We interrupt your Saturday AM Cartoons...

...to let you know that I've now updated all my reviews to reflect one tiny fact:

Besides the Apple Cheeks Diaper (which I would have reviewed anyway because we l-o-v-e love it!), I have never received any products from the company to review nor have I received any compensation.

I started out my blog a looooong time ago (okay, 4 months ago but seriously, i've written 200 posts so it feels like forever ago!) writing about things that Baby C was really into or that we, as new parents, really valued.

Why is this important? Well, really, it isn't I guess but I just want you to know that the things I've reviewed are completely my own opinion and not tainted by any company, etc.

I started this blog so naively thinking that writing reviews of something that i really liked would be helpful to new parents (i even tried to clarify my reviews back then!). When I was pregnant, I pored over what "real moms" had to say about "real products" that they used (and maybe they were compensated to say things but, really, i'm thinking optimistically on this one).

Then i read this post (beware, it can leave you feeling crummy) and haven't stopped questioning why I write reviews or host giveaways. But, really, i do remember why--I wrote reviews because I want to be helpful to other new moms and I host giveaways because who doesn't love finding out about a new crafty and creative woman (usually a WAHM) and then supporting her store?

Sorry for the crazy post on a Saturday AM. I'm scheduling it for Saturday in hopes that it won't get too many views and, therefore, not offend anyon...Ahhh...i'm such a people pleaser.

PS And to all you who do write reviews for companies and get compensated--i seriously and am in no way being sarcastic when I say, "way to make money in this economy!" I am not offended by you or your review posts and love reading your reviews because i know that i can trust YOU!

{review and Giveaway} Apple Cheeks Cloth diaper!

I've done lots of reviews on this blog but this is the first time I've ever been given something to review from the manufacturer. Needless to say, i was very excited about the opportunity to try a new cloth diaper made by Apple Cheeks.

All my excitement was not in vain, either. My (err, Baby C's) diaper arrived quickly from Canada--where, I might add, these diapers are entirely made with pride! The first thing I noticed when I opened the package was the diaper's incredible color! The hue was a bright but oh-so-fun shade of Raspberry Sorbet.

Then I couldn't help but notice the amazingly soft microfleece interior--which, after 3 washings, is still relatively pill-free which never happens with my other microfleece dipes!

Perhaps the most exciting feature of the Apple Cheeks diaper is also on the inside--their bamboo and hemp inserts fall out in the wash. Let me repeat that: the inserts fall out in the wash! i.e.: no unstuffing yucky dipes. I really doubted this feature the first time i washed C's diaper and actually unstuffed them myself pre-wash. Then, i decided to test it and, to my amazement, out they came, as fresh and clean as ever!

How does this ingenious method work, you ask? The inserts fall out easily because Apple Cheeks' unique pocket opening is in the middle of the diaper. It is a super wide opening which means anyone (even J, my mom, the babysitter, etc.) can stuff them with ease!

Until Apple Cheeks came along, C never wore a sized fitted diaper (always one-sized). I don't know what I was waiting for because this sized-diaper fits her better than any diaper we've tried and we've tried LOTS! By placing elastic at the back and at the belly nothing can escape and it creates a snug fit! Genius!

I'll admit, I was a little leery of the snaps because I know that I can get a snug fit with my adjustable aplix. Not to fear, Apple Cheeks thought of everything--each diaper comes with two rows of snaps that allow for independent adjustment at the thighs and at the tummy and make for a beautiful fit! Not to mention, the snaps keep C's prying hands from pulling off her diaper and keep the diapers from sticking to each other in the wash.

While Apple Cheeks diapers may be considered high-end, their package pricing is still extremely competitive and affordable. You can buy them online or in local stores (check out their retailers here). And, pretty soon, Kelly's Closet will be carrying them, too!

Baby C happily modeling her new diaper

Now on to the fun part--the giveaway!

Up for grabs is one AppleCheeks™ Envelope Cover of your choice (size and color), two inserts in either hemp or bamboo, and one booster in either hemp or bamboo.

