Tip of the Week: Innovative Teether

Eleanor, Amy's darling daughter, was sporting one of these teethers in class the other day. I was in love!

The "gummy stick" is made by ZoLi, and come 2-per pack. This genius design has a soft, textured tip to soothe baby's gums, and an anti-choke shield. They are easy to hold and are shaped in such a way that is reminiscent of toothbrushes, which can help promote early dental hygiene habits. Plus, they are BPA and phthalate-free!

You can get them online here, or find local retailers of this and other ZoLi products here.

Tip of the Week: Best Baby Book

There are a ton of books and online resources out there on raising a child. It can be hard to know which will offer trustworthy and comprehensive information. This is the one that I recommend, above all others, for your library -- even if you only use it to reference, instead of reading cover to cover.

"Caring For Your Baby and Young Child, Birth to Age 5" published by the American Academy of Pediatrics is bursting with advice that you can count on from a trusted resource. Parents love it for it's comprehensive index (easy to locate exactly what you need in an "oh my gosh, what is that rash!?" moment) and month-by-month developmental information.

P.S. - This also makes a great baby shower gift!

Tip of the Week: A Frugal Find

Whether you're a stay-at-home mom or a working mom, today everyone is trying to live well for less.

Mommysavers.com is a great site chock-full of information for mothers trying to save in today's economy. Spend a moment looking around and you'll find tips on budgeting, coupons, recipes, articles and an active discussion board where you can connect with other moms. New information is constantly being added, I recommend you check it out!

Tip of the Week: Night Light We Love

Night lights are a child's bedroom necessity, and I love this one for its unique and smart design. The Beaba Pixie Night Light pulls double-duty, working as both a tabletop night light and a lantern for nighttime trips to the bathroom. It is bright enough to be your only light source while changing baby, while remaining soft enough to be minimal and soothing.

The lantern shape makes it easy to carry and it has two different brightness settings. It has an easy-to-use rechargeable base and is BPA-free and safety-tested for use with young babies. Whether this night light it is being carried, cuddled or sitting on a nightstand, it is too cute to resist!

Tip of the Week: The Red Balloon Co. Warehouse Sale

I think most of us can agree, there is something exhilarating about scoring an awesome deal on adorable stuff. The holy grail? A warehouse sale. Stop by for a treasure hunt of unique children's apparel and more, in easy-to-navigate bins sorted by age and price, at The Red Balloon Co. Warehouse Sale.

WHERE:
1656 W. Chicago Ave.

WHEN:
Thursday, Feb. 3rd, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 4th, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 5th, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Visit their blog or reach them at 877-969-9800 for more information.

Tip of the Week: Blasting Baby Formula Stains

Baby formula seems innocent, but the stain it leaves on clothing and other fabrics can be brutal! Below are a few simple steps to help remove that stain permanently. These steps are also effective on lots of other stubborn stains.

1. First, soak the stain in cold water. Try and do this as quickly after the spill as possible. The cold water will help make the product that you use more effective.
2. Bleach is powerful stain-fighter, but there are effective natural alternatives to chemical cleaners. Try lemon juice or white vinegar, tried-and-true cleaning ingredients that have been in use for generations. Another lesser-known cleaning solution is meat tenderizer mixed with water.
3. If all else fails, my favorite product for stains is a Fels-Naptha bar, available online and at some local grocery stores, too. It will take out anything!

Do you have any other handy ideas on how to make the laundry room a nicer place to be? Please share with a comment!

Tip of the Week: Resolutions for a Brand New You!

All of the responsibilities we face as mothers can leave us exhausted and with very little time for ourselves. Sleep deprivation, hormonal changes, and physical changes within our bodies can leave us feeling very drained.

Put some pep back in your step with exercise! A workout will make you feel energized, which can in turn improve your efficiency, your attitude, and give you the extra time you need to focus on your own needs and health.

WORKING OUT: Exercise does not need to be a daunting task. It can be as simple as loading your baby in the stroller and taking a walk around the neighborhood. If you are a runner, you can purchase an inexpensive jogging stroller and join us for the Bubbles Academy Stroller Fitness classes. If you aren’t quite ready to venture out of your home, try a mommy and baby exercise DVD, which you can do while your baby is sleeping.

BUDDY SYSTEM: Exercise is always more fun with a friend. Make sure that you follow through with your plans to work out together, and make it part of your schedule and routine. That means that you can’t cancel and decide to go out to lunch with your friend instead. Your exercise routine needs to be made a priority. Look at it as “me time”.

SKIP SHORTCUTS: Another easy way to add physical movement into your life painlessly, is to take extra steps each day. Always take the stairs, and park the car a little further away from the door. All of these extra steps will add up.

FUN WITH BABY: Babies love movement, so your child will never complain if you want to add a little weight into your routine and hold them while you are doing squats or arm work. After all, if you make your exercise fun, you will be much more likely to stick with it!

By making use of one or more of these suggestions you will be on your way to a happier, healthier you! Good luck in 2011!