% of non-working moms. 72% of working moms think their children are well behaved while 65% of non-working moms feel this way. Additionally, working mothers are 10% more likely to think their kids find them to be a role model than non-working moms (67% vs. 57% respectively).

Interesting, isn't it? Although I hope to not be in the workforce for too long, it's nice to know that there are Pros about it. Kudos to all of those moms who balance working along with their kids. And Kudos to all you stay at home moms too. It's a tough job!

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Trendy Tadpole

2009-05-08T01:30:00.001-06:00

Isn't it funny how babies seem to have a personality from day 1? Why not let them express themselves then? The Trendy Tadpole lets your baby, toddler, or child do just that, express themselves through fun and personalized tees. A few months ago, Rowan starting carrying this little stuffed panda with him. It was perfect for him to hold right under the neck. He would often sit and look at him and then smile at the panda and then at me. I found it fitting
that The Trendy Tadpole had the cutest panda shirt and knew Rowan would love it. The day we got it in the mail, I showed it to him. He did the same thing he did when he looked at his panda shirt; smiled at the shirt and then looked up and smiled at me. Priceless.

Pros: With 37 designs to choose from, there's sure to be something for everyone. A few of my favorites include the buddha belly (What baby doesn't have one of those?), and the frog design that says Oh snap. Innovative, isn't it? There are tons of other cute and trendy designs. The designs come in snapsuits, lap shirts, and tee shirts with sizing ranging from 3 months to a kid's size 12. They even have mens and womens sizes available. You can also choose between short and long sleeved. The possibilities are endless!
I was incredibly impressed with how soft these tees were an how well they wash up. After washing Rowan's panda tee 4 times, we had no piling and the graphic still looked like new. It says on the trendy tadpole website to wash inside out and dry on low because they shrink a lot. We didn't have the problem with Rowan's shirt, it had very minimal shrinking.

Cons: These shirts run a bit small. I was told about this before receiving Rowan's shirt, and it also states it on the product info page. If you don't happen to check the product info page, you might end up ordering a shirt that is too small. Rowan is 16 months and is just starting to wear 18-24 month clothes. His panda shirt is a size 2T and fits him well. So if you are going to place an order, make sure to order up a size!

The Bottom Line: Trendy and fun designs, super soft cotton, washes up well.

Price: $22 (Only $11 with promotional code listed at the end of the post!)

Where to Buy: The Trendy Tadpole

Rating: Great

The Trendy Tadpole is offering 50% off their shirts! Enter the code WHOLESALE at checkout to get your 50% discount.

Crayola Giveaway Challenge

2009-05-07T19:47:00.002-06:00

3 Kids and Us is doing a great Crayoloa Outdoor giveaway. I'm excited to spend more time outside with Chandler and Rowan this summer doing fun activities. We'd love to win a Crayola Gift Pack! Go check it out and get yourself entered!

Pampers Gifts to Grow - 1 Free Point

2009-05-07T08:51:00.003-06:00

We have been participating in the Pampers Gifts to Grow program for about 3 years now. It's a great way to earn rewards for using Pampers diapers. If you use the code HAPPYMOTHERSDAY you can receive a free point on Pamper's Gifts to Grow! Expires 7/31/09.

PG Key - Review and Giveaway

2009-05-06T13:48:00.007-06:00

It seems that as time goes on, we are using the internet more and more, especially for education. Although my kids are still quite young, I worry what they will be exposed to when they start using the internet for school and other purposes. I want to be able to safeguard and monitor what they are doing, and I'm sure other parents want to as well. Now you can, with the PG Key.

The PG key plugs into any USB port and controls when and how long the computer is used, allows your child to search safely online, and allows you to monitor what they access. This product is inspired by dads who work in an IT based business for approximately 20 years. Dads that have children between the ages of 6-11 who saw the need to protect them. I always know if a company is inspired by a parent, it is going to be that much better.

As taken from PG Key's website, here is a little more background on how it was created:

"PG Key was created by a design and development team that includes industry experts with years of experience in creating powerful yet easy to use software applications. In addition to the experienced technical members, the team also includes representatives from law enforcement (an FBI agent that specializes in cyber crimes), education (a PHD that currently serves as a district superintendent), the medical community (an MD and current member of the American Board of Pediatrics) and many others … including ordinary, non-technical, but concerned parents."

Pros: The PG key was painless to install. It was very easy and installed in less than a minute. Once installed, I unplugged it from the USB port to see what would happen. Immediately the computer went into a type of sleep mode and it was evident I needed to plug it back in in order to get the computer up and running again. I then decided to try to go to a website that I thought the PG key might think was questionable. It blocked the site, no problem. One of my favorite features about the PG key is that it records up to 60 hours of online activity. This includes searches, chat sessions, and much much more. You simply plug the PG key into the computer and can view all of their activity in a movie style mode. Amazing, right? If that wasn't cool enough, if you choose to do so, PG Key will send you a text on your cell if your child types in a search word that might be questionable or isn't in the bounds you have set. It is very compact in size and has a keychain loop on the end for easy attachment to keys. I am incredibly impressed with the capabilites of the PG Key as well as the ease of use. It definitely gives parents that extra peace of mind. If you go to PG's website, you can get a free 30 day trial of PG Key. That's how confident they are about their product, and I think they have every reason to be, it is really that great.

A few more of the specifications:

Capacity: 1 GB - 60 hours of recorded video

Compatibility: PC or Notebook with a USB interface

Operating Systems: Windows Vista/XP

Transfer Rate: High Speed

Data Retention: 10 Years Minimum

LED Indicator Light: Flash when data is being read or written

Warranty: Lifetime Warranty

Cons: We are Mac users in our house. I had to install PG Key on a family member's PC so that I could give an honest, accurate review. I felt a little frustrated that PG Key isn't compatible with Macs, but then I visited their website, and they have already acknowledged this problem. It looks like a PG Key for Macs will be coming out soon!

The Bottom Line: An easy to use safeguard for kids who use the internet, gives parents peace of mind.

Price: $59.95

Where to Buy: PG Key Website

Rating: Excellent

Win One!

Mandatory Entry:

Visit PG's site and tell me something I didn't mention in this post: 1 entry

Additional Entries:

Follow this blog - 1 entry

Grab my Button or Blinkie - 1 entry

Put me on your blogroll - 1 entry

Tweet or blog this giveaway - 1 entry

Please leave each entry as a separate comment.

Contest is open to US residents only and will end 11:59 MST on May 20th. Winner has 48 hours to contact me.

One Day Giveaway - Subscription to All You Magazine

2009-05-05T11:48:00.003-06:00

All you is a great magazine for the everyday woman. As a mom, I love this magazine as it provides easy delicious recipes, advice about style and home, and just offers advice for everyday life. This magazine also has a TON of coupons, usually over $50 worth. Since I am an avid couponer, these magazines more than pay for themselves. They retail for $2.49 an issue and you can find them where magazines are sold. Before I bought a subscription, I saw them at Walmart, so I know they carry it.

Want to win a year subscription? (A $30 value!)

Here's How

One Time Entries:

Follow this Blog - 1 Entry

Subscribe to Posts - 1 entry

Unlimited Entries:

Leave me a comment and tell me why you'd like to win this subscription - 1 entry for each comment

Read another blog post I've written and tell me which one it was - 1 entry for each post read

Blog or tweet about this giveaway - 1 entry for every blog post or tweet

Please leave each entry as a separate comment.

This giveaway is 1 day only! It is open to US residents only and will close May 6th at 12:00 pm MST. Winner will also be announced tomorrow. Winner has 48 hours to contact me or I will redraw.

JVC Everio - Send me to Blogher 09!

2009-05-05T02:03:00.003-06:00

JVC has some amazing video cameras, particularly the Everio Series. I am absolutely in LOVE with the HD series as I know it would capture amazing HD video of my beautiful little family. I'd love to be able to look back on those memories, not to mention it has some way cool features, a few of my favorites being the auto face detection and the memory capabilities.

JVC is also sponsoring a giveawy for 4 lucky winners to Blogher 09. I really wanted to go to Blogher but didn't register in time and didn't have the $$. Generous of JVC, isn't it? I would be absolutely floored to be one of the 4. You can visit JVC's Blogher sweepstakes to enter yourself if you are interested!

Dr. Hippo Book Series - Review & Giveaway

2009-05-04T07:00:00.003-06:00

Chandler loves to look at and read books. We have made it a habit to always read books before he takes naps and before bed. We usually tell him to pick 3 or 4 and he carefully scans through them to pick the ones he likes the most. He is getting to the stage where he is really interested in the storyline of a book. I know that reading with your child is extremely important, and I believe that the content and what it teaches is a very important aspect of that. The Dr. Hippo Series Books help you and your child learn about different medical issues and how to handle them in a wonderful, entertaining way.

There are 5 books in the series which include:

The Little Elephant with the Big Earache

Katie Caught a Cold

Peeper has a Fever

Sadie's Sore Throat

The Moose with Loose Poops

The Hippocratic Press was founded by Dr. Charlotte Cowan. She practiced for many years in Boston and noted the different emotions and how children changed when they were sick. She also noted how parents seemed to react the same way. Many children and their parents didn't understand what was going on. As taken from the Dr. Hippo website, this is how the Dr. Hippo series was born:

"The idea of writing stories for sick children evolved as a natural combination of her professional experience and her childhood love of reading. As a pediatrician, Dr. Cowan developed a strong intuition that children would do better with their illnesses if they both understood what was happening to them and realized that they would get better. As a fan of children's books, she recognized that they offered the perfect medium for her message.

Before long, Dr. Cowan began to write age appropriate stories for her patients. Through her animal characters, she not only entertains her audience but also combines empathy with education. Reading her stories, children and their parents will feel comforted and cared for as they face together the inevitable illnesses of childhood."

Pros: These books are highly captivating. The illustrations are beautiful and the text is written so that a small child can easily understand it. Chandler's favorite are: The Moose with Loose Poops, and Sadie's Sore Throat. The title in and of itself

wants to make you read them, right? I think a book is wonderful when it's title can immediately capture your attention. They are published in hardback which makes them extremely durable. They've already been toted all around the house, taken to church, and even on a road trip. They still look great. That is definitely one thing I love about hardcover books.

The fact that they are written written by a Pediatrician lets you know that you can trust the information, which is a huge plus!

I think the medical issues that are covered in these books are so appropriate. Those covered include colds, fevers, ear infections, sore throats, vomiting, and diarrhea. Although my boys are still small, we have experienced every one of these illnesses with one or the other.

I specifically remember one time when Chandler was sick and throwing up. After being woken in the middle of the night, we proceeded to change his bedding, give him a bath, and put him back in bed. He started feeling terrible again, and began throwing up. He looked at me and kept saying: "Help me mama! help - what is it?" I felt a bit helpless, not knowing how to keep it simple in explaining what happened. The Dr. hippo series outlines easy ways to explain to your child what is happening during an illness, while telling a story at the same time. I LOVE this.

Another strong Pro is the parent's guides that are included in the back of each of the books. It is a laminated fold out that outlines common questions about that illness, offers advice to parents, and guides them as to when they should call the Dr.

To learn more about each Dr. Hippo book, click here.

I really am excited to spread the word about the Dr. Hippo series. My youngest has had a lot of health problems that have had us in and out of the Dr.'s office. Although I feel I am much more educated than I was to begin with, these books would have been a great starting resource for me.

Cons: I wish that these books were available in paperback as well. I'd love to be able to give them as gifts, and this might make it more affordable to do so.

The Bottom Line: Entertaining and educational with wonderful illustrations and great text, the Dr. Hippo series are a must have in any children's library.

Where to Buy: Your local bookstore, Amazon (Links to books below)

The Moose with Loose Poops

Sadie's Sore Throat

Katie Caught a Cold

Peeper Has a Fever

The Little Elephant with the Big Earache

Price: $17.95

Rating: Excellent

Want to Win the Entire Series?

Here's How to Enter:

Mandatory Entry:

Visit Dr. Hippo's website and tell me something I didn't mention in this post - 1 entry

Additional Entries:

Follow Babes and Kids - 1 entry

Blog or tweet about this giveaway - 1 entry

Subscribe to my posts - 1 entry

Please leave each entry as a separate comment. Contest is open to US residents only and will end at 11:59 MST on May 18th. Winner will be chosen via random.org, and has 48 hours to claim their prize, or I will redraw. (Please leave contact information or come back and check the giveaway winners page.)

Giveaway Winners

2009-05-02T08:00:00.000-06:00

Instead of having a separate post everytime I announce a winner, I have decided to post them all on one page. You can find the link in the right hand side bar. I will try to contact winners when they have won a prize, but if they go unclaimed for 48 hours, I will redraw. Make sure to check the giveaway winners link often to see if you have won something from Babes and Kids Review!

Firefly Kid's Toothbrush - Review & Giveaway

2009-05-01T07:20:00.001-06:00

Brushing isn't always fun for kids. Chandler normally doesn't like it, and we have a bit of a struggle. We weren't as good as we should have been about encouraging Chan to brush his teeth....and then we went to the dentist. At age 3, he had 2 big cavities. One was in his back molar and I couldn't believe how big it was when the dentist showed it to me. Like his mom, he has very weak enamel. Too bad he didn't inherit his dad's teeth who has never had a cavity. After this experience, we resolved to be better about encouraging Chan to brush his teeth and make sure it gets done. The firefly toothbrush by Dr. Fresh helps make brushing fun, which is exactly what we need.

Pros: The firefly toothbrush is true to it's name. If you push the bottom part of the toothbrush, it lights up and starts to flash, just like a firefly. It then flashes for 1 minute. Once it is done flashing, brushing is done! It's so nice to have a timer in it. I tell Chan to watch the light while I brush his teeth and he gets a kick out of it. It's a big improvement as he used to only let us brush his teeth for 10-20 seconds. The compact head is perfect for little kids, and the bristles of the brush are very soft, which lets me know it isn't too harsh on little gums. It is also great for little hands to hold and Chandler has now started to want to brush his teeth by himself. A HUGE perk of the firefly toothbrush is it's cost. They are only 99 cents! When I normally buy toothbrushes for my boys, I end up spending $3-4, so the firefly is definitely something I am switching to.

Cons: The bottom part of the toothbrush is a bit hard for Chandler to push to get it flashing. I usually have to do it for him. Not sure if this is just our brush. In this case though, it doesn't seem to be too big of a deal as the Pros greatly outweigh the 1 Con.

The Bottom Line: Very affordable, fun toothbrush that encourages brushing.

Price: 99 cents

Where to Buy: Local retailers & Drug stores.

Want a Firefly Toothbrush of your own? Two readers will win one!

Here's how to enter:

Mandatory Entry:
Tell me what you like about the firefly toothbrush - 1 entry

Additional Entries:
Subscribe to this blog - 1 entry
Follow me - 1 entry
Blog or tweet about it - 1 entry

Please leave each entry as a separate comment, it really helps when I go to draw the winner!

Giveaway ends 11:59 MST, May 15 and is open to US residents only. Giveaway winner has 3 days to contact me or I will draw another winner.

MomDot Party!

2009-04-30T21:42:00.003-06:00

MomDot is having a party ALL of May to celebrate Trisha's 31st birthday! (She is the author of MomDot) There will be a giveaways daily and there will even be a giveaway for an awesome swing set! Be sure to check it out!

eebee baby dvds - Review & Giveaway

2009-04-30T09:50:00.003-06:00

My boys love to watch dvd's, that no secret in our house. So when I was introduced to eebee, I was automatically excited because eebee encourages babies to do and discover. Yes, I said babies. Chandler is 3 1/2 and is definitely not a baby anymore, but he is constantly asking to watch Eebee. At 15 months, Rowan is intruiged with Eebee, but that is to be expected, right?

