Baby Gear

Just because I had twins didn’t mean I needed to register for two of everything. There was a few things each of the babies needed and that was the Fisher PriceOcean Wonders Aquarium for the crib.

It has soft lights and bubbles and babies love it! There are three settings music, lights, bubbles & swimming fish, music & lights or music only. Three soothing songs play for up to 10 minutes.
When the child can sit up they can play with the buttons on the front and play with this toy my children did!

The only downshide is that this toy si heavy and if not put on the side of the crib very tightly it can scratch the crib. It also takes 4 C batteries and they do not last long. So invest in Duracell but if you have a child you already have!

Ocean Wonders Aquarium, crib toys, babies, infants, baby gear, baby toys, moms

If there is one thing Moms love to do is shop for baby clothes. They are so teeny, fluffy soft and cute! You want to buy one of everything and get all the accessories to match.
Soon you learn that you spent $48.00 on a outfit he wore one or two times and then grew out of. It is a bad feeling, because they grow so fast, and you love cute clothes for them, but you don’t want to be wasteful.

You need to go to change your clothes. You send them your gently used children’s clothing. Then they go over what you have sent and then they will assign a point value to each of your items and send you an email notification. The point value, which will automatically be credited to your user account, can be used to get other clothes on the site. Then you can order what you like from the site and your points will never expire.

Becoming a member is free and unless you have someone who can use your children’s outgrown clothes, I couldn’t think of a better idea of what to do with them!

children’s clothing, kid’s clothes, baby clothes, infant clothes, clothes swap, moms, parenting,

I am always scared I am going to burn my children’s legs with the hot metal buckle on the car seats. Now that kids have to be in seats or boosters until they are 8 years old, the fear continues. Not only the buckle which I tried to tuck into the seat when we are going someplace so they will not be in the sun’s rays (mom tip!) but also the seats themselves because they are mostly leather. Easily to clean but hot in the summer!

Then I found the seat chiller car seat cooler.
It cools the car seats with ice packs that you freeze. It is made of vinyl, flexible non-toxic ice packs and flannel. You place it on the seat and buckles and it cools down the seat, then you can safely place your child into his car seat.
I do not have this product, but I think I will be ordering one. I don’t see how this would work if you were out of the car for a long period of time, but for errands or going to friend’s homes where you can refreeze the ice packs, it would be perfect. I am sure people who have hot weather year round would make use of this product also.

car seat cooler, hot car seats, children, infants, car seats, parenting, moms, baby gear, reviewing baby gear, travel with kids

If there is one thing I know about it is products for twins and if I went to twin school my major would be twin strollers. I have had three of them in my children’s four years of life.

When I was pregnant I registered for the Graco DuoGlider. I loved it, the seats reclined, the stroller fit the car seats, although I never used it, and the front seat could turn and face the back seat. The back seat was also just a slight bit higher so the kid in the back could have a view of the world. Yes, this is a bulky stroller, it is heavy and it is very hard to get in and out of doors by yourself (when you have a twin stroller you memorize where all the handicap accessible doors are!) but it was comfortable for my kids.

Then I wanted a smaller, lightweight stroller for just going in and out of a store, where taking out the heavy bulky one was too much. I liked it, but it wasn’t that comfortable for my kids as they were older now, the wheels didn’t turn very well, the handles were too low so it would hurt your back if you were out for more then a little while but you get what you pay for when it comes to strollers, right? I should have not purchased this one at all and just spent the extra money on a nicer, lighter side by side stroller.

Next I moved onto the Maclaren twin stroller. At the time, even four years ago, there was not much choice in twin or multiple strollers. Not many brands or types to choose from. I wanted a good one and decided between teh Peg Perego and the Maclaren. I went with the Maclaren because I liked the look and the fact it did not have a front tray, because my kids were older they did not need this feature anymore.
I love it. It handled well, the handles were up high so even my very tall husband could push it, the basket underneath was a good size and although it didn’t come with a cup holder for me, they sell one to go with it.

