Must Have Toddler Shoes from Max & Ola

Disclosure- We received the below in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are our own and honest.

Finding adorable and functional shoes for a just starting to walk toddler can be a little tricky. I must say that I absolutely love these adorable moccasins from Max & Ola.

About Max & Ola

“Just as we must protect and care for our earth, so we must protect and care for our children” 

At Max & Ola’s, they are dedicated to the safety and welfare of the planet, and the health and happiness of children.

They make baby shoes and baby apparel in the time-honored tradition; with their hands & their hearts, using only certified, non-toxic materials. We start with the finest materials they can find, and then they do their best to make sure these are processed as naturally as possible, without harsh chemicals, so they can keep our environment and our children healthy. They believe you should not put anything on your baby that the earth doesn’t know how to produce organically.

They are a business within a family, and when they say “our family” – they mean their family, your family, and the family of man, and so they honor the ideals of fair-trade and social responsibility. Fairness, honesty, and integrity are the paradigms of their company and their mission statement, and they prectice the principles they believe in.

“When we make shoes for your little ones – we make them the same way we make shoes for our little ones, for your children are our children, and our children are yours.”

About TOT Moccasins:

Sueded and ultra-soft baby moccasins! The plush “Tot Moccasins” are ultra-sturdy and ultra-easy to slip on and off chubby little feet – yet stay firmly in place when you want them to! An ideal lighter shoe for Pre-Walkers and First Walkers, thanks to the special rubberized “pebbles” inset in the soles. Max & Ola’s “Tot Moccasins” actually facilitate the “learning to walk” stage, giving your baby the traction they need to stand and toddle forward without slipping.

The inner and outer linings of the hand-stitched baby moccasins are made of fine Italian goat leather that’s been vegetable tanned (no chromium) – so that they’re hypo-allergenic and healthy for sensitive little feet, with or without socks. Rubberized pebbles also protect the bottom of the shoes from dirt and soil at the same time.

Features:

  • Suede leather & sole
  • Soft leather lining
  • Chromium free leather
  • Rubber grips
  • Slips on

My Thoughts:

I absolutely love these Moccasins. They are adorable and completely functional. My little girl actually has incredibly small feet so she’s just getting close to wearing them, but I do have a friend with a daughter that has a little bit bigger feet and she loved trying on the shoes and wearing them all around the house. Both of the girls loved the color of them and were constantly trying to put them on their own feet. I know these are just my first pair, but I definitely am wanting to get some of the boots of the other new adorable styles that they have to offer.

Purchase:

If you are interested in purchasing these adorable Tot Moccasins or any other great shoes that Max & Ola has to offer, head on over to their website and find some that are perfect for the Tot in your life :).

 

Must have Baby Gifts from Summer Infant

Disclosure- We received the below in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are our own and honest.

As you know by now I have another little one at home. Finding toys and items that are perfect for them can sometimes be tricky. I must admit that everything I have from Summer Infant that I have used with the all 3 of my daughters have been some of our favorite items.

About Summer Infant:

Summer Infant strives to delight moms and babies, and walk beside them in their parenting journey by providing you with safe and innovative products that provide peace of mind.

Summer Infant is dedicated to developing the safest and most innovative products that stand the test of time. Rest assured that every Summer product, from the crib to the bathtub and everywhere in between has been designed, developed, crafted, and created with integrity, ingenuity, and safety in mind. They work closely with professionals and including pediatricians, child developments experts, and lactation consultants to ensure that they are safe and beneficial to the development of your child.

You and your baby are important to Summer Infant.

About Mommies Melodies Bear:

You can now soothe your little one easily to sleep with Mommies Melodies. This endearing character is super soft and features 6 lullabies, nature, and womb sounds. The Cry Activated Module turns on your last setting when baby wakes up. The hook and loop strap lets baby take this soft and cuddly companion on the go. It conveniently hooks on cribs, strollers, car seats, bassinets, playards, and more.

My Thoughts: With the constant movement of a house with 3 children it is helpful to have the wonderful Mommies Melodies. I love that there are 6 lullabies, nature, and womb sounds to choose from. I must admit however that my absolute favorite feature of the Mommies Melodies is definitely the Cry Activated Module. I love that it starts working again at just the right moment 🙂

About Kiddopotamus Jiggypotamus:

The Jiggypotamus is the perfect toy to get your baby movin’ and groovin’! Just give him a squeeze and he will giggle and shake all around to excite and entice your baby. This little guy will have everyone laughing and playing in no time, not to mention creeping and crawling! Hip Hipp – O – Ray!

