Brain food: Recipes and Coconut Oil for Kids

April 30, 2014 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Lately, coconut oil has been touted as quite the wonder food. Though it’s been around for a long time, it’s now making the rounds as a natural beauty aid, as well as a healthier option for cooking with oils. Beyond that, research on coconut oil has revealed that it works wonders for the brain, something that’s gotten my attention considering our ongoing trials and tribulations with pediatric epilepsy.

Brain full copy 2

According to Food for the Brain:

Virgin-pressed coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) which convert directly into ketones. Recent evidence suggests ketones may lessen symptoms in those with Alzheimer’s, as well as children with epilepsy.

Ketones are also made directly from coconut oil (virgin-pressed is best to avoid any hydrogenated fats) which contains medium-chain triglycerides, or MCTs for short. These convert directly in ketones which the body can burn for energy rather than store as fat.

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The Wall Street Journal backs the positive effects of coconut oil: Early research on coconut oil and Alzheimer’s disease shows a possible protective effect on neurons. In a study published earlier this year in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, Canadian researchers found mouse brain cells treated with coconut oil were somewhat protected from the toxic effects of amyloid proteins, which build up in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.

Coconut oil and Kids

With all the good news about coconut oil, how can you introduce it into the kids’ diets and routines in such a way that works for everyone. It’s pretty simple, actually. The easiest way to include coconut oil is to just add a teaspoon here and there to foods that you would eat with a spoon. I’ve been known to add coconut oil to meals and snacks such as:

oatmeal

cereal

yogurt

ice cream

I picked up a Costco-sized tub of Carrington Farms coconut oil and we’ve had fun experimenting with meals and other daily uses. Coincidentally, after I bought my own coconut oil, Carrington Farms contacted me to participate in their April campaign. As such, in addition to sharing how we use coconut oil, I thought I’d share some tried and true recipes that the kids love.

Kid-Friendly recipes

I especially love adding, or rather, substituting coconut oil in baking. Because it tolerates high temperatures, coconut oil is a great substitute for shortening, butter, margarine, or vegetable oil. Here’s a delicious waffle recipe where I’ve incorporated coconut oil instead of butter. These waffles are so crisp and delish, I’ll never go back to the boxed versions again.

Whole Wheat Waffles

Recipe source: 100 Days of Real Food

•2 large eggs

•1 ¾ cups milk

•¼ cup melted coconut oil

•1 tablespoon honey

•½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

•¼ teaspoon baking soda

•1 ½ cups whole-wheat flour

•2 teaspoons baking powder

•? teaspoon salt

800px Waffles with Strawberries

1.Preheat waffle iron.

2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, oil, honey, cinnamon and baking soda until combined.

3. Add in flour, baking powder and salt and whisk together until lumps disappear.

4. When waffle iron is hot, put butter or spray and ladle batter onto center of iron.

5. cook until golden and crisp.

6. Top with syrup and enjoy!

And finally, here’s one more delicious recipe that includes coconut oil:

Banana Bread and Chocolate Chip Muffins

Adapted from the banana bread recipe as seen in Feeding Your Baby Day by Day by Fiona Wilcock

Ingredients

1/4 cup of melted coconut oil

2 large bananas

2 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

2 tsp baking powder

handful of chocolate chips

1. Prehead the oven to 375 degrees. Prepare pan; I made mini muffins

2. Mash bananas until smooth and place in mixing bowl. Stir in oil, eggs, and vanilla.

3. Sift flours and baking powder, adding back any that stays in sifter.

4 Stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture and beat together until smooth. Pour or spoon into prepared pan. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden.

5. Cool on wire rack and enjoy

Other uses for coconut oil

Aside from adding to food, coconut oil is an amazing natural moisturizer. We’ve used it for dry hands, burns, conditioner, diaper cream and one of my faves, as the oil in my DIY wipe solution.

