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With the addition of our newCroozer 535 bike trailer, we had to buy an infant bike helmet for our son.  Soon after starting our search, I discovered that there really aren’t a lot of infant sized bike helmets out there to choose from.  We ended up going to a local bike shop and finding one helmet that fit our needs; the Specialized Small Fry Toddler Helmet.

This helmet is specifically meant to be used for ages 0-3 years, but I still wasn’t sure if a bike helmet would really fit an infant.  We originally were going to purchase a helmet online, but am glad we found one in store to assure a good, safe fit.  There were a few different models and designs to choose from, but we found the Specialized helmet to be the most comfortable fit for our son.  The purchase price was kind of steep at $39.99, but the helmet should last him a few years.

The main thing that sold me on this helmet is the dial-operated fit system.  The size of the helmet can easily be adjusted to fit as your child grows with a simple turn of a dial.  This feature gave this particular helmet the best fit over the others.  The helmet also comes with extra foam inserts to line the helmet for even younger infants.  However, I have not had to use these with my 8 month old as the helmet fits perfectly without. 

The helmet also has built-in mesh in the vents to keep bugs from flying in during a ride.  The chin strap is easily adjustable and comfortable.  The helmet also has a built-in visor to protect little eyes from the sun, as well as a shape that makes it suitable to wear in a bike trailer.  All of these things combined make it a great helmet.  However, the thing I love the most is the design.  The particular helmet we bought is called “Moto Red”, which is a bright red helmet with kids riding on dirt bikes.  A lot of the other infant helmets I saw were too “baby-ish”, which is fine, but in the long run I want a helmet that my 3 year old will want to wear.  The Small Fry Moto helmet comes in red, blue, green or yellow.  Specialized also makes infant helmets that are designed more for girls, with kitten and lady bug designs.

The only thing I don’t like about the helmet was the price.  This particular helmet was the highest priced infant helmet I had seen at $39.99.  However, I think it’s design and longevity make it worth the price.

Specialized makes a great infant helmet!  Make sure you consider it when choosing a bike helmet for your little one!

I finally upgraded the nipples for my son’s glass Evenflo bottles to fast flow.  I ended up purchasing the Evenflo Purely Comfi bottle nipples because Target didn’t have the traditional ones available at the time.  I knew the Comfi nipples would fit the standard sized necks on the glass bottles so I didn’t hesitate in buying them.  They were $1.99 for a 2-pack at Target. 

At first glance, the nipples look much nicer than the standard ones that came with the glass bottles.  They are rounded and more full at the base, which is supposed to be more conducive with breast feeding.  Plus, they just look “cute”.  They have the same type of venting system as the standard nipples as well, although the BPA-free silicone is thicker. 

I didn’t forsee having a problem using these nipples with the bottles, especially being that they are both made by Evenflo.  However, so far they haven’t worked the same.  My son latches on with no problem, and the flow rate is much better.  It doesn’t drown him or anything.  But I just can’t get the nipples to vent the same as the standard, which I never had any problem with.  I think the problem lies in the thicker silicone.  I have to loosen the collar a lot in order to get enough air to flow through to keep the nipple from collapsing.  Sometimes I loosen it so much it the bottle starts to leak.  I never had a problem with the standard nipples. 

So yes, the Comfi nipples are very finicky in comparison to the standard nipples, and I am probably just going to cut my losses and buy some fast-flow standard nipples online. 

Has anyone had a good or bad experience with Evenflo’s Comfi bottle nipples?

I got my Mother’s Day present early this year!  It’s the Croozer 535 3-in-1 bike trailer,(Edit: This is a comparable model ) and I love it!  After doing A LOT of research online trying to find the most economical, yet good quality bike trailer, I decided on this one.  What sets the Croozer above the rest is it’s versatility, with the ability to go from a bike trailer, to a jogging stroller, to a stroller with a simple change of hook-ups, which are all included at a reasonable price of $450.  If you’re having sticker shock, do your research and you’ll find this is a fabulous deal for what you get.  Most bike trailers of this quality start at $500 and up, plus you have to buy the attachments for the stroller functions separately.

