Summer is here and so is the sun. Here in California (Central California to be exact), that means it's hot, hot, hot! It's a good thing I like the heat and I love the sun. The girls, Linc, and I still try to get out on a daily basis despite the heat but my poor little guy is white as can be so he needs lots of protection. Without sunscreen he burns in minutes. That being said I was so excited when I found out that Scarlet's Naturals carried SunBlock. I always hate the idea of putting sunscreen on babies because they love to suck on everything (hands, arms, toes, etc.) and they don't care if they're slathered in a thick chemical laced cream. Ewwww! I'm sure you remember my review of Scarlet's Hiney Honey Cream (diaper rash cream), Honey Lotion, Honey Wash, and Honey Bites (wipes solution). I love that all her products are all natural and I don't have to worry about any of them irritating Linc or getting him sick if they get in his mouth. I also Love, Love, Love, the smell of her products! YUM is the first word that comes to my mind.
So back to the SunBlock and SunStick. Scarlet's Naturals was awesome enough to send me a sample of her SunBlock and SunStick to test out on our little man and yesterday we put it to the test. It was a pretty nice morning so the whole family headed out to out local splash park for some good water fun. If you haven't check out your own local splash park then you really should. It's a lot of fun ... for FREE! Before we left I lathered Linc up in the SunBlock. You want to make sure that you apply your SunBlock about 15 minutes before sun exposure. This will give the SunBlock time to soak in and fully saturate the skin. I was given the unscented version of the SunBlock to test out, but it also comes in a coconut scent that I'm sure smells heavenly based on what her other products smell like. Opening up the bottle I noticed the cream is very thick. This is a 50spf water/sweat resistant formula so the consistency is about what I expected. This is another reason it's good to apply 15 minutes prior so your child doesn't look like a ghost all layered in white. You want to give this stuff some time to soak in. By the time we got to the park he was back to his normal baby white self. I also applied the SunStick to his face. I found it easier to use the stick on such small areas as his nose, cheeks, and forehead. It's also a lot easier to get out of the bottle than the SunBlock since all you have to do it twist the stick up like chapstick instead of sqeaze the tube. I love that the stick is lot less messy if you're just going out for a quick day trip and you only need to cover up a small area of their body. I will say the SunBlock is a bit hard to get out of the bottle since it's thicker. Maybe it's the shape of the bottle? I'm not sure. Anyways... We got to the park and we were ready for some water fun. I noticed right off how the water beaded up and rolled off of Linc. Water was not going to wash this SunBlock off. Linc also got tons of water in his face and he did not cry from SunBlock getting into his eyes. I'm thinking this is because of the water resistant feature and because it's so thick that it wasn't running off his skin into his eyes. That's a total bonus for me because I HATE sunscreen in my eyes. Now the true test. Two hours later we left the park and Linc was sunburn free. Yay! My little white baby gets to stay white for another day. Haha!
So all in all I really like the Scarlet's Naturals SunBlock and SunStick. My only recommendation would be to find an easier container to get the SunBlock out off. It's not impossible to get out. I just find it difficult, like getting shampoo or conditioner out of a hotel sample bottle. The pricing is also very reasonable compared to other similar products, only I bet the scented version smells way better than the other brands. I would totally recommend this product and will probably be getting more for myself in the coconut scent. Yum!
***ATTN: If you would like to win a Scarlet's Naturals Summer Trio (SunBlock, SunStick, & BugBEE Gone), then head over to my Just For Baby Giveaway going on right now. Hurry fast! This giveaway ends on August 10th.***
Well I'm at it again. What can I say? I love baby booty cream. Haha! Yes, this is the 5th brand of baby booty cream I've tried. You know what the funny thing is? I never even used diaper rash cream with my girls... or at least I really hated it. Regular diaper rash cream is sooooo gross. It's thick, doesn't smell great, gets everywhere, and is hard to wash off. Ugh! I hate that stuff! Then there is cloth diaper safe diaper rash cream. It's light, smells good (most of the time), and just rubs right into the skin. Oh I love it! It's like a smooth lotion only better.
