As a little girl, I remember the yearly back-to-school trips to Stride Rite for their black and white oxfords (I went to a private school and wore uniforms for several years as a child).  I have a wide foot and Stride Rite was really the only children’s store at the time that offered wide width options for this type of shoe.  More than 20 years later, my son and daughter are wearing Stride Rite shoes.  While the quality of their shoes has not changed (in fact it’s probably better), the company offers many more fashionable styles. The company has been designing children’s shoes for over 85 years and is known for designing and engineering footwear specifically to meet the needs of growing children.

I once read that the best way for children to learn how to walk is barefoot.  This is  a great concept, in theory.  But we have laminate and tile around the house and I feel more comfortable having my children wear shoes.  Almost as good as walking barefoot are Robeez’s soft-soled shoes.  Their Mini Shoez collection are designed for children ages 3 months to 18 months.  They look like real shoes and have a water-repellant, non-slip sole.  They have a flexible sole and a cushioned insole with enough support to be worn both indoors and outdoors.

I have to admit that girls’ shoes are adorable…so much cuter than boys’ shoes.  Look at our little girl in her Twirly Bug T-Strap shoes:

They’re a bit big, even though she’s 3 months old…but she’ll grow into them.  Right now, she’s obviously not walking, but in a few months she will be.  Robeez Mini Shoez are not only stylish, they’re functional.  I feel comfortable knowing that in a few months, when she’s pulling up and cruising, that she’s in a shoe that’s as close to being barefoot as possible.  The shoes are super soft and flexible and will allow my daughter’s foot to grow and change.  Robeez are approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association.

Stride Rite offers a variety of different types of shoe, depending on the age and developmental stage of your child.  The company applies it’s rigorous 3-Point Testing System to all of their shoes. Here they are:

Fit: Five stages of fit testing on children to ensure proper fit

Wear:  Thirty to forty-five day kid testing to ensure their shoes will wear better than expected

Lab: Rigorous lab testing to ensure the materials and components of each shoe meet Stride Rite’s standards.  Thirty to forty tests are performed on each shoe.

Additionally, Stride Rite employs Certified Fit Specialists (who have gone through extensive training), to ensure your child’s shoe fits properly.  If you have questions about your child’s foot development, I recommend checking out Dr. Tanya Altmann’s Q & A on the site (I met her last month at an event with Silicon Valley Moms Blog).

I did not receive compensation for this post.  A product sample was provided to facilitate this review.

My son co-slept with us for almost a year and a half before we both realized that he needed more space.  Because we waited so long, the transition was (and still is at times) rough. It took a lot of patience and creativity to finally get to the point where he sleeps in his toddler bed on most days.  It also took a lovey, something we introduced when we were attempting to move him out of his crib.

Little Giraffe is a Los Angeles-based luxury children’s line offering ultra cozy Chenille blankets, burpies, towels, and more.  The company’s designs are modern and stylish and the fabrics they use are incredibly soft.  Their products are offered in a variety of colors and fabrics suitable for babies and tots.

Little Giraffe offers comfort, luxury, and quality.  We received a gorgeous lovey in light pink for our daughter.  For children who have difficulty sleeping without their mommy, a lovey can be a great way to transition to being a “big” boy or girl while still offering security.  This Little Blanky is small enough for tots to bring with them on the go, while still offering a, luxurious blanket to sleep with.  I love how soft it is, particularly because my daughter’s skin is still so soft and sensitive.

You can purchase Little Giraffe products at Barney’s, Nordstrom, Layla Grayce, and Petite Tresor,

I did not receive compensation for this post.  A product sample was provided to facilitate this review.

As a busy mom of two, running a household and working part-time as a nurse, I rely heavily on my mobile phone.  I use it to keep schedules straight, manage lists, navigate my way around town, and stay connected.  With all of that use, I never make it through the day without having to charge my battery.

