Baby Blogging: 8 Reasons I Dread Holiday Parties

So now that the holidays are here everyone gets invited to people's houses for parties and get togethers. I dread this everytime and usually don't RSVP because I'm scared to commit to going.

First of all..can I even make it on time with both kids?

Second..I have to pack the almost everything they sell at Babies R Us if I'm driving far

Third..again if I'm driving far..will I have to pull over to feed the baby or change either childs diaper? (Last time I did that a cop knocked on my window and told me it was illegal to do that) I guess next time I should just do it while driving then officer?!

Fourth..is the party at a late time and my kids are expecting a bath and bedtime? If so they probably won't be on their best behavior and childless people may deem them "wild kids"

Fifth..is the place I'm going baby proofed? Usually not and there are almost always some stupid crystal cat collections displayed or tea sets right where my toddler and baby can reach

Sixth..will other kids be there? If not than I know my kids will get bored and into trouble and this probably means the house won't have toys for them to play with either

Seventh...is it even worth it? If I'm going to be chasing after two little ones and constantly saying "no!" and can't hold an adult conversation then why bother

 Eight..I'm also not a fan of chasing toddlers in heels :) Give me back my Juicy Tracksuit!

Why not get a sitter you ask? Because my mom and mother in law are usually invited to the same parties. Ugghh the stress! I'd rather go to the park and call it a day.

Massive Crib Recall!

Baby Retailers..will they ever get it right? There are so many recalls everyday but this one is HUGE!

Directly from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the following cribs are affected:
-Stork Craft drop-side cribs and Stork Craft drop-side cribs with the Fisher-Price logo
-Cribs with plastic trigger and one-hand-system drop-side hardware
-Stork Craft cribs with manufacturing and distribution dates between January 1993 and October 2009
-Stork Craft cribs with the Fisher-Price logo that have manufacturing dates between October 1997 and December 2004
Retailers in the U.S. and Canada selling the cribs include BJ's Wholesale Club, J.C. Penney, Kmart, Meijer, Sears, USA Baby, and Wal-Mart stores and online at Amazon.com, Babiesrus.com, Costco.com, Target.com, and Walmart.com from January 1993 through October 2009. The cribs cost between $100 and $400.
Complaints prompting the recall included:
-67 incidents in the United States, 43 in Canada
-20 falls
-15 entrapments
-10 incidents of drop-side detachment
-4 suffocations (all fatalities in U.S.)
Those who have cribs involved in the recall can find "[T]he manufacture date, model number, crib name, country of origin, and the firm's name, address, and contact information located on the assembly instruction sheet attached to the mattress support board" for identification and can contact Stork Craft with this information via phone or its Web site.
Customers are urged to be patient contacting Stork Craft due to capacity overload at the moment.

Baby Products I Just Bought and HAVE to Tell You About!

I just had to replace some lost bottles and bought more of The First Years Soothie Bottles. I love them! They improved since I last purchased them and now the lid clicks onto the bottom of the bottle so they don't get lost! What a simple and great idea!





I also bought a new stroller after going through so many I hated. This one is on my Stroller Recommendation posting and it lives up to it's reputation! I'm in love!
It pushes with ease
Reclines completely for baby
Has a snack tray
Is cute (I bought the Orange and Grey on called Extreme)
Is affordable
Has lots on mommy storage (a cup holder and other container)
A HUGE basket!
And adjustable handle bar so mom can wear heels without hunching!

Baby Blogging: If you have a Pack n Play You Should Read This!

 

Do you Travel with your Pack n Play?

This is the Summer Infant Playard Essentials Kit. It's great for anyone with a Pack n Play! It comes with:

*A Pad to make baby more comfy that's 1 inch thick

*A waterproof sheet so the pad stays dry

*Two fitted sheets to cover the padding

It's great if you want to travel and want baby to feel like they are in their crib because the Pack n Play can be uncomfortable for many babies. If you take off the raised part of the Pack n Play and use it at the bottom of the playpen it can be used until baby is 1 year old!

So now you can visit family and friends for the holidays with no sleeping issues!

It sells at Babies R Us or Toys R Us for $49.99 Toys R Us Link

I bought this for my nephew but I also added this Carter's Playard Plush Sheet for extra coziness.

It was $15.99. Here is the link to it on Babies R Us

Getting Your Baby/Toddlers Ears Pierced

So after thinking about it for their entire lives I Finally got the guts to get both my daughters' ears pierced!

I expected screaming and arms flying every direction. But I still tried to prepare them for it.

For my 2 year old I told her about it, showed her other girls with earrings and asked her if she wanted them even though it hurts like a boo boo. She said yes! As for my 9 month old, she had no choice.

I put Lidocaine (which is prescribed by Doctors to numb the skin) on their ears 30 minutes before we went to the Mall. When we got to Claire's I put Orajel on their ears as well.

