Because I Said So!!! Mom Knows Best!

AH, Spring is in the air and it is time
to fling open the windows and let in the Sunshine.
Let the dog out for hours and worry about the muddy
paw prints another day. Get those snow suits and toss
them in a Cedar box and break out the Spring jackets
and suit up the family. It is time for a walk! Get up
and move people! Rowan has already been out of the
house every day this week. John came back late Sunday
night and has given me a much needed break. Other then
a stray weekend here and there since Thanksgiving I have
pretty much been a single Parent this entire Winter. When
Rowan was teething I didn't think I was going to make it
and thank the stars that slowed a bit. Four in a week was
terminal on my back. Now she has two on the way but
it is not nearly as bad, though still a lot of fussy crabby
yuck yuck going on. Add in my Mothers Heart issues and
I thought once again I was going to crash so that I almost
sang like Mary Poppins when John walked in the house.
The last couple of days I had some issues to catch up
on at home but now I am ready to catch up the site and
that is long overdue. I must admit I want to be outside
with them for John and Rowan are going out about 4 times
a day with the dog right now and here I am stuck in the house
but in another of couple of weeks I will grab the laptop and
hit the patio. I did however get a chance to do this next review
and for that I had to go outside! Gosh, sometimes it sucks to
work other times I am truly blessed for I get to smell the
fresh air.
The Belle Baby Carrier had made my day by letting me
hit the pavement! Thanks Belle, before I even get to the
nuts and bolts of the review I am already grateful. I was
sent a carrier in black and let me first tell you about the
design. I wasn't sure I would be able to do the review for
a little while for Rowan's teeth caused me a lot of pain and
it was pain I had no choice but to endure. You just don't
tell a toddler, sorry, no comfort today for it really aggravates
your Mothers Rheumatoid Arthritis in her spine. The fact my
Neck and Shoulders are all jacked up when I fell last fall
made it even more difficult. I have been trying to mend the
last couple of weeks and have been postponing due to that
fact but when I felt that warm air I pretty much said dang
the consequences and lets do this thing. I tossed on the
Belle and was already prepared for the wave of pain in
simply putting it on but I didn't feel a thing. Lucky me!
Now for sure I expected to feel it when I added Rowan
for she has grown like a weed this Winter and I am sure
she is topping the scales close to 20 pounds right now.
Here came the Belle Design to the rescue. Belle is made
for comfort and they did away with the extra bulk and
brought you a stream lined design that includes cross-over
straps with high-end closed cell foam for comfort. The
reason they can due away with all the extra padding and
supports is they use the same materials found in those
super heavy High End Mountaineering Backpacks that are
made for a big load. A baby is a piece of cake in comparison
and this makes it more comfortable for you all around.
An independent waist belt brings the weight down to your hips
and off your shoulders so your back is spared as well.
With the Steel Rings you and your child are supper secure and
all in a lightweight, simple design that makes it a snap to
use. Baby can face in or out and Rowan, adventurous spirit that
she is wants to see the world. Your baby is in a natural ergo-
nomic position that protects their spine and leaves them comfy
and able to enjoy the ride. They also offer a removable head
support panel that is perfect for your sleeping baby.
John took Rowan out earlier in the day and he is a
totally different size then me and I hate changing the size
of gadgets and gizmo's and thought it would be a huge pain
and I was delighted at how simple it is to adjust. Rowan had
no problem snuggling in and we were soon on our way and
loving it.
"Ohhhhhhhhh! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" MAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
That must have been a car rumbling down in front of us!"
"MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! WAhhhhhhhhh!"
Lucky me, I got to see a firetruck!
The Belle Carrier made it simple for me to enjoy the
experience with her and the cross back design and that
belt made it even more so for me since I didn't feel her
weight at all, even with the constant bouncing a jiggling she
was doing as she narrated the trip. I fully expected to let John
be the one using the carriers this Summer for as
lovely as it is to be able to have your child so close
and I totally agree with Baby wearing and the bonding it
affords a parent with their child I didn't think my back would
make the trip. I figured I would be the one who would be
stuck with the stroller and have to push her everywhere and
also not be able to take the Dog. Have you ever tried to
push a stroller and keep a 12 pound bundle of energy who
acts like she has been stored in a metal cage the entire
Winter every single time you open the door to the outside
world? It isn't fun and next to imposable but I believed I
was doomed to leave her at home. What a delightful surprise
to be able to leave the house with the Belle and leave the
old ball and chain at home, well one of them, the Dog I
had to bring with me! I walked for about 30 minutes and
that was just long enough to wear out both of the little
ones, furry and funny and bring them both home for a nap.
I thought I was going to be just as beat as they were but
I still felt like I could go another 30 and did not feel the
impact of the carrier at all. Their design works like a charm
and that isn't a normal back speaking, that is a down right
cranky one that normally protests acts as simple as picking
up a tennis shoe! Way to go Belle!
All of Belle's products are made right here in the good
old U S of A and in Colorado to boot. Remember when I
said they were created with durable, tough, equipment that
helps keep Mountain Climbers and Hikers wearing their gear
in comfort all day long? I can't think of a more suitable
place to manufacture items that you know are not only going
to work they are made to last then in Colorado. Home of
the Mountains! Smartly made and tough as can be your Belle
is going to last way longer then even the most active child's
energy level! Belle offers a large selection of styles so
you can look as fashionable as a runway model and don't
forget they also have some pretty dandy choices in the
way of Organics as well! You can find their items on line
or at a large selection of retail stores and Belle also
has an extremely informative web site with a great section
on the benefits of Baby Wearing and user support as
well as a blog and anything else you could need. Connect
to other Baby Wearers and share some war stories or
just keep up to date with currant events. Belle made my
first day of Spring one I will remember and Rowan already
wants to do again, or as she would say,
"WahhhhhhhhhhhhEhhhhhhhhhhhhh Ohhhhhhhhhh!"
Enjoy a Belle Carrier and some fresh air yourself with
a chance to win a Carrier of your own. Belle is giving
one of my lucky readers a chance to win one and to enter
just head over to their site and take a look around then come
back here and post something you have learned in a comment.
The contest will start tonight and run to Midnight on April 25th.
USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day, every day, and then posting that you did here
and other ways to enter are posted below.