Several weeks ago, I received a fabulous device called the Charge Anywhere, by iGo.  With this device, I can charge two things simultaneously.  For example, I can charge my mobile phone and my digital camera.  But what makes Charge Anywhere unique is that once it’s charged, it can charge other devices without having to be plugged in.  How cool is that?  So when I forget my charger at home, or it takes my car charger too long to make a noticeable difference in the life of my battery, I can just plug into the Charge Anywhere.  The device is portable, lightweight, and compact.  I charged my Palm Pre Plus the other day at Expo West when the battery was completely drained.  It took a little over an hour to fully charge the phone’s battery.  Not bad!

Along with mobile phones and digital cameras, Charge Anywhere will charge Bluetooth headsets, smartphones/PDAs, MP3 players, portable gaming devices, digital cameras, GPS devices and more.  The device comes with a standard tip but you can claim free tips for other devices on their website.  Here are the specs, from the site:

Charge Anywhere is one of the company’s “green” products.  iGo Green Technology automatically reduces standby power by up to 85%, conserving resources and saving money.

Charge Anywhere is a fabulous little device for charging a variety of electronics.  At $49.99 it’s affordable, considering that one device is all that’s needed while you’re on the go.  The convenience and versatility will appeal to multi-tasking moms.    You can find Charge Anywhere at retailers nationwide.

I did not relieve compensation for this post.  A product sample was provided to facilitate this review.

I grew up as an only child.  My mom and I were and still are the best of friends.  I remember playing a ton of board games as a child.  Sometimes I feel like the age of board games has been replaced with video and computer games.  And while I definitely find a place for video and computer games, there is nothing like the excitement and interaction experienced when playing a board game.

Board games these days are getting fancy.  These days, many games include a DVD component.  My husband and I recently received Scene It? 80s Deluxe Edition, courtesy of the Game Review Network. Here is a brief summary, from the site:

Are you ready to flashback to Flashdance? Then, Scene It? 80s Deluxe Edition will have you totally stoked to the max! You’ll relive the rad fads of Glam Rock, Fraggle Rock, Pop Rocks and more. Test your memory of everything from Pac-Man to Ray-Ban and enjoy on-screen trivia that features the most excellent 80s music, movies, news and sports moments. Let Scene It? 80s Deluxe Edition take you on a pop-culture journey through the 20th century’s most bodacious decade! Totally tubular!

My husband and I both grew up in the 80’s, so this is “our” game!  At first glance, Scene It? 80s Deluxe Edition appears to be an era-specific trivia game.  But it’s so much more.  With the added DVD component, the game “challenges you to use observation, memory, wordplay, and problem-solving to decode the puzzles that you see on-screen.”  My husband and I became a bit nostalgic for the era of E.T., Growing Pains, and the Care Bears.

The game can be played quickly (in 15 minutes) or over a longer period of time (40 minutes) and the game board reflects this in it’s two different sizes.  Because of the “team” aspect of the game, there really is no limit to the number of players.  The game is designed for children ages 13 and up, but I think that many of the questions won’t be recognized by the younger crowd because they are era-specific.  The token pieces used were modeled after 80’s cultural artifacts including a cassette tape, joystick, handheld phone and keytar.  To play, teams (or players as is the case with my husband and I) advance by answering traditional trivia questions or DVD-based puzzles (my favorite!).  The trivia questions come in three categories, “Take Three,” “Songs, Slogans, and Sayings,” and “Pop Culture.”  Some of the questions were pretty challenging and others were fun and brought us back to the 80’s.

My favorite aspect of the game is the DVD component.  We had a blast viewing old clips and solving puzzles based on old TV shows and movies.  So many times the answer was on the tip of our tongue but it’s been so long that we’ve forgotten a lot of 80’s history.

Scene It? 80s Deluxe Edition retails for $29.99 and is available for purchase on Amazon.com and Buy.com.  You can also win a copy over at the Game Review Network.

I did not receive compensation for this post.  A game was provided, courtesy of Screenlife Games in partnership with the Game Review Network to facilitate this review.