You know what I got? NOTHING!! No screaming no crying, just one super happy toddler looking like a diva in the mirror every chance she got, and an oblivious baby. Blinged out like mommy's blog!

I would recommend numbing the earlobes ahead of time to any mother! Another mom was there and borrowed my Orajel and her daughter didn't cry either!

Tips and Tricks by yours truly!

Baby Blogging: Going to the Mall With a Toddler and/or Baby

With a passion for finding deals and shopping I never thought I would dread going to the mall. After many unsuccessful trips with my toddler and baby, attempting to stop at all the stores I needed to go I decided this calls for a strategy.

Here are 5 Tips:

First off make sure it's NOT naptime and bring FOOD! Lot's of it.

Second, Bring a Stroller! Just in case the toddler is the wandering type and/or you don't feel like running.

Third, Park far away from any play areas, carousels, choo choo trains and such. If you don't you will be stuck there and there will definitely be a tantrum when you want to get your errands done.

Fourth, Strategically plan the order of the stores you will go to. For example you know your child will never want to leave the Disney Store so go there last. Get the boring for toddler stores done first. And they need to still be away from the play areas.

Fifth, Know what you need to buy. Sometimes shopping ahead online helps so you already know the price and what you want.

So that's my 2 cents if you want them. I wonder if other moms plan this way too.

Maclarens Major Stroller Recall!

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Maclaren is recalling at least 1 million umbrella strollers because of a potential hazard to children's fingers. A side hinge mechanism poses the risk of cutting or amputating a child's fingers when the stroller is being opened or closed, the British company said Monday.

The voluntary recall applies to all Maclaren strollers sold in the U.S. since they were introduced in 1999.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety and Maclaren have received reports of 15 incidents in which children were hurt over the past ten years.

The affected models include Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, Techno XLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveller, according to the stroller company. The strollers, which are manufactured in China, are sold nationwide.

Maclaren, in cooperation with the CPSC, is providing consumers and retailers free repair kits which will cover a joint on the faulty hinge mechanism.

Consumers should stop using the strollers immediately and call Maclaren toll-free at (877) 688-2326, the company said.

Get 30% off at Gap, Baby Gap, Old Navy and more!!

Yay for new clothes at a discount!

It's only good November 12th-15th

30% off Coupon Code Link

Want to Get your kids out of the House?

When the weather is too hot or cold it's hard to figure out what to do to entertain your baby or toddler. Since you can't go to the park there are other solutions. Here are some ideas, some are local for me but if you Google "indoor play gym"  or "children's museum" and enter your city to find one.

Chuck E Cheese: These are all over the country and most have a toddler play area. There is no fee to get in and I love how they stamp your childs hand to match the stamp on your hand. The security is great. You can print coupons if you want pizza on their website Chuck E Cheese and the rides are only $0.25 each plus some of the coupons come with tokens.

Childrens Museums: This is also something that can be searched for any area. In Los Angeles there is Kidspace which is good for 2 years and up it's $10 for each adult and each child, under 12 months is free.
Also in Los Angeles is Zimmer's Childrens Museum Adults: $8.00 Children 3-12: $5.00
Children 2 and under: FREE
Grandparents: FREE when accompanied by a grandchild (how cute! and you could use the help too huh?!)


Indoor Play Gyms: So these are all in the San Fernando Valley but they all operate the same way pretty much. Some are chains or franchises so you can search the name in your area. They charge between $7.50-$9 for kids under 6 months or 12 months (depending where you go) Adults are always free. Most have a sibling discount and most offer playpasses so you can go for a certain number of visits at a discounted rate. Plus they have every toy under the sun including moonbouncers and you can play as many hours as you want to. They also have eating areas for lunch or snack time and most offer food delivery. You can spend all day there if you want to.

The Playroom This one is better for crawlers and early walkers. It's $9 per child and siblings under 9 months are free.


Jumping Genius This one is HUGE and has a separate baby play area so they don't get trampled by older kids. Its $9 per child over 6 months of age.


Playsource  This place is also huge and really nice. It's $9 for the 1st child and you get a discount for each sibling so the 2nd child is $7, the 3rd $5 and the 4th $3 and babies under 9 months are free

Gummy the Bear This one is brand new and really nice. They are also the least expensive its only $7.50 per child and each sibling after that gets 50% off admission plus they don't charge for babies under 12 months.

Under the Sea Its $9.00 per child and siblings under 9 months are free. They have 6 locations in southern california.

Mall Playgrounds: They are free for all ages

The Library: Also free and many have toddler storytime and free classes

YMCA: There are many activities and classes at any local YMCA just look up what yours offers

I hope this helps since the weather is getting cold now :) (Although if I had my own diamond staircase maybe I would be home all the time!)