My Thoughts: What a fun and cute toy. My daughter absolutely loves to play and dance with her Jiggypotamus. This is a very fun toy for any child to play with and will definitely brighten their mood.

Purchase:

If you are interested in purchasing any of these great products, head on over to Summer Infant and find the best place for you to purchase them.

WIN – Baby Magic & Boudreaux’s Butt Paste

Disclosure- We received the below in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are our own and honest.

Finding Great products that you can use Day in and Day out with your little one is very important, but can be very tricky. These must have baby items from Baby Magic and Boudreaux’s will be sure to leave you completely satisfied.

About Baby Magic:

Baby Magic is a true legacy brand – they believe in a tradition, and that nothing bonds parents together like shared experiences. Take comfort in knowing that when you bathe your little one with Baby Magic, that just a few short years ago your parents were probably doing the same. For 65 years, they’ve been creating magical baby smiles from one generation to another, and bonds that last a lifetime.

About Baby Bath Time:

This wonderful Baby Magic Original Hair & Body Wash has the original scent that moms have loved for generations. This easy-rinse baby wash is gently formulated to preserve the natural moisture of your baby’s skin, and is enhanced with vitamins for extra care.

About Original Baby Lotion:

The Baby Magic Original Baby Lotion is a rich, creamy, non-greasy lotion formulated to absorb quickly, while softening and nourishing your baby’s skin. This hypoallergenic baby lotion formula is mild enough for baby’s sensitive skin, and enhanced with vitamins A and E to help retain the natural moisture of baby’s delicate skin. It is specially formulated for baby skin conditioning and protection.

My Thoughts:

I absolutely love Baby Magic Products and have used them with all 3 of my children. The soaps and lotions not only smell amazing, but they also work just as amazingly. I have always and will continue to use these awesome products.

About Boudreaux’s Butt Paste:

Maximum Strength Butt Paste.

  • Twice the rash-kicking treatment of Original and non of the harsh ingredients of some competitors.
    • Provides thickest barrier of protection against diaper rash
    • Paraben – preservative-, and phthalate-free
    • Maximum strength treatment and protection
    • Pediatrician-recommended

My Thoughts- This product is absolutely amazing. A diaper rash is something that happens to every baby at some point. It helps to know that there is a great product out there to end the Diaper Rash swiftly. I am happy to own this product and continue to use it on a regular basis as well as a preventative measure.

Giveaway:

Baby Magic & Boudreaux’s Butt Paste are both giving away a $35 prize. 1 Lucky winner will receive:

  • 1 Baby Magic Original Baby Lotion
  • 1 Baby Magic Original Wash
  • 1 BBP Max Strength Jar
  • 1 BBP Max Strength Tube

Giveaway Ends July 12th @ Midnight

Open to U.S. Residents Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

5 ways to prepare your body for pregnancy

Preparing to get pregnant is a pivotal time in a woman’s life. There are often times unforeseen stresses that women have about getting pregnant and as time goes on these stressors increase. If you and your partner are preparing to have a baby in the next year or so, there are some things that you can do to prepare your body to be healthy enough to conceive and carry a child to full-term. This article will identify 5 ways in which you can prepare your body for pregnancy.