Well I came across another natural baby products line recently. I kept hearing the name Scarlet's Naturals on the cloth diaper boards here and there and everyone had such great things to say about their products. I mostly heard good things about the diaper rash cream. Comments ranged from "GREAT" to "AMAZING!" I just had to try it! I was super excited when Desiree, the creator of Scarlet's Naturals, posted that she was looking for testers for one of her new products. On top of that I was even more excited to be offered to test out her Scarlet's Gift Set containing some of her most popular products, including her Hiney Honey Bites, Hiney Honey Cream, Honey Lotion, and Honey Wash. Would it live up to all the hype? Check out my thoughts below.
"Scarlet's Hiney Honey Cream is an all natural diaper rash cream. It is cloth diaper safe, no barrier or liner needed. Just rub a pea size amount into your hand and apply liberally to affected skin. Works well for other skin problems, such as dry, sensitive skin or eczema. Using the power of coconut oil, Hiney Honey Cream is able to safely and effectively clear up skin."
What I Love: Let me just start off by saying that this stuff is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!! Yes, the rumors were right. This stuff is magical. I could tell from the first time I used it that Linc's butt was softer. I know baby butts are soft, but Linc's is super soft now. He also has yet to have diaper rash since we began using the cream and I've been using it almost a month now. I did try it out on a rash on his neck and it did nothing, but then again I've yet to find anything that will take that rash away, so I'm not sure what to do about it.
What I Would Change: I know I've said before that I don't like diaper rash cream in tins or jars because it's messier than sticks or tubes but Scarlet's Naturals has already addressed this. She just came out with her Hiney Honey Cream in stick form! I did try the tester, but have yet to try her perfected formula. I can't wait to try that one. I also wish her formula came in a scented version. I did talk to her about this and it looks like adding a scent would change the formula too much and it wouldn't be as effective and/or would not be as good for sensitive skin. Knowing this I am fine with it being an unscented formula because my baby's bum is much more important, but I'm still a sucker for super yummy smelling things.
"Hiney Honey Bites are dissolvable wipe solution bites. Cloth diaper safe, they make diaper changes easier. Dissolve in hot water, once cooled either pour over wipes or place into a spray bottle and spray directly onto wipe when ready to use. Uses Tea Tree oil as an antibacterial and antifungal to leave fresh and clean. Can also be used as a bath water conditioner if your child has raw or sensitive skin. Just place a couple in tub and enjoy! Comes in 5 scents: Pearberry, Coconut, Raspberry, Soothing Lavender, and Unscented."
What I Love: Speaking of super yummy smelling things... Scarlet's Hiney Honey Bites ARE super yummy smelling!!! When I got her package in the mail I couldn't stop smelling it. It took me awhile to figure out which item was creating the super awesome smell, but I soon found out these were the culprit. I got the Pearberry scent and it's simply delicious! Please take note though... The strength of the smell will vary depending on how many cubes you use. Two gives a very subtle scent to my wipes in the warmer, but I think I'll use three next time. I could also tell as soon as I started using it that wiping Linc's butt was a lot smoother. It seems like just another layer of protection in addition to the Hiney Honey Cream. The wipe just glides across his butt now.
What I Would Change: I wish making up the wipe solution was a bit faster. I'm not a fan of having to go heat up some water in order for the cubes to dissolve. I prefer using a liquid wipe solution that I can just pour in. I have been using the microwave lately and that's helping, but I'm a bit impatient.
"Paraban free and extra gentle for delicate skin Honey Lotion uses Lanolin, Vitamin E, Aloe Vera, and coconut oil to give a boost of moisturize and protect skin. This all natural lotion is 100% chemical free, non-irritating and works great on all skin types including dry, sensitive skin, or eczema. Comes in 4 scents- Soothing Lavender, Oatmeal Milk & Honey, Pearberry, and Unscented! Soothing Lavender Works Great for Bedtime!"
What I Love: I sampled the Oatmeal Milk & Honey lotion. It's a subtle fragrance which is nice when you're just about to put your baby to bed. You don't want to get something that's so strong that your baby won't be able to sleep. The consistency seems really nice too. Not too oily and rubs in very well.
What I Would Change: I can't think of anything I would change about the lotion. I would love to try some of the other scents though. Lavender sounds so soothing and Pearberry is so yummy!
