March 31, 2007
March 30, 2007
Diaper Caddy
At first I thought the Diaper Caddy was a silly product. Why would you need to carry your diapering materials all over the house? But as I thought more about it, I began to realize how nice it would be. Now that Andy is a little older, it can be a pain to bring him to his changing table. He doesn't like laying on his back and rolls around on it a lot. He seems to be stronger than me already, so I worry about him falling off while I am trying to wipe him. I'd much prefer to change him on the floor where he'd be safer. Soon we will also be moving into a two story home. I doubt I'd want to bring him upstairs for every changing. It would be nice to have a caddy like this that I can carry around the downstairs with me throughout the day as I need it. I have a cute basket already, but it doesn't have a handle, so I need two hands to carry it around. The Diaper Caddy could be very useful. Besides blue gingham, it's also available in blue denim, sage pique, pink pique and yellow pique.
March 30, 2007
A Few More Easter Related Things
Baby Dagny has a few Easter basket options for you. There's a basket for a baby boy, another for a baby girl, and a third made up of those plush pacifiers that we love.
At Oompa Toys, get 10% off everything in their Easter collection. Just use the code "2007EASTER" at check out. My pick is the Bunglie Duck from Jellycat. I just love stuffed ducks this time of year!
March 30, 2007
Coco Rocker
Our infant seat wasn't nearly this cool looking. Of course, we got ours as a hand me down, but if I had to buy one, I certainly wouldn't mind the Coco Rocker in any room of our house. This rocker comes in a variety of different colors. You can get a cappuccino, or natural finish on the base and a coconut, black, or henna cushion. Eventually there will be an option for a crystal clear plexiglass base as well. The seat features a 5 point safety harness and is for babies from birth up to 20 pounds.
March 29, 2007
We're Moving?!?
Do you remember the Change is Strange books that we wrote about in December? There's a new one out! Entitled We're Moving?!?, this book helps your child deal with the move and a new home. It's available May 1 on the Change is Strange website. At this point, it can't be personalized like the other books, but it's still a great idea if you're moving in the future!
Party Baby Shoes
I just recently discovered the loveliest booties from Portugal, the Party Baby Shoes. I'm not entirely sure what size they are in, only the sole length is given. But they are just too adorable for words and would make such a great present. If you like these, check out the shop by PortMade, for there's a bunch of other varieties of cute shoes as well as other products.
Cow Baby Bottle
If you're like me, you don't know whether to be creeped out or fascinated with this Cow Baby Bottle. This bottle has all the things you would normally expect from a bottle, measuring marks, replacable nipple, high temperature plastic, etc. But if you dig the udder, then this would be a great bottle to take out in public. Imagine taking this thing out in a fancy restuarant to help calm your fussy baby? That would be awesome. I wouldn't expect many people to get this for themselves, but this would make a great shower gift. So buy a few and give them out to all your breeding friends!
March 28, 2007
More Super Cool Baby Sales!
Get $10 off your order at Emmy and Ally when you spend $50 or more. Use the coupon code "take10off" at check out. This deal is valid through April 1. I really like the Mod Print Kimono Set they're currently selling.
Also between now and April 1, get 15% off your order at Black Wagon. Just use the code "aprilfool07" at check out. Consider the Chickpea Chirp Messenger Diaper Bag, the design is amazing!
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Sharon from Cincinnati, who reads Super Cool Baby to find gifts for her grandchildren, and Grace from MA, who reads to find new products and reviews for her baby, both of whom won a Threadless t-shirt from our giveaway. We'll be doing another one soon, and you can only win if you are signed up for our newsletter.
Wall Mounted Mobile & Mirror
From the beginning, we've wanted something at the changing table for Andy to look at and play with. He's always been very aware, and when he was only a few weeks old he would stare intently at the wall during changings. And as he's gotten older, it's harder to distract him when we change him. We never found anything we liked, so we never put anything there. I really wish we had the Wall Mounted Mobile & Mirror. This very colorful product has a lion with dangling legs and a mirror that faces the baby. I think any child would love this, and any parent who has had a hard time with changing the baby would appreciate the distraction.
