Zoolu Zone

SPIN IT, TWIST IT, SHAKE IT

2011-07-20T14:58:00.001-07:00

My family and I are headed to San Francisco this weekend for a wedding. While I was packing I started thinking about how much STUFF little kids require. My baby girl is 10 months, so she really only needs food and a couple small toys. As kids grow, it seems like the toys just get bigger!

I kind of can’t wait for my little one to be old enough for a “Find It” toy. Check out how cool these are! It’d be perfect for a car ride or plane ride. While it is a game, it’s a game that your children can play by themselves. You can join in on the fun though, if you want. It also isn’t messy….no little pieces to pick up or chase down the aisle on a plane!

Depending on what theme you choose, there are endless little goodies your kids will find inside. Just SPIN IT, TWIST IT, SHAKE IT and start searching! Kids will have so much fun seeing all the little surprises and trying to be the first to find a giraffe, soccer ball, or necklace. You could even time them so that they can try to beat their previous score. Be creative.

You can find all of these fun FIND IT toys today in the new and improved Zoolu! Baby Boutique. WOOHOO! We hope you like it!

Should children be allowed in restaurants?

2011-07-18T09:51:00.001-07:00

For starters, YES! I think children should be allowed in restaurants…

A friend of mine from Pennsylvania, forwarded me an interesting article regarding kids in restaurants. Last week, the owner of McDain’s Restaurant and Gold Center in Monroeville, Pa., banned children under age 6. HERE is the article. Personally, I was offended when I first read the article. I understand that there can be some loud kids, but this seems so unnecessary.

Vuick, the owner of the restaurant said "Nothing wrong with babies, but the fact is you can't control their volume," Vuick said. "There may be restaurants that prefer to cater to such things. Not here.”

Last Friday my husband and I had a date night at an upscale restaurant that was intimate and quiet. The table right behind us was a couple with their 4 year old son. He was the most well-behaved kid I’ve ever seen in a restaurant. When we left I actually complimented the couple because I was so impressed. If the kid had been loud, rude, or throwing a fit I would’ve been upset, but I don’t think our night would have been ruined. I would’ve been more frustrated at the parents for not disciplining their child and taking them out to the car for a little bit. If someone can get escorted out of a bar, I think the manager or owner of a restaurant can ask someone to PLEASE take their child out of the restaurant if customers are being disturbed. At the same time, I think it is the parents responsibility to take their child outside until they calm down.

I do think that banning kids under 6 is rude and slightly discriminating. What about the 7 year old that throws a fit because they don’t like the chunky tomatoes in their spaghetti? How can you draw the line at age 6? Heck, I’ve been mortified and embarrassed by the volume level of some adults! I have a 10 month old that is great in restaurants. Sure, we choose to have a babysitter most of the time, but she is good when we take her out. This just doesn’t seem fair. I actually think it’s a little lazy on the owner’s part to not just ask someone to take their child out of the restaurant.

Hmm….What do you all think? Yes, it’s a free country, so go ahead and put up a “no kids allowed sign”. Do you really think that’s fair though? Can a few groups really ruin it for the rest of us?

Pack ‘n Play! The Fight is OVER!

2011-06-14T11:18:00.001-07:00

Do you fight with your play yard/pack ‘n play when you go to pack it up for a trip? Well, last weekend I decided I wanted to get away for the weekend and I knew I’d need our pack ‘n play. The last time my husband packed it up, I could hear him saying not so nice words to the poor pack ‘n play. It can’t help it that the company decided to make a bag that DOESN’T FIT THE PRODUCT. Seriously, people? I walked out and giggled at my husband and then it hit me! I forgot I had bought one of THESE. That’s actually a lie…it was given to me by my fabulous boss before my little sweat pea had arrived. My husband thinks it’s the greatest gift so far. If you’re sick of stuffing your pack ‘n play into a bag that just doesn’t work, buy a play yard bag!

The Travel Play Yard/Pack ‘n Play bag is a Zoolu! exclusive. This is why Zoolu! should be your favorite baby boutique. We are always thinking of ways to make your life easier! There is a clear window to put your personal information, but I might take ours to my local embroider and have our last name put on it. I’m a fan of monogramming and any other forms personalization’s. This bag is so durable and made of canvas. It has a side pocket for metal bars as well as sheets. It also has a long strap that you can attach, making it easier to carry! You can wear it like a backpack which is great when it’s just me and the little one. We all know how important it is to have two hands free!

Here’s a plus! I LOVE products that have multiple purposes. Once your kids don’t need the pack ‘n play, you can use this bag for sporting equipment or even just as a large duffle bag for whatever you like!

Buy one now in your favorite color!

Make my OWN baby food?!?