So what are my favorite features of the Croozer?  Well, there are many!  Like I said, the thing that sold me on it was the fact that it included not only the bike trailer function, but the fixed wheel jogging stroller, as well as a small swivel wheel for a regular stroller.  It is also extremely easy to change the wheels and attachments.  They simply pop into place and insert the pin, and it’s ready to go!  The 535 also has two bucket seats, which was a huge advantage to the Croozer.  Most bike trailers have a bench seat, and most reviews I read complained of children sinking in towards to middle during the ride and not having their own space.  The bucket seats solve that problem.  Also, the bucket seat makes it a very comfortable ride for my 8 month old son.  He is held securely having 2 sides next to him while he rides.  The Croozer also has a 5-point harness with padded seatbelt covers so it is great for younger children to have a comfortable and secure ride.  The Croozer is also very easy to break down and folds fairly flat, making it suitable to fit into the trunk of a car.  But even though it is very portable, it doesn’t skimp on size.  The Croozer 535 can not only tow 2 young children, but it also has a fairly large covered storage space in the back to easily stow a diaper bag, water, or a few bags of groceries.  The material of the cruiser is heavy duty and high quality canvas.  The sides windows are made up of heavy plastic, as well as a removable weather shield that can cover the front screen if it starts to rain.  The Croozer also rides low to the ground, which makes it an easier pull and safer for the kids in tow.  It weighs 36 pounds with the removable handle.  It pulls very smoothly with a bike, and the stroller function is great to use as well.

There aren’t a lot of things I dislike about the Croozer 535.  I still think the cost is a little steep at $450, but considering the options you get and comparing it to the competition, it is really a deal for the quality and versatility.  Another negative is that the stroller handle is not adjustable.  Luckily, at my height of 5’5”, it’s perfect.  But it is a little low for my husband who is about 6′ tall.  The Croozer also does not have any shocks, so it is definitely meant for smoother trails.  One more thing is that the instructions aren’t the most clear that come with the trailer.

Here is a quick breakdown of the pros and cons of the Croozer 535:

Pros:  Versatility, easy to adjust, bucket seats, padded 5-point harnesses, low profile, portability, large storage area, heavy duty materials, built-in weather shield, pulls well behind a bike, stylish

Cons:  Non-adjustable stroller handle, no shocks, poor instructions

Overall, I believe the Croozer 535  (Edit: This is a comparable Model – Burely Kids Honey Bee Trailor)will give you the most bang for your buck in the world of bike trailers.  We are definitely into our Croozer!

What features are important to you in a bike trailer?  What do you think about the Croozer?

Here is the followup to working out with Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred.  Unfortunately, I had to end the program 2 weeks in due to a sprain.  I did see very good results in the little time I was able to do the workout.  I plan on restarting the program and finishing the full 30 days.  I highly recommend the 30 Day Shred for those who want a short, but very intense workout.  It totally kicked my butt the first few days, but my body responded very quickly and I was soon able to keep up, and eventually progress to level 2 (until my injury, which was not caused by the workout).  Here is my daily progress from the Shred. 

Day 1:

• Start weight:  136

Day 2:

• Weight: 134.2 (Down 1.8 pounds from Day 1)
• Physical condition:  Still very sore!  But got a massage from my husband which helped.  Am already keeping up with the video a little better, but I still take a few seconds of rest during cardio.  Still struggling with push-ups.
• Emotional condition:  Feeling optimistic.  My extra pounds should come off rather quickly if I stick to eating healthy and doing the work out.  But I still feel very out of shape, and dare I say, fat!
• Here is my eating plan.  It’s pretty basic.  Try and eliminate my intake of processed foods and sugar and eat as much natural, whole foods as possible.  That part itself won’t be hard for me.  The hard part is to remember to drink more water! 
• I don’t plan on doing any more structured workouts during the day besides the DVD.  I do take walks with my son on occasion, or go for bike rides, but nothing too intense.

Day 3

• Weight: 132.8 (down 1.4 lbs from Day 2, 3.2 lbs overall)
• Physical condition: Minorly sore, but still feeling it.  Almost can complete entire cardio set without resting (the jumping jacks/jump rope section still gets me).  Almost did an entire single set of the push ups without dropping to my knees.  Almost.
• Emotional condition:  Motivated by seeing a drop on the scale, even if it is a lot of water weight.
• I did well with eating yesterday.  I kept it light but snacked and drank a good amount of water in between.  I’m still not ready to progress to Level 2 of the video.

Day 4

• Weight: 132.2 (down 0.6 lbs from Day 3, 3.8 lbs overall)
• Physical condition:  Starting to feel a small change in my body.  My waist doesn’t feel and look so bloated.
• Emotional condition:  Having intense sugar cravings!
• Despite the fact that I am craving all-things-bad for my body right now, the improvements I’m seeing already have helped keep me from caving in.  I even turned down a bag of my favorite, Reese’s peanut butter cups, from my mother-in-law.  Another small battle won!