Belle Baby Carriers




Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.


1. Become a follower of my blog or Twitter page
and post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times. You may only do this
one time! This is not a daily entry.


2. Tweet about my blog and post the link
here. 5 entries, please post five times. You
may do this once per day if you post a new
tweet. For Each Daily entry there must be a
tweet for that day!


3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
5 times. You may only do this one time!
This is not a daily entry.


4. Blog about this contest somewhere else
and post the link here. 5 Entries. Please
post five times. You may do this once per
day per new blog post! For each Daily entry
there must be a blog post for that day!






Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Radius Toothbrush and isABelt Contests!

I know I have went over play area number one,
two and three with you guys a few times in the past.
Just so new readers understand I have places in the
house set up for Rowan to play since the Winter is
long and that way she doesn't get bored spending all
her time hanging out in the same area. They are:


Area one-In the middle of the living room. A mat filled
with toys she loves right in front of the TV. This is
where she spends a lot of her day for the whole family
is in and out of this area and she gets to be the first
person to greet guests.


Area two-My room. My computer is set up there and I
spend a lot of time so naturally so does she. This also
has a mat and a lot of her best toys are there are well.
She also have TV access and this is where she watches
her favorite videos.


Area three-My Bed. I have a Queen size bed that John
has been booted out of for Rowan and I and the Pooch
fill it quiet nicely. Or I should say, Rowan, her toys, I
and the Pooch and her toys fill it. Rowan has all her
favorite sleep items there and loves them to death and
this is where we nap and just snuggle.


Area four-Her room. This has turned into the Daddy zone.
Since John has been sleeping on Rowans Twin bed or
Rachel's bed when she is here due to lack of room in
ours, it has also become Rowan and his area where
they do their own stuff. The messiest of the rooms for
I get so tired of picking up after a 44 year old man it
also has a mat and mostly electronic and learning toys
that she is still a little young for but is growing into
fast.

The new area five-Corner of the living room. This is
the latest addition for Rowan is a growing and needed
to branch out. It started with her activity table and off
to the side to keep it out of the way. I used to sit there
with her where she would stand and I would hold her but
as she gets older she wants to spend more time there
and I can't hold her there for hours at a time so I
found a booster seat for her and it worked out well.
When she got her step stool it went off to the side and
started out as a little table for toys and snacks but when
this next review item came it changed into a DJ booth.
She received a Keyboard from Baby Genius and that
along with the activity table has became her own little
DJ booth and as of the last two weeks it is where she
spends most of her time. She loves it and dances and
sings and oh yes, she is a star!

Even John has gotten into the act and is often right
there with her and she plays her Keyboard and he the
Bass and they have a blast! She was born to play
music and it shows. I took lesson for the guitar and
Andrew has ones as well but it is her Dad's side of
the family with all the talent for not only do they have
their own mid-life crisis band ( they are good too) John
and his brother are both very talented. They have been
playing for over 30 years and with that much time in
they have to be good and John is the best. He can
hear something and minutes later have it down pat.
He just has an ear for it and it is looking like Rowan
does too. Already she loves to dance and sing and
all it takes is a little song anywhere to get her all
smiles and happy as a clam. This Keyboard could not
have found a better home for it is a big part of her life
right now and it takes all I have to drag her away for
a nap. Her DJ booth is the bomb and she is on her
way to being a star! Now I have to say Baby Genius
is not only a fantastic company these guys are Adult
Geniuses for they somehow managed to get everything
a big person keyboard has into a baby friendly package.
The Keyboard my son has is so similar I couldn't believe
it. It has the same options, can do the same things
as Rowans and I was in shock when I saw they can
both even record. The difference? Andrews Keyboard is
so complicated you need to be a rocket scientist to
operate and Rowans, though offering the same functions,
is so easy a, well, Baby can do it. The Baby Genius
Keyboard allows you to:
Record and playback songs
Plays 7 Baby Genius sing a long songs
Plays 22 other songs
Volume, tempo and beat control
Has four different instrument sounds
The DJ laughs when keys are pressed.
The large keys and buttons make it perfect for not
so gentle fingers and one touch controls make it perfect
for Mommy's and Daddy's to understand how to work it
and unlike Andrews I can even play it too! The whole
thing that really got me was they took something that
is complected and made it simple and they also managed
to encase it in a durable, adorable design that kids will
get a kick out of. Now Baby Genius has only recently
added toys to their line and if this keyboard is an
example of what that future has in store for us I for
one have never been more happy. Their products alone
are fantastic, educational and a great tool to add to your
child's artistic growth as well as fine motor skills and
basic principals. I was please to be able to review a
product line with such a fantastic reputation to begin
with but once I got my hands on their items I was
over the moon. In the next week or so I will bring
you a few more of their items but I just had to shout
about the keyboard ASAP for it is fantastic. The
whole thing comes shaped like an Alligator but this guys
teeth are sharp in another way. They unleash your child's
unseen talents and help them develop a joy for music
and their own creative talents all in one whirl of activity.
The keyboard is going to have your little Mozart rock-en
for hours and if they are anything like Rowan it wont
be long before they have their own DJ booth set up
and are ready to go!

Baby Genius has a history of bringing us Cd's and
DVDs and Books that focus on teaching your child basic
skills by utilizing songs and dance. Sound is the first thing
a child reacts to and they take advantage of that fact and
turn it into a life long love of the musical arts. When
learning language, memory, coordination and social skills
are just a perk and the fact music has been shown to
enhanced brain development only a small portion of what
they offer, how can you ever go wrong with that. Just
try to show me a child who doesn't love music. I don't
believe you can. Baby Genius takes a pre-disposed love
of song and sings their way into your child's heart.
Hey, I found myself dancing along too. As for their
new toy line? One look at Rowans face and you can
tell what a hit it is at our house and I know it will
be on your child's top ten too! They Rock and so will
your little DJ!


Baby Genius also has a Keyboard for one of my
readers for we all know Rowan is going to need some
help with her new musical career! To enter just head over
to their site and take a look around and them come back
here and post what you have learned in a comment. The
contest will start tonight and run to April 28th at Midnight!
USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day, every day, and then posting that you did here
and other ways to enter are posted below.