2011-06-07T16:14:00.001-07:00

Hmm, really? As my girlie approached 6 months (in what seemed more like 6 weeks) I was dreading having to put thought and planning into feeding her something other than the stuff that comes out of me for free. I started casually scanning the grocery shelves to check out my options... not impressed. While trolling the internets for all things baby (pretty much my only hobby at the moment), I stumbled upon chatter about making your own baby food. For some reason this hadn’t occurred to me. How do I know if it’s safe to feed my baby if it’s not excessively processed, what or how much should I give her when it’s not neatly packaged into teeny servings? Is it legal? - I guess I always assumed that Gerber had a patent on it or something. ;-) Turns out it’s super easy to make your own fresh baby food! Who knew? Not to mention it’s much easier on your wallet. And there are all kinds of nifty gadgets out there to help you “cut your teeth” along with baby. :)

One of my faves are Baby Cubes. Once you steam/boil/roast and puree/mash/chop your food, just fill these little cubes (available in 1 or 2 ounce sizes) and store in the fridge or freezer - a perfect serving at the ready, just reheat! And the lids are attached so they never get lost or fall to the bottom of the dishwasher. Brilliant, and SO much better than ice cube trays. Also great for storing breast milk, and you can use them as snack containers once baby has graduated to finger foods.

Another awesome gizmo for you baby-feeding adventures is the Munchkin Fresh Food Feeder. These funny-looking contraptions are so handy for giving your little one pretty much any fruit or veggie you can find, without any worry about choking. My little cherub likes to munch on chunks of frozen mango through the mesh while I get the rest of her meal ready (and while I’m making my coffee in the morning!). Initially I started out putting crushed ice inside to get her used to the taste of water. She loved slurping up the melting ice, and now chugs cold water from her sippy like there’s no tomorrow!

I still keep a stash of store-bought baby food in the pantry for on-the-go feedings or for those days when I’m in a rush or just plain-old feeling lazy. Every now and again when my bambina decides to go on a hunger strike, I will crack open a nice jar of green bean mush and shovel it in her mouth while she plays with a spoon. Green beans are my go-to when I just need to get some nutrition into her - she loves them, and that’s the one food I just can’t seem to break down in a blender - they get all shredded and weird.

Here’s a picture to prove that my little one loves her mesh feeder. She’s pretty cute, huh?!

And of course, once you get past the puree stage, the sky’s the limit. Here are a few really great blogs for baby food recipes and ideas. Have fun!! Don’t be intimidated….it’s easy and kind of fun!

Here’s a fancy idea: Get together with one or two friends and have a puree day! Then you can all split up what you’ve made and have a large variety of foods for your little one.

White Noise Machines

2011-06-02T09:27:00.001-07:00

Have you seen the latest noise machine in the baby boutique? Cloud B’s Mimicking Monkey is soooo cute!

White noise machines are huge at my house. The baby has one and so do we. I also have a fan in the guest room for when people visit. I can not fall asleep without some sound. It’s not the noise machines fault either (some will argue with me). I have ALWAYS needed noise…a TV, a fan, ocean waves, birds chirping. You know, anything pleasant that can put me into a deep sleep. Lord knows I need all the beauty sleep I can get!

The Mimicking Monkey might be the next big baby shower gift. You can record your voice! My little one is experiencing some separation anxiety and if she hears my voice, I think it would help sooth her to sleep. I love that you can read a monkey story and it will play it back for the child. If I still had a newborn, I’d probably record the vacuum going because as soon as I would turn it on, BG would fall asleep! Crazy, I know!

Buy one today for your little one or that next baby shower you’ll be attending this summer! Are you pregnant? Why not add it to your registry. Click here to start your registry.

Mimicking Monkey features:

Plays three unique sounds for fun and sleep - Monkey fun, angel falls, lullaby

Records voices over all sound option

30 minute sleep timer
Velcro hands for securing to cribs and strollers
2 AA batteries included
Illustrated storybook and adoption certificate

Have a happy day!

Summer Activities

2011-05-30T14:20:00.001-07:00

Well hello there everyone! Sorry we’ve been a MIA! Things have been busy busy around here. I hope everyone had a nice, long Memorial Weekend.

A couple weeks back, I wrote a post asking about activities for little munchkins. I came across a great list, so I thought I’d share! A lot of the activities are no brainers, but it’s nice to see them on paper (or computer screen). Sometimes we forget about all the FREE things we can do just around our neighborhood!

Maybe you and your kiddo could make a “Bucket List” of things you want to do by the end of the summer? Some of these might be perfect!

100 FREE THINGS to do with your kids this summer….

This list is full of great ideas, but here are just a few of my favorites:

Library

Cook with the kids

Plant a garden!

Blow up Diet Coke with Mentos (even I want to try this!!!)

Travel around the world. Have English scones for breakfast, Chinese Stir Fry for lunch, Italian for dinner. Make a craft to go with each country, get a library book with photos of these places. (maybe even see if you have a friend your child can become pen pals with.)

You could also go to your favorite Baby Boutique and shop around. We have so many wonderful outdoor toys! I love the Melissa and Doug sprinkler. You can get a girl version or a boy version.

This would be awesome for any kid. So much better than sitting inside watching TV!

I also love the Melissa and Doug Bug House. If I were a lightening bug, I wouldn’t mind this as a house.

Mom, I'm soooooooooooo bored!

