An Apple a Day

I'll give you the disclaimer now. As you've probably noticed we try to keep the focus of our reviews on small business. Mama/Papa owned. The little guy. This review is going to throw that out the window.

Occasionally we come across something ourselves that is just so amazing we don't know how life was ever the same without it. In the case it just wasn't.

A novel accessory for Mama's on the go and a must for those of us work-at-home Mama's that would like to leave the house every once and a while. Apple's new iPhone combines so many of our everyday essentials into one sleek gadget it's hard to know where to begin. In addition to being a super cool phone (the first cell phone I don't find myself screaming into) this baby has full Wi-Fi internet capability and easy access to email. Top that off with all the features of a widescreen ipod- storage for hundreds of songs, videos, tv shows or audiobooks and a button to get straight to YouTube (even our no-screen time rule has been broken by whipping out the dancing dogs mid-meltdown) and it's obvious it doesn't get any better than this.

But wait, there really is more. The iPhone is also equipped with a 2.0 megapixel camera that takes amazing pictures, and has quick access to the playground forecast and Google maps (no more getting lost with a car full of excited kids?) Plus the simple interface and touch screen is so easy to use my 20 month old already knows how to scroll through his favorite photos and quick call his Papa at work. The only down side we can come up with is the price, at $499 for 4GB and $599 for 8GB, this baby ain't cheap. But if you add up all the features, subtract the hassles and divide by the extra time to get out and play, we think you'll find it well worth the splurge.

These Booties Are Made For Walkin'

They say that soft soled shoes are best for your little one when they're learning to walk. But who wants boring old soft soles when you can get a pair of Isa Booties [$29]? These non-leather soft soles "combine bold color block designs with distinctive European ribbon to create a fresh new look in soft-soled baby shoes!" How great is that? They have grip fabric on the bottoms, to keep the munchkin safe, are 100% animal-product free (for all you vegan mama's out there!), machine washable/dryable, and they won't fade, shrink or crack!

And these booties come in a variety of styles for girls and boys. I love the pair that I have for my little Beastling...and the best part? She loves them too and never wants to take them off. The girl gets style and comfort in one cute Bootie!

-Jaymi

Ink Your Little Stinker

Why wait until they are teens? Launch your baby’s inner rebellion with Rebel Ink Baby! We love us a good black tee shirt. Slap on an antagonistic saying and your little rebel-without-a-cause is stylin’.

Is your baby brave enough to sport the Break Out The Boobs tee? Or maybe he or she’s better off with the Eat At Mom’s. But, you know your little Prince or Princess needs an I’m Too Sexy For My Diaper. 

Rebel Ink Baby’s rockin’ tees [$24] are available as a short-sleeve snapsuit or long-sleeved tee and come in onesies sized 0-24 months and toddler tee sizes 2T-5T. 

Rebel Ink resists crawling to authority- dress your babe in duds with an attitude!

Win It!

We're giving away a "It Ain't Gonna Change Itself" snapsuit (0-6 months)! Just email the names of the Rebel Ink family to reviews@mamaspeaks[dot]com by midnight August 29.

Cause of the Week - Share The Power Of A Wish

The Make A Wish Foundation is truly a magical and joyful organization with its only goal to give hope, strength, and happiness to children with life-threatening medical conditions.

My family experienced first-hand the loving generosity of Make A Wish when our son Noah had a wish granted in January 2006. At the time he was battling a rare form of epilepsy, and his desire was a simple “wish to go to the zoo.” We were flown to San Diego, home of the ultimate zoo, and provided with first-class accommodations and royal treatment the entire week. 

Our visits to the zoo, Sea World, San Diego’s Wild Animal Park, and even Disneyland lasted just a day or two that week, but our memories will last a lifetime.

 There are many ways to help grant a dream come true to a deserving child at Make A Wish. Donate online or contact your local Wish chapter. Volunteer your time, talents, and even frequent flyer miles.  Shop for Make-A-Wish merchandise to not only raise awareness but also help grant wishes.

With a wish granted every 41 minutes, the Make A Wish Foundation is the nation’s largest wish granting organization. Do what you can to help today and be a part of wishes that really do come true.

