The First Years Minnie Mouse Feeding Seat

Disclaimer: I was provided with the products in this post at no cost however all words and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting brands that make this blog possible!

The baby is at an age where mealtime is no longer a complete challenge so long as we allow her to do everything herself. And I mean everything. She prefers sitting at the table with us rather than her high chair so when we had the chance to check out The First Years Minnie Mouse Feeding Seat we jumped on it! And I'm glad we did. 

It's the perfect solution between a high chair and sitting in an actual dining chair. The seat straps securely to the chair and it even comes with a tray, which I can see being convienient if you wanted to save space and minimize the number of products you bring into your home. I've been on a minimizing kick the last year or so and the first thing that came to mind when I saw that The First Years Minnie Mouse Feeding Seat came with a tray was: this is perfect because now you don't even need a high chair! Because not only could you use this at the table as a booster with no tray when your child is older but you could also use it as a high chair by popping the tray on. The tray is adjustable as is the safety harness so the seat can easily grow with your child. Ours gets use at mealtime time and at play time as I find this scene often:

We were also sent coordinating dish ware. I really enjoy trying different types of dishware for kids, I feel like that should be a proper job title. You know, like a food critic? Except it'd be a baby/toddler dish ware critic. Okay, now that I typed it out it admittedly sounds a bit ridiculous but humor me, please. 

These forks and spoons are a definite keeper. And the sippy cups are a winner too. There's also a bowl as well as a sectioned place which is nice if you have a picky eater that doesn't like their food touching. *Cough Cough* My littlest. 

Click here to see more!

Silikids

Full discloure: The products in this post were provided to me at no cost however all words and opinions are my own. 
Thank you for supporting brands that make this blog possible!

Today I want to introduce you to an amazing company that has the neatest feeding products. So parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and anyone looking for neat and useful products for the baby and toddler in your life, check out Silikids. Their products are made from 100% food grade silicone and they're dishwasher safe, need I say more? No? Well I will anyway because that's what I do best.

The Silimap is perfect when going out to eat or simply to keep your kiddo busy, I use it during the witching hour at times and its a life saver. The baby can color on it and when she's all done I just run it under the sink to clean off the washable markers she uses on it. Then it folds neatly back into a square and i just slip it in her cabinet in the kitchen or diaper bag if we are out at a restaurant.

The Siliskin silicone cups are my favorite universal cup. Its safe for little ones to tote around because its made of strong silicone and yet it holds its shape because it has a stainless steel ring inside. And perhaps my favorite part is that they are dishwasher safe. We use these cups for everything, we keep a few down in the kitchen to use as drinking cups for the baby and we keep some in her bathroom to use to rinse shampoo out of her hair, rinse the toothpaste out of her mouth, or just for pure entertainment purposes when she's filling up and pouring out water when playing in the tub. 

We use the Universal Siliskin Sippy Tops on the silicone cups but we also use them on pretty much every cup we have. They're flexible so if you can stretch it over a cup, it will work on said cup.

Its totally leak proof so its the only cup I let the baby take to bed with her. She's been in this phase where she asks for 8 million items prior to nap and bedtime and "Wawa!" is one of those things, so I always put her water in this cup with these sippy tops because I know her bed will stay dry.

The last product we've enjoyed is the Silicone Baby Spoon, it was especially wonderful when the baby was getting the hang of self-feeding because the spoons feature easy to grip handles and wide bases.

I'm so grateful I was introduced to the Silikids brand and I hope you are just as excited to check them out. If you don't know where to start I recommend getting a set of the silicone cups and the universal sippy tops, they are a game changer! And you'll be able to minimize the amount of sippy cups in your cabinets since the lids can go on anything! And right now Silikids have FREE shipping on orders over $30, so head on over to their website and check them out, you won't be disappointed!

Nuby 360 Wondercup

Full Disclosure: As a Nuby Parent Blogger I receive products at no cost, however, all words and opinions are my own. 

Can you all believe that we are already halfway through November? I seriously feel like summer was just here a couple weeks ago and now here I am planning my Thanksgiving dinner menu. And can we talk about Thanksgiving really quick? Because it's a real thing, ya'll. Just wanted to put that on your radar in case you're one of the ones I've seen posting Christmas lights and trees. Seriously, when my best girlfriend showed me she has her tree up as of almost two weeks ago I was all:

via GIPHY

But whatevs, right?

