Baby Gear

Parachutes are great for kids of all ages. Infants love to lay down and have the parachute go up and down as they watch the show. Toddlers love to be dragged along on them or run under as the parachute falls.
This parachute for kids is worth its weight in fun and is great for physical coordination!

These parachutes are $29.95 fo rthe medium - 11 1/2 ft - 8 Handles and
$57.95 for the large - 19 1/2 ft - 12 handles.

Have your children lie on top of it and makes waves by pulling the parachute up and down around them.
Bounce balls on top of it.
Kids love to run underneath and switch places with others, Number each child around the circle- and then call out a number.

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If I don’t go into labor sooner, I will be having this baby via c-section this morning. Since I won’t be around for a while, while I take care of my newborn and five year old twins, I decided to share with you some of my favorite baby gear. Here are some reviews on things that I cannot live without and things I know you will enjoy:

I love this monitor and will use it for years, they are not just for newborns!

There is nothing like a good swaddling baby blanket.

This nest egg has helped me sleep at night which is a luxury when you are nine months pregnant. I think it will be a great help with breastfeeding too. Go get your own with the coupon, even if you are not pregnant this is great for kids or for travel!

We are trying to be more green in our house and what better timing then when a new baby comes!?

I love these products for Mom. The names and packaging are so cute that I would buy them for that alone! They really smell good too.

I think this is great for the summer. I know I would have to get it if I lived in a state that was hot all year round.

I love this thermometer and couldn’t live without it. Plus it is so much cheaper then it was new to the market and I bought it!

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Ok, you have the baby, the clothes, the diapers and the gear. Now what? What do you do with the baby day after day? Stay at home mothers know what I am talking about. The monotony and “groundhog day” type of life can really get to you. It did to me, especially because I didn’t live near any of my friends or family.

This new book from Gymboree (you know the kiddie play place people) will really help you out. Play & Learn 1001 fun activities for your baby and child is a new book with a ton of great ideas, fun activities and a terrific resource for all parents. With age appropriate ideas for children and parents like watch fish in a fish tank for 0+ months to make your own lotto for 5+ year olds it is filled with fun things to do.
These activities are not just to fill your day, it builds skills and fosters a desire to learn. This book isn’t out yet, but you can pre-order yours today for $16.47!

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Before I had kids I thought I would never let them watch TV and I would certainly not let them watch TV when they were babies! Why would I do that?
Then I had twins.
I stayed home with them all day long while my husband worked long hours and I needed to do things for myself like shower and brush my teeth. I purchased a few Baby Einstein videos and put my babies in front of the TV. Where before they could care less about the screen, now they were mesmerized. They loved it and I could finally clean my body.

These days the debate of children and TV continue. Should children under two watch any television? Is television appropriate for children of any age? I believe some television is OK for my kids. I don’t think television is a baby sitter for your kids or should be replaced with book reading, arts and crafts or parent/child time. I monitor what my children watch and limit their viewing to about 45 minutes per day.
These are the same things that the people at Baby Einstein believe too. They believe that their videos for children should be interactive. You should watch the videos with your children and engage them. Talk about what your child is seeing, point out things in your home that they have in the videos, get up and dance and sing with your baby. It is a great way to bond with yoru child and get the most out of the dvds.

You can check out www.babyeinstein.com for more ideas on the best way to watch their terrific, award winning videos with your baby.

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There are some baby gear items that I would have loved to have when I had my twins. We had the swings, the vibrating seats, the boppy and the activity seats, all of which the babies loved. Of course there are new things coming out all the time and I feel like my Mom when I say “Wow, we had nothing like that!”

The Fisher Price soothing motions glider is one of those baby items. The first thing I noticed about this glider was that is so plush. It looks so comfortable for a new born baby. It has two reclining positions for baby one for new babies and one for older babies. It glides in two ways - side-to-side or front-to-back, which is amazing. The other thing I love about this seat is that it seems to be designed for Mom as much as baby, it rotates 360 degrees so the baby can always face mom and it has handles so you can carry baby from room to room.

This chair also has music and over head toys to stimulate baby. The pad is also machine washable which is a huge plus, babies are always dribbling or drooling. It is for newborns up to 25 pounds, but I am not really sure a baby over 20 pounds would fit into this glider. It has great reviews on Amazon.com and it is priced at about $70.00. It is not a must have if you already own a baby seat and/or swing because you probably would not use it for very long, but it seems like a great baby item to have on a “wish list”.

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I love toys that last. Not only quality wise but will keep kids coming back day after day. There is nothing worse then wasting money on a toy that breaks right away or your kids don’t even really like. I would rather spend more for a good quality toy that lets my child use imaginary play then a lead filled silly character something-or-other.
If you are concerned about toy safety, and you should be, these toys I am spotlighting are all designed in Europe and most are manufactured there as well.

