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1st Bday: Agoo

February 28, 2010 By 102 Comments

agoo apparel for babies 1st Bday: Agoo I know you’re going to want a pair of ruffled bottom pants for your little girl after reading this.

Especially when you hear that they are antibacterial, stain-resistant, and have UV protection. Oh, and they are silky soft too.

They’re from Agoo and – goodness me! – they’re cute.

My daughter is wearing the Criss-Cross Onezie – Mallard/Pink ($30) and the Princess Pant – Mallard/Pink ($34.80).

ruffled bottom pants 178x300 1st Bday: Agoo And. Seriously.

I almost can’t stand the cuteness.

P.S. You can keep up with all of the latest Agoo News on Twitter. Follow: @KidsActivewear.

WIN IT! One winner will receive a $50 gift certificate to Agoo. To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Monday, March 8th at 11:59 p.m. (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).

* I received a product for review purposes.

*UPDATE* The winner is #33 Heather M. Congratulations!

Filed Under: baby/toddler/kids clothing, Giveaways Tagged With: , , , , , ,

1st Bday: BestView Handheld Color Video Monitor

February 28, 2010 By 218 Comments

When we were pregnant with our first baby, we registered for and received an audio baby monitor. It served us well for the short time we had it, enabling us to hear our baby’s squeaks and squirms and cries from the adjacent room (***we co-slept for the majority of the first year, but our baby still went to sleep before we did…).

baby sleeping 1st Bday: BestView Handheld Color Video MonitorThen, with our second baby, we upgraded to a video monitor and kazaam! we loved it instantly.

We currently have a video monitor in each of our girls rooms. It’s nice because if we hear a bump or a whimper in the night, we can peek in and know what the issue is right away. When we just had an audio monitor, we’d rush in at the slightest noise and, sometimes, we would end up waking up our daughter in the process! Now, we can see our girls from wherever we are in the house. It’s comforting to be able to see if they are sitting or crawling or if they bumped their heads, etc.

7edae16c3d1d372e4092f219eedfc244 150x119 1st Bday: BestView Handheld Color Video MonitorIf you are currently registering for baby gear and are overwhelmed by the myriad of monitor choices, I have a recommendation for you: the BestView Handheld Color Video Monitor by Summer Infant.

Here are the features that make it stand out from the rest:

  • The video quality is much clearer than its competitors and the 2.5″ LCD screen is large enough to ensure good visibility.
  • The system is reliable and rarely has any static.
  • The base swivels around the room so if your baby moves, you can remotely keep the camera on your baby instead of sneaking in to adjust the position of the base.
  • The camera also zooms in and out so you can ensure that your baby is the star of your show.

Summary: The BestView Handheld Color Video Monitor by Summer Infant is the 4th video monitor we have reviewed to date and it is the best – by far.

Screen shot 2010 02 28 at 9.26.46 PM 150x78 1st Bday: BestView Handheld Color Video MonitorWIN IT! One winner will receive a BestView Handheld Color Video Monitor (~$199.99) by Summer Infant. To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Monday, March 8th at 11:59 p.m. (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).

* I received a product for review purposes.

*UPDATE* The winner is #66 Christy. Congratulations!

Filed Under: Giveaways, product review, sleep Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

1st Bday: Episencial skincare products

February 28, 2010 By 129 Comments

I am weary of the skincare industry.

In fact, I tend to shy away from anything that says “anti-aging” or “sonic technology” or has scary-sounding ingredients that I can’t pronounce or demystify.

me 1st Bday: Episencial skincare productsI prefer to use homemade soap for my body and face. When I need to use sunscreen or lotion, I often opt for the same kind that my baby uses. I don’t use anti-wrinkle cream or firming lotion or astringent (Should I be? Do you?).

For my girls, I use body wash/shampoo and conditioner in the bathtub, lotion as needed, and sunscreen sparingly (We prefer to stay out of the sun in peak periods, to cover up with clothing, and to stay in the shade).

I recently discovered Episencial and I am impressed by their mission and their product line. It’s a a Los Angeles-based, parent-owned company that sells all-natural and sustainable skincare products for young children (ages 0-5). Their products are:

  • made exclusively with all natural ingredients; the majority of which are organic
  • manufactured under solar power
  • beautifully packaged in recycled and sustainable materials featuring art that inspires

Sounds pretty terrific, don’t you think? I can support those philosophies – for both me and my girls.

They currently offer Playful Foaming Wash ($8.99), Sweet Dreams Bubble Bath ($8.99), Soothing Cream ($10.99), Better Body Butter ($9.99), Protective Face Balm ($5.99), Nurturing Balm ($9.99), and Sunny Sunscreen ($14.99).

Screen shot 2010 02 28 at 9.00.49 AM 300x126 1st Bday: Episencial skincare products

YOUR TURN: What skincare products do you use for yourself and your children? Which brands are your favorite?

Screen shot 2010 02 28 at 8.59.27 AM 150x55 1st Bday: Episencial skincare products

WIN IT! One winner will receive one of each of the products in Episencial‘s line. To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Monday, March 8th at 11:59 p.m. (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).