Oogaa Feeding Products Put the Fun in Function

March 13, 2014 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Plastics in baby bottles and feeding products has been a topic of discussion for some time now. The research has been done, and BPA and phthalates are chemicals we should try to avoid. Even though there’s been some conflicting info floating around, it’s safe to say, these are chemicals we don’t want in our baby products.

On that note, we’ve seen an increase in baby products made of different materials such as silicone, stainless steel and glass. One of my absolute favorites has been silicone, because of its versatility, durability and convenience. The rubbery texture of silicone often doubles as a teether AND it’s virtual kid-proof.

Healthy Child Healthy World recently shared an article on silicones in our baby products, but the consensus on its safety seems to be: more research needs to be done, but it’s safe to use for our babes.

We recently received a line of Oogaa feeding products to review. These products, made of silicone, are, hands down, some of my favorite feeding products to date. To start, they’re bright and fun, something that’s welcomed after such a cold and gray winter.

The spoons have cool airplanes, boats and other designs in the middle that make them not only fun tools, but also more weighted. Like many who already do this, mom and dad use the fun airplane or train spoons together with those sound effects to make baby eat that baby food.

We’ve been using the placemat on top of the high chair tray for easier clean up when eating yogurt or other messy foods that the toddler insists on feeding himself. The portioned plates, though, are perhaps my favorite. I can cut up fruit and cheese and put in each compartment so that the tot can pick and choose bite-sized pieces himself, but to also control portion sizes. With the two boys eating such different amounts of food, I often forget that the toddler has a much smaller appetite and pickier palate, and food often gets wasted because of this.

Best of all, after eating, clean up of these Oogaa products is super simple. Because of the products are made of silicone, it’s easy to just throw them into the dishwasher.

There’s a variety of awesome Oogaa feeding products ranging from the spoons to plates to placemats. The plate and spoon set would make an ideal baby shower gift—talk about functional!

Here’s a little vlog we did when reviewing these fun feeding tools from Ooga:

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Full disclosure: I received these products to facilitate this review. As always, opinions on NKT are my own.

Stokke Steps is a Chic, New Modular Seating System

March 5, 2014March 5, 2014 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

On a snowy evening last month, I attended Momtrend’s beautiful launch for Stokke’s latest arrival: the Stokke Steps.

Essentially, Stokke Steps is a bouncer and high chair that can be used together or separately. Touted as an all-in-one seating concept, from birth, the Stokke Steps is a modular seating system that begins with a stand-alone bouncer, which can then be added to the transformable children’s chair. The bouncer and chair, when added together complement one another to accommodate newborn and infant seating at the table. The children’s chair can be used on its own to provide seating for toddlers, preschoolers and beyond, up to 80 lbs. The chair has safety features such as a 5-point harness and colored indicators to ensure the bouncer is properly installed onto the seat.

For convenience and logistics, the Stokke Steps chair has depth and height adjustable control, washable and water repellent textiles, adjustable footrest and optional tray for the chair. Like the chair, the bouncer showcases that scandinavian design and engineering that’s synonymous with Stokke products.

I’ve mentioned this many, many times, but I am a major Stokke fan. Pre-blogging, as a city family we invested in our Stokke Sleepi not only because of its beautiful design and sustainable function (growing from a bassinet to a toddler bed), but also because we had a very small space.

The Sleepi was the optimal choice for our family six years ago and we’ve been loyal customers since. Stokke has some of the most reliable and functional products on the market; and as someone who would rather opt for quality rather than quantity, I’d much rather pay more for something that will grow and last with my family. We’ve gone on to buy the Stokke Care changing table and have reviewed several other Stokke products along the way.

I love the design of the Stokke Steps. The bouncer reminds me so much of the Bounce n’ Sleep that we used a lot when littles was a babe. The chair offers families an alternative to the Tripp Trapp, which is already a seating staple in so many homes. The streamlined design, along with the modular feature, makes the Stokke Steps an ideal high chair and seating option for a young family who appreciates the value of function and beautiful aesthetics.

Here’s a video that showcases this fabulous new seating system. Be sure to check out the Stokke Steps demo which has all kinds of great info.

