Photo Credit: Bel Bambini

A few weeks ago, Bel Bambini opened it’s doors to a group of LA and OC bloggers for a store preview and fashion show.  The upscale baby boutique is the destination store for expectant and new parents, offering a wide variety of products for the new baby, the toddler and even the preschooler.  As you would expect, the boutique carries the best products from reputable designer brands including Stokke, Bloom, DwellStudio, Bugaboo, PUJ, and many more.  The Newport Beach location, which spans 10,000 square feet on two levels, features exclusive and couture children’s apparel, a shoe department, a private mommy lounge.  The boutique also offers concierge services including baby registry, baby shower and special event planning, custom design furniture, and more.  Visually, the store is just beautiful.  The products are arranged by key periods in a baby/child’s life (i.e. feeding, play, sleep, bathtime, etc.), which makes it very easy for parents to shop and find what they’re looking for.

Photo Credit: Bel Bambini

While visiting the store, both of my children participated in the fashion show.  My daughter wore Roberto Cavalli and my son wore Ben Sherman.

Photo Credit: Bel Bambini

We also did something very unique that I’m excited to share with you once it’s complete.  Each of us embarked on a scavenger hunt of sorts.  We were given a variety of themes to choose from and then browsed the store looking for our top picks.  I selected 1st Birthday Gifts for Girls and Eco-Friendly Baby Must Haves.  Stay tuned for my quick picks!

This coming weekend, March 24th and 25th, Bel Bambini will celebrate the official grand opening of it’s second boutique location in Newport Beach. This free celebration event is paced full of amazing activities including children’s entertainment, music, food, gifts with purchase, store discounts, and a ton of giveaways.  For a complete run down of the weekend’s events, just visit their website.

No compensation was received for this post.  I attended a media event and received a gift bag and gift certificate.  My children also participated in the fashion show.  All opinions remain my own.

Profuse thanks to Ciaran from Momfluential who organized a fabulously chic event!

As a 30-something year old woman, my diligence towards keeping my teeth healthy has paid off.  I have not had a cavity…ever.  However, I have had to be vigilant about brushing twice a day (and even three times when needed), flossing each night, bi-annual dental screenings and cleanings, and limiting my consumption of sweets. In general, I also strive to eat healthy by including a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables which can help contribute to overall health and subsequent oral health.

As a parent, my children are constantly watching me…looking up to me…modeling me. It’s important that I not only teach them important life lessons such as oral care, but demonstrate them in my own life.  While we didn’t start as early as most Pediatricians and Dentists recommend (when the first tooth erupts), we did make it a point to introduce the concept of brushing teeth around the 1 year mark.  Both of my children have been to the dentist once for cleaning and check-ups, and after cavity-free visits, we’ve started the tradition of bi-annual visits.

Here are some of my tips on teaching and instilling good oral health habits in children:

1. Start early.  Pediatricians and Dentists recommend beginning tooth brushing as soon as the first tooth erupts.  Even before that tooth is visible, get in the habit of wiping your baby’s gums with a soft washcloth after nursing or a bottle in the evenings to prevent early tooth decay.

2. Be a role model. Children, particularly toddlers and preschoolers, emulate their parents.  Utilize their curiosity and desire to be like mommy and daddy to model healthy oral care habits.

3. Involve children.  Allow your toddler or preschooler the opportunity to brush his/her own teeth.  Children at this age are learning to assert their independence and mastery is an important aspect of child development.  If you don’t think your child is brushing adequately, perhaps you can agree to having mommy or daddy brush one of the two times each day.  It’s important to allow children the opportunity to be very involved in taking care of their teeth so that eventually, they’ll understand the importance and take the initiative on their own.

4.  Make it fun.  I don’t know how it started, but brushing my son’s teeth always involves singing the ABCs.  Whether it’s a song or a special character brush, strive to make oral care fun. If you’re really struggling with getting your child on board with oral hygiene, perhaps you can use a sticker chart and incorporate a reward system.  You can also pick up an age-appropriate book on oral care like this one I found on Amazon entitled Sesame Street Ready, Set, Brush.

