Baby Gear

I think the hardest part to putting together my children’s rooms or nursery was finding the right bedding. The bedding is the anchor for the whole room, what colors and textures you use come from the crib or child’s bedding. I didn’t like the same old things big baby stores offered and after checking out sites online I wish I had known about Carousel Designs baby bedding when I was pregnant the first time!

If you want non-traditional, fun or funky bedding for your little one, Carousel Designs is perfect for you. Fun, colorful designs like this poppy crib set or simple gender neutral beding like this solid celery bedding (which was EXACTLY what I was looking for for my twin’s room 6 years ago!) is exactly what Carosel Designs does.

I was lucky enough to have the chance to try the gorgeous Baby Toile Horizon toddler Bedding. The pale brown and perfect blue bedding is complemented with the pretty toile pattern. This is perfect for a babies room and will grow with your baby.
The toddler bedding is extremely well made, super soft (which is not that common with baby or toddler bedding) and stood up to a washing and drying.
What I really love about this site is that you can order the four piece bedding set but you also have the flexibitiy to pick and chose the pieces you want or the extras like the matching lamp shade, valance or high chair pad. How great is that?

This is a great site full of designer bedding without the Hollywood price tag, check it out today.

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Like most women, I love shoes and shoe shopping. I love shoe shopping for my kids almost as much but with amazing shoe companies like See Kai Run, it is easy to let your child’s shoe collection to surpass yours.

See Kai Run makes amazing shoes for kids! These unique shoes are made with leather and are extremely flexible ofr little growing feet. See Kai Run’s footwear meets the American Podiatric Medical Association’s rigorous standards for foot health and functionality and has been awarded the APMA’s prestigious Seal of Acceptance.
Not only are they comfortable but they are very hip and are always coming out with new, great styles.

See Kai Run makes a great boot for girls called the Julie boot in pink (limited edition) and brown. The Julie boot can be purchased with the breathable leather lining or cozy faux-fur lining. The zipper is on the inner side of the foot, which I think helps keep the zipper protected. See Kai Run also makes great looking boy shoes, like the Paul shoes which are so stylish.
You will be impressed with the selection, and once you make a purchase you will be impressed with the quality of customer service and product you receive.
I have reviewed shoes from their sister company, Eleven and I was hooked, the only thing wrong with these shoes is that they do not come in my size!

Have I convinced you that See Kai Run shoes are the shoe choice for your kids? I know you will love them as much as we do.
Right now there is a great sale going on and FREE shipping until December 31!

See Kai Run is giving Reviewing Baby Gear readers a chance to win a pair of these amazing shoes.
The shoes that can be won are the ones I have reviewed:
Julie boot in limited edition pink (size 5)
Julie boot in brown (size
Paul shoes in blue (size 7)

For an extra entry twitter or post about this contest and leave another comment with the link.

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There are not many things I needed this pregnancy. I saved all the twin’s old things and gear and besides a few things that couldn’t be saved, I have most everything I need. One thing I didn’t have last pregnancy and I wish I did, was a pregnancy planner. I had so many doctor’s appointments, ultrasounds and testing plus I was working full time, it would have come in very handy. I got one now though, and I couldn’t love it more.

The nice people at Braelynbountybug.com sent me one of their terrific pregnancy planners for my pregnancy. The prego planner is loaded with great tools and is organizing heaven for a person like me. It has a twelve month undated calendar, space for all of your doctor’s business cards, space for notes you need to make for yourself, and space for all of the information you need for forty weeks of pregnancy.
I especially love the sections, they have sections for all of your OB/Midwife information, pediatrician, labor and delivery including a space for notes from your birthing class. They also have a handy checklist of everything you need for your little one’s arrival, and even a space for you to write down what gifts you received and from whom. It even has a pocket in the back which I love for all of my lab forms that I have to carry around until my appointments!

The planner comes in three different styles and is only $38.00. I can’t think of any way I could improve this product! You may want to also check out their tot tags. I think this is an amazing resource for all expecting moms and I will be using it even for the first few moments of the baby’s life with pediatrician appointments, checkups etc. I will suggest this for all newly pregnant moms.

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I have written a lot about safe toys for kids and how the safety standard in this country have to be stricter for children’s products that we get from China. If you are a regular reader of this blog you know I love supporting small businesses, especially mom owned businesses.
I am all for making the safety standards of mass-produced toys made in China stronger, and banning toxins like phthalates and lead in all of our toys, and feeding products.

The Consumer Products Safety Commission has passed the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act which goes into effect in February of 2009. This will eliminate the small toy manufacturers, crafters and all children’s product makers. The ones I am buying from this holiday season, the ones who make safe toys for our children right here in America. They same ones I beg you to buy from to support mom owned businesses, they will be obsolete. The price of testing and labeling all products will be too great for small businesses and I think all children’s products will go up if even large companies like Gap has to test everything from zippers to trims on clothing. This is a good idea that has turned into legislation that just wasn’t thought out properly. Everyone will pay the price. Small businesses and manufacturers will go out of business. Retailers of children’s goods, both online and brick and mortar, will be hurt if not also put out of business.
So in February basically all handmade toys and clothing will now be illegal.