"Made out of a Castile base, this body wash is incredibly gentle on baby skin, and is as close to a no tear babywash that an all natural baby wash can be! This low lather wash is 100% chemical free, non-irritating and works great on all skin types including dry, sensitive skin,or eczema. Comes in 4 scents- Soothing Lavender, Oatmeal Milk & Honey, Pearberry, and Unscented! Soothing Lavender Works Great for Bedtime!"
What I Love: The first time I washed Linc's hair with Scarlet's Honey Wash my husband couldn't stop saying how good Linc's hair smelled and how soft it was. So funny because the Oatmeal Milk & Honey scent is so subtle, but it's just enough that it makes you want to say yum and go in for another sniff of sweet baby hair. I also noticed that Linc's hair stays looking nice for longer than other shampoos. Normally his hair gets oily looking after a day or two, but not with this one. I try not to dry out his hair so I only wash it a couple times a week. I can't wait to try some of the other scents. Like the lotion I'd LOVE to try the Pearberry and Lavender.
What I Would Change: I'm a lather type of girl and I guess natural soaps do not lather. This made it hard for me to feel confident when it came to washing Linc's body. I felt I was using more wash than I should have, but I just wanted bubbles. Because of this I'll probably just use the wash for Linc's hair. I don't want to waste a whole bunch of his yummy wash trying to make bubbles when it's just not going to.
In Conclusion ...
I'm a total fan of the Hiney Honey Cream and I will be getting it again, and again, and again. Yep, it's that good. I'll also probably get more of the Honey Wash for Linc's hair. I just laugh every time my husband sniffs his head and smiles. I can't take that simple pleasure away from him, or me for that matter. I'm not sure if I'm sold on wipes cubes yet, but that's a personal preference for me. The product is great as far as wipes cubes. I'm just too lazy to prep them. I'm on the fence about the lotion. We'll see if I keep up my routine of putting lotion on Linc. I don't usually do it, but if I do then I'll definitely get more of the lotion as well. I'm in love with that Pearberry scent so I'm sure I'll test that one out next. So what's the verdict? Thumbs up for me. I would recommend this product line to anyone and would definitely say that the Hiney Honey Cream is a must have!
** Please note that while I aim to provide the most thorough and honest reviews possible, this review is based on my own preferences and experiences. Each baby is different and each parent has different likes and dislikes. What works for one may not work for another, so keep that in mind while doing your research.**
**Just a heads up. Scarlet's Naturals is sponsoring an awesome prize for the Fluffy Butts Cloth Diapering Giveaway Hop. Check back here from June 4th - June 15th for your chance to win.**
**This product was given to me for the purpose of a review, but the review is comprised completely of my own opinions and was not influenced by any other outside source.**
As you all my know I have three kids. My oldest, Riley, is 6 years old. My middle child, Reagan, is 4 years old. My youngest, Lincoln, is 7 months old. Riley was a pacifier girl. Until the age of two she had to have a pacifier at all times. Reagan on the other hand was a blankee and bear type of girl. To this day she still has to have her blankee and bear (yes she's sitting on the couch watching cartoons with them right now) with her at nap-time and bedtime. I think it is soooooo cute because I too was a blankee and doll type of girl when I was little. I love to watch how she strokes the fabric feeling it's texture, or smells her blankee without even knowing she's doing it. I too did the same things. Now that Linc is here I wonder what type of comfort items he will go for. He does use a pacifier, but not as often as Riley used to. Being the blankee & doll kid that I was I hope that he will adopt a blankee and bear like his sister. Since he was born I've been trying to find the perfect blankee and stuffed animal. They keep changing as I'm always finding a better one. I think I've went through about four or five blankets already looking for the perfect one. In the end I guess it isn't really up to me, but I can't help it. I have a blankee addiction.
That being said I was very intrigued when I was asked to review the itti bitti Minkee Blankee. I didn't even know that itti bitti made blankees. All I knew was that I LOVE the feel of my itti bitti tutto diaper and I hoped that the blankee was just as nice. When I got it in the mail I was instantly in love! The feel of the Minkee Blankee is to die for! Yes, I know I'm a blankee aholic so I'm slightly strange like that, but seriously this blanket is so soft. They should make these in a bigger size that I can wrap around myself. I'd be up for one.
Product Features:
Materials: Super soft minkee on both sides
Size: 39" x 29.5" (mine is actually 38.5" x 30" if you want to get technical)
Colors/Prints: There are 8 different colors/prints to choose from. Each blanket has a print on one side with a small accent solid color strip. On the other side of the blanket there is a solid color with an accent strip of the print.
