babyluxe

Koala Kuddles

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

Now that Spring is “almost” here, are you looking for that perfect lightweight blanket for your little one?  We recently received the new, Austin based, muslin swaddle blanket from Koala Kuddles, and we’re in love!

As a firm believer in swaddling as long as humanly possible, we were so excited to test out this new product!  Yes, it’s true that the material of your blanket makes a huge difference when determining whether or not swaddling is going to be successful for your baby…  We had great success with flannel blankets when swaddling Alex 3 years ago, but muslin seems to be the way to go for Harrison.

The Koala Kuddles blankets are just the right size for swaddling babies from 0 -3 months.  Now that he is approaching the 4-month mark {tomorrow!} he is getting a little too long for these blankets.  That said, with the adorable animal print design & the softer with every wash, breathable muslin fabric, our Koala Kuddles days are far from over!

I had really been stressing over making sure Harrison had a beloved lovey or blankie, like my other two children did.  Well my friends, I think the Koala Kuddles blanket has made it’s way into Harrison’s heart {and mine}.  It is the perfect size for keeping him cozy in his car seat, stroller & even baby swing.  He loves to have it close to his face, and he loves to feel the soft muslin fibers between his fingers.  I love the Koala Kuddles for keeping him shielded from the sun {which we hope to do a lot next week in Disney World!} & I use it regularly as a nursing cover.  It provides just the right amount of weight to keep him warm, but not too hot.

With two simple & understated designs available, Australian Animals and Polka Dots, you won’t have any trouble choosing which to get.  They are both great!  Grab a package of Koala Kuddles now, just in time for the warmer weather!

baby daze {DISCOUNT}

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

Organization. It’s hard when you have a newborn or toddler(s) on your hands.  Some days it seems like everything is everywhere and things are  totally disorganized!  Well, life is made simpler with the amazing products that baby daze  has to offer. From their  incredible baby organizer to their awesome sitter slips and packing pal’s, you will be so much happier and feel much more organized!!

Let’s start with the baby daze organizer. Oh, how I wish I had this when I had my boy.  Everything you need is in one binder.  This 8 section organizer is specifically designed with the new parent or expectant parent in mind!  Things like feeding and diapering, medical info, and milestones to name a few.  How perfect is that! All in one place, to make your life much easier!  A must have for a new parent or parent to be.

I was so excited when our baby daze samples arrived. First we got the amazing baby daze little ledge. Love it! Its a shelf that can hold all important items, but not take up a ton of space. Comes in 4 awesome colors.  Then we got the baby daze packing pals and sitter slips. These are the best.  The packing pals is a handy list for the day, little trip and for a big trip. All on one list, so you remember everything you need! So many times I have gone somewhere and of course forgotten something for my boy, but not any longer, thanks to this list!  The sitter slips list everything you need for your sitter to know. From phone #’s, emergency info etc, all in one list, simply awesome!

baby dazeis offering BabyElan readers a 15% off discount!!  If you use the following code: BABYLUXE10 at checkout, you will get 15% off your total order!! Be sure not to miss out on this amazing offer. Also, what perfect gift ideas for the new parents or parents to be!

Precious Layla Grace

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

At around 1:30pm this afternoon, I found myself shut in a bathroom stall at my office sobbing uncontrollably, feeling deep pain for a family I never met, a family I feel ever so close too just by watching from a far  {along with thousands upon thousands of others} as they embarked on a journey of pure faith, as they made the decision to update the world on a continuous basis of their precious daughter’s fight against cancer.  We are not the only ones to mourn over the loss of sweet little Layla Grace today, and we pray her parents, her sisters, her loved ones and friends, take comfort in the fact that thousands of strangers worldwide are profoundly touched by the story of their baby girl!

Please take a moment to pray to the heavens {whether you are home or at your desk}, pray for Layla Grace’s family, pray for their strengthen and courage during this difficult time, pray for peace in their lives and in yours.  It’s amazing how strangers can affect you in such a dramatic way, we’re sadden that the world is one special child less, yet there’s peace in the ending of her pain.  Take the time today to hold your children just a bit tighter before you send them off to school or practice or bed, take a step back from your hectic life and cherish what you have…cancer, a car accident, god’s will, can take someone you love from you in a matter of months, weeks, days, or seconds!  I’m no where near the perfect parent or wife I strive to be, and days like today make me regret my faults, yet treasure the simplest moments.

If you don’t know Layla Grace’s story…find it here and on Twitter.  Share this little girl’s amazing story with everyone you know!  She was precious not only to her family, but to us as well!  Peace and happiness to you all today!  {Take the time to donate to Layla Grace’s family for her medical costs or to any cancer organization to help make a difference in funding research and putting an end to this horrible nightmare!}

aden+anais {GIVEAWAY}

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Well they’ve done it again!  The fabulous Reagan Moya-Jones and her team have added to an already wonderful collection of classic cotton muslin, organic cotton muslin and bamboo muslin products for your baby!  But now,….. the team brings you the Cozy Collection :-)

aden + anais has brought the legacy of muslin together with fashion-forward design to create a line of products that are as stylish as they are useful and as simple as they are beautiful. The proof is in every product we make. aden + anais is known for its high-quality 100% cotton muslin products that are fashionably designed with contemporary aesthetic taste. They have built their reputation on highlighting the special properties of muslin that make it ideal for infant and toddler care. The muslin products breathe and allow a baby’s body temperature to regulate itself naturally, dramatically reducing the risk of overheating.

