Baby Things I Want

I think we made a mistake by buying only a half bumper for Hila's crib. She's already gotten her legs stuck between the slats on the unbumpered half of the crib a few times and that has made her very unhappy. We bought it because it was cheaper than the full and because we weren't sure which side of the are-bumpers-safe debate we were on so figured we'd compromise by getting half.

I've changed my mind now and want a whole one, but love her pretty pink and brown ladybug-themed bumper and still don't want to spend more money than we need to by either buying the ladybug full bumper or buying the other half of it. (These things are not so cheap in Israel.)

And so, I am going to buy the Breathable Baby Universal Crib Bumper in either white, ecru, or brown. This way, I can put that bumper around the whole crib to prevent Hila's precious little hands and feet from getting stuck, but can then still use the half bumper over half of the breathable bumper for added cushion and cuteness.

Also, no one can argue that this new satin-lined, mesh bumper will have any health risks associated with it, what with its promoting of air-flow and breathability. So if we find that Hila all of a sudden starts pressing her nose and mouth up against her ladybugs, we'll be able to remove it and still have protection.

I like my plan.

Posted by Sarah on Monday, June 29, 2009 4 comments  

Scooby Doo Crocs! Have you ever in your life seen such adorable shoes? I love crocs and can't wait to buy these for Hila!

(Actually, my mom already promised she'd buy them for her. Don't forget, mom.)

Posted by Sarah on Monday, June 22, 2009 3 comments  

The Summer Infant Day and Night Dual Scanning Video Monitor is one of those things you don't know you need until you have it. It also comes as a single video monitor.

Here is a run down of how the product works: You plug the camera in baby's room (ideally positioned over the crib) and plug the receiver in wherever you want (ours is in our room). They also make hand held models. Voila! You can hear AND see your baby!

And here is where it gets even better: if you have baby #2 and your first child is still in need of monitoring (or if you want to be able to watch two different rooms for whatever reason) you can buy the dual scanning model. It can be used with each camera individually, or you can set each camera on a different channel and have the receiver scan between them. It switches between cameras every 8 seconds. You can turn off the video to just use the sound (for instance, if the light annoys you while you sleep), and then push the video button if you hear something so you can see what's going on. Likewise, you can turn the volume down to just use the video feature. You will see if any noise is being made by the light indicators (just like with a regular, non video monitor), then turn the volume up if it looks like your child is up.

Here is why you need this monitor:
- After you put your child down to sleep, you can see exactly when she falls asleep. You might be surprised at how long kids toss and turn!
- When you hear your child cry, you can see whether she actually needs you, or is just crying out in her sleep.
- If she is crying and is awake, you can see whether she's in trouble (for example, if her legs are caught in between the crib slats) so you know not to wait and can hurry in there!

Sounds like the perfect product, right? Not so fast, it does have some cons:
- It occasionally messes up our wireless router. And since everyone I know has a wireless router nowadays, this is a huge problem. What usually helps is that while there are only two cameras, there are three channels, so you can try a different channel if there is interference. We had the single monitor before our second child was born, and we did not have this problem, so I think it is specific to the dual scanning model.
- Sometimes the sound does not come in clearly and there is a clicky sound. This is very annoying. Moving the receiver to a different location sometimes helps.

All in all I do love this product. While it's not a necessity, it is one of those things that makes life easier.

Posted by B on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 1 comments  

Labels: baby monitor, child safety

I don't believe that I haven't yet written about the Munchkin Diaper Change Organizer. This was one of the first gifts I got as a new mom and I think that it is indispensable.

Perhaps there are fancier diaper organizers on the market (this is just plain white cloth), but this one definitely qualifies as being convenient, and is the exact right size with the exact right amount of compartments and holders.

It holds more than 50 diapers and all your diaper changing and baby care necessities. We've got diapers, extra wipes, plastic bags (for diaper disposal), a few medicines, thermometer, nail scissors, baby powder, baby lotion, diaper creams, and other handy dandy doodads.

It looks flimsy, but it's really quite sturdy. We've got our hanging on the wall, hanging on two hooks that are nailed into the wall. Maybe using adhesive to your changing table would be less secure.

I think the Munchkin Diaper Change Organizer is a must-have for any parent that is trying to stay organized. Two enthusiastic thumbs up!

Posted by Sarah on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 1 comments  

My name is Naomi, and I’m a stroller addict. Although I only currently own two, I’ve spend a good proportion of the last two years, three months (and a good few months before that) checking out every Bugaboo, Quinny, and Mountain Buggy that crosses my path (and In Modiin, there are a lot of strollers). When we bought our main stroller, our Peg Perego Pliko P3, all that time ago, it seemed to be the perfect pushchair. It came with a bassinet and carseat which clipped directly into the frame, it was lightweight enough to carry up stairs (we used to live in a building with no lift), it folded and unfolded relatively easily, had a decent sized basket, cupholder, and best of all, had an amazing sunshade, perfect for our British-skinned baby. So two years later, did my Peg Perego complete package live up to my expectations? In a word, no. Despite being relatively lightweight the P3 is clunky to carry, and is very heavy to push a toddler in. That easy one hand fold definitely takes two hands, and even though I’ve got the hang of it now it’s certainly not the dream fold I was looking for. The two handles are great for hanging shopping (although this makes it even more awkward to push!) but they make it very difficult to push the stroller one handed, making it hard to hold my toddler’s hand when he wants to walk, or answer the phone. And whilst I can’t fault the bassinet (that raised backrest was a lifesaver for my reflux baby) the car seat was certainly not ideal. My son’s head slumped in it until 3 months, not great for a developing spine at all. My problem is, that despite having researched every stroller under the sun in the past two years I’m yet to find one with a sunshade as good as the Pliko, which takes a bassinet, and is relatively lightweight. And so, the search for the perfect stroller continues...

Posted by Naomi on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 5 comments  

Labels: getting around, strollers

I know I'm not going to live on the top floor of a walk-up forever. But until we move, I simply need a lighter stroller that will make me not dread walking up (and even down) those stairs like I do now. It's getting too hard, and as Hila gets bigger, it's going to get harder.

The Baby Jogger City Mini is pretty light (about 17 lbs), but is still sort of bulky and is just too hard to get up those stairs when I'm also carrying the baby, a diaper bag, and usually few more things that I've collected along my way. Also, no matter how many times I pee before my walk home, I always have to go urgently just as I'm walking up those stairs. It's inevitable. (Does that happen to anyone else?)

And so I have been searching for the perfect, lightweight umbrella stroller. (I know you think I'm crazy, Menachem, but it's cheaper than moving, right?)

I believe I have found the one. It's the UPPAbaby G-LiTE umbrella stroller. Apparently (or so their literature says) it is the lightest fully-packed umbrella stroller on the U.S. market.

In some places it says it's 8 lbs and in some places 11 lbs. Either way, it's light, compact, and most importantly, it has a shoulder strap. This means that when I lug everything up the stairs, I can free up a hand by slinging the stroller over my shoulder.

Other features include a cup holder, rather high handlebars, something special under the stroller that makes you less likely to kick it, a medium sized basket, it stands while folded, and it has a removeable seat liner. It also fully reclines, unlike most umbrella strollers. (That's why I ruled out the Maclaren Volo.)

I'm buying it.

*NOTE: I don't know why I thought it reclines...seems like it doesn't. So the Volo is back on the table. Or maybe they're both off the table. I don't know.

Posted by Sarah on Tuesday, June 02, 2009 6 comments