April 18, 2008
Being huge fans of Pediped Originals, we are always so sad when our toddlers start to outgrow them around the age of 2. That is until now. Pediped has introduced their new line of larger, rubber-soled footwear, pediped Flex ™, for children ages 2 to 5+ years old. Hooray!!
Awarded the American Podiatric Medical Association’s ‘Seal of Acceptance’, these stylish shoes have soft, flexible soles and uppers (just like the Originals, we can bend them in half), and ultra-flexible flex-zones to support natural foot motion and provide maximum flexibility. They even have a built-in arch support to assist in the healthy development of growing feet. On each heel is a shock-absorbing air cushion to protect against impact and distribute pressure throughout the foot.
The shoes also have a unique fit system that allow you to customize the fit so it’s just right with each child and allows you to extend the time that your child can wear the shoes. Considering how fast our kid’s feet grow and how often we feel like we are buying shoes, we really appreciate that each pair comes with an additional 2mm insole that you can remove as your child’s feet grow to get more use out of them.
So, the pediped Flex are made well and are superb for our preschoolers and kindergartener’s feet, but do they live up to the stylish, couldn’t-be-cuter designs of the Originals and do our kids like them? In one word – ABSOLUTELY!!! Even though there are fewer designs to choose from than the Originals, the Flex ™ shoes are available in 9 different styles for girls and 6 styles for boys, and we still had a hard time picking our favorite. If we had to choose our favorite, it would be the Isabella Chocolate Brown for girls and a tie between the Jake Navy and the Conner Camouflage for boys.
Our preschoolers love them and at a time when our independent little tikes like to do everything themselves, we love that these shoes that close with a Velcro tab are easy to put on and take off. The new pediped Flex™ line includes 15 designs available in 7 sizes (US children’s sizes 6 to 12). We applaud Pediped for listening to our requests (along with moms across the country) in making their adorable shoes in larger sizes and appropriate for our babies that aren’t quite babies anymore. (sigh)
You can buy the adorable Pediped Flex at Babygizmo.com: http://www.babygizmo.com/search.php?q=pediped+flex&x=0&y=0
BabyGizmo readers also get FREE SHIPPING with the code HAPR08 at www.pediped.com
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April 17, 2008
I have two young kids (ages 1 & 3) with the curliest, blonde locks you have ever seen! As cute as curls can be, they can also be unruly if left to their own agenda. Since their hair first started to grow, we have seen tangles, frizz and poofy hair frequently.
Since I have naturally curly hair, I have been dealing with curls since I was little. My hair was so curly when I was in 3rd grade that my mom decided to try the myth (at the time) that perming naturally curly hair actually relaxes it. Yeah, that didn’t work! It turned me into a brunette Annie (little orphan Annie) and I had to use a pick to comb my hair. Then in 6th grade my mom just let my hair go and I would end up looking like a lion with big frizzy, poofy hair by the end of the school day. Yeah, the boyfriends were lining up for me :)
By 8th grade, I found the wonders of gel, moose and hairspray and my curls came alive. It made all the difference in the world. As all women with curly hair know though, you never “comb out” the curls. My best friend in high school never believed me the horror that happened when you did comb it out. So, I let her try one day. It wasn’t good! Too much frizz for one girl to ever have! Luckily, I was smart enough not to go out of the house like that.
Since then, unless I straighten my hair (which I do frequently), I never leave the house without product in my curly hair. Lots and lots of product. When I recently figured out that my two babies have inherited the curly locks from me (the blonde is from dad), I knew I had to take control of their curls from the beginning. I knew that all the product I used wasn’t going to work on these baby curls. So, what did I do? I found my curly kid god-send in Johnsons No More Tangles Detangling Spray. I know, I know…it’s been around for ages. And if used correctly (you have to spray enough on), your kids will have the darn cutest curly locks you’ve ever seen. Every morning, my kids know the ritual — “time to spray your hair…it’s food for the curlies” is what we say.
It works so great with them that I decided to try it on myself. Yep…it’s even great for adults. I still put in the gel but with the added Johnsons No Tangles, my curls are softer and look better. So, if your kids have curly hair and you haven’t already tried Johnsons No Tangles…they you must try it. Just make sure you are generous with the sprays when doing their hair and you’ll notice the difference.
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April 16, 2008
We thought we would share a fun new product from Uppa Baby that is great for spring and summer.
Uppa Baby Bubble
Don’t let April showers (or bugs) get in your way this spring! Now you can protect your little one from all kinds of weather on-the-go with the UPPAbaby Bubble. The Bubble fits easily over most infant car seats to defend against sun, rain, wind and bugs. Whether you’re out for a stroll or traveling, the Bubble is your complete solution to car seat protection for whatever mother nature decides to throw your way!