Mandatory first entry: Apple Cheeks' Envelope Covers come in 10 amazing colors to choose from. Please visit Apple Cheeks and let me know your favorite color cover.

Earn Extra Entries!

• join Apple Cheeks' Facebook Fan Page, then come back and let me know you did so
• Follow Apple Cheeks on Twitter @AppleCheeksDipe, come back and let me know you did so
• Tweet or blog about this giveaway--each tweet earns you an extra entry! Make sure you include a permalink for your posts in your entry
• Follow me or Subscribe to my blog then come back and let me know you did so
  

The fine print:

This giveaway is open to world-wide entrants, aged 18 and older. The giveaway will end on Saturday, May 23 at 11:00 PM EST. You must leave the mandatory comment before receiving extra entries. You must leave a way for me to contact you with each entry! I will draw a winner via a Random Integer Generator and announce the winner on this blog and email the winner as well. If the winner does not reply to me within 48 hours, I will draw a second winner. I reserve the right to delete your entry if you do not follow the rules listed above.

For even more chances to win an Apple Cheeks Diaper, head on over to Mom Buzz and enter on her site! Also, don't forget to enter to win cloth diaper detergent on my new giveaway post!

Good luck!

Review: Baby Steals!

Before C was born, my thrifty-self signed up for tons of baby blogs and websites telling you where to get the best deals and find the best finds. Since C's birth, most of those websites have gone by the wayside--as in, I no longer read them. One, in particular, though, stands out--Baby Steals.

Have you ever heard of Baby Steals? If so, you know why I love them--they find incredible baby items that are fun, practical, fashionable, and preppy. Then, they take the normal price of these items and cut them in half! Because of the drastically reduced prices, Baby Steals only has a limited supply of the items they get in--when they're gone, they're gone! (That is why their motto is, "Where mommies get quality, name brand baby and maternity products at the best prices on the web. One deal at a time until it's sold out!").

They post new items once the previous item sold out so Baby Steals is often the first website I check out in the morning--you never know what you are going to find and how fast it is going to sell out of their store! I love this site because you can find awesome baby shower gifts for a fraction of the price. Some of my favorite recent items were Baby Legs (perfect for cloth diapering!) and Aden and Anais muslin wraps. Seriously nice stuff for new-mommy friends.

Baby Steals is currently celebrating their birthday. Check them out by clicking their birthday banner above and start enjoying the fun products and great deals!

Please note: I was not compensated for this review. This review is based on my own opinion. I love BabySteals so much that i just wanted to share!

Review: Baby Signing Time

Besides the songs running around and around your head all. day. long., I love these DVDs. (If you use these DVDs, just try getting the songs out of your head.) I love them because C gets a huge kick out of them and because they really do help babies learn sign language!

A small disclaimer: I used to be a huge anti-video/TV watcher. I did not want C to even catch glimpses of the screen when it was on. I guess I was afraid any kind of exposure would contribute to ADD or ADHD. However, after watching this video, I really like that it is slow moving without flashy lights or images that could overstimulate a babe. Any smart mommies out there who want to chime in about all of this?

My ever-helpful twin was the first to tell me about these DVDs. She showed them to Baby R during feeding times and now R is an expert on many of the signs! I talked to a few parents in my playgroup and they love the videos, too. Being the ever-cheapskate that I am, I decided to see if they were at the library (who can beat free!?).

Another side note, I love our library system--not only do they have these DVDs, they also havenatural birthing books, infant pottying books and even Christian fiction!

Anyway, we found them at the library and have been watching them for the last week! They are due back today so I think I'm going to have to buy some to keep permanently at our house.

Here are a few pics of C watching the video:

Please note: I was not compensated for this review. This review is based on my own opinion. I love Baby Signing Time so much that i just wanted to share!

Review: Purple Ducks and Stuff Diapers

My story starts with my first large cloth diaper order. I had ordered a few used diapers here and there off of Diaper Swappers with excellent results. So, I thought I'd take the plunge and order a large diaper order without ever testing the product. She had a few good reviews on her website so I thought they must be great!

