Looks Good - i like book

On Mamabargains today they had these books, the "i like book", that I thought were so cute! The idea is that you fill out the book everyday writing down one thing that you either like about your child or that he/she likes about the day. It is a great way to capture your child's year and something that they can look back and read and feel good about. It is written in a blank 12 month format and there are also places to add photos, draw pictures and personalize it for them.

From their website:
"These awesome little notebooks will become a treasured keepsake for your family and a wonderful item for your child to have forever. This is a super easy and quick way to write down the funny things that your little one says every day and the new things that they do that you like about them. This book gives you an opportunity to tell them every day something new that you like about them! Bedtime is the PERFECT time to use your i like book and connect with your sprout."

The books come in 7 different colours and also a couples edition as well. The sell for $19.95 on their website, but are on sale today only for $8.98 on www.mamabargains.com

Learn more about the books at www.theilikebook.com. I picked one up for each of my children as a Christmas gift and then we can start writing in it in January!

First Year Favourite - Shopping Cart Cover

When grocery shopping I usually see at least 1 parent with their child sitting in a cover for the grocery cart. This is when I feel ashamed and like a bad parent as my child is sitting or lying on the dirty grocery cart while eating a snack. I have thought many times of picking up a cover, but have just never gotten around to it. Here are two covers that I see often on my baby websites:

1. The Clean Shopper by BabyEase - this one comes in two different fabrics to choose from and sells for $29.95. It also comes in a more luxe version for $64.99. Both of these are on sale for August for 35% off.
www.cleanshopper.com/static.php?page=shopping_cart_covers

2. Ritzy Sitzy by Itzy Ritzy - this one comes in 12 different fabrics and sells for $67.99
www.itzyritzy.com/shopping-cart-and-high-chair-cover/

Both can also be used on high chairs as well!

Looks Good - MamaRoo

At my bootcamp class this morning, one mom mentioned to me this new swing she had purchased - The MamaRoo. I had never heard of it before, but she sure caught my attention with her description!

This swing is different than the traditional baby swing as it moves more like you would instead of back and forth and it looks more like a seat than a swing.

Its website says:

"Parents don't vibrate like bouncy seats or swing like swings. They bounce and sway, and that's what the mamaRoo does: it moves like you do. Our team used motion sensors to measure the movements of real moms and dads as they soothed their babies, and replicated those motions in the mamaRoo. It's the only infant seat with five different motions, all modeled after the natural movements parents make to comfort their babies."

Other features that I found were:
-2 adjustable speeds
-a mobile with 3 reversible and detachable toys
-five white noise nature sounds
-you can connect any mp3 player up to it
-a fully adjustable reclining seat
-washable fabric seat

The MamaRoo sells for $199 and is also available in a plusher model for $239.

Since I am not having any more babies after P, this swing is something that I am not willing to invest in, but if you are on your first you might want to learn more about this unique swing at www.4moms.com/mamaroo

(FYI - I found watching the youtube video, on the page above, really helped me understand how the swing moves).

Favourite Tips - Bumper Pads

Just yesterday I saw the greatest idea while perusing a friend's pictures of her upcoming son's nursery. We all get bumper pads with our bedding sets and some of us use them and some don't (I know that I was hesitant, but once H started hitting his head on the bars I put them in and kept them in until I was afraid he could stand on them).

Christina found a creative way to use them outside of the crib. She tied them along the bottom and used them like a crib skirt. After seeing that I quickly found mine (which were squished in a corner of Ps closet) and did the same and I love it! I will definitely keep them there until (or if) I need them to protect her little head!

Thanks Christina for the great tip!

Just for Moms - Got Something to Say

I finally got around to looking at the bill that came with my SnuggyBaby this week. Attached to the bill was a card for this company, Got Something to Say, which sells custom vinyl designs.

During a free moment this afternoon, I decided to check out its website and was pleasantly surprised by the selection I found. I have posted previously about other vinyl design companies but what I really like about this one is that it is Canadian.

They offer a variety of decals in categories such as Kids, Kitchen and Bath, Around the House, Laundry, etc. When choosing your decal you always get to choose the font colour and sometimes an accent colour as well (25 colours to choose from). You can also change the font of any of the sayings for an extra $5. Shipping is a flat rate of $6 - which I think is quite reasonable. They also sell car decals, decals for weddings, personalized decals and even these tattoo decals which last for up to 5 days.

Check out their website at www.gotsomethingtosay.ca and support a Canadian company!

Just For Moms/Looks Good - My Little Steamer

I don't know about the rest of you, but I have NO time to iron anything! My solution to ironing is to throw it back in the dryer for another 15 minutes and hope the wrinkles fall out that way.

