Baby Gear

When it came to naming my kids I wanted something fun but not too common. I didn’t want them to be known as Dave P. or Emma P. I wanted them to be the only L and R in the class. If you are looking beyond Isabella, Emma, Michael or Jacob, I have got a book for you. A Is For Atticus: Baby Names from Great Books is a new book from Hatchette publishing.

From the book description: “Baby namers today want monikers that reflect something personal. Where better to draw inspiration than the books you cherish and the characters you love? A IS FOR ATTICUS mines the classics for the best names and brings them all into one volume. ”
This is no ordinary baby name book this book provides you with not only unique names but also includes a name’s meaning, uniqueness, modern appeal, and cultural significance!
Little known fact about me: I named our cats after characters in my favorite books Scout from To Kill A Mockingbird and Phoebe from Catcher In The Rye! We also almost named L, Holden from Catcher In the Rye.

This is such a fun book that I wish I had when I was pregnant. If you are looking for a great name froma great novel or even just a name that is “out of the box” this book is a great start.

**GIVEAWAY** I have TWO books to give away!
Leave a comment on this post with your favorite baby name by Sunday November 2nd. I will pick two winners on Monday morning. Open to US residents only.
Good Luck!

Check out the other great giveaways at Bloggy Giveaways!

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Youth is really wasted on the young and there are some days I wish I could go to school and my kids could stay home and clean/cook/organize. The stuff for kids is so much more cooler than when I was a kid. Better toys, more comfortable clothes, and various networks with cartoons on all day long! Now being a kid just got even more fun!

Introducing Dinosoles, dinosaur shoes for kids! Let your kids explore their habitat with these really awesome shoes. A breathable suede and fabric upper is sure to keep him cool as he tears up the playground, and a rubber sole provides reliable traction and support. They have a 360 wrap design so every inch of the shoe is dinosaurs.
These shoes also have a great feature- light up eyes! My son flipped when he saw these shoes, from the cool box with dinosaurs all over it to the very cool claw footprint on the sole so your child can leave his own print.
They are very well made and is perfect for the park or school.

These are very well made and perfect for every dinosaur lover (and who doesn’t love dinosaurs?). Choose from all different dinosaurs in the sneakers and sandals. They also have backpacks, tee shirts and hats! Check out the website for cool dinosaur facts.

This will be on my gift giving list for all the dinosaur lovers in my life.

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Mothers, I know your frustration. You just want a diaper bag that can keep up and be as tough as you are. You need it to go from a play date to the park, from Gymboree to the beach and you want it to hold everything you need. I have been through many diaper bags in the past so I know what I am looking for and is just a matter of finding it.

Enter the Lands’ End Messenger Diaper Bag. This diaper bag can do it all!
It is made from durable 100% cotton canvas with nylon lining for easy cleaning. If you are looking for storage this diaper bag has it with a total of eleven pockets inside and out! I was really impressed with the two insulated bottle pockets on the outside. It also has interior pockets that are labeled: snacks, toys, wipes, diapers and they are clear pockets so they are easy to find things, which is ingenious! No more digging your hand in and rooting around for that pacifier or toy.

The storage doesn’t stop there, even the changing pad has two pockets to store diapers and wipes. It comes with a key fob, a wipes case and a clear zippered storage bag to keep all of your wet items separate or to keep your lotions and creams so they don’t open and ruin everything in your bag.
This is not a lightweight, thin diaper bag, this is an everyday/travel diaper bag that measures 15″Wx 11 1/2″Hx 5″D.

Win it! I have a Lands’ End Messenger Diaper Bag in Lighthouse Navy a $59.00 value to giveaway to one lucky reader! Go over to the Lands’ End site and leave a comment with another diaper bag you like from the Lands’ End.
For additional entries, twitter or blog about this contest and leave another comment with the URL for up to two additional entries!
Contest ends on October 31st at midnight and is open to US residents only.

Check out the other great giveaways here!

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Delta Enterprise Corp. has recalled nearly 1.6 million drop side cribs after two babies suffocated when the drop side detached. The recall includes cribs with two different kinds of broken hardware, including 985,000 “Crib Trigger Lock with Safety Peg” drop side hardware, and 600,000 “Crib Trigger Lock with Spring Peg” drop side hardware.