The Stokke Steps bouncer and chair will be available at specialty stores and online. The bouncer retails for $199 and the chair is $279.

Full disclosure: I received a lovely gift bag at the event; however, all opinions on NKT are my own.

Children’s Place Summer Emphasizes Bright, Bold and Fun(ctional)

June 19, 2013 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Just in time for our trip to see the Mouse last month, our friends at The Children’s Place once again invited us for their Media Shop Day, this time to check out their latest in summer styles. SummerPlace at the Children’s Place is all about bold, beautiful and fun patterns and graphics, with a whole lot of functionality thrown into the mix. The baby and I had a fun time perusing the bright racks in the Union Square store, stocking up on the great baby and big boy pieces for our trip, but to also last us through our busy summer.

Among my favorites from the Summer 2013 line are the swim coordinates for boys; athletic wear and the cute jumpers for girls. Bright aqua tones for boys were a common sight and we noted lots of orange and pinks for the girls.

According to Michael Giannelli, lead designer, “For summer 2013, the trend we’re seeing everywhere is clothes in bold colors and prints with blazingly bright, neon accents. This style is perfect for kids who love fun, cheerful looks and great for parents who want to keep track of their little ones. With our bright collection, you’ll never lose sight of them.”

True story: I always dress my boys in orange shirts when out and about in large crowds since most people dress their boys in blue and girls in black. Orange is one of those hard to miss, but super fun colors!

Here are a few great finds we spotted at TCP!

It’s been a month since we picked up our selections from TCP and as expected, we’ve been getting the most wear out of the athletic shorts and the coordinating swimwear. Because Biggie plays in various sports, the athletic shorts have been a great to have onhand. I only wish I’d picked up some of the matching sports shirts. The swimwear for baby are all fun, yet durable for frequent washes.

And, in case you don’t get TCP emails, it looks like they’re having a big sale right now. Head on over to stock up on summer essentials before the school clothes hit the racks.

Disclosure: I received a giftcard to purchase clothes to facilitate this review.

Last Minute Easter Basket Gift Ideas

March 30, 2013March 30, 2013 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Easter may be tomorrow, but in case you’re still looking for basket-filling ideas, we have some fun suggestions. Since we’ve been busy checking out Spring toys and new releases, we haven’t had a chance to fully complete our reviews. I thought we’d highlight just a few cool things that would be a perfect addition to your baskets.

While Easter remains a religious holiday for many families, those with young kids know it’s fun to indulge in Bunny stuff. To me, beyond jelly beans and chocolate bunnies, Easter basket stuffers are meant to be small trinkets that fit in the basket, as opposed to another excuse to go toy-crazy. So, lucky us, there are tons of non-candy goodies that will make every ‘bunny’ happy.

Games
Card games, travel games, video games and apps are a given when thinking of gift ideas for older kids. A few games that we’re currently loving: Skylanders Giants, Brave Digital Book app, Super Animal Genius for LeapPad and Twister Rave Ringz.
Skylanders Giants continues to dominate our house. I’ll have more details on these guys soon, but Crusher and Stump Smash are my guys’ favorites right now.
Brave Storybook Deluxe app from Disney Digital is one of our favorite apps at the moment. This app lets Merida fans read or play along with a variety of Brave-inspired games. I love Merida’s Challenge which give us a chance to sharpen archery skills in between practicing our reading skills. The option that allows you to record your own voice reading, makes this app a must for new readers and Merida fans alike.
Super Animal Genius for LeapPad is another fun game appropriate for grade schoolers. This game challenges kids to learn fun facts about animals while keeping it light. This game from Scholastic allows kids to explore different regions and the animals that live there. I love the way this game engages kids through playing eye-catching games as it educates.
Twister Rave Ringz is a new take on movement and clapping games. With these light up rings, players can change colors of the rings by clapping, moving and twisting. You can play solo or with friends, at home or on the go. We actually brought these along for our nighttime roadtrip, which made things quite interesting. Perfect for tweens, but also for grade schoolers with coordination, Twister Rave Ringz is a fun and almost addictive!

