review Archives

Tip Toey Joey Toddler Shoes: Run, Jump, Repeat

2015/01 By Lauren B. Stevens 8 Comments

When my husband and I found out that we were expecting a boy, I immediately turned to him and said, “Well, we’ll be saving a lot of money because I won’t be buying tons of dresses and accessories.” It turned out that this was only partly true because my husband, whom I lovingly refer to as a metrosexual, loves accessorizing his wardrobe with bright, patterned socks and funky shoes (Puma only), in fact, family members jokingly refer to [funky socks and shoes] as ‘Sean Shoes’. It made perfect sense when we decided that crazy socks and shoes would be our son Declan’s ‘statement pieces’.

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Clek: A Marriage of Form, Function…and Foonf [in Car Seat (Safety)]

2014/02 By Lauren B. Stevens Leave a Comment

It was love at first sight, for my husband and myself, when we were first introduced to the Clek Foonf. My first time? I had heard whispers and musings in my natural parenting circles (and a ‘scandalous’ wtf?! marketing campaign). My husband’s first time? Mingling at MommyCon. Regardless of where and how it happened, it happened. So, when Clek sent us a Foonf car seat to review, we were rapturous. It’s going to be difficult for me to write about the Clek Foonf without gushing, but I’ll give it a try.

Not familiar with Clek? A Canadian company, Clek sought to create a child’s booster seat that was safe, stylish, and reduced the “baby seat stigma”…by not looking like a baby seat. In fact, children’s input was a large factor in the company’s earliest beginnings, so much so, that it was a kiddo that [inadvertently] came up with the company name. From the company’s media kit:

The name “Clek” came about when asking a kindergarten class what they thought the sound of fastening a seat belt made. Most of the kids said “click”, but one little boy said “clek”. The brand development team thought that that was pretty accurate, and hence the name was born.

Foonf Travel by tokidoki

WHY THE CLEK FOONF?

No other company I’ve encountered takes time to explain & illustrate what happens when their seat is in an accident. Safety certifications are covered, but never what to expect if you are in an accident (the main reason why you’re putting your child in a car seat!). Clek goes into great detail about how the Foonf will perform in an accident, and how the design of the seat functions to keep your child safe, in the event an accident occurs. Clek’s design is simply described in their acronym: REACT. Clek’s REACT Safety System stands for Rapid Energy Absorbing Crumple Technology, which is pretty self explanatory, but you can read more about it HERE.

For us, extended rear facing is a must, and the LATCH system is added security. Clek was the first car seat manufacturer in North America to use the LATCH system, anchoring the seat directly to the car. (This is one of my husband’s favorite features, and one of the initial qualities that drew him to the Foonf) If you desire to have your child rear facing until the age of four, the Clek Foonf is the seat for you, with a rear facing allowance of up to 43″ or 50lbs. Yep, you read that correctly, 50lbs.! (now do you see why we were so attracted to the Foonf?)

Not only does Clek make an incredibly safe car seat of the highest quality, the design aspect knocks your socks off (see above). Sleek lines, fun, durable Crypton® fabrics, unique colors and designs (Paul Frank or tokidoki, anyone?). To be absolutely superficial, Clek’s hip design elements strongly attracted us to the Foonf. The lines of the Foonf are reminiscent of Scandinavian design elements, an aesthetic to which both my husband and myself are drawn.

Clek makes car seats FUN. Safety doesn’t have to be boring (who knew?). If you’ve seen the clever wtf?! (what’s the foonf?) marketing campaign they rolled-out in 2011, then you have a pretty good clue about the nature of Clek’s corporate culture and their philosophy behind car seat design. Kids love Clek car seats! From the time I took our Clek Foonf from the box, Declan has been all about the seat (so much so, that he began saying “car seat” regularly). D climbed into the seat before it was installed and still loves sitting in his Clek Foonf now.

All of this information is great, right? I’m sure, however, you’re wondering how the Clek Foonf actually performs. I believe the best way to see how a car seat really performs is to take it out for a long drive. Our first real ‘go’ with the Clek Foonf was an hour-and-a-half long road trip down to Baltimore to visit the American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM) – a museum befitting the artistic engineering design of the Foonf.