Although neither of these cribs are currently being sold at stores, please check the cribs you already own to make sure they’re not included. Also, make sure you pass this along to friends, neighbors, your day care and churches with child care.

Delta’s “Crib Trigger Lock with Safety Peg” hardware models were sold from January 1995 to September 2007 at major retailers. Model numbers, located on the mattress support board label, include: 4320, 4340, 4500, 4520, 4530, 4532, 4540, 4542, 4550, 4551, 4580, 4600, 4620, 4624 (production dates 01/06 thru 11/07), 4640, 4660, 4720, 4735, 4742, 4750 (production dates 01/95 thru 12/00), 4760, 4770, 4780, 4790, 4820, 4840, 4850, 4860, 4880, 4890, 4892, 4900, 4910, 4920, 4925-2, 4925-6, 4930, 4940, 4943, 4944, 4947, 4948, 4949, 4950, 4958, 4963, 4968, 4969, 4980.

Delta’s “Crib Trigger Lock with Spring Peg” hardware models were sold at major retailers from January 2000 to January 2007. Model numbers, located on the mattress support board label, include: 4340, 4343, 4520, 4600, 4620, 4624, 4625, 4629, 4660, 4665, 4720, 4750, 4751, 4850, 4855, 4857, 4880, 4920, 4925-2, 4925-2B, 4925-6, 4980, and 8605.

If you have any of these cribs, stop using them immediately and contact Delta to receive a free repair kit. You can call Delta at (800) 816-5304 or log on www.cribrecallcenter.com to order the free repair kit. Once you’ve repaired the crib with new safety pegs, your child can continue to use this crib.

For more information on Safety Peg cribs, visit cpsc.gov.
Check out other recalls by clicking the “recalls” button under the category section on the right side of the page.

[taqgs] recalls, crib recalls, safety, infants, toddlers, baby gear, baby gear recalls, cribs [/tags]

Baby K hates his high chair. He is not one of those babies who will sit and play sitting in his high chair or is content to watch what is going on. He wants to get in, eat and get right out. I know that he will not be in his traditional high chair (which I hate anyway) for every long.

Enter the Mutsy Grow Up booster seat. You will never find a more stylish, modern booster seat. What makes the Grow Up different from traditional booster seats is the padded seat reducer so your child is super comfy. The flexible seat along with the base allows your baby to sit comfortably on a average grown-up chair. It has an easy to use harness to keep baby in the seat.

The Grow Up is so easy to clean- just wipe down with a damp cloth. A huge plus with me is that the botom of the seat did not scratch my chairs like others I have had in the past! I love that is comes in four bright colors: raspberry, apple, mandarin or aqua. This seat is suprisingly light too, easy to take on and off. Perfect for traveling to friends or relatives houses with or even bring it to your local restaurant.
This seat fits kids up to four years old!

This of this seat for a baby’s first birthday, shower or new mom gift!

The Mutsy collection is available at www.kiwikidsgear.com and reviewingbabygear readers are invited to use code rbgmu to receive a 10% discount on any Mutsy order from www.kiwikidsgear.com!

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One of my earliest memories is of my mom bringing my sister and I to the shoe store in our local mall. She always said you need to buy the best shoes for growing feet. I try to buy the best shoes for my kids as well especially when they are just starting to walk. When someone recommended Pediped shoes, I really wanted to give them a try.

Pediped has been recognized by the American Podiatric Medical Association as promoting quality foot health, something incredibly important and great for parents trying to find the best shoes for little feet.
Pediped now has a new line of shoes for toddlers, called Flex.
The new “Flex” line offers the same quality, comfort and style as the “Original” Pediped line with the exception of their new flexible, skid-resistant rubber soles, arch supports and customizable insoles.
The Flex shoes are great for indoors as well as outside and are easy for kids to get on and off by themselves.

The original shoes made with cushioned, leathered soles and flexible uppers, are made for newborsn up to 24 months. They are a true leathered sole but are made to stand up to outside wear as well. I love the original shoes so much I plan to buy the flex styles for my nephews.
Starting at $32.00 they are not the cheapest shoes you can buy, but they are great for little feet.

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When I was pregnant I really stepped up my “green” efforts. I mean what better time to clean up your house, look for well made better products for your family then when you are bringing another baby into your home? I started researching crib mattresses because I knew I needed a new one for our crib.