Having a baby is unlike any other experience.  Nothing else on earth compares to the overwhelming joy and intense love that overcomes you.  However, the physical act of delivering a baby, regardless of the method, is awkward, painful, and messy.  If it weren’t for complete and utter amnesia, I may not have endeavored to repeat the experience.

When my son was born, I knew my incision would be painful.  I knew that my body would shed what had been stored up for over 9 months.  But I was not prepared for the discomfort I would experience in the early days of breastfeeding.  There were nights where I would cry because the pain of latching my son was so severe.  I struggled with engorgement, plugged ducts, and multiple bouts of mastitis.

While I’ve yet to experience plugged ducts or mastitis, I have had my share of discomfort while nursing my daughter.  Earth Mama Angel Baby offers a line of all-natural breastfeeding products to help ease some of the discomfort.  Regardless of how easily a baby latches, I believe that some discomfort is inevitable.  Since I don’t like the sticky nature of lanolin, I usually dont use anything to ease the soreness.  Earth Mama Angel Baby offers a Natural Nipple Butter that feels nothing like lanolin and works just as well (if not better).  The company offers the first organic, all-natural, plant-based balm, designed to soothe sore nipples.  It’s made with organic calendula, cocoa butter, shea butter, and mango butter and feels incredibly rich and smooth (unilke lanolin which is very sticky).  It’s safe for moms and babies so it doesn’t have to be washed off before nursing.

I really like the texture.  It’s not sticky and rubs in very well.   The Natural Nipple Butter does a great job of providing relief for sore, irritated nipples.  It doesn’t have an odor and my daughter never even noticed I had it on (I’m not currently using it any more because I’m no longer experiencing soreness).  Right now I’m using it on her body after baths for massage.

I am so glad I have yet to experience a plugged duct or an episode of mastitis this time around.  I had an oversupply of milk with my son, which I believe was the result of excessive pumping.  This time around I did things differently.  While the first several I experienced a lot of discomfort from engorgement, my body has finally started to regulate itself and I’m no longer waking up engorged.

Earth Mama Angel Baby offers Booby Tubes, natural gel-free breast packs made with a 100% organic cotton shell and filled with all-natural flax seed.  They can be used warm or cold, but I always prefer heat when I’m engorged.  They’re easy to use (either put them in the freezer or the microwave) and effective at relieving engorgement when heated (I have never used them cold).  Heat can help maintain open milk ducts, encourage milk to flow, promote let-down and provide comfort during episodes of engorgement or mastitis.  I like to use them several minutes before I nurse or pump.  When used cold, they can help reduce swelling and tenderness associated with engorgement.

Earth Mama Angel Baby also offers Bosom Buddies, designed to ease the symptoms of engorgement, clogged milk ducts, and sore, cracked nipples.  I haven not tried this yet, but I would definitely consider it if warranted.

Earth Mama Angel Baby’s Postpartum Recovery line includes products designed for women who have had either a natural or casearean delivery.  Their C-Mama Healing Salve is amazing.  My incision became infected this time around and I ended up on antibiotics to clear it up.  I used the salve at the same time and felt like it helped ease the external discomfort at the incision site.  The C-Mama Healing Salve includes Vitamin C, essential fatty acids and amino acids to help with wound repair.  I’m actually still using this since it can be used on wounds, scars, stretch marks, rashes, and burns.  Be sure to check out the company’s entire Postpartum Recovery line for product designed to ease the discomfort from a natural birth.

Earth Mama Angel Baby recently introduced their Happy Mama Body Wash.  Stay tuned for my review coming soon!  Now through March 16th, you’ll receive a bottle free with the purchase of their Mama’s Pregnancy Essentials Kit.

Earth Mama Angel Baby is unique in many ways.  The company “uses the highest-quality, certified-organic or organically grown herbs and oils for [their] teas, bath herbs, gentle handmade soaps, salves, lotions and massage oils.”   Their products are “100% toxin-free, cruelty-free, vegan, and free from all artificial preservatives, fragrances and dyes.”  I appreciate their transparency with regards to the ingredients in their products and their view on pregnancy as a life stage (as opposed to an illness) aligns with my own.  Earth Mama Angel Baby is also green on the inside and the outside.  Their packaging is derived from eco-friendly recyclable or reused/resuseable materials.