2011-05-18T10:01:00.000-07:00

It's almost that time of year when the kids are out of school and you're pulling your hair out because you are running out of things to do with your antsy kids. Right? Some might say I can't relate (yet) because my little one is just 8 months old. I still pull my hair out somedays though because I worry about little BG getting bored.

Anywho, what are some of your favorite summer activities that keep your children entertained? How do you beat the boredom blues? My baby can't even talk yet and even I don't want to hear "Mom, I'm bored!" My response would probably be "here's a rag, go dust." Haha. Just kidding! I'm starting to sound like a mean mommy!

Ok ok, I came across THIS and I think many of you may love this idea! A BORED JAR! If you're a crafter, you could make a really pretty jar to leave on the counter. If you're not crafty, have no fear! Just take a spaghetti jar and put your activities onto strips of paper. It's all the same in the end anyway. :)

Here's an example from Shaydes of LifeIncluded in the "bored jar" are some "terribles" as well as exciting things to do. My terrible would definitely be "go dust your room". hehe One of my fun activities would be to go get ice cream. The idea is that whatever the paper says, you have to do it no matter what. So, if its go get ice cream make sure you're able to drop what you're doing too.

Here are some other ideas for your jar...
Play with chalk
Read
Exercise
Water plants
Write a letter to Grandma and Grandpa
Set the table for dinner
Listen to music
Take a nap

And here are some ideas for jars!

This last one is my favorite! I found it over at Becoming Martha. She takes this to a whole new level! I love how she wrote her activities on popsicle sticks. Plus, my heart thumps for cute little owls. Hoot hoot!

So, how do you combat boredom?

New Baby Boy!

2011-05-18T09:37:00.000-07:00

Hi Zoolu! Fans!

There's a new baby in the Zoolu! family....Cooper McGee, 8 lbs 8 oz, 20 inches, born 10:09 pm on May 16, Mama and baby are doing awesome!

Happy birthday sweet boy! Isn't he perfect? His cheeks kill me!

Did you participate in the FB guessing game/giveaway? There were three people that guessed May 18, so when things settle down a bit around here we will announce the winner. :)

Make sure to stop by our facebook page to say congratulations to the woman behind Zoolu!'s awesomeness!!!

Sorry for the funky format. I don't have my normal computer with me so blogger isn't coorperating with fonts and format!

Show that special teacher you care!

2011-05-10T20:15:00.001-07:00

Did you know that last week was Teacher Appreciation Week? If you didn’t, have no fear! Your favorite baby boutique is here to help! We need good teachers in our lives, don’t you think? If you know of a great one around you, please remember to say “thanks”. They deserve all the appreciation out there!

Some things you could give your child’s teacher at the end of the year are personalized items, stationary, ABC pasta, or get really creative and put together a Summer basket that includes the Dip Trio, BBQ Rub, beach towel and sunscreen!

Here! I’ve made it easy for you. Click to see more items!

A personalized basket (choose one from each category!)…

Or you can go the more unique route. Since Summer is around the corner, why not do a beach towel and some BBQ rub to get everyone excited for the warm weather!

I know quite a few teachers that would love to receive these at the end of the school year. I know I would love to get some of these goodies too. Maybe I should become a teacher. hehe

What foodie do you “follow”?

2011-05-02T09:59:00.001-07:00

Ok blog readers and followers….when you’re searching for a new recipe, what website do you go to? Are there blogs that you follow and always know that you’re sure to find a fabulous recipe there? When it comes to “professional” websites, I like www.epicurious.com or www.allrecipes.com. I love reading reviews so “All Recipes” is great for that! I tend to follow more recipe blogs though because they’re more personable and I figure if they’re putting the recipe out on the interwebz, it must be good. Right? Below I’ve listed my favorites! Please share yours!

If you’re watching your weight….or not…Skinny Taste is your best bet!

Joelen is a genius. I’ve been following her cooking adventures for 4 years! I know, crazy….blogging wasn’t even that big 4 years ago!

Ree Drummond of The Pioneer Woman is my idol. One time someone said I reminded them of Ree! BEST.COMPLIMENT. EVER. She is witty, a great cook, has a phenomenal cinnamon roll recipe and she is just plain brilliant. As am I. Ree, if you see the image below and hate it, I’m sorry. I couldn’t “save” the header from your blog.

Warhawk Chefs is a blog full of many different types of recipes. This is actually a blog that my former squadron started. We had weekly (at least it seemed that way at times) functions that always included delicious food and girls saying “I NEED THAT RECIPE!” So, one of the girls decided a blog would be the perfect way to collect every recipe. It is still added to quite frequently, so keep checking back for more!

Today’s Scavenger Hunt will lead you to a very special little girl…play TODAY to win!

2011-04-27T21:46:00.001-07:00

It’s Scavenger Hunt time again! If you would like to score a $20 Gift Coupon to Zoolu! and you have 3 minutes to spare – this is hands-down the easiest way to be “zapped” by Zoolu! Play today for a chance to see which organization (and inspirational little girl) Zoolu! has partnered with – she has warmed our hearts and will certainly warm your heart as well!

