KidOFit Shoes Offer Barefoot Comfort + Giveaway

We received product in exchange for this review, but all opinions are my own.

Our boys have both been early walkers and were running at their 1st birthday parties. Before they really start walking, it's all about cute shoes (if shoes at all)! Once they're on the move, we want to make sure they have a good shoe: one that is comfy, ergonomically designed and can really offer a long lasting fit. And if they're cute, that's even better!

We were recently introduced to KidOFit shoes and I fell in love! These shoes offer all of the necessities for kids that are constantly on-the-go: running, dancing and playing! Medical experts worldwide agree that barefoot walking is optimal for foot development and enhances good posture for growing kids. KidOFit uses unique soles, made of thin, flexible elastomer, which perfectly mimics the barefoot walking experience and promotes natural foot motion.

Kids Preferred for Baby’s 1st Christmas

We received product in exchange for this post, but all opinions are my own. Affiliate links are included.

I think Baby’s 1st Christmas is a big deal! We had this talk last year with a couple of friends that had babies born around the same time as Owen. Last year, Owen was less than 2 month old at Christmas, but it was still his 1st Christmas. I saw some friends saying they weren’t really getting anything for the baby because they wouldn’t remember it and they’re too little to play with anything. I don’t care how old you are, a 1st Christmas is a 1st Christmas. You don’t get that year back.

I was sent some awesome items from Kids Preferred that would be perfect for Baby’s 1st Christmas!

IncrediBundles.com for Extraordinary Baby Gifts

I received product to facilitate this post, but all opinions are my own.

I am always on the lookout for unique gifts. IncrediBundles.com, the home of extraordinary baby gifts, offers bundles that are perfect for those new babies!

About IncrediBundles

At IncrediBundles.com, we decided that the traditional baby gift-basket needed a drastic revision in order to truly meet the needs of new parents and babies. So we threw out the wicker basket, cellophane and paper shred and discarded the generic baby care products. In their place, we designed adorably chic reusable storage containers and filled them with the very best award-winning toys, books and products for babies – selected by experts and approved by parents. The result is our innovative line of IncrediBundles, each designed to address a specific area of an infant’s development.

Tommee Tippee Explora Truly Spill Proof Straw Cup

I received product to facilitate this review, but all opinions are my own. Affiliate links are included.

We’re just starting to give Owen some water in a sippy cup and occasionally some milk (mommy or other) if I’m not around and he needs nursed. This past week Tom pulled out our mountains of sippy cups from Charlie. We have a ton of them that we saved, but in all honesty- we should have tossed half of them after the first use. If you have already been through the sippy cup stage, you know how spill proof most of those “spill proof” cups are!

When we were offered to review the Tommee Tippee sippy cups, I jumped at the chance!

“News for Newborns” from Pampers + Giveaway

This review was made possible by Double Duty Divas and Pampers. I was provided product free of charge to facilitate my review, but all opinions are 100% mine.

Owen’s 1st Birthday was last week. As a parent, we’re almost required to look at those early pictures to see how much they’ve grown in that year. It feels like just yesterday that we brought home our little boy.

Even though he was our second, we still had those “OMG, it’s a teeny tiny baby!” feelings. You know the ones I’m talking about. No matter how many kids you’ve had, I think you’re always going to worry about things and get a bit nervous about those early newborn days. Once they get a bit bigger, we start to relax (a little anyway).

Pampers is helping moms ease the transition to motherhood. Pampers has come out with a couple of helpful assets that will be distributed to hospitals nationwide so Mom is armed with the information needed to march confidently through those first few months of motherhood.

Happy Family Toddler Nutrition + Giveaway

I received product in exchange for this post, but all opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links.

Now that Owen is 1, I guess it’s safe to say we have a toddler. How do you really decide when they’re a toddler and not a baby anymore? Owen walks, climbs, babbles, and tries to play with everything big brother does.

He is still nursing about 3 times a day: in the morning, mid-day, and before bed. Now that nursing has slowed down, we find ourselves wondering if he is getting enough of what he needs.