For more information, just visit their website.

I did not receive compensation for this post.  Product samples were provided to facilitate this review.

My son spit up way past the six month mark when experts told me it should have stopped.  If I had known then, what I know now, I would have realized it was likely due to an allergy.  But because I never thought to even suspect allergies, I never kept track of the foods he ate.   He’s 2 1/2 and last week we finished up his allergy tests (we’re just waiting on the results). Our daughter is reacting very similarly to foods in my diet.  This time around, I’m determined to keep a food diary so that if she ever shows signs of an allergy, we’ll have something to reference.

Glow Baby is a company founded by a mom who wanted a way to track her daughter’s needs (i.e. feeding, sleeping, diapering, etc.).  The result was Baby’s First Journal, designed to help parents understand their baby’s needs and assist in developing a routine.  The company also developed Baby’s First Foods, to help parents identify allergens and food preference.  Having a second child actually makes it even more important for me to keep a record for both of my children.  I can get very busy and organization is the key to keeping my sanity.

Because of our experience with my son and his potential food allergies, we started keeping track of our daughter’s eating, elimination, and sleep patterns.  Up until about a week ago, they were simply on scraps of paper…bound to get lost.  Now they’re in the Notes section of Baby’s First Foods (which I will make use of when we introduce solids).  The journal is a handy way to keep all of the information in one place. I can bring it with me to my Pediatrican’s office and likely present a more complete picture (rather than relying on memory).  Baby’s First Foods includes the following:

• Allergy/food sensitivity list
• Favourites list
• Logging sections divided by Grain, Veggie, Fruit, Protein, Dairy and Snack
• Weekly menu planner (12 weeks)
• Favourite recipes section

Baby’s First Foods is easy to use and it’s simple design makes it more likely that parents like me will use it.  I’d love for the pages to include a place for the baby’s age (right now the journal simply has a place for the diet).  For more information regarding Glow Baby’s organizational tools, just visit the site.

I did not receive compensation for this post.  A product sample was provided in conjunction with Happy and Healthy Mom.

When my babies are little…infants…I keep them close to me.  Even with two, I try to keep my daughter in a carrier as much as possible.  These days, running after a 2 year old with a baby strapped to me is both convenient and challenging, depending on what we’re doing.  And if I’m going to get anything done around the house (or get in a shower) I have to put her down.

I’m actually quite content to put our beauty in Bright Starts’ new Comfort & Harmony Cradling Bouncer.  The bouncer, available in four prints/colors, was “designed to provide supreme comfort for baby with the latest on-trend styling for mom.”  The first thing I noticed about the bouncer (besides the fact that it’s adorably pink), is it’s soft, cushy seat.  This is achieved by a cushioned bolster system and head rest.  The design (the removable padding) naturally gives our daughter a secure, snug feeling.

The Comfort & Harmony Cradling Bouncer features an oversized, cradling seat with Comfort Recline Technology that provides 2 full-body recline positions.  The bouncer reclines to about a 45 degree angle which is great for my daughter after she nurses.  I find that when she’s upright after her feeds, she spits up less.  This is the first time I’ve seen a bouncer with a reclining seat (typically bouncers only offer one position).  The second position is actually suitable for sleeping (something my son never did in our previous bouncer because it didn’t recline).

Music and toys are very important with bouncers (and swings).  Babies get bored very easily and my daughter, in particular, doesn’t particularly like to be anywhere but in someone’s arms.  So it’s even more important that she has some entertainment while she’s in the bouncer.  The bouncer includes 2 plush toys (my son used to bat at the hanging toys when he was a baby) and features seven calming melodies (most of which are quite pleasant).  The only thing I’d love to see changed is the removable toy bar.  It actually comes off easily…a little too easily.  I don’t know if there is a better way to design it but my two year old figured out how to remove it and it’s now a fun game..for him!  It also vibrates (of course!) although to truly bounce it, you’d need to use your hand or your foot (I’m not sure if there is a way to have it automatically bounce…perhaps an idea for a future design).

