League Of Little Laughers

Thanks to Mom Select and Brightstarts I recently had the opportunity to host a "League of Little Laughers" playdate with my almost 3 year old son and a handful of his friends.

My son was thrilled to get a present in the mail, so we opened the box right away. He thought the rolling monkey was fun, the fish held a secon'd appeal, but the Learn & Giggle Activity Station was the clear winner!!!

Check out the video, and if interested in buying here's a great deal:
From now until Saturday, there is an exciting deal on Bright Starts products at Toys ‘R Us*! The “Lights, Lights Baby” Collection (featuring the Learn & Giggle Activity Station) and the “Having a Ball” Collection (featuring the Spin & Giggle Puppy) are 40% off, both online and in-store. 

#BrightStarts and #BabyLOLL

Waterwipes

This post was sponsored by WaterWipes as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review.

Any mom out there knows that kids are messy! There's no other way to put it. They like to make messes, and they seem to think we ENJOY cleaning up after them. Here's something you may not know, we don't! When you become a parent there are so many things to consider, like which products are safe for your baby, and which contain harmful chemicals. Thankfully there are products out there like WaterWipes that makes the cleanup easier, while being safe and chemical free.

WaterWipes [premium European brand] offers chemical free baby wipes that contains only two ingredients, 99.9% purified water and 0.1% grapefruit seed extract. How much more natural can you get? They are durable and effective without any of the chemicals found in rival products.

When my son was in diapers we went through wipes like water, and some brands would irritate his skin, especially when he had diaper rash. Unfortunately every time he ate acidic food like tomatoes or ranges he would get horrible diaper rash. It was so painful to wipe him when it was that raw, but I'm glad there are products out there like WaterWipes that don't contain preservatives and help with diaper rash. I wish I'd had these when he was an infant. 

 Once my son started eating solid foods, we used wipes for for cleaning up messy hands and face as well. Waterwipes remain sterile in the package, thanks to their non-interfolded design. If you're using wipes to sterilize surfaces and body parts, its good to know they'll remain sterile while in the container for next use.

And now that he's almost three and potty training, we use them for another purpose. Since they don't have preservatives it means they will keep for up to 15 months before it is opened. That's awesome, since the need for wipes doesn't go away once the diapers do.  I think wipes can be used for all ages and stages of childhood. 

Even after they're done diapers, done making messes while eating, done potty training, there will still be a need for wipes. Whenever we go to restaurants we need wipes, for the kids and the parents! You're never too old to need wipes :).

While WaterWipes can be purchased at many stores and retailers I opted to go around the corner to my local Giant to buy them. If you'd like to find out where you can purchase these head on over to this product locater site: http://goic.io/Npmt1W

GIVEAWAY: Premama Fertility Vitamin Mix

Premama® was born from the idea that daily prenatal essentials and maternity supplements should be easy to take and easy on the stomach. Since 2011, Premama has endeavored to make all moms happier with its best-in-class line of natural powdered supplements formulated to support preconception through postnatal nutritional needs, concerns and conditions. Our pill-free, drink mix solutions contain high-quality, clinically-studied and physician-approved ingredients, and are designed to blend seamlessly with liquids and soft foods. Just mix and enjoy! Premama is available online at drinkpremama.com and retailers across the US, including CVS, Buy Buy Baby, Target.com and Amazon.

I know personally I HATE taking pills. I have a hard time swallowing anything larger than an aspirin which makes the whole experience stressful when it shouldn't have to be. I usually resort to finding chewable vitamins when I really need to take them but that can get pretty costly.  I also have to remember to take them. I had been taking prenatals for the past 3 years and eventually just stopped because I never remembered or kept running out of the chewables. Both these reasons are why I like premama's vitamin mixes. I almost always drink something in the morning - OJ, apple juice, v8 etc, so I just add the premama fertility powder into my mix. I am happy to report that it was odorless and tasteless. I had tried powder vitamins in the past and they had funky odors, but this fertility powder did not! I would definitely get it again! I did receive free samples for my review, but this is 100% my opinion, and believe me, I'd tell you if I didn't like it ;-).

WIN IT: One month’s supply (one box) of Premama Fertility

HOW TO ENTER: 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

GIVEAWAY: Avent Cups

First Smiles, First Sips

With the Philips Avent My Trainer Cups, toddlers can easily graduate from bottle to sippy cup. Begin with the familiar silicone nipple on top, and then graduate to the soft spout – the rubberized trainer handles make it easy for little hands to grip the cup when they’re ready.

