HUGGIES® Little Movers Slip On Diaper Pants ~ Review

*I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for HUGGIES. I received product samples to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own.

With all three of my kids, one of the most memorable milestones has been when my babies first learn to stand. It's a fun, exciting and busy time! Once they learned to stand, they were on the go more than ever. My third was almost 14 months old when he began standing and really feeling more confident about moving around more. It was around this time that I was introduced to a new diaper from Huggies®, designed especially for standing/newly walking babies.

                                  

Huggies® Little Movers Slip On® Diaper Pants allow parents to stop changing and start dressing their newly standing and walking child. Offering an outstanding fit, these diaper pants are made with stretch sides and require no adjustments for a great fit.

Just reading a little bit about these diapers, I knew they would be perfect for our little guy on the move and couldn't have been happier to learn we were going to have the opportunity to review them. When they arrived, I was ready to test them out on him. 

I was amazed just how easy it slipped on. They come pre-fastened and require no adjustments - so it makes diaper changes super quick and easy. As a busy mom, this is much appreciated. 

                                                   

Even diaper removal is easy, thanks to the easy open sides and grip tabs. It also makes rolling up the diaper for disposal very simple. I love how much easier these diapers make diaper changes now! It saves me time, and Caysen's happier it doesn't take so long too.

One of the things I love about these diapers, is that Caysen seems comfortable in them. He's able to move and work on mastering walking without having a constricting diaper that is uncomfortable. When I change his diaper, I notice there are no red marks from it being too snug which is nice too. They really fit nicely, stretching where they need to without any adjustments.

                                                  

Another reason Caysen stays comfortable, is that these diapers have trusted Leak Lock Protection. The diaper absorbs-away layers and long-lasting core lock in wetness and keep him dry. Love it!

Now that Caysen has a comfortable diaper to move around, he's ready for anything. I've been really happy with the quality and overall comfort these diapers provide. We will definitely be buying more and I'd recommend other parents with new standers/walkers check them out too!

                                

Coupon Alert! For those who are interested in trying the Huggies Little Movers Slip-On Diaper Pants with your little ones, you can save $2 on any one package of them here. Share it with three friends, and the coupon value increases to $2.50! 

                             

Cheesy Broccoli Chicken Bake ~ Recipe

A while back I found myself on a meal rotation...making the same meals ever couple of weeks. It got old and boring, which is why I started pinning a lot more recipes to try. Over the months I have found many our family loves, and have even adapted some to make our own. The following is one we really enjoy, and best of all...the kids love it, even the broccoli!

Ingredients:

1 Package Stuffing Mix (chicken flavor)
1 1/4 Cups Water
6-7 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Halves
4 C Broccoli Florets (I use the frozen broccoli)
1 C Shredded Cheddar Cheese

6-7 slices cooked bacon; crumbled
6-7 T Ranch dressing (drizzle to your liking)

Oven at 400º

Directions:

1. Spray large sheet of heavy-duty foil with oil and place in 9x13 pan
2. Place chicken breasts in bottom of pan
3. Top chicken with broccoli, bacon, cheese
4. Combine stuffing mix and water and add to the top evenly
5. Drizzle with ranch dressing over the top
6. Cover with foil, bring up sides and seal.
7. Bake 30-60 minutes (depends on the size of chicken breasts. 45 minutes and mine is usually done.) Around 45 minutes I take off the foil and let it bake a bit longer because I like the dressing to really melt in and for the stuffing to be a little crunchy on top.

Freezer Meals & Meal Planning

I don't know about you, but making meals during the week gets hard at times. Life gets busy, and 20 minutes before supper time there are days when I just plain don't know what to make. Maybe it's a mix of lack of organization, or simply the busy life of a mom/parent. Whichever it is, I'm hoping to get into a better routine of meal planning and have joined a small freezer meal group in my area to get me started.

If you've experienced this, I would love any tips/advice you may have with freezer meals! Also, I'm polling the interest of my readers to see who would like to see freezer meal recipes posted on my blog, or maybe even a linky where others could post their freezer meals too? I love to share recipes, and love to find and learn about great ones too - so this is something that has been on my mind for a while. Let me know your thoughts!