5.  Opt for a Pediatric Dentist.  In my experience, pediatric dentists approach oral care in an age and developmentally-appropriate manner.  What might have been a traumatic first experience was fun and engaging.  My son actually wants to go back because the staff was friendly and sensitive to his needs.  The first visit included a photo, a trip to the surprise box for a treat (inedible, of course), and an incentive for coming back in 6 months.

As a mom of Puerto Rican descent, it’s disheartening to learn that the Latino population in general face barriers to achieving proper oral health.  According to a study conducted by the Hispanic Dental Association, in partnership with P&G, more than half of Hispanics in the US rate their overall oral health as good or excellent yet two-thirds of them have experienced at least one issue in the past year.  In general, the Hispanic population could benefit from access to information about beneficial oral health habits, affordable oral health care, and dental health care professionals that speak Spanish and/or are from Hispanic descent. Culture is vital to health and this is particularly important in the Hispanic community.

So what are the barriers?  Lack of dental insurance and misinformation seem to be the most important barriers to Hispanics achieving adequate oral care. Because disparities exist, I think it’s important that information found either in dental offices or online be presented in both English and Spanish.  Additionally, companies like Crest and Oral-B could partner with local providers to offer free screenings (perhaps in a mobile clinic type setting) to the community, targeting those geographic areas demonstrated to be lacking in access to dental health care providers.

You can find out more information about the findings in their Mini-Report.

Disclosure: I wrote this post while participating in a compensated campaign with Procter & Gamble and Latina Mom Bloggers. However, all opinions expressed are my own.

My son is four years old and hasn’t received formal swimming lessons.  My goal was to enroll him in lessons prior to this point, but a series of chronic ear infections with resulting ear tubes delayed that.  Now that he’s sporting custom-made ear plugs (which he mostly designed himself), he can spend our hot summer days splashing around in the pool.

Awhile back we were introduced to SwimWays, a company who is passionate about helping children stay safe in and around the water.  Learning to swim is an important life skill.  I know this first-hand as I almost drowned in the Klamath River as a teen. For over 40 years, the company has been teaching children to swim.  Their Swim Steps program was designed to help kids gain confidence in the water.  The site also offers resources for swimming lessons and tips on water safety.

Here are the steps:

Step 1: It’s my first time in the pool.
Step 2: I’m ready to paddle and splash.
Step 3: Teach me to swim so we can play together.
Step 4: I can do it—watch me go!

My 18 month old daughter currently fits into the first step but could probably be ready for step 2 very soon. She absolutely loves the water, particularly so she can splash around.  When my son was a bit younger, we actually used an inflatable float because he was a bit fearful of the water.  My daughter is absolutely fearless so we haven’t felt the need to use the float with her.

My son is currently in between stages 3 and 4.  He’s definitely ready to take lessons and gain some confidence in the water.  Since it has been awhile since we were last in the pool, I decided to start him off with a Swim Vest. Designed for children ages 2-4 the vest provides balanced flotation.  Adjustable side cords and a strap that goes between the legs ensures that the vest will stay put.

My son actually preferred using the Power Swimr as opposed to the Swim Vest. Offered in 3 sizes for children ages 2-9, the Power Swimr acts as a flotation device offering children the ability to advance at his/her own pace.  My son is at an age where he understands what it means to be afraid, so knowing he could float helped boost his confidence. As he becomes a stronger swimmer, we can remove some of the pads to continue building his skills.

While we were swimming and splashing this past weekend, my son’s Rainbow Reef Fish was the talk of the pool!  Every child wanted to swim after that fish who takes off on his own (and is powered by 2 AA batteries).

Stay tuned! I have some tips on kids and water safety coming up.

No compensation was received for this post. Product samples provided.