Unfortunately, this work-at-home-mom diaper maker did not value the same quality that I had come to expect--C's new diapers leaked, were much too large, and were made with poor workmanship. I was really sad. Then, I read some reviews of Penny from Purple Ducks and Stuff--people were raving about how great she was! I thought I'd contact her and tell her my story and she was so empathetic that she gave me a discount on the three diapers that I ordered.

When they came, they were beautiful! Almost too beautiful to put on a baby's toosh! Who ever described diapers as beautiful anyway? Not me until the day Penny's diapers arrived.

Penny is licensed to sell the KCK One diaper. This diaper is unique in that it is a pocket diaper with the insert in the front, it does not use snaps to make the diaper smaller, and it is trim in the bottom and nice and fitted through the rise. You can find out more about it on this YouTube video made by the KCK One designer herself! (warning: it is a loooong video!)

Now for the best part: Penny is giving away one diaper + insert as part of my giveaway. She has just listed tons of new fabrics and color options and she is going to let the winner decide on the pattern or color! What a deal! If you are at all into cloth diapering, I hope you'll consider hiring Penny to make you the last diapers your little one will ever need :-o

Please note: I was not compensated for this review. This review is based on my own opinion. I love KCK One diapers so much that i just wanted to share!

Review: Baby Bjorn Little Potty

A while back, I talked about Elimination Communication (from this post). When we finally got up to the suburbs on Wednesday, the twin and I went out on a hunt for the Baby Bjorn Little Potty (here on out referred to as the BBLP). After staring at toilets in the Babies R Us store, I decided to just go with the toilet that fellow EC'ers recommended. I had a few qualms about it, mainly that it wouldn't last her for the duration of her potty training (2 years old?) and that it looked difficult to get clean. Regardless, I bit the bullet and just bought it. It was only $12, right?

C was still sleeping when we got home but Lil' Miss was up and playing (we left the girls with our mom, Mimi). Those of you who know Lil'Miss personally know that she will not sit still for anything. We thought the BBLP would be a momentary distraction and she'd be on her way. Not so much--this BBLP held her attention and she sat on it for quite some time. (note that she still has her clothes on--we weren't pottying her!).

When C woke up, we immediately placed her on the chair (prior to the BBLP, I supported her on the big-people toilet). She knew what to do and, after a few minutes, out came a gigundo #2! Amazing.

After the poo, however, I had no idea what to do with the thing. I managed to plop it into the real toilet and then rinsed it out in the bathtub. Not ideal and not what I was hoping to do everytime this circumstance occurred.

Here are pictures of the two girls on the BBLP:

So, the verdict: Do I like this potty? Well, yes and no.

Yes, it is the perfect seat for C and she doesn't mind being on it at all. It does the trick and she goes potty (usually just #2 but often #1 as well).

The downside is that it isn't very convenient to clean. I posted a new thread on Diaper Swappers (my favorite cloth diaper community website) and received a few tips from some other EC moms--like place some toilet paper in the bottom so that the deposit lands on it instead of the potty; keep an antibacterial spray nearby and squirt it down after every use; etc. I've been doing versions of those suggestions with pretty optimal results.

All in all, it sure beats holding C up while she does her duty but it is a little bit messier than just placing her on my "throne". (by the way, I think this toilet will definitely come in handy when we are on road trips (or so I hear)!)

Please note: I was not compensated for this review. This review is based on my own opinion. We use the BBLP so much that i just wanted to share my take on it!

Review: Belleo Socks (soon to be BlindMice socks)

In my 100th Post Giveaway I originally wanted to include lots of information about each store that donated a giveaway item. Then I realized that the post was too overwhelming with all that information and might scare people away! That left me with still wanting to talk about the stores...so, I decided since 7 stores are giving away an item and the giveaway is lasting 7 days, I can talk about a different store every day for the next week. I'm going to review each store in the reverse order of its appearance on the Giveaway which means Belleo is up first!

