Category Archives: Fun stuff for parents

Baby Chronicles

Books, Fun stuff for parents, Organization, Personalized

BabychroniclesI am all about journaling, but I am not good at keeping all of my entries in one place. I am one of those that jots notes down on little pieces of paper and then I lose the note. I have at least a dozen pieces of paper around the house with  things like "Madelyn took her first step today!" written on them but I couldn’t tell you where they are. It always seems like the right time to write a note, but I just can’t seem to keep up with them.

My project this week is to take all of my notes, which I AM going to find, and transfer them into the Baby Chronicles keepsake journal I received for review.

The format of Baby Chronicles is great.

When you open the book, the first page will feature your baby’s first photograph, name, and birth date. Next is the Table of Contents that breaks down the book by sections including "First things First" where you keep track of your baby’s first haircut, first words, etc. Another great section is the "Medical History & Development" section where parents can keep records of baby’s immunizations, growth, dental information, and more.

Mom can track her pregnancy weight gain,  stomach measurement (yeah),
and baby’s heart rate through out the pregnancy.   The next page is
where mom will show off a photograph of her pregnant belly as well as a
photograph of the family before baby arrived.  There are pages to
feature ultrasound photographs, a copy of the birth certificate, a copy
of the birth announcment.. and one of my favorite pages is titled Sign
of the Times where mom tells the current price of a newspaper, what
cars they have, price of gasoline, and more. I think that is such a
cool idea.

"I’m a Big Kid Now" is my favorite section.  I think this section will be a favorite of Madelyn’s for years to come. In this section you note what your baby’s nicknames for her favorite toys were, show her first scribbles, and talk about baby’s first vacation and travels.

Baby Chronicles is a great baby shower gift idea.

I’m in my thirties and I still like to read my baby book. I am so glad my mom kept a journal of my milestones and special moments and I can’t wait until Madelyn looks at her Baby Chronicles book and say’s "I did that?" or "where did you take me to get my hair cut mom?".  Keeping notes about your child’s development is not only useful to you but nice for them to have when they grow up and have children of their own.

 

Where to buy: Baby Chronicles

Joovy – Big Caboose Stand-On Triple Stroller

Age 0-1 year, Age 1-3, Age 3-5, Fun stuff for parents, Strollers, Travel

Joovy_bigcabooseDeedra, one of my neighbors that has three kids once told me that once you have two kids, why not have three or more? It’s all the same.. she said. I’m not sure if I agree. It’s amazing to me that a mom can stay sane while raising three kids, and working from home and sometimes in an office like she does.

Moms like Deedra, and kids like hers deserve a comfortable ride. The Joovy Big Caboose Stand-On Triple Stroller accommodates three children ranging in age from new born to about age five depending on weight.

When I received the Joovy Big Caboose Stand-On Triple Stroller to review on The Mommy Insider, I never thought that I wouldn’t be able to put it in my own car, a Nissan Quest.   However, as luck would have it, I loaned my car to my sister in law just in time for the review of the stroller.  I had her Toyota Corolla for a few days. At first I thought I wasn’t even going to try to get the stroller in the car. But, I really needed to try it out for the review and I happened to have two children on my testing panel available while I was borrowing her car, so I had to get the stroller in the car and get over to their house no matter what. Much to my surprise, the stroller fit well in her car. I had to fold down part of the back seat but the stroller slid right in. I have a feeling that most parents with three kids don’t drive a Toyota Corolla but instead drive an SUV or mini-van in which case the stroller fits with ease. The weight is a little hefty at about 37 pounds, but I didn’t have a problem loading and unloading myself.

I am very impressed with the durability and handling of the Joovy Big Caboose Stand-On Triple Stroller. I took my three testing panel children to Kohl’s to test the stroller out because I knew there would be plenty of obstacles and tight spaces there.  The two younger children, seven months and nine months, sat in the front seats. The front seats accommodate car seats or the child can sit in the two position seat comfortably. Both seats have five point harnesses so baby is secure.  You should have seen the looks I got from passers by at Kohl’s. People actually thought I had three children!  Right!

While in Kohl’s I took some very smooth sharp turns, and was able to navigate most of the isles just fine. The only time I had a problem was when there was something large in the main isle which made it difficult for me to get out. I would simply back up and find another isle to go down though, so it was not a big deal.  Pushing the stroller was a lot easier than I expected.  I was pushing three kids weighing a total of seventy pounds and never struggled to push or turn the stroller.

