Baby Buy Products

Closing one chapter, but don't worry...there is a sequel!

noreply@blogger.com (Laura M.- Editor) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 05:04:00 +0000

A Message to Readers from the Editor of Baby Buy Products-

You might be wondering what has happened to BBP in the last few months. Well, the transition to working full time was much harder than I thought, and trying to run a blog, while also working eight to ten hours a day and, oh yeah, raising two kids, and moving into a new home...well, it was a little too much.

BUT don't be too sad about Baby Buy Products leaving the blogging scene. There is a new and BETTER site for you to keep up with all your baby and kid product news, reviews, and great giveaways.

Kid Buy Products is being run by the lovely ladies that you have grown to know and love here at Baby Buy Products. They have been doing some awesome reviews already and have multiple giveaways happening right now! So hurry on over and check them out .

I leave you in great hands, and this is not goodbye, I will be doing a couple posts here and there over at Kid Buy Products every now and then, when my busy schedule allows.

Thank you all, vendors, readers, parents, and anyone who took part in this blog over the last year. I had a great time, and I hope to not be done with blogging forever. This is just a "see you soon" and not a sad goodbye.

--Laura M.

A Few of My Favorite (Mom) Things: Lansinoh Lanolin

noreply@blogger.com (Alexandra) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 03:21:00 +0000

How in the world could I have forgotten how wonderful this lanolin ointment/crème is? I used Lansinoh Lanolin with my first breastfeeding experience and am using it again this time. It was not hours after new baby arrived that I begged my husband to bring a tube back to me in the hospital. The lanolin is so soothing, calming and mild that after one application, my poor breasts were ready for baby to nurse again. It is thick, so a little dab goes a long way and man, does it work well! All the irritation from friction and constant feeding just disappears. A tube is spendy; about $10 for 2 ounces. You will not care about the price once you feel how well it works. The lanolin is even soothing after the abuse of pumping. Also, watch for sales at Target or babycenter.com, which makes the price more reasonable.

As an aside, it also cures chapped or severely dry skin. I have used it on my babies (and self) when the elements dry our skin to the point where lotion will not work. A friend and I joke that this lanolin will cure what ails ya... but I don't think either of us is actually joking!

Ohhhh I Wanna Try That!: Medela Freestyle Breast Pump

noreply@blogger.com (Nichole) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 04:12:00 +0000

I had a horrible first few weeks of breast feeding with my gal. I won't go into the gory details, suffice it to say I resorted to going "commando" on top as often as I could to help my nipples heal, making my husband feel like he was among an African tribe. However, I managed to stick it out and got in a good year of it.

During that year I was hoping to pump enough for my husband to give her a bottle before bed time and for any periods that I had to be away longer than a couple of hours.

Unfortunately, like most hopes with parenthood, that did not work out. I HATED pumping. I had the Medela Pump In Style Advance which I had read positive reviews about. However, I just could not get enough out via pumping to make it worth while. My gal ate every 2 hours around the clock for the first three months, so in my spare time the last thing I wanted to do was spend another 30 min. connected to a machine that wouldn't even allow me freedom of both hands to do anything else productive.

Fortunately I was very lucky in that I was staying at home, I'm sure if I absolutely had to I would have toughed it out like I did with the actual breast feeding and started getting more and more from each session. I don't attribute it to the In Style as I lent it to my friend (who used all her own attachments of course). She had no problems with it, as did most people I know.

Now with baby #2 on the way I'm committed to give it another go with the hopes that I'll have more success early on and won't give up. When I heard about this new Medela Freestyle Breastpump I immediately wished I could get it. I can't validate buying a new breastpump considering the one I have was almost $300 and I hardly used it with #1. It looks like the Medela Freestyle is $380, but I saw it for $350. If I were working I'd beg and plead the hubs for it.

Basically, they had me at "hands-free". It's about time someone offered that, I have seen some bras designed to allow hands-free which I may consider getting this time around vs. shelling out big bucks for this unit, but if I were a first-timer I'd definitely want to give this a go. Not to mention the fact that it's super small (weighs less than 1lb and fits into the palm of the hand), is supposedly easier to clean, has a rechargeable battery that lasts 3hrs., and has a lit LCD screen for those late-night sessions. The only downfalls (besides the high price tag) arethat it only works with top flap nursing bras, and, to get the product to be "hands-free" requires the use of a waist-belt, adapters, and straps....looks a little complicated, and time-consuming. I'd still love to give it a whirl....what about you, has anyone tried this???

Review: Little Twig

noreply@blogger.com (Laura M.- Editor) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 05:26:00 +0000

There are a lot of scary things out there and a lot of them are in our cosmetics and bath products. I have been trying to weed out all the scary products from our bathroom and replace them with ones that I feel I can trust to not be exposing my children to chemicals that just don't need to be there.
Little Twig is a company that is commited to making bath and body products for children that are free of just these kind of "scary" things. All organic, not tested on animals, and best of all, effective- They won me over. And another great thing about Little Twig? Check out this tidbit from the website:

To promote the reuse of our highly recyclable bottles, we are offering a BIG discount! Simply return four full-sized, empty containers to us. In exchange you'll receive 30% off of your next online purchase. It's that simple. Give a little, get a little. The planet will thank you.

Pretty cool huh?
To read the full review, please click "Read Now!"

Price **: They are a bit steep at $10.50 for a bottle of shampoo, but you are getting a quality product with natural organic ingredients. You also can make it last- You only need a small amount to wash your little one's hair each night.
Smell ***: Except for the bubble bath which is scent free, the other items smelled wonderful. My favorite was the lotion which has a very nice lavender, tea tree smell to it. I actually have been using it myself and have been very pleased with how well it works on my dry/chlorinated skin.
Effectiveness ****: My babies are clean and smell great, and I feel better about not dousing them in the "scary stuff" at evening bath time.
Over All Rating ***: A bit pricey but worth it.

A Few of my Favorite (Kid) Things: Kilp and Teach Me Time

noreply@blogger.com (Laura M.- Editor) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 04:56:00 +0000

Smart. Really, that should sum up my whole post on American Innovative's two products that they sent over.
Just smart. Seriously.

The Teach Me Time is a talking alarm clock that allows parents to assist their children in teaching themselves how to tell time. I am all for old school learnin', but this is just fun.

Among the many functions of this fun little product, is that it turns a different color when it is "awake time". You can set the awake time yourself and let your child be responsible for staying in bed until the appropriate time. I am pretty sure this wouldn't work for every child, but I personally know at least one that this is perfect for. You can also set up the "teaching mode" to help your child guess the time, and have a happy voice ask them what time they think it is- it is a pretty neat little interactive feature. What I like the most is that is a product that can grow with your child and be a bed time companion from birth up to the teen years.

The second product is the Kilp! The Klip has become our go-to time out charm. Little Miss has entered a period of whining and crying. I am not sure why, but that seems to be the stage that we are in as of late. This behavior has brought on a rash of timeouts as you can imagine. The Klip has allowed Little Miss to concentrate on the time that she has to spend in time out and not totally lose her mind screaming and crying. She is happy to watch the time tick down and the bars recede and the timer go off. And since it has captivated her enough to stop the meltdown, we can then have a conversation about her behavior. In the past we had used an old school egg timer but the Klip is pretty cool because it can live as a magnet on the fridge and be in arm's reach when we need it. Kids can also wear it on the lanyard if they like.

Click "Read More!" to find out more...

You can find these products in some brick and mortar stores as well as several places on line. I like them both quite and bit and I keep finding more uses for them everyday. American Innovative also has some fun products for parents. I think that the Never Late 7-Day Alarm Clock would be a great gift for a student going off to college.

Ohhhh! I Want to Try That!: Art Jar

noreply@blogger.com (Alexandra) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 12:22:00 +0000

Currently Anastasia is too young for this item, but it grabbed my attention. A big jug filled with a variety of art supplies crying out for kids to design with. It seems made for us moms who want to encourage creativity but who are either not that creative ourselves, or are new to this parenting business and don’t yet have the wonderful stash of art supplies at the ready. I found similar products available at landofnod.com and The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Land of Nod ages and prices the product for 8+ and $29.00. And the Metropolitan Museum ages and prices the product at 3+ and $24.99. It struck me as a good idea to help some of us parents kick-start the art supplies while letting the kids have fun being creative at the same time. The price seems reasonable for a start up kit as it appears to cover many artistic bases. It could also be a life saver for the dreaded rained out summer day where the kids can’t play outside and you, Mom, can’t stand another movie.