Price: $39.97
What I Like:
I LOVE the feel of this blanket of course!!! The minute I touched it I fell in love. How could you not love it? It's even softer than Linc's Taggies blankets and they're pretty soft. The minkee is soft in all directions instead of just one direction and seemed to get even softer after the first wash. Sometimes minkee is stiffer in one direction. If you have one of the itti bitti diapers you know what I mean though. Sooooo soft!
I love the size of the blanket. It's just big enough that I can wrap him up in it to keep him nice and cozy, but not so big that I have to carry around this huge blanket. These blankets are the perfect size for a carseat, stroller, baby carrier, or just wrapping them up in. It's even big enough to use as a blanket when you convert their crib to a toddler bed. It's just perfect. I also like that it's a good size to lay on the ground for them to sit on, although it's so nice I'd never do that outside. I'm sure it would wash up fine, but I don't want to chance it.
I love the weight and thickness (more like the lack of thickness) of the itti bitti Minkee Blankee. It's only two layers of minkee (no filler layer in between) so it's very light and thin. This is great when you want to fold it up to take on the go. I can easily fit it in my diaper bag... as long as I don't have it overstuffed with too many diapers. This also means it won't take up much storage in his closet, but I'm sure we'll have it out all the time so no need to store it.
I love that it's great for the winter AND the summer! Minkee seems to have a feel to it that keeps you both warm in the winter, yet cool in the summer. I don't know how it does it, but it does. All the rest of Linc's blankets are designated summer or winter, but this one swings both ways.
What I Would Change:
The itti bitti tag is not so itti bitti. Haha! It's kind of big actually. I know I could just cut it off, but it's such a nice looking tag that I feel bad cutting it off. I just wish it was a little smaller. I'm all for branding, but this tag is a bit much.
I'd come out with some new prints. itti bitti seems to be hit and miss with their prints. Some are SUPER cute, but some I just don't know why they picked it. I'm not sure if it's because they're an Austrailian company and they have different tastes than Americans do or what, but I'm not loving all the prints. Yes, it could just be me. That being said I do love most of the prints so I guess you could say it's more a plus than a negative... I'm just picky with prints. I can't wait to see what their next batch of prints will be!
I would make a bigger size so that us mommies (and daddies) can have a minkee blankee for ourselves. Haha! Maybe I should say so us blankee aholics can have one for ourselves.
In Conclusion:
I'm in LOVE with the itti bitti Minkee Blankee and I hope that Linc picks it for his favorite blankee. Right now I use it while he's breastfeeding, napping next to me, sitting in his car seat, or just about anything else, so I'm sure it's going to stick with him for a good while. I would totally recommend this blanket to anyone stocking up for their next baby... or even those that already have a baby or toddler. It's a great addition and I'm tempted to say necessity for any child.
** Please note that while I aim to provide the most thorough and honest reviews possible, this review is based on my own preferences and experiences. Each baby is different and each parent has different likes and dislikes. What works for one may not work for another, so keep that in mind while doing your research.**
If you would like to purchase one of these blankets for your little one, then please visit theitti bitti US website to find a retailer near you or help support this blog by visiting my affiliate storeKelly's Closet. You can also get the latest info by "Liking" itti bitti on Facebook or "Following" itti bitti on Twitter.
**Just a heads up. itti bitti is sponsoring an awesome prize for the Fluffy Butts Cloth Diapering Giveaway Hop. Check back here from June 4th - June 15th for your chance to win.**
**This product was given to me for the purpose of a review, but the review is comprised completely of my own opinions and was not influenced by any other outside source.**
Ok, I had a hard time naming this post because I wasn't sure what to call these little gizmos. All I know is that I hate when I go to put Lincoln in his car seat and the buckles are in the way. So I end up sitting him on the buckles and somewhere in the process of pulling the buckles out and around Linc it never fails that they get all tangled up. Argh!!! Anyhoo... So that's when I decided to do something about it. I remembered awhile back I saw a product that would hold the harness straps back but for the life of me I couldn't remember what they were called or find them on the Internet anywhere. That's when I put my thinking cap on and set to work to design my own Infant Car Seat Harness Strap Holdbacks. The end result came out better and easier to use than I had originally planned. See below how you too can make your own Infant Car Seat Harness Strap Holdbacks. Once you have them you'll wonder how you ever got by without them.