We like to take a lot of walks outside when the weather gets nice. And living in a place where spring showers pop up without notice and bring with it those annoying little bugs, we love products that protect our baby from the elements.
The Uppa Baby Bubble is available on Babygizmo.com at http://www.babygizmo.com/p/uppababy_bubble_3-in-1_infant_car_seat_shade/4295.html
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April 15, 2008
Congratulations to our newest giveaway winner, Cara W. from Seattle, WA. Cara won a Maclean Volo Stroller just by logging in to http://www.Babygizmo.com! This week’s giveaway is a Svan Bouncer.
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April 14, 2008
If you are searching for a high chair perfect for your new baby, we have just added 3 more video reviews of this year’s popular high chairs. We have video reviews for 7 of the most popular high chairs (including our top 5) to help make the decision process easier for buying a seat for baby.
http://www.babygizmo.com/media/index.php
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April 10, 2008
I wanted to share something that I saw that was absolutely appalling to me yesterday. As a CPS Tech (aka. Car seat technician or expert), I’m obsessed with children’s safety in the car. I think every child needs to be in a 5 point harness in their car seat for as long as possible. Does that mean buying a more expensive seat that can have your child up to 60-80 lbs in a 5 point harness? Yep! That’s right. I said your 6-8 year old should be in a 5 point harness car seat! Yes, these car seats can be pricey but this is your “baby” and their safety has no price.
So, back to my story. I was dropping my 3 year old off at daycare yesterday and happened to glance in the car parked next to us. Now, it’s not a habit to look in other people’s cars, but we were parked close to it and what I saw in the back seat caught my eye. In the back seat of this rather expensive sedan, I saw two (not one…but TWO) infant car seats installed facing forward. I use the term “installed” loosely because these seats looked like anything but installed correctly. First, both seats appeared to be at least 10 years old. Car seats should only be used for a maximum of 6 years – not 10. Second, infant car seats should never ever be installed forward facing! This parent had these two infant car seats propped up facing forward to try and make the angle similar to a convertible car seat.
I couldn’t let this go. I figured whoever owned this car was putting their children in grave danger if they ever got into an accident. I went into the child care center and asked the director if she knew the owner of that car. I told her about the appalling car seat situation. To my horror, the director looked at the car and said that it was a teacher at the center and she had a 2 and 4 year old! What!?!?! It was even worse than I thought. A two and a four year old in infant car seats? My heart sank for those children. I know many, many parents don’t install their car seats correctly but this was the worst car seat situation I have ever encountered. Since the teacher was in her classroom, the director assured me that she would let her know immediately about her car seats so that she didn’t forget. She thanked me for my concern and headed to the classroom.
I left the day care but couldn’t help but think of those children in harm’s way all day. Today, I am headed back to the day care to see if the car seat situation has been remedied.
After seeing this yesterday, I beg all parents to please make sure you are using the right car seat for your child and that it is installed correctly. Over 90% of car seats are installed incorrectly and that is putting our babies in harm’s way. If you aren’t 100% sure that your child’s car seat is installed perfectly, please call your local police station or fire department and make an appointment for them to check it. Most of these places have CPS Technicians on hand that will gladly check or install your car seat free of charge! Car seats can be tricky but don’t let your child’s safety be compromised because you *think* you did it right.
xoxo
Hollie
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April 9, 2008
As big advocates of car seat safety and keeping kids in 5 point harnesses as long as possible, we thought we would post the information on the new Britax Frontier that is coming out next month!
BRITAX LAUNCHES FRONTIER™ COMBINATION HARNESS-2-BOOSTER SEAT WITH GREATER PROTECTION FOR GROWING CHILDREN
New booster offers True Side Impact Protection®, increased harnessed weight capacity
CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 8, 2008 — Britax Child Safety Inc., recognized as a leader in child seat manufacturing and child passenger safety, has announced the launch of the Frontier™, the first seat to offer children between 25 and 80 pounds True Side Impact Protection® with a five-point harness and an anthropometrically correct fit. The combination harness-2-booster can also accommodate children between 40 and 100 pounds as a vehicle seat belt- positioning booster.
The Frontier addresses calls from groups such as the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration to keep children harnessed as long as possible. The seat adjusts with children as they grow, ensuring that it fits their body, not just their weight. This allows children to graduate from convertible car seats without compromising safety.
“Many children are moving out of the five-point harness prematurely,” said Barry Mahal, vice president of research and development design for Britax Child Safety Inc. “The Frontier fulfills a great need for a combination booster seat that keeps children harnessed for a longer period and grows with them.”