Baby Genius!




Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.


1. Become a follower of my blog or Twitter page
and post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times. You may only do this
one time! This is not a daily entry.


2. Tweet about my blog and post the link
here. 5 entries, please post five times. You
may do this once per day if you post a new
tweet. For Each Daily entry there must be a
tweet for that day!


3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
5 times. You may only do this one time!
This is not a daily entry.


4. Blog about this contest somewhere else
and post the link here. 5 Entries. Please
post five times. You may do this once per
day per new blog post! For each Daily entry
there must be a blog post for that day!






Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Radius Toothbrush and isABelt Contests!

When Andrew was a baby the word Organic
was seldom used and pretty much pertained to only food and
a couple of clothing items. Mostly those made of hemp. In
the early 90's there was kind of a mini little hippy movement
going on and that was the word was used, mostly in that
little community and rarely outside of that. Then slowly you
saw some products, mainly in the produce section and
Whole Foods stores started to open here and there and
by 2000 it was catching on all over and now here we
are today where you can buy Organic items at your local
7-11. Now Organics takes on a whole new meaning and
it is as common place as a Twinkie. Instead of locating
Organic products all-together now the search for the best
ones begins and with so many items to search through it
seems like a daunting task at that. I started using Organic
items in the early 2000 but will be the first to admit it
was the produce section. The reason being? Fresh items
just tasted better and there was a store not that far from
me that was pretty much a high end grocery store and
offered an abundant selection and also in convenience
forms like pre-cut fruit and veggie trays and that was a
huge thing for me because I have always been a fresh
fruit and veggie person and to have a platter all ready to
go when I was working 70 hours a week made them a
must have item at my house. As far as other items went
I could not tell you. Andrew was at the age where he
was growing in leaps and bounds and just to keep clothes
on his back that fit was a huge feather in my cap, Organic?
I had not a clue. For my own clothing I had to wear dress
clothes and suits for work and in 1999, 2000 you would
be very hard pressed to find a Donna Karen or Ellen Tracey
Organic line. I did wear a lot of silk and that can sometimes
be Organic, back then only if it costs enough but it wasn't
because they were out to help the environment it was more
because they could charge more if it came from a silk worm
and wasn't synthetic. Now a days, Organic is the thing
to buy and everyone knows what it is and what to
look for. My Organic section in the Gourmet store has
turn into Organic isle and then more isles in every store. You
no longer have to travel, like I said now you job is to find
the products that are good and weed out the fakes!
I have found a few product lines that I love to death
and learn about more everyday. Some times I come across
an item that I toss back but for the most part they are
all pretty good. The bonus with Organics being so common
place now a days is that it is becoming the norm and
therefore the prices are getting lower and lower. I used to
pay around 5 bucks for Organic Carrots and now I can get
them for just over 2. Less then a Dollar over the regular
versions price. That is a big drop. A lot of that has to
do with the fact big business has seen their error of
their ways and has started to develop their own Organic lines.
With all the searching I have done they are probably the
poorest quality but they have helped make it more main
stream and I thank them for that. Without that push I
might never have had the chance to find places like my
next review. A fabulous store that is growing by leaps
and bounds for when you offers some fantastic products
and at a price you can afford it is only a matter of time
before the word spreads and I am so glad I found them
now! The Organic Bath Company! These guys make everything
from Bath and Skin care products to Toys and Baby items
to Household and even cleaning items and so far every item
I have tried has been marvelous! For a product review I
was sent three items, each from a different section of their
store. The first was Better Body Butter. Now everyone knows
what Shea butter, jojoba oil, and green tea oil are and
we all know they are each fantastic in their own right.
The Organic Bath Company goes the extra mile and
found a way to compile these exceptional products into
one spectacular item that is also infused with Lavender and
Vanilla. Lavender relaxes you and Vanilla is not only known
for its aphrodisiac benefits it also is a good anti-oxidant
and has other medicinal properties. When you combine all
of these items into one you are pretty much looking at a
body butter that is something to write home about. Not only
is this a surefire way to visibly improve dry skin in the
shake of a tail feather it is fantastic for healing that severely
dry skin, eczema, burns, rashes and lessen the irritation
of psoriasis. It also provides a natural UV sun protection,
protecting your skin from free radical damage. All that and
it is calming and can make your hubby sit up and take
notice too! Excellent! This stuff was exceptional and
I am toting it around in my purse for it just makes me
feel good all over. Also seeing as I was feeling all spry and
so was John whenever I used it, I don't know if it was
happen-chance or fate but the next item they sent was the
Bubble Bath Roses. Okay, first thought, these are adorable.
So cute I fell for them hook line and sinker before I even
opened the box! The thing is though they are not just for
show they are also a also a rich, skin softening bubble bath.
That's right, these adorable petal melt in your bath to create
a luxurious bubble bath for the petals completely dissolve into
rich, skin softening bubbles and the heavenly fragrance of
pure, distilled essential oils. Now when I looked at them
that was the furthest thought from my mind. I thought they
were purely for show. How they did it I have no clue but
they did and I so thank them for it because there is nothing
more relaxing then a hot tub with candles and some soft
music and then to sprinkle some Rose petal in that don't
just float but dissolve into pure heaven took my entire world
by surprise and brought me up to a level of relaxation that
you just can't compete with. Sensuous, beautiful and relaxing
all rolled into one!