Babies to kids love putting things in and out of a certain spot. Repetitious play is essential to development. This first play set fits the bill. Made for babies six months and up, this play set is perfect for little one’s hands. It comes with a soft bear blankie, a wooden cat rattle, wooden mouse rattle, and a soft bunny rattle, all stored in this zippered-carrying house. Put them all in the house and you have a great toy to travel with!
They also make a castle complete with a king and queen, a dragon a fortress with drawbridge on the outside and a beautiful palace on the inside. It comes with a mirror, squeaker, hologram foil and velcro fasteners. This is also for six months and up.

If you are looking for something a little smaller, try this little elf that will attach to a stroller or a car seat. This is also cheaper at $21.99.

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Looking for a ride on toy for your little one this holiday season? Kids all love toys that they can ride on and go or push. My kids each had one they would ride around the house forever in. We had another hand me down for the outside. They still will get on any ride on they see, even if they don’t fit!

This is the Radio Flyer Big Flyer. Classic radio flyer made new for your little racer. It has three adjustable seat positions to grow with your child and it is for children three years to seven years. It is perfect for the racing fan. This is reasonable at $49.99.

For younger kids let them get the hang of a ride on with this Fisher Price Baby Gymnastics Bounce and Spin Zebra. This rocks and spins 360 degrees. It has lights and music and locks into place until child is safely on the zebra. It is for babies 12=36 months, great for babies first Christmas.

Every child I know LOVES the Little Tykes Coupe. This one is kid’s favorites, Dora the Explorer. This is a lead free toy! It is $59.99 for kids 18-36 months.

We can’t leave our Diego fans out! This ride on is just like the ones my kids had in the house. The kids could ride around my house safely and they loved opening and putting stuff in the seat and taking it out again! It is very sturdy and you cannot beat it for $29.99. This one has a horn but my daughter’s had music that was so loud I had to put tape over the speaker. That is my only complaint about these sit on or push cars.

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After you become a parent and you have all of the things you registered for, all of the things you bought on a whim and all of the things you thought you could not live without, you realize your house is full of stuff you used once, or never. This is so true with a lot of baby gear. Sure you need a clothes, diapers, bottles, wipes and a place for baby to sleep, but what else?

This HABA Dream Baby Play Mat is not a necessity but it sure is cute and functional! This alternative to a regular floor mat has lateral sides can be flapped up so that the playing rug changes into a little bed or flapped down for a changing station. It has a wooded rod with a squeaker, rustling and glitter foil pockets included. Hanging toys can be purchased separetly. The best part is that the cover is removable for easy washing. It has a ton of different things to look at or touch on the sides and overhead.
It measures 54″ l x 48″ w.
It is not cheap at about $150.00, but it is different and perfect for baby when you travel overnight or for use as a bed or changing station when you visit family or friends for the day.

HABA toys are are some of the best designed toys worldwide, meeting Eupopean standards, but this toy is made in China and I know many parents want to be aware of where their children’s toys are made.

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Any parent knows that kids songs, are usually just for kids. I know I want to poke my ears out hearing “Cinderella” sing some day my prince will come or some high pitched kid singing pop goes the weasel, over and over again. The same goes for lullabies.
We would play classical piano music instead of traditional lullabies for our kids, because if we had to listen to it, we at least wanted to enjoy it!

Rockabye Baby! saved our day. Rockabye Baby is not traditional lullabies, but rock classics that YOU love that are transformed into beautiful instrumental lullabies. Everyone from The Rolling Stones to Metallica to Coldplay are reconstructed into lullabies using instruments like the glockenspiel, vibraphone, mellotron, harp and bells.
Yeah, I don’t know what they are either, but they sound amazing.

Do you want one of these cds for your very own? You are in luck, I have two Baby Rock Christmas cds to give away. Filled with rock classics like 2000 Miles and Do They Know It’s Christmas? I am sure you will love it so much you won’t just listen to it at Christmas time.
To enter to win one of these cds simply leave me a comment on parentingourchildren.com!
Deadline for this contest is midnight November 23. Good Luck!

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Little babies are so soft and squishy it is hard to put them down at all. Sometimes you can’t and end up carrying the baby all over the house with you. You have to put the baby down sometimes though and this baby hammock from novalnatural.com seems like a great place to be. As an alternative to a baby swing, this hammock provides gentle rocking motion in a comfortable hammock. It can be adjusted to both an opened and a closed position for sleep or for play. It is made in India and is cotton with wool padding and also a five point harness for safety.
Baby can stay in it longer then a traditional swing too because it is for babies 0-18 months and up to Hammock holds up to 66 lbs. It is priced a little higher then a baby swing at $99.99.
I would love to try this for my new little one, due in March.