Frontier is equipped with Britax’s revolutionary True Side Impact Protection, the highest level of side impact protection available on the market. One in four of all motor vehicle crashes that involve children occur from the side, and these crashes result in a significantly higher injury rate than front or rear crashes. Britax’s True Side Impact Protection offers design features that transfer energy away from the child during a side impact collision: an energy- absorbing foam liner over a stiff structure to distribute crash forces, side walls that shield the child from intruding objects, deep head wings and sides for head and body containment, and an adjustable head support to minimize lateral head movement during a crash.
The Frontier’s five-point harness accommodates children 2 years old and older who weigh between 25 and 80 pounds and are 12 inches to 18.25 inches seated shoulder height. It provides eight harness positions and three buckle strap positions. A one-hand headrest and harness adjustment, no re-thread harness and color-coded lap and shoulder belt guides also ensure ease of use. Frontier includes Britax’s Versa-Tether®, Harness Ultra Guard System
(HUGS™) and premium LATCH connectors. Once the child has surpassed the harnessed weight or height capacity the seat is easily converted into a seat belt-positioning booster by simply removing the harness system, and can hold a child up to 60 inches tall and approximately 100 pounds.
“It’s widely acknowledged that keeping children in harnessed car seats for as long as possible is imperative to their safety,” said Laura Jana, M.D., pediatrician, child passenger safety technician and mother of three. “Yet in September 2007, Partners for Child Passenger Safety reported that 40 percent of children from 4 to 8 years old were not in appropriate child restraints, putting them at risk. Parents should choose products with a five- point harness that correctly fit their growing child.”
As comfortable and practical as it is safe, The Frontier features rotating, soft armrests; adjustable head support that also serves as sleep support for the child; comfort pads; a removable, washable cover; and two retractable cup and snack holders. The Frontier comes in several fashionable colors schemes:
Red Rock, Rushmore, Canyon and Pink Sky, and will be available at independent and mass retailers in May 2008. The suggested retail price is $279.99.
About Britax Child Safety Inc.
Britax Child Safety Inc. is a leading child seat manufacturer. For more than three decades, it has been a pioneer in developing car seats that enhance safety. Britax’s full line of car seats offers side impact protection, and its True Side Impact Protection™ family of products features the highest level of side impact protection available on the market.
Britax is the best-selling child seat in Europe and has become one of the most-trusted brands by American parents and caregivers since entering the U.S. market in 1996. For more information, visit http://www.britaxusa.com.
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March 19, 2008
So, the Baby Gizmo Buying Guide (http://www.babygizmobuyingguide.com) has been on the shelves for one month! We are enjoying the attention from the media and the feedback we hear from all the moms out there is fabulous. I’ve talked to so many moms recently that tell me that the book was a lifesaver when it came to registering for their new baby.
My best friend, who is due with her first baby at the end of April, told me that she now feels like she is a baby product guru after reading the book and can’t help but share her new found knowledge with other friends.
The book is doing gangbusters in the stores and we are just so excited that we are helping moms become smarter baby product shoppers with every book that is sold. Don’t forget that there are Top 5 lists in all major categories that are updated in real time on http://www.babygizmo.com to work hand in hand with the book.
Thanks to all the moms (and dads) out there for your support!
xoxo
Hollie
Technorati Tags: baby gizmo buying guide, babygizmo, book launch party, hollie schultz, heather maclean
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March 10, 2008
We just posted our results of our most recent Baby Gizmo Survey to the question “You know you are pregnant when…”
To give all you expectant moms and moms that have been there a good laugh, check out our list of answers at:
http://www.babygizmo.com/news/youknowyourpregnantwhen.php
Enjoy!
xoxo
Hollie
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March 4, 2008
"
Prima Princessa presents Swan Lake" was a delight to share with my children. My daughter (2 ½ years old) loves to dance and play dress up, and this was the perfect way to share the beauty of ballet with my children. I was also pleasantly surprised when my 4 ½ year old son asked to watch it again and began to try the different ballet moves. My children were engaged and enthralled to be part of this interactive DVD.
This DVD introduces children not only to the beauty of ballet, but allows them to learn, participate and understand how a story can be told through dance. I loved that they told the story of Swan Lake as it was being preformed, shared and demonstrated different ballet moves, and showed professionals, school children, and toddlers dancing. This would be a perfect gift for any little girl or family who wants to share the fine arts with their children.
This fabulous DVD is available at
Amazon.com and qualifies for free shipping if you spend $25.00, so why not pick up a cute ballet book to go along with it!
For more info, visit
www.primaprincessa.com
THIS REVIEW WAS WRITTEN BY OUR NEW BLOGGER, SWANKY MOM LYNNE!
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