For countless generations, mothers have swaddled and cared for their children with natural muslin.  aden + anais® brings this traditional practice to you with their specially-crafted cozy swaddles. Designed with fashion-forward prints and a double-layer of muslin, they are the perfect wrap for cold, wintry nights and brisk walks in the park.

Single 100% cotton muslin double-layer swaddling blanket. The fabric’s light, open weave allows a baby’s body temperature to regulate itself naturally which helps to prevent overheating. The double layer of muslin helps make baby comfortably warm on cold nights and brisk walks through the park. The more you washaden + anais wraps, the softer they get. aden + anais wraps are extra large, measuring 47” x 47”, so that new and seasoned moms alike can swaddle babies of all sizes with ease. Traditionally used for swaddling the wraps can also be used as burp cloths, nursing and stroller covers, portable crib sheets, stroller and car seat liners, tummy time blankets, change table covers, and more.  Since Noah is almost 10 months old we don’t use our blanket to swaddle, but we do use it every single day in our stroller :-)    We use it at the park too, Noah isn’t walking yet so he sits and plays in the sunshine :-)

SIDS is a serious health concern for any parent.   We would never intentionally do something to harm our children, aden + anais and the CJ Foundation for SIDS Educate Parents and Caregivers About The Dangers of Over-Heating Infants.   Be aware of the dangers so you can keep your baby safe. aden + anais proudly sponsor and raise awareness for the CJ Foundation.

In the winter months, parents and caregivers are more likely to crank the heating and reach for plush, thick blankets to keep their babies warm. Infants who are overdressed or covered in heavy blankets or many blankets are at higher risk for SIDS. It is very important for babies to be dressed lightly and comfortably to avoid overheating. The CJ Foundation recommends the use of wearable blankets and sleep-sacks in place of blankets to keep infants warm while sleeping.  Makes complete sense!  Over 2,000 babies in the United States still die of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) each year, and overheating is a leading risk factor.

Here are som risk-reducing, precautionary practices:

Consider the use of fans to increases ventilation
Room temperature should be comfortable for a lightly-clothed adult, approximately 61-67 degree Fahrenheit
Cribs should be totally free of all loose blankets, stuffed animals and crib bumpers
Lay baby to sleep in an improved crib, on a firm mattress; do not let the baby sleep on soft things, like a couch, pillow, sheepskin, foam pad or waterbed
No smoking when pregnant or near baby
If possible, breastfeed baby
Offer a pacifier at bedtime
Co-sleeping should be in the same room but not the same bed or other sleep surface as parents

aden + anais has received the Creative Child magazine 2007 Seal of Excellence and several prestigious iParenting Media Awards.

About the CJ Foundation for SIDS: The CJ Foundation for SIDS is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the special needs of the SIDS community through funding SIDS research, support services and public awareness programs. www.cjsids.org

You must feel the soft thickness of these blankets!   Let’s give one a reader a chance (U.S. and Canada)!!  Win an aden + anais cozy sleeping bag of your choice when you comment back here what you like best about aden + anais products.   {Looks like FB is allowing us to use joining FB groups as extra entries again so have at it…EXTRA ENTRY for becoming an aden+anais fan on FaceBook & CJ Foundation too!!}  Contest ends in one week, good luck to all!

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Tots On the Go

Monday, March 8th, 2010

Every parent should visit Tots On the Go before going on any type of trip or vacation.  Besides offering some of the newest nessesities and luxuries for families with children Tots On the Go also offers personal consultations to help every busy parent select the perfect travel accessory for their family!  I was sent two fabulous travel items for my family to use during our recent trip to Disneyland!  My kids and I loved both of them so much I purchased them so we would be able to use them on future vacations!

The picture above is of my youngest son Will who is 9 months old.  Tots On the Go sent him the Air Play {also pictured}to use on our vacation!  This is a great toy that slips over an airplane’s tray table very securely and is covered with toys on both sides.  There are peak-a-boo flaps with a mirror and another with a picture album where personal pictures of baby’s favorite people can be inserted!  There are also several Velcro toys and balls attached as well.  Will looks tired in the picture above but I promise you he had a fabulous time with his Air Play during our four hour flight.  I loved that everything was attached so I did not have to pick anything off the floor.

My two year old daughter fell in love with her Trunki as soon as she saw it.  While she had fun scooting on it around the house she LOVED being pulled on it through the airport!  Being a big girl of 2 {and almost 3} she thinks strollers are for babies but still gets tired of walking sometimes.  Her Trunki was a life saver for us.  Not only did it provide entertainment for her and an easy trip through the airport for us, it doubled as her carry on.  The Trunki fits perfectly under the seats on the plane and has room for all of the important items little gals and guys need to stay busy on long flights!

Tots On the Go is great for purchasing everything from Strollers and baby carriers to some of the great items I have outlined above.  Another great feature Tots On the Go offers is their rental program.  {Check their website to see if they offer rentals in your area please.} They will ship many items parents need to take care of baby and big kids to certain locations.  Mom and dad will  have the peace of mind that that each item will be clean, sanitized, safe and will arrive at your home or travel destination.  Choose individual items or go for one of their package deals!

Visit Tots On the Go to see all the products they have for families with an on the go lifestyle!  Happy Shopping!