There is also the Amby baby as a alternative to a bassinet. Recommended by Dr. Sears this baby bed is especially helpful for babies with reflux, colic or preemies. It also prevents flat heads or plagiocephaly, SIDS and acid reflux. It is also portable and adjustable. This hammock is available in blue, white and natural raw cotton. The basic set includes a mattress, frame, spring, hammock and crossbar, set of two matching fitted sheets and a travel bag is $227.95.

Have you tried one of these hammocks? Would you recommend them to a new parent?

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Kids love things that are their size. Toddlers want to do things just like their older siblings or parents do. They imitate everything and it is so much for them to have their own “big kid” things in their own size. that is why I recommend a table and chair set to every parent of a toddler. Not only perfect for afternoon tea but for coloring, games, play-doh fun and for eating. My kids are sitting at their table that we bought when they were 17 months old, right now coloring in their coloring books.

We have a simple wooden table and chair set from Ikea. I have painted it white and although it has come crayon marks on it, it has held up very well and the kids love it. Now that they are almost five and are pretty darn tall, it is getting a little small for them though.

Since we have twins we love anything with a “two by two” theme and this Noah’s Arc table and chair set fits the bill. It is much more expensive then the wooden one from Ikea at $125.99. but this set is colorful and fun.

Maybe this Little Tykes table set is better for you. This one is made of durable plastic and is great for outdoor use as well. This is a round table that comes with two chairs and is $45.95. The same set comes in red and blue but is $5.00 more, I don’t know why either.

These tables are a great gift for toddlers and up and can easily fit into a bedroom, playroom or kitchen. Perfect for the holiday season!

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Did you know that babies cry? Oh, you did? Maybe you weren’t aware how much they can and do cry. Babies can cry for hours a day, heck even my kids still cry about something at least once a day and they are four! There are many times you will be able to soothe your baby, and there will plenty of times where you can’t. If your baby is clean, fed and changed, why is the baby still crying? It can be frustrating especially for new parents.
Here are some tips for trying to calm a baby:
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When my children were younger they loved Baby Einstein DVDs. I am not under the illusion that my children will be *so* much smarter because they watched these videos, but a mom with twin babies needs a break sometimes. That time for me would be TV time for them. Once a day for 30 minutes they watched a Baby Einstein tape. They loved the music and bright colors.

A new Baby Einstein tape just was released yesterday, Discovering Shapes for children 9 months and up.
My children spoke early and have not shut up since, but if you have a late talker like my nephew who is 2 and still only says a few words, maybe this My First Signs DVD is for you. It is for 3 months and up and introduces 20 common phrases to baby.
I hope the 20 phrases include “when can I get a job” and “can’t I please use the toilet?”. You know, things moms really want to hear!

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We don’t have televisions in our children’s rooms, but if (when?) we do I want these televisions.

They are adorable for younger kids as well as older kids. These 10″ LCD televisions come in many varieties including, a fire engine, giraffe, frog and basketball. The animals are plush and all come with a matching remote control.

If you have a TV in your room why not make it fun and not just be the typical black box on a dresser.

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For a couple weeks now I have been using a meditation CD with my kids. In fact the meditation is designed specifically for children. The meditation we have been using is from Shambala Kids and it called “One with the Universe”.

The idea behind this CD is to help children learn to calm themselves naturally. It uses guided meditation and beautiful imagery such as a rainbow balloon that that clears out negativity and restores peace and confidence. One with the Universe also teaches self acceptance.

I have really enjoyed this meditation CD as have my two oldest children (3 and 6). In the morning….after a hectic time getting up, getting dressed, eating breakfast, packing lunch, and getting off to school, etc…I pop this CD into the car stereo while driving my son to school. He really enjoys listening to it and decompressing before school. We do the breathing exercises together and then he just relaxes back against his seat and listens to all of the imagery regarding colors and the rainbow balloon. And of course he always smiles when it comes to the part about giving everything your best and having a winning attitude. It has been a great way to start our mornings and use the drive to school in a productive way. And I have definitely noticed he is MUCH more calm in demeanor when I drop him off at school and as a child with spirit and energy in abundance I am thankful for that.

I also use the CD with my three year old daughter…usually around the time she starts to get grumpy and agitated before her usual nap time. We rest on the floor together and listen to the CD and just relax. I think some of the concepts are a bit over her head but she absolutely loves the talk of colors and a rainbow balloon. Many times she wants to draw the rainbow balloon after we are done listening. She and I have also listened to the CD in the car while picking her older brother up from school and since we wait about 45 minutes for him it gives us something to do together and concentrate on besides our long wait. I think I have come to like the CD just as much as they have. It relaxes me to listen to it.

And I would have to say it definately relaxes the baby too. He seemingly listens to it and often falls asleep.

I think this meditation is wonderful and I can’t wait to try some of the other products available on Shambala Kids. In fact I have already ordered the Joyful Parenting CD and can’t wait to get it!

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