Baby Gear

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!

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When you are pregnant for the first or fourth time, you know there is a lot of things you need for a baby. Infants may be small but they can take over your house with their “stuff”. Some things you need for day to day living and some baby gear is a luxury. Besides diapers, wipes and clothing, a baby monitor is very necessary.

When I had my twins I received a baby monitor as a shower gift. We were living in a apartment and the traditional monitor was OK, although I would get to hear the occasional phone conversations of my neighbors that the monitor picked up. Now that I am pregnant again I wanted a monitor that allowed me to see the baby now that we are mostly downstairs during the day and the baby’s room is upstairs.
I had the pleasure of reviewing Summer Infant Day and Night Handheld Video Monitor. This 900 MHz monitor blows away my old traditional monitor. This portable handheld unit is perfect for moving around the house and still being able to see your baby. There are also traditional sound lights that visually show baby’s level of activity. There are nighttime LED lights on the camera that makes the baby fully visible both day and night!
The video monitor has batteries or you can use it with an AC adapter. It also has a kickstand which is perfect for me to view it while I am doing dishes, using the computer or watching TV.

Don’t get this monitor just for a new infant, I would have loved this for my twins when they first transitioned into their toddler beds. It would have saved me countless trips upstairs to see what they were up to. Parents love this monitor, go ahead and read the reviews yourself. This is one of my new favorite baby products to tell all parents about.

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If you’re looking for a unique baby shower gift I think I have found one for you. Swanky Blooms has come up with a very cute idea in their Baby Bouquets. Each Baby Bouquet is handmade to look like a bunch of baby flowers, but made of quality baby clothes selected with a layette list in mind, carefully rolled to look like blooms, to make a unique baby shower gift to welcome new baby and impress parents.

The Baby Bouquets double as a Baby Shower centerpiece and are a creative alternative to fresh new baby flowers or diaper cakes.

How cute is this baby bouquet? This comes with 1 32 x 30 inch super soft cotton blanket 1 blue/printed sleep n’ play long sleeve body suit 1 yellow sleep gown 1 blue short sleeve onesie 1 green short sleeve onesie 1 hat with a patch 1 trimmed bib with embroidery lion 4 matching washcloths Blue pants 1 yellow hat 1 trimmed bib with patch 1 short sleeve yellow tee with a lion patch 2 pairs of soft booties and 2 pairs of scratch mittens

With our Baby Bouquets you get flowers for the new mom and precious clothes for new baby, not to mention all the oohhs and aahhhs.

Want even more?… Make sure to check out their baby gift baskets, gift sets and unique gift ideas for siblings and twins or the new and fun baby cupcakes made from onesies and the unique gift bouquets for other special occasions, made with fun and surprising things like towels and kitchen linens, it’s like giving A gift within a gift.

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New baby announcements and birthday invitations for kids have become so much more original and cute. Five years ago when we searched for announcements for our twins, photo cards were so expensive and there was little variety. I wish I knew about Lillybeans designs back then because they have such unique personalized stationary, wall art, custom photo cards and much more.

Lillybean designs is run by a full time mommy and wife, part-time attorney, and etsy hobbyist. If you are a regular reader of this blog you know of my love for etsy and products from moms. Check out how beautiful these birth announcements are! We were lucky enough to get a custom wall print for our baby K and it is so pretty in person. This is perfect for our nursery.
These bookmarks would make a original birth announcement, save the date or favor for a christening or communion. Just convo Lillybean Designs for any custom order or print. I LOVE the silhouette nursery print and will have to order one for my kids. It is so different and lovely.

Check out Lillybean designs for business & hip mama calling cards, shower invitations or personalized address labels too! They are quick to ship your order and it comes in pristine condition. Both affordable and adorable this shop has something for every mom or child in your family. Keep them in mind for new moms too!

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Washing a baby can be…challenging. I always feel like I have to hold the baby in the baby bath tub with one hand while I wash with the other. Getting more soap or a new washcloth can be difficult with one hand. I liked my baby bath tub but when I found the washPOD, I knew I had found something great.

The washPod is a new concept for newborn bathing. It is a European type of baby bath, designed to be a “secure and warm environment, similar to that inside a mother’s womb”. It is vertical as opposed to horizontal and the3 design holds the baby upright.
It is smaller then a traditional tub so it uses less water, which is terrific. The bottom is cushioned so K’s bottom was comfortably paced and he did not slip around.
He loves his bath in the washpod, especially since he is submerged more then a traditional bath so he is warmer.

The WashPOD also has cushioned handles so you can carry it even when it is filled with water, someting I could not do with our other bath, once it was filled it was too heavy and bulky to move. It also comes with stickers to help make the appropriate water level, which should be a few inches under the baby’s arm pits when immersed.

Although it did take me awhile to “learn” how to wash the baby in the POD, I really love it. It is compact, easy to store and perfect for babies 0-6 months. This will make a terrific gift for your next baby shower.

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Although I never had one, I just love the idea of a moses basket for babies. There are so many unique ones on the market today. It seems like such a cozy, safe place for an infant and I also just love the esthetics of it! It is also great to travel with. Now you have something to put baby in for nap or play when you are visiting friends or family.
It is also an alternative to a baby hammock or bassinet.

These moses baskets are warm and cheery. They each measure 32 x 12 x8 and come in various, beautiful patterns. They each include the soft bedding and a matching blanket.
Babybeemine.com has many choices when it comes to moses baskets. They are more traditional with the removable hood. They also offer many fabric and lining choices and the basket can be used until baby is approximately 15 lbs.
This site also have some with faux fur lining and matching blanket!