Personal Pacifier Holders and Keep It Kleen Pacifier
Anderson never took to a pacifier. While this is good in that I don't have to wean him from it (although I do wish he would take it for self soothing reasons). For those of you who have a baby that uses a pacifier, I know that the end up on the floor quite often, and a mother needs to figure out how to deal with that. Some products are on the market for such a problem. The Personalized Pacifier Holders at Lilliput Designs clip to the child's shirt. As long as your baby isn't rolling on the ground, this can work quite well. I love how you can choose the color of the clip as well as have his or her name on it.
Another option is the Keep-it-Kleen Pacifier. Made with a shield instead of a handle, the shield on it closes automatically whenever the pacifier is dropped. The shield also locks closed so that you can store it without a cover. It's currently only available in red, but soon it'll have nine other cool designs.
Little Rulers
Have you been having a hard time finding cool clothes for your baby to wear? I know that the selection at our local Babies 'R' Us is paltry at best. But luckily the folks at Little Ruler have been working to correct this problem. Founded by 80s skateboard legend Jeff Kendall and his wife Maureen. Inspired by Jeff's former profession and the birth of their two sons, Cole and Parker, Little Ruler offers some really cool clothes. You can get onesies, tees, outerwear, and shoes. Most items are available from size 3 months to 6T. In addition to the skater wear, they offer some great officially licensed designs from bands like Black Flag, Weezer, and NOFX.
March 27, 2007
Embroidered Garden Changing Kit
I love the color combinations of the Embroidered Garden Changing Kit at Craftsbury Kids, so I wanted to share it with you all. It has a large zipper pocket for diapers and wipes, a waterproof interior that is easy to clean, is thickly padded, and is has a handle for carrying if you don't want to put it in your diaper bag. Diaper your baby in style with this great changing pad.
Tykelight City Stroller Light
Last summer, Peter and I would walk to get ice cream sometimes in the evenings. As it started to get darker earlier, we'd sometimes be walking back as it was getting dark outside. We were on sidewalks the entire time, but I would have loved to have a Tykelight City Stroller Light. It has patented white LED lights that have a long battery (up to 100,000 hours!) and a bright illumination, can be either steady or flashing, can be attached and removed easily, and has an adjustable mount that allows you to use it in multiple locations and angles. I'd never even heard of one until recently, but I think it would come in very useful for parents who use their strollers often who want the added safety.
Fridge DJ Radio
Anderson is starting to like toys that light up and make noise. The Fridge DJ Radio, seems like it would be right up his alley. It features 13 songs and 3 different learning stations. Each song is accompanied by an animated LED light show that help to reinforce the learning songs. The radio will teach numbers, letters, and more. If you can stand the extra noise in your house, this might be a great toy to give to your year old toddler.
March 26, 2007
Interactive Play Quilt
I have about a thousand baby blankets or various different shapes, styles, and textures. However, one of my favorites is one that a former boss made for me that has a bunch of different prints so I can play games with it with Andy. I like how interactive it is; it's so much more than a regular blanket. Therefore, I think the Interactive Play Quilt is a great idea. Each square (16 in total) has a flap with a picture underneath. There are matching pictures, so you can play a memory game with the quilt. It's handmade, an easy game to bring anywhere, and it obviously can be used as a regular blanket as well. I think it'd be great to keep in the car so you always have a game in case you suddenly need one (as well as a way to keep your child warm or a place for him to sit if you suddenly end up at the park or at the beach.
365 First Time Parenting Tips: Infant Edition
Laura wrote about one of our favorite parenting websites the other day, 365 First Time Parenting Tips. Jeff, the writer over there sent us a copy of his book 365 First Time Parenting Tips: Infant Edition: Day-to-Day Guide to Surviving the 1st Year for review.