Natural Pod

cryspinsky@gmail.com (Crystal) — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 19:45:00 +0000

This post is going to be less of a review and more of a rave on an awesome store that I discovered: Natural Pod. As Nadia has grown into a toddler, I've gotten to watch her play evolve. Since day one, my princess has never really been all that interested in toys, at least not necessarily for their intended purpose. We would go to playgroups, and while all the other kids played with the toys, Nadia would be off exploring the rest of the house, getting into just about anything she could get her grubby little paws on. Playgroups were a blast, let me tell you. We also had to completely "Nadia-proof" our house, too. If it could be opened, she would open it. Now, she plays with her toys a lot more, but usually in a unique way, which is not unlike the way I've seen other toddlers her age use toys as well. Stacking cups are not just for stacking and sorting, but they also hold "soup" and "milk." It's amazing how early on kids start to use toys in a much more imaginative way than just their original intended purpose. This is why when I discovered Natural Pod, I was immediately drawn in by their unique toys that lean toward a much more open-ended sort of play.

Click on Read More! to find out more about Natural Pod.

Natural Pod has a large variety of beautiful and natural toys. Nadia has really enjoyed playing with the beautiful play silks and their accompanying play clips. We've built some awesome forts and tents using the play clips and blankets as well. We've also been using the Yesteryear Clothespin set. It takes a little help from me, but she's able to clip things onto the line. Eventually, when our house is back in order (we've been in the middle of what was supposed to be a simple kitchen remodel for 4 months now-don't ask,)I'd like to set up an area where the clothesline can be out and accessible for play all the time.

Natural Pod has some beautiful wooden stacking toys. They also have some cute wooden sail boats and if you're ready to go completely all-natural: organic playdough. My all-time favorites on the site are the cardboard playhouse and rocket made by Paperpod Cardboard Creations in the U.K. While we've been using the huge boxes our new appliances came in as "houses," the main problem is that they take up so much space in our Chicago condo. The same goes for our Ikea tent. Fun, but not functional. It would be great to pull the cardboard house out, play, and then be able to fold it up and hide it away when necessary.

I could go on and on about the huge selection of beautiful and natural toys that Natural Pod has to offer, but I think it would be best to go take a look for yourself. While everything at Natural Pod does not fall into the "cheap" price range, they do seem to have a wide selection with something for every pocketbook. If you're looking for natural toys that foster a more independent play for your children or maybe for a beautiful heirloom quality toy as a gift for someone special, then Natural Pod has what you're looking for.

Review: Sara Rose Tutus

ame.kidbuyproducts@gmail.com (America) — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 18:22:00 +0000

Oh My Total Cuteness! How adorable is a little girl in a tutu? Well they are so much more adorable in these handmade tutus for each princess in your life be they daughter, grand-daughter, niece, or cute little neighbor. Sara Rose Tutus are the inspiration of just another mom like most of us, but she actually makes it work! I had the privilege of being gifted an adorable Retro Tutu, which is made from fuchsia, turquoise, and dark purple with a black ribbon waist. The color combinations that Stacy has developed are unique and can make any tomboy want to twirl.

Click on read more to find out more about Sara Rose Tutus!

My new fav is the Watermelon Tutu made from pink, fuchsia, and green tulle with a pink ribbon waist. I may just have to purchase this one for my little girl’s first birthday! The tulle is adorable and not too scratchy for our little one. Our thirteen year old baby sitter thinks they are quite the bomb as well; she tried to sneak out wearing it one day!
That being said the Sara Rose Tutu has held up extremely well. The pulling on and off by a two year old boy, a thirteen year old girl, and the added drool of the tutu’s owner, a ten month old precious princess slash future tomboy. In addition, the tutu is nice and full and covers any embarrassing diaper peekage (yes, I just made that word up, but it works for me).
Love it!
Review Time
All Ratings on a **** Scale
FUN-ctionality **** - Totally cute, pretty, whimsical, what more can you ask for in a tutu. The ribbon waistband is super soft even directly against a baby’s skin. Our little Badger does have sensitive skin and she did not seem to have a problem when wearing the tutu.
Style *** - A wide variety of colors and a few different styles to select from are available. You are also able to choose and make a custom tutu for that special day. I mean what would be cuter than a tutu that matches the birthday theme! Hey that gives me an idea.
Cost *** - Starting at $19 and going up to $30 puts these tutus in a great price range, I have seen tutus much higher than this locally and on the web.
Overall Rating **** - I think every little girl should have the opportunity to have an adorable little tutu to twirl in, play in the sand, go to McD’s, etc. I mean you can be tough and pretty right?! So, these are on my must have list and the colors and cost of Sara Rose Tutus rate this four star.

Review: Nursery Rhyme Tease

cryspinsky@gmail.com (Crystal) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 02:55:00 +0000

It has already been well established here at Baby Buy Products that we all put a very high value on literacy. We all have children who don't just tolerate having a book read to them, we have children who LOVE books. Here at our house, we have what seems like every board book every written and are well on our way to creating a library of picture books now as well. I want Nadia to continue to love books as she gets older and am constantly looking for ways to foster this love. When I first came across the fun Nursery Rhyme Tease online, I couldn't wait to see them in person. I love the concept of a board book and t-shirt to promote favorite nursery rhymes.

Click on Read More! to learn more about Nursery Rhyme Tease

Nursery Rhyme Tease is the brainchild of Heather Sievers, a teacher turned mom, who thought it would interesting to turn her love of books and reading into a fashion statement for her kids. We are currently reading and wearing the Old MacDonald version here at our house. Princess Nadia is absolutely obsessed with Old MacDonald (my mom thinks it's because she's a country girl at heart.) We read the board book no less than once a day, and she asks to wear her shirt all the time. I really love that the book reinforces the connection between spoken and printed words. We don't just sing the song, now we also look at the words.

The official review:

Functionality **** - Nursery Rhyme Tease are made out of a high-quality cotton. We didn't have any trouble with our shirt shrinking. The screen print has also stood the test of several washes and still looks looks great. Sizes range from 6 months up to 5/6 years which means that all the little readers in your house can wear their own favorite nursery rhyme!

Style *** - The "tease" come in a variety of bright primary colors which are screen-printed with different nursery rhymes like Hey Diddle Diddle and Humpty Dumpty. I really like how each shirt has a unique interpretation of a phrase from the nursery rhyme.

Cost *** - A boardbook and a unique t-shirt for $25? Not a bad deal. I just noticed a new package which is a Color Me Tease. You get 10 fabric markers, a board book and a t-shirt for only $30. This would be great for older kids, and is still reasonably priced.

Overall Rating *** - I really like the concept behind the Nursery Rhyme Tease. I love that they promote literacy which is something very important to us all. I'm thinking that these gift packs would make great birthday and Christmas gifts for all the little readers that we know.

Local Yocal: Eye Can Art

noreply@blogger.com (Laura M.- Editor) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 04:20:00 +0000

So who needs something to keep the kids busy this summer? Are you looking for something unique, educational, and also fun? Well, I have a great find for you, and even better - it is made locally here in Seattle!

Eye Can Art are kits that come in colorful paint cans and are just a little different the regular craft kit. Little Miss tried out the Sumi-e Japanese bush painting kit with our (adult) friend Laura. The results were just beautiful! Little Miss learned about the technique and made some really nice pictures. One of the best things about the kit is that it could be used well with a wide array of ages. In fact, I think it would even be fun for adults.
Right now, you can get the Eye Can Art kits here in Seattle at a bunch of great stores like Izilla Toys and The Seattle Art Museum store. Look for them soon at a store near you!

Addendum to the Stokke Tripp Trapp Review

noreply@blogger.com (Alexandra) — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 16:27:00 +0000

I still love my Tripp Trapp; that is not where my problem lies. It is with the accompanying cushions. After my review, we continued to use the Tripp Trapp with the cushions. Although we work on using napkins and manners, the cushions got really dirty.

I threw them in the wash and all the stains came right out. Then they went in the dryer and this is where the problem occurred. They shrunk. The cushion for the seat bottom ripped when I was reattaching it and now it can only be attached by three of the four corners.

I contacted babycenter.com regarding the exchange policy. They are amazing and processed the shipment of a replacement within 24 hours. They did not expect that the torn cushions be returned. As an aside, I applaud their trusting policy.

The new cushions arrived and I used them and washed them. Same problem. I now have two sets, neither of which can be properly used.

So, to cut to the chase, the Stokke Tripp Trapp cushions are not worth the money. They will not last past the first washing.

Review: Green Toys Inc.

cryspinsky@gmail.com (Crystal) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 06:00:00 +0000

I should have a cute little sign posted on our front door that says, "Welcome to PlasticLand." When you walk in our door, you are accosted by shiny bright colored plastic spilling out from everywhere. I try to keep it contained, and I personally don't buy a lot of it myself, but if you have kids, then you most likely also have grandparents, and they just can't help themselves. They're drawn in by the pretty plastic, too. So, I guess if we are going to have to live with plastic toys, then they should at least be from a company who is taking both the health of our children and the planet into consideration. Enter, Green Toys, Inc.