J and I stumbled across the Belleo booth at the ING Expo that we attended last Saturday (remember this post?) The founders, Shannon Braley and Kristen Parker, were working in their booth and their enthusaism for high-quality, cute baby socks was so contagious that we bought some for C.

As soon as we got home, we put them on her little feet (which actually happen to be huge for her age but that is another matter...considering her mother wears 10.5!) You may even recall seeing C wear them in this post:

C usually wears the adorable Trumpette socks but they always leave an indentation ring around her calf from where the elastic hugged her leg. J and I were amazed when the Belleo socks stayed put but didn't leave any red marks on her cute chubsters. Instant fans!

Here is a bit more information on these great socks, as told by the founders of Belleo:

We shared our first pregnancies together and we delivered our babies within a month of each other. As new mothers, we confessed to each other that the one clothing frustration we both shared was: Is there a sock that can keep their feet warm and comfortable at all times without slipping off? Our desire to find comfortable, well-fitting and, of course, cute socks led to the creation of Belleo.

Belleo socks are not only cute; they are uniquely made – constructed from 83% bamboo, a natural antimicrobial and moisture wicking fiber. Belleo socks are THE softest socks on the market. Together, we found and hired Falke, a manufacturer based in South Africa, who makes America’s best-fitting running socks. Because the ‘fit’ was as important to us as the comfort, we wanted the construction of Belleo socks to be made of the highest quality.

1. Their favorite fabric to work with is: Our factory, Falke, is best known in the U.S. for Drynamax, the fabric used in their best-selling Balega running socks. While we wanted some of the properties from Drynamax – wicking moisture away, antimicrobial, durability and great fit – we also wanted the softest fabric we could find. We found it in bamboo, as it is the perfect combination of comfort and performance. Our socks really are the ‘softest’ baby socks on the market.
2. Their favorite things to do outside of working on their company are: Kristen - Traveling with my husband and 2 ½ year old daughter, running, making beaded jewelry and cooking.
Shannon – Getting together with other stay-at-home moms (especially when the weather is nice), running (by myself and with friends) – Running is actually how the concept of Belleo/Blindmice started. Kristen and I have been running together since college and we thought ‘why don’t our kid’s socks fit and feel as well as our running socks?’
3. The two words that best describe them are: I would say the two words to describe Shannon and I are: creative moms. We are also, at the moment, challenged by this new business and excited everyday by new things.

Make sure you check out their store! They are currently hosting a warehouse sale so you cannot beat their prices!

Please note: I was not compensated for this review. This review is based on my own opinion. I love these socks so much (we can't stop buying them!) that i just wanted to share!

Review: Leap Frog Baby Learn and Groove Play Table

Countdown to 100: Post 93

When we registered for this toy, we blindly followed the reviews and recommendations of parents before us. Of course we knew that a "Top Registry Item" meant that 1000s of parents had registered for it. Just because it was top, though, did not mean that it would have correspondingly top ratings.

My mom and the twin both found the Fisher Price Laugh and Learn Table (the old school version, not the new high tech one) at various Resale Stores in the burbs. When I saw those and Lil Miss putting them in action, I had registry remorse. Why did I blindly follow the registry recommendations? Surely C will be developmentally behind because she does not have the Fisher Price learning table.

Well, C finally gets to the point where she can really engage with the various buttons and features on our Leap Frog table. And, amazingly, she is enthralled. To the point that she even giggles when she spies it from across the room. Maybe it is a "top reviewed" item as well!

As C gets older, this toy gets more interesting to her. I'm so glad she has it and that it entertains her. So far the A-B-C song and the 1-2-3 song are the most captivating for C. I, however, am particularly enamored with the Spanish button feature, especially when the woman in the toy sings out, "Arriba" and "Abajo". I've even taken to using those words ("High" and "Low") with C when we are playing.

Another great thing about this learning table is that kids don't get tired of it quickly. Our Bible Study leaders have a 2-year-old boy who we watched play with this very same table from the time we met him. And, in our Sunday School, kids 3.5 years of age still wander over and press all the buttons (if only we had batteries in it at church--it would be much more entertaining).