The Comfort & Harmony Cradling Bouncer is suitable for infants up to 25 pounds and retails for under $50.  It’s an affordable alternative to swings (which can be upwards of $150 to $200.  Minimal assembly is required (even I can do it!) and requires 3 C batteries.  You can purchase it on Amazon or at Walmart and Target stores. A portion of the proceeds supports breast cancer research.

Right now, you could win one of three Babymoon trips by visiting Bright Starts. If you’re pregnant with your first or third, a babymoon is a great way to connect as a couple before your little one is born.  Here are the details surrounding the contest:

Bright Starts is giving away a luxurious 7-night babymoon vacation to three lucky couples.  Relax and reconnect at a U.S. Virgin Islands destination – St. Croix, St. John , or St. Thomas.

Your babymoon includes:
·        Airfare for up to four from anywhere in the continental U.S.
·        Seven night’s hotel accommodations
·        Spa treatment for the mother-to-be
·        Dinner for up to four people
·        $500 spending cash
·        Choice of activities

Sweepstakes ends November 30, 2010. One winner will be chosen each 4-month giveaway period.

Enter to win at www.brightstarts.com/babymoon

If you’d like to keep up to date with Bright Starts, they’ve just launched a Facebook page.

I did not receive compensation for this post.  A product sample was provided to facilitate this review.

As I wrap up my test drive with the Palm Pre Plus, I’d to take some time this week to answer all of your questions about the phone (with the help of Verizon!).  I’ve been going through them and am really impressed with the questions you have been asking.  Keep them coming!  You have until March 16, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST to enter to win the phone right here on my site.

1.  Carolyn asks, “Is it non techie friendly. I like stuff that’s easy to figure out without a booklet.”
Carolyn, one of the things I like to do with a product I’m testing out, is to see how far I can get without a manual.  With that being said, to this day, I’ve yet to use the manual (although one of the bloggers on the team has a lot of experience with the phone and has been able to answer my questions).  To answer your question, in my opinion, I find the phone to be very intuitive and easy to use.  And I’m not a techie at all.

2.  Shannon asks, “Is it waterproof?”
I’m laughing…no Shannon. Sorry…you’ll have to keep it dry…just like your kids.

3.  Deb asks, “How long wil it take ME to learn to use all those features?”
Deb, from my experience, it took a couple of days to get used to the Palm webOs interface.  You might find the online tutorial and simulator helpful.

4.  Carol asks, “Is it capable of quick in-succession rapid fire photos?”
Carol, I played with the camera tonight and was able to take approximately 1 picture every 2 seconds?

5.  Amber asks, “I have found that Verizon has better service than T-mobile or AT&T – so props for that! I’m wondering if additional apps will be added? How many apps are available on the Pal Pre Plus currently?”
Amber, applications are constantly being added.  I actually get update notifications when an application has been modified.  Right now there are over 1600 apps available for the Palm Pre Plus.

6. Nicola asks, “My question about the palm pre is how much memory does it have and can i buy extra memory for it?”
Nicola, the Palm Pre Plus comes with 16GB of onboard memory.  While there is no option to upgrade, that is a lot of memory for a phone.

7.  Sandy asks, “How long does the battery last between charges?”
Sandy, according to the site, the Palm Pre Plus has a battery that will give you up to 5.5 hours of talk time and 350 hours of standby time.  In my experience, the more you use the phone (i.e. for email, calendar, internet, VZ Navigator), the quicker the battery gets used up (paricularly when using VZ Navigator).

8.  Jennifer asks, “Is it really tough? My husband breaks phones non-stop! He is really tough on them!”
Jennifer, I haven’t managed to break the phone yet.  Considering the fact that I’m a bit clumsy and I have two children, it has withstood a fall or two (oops).  But I wouldn’t go throwing it around.