Pros: I think a company's goal and philosophy is incredibly important, especially to parents. As taken from eebee's adventures website, here is an exerpt of their philosophy:

"eebee's adventures are designed to engage you and your baby with rich play experiences that provide powerful lessons that memorizing letters, numbers, colors and shapes simply can and do not."

I think it's great when babies and toddlers learn ther numbers, colors, and so on, but it doesn't teach important things like cause and effect and problem solving. I am so happy to see a product that is based around this very thing.

We were able to review a 3 dvd set featuring Eebee, which included:

Exploring Real Stuff

Figuring Things Out

All in a Day's Play

Each dvd includes adventures with eebee, play by play guides (expert commentary on every adventure), a developmental perspective (a video Q&A with academic leaders), eebee's beat (a mini music & movement adventure), and song selections. They are each 75 minutes which makes them a great value.

I love that all three of these dvds explore cause and effect. Rowan is really into this stage as he often drops his sippy cup from his high chair simply to see what it will do when it falls. There are numerous ideas for parents to help their children explore different properties in the eebee dvds.

In the dvd, All in a Day's Play, they show a baby banging on pots and pans. This may not seem like much, but it allows babies to explore sound, music, soft and loud, and rhythms. I decided to put this to the test, and it was amazing how I could see the wheels turning as Rowan banged on his pots and pans, and discovered all of these sounds, etc.

The possibilities are endless, and I love how it encourages developmental skills with your baby. In the dvd Figuring Things Out, a baby is allowed to experiment with a flashlight. This was also a big hit with both of my boys and really allowed them to explore light and dark, and on and off.

I think eebee is a perfect fit for babies and even toddlers. A cute, brightly colored puppet is just the key to engage attention. The eebee theme song it catchy and I find Chandler getting up to dance every time it comes on.

As Eebee's tagline states: Every Baby Learns By Doing. I couldn't agree more.

Cons: Honestly, I tried to find a con with eebee and I couldn't. Ultimately, I am writing the reviews, but feedback from my two munchkins is the most important to me. When I see them learning and exploring, and developing their senses, and staying interested in something for more than a few minutes, it's amazing. That's a great product.

The Bottom Line: Hands on dvd series that teaches essental developmental skills, while still being entertaining and engaging.

Price: $17.95 per dvd, or $48.45 for a 3 pack

Where to Buy: eebee site

Rating: Excellent

Would you like your baby to experience eebee for themselves? Eebee is giving a dvd away!

Here's how to enter:

Mandatory Entry

Visit eebee's website, and tell me something about eebee that I didn't tell you in this review - 1 entry

Extra Entries

Follow this blog - 1 entry

Grab my button or blinkie - 1 entry

Please leave each entry as a separate comment. Thanks!

Giveaway is open to US residents only and will end May 14th, 11:59 pm MST. Winner has 3 days to contact me.

Baskin Robbins - 31 cent scoops tonight!

2009-04-29T12:06:00.002-06:00

Tonight from 5-10 pm, Baskin Robbins is holding their 31 cent scoop event to help honor firefighters. At participating locations, you can get a small scoop for 31 cents. Call ahead to make sure the location near you is participating! Find your closest location here.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-04-29T09:11:00.005-06:00

I am going to start participating in Wordless Wednesday over at Mom Dot. I guess this one isn't completely wordless.

DH's idea of a baby carrier?

Baby Orajel Review & Giveaway

2009-04-28T09:40:00.004-06:00

I've turned to orajel when both of my boys were teething. They have been around for 40 years, so of course I feel like I can trust their products. Rowan is working on his eye teeth, which I think are the worst of them all. 3 of them have finally broken through, but we are still waiting for the last one. Orajel has a new teething gel out - cooling cucumber teething gel. I was anxious to give it a try and see if it gave Rowan and relief.

Pros: Orajel uses Benzocaine which is a local topical anesthetic. It works by blocking nerve signals in the body, thus creating the numbing feeling. Click here to learn more about Benzocaine. Orajel has that signature taste. If you've ever used orajel, you know what I am talking about. Both of my boys cringe when they use normal orajel, and with good reason. Although the product works well, it doesn't exactly taste good. This new cooling cucumber gel tastes so much better. It has a nice melon flavor, and tastes actually very good. (Yes, I would know because it was mommy tested :) ) Rowan actually opens his mouth when he sees it coming because he knows it tastes good. It's always nice to give your child medicine that they don't fight you on.

There is a suggestion to keep it in the refrigerator for extra cooling. I really like this suggestion because we all know that cold things feel good on sore gums.

The gel includes cucumber extract which also helps to soothe the gums.

I really think a little goes a long way too, which means you have to buy the product less often.

It is the #1 pediatrician recommended teething pain reliever because it allows your baby instant relief. It has really helped Rowan calm right down when he is having teething pain, which I love. It definitely works well.

Cons: Sometimes the consistency doesn't stay the same. I may squeeze the tube and get a gel out that is more firm, and then all of a sudden it seems to be straight liquid, which can sometimes make a mess. I notice the consistency is somewhat better when refrigerated. I'm also not hugely fond of having to cut the tip of the tube. The first time I bought orajel, I cut it way to far down, and the gel starting oozing out everywhere. I'm sure not to make that mistake now, and make sure I cut it towards the top. Just a tip for those using or wanting to buy orajel!

The Bottom Line: Wonderful new teething gel, great taste, works well.

Price: $5.99 for .33 ounces

Where to Buy: All major grocers and retailers. For a location near you, visit baby orajel.

Rating: Excellent

Baby Orajel sent me 5 extra tubes to give away! That means 5 winners.

Here's how to enter to win a tube:

Have you ever used orajel? If so, what is your favorite feature? - 1 entry

You can enter this contest unlimited times, as long as your comments are centered around teething or Baby Orajel. Please leave a separate comment for each entry.

Contest ends May 5th at 11:59 MST. Open to US residents only, winners have 3 days to contact me after winning.

Eebee Baby

2009-04-27T09:30:00.000-06:00

Ever heard of Eebee Baby? He is ridiculously cute and even helps babies learn.

Here is a sneak peek of Eebee here:

Want to learn more about Eebee? Make sure to come back and read more about him on Thursday!

PS - I've added a giveaway on the Inchworm Shoes Post. Be sure to enter!

Inchworm Shoes Review & Giveaway

2009-04-25T10:00:00.002-06:00

Isn't it crazy how kids outgrow shoes and clothes in a ridiculous amount of time? It seems like I have just bought Chan or Rowan a new shirt or pair of shoes, and next thing I know, it's too small. Wouldn't it be awesome if there were a shoe that could grow with your child? There is, they are called Inchworm Shoes.

Pros: I absolutely love the concept behind these shoes. We were able to review the Milan Strap in a size 10-11.I really like the style and color of the Milan and feel that it is very trendy. Inchworm shoes have 2 sizes in one. Their iFit technology allows the shoe to "grow" expanding it's size right before your eyes. Chan is in a size 10 right now. Once that is too small, there is a button on the side that you push. You then pull on the shoe to expand it. The bottom part of the shoe has a small view window that let's you know what size it is. It starts as a size 10, and can expand to a size 10.5 and size 11. Since his foot isn't growing quite so fast, I expect that these shoes will last us a good year. To understand this concept fully, with great pictures, visit here. Nice, right? Chandler loves these shoes because they are easy to take on and off. This particular style has a velcro closure on the top which is holds in place very well. The velcro really stays in place. The shoes are very durable, and although we've only had it a few weeks, they still look brand new. The inside sole and padding seem very comfortable and the bottom of the sole is quite thick with great traction. We are planning to do some hiking this summer as a family, and I think these shoes will be great for Chandler because of the comfort and traction. Inchworm shoes are offered in children's size, starting at a size 10-11, and going up to sizes 4-5. With 18 styles to choose from, there is bound to be something you'll love.

Cons: These shoes are a bit heavier than Chandler's other shoes, and I think it took him a day or two to get used to that. The middle part of the shoe that extends is also not very flexible. I think this could be due to the fairly new technology, and the fact that it needs to be less flexible to provide support and be able to extend. I'm sure that it is something that will get better in time as Chan breaks them in. It's also hard to extend the shoe, I struggled with a bit, but it seems like consumers have also been concerned about this aspect, as it is in Inchworm's FAQ's. Here's how Inchworm responded:

"We like to say that our shoes are, "parent adjustable". They do require some hand strength to adjust- however, we would not want children to adjust the shoes, and we would not want them to inadvertently change sizes while in use. Therefore we have made them firm in the adjustment area. Consider also that the shoes will be adjusted only a couple or a few times during the time that they are owned.
We also find that it is helpful to view the size on the bottom before attempting to change the size. This way, one can tell whether to "open" or "close" the shoe."

Fair enough, this definitely makes sense. And honestly, how often are you going to be changing the size?

I would also love to see how Inchworm was founded and a shoe sizing guide put up on their site.

The Bottom Line: Wonderful Innovative product that will save Moms time and money when it comes to buying shoes. A bit heavy and unflexible, but seem to be outweighed by the Cons.

Price: $39.95

Where to Buy: Inchworm Shoes

Rating: Great

Want to win your own pair of Inchworm shoes? Inchworm is giving a pair to one reader!

Here's how to enter:

Visit Inchworm and tell me your favorite style - 1 entry

Follow this blog - 1 entry

Grab my button or blinkie - 1 entry

Please leave each entry as a separate comment. Contest is open to US residents and will end May 9th, 11:59, MST.

Subjective Beauty Blog Design

2009-04-25T09:00:00.000-06:00

Mommy's quiet time is giving away a custom blog design by Subjective Beauty. Her work is great! I love her punky monkeys design page, and would love to have her do some work on my blog. Go check it out!

SIDS Awareness Day

2009-04-24T11:00:00.000-06:00

Today, April 24th is SIDS awareness day. To help awareness day, here are some quick facts and tips about SIDS:

What is SIDS?

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden and unexplained death of a sleeping infant under one year of age. In most situations, infants show no physical signs of distress and are perfectly healthy. Ninety percent of all SIDS fatalities occur before an infant reaches six months of age.

What can you do for your baby?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following measures that may help to prevent SIDS:

Place infants on their backs to sleep. As sleeping preference is a learned behavior, parents should consider using products such as Baby Sleeps Safe, a two-piece infant safety product that keeps babies sleeping safely and securely on their backs, to ensure their baby is comfortable with the position.

Do not place your infant to sleep in your bed. Instead, bring the crib into your room until your baby is at least six months old.

Make sure the crib has a firm mattress and avoid soft surfaces. Remove blankets, bumpers, toys or pillows.

Overheating an infant is a risk for SIDS. Clothe your infant to keep him warm, but avoid too many layers or warm room temperatures. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests placing an oscillating fan in the room to help circulation and cooling of air.

Offer your infant a pacifier. Studies have shown a lower rate of SIDS with infants who use pacifiers.

Breast-feed your infant whenever possible. Natural milk decreases the likelihood of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, known to contribute to SIDS risk.

I think these are some great ideas, and knowledge is power!

Huggies - Coupons and New Rewards Program

2009-04-23T09:41:00.002-06:00

Huggies has a new rewards program called Enjoy the Ride. I think eventually it will be similar to the Pampers Gifts To Grow program, which we have been participating in for 3 years now.

As of now, you can redeem rewards points to enter sweepstakes, but I'm hoping you will be able to redeem them for prizes soon. Once you register, you get 10 rewards points and can enter this code for an additional 5 points: TKHNF-RLPLS-TRPGB

After you register, you also get a printable coupon for $2 off any package of diapers. You can print this more than once!

(Deal seen on Money Saving Mom)

Giveaway Winners - Ipod, Jack & Lily

2009-04-22T08:00:00.000-06:00

Here are the winners via random number generator:

Ipod Winner
Elita said...
84I am Elita and I also twitted.
http://twitter.com/Blacktating/status/1477950965

Jack & Lily Shoes Winner
Beautiful For Thee Administrator said...
What I would like to know is how you are suppose to choose one? :-) These are way too cute!!! My favorites are the Pink Daisy Patch, Pink and Brown Saddle, Navy Hibiscus, and the Light Blue Prince. To be honest, I love them all. The features I love are the fact they are washable and have soft leather. Thanks for a great giveaway!  

Please use the Contact Form to claim your prize within 3 days or I will draw another winner!

My Monkey Moo Review & Giveaway

2009-04-21T10:00:00.001-06:00

I'm always on the lookout for cool, innovative products, things that make life a little easier, and of course a little more fashionable. My Monkey Moo is a specialty company that sells comfortable and stylish stroller pads and blankets.

Pros: Here's a dilemma it seems I always face with the stroller and blankets: It's cold outside but warm enough to want to go walking. I need to put a blanket around Rowan who is usually the one in the stroller at this point. After a minute, even though I have bundled him well, the blanket comes loose and starts dragging on the ground. It gets dirty, stuck in the wheels, and I end up having to stop and fix it every few minutes. My Monkey Moo stroller blankets are 26" wide by 32" long, which is the perfect size for covering up your little one without having worry about it dragging. Everytime we've used My Monkey Moo, we've had no problems with the blanket falling off or dragging and Rowan has stayed toasty warm.
We received the stroller pad and set in the pattern At the Zoo. The pattern is absolutely adorable, and I had the hardest time choosing as they have so may fashionable and fun patterns. The nice part about these sets is that they are reversible, allowing you to have two different looks. Immediately upon receiving the set, I was impressed by the great quality. The material is thick and both items are extremely well made. The backing is a VERY soft swirl chenille. It's so soft that I wanted to curl up with it! Doesn't Rowan look so warm? And YES, that is SNOW in APRIL.
I think the stroller pad is such a great idea. It protects the fabric on your stroller, gives a versatile look, and makes your little one that much more comfortable. I a decided to give the stroller pad a test run myself and what better way to do that than to sit on it. :) I know it sounds funny, but I need to give an honest review, right? It actually does a great job padding, even if it isn't intended for moms who weigh more than 20 lbs. Rowan looked super comfortable when sitting on his stroller pad. These pads have slots/holes where you can put the buckles and harness through to help it adapt to almost any stroller. And if this set isn't versatile enough, the stroller pad can double as a changing pad! These wash up really nicely, and I can see that our set is going to last for a long time.
My Monkey Moo is decidated to style and comfort 365 days a year. What a great attitude for a company to have, and I adore the name. Fun and catchy, right?

Cons: I feel like there isn't quite enough information about the company on the site and would love to learn more. As a consumer, I'd like to know how the company was inspired, the mind behind it. I also wish these were available in more stores as I notice there aren't any retailers in Utah where I'm at.

The Bottom Line: Great innovative baby gear, perfect for your strollers.

Price: $64 for blanket or pad $130 for Sets. (Please note this company is out of Canada, and all prices are figured in Canadian dollars. I assume if you place an order, the exchange will be figured in, so actual price in US dollars is less depending on exchange.)

Where to Buy: My Monkey Moo Online

Rating: Great

My Monkey Moo has offered to GIVE AWAY a stroller and pad set!

Here's how to enter:

1 - Visit My Monkey Moo and tell me your favorite style and feature about this product - 2 entries

2 - Become a Follower or let me know you are one - 1 entry

3- Tweet or blog this giveaway - 1 entry

4 - Subscribe to my posts (top left) - 1 entry

Contest is open to US and Canada residents and ends at 11:59 MST, May 5th. Winner has 3 days to contact me.

Baby Earth Ga Ga Deals

2009-04-20T13:04:00.004-06:00

Baby Earth has Ga Ga deals on baby items with prices that drop by the second until they are sold out. They do this throughout the day, I believe until 5 pm, and have a new product hourly. There are some really great deals on baby items and baby gear if you watch!

And don't forget to enter the Ipod & Jack & Lily Shoes giveaways. They end tonight!

