Posts filed under 'babies'
I have never felt like I wanted to spend a lot on a stroller, but in the search for a stroller that would allow my tall husband to push comfortably , I have been led to the Maclaren Techno XT and Techno XLR. Two fantastic strollers that have handles that are adjustable in height. They move wonderfully, are well made, hold resale value should you want to sell it when finished, and they are fab looking!
I also stumbled upon the slick Grand Tour promo from Maclaren and wow!!!! They refer to it as a “crossover” stroller…they also refer to it’s “chassis” and “dashboard.” A real baby vehicle and I can’t help but think of Ralphy in “A Christmas Story”since it also has “this thing that tells time.” When I watch this I do feel like Ralphy probably felt when he laid his eyes on the famous Red Ryder B B gun for the first time. Looks like an amazingly fabulous stroller!
You certainly can tell how these strollers began in the mind of a former aeronautical engineer who became a grandfather and wanted his grandchildren and their parents to have a functional, safe, durable and well designed strollers.
Okay—I am going to go wipe the drool off of my face…
Mama Jen
April 15th, 2009
Fresh off a Sharpie high, after labeling all of my preschooler’s clothing and gear, these landed in my inbox. Label Daddy peel-and-stick stickers would have saved me a little chunk of time, and a little aggravation … maybe it’s just me, but it’s pretty hard to write neat little names, let alone initials, on some of those teeny tiny, shiny, slippery tags.
Two California dads who’ve been through the process came up with this brainstorm. They’ve created a variety of sticker types, which can be personalized with your child’s name. The allergy notes boldy declare your child’s triggers. Shirt tag labels fit those tiny labels I mentioned above, and the shoe labels come laminated for extra durability; in fact, all labels can be laminated to repel dirt, sunscreen, etc. Sport labels are UV resistant.
As an extra cool measure, you can further personalize all your labels with different fonts, icons and colors. And, you can even go the photo route: use an image of your child, instead of name or initials. The labels and stickers safe in the microwave, dishwasher and laundry.
Other labels in the company’s arsenal will help keep you organized, from garbage bin, return address, and spice labels, to small- and medium-sized all-purpose labels.
I think these snazzy little things will help me keep tabs on my kids things — and mine — in the school years ahead.
— Mama Kate
January 27th, 2009
Multipurpose is the smarties’ mantra in these economic times. If you haven’t yet uncovered the Stokke line in your search for necessary kid furniture that’s built to last, then here’s a quick chance for enlightenment.
Our first Stokke pieces were the Sleepi crib and Care changing table. We just couldn’t swallow purchasing a crib that for $800 served no purpose beyond a sleeping space for tinies and, if were were lucky, would expand to suit a toddler before collecting dust in the attic. Imagine our thrill in finding the Sleepi, which starts as the Mini bassinet, then converts up to larger crib, a toddler bed, a full-sized children’s bed, then ultimately breaks into two chairs. How’s that for ultra useful, and getting incredible bang for your buck?
The Stokke Care changing table grows right along with your kids, too. Use it for books or storage, or convert it to a small or large desk.
We love the ergonomic Tripp Trapp highchair, too. We never had room, either in our small kitchen or more minimalist design sensibility, for a big, bulky high chair. The modern look suits our taste, plus the chairs tuck right under the table, just like grownup chairs. We’ve now got one for each kid. They’ll be siting in them until they’re in high school — the highchairs also adjust to grow with your kids — or decide to belly them up to the changing-table-turned-study-desk.
Stokke’s multipurpose/expandable designs are a boon to those of us who like to avoid the excess packaging and “disposable” mentality of so many products today. These things Stokke are made to be used — for a long time, by a lot of kids. Hooray.
— Mama Kate
January 19th, 2009
The debate over the safety of BPA continues to rage on. As parents — and consumers in general — we are concerned. My husband and I recently cut out our family’s favorite beverage — Klarbrunn sparkling water, in the can — because the cans have an epoxy liner that contains BPA, as confirmed by a company spokesperson. (Klarbrunn’s plastic bottles are make of PET, according to the same spokesperson, and do not contain BPA.)
Anyone concerned about the subject should read the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel’s compelling investigative special reports and editorials on BPA, published this fall, including one estimating amountsof BPA a child could ingest daily due to leaching from conatiners.
