the mama scoop

Budding Reader

2010-08-24T17:02:00.000-07:00

There are so many books out there for children, it's so hard to choose. Our library is stocked with everything from Sandra Boynton & Mo Willems to the Little Golden Books & the Mr. Men & Little Miss series.

The editors of Parents Magazine have put out their favorite books for all age groups as well as helpful hints on encouraging reading, best way to have storytime and even the best books for potty training.

Diapers Deal!

2010-08-11T06:57:00.000-07:00

I just ordered a big box of Pampers for $19.49!

How it works:
go to this blog and it links you to the amazon coupon ($1.50)
http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/8958?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Dansdeals+%28DansDeals.com%29

then use the Subscribe & Save (you can cancel even after the first shipment - right now their having an extra 15% off)
and then before you hit Sign Me Up:

If you get Parent's Magazine, there should be a little pull out card in your August issue with a code on it. Just enter that code. I think there will be another one in the September issue. If you don't get the magazine, you can see if my code will work again:
AWDE-W5SUCT-FRDACT

Summer Reads

2010-08-04T10:54:00.001-07:00

If by some lucky chance you find yourself with time to read this summer, you're probably looking for a good book to make best use of it! I mean a real book for enjoyment verus the usual parents magazines and books that are probably stacked up on your bedside and all over the house (they are at my house!).

Daily Candy just released a compilation of their picks for 16 Awesome Books to read this summer. The list ranges from girlie fiction to historic to short stories.

Find your favorite spot and enjoy!

Two Under Two

2010-07-27T07:16:00.000-07:00

You've made it through the first pregnancy, the first diaper change, the countless feedings and sleepless nights and then it's time to do it again. People say the second one is easier, but how? Is it because you know what's coming or is it because you're far more flexible about everything. Or is it because you have now found that perfect glass of wine that just makes it all go away, at least for a few minutes.

And for those mamas that have two under 2, you are amazing! Stroller Traffic has come up with a great survival guide for those mamas and all mamas with two (or more).

Black Friday in July!

2010-07-22T06:41:00.001-07:00

Hello fellow Target fans,

I have great news - Target is having a "secret" Black Friday sale tomorrow, online only.
Check out the preview.

Let me know if you get any good buys!

All about him..

2010-07-08T08:51:00.001-07:00

There's the Belly Button book about hippos and their belly buttons. There's the Snuggle Puppy book about the puppy. And now there's a book about your little one. If you and your little one are fans of Sandra Boynton, imagine the excitement when your little one realizes this book is all about him!

With just a few inputs and a few picture uploads, you'll have your own customized Sandra Boynton book.
Happy publishing!

Will you be sharing your new iPhone?

2010-07-07T21:56:00.000-07:00

Has your little one discovered your new "toy" yet? If so, are you ready to share that iPhone or iPad with them? Seems only fair, we're always asking them to share their favorite toys.

Here is a sampling of some great apps that are fun and educational for kids of all ages.

Is your sunscreen protecting you and your babes?

2010-06-23T10:52:00.000-07:00

Please read the Cool Moms Pick post and check out the Enviromental Working Group's study to see how your sunscreen checks out. I was shocked to see what ours rated.. time to go to Target to restock.

BRU Little Tikes Sale - 2 days only!

2010-06-23T10:33:00.000-07:00

Babies R Us is celebrating Little Tikes 40th birthday with 20% off all Little Tikes items in stores and online. Offer is good thru June 24th. For your coupon go here

Looks like we might need to make room for some new toys!

Summer wear?

2010-06-22T14:13:00.000-07:00

If you still need to fill out that summer wardrobe for you or your kids, fear not - Gap and Old Navy too the rescue!

Old Navy
From June 24th - June 29th you can shop the entire store for 30% off, online or in stores.

Gap
You can "roll the dice" and save anywhere from 10% - 40% off your entire order online. Enter PPW9XLYL6YBB at checkout and see how much you can save. Offer ends soon..

Father's Day

2010-06-14T11:32:00.001-07:00

The web is full of great ideas for that awesome Dad in your life. My favorite collection of ideas is from Cool Mom Picks. They've listed ideas out by interests and price.

Check out their list if you're still stumped!

Lead found in common kid's foods & juices

2010-06-14T10:46:00.001-07:00

It seems unthinkable that even in this day and age, studies are still finding lead in our kids things. This time is in some of the most unlikely places - the juices and foods that we serve our kids. See the below article and links for all the details, do you serve any of these at your house? Will you continue to do so?

Courtesy of Cafe Mom

Get ready to clean out your refrigerator ... a new report from the Environmental Law Foundation (ELF) shows an outrageous number of children's snacks and juices -- even organic ones -- contain high levels of lead.

Of the 146 items they tested -- including those from brands like Whole Foods and Trader Joe's -- 125 contained "high" levels of lead. Tests were performed on a variety of products specifically marketed to children such as bottled baby food and juices and canned fruits.