More Milk, No Mess

With the Philips Avent My Penguin Sippy Cup, soft and hard spout options provide developing toddlers with a truly leak-free drinking experience, while soft-touch trainer handles help them grip cups independently. When toddlers are ready to hold cups without handles, the Philips Avent My Easy Sippy Spout Cup has an easy-to-grasp ripple shape, designed for a no-slip grip.

Spill-Free Explorer

A perfect companion for your on-the-move little one, the Philips Avent My Twist n Sip Straw Cup features a soft, silicone straw that will introduce your child to a bran d new type of drinking experience. The cup’s unique twist lid will keep its straw clean and hygienic while you and your tot are on the go.

Just Like Mom and Dad

A first of its kind, the Philips Avent My Natural Drinking Cup promotes independent drinking with its 360 degree, lip-activated rim. Milk or water will only release from the cup if the toddler has his lip pressed against this rim, enabling them to drink like a grown-up, while staying 100% spill-free!

I think this is a really great evolution. Kids start with
 a "bottle" with handles so they get used to holding something. Next they move to a smaller spout so that they can transition away from the bottle. Step three is the straw which can take some kids a long time to master, but it's an important skill to master, and finally the cup. While some does spill out like a cup if the child is pressing down with his/her lip, it prevents water from rushing out all at once. So while it is not spill proof by any means, it's a step up from a cup when trying to teach kids how to drink from a cup with minimal messes.

My 10 month old niece loved her 6 month cup and was able to master the tipping up motion to get the water from her cup. It took her a few tries, but she got it! And my 2 year old LOVES his straw cup, and especially the twist close top. I think he likes closing it more than he likes drinking from it. Thats usually how it goes, right? :-P

WIN IT: the full toddler cup range as well as hard copies of “Sip, Sip, Hooray” 

HOW TO ENTER: a Rafflecopter giveaway  

Need New Costumes for halloween?

Some things are just too cute to pass up, and this Toddley Vintage lamb costume certainly was. As soon as I saw it I knew my niece would look adorable in it.  It came with the body, hood and shoe covers. How stinkin cute is this???

Last year my son was the cat in the hat for halloween, and he has a dinosaur costume he hasn't quite grown into, but now that we have a little lady in the family, we can dress her up in frilly girly things like sheep and princess costumes. It's so much fun dressing up little girls!

It is so much fun to shop for baby costumes!!! Head on over to their site and like CSC on facebook.

     

While I don't think Natalie is convinced she likes dressing up, hopefully she  will be October!

I will only consider warm Halloween costumes if we are going outdoors, but if it's just to play "dress up" then it doesn't matter. While the lamb costume is not very warm, it's really well made. Each bit of "fur" is actually a rosette flower stitched on. So it looks like fur from afar, but is actually many flowers sewn on. What a great idea!

If you are looking for some reasonably priced dress up costumes this would be a good place to start.

Many thanks to Costume review for the opportunity to try out this elmo costume. All opinions expressed here are 100% my own.

GIVEAWAY: Pampers Prize Pack #betterforbaby

There are so many things you can do to make life #betterforbaby, which is why I'm happy to partner with Pampers and Doubly Duty Divas on this campaign!!!

Pampers believes that babies bring out the best in all of us.That’s why there’s nothing they wouldn’t do to make life #BetterForBaby. As part of the campaign, Pampers is unveiling a video that celebrates all the profound ways babies change the world around them for the better – and in turn asks families to pledge how they will make life #BetterForBaby. Personally, I pledge to be more patient to make life #BetterforBaby.

Check out this hush little baby video to find out how you can make life #betterforbaby:

As the brand who supports the happy, healthy development of babies for more than 50 years, Pampers is committed to doing their small part to making life #BetterForBaby through their core brand commitments including: 1) protecting premature babies, 2) helping families in need through product donations, 3) preventing maternal and neonatal tetanus and 4) reducing their environmental impact. In fact, at the launch of this program they are making a significant donation to each of our charity partners (Graham’s Foundation, UNICEF and Feeding America) in recognition of their valued partnership in helping Pampers support the happy, healthy development of babies.

As a brand that has supported the happy, healthy development of babies for more than 50 years, Pampers is committed to doing their small part. For example, they donate millions of diapers each year to families in need through Feeding America, have partnered with UNICEF to help eliminate maternal and newborn tetanus in 15 countries, and they support premature babies and their families with special Pampers preemie diapers and other resources via Graham’s Foundation.