After they showed me some products just for me they
clued me in on what they could do for Rowan. I was sent
a sampler pack of Baby items that were absolutely fabulous!
The Organic Baby Travel Pack has a little bit of everything
and a lot of quality and I was tickled pink to try them
all. The pack includes the:
Conditioning Shampoo & Wash
Calming Bubble Bath
Velvety Soft Babee Lotion
Soothing Bottom Balm
and every single item works like a charm. The Bubble Bath
has become a must have in our house and I am pretty sure
Rowan would not have the fun she has in the bathtub right
now without it. The bubbles are full and thick and do not
fizzle away and pretty much last the length of the bath
unless she is going for a record breaker. I used the Conditioning
Shampoo & Wash while in the tub and "no tears Mom!" just
smiles for she is still oohing and aweeeing over the
bubbles and barely knows the cleaning up part has even
taken place. Once finished we use the lotion and that locks
in the moisture that bath has given her for unlike the
chemical laden products we had before she comes out
all soft and silky and not stripped of her naturally perfect
baby skin she went in the tub with. Now the Soothing
Bottom Balm I have barely had a chance to use because
with the other products she is kept so soft and her skin
is so perfect she has not had a rash since I started using
it. There has been a couple of times her number 2 has
been a little tough for her and left her pink from effort so
I did use it to be safe and not sorry but a real need for
it I have yet to run across. There is not a doubt in my mind
though that if that day should come it will work wonders for
as well as the other items worked I know this will rock just
as well. I am in love with everyone of their items I have
tried. They were just fantastic!

I am looking forward to trying the other items they
make, the cleaning products the most for with their all
purpose cleaner and laundry liquid I don't think I can go
wrong and the men's items are also on my list for
I adore the fact they use Sage in them and it is
such a manly scent I know I will be totally impressed.
The Organic Bath Company has a great line of items and
I see them growing in leaps and bounds and not from
their products alone because they offer the full package.
Not only do they have great products the customer service
is off the charts. I really enjoyed speaking to them and
found them helpful and truly compassionate in what they
do and it is rare you run across a place that believes
in what they sell and you can tell by speaking to them
that they do. They are not only proud of what they
offer they stand behind their products and I am proud
to say that The Organic Bath Company is the first
Organic company to make my top ten list! Just read
through the criteria on that list and I can assure you
they meet every single one and more. Great prices,
great customer service, a fabulous product and they
go the whole nine yards to make sure you are just
as happy owning their items as they are making them.
I can picture their staff whistling while they work for
they are just a great company all around. They are
Snow White in an Organic forests and the Butterfly's
and Birds have already been signing their song and now
I am too! The Organic Bath Company is what I hope
to be a store that sets the standards for others because
it will be a much more healthy, happy and content world
if that is the case. The Organic Bath Company can sit on
the ledge of my tub anytime!

One of you can find out just how fantastic they are
too for The Organic Bath Company is going to give one
of my very lucky readers the same items they gave me.
To enter is easy, just head over to their site and take
a look around and then come back here and post something
you have learned in a comment. The contests will start
tonight and run to Midnight on May 8th.
USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day, every day, and then posting that you did here
and other ways to enter are posted below.


Organic Bath Co.




Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.


1. Become a follower of my blog or Twitter page
and post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times. You may only do this
one time! This is not a daily entry.


2. Tweet about my blog and post the link
here. 5 entries, please post five times. You
may do this once per day if you post a new
tweet. For Each Daily entry there must be a
tweet for that day!


3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
5 times. You may only do this one time!
This is not a daily entry.


4. Blog about this contest somewhere else
and post the link here. 5 Entries. Please
post five times. You may do this once per
day per new blog post! For each Daily entry
there must be a blog post for that day!






Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Radius Toothbrush and isABelt Contests!

Rowan loves her bath. Loves it! I wish it was
Summer time already for two reasons. The first is
if she is having this much fun in the bath tub I
can imagine how much fun she would have in the
pool. The other is you have to be so careful with
water temperature with an small child and I can't make
the water very warm so it cools so fast. When it
is Summer time the water will not cool so fast and
I also will not mind the water being cooler since
unlike now, I won't have to rush and get her warm
again so she doesn't catch a chill. Even with our
heat cranked the air gets chilly in the house and I
run to her room with her wrapped in 72 towels just
to get some warm Jammie's on her. In Summer time
and the fact the John is an Air Conditioning Fascist
not only will we linger by the cool water we might
skip the Jammie's all together since without the air
on our up-stairs turns into a sweat box. In the Summer
time Rowan will get to enjoy her bathes much longer then
now and I can't wait. She already would stay in there
all day now if I let her for she loves to play with
her water toys and to splash and has just found out
her splashing not only gets her wet but her Dad and
I and the Pooch who is the UN-official bath monitor
too. Now that is a fun game. As much as Rowan
loves her bath now she didn't always. The first three
months of her life were a totally different story and
month four was almost as bad if it wasn't for the fact
that towards the end she noticed a floating bath toy and
grabbed it and realized, "Hey, this isn't so bad!"
Before her realization she could also play in her bath
every bath pretty much went the same way. We would
get the water ready and then slip into her room to undress
her. As soon as the Diapers were removed she already knew
this was not a normal clothes change for we can do that
with a Diaper on and it wasn't a diaper change either for
we had all the clothes off. She would start to fuss before she
even left the changing table and by the time you picked her
up all naked she was in full panic for she knew for sure
what was coming now. As soon as she saw the tub the
screams would begin. I don't know why she felt that way.
I thought I was doing everything I could to help her and
I bought the best tub on the market for when she could not
sit up and as soon as she could I bought the best bath seat
on the market. I bought toys and Hooded towels that looked
like fun and every soap and shampoo out there that
promised to be soothing and still the screams like that water
itself was burning her. The Shampoo was acid and I felt
like we were Water Boarding her every time I rinse soap
off of her. If I would have had the tub I just reviewed things
might not have gotten so out of hand. I can kick my self
now for if I would have done a little research before I bought
a bath tub we might not have had to go through the speed
baths and donned ear plugs just to have a clean baby. Part
of the reason I think Rowan hated her baths so much was
the fact she was uncomfortable. Having her lay flat on
her back must have been scary for her and with water
flowing over her and her not being able to turn away or
really touch it she must have felt like she was plunged
into the unknown and helpless to save herself. Here she
was just a few month ago supported and comforted by warm
fluids she was floating in and the safest she would ever be
and feel in her entire life. The key words here are floating
and comforted for then she was surrounded and "comforted"
because she was "Floating" in "warmth" and now the baths
we were trying to give her were lukewarm at best and instead
of floating she was placed on her back with little fluid that was
cooling the very minute she was placed on the hard surface. Even
the tub I bought with the padded slope can't compete with the
complete immersion she felt safe in not long ago. I really wish I
had seen this next review when Rowan was a newborn for I
strongly feel after trying it I could have avoided the trauma we
went through at bath time the first few months of her life. I know
she enjoys it now but it took months and months of baby steps
to get to this point and if I had the Tummy Tub from day one
I feel she would have enjoyed and looked forward to her baths
from day one.