So incredibly frightening! It's absolutely outrageous to me that in this day, in this country, this is allowed to happen. I'm so sick of recalls on things we buy for our children (from cribs to clothing), trusting that they will be safe, only to find out that they could be deadly.

So what now?

The ELF has sent warnings to the companies producing the contaminated products. They either have to find a way to remove the lead or place a warning on their products.

Although I question why if there's enough warrant for a warning, the products would even be allowed on the market, I am at least grateful to have this information now. We don't buy juice in our house, never have, thankfully, but some of the organic fruit products are definitely sitting on my shelves ... or were.

Lead exposure can result in a number of serious health consequences for children.

"Exposure to lead can have a wide range of effects on a child's development and behavior," states the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. "Even when exposed to small amounts of lead levels, children may appear inattentive, hyperactive and irritable. Children with greater lead levels may also have problems with learning and reading, delayed growth and hearing loss. At high levels, lead can cause permanent brain damage and even death."

For the entire list, click here

PediaCare Product Recalls

2010-06-01T10:02:00.000-07:00

Blacksmith Brands and FDA notified healthcare professionals and patients about a nationwide recall of all lots of four PediaCare children's products. These products are sold exclusively in the United States and were manufactured by McNeil Consumer Healthcare at McNeil's Fort Washington, PA plant.

The four PediaCare items involved in the recall are:

PediaCare Multi-Symptom Cold 4oz. UPC # 3 0045-0556-05 9
PediaCare Long Acting Cough 4oz. UPC# 3 0045-0465-04 7
PediaCare Decongestant 4oz. UPC# 3 0045-0554-04 8
PediaCare Allergy and Cold 4oz. UPC# 3 0045-0552-04 4

Blacksmith Brands initiated the recall as a precautionary step because the products were manufactued at a McNeil plant in which a recent FDA inspection found serious problems in meeting FDA's current good manufacturing practice requirements. The company advises consumers who have purchased these recalled products to discontinue use.

Read the complete MedWatch 2010 Safety summary, including a link to the firm press release, at:

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm214036.htm

Supermarket Savvy

2010-05-24T19:32:00.000-07:00

Buying organic can be difficult and costly. Most mainstream markets carry only a small selection of organic produce and meats and they can be very costly. We're also learning that organic doesn't always mean the best quality or bang for your buck.

Below is an excerpt from Stroller Traffic on shopping supermarket savvy.

Chicken and beef. Seek out free-range chicken and grass-fed (or pasture-fed) beef. Meat, poultry, dairy, and eggs that are certified organic are not medicated with antibiotics or steroid hormones, and have indeed been fed certified organic food. However that statement does not tell us specifically what they have been fed (corn? grass? grains?). When cows and chickens are allowed to eat their natural diet, their eggs, milk and meat tend to be richer in nutrients and typically have higher levels of omega-3 (and fewer omega-6) fatty acids, which helps improve our omega 3/6 balance. Free-range, pasture-fed animals are typically treated more humanely and taste better, too.

Soy products. Look for "non-GMO" on the label. Genetically modified foods are on the rise. Also known as genetically modified organisms (GMO), these foods are created by changing the DNA of a plant's seeds (genetically modifying the seed). It's typically done to increase a plant’s ability to fend off bugs or to increase a crop's production. However, the new genes of a genetically modified plant create a new protein that the human digestive tract has never seen before. Some studies suggest that the human body may have trouble digesting these new proteins, and that this may in fact increase the incidence of soy allergies.

Pasta. Unless your child has a gluten allergy, you do not need to stock up on gluten-free pasta. (Gluten is a type of protein found in wheat; it is not bad for you unless you have a gluten allergy or intolerance). Instead, look for whole grain pasta with at least 4 grams of fiber per serving. One of my favorites is Barilla Plus, which contains 4 grams of fiber and 10 grams of protein per serving, versus the 2 grams of fiber and 7 grams of protein found in regular white pasta.

Peanut butter. Read the ingredients. Even some organic brands contain added sugar and hydrogenated fats; your peanut butter should contain only peanuts—and maybe some salt, but that is it!

Cereal. Many brands are not as healthy as their names suggest. Just because a cereal is labeled organic does not mean it is more nutritious. Often, they are loaded with extra sugar: "evaporated cane juice" is still SUGAR. For example, Barbara’s Shredded Oats contains 12 grams of sugar per serving—more than Kellogg's Frosted Flakes! On the contrary, Post Shredded Wheat n' Bran contains no added ingredients—just 100 percent whole wheat and wheat bran (and less than 1 gram of sugar). Top with fresh fruit and enjoy.

Yogurt. Organic yogurts do not use any artificial sweeteners. Therefore, the flavored versions typically have a lot of added sugar. Your best bet is to buy plain yogurt and flavor it yourself with cinnamon or fresh fruit or defrosted frozen fruit or wheat germ or nuts . . . .

Getting that Hot Mama bod back!