Have a great Thursday!

A Great Gift For Mother's Day ~ Shari's Berries Review

**The product for this review was provided by Shari's Berries. However, all opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.

Whether I'm shopping for mother's day, or a birthday gift...I want to find things that are unique and personal. As a mom of three little ones, the easiest way to shop for gifts like this is online. Thankfully, Shari's Berries offers a great selection of gift ideas for any occasion and makes it easy every time!

With gift ideas for all occasions, Shari's Berries is known for their large selection of delicious and unforgettable gifts, always arranged and presented carefully and lovingly. Whether you're shopping for birthday gifts, baby shower gifts, or maybe a "just because gift"... Shari's Berries has you covered and even ships nationwide!

I have browsed and shopped Shari's Berries in the past, and have always been impressed with the large selection of products offered. With everything from Mother's Day gift baskets to dipped berries...there's truly something for everyone.

When asked if I'd like to review something from Shari's Berries, I was thrilled and the timing couldn't have been more perfect! The following week we had plans to go to a birthday get together for my brother and I knew Shari's Berries would have the perfect gift! I was right.

Browsing through the birthday gifts, I found many that I knew he would be thrilled with. However, the one that stuck out to me most was the 7-piece Happy Birthday Surprise Cookie Bouquet!

I ordered it, and even did the option to get one of the cookies personalized with his name on it. I love personalizing things, as it's an extra special tough that makes it even more special for the recipient. I know my brother really thought it was neat. The site was very easy to navigate, and placing the order couldn't have been easier. Thanks to the great coupon codes, I was able to get a great deal too!

I was also pleased with how quickly the item shipped. I was able to choose which day I wanted it to arrive, and it came right on time. YAY!

When the cookie bouquet arrived, I will admit I was a little nervous that the cookies might be broken. Afterall, cookies aren't the easiest thing to mail. As I opened the box, any anxieties I had were put to rest. The cookie bouquet was wrapped wonderfully, and all of the cookies looked fantastic!! Not only were they wrapped very well so as not to get broken, but also so that they would stay fresh too.

                                                
                                                
I was so excited to take the Happy Birthday Cookie Bouquet to my brother's birthday party. He was very surprised and loved the personalized gift idea.  Best of all, the cookies were large and very yummy. There were enough for him to share with the rest of us which was a lot of fun! The kids especially liked them. :)
                                             
                                              
Overall we were really happy with the Happy Birthday Surprise Cookie Bouquet from Shari's Berries. What a great way to send a birthday wish. Each cookie was well packaged, not to mentioned beautifully and colorfully frosted. We will definitely be turning to Shari's Berries again in the future!

Buy It: You can purchase the Happy Birthday Surprise Cookie Bouquet for $39 at Shari's Berries.

Coupons: There are also a number of Shari's Berries Coupons you can use too!

State Farm Neighborhood Assist Program

The State Farm Neighborhood Assist program is entering its second year of community betterment. This program seeks to improve communities through 3 types of initiatives: community development, education, and safety. After many weeks of consideration, the State Farm Youth Advisory Board has compiled the top 200 causes to have the chance to win a $25,000 grant to fund their program. Those 200 will now be voted on by the public to select the top 40 winners!

Before this month, I was not familiar with the State Farm Neighborhood Assist program, however...I think it is fantastic! My community is very important to me, especially as a parent with little ones who will grow up here. I want to see every aspect of my community thrive and remain beautiful for them, and for us! That is why I'm so passionate about the State Farm Neighborhood Assist Program and spreading the word. 

Our town is a place we spend time with family, watch our kids grow, etc. And although I love where we live, our neighbors and our community, I think there are always ways we can make things better. Knowing my children are going to grow up here, I feel invested in always wanting to make our community a better place. Whether it's a deserted playground, an abandoned warehouse, or something else...I believe those of us in our community can get together to ensure that our children can enjoy and appreciate their hometown for years to come.


