Category: Reviews


Jan
2018

What a Doll with Educational Insight

categories: Reviews

As Christmas approached I wanted to get my now 1 year old daughter a baby doll. PL was too adorable cuddling her stuffed animals and patting their backs like a little mama. I knew a baby doll would be the perfect gift for her nurturing heart.

Dolls are wonderful toys because they are simple yet multifaceted. A child’s doll will be played with for years and never go out of style. Every childhood has memories of playing with baby dolls. Some organized parents even get the chance to pass down their beloved doll to the next generation.

So when looking for a new doll for PL I wanted something high quality and unique. I knew she’d play with it for years and most likely this doll would “see the world” by tagging along on family outings. I was hoping to find a doll that represented our family and helped give my daughter a global perspective. After living overseas, and now internationally adopting, we fill our home with toys that promote open mindedness and acceptance. So you can imagine my excitement when we found Educational Insight.

Education Insight is composed of play enthusiasts who strive to inspire imagination and curiosity. For the past 50 years, their experts have been designing toys that capture the attention of little ones. Educational Insight believes in making learning an active playful experience by encouraging children to explore, discover, and create. Their line of toys equip parents with the tools to encourage growth and development in their smallest little scholars. Many who use their dolls often enjoy including some Butterfly Life Cycle Worksheets in with doll play. This keeps their play varied, maintaining the interest of the child. It will also build their foundational skills.

I loved Educational Insight’s website as a resource for finding educational products. Toys can be shopped for by age range as well as brand name. There is also a variety of games and school supplies organized by age range and school subject. I loved the ability to shop for games for my son based on his educational development and age.

And if you are like me, you will be happy to know Educational Insight can also be found on Amazon. Their Amazon homepage is extremely helpful in shopping for the right toy and researching the best fit for your little one.

This winter Educational Insight released two new lines of baby dolls. Made and designed with the same Educational Insight high standards, these dolls encourage nurturing-based imaginative play.

Connect with Education Insight

Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube Pinterest

 

Baby Bijoux

Baby Bijoux was especially made for the mini mommy or daddy.

With realistic and anatomically correct features, this baby doll encourages nurturing-based imaginative play. The deluxe European craftsmanship delivers realistic baby details.

While engaging in a world of make-believe children will learn social skills, practice empathy and care taking, and develop language and and new vocabulary.

The 15.75? tall Baby Bijoux doll is the perfect size for 3-6 year olds and the vinyl body is easy to clean; making it the perfect companion for outings. Baby Bijoux is especially unique by providing multi-cultural and gender choices. They currently make African American, Asian, Caucasian, and Hispanic boy and girl dolls. We loved that our house could have a variety of dolls! With just-like-me skin tones our kids could connect with the dolls that looked like them and be encouraged to have global mindset with a doll of different ethnicity.

 

 

 

Baby Doux

These adorable soft cloth dolls are a perfect first baby doll for the family. The 12? crafted doll is constructed with a perfect combination of a soft cotton cloth body and durable vinyl head, arms, and legs; making it perfect for 2-5 year olds. Baby’s eyes open and close and arms and legs can be moved and manipulated to fit in strollers and baby toys. We love the softness and lightweight of Baby Doux. Our 1 year old daughter is able to carry her baby around without compromising her ability to walk or crawl. Since baby is so soft she is perfect for cuddling with in bed or taking along in the car.

The Baby Doux doll is machine washable and fabricated with deluxe European design. Durability makes me at ease when our doll is going on walks outside or visiting the local playground.

With four ethnical choices, children are sure to find a doll they can relate to or learn from. Having toys similar to a child builds confidence and leadership skills. We chose to have a doll with darker skin to prepare our children for our adoption. We wanted to keep their minds open to that fact that people don’t need to look like us to be loved or in our family. Having ethnically diverse toys, we hope to help our children develop a global mindset and nurture their compassion and understanding for others.

Baby Doux dolls also help develop language, social and emotional skills in little ones through play. We loved hearing our daughter say baby and learn new words for body parts and clothes. Baby dolls also give our very shy daughter the opportunity to choose when and how to give affection. We like that her doll gives her the control of the situation and take ownership.

 

Baby Bijoux and Baby Doux are a wonderful addition to the Educational Insight collection. I encourage you to check out bringing a baby into your house and encourage your child to relate to the world around them and develop new life skills.