Day 5

• Weight: missed my weigh-in (did some early morning garage saling)
• Physical condition:  Starting to get a couple of bicep bumps!  Woohoo!
• Emotional condition: Still craving bad foods
• My husband took the day off from work and we did some shopping.  He asked me what I wanted to eat lunch.  I wanted something greasy and salty, but we decided on a more healthy option of Japanese stir-fry.  So glad we did!  It was delicious and I don’t feel it will set me back any!

Day 6:

• Weight: 131.4, but I failed to eat supper last night (playing a late night concert) so it’s probably not an accurate number
• Physical condition:  My legs feel more toned, and stomach and sides more trim.  Completed the entire workout for the first time today, regular push-ups and all!
• Emotional condition: Feeling awesome!

Day 7:

• Weight: 132.2
• Physical condition: Taking a well-deserved day of rest today.
• Emotional condition: Accomplished
• Today I had my cheat meal.  I was still going to watch what I ate, but ended up celebrating with one-too-many slices of pizza and some ice cream.  But back to the straight and narrow tomorrow!

Day 8:

• Weight:  I purposefully skipped my weigh-in this morning.  I didn’t want to be discouraged by my cheat meal last night, which I know will have me up higher than I’d like to see. 
• Physical condition:  Still full from last night
• Emotional condition:  Feeling a little regret about the cheat meal, but I even more determined to tackle Level 2 at my next workout!

Day 9:

• Weight: 131.2 (4.8 lbs lost total!)
• Physical condition: I can tell a difference in my whole body (even my butt!) but still need to get more toned.
• Emotional condition:  Feeling redeemed after having a cheat meal 2 days ago.

Day 10:

• Weight: 131.2- Same as yesterday!
• Physical condition: Level 1 is feeling easy, so definitely need to move on to Level 2 tonight!
• Emotional condition: A little frustrated that I’ve plateaued on the scale already, but excited to see what Level 2 is going to do for me.

Day 11:

• Weight: 132
• Physical condition: Started Level 2!
• Emotional condition: Still frustrated by the plateau, but happy to be on Level 2.
• Level 2 started off easier than I thought.  I thought the walking push-ups were easier than regular push-ups.  But the new cardio series is pretty brutal, being that it combines strength with cardio and has me on the floor most of the time.  I definitely did the “easy” version of most of the cardio.

Day 12:

• This is the unfortunate day that I got an injury.  The Shred has been put on hold.  🙁

So overall, I lost about 4 pounds in less than 2 weeks with the Shred.  More importantly, my muscles feel more toned and I made definite and quick improvements in my physical condition.  I can’t wait to get back into the Shred and finish it!  I highly recommend it, but be prepared for a very intense workout.  It is not for the faint of heart. 

Has anyone else tried the Shred?  What do you think?

It’s been a long time in the making, but 8 months after the birth of my son I’ve decided to start working out again!  The pregnancy weight fell off fast thanks to good genes and breastfeeding, and a few months after I was down below 130 pounds.  Well, it seems that I’ve managed to pack on a few extra pounds again and being summer and *gasp* swim suit season is just around the corner, it’s time to get back to where I was and get a little toned in the process.

My weapon of choice:  Jillian Michaels’ 30 Day Shred.  My husband gave me this DVD for Christmas (per my request) and some 6 pound hand weights.  I usually don’t particularly like DVD workouts, but I love Jillian Michaels from the Biggest Loser.  Of any other workout video, I knew I wanted her.  Plus I love that it’s only 20 minutes, which is pretty easy to fit into my schedule when I’ve got an 8 month old that needs my attention.  The DVD claims “Lose up to 20 pounds in 30 days”.  We’ll see what it can do for me in 30 days!

Here’s the plan:

Start weight: 136 pounds

Goal: 125 pounds and/or more importantly muscle tone

Total weight loss: 11 pounds in 3o days or 2.7 lbs/week

One cheat meal a week, plus one rest day

On Day 1 I started with Level 1 of the video (which has 3 levels total), thinking Level 1 would be a  breeze for me since I’m not particularly overweight.  WRONG!  It kicked my butt!  I couldn’t keep up with her, which was very humbling since I used to pride myself in being very fit.  I can’t do normal push-ups anymore and had to resort to doing them from my knees.  I couldn’t even do something as simple as jumping jacks for the short time they did them!  Disheartening?  Yes!  Motivating?  Absolutely! 

One day after my first workout, my body is sore from head to toe.  (Jillian does a great job hitting every muscle group in such a short period of time).  I’m dreading but looking forward to workout #2.  I will be posting my results when I’ve completed the Shred.  So check back in a month to see how I did! 