I am always looking for ways to participate in community betterment projects and am sure through the years many will present themselves. As I said, we have a wonderful town that we live in, but there are always ways to improve it. As a parent and former teacher, I like to see special attention being given to our education program...making sure it's the very best for our little ones. There are also things like building a playground out where we live that I'd love to see at some point. We are considered "in-town", but live on the outskirts which means we are a ways from playground in town. Having one in our neighborhood would give children a safe and fun place to play!


You can learn more about State Farm Neighborhood Assist on their website and in the video below. You can also vote for your favorite programs via their Facebook tab. You are able to vote 10 times per day for any combination of causes. 

**I wrote this review while participating in a campaign for Mom Central Consulting on behalf of State Farm and I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

Johnson & Johnson Donate a Photo App ~ Prize Pack Giveaway #healthyessentials

**This post on making a difference in the world through your own photography is brought to you by Johnson &

Johnson and The Motherhood, who sent me a box of products and compensated me for my time. Opinions, experiences and photos shared here are all my own, and I hope you enjoy them.**

As a mom of three little ones, I am a fan of Johnson & Johnson and their products for families. That's why I was excited to learn about their new initiative, Donate a Photo.

For those who follow my Twitter and Facebook pages, you may have seen me posting about a fun twitter party I helped co-host with The Motherhood and Johnson & Johnson! We talked about the new app, Donate a Photo which helps to turn photos into a way to do good. For every photo shared through the app, J&J will donate $1* to a cause that people care about. All donations are measured in actions:

• Keep America Beautiful: One photo helps restore a community park
• Save the Children: One photo helps a newborn get medicine to thrive
• Safe Kids: One photo protects seven children from a preventable sports injury

I for one thought this was a super easy, fun and great way to make a difference and have been using the app myself. Donations made using this app must be made through a mobile device. I have lots of photos on my phone, and the following is just one that I chose to donate. Me and my sweet boy...

This is an app that turns photos into a way to do good. Sound like something you'd like to participate in? Donating is very simple. Just download the free Donate a Photo app and register to get started. Then, choose a cause, upload a photo and share it on FB and Twitter to let friends and followers know how they can help too! You can share one photo a day, every day, to contribute to the causes that matter most to you.


I also love Johnson & Johnson's Healthy Essentials initiative which offers coupons and other tools to help families stock up on the products they depend on and use every day. I would encourage you to head over to HealthyEssentials.com and register to save on J&J products. The new coupons went live on April 7th!

I was excited to receive a box of assorted J&J products to sample as part of this post, and am thrilled that they have offered a box of assorted J&J products to one lucky A Mom's Balancing Act reader as well (valued at over $100!) (Giveaway rules: No purchase necessary. Open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and District of Columbia, Eighteen (18) years of age or older. Prize(s) provided by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products Company Division of Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. Void where prohibited.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Giveaway will end April 27th

*Johnson & Johnson has curated a list of trusted causes, and you can donate a photo to one cause, once a day. Each cause will appear in the app until it reaches its goal, or the donation period ends. If the goal isn't reached, the cause will still get a minimum donation.

Having A Ball Count 'n Roll Buggie from Bright Starts ~ Review & Giveaway

I love unique toys for kids.  I love classic ones too like blocks, balls or musical instruments, but I also love seeing some of the unique and creative toys as well.  Especially if they incorporate music and movement, my child is usually very interested.

Bright Starts has created an array of baby products and toys that guarantee a good time for babies AND their parents.  The Having A Ball Count 'n Roll Buggie is the newest to the Having A Ball Collection and is a fun way to reinforce those 1-2-3 counting lessons as well as keep your child entertained long enough for to get a few things done or to enjoy some interactive time with them.

Your little one will love playing with this Count 'n' Roll Buggie from Bright Starts. Drop balls into this cute bug; watch as it rolls and bobbles around. The bug counts balls as they are loaded and sings fun counting songs. The balls spin around inside see-thru wings while the melodies play. When the bug hits an obstacle, it turns and keeps going; the wings open and the balls pop out.

My 15 month old son Cameron had fun chasing around the bug in our kitchen.  Sometimes he would stop to dance a little to the music, but I could also watch him learning as he studied the movements of the bug and tried to put the balls into the bug before time ran out and the bug started rolling again. This is a perfect fun and learning toy for his age and developmental stage.    