Facelift

2009-04-18T15:58:00.001-06:00

I'm in the process of revamping my blog! So if it looks funny to you now, it's only temporary :)

Thanks

Vincent Shoes Review & Giveaway

2009-04-17T08:30:00.004-06:00

Vincent shoes were founded because of a little boy named Vincent. I am a BIG fan of little boys, but maybe it's because I'm biased because I have two little boys of my own....that has to be it :) When Vincent was born in 1998 in Stockholm Sweden, his uncle Thomas and partner Patrick wanted to find a pair of shoes to take him. Not finding anything they liked, they began designing a line of their own, and the rest of history.

The Review: We received a pair of the Oskar children's shoes in blue for Chandler. As soon as we pulled the shoes out of the box, Chandler said, "Oh cool!" and immediately wanted to put them on. He loves this particular style and I do too. They are a great cool kid's sandal for summer, and I love that they are a closed toe sandal to protect his little feet. The front of the shoe has the toe bump, which protects those little toes from getting hurt. It really lets you know that their toes are protected, because we all know that little kids aren't always exactly careful. These also double as a great sneaker with socks. These shoes have awesome flexibility and after feeling the inside of the shoe and watching Chan wear them, they seem extremely comfortable and move well with his feet. The velcro is very functional, holds well, and enables Chandler to put his shoes on by himself, which he is VERY proud of.
On each of the shoes, Vincent adds Designers notes which are fun to read and very witty. I couldn't help but think of Chandler when I read the designer's note about the Oskar shoe we got for him:

"Oskar has all the elements necessary to grow into a stunt man. He climbs onto the countertops to reach the high cabinets then leaps down without a second thought. If your baseball is knocked out of the park, he’s the first one to scale the fence to get it back. His favorite pastime with friends is horseplay."

I love the little details Vincent adds to their shoes, like the contrasting colors and stitching. I also love that there are a lot of gender neutral shoes that are offered in boy and girl colors. You can definitely tell there are some great designers designing these shoes, as they have some fashion forward styles. New collections come out in the Spring and Fall and offer about 40 different styles to choose from. The Vincent collections start with their baby shoes at 6 months, include a wide range of toddler shoes, and go up to 8 years with their children's shoes. Not sure what size your child should be wearing? Vincent has taken this into consideration and has a shoe fitter guide you can download and print out.
I am really impressed with Vincent and their shoes. Chan has worn them everywhere and they still look like new. Pretty great considering he is 3 and rough on everything he comes in contact with.

The Bottom Line: Fashion forward, awesome quality children's shoes

Price: $20-$55 depending on style

Where to Buy: Vincent Shoes

Rating: Excellent

Vincent Shoes is giving away a $50 gift certificate!

Don't delay shopping for Vincent Shoes because if you make a purchase and then win the giveaway, Vincent shoes will CREDIT your purchase! Pretty awesome, right?

Here's how to enter the giveaway

Visit Vincent Shoes and let me know your favorite style from the spring/summer line - 1 entry

Fill out the refer a friend form - 1 entry

Tweet/Blog about this Giveaway - 1 entry

Contest is open to US residents and will end May 1st at 11:59 pm MST. Winners have 3 days to contact me.

Redbook Magazine $1 for a year!

2009-04-16T11:22:00.003-06:00

I love magazines and subscribe to a few. I love getting parenting tips, recipe ideas, beauty and fashion tips, etc.

You can get Redbook for a YEAR for only $.89 through Barnes and Noble. Cover price is $42, so you are saving 97%!

Here are a few other good deals on magazines:
Family Fun - $4.45 for a year (save 82%)
Parents - $4.47 for a year (save 88%)

PLUS - Enter one of these coupon codes for an extra 10% off at checkout!
(Can be used once per account.)
X8N4C7E
T9J9B3Y
W3W7B7K

Here is the original post from slickdeals.

Giggle Guide to Baby Gear Winner

2009-04-16T08:47:00.000-06:00

EllyBean said...
They offer some pretty cute organic onesies!

Thanks for such a great giveaway!
ellybean (at) connected2christ.com
http://www.connected2christ.com/theblog

Congrats, contact me at snedfam@gmail.com!

Aden+Anais Swaddling Blankets & Giveaway

2009-04-14T00:00:00.005-06:00

Swaddling seems like it is essential with a newborn. It gives them that secure warm feeling of being in the womb. Both of my boys loved to be swaddled, Chandler especially. We actually swaddled him until he was 6+ months because he just slept well. Aden and Anais wants babies to have just that, the swaddled comfort they need. So when they contacted me, I was excited to be able to review one of their Australian muslin baby wraps.

The Review: One of my favorite things about this blanket was its size. Normal receiving blankets are 30x30 inches. These are great for the first month or two, but babies seem to outgrow them quickly. Their blankets are a generous 47 x 47 inches. I swaddled Rowan with it, and even though he is 15 months, it was more than big enough for him. (I'm sure he appreciated his nutty mom swaddling him ;) ) Another thing that instantly draws me to this blanket is how muslin works. As taken from Aden and Anais' site, here is is a little bit about muslin:

"Muslin is a unique cotton fabric first introduced into England in the late 17th century. Muslin has a light, open weave that allows air to flow seamlessly through the material. The soft natural fibers allow your baby's body temperature to adjust naturally, eliminating over-heating, but ensuring warmth and comfort. aden + anais wraps will allow you to safely swaddle your baby, giving you confidence that your baby will experience a peaceful and secure sleep. "

Chan had a lot of skin problems when he was a baby, as you can see from the photo on the right. Cradle cap, exzema, and he always seemed to have heat rash. He loved to be swaddled but would get so hot that he would rub the blanket on his cheeks until they were red and rashy. He overheated so easily but wouldn't sleep well unless he was swaddled. We tried every type of blanket it seemed, and he always overheated. I would have loved to have known about Aden and Anais, I'm sure it would have helped tremendously with his heat rash.

These blankets have a lot of nice stretch to them. I am a big fan of the thermal/waffle receiving blankets for newborns, simply because of their stretch. It's hard to find these bigger than a receiving size though. I love that Aden and Anais blankets have the size and stretch which makes for a secure swaddle. They wash up really nicely and are great quality all around, plus they stay extremely soft which is a must have for newborn skin.

Their site has some really great tips as well. For example, it shows you two different methods to swaddle, and also gives some great ideas on other ways to use the blanket.

Aden and Anais has this great swaddling blanket available in 2 and 4 packs which are extremely convenient as newborns need many swaddling blankets. They have some really cute styles available.

They also carry a muslin dream blanket and are made with 6 layers of waffled cotton. I'm sure they are wonderful too!

The Bottom Line: Awesome swaddling blanket, protects baby from overheating, large size, super soft!

Where to Buy: Aden and Anais

Price: Winter Warmth Swaddles: $49.95 - on sale for $29.95

Dream Blankets: $59.95 - on sale for $39.95

Enter WINTERSALE as the promo code to receive this special discount! (Sale goes through April)

Aden and Anais is giving away the Neutral Spots Winter Warmth - 2 pack as pictured to the right to one of my readers!

Here's how to enter:

1) Visit Aden and Anais and let me know your favorite style they carry - 1 entry

2) Read this info about swaddling and give one reason why it is important - 1 entry

3) Grab my button or blinkie - 1 entry

4) Blog or tweet about this giveaway - 1 entry

Contest is open to US residents only, and will end April 28 at 11:59 MST. Winner has 3 days to contact me.

150 kid's songs for $.99

2009-04-13T00:00:00.000-06:00

I saw this on slickdeals and wanted to pass along. You can get 150 download songs from Amazon for only $.99 here. Good deal if you are looking for some children's music! And here is the link to the original post from slickdeals.

Amazing Animals Tubtime Tugboat

2009-04-09T13:08:00.000-06:00

Both my boys love to take baths. Of course, what kids don't like to take baths? Their grandma gave them this Fisher Price Amazing Animals Tubtime Tugboat bath set for Christmas.

Pros: Isn't this a super cute set? It comes with a tugboat, and 5 different animals. Some have moving parts ,and the fish is a little squirter. The tugboat has a handle that enables it to be attached to the faucet when play is all done, keeping it out of the way. There is also a spinning toy on the front that Rowan loves to play with. The bright colors are stimulating for any child, and the toy is very durable. All of the animals have different textures which are also great for teething and makes this toy not only great in the bathtub but out. My boys also really like the Octopus for scooping and pouring water.

Cons: This is a fun when it is new, but Chandler has lost interest in it and doesn't play with it much in the tub after a few months. I'm also contemplating getting rid of the fish as most squirt toys start to get mold in them after a while. Who wants their child bathing with mold? Although the handle/faucet feature is nice, there have been many times I have knocked it down while trying to fill Rowan's humidifier at night. It would also be nice if this toy had more moving parts, I think it would entertain better.

The Bottom Line: Cute toy, but kids can grow tired of it easily

Price: $17-20

Where to Buy: Fisher Price

Rating: OK

Jack and Lily Shoes, Review & Giveaway

2009-04-07T11:00:00.001-06:00

I have to admit, I'm starting to have a bit of a shoe fetish on behalf of my boys. Who said little boys couldn't have lots of cute shoes, and great quality ones at that? I was excited to discover Jack and Lily, and was immediately pulled in by their great site and tagline: Discover, Touch, Smile.

Pros: Jack & Lily's shoes are made from the Finest Lamb Touch Leather. We received a pair of the sport touch in brown and cream from the My Shoes line for Rowan. Aren't they cute? This particular line goes up to 24 months. They really aren't kidding when they say they use the finest touch leather. These particular shoes are made from 100% cowhide leather and are so incredibly cute. Their shoes are specially designed to encourage touch and development in babies and toddlers. This is all to true. The first time we put Rowan's new shoes on, he immediately bent town to touch and examine them. I think he likes the contrast of colors and the feel of the shoes. The shoes from the "My Shoes" line have a soft sole that is perfect for indoors as well as outdoors. They have a skid resistant sole which helps with tripping and helps grip surfaces. They are also very light which is great when it comes to first walkers and toddlers. There's nothing that makes it more difficult for a baby to walk then heavy shoes. Because of how nice and soft the sole is, Rowan walks like a pro in these. Jack and Lily shoes are recommended by Podiatrists, which means you know your little ones are getting shoes that are simply the best. I really feel that these shoes run true to size. Rowan's other shoes are a size 5, or 18-24 months. We ordered an 18-24 months and it was comparable to a size 5. I really appreciate this aspect. Sometimes if you order a product online, you never know if it will run big or small, so it's nice that they do run true to size.

The original collection does not disappoint. Jack and Lily has one of the biggest collections of soft soled shoes I've seen, with some incredibly trendy and baby friendly styles. They have more than 70 combinations of shoes. If that isn't selection, I don't know what is. What's awesome abou the soft soled collection too is that the sizes go up to 4 years! Most other brands only go up to 24 months. The original collection is machine washable. You simply wash them separately in cold water, partially let them tumble dry, and then reshape and air dry. They do reccomend hand washing though to extend the life of the shoes.

As I hadn't heard of Jack and Lily before, I checked here to see if there was a location near me that sold them. I was pleasantly surprised to find 13 locations in my state.

Cons: Jack and Lily really has a great quality product and has done their homework. No cons from a very satisfied mom!

Price: $26-$30 depending on style (Free shipping when you order 2 pair!)

The Bottom Line: Great quality baby and toddler shoes with trendy styles

Where to Buy: Jack and Lily

Rating: Excellent

Jack and Lily is giving away a pair of shoes to one lucky reader!

Here's how to enter:

1) Visit Jack and Lily and let me know what style is your favorite - 1 entry

2) Tell me about your favorite feature - 1 entry

3) Grab my button or blinkie (left hand column) - 1 entry

Contest is open to US and Canada residents and will close at 11:59 MST on April 20th. Winner has 3 days to contact me or I will redraw.

Thomas The Train Giveaway At MomDot

2009-04-07T10:00:00.000-06:00

Mom Dot and Thomas the train are giving away 6 train sets - Thomas at Action Canyon. Chandler LOVES Thomas and would absolutely love this set! You can enter to win one at Mom Dot and also blog about Thomas to get extra entries, so if you see some more Thomas entries from me, we want to up our chances!

Ipod Shuffle Giveaway

2009-04-04T15:42:00.008-06:00

So I mostly focus on baby and child products, but I wanted to share one of my very favorite products with all you mamas - the Ipod shuffle. I love to exercise, it's my little getaway. I absolutely love working up a good sweat while my favorite song is pumping in my ears. Plus it helps with the stretched out muffin top that my cute kiddos helped contribute to. :) I have a second generation in purple. I love how tiny it is, it will hold up to 500 songs and will play up to 12 hours of music, plus it only weighs half an ounce!

I love the shuffle so much, I'm giving one away!

It's a green 2GB 2nd generation - refurbished, and is a $60 value. We have a few refurbished products from apple and have never been disappointed.

Here's how you can win it!

1) Leave a comment with your name and what you would be listening to in your new ipod if you won it. - 1 entry

2) Become a follower of this blog - 1 entry

3) Blog about this giveaway - 1 entry

4) Tweet about it - 1 entry

As an example comment, here would be my entry:

I'm Tiffany and right now I would be listening to Sara Bareilles or Augstana. I follow this blog, blogged about this giveaway, and tweeted about it here: babesandkids Ipod Shuffle giveaway @ Babes and Kids Review http://www.babesandkidsreview.com/2009/04/ipod-shuffle-giveaway.html
less than 5 seconds ago from web You can contact me at: snedfam (at) gmail (dot) com.

Please leave me someway to get ahold of you if you win. (e-mail, blog, twitter..) I've had to redraw for prizes before, and I'd hate for you to win and not claim your prize!

Contest is open to US Residents only and will end 11:59 MST April 20th. Winner has 3 days to contact me.

See Kai Run Giveaway Winner

2009-04-02T09:16:00.004-06:00

Here is the winning comment via random.org

Laura said...
I signed up for email alerts as well.

You have 3 days to contact me with your shipping information or I will draw a new winner. (snedfam@gmail.com)

Thanks everyone, and don't forget to enter to win the Giggle Guide to Baby Gear book

Giggle Guide to Baby Gear Book & Giveaway

2009-04-01T00:00:00.002-06:00

Flashback 4 years ago: I'm about 3 months pregnant with Chandler. Food aversions, puking, fatigue, and tremendous mood swings were just a few of the things that I was feeling at the time. I'm also feeling overwhelmed. I knew I needed to start preparing for a baby, not just mentally but physically. What do I need? Where do I start? What products are the best to buy? These were just a few of the questions I was asking myself at the time. About a month ago, I came across The Giggle Guide to Baby Gear by Ali Wing CEO and founder of giggle. This book claims to be The Smart Shopping Companion for new parents. Is it? Keep reading and you'll find out.

Pros:

Within the first few pages of the book, I couldn't believe how much I could relate. One excerpt reads:

"Yes, shopping for a new baby can be a tremendous task. Anyone who's ever walked into a baby superstore can relate to the feeling of staring at a wall of 50 different car seats, each one indistinguishable from the next. With the explosion of baby products on the market, the choices are endless, and it's hard to make an informed decision about every single item you need to purchase."

Wow, could I relate to this. I remember the first time I walked into Babies R Us. I wondered what I really needed and what brands were the best. As I registered for my baby shower, I scanned everything and anything, completely oblivious to what I really needed.

One thing I really love about this book is the checklists. It has checklists for things such as; the first six months, toddlerhood, nursery, getting out and about, and much more. It tells you specific items you need at these stages and places and why.

Another section that I was really impressed with was products for baby on the go. This section focuses on car seats. I have done so much online research on car seats, it's almost ridiculous. This section gives general guidance, tips, features to look for, lifestyle considerations, and accessories. Nice, huh? Not to mention there are small pictures of different car seats so you know what they look like. This is also a feature you see throughout the book - small pictures of baby items they suggest.