2010-05-20T11:26:00.001-07:00

The first thing most new moms say they want back is their bod, but it's usually the last thing they have the time and energy to get. One sure fire way to get the motivation a new mom needs is to have support. This can come from other new moms, mommy & baby workout groups, and of course babysitters!

One new mom created bookieboo.com to help new moms get back into those favorite pre-preggo jeans and help boost confidence. There are fitness and nutrition tips on the website from a team of writers as well as a blogging community of 2,500 moms, all with the same struggles, antedotes, and inspirational, motivating stories.

Simply Written

2010-05-18T16:46:00.000-07:00

As parents, one of our main goals is to help our child become a successful, contributing member of society. That's why most of us have stacks of parenting books on our nightstands, hoping one of them will give us the answers. Though there are many books out there with great information, it can be quite overwhelming to sift through the pages of each book.

And then came along Ellen Galinsky and her new book Mind in the Making. After years of observation and research, she's come up with the seven life skills each child needs. Each chapter in the book focuses on a different life skill, along with tips and ideas for parents to help children develop these skills. All in an easy, light tone.

Thanks Cool Mom Picks for the find!

Recall Alert!

2010-05-03T10:49:00.001-07:00

McNeil Consumer Healthcare Over-the-Counter Infants’ and Children’s Products: Recall

including Tylenol, Motrin, Zyrtec, and Benadryl products

Audience: Consumers and healthcare professionals

McNeil Consumer Healthcare and FDA notified healthcare professionals of a voluntary recall of certain over-the-counter (OTC) Children’s and Infants’ liquid products manufactured in the United States, including Tylenol, Motrin, Zyrtec, and Benadryl products. Some of these products may not meet required quality standards. This recall is not being undertaken on the basis of adverse medical events. However, as a precautionary measure, parents and caregivers should not administer these products to their children. These products were distributed in the United States, Canada, Dominican Republic, Dubai (UAE), Fiji, Guam, Guatemala, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Panama, Trinidad & Tobago, and Kuwait. See the company Press Release for a list of products affected by this recall.

Consumers can contact the company at 1-888-222-6036 and also at www.mcneilproductrecall.com

Read the MedWatch safety summary, including a link to the FDA Questions and Answers web page regarding this recall, at:

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm210442.htm

Deals, Deals, Deals

2010-04-29T17:38:00.001-07:00

Hi Mamas,

In honor of all Mamas there are lots of great deals going on right now. Here are a few that I've come across, happy shopping!

Old Navy - 30% the entire store from April 30th - May 2nd. Applies to in store only. I think they have great baby clothes at great prices.

Crazy 8 - If you're looking to stock up for the summer, shorts are on sale for $9.99 and cute graphic ts for $7

Gap - All shorts are BOGO $10 until May 2nd. They also have great stuff for the summer on their sale racks: dresses, shorts, ts galore.

Diapers.com - Finally a coupon you can use as a repeat customer, with no minimum requirement. Take $5 off your order using promo code 4FORMOM. The coupon is good until 5/9

Happy Earth Day!

2010-04-22T12:47:00.000-07:00

Can you believe today is the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day!?! All over the web there are some great, inspirational ways to be green, without having to spend too much green. As a parent now, I know I've become far more aware of my actions and how they will effect my kid's future. I definitely am more motivated to do right by Mother Earth now.

Here are some great links for quick and easy ideas to celebrate Earth Day, today and going forward:

22 Cheap Ways to Go Green: though, I can't do all of them (disposable diapers), there are some great, easy ideas.

Shop for non-toxic products: many sites, such as Diapers.com are having sales on their natural lines of products.
Diapers.com deals:
Seventh Generation diapers & wipes 10% off code SGEARTH1
Britax Car Seat 15% off code BRITAX15
Green Kits 25% off
Eco Friendly Toys 15% off code GREENTOYS15
Seventh Generation cleaning supplies 15% off code SGEARTH2

Don't Need it, Really Want it, How can I justify it?

2010-04-19T10:54:00.000-07:00

When I saw this posting on one of my favorite sites, Cool Mom Picks, I got so excited. It's not an iPad, but the digital prints is adorable and potentially more stylish than an iPad. This "clutch" is small enough to put into your diaper bag or handbag or looks great if you're carrying it around.

Easy, Tasty Recipes for the entire family

2010-04-06T15:42:00.001-07:00

As spring and summer approach, we all are probably starting to think about eating a bit healthier. Especially since all sorts of fruits and veggies are in season now (not to mention bathing suit season is fast approaching). And, regardless of the season, we're always trying to make sure our bebes are eating healthy.
But who wants to give up some of our favorite things? That's where the Skinny Chef saves the day! Although there are a countless number of resources (many mentioned here before) for ideas and tips on feeding your family healthy meals, this one might just be one of my favorites. Jennifer Iserloh is a professional chef who specializes in taking our favorite foods and making them in healthier ways so that we don't have to give them up and we can even make them for our kids without feeling guilty.