Something I appreciated about this toddler toy is that it seems durable.  I watched as my son pulled on the see-thru wings and a few times picked up the bug and threw it down onto the hard kitchen floor.  So far there have been no cracks or damage to the toy, which is important because it's no fun to get a new toy only to have it break soon after.   

In order to keep my son's interest in the toy (and to keep track of the three small balls) I keep it up on a shelf and then bring it out for only fifteen minutes at a time.  That's my strategy for keeping him feeling like he's always got a new best toy, not just old ones.    

I filmed a short video of my son playing with the Count 'n Roll Buggie that shows this toy in action:

If I could make any changes to the toy, the one thing would be that I would include three adjustable time settings like Easy, Medium, Difficult so that the amount of time before the bug starts rolling again could be changed as my child's skills and speed improve.  However, my son still seemed to enjoy the toy.

Overall, I was very happy with the value and entertainment this toy provided.  

You can also connect to Bright Starts on Facebook and Twitter

Win It: One very lucky reader is going to win a a Count 'n Roll Buggie from Bright Starts! To enter, please enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below. 

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This giveaway will end April 26 and is open to US Only.

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

Clorox SMART TUBE TECHNOLOGY ~ Giveaway

This post is brought to you by Clorox and The Motherhood. I've been compensated for my time, however all opinions are my own.


Have you ever been cleaning your home, only to find that you've come to the very last bit of cleaner? It can be rather frustrating, especially when you're having to tilt, tip and unscrew the container try to get to the bottom fo the bottle of spray cleaner.  Thankfully, The Clorox Company has found a solution! They have announced the addition of SMART TUBE® TECHNOLOGY.

 

SMART TUBE® TECHNOLOGY is a new technology that makes it possible for you to now use every last drop of liquid in Clorox spray bottles. This includes Clorox® Clean Up®, Tilex® and Formula 409® products. How great is that?! When I learned there would be no more tilting, shaking and frustration, I was sold and really excited to learn we were going to receive for review. The SMART TUBE® TECHNOLOGY can be found in the following products in all scents and sizes:

• Clorox® Clean-Up®
• Clorox® Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner
• Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach Foamer
• Clorox® Bleach Gel
• Clorox® Kitchen
• Formula 409® (Original, Lemon, Stone & Steel, Glass & Surface, Carpet/Pet)
• Tilex® (Bathroom Cleaner, Mold & Mildew Remover, Mildew Root Penetrator™)
• Clorox® Antihongos
• Clorox® Desengrasantes


We just recently got the Clorox products for review, and although we haven't gotten to the bottom of any of them yet...I can say that I love how these products clean.

I also appreciate that when the time comes when we get to the bottom of the bottle, that there's the new SMART TUBE® TECHNOLOGY! This built-in tube reaches all the way to the bottom of the bottles making it possible to now be able to use every last drop with no frustration. YAY! I'm thrilled, because as a busy mom I'm always looking for ways to make cleaning a little bit easier. 

Speaking of easier, these spray bottles equipped with SMART TUBE® TECHNOLOGY also feature a new, more durable trigger that provides better coverage and control...making it easier to dispense the liquid with less effort.
 
I'm really happy to hear that Clorox (a trusted company that has committed themselves to providing a better cleaning experience for many years), has made it their goal to improve one of their key cleaning tools...spray bottles! I think this is going to be a feature appreciated by  many Clorox cleaner users, including me! 

Coupon: Clorox just launched a new coupon on their SprayEveryDrop.com site. When you watch the quick video about the spray bottle's "makeover" you get a $1 coupon. If you share the video on Facebook or Twitter, you get a $1.50 coupon!

Win It: Clorox has offered FIVE free coupons to one A Mom's Balancing Act reader so they can try out their new smart tube technology for themselves! To enter, simply enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway will end April 28th and is open to US Only

First Fun with Quantities Pegging Game from HABA ~ Review

Unlike his sister who has always shown a preference for letters, words and reading...Kaden is my child who loves math! He enjoys counting, sorting, etc. I like to find activities, games and toys that encourage his love for learning which is why I was excited when introduced to a new toy from HABA!

