Canadian Favourites - Tutu Sweet

A girl I know here in Barrie has started up her own company called Tutu Sweet. She makes homemade and custom tutu's.

Her prices are as follows:

Sweet Infant- $15
Sweet Toddler- $20
Sweet Child (and up) - $22

If you are interested in having a "tutu sweet" of your own, please contact schivers@smcdsb.on.ca. Free delivery in the Barrie area ;)

Also, check out her facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tutu-Sweet/197540046965357?sk=info

Toddler Favourite - Leapfrog Fridge Phonics Magnetic Alphabet Set

I remember how much my niece loved this toy when she was younger - so when H was born this was one toy that I asked specifically for. For the first two years H liked to push the buttons and listen to the music but it is just recently that he is recognizing the letters and singing the song and the sounds with each letter. He loves to dance around the kitchen and is so proud of himself when he can sing along with it. It is not only a fun toy but a great educational toy as well that helps children learn their letters and the sounds they make.

You can purchase this toy from many stores like Walmart and ToysRUs and it sells for about $19.99 (often on sale at ToysRUS). We have the older model,the sun, but the newer version is a puppy. We also have an accompanying video that goes over the same concepts made by LeapFrog.

If your little one is starting to show some interest in letters then I would highly recommend getting this toy.

First Year Favourites - Newborn Diapers

Now that I am back in newborn mode I decided to try out the top two brands of newborn diapers - Pampers and Huggies. With H I only used the Pampers Swaddlers, but with the issues I had with their DryMax diapers I was hesitant to use these, but I had a pack of both left over.

I must say that I prefer the Huggies diapers. What I like about them the most is the cut out they have for the umbilical cord. With the Pampers you have to fold down the top to keep it away from the cord. Both also have that yellow line that turns blue when the diaper is wet - love that (and didn't know about it until this pregnancy!) I have also heard that Huggies are good for girls as they are unscented.

If you are trying to decide between which brand to use for your newborn, I would definitely suggest Huggies instead of Pampers.

Just Gabbing - Having A Baby

Hello Everyone! Well, we are having a baby tomorrow! YEAH!!! and AAAHHH!!!

I cannot believe how quickly it came!

Give me about a week and then I will be up and posting again!

Would love any favourites that you could send me so I can stockpile them and save myself some work - think about it!

Thanks!

Favourite Books - I'm a Big Brother

With our little one arriving in just two short days - I was reminded of this book that my mother-in-law bought H that he just loves - "I'm a Big Brother".

It is a great book for those parents who don't know what they are having as the baby in the story is gender neutral and just referred to as "Baby" instead of he or she. H loves to listen to the story and it is a great opportunity for us to discuss what it is going to be like once his baby arrives.

If you are expecting and you already have a little boy then I would highly recommend picking up this book to share with your little guy about the upcoming arrival of your new baby.

The author Ronne Randall has also written a girl version, I'm a Big Sister.

Looks Good - Book: Simplicity Parenting

This is a book that I have seen on a few mommy sites and it comes highly recommended.

The writeup on Chapters.ca says:

"Today's busier, faster society is waging an undeclared war on childhood. With too much stuff, too many choices, and too little time, children can become anxious, have trouble with friends and school, or even be diagnosed with behavioral problems. Now internationally renowned family consultant Kim John Payne helps parents reclaim for their children the space and freedom that all kids need for their attention to deepen and their individuality to flourish. Simplicity Parenting offers inspiration, ideas, and a blueprint for change:

• Streamline your home environment. Reduce the amount of toys, books, and clutter-as well as the lights, sounds, and general sensory overload.
• Establish rhythms and rituals. Discover ways to ease daily tensions, create battle-free mealtimes and bedtimes, and tell if your child is overwhelmed.
• Schedule a break in the schedule. Establish intervals of calm and connection in your child's daily torrent of constant doing.
• Scale back on media and parental involvement. Manage your children's "screen time" to limit the endless deluge of information and stimulation.

A manifesto for protecting the grace of childhood, Simplicity Parenting is an eloquent guide to bringing new rhythms to bear on the lifelong art of raising children."

