NY Baby Show 2017 was the best yet!

Last Sunday at bedtime, I asked K3 what his favorite part of the day was. After spending a busy day in the city, there was a lot to consider.  He answered, "the baby show," and when I asked him why, he told me, "the people".  Of course I thought that was so sweet and adorable, but the more I thought about it that night, the more I understood how great the day was for him.  At every single stop in the huge expo hall, someone was giving him a compliment or a treat.  He got to play with a lot of new, fun baby gear, and everybody gave him tons of attention.

Here are some highlights and favorites from the day.

This was our first stop when we got inside the show, and K3 had to be bribed away from this table.  There's just something about new books.

The Pello was something that I could see all of my boys lounging on as well as something that would be convenient to pop the baby in when I'm doing laundry, getting dressed, or whatever.  I like how easy it was to carry and how soft it was.  I may just have to get one for the dog too, because she will totally try to claim it!

Trips to Fire Island would be made so much easier if I had this set up. The design of this Austlen stroller is gorgeous and the storage capacity is outrageous.  Plus, they just released beach wheels, so we could take it right down on the sand.

This Summer Infant potty had K3 captivated.  It looks like a big boy potty, it makes a flushing sound, and it was filled with chocolates.  I love that it had a built in wipe dispenser and is easy to clean.

Other favorites include Goumikids (the sweetest organic mits, booties, and sleepers- I will definitely be stocking up for the baby),  Littlebeam nursing pillows (small enough to easily tote around, use in the car, etc.), Savor (easy to organize keepsake storage), Storksak (diaper bags that would make me feel grownup and pulled together), and the thing I totally cannot wait to get into my house- Dirty Soap. It's a hand soap that changes colors when you've scrubbed enough.  I don't know about you, but my kids are known to squirt soap in their hands and rinse it off before they even get a good lather. This is a game changer!

 And of course it was a gorgeous day, so we ended it with a walk around the neighborhood.

 

*Disclosure: I was provided with free passes for the show and was compensated for this post.  All opinions are our own.

Tuesday Tip #3: Once Upon a Child

I had heard of Once Upon a Child, and I know some of my friends have sold items to our local store, but I had never been inside one before this past weekend.


After realizing that O had outgrown the bouncy seat my mom had bought for her house, she had talked to me about getting some kind of entertainer.  On Sunday, we were driving out to spend time at their camper at the beach, and we were going right past Once Upon a Child. (They have locations all over, so check their website.)  We parked, Hubby stayed in the car with the boys, and before I even went in, I was waving at him to look at a fancy double stroller on the sidewalk.  (I really wish I hadn't done that because all I have heard for the past two days is how we could have saved a ton and had a nicer stroller.)


I'll admit that I can be a bit of a snob when it comes to buying things for my babies, but this place was CLEAN.  And everything looked new.  If I had all day, I may have browsed up and down every aisle.  I may or may not have told hubby that I want to go back with him alone next time we have a babysitter.

I left with this exersaucer for $45, and it's actually cleaner and in better shape than the one at my house I got new for JD.

We also scored this walker for $20, which is a big improvement over this one.  His feet actually reach the floor!

And it tastes good!

All of the infant clothes still have tags on them (the only way they accept them), they had every toy, book, bike, and fancy bouncer or swing, and they are super selective about what they accept to sell.  I was told that they check everything for recalls and make sure each toy works and has all the pieces.


If you are looking to unload some of your baby gear, they pay you 30-50% of what they sell the item for.  Not too shabby!

Friday Favorite: Travel Edition

While preparing for our trip, it hit me that I would need a safe way to bathe the boys.  In the past, when we were on vacation with JD, we would just hold him in the shower or give him a little sponge bath, but now he has a mind of his own and doesn't like showers.  Hotel tubs gross me out a bit, and I don't know what kind of harsh cleaners they use in them.  I asked twitter, and heard about this ducky bath.

I was a little nervous about JD fitting in it comfortably, but some of the reviewers online said that they used it with older toddlers, so we decided to give it a try.

O was a little nervous at first.