Green Toys Inc. is a brand-spanking new company based in San Francisco. Their toys are made from 100% curbside collected plastic milk jugs. How cool is th at? If you're wondering if this plastic is safe, the answer is yes. It's considered some of the cleanest, safest plastic available. The energy saved in every pound of recycled plastic used in making Green Toys is enough to equal the energy in 3,000 AAA batteries, enough to power a TV set for 3 weeks and run a laptop computer for 1 month! It's safe and non-toxic and good for the environment. Can you say that for all those noisy plastic toys that are hanging out in your toy box?

Another bonus? Green Toys are made entirely in the USA! Here's what their website has to say about why this is so important.

Made in California, USA:
Less Transportation, Less Energy

All Green Toys products are 100% made in the USA. To be more specific, they are produced in California, a state known for strict toy safety and environmental laws. It's cool to buy USA, but also think about this: transportation is one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gasses. We all know driving less is good for mother nature, but did you ever think about how many miles a toy logs before it ends up in your local store

Our toys are truly local creations. Every step in the process, from milk container recycling to toy production to final assembly, occurs in California. Our raw materials and toys aren't shipped from overseas, which saves a lot of energy and reduces greenhouse gasses. It also guarantees your toys won't get seasick before they get to your home!

I just can't get over how awesome the concept behind these toys is. It also goes beyond simply the materials used in creating the toys. The packaging is innovative as well. When Princess Nadia and I sat down to start playing with her new toy, it didn't take us 15 minutes of unpacking to get started. There is minimal packaging to begin with and no annoying little twist ties to undo. I know you've opened toys and had your child lose interest or have a complete meltdown before you could get it out of the box. I also didn't have a pile of plastic to throw away at the end of the unveiling, either.

To see what toys Green Toys Inc. is currently making and read a full review, click on Read More!

You currently have 4 choices of toys from Green Toys Inc. There is a tea set, a
cookware and dining set, a sand play set, and our favorite, an indoor gardening set. The gardening set came with three little pots, three different kinds of seeds, a little shovel (trowel) and a cute little pod to place the pots on. This has come in handy as I've moved it from the windowsill down to my daughter's level, as it allows me to move them all at once. My only complaint is that there is no watering can for the set. We had one hanging around the house, but adding one to the set would make it complete. We anxiously check the pots every morning and are proud to announce that even with my lack of a green thumb, our seeds have started sprouting. Nadia and I have really had a lot of fun with this awesome "green" toy!

On to the official review:

Functionality **** - These toys are very solidly made. They don't seem flimsy. I'm pretty certain that the little pots

Style **** - While they are plastic, they aren't the obnoxious bright-colored toys you see all over Toys R Us. The colors are soft which means I don't mind having them sitting out on my windowsill.

Cost *** - The price tag for these toys is what I would expect for an innovative new product, especially a green one. You might be paying a little more than you would for the cute hot pink princess cookware set, but I feel like the extra $10 or so is a small price to pay for getting a toy you can feel good about letting your child play with.

Overall Rating ***1/2 - Green Toys Inc. is off to a great start. Their toys are solidly and safely constructed, appealing to the eye, and good for the environment. Seriously, what more could you ask for in a toy?

Welcome, BOB!

mbpinsky@gmail.com (Melissa) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 19:28:00 +0000

The BOB Revolution Duallie stroller joined our family of Phil and Ted, Peg, Maclaren and the single BOB revolution several weeks ago. When the package arrived, I was very excited! Unfortunately, I was not able to lift or move the beast alone, so I had to wait for my husband's help. He had the whole thing put together in our living room in a matter of minutes. He noted, though, that the BOB company, knowing the ages of our children, was nice enough to have already installed the car seat adapter bar, so we don't really know how long that might have taken.

Once the stroller was assembled Lil couldn't wait to jump in! She spent the rest of the afternoon climbing in and out, placing her baby doll in the seat beside her, and pretending to go for a ride. She was also very excited when she learned that her brother would be able to sit next to her and that she had her own spot for her water bottle and snacks! When the car seat adapter bar is in place, the child in the other seat gets a plastic snack/drink holder in front of them- This feature is gone, though, when the bar is removed.

This is a head turning stroller, to be sure! We have had endless comments and compliments on how "good-looking" and "cool" the stroller is. Perhaps it is the mere size that first draws a person's eye! The BOB Revolution Duallie measures 40 inches high and 30 inches across. Since the standard doorway is just 32 inches, this does not leave a lot of room for fingers or toes which might be sticking out! As you can see from the picture the Duallie is significantly bigger than its single counterpart, and once loaded into our small SUV did not leave much room for anything else!

At 33 pounds, it is no feather when it comes time for loading and unloading it from the car either. In fact, my husband and I agree that this is one of the major reasons that we are not going to keep this beauty as part of our stroller family. We simply do too much in and out of the car, mall walking, and navigating through the busy farmer's market to make such a heavy and wide stroller make sense for us. Still, there are a number of features that the BOB Revolution Duallie has that are worth mentioning and may make it a great fit for other families.
First of all, there is the ease of pushing this stroller. Even my grandmother (that's right- that makes her my kids' great-grandmother!) noted how easy it was to push the two little ones around the block in the Duallie. My husband, who is accustomed to running with the single BOB said he had no problems adjusting to the Duallie when he took our little ones out for a run. When the front wheel is locked into place as a running stroller it is exceptionally easy to push. He also noted that even once it got moving it was incredibly stable with no bounce and no wobbly handlebar. The Duallie provided a smooth ride for our little ones even over bumpy terrain. My husband also enjoyed the "quick adjust" feature that allows you to easily tweak the front wheel to compensate when the stroller is pulling to the left or right during a run. When the front wheel is allowed to swivel, the maneuvarability of this double is unbeatable. I am able to easily steer it with one hand, which is important as I am typically lugging either bags or a kid who doesn't want to sit! The general comfort of the Duallie would be another plus. The seats and sun shades are each independent of each other allowing us to customize for our different aged kids. Unlike many other strollers the sun shades also provide truly full coverage of the seat as you can see!

Both the harnesses and the seats themselves are easy to adjust and I always felt that my kids were secure in the seats. I have a pretty tall 2 1/2 year old (see legs hanging out above!), but she seemed very comfortable and had plenty of room to grow in this stroller.
As I mentioned, we are not able to keep this stroller due to its size, and okay, also due to the fact that we already own 4 other strollers! In addition to the size there were just two other things that concerned us about the Duallie: stability going over curbs and the basically inaccessible basket underneath. Since my little ones are almost two years apart, their weights are pretty different and this seems to affect to stability when coming up or going down curbs. BOB Revolution Duallie The basket underneath, while very spacious, is very difficult to get large things into, including my diaper bag. This storage issue is partially remedied, however, with the purchase of the Handlebar Console which has two drink holders and makes the stroller a little more parent-friendly. BOB also sells a stroller diaper bag for $59 which I think would be a great purchase as well!

Ratings on a **** Scale:

Functionality ** The functionality is unfortunately going to be the lowest score for the Duallie, but I realize that this may just be a matter of preference- Our in and out of the car lifestyle means that we need something a little easier to load and unload. I will say though, that the set up and collapse of the Duallie is very easy and convenient. Just two handles to pull and a lever to yank and the whole thing is collapsed.
Maneuverability **1/2 The manueverability is very good, both in the locked front wheel and fixed front wheel set-ups. As I discussed above, the biggest concern for us was the tipping that occured when trying to get the Duallie up onto the sidewalk.
Cost *** The Duallie is available directly from BOBGear.com for $569, making it comparable to many of the other high end double strollers. The Handlebar Console, which I think is a necessity, is another $21 and the Car Seat Adapter, which actually was a necessity for us as well, is $89.
Comfort *** 1/2 We never heard a complaint from either little person regarding the comfort of this stroller. The seats recline to a variety of angles and were comfortable enough that even my two year old took an afternoon snooze or two in the stroller. I do wish that the full upright position was a little more upright, but I have found this to be the case with all jogging-type strollers.
Style **** As I mentioned, the Duallie did attract a great deal of attention for its "curb appeal". Currently the Duallie is available in two colors, the Navy and Mesa Gray that we test drove or the Mesa Orange and Chocolate.
Overall Rating ***
There are many great features on this stroller and if your car is big enough, it is definitely worth checking out!