Now there are so many more choices of twin strollers on the market. Take advantage of that, try them out in the store. Make sure it has the features that you need, it turns easily and closes easily. Most importantly, make sure mom looks cute pushing it!

maclaren, Graco, strollers, twin strollers, multiples, duoglider, strollers for twins, moms, parents, new moms, baby gear, side by side stroller, stroller reviews

Being green is very popular now. In our family we try to do our part and support our local organic farmers, recycle and just generally try to do our part. Even everything for baby comes in organic.

If you are looking for something earth friendly for you baby and organic mattress may be just what you are looking for. It is affordable and cost just as much as a traditional crib mattress that you would buy at any baby store. This one does not have any oils and is chemical free.

On the same site they offer crib sheets and receiving blankets. The site www.bunnyburybaby.com has the most adorable organic crib sheet sets. The lion print is so adorable you will want it for your own bed. They also offer coordinating accessories.

Go green and do the Earth and yourself a favor.

organic crib bedding, crib bedding, organic crib mattress, babies, infants, new moms, baby registry, nursery

Now that it is summer, I thought I would share some road trip secrets I have. Many people take vacations during the summer months, but even if it is a day trip to visit family, I think these ideas could help you with baby.

Make a trip box. Fill a empty shoe box with some things to keep baby entertained in the car. A small container of cereal, a book or two and a few small toys like finger puppets or rattles. Even if one falls on the floor you have others to go to for back up.

If you are at someone’s house that doesn’t have kids or babies, you can make some toys that entertain baby. Fill a container 3/4 the way up with cereal and tape close, to make a rattle. A plastic lid from tupperware is something fun or use a scarf or bandana to play peek a boo or to wave around. Never be fooled by how much fun a wooden spoon is either!

Also if you are looking for some tips on going on a plane with your children, I have some tips and tricks on my other blog.

vacations with kids, car rides with kids, summer trip ideas, kids, babies, infants, moms, parenting, toys, baby gear

Bryan and Victoria tagged me for seven unusual things about me post, so here you go:

1) I hate bananas but love banana bread, muffins, smoothies anything with banana in it, but I hate the texture of a banana.

2) I knew I was going to have twins since I was a little girl. I have no idea why I have no twins in my family.

3) I wear black shirts 90% of the time. I love black, I always buy black, I think everything I like looks best in black. If I love something and it doesn’t come in black I will go for a blue or brown.

4) I know all the words to all the song in the movies Little Mermaid, Mary Poppins, Wizard of Oz and Aladdin. Sadly, I knew these all before I even had children.

5) I love spinach and asparagus

6) I have germ phobia and I think I am passing it onto my kids, even though I really try not to.

7) I love buying towels. I hate when my towels are not soft or fluffy anymore. That is when I run out to the store and buy all new towels. Then I donate my old, non fluffy ones to the animal shelter.

So after reading those do you still want to read my blogs? I tag anyone who wants to do this, let me know in the comments so I can read how unusual you are.

I am a HUGE fan of bibs, I mean what parent isn’t? I had so many bibs, girl bibs, boy bibs, fancy bibs, plastic bibs etc. I was a huge fan of disposable bibs and used them all the time. That way I didn’t have to cart a gross dirty bib home in the diaper bag and worry I will get other things in there dirty or forget about it for a week until the smell knocks me over.

Kipiis are a great idea also. Keep these in your diaper bag and make any napkin or paper towel an instant bib! They come in cool colors and are $14.00 each which is a little steep but think of the money you will save on bibsters!
Come to think of it, I bet you can make your own kipiis, if you do email me to let me know what you used and how it turned out!

bibs, bib holder, disposable bibs, infants, toddlers, kids, eating out, traveling with kids, parenting, parents, feeding baby

We live quite a distance from our family and friends so we traveled with our children all the time from the time the babies were a week old. We wanted something to bring with us to put the kids in or help when it was just me and the two babies at a friend or family members home who maybe didn’t have baby “equipment”.
Luckily for us, the Fisher Price Take Along Swing just came onto the market a month after our kids were born.

This was one of my favorite baby products. It was light, easy to fold up and carry and fit great in the back of my small SUV.
It has two toys that when you pull activate songs and lights. The music wasn’t too annoying as with some baby items. It takes 4 C batteries which need to be changed often as is the case with swings. Get rechargable batteries!