A little background for Zoolu! Scavenger Hunt newbies :-)

Why a Scavenger Hunt you might ask? First and foremost, we are always looking for fun ways to interact with our fans. Secondly, Zoolu! is working on improving our ranking with Google – and these will help greatly! Apparently, if a shopper searches for a term and then clicks on our listing and stays on our site for a while, Google will see that as a great match for that search term. The more “great matches” we log in their eyes, the higher up we will move in their listings – which is a big deal for any online store today!

So…not only are you receiving a great chance to win a $20 Gift Coupon, but you will also be helping us improve our Google ranking along the way – it’s a win-win situation!!!

HOW TO PLAY:

1) Enter Baby Boutique in Google’s Search box.

2) Search for Zoolu!’s listing (I’ve found us anywhere from page 8 to page 15 – but it varies for everyone!)

3) Click on that link to be brought to our site and look for the clues on each page. Each clue will be marked with *** both before and after. The clue on our Home Page reads: ***Click HERE to begin***

4) The last clue will provide you with a special word (both the clues and the special word will change daily). E-mail that word and well as which number Google page you found us on at ZooluCares@shopzoolu.com and you will be entered to be zapped. (For example, my latest search for Baby Boutique on Google found Zoolu! on page 8. If I followed the clues and was given “lucky” as my special word, I would e-mail “I found you on page 8 and the special word of the day is lucky” to the e-mail address above.)

5) Check back on our Facebook page every day you participate to see if you were the lucky Scavenger Hunt winner :-)

HELPFUL TIPS:

~ Zoolu! is currently listed only with the title Baby Boutique – so please look both for that title and for our address: www.shopzoolu.com to ensure that you don’t miss us in the search. If you simply look for “Zoolu!” in the title, you will never find us :-(

~ Google lists sites that you have already visited in purple (vs. blue) – so that should help you scan the listings more quickly – just look for the purple links!

~ Google wants people to stay on a site for roughly 3 minutes to be registered as a good fit. If the Scavenger Hunt takes you less time than that (hopefully it will) – just be sure to keep your browser open to our page for a little bit longer to meet that minimum requirement.

RULES:

~ Your e-mail must include both the Google page you found us on and the special word of the day to be eligible for the “zap”!

~ Even if you have already won…feel free to participate again! Not only do the clues change every week…but the winner is selected at random, so you are still eligible to be “zapped” again!

Melissa & Doug Review

2011-04-26T09:29:00.001-07:00

I have always admired talented people, especially the ones that love kids, not that I don’t (I have a bunch of them) but I don’t think of myself as a kid person. They are the ones that get down on the floor and PLAY, they lose track of time, they truly have fun pretending they are a horse, a doctor, a princess etc. That’s just not me. Believe me, I try, but I am always thinking that there is something that I need to be doing so I spend that quality time trying to get my little angels to play on their own. I have found a solution in toys from Melissa and Doug. Because we are very busy, have a lot of kids and are constantly on the move, we like toys that are fun and engaging, educational and sometimes more important, something they can do on their own, whatever age they may be.

We currently own many Melissa and Doug floor puzzles, which are durable and doable for both our littlest and oldest (like the human body floor puzzle)…depending on the puzzle. AND, they keep my 4 year old busy on the kitchen floor (check out the giant fire truck puzzle), while I make dinner because she can do it herself and is thrilled that she doesn’t need mom’s help. We have been so impressed with these puzzles that we give them as birthday gifts.

We are also huge fans of Melissa and Doug’s travel games. We have worn out our Flip to Win Bingo, that we keep in a seat pocket in the car. There are no pens to lose, no mess to be made. It has been durable, doable and fun! Again, this is something that keeps all age groups in the car happy and I don’t need to schlep pens and paper for fun, it’s already in the car. As they get a bit older, there is the license plate game, as well as hang man, which we plan to purchase for our summer road trip for our 6 and 8 year old.

I cringe when I see my kids dragging out the arts and crafts. Just say “paint” and my blood pressure starts to go up. I like the idea of all the crafts, but four kids can pack a punch in the mess department, if you know what I mean. As a solution, we have taken to stamping. Melissa and Doug have fabulous stamping kits that are big enough for little hands to hold and use to make a picture they are proud of, with a mom that stays sane during the process.

We have never once been disappointed with anything we have purchased from Melissa and Doug. It’s become my personal ‘go to’ brand for gifts and what I recommend to new parents looking for great toys. One last confession, I don’t send Melissa and Doug products to anyone who ever sent us loud or messy toys. Instead, I get revenge with even louder toys.

Cookie Monster

2011-04-25T11:58:00.001-07:00

I was definitely the cookie monster that kept stealing from the jar this weekend! I made these Alton Brown’s delicious chocolate chip cookies! To make them festive for Easter, I baked them in my mini muffin pan and topped with peanut butter M&M eggs!