GIVEAWAY! - Summer Help from Olive Kids

cryspinsky@gmail.com (Crystal) — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 22:46:00 +0000

We've talked about Olive Kids before when they hosted another great giveaway, but just to refresh your memory, Olive Kids is an online shop offering loads of personalized goodies for your kids as well as very cute bedding and room decor to create an awesome kid friendly space. The added bonus? No annoying cartoon characters! For those of you who might be a little design challenged, Olive Kids also offers a link with decorating tips and paint matching. You don't have to wait for your new bedding to arrive before you can do the painting! Very handy.

As the summer season sets in, you are probably knee-deep in activities like summer camp, trips to the beach, 4th of July celebration planning, and keeping your children reading. Olive Kids is here to help you out with this as well. They offer personalized name tags for lunch boxes, beach bags, backpacks, and camp trunks. For an extra special 4th of July celebration, Olive Kids has some very patriotic personalized placemats to help make the kids table a cool place to have to sit. The placemats are made of a heavy laminate which makes them not only easy to clean, but very durable. You will be able to use the placemats meal after meal, or celebration after celebration! Finally, Olive Kids now offers personalized bookmarks to help your little reader mark her place in whatever summer reading book she is currently tackling. I'm personally considering ordering some of the name tags to help identify Princess Nadia's possessions when she heads to preschool in the fall.

Olive Kids has generously donated a great summertime prize package to one of our lucky readers. Click on Read More! to find out what they're giving away and how to win.

Olive Kids is giving away the following personalized goodies:

* one personalized 4th of July placemat
*one personalized name tag
* one personalized bookmark

This prize package is valued at over $30 with shipping!

Do you want to win this awesome prize package? Simply go take a look at the Olive Kids website and choose your favorite style from their new personalized bookmark collection. Come back here and let us know which is your favorite, and what book your child would most like to mark his place in. Please leave your comment by midnight on Sunday, July 6th. Only one comment per family please, and you must be 18 to enter. We will pick one winner using random.org and email them. You will then have a chance to tell us which bookmark and nametag you would like, and the name (or names) you want them personalized with.

Please be certain to leave your email address in your post so that we can contact you if you win.

Thanks Olive Kids for this great prize package and good luck to all of our readers!

A Few of My Favorite (Parent) Things: Bravado Nursing Bras

noreply@blogger.com (Nichole) — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 19:37:00 +0000

Ahh, the world of nursing bras (and big-ass boobs for those of us who are normally pretty modest in size). ; )

In fact, once I got through the hellish first few weeks of breast feeding I relished in the fact that I actually had cleavage, so much so that I actually bragged when I caught a Trader Joe's chocolate covered sunflower seed (that's seed, no shell) in between my voluptuous milk-makers....but I digress....I needed some nursing bras to comfortably hold these puppies in. Enter the Bravado Nursing Bras.

There are a lot of bras out there and I stupidly went with the first ones I came across at Mimi Maternity. This was frustrating considering their price tags. These utilized clips vs. the snaps that Bravado uses. I much prefer the snaps. The other BIG reason I hated the Mimi bras was the fact that the cup was designed in two parts, the bottom section that had a big hole in it, and the outer flap that clipped up over this bottom section. I was big, but for some reason could never fully fill this two-part cup up to where there was no sag/wrinkle between the two parts. This was so frustrating because I couldn't wear any shirt that was semi-tight thanks to a big wrinkle from the bra showing.

Click "Read More" for the rest of this post.

The three main reasons I love the Bravado Nursing Bras are:
1) They are snap vs. clip which I personally find easier to maneuver with one hand.
2) The cups are a single piece/flap, so the material lays flat under my shirts.
3) They pull over your head so I don't have to deal with clipping it in back or front, I find this design easy and comfortable.

This time around I couldn't find my Bravado's and needed a bra during pregnancy. I wanted to kill two birds with one stone and got a nursing bra vs. plain maternity bra. Unfortunately the shop I went to didn't carry the Bravados at the time but they did have a Melinda G brand that had single flap cup design that snapped open in-between the breasts (vs. on top), so I thought I'd give one a go. It was ok, better than the Mimi's but a pain in the butt to clasp in the back and just didn't feel as comfortable to me. Thankfully, the same store got in some Bravados and as soon as I put one on I remembered how much I loved them. It was night and day comfort-wise.

The one caveat I have regarding these is for some reason I have heard of people not liking the Bravados because the elastic band around the bottom of the breasts curls up. I have never experienced anything like this and don't know what would cause it. My only guess is that perhaps my build just works better with them....I have broad shoulders and my breasts are spaced pretty far apart (except for a few weeks during peak milk-making). So, my advice is to definitely try them on in your search and if it feels good only purchase one to make sure they don't curl up on you.

Review: Uppa Baby Bubble

cryspinsky@gmail.com (Crystal) — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 06:00:00 +0000

Sometimes when I talk to my mom about forgetting to pack one of my numerous baby "necessities" on a trip to the park or the zoo or the doctor, I stop to think about how in the world she raised three kids without all the things that I can't live without. It makes me appreciate how lucky we are to be raising our kids in these modern times where every time you turn around, someone has invented a new baby product. We have so many conveniences to make life simpler for us and more comfortable for our children. The Uppa Baby Bubble falls into this category of products that you never knew you needed, but soon will not know how you lived without.

What is the Bubble? It's exactly what it says it is. It's a protective cover for your infant car seat. It provides an SPF 50+ level of protection against the sun's harmful UV rays. It has a wind/rain protection feature and a zip-open bug protection feature as well. The Bubble easily pops open, is compatible with most car seats, and has it's own handy travel case. It's the must-have accessory for parents who like to be outdoors in the summer months with their children!

Click on Read More! to get a full review.

Functionality **** - Uppa Baby really thought of everything when they designed the Bubble. I pulled it out of the package and didn't even have to read an instruction manual to figure out how to fit it onto our Graco Snugride car seat. The design is very intuitive. At first I was worried about how warm it would get under the zip down sun/wind protector, but the sides are mesh and allow for ample air flow. When not in use, the sun protector folds into its own little zippered pouch. Very convenient. When not in use, the Bubble folds down into small flat carrying case. Perfect for throwing in the car or the stroller, just in case.

Style ** - With only one color to choose from, you won't be buying the Bubble because it looks fashionable. It's a bubble that fits over your car seat, and that's exactly what it looks like.

Cost **** - At a mere $19.99, you're getting a steal for all the protection the Bubble offers for your infant. It provides wind, rain, sun and bug protection all with a lightweight portable design.
Overall Rating ***1/2 - I'm not certain that the Uppa Baby Bubble is a must-have product for everyone, but I can think of a lot of potential uses. For those who spend a lot of time camping, at the park, or at outdoor festivals with their infant, the Bubble would be great for providing bug protection. I hate putting bug spray on myself, and wouldn't even consider getting it near my infant. Plus, the wind/rain protection would be great if you get caught out in a sudden summer rainstorm. The SPF protection is also crucial considering that its not recommended that you apply sunscreen on an infant until they are 6 months old. We use the Bubble to keep Isaac out of the sun on our walks to the grocery store and while Nadia is playing at the park. If you find yourself outside a lot during the summer months, then the Uppa Baby Bubble is definitely for you.

Little Miss and the Search for the Missing Friend

noreply@blogger.com (Laura M.- Editor) — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 03:01:00 +0000

Recently, Little Miss had a swimming class at the Greenlake pool here in Seattle. We met a lovely couple and their daughter. It was one of those things where you meet some other parents, you like them a lot, and the bonus is that your children get a long very well and are the same age. Kismet? Maybe. But it all added up to some awesome playdates for Little Miss and her new little friend and maybe some nice dinners and wine for the parents.

That is, until I, the world's worst mother, lost all the other parents' information.

And did I give them mine? No. I was an idiot.

So if you are out there, Parents of the little pool friend (I don't want to publish her little name here...but you should know who you are..I hope) Please contact me at review.babybuyproducts@gmail.com. We would love to talk to you and Little Miss would love to see your little one again!

-Laura (the world's worst mother)

Review: Silkseas by a b sea

cryspinsky@gmail.com (Crystal) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 02:09:00 +0000

Nearly three years ago when we found out we were having a girl, we went out and bought way too many clothes for Princess Nadia. Everything was so cute, but I didn't give a lot of thought to her comfort. I vowed that the second time around, my first concern would be Isaac's comfort, my second, cuteness. When I discovered silkseas by a b sea, I was excited to find a product that was first and foremost about the comfort of the child, but also looked attractive, too.

A b sea was founded by Alexis Koss and her mother Rene Fail. Their signature line is called silkseas which are washable silk onesies and twosies for newborns up to 24 months. Now, before you discount the idea of silk for a child, know that a b sea has created their own unique blend of 70% silk, 30% organic cotton. This blend makes the fabric fantastically soft and super easy to wash. I threw Isaac's hooded top into the laundry with all of his other clothes and hung it up to dry. It's as soft and wrinkle-free as it was when I first put it on him.