Here is what you can do:
-Send everyone you know this artical to help save safe toys
-Write to your congress person and senators
-Send a letter directly to the CPSC
-Join the Handmade Toy Alliance and check out their proposed changes to the act

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This is a good idea that has turned into legislation that just wasn’t thought out properly. Everyone will pay the price. Small businesses and manufacturers will go out of business. Retailers of children’s goods, both online and brick and mortar, will be hurt if not also put out of business

When I first saw Stephanie’s custom baby onesies on her sight Too Hot Tot Bling, I thought it was adorable. From her site: Totally unique and absolutely adorable, these Baby Onesies are custom made for your baby! They make perfect baby or shower gifts. Each Onesie comes in a beautiful organza drawstring bag.

These onesies are so cute and you can customize it however you would like, with a nickname, favorite team or baby’s name, just contact them to tell them your idea. Of course Stephanie has her own great ideas for the little boy or girl in your life.
I fell in love with her customized blinged out shoes too!

Great gift idea at $20 for a short sleeve shirt and $25.00 for a long sleeved shirt. Think about Valentine’s Day, birthdays and 4th of July!

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Having twins as my first children, I have a lot of baby and kid “stuff” around this house. I kept everything so now I have to go through toys, clothes and books for my baby. Which do you keep and what do you giveaway? Some things do not last or don’t hold my baby’s attention like they did with my twins.

My twins have always loved Baby Einstein books, music, toys and movies since they were babies. They watched their first DVD when they were about 9 months old and now baby K is about to see his first Baby Einstein.
Can you believe Baby Einstein is ten years old?! To celebrate Mom Central sent me a Baby Einstein 10th Anniversary collection to review.
I was so happy to receive the new Special Edition Baby Mozart™ DVD, the Baby Einstein Touch and Feel Baby Animals board book, and the Lullaby Classics CD. I enjoyed sharing this package with my kids which is a wonderful addition to our growing Baby Einstein library!

Even my five year olds, who are lovers of The Little Einsteins, are interested in seeing the movies again.
I highly recommend Baby Einstein products if you want to introduce your child to the wonderful and soothing sounds of classical music, while providing her with colorful and engaging visuals. It makes for great quality time that you will both enjoy. This is a great gift idea for the holidays or for a new baby.

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Last year for Christmas I was six months pregnant. My mother gave me a gift she happen to stumble upon at a department store. It was the Homedics Sounds Spa Lullaby.

The SoundSpa Lullaby is a must have for every new mom. It is a small device that projects rotating images onto baby’s ceiling or can turn to project the images on thw wall! It also plays a variety of relaxing sounds or songs.
The sound quality is amazing, it has a clear and ‘real’ sound.

The projector brightness can be set to high or low and the volume is completely adjustable. Other options include no projection (which we use often because my baby sleeps on his stomach or side right now), playing a sound effect instead of a song, and adjustable projection location. The best part is, if you want the music or sound to turn off there is a timer setting!
Changing options is as easy as pushing a button on top of the device or adjusting a dial on the side of the device.

Sounds and sound effects include Twinkle, Twinkle, Rock-A-Bye-Baby, Lullaby and Goodnight, rain, ocean, and a heartbeat. It comes with three image discs of fish, stars, and animals.
Priced at just $29, this is a must have for all new moms or moms with children who have a hard time falling or staying asleep. White noise does wonders for that!

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ikookie baby clothes are made with 100% organic cotton, grown with natural fertilizers and free of toxic chemicals. Our organic cotton baby products include bodysuits, t-shirts, yoga pants, sleepsuits, blankets, towels and more.
I stumbled on ikookie the other day and I couldn’t believe how affordable their shop is.

I love yoga pants for my baby because it is so comfortable and ikookie’s sets are adorable. The clothing is for 0-3 months up to 24 months, so just for baby. These prices are great for 100% organic and these would make great stockign stuffers, baby gifts, shower gifts or just to update a baby’s wardrobe.
Has anyone tried ikookie clothing and can tell me about the quality?

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If you are a regular reader of my other blog (and you should be!) you will know I have been trying to live green and buy responsibly this Christmas season. PlanToys is one such company that I will be buying from this holiday season and beyond. They offer great toys that are environmentally friendly.

From the Plan toys site: PlanToys practices the “Three R’s” of green living: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Our manufacturing processes are designed to reduce waste and save energy. We reuse materials, and have introduced innovative methods to recycle paper and other products.
We had the chance to review their new lacing sheep and it is a wonderful toy. The first thing I noticed about it was how well made it was. Children can lace the color corresponding to form a sheep, helping them learn the basic color and sequence. It is adorable. I have my eye on a few other great toys for my baby like the click clack tree or the beautiful rocking horses and my twins, like the parking garage.

I don’t have to worry about lead or other chemicals with Plan toys! We need to support companies like Plan Toys that make safe, well made toys for our children that will last their lifetimes. I will no longer purchase plastic, toxic toys for my children that get broken in a few days. Let us all be a little “greener” this holiday season and shop Plan toys for all the little ones on our list.

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I love personalized items for my kids. I think when you can find something as original as your kids you should get it, because that is not easy to find. Enter Little Cupcakes Company, a unique clothing and accessory store for the little ones in your life.

Little Cupcakes Company offers the cutest personalized shirts I have seen, I am in love with the owl shirt for my baby boy!
Not in the market for a personalized shirt? How about a personalized plate for the special days in your child’s life, barrettes, belts or an oilcloth apron? There are so many gift ideas on this site, you will find something for everyone on your list.

I was lucky enough to try a birthday shirt, and it is adorable. You can tell it is very well made and held up nicely to a washing. These shirts are a great idea for a child’s birthday and beyond!
Check this store out for your holiday gifts, but you have to order by December 12th to make sure it will deliver in time for Christmas!

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