High vantage point & easy-to-adjust headrest w/ deep side wings

Declan was as calm as a cucumber, traveling an hour-and-a-half and in stop-and-go-traffic in the Foonf. With a base height of 12 1/2″, Declan sits up high in the car, allowing him to see out of both side and rear windows (perfect for driving through Baltimore). The narrow-width profile means that Declan feels the least constrained in this seat (compared to our other seats), and we don’t have to contort our backs, or Declan, to get him in. Many other seats have a wider panel/lip that you often have to lift your child over, putting strain on your back (and uncomfortable for your kiddo). If he had a sibling, Declan could easily reach over to sweetly hold his/her hand [or pull his/her hair]. Here’s a side view so that you can see how the seat allows for movement & wiggle room (a must for toddlers):

The Clek Foonf features an anti-rebound bar in rear-facing position

While the Clek Foonf is a hefty seat, it doesn’t take up a great deal of space in the car. In fact, the Foonf, even with it’s Smooth Recline feature, takes up the least amount of room of our car seats (a RECARO Performance RIDE & Britax Boulevard 70 for comparison). Our other seats forced the passenger side front seat to practically be in the closest position to the dashboard (uncomfortable for my 6 foot frame on family road trips). This is how the Clek Foonf fits in a Kia Sorrento:

And another view from the door side:

The verdict? Safety and fun design aside, the Clek Foonf is an outstanding car seat! The Foonf is Declan’s clear favorite, and a few of the details make it ours as well. After two months of testing, here are our favorite features of the Foonf:

Extended rear facing (until age four)
Anti-rebound bar in rear facing position (our infant seat had this feature)
REACT Safety System
Form+Function — the Foonf is a sexy-looking car seat!

Declan’s favorite features include:

Higher base = better view
Narrow-width profile creates more wiggle room and an open/unconstrained feel
Fun design and color(s) are visually appealing – this is not your mother’s car seat!

If I had to list a complaint about the Clek Foonf, my number one issue would be the weight of the seat. Weighing-in at a hefty 38 pounds (for rear-facing position), the weight made the installation of this seat a little more difficult than our other seats. As safe as the Clek Foonf is, I just can’t see this being our go-to seat for flying (solely because of the weight). However, I believe the weight of the Foonf speaks to it’s quality, so that’s a welcome trade-off.
*After publishing my initial review, I was informed that Clek makes travel easy with the Clek Weelee, a wheeled travel bag/carrier designed to easily transport your seat.

I told you that it would be difficult for me to get through this review without gushing, right? Just when you thought that Clek (and their car seats) couldn’t get any cooler, I’m going to drop this little tidbit: Clek’s car seats are 100% recyclable. Yep, Clek has a Recycling Program for their car seats.

It has been an amazing ride, being able to test and review the Clek Foonf, and we’re looking forward to many more fun (and safe) adventures in it! If you hadn’t already figured out, Clek is a cutting-edge company, so you’ll want to see what they’re currently up to by heading to their website (clekinc.com), and following them via Facebook and Twitter.

Do you own a Clek car seat? Interested in purchasing a Clek car seat for your little one(s)? Please comment in the section below.

*This post contains affiliate links.

Road Tripping in the RECARO Performance RIDE #RECARORoadTrip

2014/01 By Lauren B. Stevens Leave a Comment

I am excited to share our #RECARORoadTrip experience with you today! What is the #RECARORoadTrip, you ask?

When RECARO agreed to send us a Performance RIDE convertible car seat to test out, I thought, what better way to see how a car seat ‘handles’ than to put it to the real test: a road trip. I made plans to catch up with a girlfriend in Baltimore, so Declan and I were going to use that trip to take our RECARO Performance RIDE out for a test drive. Unfortunately, a chain of winter storms delayed that trip a few weeks, but it actually makes for a better review because one of our trial runs was a 3 1/2 hour road trip to visit family.

RECARO Performance RIDE

If you’re not already familiar with RECARO, I’ll give a little background. My husband’s first response to the name, RECARO, is that it is synonymous with car racing. German engineered, RECARO has been designing seats for automobiles, airplanes, and yes, race cars, for over 100 years. When it comes to my child’s safety, I absolutely trust a company with this kind of safety design experience! Per the website: RECARO is the pioneer of child seat side impact technology, going beyond any side impact requirements as tested with the ADAC European standard. For your peace of mind – every seat is built with RECARO’s superior side impact protection technology.