For those of you following this great website, this ebook is a collection of the tips and essays posted there. From Day 1 when his son was born, to the day before his sons 1st birthday, the book presents a helpful tip that will be invaluable to any first time parent. For example:
Day 8: Clean your baby's cord stump twice a day with rubbing alcohol
It's black. It's ugly. You hate to touch it. But first time parents have to get over their squeamishness to take care of it correctly. I'm talking about the cord stump. Keep it dry. Keep it uncovered...
Day 36: Breast milk will last for up to 4 hours at room temperature
If you're pumping your excess milk or are taking a trip out of the house and don't feel comfortable breastfeeding in public, it's important to know how long milk will last out of the fridge...
Many of these tips you probably learned in your child birth or similar class. However, many of them serve as a reminder that other parents are going through the same frustrations that you are. Other tips are helpful reminders, and others cover things that you would never thought of before. This book is great for any first time parents, and even for parents on their second go around. I know I've forgotten a lot of things that happened early on in Anderson's life, and this book would be a great refresher. And best of all, the ebook edition is only $9.99. At that price, you can't afford NOT to get this book.
Big Sale at Gap
Gap is having a really big sale. Get up to 40% off a ton of items. This is a great time to stock up on your favorite for your entire family! Ends April 8.
Super Cool Easter Stuff
Easter is right upon us! I hate how the date changes every year, I can never get a handle on this holiday. I know some of our readers probably don't celebrate (and I'm not very religious myself), so I won't go crazy with Easter products. But here are a few cute ones I thought our lovely readers might be interested in if they are Christian!
If you are one to celebrate your baby's first of everything, there's a cute, plush Easter Basket for baby's first Easter.
At Babesta, consider the Lamb Bottle Hugger or the Chillin With My Peeps Onesie.
Pottery Barn Kids also has a bunch of products for Easter. I love the Jumbo Baxter Bunny, but I've always had a thing for extra large stuffed animals.
If you're going to be decorating eggs, you should check out all the kits at Gile Toys. They have a ton of different styles including a Dora the Explorer Easter Egg Decorating Kit and a Marshmallow Peep Decorating Kit. Also get 20% off all Easter products when using the code "EASTER" at check out.
March 23, 2007
BabyGanics: Non-toxic cleaners
When your baby crawls around your kitchen floor, do you know what kinds of chemicals her delicate skin is picking up? How about when she sticks those grubby hands in her mouth? The chemical residues from cleaning products can linger for a long time, and those toxins can be easily absorbed through the skin and mouth. The folks at BabyGanics have created a line of cleaning products that are safe for children, pets, and the environment. Created using all natural ingredients, BabyGanics claim to have superior performance to conventional cleaners. The cleaners have no fillers or dyes, contain no pollutants, caustic ingredients or volatile organic compounds. BabyGanics is available as a concentrated floor cleaner, glass cleaner, tub and tile cleaner, and a all purpose cleaner.
Punk Rock Baby Blocks
We haven't written about anything punk for babies in a while, so I think you should check out the Punk Rock Baby Blocks by LuLuLux. The set of four blocks has various cool prints. There are two that are 6x6 inches and two that are 4x4 inches wide. They are squishy but still stackable, and the best part is that they are machine washable! If only every baby product was, it'd make every parent's life so much easier. If you like these, check out the diaper bags that LuLuLux makes as well.
March 22, 2007
Year of the Pig: Bib and Onesie
Last week we reviewed a book about the Year of the Pig, and today we've got a Year of the Pig onesie and bib set. This set is packaged in a clear quart-sized takeout style gift box with a matching gift card; it makes the perfect gift for all those children born in 2007 -- the year of the pig. The onesie is made from soft ring-spun 100% cotton American Apparel, and the bib is absorbent terry cloth. It's available in two sizes - 3-6 months and 6-12 months.
G-Luxe Bag
The G-Luxe Bag at Sweet Baby Lane is perfect for a woman who doesn't want her diaper bag to look like a diaper bag. The inside is water proofed and seam taped, and one end pocket is fleece lined to store your personal items such as sunglasses and cell phone. It comes with a changing pad, wipes case, key clip, and adjustable straps. There's a zipper pocket, two end pockets, and two larger zipper pockets, so there's plenty of room for all your stuff. It's also made out of a leather substitute which is better for the animals and the people making the bags. I can't get enough of how purse-like it looks, no one would ever guess it was a diaper bag.