It is designed for up to 25lbs which I loved. My kids grew too long for the swing before they even hit the weight limit. The swing was terrific help getting them to sleep in strange places, like on vacation.

My one con with this swing was it was a little hard getting the babies in and out of it. You kind of have to swing them in and under the top bar and I have bumped their heads on occasion on it. (Sorry kids!) As they got heavier this process got harder!

I love this product, I thought it was worth its weight in gold.
Make that platinum!

take along swing, swing, baby swings, baby registry, baby gear, infants, babies, kids pregnancy, new moms

How cute are twins? Really, my little bundles of pink and blue that I came home from the hospital with were so adorable.
I did dress them matchy, matchy for a little while and for special occasions, but I do not any more.
I promise.
Well, I do dress them in the same color when we go to public places but that is for safety reasons.

I would have loved these shirts from minifashionista. They are adorable and would have been perfect fro my wonder twins!

twins, multiples, shirts for twins, baby, infants, kids, baby clothes

I hope your children have all these cute T shirts for Father’s Day!

Daddy rocks and let’s make sure he knows it.

t-shirts, kids, childrens, I love Daddy, Father’s day, dads, fathers

Victoria from our San Diego blog tagged me to do a meme on 5 reasons why I like to blog, so here you go:

1) I love babies, baby stuff and everything baby, so I have many baby things. I wanted to write here about things a baby needs and what they don’t. I don’t want to read a review blog that has things only Hollywood moms would have. I am a regular suburban mom that loves Target, Gymboree and the Gap. That is why I review what I do.

2) It gave me a creative outlet.

3) Being a SAHM doe snot pay well at all, I thought writing could buy me a pair of shoes or two (hundred).

4) I have a lot to say and my husband has heard it all.

5) Why not??

I tag, you and you and yeah, you. Leave me a comment if you do this meme so I can read why you blog.

meme, kids, bloggers, mommy bloggers, baby gear

My daughter loved her pacifier and my son, well he didn’t care for it much at all. He wanted the real thing, a bottle.
But R, my daughter wanted a binky everywhere and everywhere. We needed to carry spares all the time and make sure we had one on hand everywhere we went. I wish they had some of these cool pacifiers when she was small to bling her out.

They have Swarovski crystal binkys now. Every design you could want for the Hollywood baby at heart. They are not just for girls either, I have seen some cute Superman blinged binkys too. They have knock offs too at a much more reasonable price!

Have a play dates with many other babes and you don’t want to take home the wrong pacifier or have the wrong pacifier stuck in your child’[s mouth (eewww!)? Well then, get a personalized paci. Get one that says your child's name or "Poo Factory". Although the "Mute Button" pacifier is my favorite.

Now you don't just have to pick the standard blue or pink binky, you have a much larger pool to pick from. Is your head swirling with all the possibilities?
OK then, I won't tell you about the matching pacifier holders!

pacifiers, paci, binky, blinged out binky, Swarovski binky, Swarovski pacifier, babies, infants, baby registry, new moms, reducting the risk of SIDS, parenting

There are so many products on the market for babies and kids that you do not need, or can live without. This next product is not a necessity but along with being pretty neat, it would be terrific for parents that travel often with their baby or do a lot of day trips to see family and friends.

The Korbi is a all in one travel bassinet, diaper bag and changing table. It is perfect for visiting homes without children. It comes in three pretty colors and folds up so easily. It also looks really easy to clean up spills or accidents.

I could have used one of these (or two!) for all of my trips with our twins after they were born.

korbi, travel bassinet, babies, infants, baby registry, baby gifts, new moms, pregnancy, travel with baby

With the percentage of cesarean sections going up every year, now more and more mothers know what it is like to heal from major surgery. I had a C-Section with my twins and it was a hard recovery. Perhaps if I had this C-Section recovery kit, my recovery may have been a little shorter or even maybe a little easier.

The kit includes 100% USDA certified organic Postpartum Recovery Tea, Happy Mama Spray, a C-Section Recovery CD, Mama’s ultimate scar and skin balm, C-Mama Healing Salve™.

It seems like a great idea and a great gift for expecting moms.
Has anyone every used something like this after their C-Section?

\ pregnancy, new moms, cesarean section, C-Section, VBAC, C-Section recovery kit, recovery kit