Determined to be able to accurately report all aspects of the RECARO Performance RIDE convertible car seat, I planned to complete the installation on my own. The seat is relatively light, as seats go, weighing around 20 pounds. I took both the seat and manual out to our car, a Honda CRV. About 10 minutes in, I encountered some difficulty, partly because I’d never used the LATCH system, and partly because, well, I’m not that great at following directions. My husband ended-up jumping in to assist, the seat was properly installed, and we had a kiddo super excited to try it out. To indulge Declan, we took a 10 minute ride and I could already see that he loved the seat because of his vantage point. I would say that the total installation time, with a patient person who’s good at directions, would be somewhere around 10 minutes. Not bad.

The RECARO Performance RIDE sits higher in the car, allowing for a better view

Why RECARO? I contacted RECARO about reviewing the Performance RIDE convertible car seat because extended rear-facing (up to 40lbs.) was the number one thing I was looking for in a new seat for Declan. I jokingly said that we wanted Declan able to ride as the lookout until he was at least 4 years old, playing around about RECARO’s rich history in the race car world. To our surprise, D was able to start as the ‘lookout’ at 17 months, as the RECARO Performance RIDE convertible car seat sits higher in the car, giving him an amazing view out of the windows (perfect for keeping him occupied during long car rides).

*To be entirely clear, my point of reference for seat comparisons is our Britax Boulevard 70.

My first impression of the RECARO Performance RIDE convertible car seat was that it is a much larger seat than our Britax, and not in a bad way. I began using our Britax with Declan almost from the beginning (once he hit 8 pounds), so it seemed large in the beginning, but quickly became a snugger fit once Declan hit a year old. Where RECARO’s seat width pays off is in it’s width (1/2″ wider than Britax), as it [literally] gives D a little more wiggle room, making him more comfortable on longer trips.

We set off for Baltimore with a vague plan and some snacks for Declan (super important). Declan was unbelievably contented on the ride down, and why shouldn’t he? The RECARO Performance RIDE’s extra width, paired with the fact that it sits up higher in the car, provided D with a comfortable ride with an excellent view out of the windows; he was contented to watch the scenery as we drove down.

Yarn Bomb!

Once in Baltimore, we headed straight into downtown and then took a spin up to Highlandtown to check out the Frank Zappa statue at the Enoch Pratt Free Library. We were still living in Baltimore when the installation occurred, and the first Christmas it was up, someone decorated it with a Christmas hat. That ‘decoration’ became a tradition, and is now incorporated in the Yarn Bombing you can see around Baltimore (if you didn’t know already, Baltimore has an extremely eclectic and fun art scene).

Attman’s Deli

After driving by a friend’s house, we headed for lunch at Attman’s Delicatessen. A former New Yorker, my husband is always on the hunt for a good deli/pastrami on rye, and Attman’s didn’t disappoint. From there, we headed to Patterson Park, a place where I had spent many an hour, playing in a social sports league, using as a shortcut, and our favorite place to watch the Kinetic Sculpture Race in the spring. This time, I saw the park with a new pair of eyes: it has a playground?!

Patterson Park

We took D for a swing, which he thoroughly enjoyed, as the weather had recently been too cold to take him out. Our final destination, and motivation for going was to show Declan the lights on 34th Street in Hamden. Not only is it fun to look at the insane display these folks put on, but it also holds meaning for us (one of my husband and my early dates was to go see the lights).

The lights on 34th Street

Exploring 34th Street

At this point, you’re probably wondering: what does all of this have to do with a car seat? Well, all of these stops in Baltimore were a breeze because the RECARO Performance RIDE convertible car seat is incredibly easy to get in and out of quickly. Unlike our other seat, there isn’t a lot of fussing to get Declan strapped in, just a smooth in-and-out. Three factors, in my opinion, make it so easy to quickly buckle your child in safely: the fact that the seat sits up a bit higher in the car means no strain on your back or contorting to get your child in-and-out, the buckle placement, and the harness straps being placed higher in the seat. The buckle on the RECARO Performance RIDE is placed at the front of the seat (I imagine it’s similar to a race car seat), so you don’t have to fuss with pulling the buckle out from underneath your child to buckle. I believe the placement of the buckle alone, makes this seat so much easier to work with.

Bushed after a busy day!