March 21, 2007
Review: The Bottle Tamer
You may remember The Bottle Tamer, which I wrote about earlier this month. We were lucky enough to secure a review of this product, and we couldn't wait to try it out. As Andy is getting older and I'm nursing him less, I am finding it difficult to make sure he's getting enough to drink. I give him sippy cups often at home while he's playing on the floor as well as at mealtimes, but when we are out and about, I don't as often because he is in the stage where he loves to throw everything he can get his hands on to the ground (if it doesn't end up in his mouth at least!).
To refresh your memory, The Bottle Tamer is a strap that goes on your child's bottle or sippy cup to keep it from falling on the ground. You can attach it to a stroller, car seat, or high chair, and it ensures that the bottle is always within your child's reach and doesn't get dirty by hitting the ground.
Continue reading: "Review: The Bottle Tamer"
Coocoose - The Bathtowel You Wear
Whenever I bathe Anderson alone, I always wonder how I could take him out of the bath without getting myself all wet. Usually I just pick him up, let him drip for a few seconds, then hold his wet body against my shirt while I put a towel around him. Luckily I've never had to run out of the house after doing this, but I always knew there had to be a better way. Well, the folks at Coocoose have found it. Designed by two mothers from England, the Coocoose fastens around your neck and back like an apron. That leaves your hands free to bathe and then coocoon and cuddle your baby, all while protecting your clothes from splashes. In addition, one corrner of the bathing apron/towel is hooded to keep your child extra warm and comfortable after his bath.
Receiving Blanket by Eloise & Etienne
I'm realizing how much I love vintage children's fabrics such as the one on the Receiving Blanket by Eloise & Etienne. I just love the look of the circus animals here. It's so classic and yet somehow so new and fresh. This blanket has a 32 inch diameter. Because of availability of the vintage fabrics, your blanket may not look just like this one, so check to make sure you like what you are getting before ordering. But I think with almost any vintage fabric, you'd end up with a beautiful blanket either way.
March 20, 2007
Review: Mango Ink
Mango Ink is another company in the business of high quality photo cards and announcements. They recently contacted us, and sent us a few samples of their products. We received a "Limited Photo Card", a "Personalized Thank You Note", and a "Personalized Photo Card".
Limited Photo Cards
Limited photo cards are available for a number of different events. Mango Ink carries cards for birthday invitations, baby events (like birth announcements), wedding events and holidays. All designs are availalbe as photos on a stiff cardstock backing, and the birthday invitations and baby events are also available as envelopments where the card stock backing extends to fold around the photo card in the middle.
The limited photo card we received is a birth announcement. It is a two-tone pink design, with a black and white photo in the center. It is mounted on a Coal cardstock backing, which is black with subtle sparkle flecks. The photo itself can be endlessly customized by you and the designers at Mango Ink, but the backing is available only in a dozen or so different colors. These photos are probably hand mounted, so there is a chance that your photo will be slightly off kilter like the one we received. Now, I'm kind of a perfectionist when it comes to things like this, so most of you might not even notice. Overall, the quality of these cards are fantastic. I would love to send these to all of my friends and family at every opportunity I get.
The Limited photo cards are $3.00 each, and must be ordered in groups of 8 ($24.00). The price includes all text, photos, modifications etc, and each card comes with a colored envelope. If you want to spend a little more, for $3.50 each, you can receive each card as an envelopment. Each envelopment comes with a clear envelope.
Continue reading: "Review: Mango Ink"
My Swing Thing
Every so often we discover a baby product that makes us wonder why we didn't think of that. My Swing Thing is one such product. With three clips, it turns any chain swing into a toddler swing. It's small so you can easily find a place for it in your car for those times when you want to go to the park or use a friend's swing set but there's only big kid swings. My Swing Thing is fully adjustable and can support up to 60lbs.