Just this week, I saw this little contraption in my "GoodHouskeeping" magazine and thought that this might just work for me. (Yes, don't laugh at me - I subscribe to GoodHousekeeping)

My Little Steamer is a 850 watt steamer that uses tap water to give you 15 minutes of steaming power. It is an upright steamer that heats up in about 2 minutes. It comes in a variety of colours and also in a smaller mini version perfect for travelling. One nice thing about it is that you can iron things like curtains and tablecloths without even taking them down.

It sells at Bed, Bath and Beyond for $39.99, Amazon.com for about $31 and the mini version sells on The Home Shopping Network for $24 (but it is currently sold out!)

If you are looking for a wrinkle solution, I think you should check this product out! I know that I am going to investigate it further when I visit our new Bed, Bath and Beyond this week.

Toddler Favourites - Capes

Right now, my little H is really into superheroes. He likes Spiderman, Batman and Superman. I have been looking at getting him his own superhero cape to play with at home since he is also now into dressing up a bit. I did a bit of searching online and found the following sites online that offer personalized superhero capes:

1. Powercapes - www.powercapes.com
This company offers premade or customized capes. They cost about $25. They have a lot of choices when customizing your capes and you go through the stages of choosing cape colour, emblem shape and colour, and initial and colour. They come in 3 sizes (sidekick, hero and superhero), are made out of satin and come in a wide variety of colours. This is an American company and the shipping costs about $10. You can read some of the reviews about the products online, but most are very positive. This is also the company that Tori Spelling used for one of her kid's parties.

2. The M & M Bowtique - http://www.etsy.com/shop/ryanbird?section_id=7398633
This is an etsy shop. These capes cost about $25. They are made out of cotton, have a Velcro closing and are reversible. They come in toddler sizes 1-6 and the back design includes a shape, initial and your child's name. This is an American company and the shipping costs about $3. This shop has some feedback (292 people) and it is all positive.

3. Superfly Kidz - http://www.etsy.com/shop/superflykidz?section_id=7576827
This is another etsy shop. These capes cost about $20. They are made out of satin and have a Velcro closure. The designs on the back are also made out of satin and have embroidered edges. They fit children ages 2-7,come in a variety of colours and shape designs. This is an American company and the shipping costs about $5. This shop has had a lot of feedback (3504 people) and all of it is positive.

All shops also sell accessories like armbands and masks.

If you have a superhero in your family, check these sites out! I am thinking this would be a great Christmas gift for H!

Just Gabbing - SnuggyBaby Wet Bags

Those wet bags by SnuggyBaby that I wrote about a few posts ago are on sale today on www.babyhalfoff.com for half price $14.50 instead of $29. Just picked up two more - I like them so much. I used ours this week on our trip as a toiletry bag - just in case there were any spills or breakages during our flight!

There are 10 fabrics to choose from and they all look great!

Hurry to get one quick before the day is done (there is also a chance they will go up on their archives site, if so I will let you know!)

Just Gabbing - On Vacation

Well I am heading on vacation for a week and a half so there won't be any posts until I return.

This would be a great time for all of you to write me your new favourites so I can share them with everyone! It would only take a second and I would greatly appreciate it!

Send them to ecurrie33@hotmail.com - please and thank you!

Happy Summer!

Feeding Favourites - Bottles (Dr. Brown's and Playtex)

With both of my kids, nursing just didn't work for us, so we went to bottles quite early. With H I did I lot of research on the best glass bottles and decided to use Dr. Brown's glass bottles.

I really liked the Dr. Brown's bottles, they have this venting system that is supposed to reduce the amount of air your baby takes in while drinking. But at around 3 months, H started spitting up quite a bit after eating and we were getting a bit concerned. A friend suggested that we try the Playtex Drop Ins as they were suggested to her as her little guy had reflux and they were supposed to help. I was hesitant to move away from the glass bottles, but was willing to try anything to help him with the spitting up. I was pleasantly surprised by how well they worked - there was a definite change. The bags and drop in inserts are both BPA free and safe for babies - which was another concern for me. I also liked that there was less to sterilize (just the nipples and the rims).

With P, I just went right to the drop ins and so far so good. This time around I don't even sterilize the rims just the nipples.

If you are looking for either a glass or plastic bottle - these are two that I would highly suggest.

Favourite Updates - Buggy Bubble

I had posted awhile back about this contraption that I had found that protects your little one in their car seat from wind, sun, rain and bugs. What appealed to me most about it was that it had a hard frame so it bubbled away from the car seat instead of laying flat in front of their face. This gives more room for your little one who is lying inside to breath and move around.

Today I used mine at the zoo for P and I LOVED it!!!! The girls I was with were like, "Wow, that is so cool!" It kept the bugs off of her and when we were in the sun I pulled over the UV protective sun shield to protect her. I also enjoyed how it folds flat so it stored easily in the bottom of my stroller.

I feel that this product is a must if you intend to be outdoors a lot and want to keep the bugs and sun off of your infant. I see myself using it quite often for walks and especially during our trip up north this upcoming week.

Check out their site at www.buggybubble.com

**They are also Canadian, another plus**