Anyone else ever try the 30 Day Shred?

The Fisher Price Take Along Swing is a great option for parents wanting a swing that is both space-conscious and portable.  The swing comes in a few different styles, including Precious Planet, Rainforest, Khaki Sands, and Woodlands to name a few.  The swing is for babies up to 25 pounds or until they are able to crawl out of the seat.  All swings are equipped with a 3-point harness and are capable of 5 speeds.  Some of the models come with music and a removable toy bar as well.  The Take Along Swing runs on 4 “C” batteries.  The swings range in price from $49.99 to $74.99 depending on the style. 

I personally own and have used the Precious Planet model for my son since about 2 months of age.  He was going through a phase in which he was very fussy.  In desperation my husband decided to buy a swing in hopes it would help with his fussiness.  He decided on the Fisher Price Take Along Swing first of all for the price.  It is one of the cheapest swings available being that baby swing can easily run $100 and up.  We have used the swing for about 6 months total so far so I have had adequate time to test it.

There are definitely a lot of great things about the swing.  First and foremost, it’s space-saving feature is wonderful.  It’s easy when you have a baby to have your living space completely overrun with baby items, but the small build of this swing definitely cuts back on that.  It is very compact and low to the ground, and not an eye sore like some of the over-sized swings out there.  It is also quick and easy to fold up for storing in a closet or behind the couch.  The seat of the swing folds in half and the legs come together with the squeeze of a button.  Having a smaller home, the compactness of the swing has been wonderful.  Portability goes hand-in-hand with the space-saving feature of this swing.  Because it is small and fully collapsible, it is very easy to throw in the trunk of the car when traveling. 

Another great feature of the swing is how quiet it is.  I have heard some baby swings that have a loud grinding sound when they are running, but this one doesn’t have that at all.  It isn’t completely silent, but it is definitely quiet.  On my particular model of swing, there are 7 songs that cycle through if I choose to play them while baby swings.  I usually don’t like baby toys with music.  Many times I find them to be too high pitched and simply annoying, but the songs that come with this swing are actually tastefully done and relaxing.  The music can be turned off, quiet, or loud.  The five speed settings are at good intervals.  The swing cushion is very comfortable and is machine washable.  The design would be great for either a boy or girl. 

There are a couple of things I dislike about the swing.  First of all, the seat has only one position: reclined.  As my son has gotten older he wants to sit up in it.  We simply can’t use the swing anymore for play, but only for when he is tired.  Despite this fact, he is almost 8 months old and is probably really too old for playing in a swing anyways since he is nearly crawling.  He would rather play on the floor or in an exersaucer.  One more thing that may be a downside is the fact that it runs on battery power only.  I have only had to replace the batteries once in the 6 months we’ve used it, but I know some people would rather have the option to plug it in. 

Here is a quick breakdown of the pros and cons:

Pros:  Affordable price, space-saving design, easy to fold and store, tasteful design and music, quiet

Cons: Non-adjustable seat, battery only, not for older babies

Overall, I am very into the Fisher Price Take Along Swing.  I don’t think I would ever use a different type of swing for baby.

Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Diaper Ointment is a popular all natural diaper rash cream.  For parents choosing to use organic baby products, this may be a good choice.  This diaper ointment is 100% natural and made with ingredients such as sweet almond oil, beeswax, lavender oil, and rosemary leaf extract so you know you will only be putting safe substances on baby’s skin.  A 3 oz. bottle of Burt’s Bees Diaper Ointment retails for $8.99.

Having used Burt’s Bees Diaper Ointment on my son, there are definitely a few things I like about it.  Most importantly, I feel it did a good job clearing my son’s diaper rash, which was mild to moderate.  However, I don’t believe it cleared any better than when using Desitin.  The consistency of the cream is much thicker than Desitin, which I find to be a great feature of the Burt’s Bees.  The thickness of the cream allows it to adhere well to baby’s skin and stay there.  The cream doesn’t get absorbed into the diaper or into the skin.  It simply does it’s job well, which is to create a barrier between baby’s skin and a wet diaper.  And of course I love the fact that it is 100% natural.  There aren’t any ingredients listed that I can’t pronounce, which means baby isn’t exposed to any unnecessary chemicals.

The only thing about Burt’s Bees Diaper Ointment I’m not particularly fond of is the scent.  While it is not a bad smell, it is simply a little bit on the strong side.  This is due to the large variety of natural oils and extracts that compose the product.  However, once baby’s diaper is on it subdues the scent a little, and it actually becomes quite pleasant.

