W
e loved the jumper/exersaucer, my child loved playing in it. Some do, some don’t. I will say that the typical jumpers/exersaucers are huge, unwieldy and eyesores. They are fun, but could be potentially short-lived depending on your child’s interest or attention span. Plus, they are definitely not easily transportable. The Go-Pod folds up for easy storage,
http://www.amazon.com/Kidco-Go-Pod-Portable-Activity-Seat/dp/B004B1N6EQ
For me, this post is kind of a no-brainer. In fact, I probably should have posted about it as one of the first things I ever recommended to new parents but the Baby Bargain book is worth the investment. It is the opposite of a blog like this that just tells you the best stuff regardless of the cost. Baby Bargains does in-depth research to tell you when things that cost more are better and when the cheapy version will do just fine. I took that book and my Consumer Reports reviews to register for my first child. If you are interested in getting the best stuff for your baby/child but don’t necessarily want to spend top dollar for everything (just the stuff that counts) – read it.
Offered at Amazon.com for $11.16 or on your Kindle for $9.99.
Love Halloween. Easiest way to say it. Love the pumpkins, the cider, the leaves, the costumes, the candy, the haunted houses and the chilled air. Here are some other of my favorite costumes this year. If you don’t like these, the links are also good sources of other costumes. I would love to hear what all of you end up dressing up as and what your children end up being!
Costume #6 – Sushi. Yup. Dress your baby as sushi. I LOVE IT. The costumes are made from fleece so super comfortable, really unique and cute!! You can find a version on Etsy for $50. Sizes up to 24 months.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/79944647/delicious-nigiri-sushi-baby-or-toddler
Costume #7 – How about a corresponding Soy Sauce to go with your sushi? You can find it on etsy for $50.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/80551393/kikkoman-bottle-baby-or-toddler-costume
Costume #8 – I couldn’t find the EXACT components I liked, but I really like the concept of Albert Einstein. The crazy white hair and lab coat could be a really cute combo for a kid. I found something at Oriental trading company for $15.
Costume #9 – Going back to food, as well as back to the Etsy store “notthekitchensink” – how adorable is a baby dressed up as a PIE? The pie comes in different flavors including strawberry, lemon and pumpkin. You can find it on Etsy for $60.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/80015004/yummy-pie-baby-costume
Costume #10 – Tip of the hat to the Brits. How about dressing up like the British Guard. Good ratings and a good price at $38 on Overstock.com
I could on and on here but the question is … should I? Stay tuned.
I have a go-to Mommy who always knows the good stuff and she was the one who found these cute and useful ears. Not actual ears obviously, just these soft cuddly ears that make your child comfortable when they are in their car seats or on the play mat or just about anywhere (but not the crib). It is ergonomic (as ergonomic as something can be for a baby) for neck and back comfort, made with organic materials and it comes in a variety of fabrics. They are also washable which is super convenient. If you like to do some matching – they also have matching big and small blankets. Costing a reasonable $21.95 the ears are a great gift as well as a good item to have for yourself. You can find them at babyelephantears.com .
My husband and I got married 5 years ago and we were blessed with so many wonderful wedding gifts including a lovely set of Pottery Barn glasses. Tall and short, there were gorgeous and we enjoyed them until one day I opened the cabinet and there were no glasses. Then I opened the dishwasher…no glasses. So I called to my husband and said – where are our Pottery Barn glasses and he started laughing. Basically over the course of 5 years we had broken every one of the 12 glasses that we had. Since that point we’ve been making do with teal blue plastic cups from Wal-Mart.
Long story long, a few weeks ago we were visiting friends who introduced us to Tervis tumblers. They are plastic but still look REALLY nice in a kitchen, they are PLASTIC so they don’t break, they are dishwasher safe, can be microwaved, they come in a bazillion different designs (I’ve included the University of Michigan option for those fans.), they keep cold drinks COLD and hot drinks HOT, and … here is the kicker… they don’t sweat! Coasters be gone! (Well almost). Finally, to add to a already really great product, the company stands behind the product and I have read tons of reviews where the company backed their guarantee with no questions.
They aren’t cheap – about $40 for a set of 4 but they have travel straws, tops, decorations etc. and they are well worth the price.