Unlike the tub I bought the Tummy Tub immerses her in
water up as far as her chin if that is your or your child's
preferences. Unlike the tub I bought the Tummy Tub simulates
the floating sensation she felt in the womb and maintains the
warmth better. Unlike the tub I bought she feels safer for she
is in a more in-closed space and not laying flat on her back,
exposed and uncomfortable. The Tummy Tub is designed to
allow your baby to bathe in an upright position like they were
prior to their birth so they are not suddenly jolted into an unfamiliar
world. The special design ensures they relax in that fetal position
and lets the baby be immersed in the water to shoulder level and
when the water is not all spread out like a typical baby tub
it stays warmer longer. When the babies feel warm they feel more
secure and are reassured and it allows them to relax. During
my research into the Tummy Tub ( Do you guys have any clue
how much research I do on a product I bring you? I swear, give
me a paper clip and I will spend hours making sure it is the
perfect clip before I ever even put it on the site!) I found that
it is especially helpful for Premature Babies. The Tummy Tub is
also a great tool when working with Colicky Babies for it is
excellent at helping them settle down and the relaxed state they
are in after their bath helps to them sleep.

The Tummy Tub offers perks for Mom and Dads to for it
helps induce a stress free bath for your baby and you won't have
to go through the trauma John and I did. Rowans early baths
for the first couple of months started with screaming the second she
was placed in the tub and turned into a speed race to get her
clean and dressed so we could calm her down. Neither of us
enjoyed bath time and we would go so far as to flip a coin to
see who had to do it for no parent wants to be in a room when
their child is red and screaming and sobbing uncontrollably as if they
are being tortured. It broke my heart for Andrew loved his bath
from day one and I tried everything to help her relax from toys to
music to aromatherapy even for I just could not handle the wails. It
also broke my heart to see how fast she became cold and unlike
the bath tub the baby tub does not allow for water to constantly flow
into it so there was no way for me to keep the water at a warm
comfortable level and when you take an inch or so of lukewarm water
to start with by the time you are removing her, no matter how fast
you go, it is already cold as ice and she shivered like I had just
went out and dipped her in the frozen Detroit River with the
guys from the Polar Bear Club. The Tummy Tub maintains the warmth
and I would not have ended up with a frozen Rowan Pop by
the end of the bath. Another bonus is the Tummy Tub fit right
under my sink and I didn't have to leave it in the bathtub for
storage like I did the other one for that was just too large to store
anywhere but a shelf in the basement. Let's face it, you don't
want to have to dig something you use every day out of the
basement. Even better, the Tummy Tub is more comfortable to
use then the standard Baby tubs. With the flat ones I had to
either place it in the bath tub where I was so hunched over I
felt my back cramp a minute into the bath or place it on the sink
and hope it stayed level for one little jostle could knock it
off balance. That teetering tub was about the most unsafe place
Rowan has been in since we brought her home. The Tummy Tub
has a wide brim and though for the review I put it in the bath
tub because I was taking pictures and I did not want little Miss
mess maker to dump water all over the floor while I was snapping
away on non-picture nights I just sat on the floor with the
tub between my legs and I could lean on the brim and wash her
and not only was she comfortable I was too. Jezz, the hardest part
about giving her a bath in that tub was now that Rowan is into
water I have to allow her time to play in it and I was all
leaning on that wide brim and found myself nodding off while I
waited for I was so comfortable. Good thing part of her routine is
to splash Mommy every couple of minutes or who knows, I might
have took a nap while she played. Now if you don't want to sit
on the floor but still want to be as comfy as I was they also sell
a stool that the tub can go on so you can sit in a chair right behind
or in front of them and it would pretty much be the same thing. So
my final thought on the comfort thing is not only does the baby
enjoy it more, make sure you have a cup off coffee first for you
might end up just as relaxed as they are for it is just so much
less stressful then other standard styles!

The Tub also has other perks like it is see through so you
can tell everything that is going on with baby. Now that Rowan is
in a bath seat my big complaint is I can not see under her belly
to make sure she is clean from the waste down. It drives me nuts
and though I know she can't be too dirty for hey, she doesn't go any
where, this Summer will be a different story. I am sure at some point
she will be barefoot out side or in the sand and I want to know if
she is clean after her bath. It also does not have any sharp edges.
The Flat Bath I bought is padded on the top but the curved edge is
not so friendly underneath and is sharp plastic. I almost cut myself
picking up a tub with too much water in it to dump in the bathtub
for the combination of the weight of the tub and the under edges dug
into my fingers. I can't imagine if Rowan were trying to get up and
grabbed those same edges for leverage and cut her little fingers.
Ouch and one mad mom!

The Tub also has an anti skid base and is fully recyclable and
uses less water for her own weight is what raises the water level
and therefor saves on energy. It is also lighter to lift and dump
and was a lot better for my back then the other tub I could
barely lift. Plus the whole heavy almost cut my finger thing.
I think what hooked me is the fact is was a familiar feeling
for Rowan and if I had used this since day one I believe she
would not have had that early fear of the water and I would
not have had those months of stress filled bath time and she
would have had a much easier time making the transition from
baby tub to big girl bath. Some kids have a really hard time
making that transition in general and that's okay too for another
difference from that infant tub I bought and the Tummy Tub is
you can use it to they are 35 pounds. So even a 2 or 3 year
old can use the tub though a lot of kids ache for that big baby
bath feeling once they start moving around and become more
independent and with the Tummy Tub that might even be faster
then normal for the buoyancy encourages these kids to stand
faster and we all know what happens when a child learns to
stand, walking and independence are right behind! So if you are
looking to have your child feel safe right from birth, an enjoyable
bath time experience for both of you and encourage their own
sense of discovery and independence then a Tummy Tub holds
a lot of weight when making the right choice! I really love ours
and my only complaint is I didn't have it 7 months ago and
I can't turn back the clock. I feel blessed Rowan is so found of
the bathtub now but if I could have spared the drama for her and
my benefit I would have and this was just the item I needed to
do the trick!