What You Will Need:
(Qty 2) 10" x 4.5" Fabric Piece
(Qty 2) 16" x 2.5" Fabric Piece
(Qty 2) 2" x 2" Sets of Hook & Loop
(Qty 2) Buttons (approx 1" dia)
1/4" Elastic
Thread
Safety Pin
Sewing Machine
Scissors
Measuring Tape
Step By Step:
- Fold your 10" x 4.5" Fabric Piece in half lengthwise with the wrong side of the fabric facing out.
- Sew a straight stitch 1/4" in on the long open side.
- Turn your fabric piece right side out. With the seam in the center iron your fabric piece flat.
- Fold one of the open ends in 1/4" and then fold another 1/4". Iron the folds flat and seal closed with a straight stitch. Repeat with the other side.
- Using a straight stitch sew the loop side of your Velcro on the right side of the seam side of your strap. Sew the hook side of your Velcro on the left side of the non-seam side of your strap. Set your strap aside.
- Fold your 16" x 2.5" Fabric Piece in half lengthwise with the wrong side of the fabric facing out. Iron the fabric flat.
- Attach a length of thread to your safety pin. Attach the safety pin to one end of the fabric so that the thread lays along the entire length of the inside of the fabric fold.
- Refold the fabric and sew a straight stitch 1/4" in on the long open side. Trim off the extra fabric.
- Turn the long tube right side out. To do this fold the end where the safety pin is in slightly to get it started. Then pull on the thread to work the ready of the tube right side out. Remove the safety pin.
- Attach the safety pin to one end of the elastic strip. Using the safety pin thread the elastic all the way through the fabric tube.
- Remove the safety pin. Line the elastic up with the end of the fabric tube. Taper the fabric around the end of the elastic. Sew the end of the tube and elastic to the back side of the loop.
- Cinch the fabric tube up while keeping the elastic loose (don't pull the elastic tight). Now measure 9" down the elastic and mark with a pen. Cut the elastic at this point.
- Create a 1" loop at the end of the elastic and tuck the end into the end of the fabric tube. Make sure to tuck a 1/4" of the fabric in too so that you have a clean edge.
- Sew the end closed with a straight stitch (make sure you're sewing into the tucked in fabric as well as the end of the elastic).
- Sew the button over the top of the elastic stretchy tube.
- Repeat with the other strap.
Voila!!!! You're done!!!!
How To Use Your Infant Car Seat Harness Strap Holdbacks
Using your holdbacks is very easy. Just velcro your holdbacks around the each side of the handlebar with the loops facing inward. You have two options on how to hold your straps back.
1. You can take the elastic loop off of the button, loop the stretchy band around the harness strap, and then attach the elastic loop back onto the button.
2. You can just loop the stretchy band around the buckles without taking the elastic loop off of the button. (This is what I do because it's faster... although less secure).
I hope your Infant Car Seat Harness Strap Holdbacks help to make life a little easier when transferring your little one into and out of their car seat. I've only been using mine a couple days now and I love them!!! Feel free to post pictures of your creations on my Facebook Page so we can all see them. It's always fun to see how these tutorials are being used. Till then, keep checking back every Monday for more "Make It Monday" projects. I've got lots more planned.
***Don't Forget To Pin This Tutorial For Future Use With My Pin It Button Below***
This past Saturday I was honored to to host a MommyParties - Pregnancy 2.0 party. I was so excited! I love throwing parties and it was perfect timing for me being that I just had Lincoln and I have so many friends that also are expecting or have just had babies as well. What better way to get us all together than to throw a mommy party. So what are MommyParties you ask? They are parties where real mom's like myself get to throw a party for 10 of our closest friends to test out products that we might like to use in our everyday mommy lives.