Introducing Threadless Kids!
You all have probably realized how much I love Threadless. I think they have great designs, and I love how they come out with new ones every week and anyone can submit designs and vote. Now there's a big development over there, they've started Threadless Kids! This is a whole separate site dedicated just to their children's line. They still only have that one design of onesies that we mentioned earlier, but since you can search by onesie sizes as well as tee sizes for the bigger kids, we are hopeful that they'll make more in the future.
Their new designs this week are Mr. Toxic Waste (which glows in the dark) and Paint By Numbers.
March 19, 2007
Review: BabyPro DVDs
The folks at BabyPro were kind enough to send us their series of sports themed DVDs for review here at Super Cool Baby. The DVDs are labeled for children from 9 months to 4 years. In all, there are 3 DVDs covering basketball, baseball, soccer, cheerleading, dancing, gymnastics, swimming, diving, and surfing. The DVDs were created by a PhD mother and a sports-aficionado father and have garnered more than 15 national awards.
These DVDs cover a range of different sports activities. They're great for introducing your young children to new forms of physical activity. We sat down and watched a few with Anderson this week. He was captivated at times, especially when there were very young children playing on screen. At other times, especially when older children and the pros were playing, he lost interest. So, while the DVDs are targeted at children ages 9 months to 4 years, you may find that your child is not interested in certain parts of the DVD at all.
Continue reading: "Review: BabyPro DVDs"
SquidFire
You all know by now that I love my clothing. Here are some really cute designs at SquidFire. They sell onesies, bibs, t-shirts, and hoodies for babies. Some of my favorites include the Mice & Cheese Bib, the Dragon Onesie, the Dinosaur T-Shirt, and the Squid Hoodie. They also sell clothing for men and women as well.
Threadless Giveaway!
Don't forget about our Threadless giveaway! Anyone signed up for our newsletter will be eligible to win a Threadless 6T t-shirt. We will be giving away two, so there will be two winners, and we will be choosing the winners one week from today. The designs are For Sale by Parents and Big Fish Wins, both of which are sold out right now. So sign up for our mailing list if you haven't already so you can be eligible!
New Baby Sales
There are a few new sales we want to tell you about.
Briar Patch Heirlooms is giving you 20% off your orders of $100 or more when you use the coupon code "March20" at check out. This deal ends on April 6.
Sophie & Lili is closing, so everything is on sale.
Baby Dagny has 20% off all clearance items for today only! No code is needed for this deal.
March 17, 2007
Sale at Baby Dagny
Baby Dagny is having a huge sale. Get 60% off select items, including the Wheely Bugs, which are so adorable! This sale ends on Monday, March 19, so get moving before it's too late!
March 16, 2007
Busy Box
Andy loves his toys that spin, and spit blocks out, and let him stick blocks into different shaped holes. He still hasn't quite figured it all out, but he definitely appreciates those toys a lot. The Busy Box seems like its right up his alley. Each side has a different activity: a clicking clock, moving beads, shape sorter, telephone with animal sound buttons, pop-up bear and bear in car. Finally, a key unlocks the door to reveal shapes, and gears that move and click. This toy is best for babies 18 months to 3 years old.
365 First-Time Parenting Tips
If you're a parent, you probably know many of the big parenting blogs out there. Here is one that you may not know about that has been very helpful to me. 365 First-Time Parenting Tips started about two months before I gave birth. I read it very intently both to see what was written about Andy's age but also to look ahead to see where I would be in a few months with him. There are a lot of helpful tips that made things for me so much easier. Now the author has started with toddler tips as well, which I am looking forward to reading. If you like parenting blogs, I highly suggest you add this one to your reading list.
March 15, 2007
Goo Goo Onesie by Pluto
With the advent of Google and the Internet in general, kids born these days are going to grow up in a very different world than the one we grew up in. Why not get their appreciation of the information superhighway started early with this adorable Goo Goo Onesie. It is made in the USA from 100% cotton and is machine washable. It's sold out right at the moment, but hopefully they'll make more soon!
Review: Bella Band
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