These baskets get as elaborate as you would like them to. They have chenille, fur, cotton and organic baskets on the market today. These baskets really make amazing baby gifts. Add things inside like bottles, bibs, outfits, pacifiers and toys then wrap the entire basket in cellophane and decorate with ribbon. Everyone will want to invite you to their shower when they see you walk in with this! This is the show stopper.

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Baby showers are fun to go to but I love planning them too. There are so many cute things out there these days to decorate, to serve and to give away for showers. Plus, who can resist watching a mother to be open itty bitty baby clothes and accessories? It makes my ovaries twitch just thinking about it!

Check out weddingFAVORites.com for all of your shower needs. They sell items mostly for bridal showers but some can be used for a baby shower. For instance is someone having a winter baby? Try these winter mittens as favors, fill them with candy or tea bags. They do have some baby shower items, particularly very cute favors, like these egg timers or these hand creams.

Buy Jellybellys for favors or to make necklaces for the “forbidden word” game. String jellybeans onto thread to make a necklace for every guest. When the guests arrive explain the rules everyone wears their necklace, if you hear someone say the “forbidden word” usually “baby” or the parents to be names, you take their necklace. The person with the most necklaces at the end of the party wins a prize. You can also use candy necklaces for this.

What about making or buying cupcakes for favors or dessert? You can buy these cute and affordable flags for the top of the cupcakes.

Instead of typical pink or blue decorations what about using primary colors or instead of cute baby animals as a theme what about polka dots or stripes in cute color combinations. Use the mother-to-be’s personality to set the tone of the shower and she will be thrilled.
Yuo can always find more crafty ideas here.

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When my kids were born it was a struggle to find something for them and me that didn’t contain harsh chemicals for my kid’s diaper rash and for my every changing body. I used what I could; vaseline, A&D ointment and Desitin. I wasn’t very happy about it, but at the time it was all I could find.

The great people at Least Likely 2 Breed, sent me samples of their products to try out and I will never go back to putting vaseline on my nipples again! The Tough Titties Nipple Rub is easy to put on as I prepare my breasts for breastfeeding. Made with great natural things like coconut and clove oils, vitamin E and beeswax, it will make me feel ok about my child nursing after I have used it.

Bad Ass Booty Balm goes on smooth and protects baby’s bum as anything else I have ever used. Made from aloe butter, emu oil and lanolin I don’t feel bad putting it on sensitive baby’s skin. I like buying things that have no lab created additives.
Mother Effer’s Va-J-J Jelly is something I haven’t used yet, ( I hope I don’t have to use it!) but it smells so good. Again, all natural ingredients makes it much better in my book, the fact that these products work well is frosting on the cake!

Each of these products are of generous size and are only $5.99 each. Really how can you not buy products from a company with such a great sense of humor and terrific product names?
Buy the bundle now, you will not be disappointed!

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I have mentioned before I love to support my local artist and farmers. That is also true for the internet, I love handmade, beautiful things and when you find a web site like Etsy where all the creative people come together in one place, and I am in heaven.

Usually when I am on Etsy, I am looking for things for well, me, but I came across this gorgeous personalized baby bowls and tea cups and I am in love. Look at this adorable tea cup and saucer personalized with a child’s name and his favorite animal. Adorable, handmade and perfect for a baby shower gift or a new baby arrival gift.
I am waiting for someone to have another baby and this is what I am going to buy!

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Baby showers are fun, but buying for a baby shower is not fun. Sometime i go off the mother’s registry but other times there is nothing left when I go about buying something. I have made a diaper cake in situations like those.

I think if I am going to a shower and I just don’t know what to give the new baby girl, I will get her a jewelry box. It is a unique gift but one that she will love to fill up in years to come. I love these jewelry boxes by Pottery Barn Kids, I mean if PBK has it, how bad could it be?
If the mother has decided the baby’s name already get it personalized for $6.00 more.

Adorable, I want one for myself!

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At first glance you might think this is a typical messenger bag, but it has a double duty, it is a diaper bag for dudes.

This bag has lots of compartments for diapers, wipes, cell phones and keys. It is cool looking for that dad who is just not comfortable with carrying a pooh diaper bag. It can hang over his shoulder, or on the stroller.
It comes in four colors, camo, black, gray and navy.

I don’t think it is just for dads either, I would carry this bag.
When the baby gets older, it can go to being just a plain old messenger bag.

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You’ve received an invitation to your friend’s baby shower. She happens to be a tree hugger. Now it’s time to shop for eco-friendly baby gifts. Feeling lost? Don’t know where to begin shopping, or what types of green baby gifts are available?

We would like to share the best green gift ideas we’ve found online. These planet friendly baby shower gift ideas will make shopping for your loved one’s baby shower a breeze.

GREEN GIFT IDEA: For the nursery
An organic cotton baby blanket or crib comforter is a perfect fit for a new baby’s crib. Made with organic cotton, these blankets are lightweight, yet keep baby snug and warm. These blankets can be purchased at Amazon.com for just $39.49.

GREEN GIFT IDEA: For baby’s care
Shop Natural offers an enormous range of awesome baby items. They offer everything from organic shampoo and calming lotion, to wipes and lullaby CDs. They have a great gift basket available called the Baby Be Natural Gift Basket. The gift basket can be purchased for $39.95.

GREEN GIFT IDEA: The baby’s wardrobe
If you’re looking for a organic baby clothing then Green Nest is the place for you. They have adorable organic long johns, caps, and blankets. They also have organic baby slings to make toting baby around an easy job. These baby items start at about $40.

GREEN GIFT IDEA: For the new Mommy
Don’t forget about the new Mommy when you’re shopping for your green baby shower gift. Earth Mama Angel Baby offers a nice line of pregnancy products, like natural nipple cream and butter, pregnant belly oil, booby tubes and maternity pillows.

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