Don't forget that the Bright Starts InGenuity Playard Giveaway Ends TONIGHT! Get those last minute entries in if you haven't.
Here is a list of my other current giveaways:
Pillow Pets are a product that have caught my eye for quite some time now. I always enjoy finding things that are fun and have a purpose for my kids. Rather than buying them another simple stuffed animal this Easter, why not a Pillow Pet that is super soft, lovable and best of all...can be used as a pillow?!
For the past 7 years, Pillow Pets have been bringing smiles to the faces of all ages. The idea that they can be transformed from a simple stuffed animal to a functional item like a pillow is wonderful! Why didn't I think of that? Made of ultra-soft chenille, Pillow Pets are much more than a stuffed animal. With a strap that closes underneath it transforms the pillow into a friendly pet. I love that they are an ideal travel pal and all around snuggly friend! Pillow Pets are available in jungle animals, farm critters and sea creatures – 20 different animals to choose from.
Just in time for Spring and Easter, Pillow Pets is featuring new spring/Easter-themed products. The bunny, the duck and the lamb are all adorable!
“We’ve been in touch with the big bunny who prefers the Pillow Pets bunnies in pink or purple for obvious reasons, but particularly because you can only get them this time of year,” said Jennifer Telfer, VP of Operations for My Pillow Pets. “However, the word we hear from children is that any of the Pillow Pet animals would be happily welcomed in their homes on Easter morning.”
My Pillow Pets sent us the duck for Kaelyn and Kaden.
Until it arrived in the mail, I had only seen these on television and online. I knew they were super cute, but wondered how I'd like the quality and size. All of my reservations went away once I got my hands on it. It is incredibly soft and I could tell right away that it was well made (a must when it comes to products for kids). I expected it to be smaller for some reason, but have found the size to be perfect after having it around now. It makes a great stuffed animal, as well as a snuggly pillow for Kaelyn to use when she's watching a movie or resting. I have a feeling we'll be taking it in the car and on any trips we take. I also love that it's machine washable!
I love how easy it is to convert from a simple stuffed animal to a nice sized pillow. All you have to do is undo the strap and there you have it, a duck pillow! So cute!
I would definitely recommend Pillow Pets to the parents I know! They would make fantastic gifts any time of the year. The selection of animals they offer is amazing and all are so adorable.
Did you know that March was National Nutrition Month? This is a time dedicated to spreading the word about the importance of healthy eating habits, physical exercise and overall wellness. I do my best to take care of myself by eating well and exercising, but I know I can always do more and learn more about ways to keep it up and live a healthier lifestyle! That's why I was excited when contacted with more information from the Midwest Dairy Council on the lesser-known nutritional benefits of dairy and how these benefits contribute to healthier living!
Milk and other dairy products are great sources of vitamins and minerals. Most of us have probably heard the saying that milk "does a body good," but research shows that many people don't fully understand the whole story of the nutritional value found in dairy! It goes far beyond just calcium for strong bones...each serving of dairy actually provides 8 other essential nutrients, including:
A Cuisinart CSB-76 Smart Stick Hand Blender ($55 Value)
I am always thrilled to find natural products that are safe for our family! I am probably the most cautious with the baby care products I use with Kaelyn and Kaden....I want them to be as natural as possible and effective. That's why I was excited to come across SkinFix and their amazing products.
Trusted for generations, SkinFix is dedicated to bringing you natural health alternative skin creams that offer relief from rashes, dry itchy skin, sores, etc. Minerals and plant extracts are active ingredients in their soothing skin care products. Their pastes are made from an old family recipe with ingredients that are approved by Health Canada and are all licensed natural health products.
As with most babies, my kids have both had their fair share of diaper rashes. Thankfully none of them have been too extreme, however, even the slightest rash can be incredibly uncomfortable for them. I have used products in the past that work 'ok', but am always open to trying new things...especially when they're natural and safe. That's why I was very excited when I learned that we were going to be sent the SkinFix Buttocks Paste to use with Kaden.
Since receiving it, we've used it several times. Kaden had a mild diaper rash a couple of weeks ago...so it was the perfect time to test out the Skinfix Buttocks Paste. I couldn't believe it, but within in a day or so I was already able to see an improvement! Acting as an antiseptic, antioxidant, fungicide, and anti-yeast agent it's made to not only heal your baby's skin and provide treatment and relief of diaper rashes, but also protect it by keeping wetness away.
There are many things I love about this product. The paste itself is great! I love that it's lightweight, non-staining and is not greasy like so many of the other cream/pastes we've used in the past! It doesn't just sit on the skin like so many other products, but actually seems to absorb into the skin which is probably what helps with the healing and protection process. Also, a little really seems to go a long way. We got the 112g bottle which I imagine will last us a very long time!