Visit Pampers YouTube and Facebook pages to watch the Hush Little Baby video and celebrate how babies bring out the best in all of us. To find out more information on Pampers commitments to helpinging make life #BetterForBaby, visit Pampers.com, Twitter, youtube or Facebook.

Also join us for the Pampers #betterforbaby Twitter Party On July 8th at 9pm EST. 

Join Pampers and the Double Duty Divas as we chat about how babies change the world around them and how we, as parents, can make the world a better place for them to grow up. The Pampers #BetterforBaby movement is just getting started, and we'd love to connect with you on ways to make the world better for baby.

Twitter Party Prizes Include:

• Pampers Diapers and Pampers Wipes
• Magic Bullet Baby Bullet Baby Care System
• PUR Baby White Vertical Faucet Mount and Filters 
• $100 TOMS GC
• GRAND PRIZE: $300 VISA Gift Card

The link to RSVP for this twitter party can be found here:

http://vite.io/iconnectim

ALSO WIN A PRIZE PACKAGE HERE ON MY BLOG: A Pampers product package which includes: Pampers Swaddlers and Wipes, Magic BulletBaby Bullet Baby Care System, Spring Floral Scarf for Mom & NALGENE Reusable BPA Free water bottle.

HOW TO ENTER: a Rafflecopter giveaway

This review and giveaway was made possible by Double Duty Divas and Pampers. I received product free of charge, but all opinions are 100% mine

GIVEAWAY: Dial Kids and Dial Baby wash

Dial is excited to announce its entry into the babies’ personal care with Dial® Baby Body & Hair Wash developed with pediatric dermatologists for babies’ perfect skin. It gently removes environmental dirt for a head to toe clean. 

Also introducing Dial® Kids Foaming Hand Wash developed with pediatric dermatologists that makes hand washing fun for all ages! 

While my son has really bad eczema and can't use many soaps on his body, he LOVES to wash his hands, as you can see from the happy expression on his little face. He asks to wash his hands every time he's in the bathroom, or when mom goes to the bathroom, or dad, or pretty much any human. :-P

WIN IT: Three readers will win a coupon for each product

HOW TO ENTER: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Halo Sleep Sack Winter Weight

Halo Sleep Sack now available in winter weight! The HALO® SleepSack® wearable blanket (www.halosleep.com) is the nation’s best-selling wearable blanket for babies. It is intended to lessen the likelihood that a baby can get entangled with clothing and loose bedding during sleep.  For colder winter months, the SleepSack® wearable blanket is now available in Winter Weight to keep little ones warm on the coldest nights.

The warmth of the new HALO Sleep Sack Winter Weight is measured in “TOG,” a unit of measurement of thermal insulation used in the textile trade.  This new SleepSack wearable blanket has a TOG value of 2.5, making it ideal for chilly seasons and climates.

Available in pink and blue, the cozy quilted feel comes from a 100% cotton outer fabric with a 100% polyester fill.  The new HALO SleepSack Winter Weight comes in small (10-18 lbs) and Medium (16-24 lbs) and retails for $35.

I used these with my son, and foster daughter. My son especially loved the kind with velco straps that made him feel snug, but that doesn't work for all kids. My niece loves to flail her arms and break free, so the swaddle type doesn't work for her. She loves this kind, where her arm are free, but she's still kept warm with the sleep sack. It's a great idea!

GIVEAWAY: Baby Sign Language Kit

Need a gift idea for a mom of a little one, or soon-to-be mom? How about a Baby Sign Language Kit? If you are a parent, you know how frustrating it is to try to communicate with your child before they have the language skills to tell you what they want. In our house this communication gap caused many melt downs and tears.  This is why I think that baby sign language is so important. When our son was too young to speak we taught him the sign for "more" and "all done", so that he could tell us when he was still hungry or when he was full. It worked really well. He ended up signing "more" everytime he wanted to do more of something fun, lol. But still, he got it. And now that he's almost 2, he has some language, but can still get frustrated when asking for things, so we're teaching him more sign language with the Baby Sign Language system.

In the week that we've had this kit, he's started using "more" "all done" again and learned "fan" "eat", "cat" and he is learning more every day. We have "school" time and do our sign flashcards, but I only introduce a few new cards each week so he isn't overwhelmed. He enjoys it, and I'm enjoying learning them too! I learned the sign language alphabet when I was a kid, and I still remember it. I even joined a sign language club in middle school and remember some of that too. It's nice to be able to communicate with people across the room when voices just don't cut it, or to communicate with the hearing impaired.