Baby
For baby, I books, especially the ones found in the Target Dollar Spot, are my favorite stuffers. Baby can never have enough board books, especially for the most voracious, slobbery reader.
Annie’s Bunnies always find their way into our
Buycostumes.com has a slew of fun costumes that are available all year, but we actually had the chance to check out this fun bunny costume for baby. I’ll be sure to share pictures of our baby bunny, but in case you need ideas for spring baby photos, be sure to check out Buycostumes.com. Baby bunny will be in our guy’s Easter basket tomorrow! He has no idea what’s coming.

Navy and Mustard: on-the-go Baby Essentials

February 22, 2013February 22, 2013 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

On the way to school this morning, my older son looked up at the sunshine and determined that Spring is almost here. It’s true; with just a few weeks of winter to go, Spring is, indeed, right around the corner.

And so, since many of my fashion and beauty writer friends (Vera of Lady and the Blog and Jill of Glamamom come to mind) have been sharing the vibrant trends to come, I was inspired to share just some of the many cool baby finds that have been hibernating in my inbox and bookmarks.

Navy and Mustard: Baby about Town by jenrab on Polyvore

I’ve done styleboards and Polyvore boards before, but I’m finding that this is a great way to encourage fresh content while merging social media and fun graphics. I have to note that this particular board was inspired by the Stokke Xpory Winter Kit (which is still very much a necessity for most areas) and that super chic chevron Patemm Pad (which is exclusive to Pottery Barn this Spring.)

So, by the numbers, here are just a few on-the-go baby essentials inspired by these brisk days leading up to a sunny Spring!

1. Clek Foonf

You know how Natalie Portman says in The Garden State that the Shins song will change your life? Well, that’s what I’m getting from the Clek Foonf. Except it’s a car seat. Yeah. So, from what I’ve read and seen, the Foonf is a game changer in the car seat realm. As it should, car seat safety is constantly evolving, and from the reviews I’m seeing, the Foonf is being described as revolutionary. And when it comes to kid safety, who doesn’t want the best?
The seat pictured is called Dragonfly, and it’s one of the many color options of the Foonf. I felt this one had a modern, minimalist feel with its white base and mossy colored seating. Expect to pay top dollar for this sleek car seat that boasts the highest safety standards and features REACT Technology.

2. Thermos Tripoli Foogo Vacuum Insulated Soft Spout Sippy Cup

Sippy cups from Thermos are typically as sleek in function as they are in aesthetic. Foogo was always one of my favorites with my older son, so I’m glad this mainstay in the stainless steel sector has designs beyond licensed characters. Besides the sustainability, I always found that Thermos sippys are just as durable.

3. Skip Hop Treetop Friends Wise Owl Stroller Toy

I’ve been a longtime fan of Skip Hop because of their modern yet playful designs. I know the owl craze has been fading, but I love the colors and textures of this simple stroller toy.

4. Aden+Anais Brilliant Blue Swaddle

Parents know, especially in the infancy stage, a great blanket and/or burp cloth are diaper bag staples. Based on conversations I’ve had on Twitter and simply by walking around the city, Aden+Anais Swaddles have reached a cult-like status among parents because of the versatility of these muslin swaddles. Before Beyonce introduced Blue Ivy to the world with an A+A swaddle in the backdrop, many of us were using these lightweight blankets to wipe up barf, use as a nursing cover, stroller shade and, yes, even as a swaddle. Just as glamorous as Bey, right?

5. Stokke Xplory and Winter Kit

As a devoted Stokke fan, naturally, I adore just about anything this Norwegian company conjures up. Truly. We invested in the Sleepi crib for our oldest and haven’t looked back since. The Xplory, however, sets the bar higher for strollers—quite literally. It boasts a higher seat, giving baby a better view of their new world and more opportunity to interact with their caregivers. The Xplory is noted for its comfort and maneuverability, which is particularly important for families who consider their strollers their main mode of transportation.
For those of us who are still wearing heavy coats and snowboots, the Stokke Winter Kit is, perhaps, an essential for your stroller arsenal. From the sheepskin edged rim to the warm muffs, the Winter Kit is both functional and stylish for baby and parent.