The recipes on the website are broken down into the standard groupings (apps, main courses, desserts, etc) including a Kid Friendly group. She points out the various nutritional benefits of each recipe and even suggests wine pairings to make even the Kid Friendly recipes Adult Friendly.

On her website you can also request a free pdf of her Tips for Busy Moms and supplements to her new cookbook.

Happy Dining (and drinking!)

Shop Carter's Online!

2010-03-29T13:20:00.001-07:00

Carter's has just launched it's online store. Score 20% off your first order of $50 or more by April 15th. Just enter code CCC20 at checkout.

The ideal gift for your favorite preggo!

2010-03-29T12:47:00.000-07:00

We have all experienced some crazy cravings when we're pregnant. These are usually cravings that our husbands don't understand but are sweet enough to indulge us with.

Now comes along the ultimate prego pickle treat!
The Pregnancy Pack of pickles will crave any pickle craving, instantly.

Rotavirus vaccine suspended

2010-03-24T06:46:00.001-07:00

The Glaxo Rotavirus vaccine has been suspended due to contamination. The Merck vaccine is not effected. You can find all the details here.

Toys R Us celebrates with free toys!

2010-03-23T10:32:00.000-07:00

To celebrate Little Tyke's 40th birthday, Toys R Us has a great BOGO deal going on right now.
Just head to the store or shop online. They have a huge selection of toys, and some Crayola and Fisher Price items are included.

Happy stocking up!

Mommy Podcast Reviews

2010-03-08T11:04:00.001-08:00

from our guest blogger, Katie

Both of these are downloadable on iTunes

The Parent Experiment: Hosted by Teresa Strasser (you may remember her from the TLC show While You Were Out) and Lynette Carolla (wife of Adam Carolla – comedian and host of the 90s MTV show Loveline).

Teresa is a new mom to 4-month old Buster and Lynette has 3 ½ year old twins Sonny and Natalia. They are both very funny, down-to-earth moms who started the podcast because they were looking for mom friends to talk with and relate to and also found that there really wasn’t a show out there like it and wanted to fill a niche. It’s pretty new, they are about five or six episodes in but I’m hooked already.

They have a different guest each week. They’ve had on Mayim Bialik (you’ll remember her as Blossom) who has quite an alternative and fascinating parenting method of co-sleeping, potty training from two days old and nursing well into toddlerhood. Stefanie Wilder-Taylor (author of Sippy Cups are Not for Chardonnay) was also a guest on the show who spoke very open and honestly about her own trials and tribulations of motherhood and how she found herself drinking a bit too much wine in the evening to wind down. In addition to discussions with the guests, Teresa and Lynette have some great conversation about their own mommy experiences.

This one is a bit racy at times and not your typical poopy diaper, feeding schedule, sleep training parent podcast – it’s a lot more fun and makes me laugh. I got through 40 minutes on the elliptical machine listening to one on Saturday morning, kept me going.

http://www.adamcarolla.com/TPEBlog/

Manic Mommies: Hosted by Erin and Kristin – two moms living in a suburb of Boston, Massachusetts – billed as the podcast for moms trying to do it all. In recent news Erin is moving to Rochester, NY but Manic Mommies will continue.

Erin has two sons – one in kindergarten and one in first grade, Kristin has a son in kindergarten and daughter in pre-school. They both work full-time so they talk a lot about the daily life of juggling work and being a mom. Their kids are a bit older than my 11-month old so it’s more of a glimpse into my future of driving to games, birthday parties, cub scouts and such but the basic “mom stuff” that they talk about is the same and very relatable for all of us moms.

They sometimes have guests and sometimes just chat it up about what’s going on in their own lives with their children or what vacations they’ve taken or activities they’ve done with their kids. They have discussions about simple everyday topics like meal planning, budgeting and exercise and some heavier ones like raising your child without religion.

Erin and Kristin definitely keep me giggling and I look forward to listening to them on Monday mornings. I’ve gotten lot of great mommy tips from them and they have many times made me feel not so overwhelmed about being a working mommy and realize that so many of us are in the same boat trying to get it all done.. and then some.

http://www.manicmommies.com/

If you needed a reason for one more cookie

2010-03-05T16:31:00.000-08:00

As I was doing my usual morning read through email and Facebook, I came across a story that gave me such perspective and gratitude for each fun, exciting, and even challenging day I get to spend with my little one (like today where she didn't take a nap until 3:30pm).

Cookies for Kids' Cancer was started by a family after their 2 year old son was diagnosed with a rare pediatric cancer. The survival rate of his cancer is less than 30% primarily because of the lack of research and funding towards a cure. They started this organization to raise money for all pediatric cancers. It's heartbreaking to read a story about any child suffering and makes me so thankful for the health and happiness we experience each day.

I wanted to bring this to everyone's attention because as parents, we know how devastating this can be for any family. What can you do to help raise funds for pediatric cancer? Through CKC you can have a bake sale and send funds to the organization or you can purchase some of their delicious cookies for yourself or as gifts.