For those who aren't familiar with HABA, they are one of my favorite, go-to companies when it comes to high quality toys for kids. Found nationwide in over 1,000 U.S. specialty retail stores, catalogs and websites, HABA products have been recognized with a number of German and American awards. They are a name parents know and trust...one that provides both fun and education for children of all ages.

I enjoy learning about new products from HABA, and when I was introduced to the First Fun with Quantities Pegging Game it was no different. I knew this would be something Kaden (and my other two children) would really enjoy and couldn't have been more thrilled to learn we were going to have the opportunity to review it.

 

Features/Benefits:

• Children practice counting, sorting, color recognition, and more!
• Perfect for ages 3 years and up
• Contents include 5 boards, 15 pegs, 1 die, and instructions

When the First Fun with Quantities Pegging Game arrived, I was happy to see that it came in a sturdy box that we could use to keep the pieces in when not in use. This may sound like a small thing to be thankful for, but when it comes to games and toys with small pieces, I appreciate when companies make it easy to stay organized and keep from losing things.

Of course, the kids and I couldn't wait to check out the contents inside the box!

 

Upon opening it, we found 5 little wooden boards, 15 pegs, 1 die and a set of instructions. As I looked through the instructions, I found that my kids had already gotten started playing with the pegs and boards. They were sticking the pegs into the same colored boards and counting as they did it. I was thrilled to this child-directed play going on and how much learning was going on right out of the box! I love classic toys like this where kids can use their imaginations and learn at the same time. It's definitely a game/toy I can see growing with them as they get older and one we'll be able to use for a long time.

Another fun use for this game is tower stacking using the boards and putting them in numerical order (the one with one hole on the bottom and so on) with corresponding pegs. Kaden, who is 3 especially enjoys doing this as it helps him learn the correct order of numbers, not just counting. I love it!

The instructions give a couple of more ideas on how to use the boards and pegs, which we have not used yet but sound like a lot of fun! One is rolling colors on the die, where the players want to get as many boards filled with pegs as possible by the end of the game. The other is Finding by Touch and Counting where players close their eyes and try to figure out the number of holes on the boards and count them by using touch (not sight). I know my kids will really enjoy using it in this way...what a fun idea!

We've used the instructions to play this game, but have also found that it's a lot of fun to make up our own games as well. Since this game deals with counting and colors there are so many uses and ways to play. It's been perfect for my 5 year old and 3 year old, and even my 1 year old enjoys placing the pegs in the holes (great for hand/eye coordination).

I really can't say enough up this high quality, fun and educational game. I appreciate that it's open-ended and something all three of my children can learn from and have fun with. I know this will be a favorite in our household for many years and would recommend it to other families with young children as well.

Buy It: The First Fun with Quantities Pegging Game for $22.

You can also connect with HABA on Facebook and Twitter

**The product for this review was provided for free. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.

Trendy Maternity Clothing from Pink Blush Maternity Review ~ $25 GC Giveaway

Last time I was pregnant, which was also the first time, I spent almost no money at all on maternity clothes.  I got a bunch of very worn hand-me-downs and bought one shirt and one pair of jeans that lasted me almost until the very end.  Mostly, I wore my pre-pregnancy clothes until I couldn't squeeze into them anymore.

I didn't see the point in throwing away money on clothes that would only fit me for a short amount of time, especially when I was already stressed out about all the other baby essentials I was going to have to buy.  I'm big on planning ahead so instead of maternity clothes I was already buying a pack 'n play.

However, next time around I plan on doing things a little differently.  After going through it once, I see the benefit of having cute clothes that fit my changing body well.  Throughout most of my pregnancy I was pretty uncomfortable and on top of that I felt like my non-maternity clothes hugged my body in strange ways and felt awkward.  It's not good to feel awkward when you're pregnant, you want to feel confident and strong.