After our long day, Declan was asleep just minutes after starting on the drive home. While the headrest provides valuable side impact protection, the memory foam also serves as a soft cushion for your little one’s head!

Simply put, the RECARO Performance RIDE is the perfect seat for running errands around town and taking long road trips. RECARO proves that safety and comfort can coexist in a car seat, without sacrificing form or function. Here are our favorite features:

THE MEDIAN MOMMY’S FAVORITE FEATURES:

extended rear facing (up to 40lbs.)

safety/side impact technology

buckle placement/ easy in-and-out

THE MEDIAN DADDY’S FAVORITE FEATURES:

racing background

safety/side impact technology

DECLAN’S FAVORITE FEATURES:

sits higher for a better vantage point

soft foam headrest

easy in-and-out

I really believe the little touches are what make the RECARO Performance RIDE convertible car seat a superior seat. Yes, they have safety down, but the design is what puts this car seat over the top: extra width in the seat, buckle placement in front, memory foam headrest/side impact protection.

For more information about the RECARO Performance RIDE convertible car seat (specs, colors, etc.), click HERE. You can also connect with Recaro on social media, through Facebook and Twitter.

Where would you go on your #RECARORoadTrip?

Nüby Bath Time: Octopus Floating Bath Toy (Review)

2014/01 By Lauren B. Stevens Leave a Comment

One of the great things about being a Nüby Mom Blogger is that they send me fun products for Declan to try, and this octopus is no exception. Designed for toddlers, 18 months and older, Nüby’s Octopus Floating Toy is guaranteed to provide bath time fun for your little one.

The Octopus Floating Bath Toy comes with 3 colorful rings (a star, a fish shape, and a float ring) that fit easily over the tentacles. I think the idea behind this toy is for the rings to be tossed onto the tentacles, but there’s no way that even I, with adult coordination, can toss the rings onto the tentacles successfully. However, your little one is still working on coordination by just placing the ring on the tentacles. Declan loved that I cheered each time he placed a ring on, and it became a game of accomplishment, him constantly changing the rings around.

Who needs an octopus when there are lots of other places to hang the rings?

If you’re looking for a great multi-purpose toy, great for in and out of the bath, check out Nüby’s Floating Octopus Toy — the rings make great pretend ‘glasses’ as well!

Want to be the first to know about the newest Nüby products and fun giveaways? Connect with Nüby on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!

*Product was sent to me, at no cost to myself, in exchange for my honest opinion.

Ella’s Kitchen: It’s What’s In Declan’s Kitchen

2014/01 By Lauren B. Stevens Leave a Comment

What growing boy passes up the opportunity for free food? Not mine for sure! When the opportunity to review Ella’s Kitchen foods came by, I jumped at the chance. Declan loves to eat and he loves to try new foods, so he was excited when he saw the box full of different Ella’s Kitchen products to try.

I should add that Ella’s packaging is made to be appealing to kiddos, with bright colors and different textures. If Declan’s initial reaction to Ella’s Kitchen pouches is a gauge, then it is definitely successful. Upon opening our box, Declan exclaimed, “Maisy! Maisy,” Immediately identifying the bright colors, font, and food design with the character in the Lucy Cousins books (Declan’s obsession with Maisy is a topic for an entirely different post!).

I’m all about having convenient meal options when a.) we’re traveling, and b.) I need a little break. Founded with the premise of being as good as homemade foods, Ella’s Kitchen is an easy go-to choice:

no extra salt or sugars are added
no additives
only organic ingredients are used, no GMOs
use only fruit and vegetable purees, no concentrates

With those ideas in mind, I feel confident about grabbing an Ella’s Kitchen product when I’m in a time crunch, because they’re convenient, healthy options for D. The real test, however, is if Declan likes them.

I do have to say that, apart from yogurt smoothie pouches, Declan’s not really had ‘baby food’. I was lucky enough to have the time to cook for Declan, and did a modified version of baby lead weaning. From around 4 months old (when D let me know he was ready for solids by chomping on my banana one day) Declan has had foods with texture. After a month or so of testing different foods, Declan began eating what we were eating, spices and all (we enjoy spicy foods).

That being said, the fruit smoothies are Declan’s Ella’s Kitchen favorites. The first smoothie D tried was the Mangoes Mangoes Mangoes, which he finished in a minute’s time — he couldn’t get enough of it! After he finished his first pouch, he asked for, “More, more!”