I'm going to try to figure out a way to do a virtual bake sale by taking orders, stay tuned!

I can do it!

2010-02-25T09:04:00.000-08:00

Every week I say I'm going to create a menu of what we are going to eat as a family and make sure that it has a variety of vegetables and fruits to ensure that our little one is getting a well balanced meal. Yea, well that doesn't usually happen. Between squeezing in some time for work, playing with the kiddo, and just trying to keep some sanity at the house, I usually am at a lost for what to make by the time dinner comes around.

Now there's a solution! NoTakeOut is the cliff notes version of any cookbook you may usually reference. It gives you a recipe each day, along with all the grocery and pantry items you will need. They also provide step by step cooking instructions helping you make sure that everything gets done at the same time. And the best part for us busy moms? They also provide suggestions for wine pairings and side dishes, even suggesting the opportune times for you to pour yourself a glass of wine while preparing dinner.

Dr. Suess storytime at Target

2010-02-25T09:00:00.000-08:00

Target stores nationwide are participating in Read Across America this Saturday. They will be hosting a free Story Time from 9:00am - 11:00am, celebrating Dr. Suess.

There will be a reading of Oh The Places You'll Go and Dr. Suess themed games and prizes.

I'm back!

2010-02-24T13:24:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the lack of postings lately, I caught a cold and time has been flying by this month. BUT, I'm back. I'll be updating the blog soon with more scoops and baby friendly exercise routines you can do while you're enjoying the sunshine with your little one.

Stay tuned!

Mum Mums on sale - yum yum!

2010-02-09T17:04:00.000-08:00

Amazon.com is having a special offer:

Save up to 40% off select Hot Kid products, such as Mum Mum crackers - our favorite. Save 25% when you enter code MUMMB333 at checkout. You can also save an additional 15% when you combine the instant rebate with their Subscribe & Save offer. This offer is good until February 28, 2010.

After our little one out grew her puffs, these Mum Mum crackers quickly became the family favorite. They are easy to hold, super healthy, and great with yogurt, hummus, cheese... the list goes on.

Mommy business cards at an affordable price.

2010-02-03T06:14:00.000-08:00

Now that our little one is going to classes and playgroups more, I've realized that perhaps there is a benefit to getting mommy business cards. Sometimes pulling out your phone to exchange information while wrangling the kids just isn't an option. I just couldn't justify the $40 for 200 cards, no matter how adorable they are. Mostly because, despite the fact that my little social butterfly makes friends with everyone, I don't think I'll be handing out our contact information to all of her new friends.

Yesterday I came across yet another email from Vista Print in my inbox and clicked on it this time. They are currently running a special for free business cards, just pay the shipping. It includes a limited selection of designs. They also have a section for family cards including announcements, moving, and mommy cards. For $5.99 you can get 50 cards. That was more palatable for me. I'll be honest and admit that I do love the selection at sites like Tiny Prints and MommyCards a bit more, but I found a cute butterfly card that worked for me at Vista, especially at that price. You can customize the fonts, colors, sizing, placement of text on the cards and get them in matte for no charge or in glossy for a minimal charge. I ordered ours in matte.

As an update, Vista print just sent me an email with an offer for free matching address labels, notecards, or paper. Check out the site for great deals!

Traveling with baby..

2010-01-28T15:42:00.001-08:00

Regardless if you're an experienced traveler or a novice traveler, when you add babies or kids into the mix it's a whole different matter. I used to travel once a week for business and had the routine down so well that I was able to fit 3 days of clothes into a 1/2 sized carry on suitcase and was called out by name by the parking attendants, TSA, and the Southwest crew members.

Then we decided to take our little one on a plane when she was 3 months old. We were headed to Tahoe and determined to carry on, we never checked bags. Seemed easy at first, how much could this little bundle really need? Then as I started packing I realized I was forgetting all kinds of things: bottles, diapers, formula. It didn't matter how cute she was going to look in her snow suit if she didn't have any food or diapers. After a few calls to a trusted friend and mother herself, I was confident that I wasn't missing any essentials. She also gave me great advice to buy diapers and formula at my destination instead of packing enough for the entire trip.

I just heard about See Jane Fly. It's a free website that will help you plan your trip. You select your destination and it will build a customized travel planning guide. They also have a great section called Toolbox that has useful checklists, such as Dress Me (what to pack), Romantic Urban Escape, and Baby's First Trip. The website is full of tips, great finds, and perks for planning any type of trip. Our upcoming road trip this summer from Cincinnati to Pittsburgh doesn't seem as daunting after reading some tips on the site.

Paper or Plastic? - neither, I brought my own

2010-01-26T11:26:00.001-08:00

I'm not one for New Year's resolutions. Why wait until January 1st? Otherwise, I'd have to wait a whole year to go through with my decision. Although I've often tried to remember to bring my own bags to the grocery store, I'll admit that I have been too lazy to go back to the car when I've realized I left them in there. And I am definitely guilty of not taking my own bags to stores such as Target and other retail stores.