Skinfix Buttocks Paste can also be used to help prevent cradle cap and by breastfeeding mothers who are experiencing discomfort (they note though, that it's very important to clean the affected area before breastfeeding).
I also think it's great that there is:
Buy It: You can purchase the SkinFix Buttocks Paste on the SkinFix website. The 112g bottle is $11.49, the 225g bottle is $19.49, and the 454g bottle is $37.99.
I have several winners to announce!
Baby Genius Smile & Click Camera
Commenter #228 Jackie said "I entered the Baby Genius Pet Care Center Toy Giveaway"
Baby Genius Musical Vacuum
Commenter #227 Eileen said "Baby Genius on Facebook!"
How To Never Look Fat Again Book (3 winners)
Commenter #16 Alison said "I would like to learn ways to help myself not look fat, as I'm trying to lose some weight. Help myself feel good about myself!"
Commenter #113 CouponMom said "daily http://twitter.com/courtreporterON/status/11182462738"
Commenter #125 Anne said "I am a facebook fan (Anne Jolly)"
Thank you to all who entered these giveaways! The winners have been contacted and have 48 hours to get back in touch with me.
These two giveaways are ending tonight! Be sure to enter if you haven't already....
When it comes to finding high quality products for my kids, I've found that handmade items are some of the best! Often they do cost a little bit more, but after learning the hard way many times...I've found that I'd rather pay a little more money on something and get good quality items than to find the cheapest price and get something that doesn't last for very long. That's why I was excited when my sister-in-law shared with me that she was planning to start selling some of the things she makes by setting up an etsy shop online soon.
Diana has a talent when it comes to creating and making handmade products...an area I will admit is not my strongest. Her desire to create everything from bibs and aprons to felt play food and more, comes from her two little inspirations...her sons! She also loves to cook and bake...a hobby she shares with her sons as well. She recently began by creating her blog, They Call Me Old Fashioned, as a way to share with others her love for creating, baking and family! It's not only a way to connect with others, but also to get feedback on the items she will soon be selling online.
In honor of her new blog where she posts many of her homemade items, yummy recipes and more....she came to me with the idea of doing a review/giveaway! Of course I was more than happy to oblige...I couldn't wait to test out a few of her newest creations and give you all the opportunity to win an amazing gift pack she's put together to kick off her soon to be online shop.
We were given two bibs, a child sized apron and felt play food for Kaelyn and Kaden.
Before receiving them in the mail, I had not seen or tried out any of these items first-hand. So, I was very excited when the package arrived. It couldn't have come at a better time, as Kaelyn was just getting ready to sit down for lunch. What a perfect time to try out one of her new bibs! When it comes to bibs I'm pretty picky. We have several, but unfortunately only a few have really held up well to the wear and tear of washings, messes, etc. When it comes to quality, I'm looking for something that will wash up well, is made to soak up spills and ties around the neck so Kaelyn can't pull it off before we wash her up. I was very pleased to see that both bibs Diana sent met these expectations.
I not only love the terry cloth material on the back which helps to keep messes off Kaelyn's clothes, but also the kid friendly designs she uses to make the front. Kaelyn is not a huge fan of bibs, but when they're fun like these...she had no problem wearing it and showing it off to anyone around.
I also appreciate the length...they're great for covering the whole front which means less clothes changes in a day, and less laundry to do....YAY! Aside from these things, one of my favorite parts is the fact that the bibs tie around the neck. Not only does this allow for us to make it a good fit for both Kaelyn and Kaden's necks, but also makes it next to impossible for her to take off by herself. Typically if Kaelyn gets the bib off on her own, we have food everywhere, so this is a feature I really like!
The apron and felt play food were also a big hit! The aprons are made with such cute fabrics and are double lined. Whether you have a little boy or girl...there is something for everyone. I chose the cupcakes one for Kaelyn and am so happy with it. It turned out very cute and is something she not only enjoys using when playing, but also to help me in the kitchen when cooking and baking!
I really like the size...it's on the longer side for Kaelyn, which means she'll be able to get a lot of use out of it in the years to come. Diana has made this same size for children ranging anywhere from 2 years old all the way up to 10.
I love the idea of felt play food, so when she said she'd throw in some of the bacon and eggs she had made...I was thrilled! We have every kind of play food you can think of, except for felt so this was something new to us. I was amazed at how realistic they look, as well as the quality. This is definitely something that will last a long time which is what I want when it comes to my kids' toys. Kaelyn was tickled to have new play food to pretend with and took it right to her toy room where she could 'make us breakfast'.