6. Itzy Ritzy Snack Bag in Social Circle Blue

Reusable snack bags are just a few of my favorite items that make sense for families on the go. Whether they’re Annie’s Bunnies or baby puffs, reusable snack bags like these from Itzy Ritzy help diminish waste and add a little flair to the diaper bag.

7. Navy Chevron Patemm Changing Pad Pottery Barn Kids

If there was ever a diaper-changing essential, the Patemm Pad is it. A round changing pad that actually accommodates your growing child AND all of the accoutrements? Say no more. Patemm Pads not only have stylish prints, but they’re also mom-invented. This chevron print is exclusive to Pottery Barn Kids this Spring, so be sure to grab one while you can.

8. timi & leslie diaper bag Sophia – Lemon Yellow & Shadow White

Beyond the color scheme on this board, style and function are the other overlapping themes. Timi & Leslie diaper bags are synonymous with style while remaining functional. Like many other moms on the go, I don’t have time to switch from diaper bag to work or evening bag. Seriously. One of the greatest compliments is when a non-mom friend compliments my diaper bags, thinking they’re “regular” bags.
The Sophia bag in Lemon Yellow and White, which is part of the Convertible Collection, is a roomy bag with a variety of pockets, yet maintains a sleek satchel silhouette on the exterior. I like that this bag looks like leather, but is a vegan-friendly material. And going back to functional, I’m absolutely loving the clutch that’s included. It’s all about the details!

A Reflection on Baby’s First Year and Pampers Swaddlers Review

January 27, 2013February 2, 2013 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

This weekend marked a special milestone for baby: he turned 1 on Saturday, January 26th. Not that he’ll ever remember the effort or time I spent on planning, but our family was long overdue for a day of celebration. Good times with family and friends, laughs, and fun we endured for Josh’s party will keep us smiling for days to come.

As the baby days transition to toddler days, there’s so much to reflect upon. I have to admit however, I feel as though so much of the baby’s first year was abbreviated because of so many hurdles.

At just 5 days old, with a VCUG to test for complications for kidney reflux, Josh’s tango with acronyms and specialized medical tests began. In between sleepy nuzzles, baby giggles and baby kisses, our boy has endured more blood tests, spinal taps, MRIs, EEGs, medicine applications than one infant should ever know. To see his pain; to grasp that he doesn’t know any other way, is nothing short of emotional paralysis as a mother.

His initial stay in the hospital over the summer when he endured the series of seizures was, byfar, the worst. I can still hear the synchronized beeps of machines that kept him stabilized. There was a juxtaposition of fear, anger and confusion when watching Josh’s oxygen drop to dangerous levels during a seizure, and knowing that I couldn’t do a thing to help my infant.

Beyond the heartache and hardship we’ve endured during baby’s first year, I am thankful for so much. I’m so thankful for modern medicine, access to (somewhat) affordable healthcare, and of course, the team of doctors, nurses and specialists who cared and continue to care for my baby. Baby is stable and our family is learning to grasp the complexity of pediatric epilepsy, much thanks to these wonderful things.

Caffeine and Diapers
And even though much of my real life has been put on hold this past year, including the frequency of my blogging endeavors here, it’s the little conveniences that have made our life a little less chaotic. From Trader Joe’s frozen meals, to Dunkin Donuts drive thru to scheduling appointments on my iphone to diapers, these are just a few things that have kept me afloat. Caffeine and diapers. Yup. Sounds about right.

Having started Josh out as a full time cloth diapered babe, as a fairly crunchy mama, I never envisioned that one day we’d be holed up in a hospital multiple times in the same year. Slaying piles of laundry for a family is a herculean effort on a normal day, nevermind when medical emergencies are thrown into the mix.