My Mommy Party was sponsored by Pregnancy 2.0, a website that helps new moms and mom's-to-be by providing product information and reviews on various baby and mothering products. This time we were the testers and reviewers. We got a first hand look at the various products and I can't wait to share with you all what we found. MommyParties and Pregnancy 2.0 provided us with various products from Britax, Baby Plus, Snuggle Buddies, & Xlear/Spry. In addition to testing products MommyParties supplied me with some great recipes to try out and serve to all my guests. I made almost all of them which included sandwhiches with hummus and cucumber, cheese tortellini with pesto dipping sauce, peach tea, and lemon mousse. There was also a fruit salad, but being I have a newborn, that was just too much work for me. Instead I bought a yummy broccoli salad. They also supplied me with some games to play. I selected the baby items memory game. The top winners got prizes which included a re-usable grocery bag, a diaper bag, two Snuggle Buddies, and the Britax Baby Carrier. I love seeing my party people go home with fun prizes.
Listed below are the items we tested and what we thought of them.
Britax Baby Carrier & Baby Carrier Seat Extender Insert
Before the party I tested out the Britax Baby Carrier. I wanted to make sure I knew how to use it before everyone got there and be able to demonstrate it's features at the party. This was the first item we broke out at the party. The first thing that we all noticed is that it seems like a hybrid of the Baby Bjorn and the Ergo Baby. It was definitely intriguing. Several of us had each of those brands and it was interesting to see how this carrier measured up to those. There were a few features we liked, a few features we didn't, and a few features we couldn't test out with our itti bitti babies. We loved the newborn insert for the carrier. It really made the carrier versatile so that both a newborn and an older child could be comfortable and well supported in the carrier. It was very easy to install and take out the newborn insert as well. We also loved the extra back support provided by the waist band, as well as the attached burp cloth. The main feature that we did not like about the carrier was that you had to pull it over your head. This made it impossible to take the carrier off without putting your child down. It also might mess up your hair if you had it done nicely. Unfortunately we didn't get to test out the seat extender since all of our babies were too small to use it, but the idea definitely intrigued us. Overall we were so-so on this carrier. It was a nice carrier, but wasn't our favorite. I would still recommend it and my sister who won the carrier at the party is ecstatic to use it with her son.
Britax B-SAFE Infant Car Seat
The next item that we tested out was the Britax B-SAFE Infant Car Seat. I love taking car seats out of boxes because they're ready to go with no assembly required. The look of this car seat is very clean looking. I love how the black, red, and silver look together. It's a very modern look. As for the function of the car seat, I feel it's very similar to the Graco Snugride that I already have. Both weigh about the same and function very similar to each other as far as the seat belt and how they secure into the car. A few moms had the Baby Trend car seat and some moms preferred the straight handle of the Britax, while others preferred the triangle of the Baby Trend. I would say it was about 50/50. Overall we felt it was comfortable and easy to use though. The main feature that we loved was how easy it was to click into the Britax stroller. We also loved how many levels of adjustment there were for the shoulder straps. This car seat would fit a VERY small baby as well as a large baby. The features we didn't like were that the sun shade is semi-attached at the back so it's hard to rotate the shade to the front. We also didn't like that the seat belt guides are hidden under the seat padding. Occationally I like to use my car seat in a car that does not have the base installed and I can't imagine having to lift up the padding each time to install it. Overall we were so so on the car seat as well. I would like to add though that after examining the car seat even more after the party, I've grown to love it and have decided to switch out my Graco Snugride for the Britax.
Britax B-Agile Stroller
The next item we brought out was the Britax B-Agile Stroller. Britax asked us to assemble the stroller at the party, so that's just what we did. For some reason I could not find the instruction book when we took it out of the box, but it was so easy to assemble that we didn't even need it. Of course we found the instruction book right as we finished putting the stroller together. This item was the hit of our party. We loved the size of the stroller. It definitely could fit a larger child as well as a small baby. We also loved the large sun shade. Most stroller shades are so small and useless, but this one will definitely block the sun. Another great feature was the wheel lock. It was so easy to use and you only needed to lock in one place instead of several wheels. The biggest feature that we loved was how easy it is to fold up and how compact it folded up. It was AMAZING!!!! The stroller is slightly heavy, but not so heavy that we would have trouble putting it into our cars. Overall we loved this product and I can't wait to use it with Lincoln! I have to admit that after reviewing this product I did go on the Britax website to check out their other strollers and I secretly (or maybe not so secretly) long for a Britax B-Scene.