  1. Pay attention to your diet and if you consume fatty foods or foods with preservatives on a regular basis, it is a good idea to start to prepare and eat more nutritious meals. Remove unhealthy foods from your diet and be diligent about eating healthier. This will help your body rid itself of unnecessary food related toxins and clean itself up so that it is ready for baby.
  2. Visit your primary care doctor or OBGYN and have a conversation with him or her about your desire to have a baby and the timeline in which you hope to do so. Your doctor will most likely want to perform an examination to make sure that you are healthy on the inside. Some things your doctor will check for include sexually transmitted diseases as stds have a variety of symptoms, some that are even undetectable by common symptoms. The reason that this is important is that if you do have an STD, it could be passed on to the baby. Your doctor will also make sure that you are up to date on all vaccinations and will talk to you about going off of birth control and the process in which to do so.
  3. Ask yourself if your current lifestyle is conducive to a pregnancy. If you are a smoker or drink alcohol on a regular basis, you may want to consider decreasing or completely eliminating these activities for the time being. While pregnant, it is healthiest for you and the baby to be smoke and alcohol free. It may take some time to do this so it is best to prepare before getting pregnant.
  4. Age. As you age, infertility rates also go up. Pregnancy related complications such as gestational diabetes, preterm labor, or even premature birth defects could occur. Again, consult with your doctor to discuss age and if it is an issue for you.
  5. Don’t stress if you do not get pregnant right away. Stress can deter this from happening. If you do not get pregnant right away, continue to eat healthy, live a healthy lifestyle, take your vitamins, get the proper amount of sleep, and relax. Trust that you will have a child and think positive thoughts. Before you know it, you will be with child.

There are many more tips to preparing your body to get pregnant, however these five ideas are ones that have been recommended by doctors and specialists for years. If you are pregnant and you did not do these steps before conceiving, start doing them now. The healthier you are while carrying your child, the healthier your child will be.

Must have Breastfeeding Products from Fair Haven Health

Disclosure- We received the below in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are our own and honest.

Breastfeeding can be tough at times, but very rewarding. With these great products from from the Milkies line from Fair Haven Health, providing Breastmilk should be no problem what so ever.

About Milkies (Fairhaven Health):

The mission at Fairhaven Health is to develop products designed to safely and naturally promote fertility, pregnancy wellness, and breastfeeding success. And for years now they’ve been achieving that important goal. From preconception through pregnancy and nursing, Fairhaven Health is there – every step of the way – to provide clinically-proven products to help you along your journey to parenthood. As a trusted leader in the field of reproductive health, their products are cooperatively developed and formulated by a diverse panel of medical experts – including doctors, ObGyns, nutritionists, and naturopaths. Noted fertility expert Amos Grunebaum, MD, plays a pivotal role in formulating their FertilAid, FertileCM, FertiliTea, and Pregnancy  Plus product lines.

About Nursing Blend Breastfeeding Supplement:

Nursing Blend is an all-natural dietary supplement that contains a blend of herbs that have been used for centuries by nursing mothers when a boost in breast milk supply is needed, including fenugreek and fennel seed. And, by providing a unique combination of whole fenugreek seed powder along with a concentrated fenugreek seed extract, Nursing Blend offers an equivalent dose of 2 grams of fenugreek in each daily dose. Nursing Blend also includes herbs that provide calming effects for mom and baby, including chamomile and anise.

The Nursing Blend is the only dietary supplement that combines herbal support for breast milk production with the vitamin and mineral support that nursing moms need to produce quality breast milk. Nursing Blend was scientifically-designed by doctors and nutritionists to specifically meet the nutritional needs of nursing mothers and their babies and to aid in milk production. In addition, Nursing Blend is endorsed by leading lactation specialist and MD, Dr. Kathleen Marinelli.

My Thoughts:

WOW, I absolutely love this amazing vitamin. I made it to the 7 month mark before I started noticing I wasn’t pumping near as much as I was pumping originally. I only had about 3 more months to go with pumping before I was off for the summer and wouldn’t need to pump anymore. I was very impressed with how it helped me maintain my supply as well as gave me the subtle boost that I was needing. I also liked that the vitamins truly made me feel better than the vitamins that I was taking before. I would highly recommend these amazing vitamins to anyone that is looking for a good boost and to maintain the supply that they already have.

About Fenugreek Dietary Supplement:

Fenugreek is an annual herb native to the Mediterranean region of the world. Fenugreek is used throughout the world as a culinary spice and has been used by women for centuries as a “galactagogue” – a natural product to increase production of breast milk. Fenugreek contains diosgenin, a plant-based estrogen, which has been shown to increase milk flow in lactating women to help support breast milk production.

Unlike other available Fenugreek supplements which can require taking up to 8 capsules per day, Fairhaven Health’s Fenugreek contains a unique blend of organic Fenugreek Seed Poweder, along with a concentrated Fenugreek Seed Powder, delivering a dose equivalent to 2000mg of standard fenugreek seed powder in just 2 vegetarian capsules each day.