At the end of each section there are notes for you to take. I can really see how this would be helpful as you decide what gear you need. The book is even compact enough and spiral bound, meaning it's easy to take along with you to the store and the spiral binding makes it easy to stay open to the page you need as well as more durable.

In the back of the book, there is an index. Want to find out about co-sleeping? Look it up in the index. Questions about monitors?, the index has it. At 176 pages, this book has mounds of information, but isn't so much that it is overwhelming. It is well written, easy to understand, and covers everything about baby gear you would need to know. I definitely think this would be a great gift for an expecting mom, or even a mom who's been there done that. I don't consider myself an expert, but after 2 kids I'd think that I'm pretty well rounded. This book gave me some new ideas for gear. For example - a splash mat. You put it on the floor to catch spills and food. Helps save your back and your floors. I notice giggle has one of these on their website. I just might be getting it as I have two very messy eaters.

I also wanted to mention that Giggle has an awesome online store filled with great baby gear. One stop shopping, right?

Cons: I don't have any complaints about this book. I wish I had gotten it when I was pregnant with Chandler, but then again, according to the copyright, it's only been out since 2008. Hopefully this book will be a big help for those of you looking for information on baby gear, or are looking for a baby gift.

The Bottom Line: Very informative, well written book about baby gear.

Price: $19.95 and FREE shipping!

Where to Buy: Giggle

Rating: Excellent

Thanks to Giggle, here's your chance to win your very own copy of the Giggle Guide to Baby Gear!

(If possible, please leave an e-mail address for me to contact you at - in your comment.)

Visit the Giggle store and tell me about another product that they offer - 1 entry
Sign up for their e-mail alerts - 2 entries
Become a follower of this blog, or let me know you are one - 1 entry
Tweet about this giveaway - 1 entry
Grab my button on the left sidebar - 1 entry

Contest is open to US residents only and will end April 15th.

Eyes Cream Shades Winners

2009-03-31T00:14:00.004-06:00

Here are the winners for the sunglasses via random.org:

Girl's Sunglasses:
Learning2CouponFL said...
I like Mint Ice style best but the Cotton Candy ones are a very close second.

Thanks for the giveaway!

Boy's Sunglasses:
Joel & Lila said...
The thing I like best about them is that they are made w/rubber and seem great for children of all ages, plus their syles are adorable!

Please e-mail me your shipping info and I will get them in the mail to you ASAP!

You have 3 days to contact me to claim your prize!
(snedfam@gmail.com)

Eddie Bauer Pack & Play Deal

2009-03-29T23:56:00.003-06:00

ETA: This deal is dead

I think a pack and play is a must. Rowan slept in the bassinet of his for 4 months before we moved him to his crib, plus it's great for him to sleep in now when we travel. I saw this fabulous deal on slick deals and had to pass along. These are hard to find this good of a deal on. If you invest in a pack and play, I promise you will use it and it will LAST. Plus, this is an Eddie Bauer, so the quality will be great. Not sure how long these will last at this price, so if you are interested, I'd jump on it!

Sears has this great pack and play for 60% off. It is originally $129.99, on sale for $55.99

The specs:

For first-time prenatal moms, the Eddie Bauer Complete Care Play Yard provides all the necessities needed to care for your baby. Its elevated changing station with diaper organizer allows parents to stand comfortably while changing diapers. The play yard also includes an advanced electronics unit with two speed vibration, five melodies, five soothing sounds and a night light.

Full-bassinet provides plenty of space for baby
Wind-up mobile with 3 soft toys to entertain
Parent assist organizer provides convenient access to changing necessities
Lightweight aluminum tubing for easy portability
Roll down shade offers extra sun protection
Carry bag with storage pocket & roll-along feature for added ease
Wheels on one end allow for easy portability
Sets up in les than one minute
Extra security latch on floor; Meets ASTM voluntary safety standards

Pediacare Gentle Vapors Nightlight

2009-03-28T00:15:00.001-06:00

Our family has been hit hard this season with colds and although technically we are starting into spring, we are sick at our house AGAIN. Actually, my hubby and boys are sick with colds again, and I just got over a sinus infection last week. YUCK! We make sure to run the humidifier, especially in Rowan's room since he has had breathing issues, but also have another product we use often - Pedicare's Gentle Vapors - Vapor Plug.

Pros: This is a small, waterless vaporizer that plugs into the wall. It comes with small vapor pads that you slide into the vaporizer, in the middle of the product. The bottom part of the vaporizer is a night light which is convenient if you use one in your child's room. The night light part has a sensor and only turns on when the overhead light goes off. The top part has a vent that lets out the vapors which quickly fill the room.

I really like that this is a soothing product, great for congestion and colds, but doesn't medicate. It contains a blend of menthol, eucalyptus, camphor, lavender, and chamomile. Here's a bit of a breakdown as to what they are and their benefit:

Menthol: Derived from peppermint oil and is known to help soothe sinus and throat irritation.

Eucalyptus: Comes from the Eucalyptus plant and is known to help soothe sore throats, and relieve nose and chest congestion.

Camphor: This herb comes from a Camphor tree and helps stimulate cold receptors in the mucous membranes, which in turn helps to soothe the nose.

Lavender: Known for it's calming and soothing abilities

Chamomile: This herb, like lavender helps to calm and soothe.

I notice a big difference in both of the boys breathing and coughing when I plug this vaporizer in at night if they have a cold. If I even walk in the room, I notice I can breathe better and the calming effect it has.

The small pads that you put in the product last up to 8 hours, which is great for night time, and the plug rotates around to accomodate other things you may have plugged into the outlet.

Cons: The nightlight is quite bright, brighter than the other night lights we usually keep in the boy's rooms. It hasn't been a problem for us, but I could see it being one for a child who may be a light sleeper. It also can become overpowering if you use this in a small room. Rowan is in a tiny room right now, and I almost need to keep the door open when we use these because the smell almost seems to be too much. The pads last 8 hours, but in a bit larger room, it seems like they don't last as long. You can buy refills for this product, but if you use these often, the price adds up fast as it is about $5-6 for a 5 pack refill. We only use them when the boys have colds so the cost of it isn't too big of a deal.

The Bottom Line: Good compact waterless vaporizer for colds.

Price: $7-9 for vaporizer, Around $5-6 for a 5 pack refill

Where to Buy: Walgreens, CVS, Target

Rating: Great

Bolt DVD for $7

2009-03-26T10:30:00.003-06:00

Bolt is out on DVD and is definitely a great movie. Ever since we rented it, Chandler has been asking to watch it again. You can get your own copy for only $7.00!

Target has Bolt for $15.99 through the 28th. There is a $5 printable manufacturer's coupon here.

You can also submit a $4 rebate when you buy the dvd and Ronzoni pasta here.

And if you need batteries, you can also buy 2 packs of Rayovac batteries and get a $5 rebate as well here.

Also at Target this week, if you buy Lilo & Stitch, along with Bolt, you get $10 off, making each dvd $6.50.

We're hopefully headed out to get our dvd's today!

(I saw this deal on the Slick Saver Blog.)

See Kai Run - Review & Giveaway

2009-03-23T14:02:00.009-06:00

I've been looking for some shoes for Rowan lately. After watching him trip repeatedly in his little church shoes a few weeks ago, I took them off to see why he was tripping so badly. They were shoes that Chandler wore when he was little as well, and I'm sure he tripped in them lots too, but as a first time mom I guess I thought that was normal the first few months of walking. I pulled the shoes off, and couldn't believe I'd never noticed how hard the sole was. They don't have any give and had hardly any padding. They sure are cute though. When I stumbled upon See Kai Run, I was immediately excited to learn that they had a nice flexible sole. And that's only the beginning.

Pros: This company was inspired by a mom, who, like me and many other moms wanted to find shoes for her little Kai that had a flexible sole and were comfortable. I love mom inspired companies. You know that someone behind the scenes has been there and really knows the market. Plus, it means that much more thought and effort goes into the product.

We got a pair of the Grayson Sandals, size 5 for Rowan. I was immediately pleased the moment I pulled them out of the box. The leather is a sheepskin leather and is extremely soft. Because they are a genuine leather, it means that they will wear well. Unlike a pair of shiny black shoes I just bought Chandler. They are NOT leather and already have some ugly scuffs on them. The insole and leather of this shoe are also leather, making it very soft and comfortable.

The very next thing I did was test the sole. They are extremely flexible and have a great amount of traction on the bottom. I'm a big fan of the soft soled leather shoes, but many of them aren't too feasible for outside play. These are great for outside play and offer the flexibility and comfort a little walker would need.

One thing I notice when talking to a lot of moms is that they have to buy "wide" sized shoes for their babies and toddlers. This is hard sometimes as it really narrows down the selection. See Kai Run has taken this into consideration with their wide width they have on their shoes. Rowan doesn't have wide feet, but the shoes still stay on perfectly and give him some extra room.

After putting these shoes to the test, I am officially a See Kai Run fan. We went out to the playground and had no tripping! Rowan seems to
really like his shoes, and I love that they are incredibly cute. Plus the shoe that he orders goes up to a size 9, meaning your older child can enjoy the flexible well made shoes. (Chandler is almost 3 1/2 and is wearing a size 9 if that gives you an idea of the age group.)

The whole See Kai Run line is incredibly fashionable and trendy. Comfort plus style, what more could you ask for?

Lastly, I can definitely tell these shoes will last. I will put them away after Rowan has outgrown them. Maybe there will be another little boy in our future a few years down the road. :)

Cons: I am in love with these shoes and don't see any cons with the shoes, I'd just like to see more retailers carry them in their stores. If you are interested in a store carrying them in your area, they have a form you can fill out.

The Bottom Line: Flexible, well made children's shoes with fun trendy styles.

Price: $24-38 depending on style and sale.

Where to Buy: See Kai Run

Rating: EXCELLENT!

See Kai Run has generously offered to give away a pair of shoes to one of my readers!

Here's how to enter and earn entries:

Visit See Kai Run and tell me what pair & size you would like if you win (Shoes must be from the Smaller or See Kai Run line) - 1 entry

Become a follower on this blog or let me know you already are one - 1 entry

Follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway - 1 entry (See twitter icon on right hand sidebar.)

Contest is open to US and Canadian residents only. Last day to enter is April 1st, winner to be announced April 2nd!

Me Time Giveaway Winner

2009-03-21T11:46:00.001-06:00

Here is the winning comment:

Tequilamama said...
I HAVE THREE KIDS--ME TIME IS NONEXISTENT! *whimper* I miss me.

E-mail me at snedfam@gmail.com so I can get your shipping info! Thanks

Show a little love

2009-03-20T10:17:00.002-06:00

My friend Trisha from Sweet N Sassy Girls is one of 15 finalists for an Electrolux washer and dryer, valued at $6000. She needs your help and your votes. Currently she is doing a giveaway for super cute apron and 4500 EC credits. I'd love to see her win this. Here is the link to her giveaway! Thanks everyone

Kid Emergencies

2009-03-19T07:00:00.000-06:00

Has your child ever gotten a fever, rash, been poisoned, or had some sort of allergic reaction? If you are like me, a lot of times you will google something to learn more about it. As many of you know, I work in an ER. Even though I haven't worked there long, I have taken a few calls of worried parents who aren't sure if they should bring their child in. They tell us the symptoms and unfortunately we can't offer medical advice over the phone for liability reasons. It is a dead end for the person calling. They have to decide if they are concerned enough to bring their child in to be evaluated.

Kid Emergencies is a free site that was developed by a pediatrician, Dr. Marty Belson.
I love this site because it is a one stop source for any question a concerned parent might have when something goes wrong with their child. It can help you make that informed decision as to whether or not you should take your child in to be seen by a dr.

The site has listed the most common emergencies. When you click on a specific category, it offers statistics and information, signs and symptoms, what you should do, and how a doctor would evaluate the situation.

And if all that isn't awesome enough, you can even contact Dr. Marty and ask him your questions. You can also read about questions from other readers.

My other favorite features about the site:

1. There is an Emergency Checklist you can post on your fridge. On it you can write your contact information, times when you should call your pediatrician, poison control, or 911. It also tells you about ER visits and gives tips and advice as to what to expect and what you can do for a smooth visit.

2. They have a link for all Poison Control numbers! This is perfect, especially if you don't have access to a phone book. Last week, we were at the daycare of our local rec center, where I do a trade and work in the daycare for a free membership. It was warm enough that they let all of the kids out on the playground. A few minutes later, I noticed something in Rowan's (my 14 month old) mouth. It looked like ice. Upon further investigation, we found out it was ice melt. It had snowed a few days prior and someone was very careless with the ice melt. He started gagging like he was going to vomit and I started to panic. We had to find a phone book and then proceed to look up the Poison Control number. It seemed like forever before we got to speak to someone even though it was only about 5 minutes. We were told if he had swallowed more than a tablespoon to immediately take him to the ER. If not, we should watch him to see if he started vomiting and really push the fluids on him. I didn't think he had swallowed much, so we just watched him. He ended up being ok, but it seemed like an eternity trying to find a phone book and then looking up the number. This site is a quick resource where you can have all Poison Control numbers within 30 seconds, or even print out a copy for your reference. I know I am going to be printing out the Emergency Checklist, where I will write our local Poison Control number.

One last thing that is pretty cool about the site: It is free of advertisements and Dr. Belson doesn't profit from it. It is refreshing to find a site like this, when it seems like you are bombarded by advertisements on any site you visit.

A little bit about Dr. Belson:
"Dr. Martin Belson ("Dr. Marty") is a board certified pediatrician and pediatric emergency physician, board certified medical toxicologist and the former president of the Greater Atlanta Pediatric Society. His most important job is raising his daughters, Brooke and Anna." (taken from kidemergencies.com)

All in all, I am so impressed with this site. I'm definitely going to bookmark it for future reference!

Click here to visit kid emergencies.

Eyes Cream Sunglasses & Giveaway

2009-03-16T12:50:00.010-06:00

Summer is rapidly approaching and it's a great time to buy products for summer! I stumbled across this great company called Eyes Cream Shades. They sell cute and stylish sunglasses for babies and kids.

Pros: I've bought sunglasses for Chandler every summer. They always break, have the lenses fall out of them, or just aren't that great of protection for his eyes.

Eyes Cream Shades are shatterproof which I think is just awesome. The toddler glasses even have rubber frames for increased durability. Let's face it, kids aren't exactly gentle with their belongings, so this feature is great. Their glasses are made with a polycarbonate lens which is the safest and only recommended for children.

Long term sun exposure to the eyes can cause multiple problems such as cataracts and skin cancer around the eyes to name a few. Eyes cream shades has this problem covered as their glasses provide 100% UVA and UVB protection - perfect for protecting those little eyes. Another big perk - the offer a lifetime guarantee on their glasses. How awesome is that?

The day we got these glasses in the mail, Chandler just had to wear them. He put them on, and they fit snugly on his face. We went to play outside and was excited to wear them. He kept saying, "cool glasses!" One time while on the playground, he decided to throw his hat and glasses on the ground. After throwing them multiple times, we've really learned
just how durable they are. He even wants to wear them when it's dark outside. Pretty cute. I love that Chandler thinks they are cool stylish glasses, and I know they are safe and completely protecting his eyes.

The company is really quick with shipments and even sends you some cute ice cream bowls with your order, which is a fun touch.

Cons: No cons here!

The Bottom Line: Great quality kid's sunglasses, durable with awesome protection.

Price: $34.99 + shipping

Where to Buy: Eyes Cream Shades Online

Rating: Excellent

Eyes Cream Shades sent me two extra pair of glasses to give away! One is a girl's style, the other for a boy.