* I received a product for review purposes.

*UPDATE* The winner is #38 Jill. Congratulations!

Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Themed Weekend: One

February 26, 2010 By 25 Comments

looking out the back window Themed Weekend: OneYou’ll be one in just a few short weeks.

Can it really be?

It seems like just yesterday that I was pulling up to the birth center, singing through the contractions. One hour later, I was pushing on my hands and knees in the water.

Tim caught you from behind. When I looked back, he was standing there, holding you – the cord still connected – so proud.

You were a content baby from the very beginning. Happy. Gentle. Calm.

Come to think of it, I don’t really have any memories of you crying as an infant and, even now, your tears are few and far between.

That being said, you appear to have a keen sensitivity to the feelings of everyone around you. Your daddy and I would both describe you as “intuitive.” You are also bright and warmhearted and…you have a knock-out smile. Your presence is a sweet melody of harmony and peace in our house.

And the song of your life fills us with infinite joy.

Happy (almost) birthday, my baby girl. We love you. Oh.So.Much.

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Stay tuned for musings, product reviews, and giveaways that are ideal for 1-year-olds (and their parents).

As posts are published, I will add them to this post so that you can have a comprehensive spot to see my entire round-up:

Filed Under: About Me, themed weekends Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

The Library

February 25, 2010 By 38 Comments

reading in the bedroom The LibraryYesterday, I took the girls to the library.

My 3-year-old was happy, so happy when we went to the desk to sign up for her very own library card. The librarian held up two card options – a special kids one with cartoons on it or a plain green one (the same one as mine). “Green!” she stated confidently.

reading the very hungry caterpillar The LibraryWe scanned the shelves and picked out books from the shelves. My 3-year-old wanted to stop and read one, but my 11-month-old was wiggly and squiggly and wanted to get down. And I just *couldn’t* put her down on that foreign carpet to crawl around on. Too.Many.Germs.

So we scooped up the five books, the 2 books with CDs, and the 1 DVD. And checked out. And went home.

reading library books The LibraryMy 3-year-old can’t get enough of those “books with CDs.” She wants to put in the CDs again and again.

So that’s what we did on the car ride home. And yesterday afternoon. And this morning.

Tim and I will probably have “I Love You, Stinky Face” (recommended) and “Arthur’s Birthday” (not recommended) memorized by the end of the week.

P.S. Sometimes I wipe down the library books with disinfectant wipes.

YOUR TURN: Do you go to the library? Do you read “books with CDs” and, if so, which ones do you recommend?

Filed Under: About Me, Books Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Wordless Wednesday: doctor

February 24, 2010 By 15 Comments

girl playing with dolls Wordless Wednesday: doctor

She’s never been much into dolls (or princesses or ballerinas or pink).

She likes running and biking and fighting sharks and jumping on the bed. She likes doing crafts and making peanut butter balls and playing “hide and sneak.”

That said, every once in awhile, she’ll line up her dolls on the bed and play doctor with her stethoscope and blood pressure monitor and thermometer. Yesterday she said, “When I get as big as you, I am going to be a doctor.”

I think this picture was taken after they all had their check-ups.

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Tuesday Tours: What’s Happening on the Web

February 24, 2010 By 12 Comments

j02933381 Tuesday Tours: Whats Happening on the WebWelcome to “Tuesday Tours: What’s Happening on the Web” where I serve as your tour guide and showcase the best contests, freebies, deals, and reads for moms on the web…all in one convenient location.

Contests

Vanessa {I Never Grew Up} is celebrating her 2nd Blog Birthday with Giveaways Galore. I am particularly excited about the PRVCY Jeans and the Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer. Deadline: Feb. 27.

Leigh {Marvelous Kiddo} is giving away a beautiful Baby Basics Sling from BabyEtte. Deadline: Feb. 28.

“You could win an all expenses paid trip to BlogHer ’10 in NYC, PLUS a 1 year contract as a paid blogger for Mabel’s Labels.” Deadline: Mar. 15.

Announcements

My cousin-in-law recently opened an Etsy shop – OSomethingBeautiful! Check out her artsy collection of headbands, barrettes, and earrings.

Good Reads

I read this beautiful birth story and wept (the photos are exquisite; the mother’s words are riveting) - Nella Cordelia: A Birth Story. ***If you only read one thing, this should be it!

Jo-Lynne {Musings of a Housewife} bravely, proudly, happily declares: I Am A Runner. Yes. She. Is.

From The New York Times, 2-22-2010: The Dangers of Baby Walkers.

Is “prewashed” and “triple washed” bagged salad really clean? I’m afraid not. – Consumer Reports Magazine, March 2010

Miscellany

Ree {Pioneer Woman} recently tweeted “Please look at this baby.” So I did.

We made these Cinnamon-Peach Cottage Cheese Pancakes for dinner a few night ago and they were delicious!

I’m a word nerd so I liked Andrea’s list of words she loves {Hula Seventy}.

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*** If you have a contest or an announcement that you think might be a good fit for Tuesday Tours, e-mail me at stephanie@metropolitanmama.net.

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