Nov
2016

Lalabu Soothe Shirt Review

categories: Reviews

I am so excited to review this product, because I just love it! My husband and I both tried out the Lalabu Soothe Shirt and are quite impressed with how awesome they are! It almost feels like you have a third arm helping carry the weight of your babe, which is amazing! My very long baby boy (25.25 inches!) is growing so fast that I probably won’t get to use it for babywearing for too much longer, but the amazing part is it doubles as a nursing shirt!

lalabu6

 

More about the Lalabu Soothe Shirt

Lalabu’s soothe shirt is truly babywearing made simple. No buckles, snaps, or awkward ties. Simply just slip your baby into the built in pouch and TADAA!! I feel like a momma kangaroo snuggling my babe and it is awesome!

Shirt Features:

  • Easy-to-use pouch calms newborns
  • Built-in nursing bra makes breastfeeding convenient
  • Inner mesh panel provides cool breathability
  • Pouch extender grows with baby
  • Made in the USA
  • No need to wear a separate bra
  • Two fabric layers for extra coverage
  • Soft elastic band provides support
  • Shirt covers stomach while nursing

Not only is the Lalabu shirt an incredibly made product, this company even gives 2% of every purchase to moms in Africa, supporting mom entrepreneurs through micro-finance.

I don’t know about you, but I just love supporting businesses that make giving back an important part of their business model.

lalabu5

 

The Lalabu Story

Okay, so you can clearly tell I love this shirt. I mean it is a genius idea. So how in the world did they come up with this idea you might ask? This husband and wife team took a trip to Africa to visit their aunt and noticed that many of the mothers there all babywear their infants. Babywearing is known to have amazing benefits for baby and their mommy. This led them to question, ” If babywearing is so incredible for both parent and baby, why aren’t more parents in our country doing it?” Then the Lalabu shirt was born. They sought out to create a shirt to make babywearing more simple for all of us Mamas out there. Oh and for all of you men, they didn’t leave you out! Lalabu has a Daddy shirt, too! If your babe is like mine, he just loves snuggling with his daddy! It gives me a nice break to blog, have two free hands, eat a bowl of ice cream, or shower, while daddy can snuggle our baby and still be productive as well.lalabu2

 

My Overall Impression

LOVE! Have I mentioned I love this product?! I must admit when I first put it on I felt a bit self-conscious with my mombod. It is a snug fit, so don’t be alarmed. The snug fit is necessary, however, so that your baby is safe in your shirt pouch.

 

lalabu1

My husband sort of felt the same way about the fit. He said that he would like one size bigger, but again, with a smaller baby a snug fit would definitely be necessary.

lalabu4

 

Even when I can no longer fit my big boy in the pouch, the nursing function is also fantastic and the shirt looks cute enough to wear solo! Guess what else…you can also ditch the bra in this one! Totally enough support built in–wahoo!

lalabu3

 

My husband and I both give these shirts two thumbs up!! With Christmas just around the corner, the Lalabu Soothe Shirt would be a super awesome gift for any mommy or daddy-to-be!

Want to know more? Connect with Lalabu!

Instagram: Lalabubaby

Facebook: @simplebabying

Twitter: @lalabu

Pinterest: lalabubaby

Website: https://www.lalabu.com/

 

 


Nov
2016

Lalabu Babywearing Giveaway

categories: Giveaway

lalabu-giveaway

Welcome to the Our Little Pumpkin Giveaway Hop hosted by MamatheFox! At each stop in this hop you can find a fun prize that would make a perfect gift for a child this holiday season. Be sure to come back for your daily entries to increase you chances of winning! Good Luck

 our-little-pumpkin-nov1


Nov
2016

Momsense,The Smart Breastfeeding Meter- Review

categories: Reviews

Let me start off by saying, where was this little gadget when my baby boy was a newborn???!!!img_5208