And with the year coming to a close it also mean our baby girl is just that much older - 20 months old to be exact. And she's wanting to do big girl things like go potty (I know, she's so young but my oldest daughter was the same way and was fully potty trained right before she was two so I see Av heading that way as well), walking down the stairs ALONE (who does she think she is?!), wanting to walk the dog (like, hold the lead and everything), and drink from a normal cup.

She's getting really good at drinking from a proper cup so long as she's not in a hurry, and I'm convinced one thing that really helped her learn was Nuby's 360 wonder cup.

It acts as a sippy cup in that there is a lid that prevents spills and yet it acts as an actual cup in that your child puts their lips to the edge of the cup, sips, and gets liquid. I was so interested in how it worked that I tried it for myself and its really neat. 

The Nuby 360° Wonder Cup features a 100% silicone 360° valve that allows for drinking at any angle! Nuby 360° Wonder Cup is the available in 3 options: 

-Two Handle for easy grip

 -Easy Grip for exploring independent drinking 

- Insulated Easy Grip that keeps drinks cooler for longer

Av loves it and like I said, I think the Nuby 360 wondercup is one reason she is pretty good at drinking from a proper cup already. Want one? You're in luck, Nuby wants to give one of my readers one! All you have to do is head on over to my Instagram for details on how to enter (it will take you less than a minute)! Can't wait? Grab one at Babies R Us or online. 

BBox

Disclaimer: This products in this post were provided to me at no cost, however, all words and opinions are my own. 

This post may contain affiliate links.

If you have kiddos you likely have kid products galore, but I hope this post can help you pare down  in the area of sippy cups. With my oldest two there weren't many options because they were born in 1810 so there were like two types of cups on the market, not a lot of options. But man, once baby three came along and now baby four...get out of here, there are soooooo many different options out there now. Many look neat in theory but don't end up living up to their promises but today I'm going to show you one that you need want to try. Its that good. Of all the sippy cups we have, I have two favorites. I've even trashed a few because they just didn't do it for me but this one is in my top favorite two (I'll show you the other one next week). 

Its by BBox, now I had never heard of this brand prior to being introduced to this cup and I'm not quite sure why because this cup is amazing. 

A few noteworthy features include:

Flip top: You can easily open and close the top to protect the straw when not in use

Leak proof: This is one cup that truly is leak free, every sippy I've seen claims this but few truly are leak proof, this one lives up to the promise of no mess.

360 use: No matter how your child tilts (or doesn't tilt) this cup it will still work. It has this long flexible weighted straw inside to allow your kiddo to get liquid regardless of the angle they are holding the cup at.

Source

And its cute! Now go check out BBox (this cup comes in a rainbow of colors!) and let me know what you think of their products when you try them for yourselves! Happy Tuesday, friends. Xx

Summer Fun with Nuby

Full Disclosure: As a Nuby Parent Blogger I was provided with the products in this post at no cost, however all words and opinions are my own.

With summer in full-swing I find myself, like many other parents, trying to find that perfect balance between making certain my kids aren't just laying around the house and yet not cramming a million activities into each day. Each of the kids have at least one structured activity they go to regularly on their own (gymnastics, for example), then there are things we go out and do as a family, and then there are things we do right here in the comfort of our own home that keep us entertained as well. Like, the art project I did with Av the other day and she ended up eating part of it...she wasn't supposed to eat it...ce la vie.

Speaking of Av, she loves the water, always has. Ever since she was born we knew giving her a bath was a surefire way of calming her down and making her happy if she was sassy. As she got older we brought her to the pool often and thankfully she still adores it. So when we need something to keep the littlest entertained around here, water is always a good idea. Whether it's in the backyard, bathtub, or kitchen sink.

For her tub we needed a sprout protector because she's a wild child so when I saw Nuby's Hippo Safety Bath Spout Cover I knew I had to have it. But here's the thing, it protects her little noggin from when she's playing in the tub which I care about and it provides all sorts of fun for her which she cares about.

The mouth of the hippo hinges open for the faucet water to flow freely through ooooooor you can close the mouth hinges and the water squirts through the hippo's nose like a fountain. The fountain feature? It blows. my. child's. mind. Favorite bath toy ever. Shop the Nuby Hippo Safety Bath Spout Cover at Amazon. 