Even though Josh barely wore disposable diapers leading up to his hospitalization, again, I can’t imagine life without such conveniences. I remember watching him in his glass encased hospital crib wearing Pampers, a brand that I honestly never bought. Since Big Bro had adverse affects from disposables, we opted to cloth diaper our second babe. It worked well, until life got in the way. While in the hospital, naturally, as a kid product blogger, I studied brands and names of mundane items they used in the pediatric wing. From the toys in the Starlight playroom down to the baby’s diapers.

I couldn’t help but think: if these brands are good enough for the hospital to use, they must be ok for my babe too.

Pampers Swaddlers Review

According to sales data, Pampers Swaddlers are the number one choice for diapers used in hospitals. And come to think of it, having spent so much time in the hospital, during our stay, I don’t think I saw any other brand being used beyond Pampers, at our hospital anyway.

Now that we’re getting back on track with “normal” life, I enjoyed having the opportunity to review the Pampers Swaddlers, which are now available in size 4 & 5 and new at Target. Swaddlers remind me so much of the newborn days and that brand new baby feel. Or perhaps that’s the exhaustion?

Either way, I like the soft, quilted feel to the Swaddlers and absorbency. I can’t speak of any blowouts while we were reviewing the size 4s over the past few weeks; and I have to say, the relief from my laundry pile has been nice. The stretchy tabs and elasticity around the legs works well for my fast-moving tot, which in itself is a lifesaver. Above all, I love the lightweight feel, efficiency and convenience of Pamper Swaddlers, all attributes that any parent can appreciate. Ah, the marvel of modern diapers, behold.

And if you know me, you must know I love a great deal, almost as much as I love Target. Target has a phenomenal deal on Pampers right now: with the purchase of 2 Pampers Swaddlers, Cruisers or Baby Dry Economy Packs, get a free $20 Target GiftCard. This offer is valid in stores 1/27-2/2.

Giveaway

And because we’re staging our “comeback” to our new normal and embracing how life never goes as planned, what better way than to celebrate with a giveaway?

One fabulous winner will receive:

Two packs of diapers (your choice of size) and a $20 Target gift card

To enter, please comment below and tell me your favorite memory (so far) with your baby!

For additional entries:
Tell me about your favorite aspect of Pampers Swaddlers
Please share this giveaway on any or all of your social media outlets. (each share is one additional entry)
Tweet about this giveaway: Enter to win a @Pampers and @Target prize pack from NKT & @jenrab https://nextkidthing.com/?p=6269 #BCPampers
If not already, become a like the NKT FB page

Please comment below with all entries

This giveaway will end 2/2 at midnight. After the winner is chosen, please allow 6-8 weeks for prize to be fulfilled.

Full disclosure: This post is part of a sponsorship on BabyCenter. I received a free sample of the product for the purpose of this review. As always all opinions on NKT are my own.

I know I said it a lot last year, but sorry for the long absences on the blog, but thank you for you support on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Considering our family’s ordeal and having multiple platforms to share my long-winded, rambling thoughts, I have many things for which to be grateful. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!

Happy Birthday to my Josh!

More first birthday stuff to come!

AppHappy Tots: High Tech Toys

October 18, 2012 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Just the other day, as I was cooking dinner, I happened to look out the window and I saw the neighbor’s four year old little girl toting a brightly colored doll of some sort. But after taking a double take, it wasn’t a doll; in fact, it was a cuddly toy that encased an iPad. Yup. A little girl was walking down the street toting an iPad.

This scenario reminded me of that baby from YouTube who went viral after she got upset that a magazine didn’t swipe like an iPad. As a former print journalist, it was unsettling seeing a young baby was already familiar with a touchscreen, yet didn’t know what a magazine was. It’s the sign of the times…or is it?