To read more about silkseas and get a full review, click on Read More!

One of the biggest advantages that I see to a b sea's silk/cotton blend is that it is breathable and cool in the summer, but holds the warmth in the winter. I found Isaac's hooded top to be just the right weight for a cool June evening earlier this week. I wasn't worried that he was hot or cold. It's exactly the type of clothing that we need here in Chicago this time of the year when the weather can be unpredictable. I also feel good about the fact that a b seas uses organic cotton because I know that while it's a small step, it's a step in the right direction. The fewer chemicals that are used in farming, the healthier our whole environment will be.

See the full review below. All ratings are on a four star scale.

Functionality **** - The unique 70% silk/30% organic cotton silkseas are naturally warm in the winter, but still lightweight and breathable in the summer months. This makes them great for layering and also for throwing in a diaper bag to cover unexpected changes in temperature which are inevitable here in the windy city. The fabric is also 100% washable, although it does ask that you hang dry. Isaac's top came out of the wash looking like new. I was impressed.

Style **** - I love the simplicity of silkseas. The fabric colors are reminiscent of the ocean and the beach. Each color has it's own unique animal embroidery stitched on the front as well as the a b seas sandcastle logo on the back. Isaac's jacket is the a navy blue color called wave and has the cutest little walrus riding a surfboard stitched on the front. You're not getting any frilly dresses, just simple pants with either a hooded top or crew, a baby sac which has an opening for a car seat belt (very practical), or a long "onesea" with snaps. Very simple. Additionally, with the exception of the buoy pink, I feel like silkseas are pretty gender neutral.

Cost * 1/2 - The silk and organic cotton definitely makes silkseas a luxury item. However, the high quality means that you will definitely be able to pass these down to a younger sibling or friend. I'm often hesitant to pass a lot of my kids' clothing on simply because so much of it doesn't wash well. I would be 100% comfortable with sharing our silkseas hooded top as a hand-me-down.

Overall Rating *** - If you're looking for versatile, comfortable and practical clothing from a company that is doing their part to make our world a cleaner and safer place to raise our children, then a b sea is for you. The clothing may be a little pricey, but if you want something to pass down from child to child or friend, feel confident that your money will be well spent.

I "test flew" a Bugaboo Bee

cryspinsky@gmail.com (Crystal) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 05:45:00 +0000

Last spring when I heard rumors that Bugaboo had a new stroller coming out, my fingers were crossed for a double. When I found out that the new innovation was not a double, but an easy to fold "umbrella" style stroller, I was still intrigued. We were not in the market for a single, but I was anxious to give one a try anyway. So, in late April when I got an email from Bugaboo advertising their promotional "Test Fly a Bugaboo Bee" program, I jumped at the chance to be able to test one out for 48 hours. We did our best to give it as thorough of a test as we did with the Mountain Buggy and the Bumbleride Indie Twin, but there's only so much you can do in two days. I do feel like we gave it a pretty good workout, though.

Click on Read More to see a full review of the Bugaboo Bee.

One of the main reasons why we love our Cameleon so much is because the design is incredibly intuitive. Even having never seen a Bee in person before, my husband and I were easily able to figure out how to manipulate the stroller. You just look for the white plastic pieces. It was easy to figure out how to fold the stroller, even without help from a salesperson. While it did take me a couple of tries to get the hang of pushing a little button on one of the sides as I lifted up on the white part, but eventually I got the hang of folding the stroller. Once we figured out the fold, we were off on our "test flight."

We loaded up our compactly folded Bee and headed out to the 'burbs to shop for a new computer. There was clearly no problem with the Bee fitting into our Subaru Outback thanks to the super compact one-piece fold. One of the most common complaints about the Bugaboo Frog and Cameleon is that you have to remove the seat to fold the stroller down. In my experience, they also take up a lot of space in the trunk of a car as well. The Bee would definitely be an option for parents who are looking to travel with a more compact stroller. Another bonus is that you can fold the stroller with the car seat adapter attached which is one less step when loading and unloading the car.

As we pulled up to Best Buy, we got to experience the ridiculously easy unfolding of the Bee. All you have to do is step down on the very conspicuous white brake and pull up on the handlebar. All of this can be done easily with one hand. We got Princess Nadia buckled in and headed off for some shopping. While Nadia never really has any trouble falling asleep in her Cameleon, I was pretty skeptical about how comfy she was really going to be in the much more bare-bones looking Bee. To my surprise, the stroller was comfortable enough to knock her right out. We used the white handle on the back of the seat to easily recline the seat for her. She proceeded to sleep the rest of the shopping trip. It was fabulous!

We were really anxious to use the stroller in the city, and got to do so later that afternoon when my husband took Nadia on a quick trip to Walgreens in the rain. The Bee comes with a rain cover standard. It was easy to put on and kept The Princess completely dry. Upon his return, he commented on how amazed he was by how easily the tires tackled the city sidewalks. They are not air-filled, but each wheel has its own independent suspension which helps to absorb the bumps. When I pushed the stroller the next day, I was impressed by how quietly it pushed as well. Our Maclaren is very loud when rolling down the sidewalk, but the Bee was just as quiet as pushing a stroller with air-filled tires.

Just to keep my stroller reviews somewhat consistent, I took the Bee on a quick grocery shopping trip. There is a storage basket which you access from the front, not the rear of the stroller. I got two boxes of cereal, a gallon of milk, a liter of OJ and some strawberries and bananas in it. Not too shabby for such a compact stroller. I will say that it was a little difficult to get the groceries in the basket while my daughter was buckled into her seat because I had to go around her legs, but not impossible.

Another one of the great features of the Bee is the very substantial canopy. It provides almost complete sun coverage. So much that Nadia kept sitting forward to try to see around it. I definitely wouldn't worry at all about the sun bothering her regardless of the time of day.

While I do feel like the stroller was functional for the ways that we used it, just like every stroller I've ever tried out, I don't feel like it's perfect. Although the Bee folds easily, its use, in my opinion, is very limited by needing two hands to fold it down. It worked out great for use in the 'burbs because I could buckle my toddler into her car seat before I folded up the stroller; however, the two-handed fold would be impossible with my toddler in tow at places like the airport, on buses, or up and down the steps of the subway. In those instances, at least with my toddler, I can't just let go of her hand while I fold a stroller. The Bee would definitely not replace my very handy Maclaren which I can easily fold while holding my squirming toddler.

I always loved my Cameleon because when I wanted more interaction with The Princess or when the weather was windy, I could turn the seat around to face me instead of facing forward. In theory, you were not supposed to do this without taking the child out of the seat, but I almost always did. If you want to reverse the seat with the Bee, it's impossible to do without removing your child. It's also a multi-step process that was demonstrated to us when we picked up the stroller, but was so involved that I didn't pay very close attention. I'm sure that once you've done it a time or two, it's really not all that difficult, but it isn't at easy as lifting the seat off and turning it around like it is with our Cameleon.

While the seat does have this interesting feature that allows you to lengthen it to supposedly accommodate larger children, I do have some concerns about how long you'd actually be able to really use this stroller. The Princess is in roughly about the 50th percentile in height for her age. I'm guessing she's around 37 inches tall or so. Even though she's really not very tall, her head already nearly hits the canopy of the stroller. Yes, the seat lengthens so her feet don't dangle, but this doesn't solve the problem with the seat back. I'm willing to accept that her stroller days are numbered; so, for us it wouldn't be a huge issue, but for those of you with taller children might find that they outgrow it pretty early.

Bugaboo has a ton of accessories to allow you to customize the Bee to fit your needs. Theyoffer a Baby Cocoon to help provide extra support for your newborn. It has a detachable apron which would be essential if you're going to be using it in the summer months. It also has a detachable head support. Considering how very little padding and support the actual stroller seat offers, this would be an essential accessory for those urban dwellers who don't use a car seat with the adapter in the first months. For those people who like to be able to attach the car seat, an important note is that you don't have to remove the seat to attach the adapter. This is very handy for storage purposes. Bugaboo also make a breezy sun canopy which has mesh fabric on the front and sides to allow air circulation. We found this accessory essential with our Cameleon because the canopy is made out of fleece, but I'm not sure if it's entirely necessary with the Bee. They also have this space-age looking silver sun shade that covers the entire stroller and blocks 60-65% of the UV rays. Many stroller companies are offering these sun shades, and while I've never used one, I'm sort of skeptical on how hot it would get underneath them during the hot summer. The Bee also has a foot muff for the cold winter months. We splurged for the foot muff for our Cameleon, and it was the most used accessory that we purchased. It was well made, super warm, and fit the stroller perfectly. There are a handful of other accessories like a cup holder, diaper bag, travel bag and micro fleece blanket available as well. You really do have the opportunity to completely customize the Bugaboo Bee to fit whatever lifestyle you're living.