Another Ella’s Kitchen hit? Nibbly Fingers are a favorite, and have been great to give Declan with his molars coming in. Nibbly Fingers are grain bars that have a firm texture, perfect for a teething toddler or just as a snack that will occupy your little one (Declan nibbles on his bar for ten minutes or more!).

Whether you’re looking for quick snacks, meals, cereals or special diets (gluten free, lactose free, vegetarian), make Ella’s Kitchen the go-to choice in your house. With Ella’s Kitchen’s healthy, organic options, you’ll never need to second guess your choice for your little one(s)!

Want to see what’s new at Ella’s Kitchen? You can connect with Ella’s Kitchen on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Smart Bottoms Cloth Diapers = Smart Diapering!

2013/12 By Lauren B. Stevens 4 Comments

*I was provided product, at no charge to myself, in exchange for my honest review. This post contains affiliate links.

The Smart Bottoms Smart One 3.0 is a diaper I kept hearing a buzz about, so naturally I was curious to try a Smart One 3.0 on my little guy. I was delighted to have the opportunity to review the Smart One 3.0, and I was sent one of their bright and beautiful color combinations to try: Juliet.

There are so many smart features about the Smart Bottoms Smart One 3.0, that make cloth diapering functional, fun, and stylish! The Smart One 3.0 is a one-size diaper with 4 rise settings, fitting babies from 8-35 pounds; for the average-sized baby, the Smart One is the only cloth diaper you will need to take you from birth to potty training. The PUL outer shell keeps wetness in, while the organic cotton inner and ten-layer soaker make sure that moisture is absorbed and distributed without irritating baby’s sensitive skin.

Since I have a boy, I need all of the absorbency I can get in the front of the diaper, which is why the Smart Bottoms Smart One 3.0‘s attached soaker is my favorite feature.

I’m able to fold the soaker in the front, for maximum absorbency, which alleviates unnecessary bulk in the back of the diaper (which you often have in all-in-ones). The Smart One’s attached soaker maintains a trim fit, without sacrificing absorbency, and allows for a quicker drying time (major bonus in my opinion).

The fit of the Smart One 3.0 is another feature that makes this diaper a winner for us, it’s almost as though this diaper was made specifically for Declan. Two rows of snaps for the waist tabs anchor the waistband in place, without being too snug or digging into Declan; I often have to snap the waist tightly, with other diapers, to prevent a gap in the front waist. The fit in the legs is perfect for a mobile baby, with fleece covering the elastic and preventing chafing (in the lower right corner you can see the chafing caused by D’s previous diaper).

In a nutshell, the Smart Bottoms Smart One 3.0:

is 100% made in the USA (bonus!)
has a trim fit
features an attached organic cotton soaker, allowing you to adjust where you need the most absorbency
the attached organic cotton soaker makes for a much quicker drying time than most AIO diapers
comes in an array of fun colors combinations and prints (diaper style is important, after all)

I have to say that the Smart One definitely lived up to its reputation. Not only am I pleased with the performance of this diaper, but I am also impressed by the quality workmanship and the vivid colors and patterns available. If I had to start my cloth diaper stash from scratch, Smart Bottom Smart Ones would definitely make up a good part of my collection.

For more information about Smart Bottoms diapers, visit www.smartbottoms.com. To find out the latest product news, you can connect with Smart Bottoms via Facebook and Twitter.

Interested in purchasing Smart Bottoms diapers? You can order yours HERE.

Do you own a Smart One? What is YOUR favorite feature?

The Little Bee Co.: Cloth With a Cause

2013/12 By Lauren B. Stevens 5 Comments

* I was sent product, at no cost to myself, in exchange for my honest opinion.

I was delighted to have the opportunity to work with The Little Bee Co., sharing both their amazing mission and talking about their wonderful cloth diapers! The Little Bee Co. is actually ‘local’ to me, just an hour-and-a-half away, but their impact is global in nature.

The Little Bee Co.’s mission is: Bee changed and change the world. According to Little Bee Co., “Along with providing a quality diaper, our passion is to help children in need and bring an awareness to the orphan crisis consuming the world today.” What exactly does this mean? Well, it goes far beyond the scope of cloth diapers, that’s for sure. When you make the choice to purchase a Little Bee Co. cloth diaper, you are being economical, helping the environment, AND you are helping children around the world. The Little Bee Co. makes it unbelievably easy to give to give, they do the work for you!