Pink Blush Maternity is a company that understands the way moms and moms-to-be think about these things so they've developed a line of trendy and affordable maternity clothing.  They sell basic tees along with tunics, blouses and everything from cardigans with trendy prints to cute skirts and vibrant dresses.  They also offer a wide variety of styles using unique fabrics at a great price.

I chose to try the Aqua Tribal Print Maternity Blouse because I thought it would be something I could wear now without being pregnant, as well as when I am.  I loved the fun, trendy tribal print and the spring colors.

When the shirt first arrived, my first thought was that the coloring looked slightly different from the picture on the website, but it was still really cute and I loved it.  Next I noticed that the material felt so nice!  It was soft and seemed like it was very high quality material and well made.  

This picture is kind of a joke, but the blouse felt so breathable and light, I could definitely see myself feeling very comfortable and fashionable in this top on a warm pregnant day, with my hair blowing in the wind.  

I used my hand to somewhat simulate what I might look like in this shirt once I was pregnant (plus about twenty more pounds allocated to various places of my body).  Because of the way the material fell and the unique style of the arm cutouts, I think this will be a great maternity shirt when the time comes.  

The other day when I was wearing this blouse, my friend complimented me on it.  When I told her it was a maternity blouse, she didn't believe me at first.  She said that maternity clothes were usually so boring and basic, but that this looked like I had bought it in a boutique downtown.  Score!

You can check out this blouse and lots of the other trendy maternity clothes at Pink Blush Maternity's website.  

You can also connect with Pink Blush Maternity on Facebook and Pinterest.

Win It: One lucky reader is going to win a $25 Gift Certificate to use at Pink Blush Maternity! To enter to win, simply enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below.

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**I received the Pink Blush Maternity blouse to facilitate this review, however all opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.

Baby-Vac Nasal Aspirator ~ Review

A runny nose is a very common thing for babies and toddlers, and our household is no different! With three children 5 years old and under we deal with a lot of stuffy noses, especially during cold season! I have found that with my younger two especially, they are not able to blow their noses so it always seems their colds last longer. And although a common thing among little ones, a runny nose is no fun as I'm sure most parents would agree! It makes kids feel uncomfortable, can hinder breathing, and in some cases can lead to other health problems concerning the ears, nose, throat and respiratory tract.

I try to do whatever I can to keep my kids healthy and when they're not feeling well, get them feeling better as quickly as possible. When it comes to runny noses, I've found that it is important to keep the nasal cavity clear. That's why I was excited when introduced to The Baby-Vac Nasal Aspirator!

The Baby-Vac Nasal Aspirator was designed by an award-winning Hungarian scientist to effectively and safely remove mucus from the nasal cavity in an efficient and gentle manner. It has been clinically tested and approved and recommended by pediatricians and ENT specialists from around the world. The Baby-Vac Aspirator is also FDA registered and research has shown that using the Baby-Vac removes secretion from the nasal cavities to accelerate recovery in case of sickness as well as improving breathing and the prevention of further disease.

As a mom who has really only ever used the traditional bulb syringe aspirators when my kids have a runny nose, I was thrilled to learn we were going to have the opportunity to review a Baby-Vac Nasal Aspirator. I have not ever thought the bulbs helped much, and was excited to see if this was as effective in removing mucus as it claims to be.

Features/Benefits:

Self Regulating Technology 

Clinically tested and approved by the Universitat Ulm Clinic in Germany 

Pediatricians and ENT specialists recommend it from 0-6 years of age. Until children learn how to blow their nose properly. 

Reliable and effective 

Gentle and pain free 

Safely and quickly clears the nose 

No side-effects 

The child's breathing is immediately improved after using Baby-Vac™ 

Helps in the prevention of respiratory tract related diseases, which may lead to more serious health problems 

Helps accelerate recovery in case of sickness 

Easy to handle and durable 

Easy to clean 

The transparent tubing allows monitoring of the amount and consistency of the extracted mucus

When the product arrived, I was happy to see that it was packaged in a small and durable box, something I can easily keep it in when not in use. Anything to help me stay more organized and keep things in their place is much appreciated!