-Steph

It’s Summer All Year ‘Round

The Summer Infant Baby’s Quiet Sounds Color Handheld Video Monitor [$160] is the extra pair of eyes you’ll definitely appreciate as parents. Now you really can always hear and see what your baby is doing when you can’t be in the same room. 

Take the handheld color monitor with you up to 350 feet or even plug into your TV. It’s a great gadget for Daddy, too, as he can watch baby via TV split-screen and still watch the game (or play Xbox) at the same time! 

Features like rechargeable batteries that last up to 10 hours, option for just audio only, and night vision when baby is in a darkened room are a convenience and comfort for your peace of mind. 

We also, of course, love Summer’s Nature’s Purest Collection with a full range of organically grown and naturally colored cotton nursery products; good for baby and good for the earth. 

Find knowledgeable answers and helpful information in Summer’s For Moms By Moms Online Forum. Share your feelings, give and receive advice, provide Summer Infant product feedback, and more. 

Trust Summer’s affordable and safe products for your priceless little one.

-Steph

Cycling

I think everyone that's ever lived outside of a cave knows what recycling is, but there are other environmentally friendly ways to cycle your stuff. Here's our handy guide:

Recycling: The reprocessing/reusing of products into new materials. From cardboard to steel to good ol' polyester- your cereal box, soup can or jumpsuit can be turned into something new.

Precycling: The practice of trying to reduce waste by avoiding buying/using products that generate waste. From ordering takeout to buying toys, you might think you're buying food or playthings but look at what else you're getting- Styrofoam, plastic wrap, cardboard boxes are often just filler for you to throw away.

Freecycling: Freecycle is a worldwide network of "gifting" groups. Have a lawnmower you're no longer using? Freecycle it. Need a new vacuum? Check Freecycle first.

Junk Food Without the Junk

I’ll admit that I, according to my very opinionated mother, “deprive” my son some of the finer things in life like cookies, cake and ice cream.  I can’t help it; white processed flour and sugar are four letter words in this house.  But even I can’t deny that sometimes milk and cookies are just what the doctor ordered.  So how to you oblige the occasional sugary-sweet request without selling your soul to Devil’s Food Cake?  Three words:  Kids Central Kitchen.

Kids Central Kitchen took all natural and whole grain ingredients and whipped them into convenient prepackaged baking mixes that today’s busy families need.  What you get is wholesome goodness – meaning no hydrogenated oils, trans fats, high fructose syrup and artificial anything.  We were excited, perhaps a little too excited, to test out the Slam Dunker Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies and Flip Flop Flapjack Pancakes.  I am a certified junk food junkie so it’s hard to slip anything healthy into my snacks without me noticing.  These two mixes did have a “healthy” taste to them but they satisfied even my toughest sweet tooth.  Although our chocolate cookies ended up more cake-like than cookie, that didn’t stop us from eating, oh, all of them very quickly.  The pancakes were lacking the fluffiness of traditional flapjacks but we didn’t hear any complaints coming from our pickiest two year old taste tester.   

Since my eating habits leave something to be desired, my kids diet is the perfect case of “do as I say, not do as I do.”  But with the easy to make goodness from Kids Central Kitchen, Mommy will actually be “doing” this too!

- Cara

Kids Central Kitchen is offering 10% off for our readers! Just enter code MAMASPEAKS at checkout. Plus free shipping on any order over $50!

Mo Knows Best

I knew throughout my child rearing career I’d owe a lot of thanks to various influences:  lactation consultants, Dr. Sears and I surprisingly even my own mother.  But I didn’t anticipate children’s book author Mo Willems would make the list.  Without him and his cleverly written books, bedtime and other routine events would be a bit more torturous. 

We fell in love with Mo when we first laid eyes on the interactive “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!”  You mean a book that will put all those defiant toddler no’s to good use?  Brilliant!  And “Time To Pee!” showed our two year old that walking “down the hall, into the BATHROOM!” can actually be fun!  Who knew?!

