The first thing on my list is the Phil and Ted’s stroller (I love the dash and the vibe). After my second I wanted to get this but he walked so much it was not really worth it. I soon learned that when he gets tired he needs to be picked up, and so many times I ended up pushing with one hand and carrying him or finding a way to make my single a double. So, this time I hope to get the Phil and Ted’s.

There is so much good about this stroller. Like it can convert to a single for days when yo only need to take one kid. It fits through doors because it is only as wide as a single. Finally, the newest version folds with the wheels and the second seat still attached, making set up and folding a snap.

The next thing on my list is a new swing. I find that the one I had is not meant for newborns and that is when I find a swing most useful.

I am in love with the Graco Sweetpeace. I love everything about this swing. I love that it has so many motions and directions to swing so your baby feels like it is in your arms. I love that you can put the baby in while swaddled. I love how soft the materials are. i also love that it has so many sounds and the option to attach an mp3 player so baby can be exposed to all kinds of sound and music. I really love that you can plug it in or let it run on batteries giving so many options. As you can see, I love everything about this swing.

The third thing on my list is a rocking chair. I wish I’d had one for my last two kids but there was just no room for it anywhere in our apartment. I have not yet decided which one to get. I am torn between a traditional glider rocking chair and a more padded arm chair type one. I will have to do more research but when I know you will know too.

Finally, I want to get some beautiful bedding for my crib. I am hoping that soon I will have a nursery and be able to decorate it. I can’t wait to get beautiful sheets to match. Check out my post…The Fabulous Part of Fabulous Mommy (part 3)…to see my ideas for creating a nursery that is gender neutral.

Counting down the days…

xoxo

-Carla

Oh the joys of early pregnancy! Thank G-d that for most people it ends after one trimester.

Used to be that for relief without drugs you used a Psi Bands Drug-Free Wrist Bands for the Relief of Nausea that looked like a sweatband or a rubber band on your wrist. Today though you can get Psi bands in an array of colors and patterns. You could have one for each outfit if you like.

Psi bands work using pressure points to relieve nausea. They are great for pregnancy as well as other motion sickness caused by things like planes, cruises and cars. They make them for kids as well and I highly recommend checking them out or speaking to your doctor about them if you havve any questions.

Hope your queasiness ends soon.

xoxo

-Carla

When I entered the store I went to get a cart. Beside the regular carts I found these fabulous TV karts. You know how sometimes you go grocery shopping and they have special kids carts…small ones for them to push, double seated ones, or ones shaped like cars…well TV cart is like that but better.

The bottom part is a truck for the kids to sit in and the back of the truck is a cart. Two things make this so special though. The first is that each cart has a tv in it that plays shows like The Backyardigans, Dora the Explorer, and Bob the Builder to keep the kids entertained. This is really exciting because without that my daughter would have screamed everytime I stopped to look at something.The tv allowed me to peruse items and not have to be constantly moving for her to be happy. The other really nice thing is that the carts are not overly long or extremely huge so you can maneuver without too much difficulty around the store.

I loved this product so much that I came home and researched who makes it etc. I discovered some other really great features about it. The parental control screen (located in the basket so you can put the shows on without leaning into the cart) could also be set up as a price scanner, shopping list, it can tell you store specials, and in grocery stores it could give you recipe ideas. There is just so many possibilities for this to make life more enjoyable and simpler.

So I wanted to share this with you. Anyone near Paramus, NJ should go check out Kmart while the carts are still free to use. Everyone else you can check them out here and if you know of any store that might benefit from this product suggest it. Anything to make mommies lives more Fabulous needs to be spread around.

*Stay tuned for actual pictures I took…I am having technical difficulty getting them online right now and will try again later tonight*

xoxo

-Carla

The Lolita Effect: The Media Sexualization of Young Girls and What We Can Do About It

This book, which I discovered in People magazine, discusses how the media distorts and undermines girl’s sexual progress by spreading myths about the way girls should dress, act and feel. We all know what they are talking about…from little girls in skimpy clothes to padded bras for children that are just hitting puberty.

There is a scene in the movie “Mean Girls” that showcases this perfectly. It’s the one when all the girls go over to Regina’s house and her little sister is standing in front of the tv flashing her chest and watching “Girl’s Gone Wild” and another time trying to dance like the video for “Milkshake (my milkshake brings all the boys to the yard…)”. She is so young and yet that is what she is aspiring to do.

(I mean I guess the whole “Mean Girls” movie falls into this category because everyone wants to be like these mean girls who are just overtly sexy when they should be finding themselves in high school.)

Even children’s toys today put an emphasis on sexy. One of the top selling dolls for kids is Bratz dolls. The book explains this by saying “The doll projects a sexuality that has more to do with working on the Sunset Strip than enjoying a healthy girlhood.”

We as parents need to be aware of this problem so we can take an active roll. It is very important that we speak to our daughters so that they understand that what makes them unique is multifaceted and that sexuality is only one part of the equation.

I highly recommend checking out this book. Click on the link above to find it on amazon.com.

xoxo

-Carla

This week I am showcasing Julie Andrews. I mentioned her previously in “Movie of the Week: The Sound Of Music” and I have to reiterate what a fantastic actress she is. I find her so elegant and mesmerizing. So today I recommend both an oldie that is a classic and a more recent movie that I have added to my children’s favorite vault.