As a first time mom, who is exclusively breastfeeding, I was constantly worried about pretty much every part of breastfeedingf. Was he getting enough milk? How much will my nipples hurt? How can I stop this from happening? The worries go on. And I know a lot of first time mamas feel the same way! Thankfully, sites like Best For Parents are helpful when it comes to finding products that can help to make breastfeeding easier – plus I had a lot of support from my family. But this didn’t stop me from worrying! In the beginning weeks, the thing I was worried most about was whether or not my son was getting enough milk. Again, I know I’m not alone in this because it tends to be a frequent topic in just about every mom group I’m in. Thanks be to God, we were doing just fine and my son was getting more than enough. In fact, I ended up getting an oversupply for a little bit there, because I was worried I was undersupplying and started doing all sorts of things to boost supply. In those crazy days, I could have really used the reassurance of Momsense to give me some insight in just how much was my son taking in per nursing session.

 

Momsense is a smart breastfeeding meter that can inform mom’s with the use of a smartphone app how much milk your baby is taking in. I received this little package and was amazed at how simple the design actually is.img_5210 It is essentially a pair of earbuds with an extra little sensor attached that is placed just under your baby’s ear. The Momsense comes with sticky pads to stick on to the meter, which is what you will safely place on your baby. Not to worry, the adhesive is baby safe!img_5211

The directions explain that each sticky pad should last multiple uses; however, I found that it actually lost its stickiness quickly at first, because I was putting it on and off so many times to get the right positioning. Once you get the hang of finding the right placement on the first try, the sticky pads should get many uses. The head phones plug into your phone and you download the Momsense smartphone app. With this app, it will measure your baby’s milk intake, you will be able to listen to your baby’s swallows (and it records it!), and you will be able to keep an ongoing timeline to keep track of their feeding habits. How cool is that?!

img_5373

In my personal experience, my active 4 month old is getting quite squirmy and kicks and wants to grab at my hair, necklace, shirt or whatever he can reach all while nursing. So this was very difficult for me to use with him. HOWEVER, like I said, in the beginning I was SO WORRIED about whether or not he was getting enough! I mean let’s be honest, breastfeeding is hard work! For a first time mom, there is a major learning curve! I feel like Momsense in those beginning stages would have given me so much peace of mind! Newborns also don’t squirm the way a 4 month old does, so it would be MUCH easier to use in those younger stages. Despite my squirmy boy making it a little more difficult, I must admit I loved that the app stores and records the precious noises and swallow sounds he makes while he nurses. As I’m writing this review, I was just browsing through the app and was listening to some of the recordings and it just warmed my heart to hear him. 🙂 So for me, it is not a tool I will use every day; however, as we continue on our journey I think it will be fun and informative to break out once a week or so to document his breastfeeding habits, inform me about his intake, and record those precious noises, of course! If I had this when he was a newborn, it likely would have been my BFF. The app also has some other fun features like coupons for different products and breastfeeding tips.

Side Note: For those of you who snagged the newest iPhone with no headphone jack, you will need to purchase the adapter! #Applebringbackthejack

So there you have it! From one mommy to another, just doing the best I can each and every day! If you have a little one on the way and plan to breastfeed, you will love this product! If your baby is older and your breastfeeding habits and routines are well-established and your baby is growing and thriving, you just keep up the good work-no gadget necessary! 😉

Want to learn more about Momsense?

For more information about the Momsense, check out their website or connect with them via social media!

Facebook: @mymomsense

Google+: Momsense

Instagram: mymomsense

Pinterest: mymomsense

Twitter: @my_momsense

Youtube: Momsense

 


Nov
2016

Chibebe – Snuggle Pod and Rocker

categories: Reviews

chibebe-logo

Chibebe creates comfy, cute grow-with-me beanbag seats for children. The snuggle pod allows your child to sit comfortably and safely in a resting position. Most families buy [or are gifted] a baby bouncer and child seat (of some sort); Chibebe takes one step away from that process. With the snuggle pod families have the freedom to buy one chair and use it for multiple purposes. Because it’s a grow with me seat – your child can use the chair as a newborn, toddler, and as a pre teen.

chibebe-image

The Chibebe brand was built on a single principle- a dedication to creating quality, safe products for babies and children.