Photo credit: Nuby

And outside the tub one of my go-to items for Av lately is Nuby's Nibbler. It's safe to say most of us have seen this baby item, and I don't know about ya'll but I always saw it as a safe way to introduce solids to younger infants and since Avery is past that stage you'd think, what are you using it for? The answer is...teething! I pop in some chilled watermelon cubes or frozen strawberries and BOOM! She's in paradise. And if I want to let her roam about the house with it I put plain old ice cubes in it, that way I'm not worried about sticky messes. Shop the Nuby Nibbler with Hygienic Tavel Cover at Babies R Us, TJ Maxx stores, and Amazon.  

You know the drill, head over to my instagram and enter to win a Nibbler with Hygienic Tavel Cover. 

Mealtime Help

Full Disclosure: As a Nuby Parent Blogger I receive products at no cost, however all words and opinions are my own.

So at mealtime, Sam is like a ninja - a large dog ninja that observes every member of her pack (AKA us) and decides who is likely to give her (whether willingly or due to not having perfected their utensil-using skills) the most food. That person is typically Avery because, well, she's 14 months old and has a tendency to be buck wild regardless of if she's eating or not. So Sam sits watch and waits ever so patiently for my little girlfriend to drop her bowl or plate from her highchair. But guess what, ya'll? Little Sammy is a little sadder these days and I'm a little happier because the Nuby Miracle Mat suctions to the highchair. Hallelujah Amen.

We use it every. single. day. And have ever since receiving it about a month ago and let me tell you, she rarely even tries to pull her bowls and plates off the table or highchair tray now. So I think of it as a learning tool as well, between the suction preventing her from lifting it and me reinforcing a "Keep your plate on the tray until you're done eating, please" we've been able to teach her some proper table manners. We still have a little work to do in other areas though.

Another learning tool has been Nuby's 

Clik-It™ FlipN'Sip™ Cup with 360° Weighted Straw. When kids are first learning to use sippy cups, they don't understand to tilt ones that needs sucked from, and to keep a straw cup upright, so this 360 cup is perfect because no matter the angle the cup is being held at your child will get the liquid due to the weighted straw. Confused? I didn't understand it either until I physically opened the cup and saw how it was made. And for older babes that have been drinking from sippys for a while like Avery that understand the concept, this 360 cup is still handy during situations like snuggling on mama's lap while watching TV. When she's partially laying and drinking from it the last thing on her mind is to hold it at the proper angle so again, even if she gets lazy and holds it at a less than ideal angle she'll still get liquid from it. And it doesn't leak, just ensure you here the CLICK when putting the lid on and you're all set!

So while I don't have an au pair or a personal chef I do have help at mealtime in the form of some convenient Nuby products. And since I know my fellow parents can also use a little help head on over to my Instagram to find out how you can win Nuby's Miracle Mat!

Happy weekend, friends. Xx

Gift Buying Guide for Newborns

Full Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links

I was commiserating with a girlfriend of mine about how baby products have really come a long way from the time she and I had our last two babies (both of our youngest kids are nine years younger than their sibling closest in age) and decided that I'd share some baby products that are/were (she's already outgrown so many "baby" items) loved in our home and would make good gifts for any soon-to-be moms in your life. 

By the time kid number four was on her way onto the scene I already knew that a lot of baby items on the market are overkill. Babies are simple, as in they don't need a lot. And let me tell you, I was a wee bit overwhelmed with all the options since last having a kid. Like, they have machines that are like Kuerigs but they're for formula. Why? Scoop that mess into the bottle and flick your wrist a few times, why do we need a machine?!

Anyway, on with the show... 

Burp cloths. We were given loads of cute ones, but at the end of the day, these old school cloth diapers (that come in a ten pack) do the trick just as well (and hold more puke, pee, mystery stains). Buy one pack and that's all you'll need in the burp cloth department. Or you can opt for that cute three pack for the same price that have trucks or hearts on them, your call. 

Diapers. They're a must. If you're a cloth-diapering momma like myself, my faves are these. They're on the pricier side of the cloth world but are worth every penny. And you'll still be saving thousands in the long run when compared to disposables. 