The Natural Mat Company was born in 2000 when the current Directors, Mark Tremlett and Peter Tindall, both keen sailors, became frustrated with the poor quality mattresses found on boats. The synthetic fibres being used were not allowing the mattresses to ‘breathe’ so they became damp and musty so they looked into using natural fibers. Their crib mattress uses no chemicals, no plastics and no PVC. They use the finest natural and organic raw materials including lambs wool, natural rubber latex foam, coir, mohair and cotton. It seems much better then foam or a spring mattress!

The Natural Mat is handmade in England and is a 100% renewable product. Natural Mat passes all fire regulations without the use of chemical or unnatural treatments in any part of the mattress, it is a natural fire retardant. I also love that it comes in eco-friendly packaging.
The Natural Mat Company conducted a recent customer survey and 100% of the mothers questioned stated that their babies slept better on a Natural Mat. A better sleeping baby? You have me sold!

This is the perfect time to upgrade or purchase a new crib mattress, all reviewingbabygear.com readers get 10% off your natural mat purchase! Just use the code “reviewingbabygear” when you check out at moderntots.com!

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San Francisco based Sillydot by visual artist Vera Costa began out of a desire to create art for children that enlivens the environment, inspires love of nature, and encourages peace, silliness, and fun. This comes through all of her beautiful art work.
These are perfect for any child’s nursery, playroom or bedroom.

Sillydot’s silk screen canvas’s are something to be seen. Their color combinations, fun sayings and textures have combined to give you the ultimate in nursery art.

Sillydot comes in a range of prices and styles. They offer beautiful giclee paper and giclee canvas as well as their t-shirts and even pillows! There is something for everyone, and as an added bonus, t-shirt purchases come wrapped with a print on recycled paper that can be framed!
We were lucky enough to get a organic onesie for baby K and it is soft and comfortable. It held up to the washer and dryer and runs true to size. The shirts come in natural (organic) olive or white. They come in short or long sleeve, lap tee or onesie sizes ranging from 3 months to 6T.
How cute is this “I am big” shirt for your little one?
The pillows come in linen or cotton fleece.
Available online but check back to see if Sillydot is in stores near you.

Check out Sillydot for your own nursery or for a unique baby gift while supporting a mom owned and run business!

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I am always on the lookout for great gifts for babies and kids. I love finding unique gifts and who doesn’t like personalized gifts? I do not like paying a fortune for these types of gifts, so finding something great can be difficult.

Peeka Stories personalized books by Peeka Productions are such special and different gift for a baby or young child. These Peeka Baby Like Me books for ages 0-4 are made with a character customized to look like the child for whom the book was created!
Now every child can have a book with his or her name in it and the character designed after them. The Peeka Baby Like Me early learning series was created to foster the love of reading in an engaging and personalized way. The adorable Peeka characters give any child of every culture a chance to see a character in their own likeness.
You design the character after the child you are gifting the books to, and you can always preview the character before you purchase the book.
They have three books to chose from: A Great Day, Colors and Peeka You which you can buy alone or in a bundle. They will also be offering books for kids over the age or four soon.

Perfect for a christening, holiday or first birthday gift, the Peeka Baby Like Me books come with a money-back guarantee, so it is a no worry purchase.

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I think buying a costume for a baby is a waste of money, especially if it is your last baby like mine. I decided to use a monkey hat I have for him and dress him all in brown. He even already has monkey robeez, so a monkey he will be!
Here are some cute and inexpensive ideas for your littlest trick or treaters:

Lamb- Transform your baby into a precious little lamb in 30-minutes or less with the help of a white sweat suit, a few packages of cotton balls and some fabric glue. To complete this project just glue cotton balls all over the top and bottom of a sweat suit, and your costume is ready to wear.

Pumpkin- dress baby in all orange even footie pajamas. This hat is inexpensive and baby can wear it all fall! So cute!

Beach bum- Just dress your baby out in a swimsuit, floaties and sunglasses, and you’ll have the perfect no-fuss costume. He can carry a beach towel or use it to keep warm and collect candy in a sand bucket!

Ballerina- buy a tutu that can double as a dress for special occasions, then dress your baby in a onesie. Dress it up a cool headband.

Or you can take the real easy way out and just dress your baby in a $5.00 Halloween shirts from Target or Old Navy or a Halloween themed pajamas!