All sites that I have visited about this book have given it a good review. Like any parenting book they say there are parts of it that you will use and parts that you just don't agree with. Basically it is about slowing down and doing less and just letting kids be kids. Sounds like good ol' relaxed parenting to me.

It sells for about $12(paperback). I am going to try to pick up this book over the summer and give it a read. I have seen it at Chapters and Serenity Birth Studio here in Barrie. I will post more on it, once I have read it.

Here are a few reviews about the book:

http://newhomeeconomics.wordpress.com/2010/02/07/book-review-simplicity-parenting/

http://joyfultoddlers.blogspot.com/2010/09/book-review-simplicity-parenting.html

There is even a facebook page for the book:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Simplicity-Parenting/257701525127

Other Favourites - Little Monkey Doodles

Awhile back I mentioned a door sign that I had purchased for Hs room off of Etsy - Little Monkey Doodles. I just realized now that I had not written an update on how I felt about the final product.

I LOVE IT! More than I even expected! It is exactly the way I imagined it. We had the first car done in red with the number 22 (to match his red race car bed and his birthday) and then we had the second car done in blue with the number 17 (blue just because I liked it and 17 because that is my section date for the new baby this month).

I cannot wait to see what baby #2 is so that I can order another one for his/her room!

Little Monkey Doodles is a Canadian company down here in Southern Ontario! I love to support local artists/companies and am so happy with everything.

For $12 it was a great purchase and one that I highly recommend to all!

Firts Year Favourites - Ergobaby Baby Carrier

Tamara shares one last favourite, her Ergobaby baby carrier:

"The Ergobaby baby carrier is by far my favourite. It is so easy to use and so comfy for both mum and baby. My back is never sore and it is comfy to wear even in this heat. The baby bjorn carrier sux big time compared to this. I cannot emphasize enough...get this!"

I have heard a lot of good things about the Ergo. It is rated as one of the top baby carriers right now. It can be worn on the front, hip or back and allows parents to be hands free. It supports a natural sitting position for babies, eliminating compression of the spine and hips that can be caused by unsupported suspension. A separate infant insert can also be purchased so you can use your carrier with your newborn.

It can be purchased from many baby stores for $115-$160 depending on the style.

Right now, Ergobaby has combined with Petunia Pickle Bottom and has some really nice prints available with matching diaper bags and such.

You can check out all of their styles at www.ergobabycarrier.com

Looks Good - RoSK Organic UPF 30 Sun Cover

Here again is another product that I have seen being sold on one of my discount sites. RoSK Organic UPF 30 Sun Cover. (Rain or Shine Kids)

This is a lightweight blanket made from breathable organic cotton. It is UPF 30+ that keeps baby safe from harmful UV rays. It is ideal for babies, 0-6 months old, who are not supposed to wear sunblock. It can tie to strollers, car seats, and carriers to provide all day sun protection.

The blankets are white but come with different coloured trims: pink, blue, orange or brown. They sell online on their website for $30, but are often up on those discount sites for half price.

RoSK also sells items like rain gear, burp pads and bibs.

Check out their products at www.rainorshinekids.com

I don't have one of these yet, as I have the Buggy Bubble for my new arrival, but I am considering getting one of these as well!

Summer Favourites - Rash Guards

I don't know about you, but we are outside all day now that the warmer weather is here - and for those days when you are in and out of the water and need to dry off quickly I just love rash guards for my little guy!

They are light and dry quickly and also help protect him from the sun. I have found two sites that sell rash guards that state that they are UPF 50+. I especially like the SwimZip ones as they have a front zipper that makes putting them on and taking them off much easier. So far, this is the only company that I have been able to find that sells them with the zipper.

I have not yet purchased any from either site, but I have used ones last year from Old Navy and Bonnie Togs. Just make sure that they are UPF and not just a t-shirt.