On to the full review. All ratings are on a four star scale.

Functionality **1/2 - For those of you that have never owned a Bugaboo stroller and have often wondered why in the world anyone would ever pay so much money for a stroller, this is the category in which Bugaboo typically excels. The design of all their strollers is very intuitive. If you want to recline a seat, fold or unfold, apply a brake, or manipulate a setting, you simply look for the white plastic. Unlike many other compact strollers, you can adjust the handlebars of the Bee to fit your height. The Bee loses a star for the fact that it takes two hands to initiate the fold and for the multi-step process it takes to detach the seat. I will give Bugaboo kudos for finally designing a stroller that folds in one piece and one that allows you to keep the car seat adapter attached while folded as well. Keep in mind that while you can lock the wheels of the Bee to provide stability on rougher surfaces, the smaller 6" tires are going to prevent you from using this stroller through sand or snow which is a change from the Cameleon and Frog and makes the Bee a lot less versatile.

Maneuverability **** - I didn't really say much about this previously, but the Bee really is easy to push and maneuver. The independent suspension makes the fact that it doesn't have air-filled tires almost a non-issue. It also has a 360 degree turning radius which would making navigating stores at the mall a breeze. Of course, it's super simple to push with only one hand as well. As you know, a must-have feature as far as I'm considered.

Cost * - $530. I really have a difficult time deciding what niche this stroller is trying to fill? If you live in the city, is this your "trunk" stroller? If so, I think there are better strollers for this purpose that cost a lot less money. If you live in the burbs, is this your only stroller? How much are you going to use it? If it's just for trips to the mall, again, there are probably other strollers out there that would serve you just as well for less money. Are you an urban dweller who is using this as your only stroller? Do you need one that is light-weight for lugging up and down steps? Do you need one that stores compactly? If you said yes to these questions, then the hefty price tag is then probably more justified. You're getting Bugaboo quality and functionality in a light-weight and compact stroller, and the Bee is not going to fall apart through daily use. (Just in case, the Bee does come with a 2-year warranty, and Bugaboo has great customer service. The front wheel on our Cameleon quit turning freely, and Bugaboo sent us a replacement for free, no questions asked, and AFTER our two-year warranty had expired!)

Comfort **1/2 - This stroller is definitely on the smaller side, and while the seat does lengthen to accommodate longer legs, I'm not certain about how comfortable a taller child would be in this stroller. You are definitely not getting the cushy comfort of the Bee's sisters the Frog and Cameleon, but I personally don't feel like very many compact strollers offer a tremendous amount of comfort. One note, my daughter did fall asleep in it which is worth something.

Style *** - As with any stroller, it's totally a matter of taste. The Bee does have a very unique look. I think it's definitely called the Bee for a reason because t does look very insect like. The style is very simplistic with a black seat and customizable canopy. Bugaboo has increased their color selection to now include blue, khaki and of course my favorite, hot pink.

Accessories **1/2 - The Bee has a long list of accessories to help you customize your stroller. Of course, you're already paying over $500 for the stroller. It would be nice if the stroller came with things like a car seat adapter and foot muff standard. The storage basket which does come standard is big enough to accommodate a relatively substantial amount of stuff for a compact stroller, but loses points because you have to access it from the front which is a pain when a toddler is strapped into the seat.

Overall Rating **1/2 - The Bugaboo Bee is definitely not going to replace the Frog or Cameleon anytime soon. Like I said, I'm not certain what niche this stroller is filling in the stroller arena. It's not a true "umbrella" and it's definitely not an "all-terrain." If you don't try to fit it into a category and just look at the stroller for its features, I do think it's a well-built and functional stroller for those who don't want the burden of two strollers (one for everyday use and one for the trunk), want something that's a little more adjustable and higher quality than a standard umbrella stroller, but still need a stroller that's light-weight and compact.

Review: Munchkin Snack Catcher

noreply@blogger.com (Nichole) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 03:48:00 +0000

As I noted in my review of the Boon Snack Ball, I preferred the handled Snack Traps. However, Laura gave me the Munchkin Snack Catcher to try out and it is much better than both of the above.

The main reason is the size and the construction/materials. It is larger than both the Snack Ball and Snack Trap so it holds more and holds larger pieces. However, it's not too large to make it a pain to throw in a diaper bag or back pack.

Click "Read More" for the rest of the review...

The material is much stronger than the Snack Trap and the lid isn't as flimsy-feeling but is still quite easy for my gal to get her grub on. The handles are rubberized and larger for a better grip, and the container is a thicker plastic than the Snack Trap. There's even a place to write your kiddo's name on the bottom....while that's not some scientific break-through I appreciate the thought that went into this design. Clearly Munchkin saw an opportunity to improve on the limited options available and they did a great job.

All Ratings on a Four **** Scale:

Functionality ****: This product does exactly what it's meant to do, it keeps snacks from falling out while allowing easy accessibility for small hands.

Cost ****: At ~$5 for one or $8 for two, it's slightly less than both the Snack Trap and Snack Ball. Not only is it a better product, it's more affordable!

Style ****: Fun color options and smart material usage (rubberized handles and bottom). Plus it is BPA-free and dishwasher-safe.

Overall Rating ****: I believe that this is my first 4-star review but honestly compared to what I've tried it's hard to find a fault with this product. At $5 a pop it's totally worth a try if you don't believe me!

Review: Valco Tri-Mode Twin

noreply@blogger.com (Alexandra) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 22:54:00 +0000

The joy of a second child is nearly matched by the pain of the double stroller. My friends said there is nothing good about them. But I saw a different side of this story when I tested the Valco Tri-Mode Twin. I loved this stroller.

Yes, it is large, compared to a single. But you simply cannot compare a double to a single. So, in this review, I’ve put that aside. The Valco has comfy seats which independently (fully) recline, amazing independent canopies which block as much sun as possible without putting baby into a cocoon. I have never felt a smoother ride in a stroller. The Valco has way more storage space than I could dream of. The only major hitches are the price ($659 retail) and the weight (33lbs). While it compares closely with other top-end strollers in both of these categories, these remain an issue.

Click Read More! below to see the full review of the Valco Tri-Mode Twin.

Read More!

So, a monster box arrived on my doorstep. My husband had to bring it into the house and downstairs for me. At 33 weeks pregnant (or even not PG), there is no way I could have done this myself. We unloaded the box and were pleased to find only 9 pieces to assemble. It took us about an hour and twenty minutes to put together. This is not because it was difficult, but because we really took the time to understand the stroller’s relevant functions. It could, conceivably, be done in 45 minutes, but you definitely need the manual. The buckle on the restraint straps, alone, took both of us to master. There is NO way - none - a child can unlatch this buckle on their own.

After assembly, between the two of us, we took about 20-30 minutes to practice folding and unfolding the stroller. This was a really good idea! I am not mechanically inclined. We would have also practiced the brakes, only it is so simple, a single foot press will do to either lock or release, that that was a non-issue.

The day after assembly, I was excited to take Anastasia for a ride. Even she was excited! Dad wasn’t home yet, so I - alone (and pregnant) - had to lug the “2 pounds lighter than the previous model” through a doorway, up a half flight of steps, out the garage door, between the car and garbage can and out to the driveway. I do not recommend this. It wasn’t easy. It was difficult to get my body and the folded stroller (28"W x 29"L x 18"H) through a standard doorway. In several weeks, I will be considerably thinner, but the doorway will still be the same size, and I predict such attempts will remain difficult.

After opening the stroller (like a pro, I might add) and adjusting the handle (which has an amazing adjustment range to accommodate the tall or the short), Anastasia nearly jumped into her seat. We headed out down the driveway and into the neighborhood. The stroller absorbed every bump and shock along the way thanks to the pneumatic tires. It is a smooooth ride. The wheels are thick, quick, responsive and sure. We made sudden turns and easily managed them all (there is also a pump stashed neatly into a cranny should you ever need it out and about. You’ll need your manual to find it though).

On this very sunny, warm day, I pulled the canopy as far forward as possible shielding all of my baby’s body except half her calves and feet. The canopy vents circulated air. Anastasia’s view was undoubtedly obstructed, but we must make sacrifices for sun protection. The Valco comes with a clear plastic sun/UV/rain shield which covers the entire stroller from the bumper to the handles. The exact means of attaching this shield is not native to the mind, so again, read your manual. As the canopies provide such extensive coverage, I can really only imagine using this during rainy weather.

There are fanny-pack like pouches on the back of each seat. I stashed my cell phone, my chapstick and some snacks for Anastasia in one of these pouches relieving me of the need to carry a purse or bag. There is also a large under-basket, and more pouches on the back of both seats and on each side of the basket as well. You could not lack for storage space. It is also possible to detach the stroller’s seat-back pouches to create a diaper bag carrier. I would personally not sacrifice the canopy coverage for this, but it is an option.