In some homes, electronic devices are replacing classic toys, so much so, the landscape of the toy aisle is changing to include new sections geared to these app-centric toys. Electronic toys, app-enabled products and interactive games/toys continue to be in demand as smart phones and tablets win over kids (and their parents.) Educational or purely pleasure, whatever the devices’ intention, toys are shifting paradigms and toy manufacturers are targeting even the littlest toy fans, babies.

As this generation of parents is decidedly a tech-happy set, it’s no wonder even babies are ihappy.

I wrote a little commentary about this very topic over on the Time to Play Parent Panel, but I thought I’d compile just a few notable toys for tech happy tots.

1. HappiTaps is a collaboration between Infantino and TipiTap, and is a plush hybrid appcessory that brings a hand held stuffed animal to life. Babies and kids, 18 months and up, can nurture, listen and sing along to HappiTaps, which comes in either a bear, puppy, kitty or lion character. HappiTaps combines a plush toy and free downloadable app to merge classic play with interactive screen time. In the 19.99 pricerange, HappiTaps is compatible with iPhone 4S, 4 and 3GS and iPod Touch.

2. Woogie 2 from Griffin is another plush toy that encloses an iphone or ipod touch. The original Woogie caught my eye awhile back, but this one features a new app that brings Woogie to life with 10 fun faces. It’s activated by a variety of actions, such as laughter when the Woogie is tickled, dizziness when the Woogie is shaken, the ability to repeat words and phrases spoken to it, and the tendency to fall asleep when left alone. I’m cracking up that there’s even a Quiet Game when the talk-back feature is disabled. This character, geared to tots 3 and up, retails for $19.99 and the app is free.

3. TeeGee landed on my radar as I was researching this roundup. These characters are interactive plush animals, but unlike the other toys, the iphone or ipod are hooked up and hidden in the back. Geared to toddlers and up, TeeGee can play games, tell stories, sing and teach developmentally appropriate educational concepts in conjunction with their age-graded apps. Dubbed the smartest stuffed animal in the Universe, TeeGee was unveiled earlier this year at Toy Fair, but isn’t on shelves yet. TeeGee LLC creates the next generation of toys and was started with a grant from the Darden Business Incubator by a team of UVA engineers and business school students. From what I’m reading, TeeGee just might have the grounds to be the next big thing if everything aligns just right. Color me curious on this one. There’s no concrete information on price and release, but will dig more to find out about TeeGee.

4. Fisher Price’s Laugh and Learn Apptivity Monkey is another plush toy that interacts with baby via a corresponding free app. The case on the monkey’s belly encloses an iPhone or iTouch, as opposed to its face/head. This toy, which is geared to babies as young as 6 months old, is prompted by squeezing the hands and feet. I briefly saw this fun guy at the Time to Play Holiday Showcase. Though I’m apprehensive about too much screen time for babies, the Apptivity Monkey certainly sounds like an innovative toy for the apphappy tots. The Apptivity Monkey is in the $25-30 price range

Prince Lionheart Adds bebePod BASIX to its lineup

September 10, 2012 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Prince Lionheart recently added the bebePod Basix to its line of baby and kid products. With a safety belt and chair harness, this plastic infant seat/booster seat combo provides a multi-function seating solution for babies. The seatbelt and chair harness give this seat added security to prop baby up onto a chair for feeding time, offering a viable alternative for a high chair, which is often known to monopolize precious kitchen space.

The seat is a basic plastic seat that provides just enough back support and form in the front and sides to help even babies who aren’t quite sitting yet the opportunity to sit upright for dinner.

We’ve been testing out this seat for a few weeks now, and it hasn’t been until recently where we’ve actually been able to enjoy it. Baby’s muscle tone seems low and he can’t quite sit up on his own yet, so the bebePod Basix helped him sit upright and enjoy playtime from a different angle. We have two high wooden highchairs that I’ve talked about in the past, so we never really had a need for a booster seat, except when we travel. But what I love about this seat, is that it can be used anywhere, just as Prince Lionheart suggests. We’ve enjoyed using it while Biggie and I are in the playroom, as well as outside while we’re playing outside.