I have a feeling this toy will last us for a long time. Even J loves it

Please note: I was not compensated for this review. This review is based on my own opinion. Baby C (and J and I) love this table so much that i just wanted to share!

Review: Fisher Price Rainforest Jumperoo

A long time ago, Pre-C, I found a great deal on Craigslist for a baby papasan swing. Because J and I still only "owned" the Cabrio (tangent: I say "owned" because we did not purchase it from my parents until months after C was born despite using it for years. Thanks M&D!), I took the twin to the seller's house so that we could fit it in her nice SUV. When we got there, we found that they were also selling the above little number. They cut the twin a deal and she bought it for Lil' Miss.

We had read lots of reviews and it seemed like every single baby ever born was destined to love the jumperoo. Poor Lil' Miss, however, was a bit frightened at first...almost to the point of pooing in her pants upon entry (as remembered in this post). She eventually grew to love it and then, to outgrow it, as she became more mobile.

The twin was generous enough to let us borrow it for C. Much like her cousin, she was a bit unsure of it as well. However, she quickly caught on and became a HUGE FAN of it.

She initially loved the jumping sensation but, what is neat about this toy, like most Fisher Price toys, is that it offers different stimulation for different stages of infancy. So, while the jumping part was the basic fun feature of the toy, C soon discovered all the little doodads on it and then, wonders-of-wonders, the hanging frog and toucan. Who knew toys dangling above her head could be so exciting? Additional fun features besides the obvious are the spinning seat--C learned to tiptoe her way around in a circle because of this toy; the dragonfly teether; and the baiscs that allow you to adjust the seat and wash the seat cover (essential, in my opinion).

I will tell you that the past few times we've placed her in it, she gets excited and then quickly gets a slightly scared-get-me-out-of-here look on her face. I'm not sure if it is because she is still teething or if she is getting too mobile for it herself (sniff sniff) but it certainly was entertaining for the past three months!

I thought I had tons of pictures of C in the jumperoo but I can only find one of her that I've already posted. Hope it suffices:

Please note: I was not compensated for this review. This review is based on my own opinion. Baby C and I love the Jumperoo so much that i just wanted to share!

Review: Baby Jogger Performance Series Jogger

I am falling in love with baby products. All of my past reviews have been raves but I really can't help but talk about the things that I love to use and therefore, use all the time. When you are using something day in and day out and it makes life with a baby easier, you can't help but fall in love with it.

This one baby product that I'm reviewing today is a brand new purchase for me but it was manufactured 7 years before Baby C was born!

As a pretty serious runner, I knew I wanted a pretty serious running stroller. I did a lot of research and discovered the Baby Jogger Performance Series Jogger.

If you clicked on that link, you found that stroller costs a lot of money. After just dishing out a lot of money for another, every-day stroller (more on that one later), I couldn't bring myself to spend that much on a jogger. So, to craigslist I went! I finally found one that was really reasonable ($50!), the only downpart I could find was that it was so old.

We bought it on Thursday afternoon and I took it for a spin soon after we returned home. In fact, C and I ran to the consignment sale that I was a seller at, bought 5 toys, put them in our Ikea bag, and ran back home.

Gotta love that Ikea bag. Seriously, though, it is a great stroller. Even with all those toys and C in the seat, it felt like I was barely pushing anything. Of course, now it is snowing and I can't go running but, come sunny days, I'll be out again. Can't wait!

Please note: I was not compensated for this review (though i wish it were! sheesh that would have been nice!). This review is based on my own opinion. I love this jogger oh-so-much that i just wanted to share!

Review: The First Years Infant to Toddler Tub

In a phrase, "I heart this tub". It is on my MUST HAVE list for babies. Along with the Fisher Price Rainforest Booster seat (see this post), this is one of my top baby items that i absolutely l-o-v-e love. Baby C's first bath experience was...interesting.

Well, to be fair, her very first bath experience was brutal. She's born, she's placed on my chest and then, 10 minutes later, because she wasn't screaming loudly enough (seriously, that is what they told us), she was given a rough sponge bath. Well that certainly made her scream loudly!