The stroller comes with two car seat adapters, two snack and drink trays, and two full size canopies all of which are easy to remove and replace.

The third child can either sit or stand. There is a comfortable platform the child can sit on complete with a safety buckle to keep the child secure. When sitting, the child will be facing mom. If the child chooses to stand, he can lean on the strap across the back of the stroller and face away from you.

The huge storage basket fit my diaper bag, a handbag, snacks, toys, and assorted other things and is easy to access which is very important to me.

The Joovy Big Caboose Stand-On Triple Stroller folds and unfolds very easily. It literally took me about 15 seconds to fold the stroller and get it in the car and vice versa. It was not a strain at all.

I think any parent with three children will love this stroller. It’s easy to use, a smooth push, a comfortable ride, and fits well in a family SUV or mini van. This is a stroller that will last for years. The  Deluxe Rip Stop Nylon Fabric makes for an easy to clean stoller that can be used and passed on for years.

Where to buy: Joovy

Time-Out Animals

Age 1-3, Age 3-5, Age 5-7, Age 7-10, Fun stuff for parents

TimeoutterrierI don’t know who likes our Time out Terrier more; me or Sebastian. Sebastian loves stuffed animals and when I received the Time out Terrier for review on The Mommy Insider, Sebastian seemed a little confused as to how such a cuddly stuffed animal could count the minutes that a child spends in time out which is actually NEVER! He’s a great kid.

Because Sebastian is seven years old, is a good kid, and doesn’t go to time out, we have come up with these ways to use our Time out Terrier:
1. I set the timer for how long Sebastian should brush his teeth.
2. We set a thirty minute limit on TV time.
3. When we are on a time limit, I set the timer for 10 minutes when we read stories at bedtime.
4. Sebastian loves to turn himself into a raisin in the bathtub so we set the timer to remind him to get out before he disintegrates.
5. I’ve even used the Time out Terrier as a cooking timer!

Parents and kids can choose from several Time Out Animals including Lilly the Lamb, Fernando the Frog, and Travis the Terrier.

Mom can use the Time Out Animal too!
If your child is old enough to occupy him or herself set the timer for thirty minutes, put it next to your child, and go take a nice warm bath, do some yoga, or call a friend. Explain to your child that until the timer goes off, you are not to be interrupted unless there is an emergency.  If your child is mischievous, be sure to put the Time Out Animal up high so he can’t change the timer!

Where to buy: Time out Mom

The Mommy Insider readers get $5.00 off any animal with code ‘MOMFINDS’!

Whiffy Bean Bags – Scented sachets

Fun stuff for parents

Whiffybeanbags
I tried to make scented sachets for Madelyn’s armoire not to long ago. It didn’t work out to well. I used dried lavendar and those little bags with drawstrings, that you buy at the craft store.  About two days after putting a few in her armoire, there was lavendar everywhere and the pretty lavendar scent was gone.  I learned to leave it to the professionals.. Whiffy Bean Bags.

Whiffy Bean Bags will make 5" x 5" or 3.5" x 5" bean bags for you with your choice of fabric and scent from their great selection. There are dozens of fabrics to choose from including girl patterns, boy patters, whimsical, classic, and retro. Scents include Lavender, Orange, Cinnamon, and many more.

Not only can you use your Whiffy Bean Bag in your child’s dresser or armoire but these are great for diaper bags, cars, shoe closets, and even to toss around! 

I received a couple of Whiffy Bean Bag samples last week and am very impressed with the scent, the fabric and the quality of the bean bags themselves.

I think these are a great Valentine’s Day Gift for moms, sisters, and friends!

Where to buy: Whiffy Bean Bags


‘The Mommy Insider’ readers get free shipping with code "momfinds"!

Between Me and You Keepsake Journals

Announcements & Stationary, Fun stuff for parents, Organization, Store Reviews

Betweenyouandmehoney_2
Do you ever wonder what your husband wishes you all would do more of, or what he thought when you first met?  Now you can know! Sand Dune Books gives us a way to take a peek into the lives of those that we love in a journalistic fashion.  ‘Between Me and You’ Keepsake Journals are published in a format that asks the recipient of the book you choose, great questions such as "Is there anything you wish we would spend more time doing together?". I think we all know the answer to that!

There is a ‘ Between Me and You’ book for almost everyone you are close to. Grandma, Grandpa, Husband, Wife, Children, Best Friends, Sister, and Brother.

These are a great Valentine gift!

Where to buy: Sand Dune Books