 

  • Comments Off on What a Doll with Educational Insight

Jan
2018

Boost Your Milk Supply

categories: Reviews
You’re not alone if you’re concerned about not producing enough breast milk for your baby.

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 75 percent of new mothers begin breastfeeding their babies, but many stop either partially or completely within the first few months. Concerns about insufficient milk production are one of the most common reasons for this.

The more you nurse your baby, the more milk your body produces. Don’t stick to a strict schedule. Nursing your baby whenever they are hungry, for as long as they want, is especially important during the first few weeks of establishing your supply, and offer the other breast when the first is empty. Majka, another one of the most popular brands of protein powder for breastfeeding, also uses food additives.

Hey lactating moms, check out Boobie Bars!

Boobie Bars – the original herbal lactation bars – are your daily dose of milk-boosting herbs in just one bar. They are full of nutritious ingredients that boost milk supply for lactating and nursing moms.

No more pills to swallow.

No more teas to brew.

 

 

Nurse Wendy is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) – a healthcare professional who specializes in the clinical management of breastfeeding. In 2011 Nurse Wendy created and started making Boobie Bars in her kitchen. She hand selected each ingredient that assists in milk-making; this blend of herbs in know as the Boobie Blend.

Boobie Bars are so great because just one bar gives you an entire daily dose of galactagogues (milk-making ingredients). One bar replaces brewing tea or taking multiple pills throughout the day.

 

Boobie Bars ingredients:

rolled oats, flaxseed

coconut oil – gets its ‘good fat’ from lauric acid (an anti-microbial found in breastmilk

turmeric – an antioxidant known for its anti-inflammatory effects and disease fighting power

moringa – a powerful plant rich with potassium, fiber, calcium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin C and contains high levels of protein and antioxidants

Nutritious Information:

 contain no dairy and no corn

vegan, kosher, non gmo

gluten free

good source of fiber

 

The three flavors offered; peanut butter, blueberry coconut, and oatmeal chocolate chip are so good. They aren’t your typical granola bar flavors, which I really like. The peanut butter bars are even gluten free!

The bars are individually packed in an easy open, quick grab box. Boobie Bars are different than other milk production products because the extended shelf life. There is no refrigeration or freezing necessary.

These bars are so perfect to eat as a snack – they are not a meal replacement. Keep them in the car, in your purse, the diaper bag. Boobie Bars are a great treat that will boost your supply AND taste good.

 

 

Check out the Boobie Bars website for more information on breastfeeding!

Connect with Boobie Bars

Facebook               Instagram               Pinterest               Twitter

  • Comments Off on Boost Your Milk Supply

Jan
2018

Do You Wish to Hold Your Pet Forever?

categories: Reviews

Are you a pet lover?

Do you have a pet who has passed away…one you miss so very much? Perhaps you lost your pet prematurely to an accident and you can’t forgive yourself for it. Maybe your furry friend became ill and you took them to a vet like the vetco clinics as soon as you could, but it was too late. Perhaps you lost your pet due to old age and there was no foul play or illness involved, still it’s hitting you like a brick wall even now. Whatever the circumstances, there is a way you can hold onto your pet forever with Cuddle Clones

Cuddle Clones is a unique and amazing company that can take images of your pet and recreate them into a stuffed animal. Their realistic creations will turn heads and drop jaws.

My one cat, Van (AKA Fat Van) was made into a stuffed animal – a Cuddle Clone! I was shocked at how truly realistic the Cuddle Clone is. My kids carry our Cuddle Clone around all the time, as the real Fat Van is way too heavy for them to manage carrying safely.

Although no one likes to think too much about their marvellous moggy no longer being around, a Cuddle Clone is a great way to remember your pet once they pass on to the next life. One of our neighbours had a scare a couple of months ago when she noticed her old cat had a swollen cat lip.

After a visit to the vets, it turned out to be nothing too serious and that her cat had probably just been stung by an insect or something. Not that it wasn’t a stressful time, and they actually spent a while trying to find something that could help ease their cat’s pain afterward. A friend of theirs recommended looking into trying these Pet Sticks that have a really great calming effect on animals and I think they actually helped. Anyway, I digress, but if things had not turned out so great, a Cuddle Clone would have been a cute way to celebrate the life of her cat, don’t you think?