My Thoughts: 

Since I have been taking the vitamin that already has the Fenugreek in it, I don’t take these on a daily basis, just on days that I notice that I have dipped a bit for various reasons. I am really impressed with this vitamin compared to other Fenugreek that I have taken in the past. This is a great vitamin to use and I know that it will benefit others just as it has benefited myself.

About Nursing Time Tea:

Nursing Time Tea is the all-natural herbal tonic designed to help nursing mothers increase their milk flow and soothe digestive unease of both mother and baby. Nursing can be problemeatic for many women, particularly in the beginning, and the herbal ingredients in Nursing Time Tea have been used for centuries to promote healthy lactation and bring quick relief to both mothers and colicky or “gassy” newborns.

Nursing Time Tea brings together a select array of safe and proven ingredients to aid nursing in three key ways: enhancing the quantity and quality of available milk; alleviating digestive complaints, including gas, indigestion and colic; and providing a rich spectrum of nutritive vitamins and minerals central to robust and healthy nursing.

My Thoughts:

I have really enjoyed this Tea a great deal. Through the cold months and when I was trying to get back to what I was producing I found it incredibly effective at it’s job. It tastes great, and I get to use my favorite tea mug since it is a loose tea.

Purchase:

If you are interested in purchasing one of these amazing products or checking out all the other amazing products from Milkies (Fairhaven Health), head on over to their website and find the perfect product for your stage of production!

Superfoods Snack Time with The First Years

Disclosure- We received the below in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are our own and honest.

Dinner Time and Snack Time can be quite the feat with young children, as anyone that has eaten with a child may well know. The First Years is going above and beyond to make sure that it is a much more enjoyable experience for everyone.

About The First Years:

3 Things The First Years believes above all else:

  1. Your journey as a parent is uniquely your own.
  2. The not-so-smooth moments are more memorable than when the stars align.
  3. Think out of the box and trust yourself; you’ve got this

The First Years was founded by parents more than 65 years ago. Mr. & Mrs. Sidman from Roxbury, Massachusetts were looking for the next big thing to grow a business. Marshall Sidman found it in an innovative diaper pin developed by a friend – one that wouldn’t prick parent’s fingers or baby’s skin. He approached local stores and The First Years journey began. Today, The First Years is a leading global juvenile products brand, recognized for it’s breadth of thoughtfully designed products that help parents through the many unexpected twists and turns on their own parenting journeys.

About Double Duty Plates:

It’s easy to “Put a lid on it” with The First Years Take & Toss Double Duty Plates! The plates double as lids for on-the-go meals, with a built-in utensil compartment for added convenience. Each leak-proof compartment seals independently so food stays separated and fresh.

My Thoughts: I absolutely love this product. I know that once my youngest gets a little older this product is going to be a very important tool for me. I love that the compartments stay separate even as you put it together on the go. 

About Stackable Soft Spout Trainer Cup- Pink:

This is the perfect cup for Baby’s First sippy cup. The First Years Stackable Trainer has easy-grasp handles and a soft spout that’s gentle on gums. Spill-proof and easy to clean, the one-piece lid is interchangeable with The First Years reusable cups, with no small parts to lose.

My Thoughts: I absolutely love these cups. My youngest is still at the stage that the soft spout are the cups that she prefers. I love that there are not multiple pieces to these cups. I hate when moisture gets in between all of the layers in the cup and then you have to work about mold and such. The design was adorable and my daughter was in love!

About The First Years Simply Spoutless Cup – 2 Pink:

The First Years Spoutless Cup lets your little one drink naturally from anywhere around the rim (just like an open cup), and it automatically closes tight when they stop sipping.

My Thoughts: Yay, I love these cups and I want to know why they didn’t exist when my other girls were younger. I can’t wait for my youngest to grow into these cups. I love the look and style of them, as well as the No spilling. 

About The First Years Inside Scoop Suction Sectioned Plate Pink:

We know that feeding time can be messy time. The Inside Scoop Section Plate is designed for easier self-feeding, with a unique curved rim to help guide more food onto forks and spoons. With a suction base to avoid slips and slides, plus three sections to keep food separate, it’s the plate you’ll reach for again and again.

My Thoughts: I absolutely love this awesome plate. My daughter is not quite to the age where she uses utensils, but she has gotten very excited about having her own plate and different foods in each section of the plate. 