How does it work? Well, The Little Bee Co. has one of the most generous cloth diaper donation programs I’ve come across, donating one diaper to a child in need for each diaper they sell. Let me repeat, The Little Bee Co. has a 1-1 matching system, which means that for each diaper you purchase from them, they will match your purchase and donate diapers to an organization in need. Recently, The Little Bee Co. had one of the most amazing Black Friday cloth diaper deals I’ve seen, as they ran a Buy 2, Get 1 Free deal that extended to matching, meaning that the free diapers customers received were matched and donated!

Now that we know that The Little Bee Co. is a noble company with a wonderful mission, I’m sure you’re wondering how their diapers perform. For review purposes, I was asked to choose a color, which is another interesting thing about The Little Bee Co. Each color/design is representative of a country with children/babies in need. I chose the Bee Changed Microsuede OS Pocket w/ microfiber inserts in Polk’ish Dot, honoring my Polish heritage (my grandmother came to the US from Poland in the early 1900s), and The Little Bee Co. added a Bee Changed OS All-in-One in American Meadow, symbolic of my heritage and my present cultural identity.

My beautifully packaged diapers w/ detergent sample

My review diaper is the Bee Changed Microsuede One Size Pocket diaper in Polk’ish Dot. Having a boy, the soaker design is perfect, with the ability to fold one end over and secure with snaps (this is perfect for putting towards the front of the diaper where it gets the wettest), and the choice to attach another smaller, contoured soaker (newborn) to that of the larger for added absorbency. With a 17 month-old, I go all in, doubling up the soakers for maximum absorbency. For those of you that stuff your diaper (I just lay the soaker in the diaper with a fleece liner on top), the opening in the back is elasticized and helps to hold the insert in place.

I’m using the Bee Changed All-in-One to illustrate the snap design. As a one-size diaper, there are two rows of snaps to adjust sizing. Two rows of snaps on the tabs secure the diaper in place. One of my favorite features of the Bee Changed Pocket is the elasticized front waist, which creates a snug fit; I can’t tell you how many times my son has peed straight out of the top of his diaper! The elastic keeps the diaper nice and close to the body, which is great when you have a
boy.

The fit looks as though it’s super snug, but it’s actually on a loose setting, thanks to the added security of the front elastic (the loose setting I’ve used is why you see a little extra diaper fabric peeking over the hip tabs).

The fit takes a little getting used to (I’m not used to having elastic in the front), but I think Bee Changed diapers are great choice for chunky babies (Declan’s on the leaner side and has plenty of room in these diapers). If you melt at the sight of fluffy bums, The Little Bee Co. diapers don’t disappoint!

The AIO doesn’t have front elastic

From mission, to function, to fit, The Little Bee Co. does it right! To purchase your own Bee Changed diapers, and to change the life of other babies across the globe, you can visit: www.thelittlebeeco.com. To find out the latest news, you can connect with The Little Bee Co. on Facebook and Twitter.

Does your little one(s) sport Bee Changed diapers or swimmers? Please share your thoughts with others by commenting below!

Diaper Rite One Size AIO – Quality Cloth Diapers at a Budget-Friendly Price

2013/11 By Lauren B. Stevens Leave a Comment

*This post contains affiliate links.

Cloth diapering takes an initial lump sum investment, but you are sure to see the returns in your savings over time. Many people are unable to drop $300-$500 on diapers in a sitting, but thankfully there are other options. Those budget friendly options are typically prefolds and flats – nothing to sneeze at as we diapered, almost exclusively, with prefolds for Declan’s first year. I love prefolds, and even wrote about why I preferred them, but they became a pain when D began to wriggle and squirm non-stop in the changing pad. Over the summer, I wrote about my dream diaper stash, on multiple budgets, but this amazing diaper was not yet available at the time: the Diaper Rite One-Size All-in-One. I like this diaper SO much that I’m going to have to go back and amend that post to reflect that!