It goes without saying that people love their pets and want them to live happily for as long as they can, and most pet owners would go to any length to keep their pets healthy. From regular visits to the vet to using all possible remedies for ailments that might include natural, full-spectrum ones like cbd for cat pancreatitis, pet owners treat their pets like their own babies. While that’s totally natural (admit it, we all love our pets way more than we love any human), pets usually have shorter lifespans than we do, and when it’s time for them to go, we should respect that and let them go. Their memories, however? We don’t have to let those go just as yet.

As I walk by the Cuddle Clone laying on the couch, floor, or kids bed, I literally have taken double takes thinking it was our real, living pet! I would think “why is she laying on that toy?” or “She is typically sleeping under my bed at this time of day…” Then I turn to fully look at our Cuddle Clone and see that it, in fact, not the real cat.

When you order a Cuddle Clone you are not just buying another stuffed animal, but a cherished memory. Our pets will not last forever, just as we wont either. We miss them terribly and wish we could love on them for years longer. With Cuddle Clone, you can keep holding your pet, as a Cuddle Clone, for years after their passing.

Using special machines and new technology, along with amble photos which you provide, Cuddle Clones can make a clone that looks almost exactly like your pet. They ask for multiple photos from many angles. Like tail, front, left side, right side, coloring close up, belly… But don’t fear if you do not have all those angles in photographs of a pet that has since passed away. You can provide the photos you have give the details you can remember about your pet and Cuddle Clones will work their magic and try their best to make the best version they can of your pet.

Use code MamatheFox for 10% off any order

By also providing additional information like their approximate weight, eye color, whether you would like the Cuddle Clone to have whiskers and how you would like your Cuddle Clone to be positioned, you can help them make the Clone as realistic as possible.

Cuddle Clones can be: Dogs, Cats, Horses, Large Birds, Donkeys, Cows, Deer, Goats, Monkeys, Pigs, Reptiles, Sheep, Spiders, Small Birds, Chinchillas, Ferrets, Fish, Gerbils, Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, Mice, Micro Pigs, Rabbits, Rats

Connect with Cuddle Clones

Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest YouTube

Check out Cuddle Clones and see what all the hype is about. Gift a gift card to someone this year to so they can hold their pet forever.


Dec
2017

Cabbage Patch Kids are Back for Christmas – Introducing Little Sprouts

categories: Reviews

Did you have an original Cabbage Patch doll?

I sure did! My mother meet someone in a parking lot in the 80’s to score one for tiny little MamatheFox, back when I was just a toddler.

I loved my doll and hoped my daughter would love them one day too. However, instead of loving dolls, she loves tiny plastic toys. Ones that she can carry in her pocket or purse.

Cabbage Patch Kids – being a leader in the toy industry – knew that the tiny toy theme was something they should jump on – and boy, oh boy, are we glad they did!

Introducing Little Sprouts by Cabbage Patch Kids

The Little Sprouts line has a few options available right now with their series 1 options

Collectible Figures – 4 pack

Collectible Figures – 8 pack

Little Spouts Vet Center Playset

Little Sprouts Cabbage Academy Playset

 

My 5 year old daughter loves her CBK Little Sprouts. She carries them in her purse, her pocket and of course her hands too. We love making them act out stories, silly situations and regular reenactment play.

You can use the play-sets that Little Sprouts have provided for us, or you can encourage your child to take an old box (got a few Amazon boxes laying around?) and give them a hand full of crayons to create their own playset.  My kids have made a pool, a rocket ship and treasure chest this past week alone from the boxes I have passed their way. Using their imaginations they can create the perfect set ups to use with their Little Sprouts.

We love that the 8 packs have a special blind bag with an extra surprise. The one set we opened has a fuzzy dog in it! The kids are thrilled to play with these amazing new toys.

Little Sprouts make the best stocking stuffers and holiday gifts this year. They are affordable, fun and just what small kids are asking for.

The pets are such a hit too. Now each little a little pet! Dogs, cats, birds, pandas and more! The little pets may be my daughters favorite part about the Little Sprouts

The 4 Pack set includes 1.5″ Kid, 1″ Baby, .75″ Pet figure & a HIDDEN accessory!

The 8 Pack set includes  two 1.5″ Kid figures, two 1″ Baby figures, one .75″ HIDDEN fantasy pet & three accessories!