Mary Poppins is a story about a nanny that changes an entire family’s life. Julie Andrews plays Mary Poppins and she comes off as both annoyingly all knowing and “practically perfect in every way”. This movie is filled with catchy tune, great dancing, and animation and magic that will captivate even the youngest viewers. If you have not yet shared this with your children I highly recommend doing so soon.

The second recommendation is a newer movie and, although suitable for all ages, will be greatly appreciated by somewhat older girls. The Princess Diaries follows Mia Thermopolis (Ann Hathaway) as she finds out she is the future queen of Genovia. We watch her as her princess lessons transform her from an awkward teenager to a beautiful, composed princess. This movie has it all, romance, humor and Mandy Moore singing. It also has a great lesson, that a person’s greatness comes from within and that by judging on the outside you may miss something great. It also teaches girls to be confident and strong and stand up for something they believe in. I am a sucker for romantic princess movies and so I highly suggest you check this out.

xoxo
-Carla

I am on my third pregnancy now and this is the first time that I am at the end of it during the summer. I have a great respect for people who have done this before because I think that the heat alone makes everything worse. I am finding it so hard to sit or bend. I never had this with the last two. I was playing games on the floor, painting my toes…you name it and I could (pretty much) do it.

Now however, chasing after my two kids wipes me out and by the end of the day I can barely make it into bed.

I am trying to find ways to keep cool. So far the best thing I have found is to take the kids to a park with a sprinkler. I wade around with them and the cold water makes a BIG difference. For those of you with your own backyards you can do this too. Fill up a kiddy pool with cool water and let your kids have a blast splashing around. You can also attach a sprinkler and don’t be afraid to run through to cool off.

I did this when I last visited my parents house. We made “water day” and set up a slip and slide, water table, pool and sprinkler. Then myself and one other pregnant mother lounged while the kids had a blast occupying themselves.

For a simple cute pool check out the Frog Spray Pool With Slide - Manley

To really go over the top you can also check out the Ships Ahoy Pirate Ship Pool - Banzai

And if you want to go all out and have the space and money check out this number…theVortex Spin Slide and Pool - Banzai. My neighbors had this and it is out of this world!

Please if anyone else has tips to make these last two months a little more bearable feel free to leave me a comment on what has worked for you.

stay cool,

xoxo

-Carla

If you are looking for an alternative to “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” or you just want another handy book to check out I highly recommend “From The Hips“. This book speaks about everything to do with pregnancy, birth and becoming a parent.

I liked this book a lot because I found it much more candid then “What to Expect”. I especially liked all the comment bubbles with candid quotes from actual parents.

This book is extremely comprehensive and very uncensored. The pages are all packed with information (and by packed I mean writing everywhere) which can be a little overwhelming. However, I found that this being my third pregnancy I just need a book a little different from the rest.

Like I said before, I highly recommend checking this book out if only to see all it has to offer.

Hope all my pregnant readers are feeling well,

xoxo

-Carla

http://www.deliciousbaby.com/

This is a blog by a mother of two who loves to travel. This blog gives advice for breezing through airport security, what to pack and other life and sanity saving tips. There are also city guides for places that she has visited that will tell you about activities and hotels that are kid friendly.

I highly recommend you check this out if you plan to travel…nothing is better than someone speaking from experience.

Happy traveling,

xoxo

-Carla

Summer is here and the nice weather makes everyone want to get out of the house for the day. But, what do you do if your baby needs a bottle? You don’t want to make it beforehand because it might get spoiled by the heat and carrying around a ton of formula or running around to get water is a hassle.

Well check out the Phil & Ted’s Shakeaway Latté Bottle. The dual compartment design allows you to keep formula and water separate until feeding. A simple twist and shake mixes them together when feeding time rolls around. Now you can just pack a bottle and go without worrying about anything.

Click here to purchase this fantastic product and the get out there…the nice weather is only here for so long.

xoxo

-Carla

Want to teach your children the importance of both hygiene and recycling? Then I highly suggest you check out this new fabulous product.

Recycline has created the Preserve Toothbrush, also lovingly known as the “toothbrush made from yogurt cups”, is made out of 100% recycled materials. They teamed up with dentists to create a unique shape and soft bristles that will get your teeth even more sparkling. They come in many fun colors and also each comes in a travel case that allows air to circulate freely.

When you are done with your Preserve Toothbrush simply send your toothbrush back to Preserve using their postage-paid label so that it can again be used to make lumber for things like picnic tables.

I have tried this toothbrush out for the last few weeks and love it. I find that the curve of the handle is just right for getting to all the hard to reach places. I would recommend that people who prefer stiffer bristles try the medium brush because I found the soft bristles very soft.

I also really love that there is a lesson to teach your kids here. I think it is very important that kids learn the value of taking care of themselves and the environment (for really small children there is the Preserve Jr. toothbrush).

Preserve toothbrushes are available at Target stores for only $2.04. Go to this website: http://recycline.com/momcentral/
to print out a valuable coupon and check out the recylcline website for other great eco-friendly products for the home.

So go ahead and live green and live happy.

xoxo

-Carla