Here’s other food for thought to entice you to read up on the subject. According a November 17, 2008, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel article by Meg Kissinger:
“BPA, used to make baby bottles and the lining of metal food cans, including those containing infant formula, is tied to reproductive failures, breast cancer risk, diabetes and heart disease. A study last month found that it interferes with chemotherapy for breast cancer patients.”
“In addition to Congress, 13 states have proposed bans on BPA. Wisconsin is not one of them. But State Sen. Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) said Monday that she is preparing legislation to ban BPA from children’s products in Wisconsin.”
Hooray.
Please read the articles for more details.
— Mama Kate
November 20th, 2008
I am a SmartWool junkie — I have drawers jammed with these snuggly socks and I wear them religiously, whether working out, hanging out, going out or sleeping. (Yup, Queen of Cold Feet here, I wear socks to bed even in summer.) And, they’re gloriously itch-free. So, it’s no wonder that I’m smitten with the darling SmartWool booties and socks for babes. The booties come in pairs: Gift them to one tiny, or split them up as part of gifts for two (or twins!). And, the patterns and colors are simply fun. Might as well top it all off with a hat at mitt set to keep them extra warm and dry.
The company itself is also something for conscientious moms to love. Sustainable business practices are important and, well, the product is made from a renewable resource: wool. Ten percent of every Web site purchase goes toward the company’s SmartPrint Advocacy Fund, through which it gives to nonprofit orgs dedicated to stewardship of the environment, healthy lifestyles, youth and responsible outdoors activity. SmartWool’s Breast Cancer Fund donates two percent of sales of its “Pink Ribbon” socks to to nonprofit orgs advocating breast cancer prevention and cure. SmartWool employees also get paid for up to 40 hours annually of nonprofit volunteer time. How smart is all that?
— Mama Kate
November 3rd, 2008
Huge sale at GagaGoods that has brought you wonderful, mom-made and mom-approved designs by Madison mom Kathryn Adler. This wonderful company that donates 5% of your purchases to a children’s charity is full of wonderful gifts and items that you and your kids will love. This companies goodies were noted in Life & Style Weeklyas having the perfect tee for Suri Cruise when she was born—the Fairy Princess Snuggly. Info below:
What’s the deal? 50% off EVERYTHINGon GagaGoods.com!
Here’s your chance to snap up some great HALF PRICE gifts for the holidays — or any day! We have a lot of fun games by eeBoo, cute puzzles by Crocodile Creek and Mudpuppy, plush items by Rich Frog, board books by Simon & Schuster and Chronicle, and more. There’s a few fun Mom gifts left too, like notepads, stationery, books, and a couple mugs by Our Name Is Mud.
Don’t forget about our wonderful Gaga Goods clothing line too! Our onesies, tees and bibs are made in the USA from super soft 100% combed cotton and celebrate the new arrival, big brother or sister, birthday kid, and more. Our sizes range from 0-6 and are a great deal starting at just $7!
Why are we doing this? After five years of love and energy focused on GagaGoods.com, I’m ready to move on to new horizons. That means EVERYTHING must go! Please help me clear my storage shelves — and score a great deal for yourself! If anyone is interested in taking over as the new Chief Smile Spreader, let me know that too. I can forward you a business prospectus.
How long do you have? Even though summer is over, our coupon code: summersmiles will still give you 50% off EVERYTHING on our website while supplies last. Any orders totalling over $40 after discount will also receive a free set of Nifty Gifty Notecards too! But remember, when the goods are gone, they’re gone, baby!
October 28th, 2008
A lot of us feel like Alexander these days, and with all of us focusing on the economy lately, you may find your kids asking what all this money talk is anyway. They learned from an early age that it is needed to obtain objects of desire etc, but how can you get them to learn the concept of value and beginning money management?
There are a number of books on the market that might help: The Go Around Dollar which helps explain paper money, Alexander Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday which explains how money-management can play a role in how much or how little money you have, and Lemonade For Sale which helps explain the concept of earning.
To help your kids learn the importance of helping others, there is a slick website called MarkMakers, where, after you purchase a gift card for your child (or have them buy one) to use, he/she can go “shopping” for what causes he/she would like to donate towards. The site is interactive so that the concept is a little more “tactile” for learning minds. You move about to different areas of concern and decide how you would like to help. This site is so amazing, and really will help your child learn about people or causes in need of their help. You absolutely must check this out for yourself!