The Little Sprouts 1.5″ Kid and 1″ Baby figures include articulation for sitting – which makes play even more interactive and allows the child playing with it use their imagination even more.

All of the Little Sprouts are available through Amazon

 

Collect all 120 Little Sprouts kid, baby, and pet collectible figures and set off on an exciting new adventure every day!

 

Available at:

  • Toys R’ Us
  • Amazon
  • Shopko
  • Fingerhut
  • Walmart.com
  • Toys R’ Us Canada

 

 

Connect with Cabbage Patch Kids

Facebook               Twitter               Instagram

 

 

These tiny toys are perfect for any child this holiday season. With pocket sized toys, dolls and pets all the rage, this is sure to be a hit when unwrapped


Dec
2017

Holiday Party Snack Attack

categories: Reviews

The holidays always come with a lot of eating; large meals, tons of snacks, and of course sweets. We’ve got some great snacks that are a very healthy option for you to replace some of the standard snacks you serve. These snacks are a great way to lighten up the load and keep people full without packing on the calories or sweets. Just a quick tip for those who are reading, as you can see I’ve posted these pictures and reviews on my social media pages with one being Instagram, I have used hashtags on the posts so that people can find them easier, funnily enough this has helped me get more instagram followers too! Which is always a bonus as any blogger thrives for more people to see their work.

Good Health Snacks is a fun line of veggie sticks, potato chips, pretzels, popcorn, tortillas, apple chips and veggie chips. All of their snacks are: organic, gluten free and NON-GMO. Making them the perfect choice to have available during your holiday parties and gift wrapping parties.

All the writers for MamatheFox had a gift wrapping party and one of the snacks we enjoyed were the Eat Your Vegetables Chips. These chips are so yummy and sneak in vegetables so you get some nutrients when snacking, not just starch and oils.

Getting your kids to eat veggies can be rough – but Good Life Snacks makes it fun. The veggie sticks have such a good taste and a crunchy texture, making getting your kids to eat healthy almost too easy. We love that they are in stick form, it makes them really easy to hold in little hands.! They are great for a snack, eating plain, or dipping in hummus. The best part though? 8 vegetables, source of vitamins, Gluten Free, no cholesterol, no gmo, no msg, or nuts.

With multiple vegetables packed inside every individual stick, the irroestiable crunchy veggie chips are a perfect healthy snack alternative. They even have a new Mickey Mouse shaped veggie chip available.

Connect with Good Health Snacks

Facebook Pinterest

Need a snack for you and the kids while driving to your relatives house this holiday? Snikiddy is the perfect on-the-go snack for adults and kids alike.

Their USDA organic snacks are baked, not fried, giving you the fun crunch you want while snacking, but without all the extra fat and calories. They have Baked Fries and Baked Puffs. The Baked Fries are perfect for kids, as their stick shaped form gives them a good grip on the snack and makes it easier for them to hold.

As for the taste, they are super! The Hot and Spicy is true spicy, so we recommend not giving them to kids – they were great for heat loving grown-ups.

If you are vegan, just a heads up, they do include milk in their Baked Fries – but it is nice to know they do not use hydrogenated oils and are made in a facility that does not manufacture any products containing peanuts or tree nuts.

Connect with Snikiddy

Facebook Instagram Pinterest

Do you just love sweet and salty type snacks?

Because that is my favorite craving filler!

Coming up with fun combo’s of sweet and salty foods is a fun pastime of foodies everywhere – and now I have a super pairing you are just gonna drool over – salty beef jerky from Country Archer and the rich, sweet goodness of Alter Eco chocolates.

Alter Ego has a broad line of chocolates – some are great for snacking, others are great for baking. If you need melting chocolate this holiday season, for cookies, pies or other treats, make the right call and grab some Dark Cacao to enrich the treat with 100% certified organic cocoa.

For snacking chocolate you have to get your hands, and taste buds, on Alter Eco’s Chocolate Truffles. They were a huge hit at our one party. It was gone before we blinked. A close second was the Alter Ego Dark Salt and Malt. Anyone who appreciate a true malt flavor will be over the moon when they nibble on this special treat.