Tummy Tub!




By the way, you guys can buy the Tummy Tub at select stores but
I recommend buying on line. A friend of mine really wanted one
when she found out I was doing a review for one because her child
has some really bad sleeping issues and her Doctor recommended one
for her child so I tried to find one close by. I searched my area and
there were no stores within a 100 miles and it is so much more easy
to just grab one on-line. I have an Amazon link right at the side of
the page and you can get some pretty good deals there!

Fisher Price


From the day we brought Rowan home she could not
be close enough to us. We bought a bassinet and
set it up in our room but the only place to set it
was a good ten feet from our bed.
A whole ten feet!
Do you have any idea how far that is to a new mother?
You might as well put that baby ten miles away for
to a new mom it will seem just about the same distance.
Now I never professed to you guys to have good advice
on Parenting. I know products, yes! I can shop, yeap!
I can sniff out a good deal, uh uh! I have no problem
finding unique and interesting gift ideas at fabulous
prices, yes mam'. I can even wrap my head around tec
gadgets and geeky gear and since I am a big gadget geek
myself I am usually pretty good at finding the latest
stuff and most of the time I know all about what is in
the pipes for the future too. I am also a gamer, maybe
not as big of one as my son but I know enough about
video games and video game systems to make some pretty
good recommendations there. But parenting advice? Well
guys, I pretty much learn as I go along with you. I used
to have a pretty good grip on what was considered the
appropriate way to deal with a certain circumstance but
just like technology, things change super fast in the
world of child rearing. Doctors and experts change
their mind faster then you can read their latest book
of advice. And just like everyone else I tend to bend
the so called rules when they do not work for me. The
Bassinet was one I bent for I could not stand her being
so far from me. I tried cramming it right next to
the bed but there really was no room and even when she
needed a nap I had a whole other world of problems for
I could not stand the thought of her being in another
room while she napped and spending my whole day lording
over her and sitting next to her while she slept was
just unpractical. For a while we turned her stroller into
a makeshift Bassinet for the living room but that thing
takes up so much space and we were tripping over it left
and right for we had to get one of the big models and
the only place to put it was right in the entrance to the
kitchen and it was so in the way there. So I broke bunches
of rules that will have some of you shaking your head
and others going that sounds like a good idea for all the
reading I did on the subject let me know people in general
are mixed on the idea of having your child in the bed with
you at night. This started when she had been home for like
a week. I just could not bear the thought of her being so
far away from us and her sleeping was so sporadic I was also
taking naps when she did for those middle of the night feedings
got the best of me. One afternoon I was sitting in the
bed rocking her for a nap and my arms grew tired so I
laid her down next to me and was rubbing her tummy and next thing
I know we were both waking up. We had also slept about 4 hours
and the was the longest stretch she had ever slept since she
had been home. When you have been living on one and two hour stretches
of sleep for the last couple of weeks and maybe getting 5 total
a day, four hours and four hours straight, seems like a slice
of heaven. After that there just wasn't any turning back and
soon John was sleeping in Rowan's room on the twin bed in there
for I was afraid he would roll on her for he is the deepest
sleeper ever and here I am 8 months later wishing I had toughed
out those first few weeks for it is almost imposable to
get her to take a nap without me being there with her.
I really love being so close to her but I also would
now like for her to sleep in her own room and dread the fight
that transition is bound to be. I wish I would have found
another way to have her close to me at the start and I regret
thinking that what was available to me when Andrew was a baby
would be the same now. I knew there were a lot of new products
out there and did have some of them but I didn't really spend
a lot of time looking. The upgrades I had bought were ones I
had seen my friends with over the last 15 years. For example
Andrew didn't have a bouncy seat, per say, he had a seat that
if you wanted it to bounce you had to do it yourself. Rowan had
one that all I did was push a button and it not only bounced it
played music. They also have the combo things were your baby
can sleep, play in and it has a changing table too. Those are
pretty awesome and I did want one of those but a friend gave me
a changing table before I bought one and after that it just seemed
redundant. The next item I just got for review and I will tell
you what, this is my big regret for if I had went and looked
at the baby items instead of just making a list of things
I needed from my memories of when Andrew was little I would have
seen this then and not be in the pickle I am in now.

 The Fisher Price Newborn Rock and Play Sleeper. Wow, this is
perfect for my needs and would have been incredible when Rowan
was a newborn and though I am still using it now for naps I wish
with my whole heart I had it 8 months ago. The Rock and Play is
as comfortable as the bouncy seat but unlike being flat on the
ground where you would have a hard time reaching her in the middle
of the night this raises up so she is right next to your bed at
a comfortable level. Unlike the bassinet that was so far away
I would have to get up and check on her in the middle of the night
I can keep this right next to my bed for it is the perfect size
and fits just about anywhere. In fact it reminds me of a cradle
in design but more compact and easy to move and not nearly as
heavy. My main issue with the Bassinet was it was just too
big to have right next to the bed and even if I had squeezed it in
I would have had to sit up for the sides were so high I could not
see her. With the Rock and Play I can slide it right next to
the bed and all I have to do is roll towards her and I get a
complete and unobstructed view and just reach over to touch her.
It is like having a mini extension of the bed right where you
need it and big enough for Baby.