So my January 26th resolution, I mean decision, is to take my reusable bags everywhere. Luckily there are countless options and designs, at a large spectrum of prices to make sure I have enough bags. One of my favorite, Envirosax, has a design for everyone. They also let you design your own and have smaller ones for kids. Once my little one is just a bit older, we'll definitely be getting her one her size so she can learn this lesson much earlier than her parents have.

Why stop at shopping bags, at Reusable Bags Depot, you can find a reusable bag for all of your household errands, even drycleaning. They also have a great selection of reusable shopping bags and great prices.

You found the right bag, now make sure you have the right stuff in it.

2010-01-26T10:38:00.000-08:00

Most moms spend weeks looking for the perfect diaper bag. It has to be stylish (it is taking over as your purse after all), functional, and wipeable.

Once you have that bag, it's easy to stuff it full of all kinds of things you *might* need and just as easy to forget the one thing you really did need. Other than the basic diapers, wipes, toys that you will always need, here are a few other finds:

*Cleanwell 1oz pocket-sized all-natural hand sanitizer. It's sold just about everywhere these days. It's compact, all natural, toxic free and alcohol free. It's spray is a great way to get your kids involved in cleaning their hands. (thanks Jess for the recommendation)

*For those moms whose kids are now eating solids, my favorite way to tote around snacks is this great Boon snack ball. It stores great in the corners of your bag and like all Boon products it's BPA free.

*It's inevitable that when you put your kid in their cutest outfit to go out to dinner, that's when they will be the messiest. These bibs by Oots are made of terry cloth to absorb and cover your little one's belly & arms. Not to mention the adorable designs they come in.

*Even with the Oots bib or other mess ups, sometimes you need to pull out that change of clothes. Put the dirty, wet, soiled clothes in a Wet Happened? bag, zip it up and stash it back into your diaper bag until you can get home. The bag is waterproof, pvc lined, and is machine washable. It folds up small and is so lightweight, I often forget I have it in our bag.

*The Butt Naked Baby shea stick is one of the most versatile items in our diaper bag. It's great for chapped lips, dry skin, and anywhere else that baby is chapped or irritated. I'll admit, I've often used it on my own chapped lips. Just use a clean finger each time for application.

Every mom's favorite store now has online coupons

2010-01-24T21:52:00.001-08:00

Whether you're going in just to get another box of tissues and cough drops because it's cold season, or you just wanted to "pick up a few things", somehow you don't leave Target without spending much more than you were expecting. It all starts with the $1.00 bins at the front of the store and before you know it, you're browsing all the aisles, checking out the clearance stuff at the ends. Not to mention the basic tees, bathing suits, and other items of clothes and accessories that catch your eye as you're walking by.

Target now has online coupons that you can choose, click, and print before you head out to the store. Type in your zip code at the top and the coupons will be customized to your area. It won't keep you focused enough to not do any random browsing, but at least you'll save a few bucks on the stuff that was on your list.

Happy Shopping! Maybe I'll see you there tomorrow, when I stop by to "pick up a few things".

High Performance Pampers.

2010-01-20T10:27:00.001-08:00

Pampers has started rolling out it's new version of Swaddlers & Cruisers. The new technology is called "Dry Max" with diapers that are 20 percent thinner. According to P&G, these new diapers will be their "driest diapers ever". They have not gone public with the new diapers but have been testing them in select markets - in the OLD packaging. There has been a lot of confusion and frustration on popular outlets such as Facebook and Diapers.com about the "sudden" flimsiness and leakage from their Pampers. It seems parents aren't finding these new diapers to be the "driest diapers ever". Although I do really like the idea of 20% thinner diapers for many reasons including less space in the diaper bag and in landfills, I'm not willing to trade that for leakage guard.

Many moms have switched to other brands such as Huggies Organic, Target, and even grocery store brands. We haven't seen any issues in the diapers we have yet. Have you?

A few more of my favorite things...

2010-01-08T12:08:00.000-08:00

Manic Mommies blog and facebook page - blunt honesty and a reminder that it's not just you and it's totally fair and normal!

Baby Shoes - Robeez were perfect as Soph's first walking shoe. Now she's strutting her stuff in her Pedipeds and they have been great. Other favorites that are functional and in great designs: Stride Rite
also I'm loving the designs and reviews for Livie and Luca shoes.

Why can't I find any good fruit?

2010-01-07T12:22:00.000-08:00

I always end up craving juicy, sweet fruit in the winter, when there isn't much in season so the markets (especially in Vegas) are full of apples. There are of course the random baskets of strawberries and they just look a little sad. That's because strawberries aren't actually in season until March. These poor guys have either been in storage or have been produced in an artificial environment.