We both enjoyed this practice ride so much.

I showed off the Valco to my father and Anastasia’s great grandmother. My dad was appalled at the weight as he lifted the (still) 33lb stroller into the back of my Toyota Highlander. From the picture you can see how much space this stroller takes up. I cannot think of a smaller car that, if it could hold the Valco, could hold much else in the trunk. The stroller’s dimensions when folded are 28"W x 29"L x 18"H and you have to adjust the wheels “just so” to achieve a full collapse. There is also the option of pressing release buttons to remove the tires, saving more space (dimensions of 27"W x 26"L x 16"H), but this seems a pain to me and takes some ease out of the stroller.

I hooked up with a friend and her one year old boy, Baby G, to give the stroller a proper workout (for my lifestyle). And so, we hit the mall with our diaper bags, snack bags, purses and two children in tow. Work out time! Both children were positioned in comfortable upright positions and neither complained about the straps. The lap bar was attached as Anastasia likes to hold onto one.

We put our necessary items in the seat back pouches and set to cramming our other bags into the under basket. While I do agree that it is large enough to hold all of the above but my purse (I’ve carried a “Mom purse” since well before I was a Mom), there is a vertical bar from the basket frame to the stroller frame that makes it very difficult to get the bags into the basket. That is definitely a problem- and would likely create a crisis mode at those times you just have to get something out QUICK!

Remarkably, considering all of its whistles and bells, the stroller lacks any kind of feeding tray. That’s a complication and this makes feeding the kids, while out for the day, something of a pain.

“Yes”, the stroller is only 28 inches wide and can fit through standard doors. But “No,” the stroller could not be pushed through a door if you are alone because you can’t fit through next to it. So, unless someone holds the door open for you (which, let’s face it, is almost never going to happen) or you find a door with a handicap auto entry, you will need a wing man. Luckily we found an auto-opening door.

The stroller takes up nearly a whole elevator at the mall. A second, single stroller and two parents squeezed in with the four of us. I think they secretly gave us dirty looks.

The stroller, while maneuverable, would only fit in Macy’s main aisles and in the mall’s open walking mall area. It’s too wide to fit between specialty store (Baby Gap, Gymboree) aisles or Macy’s merchandise aisles. Clearly these aisles are narrower than 28 inches. This did not make shopping fun or easy- obviously I wouldn’t leave my kids alone to do my shopping. My friend or I opted to stay with the kids and stroller while the other browsed. We cut our trip short because of this.

My friend helped me lift the (still) 33lb stroller back into my car and we parted ways.

I must qualify this review by noting that the Minnesota’s Twin Cities are quite spread out, making many of us suburbanites. In cramped city shopping this stroller may be a formidable structure. But happily, we have lots of lakes and parks, making this stroller much better than it was at the mall.

Clearly I love this stroller. There are, however, some negatives that I do need to point out.

There is no built in car seat adaptor or attachment. Valco does sell adaptors for Graco, Peg-Pérego, Britax, and Combi car seats. These retail for about $40. There are only three locations in the Minneapolis area from which to purchase this piece. So, when I have two children, this stroller will not even work for us as my car seat can’t be placed in the stroller.

There is no cup holder included either. This can also be purchased separately. For nearly $700, it would be nice if these options were standard and included.

Weight; 33 pounds is very heavy, even if it is lighter than the last model.

Without question, the large under-basket storage holds a lot, but is difficult to access due to the stroller’s frame. This makes it hard to use the space.

There is no handle to carry the folded stroller. At 33 lbs., the folded stroller is unwieldy and a handle would be very helpful.

The Reviews, each out of four stars are:

Functionality ***: Amazingly smooth ride due to pneumatic tires. Per my husband, any guy will love how easy this is to assemble- no tools required. There is abundant storage space, large under-basket (though harder to access than I’d like), lots of extra pouches for extra and emergency items. The canopies provide excellent coverage and still allow you to see baby through mesh panels. No built in car seat adaptor or cup holder.

Style *** and a half: Modern clean lines to this stroller- it is nice to look at. It comes in four color combinations which range from subdued to flashy. If you prefer a more traditional look, the colored piping might be a little much.

Price ** and a half: $659 is a lot of money. A LOT- and then you have to pay extra for a car seat adaptor and cup holder. While it does compare with other high end strollers, you can’t argue that these are priced out of most people’s range.

Overall Score *** and a half: This is just an incredible stroller, the smooth ride, storage space, maneuverability- I’ve never seen anything like it. The less accessible under-basket, weight and price are the biggest negatives.

Review: Aden + Anais swaddling blankets

cryspinsky@gmail.com (Crystal) — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 20:34:00 +0000

As you read from my post last week, we love wrapping up little baby burritos in our house. When Isaac starts to get a little fussy, all it takes is a tight swaddle to put him right to sleep. We have our tried and true swaddle blankets and have been pretty hesitant to try anything new. If it's not broke, don't fix it, right? When I got the opportunity to try the Aden + Anais muslin baby wraps, I was initially somewhat skeptical. Could I really like another swaddle blanket as much as I loved the ones that we've been using for months? We've been using our blankets for a few weeks now, and I have to admit they now see almost as much use as our old standbys.

Click on Read More! to learn more about Aden + Anais and get a full review.

Aden + Anais was born when two Aussie moms who had moved to the U.S. began looking for the muslin wraps that they knew to be a staple with moms back in Australia. They soon found that the blankets did not exist here in the U.S. That's when Claudia and Raegan decided to create their own. They began with a line of muslin wraps and now also offer a line of soft cotton towels and muslin washcloths, too.

We really like the Aden + Anais wraps. For one, they are HUGE at 47 inches by 47 inches to be exact. As you know, newborns grow very quickly and most blankets just aren't big enough to allow you to get a really tight swaddle for very long. When we wrap Isaac up, we have plenty of room to really pull the blanket tight around him. If he wasn't getting so strong, we'd be able to use these blankets for months.

The cotton muslin fabric has been a godsend as the weather has gotten warmer. I never worry that Isaac is too hot when he's wrapped up in his Aden + Anais blanket, regardless of the temperature. I used one the other day to drape over his head and body when he was in the Baby Bjorn at the park. It blocked the hot sun, but didn't completely smother the poor guy. Aden + Anais also makes a winter weight wrap as well. The winter wrap is make out of the same muslin fabric, but is double layered for a little extra warmth.

The muslin fabric is soft and breathable, but there's just a tiny bit of stretch to it. Not really a big deal for a young baby, but the stretch makes it even easier for my little Hercules to break himself out of his swaddle. I fully accept that the breaking out is inevitable, and he's able to do it more and more frequently even in our old blankets, but he gets out VERY quickly when wrapped up in his muslin blanket. I did notice that the Aden + Anais website had an alternative "Aussie" method for swaddling your baby. We're going to give it a try and see if it helps keep Isaac contained for just a little longer. I really do feel that Isaac sleeps better when he's tightly swaddled, and I'm dreading the transition to getting him to sleep without the swaddle.

Now for the "official" review.

All ratings are on a four-star scale.

Functionality ***1/2 - While these blankets haven't completely replaced our favorite swaddling blankets, I do think they are a great alternative. The extra-large size makes these blankets perfect for swaddling larger babies. I love the unique muslin fabric. It's so soft and breathable. I NEVER worry about Isaac getting hot while swaddled in his Aden + Anais wrap, even on the warmest nights. They are also simple to wash and dry, too. I took off 1/2 a star just because Isaac has quickly mastered getting himself out of his swaddle with these blankets due to the slight stretch in the fabric. I didn't take off more because I know a lot of this is just a product of the fact that he's nearly 4 months old and getting pretty strong. He's able to get out of just about any swaddle these days, but the Aden + Anais blankets pose little challenge. The Aden + Anais website also offers several other uses for your wraps, as well.

Style **** - We've been using the zoo animals prints which I really love, but you have tons of options in boy and girl prints as well as some great unisex options as well. All of the prints are simple with muted colors, and your choices go beyond simply pink, blue, green and yellow. I think the mod prints are cute, and I love the navy/lime prints as well.

Cost **** - At only $44 for a pack of 4, these wraps are a steal! Aden + Anais does offer packs of two for $29.95 which makes them a little more pricey, and the winter weight version is more expensive as well, but it's hard to find such a quality swaddling blanket for only $11 each!

Overall Rating **** - I really do like these swaddle blankets, especially for the warm months. They are inexpensive and incredibly functional. I'm sad that we won't be using them much longer for swaddling because Isaac is really reaching the end of his swaddling days, but I know that we will be finding tons of other uses for them.