But he warmed up to it :)

A squeaky clean JD

 

They loved it. JD especially loved that it quacked.  I liked that it could easily be deflated and packed for our next destination.  The only negative was that it was small (We had to refresh JD's water mid-bath to make sure he was really getting clean), but any bigger and it would have taken up more precious suitcase space.
Overall, I think that keeping our bedtime routine as normal as possible (most nights) helped the boys sleep well in the hotels which made the trip better for us all!

Diaper Buds Review & Giveaway

I was sent a pack of DiaperBuds to try during our travels, and they are so cool!  They are basically vacuum-packed diapers that are 70% smaller than a regular diaper.  They come individually wrapped, so they stay nice and clean in your bag. 

JD checking it out.

Before they are unwrapped, they can also be used as an impromptu ball :)

These would be perfect for any outing, but especially the beach.  Everything in my beach bag ends up wet and full of sand, and those are not good traits for a diaper!  I will also use these when I am running out quickly and don't think I need the big diaper bag.  Tossing one of these in my purse for an emergency will give me piece-of-mind, and I don't have to worry about it getting all gross from floating around free in my purse.  They would also be a great addition to a baby shower gift basket or a wishing well.


There is a 22 sec. video on their site that shows exactly how it works.






This giveaway has ended

A Friday Favorite (Travel Edition): The Tie Chair

Our first long distance travel experience with JD was a trip to Florida.  Hubby  attended a conference for the first half of the trip, so we chilled in the hotel for most of the day.  JD had just started solids and was just starting to sit up unassisted, so I was a bit nervous about how I would feed our squirmy child without a highchair.

I scored the Tie Chair from BabySteals, and it solved the problem!  

Daddy & JD practicing at home pre-travel.

If you are super crafty, you could probably make your own.  The back is shaped like a pillow case, and it even fit over the super wide desk chair in the hotel.  The fabric goes up between his legs and then ties around his torso.  It holds him just as well as a highchair would. 

We also used it on a trip to Texas.  It was perfect for dining on hotel balconies.

We are bringing it on this trip for O (even though he has not started solids yet) just to have somewhere to put him without worrying about him rolling off the bed or being on the floor.


Anyone have a travel highchair that they like?

Bright Starts Comfort and Harmony Cradling Bouncer

While Hubby was away last week, I stayed at my parents' for a couple days.  Even though they have a crib, toys, and highchair for JD, there was still a ridiculous amount of packing to do for the boys. (I was reminded that before they were born, the dog used to have an overnight bag. Now she's lucky if I remember her leash and food.)  My mom asked what else she could get for their house that would be a big help as far as future visits.  We decided on sippy cups and Little People Blocks for JD (and they also got him a Cozy Coupe to tool around in- but that's just them spoiling) and something to put O down in when he wasn't in a carrier.  Mom picked up Bright Starts Comfort and Harmony Cradling Bouncer, and it was a hit!  

Yes, we are still loving the sock-ons!

The adjustable toy bar was within his reach, and we spent a lot of time watching him successfully grab at the giraffe.  It reclines in 2 positions, it's 7 songs have volume control, and it automatically bounces itself if he's being too lazy to kick his legs!  This is yet another baby item that I wish came in adult size.  It looks super cozy!

I'm Developing a Baby Carrier Obsession

It all started with the Bjorn. We registered for one because everyone registers for one. Hubby likes it, but it hurt my back and shoulders. Plus I didn't like the whole "hanging from the groin" thing, so I didn't let hubby carry JD that way for any significant amount of time. The only time we really used it for longer than 15 minutes was in Disney.

Look how excited he is!

We didn't bring a stroller, which I strongly recommend for Disney, and the bjorn made going on rides (and waiting on lines) bearable.

He rode the tea cups in it.

He napped in it.

He fell asleep for the night in it.

He did NOT meet Mickey in it.  We didn't want you to think he was banished to it all day!

Around that time, I was also getting into my Maya Wrap, and I wrote about it here.  

We walked all over Tampa in it.

Now with Baby O, I am expanding!  Right after he was born, I fell in love with the Moby.  

I started this post trying to take pics of myself- it didn't last long.

The only down side of this is that is is CONSTANTLY in the wash.  He spits up at least once every time he is in it.  Does anyone else have this problem?

He spit up 3 times while I was trying to get a pic.

I also got this cheeper, smaller sling carrier.  My thought process was that it would be great to keep in my bag, but it's really not that practical because it's not adjustable in any way, and O doesn't like it (probably because he is too long to fit in it in an infant carry, but this doesn't quite work for much else).