Alton Brown’s Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 sticks unsalted butter
2 1/4 cups bread flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
1 egg
1 egg yolk
2 tablespoons milk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Heat oven to 375 degrees F.

Melt the butter in a heavy-bottom medium saucepan over low heat (I cheated and microwaved). Sift together the flour, salt, and baking soda and set aside.

Pour the melted butter in the mixer's work bowl (I just used a regular hand mixer). Add the sugar and brown sugar. Cream the butter and sugars on medium speed. Add the egg, yolk, 2 tablespoons milk and vanilla extract and mix until well combined. Slowly incorporate the flour mixture until thoroughly combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.

Chill the dough, then scoop onto parchment-lined baking sheets, 6 cookies per sheet. Bake for 14 minutes or until golden brown, checking the cookies after 5 minutes. Rotate the baking sheet for even browning. Cool completely and store in an airtight container.

Again, I didn’t do the baking sheets. I used my mini muffin pan and baked for about 10 minutes.

Thanks, Alton Brown!

Oh my…where has this week gone! Scavenger Hunt time again!!!

2011-04-21T19:12:00.000-07:00

This week has gone really quickly for me…so fast that I didn’t realize it was already Scavenger Hunt Thursday again – wahoo!!! Here’s to Zoolu!’s virtual Scavenger Hunt and all the fun Easter Egg Hunts that will be taking place this weekend! (Winner will be announced Saturday morning!)

A little background for Zoolu! Scavenger Hunt newbies :-)

So…not only are you receiving a great chance to win a $20 Gift Coupon, but you will also be helping us improve our Google ranking along the way – it’s a win-win situation!!!

HOW TO PLAY:

1) Enter Baby Boutique in Google’s Search box.

2) Search for Zoolu!’s listing (I’ve found us anywhere from page 8 to page 15 – but it varies for everyone!)

5) Check back on our Facebook page every day you participate to see if you were the lucky Scavenger Hunt winner :-)

HELPFUL TIPS:

~ Google lists sites that you have already visited in purple (vs. blue) – so that should help you scan the listings more quickly – just look for the purple links!

RULES:

~ Your e-mail must include both the Google page you found us on and the special word of the day to be eligible for the “zap”!

~ Even if you have already won…feel free to participate again! Not only do the clues change every week…but the winner is selected at random, so you are still eligible to be “zapped” again!

JJ Cole Blanket…we have a winner!

2011-04-21T10:53:00.001-07:00

Drumroll please! The winner of the JJ Cole Travel Blanket is Jason! Congratulations! I’m excited you’ll get to use this for the 4th of July. I hope the loud fireworks don’t scare your son! It will be my little one’s first time experiencing this too. I will keep my crossables crossed that they both enjoy it as much as I do. Jason, please send an email to megan@shopzoolu.com with your mailing information.

Jason said...
This blanket would be great for many days at the park, by the pool, and watching my son's first fireworks! I can't wait!!

APRIL 19, 2011 11:10 AM

If you’ve been thinking about purchasing one of these, stop by your favorite Baby Boutique and get one! I know I’ve gone on and on about how much we heart our blanket, so I won’t say anything else except click HERE and HERE to read my review.

A while ago we asked what you would like for a future giveaway. MANY of you said a gift certificate. We haven’t done one yet, BUT if you “like” Zoolu! on facebook, you will eventually (hopefully) get ZAPPED with a $20 gift coupon. Also, don’t forget to read the newsletters that are sent via email. In every newsletter there is a Zip scratcher at the bottom. You can use this code on a future order AND you can even share it with friends. If you haven’t signed up yet, you can do so right HERE. On the left side of the screen towards the bottom you will see “Stay Informed”. Fill out your info and you’ll receive approximately 2 newsletters a month. We promise we try to not clog up your inbox. We just really want you to love Zoolu!

PHEW! That was a lot of information. Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

GIVEAWAY Reminder…JJ Cole Blanket

2011-04-20T08:01:00.001-07:00

Just reminding everyone to sign up HERE for the JJ Cole Travel Blanket. All you have to do is leave a comment. How easy is that?! If you have commented on our Facebook Fan page, please remember you need to leave a comment on the actual blog. We won’t be including the Facebook comments. So sign up today because we will be announcing the winner TOMORROW! WOOHOO!

The medicine bottle says for children under two to consult their pediatrician…..

2011-04-19T10:19:00.001-07:00

My son is not 2 years old yet, but he weighs 30 pounds. The medicine bottle says for children under two to consult their pediatrician. Are the medication guidelines more based on weight or my child’s age?

It seems that almost every medication on the market for children states: "Children under 2: Consult with your pediatrician." One common question I hear often is, what is the difference between the infant preparations of acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin and Advil) vs. the children preparations for the same medication? Is it ok to give a one year old who weighs 24 pounds the children version?

For your standard fever reducer medications, the doses are weight based, so it is ok to use the children's version for infants and toddlers under 2. One caveat I would add is that it is crucial to pay attention to the dosing recommendations for weight on the bottle. It is extremely important to not use the directions of the children's preparations for the infant medications, as that could lead to a very large medication overdose. The infants preparations are extremely concentrated, due to the fact that most small infants aren't accustomed to drinking anything other than milk.