It’s a versatile infant seat and booster, and one that is a better option than foam seats that have been in the news for yet another recall.

Speaking of that recall, I wanted the uproar to simmer a bit before sharing my two cents. The thing is, it’s not always parents using a seat incorrectly. Sometimes, it’s just the way it is…

(coming soon! Im having wifi issues, so I’ll upload this as soon as I can!) Here are my thoughts on a vlog I did today on the bebePod Basix. I’m going to try to share my thoughts more regularly on products, parenting and beyond—all while baby is napping. So, here’s my first installment of Nap Chat:

4moms Breeze Review and Giveaway

August 29, 2012August 29, 2012 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

There are a few types of baby gear: the kind that will do the job for now, and there’s the kind that works well AND makes things a little easier.

And then, there’s 4moms, the baby gear company that’s shaking things up with products that are changing the marketplace. Their latest innovation, the Breeze play yard, is shifting the whole paradigm…with just a push of a button.

Parenthood, at least for me, isn’t about the most stuff, or even the flashiest stuff. For me, it’s about well-designed products that are safe, efficient and are built to last. Throw in a little innovation and I’m sold!

By now, you may already know that our family is quite fond of 4moms. We’re continually dazzled by the Origami’s power folding abilities and super cool dashboard. And without getting the waterworks started, the mamaRoo is just as functional, as it is special to us. I’m fortunate enough to see and experience the latest in kid products, but when it comes to merging efficiency and innovation, 4moms is absolutely making their mark.

And when I think of convenient and efficient baby gear, rarely does a play yard come to mind. Otherwise known as a Pack n Play or playpen (if you’re old school,) 4moms has redefined the play yard concept with the Breeze. After unfolding, the Breeze is put together in less than 30 seconds. With a simple push, the entire play yard locks into place and is ready for baby’s nap, or if you’re my kid, roly poly time up and off of the floor where cat hair and dust breed before my eyes.

The Breeze is so Easy my 4 Year old Can Do it(?)

I wanted to say that the Breeze play yard is so simple my 4 year old could do it, but A) the kid willingly helps with the laundry after watching me all the time B) his arm isn’t long enough to reach into the Breeze and C) the 4 year old thing just isn’t a good example at all. Nevertheless, the Breeze is so easy, people; all baby products should be this breezy.

And speaking of 4 year olds, he was my director and camera man while I filmed these videos. We did quite a few takes, so you might be able to hear him saying “cut,” many thanks to my awesome editing. We had fun chatting it up about the Breeze, so be sure to check us out in action! Please excuse the shakiness, a sometimes crying babe and my child begging to go to the beach.

I’m so excited for the Breeze! I’ll let the video do the talking, but just a few things I love about it that I don’t think I mentioned are, the sleek aesthetics, clean lines and cool aqua/black color scheme. It complements my modern/classic decor without being offensive. I used to swear that baby and kid products wouldn’t overrule my living room, but to be quite honest, the Breeze may take up a good amount of space, but thankfully, goes beyond cutesy patterns. As for the overall physical presence of the Breeze, the frame is solid once its locked into place, yet its not too rigid. I love the convenience of the bassinet feature and changing pad; it’s streamlined without becoming a bulky addition.

As with any product, there are always a few caveats, and the same goes for the Breeze. At about 30 lbs, the Breeze is heavier than what I was expecting. And because it’s so new, sheets aren’t accessible yet, but thank goodness for the waterproof padding. I tried to use a Target brand pack and play sheet, but it didn’t fit. Having used their other products, I’m certain 4moms products are safe; however, because the Breeze is still so new, like all most products newly released to market, safety ratings aren’t available right away. (Reminder: I’m not a safety professional) And finally, pricepoint is something I can’t not include. At $299, the Breeze is more expensive than mid-range play yards, but it is true when they say, you get what you pay for, and the Breeze would most certainly last for multiple children, whether it’s siblings or passed down to friends and relatives.

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