Her first bath at home was a sponge bath. She found it both shocking and intriguing...the face says it all:

Now she thoroughly enjoys herself and can't get enough of her bath. She'd stay in it all day if we let her. This bath is great because it starts out with a newborn in their little sling, then they can recline in the tub and, finally, they can sit up in it. So it grows with the baby and it is comforting to them because they feel secure. i can't say enough about how much I love this bathtub!

Please note: I was not compensated for this review. This review is based on my own opinion. Baby C loves this bathtub so much that i just wanted to share!

Diaper review at Baby Cheapskate!

I had the privilege of reviewing RiteAid Ultrafits for Angie at Baby Cheapstake.

Head on over there and check it out:

UltraFits Size 3 Diapers

As an aside--Yes! I am going to cloth diaper--I was just waiting to get my new cloth diaper stash from Peas and Carrots. Since I got them while we were in Florida, we're starting when we get home!

Have you ever used these diapers? Have any favorites that you'd recommend? Leave a comment and let me know! If you do leave a comment about your fave diaper, you'll automatically be entered for the next giveaway--incentive!

Please note: I was not compensated for this review. This review is based on my own opinion. We love these diapers and continue to use them for night-time use!

The joys of solid food

I've been wanting to post on babyfood since I started this blog. Who knew that I'd become so obsessed with it? I LOVE solids. It really is fun!

My twin has a daughter, R, that is 5 months older than C. She started baby R on solids at exactly 6 months. After trying Earth's Best Organic Rice Cereal for a few days, she started reading Super Baby Food and implementing the ideas and recipes found in that book. I was intrigued. Who knew you could feed your baby millet and brewer's yeast? For Christmas, the twin gifted me with the Super Baby Food Book and two freezer food trays shown here:

C started showing an interest in our food in the beginning of January so, on the 18th, I decided to start her a few weeks shy of her half year celebration. I didn't want to start her on grains so i decided to try sweet potatoes. After the first reaction of solids on her tongue:

she became voracious and acted like she'd been starved for the past 5.5 months. Its been smooth sailing ever since. She LOVES her solids and will sit in her booster chair and just kick those little legs when she sees the spoon coming. It is really quite hilarious. She now eats with gusto peas, carrots, butternut squash, green beans, avocado, bananas, apples and millet. (What is millet? I asked that, too! Millet is a grain that is more digestible than rice and just as good for you.)

Of course, with solids, you need to drink water, too! Here is a pic of her meeting her new friend the sippy cup:

I now put Rooibos Tea in her sippy. If you've read that post you know she gulps that down faster than lightening. I actually have to watch her intake because she can't drink too much or it would dilute her poor system!

A few of the blogs that I love to read have some great information on starting solids or using the Super Baby Food book. Check it out:

Baby Wise Mom

and

Passionate Homemaking

And don't forget to enter my giveaway!

Please note: I was not compensated for this review. This review is based on my own opinion. I love this babyfood book so much that i just wanted to share!

Review: Gerber Clothing

My first experience with Gerber clothing came in the form of adorably cute customized onesies made by "The Newly Mrs. Morgan". Mrs. Morgan is one of my very oldest childhood friends. She was always incredibly creative and she and my twin helped me eke out whatever creative juice I had in me so that I could play with them.

Fast forward 15 years and she is still cranking out creative gifts and ideas. One of these gifts was waiting for us when we arrived home from the hospital with Baby C. Please check out her post here.

We were so thrilled to receive her priceless gift. Not only were these onesies adorable but they were some of the only clothing that fit little newborn C perfectly. I loved the way that they fit and the fact that they were organic, too! Who can beat that? Here is little C modeling her gifts:

I didn't use Gerber onesies much after she grew out of them until I decided to try my hand at being creative. I bought some Gerber onesies and found, again, that their quality was superior to other brands like OldN@vy and T@rget. I was impressed that simple onesies could impress me :)

The most recent encounter I've had with them confirms my love for Gerber clothing. I bought a couple of longsleeve Gerber PJs for C at the consignment sale. She has outgrown all her old standbys but can't quite fit into her new 6-12 month PJs.