Review: babykick kickTrak

noreply@blogger.com (Nichole) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 20:57:00 +0000

I received this device from babykick to help keep track of my baby's movements. It's a simple device, about the size of a small remote control that tracks your pregnancy progress and stores recent kicking sessions. The product is easy to use and does exactly what it's sold to do. My only issue is I really don't see the need of it. The theory is you need to feel 10 movements within a 2hr window. It makes more sense if you need to feel something like 50, but it's not too difficult to keep track of 10.

However, I just may not be a good tester of this because I've had extremely active baby's that I can easily feel, and that give me 10 kicks almost right away if I sit or lay down. My first was so active during one of our ultrasounds we actually had to go back to finish getting the measurements because she wouldn't sit still. I don't know if this activity is common....maybe there are some who don't get this much activity and/or the movements are felt further apart to where it would take a whole 2 hrs. to get in 10 kicks????

It also claims that by keeping previous sessions (10 total) in memory you can identify changes that may warrant evaluation by your provider. However, in my experience, if I'm not getting a lot of movement in moments of sitting/laying I know something is up without having to look at previous sessions.

The one thing it may be helpful in doing is timing/tracking contractions. Since I was induced for my first I don't know how hard this is to keep track of, but if it all happens naturally this go-around we may get this out to help us along.

Click "Read More" for the full review....

All ratings are on a four-star scale.

Functionality **** - It works exactly like it claims and does exactly what it's supposed to do, so functionally it's fine. However, just because it functions correctly doesn't mean it's filling a need (at least in my experience).

Style *** - It's nothing fancy, just a clean, simple design. Once you hit 10 it plays a little bit of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" which is a bit over-the-top in my opinion.

Cost * - $40, really???? That's kinda ridiculous, the ItzBeen is only $25 and seems to pack the same amount (or more) technology in it than this device.

Overall Rating * 1/2- It's a fine, well-meaning, functional device, but I truly don't think it's necessary. Again, I may be a bad tester and there may be gals out there who need it but I'm not one of them.

Review: Babyganics

noreply@blogger.com (Laura M.- Editor) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 04:12:00 +0000

Speaking of environmentally safe cleaning products. I recently have been trying out two products by Babyganics. We have really been trying to make an effort to clean our home with the least amount of chemicals necessary. I got sick of doing the cleaning and then having my nose feel absolutely burnt with the fumes. We have also gone from using a roll of paper towels per week to using one every few months. Lately, my theory has been- "Warm water with a towel, and it that dosen't work, I'll add a little Method Dish Washing Soap or Babyganics." And really, that seems to work better than I ever expected. Yes, we are doing a little more laundry because of all the rags, but I think it works out to one small load per week more than usual (but really I work the rags in with other laundry so do I have to count it? :) )

I also just read a GREAT interview with Kevin, the founder of Babyganics. You can read the interview here, and I encourage you to do so if you are interested in the Green Movement and parents who are in the business of selling "green" baby products. I really like that he says to start cleaning with a damp cloth, and THEN if you NEED it, use a cleaner.
Anyway- I have been using the All-Purpose Household Cleaner and the Bath and Tile Cleaner. The household cleaner has no smell, and cleans well. The Bath and Tile Cleaner has a nice lavender smell that is not overpowering but doesn't clean so well on my tub. It can't really break through the soap scum that accumulates from our Dr. Bronners bar soap. By the way, I love Dr. Bronners- They are all organic, and the Baby Mild soap has been great for my kids since day one.

Back to the Babyganics, please click "Read More!" to get the full review.

All Reviews on a four **** scale:

Functionality *** for the All-Purpose Cleaner and ** for the Tub and Tile Cleaner.
I like the all purpose cleaner for Mr. Man's highchair when soap and water just isn't enough, and I have used it on our kitchen table for the same reason. There is NO smell which I really love, and it seems really mild. Since I have gone back to work, we have had house cleaners every other week and I am a bit spoiled, but I DO have to clean our counters and table quite a bit and I have used almost a whole bottle of Babyganics All-Purpose with great results. You still have to put a little elbow-grease into it, but it works. The Tub and Tile cleaner has not functioned as well, but it does have a pleasant lavender smell, and gets the tub somewhat clean. Our house cleaners use 100% "green" cleaners made from vinegar and, I believe borax. The house is so nice and clean when they leave and again, there is no chemical-y smell.

Cost **: At $5.99 it isn't bad, but I think, again, vinegar and water would do just fine in the spray bottle when it is empty.

Since I can't give Babyganics a style score really, since it is a cleaner and that doesn't really matter, I will just go ahead and give it an overall score.

Overall score: ** and a half- If you are pressed for time, and don't want to make your own, these green cleaners work pretty well. The Tub and Tile cleaner couldn't stand up to my tough soap scum, but I have heard that that is always worse with bar soap so maybe if you don't use bar soap it would work better for you. The All-Purpose Cleaner was a breath of fresh air- literately! I do feel better that they are better for everyone and the earth, but I think I will just refill the bottles with home-brewed cleaner when they are empty.

Review: Eco-Me Home and Baby Cleaning Products

noreply@blogger.com (Alexandra) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 01:33:00 +0000

Ok, so it’s nothing to brag about, but I am not the best housekeeper. When I do a deep clean, it is with the standard chemical-filled fare (which is dutifully locked away from Anastasia). Times are a bit tight, so I do not have excess funds to spend on organics and natural products. When Eco-Me’s package of cleaning and baby products arrived, I called in reinforcements. My sister-in-law is a clean freak, so I thought she could help me better judge the outcome.

The Starter Home Kit package contains several plastic bottles and containers, essential oils and basic introductory material on who the company is and why they do what they do. Each product container has several fill lines tick-marked on the side. You then measure the natural products you already own to concoct their cleaning products in your home. Eco-Me's information is scant on explanation of why each ingredient is useful. Most contain only water, vinegar and Eco-Me’s essential oil mix. As someone who likes bleach (for example), I do not know why vinegar (for example) should replace it- what are the special properties of vinegar that make it better than bleach (other than simply it is not organic)?

The Home Kit comes with one mixture of essential oils that is added to the All Purpose Spray Cleaner, Wood Polish Spray and Scrub cleanser. If you do not care for the smell of this mixture, that is what you get, there is no other choice. You also get a cleaning cloth, a scrub brush and a plastic mixing stick.

Click Read More! to see the full review for Eco-Me.

Read More!

We tried the Wood Polish Spray on my banister and cabinets. The effect? It did shine the wood (you add olive oil to the mixture)- and oil is shiny. Sister-in-law and I both would have preferred the brighter polish and deeper clean of Murphy’s oil/soap. Also, the mixture settles out quickly; we had to constantly re-shake the bottle to keep using the spray.

The mixture, without the olive oil, is the All Purpose Cleaner. It can be used for basic kitchen and home cleaning. I just didn’t get the feeling that I was cleaning better with the home-made mixes. I did believe that I was still cleaning, but I prefer the tried and true (shame on me!) chemicals (again, so did my sister-in-law). If organic and all natural is your lifestyle and you can afford it, then perhaps you will like these better than me- they do work, you can’t argue otherwise.

The Baby Room Spray and Baby Clean Wipes are made of water, vinegar and the Eco-Me essential oil mix (same for both of these products). Again, if you do not like the smell, that is all you get, there is no other option (it is different from the home product essential oils mix). For the baby products, the oil’s mix is very piney smelling to me. I prefer that my child (with sensitive skin) smell like herself, not pine. I worried a lot that the essential oils would trouble her skin. Happily they did not. The Wipes themselves are thick, large square paper cloths and quite durable. I was a bigger fan of the actual cloth than the mixture they were in. The Baby Room Spray did cover the smell of diapers, just as well as other diaper pail cleaners/deodorizers.

Formal Review, each out of four stars:

Functionality: ** - Again, you can’t argue that the home-mixed products don’t work, it is just personal preference. I just can’t be convinced that I am getting a better clean for my (scant) cleaning time without the stringent products and smells. And, for the record, my neat freak sister-in-law felt the same way. I do give a big thumbs up to the baby wipes themselves; they were great, thick and durable.

Style: *** - Looking at the products from a reduce-reuse-recycle viewpoint, the plastic bottles are re-useable, unbreakable and won’t go into a landfill if you keep using them.

Cost: ** - The Home Kit is $26, the Baby Room Spray Kit is $6.50 and the Baby Clean Wipes Kit is $8.50 (refill wipes are $3.00 for 25 count). The initial fee is high, but if you plan to stick to the natural lifestyle and continue to use and reuse the products, then you will eventually come out ahead of going to Target over and over again.

Overall Score: ** - I just feel this is personal preference. I prefer my SoftScrub; you may prefer to make your own cleaner.