In case you are like me and never know what's in season when (or just wanting to know when cherries are coming back to the market), here are some great, fridge posting friendly, charts:

Vegetable Seasonality Chart
Fruit & Nut Seasonality Chart

The website has links for printer friendly versions and also shows seasonality for flowers, meats, & cheeses.

Food experts list the top 7 foods to avoid

2010-01-05T09:47:00.000-08:00

Of course some of the ones on the list are some staple favorites. No canned tomatoes or microwave popcorn? Now they are messing with the meals for kings (and queens).

It looks like BPA is back - this time in our canned goods. If everyone knows BPA is bad, why haven't the manufactures changed anything, that would be nice. It also looks like the lining in microwave popcorn bags could cause infertility. Not surprising, the inside of those bags did always look a little sketchy, but the popcorn is so yummy!

Here is the complete detailed list.

And here is a list of 25 power foods you should be eating a lot of.

Happy New Year!

A deal for Mommy!

2010-01-04T21:44:00.000-08:00

Who doesn't need another pair of shoes? The new Uggs, pair of platform pumps if you're going back to work, or maybe a new pair for date night.

Piperlime is having a one day only sale tomorrow, January 5. Enter the code TREAT4ME for an additional 20% off. They also have free shipping and free return shipping.

Happy Sole Searching!

Is it really Pure and Natural?

2010-01-04T10:43:00.001-08:00

A new report and study from the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics shows that many of the baby shampoos and washes that claim to be pure and natural actually contain formaldehyde and/or 1,4-dioxane.

See this link to see how the products you use came out in the testing.

Looks like this house might be going back to Burt's Bee from Aveeno Baby.

Breastfeeding Advice

2010-01-04T10:07:00.000-08:00

If you're like a lot of us and not pleased with the help from La Leche League, here is another site our member, Manpreet found:
http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/default.htm

Do you get any advice you found to be priceless?

Restaurant.com Deal

2010-01-02T23:01:00.000-08:00

Restaurant.com has a new stock of certificates, plus 50% off when you use “FIFTY” at checkout.

A few of my favorite things..

2009-12-30T10:02:00.000-08:00

I was talking with a friend, who has a newborn and recanting some of my *must* have favorite things. Here are a few of mine, what are yours?

*Sleep Sheep
this is one of the best, compact sound machine. It's so easy to use and times out depending on the setting you choose. It also comes with a velcro strap you can use to attach to a car seat etc. Make sure you get the 'On the Go' version, the other one is quite large.

*Adan & Anais blankets
these blankets are large and come in great prints. They also keep their swaddle really well. Now that our little one is walking around, it's so light weight she drags it around and actually covers her lovey with it. She still loves sleeping with it.

*Trumpette socks
they come in great patterns and colors and are the only socks that do not fall off, even when our litle one tugs on them to get them off.

There are tons more.. but these are the ones I have loved from the start and still love.

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-24T14:45:00.000-08:00

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season with your families!

Mani Pedi time!

2009-12-18T14:51:00.000-08:00

I can't wait to be able to paint Soph's nails. Now there is a non-toxic, all natural polish especially made for little girls. They come in tons of fun colors. They also have non-toxic polish remover. Soph might just be getting her first mani pedi sooner than expected!

www.piggypaint.com

GoBaby Outmat - An outdoor must!

2009-12-17T09:16:00.000-08:00

We have the GoBaby Outmat and it is awesome. It's lightweight, easy to transport, and machine washable. We use it all the time. It also comes attached by zipper to a carrying pouch. You just roll in out and up like a yoga mat. It's so light weight that I have walked all over Chicago carrying it and didn't feel a thing.

Tomorrow ONLY, GoBaby is having a 50% off everything sale.
www.gobaby.com

H1N1 Vaccine Recall - not dangerous

2009-12-15T17:10:00.000-08:00

If your child is between the ages of 6 months and 35 months and received their H1N1 vaccine, please read on. Sanofi Pasteur is voluntarily recalling 800,000 doses of their vaccine because they say the doses do not meet the potency levels they should. The CDC says that parents should not be concerned because tests show that a slight decrease in potency does not effect the level of protection.

The article has details on the lots being recalled and the CDC statement.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/12/15/flu.vaccine.recall/

What well balanced meal will I make today?

2009-12-15T16:35:00.001-08:00

I've started looking at everything I make for lunch and dinner and wondering if it's Soph appropriate. They say once babies start eating toddler food it gets easier because you don't have to make 2 meals. Um - that might be true if you're already eating well balanced meals. I'm pretty sure things like taco night (full of packaged seasoning and salsa) and cereal for dinner night don't qualify as the well balanced meal Soph should be getting. The good thing is that it is definitely helping us make sure we have some healthier meals. I've also become a pro at adding vegetable puree into everything. It's amazing how much better you feel about eating mac n cheese for dinner when you've added some butternut squash and broccoli puree into it.