I generally recommend switching to the "children" preparations when the child is 22 lbs (10 kg), because at that point the child can take 5 mL (or one teaspoon) of the children's ibuprofen or tylenol. Even though the dose of each medication is different, the volume of medication is the same for either medicine. In my opinion, this was genius in manufacturing, and designed to reduce medication errors.

To clarify, the appropriate dose for a 12 month, 22 lb child would be 5 mL of children's acetaminophen (160 mg) or 5 mL of children's ibuprofen (100mg). Again, it is extremely important to not use these dosing recommendations with the infant drops, because that would lead to 5 times the correct dose being given.

It is not wrong at all to use the infant drops for a 12 month, 22 lb baby - again, as long as the dosing recommendations on the bottle are followed, the child will receive the right amount of medicine. I recommend changing to the children's preparation simply because you'll get more medication for your money. Those infant drops run out fast when you need to use 2 full dropperfuls for each dose!

If this confused you even more, feel free to comment with your question and I'll reply ASAP!

Recipe Monday (some brainless meals)

2011-04-18T09:58:00.001-07:00

I’d be embarrassed if someone opened up my refrigerator or my pantry. There is NOTHING. How can a pantry be messy when you have no food? It’s a mystery to me! What I do know is that I need to go to the grocery store ASAP! I plan on going tomorrow so tonight’s meal is simple taco chicken. It’s easy peasy! The other recipes below are fairly brainless too.

Anyone else have other easy recipes to share?? Has anyone heard of e-mealz? If you have and use it, do you like it? I'm curious....

Taco Chicken

3 chicken breasts
1 packet taco seasoning
salsa (maybe 1 cup?)
1 can cheese soup
1 can refried black beans
a little bit of water
Throw it in the crock pot for 6 hours and you have yourself a simple and delicious meal!

Cheesy Biscuits

2 cups Bisquick
2/3 cup milk
1 cup shredded cheese

You can customize these biscuits which is great. Add some garlic or basil maybe. Someone said that a little dry ranch dressing mix tastes yummy too.

Try brushing some melted butter and garlic powder on the biscuits when they’re fresh out of the oven. Can you say YUM?!

Bake 450 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

Ranch Pork Chops

1/2 a dry ranch dressing packet
1/2 a cup of breadcrumbs.
Oh, and a couple pork chops

Coat the pork chops with the mixture and bake for about 20 min in a 350 degree oven.

GIVEAWAY: JJ Cole Blanket!

2011-04-14T10:28:00.001-07:00

Hey Zoolu! fans! Did the hint I gave on Monday help you out at all? Today’s giveaway is the JJ Cole Travel Blanket. Zoolu! carries three wonderful colors. I actually just bought the gray/red blanket for my friends baby shower.

Recently, I reviewed this blanket here so if you read it you know how much we love our blanket. It’s so versatile….use it in the home for playtime or out at the park for a picnic. You too will LOVE your JJ Cole Blanket!

GIVEAWAY:

WIN! A Gray/Green JJ Cole 5x5 Travel Blanket. JJ Cole's blanket is great for the whole family at any occasion. It is perfect for the park, the beach, and even sporting events as a stadium blanket. Its durable outer fabric is ideal for any surface and the inner lining quickly wipes clean.

- 5 ft x 5 ft when opened
- water-resistant material perfect for any outing
- stylish and compact when folded
- sturdy sewn-in insert makes folding easy
- detachable strap

HOW TO ENTER: Leave a comment below letting us know what Spring/Summer event you look forward to using this at! Don’t forget to include your name too!

GIVEAWAY ENDS: Thursday, April 21st

Scavenger Hunt Thursday…Can you believe it is Thursday already?!?

2011-04-14T06:47:00.000-07:00

It’s that time again! Zoolu!’s weekly Scavenger Hunt is in full swing -- wahoo!!! Trust us, there is no easier way to win a $20 Gift Coupon to Zoolu! (and help us move up the ranks in Google as well)! Play today for your chance to win!

A little background for Zoolu! Scavenger Hunt newbies :-)

So…not only are you receiving a great chance to win a $20 Gift Coupon, but you will also be helping us improve our Google ranking along the way – it’s a win-win situation!!!

HOW TO PLAY:

1) Enter Baby Boutique in Google’s Search box.

2) Search for Zoolu!’s listing (I’ve found us anywhere from page 8 to page 15 – but it varies for everyone!)

5) Check back on our Facebook page every day you participate to see if you were the lucky Scavenger Hunt winner :-)

HELPFUL TIPS:

~ Google lists sites that you have already visited in purple (vs. blue) – so that should help you scan the listings more quickly – just look for the purple links!

RULES:

~ Your e-mail must include both the Google page you found us on and the special word of the day to be eligible for the “zap”!

~ Even if you have already won…feel free to participate again! Not only do the clues change every week…but the winner is selected at random, so you are still eligible to be “zapped” again!