9.  Carrie asks, “How does the phone lock? I tend to purse dial with those touch screen phones”
Carrie, the screen shuts off automatically (and locks) if you haven’t used the phone for a couple of minutes.

10.  Susan asks, “Can a 57 year old grandma learn how to use this to full capacity in a reasonable amount of time?”
Susan, please see Deb’s question above (number 3).

11.  Lauren asks, “Can you buy this in retail stores yet?”
Lauren, the phone is available at Best Buy, and online at Verizon, Amazon, and Palm.

12.  Marci asks, “Does it come in different colors?”
Marci, right now it’s only available in black.

13.  Rachel asks “How much talk time does it have?”
Rachel, please see number 7 above.

14.  Shel asks, “Can you customize ringtones and text tones…I like having a particular song play when different members of my family call me…it’s like caller-id when I can’t find my phone but can hear it ringing, I know who is calling me before I find it.”

Shel, you can customize ringtones and text tones for the people in your contact folder (which is where you do this).

15.  Debbie asks, “Can you do more than 1 thing at a time? My phone will drop the navigation if I get a text message.”
Debbie, absolutely! One of the features of this phone is it’s ability to “multi task.”  You can have several different applications open at once without compromising any of them.
Be sure to come back each day this week for more answers to your questions about the Palm Pre Plus.

I wrote this review while working on a Verizon Palm Pre Plus campaign by TheMotherhood.com on behalf of Verizon Wireless and have been given a Palm Pre Plus (and prizes for giveaways) to facilitate my review.

I remember when grocery stores first started moving towards reusable bags.  The branded canvas totes offered by these stores were dull, but aimed to save our environment from the harmful effects of plastic.

Today, many companies are getting creative and offering reusable bags that you’d want to use for more than just groceries.  Radley London, a British company offering handbags and accessories, recently introduced a gorgeous line of Recycled Foldaway Totes. They’re more durable than I would imagine, given that they are very light in weight.  The bags are made from 100% recycled materials and fold away nicely into a zip-around patch.  They’re quite roomy, but I need a few of these to carry all my groceries.

As a mom, I appreciate the fact that the bag is durable enough to be used for groceries and fashionable enough to use for other occasions.  The Recycled Foldaway Tote is available in three patterns/colors and retails for 20 British Pounds (approx. $35).  Matching handbags are also available on the site.

I did not receive compensation for this post.  A product sample was provided to facilitate this review.

We live in a big city which offers a variety of conventional and natural grocery stores.  But in many parts of the country, shopping for natural, organic foods is a challenge.  My husband’s family is from the South and these specialty markets are few and far between.  It would be impractical to drive over an hour a week just to go grocery shopping (which would be required of my husband’s grandparents).  If they had internet access (or a computer!), they could go online to Abe’s Market, an online marketplace offering some of the best all natural products available.

What’s unique about Abe’s Market is the ability to learn about the products before purchasing.  Find out who makes the product, what’s in the product, and where/how it’s made. If you have a specific question, the site offers a live help option which allows you to chat with sellers so you know exactly what you’re purchasing and bringing into your home.  In essence, it’s like a virtual visit to your local farmer’s market.

While I was perusing the site, I realized that there are many natural companies I’ve never heard of (and I think that I have been exposed to quite a few)…like this Ultimate Cacao Muffin Mix from Purely Elizabeth.  Can you believe it’s free of sugar?  Must. try. it.

Speaking of baking, Abe’s Market offers an amazing assortment of mixes.  The site also offers natural products in the following categories:  Personal Care, Gifts, Baby & Kids, Food & Drink, and Home & Pet.  The company sent me an assortment of Peeled Snacks to get a feel for the company and the products they represent.  I can’t think of a healthier way to snack than to eat fruit.  The company strives to keep their snacks as close to natural as possible without adding or oil (check out their interview on the site). Their snacks include dried fruit and roasted nuts which act as a good source of protein and fiber.  Our favorites?  Apple-2-the-core!

For more information about Abe’s Market Natural Goods and the products they sell, just visit their website.

I did not receive compensation for this post.  Product samples were provided to facilitate this review.