I've also cut up the poster provided and pasted it onto a thick posterboard so it can stand next to us when we're working on "school." He points to the one he wants me to do, and I show him how to sign that particular word. The picture instructions are really easy to follow. It not only teaches him the signs for things, but he's also learning to read the English words for things. When I sign Mommy I point to the word "mommy" so he will recognize it on paper and in sign. It's a really great system!

This would make a great gift for a mom of a 6-18 month old, or a mom who wants to teach their child to sign!

You can purchase it here: http://www.babysignlanguage.com/product/standard-kit/ or try to win it:

WIN IT: One reader will win a Baby Sign Language Kit

HOW TO ENTER:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

GIVEAWAY: Pampers Prize Pack & Diaper Genie!!!

This review was made possible by Double Duty Divas and Pampers. I was provided product free of charge to facilitate my review, but all opinions are 100% mine.


When you become a new parent there are so many things you realize you DON'T know, like how much should my child be eating, or is this rash normal, or what does this cry mean? The not knowing can drive you crazy, but thankfully there are websites and guides to help you figure it out. One of the things I talked about most when we took our son home was....poop! How much of it, the consistency, the odor, the color, you name it, we talked about it. I often found myself consulting other experienced moms to find out what was "normal" and what I should be concerned about. The same goes for rashes. My son never had any until he started eating solids, so it was a breeze, but now that I have a daughter she gets them frequently, but what is normal for babies and what's not? Now they have the Pampers Stool Color Card & Diaper Rash Guide to help make that clear!

While I can't post a picture of my foster daughter in her pampers, I can post a semi-shot. Here is my son holding our foster daughter, but for her privacy it's been blurred.

Pampers Wipes: Restoring Baby’s Natural pH Balance. Today, clinical testing proves that Pampers baby wipes condition the skin and help restore baby’s natural pH balance. By utilizing ingredients that restore the natural pH (levels) of the skin, Pampers baby wipes are milder than water and washcloth on baby’s delicate skin.

Enter the Mommy Memory Match Sweepstakes Now on Pampers.com and you can win some great prizes!!! Grand prize winner will get six months of FREE diapers and wipes! You’ll also have a daily chance to play the Mommy Memory Match game and win one month of free diapers and wipes or a Pampers t-shirt INSTANTLY!  Sweepstakes runs from now until January 31, 2015.

WIN IT: Pampers Prize Pack Including...

• 1 Pack of Pampers Newborn or Size 1 diapers
• 1 Pack of Pampers Wipes
• Diaper Genie
• Diaper Genie Refills
• Portable Diaper Caddy

HOW TO ENTER: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow Pampers on Social Media here:

• Pampers Twitter: http://bit.ly/1brDKYn
• Pampers Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1eWzMVD

Hip Baby Wraps

Hip Baby Wraps are beautifully woven, light weight wraps that provide breathable and soft comfort for both baby (8-35lbs) and parent. Individually handmade of 100% cotton and non-toxic dyes, these wonderfully vibrant and stylish wraps provide quality strength and durability, but with more air flow, more stunning color and less bulk than other wraps on the market.  Plus, with a variety of color options to choose from, and a reasonable price point, stylish moms can look and feel beautiful with a wrap to coordinate with every outfit.

Need to feed baby on the go?  Get comfort, style and privacy with Hip Baby Wrap’s Nursing Poncho.  Featuring six fun and modern color options, 100% woven cotton, and light-weight breathability, this stylish poncho not only brings a stunning pop of color, but keeps mom and baby cool and comfy.  And because it slips over the head and rests on the shoulders like a poncho, there’s no fumbling around or shifting to ensure adequate privacy.

I had mixed feelings about this wrap. On the positive, it has multiple purposes. It works as a nursing cover during feedings, and can be wrapped to wear baby in front or in back. I also love the vibrant colors and patterns available with this wrap, as opposed to boring solids with most other wraps. So while I liked these features, I found it very hard to wear. I followed the instructions provided and tied in the back, but if you are frequently sitting while with baby, that's very uncomfortable so I tried to tie it in the front or on the side and didn't have enough wrap left to tie it and make it secure. I also found the fabric stiff without much give. Other wraps I've used have some stretch so the baby can "settle" into a comfortable spot while mom is on the move.  I also like that the wrapping instructions are very clear and easy, but still on the fence. I think you should try it and see what you think for yourself, or buy it for an expactant mom in your life for a holiday gift!