Connect with Alter Ego

Facebook Pinterest Instagram Twitter

For the salty treat the way to go is Country Archer Jerky. With their broad line of Jerky and Sticks, in both beef and turkey varieties, you will be grinning ear to ear. Country Archer knows we are busy people, but need a healthy, high protein snack to get us through to the next meal. By snacking on their American grown beef you will taste the freshness and honest work put into each batch. We like to buy beef jerky online and have it delivered right to our door as it saves us searching for it in a store. We occasionally buy other brands too, especially when they do varied flavors!

We slammed on some Country Archer Jerky and here are our main thoughts – the beef was outstanding! The best had to be the Teriyaki & Sriracha. You read that right, real American made Jerky flavored with our favorite ‘kick-it-up-a-notch’ hot sauce Sriracha. While we did like the Turkey Jerky we had a harder time tasting the added flavors to the Hickory, this may have just been due to it being a leaner meat. We loved the texture and flavor of the turkey, don’t get us wrong, but we longed for just a little bit more kick in the mouth while eating the Hickory – on the flip side, the Turkey Honey Dijon was OUTSTANDING! The flavor was spot on and we ate the whole bag pretty fast, because it was just that great. For sure try out this flavor!

All the Country Archer meats were tender! No hard to chew, sore jaws when eating their jerky. It was the perfect balance of chew you want in a jerky but not so much that you feel like its gum in your mouth. They obtain this by using all natural 100% Grass-Fed beef and passing on the nitrates.

When you are hoping from store to store buying all your holiday gifts and essentials, be sure to have some Country Archer jerky on have to keep your energy levels up. They also are perfect for stocking stuffers.

Connect with Country Archer

Facebook Instagram Twitter

Kick that sweetness craving with the Bare Coconut and Chia Bites. These yummy, crunchy, baked snacks are the perfect substitute to any sweet that is served at the holidays. Three flavors are available: Chia + Flax, Chia + Vanilla, and Chia + Pineapple. With minimal ingredients, you will be loving these sweet treats! The bites are a great source of fiber and they contain NO preservatives, cholesterol, added oil, and have 0 grams of trans fat. They’re even non GMO certified. Any gluten free people in the family – offer these!

The rich and creamy taste and texture will leave your guests wanting more. Not only are Bare bites a great alternative for adults, but for kids too! My niece and nephew LOVE these. They sat down at the table one night and between the two of them almost ate a whole bag! They went right on the shopping list after that.

Bare believes in simplicity, goodness, being real, and living life fully. Their Coconut and Chia Bites really show these qualities of the company. With their minimal ingredients their snacks taste good, are straight from nature, and bring joy to the many faces of people who enjoy to eat.

Connect with Bare Snacks

Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter


Dec
2017

Scooting Into 2018 with Y Volution

categories: Reviews

Kids are active. They are busy and always on the go.

Getting that energy out in a healthy and constructive manner is key.

Give the kids in your life the chance to get that energy out with the hot outside toy  –  scooters! With so many kinds out there your head can spin, so MamatheFox did the dirty work and found a winner – the Y Volution Scooters

We played with the Y Glider XL Kids Scooter 

 

The Y Glider XL is one of the newest additional to the giant line of scooters by Y Volution. It is perfect for preschoolers through elementary ages children.

It features an adjustable height function, allowing your scooter to grow up with your child.

It’s wide rear break is a clunky wheel, which allows for more control – This is great for smaller/less experienced kids.

The extra wide deck is great for keeping feet stable on the scooter.

Can customize the deck – change the color in seconds

The kids favorite feature are the blinged out wheels! You can snap in your own pattern, with the colored decor that comes with each scooter. My 5 year old loved feeling like she was part of the set up process.

The scooter comes fully assembled, other than you needed to snap the top handle bar into the riding base. It was very simple, but did take some extra pressure of hand, so this is a job for a grown-up, not a small child.

 

Tip:

To adjust the handle to have more turning mobility:

There is a yellow button down by the wheels. When you push that in, you can adjust the wheels up towards the handle bars or pull them down to create more space in between the wheels that the handle bars.

When the wheels are tight up against that deck, it’s locked and it won’t lean as much, but when you press that yellow button and move the wheels down, you’ll notice a big difference in the way the scooter handles. It will be much more loose and your kids will be able to lean into turns, etc.