We are snackers…nibblers…grazers.  If we ate small, frequent, healthy meals this wouldn’t be a problem. But as a family, we tend to like more snacks than we should, so I don’t keep a large supply on hand.  Instead, we strive to keep the indulgences to the occasional rather than the everyday.

Snacks, particularly those that are intended for children, should not offer empty calories. WhoNu? recently introduced four varieties of cookies containing 20 essential vitamins and minerals and 3 grams of dietary fiber.  A cookie is a treat, and should be viewed as such. But why not consume something with nutritional value if possible?

Given the fact that many “healthier” cookie alternatives don’t taste great, I was mostly interested in my children’s reactions.  Because my son is allergic to so many foods, I indulged my daughter in the taste test. We started off with variety most people enjoy….Soft & Chewy Chocolate Chip.  After my daughter ate the first one, she signed “more” for another.  I had already tried all four varieties and found them each to be tasty, except for the Vanilla sandwich cookies, which I didn’t care for. Our favorite variety is was the Chocolate sandwich cookie, which resembled the traditional, and oh-so-popular Oreo.  Notice the past tense in that last sentence? That’s because they are GONE!

Considering the amount of nutrients present, I was impressed with the look, taste, and semblance to traditional cookies on the market. Along with the 3 varieties mentioned above, WhoNu? also offers a Crispy Chocolate Chip Cookie.

Because it can be difficult to comprehend what it means to say a cookie contains 20 essential nutrients, the website has a comparison chart I found to be helpful:

WhoNu? Cookies are available at Walmart and retailers nationwide.

Win It! TWO of you will win all four varieties of WhoNu? cookies and a $25 Walmart gift card. Simple leave me a comment with the variety your children might enjoy trying. Comments will close on July 19th at 11:59 PM PST.

US Residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one. Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Like me on Facebook

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

No compensation was received for this post.  Products for review and giveaway supplied by the company via Double Duty Divas.

Last week, my parents took my little boy to see Kung Fu Panda 2 while I stayed with my daughter. My son adored the movie and I’m hoping to see it this week!

If you have a Po fan in the house (and you’re local), be sure to bring the kids down for a special meet and greet with the beloved Po from Kung Fu Panda 2. Tomorrow (Sunday, June 5th), UltraLuxe Cinemas at the  Anaheim GardenWalk will make a special appearance at the theaters from 1-4 pm to celebrate the release of the film.  Families can take photos and there will be giveaways including movie posters, balloons, tattoos, children’s activities in the new LuxeLounge, and more.

If you haven’t seen the film, you can reserve advance tickets through the box office or online. Matinees are just $8.50 for adults and $7.50 for children plus 4 free hours of parking with validation.

No compensation was received for this post.

For the last 3 months, I’ve been serving as a blogger correspondent for Child Hungers Ends Here, a campaign and call to action for people to get involved and help end child hunger in the United States.  ConAgra Foods and Feeding America, in partnership, seeks to raise awareness while closing the gap on childhood hunger.  Both organizations are eliciting participation from the public to help meet their goal of purchasing 2.5 million meals in addition to the 1 million meals they provide each month.

At the launch of the campaign, Child Hunger Ends Here: A Special Report aired on NBC.  The special was hosted by spokesman Al Roker and Natalie Morales and highlighted the personal stories of families struggling with hunger.  They also provided simple, feasible ways for the public to get involved.

Over the weekend, I hosted a small blogger brunch to shed light on the scope of the problem both locally and nationally. We discussed the tremendous need and some easy ways we, as influencers in our community, could be involved including hosting a future food drive, volunteering at our local food bank, purchasing eligible foods, and donating via text message.  I encourage you to watch the special (it’s about 25 minutes long) to learn more about child hunger in the US and how you can make a difference.

These three months have opened my eyes to a national issue I didn’t fully appreciate.

I’ve learned that child hunger is widespread (approximately 17.2 million children at risk).

I’ve learned that hunger can and does affect even those who are working and that the faces of hunger may not be who you expect.