For more information visit www.hipbabywrap.com

Here's a video showing just one way to wear this wrap:

Baby Shower Guest Book Idea - Dear Baby

A new baby makes everyone feel delighted.

Dear Baby guest book is the perfect way to capture those heartwarming messages of love and words of wisdom when a baby is introduced to the world.

Beautifully illustrated pages with space for messages, photos and gift details, Dear Baby guest book is a wonderful way to create a unique baby keepsake and provides a touching gift - perfect for a baby shower, new baby celebration, christening or naming ceremony.

The journals are hard back, case bound with a coordinated ribbon marker, size 172mm x 242mm x 15mm with 80 full colour pages made from sustainably sourced 140gsm uncoated paper. 

I think it's a really cute idea. People can leave notes for the baby about mom and dad, or just advice for the baby as he or she gets older. I plan to use this at my sister's upcoming baby shower. I think I'll say "Dear baby, remember cranky mommies are no fun, so please let her sleep" :-).

Costco Huggies DEAL!

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Huggies® Brand. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for participating. 

I am happy to announce my participation in Huggies Costco Ambassador Program.  We are trying to spread the word about Huggies® Snug & Dry Plus Diapers and Huggies Natural Care® Plus Wipes, only at Costco.  These exclusive Huggies® products at Costco help you Plus Up your baby care! You can’t get them anywhere else!

Huggies® Snug & Dry Plus Diapers have a SnugFit* waistband and unique Grip Tabs for a secure fit. Huggies® Snug & Dry Plus Diapers are extra absorbent for day and night protection....that's a plus exclusive to Costco! They also come with the trusted Leak Lock® system. 

Huggies Natural Care® Plus Wipes come in a new pack with 2 kinds of refillable dispensers, plus 1160 refill wipes to keep you stocked at home or on the go.  One of those refillable dispensers is the NEW Huggies® Clutch ‘n’ Clean* pouch, which comes in every pack of Huggies Natural Care® Plus Wipes. They tackle messes stylishly while out and about and it comes with a fun strap making it accessible anywhere.
Costco Members - CLICK HERE to register for a FREE sample of the Huggies® Snug & Dry Plus and Huggies Natural Care® Plus Wipes. Hurry and register now, there will be a limited number of samples each day while supplies lasts, so try back tomorrow if you aren't able get a sample today! You must be a Costco member to get a sample and limit 1 sample per household. 

As a stay at home mom I am always looking for ways to save money and get great deals. All parents know that baby products are NOT cheap, so get your deals where you can! There are many mom blogs out there for just this purpose, but I'm happy to share a great deal with you here today! Head on over to your local Costco Warehouse and buy Huggies® Snug & Dry Plus Diapers and Huggies Natural Care® Plus Wipes and get $6 off diapers and $5 off wipes. Savings valid 8/7-31!!!! Please note that the $6 and $5 savings are available to any Costco member - the savings are not specific to only this promotion.

Mom Voyáge

I participated in a Blog Blast on behalf of Mom Central for Urbini. I received information from Urbini to facilitate my post as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

Right now my sister AND sister in law are both pregnant (isn't she adorable!!!), which means baby showers and preparing to become an aunt again :). This means searching the web for some great baby sites and learning as much as I can to be helpful for both these lovely ladies. Mom Voyáge is just one site that I found.

Mom Voyáge is a new blog that features posts from Moms around the world about pregnancy, birth and raising young children.  It's a place where mom bloggers from all around the world come together to share. People contribute from the Netherlands, France, Britain, Holland, Australia and more. It highlights how pregnancies and child-rearing differ around the world, and much much more.

They have some really helpful articles like "choosing a baby name" or "birth plan checklist." These articles are very helpful for expecting moms. Or for those of you who are family or friends of an expecting mom there are articles like "baby shower traditions," to help give you ideas of what people do in other areas. We adopted our son so I didn't go through pregnancy, but that's why it's helpful to have a resource like this so I know what other ladies are going through. Check it out at the links below:

• Urbini Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UrbiniBaby?ref=br_tf
• UrbiniTwitter page: https://twitter.com/@UrbiniBaby
• Urbini Instagram account: @UrbiniBaby
• Urbini Pinterest page: http://www.pinterest.com/urbinibaby/