Here's how to enter:

1) Visit Eyes Cream Shades and leave a comment here with your favorite style - 1 entry

2) Your favorite feature about these glasses? - 1 entry

3) Post this giveaway on your blog - 1 entry

4) Follow me on twitter and tweet about it - 1 entry

5) Become a follower of this blog (You automatically get this entry if you are already a follower, just let me know you follow.) - 1 entry

Giveaway will close on March 30th, and winners will be announced on the 31st.

Contest Open to US residents only

Giveaway

2009-03-16T02:48:00.004-06:00

I'm closing the Me Time giveaway on Friday. Make sure to enter!

Safety 1st Cabinet Flex Lock

2009-03-10T13:46:00.003-06:00

As I mentioned in the baby proofing post, babies are naturally curious. Once mobile, they will get into anything and everything. The Safety 1st Cabinet Flex Locks were one of the first things that we tried when baby proofing.

Pros: These can be used on cabinets that have knobs on them. It's simple enough to put on, you just put each loop over the knobs and then pull down on the zip to tighten them. These really are baby proof, Chandler could never and has still never figured out how they work. This is because you have to push the button in the middle while pushing the one on the side that you want to loosen. These are also very durable. We have had a couple for a few years and have never had to replace them.

Cons: I like the idea behind this product, but they are difficult to loosen. You have to have two hands to do it and even then it feels like you are fighting with the product. (Sometimes I would get frustrated and feel like I needed more than 2 hands? I thought these were supposed just be baby proof and not adult proof too?) I hated trying to loosen and tighten these every time I got into a cabinet. I finally decided to leave the loops that go around the cabinet a little looser. I could just pull on side off, get into the cupboard and then push it back on. Chandler still couldn't get it off. Although I figured out a way around how hard they are to zip, you shouldn't have to do that with a good product. There are other products out there that have the same concept but are easier to use. These are also only good to use on cabinets that have two knobs. In our house we recently moved in to, we don't have knobs on our kitchen cabinets, so these won't work at all.

The Bottom Line: A baby proofing product that seems to do it's job, but I probably wouldn't buy it again.

Price: $2-4

Where to Buy: Carefree Store Online, Walmart

Rating: OK

Dwell Line at Target

2009-03-09T01:24:00.004-06:00

Found a fabulous deal on slickdeals for crib bedding at Target! Their dwell line is up to 75% off.

They have 3 piece girl sets for $13.74 which includes a comforter, sheet, and bumper pad. (Makes me want a little girl!)
Arabesque Collection (pictured to the right)
Farm Girl Collection

There's also a boy's bedding set from the dwell line, but it is only 50% off and is $27.49
School Book

And a cute boy's blanket from the dwell line, marked down to $1.99
Cars

Shipping is a little high, about $10-12, but I think it's definitely worth it for the girl's line!

Cheap Huggies

2009-03-05T21:07:00.003-07:00

Walgreens is having a great sale on Huggies next week , 3/8-3/14. Jumbo packs of diapers are $10 each. You can also go to coupons.com or coupon bug and print out $5 coupons for each jumbo pack. You can only print 2 per printer, but if you have access to another printer, you can print more. If not, print 2 of the $5 ones and then there is also a $3 coupon. You will also get $10 in register rewards, which is $10 off your next $10 purchase when you buy $25 worth. There is also a $3 coupon in the WAG's coloring book which you can purchase at Walgreens.

So if you can get 3 of the $5 coupons and the coloring book coupon, you will pay $2 for 3 jumbo packs. Awesome deal on diapers! (Deal was found at slick deals. See original post here.)

Me Time

2009-03-02T19:44:00.003-07:00

It seems like my life has been a LITTLE more than hectic lately! And I've been a blog slacker. I really do have good excuses :) First of all, it's called two little boys who I chase all day long. Secondly, I decided to go back to work. I'm sure some of you are feeling the stress of the economy. I know we are. Although my husband's job seems safe now, we are wanting to start building our savings as much as possible. I was extended a job last week to work in an Emergency Room as a Health Unit Coordinator, aka Ward Clerk. It is 2 nights a week which will give us some extra money and peace of mind. This is a little bit of a change. I've worked as a Health Unit Coordinator before, but it was on a mom baby unit. Hmmm....newborn babies to emergency situations? This should be an interesting change working in an ER. So if it seems that I am a little loopy sometimes, you can assume that I might be operating on little to no sleep. I started orientation today and boy am I tired! I could use a nice bubble bath right now and a box of chocolates. I definitely need a little bit of "me" time. Speaking of bubble baths and chocolates, I think it's about time for a giveaway for all you mamas! I'm sure many of you spend your days chasing and taking care of your kiddos on top of everything else. Kudos to all of you and your hard work! So I want to know what you do to relax, and what you would do topamper yourself if you could do anything?

Leave a comment and I'll be sure to send the winner something nice. Maybe bubble bath and chocolates? ;)

PS - If you are a follower or become one, you get an extra entry!!

This giveaway will end 11:59 MST on March 20th.

Winner will be announced on March 21st!

Supernanny Giveaway Winner!

2009-02-28T08:00:00.000-07:00

The lucky winner is comment #10! (E-mail me at snedfam@gmail.com)

Johnson Family said...

I love Supernanny! And I am sure I could use some of the tips in the book!

Thanks for entering everyone. There will be another great giveaway soon!

Safety 1st Grip Door Knob Covers

2009-02-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

After learning to walk, it seems like toddlers start to get very curious. They will start testing their limits and getting into anything and everything. I remember Chandler trying again and again when he was about 18 months old to open a door. After much effort, he figured it out. It was ALL downhill from then. He's gone outside multiple times, opened his brother's door and gotten into his crib with him, gotten into the bathroom and all of my makeup....and much more. The solution? Simple - Door Knob Covers!

Pros: These covers come apart into two pieces. It then has 3 grooves where it snaps into place as you put it over the door knob. They then have sort of a loose fit. If your child tries to open the door, the cover just spins around the knob and They work on all sorts of door knobs. We've used them on regular round knobs in our apartments and home. They also work great on door knobs that aren't quite round. In order for an adult to open the door, you just pinch the two gray grooves on either side together. This allows you to grip the knob in order to open it. Chan is almost 3 1/2 and still hasn't figured out how these work. Nice, huh? They are also very durable and easy to take on and off. The picture shows these in white, but I have found them in clear at Walmart and like the clear design better. They aren't as noticable. These are also very affordable and are only about $2-3 for a 2 pack.

Cons: There have been times when the cover is in two pieces that I have a hard time putting it back together. Maybe it's just me because my husband laughs and does it for me. I, however, think that it could be designed a bit better so it is easier to put together. After time, and enough fiddling by your toddler, they come apart easily. This has happened with 2 of the knobs we have bought.

The Bottom Line: A great way to babyproof doors, a must have!

Price: $2-3 for a 2 pack (Diapers.com even sells them in a 4 pack for $3.79.)

Where to Buy: Walmart, Target, Diapers.com

Rating: Great

Free Baby Blanket

2009-02-21T23:40:00.000-07:00

Babies One Step is giving away a free baby blanket with a cute stuffed animal, until March 15, or while supplies last. Isn't it cute? There are 3 to choose from, and you do have to confirm your e-mail to get the freebie. There's definitely one headed my way. Click Here for the free blanket! I saw this deal on Money Saving Methods. It's a site I have bookmarked and has already saved me tons.

Signing Time DVD's Deal

2009-02-20T07:37:00.002-07:00

If any of you have ever watched the signing time dvd's or want to encourage sign language with your baby or child, the signing time dvd's are a great way to start. Best Buy has 2 different gift sets that have 3 dvds on sale for $14.99. These are normally retailed at $60, so this is an awesome deal!

Gift Set 1

Gift Set 2

Baby Proofing

2009-02-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

I had a request for baby proofing and thought it was a really good idea. I don't consider myself an expert, and I've improvised many times to try to baby proof. So here are a few ideas and tips to get you started. In later posts, I will review different products that we are actually using to baby proof and why we do or do not like them.

My very first tip would be to get on the floor. I'm sure you will feel awesome doing this right? Yes you may feel dumb, but crawl around and see things that you could "get in to." Babies have a totally different perspective. They don't see the world from a 5 foot + perspective. By getting down on the floor you will see things that you might not have noticed before. And believe me, your little one will find every cheerio, every dust bunny and more....and then will proceed to eat them all :)

I notice that my home is most baby proofed when I keep it clean. It seems like simple common sense, but it really works. If there is a lot of clutter, you better bet your baby/toddler will get into anything within their reach. By keeping your home clean, you also avoid choking hazards. Babies use their mouths to experience the world and will put anything in their mouth - it's just second nature. In fact, I pulled a crayon out of Rowan's mouth today and found a penny in there the other day. I know well where the crayon came from, it's called his 3 year old brother, but I have no idea where the penny came from. It's scary to think how easily he could have choked on that penny.

Another tip for baby proofing is to give your baby their own designated cupboards.I have a cupboard in the kitchen that just has pots and pans in it. It is easily accessible to Rowan and he knows he can get into it. (It used to be the drawer under the oven when we lived in our apartment - alas the picture.) He loves having the independence and not being told no, and also getting to play with the pots and pans. This is something I wish I would have done when Chandler was a baby. He got into every cupboard and was always making huge messes. I didn't restrict him or give him his own cupboards, and although it was fun for him, there was always a mess for me to clean up.

Something else that should be common sense is to make sure all cleaners, sharp objects, medicines, etc are kept up high or locked up.

Make sure your bookshelves and dressers are secure. Chandler has a pretty light dresser in his room and Rowan pulled it over on himself one time when he started pulling up. We fixed the problem by making sure there was more weight in the dresser and then tried ourselves to pull it over.

This last tip seems funny but has worked for us. At around 8 months when Rowan started crawling and getting into things, I would tell him no in a firm voice. Although he didn't necessarily understand what no meant at first, he understands it perfectly now at 13 months. I was consistent in telling him no and gave him alternatives of things he could do or play with. We have a gas fireplace in our basement and I was really nervous when we moved into our home 2 months ago. We thought about getting something to go around it, but decided to see how Rowan acted with it. When he would go near it, we would say, "No...hot!" I would hold his hand close to the fireplace so he could feel how hot it was. He kept testing his limits and we kept telling him no in a nice but firm voice. This last month he hasn't gotten close to the fireplace as he knows he isn't supposed to. I thought it was young for him to understand this, but it's been a great way for us to baby proof.

I know some of these tips might not be what you were expecting, but from a mom's view, it is a few things that have worked for us. It is important to try different baby proofing methods and decide what works for you. I remember someone once telling me, "Take what advice you like, and use it. Whatever you don't like, just throw it out the window." Simple enough, right? Good luck with your baby proofing and watch for reviews on different products that will help baby proof your home!

Playskool Shape Sorter

2009-02-17T08:11:00.003-07:00

Shape sorters are great educational toys. They help teach shapes and encourage your child to problem solve. It is a basic toy that I'm sure you will find in many toddler's playrooms.

Pros: This shape sorter is very durable. It's made of a hard plastic, and measures just over 5" by 5". No matter how much it has been thrown, stepped on, etc, it has still held up. It has holes for 18 shapes and is great for teaching basic shapes. We picked this particular toy up at Kohl's just before Chandler turned 2. He was engrossed in playing with it the entire afternoon while my mom and I shopped. He continued to play with it at home and still plays with it to this day. He would hold up a shape, I would tell him the name of the shape and he would try to find where it went. Chandler can name all of his shapes now, and I'm sure that has much to do with the shape sorter. Each side of the shape sorter is finished with a different texture to also stimulate touch. It has stripes on 2 sides, raised dots on 2, and raised triangles on the other two sides. The top of the shape sorter opens on one side, making it easy access to get the shapes out. It did take Chandler a bit to get ahold of the concept of opening it, as it is hinged and only opens on one side. The shapes have the fun textures on them and come in red, orange, and yellow. They are chunky and are great for little hands to hold and grasp. Although this toy is recommended for children 12-36 months, Chandler still enjoys playing with it, and he turned 3 almost 4 months ago. Another pro - this toy is extremely affordable. We bought it on clearance for $3, but regular price is $5-6. So it's a great toy without breaking the bank.

Cons: The top part of the sorter where you open it up to get the shapes out comes off. This usually happens if Chandler has been too rough with the toy or throws it. It easily fits back into the grooves though as it is a hinged lid and is a quick fix.

The Bottom Line: Great educational toy, great price, durable, bright and fun.

Price: $4.99

Where to Buy: Hasbro Toy Shop, Target, Walmart, Kohls

Rating: Excellent

Supernanny - How to Get the Best from Your Children

2009-02-11T15:00:00.001-07:00

I'm sure many of you reading have seen Supernanny. If you haven't, set your dvr, or do a little research on her.

Jo Frost is her name. And she is amazing. I marvel at the homes she goes into and how she turns these children around.

Here is a little bio about her, from ABC:

"Jo Frost, the star of ABC's new reality show, "Supernanny," says that children have been a big part of her life from the beginning. She's always had a gift for connecting with kids on their own level, and began babysitting as a teenager. After college she embarked on nannying as a career, and over 15 years she has honed her successful methods of child-rearing with hands-on, real-life experience. She has managed all manner of child-rearing challenges -- from potty training and sibling rivalry to sleep issues and tantrums -- over her years working in temporary, long-term and trouble-shooting jobs."

As many of you know, my older little boy Chandler is constantly testing his limits. He is a VERY free spirit and has been delayed a bit in his communication. While he is catching up, we've had our fair share of power struggles trying to communicate. Last year for my birthday, my sister gave me the Supernanny book: How to Get the Best from Your Children. At the time we were struggling with discipline and bedtime. Chandler was extremely defiant and would get out of bed countless times at night. He'd also scream if we didn't lay with him until he fell asleep. I was ready to try anything, and so I embraced Supernanny's book with both arms.

Pros: This book is great for kids of all ages. It gives you an idea of what to expect from baby to preschoolers and beyond. Supernanny has 10 rules that she lives by:

1. Praise and Rewards

2. Consistency

3. Routine

4. Boundaries

5. Discipline

6. Warnings

7. Explanations

8. Restraint (for the parent)

9. Responsibility

10. Relaxation

I wish I could go more into detail, but there is so much in this book as it is over 200 pages. One Supernanny technique we have implemented is the "Naughty Spot" I have a whole post about it on my family blog. You can check it out here. We also used a bedtime technique that she suggests and it works wonders. Other things that she focuses on in her book: Dressing, Toilet Training, Eating, Social Skills, Bedtime, and Quality Time.

A huge thing that has helped for us is consistency. If we are consistent with our routine, praise, discipline, eating, etc - then our kids always know what to expect. I could go on and on about this book, but you get the idea of how I feel about her theories.

Cons: I can't find one Con with this book or her techniques.

The Bottom Line: Great book with great parenting techniques

Price: $15.95

Where to Buy: Any bookstore near you, Amazon

Rating: Excellent

P.S. I LOVE this book so much, I'm GIVING one away! Leave a comment below to enter! (You have until Feb 27th to enter and winners will be announced Feb 28th!)

Method Squeaky Green Baby Lotion

2009-02-09T08:00:00.000-07:00

Last week, I reviewed Method's Squeaky Green Baby Wash. Since I really liked this product, I decided to try out the baby lotion as well.

Pros: This has the same rice milk + mallow scent. It's nice to be able to use a wash and then a lotion that smells the same. That way they compliment each other. It has many of the same great features as the wash such as:

* 95% natural

*gentle and non-irritating

*pediatrician tested

*hypo-allergenic

*paraben free.

The design of this is also very mod and cute. The lotion seems to absorb quickly and seems like it would be great for sensitive skin.