I’ve learned that the effects of hunger go way beyond the physical.

I’ve learned that families struggling with hunger should be treated with dignity, considering the sensitive nature of the issue.

I’ve learned that despite the widespread scope of the problem, there are organizations like ConAgra Foods and Feeding America that can and do make a difference.

Lastly, I’ve learned that despite the magnitude of the issue, there is so much you and I can do in our communities.

For more information, just visit Child Hunger Ends Here.

This is part of a compensated campaign through ConAgra Foods and Feeding America.

If there is one thing I’ve learned in the last 2 months, it’s that hunger is a complex, widespread problem too often overlooked. It’s overwhelming to learn that nearly one in four children don’t know where their next meal is coming from and not feel like I am able to make a difference.  Visiting my local food bank and learning about the scope of the problem in my own community helped me understand how I can effect change and see results.

But why hunger?  There are so many other problems facing our country…poverty…illness…job insecurity…literacy…the list goes on and on.  The fact is, hunger directly influences the above and so much more. Children who consistently suffer from hunger are less likely to be productive, less equipped to learn, and have lower academic achievement which in turn results in a higher likelihood of being poor.  Can you imagine trying to concentrate on math or reading when all you can think about is how hungry you are?  The long term effects of inadequate nutrition include increased risk of illness, weakened immune system, and slow or unusual development including memory, cognition, language, motor ability, social interaction, behavior, and perception.

By now you know that ConAgra has partnered with Feeding America to donate enough money to purchase 2.5 million meals this year in addition to their donations that help provide more than 1 million meals per month each year.

You can help in one of two ways:

Text to Donate: Through June 30th, 2011 you can text “FEEDKIDS” to 50555 for a $10 donation to Feeding America.

Go Grocery Shopping: You’re going to do it anyway. And when you buy foods from Healthy Choice or a host of other brands, you can go online to enter the code found on the package.  Each code entered is another secure meal.  You can continue entering codes until August of this year.

For more information, just visit the site.

This is part of a compensated campaign through ConAgra Foods and Feeding America.

Photo Credit: L_Avi

The Motherhood has facilitated an amazing series of talks on food allergies and I’ve been honored to participate and contribute to the discussions.  As a mother to a child with food allergies, I’ve found that there much misinformation surrounding the issue. Dietitian Marion Groetch (who works at the Jaffe Food Allergy Institute at Mount Sinai School of Medicine) and Divvies owner Lori Sandler recently led a discussion about common myths surrounding food allergies. They, along with a group of bloggers, discussed those myths and provided factual information to dispel them.

In my own experience, I’ve found that people assume my son can outgrow his allergies.  While my husband and I have high hopes that when we retest at 5, he’ll have outgrown some or all of his allergies, the reality is that he may not.  There are many things to consider including the type of allergy, it’s severity, elimination and exposure to the allergen, and the individual.  I would encourage anyone who suffers from food allergies to consult with a reputable allergist, retest when applicable, and  avoid the allergens completely.

Another common myth is that allergy and intolerance are synonymous.  In reality, food allergy is an adverse reaction caused by an immune response that occurs reproducibly on exposure to a given food. Intolerance is an adverse reaction to a food unmediated by the immune system (source: Marion Groetch).  Thus, there is no true cure for a food allergy and avoidance is the only way to prevent allergic reactions.

Interestingly enough, I learned that the US does not mandate that all ingredients be listed on a product label.  While major food allergens may not be omitted from a product label, those that are not considered major may be unidentified on product labels.  There is also the potential for cross contact.  It’s a good idea to read product labels each time you purchase an item to ensure product information has not changed.  If you are uncertain about a potential allergen, you can always contact the company directly.

As a mother to a child suffering from food allergies, it’s important that the people around us understand the facts, particularly as it relates to his safety.  I personally have had to educate friends, family members, and preschool teachers to ensure that we are all on the same page with regards to his allergies.

I encourage you to visit the series of food allergy discussions on The Motherhood for more information and resources.