Happy Tot Grow & Shine Toddler Milk is formulated to support toddler’s extensive physical and cognitive development and ensure toddlers receive the essential nutrients necessary for their continued growth.

Laugh with the Hide ‘n Spin Monkey

I received product in exchange for this review. This post may contain affiliate links.

I’m sure we all know that the best sound in the whole world is a baby’s laugh. This Hide ‘n Spin Monkey from Bright Start’s Having a Ball Collection is sure to get your little one laughing.

Owen just turned 1 on the 29th. This is the perfect gift for him! The Hide ‘n Spin Monkey plays silly monkey sounds, songs, and lights up! What toddler or baby wouldn’t love that? If you’re baby is not yet standing, they can still play because they’re able to sit or stand. To play, you just drop the balls into the monkey’s hat. He’ll count the balls and then spit them out. The leaves on the chutes can open up to let the balls roll around for chasing fun.

Making Our Own Food Pouches with Infantino

I received free product to produce this post, but all opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links.

When Owen first arrived, I thought about making our own baby food. Plenty of people do, so I figured I’d give it a go. Well… we didn’t end up doing that, and now at a year old, he’s pretty much done with “baby” food. However, Charlie (at 3.5) still loves pouches! When we were given the chance to try out Infantino’s Fresh Squeezed line, I thought this was the perfect time to make our own.

I set everything up the night before. When I opened the Squeeze Station box I was surprised at how simple it was! All I had to do to set it up was wash the parts and put it back together. To put your station together, you just need to slide the pouches into slots and screw on the tube. How easy is that?

Win 3 Little Me Footies

I may receive a small compensation in return for hosting this giveaway, but these are awesome footies anyway!

Little Me apparel lets you embrace the messiness of babyhood. Celebrate those fleeting years when your little newborns transform into toddlers with outfits that are just as good after the tenth wash as they are after the first! You don't have to compromise adorable for durable with the superior quality of each and every Little Me outfit!

Owen has 3 that are absolutely adorable and I’m sad he’s just about grown out of them now.

Breastfeeding and Cups and Tears

On our way home from vacation, Tom and I were talking about our upcoming trip back to Myrtle Beach. This one is kid-free though. He said we need to start working with Owen on cups because at 11 months, I’m not giving him a bottle. I don’t think there’s a reason to start him on a bottle at this point. He’s had so few of them that we probably shouldn’t try to introduce one now.

Let’s just say the cup conversation led to tears. Luckily, I wasn’t driving at this point, but still… here we are on our way home from a wonderful vacation and I’m crying about giving my baby a cup. But… that’s not really what I was crying about. I’m going to be away from my baby for almost a full 5 days. For a breastfeeding mom and baby, that’s going to be really rough. I need to start building up a bit of a supply for the freezer to use while we’re gone, but at the time, that was the least of my concern.

What if Owen won’t nurse when I get home?

Our okiedog Diaper Bag: Baby & Preschooler

I received our new bag from okiedog in exchange for this review, but all opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links.

With two little boys now, it seems like getting ready to get out the door takes longer than the actual errand. Charlie is now pretty much potty-trained and Owen is (obviously) still in diapers. We’ll be carrying a diaper bag around for quite awhile.

The Damask-Metro Messenger Diaper Bag is really cute, which is always a plus in my book! I don’t want to carry a diaper bag that looks like a kid’s bag with cartoon characters and kid designs on it. I believe those should be saved for the kids to carry. We got the white bag, which is gender neutral enough that I can use it like a purse, but my husband can also carry the diaper bag around without feeling uncomfortable. We all know how those men are!

Owen’s on the Move

I was finally able to catch a little video of Owen walking!

For this week’s Wordless Wednesday, I wanted to share what little bit I was able to snag on video. Why is it kids never do tricks when we want them to?

And he does actually walk much better than this, but I’ll take what I can get on video!