Cons: I loved the baby wash. I thought it did a good job moisturizing and smelled great. The lotion on the other hand, I don't think is so great. It is really thin and watery, so you have to use more. It does absorb well, but doesn't really moisturize all that great. I noticed that Chandler's skin looked dry just a few hours after his bath. And his eczema seemed to start flaring up again after we'd used this a few times. It's fine to use on Rowan as he doesn't have a problem with eczema. It's also a little pricey - $7 for 8 ounces. I use a lot of lotion on my boys after they get out of the bath, and we would fly through this little bottle in less than a month. If I'm going to buy a lotion, I expect it to moisturize...wouldn't you?

The Bottom Line: An eco friendly lotion that smells great...and that's about it. Doesn't work well.

Price: $7 for 8 oz

Where to Buy: Target, Method Online, Diapers.com

Rating: Not So Great

Baby Einstein Winners

2009-02-07T08:42:00.006-07:00

Thanks for your feedback everyone! I'm excited to review some of the products you suggested. I'm going to be looking for guest reviewers on some of the bigger ticket items, like car seats, strollers, etc. I don't like to review products that I haven't personally used because I don't feel like I can give an honest review if I haven't used it.

Anyways, back to the giveaway. We had 51 entries, and here are the winners via random number generator:

Entry #17

Cory and Becca said...

I hope I win!

Entry #47

Oesterle Family said...

I would Love it if you did a review on backpack carriers. Our daughter has outgrown her bjorn and we are looking for a carrier for hikes this summer. There is such a price range. Does more $$$ mean a better product????

Oh, and did I mention I'm feeling generous since it was my birthday yesterday? :) Remember that cute Land's End wash cloth and duck set? I think I'll give one of those away too. That winner:

Entry #32

Just the five of us said...

I would like reviews on toddler snacks, example puffs,

If you see your comment here, please e-mail me your addresses at snedfam@gmail.com.

Thanks everyone!

Land's End Washcloth Deal

2009-02-06T10:35:00.004-07:00

I just saw this on slickdeals and thought I would share. Land's End has a cute Baby Gift Set that includes 5 embroidered wash cloths and a rubber duck for $6.99. Shipping is free when you use the code TULIP and pin 0000672. It is originally $16.50. If you've ever bought anything from Land's End you know what good quality it is. Great deal!

New Domain!

2009-02-04T16:36:00.004-07:00

If you haven't noticed, when you come to the site now, you are redirected to the new domain! If you would change your bookmarks to:

http://www.babesandkidsreview.com

Thanks!

P.S. - I accessed this site from a different computer and noticed the header looked funny, it was off. Does it look ok on your computer or do I need to try to tweak it?

Gerber Graduates Tossable Sippy Cups - Animal

2009-02-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

It seems like we are still experimenting with sippy cups. If I find one that looks new or that I haven't tried yet, I'm up for giving it a go. If you are a new reader to this site, I reviewed sippy cups last fall. You can find the reviews in the "sippy cup" labels on the right hand side. Back to the Gerber Graduates Tossable cups.

Pros: These are super cute cups. They come in a three pack, and feature a monkey, tiger, and hippo. They have held up better than other tossable sippy cups I have purchased. We've had them 3 months without any cracking, which is nice. On most take and toss sippy cups, the lid just snaps on. If you child decides to drop, throw, or drop kick the cup, (Come on....kids do this right? ;) ) the lid comes right off and the entire drink spills. These cups have lids that screw on and stay put. The lid is made of a harder plastic that you see in traditional sippy cups which also makes it more durable. The lids and cups are all interchangable and my 3 year old loves to use these at meals because they are fun cups.

Cons: This is supposed to be a spill proof cup. I personally don't get this - it isn't spill proof at all. The sippy spout is open without any type of valve. From day one, if you turn it up at all, it leaks and starts spilling out quite quickly. I'm not sure how they can claim these to be spill proof. The lid is also a bit funny when you twist it on. Sometimes if you don't do it just right, it leaks, and quite a bit.

The Bottom Line: Cute, durable cups, but not leak proof at all.

Where to Buy: Target

Price: $3.50 for a 3 pack

Rating: OK

Method Baby Squeaky Green Hair + Body Wash

2009-01-30T09:14:00.003-07:00

Method is definitely becoming a very recognized brand. It is an environmentally safe brand which more and more are turning to.

Pros: First off, I love the design. It's cute and trendy. The top pops off to use as a rinse cup for rinsing the wash out of baby's hair and off their body. If you are anything like me, you have to keep a cup in the bathroom, and it's one more thing that gets in the way. This is easy to pop back on the top of the body wash once you are done with it. Some other things I love about it:

*gentle, tear free

* 99% natural

* pediatrician tested

*hypo-allergenic

*no parabens

*not tested on animals

The scent is rice milk + mallow. It smells incredibly good, like a baby should. It has a nice sweet smell that is different than the traditional baby lotion smell, but still smells like a baby.

It seems wonderful for sensitive skin, and we haven't had any problems with it in this sense. It also seems non-drying which is great when my 3 year old has had problems with exzema since he was just a few months old.

Cons: This is a little pricey for a baby wash but if you have started buying organic or green products you will notice that they do cost a bit more. For around $7 you get 8 oz. This will probably last us around 6 months at our house. We only bathe our boys about 3 times a week, and only use about one pump for their hair and then another pump to wash their body.

The Bottom Line: Awesome, nice smelling green baby wash

Price: $7 for 8 oz

Where to Buy: Target, Method Online

Rating: Excellent

Skin MD Natural

2009-01-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

I thought it was about time to review a couple things for all of the mama's reading, and what better way to do it than with a shielding lotion, AKA Skin MD. It is a shielding lotion that "Exceptionally enhances your skin's hydrating and protective abilities." I'd never heard much about a shielding lotion before this product, and I'm guessing many of you haven't either. Before I outline the pros and cons of this product, here is an exert from Skin MD's website about shielding lotions:

"Shielding Lotions are a new type of skin care product based on years of research into how skin heals. They form a protective shield with the outer layer of skin and help keep out irritants. They allow the natural oils and moisture to remain in the skin so it can heal better and they're light in texture so they go on without a greasy mess. Your skin needs help to keep out these moisture-robbing irritants.

A fundamental difference between Shielding Lotions and traditional skin care lotions is that Shielding Lotions enhance the skin's own natural protective abilities by turning the outer layer of skin into what could be described as a hydrating invisible shield making them many times more effective than mere protective lotions and moisturizing creams."

Dr. Brian Zogg
board certified dermatologist
Albert Lea, Minnesota

Pros: When I received Skin MD Natural in the mail I immediately wanted to try it. I have extremely dry skin, I like to call it lizard skin. :) I am constantly struggling with dry itchy skin, hangnails, and dry cuticles. I noticed on one of flyers that came with the lotion that it said: "A little goes a long way." I poured about a dime size of the lotion into my palms and rubbed it in. I couldn't believe how quickly it soaked into my hands and how nice and silky my hands felt afterward. I could tell an immediate different in my cuticles and the overall appearance of my hands. It was nice to be able to not use much and get great results. This is a definite plus as I wash much hands a ton throughout the day and they tend to get really dried out. This lotion has an SPF in it and I LOVE that. I think more lotions should have sunscreen as the sun and other irritants can be brutal on our skin.

Some other great aspects of this lotion:

• No animal products or testing
• Dermatology tested
• Fragrance and colorant free
• Hypoallergenic
• Paraben free
• Non-comedogenic

I like that is is paraben free . Parabens are chemicals that are used widely in many makeups, lotions, shampoos, etc. They are supposedly "low toxic," but then again, why would you want to put anything toxic on your body, no matter how toxic it is.

I also decided to try to give this a try on my boys. You shouldn't use these lotions on infants under 6 months, but since we are past that milestone, I wanted to try it on both of them. Chandler has had bouts of exzema since he was 2 months old. He has been on prescription creams and we have tried just about every lotion out there. I finally found one that seems to do the job, but I was curious to see how this one would work. He's had some horrible patches on his elbows that I just can't seem to get rid of. I started using a dime size on each of his elbows twice a day. 2 days later, the exzema was almost entirely gone and he had that baby soft feeling again.

I'm sold.

Cons: One thing I did notice as soon as I put this lotion on was that it seemed a bit shiny and greasy. I thought it would be just another lotion and went to wash it off. When I got to the sink I noticed it had completely absorbed into my hands and they felt so soft. I guess this wasn't an actual con as the shine was gone within 20 seconds as my hands had absorbed it. How cool is that? It does smell a bit like sunscreen which I don't exactly love either. (This is only the one that has SPF in it.) One other thing that may be an issue with consumers is the price. For $18 you only get 4 oz.(This is for the original shielding lotion.) However, we've had our bottle for 3 weeks and it's not even half gone, so they aren't kidding when they say a little goes a long way. Definitely worth the money.

The Bottom Line: A wonderful quality shielding lotion!

Price: $18 for 4 oz bottle of original, $25 for the one that has SPF 15

Where to Buy: Skin MD Site

Rating: Excellent

PS - If you head over to their site you can get a sample of this skin care product for free! You just have to send them a self addressed stamped envelope. And they guarantee your product, so you know it must be good!

Baby Einstein Giveaway

2009-01-23T10:27:00.007-07:00

I mentioned in my baby einstein post how much I love these dvds. What better way to show how much I love them than by giving one...or two away! So up for grabs in this giveaway is 2 baby einstein dvds. (Meaning there will be 2 winners.) Baby Mozart and Baby's First Sounds are the two I am giving away.

There are multiple ways to earn multiple entries for this giveaway.

1. Leave a comment - 1 entry

2. Become a follower on this blog (left hand sidebar) - 1 entry

3. Throw out an idea for a review - 1 entry

4. Volunteer to guest blog about a baby/kid's item you love - 2 entries (e-mail snedfam@gmail.com for this one, and leave a comment as well.)

5. Mention this giveaway on your blog - 1 entry

Leave a separate comment for each entry, it makes it easier in the end when we choose a winner.

For example:

Comment #1 - I read your blog

Comment #2 - I am now a follower

Comment #3 - I would like you to review Gerber baby food

Comment #4 - I e-mailed you and will be guest blogging about a favorite item

So in this particular case, this person earned 5 entries.

You have 2 weeks to enter, and the winner will be announced February 7th

Hope this isn't confusing! Good Luck!

Giveaway Winner!

2009-01-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks to random.org, and the random integer generator, our winner is comment #5!

"Jamie Ortega said...
With two kids in diapers I will buy anything that is on sale. Luvs have been the best for my 2 year old boy and Huggies is my favorite for my four month old girl."

Jamie, send your shipping address to snedfam@gmail.com and I will get your giftcard off to you! Thanks for entering everyone, there will be another great giveaway coming up soon!

Elimination Communication

2009-01-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

I thought this review would fit perfectly as we have just finished up disposable diaper reviews.
Holly is a reader of babes and kids and was invited to write a guest post on Elimination Communication. I had never heard of this until I talked to Holly about it, and it seems that it has worked great for her.

"I first heard about EC when I was pg. I read this book called "The diaper Free Baby" At first I thought that can't work. Then Arora was born and I thought well I'll try it one time. So after a nap I took her to the potty make a cue sound (psss) and she went poop and pee! i was amazed! I thought wow that was a great coincidence, I decided to try it for the rest of the day . I watched her and when she would fuss or grunt I would take her to the potty and she went. After a few days I told my husband and he thought I was crazy, until he took Arora tothe potty and she went. We have had great succes . Arora now uses the Potty every day, some times we only use 1-2 diapers per day! Arora has started to crawl tothe potty when she need to go! It has been a great way to talk to Arora about her pottying needs, great way to save money on diapers and great to be able to share this with other mammas.

EC, elimination communication is a great way to communicate with your baby. The premise is that all mammal are born with a desire to not soil themselves, and can communicate when they need to "go". Just as you will learn when your baby is hungry and tired you can learn when he is telling you "mom I need to go!". The great think about EC is it is not an all or nothing practice, you can do it full-time ,part time or occasionally. When we moved we didn't "pee" her for a week but when we did again it was easy to get back in to the routine.
To get started you need to recognize when your baby is eliminating. If your baby is young (even newborn) it is easiest to do this by laying them naked on an absorbent towel or blanket, with a cloth or disposable diaper under them. When they go make a cue sound like "psss". Very quickly they will assocaite the sound withthe action. Almost all babies will need to go upon waking up in the morings and after naps. Simply take your baby to the potty, hold them over, or have them sit if able, make the cue sound and most likey baby will pee.
I would highly recommended this to any mom or dad who want to try it. Read the book, or look it up online. I bet if you try it for 2 days you will be impressed enough to continue it." - Holly

I also found another resource on Wikipedia for those of you who would be interested in learning more. If you have any questions for Holly, feel free to post them in the comments section!

Cloth Diapering

2009-01-17T08:00:00.001-07:00

I personally don't have any experience with cloth diapering, but invited Sara, a babes and kids reader, has. Here is her review of cloth diapering:

"I used cloth diapers with my oldest, Carson...the Fuzzi Buns brand. I LOVED them. They don't look like the traditional cloth diaper, but more like a disposable, I think they are super cute. They do up with snaps so no worry about diaper pins. They have a microfleece lining which absorbs the liquid away from your child's body and wicks it to the liner (which is removable). Your child really does stay dry! The microfleece also keeps poop from really sticking to it so you can just flick it off into the toilet. The exception being, of course, diahhrea. The outside fabric of the diaper is waterproof, so no leaks either. The outer fabric is soft, not at all like the vinyl underwear you usually have to put over a cloth diaper. Because of the softness of the fabric, my husband didn't believe me that the diaper was waterproof so he ran a diaper under the tap and sure enough, it didn't leak through. In usually only used the Fuzzi Bunz at night or when Carson had really bad diaper rash. His diaper rash cleared up really fast when I put these on him. I only bought 3 of them as they were $15 a piece (back in 2006). They now retail for almost $20. Also, I only bought the medium size so I am waiting for my baby Jonas to get big enough to try them on him. They are a great investment, but be prepared to pay a pretty penny for them. But if you calculated up how much you'd spend on disposables, it evens out. If you go to their website you can learn a lot more about cloth diapering and the dangeres of disposables." - Sara

You can learn more about Fuzzi Buns at their website.

Pampers Baby Dry

2009-01-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

You all already know I am a Pampers Cruisers fan. The Cruisers are the supreme style, while the baby dry are the original. Are the baby dry as good?

Pros: These diapers are very soft to the touch inside and out. They have a slight baby powder smell, but I think they are just enough without being overpowering. When we first tried the baby dry with Chandler when he was around 6 months old, they didn't have the stretchy tabs. In fact the old baby dry didn't have any stretch at all to them. I think it was about 2 years ago that they introduced the flex stretch which I think is very comparable to the cruisers. The tabs are soft and stretchy and give that nice snug fit just like the Cruisers. I love how sticky the tabs are too. I've never had this diaper come undone. Rowan has been wearing the baby dry for a few months now and we've had no leaks, blowouts or rashes. These diapers may feel thin but definitely hold a lot. To top it off, they have that cute Sesame Street design in a green based theme.

Cons: They don't have the absorb away liner and they seem to run just a tad smaller than the Cruisers. When Chandler grew out of a size 5 baby dry just before he turned two, we turned to the Cruisers and were able to stay in a size 5 since they were just a bit bigger.

The Bottom Line: Great diaper!

Price: $11.99 for a jumbo pack, $21 for a box, $46 for biggest value box.
Price per diaper: (If bought in a value box)
size 1 - $.18
size 2 - $.20
size 3 - $.23
size 4 - $.26
size 5 - $.29
size 6 - $.36

Where to buy: Most grocery retailers, Walmart, Target, Amazon, Diapers.com

Rating: Great

Old Navy Sale

2009-01-14T21:27:00.002-07:00

Old Navy is having a HUGE sale in store. An additional 50% off clearance merchandise. I got a lot of the boy's clothes for next winter. Coats for $10, long sleeved shirts for $2, hoodies for $3, just to give you an idea. You might want to call your Old Navy to make sure the sale has started at your local store. I even found a couple cute tops for me for $2! Definitely worth checking out!