Some of my favorite books about feeding and recipes for our little ones are:
Baby Bites - great month by month feeding guide
The Healthy Baby Meal Planner - a lot of great easy recipes broken out by month. It also includes weaning schedules and tips on helping ensure you baby gets all of their vitamins.
Healthy Meals for Babies & Toddlers - concise book with tips, recipes (with clearly marked cook times), storage tips and most importantly, pictures. I love recipe books that show pictures of the food.

One great website that I visit often for recipe ideas is: http://weelicious.com/
She has great unique recipes that are fit for parents & baby alike.

Happy Feeding!

BRU Facebook Deal

2009-12-15T09:42:00.001-08:00

Today (12/15) and tomorrow BRU is giving and extra 20% off of certain toys for all FB fans.
The offer is valid for toy items on the following link only: http://bit.ly/FacebookBabyToySale

Enter the promo code: FB151292OFF at checkout.

More Holiday Shopping Deals

2009-12-14T09:24:00.000-08:00

Check out one of my favorite sites, The Average Parent, for today's holiday shopping deals. Most of these are just for a few days, so get your holiday shopping fingers going!

http://averageparent.com/category/deals-and-steals/

Old Navy discount for a few more days..

2009-12-12T08:22:00.000-08:00

I love Old Navy & GapBaby sales. They always have cute stuff for great prices. Especially casual clothing and pjs! Although I did get Soph the cutest pea coat (bright pink) from Old Navy this winter.

From now until December 15th get 20% off of your entire order at oldnavy.com
Enter promo code: ONSAVE20 at checkout.

Land of Nod - free shipping

2009-12-11T07:21:00.001-08:00

Land of Nod (one of my favorites!) is offering free shipping on your entire order (excluding furniture) from now until December 14th.
Enter the promo code: SNOW at checkout.

Barnes & Noble discount

2009-12-11T07:16:00.000-08:00

Usually you think of buying books and music from B&N but they have a surprisingly decent selection of toys and games online.
For a limited time, you can save $10 off any toy & game purchase of $19.95 or more when you pay with your Mastercard. Use the online coupon code A7P8Y9A at checkout.

Skip Hop Giveaway!

2009-12-11T07:07:00.000-08:00

Skip Hop is giving away their Chow Baby Food Organizer (great space saver) with purchase of any feeding item. Offer is good thru December 25th, while supplies last. Just put any feeding product into your cart, and the Chow Baby Food Organizer will be automatically added.

We have the Palette Plate and love using it. It is super handy when we're serving Soph a meal with a few different components. It's also great that all of their products are BPA free.

While you're on the Skip Hop site, some of my other favorites are the Splash bottle drying rack, the Studio diaper tote (it's like Mary Poppins bag, and looks great when you have to go somewhere nice), and the Farmyard Animal Chime Balls.

My favorite Facebook pages

2009-12-10T16:55:00.000-08:00

There are so many great Facebook pages for moms (and dads). A few of my favorites:

Cool Mom Picks - They find great products that are often made by small business. It is also nice to be looking at items that are unique versus shopping at BabiesRUs (though I do love BRU for many things). They also have great member discounts.
The Average Parent - It's a refreshing to hear someone talk about finding food in a drawer and other mishaps that we all go through. They also do a great job of spreading the news about discounts at some of our favorite stores, most of them online discounts.
MightyNest - They make it much easier to find items that are non-toxic and make them easily available.
StrollerTraffic - If you are looking for fun unique gifts, they are one of my favorite stops.
Babysteals.com - Become a member and you will be notified of their daily steal. They have amazing prices and things do go fast, so be sure to check each morning.
Etsy - This is not specifically a parent website, but it has amazing handmade products, especially great baby & kids stuff.

Have you seen...? You definitely need...

2009-12-10T16:36:00.000-08:00

There is so much information and support available for new moms (and dads) that I find it almost overwhelming. Where to start? Usually I find myself turning to my closest mom friends hoping they have somehow waded through the sea of information and can give me the answer for the question of the day - basically the Cliff Notes version. So, I feel the need to return the favor when I've discovered something (whether it be good or bad) and tell as many moms as I can. Hopefully I'll be providing someone else the Cliff Notes. I find myself writing emails to my mom friends with my latest discovery and then forwarding them onto another friend who either got forgotten on the first email or just had a baby.
As much as I enjoy email (what a great way to be able to keep in touch with friends while your child is sleeping!), I thought it would more efficient for me to start this blog. It's all about efficiency these days right? If I can multi-task and get 2 things done at once in a day, that is a big win!
I'm also hoping that my friends (and their friends) will chip in and add to this blog so that it can become the c.notes that every mom needs. Who has the time to research 10 different types of bottles or to search 10 different stores to see who has the cheapest price or has free shipping and to do this for everything by themselves? Please add your own comments and discoveries!

I'll try to keep this blog as organized as I can by breaking out the posting by type (ie gear, book, tips, feeding etc) so please feel free to email me directly if you have a posting you'd like to create.