The snuggle pod is a great alternative to your average baby bouncer. Two major benefits come from using a snuggle pod – reflux relief and prevention of flathead. The shape of the beanbag is designed to be flexible and allow for different positions to be used based on baby’s specific needs. You have the ability to change the shape of the pod and position of the beans based on the circumstance (post-feeding, nap, play). The super soft seat helps to protect the back of baby’s head. Pressure is kept off the head because of the flexible surface and the way the head is elevated on the seat.

 

Chibebe offers a few different accessories for purchase that you can use with the snuggle pod. The pod rocker (details and review below), just like it sounds, converts the seat into a rocker. This is especially useful with younger children. The pod warmer is a blanket that connects to the snuggle pod allowing baby to stay warm and cozy.

When receiving the snuggle pod you will find in the box a multitude of goodies. Wrapped up nice and pretty in a cute reusable bag is: the snuggle pod – in your choice of fabric print, the baby seat with harness, the toddler seat, and the removable inner filling bag (where the beans go).

new

 

Snuggle Pod

The Chibebe snuggle pod [beanbag] is the perfect baby bouncer, toddler chair, and pre-teen seat. Its versatility is reason enough to invest in one. There are not many products  your child can use as a newborn and also as a pre-teen; this is a huge reason I love the snuggle pod.

good-photo

Chibebe offers many different prints for their snuggle pod beanbags. I absolutely love the print of our snuggle pod, it fits our home perfectly (I like it when things match). Most of their prints are gender neutral, so you can use the same pod with multiple children. When choosing a snuggle pod you pick the print of the pod and the color of the seats.

The snuggle pod is created so that the seats are interchangeable. There is a zip mechanism on the top of the pod where you zip the seat on. It zips completely around the pod and is hidden by the tag on the very top. When the seat is dirty you can unzip it and throw it in the wash! Change it from the newborn seat to the toddler seat or vise versa when baby gets older or you have a new one. Created just the same, the only difference between the two seats are that the newborn seat has a buckle harness to keep baby from rolling or falling off the pod. The baby and toddler seats are created with the same stretch lycra blend and soft padding. The seats are water resistant too, so messes are easy to clean up.

The removable inner filling bag is a thin bag that gets filled with the bean bag beans. You can buy the beans from any large retailer or order them from the Chibebe website. It’s probably best to have two people when stuffing the filling bag with beans; you’ll need someone to hold the bag open and someone pouring the beans. Chibebe [and I] recommend filling the bag in the bathtub. Close the drain and make sure it’s dry and start pouring; this makes for a very easy clean up. Put about 60-65 liters of the bean filling in the bag.

My favorite aspect of the snuggle pod is the changeable seats. When you order a pod it comes with a newborn and toddler seat so you really are set from birth to pre teen. I love how soft the seats are; they are so cozy and flexible. I feel very comfortable when my child is in the seat and he is buckled in because I trust the material. The water resistant feature is super appealing to me because lets face it, babies can be messy sometimes. I look forward to using the seat with the pod for my future kids when they are newborns. The fact that the seat gives reflux relief is a huge plus for me. My baby had some major reflux when he was younger, so if this seat gives any sort of relief for future kids, I’m willing to give it a try!

Pod Rocker

This pod rocker is such a cool, unique concept. Simply order it on the Chibebe website with your snuggle pod and convert the seat into a rocker! This is great because not only do you have a product that can last until your child is a preteen. You also have a product that has multiple use for babies. I believe that this makes it the best swing for older babies as it’s so versatile. good-pod-pic2

One downside I experienced with the pod rocker was constructing it; I had a really hard time putting it together. After reading the directions I felt ready to clip it together and see how it looked. But it took me at least half an hour to click the bars together. The rocker is all metal and the locking mechanism which pops up through the holes to keep it in place are metal as well. This was part of my problem. My fingers could not with hold the pressure of the locks; I was forced to use pliers. The metal pieces fit very snuggly into each other so taking the rocker apart is next to impossible; I’ll just leave it intact forever!