Baby Plus PreNatal Educational System
I received the Baby Plus system a few days before I had Lincoln and I wish I had it for my entire pregnancy. The idea of it is so amazing and I really wish I had a chance to test it out longer. The main function of the unit is to encourage your baby's congnitive development while still in the womb. The way it does this is through a 16 lesson program where you play a sequence of heartbeats for two hours each day from about the 18th week on. Babies that use the system are noted to more redily nurse at birth, display an increased ability to self-soothe, are more interactive and responsive, and much more. As for the time I did test it out I didn't notice any changes in Lincoln's behavior, but one of the pregnant mommies at our party tried it out and her baby was drawn to the sound. He would move to the side of the belly that the unit was placed on each time we moved it. It was quite amazing. There were two downsides to the unit though. The first was that the heartbeat is quite loud and it bothered my husband. I didn't mind though. The other downside that did bother me as well as the other mommy were the clips on the back of the unit. They seemed to dig into my belly. I would reccomend to Baby Plus that they not put these clips on the unit. Otherwise I thought the idea was very cool and I would totally buy this product.
Rashti & Rashti Snuggle Buddies
These little baby toys were so cute! Snuggle Buddies are basically a toy and a blanket all in one. We received the monkey and the owl, and everyone thought they were so cute! We loved how silky they were on the inside and how incredibly soft the fabrics were on the outside. Not to mention the whole collection is irresistibly cute.
We also received some nice product gift bags for each of my mommy testers at the party. They included a package of Spry Gum, KID'S Xclear Saline Nasal Spray with Xylitol, and KID'S Spry Tooth Gel. I've yet to try the products yet, but can't wait to test them out in the future. What great party gifts to receive. I also added a personal gift from myself for each guest by making them a burp cloth and two washcloths each. In addition each guest was asked to send me a quick, easy, healthy, and yummy recipe before the party. I compiled each of these recipes and added them to each of the gift bags as well. Here are links to the recipes. Page 1 & Page 2.
Overall we all had a great time at the party. It was fun testing the products and it was even more fun getting us all together. We had 7 babies at the party and two pregnant moms. It was definitely the cutest bunch of party guests you could have. I hope we can have an opportunity to host another event for MommyParties in the near future so we can all get together again. Till then keep checking in for more great information, reviews, DIY projects, and giveaways, as I keep on with my Adventures In Fluff.
If you've been sticking with my blog over the last six months then you probably read my post about how excited I was to take pictures of our new baby boy, Lincoln. There's nothing cuter than a newborn baby looking so angelic in a perfectly captured photograph. Eyes open, eyes closed, soft colors, bright colors, happy, mad. You just can't go wrong with a newborn photo. They all look so cute!
A month before Lincoln's birth I started gathering different outfits for him to be photographed in. It all started with a crocheted Hooded Football Cocoon from Pink Pumpkin Crochet Studio. I was so excited to be able to review one of their products and see for my own eyes the quality of their work. After I received it and saw the photos my sister had captured with her son in it I was hooked. I needed more cute outfits for the big day when our son arrived and I could take pictures of him. I ended up ordering their Little Mister Hootie Hoot Owl Beanie with matching Diaper Cover as well as the Teddy Earflap Beanie. Can you say Totally Cute!!!
You can imagine my excitement when I was asked to test yet another one of Pink Pumpkin Crochet Studio's outfits. This time a new Christmas design that they will be offering for the holiday season. It's a deep red colored egg bowl with white furry fringe around the edges. I love the wide open crochet stitching style of the piece. It allows for fingers and toes to poke through and gives the overall look of the outfit a soft airy feel. I couldn't wait to get it on Lincoln! My sister came down to visit for a whole week before Lincoln was born, just so she could capture great photos in those first days. Unfortunately Lincoln had other plans and didn't come till almost a week after she left. So much for newborn photos. Luckily we had our trip planned for Disneyland at 3 weeks and my sister came to do a short photo session in the hotel room. Yay! I also did my own photo session with Lincoln at 4 weeks. The tough part about photos with Lincoln is he's a light sleeper and he doesn't like laying down by himself. That said, I think we still got some great shots. Take a look for yourself.
Photo Options # 2, #3, #4
Photo Options #5 & #6
Photo Option #7
Photo Option #8
Now's the hard part. What picture or pictures should I use for his First Christmas Photo Frame? I always like to frame my fave holiday photos from the year and I know I'll be pulling my hair out trying to decide what picture to select. If you have a fave please list it below in the comments section. I can use all the help I can get. I've been staring at these photos forever and I'm not getting any closer to narrowing them down. They're all SOOOOOO CUTE!!