After one wash, I tried the Diaper Rite AIO on Declan, and left it on for a bit longer than I usually do (when I test diapers, I leave them on for a minimum of 3 hours, despite me regularly changing D’s [pee] diapers every 2 hours). I was so amazed by this diaper’s performance, that I contacted my Diaper Junction rep and let her know that this diaper was a WORKHORSE! Well, not really, my exact words were: Julie, the Diaper Rite AIO is a BEAST! I love when my theories are proven wrong, and the Diaper Rite AIO completely shattered my initial opinion of this budget diaper. Admittedly, I was a
skeptic when I saw the price ($11.95), despite the wonderful reputation Diaper Junction’s Diaper Rite products have.

So, the basics. The Diaper Rite One-Size All-in-One features a microfiber inner, sewn into the cover lining and another microfiber soaker flap that is attached at one end. This is one of my favorite features because it allows this diaper to air dry in just hours. Nothing is worse that running a full dryer cycle, or hanging diapers on the line for an entire day, only to discover that some of your diapers are still damp inside (I fear developing mold issues).

The Diaper Rite OS AIO also features an additional hip snap, which is my husband’s favorite feature (he calls it the ‘anchor’ snap). The second snap makes daddy diaper changes a breeze, by providing an ‘anchor’ snap to quickly hold the diaper in place during changes.

Another of my favorite features is that, while fitting babies from 8-35 pounds, this is not a bulky diaper. It’s actually one of the trimmest AIOs I’ve encountered that doesn’t sacrifice absorbency for a trim fit. With 12 vibrant colors to choose from, you can build your entire stash from Diaper Rite One-Size All-in-Ones and not get tired of looking at the same diapers (trust me, I have 10 AIOs of another brand in cream & sage green – BORING).

The bulletpoints:

affordably priced at $11.95
great color selection
trim fit
extremely absorbent (I recommend this diaper for heavy wetters)
air dries in just a few hours

If you’re looking to add a few more AIOs to your current stash, or build a stash from scratch without breaking your wallet, head over to Diaper Junction and pick up the Diaper Rite One-Size All-in-Ones! While you’re add it, sign up for their newsletter and rewards program to take advantage of frequent specials. You can connect with Diaper Junction via Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Hyland’s Taste & Soothe Event!

2013/10 By Lauren B. Stevens Leave a Comment

*I received product, at no charge, to facilitate my review. All opinions expressed are my own.

As the mother of an extremely active toddler, I rarely have time for myself. I’ve talked about the small changes I’m trying to make to take care of ME, and my health is one of those non-negotiable areas – if I get sick, the whole household is thrown into a tailspin. Simply put, I don’t have the time to get sick. But, life happens, and when I do get sick, I know to make the most of the little downtime/me-time that I get so that I can recuperate much faster.

In an ironic twist, Hyland’s sent me a Cold & Flu Care Package to sample…and I ended-up with a sinus infection the weekend I was to test it. I was delighted to be selected for this opportunity (not the sinus infection), as we are a Hyland’s Homeopathic family. When I was pregnant, my midwife recommended I use Calms Forte´ to help with sleep (which it did, and still does), and we use Hyland’s Teething Tablets when Declan has new teeth coming in. In August, we began using the children’s Cold ‘N Cough Remedy for D when he contracted a cold with a nasty cough; we had noticeable results at nighttime (read: we all slept better!) when we gave Declan Hyland’s Cold ‘N Cough Remedy. I am not a fan of taking medication for symptoms, especially since I’m still nursing, but there are times that I just need a little relief…and Hyland’s makes that choice easy for me.

As I said, the timing of this care package couldn’t have been better, as I sit here writing this with a box of tissues on one side and a steaming mug of Hyland’s DEFEND Severe Cold & Flu on the other. I typically enjoy a cup of mild/herbal tea, with honey and lemon, when I’m under the weather. Hyland’s came to the rescue! Hyland’s DEFEND Severe Cold & Flu is very similar in taste to an herbal tea with honey and lemon. The first time I tried the drink, I was surprised by how good the ‘remedy’ actually tasted, as I’ve tried other cold & flu drinks in the past (and had to hold my nose to choke them down). I will say, however, that the full packet, for me, was a little strong and sweet-tasting, so I’ve been enjoying my DEFEND Severe Cold & Flu by making half to three-quarters of a packet at a time, with similar symptom relief. There’s something inherently restorative about an aromatic hot beverage! I tend to have a sore throat, pressure and congestion with a sinus infection, and Hyland’s DEFEND Severe Cold & Flu is helping to ease those symptoms.