When it was all said and done and I finally got the pod rocker together and working I can truly say that I am pleased with it. Now that I put the snuggle pod into the rocker and my son uses it, I am grateful for the security and snug fit of the metal bars. I feel comfortable placing my son into it; and I don’t have to worry about it collapsing. The pod rocker is a great accessory to use with the snuggle pod.

good-pod-pic

Connect with Chibebe

Facebook               Twitter               Pinterest               Instagram


Nov
2016

Kuhn Rikon Colori Titanium Knife Giveaway

categories: Giveaway

kuhn-rikon-giveaway

It’s that time of year again! Fall is officially in full swing and the holidays are right around the corner. That means that it’s time for the second annual Gobbling Up the Giveaways giveaway hop hosted by The Anti-June Cleaver and Our Piece of Earth!

We have teamed up with an amazing group of bloggers to bring you a lot of fantastic of prizes to kick off the holiday season. After you have entered my giveaway, be sure to visit the linky below for more great prizes.

gobbling

The Anti-June Cleaver, Our Piece of Earth, and the rest of the bloggers participating in the Gobbling Up the Giveaways giveaway hop are not responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill prize obligations


Nov
2016

LEGO KidsFest

categories: Reviews

legokidsfestlogo

Does your family love LEGO’s? We are obsessed with them at my house. We play with Duplo’s and LEGO’s literally every day. My son, who is only 2.5, wants to be a big kid and play with the standard LEGO’s but my husband and I have not broken down to buy the tiny pieces yet. We are trying to stick with Duplo’s (which are easier to clean up and for tiny hands to use) for now. Our local library has a monthly LEGO play date. They provide buckets of LEGO’s for us to play with and make our very own creations with. My kids love playing with all the tiny pieces, figuring out how they connect and learning though their play. They watch the older kids and see how they design their creations and try to copy how they click and piece them together. I am a huge advocate for using LEGO’s as a learning toy. Allowing them to play without a screen, using their minds and hands, its such a healthy way to play. Little engineers in the making.

1

The Foxes were blessed with the chance to attend LEGO KidsFest when it traveled to Cleveland, Ohio. We were amazed at the huge set up and all the play places that were set up. Some of the stations set up were:

  • LEGO Build Areas
  • LEGO Model Museum
  • Race Ramps
  • Creation Nation
  • Challenge Zoe
  • LEGO Friends
  • Create Your Own Fairy Tale
  • LEGO Retail Store
  • DK Reading Zone
  • Mixels Station
  • Star Wars Station
  • Big Brick Pile
  • and much more!

lego-fest

My kids and I went to every station, and some we stayed at longer than others. We loved the Big Brick Pile so much. They were able to roll around and bury themselves in LEGO’s like you would at the beach with sand. It was so fun to watch. The Mixels Station was a fun part too. My kids love this station because there are eyeball pieces to make your own monster creation. My daughter loved the Disney section and the Friends section. Seeing all the pink and purple bricks and how to make beautiful houses. But when you first walk in you are greeted by TONS of huge, and I mean huge, models of heroes and famous characters that you can take your photos with. These pieces all travel in their own custom crate and cost many bucks (some the cost of a mid size car)! There were also many huge, flashy digital signs showcasing the latest developments in LEGO world, no doubt to entice both children and adults alike. The whole set-up probably involved vast amounts of collaborative effort from companies like Platon Graphics (https://platongraphics.com/retail-signage/) and others to make the space and the event as successful as it was. It was a privilege to see and experience this years LEGO KidsFest. When this event comes to your town buy your tickets fast, because they sell out fast and ware worth every penny. Your kids will have LEGO dreams for weeks.

lego-sculptures

 


Nov
2016

Caboo – Sustainable Sugarcane and Bamboo Paper Products

categories: Reviews

logo

https://youtu.be/3TY9dn2FgNk

Have you considered the impact that our paper products have on the world? We use more than you may even realize. Toilet paper, napkins, paper towels, baby wipes, cleaning wipes, packaging, writing paper….the list goes on and on. A tree can take up to 30 years to replace itself once cut down. 30 years! What is you could use paper products that can regrow in a few months? You can, when you buy Caboo products – which are made using sustainable sugarcane and bamboo. Sugarcane and bamboo are grasses, rather than hardwood’s. They grow very quickly, and after harvest, grow back just as fast. There is no replanting necessary!