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If you are like me you are crazy over finding baby products that are BPA free, sweatshop free and not made with cheap plastic parts. I assure you it is a challenge, but I found and amazing teether that fits all of my requirements: the RiNGLEY teether.

RiNGLEY is the original Canadian natural teether that combines two efficient teething tools: untreated Canadian Maple and 100% organic cotton terrycloth. These materials have two very different but amazing textures that babies loves for their teething needs.
Made free from dye and without harmful chemicals and made with certified organic cotton.

RiNGLEY’s design allows your child to easily grip the ring and cloth. It can be used wet or dry and easily reaches around a child’s gums and teeth. RiNGLEY is made in two styles: knotted and straight. The Knotted RiNGLEY has wood and then cloth and a knot. The straight RiNGLEY has wood, cloth and cloth on wood. Parents of younger babies usually buy the straight teether because the knots might be big for little mouths.

RiNGLEY was designed with a child’s development in mind. Since infants learn through tactile stimulus, touching and putting things in their mouths, the need for a product made without harmful chemicals and dyes is important. To clean your teether you just hand wash with soap and then hang to dry.
The best part of this teether is that my baby LOVES it!

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It is hard to feel stylish when you are a new mom. Your body is different, the usual time for your hair, nails and grooming are now spent grooming your new baby. I know that I don’t feel cool or stylish when I am carrying a big pink or blue diaper bag! Itzy ritzy is to the rescue, they have gorgeous stylish products made not just for baby for moms in mind too!

Looking for a great nursing covers? These are beautiful lucite buckle and feminine tapered design, so you’re not wearing a d-ring apron! They are machine washable, rigid neckline & lush baby Bamboo serves as built in burp cloth. The best part is you can wear the cover over front baby carriers to block out sun & wind - baby bamboo has an inherent UV protection factor! Itsy Ritsy also makes a smaller version so your daughter can “nurse” her baby too, how cute is that?

They also offer burp clothes, infant car seat covers, toddler seat covers, blankets and shopping cart covers. I have to get my hands on one of their Bitsy Blankets, they look so divine!
If you have not tried bamboo yet, you are missing out it is so soft and luscious. Bamboo is an eco-friendly fabric, as bamboo is sustainable and grown without pesticides and fungicides and is naturally anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, and deodorizing. Bamboo needs no harsh chemicals that can irritate tender skin.
All of these products are sweatshop free, thay are made right here in the USA!
They also offer free domestic shipping on all orders over $150.00.
Think of itzy ritzy next time you are looking for a fun, functional and stylish baby gift. In honor of Itzy Ritzy’s appearance on The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch tomorrow night on CNBC, they are offering customers 20% off when you enter the coupon code of “DONNY” through the end of October

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Insurance industry and transportation researchers have named thirteen booster seats that don’t put children in the best position to be protected in a crash. The makers of these seats say that their products meet or exceed federal regulations, the Associated Press reported Wednesday. So do you go by the federal regulations or do you heed the warnings of the insurance industry?

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which conducts crash tests of new vehicles, and the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute did not recommend the following seats: Compass B505, Compass B510, Cosco/Dorel Traveler, Evenflo Big Kid Confidence, Safety Angel Ride Ryte, Cosco/Dorel Alpha Omega, Cosco/Dorel (Eddie Bauer) Summit, Cosco Highback Booster, Dorel/Safety 1st (Eddie Bauer) Prospect, Evenflo Chase Comfort Touch, Evenflo Generations, Graco CarGo Zephyr, and Safety 1st/Dorel Intera.
The group did not review crash protection, because the seats merely elevate children so that lap and shoulder belts are positioned properly. Seat belts should belt should fit snug across a child’s lower hips and mid-shoulders instead of the abdomen.

“The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia said that parents should not interpret the evaluations to mean that poorly rated seats are ineffective. “The biggest disservice this would do is to encourage people to move out of booster seats, because we know they’re an effective restraint, we know they reduce the risk of injury and the risk of fatality,” said Dr. Kristy Arbogast, who researches child passenger safety issues at the hospital. She suggested that parents buying booster seats try them out to see how seat belts fits on their child, the AP reported.”

Do you have one of these booster seats and if you do will you keep using your booster seats?

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