The Rock and Play also well, Rocks. A light push has it
swaying and comforting your baby as she drifts off to sleep.
It is also built on a slight incline so your baby feels as comfortable
and secure as they do in Moms arms. I liked how Rowan could drift
off with me and I could slip her in and she didn't even notice
the switch. Before I would lay her down and just the fact she
was flat on her back was enough to wake her. No more! It is also
super easy to tote around and put together. I didn't have to wait
for the boys to build it for me or get it together for it was
so simple I could do it with Rowan sitting there in her walker
cheering me on. It also comes with an soft blanket and an adorable
elephant toy. All the fabric is super soft and breathable so
baby wont get all sweaty and sticky even in the warmest of months
and there is even a pocket on the end for storage. I really loved
that for Rowan is really fond of this portable light that
shines on the ceiling and plays music and in the bed I am always
looking for a spot it will stand up right and not fall down and
here it fits perfect in the pocket and is in easy reach. The part
I liked best is it is a snap to fold up and move and this could
not have came at a better time for my Mother is having surgery
this week and I am going to have to stay at her house with
her pets while she is there and I was a little worried about
Rowan for I have a pack and play but that is the same issue as
her Bassinet was for she is down to far and can't see Mom's
face and this packs up way more easy then the pack and play
and takes up a lot less space and is perfect for this trip
for I can put her right next to me on the couch while my
mother is recouping and she can see me as well as if she is laying
in the bed next to me. This has got to be one of the best products
ever and I really wish I had it when she was born for I would
most likely have her in her crib by now for she would be used to
sleeping an a bed without me. My only complaint is Rowan will
not be able to fit in it much longer and I would love if they
made one like this for older babies for travel and naps for
this is so perfect I would much rather use this all the time
when she is older instead of the bulky pack and play. As it
stands I will keep her in this as long as I can and hopefully
by the time she will not fit I can put her right in the crib
and I believe this might have saved me from my tough road ahead.

The Fisher Price Newborn Rock and Play is a must have item for
new Moms and Dads and is a super good value for the price is
also one that can't be beat. For what I payed for a bassinet
and a pack and play I could have bought 5 of these and the
quality is first rate too! My final review! If you are pregnant
or have a new born at home, run and grab one now for you will
not regret it the Rock and Play Rocks!


Fisher Price

Fisher Price Newborn Rock and Play Sleeper

Alright there guys, now I know you know that I
know that you know we all know I just did a review
for bECO a little while ago. Well I just love that
carrier and could not stop raving about it. Come on
over to my house and talk to my friends and neighbors
and even the mail man and UPS guy and they will
tell you have I have been going on and on about it.
You know me, give me something good and now you
are stuck listening to me ramble on. I just can't help it.
When I like a product I have to spread the news. Now
the mail man is doing some sort of Mission Impossible
thing to stay out of my site right now for he is like 60
and could care less how great I think any item let alone
a Baby Carrier is. I don't think he appreciated the
demonstration I did on Rowans stuffed animal where I
tried to help him understand how the bECO Carrier was
kind to this part of my back and that part and so on
and so forth. Hey, we were snowed in last week and
I take my captive audience where I can get it. Lucky
for me the UPS guy and I go way back and for a couple
of cookies he heard me out and suggested I tell the
people over at bECO how I felt before I ambushed the
FedEx guy for he is not nearly as friendly and isn't a
fan of cookies and I had no time to bake a Pineapple
Upside Down Cake. So I did!

Now they might have gotten the mad stalker vibe from me at
bECO but I had to tell them how happy I was. Rowan is putting
on the pounds and she also has the nerve to expect me to
still carry her and truth be told my back "WAS" lodging some
pretty loud complaints. The fit and comfort I got from my bECO
Carrier has shhhhhhhhhhh'ed my back and come Spring I might
even take up jogging for this is the first time since Rowan hit
double digits on the scale I have been able to cart her around
without having to take a bath in Ben Gay! So with the advice
of my Cookie Loven UPS man I sent them an email or ten
and let them know. They were super to me and might I say,
very patient and offered to let me give a Lenka to one of you
guys! I didn't even have to send them cookies! Now you
guys should remember the details but I will stick the link
for the review for you in case you need a refresher, hey, test on
Monday guys! I am tickled pink to be able to have
this giveaway! As you guys know bECO is one of the top
brands today offering style, support, adaptability and comfort
and I was lucky to be able to do a review for them because
with my back I need more then just "another" carrier. When I
first toted Rowan around in a carrier it was an old one I had
around the house and I just dusted it off thinking any old carrier
would work. I had that impression for a couple of reasons but
soon found out I had been living with antiquated ideas when it
came to baby wearing. With Andrew I would not call it main stream
and the carrier I had was simply used for outdoor activity's when
a stroller was not possible on the terrain. Now we know a lot more
of the benefits and using one has become a part of life for many
parents. Now we know wearing your baby aids with:
Helping Babies Grow and Thrive
Reduces Infant Mortality, SIDS
Soothes Crying and Colic
Encourages Mental Development
Reduces Incidences of Post-Partum Depression
Better Bonding = Easier Discipline
and is also fun and a great way to get out and move with your
child and enjoy the day. Increased time means increased strain on
your back though and my relic just wasn't going to make the grade
with my ouchies and my frequent walks with Rowan and the Pooch. It
wasn't more then a week on the calendar before I was out and
searching for a better one and I took quiet a few strolls around the
block before I settled on carrier that was right for me. Don't get
me wrong, I went on a lot of nice test drives with other brands but
bECO was the one who won me over in the end. Not only was there
style and when I say style I mean fashion sense, my cup of tea
they also were perfect for my aching body and before I made my
bECO such a large part of my life I even went as far as to take mine
to my doctor and Physical therapist. The results, my PT who just
got married over the Summer had me jotting down the web site
information because they were in the process of trying for a baby and
she wanted one for herself. My Doc let me know that she thought
the large, secure waist belt and shoulder straps would be perfect
for me and allow me the support I need. Her only concern was I
wear sunscreen in case I lost track of time while I was outside
enjoying the day! SOLD! And you guys will be too once you
get a chance to try it! I have pretty much told the guys over
at bECO I will be back for more until I get a chance to try
everything in their arsenal, I was that impressed! Besides, when
I saw the bECO mini in the pony I knew Rowan had to have
one too!

Now you guys can get your hands on one and one of my readers
is going to win a bECO Lenka all of their own. To enter just head
over to their site and take a look around then come back here and
post something you have learned in a comment. The contest will
start tonight and run to Midnight on April 12th. You will be wearing
your baby just in time for spring!
USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day and other ways to enter are posted below.

bECO


Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.

1. Become a follower of my blog or
post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times.

2. Enter any of my other contest. I entry
per contest, separate post for each entry.

3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
5 times.