These are just a few of the many things Diana makes, and is planning to make. As I mentioned, she loves to cook/bake...so her blog is also full of many yummy recipes and her newest creations, cookie bouquets which she will soon be selling on her Decorated By Di website! Aren't they cute?
She made Kaden this one for his baby dedication at church in February.
If you're looking for cute products like these that are high quality and not something you'll have to replace in a month, or even a year...you can find find more by visiting her blog. This is where she currently posts, and will announce once her website and etsy shop go live, so you won't want to miss it!
Buy It: Since her website and etsy shop are still in the process of being put together, Diana is selling her items via word of mouth on her blog. If you are interested in any of the items you've seen here or on her blog, feel free to contact her by e-mail for pricing, fabrics, styles and more.
Win It: To kick off what will soon be Diana's new etsy shop, she is offering one lucky reader the following gift pack which will help get your kids excited to help you in the kitchen and get their imaginations working when at play! The gift pack will include a few of her handmade items and some fun goodies as well!
-Handmade Kids Polka Dot Apron
**Required entry - visit Diana's blog and become a follower of hers on Google Friend Connect (this is where she'll announce the opening of her website and etsy shop once they go live!). Come back here and leave me a comment letting me know that you did.**
I am a big fan of Mutsy and the great products they offer! That's why I was excited to learn that they just came out with two NEW chairs on their website.
The first is the Easygrow "Next" chair:
The evolution of the Easygrow, the extraordinary high chair that grows with baby, continues with the debut of the Easygrow “Next”. The Easygrow “Next” features a sleek brushed aluminum finish and unique dinner tray tilting feature. The chair’s comfortable molded plastic seat features a luxurious suede-like texturized feel. The tilting feature lets the tray fold down and away from baby allowing for them to be placed and removed freely from the seat. This pioneering new highchair brings life to a home’s interior and offers a child a safe and comfortable place at the table. In addition to the dinner tray features include a bumper bar, flexible seat reducer and a 5-point harness. The flexible seat reducer allows use of the chair from the time baby can sit on his or her own. Both the seat and foot rest can be easily adjustable and can accommodate children from the time they can sit unaided to 12 years of age. Easygrow “Next” is lightweight at just 16.5 lbs., allowing for mom or dad to easily position the chair anywhere they want.
Available in: Navy and Brown
Recommended Retail: $249
As your baby learns new things it brings much excitement among parents and sometimes frustration for your little one. Kaden is to the point where he is wanting to sit up and see the world from a different view besides on his back or in someone's arms. Although he has started to sit up on his own some (surrounded by pillows of course), he is not to the point where he can do so for long lengths of time which leaves him frustrated. He wants to be able to play and do things that he's just not quite ready to do yet. That's why I'm thankful for the Bumbo Seat.
As I'm sure many parents would agree, the Bumbo is a great product for little ones, but is not necessarily the most attractive. Yes they come in different colors, but other than that, they're pretty boring and plain. That's why I was SO excited when I came across Boutique Sweet Cheeks and their adorable Bumbo Seat Covers!
Boutique Sweet Cheeks offers custom made, high quality seat covers, and other items for mom and baby such as nursing pillow covers, baby security blankets, and bibs. Their products are made with high quality fabrics that are not only adorable, but will spark your baby's curiosity through discovering the different textures and sensations.
When I found out that I would have the opportunity to review one of these Bumbo Seat Covers, the hardest part was picking just one fabric that I wanted. They are all SO cute! I decided to go with the Bumbo Cover in the Disco Dot Blue fabric and am so happy I did.
When it arrived in the mail I couldn't wait to put it on Kaden's Bumbo Seat. As I slipped it on, I was amazed how perfectly it fit. I thought it might be difficult, but these are made to fit snuggly over the chair, making it possible to even use the Play Tray if you have one. I was very impressed! In just seconds his seat went from blue and boring to modern and fun!
There are many things I like about this Bumbo Seat Cover, other than the obvious fact that it transforms a plain Bumbo Seat into something that's worth looking at. It not only helps cover the non-breathable rubbery material that sticks to your baby's skin, but also offers a number of features that took it above and beyond any expectations I had. Some of these include:
I LOVE the 2 loopy tags in the front. Kaden has just started to grasp things more, but when he's sitting in his Bumbo Seat and drops them they're very hard for him to reach again. That's where the loopy tags come in. I simply attach some of the link toys he has and there you have it...a toy for him to play with that I won't have to pick up and hand back to him all the time. This makes what is an already remarkable product even better!