If you want to get some great outfits for your little bundle of joy to wear this holiday season then be sure to check out Pink Pumpkin Crochet Studio's Etsy shop. They've got tons of great options that are sure to give you that one of a kind picture that will get tons of "Oooooo's" and "Ahhhhhh's". I've posted below some of my favorite holiday products from her site.
Being a new mom ... again... I'm realizing that it's so hard to put my cute little bundle of joy down. He loves to be held and I love holding him. The only problem is that I still need to get things done around the house at the same time. I've got dishes to do, laundry to wash, toys to pick up, and kids to get out the door for school. With both my girls I used the Baby Bjorn, but this time around I wanted something that would swaddle my little guy and lull him to sleep. I actually have purchased quite a few to try out in addition to my Baby Bjorn including the Baby K'tan, the Britax Baby Carrier, and The Peanut Shell Classic Sling. I picked each carrier for different reasons, different stages, and different uses. Plus, you never know what your little one will like.
The carrier that I'm using now is The Peanut Shell Classic Sling. I actually scored this sling at an amazing deal! Twice a year they have a Just Between Friends sale where you can purchase new and gently used baby and kids products. I was in the checkout of the line when I spotted The Peanut Shell Classic Sling on a rack. It looked brand new and I loved the pattern and color. Now the real kicker ... it was actually my size! Not only that ... it was also half off!!! Score!
I'd never used a traditional sling before so it was all new to me. I had to watch a couple YouTube videos to figure out how to put my sling on and how to get Lincoln into the sling the right way. Here's the video that helped me out the most.
After I got the hang of the technique it was time to test this baby out. I'll admit, it still took me awhile to figure out how to get Linc in and out of the carrier smoothly, but once I got the hang of it we were in business. It was so easy to just go about the house with Lincoln in tow and go about my household tasks. I could do laundry, dishes, and pick up the house using both my hands if needed. I still tend to cradle my arm around him out of habit, but it's nice to know that if I need both hands I can use them and not worry about Linc's safety.
This being the first of the slings I'm testing out, I'd like to go over what I love and don't love about the carrier. There are several things I love about The Peanut Shell Classic Sling. I love the look of the sling. It's so natural, soft, and classic looking. I'd even say stylish looking. The lines are just so clean and elegant. I guess that's the designer in me talking though. I love looking at the lines of a product. I also love the print of the sling. I especially love the print I have because it's very neutral and will blend nicely with most of my outfits. Another feature I love is the pocket and toy ring. I don't need the toy ring yet, but I can definitely see that it will come in handy later on. What I do use right now is the pocket. I usually have his pacifier in there, but if Lincoln was a barfer like my daughter Riley was, then it would be the perfect spot for a burp cloth. Another feature I like that I haven't been able to use yet is the padded interior rail. I can see this as a great option when Linc gets older and needs padding behind his legs while sitting in the sling.
Riley, Lincoln, and I cooking up some fun.
There's not much that I don't like about the sling. The only thing I can think of is that it's not adjustable. It's a one size deal so Brian can't use it, but then again, I don't think he's the sling type of guy so it really doesn't matter. I would just like the option to make slight adjustments to the fit on myself. I know they have an adjustable sling option so it would be interesting to see how that sling compares. I wish our local store had both to try out. I wonder which one I would have chosen. I like the simplicity of the classic sling, but the idea of the adjustability of the adjustable sling.
Overall I really like this sling and I know that Lincoln loves being close and cozy with mommy. It'll be interesting to see how the other slings I've purchased compare with this one. So far I'm really loving The Peanut Shell Classic Sling and getting lots of use out of it. It's been a great addition to my Adventures In Fluff ... and other mommy stuff.
If you would like to purchase a Peanut Shell Classic Sling for yourself you can visit their website or one of their retailers. While you're at it be sure to link up with their Facebook and Twitter pages to stay up to date on their newest products and promotions.
**This review is comprised of my own opinions and was not influenced by any outside source. The product was purchased by myself and was not given to me or asked to be reviewed by any outside source. No advertising was purchased in order to feature this product. **