 

https://youtu.be/z7KsGCWYMqQ

 

 

We have ridden on a lot of brands and types of scooters, but we love the Y Glider for a few reasons:

  1. It is easy ride!
  2. It makes falling over more difficult with the adjustable ‘learn, grow, pro’ steering system
  3. Having two wheels in the front and only 1 in the rear is perfect for shorter legs/smaller kids

 

 

Connect with Y Volution

Facebook          Instagram          YouTube          Pinterest

 


Nov
2017

Bathing with Jewelry

categories: Reviews

When I think luxury I think of lots of things ….. special things.

Jewelry, relaxation, bling, comfort….

This month’s Mama’s Tub Time features a luxury bath bomb from Jackpot Candles

The bath bombs from Jackpot Candles are not your average bath bomb. Inside each bath bomb you have a ring that will float to the top of the bathwater once fully dissolved. The ring, in a small plastic container for safety, will float to the top of the water, showing you your newest ring to wear and flaunt. Alternatively, if you’re looking for personalised and also water resistant jewelry you may want to check out these custom silicone rings.

This exciting feature makes the bath bombs by Jackpot Candles the perfect gift this holiday season. If you know someone who loves to relax in the tub and who loves jewelry, then this is the easy choice. Jackpot Candles aren’t the only company that offers rings with their bath bombs amorbathbombs.com also offers a range of bath bombs that come with rings and necklaces, however, the difference is that you get to choose the ring or necklace you’d like, this is ideal if that certain someone has a specific taste in jewelry this way you’ll know exactly what ring or necklace she’s going to get. To help add to this peaceful relaxation, the use of THC tinctures may be of added benefit in getting you to wind down during the end of the day, especially if it has been a rough one.

Each bath bomb contains a ring which has a value from $15 to $5,000! Wouldn’t is be amazing to get a ring with such a giant retail value!

MamatheFox used 4 bath bombs from Jackpot Candles and these are my main thoughts:

  1. Love the soft colors – did not leave color rings around the tub when drained
  2. Moisturizing yet not heavy with oils
  3. Exciting watching it fizz and melt, knowing a special ring is waiting for me
  4. Looking up the ring’s value is a fun novelty
  5. These would make the perfect gift for any bath or jewelry lover this holiday
  6. Appealing scents make for a relaxing bathing experience

Rings come is sizes 6, 7, 8 or 9

Scents Available:

  • Mermaid Daydream
  • Tranquil Serenity
  • Love Potion
  • Enliven Me
  • Life of the Party Pink Grapefruit
  • Ocean Breeze
  • Citrus Unwind
  • Tangerine Tango
  • Tea Time
  • Hibiscus

Connect with Jackpot Candles

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram


Nov
2017

Top Signs Why You Need to Buy a New Mattress for Your Bed Room

categories: Reviews

The mattress is the central part of the bedroom as most of the time you’re in there you’re either lying on top of it or sitting on it. Regardless of the activity type, this surface takes a lot from you in its lifetime, which is OK since this is why it exists – to accommodate your needs.

But, as the time goes by, even the most durable of mattresses will start to give in. The process happens gradually but it happens, and there are signs to warn you before the mattress becomes unusable. My recommendation is to pay attention to these signs and start saving early as a new mattress is a pretty serious commitment, both financially and personally. These signs would generally mean that it is close to or is time for you to invest in a new mattress from somewhere like Simba. It is definitely an essential that everyone needs in order to provide them with a good night’s sleep. Plus, there’s not better feeling than sleeping on a brand new mattress. What I did when I knew I had to replace my old one was look into mattress reviews and watch tutorials, where I found this to be the best way I could get the opinion of others who have tried these products out. I feel like this is one of the best ways to finding your perfect mattress for you or your family.

From a financial point of view, a new mattress may get you to dig deep in the savings pocket. However, from a personal point of view, you may consider a new approach to get the best product that fits your comfort needs and sleeping position (for more on this topic, click here).

Still, I’m not here to talk about a new product, but the old one. Below I listed some of the most common signs that tell you the old mattress has to go.

The Surface Starts to Sag

Every mattress with a queen bed frame, will start to sag after a long time of constant using, but each material behaves differently. For instance, if you own an innerspring, you’ll notice a depression in the center of the mattress that gets deeper with time. With a memory foam mattress on the other hand, there is no visual clue. Still, if you start feeling like you are in a hammock every time you lie down, this is a very clear sign of sagginess.