No compensation was received for this post.  I truly hope you find it to be useful, relevant information.

Approximately one week ago, the Disney Store celebrated the grand opening of it’s award-winning new concept store in Culver City.  With the ambition of being “the best 30 minutes of a child’s day,” the store seeks to offer magical experiences such as a Disney Princess Castle With Magic Mirror, Translucent Magical Trees, Disney/Pixar Cars branded Ridemakerz custom car building experience (which we’ll be previewing this weekend), and the Disney Store Theatre featuring Disney entertainment.

Interestingly enough, I attended a World Wish Day Celebration for local Make-A-Wish children at the Mission Viejo Disney Store which has already undergone the transformation to include many of the experiences listed above.

More of these types of stores are slated to open in 2011 and with each store opening, Disney Store will donate 10 percent of the first day’s sales to Make-A-Wish Foundation in the US.

For a look at World Wish Day, visit Thoughts of a Mommy.

No compensation was received for this post.

My love of books likely stems from my childhood. Growing up as an only child, my mother placed a great emphasis on reading and writing and I’ve strived to follow her example with my own children.  I think her secret desire was for me to author a book.  And while the thought has crossed my mind, it’s not something I’ve pursued.

Cheerios recently launched their annual New Author Contest which will grant one aspiring author $5,000, a possible publishing deal with Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, and his/her book featured inside Cheerios boxes across the country.

The contest encourages aspiring children’s authors to write an original story for children ages 3-8  in English or Spanish.  Cheerios believes that reading is a key building block for learning and life and founded the Spoonful of Stories program to help families connect with their children and foster a love of reading within them.

As a mom to a child who will be going to kindergarten in just one year, I’m cognizant of how important those 20 minutes a day are.  Whether you have an infant or a teenager, there are things you can do to make the most of reading time.  Here are some tips, courtesy of the program:

Babies and Toddlers Under 1 year

· Very young children are attracted to brightly colored pictures of simple objects.
· Young children listen and respond well to books with simple texts and good rhythms.
· Wordless books provide visual and mental stimulation and encourage children to create their own stories.
· Board  and cloth books are great for this age since they’re difficult to destroy

Nursery School and Pre K Children Between 2-4 years

· Look for Mother Goose, nursery rhymes, and other books that show familiar objects and experiences.
· Young children like listening to slightly complex texts with good rhythm and effective word repetition.
· They’re also coordinated enough to have constructive fun with toy-like books that pop up, move, or provide other astonishments.

Kindergarten and Early School Years (Children between 5-8 years)

· Some children may learn to read before they’re in the first grade while most learn during first grade or later
· Picture books with strong storylines and character development are especially good for reading aloud or with kids.
· If your child is reading independently, choose a book with a straightforward story that has familiar, everyday words. Some publishers produce “easy readers” that independent readers often enjoy.
· Third-graders are often able to handle stories of some complexity. The vocabulary should be relatively familiar but include some challenging words.
· A lot of informational books have been published for the early grades. These books encourage children to read about topics that interest them and satisfy their curiosity for complex subjects.

Later Elementary and Middle School Years (Children between 9-12 years and older)

· Think about your child’s personality, likes, and dislikes. This will help you choose between an informational book or a novel in an area that your child is interested in.

If you’d like to submit a story, be sure to review the guidelines posted on the site.  Entries will be received through July 15th, 2011.

Win It! One of you will win a Spoonful of Stories prize pack which will include a box of Cheerios with 2009 grand prize winner Laurie Isop´s book inside, as well as a “create-your-own” book kit for kids that contains two hard cover books and all the necessary materials to creatively fill the pages inside, including story starter ideas and colored pencils.  Simply leave me a comment with something that makes a children’s book timeless OR your idea for a children’s book. Comments will close on May 17th, 2011 at 11:59 PM PST.

US Residents only.  Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one. Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Like me on Facebook

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

No compensation was received for this post.  Review and giveaway items were supplied by MyBlogSpark.