By switching to Caboo products you can help save rain forests, water and wildlife. While more importantly make a change on our global impact. Bamboo does not require pesticides, chemicals or fertilizers. I can grow in soil that is very low in nutrients. Pretty hardy huh?! BPA’s can be found in some recycled tissues. With bamboo you never have to worry, it is always BPA free.

Connect with Caboo

Facebook Twitter Instagram

What Products Does Caboo Offer?

  • Baby Wipes
  • Bath Tissue (toilet paper)
  • Facial Tissue
  • Kitchen Roll Towels (paper towels)
  • Multi-fold Towels
  • Table Napkins

Having tried practically all the products the Caboo has to offer I have to say I am really enjoying the bamboo side of life! Their products are just as convenience and easy to use as a hardwood tree product but now with a guilt-free conscious about using paper products. I try to use reusable towels and reusable baby wipes when at home. But we all know that some messes require disposables.

disposable-bamboo-wipesIn my diaper bag I always take disposable wipes for my diapers. It is easier than lugging around wash clothes and adding them to the wet bag. I hated using tree based wipes, but I never knew of another option. Now I can use Caboo bamboo baby wipes! They are so silky soft and have a lovely soft scent. They work perfectly for any time of diaper situation. I am hooked on these diaper wipes! If you cloth diaper but are using disposable wipes, you need to make the switch to Caboo Bamboo Baby Wipes.

With a toddler and preschooler I am trying to instill good manors and reinforce bamboo-napkin-caboochores like helping set up the dinner table and cleaning up afterwards. My daughter loves to help set the dinner table by placing a Caboo napkin next to each plate and putting the silverware on top of that napkin. I love using it to catch my coffee splashes in the mornings. Less mess and less work for a busy family is always what we are looking for.

 

caboo-napkins

caboo-cleaning-wipesCleaning wipes are a huge seller in today’s market. I used to use them years ago when they first came out, but then stopped when I discontinued bleach from my life. I felt bad using such a harsh chemical in my home and exposing myself and my family to it. I did miss the convenience of the use-and-toss wet towel concept. I am THRILLED that Caboo has a cleaning wipe that is not only in a pull-out-the-top style container but its made with bamboo and no bleach! These are a game changer. I can use them in the kitchen, bathroom, living room…anywhere, because they are totally safe for my family and good for the environment.

Their toilet paper was the item I was most hesitant to try. I am such a toilet paper fanatic! caboo-facial-tissueThe thought of hard, gas station type toilet paper freaks me out. I was pleasantly surprised that Caboo toilet paper is not rough like the cheap kinds you find in public restrooms. Their toilet paper is made with bamboo, and not traditional wood, which gives it a softness that a tree cannot produce. While this toilet paper is free of lotions and additives, I really like it. I have been using it for a week now and my family never commented on the switch, which is HUGE! We have a septic system and it is safe for us to use. The keys to it’s success it that is 100% tree-free, Chlorine-Free and its 2 ply, so its strong enough for any family.

One of the good things about bamboo toilet paper is that it breaks down just as well as regular toilet paper, if not more. That’s good for our septic system as well as any sewer-connected houses as well. However flushing too much at once can clog the toilet, so calling in a certified plumbing service like https://americaneagleplumbing.net/services/clogged-toilet-repair/ is still a possibility. In other words, it acts just like regular toilet paper.

Having 1 child who was recently potty trained and another who is starting to potty train we are going threw toilet paper like it’s our job. I don’t like to be wasteful in anything, especially when it comes to paper products. Now I have an ease of mind. In the potty training phase of life kids are learning what the appropriate amount of squares are for wiping. They always seem to take way too many squares don’t they? Knowing that this paper is made with such a fast growing sustainable resource (bamboo), I don’t get that sad feeling of wastefulness that I used to get. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to waste anything, but heck, kids are going to be kids and they are going to waste toilet paper. It’s like an unspoken potty training rule. Switching to Caboo will help not only the environment but your ease of mind too. **UPDATE – I have been using Caboo toilet paper for over 1 month and love it! I cannot believe how much I honestly love it. I typically like really thick paper. This paper is thinner than the types I used to buy but it is so durable and soft that I cannot get enough of it.**