There are Lumps

Sadly, this symptom can’t be ignored for too long because lumps will interfere with your sleep more than anything else. Usually, lumps start small and you don’t get to feel them very soon, but when they get big enough, you won’t be able to stop thinking about them.

You are Tired all the Time

Well this is absolutely normal when you have small children, but the little sleep you do get should be comfy and restful. So, if you tend to wake up more tired than when you went to bed, take a closer look at your mattress. If the back support is no longer effective the tension that gathers in your shoulders and spine during the day won’t be properly relieved during the night. This means back and neck pain that will keep you awake during the night.

Weird Sounds

Not all mattresses make sounds, but if yours is nosier than usual, consider a replacement in the nearest future. The ones that get louder with time are the products that feature a spring or coil structure, but these are not the only ones (some latex mattresses get noisy with time as well).

Overall, if a mattress is older than eight years old, it has run its course and must be replaced with a fresh, modern product. Many mattresses today are very well-equipped and come with amazing features that work wonders for your comfort and back support.


Nov
2017

We Love Dad

categories: Reviews

Every time I wear my baby in our baby carrier or wrap I get multiple people who comment on how great they are. It never fails that someone will speak to me about how they wish they had a carrier or wrap when their kids were younger.

“Those are such a great idea. I wish they made them when I had kids.”

“Wow, he looks so cozy!”

“What a great contraption for keeping your hands free.”

These comments, among others, are some that people have said to me.

 

 

Let me tell, I have never had so many people talk to us and comment on how cool the Lalabu Dad Shirt is than when my husband wore this shirt. It seemed like every step we took someone different asked us about it. People just couldn’t get over how genius the shirt was!

 

 

Lalabu is a small business that’s based in Atlanta Georgia. The husband and wife team were first interested in babywearing when they were on a trip to Africa. Babies were soothed by their mom’s presence and were a part of their parents everyday lives. When connected to their parents, babies feel very safe and secure. Babywearing jump starts learning because they can easily observe how the parent moves, talks, and interacts with the world around them.

The creators of Lalabu wanted parents to be able to wear babies easily so they would wear them more often. Simplifying babywearing was the perfect solution; they combined the clothing and gear into one brilliant design – the Soothe Shirt for moms and the Dad Shirt for dads.

 

This dad shirt is different that all other baby carriers because it makes babywearing simple. It is seriously so easy to wear your newborn baby with this shirt. The simple design allows anyone to be able to figure out how to use it. There is no wrapping, adjusting, or tying involved when using this shirt; just simply slip the baby into the open pouch an go!

The slim-fit design looks flattering on any body type. I love how the shirt looks like a normal t-shirt; it just has a cute little pouch to keep baby in. The v-neck neck line allows the shirt to be stylish even without baby in it. So, once baby weighs more than 15 pounds, dad can still wear the shirt!

The polyester, rayon, and spandex blend that creates the softness of the shirt is just that – soft! Not to mention, the inner mesh panel provides breathability which is perfect for men. My husband is always warm, so when he’s wearing the baby you better believe that he’s going to be hot. This mesh panel is great because it allows him to be cooler and not sweat as much as he normally does.

 

The adjustable head-support panel is a great feature. It can fold down into the pouch when not in use, then while baby is growing you can flip it out to extend the life of the shirt. We liked using the panel when baby is sleeping. It gave his head extra support, and it was great to cover his face up a bit and keep passerby’s from getting too close. On sunny days the panel is perfect for keeping baby’s head protected from the rays.

 


Dads can be basically hands free with this Lalabu dad shirt. It is such a life savor when you have multiple kids. My husband was able to play and interact with our 18 month old while holding our newborn in the shirt. He defiantly needed to be careful and keep a had on the back of baby’s head just to insure safety.

 

I especially love that Lalabu gives 2% of every individual sales is given back to fund the dreams of families. You can now choose what cause you want your 2% to be given towards. Choose from four different categories that you have the opportunity to give back to. To learn more about their For New Lives Giving – give back program click here. 

Connect with Lalabu

Facebook               Instagram              Pinterest                Twitter              Youtube

 

This company is really awesome and we absolutely love the dad shirt. I love that my husband can wear our newborn so easily and enjoy it! Kiddos grow up so fast, so this babywearing shirt that allows dads to connect with their kids from the beginning is great. Lalabu makes mom shirts too, so be sure to check them out on their website.