Find them at Bed Bath and Beyond (if you want to use your 20% off coupon) and elsewhere. In fact, I’m sitting out on my deck sipping as I write this. Enjoy!
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=111554&COL=962
Every since I got my IPOD touch I’ve been addicted to Scrabble. So just recently I started researching IPOD/IPAD apps and came across the 8MM Vintage Camera application for your videos. It allows you to give your videos old-school feeling with different tones and also allows you to add music. You have to try it out and experience it to really enjoy the fun. Find it the App Store for $1.99.
Similar to a Plasma TV for an adult, the Plasma Car for kids is hours of entertainment. The difference between the two is that a Plasma TV needs power, and the Plasma Car doesn’t. No pedaling necessary. No batteries necessary. Your toddler can propel the car by turning the steering wheel. When my son received this contraption, we had never heard of the Plasma Car before. Putting together the car was simple and he was quickly cruising around the hardwood floors. How it gains momentum is for those who understand physics frankly. For a while I tried to figure it out and then just decided to enjoy it without questioning it. Adding to the coolness factor, the toy is very sturdy, virtually indestructable (at least from our experience) and you can choose different colors.
At about $70 – this is a great investment, in my opinion, better than a majority of the plastic cars that toddlers use. You can find it at Learning Express, Amazon.com, and a variety of other places. We thank our friends for introducing us to this toy and we hope you all enjoy it as well.
Honestly, the Please Touch museum in Philadelphia was not my own discovery. Parenting magazine found it and rated it one of the best museums/outings for kids and now I know why. I went there this weekend with one 2-year-old, one 3-year-old, and one 4-year-old and it couldn’t have been more fun. The museum is for kids. Period. There are no adult things to do at all. Everything is touchable, unbreakable, movable, and it teaches kids along the way. The highlight of the museum for the kids was the grocery story complete with aisles such as produce, breads, and canned goods. Each child got a shopping cart, they could shop, checkout at the register, work behind the counter, wherever their imagination took them. They could work at or eat at a “McDonald’s” set up just for kids with pretend burgers they could assemble and the trays and cups for the dining experience. Children can change a tire, pump gas, pay with water, play the piano, find their way through Alice in Wonderland’s maze. They can ride a bus, a train, a motorcycle, a car (real car). They can work construction, play doctor, etc. etc. etc. You get the point. I wish we lived closer to the museum. It is a wonderful way for children to experience everything they see adults do every day and it allows them to explore their curiosity. For anyone who lives even remotely close, I highly, highly suggest a trip.
A few tips: earlier morning is better, less kids, less hectic. Parking isn’t all that easy – we parked on the street/grass a short walk away and it worked fine. Make sure if your kids like puppet shows to go in a little early because the theatre filled up quick.
Those who have a newborn or are awaiting a newborn – pay attention. Even at almost 2 years old, my son wets through his pajamas and as a smaller child, it happened… ALOT. It doesn’t matter if you buy a light mattress or a heavy mattress for your crib because the way crib mattresses are made to fit, they have to fit SNUG for the safety of the child. Thus, to lift the mattress out, and to change the sheet is not an easy task. In fact, I might even say it is a two person job and in the middle of the night who wants that?
The Summer Infant ULTIMATE crib sheet helps you avoid this hassle. It attaches on the top of your crib sheet using elastic and snaps that will go around your crib panels. Thus your cute crib sheet that matches the rest of the decor in the room will not be covered. The cover is waterproof and if it gets wet, you can just unsnap it and put the baby back in on the crib sheet. Then wash the Ultimate crib sheet and attach it back the next night. It comes in an organic option which is nice touch.
Don’t spend another night wrestling with the crib, mattress and sheet. Make it easy on yourself!
Sold at babiesrus.com and amazon.com for around $20.
Adults come with or without artistic talents but every kid’s artistic expression is something interesting and lets admit it, everything our children draw is ADORABLE. As parents we love showing it off on the fridge but perhaps they would like to show it off too! This is a mobile art-easel/backpack/drawing surface called the GoVinci backpack. It is a backpack that has dedicated the a whole side to showcase your child’s artwork. When not being transported to and from school, it is a great drawing surface in the car or out on the go and the backpack itself is very durable. Just $29 at www.trendykid.com
Mommy Tested Baby Approved 