But Mo’s most recent book, “Knuffle Bunny Too:  A Case of Mistaken Identity” [$16] has us laughing well into dusk.  With humor us parents can appreciate and a tale of a little girl and her “one of a kind” bunny that kids can relate to, it’s no surprise this book instantly made it to the nightly rotation.  The reading level is a little beyond our little one’s attention span but even he appreciates the colorful drawings against realistic black and white photos. Although you can start your Mo obsession here, it might be worth picking up the prequel “Knuffle Bunny:  A Cautionary Tale.”  With either of these books, you’ll fall in love with the Knuffle Bunny too…or is it Kuh-nuffle?  Read the book and you decide.

- Cara

A Bungee for Your Binkie

We all know that even though it may "build up immunities," no Mama really wants to see her child retrieve a pacifier from the floor and pop it into their sweet little mouth. 

Whether we're out in public, in the car, or even at home, my kiddo frequently sees something more appetizing than his little sucker, and more often than not, will simply allow it to free fall from his mouth, making room for the new "snack".  Now, thanks to Bella Tunno's Binker [$8], I don't have to carry a truckload of backups, and I don't have to worry about bulky cartoon characters!  Keep your binkies close and clean with this safety-tested pacifier clip.  It comes in 30 stylish grosgrain ribbon options, and the attachment clip has rubber tips that protect little clothes from snags and damage. 

The Binker doesn't have to stand alone, though.  Your trend-setting tot can flaunt other funky and fun baby basics- including bibs, burp cloths, diaper changing pads, and play smocks.  These products can be bought separately or in shower-ready gift sets.

Better yet, not only are the designs great, but so is the cause.  Bella Tunno donates a portion of all proceeds to drug-rehabilitation related organizations.

-Carol

Win it!
Protect your "Wild Child" with a laminate bib from Bella Tunno. Just send your answer to the following question to reviews@mamaspeaks.com by midnight August 25. What is Bella Tunno's tag line?

Mama Speaks readers get 20% off ANY purchase at Bella Tunno! Enter code MT20 at checkout.

Peek-A-Boo I See A Shoe

Long car rides, flight delays, shopping excursions. All occasions where our kids tend to run out of steam before we do. Toys loose their novelty and get chucked aside and well, us Mama's sometimes run out of ideas.

I spy anyone? Children are natural scavengers who love to find things and this game is one thing that seems to keep them endlessly entertained. So, it's no surprise that two Mom's took this concept to the next level. Inventors Marcella Shumway and Teresa Hammond created their Peek-A-Boo bag [$15] to provide "the peace and quiet all mothers crave". We say they created hours (ok, so minutes) and good, quiet fun.

Each Peek-a-boo bag is a soft corduroy square with a see-through window. And through that window the magic begins. Hidden amongst white beads are tons of tiny surprises. Dinosaurs, Dolphins, letters and more. And a fabric tag is snapped to the outside, listing all the hidden treasures inside. Plus they have three different versions you can keep on rotation to keep things fresh.

We've quickly added this to our must-have list for leaving the house. And don't be embarrassed if you find yourself taking one out and poking around. Peek-a-boo is pretty addictive and these are something to treasure.

Gold Medal Diaper Bag

In the Olympics of diaper bags, DadGear's messenger takes the Gold. The innovative design makes any parents’ life a whole lot easier and the masculine design makes DadGear bags stand out.

The quick-access window, under the front panel, keeps wipes within easy reach. And the light colored interior makes it easy to find what you're looking for. (To check it out see the demo at DadGear.)

The Dads at DadGear score extra points for the Billboard series messengers. Recycled billboard ads were used to create one of a kind bags that are eco-friendly.

The messenger is so low-key and comfy, Dad (or Mama) will want to use this baby beyond the diaper days. Remove diapers, insert laptop and get on your way.

-Katja

DadGear is offering our readers 15% off any purchase! Just enter MamaSpeaks15 at checkout.

A is for Amazing

We all know our baby's are amazing, so it's nice when someone else thinks so too. And when those people are making developmentally appropriate books and toys for your baby- that's even better. Amazing Baby does just that. With fun plush toys and board books for you and baby to share, so while you read you play, and while you play, you learn.