4. Blog about this contest somewhere else
and post the link here. 5 Entries Please
post five times.

5. Tweet about this contest elsewhere. 5 entries
please post five times.

Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Mommy Tool Box and Port a Pong Contests!

Rowan has been starting to rock! I have to say the
first time I saw her get her groove on I had to laugh
for it was so funny. I am not so proud of how it came
about but the results, Hilarious! Rowan is HOOKED on
Sesame Street and Barney. Not all of it, just the signing
and Elmo. Elmo a lot. How it started was I needed to
get some dishes done and the little baby would not
stop seeking Mommy's attention. I have told you guys
how bad it is with her always wanting to be with me
but you can not understand to it happens to you. This is
constant. What I am doing she has to be in on. It was
cute at first but she has re-set my cell phone about a
dozen times now, don't ask how for I have to pull out
the manual to undo what she does and she is not just
happy to be there when you are doing something she has
to touch and do too. She is soooooooo stubborn. When it
comes to items that are not just annoying to me but dangerous
to her I can't have her right there. Take cooking for instance,
the flame would be touched, the knife grabbed. I can't do that,
so one morning when I was doing dishes I knew I couldn't have
her right there for it would have been a recipe for disaster with
the water as hot as it was. I set her down and right away she
lodged her complaints. LOUD. I sat down in Play Area number one,
that would be the living room play area and tried to talk sense into
her. This was met with some Mommy Hair yanking and a few half
hearted smiles and I thought we had an accord when she lost interest
in torturing me and went for a toy. I slowly got up, one foot in front
of the
WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Okay, new game plan. I grabbed the remote, she grabbed it
from me. I grabbed the spare for I already have a child and this
is not my first time at the Rodeo. I flipped as fast as I could hoping
for something innocuous for her just to buy myself 15 minutes and
there was Sesame Street. Now I didn't mean to turn her into a TV
Baby, I just wanted 15 minutes but all it took was Elmo and his darn
theme song to drag her in. Not only did I get my 15 minutes I
got another 20 to myself and yes, it is like a drug, the me time,
and I did it again. Now the kid is hooked. Even when she is not
watching it she has to have the music in the background. Rowan
has also learned to shake her head yes and no and this is where
the funny is. I had her in play area one and I was clipping some
coupons. Rowan had Barney on and though he is not Elmo to her
she likes the tunes there too and all of a sudden Baby Bop had
a number. She fills the screen and I can hear her and she starts
asking kids, Do you want to sing with me?
I look at Rowan who is Shaking her head.
"Do you want to dance with me?"
More shakes.
The music starts and the little girl who is only just learning to
crawl is rocking out. Bouncing around and Squealing like it
is the best thing in the world and bringing the house down. After
that it was all over. In her high chair she dances. In her walker,
she dances. Just holding onto the side of the couch and a commercial
comes on with a beat, there she goes. So the girl has rhythm. Might
as well go with it. When I got the chance to do a review for
Rock Me Baby Records I knew I had to jump.
Shake
Twist and Roll! Why not, Rowan will!

She is in love. That little girl yearns for it now. Other then
a daily Elmo fix she has forgotten about TV and has now acquired
rights to the stereo. Even at bed time. Rock Me Baby has the
best Children's Lullaby CD and Rowan can't get enough. I put
it on for her every single night and she will lay there through one
whole play before she even slightly allows herself to drift off. And,
unlike the daytime Ditty's she listens too, with the Lullaby's she
is still and quiet and just listens. My only complaint is somewhere
during the second play she drifts off but if I do not play it three
times she will wake right back up like 30 seconds after the 2ND
time through ends. Somehow she knows. If I let it go through three times
she is down for the count. Sometimes though I like to walk on the
wild side and tempt fate and not rush over after two, BIG MISTAKE!
Then I have to start over from scratch and do it all again. 3 is
the magic number. The songs are classics but I could not get
over how soothing they sound. The singer has the voice of an
Angel and you can ask my Mother, I will tell her I will call her
back after I lay Rowan down for a nap, now little Baby Baby is
you know, CLINGY, so I have to sit there with her naps during the
day and since I am on the computer when she naps in my room anyway
it is just more easy to lay her on my bed and lay with her to she
falls asleep. Since we have been playing the Lullaby themes, sleepy
dreams CD I lay with her as always, but instead of waiting to
the little Mommy manipulator falls asleep then climbing out and
getting some blogging done, next thing I know we are both waking
up.
"Whah!" I am 40 years old, surely I am immune to a Lullaby
CD. These guys are good! After that I get the joy of explaining to
my Mother that yes, I fell asleep again!
Now during the up and at sessions we got some movement
going on. Rowans little tubby legs are a bouncing, the smile is
a grinnen, the baby is a rock-en! She just loves it. Now these
Cd's have her so hooked on music anytime she hears anything
resembling music she has got to dance. The cell phone rings,
Boom boom boom, Mommy WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! Were off!
Now I was hoping she might pick up some of the musical
skill from Johns side of the family but I didn't know it was
going to overrun my life before she was 8 months. Is this
how Ginger Rogers started? One can only hope, for if she has
talent I hope it is truck loads for Baby owes Mommy a mansion
after all the naps I was forced to take listening to the ever so
hypnotizing Lully Themes for Sleepy Dreams. Rock Me Baby
Records has the tunes for all your tots and if you have a twinkle
toes like I do I suggest you head on over for they not only
have the classics they also have Rhymes, Holiday and some
for travel. It looks like I will be amassing them all for my
little dancing queen and maybe I will see you guys out on the
dance floor!
I happen to have an extra one for a reader. One of you
guys can win a Children Songs Cd that has 38 of Baby's and
Toddlers Favorites. To enter just head over to their site and
take a look around then come back here and post it in a comment.
The contest will start tonight and run to midnight on April 11th.
USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day and other ways to enter are posted below.

Rock Me Baby Records

Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.

1. Become a follower of my blog or
post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times.

2. Enter any of my other contest. I entry
per contest, separate post for each entry.

3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
5 times.

4. Blog about this contest somewhere else
and post the link here. 5 Entries Please
post five times.

5. Tweet about this contest elsewhere. 5 entries
please post five times.

Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Mommy Tool Box and Port a Pong Contests!