 


Nov
2017

Happily and Organically Ever After

categories: Reviews

Having a new baby in the house means a lot of ‘newness’; new clothes, new toys, new adjustments. That’s what we’re going through in our home right now. Baby number two is causing us to adjust a lot – but what new baby doesn’t?! We’re still swooning over him and teaching our 18 month old how to be gentle. Let me tell ya, there’s never a dull moment!

 

I have some hesitations when it comes to health and safety. I want to keep baby healthy while his little body is growing and building up its immunity! Keeping chemicals and dirtiness at bay is quite the struggle. I’m constantly washing toys and cleaning the floor. I even wash brand new toys. Is that weird?That is why I am swooning over the Finn + Emma play gym that we have. I am 100% confident pulling out the play gym and having baby near it (and soon chewing on it). It is super stylish, so it looks great in anyones home; and most importantly it is made with natural and organic materials.

 

::About Finn + Emma::

Finn + Emma is a brand that we, here at MamatheFox, have grown to know and love. Their products are beautiful, so unique, and 100% safe for kiddos. Stylish, sustainable, and whimsical are words that you  could use to describe their brand.

Finn + Emma strives to make homes (and the things in them) safe. With products that include clothing, blankets, headbands, play gyms, and more; you will for sure find something of theirs that catches your eye.

This brand really lives out the sustainable, no chemical life. They replace chemicals and unsafe materials with 100% organic cotton, eco friendly dies, and all natural wood – that is music to any mamas ears!

The wooden toys are made from untreated Indian hardwood and finished with vegetable seed wax then filled with little beans. While their hand-knit toys are made with G.O.T.S. (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified organic cotton yarn and wool stuffing. The rattle inside is even phthalate-free!

All the garments and accessories sold by Finn + Emma are produced in fair trade settings. These settings focus on social and economic independence for local people who are working to provide for their families in a safe and fair environment. Buying fair trade is a great way for us to reduce poverty through everyday shopping!

Finn + Emma’s quest:

“To live happily and organically ever after”

 

Upon arrival of the Finn + Emma play gym I was so, so excited. We received it before I even had baby 2.0 but that did not stop me from taking it out of the box right then and there. I just couldn’t wait to see it!

I put this play gym together in about ten minutes. It is really easy to figure out and totally doable with one person. There is not a lot of pieces and the directions are very straight forward. My 18 month old son really wanted to help, so don’t be afraid to have your kiddo help you out; they’ll love it!

 

The play gym is seriously so stylish. I don’t feel like I need to put it away or hide it when company comes over because it actually looks good. The neutral colors and tones make it appealing in any room. I like how the play gym doesn’t come with loud, musical toys nor bright colors or crazy patterns. Although I like those features for my kiddos to learn, I don’t necessarily like them in my living room all the time. This play gym really is the perfect toy to keep out in the open – you almost WANT people to see it.



This play gym is very versatile too. Included with it is four different rattle/teether toys, these are great because you can attach them to the gym or take them off and let baby play with them independently. The two wooden toys are teethers and are perfect for an older child getting some chompers. The two cloth/knit toys are rattlers, they work great while on the go. Take them in the car with you or pull them out while grocery shopping!

Seriously adorable.

 

I love how the play gym is a grow-with-me toy. Unlike most traditional play gyms, it can easily be used once baby is able to sit up; the lifespan of it just increased! The legs of the play gym are adjustable so you can increase (or decrease) the height based on baby’s age.

I’m all about toys that have multiple purposes and uses – this one defiantly meets those standards.

 

 

The play gym is really easy to store too. With our first child we had a traditional play gym that was “collapsable” but still was hard to store. You couldn’t get to it easily because it needed taken out from wherever it was kept and then to be put together. I keep my Finn + Emma play gym right up against our couch so it’s easily accessible but also out of the way when we’re not using it.

 

 

Our Finn + Emma play gym allows me to worry less and my kiddo to play more. The natural and organic materials gives me assurance that my baby (and yours too!) is safe and kept away from dangerous plastics and man made materials.

Connect with Finn + Emma

Facebook               Instagram               Pinterest               Twitter               Youtube

  • Comments Off on Happily and Organically Ever After