If cloth ain't your thing, I got you covered. I used these disposables until Avery was about a month old because she was just too tiny for her cloth for those first few weeks. 

Coconut oil. Seriously, from using it as an all natural diaper rash cream to adding it to my homemade baby wipes the uses are endless (Chapstick, post pedicure upkeep, conditioner). Pro tip: Put it on your wet hair when you get out of the shower in the evening. Comb it through. Put  hair in a topknot. And rinse out in the morning. Your hair will be soft as buttah. Smooth as butt-ah? You know what I'm trying to say. Here's the link.

Swaddle. This particular one was my fave. These things are a Godsend. Back in 1937 when I had my oldest they didn't make these, you just had to learn to swaddle using a receiving blanket. Gasp! But nowadays, phew! Faaaaanccccyyyyy. Buy two. So you have one ready while the other is being washed. Trust me. 

Pacifier. I bought every paci in the land of pacis. Hashtag For Real For Real. And she only liked this one. So naturally, I bought stock in them. JK. But I did have about six of those suckers. Get it? Suckers. Hahaha. I seriously make myself laugh and then realise how much of a dweeb I am mid-laugh. Anyway, I had like 6 or 8 or something which is completely absurd but I'd lose them then find them as soon as I order another two-pack. She wasn't ever a huge paci user, which makes it even sillier that I had so many. None of my kids have ever been too interested in pacis for some reason and Av is no different. But when she was a sleepy infant it was the second best thing right after my boob. So if you ever saw my kid with her paci in her mouth as a baby, you knew to run! Because it was a sign that she was sleepy and would be a little terror! Cute. But a terror. 

Carrier. Okay, trust me on this one. Some days I wouldn't have gotten anything done without this. My little lady loves being held. So when she was a newborn and even still now when she's cranky or clingy I'll just "wear" her and go about my day. I've done more cooking, laundry, and puppy ball throwing while wearing her than not. PSA: If you're going to use the carrier often please invest in an ergonomic one rather than an narrow-based one. It's best for babe. I have and love this Tula, it's a little pricey when you see $20 narrow-based carriers at some stores but it is worth every penny.

Onesies. Babies poop and spit up a lot. Enough said. 

Boppy. Unless you want to tuck 26 pillows strategically under your arms and part of your back each time you nurse, treat yo'self...to a boppy, that is. 

Swing. Sweet God Almighty was this thing a lifesaver. And the seat comes off so you can use it as a bouncer without having to buy, well, a bouncer. Score! I wouldn't have showered for days if it weren't for this thing when Avery was a newborn. Get a swing. Your armpits will thank you. 

Bottles. I nurse. And my kid is perpetually attached to my hip so she's only drank from a bottle a handful of times, but when she has it's from these. She seems to like them well enough according to hubby. 

Drying rack. I bought this knowing I likely wouldn't use bottles often but wanted it "just in case". Well, as I stated above, little lady is hardly apart from me so bottles are rarely needed. But let me tell you, this thing lives on my kitchen counter and gets plenty of use. From drying her bowl, spoons, sippy cup, toys I've rinsed off, and even wine glasses, it's the perfect spot for drying so many things.

Books. We heart books on our house. I've read to all the kids since day one and I feel it's super important on many levels. Avery would lay and listen to the entire book The Adventures of Peter Rabbit when she was teeny tiny. Her current fave is this classic, which was her baby brother's that he so graciously gifted to her. She can be in a cranky mood and if I pick this up and say, "Do you wanna read your book?!" She lights up and gets the most adorable smile on her face. It melts my heart. And she'll sit in my lap while I read and act out the book. We read it so much that if she's busy banging on one page I can just recite the rest of the book becusse I have it memorised. Word for word, yall. I'm pretty sure that's a mom thing, right? Where you have at least three books and two cartoon theme songs memorised and have probably sang/recited them all before noon each day. Yeah, a total mom thing. 

So there it is folks, a newborn buying guide if you're looking to gift any new mommas things they will actually use or even if you're a first-time mom and don't want to get in the trap of buying allthething only to find out you wasted hundreds of dollars. If I could only have 11 things as a mom of a newborn these would be it. For real. Well, maybe I'd sub the bottles for a carseat because...safety. But you get the point.

Happy shopping, y'all!