Another opportunity to learn about giving back is through www.volunteermatch.org . Find a charity and find out if you are welcome to bring your child along with you. Some organizations don’t allow you to bring your children while volunteering (mostly for insurance purposes) but I believe Meals on Wheels does. This would be a way to help your child learn empowerment and how they themselves offer value to others…
Cha-ching!
Mama Jen
October 22nd, 2008
Ahhhh…it is indeed that time of year again, and if I wasn’t wallowing in my own puke-fest last week, I might not have noticed. I have news that there are at least two alternatives to sitting in long congested waiting rooms for a routine strep throat culture, or an awful ear infection. Shopko and Walgreens are opening clinics to help you quickly, and conveniently combat germs that have a hold of you. Wait—with nonexistent to minimal wait!!!
In Madison, Shopkowill open Meriter FastCare clinics this October–one at Shopko West on Moneral Point Rd, and the other at Shopko East on Zeier Rd.
Currently, Walgreens in Madison has two Take Care Clinics—one on S. Fish Hatchery Rd and the other on E. Washington Rd.
These clinics do take most types of insurance, but if you happen to be uninsured, the costs for being seen is generally between $50 and $80 for most things…wonderful!
Wow…this all sounds so fantastic! I, like you have probably waited in an urgent-type-care-situation that wasn’t life threatening, for a very long time….melting into the waiting room chair with a 103 degree temperature, not being able to walk or see straight….in fact, waiting until I felt I became life threatening (if only I could move my ill body). Maybe this will ease the massive pressures on existing emergency and non-emergency hospitals and clinics which would be great for everyone!
This sure will be a welcome resource to try once I find myself or my family with a really bad sore throat, sinus infection, bug bite, rash, etc!
These clinics also offer the flu shot if that is something you like to get this time of year…
Mama Jen
October 8th, 2008
Let’s face it, most strollers have insufficient ability to shade our little ones from the strong sun, so what do we do? Shady baby saves the day!
Heather Leslie and Brian Winterling traveled around the world and noticed that people all over the world use parasols to shield themselves and their stroller riding little ones and wondered why the they were never seen in the US. Hmmmmm…
When they returned to Denver CO which, if you didn’t know, has about 300 sunny days per year…..they noticed families with blankets clumsily draped over the sun shades of their strollers to attempt extended sun coverage—they knew they had to do something!
The same year their child was born, their company Shady Baby was born too. They have two wonderful designs of parasols for your stroller which will give you that peace of mind while strolling in the sun with that little babe of yours. Thank you Heather and Brian!!
Mama Jen
September 29th, 2008
We’ve found another kids cup to love: The Safe Sippy by Kid Basix.
Bret Plate, a father of two, was worried about the toxic components of plastics and how they may leach from his kids’ drinking cups and into their beverages. In search of a better alternative, he designedbeverage container of food-grade stainless steel, inside and out. All plastics used on the product are certified or tested free of BPA and pthalates (the company says it pays for independent lab tests to ensure the cups are free of these substances). The interior no-spill valve is made from silicone. Why are there no plastics on this cup, then? As the company says, nobody wants to sip on a steel straw.
The no-spill valve isn’t absolutely leakproof; the company admits that while the valve will prevent major spills, there still will be drips and dribbles when the cup is inverted. I haven’t found a perfectly hermetically sealed sippy cup, so I can live with a few drips. And I appreciate that this one’s easy to put together, and has saved us from those leaks caused by “assembly-mom error.” The removable outer sleeve adds a nice grip-factor for kids, especially if you choose not to use the sleek little handles, and also insulates cold drinks from their little mitts.
The Safe Sippy is easy to clean, and is dishwasher safe. We wash ours the fast, easy and green way: in the recommended solution of baking soda, vinegar and hot water, the same way we wash our other stainless steel containers.
And, well, the cup’s styling is just plain cool. It comes in three great color combinations: stainless steel and orange paired with bright blue, turquoise or hot pink. In fact, it’s so cool, my kids fight over the single Safe Sippy we have. Guess I should finally purge all those plastic cups and stock my shelves with these.
Mama Kate
August 18th, 2008
Next Posts
Previous Posts