Even though these were used, they were not at all worn-looking nor have they faded in the many washes I've put them through. Though they are not organic, they are still great and C looks so cute in them that i often don't change her into a real outfit until late in the day!

If you'd like to purchase some of these clothes, why not use a coupon? Follow this link to the Gerber website where they invite you to print some pretty good coupons for their clothing--you'll just need to register for a new account and you'll be off and saving!

Please note: I was not compensated for this review. This review is based on my own opinion. I seriously love Gerber clothing so much that i just wanted to share!

Ahh, Rooibos, how I love you

Sit back and grab a cup of tea, this might be a long post.

A long long time ago, I was incredibly anemic. Like more anemic than any doctor I had had ever seen. Really bad. To make a long story short, my genius of a doctor, Dr. David Hirsh, figured out that the 2 litres (i used to live in the UK. Pardon my spelling) of green tea I was drinking was blocking all of my iron absorption. Whoops. I thought I was doing something beneficial for my health! yeah....

I was drinking cups full of green tea for its antioxidant properties. Come to find out, when J and I went on our 2nd year anniversary trip, we discovered an awesome tea store called Vermont Liberty Tea Company. The owner informed me that Rooibos tea, especially Green Rooibos Tea is an all-natural herbal tea that contians MORE antioxidants than green tea! Who knew? I was intrigued so we bought some loose leaf tea and off we went. When I got back home, I tried the Fruit and Lavender Rooibos (contianing Rooibos, rosehips shells, lavender, dried raisins, blueberries and currants with natural flavors). I was in heaven. It was so marvelous, I never missed my green tea. And, my iron count went back up to normal levels! Coincidence? I think not.

Turns out that not only does it not block iron absorption--no, Rooibos increases iron absorption. Bonus! Needless to say, I've been drinking that flavor and many others ever since. I just love it. Delish.

When I was pregnant with C, sometimes I would go to Teavana in the mall and get a made-to-order tea concoction. One day, my tea maker (is there a fancy word for that? I'm sure there is in China...) asked me if I was drinking it for the health of my baby..."no," i said, "I just like it." Come to find out yet another benefit of Rooibos--it helps you when you are pregnant and even your baby can consume it! Bonus!

When it came time to introduce solids to C (more on that soon), I was told that she needed to start drinking water, too. She hates it. Water, that is. Won't drink it. So, why not try Rooibos tea? Guess what? She l-o-v-e-s it and gulps it down as soon as she tastes it on her tongue she wants more. Bonus, yet again. Is there anything Rooibos cannot do? (well, yes, it can't do everything but, hey, it still does a lot, too!)

After giving her Rooibos for several days I thought, "hmmm. I'm giving her rooibos based on a tea seller's advice--and not a pediatrician's. Guess I should google it."

Here is what I've found so far:

• Rooibos tea can soothe baby's discomfort naturally and can be applied topically to help relieve 'cradle cap' and even nappy rash.
• Let Rooibos tea become your trusted friend. Precious relief can now be found not only in pacifying babies, but in the relaxation of adults too.
  
• A truly holistic wonder, the benefits of Rooibos can assist your baby throughout his or her entire life, and aid you in yours.
  
• Suitable for the entire family, Rooibos tea's herbal goodness is awaiting your discovery - treat the ones you love to nature's secret medial wonder.
• According to studies conducted in South Africa and Japan Rooibos has been shown to aid in health problems such as insomnia (*very helpful in infants!), irritability, headaches, nervous tension, and hypertension.
• Studies also show that this tea contains anti-spasmodic agents, which can relieve stomach cramping and colic in infants.

Interesting stuff, huh? After you clear it with your pediatrician, you should definitely try it for your baby!

Review: Johnny Jump Ups and Walkers

Do these items look like weapons to you? According to most pediatricians they can damage your child! In our tiny household, it appears we laugh in the face of those warnings.