DEFEND Severe Cold & Flu helped to ease my sore throat, and helped to clear some of my congestion. I found the taste to be smooth and calming, just like my herbal tea. The fuzzy socks and box of tissues that came with the pack helped seal the deal, aiding me in pampering and comforting myself while sick. While I’m still under the weather, I’m definitely on-the-mend, and enjoying the few moments I have to relax with a mug of Hyland’s DEFEND Severe Cold & Flu.

To find out the latest news and products from Hyland’s Homeopathic, you can connect with them on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, and PINTEREST.

In preparation for cold and flu season, Hyland’s is offering one of my readers the opportunity to win a Hyland’s DEFEND Severe Cold & Flu Care Package of his/her own! The giveaway will run from Monday, October 21st through Monday, October 28th. But, the FUN doesn’t end there! At the end of the giveaway, Hyland’s will be partnering with Sampler to host a Facebook event that will end in 1,000 lucky winners! I’ll let you know what you need to do, but you’ll need to stay tuned to my blog and my Facebook page – more details will be shared when the winner is announced on Monday, 10/28! Good luck!

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SIDS: Back is Best! HALO Sleep Sack

2013/10 By Lauren B. Stevens 1 Comment

*I was provided a product, free of charge, for review purposes. All opinions expressed are my own.

Please note that The FDA has never cleared or approved a baby product to prevent or reduce the risk of SIDS. The Agency is not aware of any scientific studies showing that a medical device prevents or reduces the risk of SIDS.

(http://www.fda.gov/medicaldevices/productsandmedicalprocedures/sidspreventionclaims/default.htm)

HALO Innovation’s SleepSack® wearable blankets have become the standard for hospital nurseries and parents alike. In fact, 1,000 hospital nurseries use the HALO SleepSack Swaddle instead of blankets through the HALO Safer Way to Sleep Initiative. HALO Innovations also offers free Safe Sleep Practices kits to childbirth educators to help further the cause of SIDS prevention.

I’ve posted previously about the importance of safe sleep practices/creating a safe sleep environment and ensuring that you have a safe mattress for your little one. Today I’m going to share with you one of the items we’ve had as part of our safe sleep routine from the very beginning: the HALO SleepSack.

As I stated before, SIDS was on my radar before I was ever pregnant. When we were preparing for Declan’s arrival, not only did we ensure that his sleep environment was safe, but we also purchased sleepwear that was conducive to safe sleep practices. We started Declan off in the 2-in-1 Swaddle, which he loved; we were all sorry to see it go when our pediatrician said that it was time to ditch the swaddle – it was an adjustment period for everyone! From there, we put D in the SleepSack Wearable Blanket, one HALO brand and a couple of others in different brands. The SleepSacks worked well for us and I felt comforted knowing that Declan had just the right amount of coverage for nighttime – not too hot, not too cold. Once D became mobile, we once again had to abandon the sleep sacks, but it coincided with a warmer time of year.

Fast forward to this fall. Temperatures began falling, but Declan is now walking. In researching information for SIDS Awareness month, HALO popped-up and I discovered that HALO made SleepSacks for mobile Toddlers – the HALO SleepSack Early Walker!

We were fortunate enough to receive our microfleece Early Walker in the Robot print, one of the new designs released last month. So, what differentiates the Early Walker from other HALO SleepSacks? Foot openings that allow for mobility:

The Early Walker features openings for your little one’s feet so that s/he can walk around while in his/her wearable blanket. I will add that these SleepSacks run a bit large – Declan is a 24 pound, 32 inch 15 month old and he swims in the 18 month size. I am, however, able to roll up the legs to shorten them; it’s not a huge deal as D is only in his pajamas for sleep, not for play. I like that the SleepSack is sleeveless, allowing for more temperature regulation. There is a great deal of room in the bottom of the SleepSack, making it virtually impossible for your little one to kick off the blanket once his/her feet are inside. Most of all, I like the piece of mind the HALO SleepSack provides me. While Declan is 15 months old, I still worry about having a blanket in his crib with him, and am glad that HALO has the Early Walker. I you’re looking for a safe way to keep your little one warm at night this fall and winter, give HALO microfleece SleepSacks a try!

For the latest news, designs, and styles, you can connect with HALO on Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest. During the month of October, HALO will donate $1 to SIDS Awareness for every new Facebook “like”.