"So Dr. Kawan. . . I heard something on the news about car seats. Please tell me I don't have to keep my toddler rear-facing until he's two!"

2011-04-12T06:15:00.000-07:00

As we’re sure of all of you have heard, the AAP is now recommending that children sit rear-facing in a car seat until the age of 2. Looking at my son, who will turn 2 next month, that recommendation seems downright CRAZY! Granted, my son is on the bigger side, but I do not see how he could possibly have continued to sit backwards for this past year. Aside from his size, he is no longer a baby – he is my little boy – and enjoys watching the surroundings go by and interacting as a “big boy” on our many adventures.

Whenever I struggle with a new guideline/recommendation, I always go directly to my friend, Dr. Meg Kawan. Not only will she give me the research-based answer (as provided by the AAP), but she will also provide me with her own opinions on the topic. Given that she has two young boys and a parenting style that is VERY similar to mine, her opinions have played a very prevalent role in the decisions my husband and I have made over the past few years – and she has yet to let us down once! Needless to say, when the media went crazy with these new developments, Meg was the first one I ran to!

Dr. Kawan’s Response:

Since the American Academy of Pediatrics issued their updated recommendation on child passenger safety last month, word has disseminated quickly through the media (and parenting circles) that children under the age of 2 should ride in rear-facing seats. Most of the parents I have discussed this new recommendation with are less than thrilled (to put it mildly). As a mom of a two and four year old, I can definitely relate to the disappointment. It certainly is a lot easier to get toddlers in and out of their seats when they are forward-facing, and without question, it is easier to keep them entertained during the car ride. So why the big change?

The AAP made their recommendation after very carefully reviewing the data on motor vehicle injuries in children, and the evidence was truly dramatic that children who are restrained in rear-facing car seats are significantly less likely to sustain a serious head injury. It is worth mentioning that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among children, so we are not talking about a rare or isolated problem. Among 12-23 month olds involved in motor vehicle accidents, those restrained in forward-facing seats were more than five times more likely to sustain a serious injury, compared with the toddlers in rear-facing seats. Sweden recommends that all children travel in rear-facing seats until the age of four, and their data demonstrates a 90% reduction in serious injuries in children placed rear-facing car seats.

"Do I have to get a new car seat?" is another question I hear often, and I am happy to report that the answer to that question is no, in most situations. The AAP does recommend that children stay rear-facing until the age of two, or until they have reached the weight limit for their rear facing car seat. The good news is that most of the car seats sold in the US are convertible seats, that can be used rear or forward facing.

Once I had learned of the overwhelming safety evidence, and upcoming change in AAP policy, it was an easy decision to keep my child rear-facing until he turned two. He never knew what he missed, and pretty soon, as this recommendation takes hold among families, two will be the new normal in turning car seats around.

After reading her answer, I agree that the risk far outweighs the inconvenience…but, between you and me, the jury is still out on what my husband and I will decide to do for Baby #3. What will you do? Will you keep your child rear-facing based on the latest recommendations by the AAP?

Recipe Monday!

2011-04-11T10:26:00.001-07:00

It’s that time again…I feel like Mondays roll around waaaaaay too quickly these days! When you’re done reading these recipes, you should probably start thinking about GIVEAWAY time! WOOHOO! I’ll give you a hit (it’s at the bottom).

Pasta with Asparagus

1 lb thin asparagus, cut into 2" pieces (tough ends trimmed)
6 oz uncooked pasta such as Ronzoni Smart Taste or Dreamfields
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, crushed
salt and fresh cracked pepper
1 large egg yolk
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

In a large pot boil 4 cups water with salt. When boiling, add asparagus and cook 3-5 minutes, until tender crisp. Drain asparagus in colander reserving 1 cup liquid before draining.

Fill pot with salted water, cover and boil for pasta. When water boils cook pasta according to package directions for al dente.

Meanwhile, in a pan heat olive oil. Add garlic and cook until golden, add asparagus, salt and pepper and sauté about 1-2 minutes, tossing with oil and garlic.

In a small bowl combine egg yolk, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, 1/4 cup reserved asparagus liquid, salt and pepper. Mix well. After pasta is drained return to pot and mix with egg mixture. Cook on medium-low about 2 minutes, until sauce thickens and sticks to pasta. Toss in asparagus and mix well. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. If pasta seems too dry add more reserved liquid a tablespoon at a time.

Serve with additional grated cheese.

Eggplant Parmasan

1 eggplant
1 lb mozzarella cheese
1 cup bread crumbs
2 eggs beaten
1 cup parmesan cheese
1 can marinara sauce
Oil for frying
3 Tbsp water

Beat eggs, water and set aside.
Combine bread crumbs and parmesan cheese.
Skin eggplant and slice thinly. Dip thinly sliced eggplant into egg mixture and then into bread crumb mixture. Place into hot oil and fry until golden brown on both sides. Drain on newspaper with paper towel on top.
Pour small amount of marinara sauce on bottom of 9x13 baking dish.
Place 6 slices of cooked eggplant on bottom of pan. Drizzle marinara sauce over eggplant. Place grated mozzarella on each slice. Continue pattern for 2 more layers. Sprinkle parmesan cheese lightly over top when finished.
Cover with foil and bake at 300 degrees for 30-45 minutes.