Check out the rash guards at the following four stores:

BabyBands - http://www.banzworld.com/products/category/swimwear

SwimZip - http://shop.swimzip.com

iPlay - http://iplaybabywear.com/index.php/iplay/swim-sun.html

Old Navy - http://oldnavy.gapcanada.ca/browse/category.do?cid=50121

Pregnancy Favourites - BOLA Musical Pregnancy Pendant

I wish that I would have seen these earlier - it would have been something neat for myself and a great gift for my currently pregnant friends. The BOLA Musical Pregnancy Pendant is a necklace worn by expectant moms that rests low on the belly and makes a soft chime as you walk. Baby is able to hear the chime at about 20 weeks and it is said that it will help relax baby both before and after birth. Some moms say they are also great for nursing as it keeps the baby occupied.

The pendants come in a variety of designs and they hang on a 60' unbreakable cord that is adjustable. They are also made in Canada by a company called Baby's Best Designs. They sell for about $35.99 depending on which site you are on.

These pendants are available on many online sites but you can start to check them out on their company's site at www.babysbestdesigns.com.

Baby's Best Designs also sells items like Baby Legs, Peppa Bonding Dolls, and Teething Bling

Favourite Books - My Bedtime Favourites

I usually do the book reading before bed and H and I read two books each night - he picks one book and I pick the other. Both of us seem to have found some favourites and about a month ago I posted some of his most recent ones. Here are a few of my mine:

(Book Write-Ups Come From Chapters.ca)

1. It's Time to Sleep- Nancy Tillman: As children prepare for bed, the world around them is also settling down for the night. Animals who live in the jungle, the forest, the sea-all whisper to their babies a soft refrain: It's time to sleep, my love. As comforting as a soft blanket and warm as a goodnight hug, Eric Metaxas''s lullaby is lovingly brought to life by bestselling artist Nancy Tillman (On the Night You Were Born) , whose illustrations celebrate the wonders of the natural world, and the bonds of family.

2. Snuggle Up, Sleepy Ones- Claire Freedman: The sun paints the sky a warm, glowing red. It''s time to stop playing, it''s time for bed."
All of the animals, from the bold leopard to the shy antelope, snuggle down for the night, ready to sleep, in this charming book. The baby hippo cuddles up close for a big hippo hug while the porcupines curl up together in one spiky ball.
This soothing rhyme, illustrated with glowing pastels, is the perfect bedtime story for a child worn out by a busy day.

3. How Many Kisses Do You Want Tonight?- Varsha Baja: "How many kisses do you want tonight?" the animals ask, snuggling critters tight. This adorable counting bedtime book celebrates the special ritual of goodnight kisses. Cozy up with your little one for a goodnight kiss-or two, or three...

4. Mommy's Best Kisses- Margaret Anastas: Every mother knows that the sweetest way to say "I love you" is with a kiss. This loving book shows that animals know all about a mother's love, too.

5. Who Will Tuck Me In Tonight?- Carol Roth: It''s bedtime, but Woolly the little lamb can''t find his mother. Who will tuck him in? "I will, I will," said Mrs. Cow. "Don''t you worry. I know how. Everything will be all right. I''ll tuck you in real snug and tight." But Mrs. Cow wraps poor Woolly up so tight that he can''t move. "STOP!" cries Woolly. "That''s not right! Oh, who will tuck me in tonight?" Mrs. Cat, Mrs. Horse, Mrs. Pig, and Mrs. Duck all try, but their efforts prove disastrous, and Woolly grows more and more desperate. Mother Sheep returns at last and tucks her little one in just right--"as only a mother can. From the team who created the best-selling "Little Bunny''s Sleepless Night comes another comic, yet sweet and satisfying, bedtime story.

Looks Good - Bugalug

Finding unique boys items is very difficult! There isn't much of a selection out there and really what accessories can boys wear besides hats, ties and belts - that gets to be a bit boring.

Awhile back I found this online company, Bugalug, that makes some cute cinch belts and arm cuffs for boys. They come in a few different designs: flames, skulls, caution and checks and also different sizes.

The belts sell for $18.00 and the cuffs sell for $10.00.

The company also sells items for girls and moms.

If you are looking for something different for your little guy, check their stuff out at www.bugalugbaby.com.