Tagging along from the toilet paper softness mentality – there comes the facial tissues! This was my 2nd most curious item to try. Just like the toilet paper, I was surprised at how soft it was in comparison to non-lotion tissues made from trees. It is cold season and being in Ohio we constantly use tissues. We go through at least a box per week with 2 adults and 2 toddlers. I know what we need in a tissue. I am cool with using Caboo tissues based on the fact that they are not hard like wood based tissues and I know that they are so much better for our environment. While I do find them slightly hard to pull out of the box (not lubed up LOL) but they work perfectly for us.

At the end of the day I am really happy with the standards and quality of all the Caboo products. I plan on continuing to use the wipes until my kids are potty trained. I love the cleaning wipes SO much and all the paper products will stay in rotation at my house. Do yourself a favor and try out a few of their products and see how much you love them. Clean your conscious and choose Caboo!


Nov
2016

The Gourmet Meals Giveaway

categories: Giveaway

The Gourmet Meals In An Instant Giveaway from Meal Time Box!

2 Winners! ($100 TRV) Ends 11/25!

Who doesn’t love food?! I am always up for trying some new delicious foods, and now you can enter to win a huge prize from Meal Time Box!

Gourmet Meals In An Instant Giveaway with Meal Time Box! 2 Winners! ($100 TRV)

mealtimeboxgiveawaybutton2Deliciously Savvy is Hosting Another Yummy Giveaway From Meal Time Box! 2 Winners Will Receive a $50 Gift Card to Order Delicious Hand Prepared Meals Delivered To Your Door Step! The Food Is Delicious and you Can Read My Review Here. Enter Today & Good Luck!

Sponsored By: Meal Time Box

Hosted By: Deliciously Savvy

Co-Hosted By:

The Worthier Part // SaraLee’s Deals Steals & Giveaways // Mom Knows Best // Mama the Fox // Mom Junky // My Silly Little Gang // New Mmorpg 2017 // Heartbeats ~ Soul Stains // Michigan Savings and More // Capri’s Coupons

Plus a Big Thank You To All Of The Blogs Helping To Promote This Giveaway! You Guys Rock!

meallogo

FACEBOOK ~ INSTAGRAM ~ YOU TUBE

Here Are A Few Of The Meals Available That Winners Can Choose From! My new favorites are the BBQ Ribs with Homemade Mac and Cheese and Collard Greens, The Classic Meatloaf with Green Beans and Roasted Potatoes and the delicious and spicy Jambalaya! There are so many delicious and ready to eat meals and they taste amazingly delicious without the work!

meal11BBQ Ribs with Mac & Cheese and Collards

meal22Classic Homemade Meatloaf with Roasted Potatoes and Fresh Green Beans

meal33Jambalaya loaded with Andouille Sausage & Chicken! Spicy and Delish!

THE DETAILS:

2 Lucky Winners Will Receive a $50 Gift Card To Use To Purchase Delicious Meals From Meal Time Box! Made with Love From Brooklyn!

And Now The Giveaway!

Giveaway Dates ~ Starts 11/05 9PM EST & Ends 11/26 11:59PM EST

Entrants must be 18 years old to enter and giveaway is open to US residents only in the following states: CT, DC, DE, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT & WV & GA North of Macon.

Any Questions Email Me At mcushing7 (at) hotmail (dot) com.

This giveaway is in no way endorsed, affiliated or associated with Facebook,
Twitter or any other Social Media Networking Site. This giveaway is valid only
in the United States. Entrants must be 18+ years of age to enter.
This giveaway will end at 11:59PM (EST) on 11/26/2016.

Good Luck! Enter Below

Also we all “love it if you like us” on Facebook!

By Supporting Our Blogs Via Social Media You Are Helping Us To Provide Fabulous Prizes For Amazing Future Giveaways! Good Luck & Thank You!

(more…)

  • Comments Off on The Gourmet Meals Giveaway