Linguine with Clams

Linguine Noodles (A handful for you, a handful for another, and a handful for the pot!)
1 bag sliced mushrooms
3 green onions
2-3 cans of clams(3 is good for 4 people)
Bottle of clam juice
1 package of Knor garlic & herb seasoning
Salt, pepper and garlic seasoning to taste
Parmesan and parsley

While preparing the sauce, cook and drain linguine noodles.
Sauté onions and mushrooms, add the Knor seasoning and the cans of clams (including juice).
Add bottle of clam juice or olive oil if you prefer more liquid. Cook at least 15-20 minutes and place over the noodles. Top with fresh parmesan and parsley!

GIVEAWAY HINT……this item is perfect for Summer outings….or inside play. Stay-tuned because we will reveal the giveaway later this week!

It’s Scavenger Hunt Thursday Once Again…play for your chance to win a $20 Gift Coupon to Zoolu!

2011-04-07T06:28:00.000-07:00

Are you ready to play? Let’s get to it -- join the fun today for your chance to be “zapped” with a $20 Gift Coupon to Zoolu! – it’s easy, quick and fun too! (Please remember to stay on the site for at least 3 minutes. If you finish early, simply leave your browser open for the remainder of the time. We have already moved up nearly 4 pages (on average) – so many thanks to all of you for playing along!!!)

A little background for Zoolu! Scavenger Hunt newbies :-)

So…not only are you receiving a great chance to win a $20 Gift Coupon, but you will also be helping us improve our Google ranking along the way – it’s a win-win situation!!!

HOW TO PLAY:

1) Enter Baby Boutique in Google’s Search box.

2) Search for Zoolu!’s listing (I’ve found us anywhere from page 8 to page 15 – but it varies for everyone!)

5) Check back on our Facebook page every day you participate to see if you were the lucky Scavenger Hunt winner :-)

HELPFUL TIPS:

~ Google lists sites that you have already visited in purple (vs. blue) – so that should help you scan the listings more quickly – just look for the purple links!

RULES:

~ Your e-mail must include both the Google page you found us on and the special word of the day to be eligible for the “zap”!

~ Even if you have already won…feel free to participate again! Not only do the clues change every week…but the winner is selected at random, so you are still eligible to be “zapped” again!

“Would You Rather” Wednesday…lose an hour of sleep a night or have a cold shower every day?

2011-04-06T06:15:00.000-07:00

Alright Zoolu! fans…it’s Would You Rather Wednesday again! This week we want to know (and in my opinion, this is a tough one!) – would you rather lose an hour of sleep every night or take a cold shower each morning for the next year?!? Have a great Hump Day everyone!!!

The most frequently asked question during pregnancy…

2011-04-05T08:15:00.000-07:00

How will I know when it is “GO” time?!?! As a childbirth educator, I am inevitably asked this question in nearly every class I teach. Moms-to-be don’t want to show up to the hospital too early and be told to go home…but we also don’t want to wait too long and be running to the delivery room minutes before the baby is born. Unfortunately, with each labor being different, there exists no textbook answer for this timeless question. However, I do have some tips to help you determine when it is best for you to head to the hospital for “GO” time.

The easiest starting point is to time your contractions. Contractions should be 5 minutes apart for 1 hour (10 minutes apart for an hour for 2nd/3rd/4th, etc. deliveries) ***To time contractions, note the start time for two contractions and subtract the difference (if the first is at 12:00pm and the second is at 12:04pm – your contractions are 4 minutes apart).***

Most books stop there…encouraging you to go to the hospital when your contractions reach this point. I agree with the above as a good “gage” for when labor is knocking at your door, however, I also encourage my Moms-to-be to check off three more requirements: During each contraction, you should not be able to walk, talk or joke. The best way to test this is to call your Mom, sister or a good friend. If, while talking, you have to stop walking and talking to focus on your contraction (not the conversation), get in your car and go to the hospital. You will not only stop walking/talking, but your eyes will be big (think deer in the headlights look on your face) and your breathing will become very focused and noticeable to those around you. If you are able to sort of talk/walk/joke while having a contraction – hop in the shower, go for a walk, put your feet up, eat a good meal – you’re getting close, but you are not quite there!

With that said, I firmly believe that it is better to be safe than sorry. If you are stressing too much about when to go, you are better off getting to the hospital early and waiting it out there. Being sent home, or laboring for an extended period at the hospital, may not be ideal, however, it is preferable to being extremely worried/stressed and passing those stress hormones along to the baby! Happy Laboring Zoolu! fans!

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Do you have any pregnancy, labor/delivery, or postpartum questions to ask Megan? If so, either post them here or e-mail her at megan@shopzoolu.com – she LOVES answering your questions, so send them on over!!!