Of course, I couldn't wait to check it out. Out of the box, I found the pieces necessary to use it along with helpful instructions right on the box. Everything seemed extremely well made and I could tell this is something that will last us a long time.

When it came time to use it, I will admit I wondered just how well it would work. The fact that it connects to my vacuum cleaner had me wondering just how gentle it would be also. Thankfully, I felt better after reading more about how it works and that the aspirator has a three chamber regulator design that actually self-adjusts and controls the suction strength. As the website states, It sucks with the help of the vacuum cleaner, but not with its strength. I even held it to my skin to see just how much suction there was and found it to be extremely gentle.

To start, I followed the instructions on the back of the box (I love that they're right on the box so I don't have to worry about losing them!). I first cleaned the unit by washing in hot soapy water and then rinsing. This is to be done before and after each use. I then inserted the evacuator into the collection cylinder, turned on the vacuum cleaner and inserted the vacuum cleaner adapter into the attachment hose.

To operate and use with a child, I placed Caysen in a sitting/upright position - holding him until he was comfortable with the aspirator. I then positioned the evacuator so that it fully sealed one of the nostrils and held it there for a couple of seconds while it unblocked his nose! If needed, I repeat these steps in the other nostril as well. To speed up the process, I found that I could gently rotate the evacuator in a circular pattern which helped since I have an energetic and on-the-go 1 year old.

Caysen was a little hesitant the first time, but to my surprise he really didn't mind me using the Baby-Vac Aspirator on him after a couple of times of getting used to it. In fact, I think he could tell that it was helping him feel better, because with each time I use it he seems more and more comfortable. My other two children have used it as well with great results. I love that it does an excellent job extracting mucus, while still being gentle.

The Baby-Vac Nasal Aspirator has been a blessing to our family with all the runny noses we've been facing. It has helped our kids who were suffering from blocked nasal passages to get some relief. I am surprised I had never heard of this amazing device before, as it's something I would have definitely used from the time each of my kids were babies. It seems to be very effective, and when used properly, it's safe and gentle as well. I am amazed just how well it works and definitely feel the benefits of using the Baby-Vac make it a mommy must-have for sure!

 

Buy It: You can purchase the Baby-Vac Nasal Aspirator at the Baby-Vac Store. You can also find a combo pack there that includes a brush and saline spray as well!

Coupon Code: If you order in the month of April, use coupon code: 0405OFF and receive an additional 5% off AND free shipping!

You can also connect with Baby-Vac on Facebook and Twitter

**I received a Baby-Vac Nasal Aspirator to facilitate this review, however all opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.

Kolcraft MLB Umbrella Stroller ~ Giveaway

Last month I shared with you that Kolcraft partnered with MLB and added a great line of baby gear items. With family appeal and a large base of avid fans, Major League Baseball juvenile products allow parents to share the allegiance to their favorite team with their children. Kolcraft now offers these baby gear items bearing the logos of the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers. Additional teams will be added each season too!

I am a big fan of Kolcraft and their high quality products, so I was thrilled to learn they were expanding their line. For those who are new here here's a little bit about Kolcraft...

With everything from strollers to cribs, mattresses and more...it's a great place for parents to shop! Kolcraft began in 1946 when Leo Koltun made playpen pads out of cotton batting and oilcloth covers for post World War II babies. Over the years the company has grown and expanded to include a variety of products that help make the lives of parents with little ones easier! Known for their innovative and high quality baby products, as well as service that can't be beat....it's no wonder parents continue to turn to them time and time again.

You may remember reading about my review of the new Kolcraft Chicago Cubs Umbrella Stroller. If you missed it, you can find it here. We still love the quality, convenient and lightweight design, and of course the fun and unique theme of the stroller. It's one we keep in the car wherever we go and have already gotten a lot of use out of. Whether you have one child or five, an umbrella stroller is a must-have item in my opinion! That's why I was thrilled to learn Kolcraft wanted to offer one for a giveaway in tandem with Opening Day at baseball parks across the USA!

Win It: To enter to win a Kolcraft MLB Umbrella Stroller, enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is open to US Only and will end April 15th

**The product for this giveaway is being provided by Kolcraft. All opinions are my own.