Nature BabyCare Diapers

2009-01-13T16:00:00.000-07:00

It seems like more and more people are going "green." Diapers are no exception, and there are more brands out there now if you are wanting a biodegradable, earth friendly diaper. Nature BabyCare is one of those brands.

Pros: As far as being an eco friendly diaper, this brand is great. According to the Nature Baby website, here is their plug for their diapers:

"Nature babycare diapers are 100% chlorine-free and keep oil-based plastics away from babies delicate skin. Our absorbent pulp is from sustainably harvested Scandinavian forests and the unique design of our ultra-thin absorbent core creates a more comfortable fit for your baby while providing enhanced leak protection. Since Nature babycare products are based on natural and renewable materials instead of plastic, our diapers are soft and cloth-like providing comfort without sacrificing protection. Nature babycare has been awarded “Best Disposable Diaper” Silver Award for 2006-2007 by Mother & Baby Magazine and also carries the approval symbol from the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation."

After doing some research, I really like the idea of a chlorine free diaper. Chlorine is really a harsh chemical, and by avoiding it's use, you get more of an earth friendly diaper, while protecting your baby's sensitive skin. Chlorine in essence is used to bleach a diaper, giving it it's white appearance. Naturecare diapers are still white, but are whitened with a natural woodpulp. Pretty cool. I was really impressed with the absorbance of these diapers. I bought a pack of size 4, and used them on both boys. Chandler has been in a size 5 diaper for a year and a half and although these seemed a little small when I put them on him, we had no leaks. No leaks and no blowouts with either of the boys. NICE! There is also a cute green leaf design on these diapers. They seem to breathe well and we had no problems with diaper rash.

Cons: These diapers are EXTREMELY stiff. They are not very soft at all and don't seem like they would be too comfortable to wear. Marshall (my husband) even made the comment when he went to change one of the boy's diapers how stiff and scratchy they felt. He usually doesn't make comments on diapers either. Maybe this is an extreme, but it's like sandpaper compared to some of the softer diapers. I also noticed that they made the inside of Chandler's legs red from rubbing. Another con - no stretchy tabs. I love the stretchy tabs and now I just feel annoyed when a diaper doesn't have them. The tabs seem to stick ok to the front of the diaper, but after the diaper is used and you try to roll it up and fasten it to throw it away, it just doesn't happen. This is annoying with poopy diapers as you want to be able to roll up the diaper and fasten it to help keep the smell and poop in.

The Bottom Line: A good earth friendly diaper with great absorbancy, but not very soft and a few other flaws.

Price: $11.99 for a jumbo pack.

Price per diaper:

size 1 - .$27

size 2 - .$30

size 3 - $.35

size 4 - $.40

size 5 - $.46

size 6 - $.55

Where to Buy: Diapers.com

Rating: OK

Seventh Generation Diapers

2009-01-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

Seventh generation has all sorts of environmentally friendly products. They claim that their "soft cloth-like comfort keeps baby safe and dry." (seventhgeneration.com)

Pros: These diapers are made from a chlorine free woodpulp fluff. This is evident as they are brown in color, so obviously they didn't bleach them with chlorine. They use polymer as an absorbent in their diapers, thus protecting against irritation and rashes on baby's skin.

Here's an interesting exert I found on diapers.com about the polymer they use in the diapers:

"We use absorbent polymer (gel) in our diapers because it is the best method we have found for keeping babies dry and reducing diaper rash. Our exhaustive research on this gel has shown that it is non-toxic and safe for babies while helping keep them dry and comfortable. Independent scientific research on this chemically inert gel, sodium polyacrylate, has shown that it is non-toxic, not carcinogenic, and non-irritating to the skin."

If you've had a baby who gets irritated skin easily, or rashes, this diaper is a great choice. These were the softest of the all the environmentally friendly disposable diapers we used. I think their softness is comparable to Pampers Cruisers and Huggies Supreme, both inside and out. They were very absorbent and we didn't have one leak or blowout! They have the stretchy tabs, but are much like the white cloud diapers in this aspect. The stretch is on the front of the tab in an accordian style. They also seem to have great coverage up the back and front, which is nice. They run pretty true to size, maybe a big bigger. We bought a size 3 for Rowan who is normally wearing a 4, so it's even better we didn't have a blowout. This diaper also seems to give and move really well with baby.

Cons: I really don't like how this diaper is brown. The first few times I changed Rowan, I felt a little anxiety thinking he had pooped out of his diaper, only to remember that the diaper is brown. There are other environmentally friendly diapers that don't bleach with chlorine and aren't brown. I guess this is a minimal con though. While I'm glad that they have stretchy tabs, I don't like the stretch on the front half of the tab. The tabs are also sticky enough, but I think they could use some improvement too. My only other issue, these diapers are expensive. If I were to start diapering both my boys in these diapers today, it would cost $.40 a diaper for Rowan, and $.46 a diaper for Chan. They both average 3-4 diapers a day. I would be spending close to $85 a month on diapers which I think is ridiculous. Right now, I spend about $45, I couldn't imagine spending almost double! If money weren't an issue, I would think about switching to these diapers.

The Bottom Line: Great environmentally friendly diaper, good performance, but very expensive.

Price: $12 for a jumbo pack

Price per diaper:

Size 1 - $.27

Size 2 - $.30

Size 3 - $.34

Size 4 - $.40

Size 5 - $.46

Size 6 - $.55

Where to Buy: Diapers.com, Amazon

Rating: Great

Going Green

2009-01-09T21:32:00.002-07:00

So it seems that being environmentally friendly is the way to go anymore. My sister-in-law Natalie started a blog about how we can do things in our everyday life to be more environmentally conscious. There are a couple entries she recently wrote about organic kid's cereal as well as a great magazine just for moms, that you all might want to know about. (You'll have to scroll down a little for those entries.) If you go over there to check it out, she is also doing a giveaway for a nice stainless steel waterbottle, so be sure to enter while you are there! Greengoer Blog and Giveaway

Snug and Dry Huggies Diapers

2009-01-08T09:00:00.000-07:00

Pros: I remember not necessarily liking Huggies original diapers with Chandler. I had a little bit of a different impression this time around. These diapers are really quite soft. They have good coverage from front to back and run true to size. The sticky tabs do a good job and I didn't have them come unfastened like I have with other brands. They also have a little bit of a fresh scent. It isn't overpowering like Luvs, but just enough to give your baby that fresh smell. The sides have stretch to them and believe it or not, we didn't have one leak or blowout the entire package. They top back part of the diaper is stretchy which helps hold around baby's waist for a snug fit. They have a really cute Mickey Mouse design on them and really are better than I remember them. Although the Huggies Supreme are a little softer, I do think that the original Huggies diapers are very comparable and would buy them over the supreme as the supreme tend to be more expensive. They seem to be good for sensitive skin and we experienced no rashes.

Cons: These diapers are a little bulkier than some, but are still fairly thin. Although they do have that "fresh scent" to them, I noticed both my boys were really smelly in the morning. This is one of my only complaints with Huggies in general, is how strong they both smell in the morning. Huggies are more expensive than store brands, but tend to be a tad cheaper than Pampers.

The Bottom Line: Much better diaper than I remember. All around good diaper.

Price: (If you were to buy in an extra large case from diapers.com)

Size 1-2 - $.18

Size 3 - $ .24

Size 4 - $ .27

Size 5 - $.30

Size 6 - $.37

Rating: Great

Offline

2008-12-30T21:19:00.002-07:00

Hi All! As many of you know, we just bought our first home. We don't have internet hooked up and life has been a little crazy to say the least. I will try to get on and post reviews when I can. Thanks for being patient and watch for an update!

Tendercare Diapers

2008-12-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

Tendercare diapers are another eco friendly diaper. We decided to give them a go.

Pros: These diapers have great coverage and seem to run a bit big. I bought them in a size 4 which is supposed to be for babies that are 22-35 lbs. After comparing it to a few different diapers, I realized it looked more like a 5 and decided to use them on Chandler and Rowan. Although they are a plain white diaper, they don't use a chlorine bleach but a non-chlorine bleached woodpulp. They really seem to breathe well and we had no issues with any sort of diaper rash. Both boys wore these diapers overnight and didn't leak out of them. The outside of the diaper seems quite soft too. The tabs hold tight and we didn't have any problems with them coming off.

A few more pros of this eco diaper:

*Non Toxic

*Latex Free

*Perfume Free

These are all great for babies with sensitive skin.

Cons: This is yet another diaper that doesn't have the stretchy tabs, but the diapers were large enough and covered well enough that it wasn't too much of an issue. We did have one blowout with Chandler, but I figure that wasn't bad either as he was wearing a size 4. Actually, he wasn't EXACTLY wearing a size 4. It was actually a size "large" diaper. I find that weird where most diapers are categorized by size, that these aren't. Although the outside of the diaper felt soft, it was also a bit stiff, which I didn't like. These diapers are also quite expensive. We ordered a jumbo pack in a size 4 for $8.99 and only got 22 diapers. That doesn't last very long.

The Bottom Line: Great, reliable eco friendly diaper. Recommended for sensitive skin, although a bit expensive.

Price: (As noted on Diapers.com) $8.99 per jumbo pack

Price Per Diaper

Small (6-14 lbs) - $.26

Medium (12-24 lbs) - $.37

Large (22-35 lbs) - $.41

Extra Large (27+ lbs) - $.50

Where to Buy: Diapers.com

Rating: Great

Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T18:24:00.002-07:00

Just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas filled with great memories for you and your families.

Pampers Swaddlers

2008-12-22T14:00:00.000-07:00

Pampers Swaddlers are the perfect name for what Pampers was trying to achieve with this newborn diaper.

Pros: This is an extremely soft diaper and is perfect for delicate skin. I worked on a Mom/Baby unit in a hospital for over a year and these are the diapers they carried. The swaddlers we had in the hospital had a line on the outside of the diaper that changed when the baby had wet the diaper. Pretty great for taking the guess work out when you have a fussy baby. I used these with Rowan and Chandler and was not disappointed. One thing that I had wished they had was a cutout for the umbilical cord so I didn't have to fold the diaper down. After reading a comment from our reader and doing some research, I found out that the new Pampers swaddlers sensitive has the notch for the umbilical cord which makes this diaper that much more perfect. They have the soft stretchy tabs which are very sticky and stay put! They have a mesh liner on the inside like the Cruisers that pulls wetness away from your baby, thus helping with diaper rash. They liner also has a gentle care lotion in it thus keeping your baby's skin nice and soft. They have a cute sesame street design and offer great coverage. They come in a variety of sizes as well: Premie, Newborn, Size 1, Size 1-2, & Size 2-3.

Cons: These diapers are one of the most expensive newborn diapers, but the quality far outweighs the price. The only other con about buying a newborn diaper that is more expensive is how often you are changing it. I know we averaged 9-11 diapers per day until the boys were a month or two old. I also wish that they carried this swaddler in a size 3. Chandler was a 9 lb baby and Rowan was close to 9 lbs so they outgrew the swaddlers quickly. I wished that they could stay in them longer, but they were both out of them by 3 months.

The Bottom Line: The BEST diaper for newborns

Price:

preemie - $.32

newborn - $.24

Size 1-2 - $.18

Size 2 - $.23

Size 2-3 - $.28

Where to Buy: Diapers.com, Amazon

Rating: Excellent

What other readers had to say about Pampers Swaddlers

For newborns: pampers swaddlers-they are have the little groove cut out for umb. cords like other newborn diapers, but they are SOFTEST on their precious new skin. The material feels softer and they elastic isn't uncomfortable around their legs. Downside-they aren't really thick. - Becca, mom to Christian

We like Pampers Swaddlers for NB size. - Christine, mom to Belle

We used Pampers swaddlers until Mady outgrew size threes, then we started trying out generic brands. - Cassandra, mom to Mady

Pampers Cruisers

2008-12-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

Pampers Cruisers are one of the more expensive diapers on the market. Worth it? Keep reading and you'll find out.

Pros: Pampers Cruisers are an extension of the swaddlers. They start in a size 3 (16-28 lbs) and go up to a size 7. It's nice that they offer them in a size 7 for larger children, or those who are in diapers longer, as many brands don't offer this big of a size. Pampers doesn't disappoint when it comes to coverage. I think the cruisers run a tad bit bigger than most brands meaning that your little one can stay in a smaller size longer, saving you money. My 3 year old is fairly tall for his age and these diapers have GREAT coverage in the front and back. They are incredibly soft on the inside and out and move really well with your child. They have an absorb away liner which pulls pee and poop away from your child, thus helping with diaper rash. Pampers has a cute sesame street design which my son gets excited about wearing too. The sides are extremely soft and stretchy creating a snug fit. The tabs are sticky and I have NEVER had them come undone in the 18 months that we have been using them. You can fasten and unfasten them, and they are still just as sticky. I can count on my hands the number of times my boys have blown out of the Cruisers which is ALWAYS fixed by going up a size. I can't rave enough about these diapers.

Cons: These diapers are pricier than most but I feel that can be quickly outweighed by the fact that you will be doing less laundry. I've heard some don't like the pampers because they are thinner and they seem soggier. I like the fact that they are thinner as it means there is less bulk on your child, allowing them to move more freely. They do seem a little soggy in the morning, but hey they DON'T leak. Worth the extra money? Absolutely.

The Bottom Line: My favorite diaper and the one I would choose if I were a baby/toddler. :)

Price: $11 for a jumbo pack, $21 for a box (Price per diaper is based on a box, which is what I usually buy them in. I almost always have a coupon too. Watch for them in your Sunday paper. They also have pampers coupons on the back of cheerios boxes right now, and if you shop at Walgreens or Albertsons, coupons print out at the register when you buy them for a future purchase.) Price per diaper is before coupons.

Size 3 - $.27

Size 4 - $.31

Size 5 - $.35

Size 6 - $.43

Size 7 - $.47

Where to Buy: Target, Diapers.com, Walmart, Most Grocery Stores

Rating: Excellent

What other readers had to say:

We've tried Huggies, Pampers, and a couple others and we had problems with the pee leaking through all the layers, with the cottony stuff sticking all over her bum, with the pee leaking out the front (if she sleeps on her tummy), etc. -Christine, mom to Belle

Pampers - I feel like Pampers are much better for baby girls than they are for boys. I love their texture, and they seem more comfortable, but they just do not hold up to a lot of liquid in the front. Tristan was constantly leaking out of his Pampers diapers - on him, on me, on the furniture - from birth. We tried them again at every size change, but it was the same situation over and over. - Jayme, mom to Tristan

"I have three children. For my first child and last child the very best diapers are Pampers. " - Fran, mom to 3

"We normally use Papers baby dry. they are nice and trim and what I like best is i can fasten and unfasten then a lot and they stick stick.. no other brand I have tried does that ( ok not many people need this feature but it is nice for us:) )
Also if you use an alberston card you always get a ton of pampers coupons!" Holly, mom to Arora

Luvs

2008-12-16T07:00:00.000-07:00

Catchy name for a diaper, isn't it? When I bought these diapers , I was sure hoping I'd "luv" them more than the last time I used them for my 3 year old. These diapers tend to be cheaper than Pampers and Huggies, but a dollar or two more than generic store brands or white cloud.

Pros: These diapers are actually quite soft and remind me of the pampers baby dry. Although they feel thin, I've come to realize that thin doesn't necessarily mean bad as the pampers brand tend to be thinner. They have the stretchy tabs which are very soft. The tabs are very sticky and hold in place well. Their bearhug stretch is a step up from how they were made before....with no stretch. They also have a cute Blue's Clues design on them.