I wasn't thrilled with this pic, but I couldn't torture him any longer.

Our newest addition is the Ergo Baby Sport.  Hubby really wanted something that we could use to carry O & JD, and he heard good things about the Ergo from a friend.  So far, so good.

We also got the teething covers so we don't have to wash as often.  They are not only for teething- they can catch drool and spit up.

And JD likes it!

Look!  Hubby can take care of both of them! (JD likes hiding in the sleeping hood.)

He didn't think I could hold both.  Of course I can, and I do it without a carrier, too!

What is your favorite carrier?  If you have a carrier post, link it  :)

My Response to Yesterday's Post's Comments (Because I am Frustrated That I Can't Respond to Them)

My diaper bag is awesome.  I wrote about my love for it here. And I definitely don't drag it everywhere!  When I went to pack it before this post, the last time I had used it was 2 weeks before when we packed it for Owen's baptism.  I just stock it every few weeks and then forget it at home leave it in the car.  I should have been a boy scout.  I literally can't sleep if I am not 110% ready for the next day.  We have a trip planned for March, and I am on my 3rd edit of my packing list. (When I was a kid, my favorite book was From the Mixed-Up Files of Ms. Basil E. Frankweiler, and I used to make detailed lists of what I would bring if was going to run away to a museum. Deranged.  I know.)   
Today I was gone alllllllll day, and I only pulled out diapers, bibs (both boys are major droolers- I hope they get over it by kindergarten) a couple toys, and snacks. (And I couldn't fit the diaper thing back in once I pulled it out, so that's on the front seat of my car right now.)

For every day use, I have the JL Childress Cups 'N Cargo Stroller Organizer clipped to my stroller.
 

I stole this pic from Amazon.  It is too late and I am too tired to get the real one out of the car.  That is not my stroller or my 1999 cell phone.

In it, I have diapers, wipes, and hand sanitizer. Of course, when I reached in today to grab the hand sanitizer, it was frozen, and so were the wipes.  I guess I shouldn't leave it in the trunk.


The biggest issue here for me is the comments about me being so prepared.  That was eye opening, because no matter how I stuff my diaper bag, when I am out with other moms, I always feel like I don't have what I should.  I am constantly feeling unprepared.  Why don't I have a sippy cup?  Why don't I have his favorite book? His stuffed cat? Pajamas?  A flask? I have a ton of stuff, but I never seem to have what I really need for the situation.  Someday I'll get it right.

Diaper Bag Tour!

I am prepping my diaper bag for an epic outing tomorrow with both boys, and I thought it was a perfect time to share with you what exactly I have floating around in there.  It was also a great opportunity to clean out things I don't need (toddler can eat more things, so I don't need as many new-eater snacks) and trade out the spare clothes. (Toddler no longer fits in 12 months clothes! That could have been bad if he needed to change!)

In the small outer pockets: Travel sized lotions and cremes (you can never have too much Aquaphor), Tide-to-go pen, Madela Micro-Steam Bag, smooshed Nutri-grain bar, tissues, empty plastic bags, pacifier clip, and Booginhead SippiGrip Cup, Bottle and Toy Tether

In the bigger outer pocket: pad of paper, stickers, Crayola Twistables Crayons, straws, and my favorite hand sanitizing wipes by BabyGanics

Inside pockets: big plastic sheet I stole from a garden center, disposable placemats, more tissues, those blue pads we used to house train our puppy, disposable bibs, Take & Toss spoons, and my Udder Cover

In the big mess that is the rest of the inside: Extra outfits for the boys, receiving blankets, burp cloths, and bibs

diaper changing bag with changing pad, 2 different size diapers, travel pack of wipes, and more travel size creams.

and finally, the life savers: Manual Breast Pump and bottles, small books, Alphaberry , Boogie Wipes , infant rattle, shaker egg, smiley soccer ball, Mini Trucks, Jammy Sammy , Plum Organics snack, and GoGo SqueeZ Applesauce Pouche

So what am I missing?  I'm hoping for comments that go something like: "OMG! You need x, y, & z!  They make my life 10x easier!" Because I need easier!


*Some of the links here go through my amazon associates account, where I have yet to make a dime.