And literally, we laugh. C LOVES to play in both of these apparatuses, both of which can be found at her Mimi's house. I think she gets excited when we pull in the driveway because she knows these toys will be waiting for her to play in! Not that she really knows when we pull in the driveway since she is in a REAR FACING (very important!) car seat...but still.

Whenever she gets in the Johnny jump-up, she goes crazy ga ga for it. Yes, it has the potential to damage your child's hips but that is continued use for long periods of time. I only let C get in it for AT MOST 15 minutes so I think she is fine. And the pure joy that it evokes in her is so hard to pass up--it makes all who witness it laugh out loud. I'm willing to gamble that she won't have bad hips just so she can jump for joy (again, literally). *Also, please note that they warn it could fall of the door frame molding. Make sure, if you purchase this toy, that the door you afix it over has very sturdy ledges. If not, your baby could fall and hurt herself.*

The other toy she loves to play in is the Walker. Also NOT recommended by your local pediatrician because it could put early strain on your child's joints and delay walking. OR your child could fall down the stairs while walking by them (note: close the door to your stairs or install a baby gate!)

As my mother said, I was put in those walkers early on for quite longer periods of time than recommended and i still learned to walk when I was 8 months old! Developmental delay? not so much.

The great thing about this walker is that you can adjust its height as baby grows and it has interesting toys for them to reach for and play with. C is continually amazed at the bears. The tray is a nice feature, too, because you can place other toys (we aren't quite at the finger food stage yet but I suppose you could leave finger food on the tray as well--just make sure you clean it properly first!) C doesn't know how to put one leg in front of the other yet but I personally feel like this walker is good practice for her!

If we ever bought a larger house, I'd definitely invest in these two items. As it is right now, once or twice a week in them is very exciting and all she needs. You can find a lot of these used (make sure you check the fabric for any fraying, etc. Don't want that baby to fall out!) on Amazon or Craigslist or at Congsignment Sales/Stores.

Here is C before we went back home. She was fighting sleep today and didn't want to tack a nap so we distracted her:

In the interest of full disclosure and so i cannot get sued, DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. We cannot be held responsible for your child or any injury he/she should sustain while using one or both of these toys.

Please note: I was not compensated for this review. This review is based on my own opinion.C loves both of these "toys" so much that i just wanted to share!

Review: Fisher Price Rainforest Booster

We live in a small apartment. Maybe not small if we lived in NYC but small when you have a child who is about to crawl and have toys and misc. baby paraphernalia that somehow ends up strewn about in every room. Hence, we do not own a high chair but, rather a booster seat.

The Fisher Price Rainforest Booster Seat, to be exact. Not only does it fit better in our apt. but it is more practical since you can take it with you wherever you go...and it comes with an "entertainment center" of sorts. Sure you can buy one without the toy tray but splurge an extra $5 and get this one--it entertains baby while you are warming up her food or can be a literal "babysitter", allowing the baby to sit and play while you clean up the house, make dinner, or, like what I'm doing right now, post on your blog! (Small safety disclaimer--Just make sure you are always within reach of your child while she is sitting, strapped into the chair and the chair strapped into a real chair!)

I highly recommend either registering for this seat or buying it. We love it and wouldn't ever think of converting to a real highchair should we move into a larger space!

Please note: I was not compensated for this review. This review is based on my own opinion. I love this booster chair so much that i just wanted to share!

Reviews

I've greatly benefited from reading other mom's blogs, especially when they post reviews on kid items they find essential or wonderful or both! As I use a lot of kid products daily, I have a lot of time to think about how I'd be lost without them or sometimes think of how they could improve.

So, why not post reviews, good and bad and in between about everything? I'll review things as I'm using them and it occurs to me that someone might like to know what a real mom thinks about it.

Hopefully it can help someone. If not, at least I'll remember my opinion when it comes time to raise the next child!


ETA (nearly 4 months later!): Please note: I am not compensated for these reviews. All reviews are based on my own opinion. I love certain Baby Items so much that i just wanted to share so other new moms could get honest feedback!