Due Date Baby

If you’re in the Baltimore area, Due Date Baby is going to be the place to be on October 12!

Due Date Baby is a premier event for new and expecting parents that will take place at the Port Discovery Children’s Museum in Downtown Baltimore on Sunday, October 12, 2014 from 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM. Tickets are $15.00 per person and children 12 and under are free.

If you have a baby, know a baby, are expecting a baby, or are thinking about having a baby, this is an event for you!

 

Little Headbangers Photo Contest

Show your kid's inner rock star for a chance to win a Jammy Jams music prize pack. Jammy Jams is a fun, modern twist on lullabies for parents who want to create memories with their little ones while teaching them a bit about our own style.

Consign with Just Between Friends

I will be receiving a gift certificate to shop the sale and share with you all about Just Between Friends, but my love of consignment shopping and selling is all my own.

Driving around on a weekend right now, you see plenty of yard sales. I tried going to a few this past weekend and failed miserably. Like anyone that has children, we have a ton of things that are outgrown or simply not used anymore. I’d love to plan our own yard sale, but it’s really too much work for what I get out of it. That’s why I was so excited to find out about Just Between Friends of Middletown/Dover. They have seasonal sales where everyone can buy and sell gently used children’s items and maternity clothes.

Middletown Fall 2014 Sale (FREE PASS)
September 6th & 7th
Louis Redding Middle School
201 New Street, Middletown DE 19709
Consignor drop off is Sept 5th 6-9pm

Dover Fall 2014 Sale (FREE PASS)
October 11th & 12th
Polytech High School
823 Walnut Shade Rd. Dover, DE 19901
Consignor drop off is Oct 10th 6-9pm

Give Baby a Fresh Start with Purex & One Step Ahead

Purex has just launched another great sweepstakes! This time it’s with One Step Ahead!

One grand prize winner will receive a gift certificate valued at $1,000 from One Step Ahead®, a year’s supply of Purex® Baby Detergent, and a year’s supply of Purex® Crystals™ for Baby.

This is really an awesome sweepstakes and everyone should go enter now!

Tips for Taking a Baby and a Toddler to the Movies

This week was our first adventure to the movie theater with both boys. Charlie went once with me when about 2 years ago. He did pretty well then, but that was just the two of us. This time we had Owen!

If you’re thinking about taking your baby and toddler to the movies, these tips are for you!

Heroes of the City Baby App

I am being sent promotional items in exchange for posting this review. All opinions are my own.

You might remember hearing about Heroes of the City from me back in April when I reviewed the movie app. Heroes of the City has now rolled out a new Baby App. The only thing I don’t like about this is that it’s called “Baby”. Charlie, a little over 3 years old, LOVES it! He calls it his “color car game”.

Munchkin’s LATCH Bottles for Breastfed Babies

I received free products as part of my Ambassadorship with Munchkin.

Owen is strictly breastfed, so when I found out we were receiving the new Munchkin LATCH bottle for May’s shipment, I was a little bummed. In Owen’s 8 months, he’s had maybe 20 bottles. Maybe. It was really hard for me to be able to test this since I can’t actually be the one to use it. I mean, why get it from the bottle, when the tap is right there?

When I went to the Disney on the Road event a couple weeks ago, I had to pump quite a bit to make sure Owen would be good to go while I was gone.

Keeping Kids Safe With DreamBaby

I was sent product to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own. DreamBaby has also supplied one for giveaway!

When you have kids (of any age), you want to keep them safe. DreamBaby makes some wonderful products to help us with that.

I was sent the Royal Converta 3-in-1 Play-Yard and Wide Barrier Gate after seeing that we have two little ones. We have small gates at the top and bottom of our stairs and one dividing our kitchen from the dining room.

Warning: My house is a hot mess and this is a real post. I can’t show you real pictures of how we’re actually using the Royal Converta if I clean up my house and stage everything. I’m not one of those moms that keeps a neat house. It’s just not in me. Add a toddler and a baby, it just gets worse.