Here is a quick breakdown on the pros and cons:

Pros:  100% natural and safe for baby’s skin, thick cream that stays on between changing, clears diaper rash well

Cons:  Strong scent, pricey

Overall, I have been happy with Burt’s Bees Diaper Ointment.  However, I don’t necessarily think it works any better than any other diaper rash cream.  The real advantage of this cream is that it is 100% natural.  If this is very important to you, Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Diaper Ointment might be the right cream for baby.

Have you used Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Diaper Ointment?  What do you think about the product?

Want to wow the expecting mom and guests at a baby shower?  Choose from the following baby gifts and you’ll be sure the impress with your unique gift for baby!

1.  Robeez

Baby shoes are more of a luxury than a necessity, but most parents need at least a pair for those special occasions when baby needs to dress up.  Robeez are a great and very unique choice for shoes for baby.  Parents will love them because they are elasticized, making them easy to get on and off of chubby little baby feet, and they come in many different adorable and unique styles.  Baby will love them because they are soft-soled and light-weight.  They don’t confine like other shoes and are great for learning to walk.  The Soft Sole Stopper are my personal favorite for boys, and the Organic Tree Soft Sole for girls. 

2.  Wooden toys

With the big plastic chemical scares and a lot of mom’s choosing to “go green” for baby, wooden baby toys offer a safe and classic alternative.  They may be a little more expensive up front, but they are very safe and, more importantly, very adorable!  Some of my favorites include the Haba Froggy Teether, the Squish Color Burst, and for older babies, the Plan Toys Dancing Alligator.

3.  Infant Sunglasses

Who can resist smiling at a baby wearing sunglasses?  But not only are baby sunglasses cute, they are practical in that they protect little eyes from bright sunlight.   Adventure Banz Baby Sunglasses come in many colors and have a soft, adjustable band that fits comfortably around baby’s head to keep them on.  My 7 month old loves to wear them and doesn’t even try to pull them off of his face.

4.  Vulli Teether

The Vulli Teether, in my opinion, is the best teether out there!  It is very unique and baby will love chewing on it.  It will surely become their favorite teether to chew on.  Read my review of the Vulli Teether to find out what makes it so great.

5.  Fabric books

Get a good start on baby’s library by giving the gift of reading.  Fabric books are a unique and safe alternative to traditional paper.  Baby can play with the book and even chew on it.  And mom or dad can spend precious time reading to their little one.  A great soft book for playtime is the Bugboo Exploratory Soft Book and for sleepy time, Lullaby and Goodnight Soft Book.

Let your gift stand out from the crowd and give something that is truly unique using this list! 

What ideas do you have for unique baby gifts?

Despite the fact that many experts agree that babies under the age of 1 should not sleep with a blanket, I couldn’t bear the idea of letting my son sleep without the security and warmth of one.  However, I was nervous about placing a blanket in his crib when hearing horror stories about SIDS and suffocation.  In trying to find the happy medium between safety and comfort, someone gave me a blanket that was the best compromise: a classic crocheted blanket.

Although crocheted blankets might not be the most desirable on your list of baby items (it sure wasn’t on mine), give them a chance before you rule them out.  My son’s crocheted blanket sat in storage until he was about 4 months old, when he outgrew swaddling.  He loved the feeling of having a blanket near his face when he fell asleep, so I continued using a blanket for him at night.  However, I found that most of his baby blankets were too warm and not very breathable.  It was then I remembered the crocheted blanket I had overlooked, and it has become his baby blanket of choice ever since.

There are a few reasons why I find the crocheted blanket to be superior to the rest.  I love the fact that it provides some warmth and comfort to baby at night, but it doesn’t overheat.  The blanket also provide more breathability than any of the other blankets since it has small gaps in the crocheted pattern.  These small holes also make it extra cozy and fun for little fingers and toes to snuggle with.  When it’s time to sleep, my son will stick his fingers through the holes and pull the blanket up to his cheeks, and rub his face on it until he goes to sleep.  I love the fact that the blanket seems safer than most, and that my son absolutely loves it.

If you’re lucky, you might get a crocheted baby blanket at a baby shower or from a relative.  Or maybe you even know how to crochet your own.  Either way, I would definitely give this type of blanket a try if you think your baby needs to sleep with a blanket at night.  It just may turn out to be everyone’s favorite.

And it may seem like a long way off, but have you started thinking about your child’s education? It’s never too early to start considering homeschooling! Read about why homeschooling has been an amazing and freeing choice for our family!