Purchase:

If you are interested in purchasing any of these awesome products, make sure to click the links provided above with their explanations of the products.

Wonderful Baby Toys from Mochi

Disclosure- We received the below in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are our own and honest.

My 8 month old is all about playing with any toy that she can pick up or stand with. These wonderful toys from Mochi are a perfect fit for her play time.

 About People Toy Company:

This beloved Japanese company started in 1977 and has finally arrived in the U.S. and set People Toy Company with a pedigree product line. The company’s three core offerings are Brain Builders, Mochi, and People Block series. People Toy Company proudly creates fun and educational baby products for the discerning parent. The Mochi series is the winner of the prestigious 2015 Kids Design Award.

About Mochi Maracha:

The Mochi Maracha is perfect for your teething infant. The sustainable rice-plastic guarantees that the first toy your child puts in their mouth will be as safe as it is fun.

This toy is truthfully perfect for teething infants. It also has a pinky-sized handle that fits perfectly in tiny hands. This awesome toy has a great “Light Caribbean drizzle” sound that helps sooth a fussy baby. The teething ridges sooth sore gums as well.

About Mochi Trumpet:

The Mochi Trumpet is the perfect toy to nurture your infant’s cognitive reasoning skills through play. The two-way trumpet uses your infant’s natural sucking and teething motions to create sound when they breathe in or out. Through trial and error, your infant will begin to learn and problem solve at a very young age.

This toy has a very fun whistling sound that soothes and will delight your child.

This toy is great for 3 months and up.

My Thoughts:

I have been incredibly impressed with my Mochi toys. I love that they are 100% safe to put in our little ones’ mouths. I also love that they are made to be easy for a little one to handle. I think that the Trumpet is a favorite for my older girls. It is fun to blow into the trumpet and hear the fun noises that they can easily make with their mouth. My baby loves both of the toys, and is constantly reaching for them during playtime. These toys are absolutely wonderful baby toys!

Purchase:

If you are interested in purchasing one of these great toys or any of the other ones offered by Mochi, head on over to their website.

Must Have Baby Toys from Brain Builders

Disclosure- We received the below in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are our own and honest.

With a baby it’s always important to find ways to stimulate them just the right amount. I must say that with these amazing toys from Brain Builders we have been 100% satisfied.

 About People Toy Company:

This beloved Japanese company started in 1977 and has finally arrived in the U.S. and set People Toy Company with a pedigree product line. The company’s three core offerings are Brain Builders, Mochi, and People Block series. People Toy Company proudly creates fun and educational baby products for the discerning parent. The Mochi series is the winner of the prestigious 2015 Kids Design Award.

About Baby Senses Coordinator:

This toy is great for ages 2 Months and up.

At 8 weeks old baby is ready to follow the colorful beads that move left and right. A wonderful milestone is when the eyes and ears can start to concentrate and focus as parents and grandparents play along. A baby at that age is also ready to improve motor skills as they learn to grip and coordinate the beads rolling back and forth by themselves.

About Educational Eddie Rattle:

Baby Maternity Magazine 2016 Toy of the Year Award

This rattle is a perfect size for baby’s tiny fingers to grasp all by themselves. The multi sense rattle has a variety of fun shapes and textures to satisfy baby’s developmental needs. There is a chewable rope, teething feet, hinged limbs, and a soft ripple hate all made to stimulate the senses both in the mouth and in the hands.

This is great for children 5 months and up.

About Baby Yoga Exercise Ball:

This little elephant will keep baby limber and flexible because it’s so easy for baby to grasp. The soft and washable ball makes  soothing rustling and a bell sound to perk up those ears.

This toy is great for children 4 months and up.

My Thoughts:

I must first tell you that these three toys have quickly became favorites of my youngest, however, it has been very hard for me to get pictures of her as she is now almost always on the go. I am greatly impressed with each of these toys. They are basic simple toys that my child truly loves. I love that they are basic made toys that are made to stimulate your baby at just the right amount. I get so disappointed when you get toys that definitely overstimulate your small child and aren’t truthfully doing them any good. These are definitely must have baby toys in my book and I will be sharing them at future baby showers.

Purchase:

If you would like to purchase these or any of the other great toys from the Brain Builders line, head on over the the website.