Cons: I wanted to believe in this diaper, I really did. When I first pulled them out of the package, I couldn't believe how strong they smelled like baby powder. Holly, a reader featured in a comment below also complained of the smell when she used them on her daughter. I thought I could get over the smell if they worked well. I put one on my 3 year old (Chandler) and let him run around in just a diaper for a while. Not even an hour later, I saw him squat down on the kitchen floor to play on a toy and poop oozed out the side, down his leg, and onto his sock. I know you all appreciate the plethora of information I've just bombarded you with, but at least you'll start to get the drift of how I feel about these diapers. Chandler has worn pampers cruisers for over a year and has had MANY horrible poopy diapers. He has never once pooped out of a diaper like he did that day. It was horrible, and made a big mess. I also noticed after an hour the diaper was starting to leak a little bit. Fast forward to the next morning. Chandler has had a luvs diaper on overnight and comes to climb in bed with me after his dad has gone to work. We lay there for a few minutes and I decide to get up and go get some breakfast going. I go back to make my bed and notice Chan has leaked all over the sheets I had just washed the day before. I went to change his diaper and right in the tub he went. His whole tummy was wet and he smelled terrible. I wondered if it was just a small fitted diaper and held it up to a pamper's cruiser diaper. It is actually about the same size, maybe a tiny bit smaller. Now I just have to resign myself to use the rest of the package and hope he doesn't poop out and leak again. Will I ever buy luvs again? Absolutely not. If a diaper isn't going to do it's job, why buy it?

The Bottom Line: Sometimes you GET what you pay for ;) I probably wouldn't recommend this product to anyone! To get a second opinion, read the comments at the end of this post. It seems like they really do work for some moms.

Price: $8 for a jumbo pack (#'s of diapers vary by size)

Where to Buy: Any major retailer or grocery store.

Rating: Terrible

"We also tried luvs but the smell was so bad I hated putting that much perfume on my kids bottom." - Holly, mom to Arora

"I used the Luvs brand for a while too, and they were fine." -Lila, mom to Calvin

"Luvs - Another diaper that I feel is better for some babies than others. They didn't really form to Tristan's waist, and a lot of times he leaked through the top of his diaper. They are a value money-wise, but didn't really work for us." - Jayme, mom to Tristan

"With two kids in diapers I will buy anything that is on sale. Luvs have been the best for my 2 year old boy." -Jamie, mom to Isaac & Isabella

"Our little angel wears Luvs size 4. I've tried them all and have found I like these the best for the money." -The Ball Family

Pampers Gifts to Grow

2008-12-15T08:00:00.002-07:00

If any of you participate in the Pampers Gifts to Grow program, they are offering free shipping on all rewards through December. It's a great time to cash in! For those of you who don't know about the program, you sign up for an account at pampers.com. Then you collect points by entering in codes found inside the diaper packaging, and redeem them for rewards. It's a nice perk if you already buy Pampers. You can also enter the code: WEAPPRECIATEU08 for an extra 10 points. Not sure how long that code is good for.

White Cloud Diapers

2008-12-12T08:00:00.000-07:00

White Cloud Diapers are a generic type diaper that are specifically made for Walmart. So how do they measure up? (Image from whiteclouddiapers.com)

Pros: I was pleasantly surprised at how much these diapers hold. After 3 night time feedings and 12 hours, they didn't leak. We went through a whole package without one leak, so I was quite impressed! They have a cute cloud design all over the diaper and accordian type tabs on the sides. The price is pretty good on these diapers too. Around $8 for a jumbo and $15 for a big box. These were by far the best store brand of the ones that we tried. They also have a wide variety of sizes which start at newborn and go up to a size 6. They are also hypo-allergenic and Latex free.

Cons: These diapers are pretty bulky. After watching Rowan crawl around and pull up and cruise along the couch, I decided they don't move quite as well as other diapers we've tried. Of course Rowan isn't complaining, but they just don't look as comfortable. I'm not a huge fan of how the diapers stretch. Most diapers that have the stretchy tabs have stretch to the whole tab. These diapers only have stretch on the front 1/3 and it is an accordian type stretch which seems a little weird. I didn't think these were very soft either, and don't look like they have quite as much coverage up front which could pose a problem for tummy sleepers.

The Bottom Line: Not my favorite diapers, but they seem to do the job and are cheaper than a lot of brands

Price - $8 for jumbo pack $15 for a box

Price Per Diaper (If bought in a jumbo pack)

Newborn - $.12

Size 1 - $.14

Size 2 - $.17

Size 3 - $.20

Size 4 - $.24

Size 5 - $.27

Size 6 - $.30

Where to Buy: Walmart

Rating: OK

Diaper Giveaway!

2008-12-10T08:00:00.001-07:00

Don't we all spend way too much on diapers? It probably doesn't help that it is Christmas time, and we'd love to spend our money elsewhere. Since I am doing diaper reviews I thought it would be appropriate to do a diaper giveaway! Up for grabs is a $15 Walmart gift card you can use for a few weeks worth of diapers. You know the drill - leave a comment to enter and let me know what kind of diapers you last bought. Winners will be announced the day after my last diaper review....sometime in January.

Pampers at Albertsons

2008-12-09T16:48:00.001-07:00

If you spend $20 on Pampers at Albertsons right now you get $5 off for a future purchase and 5 redbox rentals! So if you have an Albertsons close by, it might be worth going! (Thanks Holly for the deal.)

Baby Basics Supreme (Albertsons Brand)

2008-12-08T08:00:00.000-07:00

I've started to notice a trend with store brand diapers so I didn't want to try anymore. However, one Saturday night I realized I only had a few diapers left for each of the boys so we made a quick stop at Albertsons to pick some up. I decided to try the Baby Basics brand - the supreme kind.

Pros: I try to keep an open mind with each diaper that we try. I thought they had a cute print on them when I pulled them out of the package. They didn't seem extremely soft, but weren't too bad either. And....that's about all the pros ;)

Cons: Where do I begin? First of all, these diapers don't have the size printed on the front. Chandler wears a 5 and Rowan is in a 4 right now. Their diapers may look close in size but I can tell a huge difference if I accidentally put a 4 on Chandler and a 5 on Rowan. There is no differentiation in the patterns either which doesn't help. We keep the diapers on a shelf in the laundry room and I try to keep Chandler's on right and Rowan's on the left. However, if I've just gotten both boys out of the tub and grab diapers to put on them, I have to hold them up to one another to remember which on to put on Chan and which one to put on Rowan. The sticky tabs on these diapers are horrid. They came off multiple times on the boys, or slipped, making their diapers sag down. And NO stretchy tabs, which I think should be standard in a diaper. We've had blowouts, and a ridiculous amount of leaks from both of the boys. Rowan even developed a pretty bad rash for a few days. I wasn't sure it was the diapers, so I decided to use a different brand for a few days. It cleared up. I then tried the Albertson's brand again and the rash started coming back. I really think it's due to the fact that they don't breathe very well. Let's just say I was VERY happy when these diapers were gone.

Price: $8 for a jumbo pack

Where to buy: Albertsons

Average price per diaper (based on the jumbo pack)

Size 3 - $.22

Size 4 - $.26

Size 5 - $.30

Size 6 - $.36

Rating: Terrible

Vicks VapoRub

2008-12-05T07:21:00.004-07:00

I know I am supposed to be focusing on diaper reviews, but I had to pass info about this product along as we are nearing cold and flu season.

Marshall (my DH) came home with an e-mail the other day about Vicks VapoRub.

The e-mail stated this:

"How to stop cough in 5 minutes!!! This is a must try... We have all been kept awake by our own or someone else's cough. Try this and pass it on. The tip and not the cough. ANYTHING is better than antibiotics. Even babies could benefit from this and the parents wouldn't worry about the safety of their child. And of course, it is harmless and free from any type of side-effects. WOW! I was raised, and raised my kids with Vicks. How come I never knew this? I can't wait for my next cough. Amazing!"

Treatment:
To stop night time coughing in a child (or an adult, as we found out personally), put Vicks Vapor Rub generously on the bottom of the feet at bedtime and then cover with socks.

" Even persistent, heavy, deep coughing will stop in about five minutes and stay stopped for many, many hours of relief. This works 100 percent of the time, and is more effective in children than even very strong prescription cough medicines. In addition it is extremely soothing and comforting and they will sleep soundly."

As many of you may already know, my 10 month old has asthma. He's been on steroids, singulair granuals, and a few different albuterols for breathing treatments. Some nights when he has a cold he doesn't get a lot of sleep due to coughing and wheezing. (I don't get much sleep either.) When Marsh brought this e-mail home, I read through it and decided to give it a try. I am so pleasantly surprised with how well it works! Rowan did stop coughing in about 5 minutes. About 4 hours later, he was up coughing again. I reapplied the rub to his feet and again he stopped coughing and slept restful the rest of the night. We've now done this a few nights in a row and it has worked like a charm. Pretty incredible, huh? We are using the baby rub too which just has soothing ingredients and is safe for babies 3 months and older. I might get some of the regular vaporub just to keep on hand though. It gives me peace of mind to use something like this to calm Rowan's wheezing and coughing rather than an albuterol with a steroid in it. I'm sure if we used the original vaporub it would stop his coughing for the entire night.

Supposedly this works on adults too, and I am definitely going to try it the next time I get a cold with a cough.

Ingredients in Original VapoRub
Active Ingredients (Purpose)
Camphor 4.8% (Cough suppressant and topical analgesic)
Eucalyptus oil 1.2% (Cough suppressant)
Menthol 2.6% (Cough suppressant and topical analgesic)

Ingredients in BabyRub
Petrolatum, fragrance, aloe extract, eucalyptus oil, lavender oil, rosemary oil

You can buy this in most grocery/retail stores. I will usually buy the generic brand from Target.

Hope this helps!

Gymboree Sale

2008-12-05T07:05:00.001-07:00

Gymboree online is having a 25% off sale and free shipping on any order. The free shipping is great in and of itself!

Target Brand Diapers

2008-12-03T08:00:00.002-07:00

I must admit, I love Target. Love their store, love their stuff! I remember buying Target brand diapers when Chan was little and using them for a while. I stopped using them and couldn't remember why, so I bought another pack and decided to give them a go.

Pros: These diapers are extremely affordable. I got a jumbo pack in a size 5 for Chan. It had 30 diapers and was less than $6. Right now there is a cute frog/bug design. The top part of the diaper is stretchy in the middle, both front and back giving a snug fit to your baby. The inside also feels quite soft. They aren't as bulky as some of the generic diapers and actually hold quite a bit.

Cons: These don't have the stretchy tabs like a lot of diapers do now. I really don't like that because that means the diaper doesn't give as much and move with your child, and therefore you might have more leaks. They also seem a bit smaller than the leading brand diapers in a size 5. In using 1 pack of diapers, we had three bad experiences with this diaper. #1 - No matter how tight I fastened this diaper, it seemed to sag down, even with a diaper that isn't very full. I caught Chandler flashing his little bum a few times :) #2 - One day I saw Chandler grabbing at his pants and walking funny. He kept saying, "Oh no!" When I went to change his diaper, the tab on the left side had completely torn off, meaning his diaper was hanging by one tab and not doing it's job. Need I say more? #3 - On another occasion I noticed Chan had brown on his hands. Then I realized he had blown out of the back of his diaper halfway up his back. It was obviously bothering him, so he put his hand on his back to figure out what was going on. 1 crappy diaper (pun intended) resulted in poopy clothes, poopy hands, and a much needed bath. Personally, I'd rather pay 10-15 cents more for a diaper that works than do that extra laundry and give an extra bath. I don't remember the target brand diapers performing this poorly. I should probably go up to a size 6 and give them another try, but I'd rather use a better diaper in a size 5 that performs like it should.

The Bottom Line: Terrible generic diaper, won't buy again, wouldn't recommend.

Price: $6 for a jumbo pack, $15 for a box

Approximate price per diaper:

Size 1 - $.12

Size 2 - $.14

Size 3 - $.16

Size 4 - $.18

Size 5 - $.20

Size 6 - $.22

Where to Buy: Target

Rating: Terrible

Comments from readers:

"My eldest and youngest seem to have explosive BM's (sorry for being so explicit) but my middle child did not and I could use just about anything with him. I used Target brand and Luvs mostly for him. I will add that my eldest is a girl and youngest is a boy, so I do not think the gender issue has anything to do with it." - Fran, mom to Becca, Kevin & Sean

Pampers Diaper Deal

2008-12-02T11:18:00.003-07:00

Amazon is having a sale on Pampers diapers, up to 30% off, which is a great deal as their diapers hardly go on sale. Free shipping and you don't even have to go to the store! Click here for more info on the deal. (From slickdeals)

Huggies Natural Fit Diapers

2008-12-01T08:00:00.001-07:00

Huggies Natural Fit Diapers are a step up from the normal Huggies Diapers. They are designed to have a more contoured fit for baby.

Pros: My favorite thing about these diapers are the fact that they have an hourglass shape rather than a straight fit like most diapers. I also like that the back of the diaper is very stretchy, helping it hug around baby's waist more snugly. The tabs are very stretchy and durable. They are very soft on the inside and out and have a cute Winnie the Pooh design. In comparison to other diapers they run pretty true to size. These diapers really hold a lot too! They seem to breathe well and they've never caused diaper rash with either of the boys.

Cons: I don't feel that the tabs are all that sticky. I've had them come undone on my boys and you don't want that as it creates a mess to clean up. (That could be a little bit my fault as well - maybe I didn't close them well enough?) I also feel like they don't have as much front coverage which you need for boys. If my 3 year old sleeps on his belly at night sometimes he will leak out of these. I'm sure if we went up a size it might fix this problem but he doesn't consistantly leak out of the top, just occasionally. I also think that Huggies are somewhat "smellier" meaning my kids smell a lot stronger of urine in the morning when they wake up then other diapers. They tend to be more expensive than generic brands but are slightly cheaper than Pampers Cruisers, which they are comparable to.

The Bottom Line: Huggies are a great diaper and do a good job for the most part.

Price: $10 for a jumbo pack, $20 for a box

Average price per diaper: (According to diapers.com and amazon.com)

Size 1 - $.23

Size 2 - $.27

Size 3 - $.30

Size 4 - $.35

Size 5 - $.40

Size 6 - $.49

(If you go to the Huggies site and sign up for their newsletter, they will send you Huggies coupons in the mail.)

Where to Buy: Walmart, Target, any grocery store, diapers.com

Rating: Great

What other readers had to say about Huggies:

"I really like Huggies. They have stretch wings so that the diaper can fit more snugly at the waist and the wings also make the diaper more "adjustable". They are really great for night, as they hold more than other diapers their size, so you don't have to wake up a sleeping baby just to change his diaper. They are one of the more expensive brands, but work well. We use these as Tristan's "night-time" diapers." - Jayme, mom to Tristan

"We've tried Huggies, Pampers, and a couple others and we had problems with the pee leaking through all the layers, with the cottony stuff sticking all over her bum, with the pee leaking out the front (if she sleeps on her tummy), etc." - Christine, mom to Belle

"After newborn stage---cheap diapers during the day (becuz you change them a billion times anyways) and huggies at night--they are softer and padded well for big potty messes." - Becca, mom to Christian

"We tried huggies a few times but they are very bulky on my daughter. " - Holly, mom to Arora

Children's Place Giveaway Winners

2008-11-30T21:03:00.001-07:00

Thanks all for entering. After looking through the comments and checking to find links on blogs, I put the numbers in the number generator via random.org. The first and second numbers both requested the boy's shoes, so I had to look at who wanted the girl's shoes and redo it. Seems like we have a lot of moms of boys reading :) After the 5th try of generating numbers, I finally got a winner for the girl's shoes too.

Winners

Boy Shoes: Lila
Girl Shoes: Christine

Lila & Christine, will you please e-mail your addresses to snedfam@gmail.com? Thanks!