All of Amazing Baby's products (recommended for babies 0-24 months) feature bright colors and stark contrasts to catch and keep your babes attention. The toys take it a step further with crinkle sounds, reflective mirrors and squeaky surprises. Amazing toys, amazing fun, amazing learning for your amazing baby!

And if our opinion isn't enough for you Amazing Baby was just recognized with the prestigious Best Toy Gold Seal Awards from Oppenheim Toy Portfolio!

Win it!
We have a pack of "Sound Balls" for your Amazing Baby. Just let us know what country Amazing Baby is based in to enter (reviews@mamaspeaks[dot]com).

Baa-Baa Baby

We obviously can't get enough of the skull this season and Black Sheep Baby is what we're all about. Birthed by three mama's (and raised by two) Black Sheep Baby entered this world with the aim of making "tough, simple and stylish clothes for little people.

There, they hit the nail on the head. Their simple designs are pleasing to Mama's and tots alike (and they even have a few things for the doggie crowd!) and all items are printed locally on American Apparel tees, tanks, pants and dresses [$8-$20]. Whether you join us in our skull-mania or mark your little starlet you'll love 'em as much as we do.

And about that Black Sheep, every family has one, you may as well embrace it early.

Win it!
We're giving away a "HeartBone" tank dress (size 6T). Just send an email to reviews@mamaspeaks[dot]com by midnight August 21 and let us know who the two remaining Mama's are.

Cause of the Week - Sunshine and Skimbaco

  Skimbaco, one of our favorite online Children's boutiques, is doing their part to Spread a little Sunshine. Their newly launched Spread Sunshine Charity Program was formed to benefit Hope International, a non-profit adoption organization. Skimbaco owner (and Mama Speaks contributor!) Katja Presnal teamed up with jewelry artist, DeAnna Cochran to create a one of kind piece of art.

The Spread Sunshine Necklace [$145], can be worn by women, children and men and is the perfect opportunity to support a great cause while adding a little shine in the accessory department. "Many busy moms want to find unique items for their children and do charity, but also have busy lives”," says Katja. “"The pure silver necklace is our tribute to Moms, and it makes it easy for Moms shopping with us to do something good, while browsing our store”."

The donations to Hope International will help to improve the living conditions of children in orphanages around the world. The organization's volunteers visit orphanages bringing assistance to improve the living conditions for these special children.

Cardboard is King

We all know that it's much more fun to play with the boxes that toys come in than the toys themselves. Some of my favorite childhood memories involve cardboard playhouses and refrigerator box robots. My son has definitely followed my footsteps, almost daily as our Mama Speaks mail rolls in he exclaims "Open package!", tries to chuck the contents aside and climb on in. That is until we uncovered the Play House from Kidsonroof.

I know, I know, you might be asking why you should pay $45 for a cardboard box. But really, it's worth it. The playhouse comes flat packed and assembles in seconds. It's a plain white canvas ripe for decorating and designing wherever your little one's imagination can take them. The windows, doors and mail slot are perfect for impromptu peek-a-boo sessions or can be closed up tight to keep monsters at bay. (If your husband goes missing you might want to look inside!)

Cardboard never goes out of style and this will last as long as imagination allows.

Kidsonroof Play House is also eco-friendly. It is made from 100% recycled material, is 100% biodegradable and can be recycled all over again when you're done with it. Plus 5% of profits are donated to UNICEF.

(If you're having trouble placing an order please try opening this link in a new tab/window)

 

Out of this World

Putting together a cool kids room proved harder than I'd ever imagined. Sticking with my normal sense of modern design would mean taking out a second mortgage on my house and going chain-store style leaves you with characters (ack!) or plain-jane options. Thankfully, there are places like Olive Kids that offer kiddie-centric decor that won't break the bank or clash too much with your sense of style.

Olive kids has coordinating bedding and room accessories in themes that kids love- dinosaurs, pirates and robots, oh my! (Princesses and butterflies too!) And it's cheap enough that when little one stops obsessing over cars for a new found love of space an extreme makeover is within reason.

Little ones love seeing their names in print, so of course Olive Kids has a slew of products that can personalized. Uncovering his name amongst some awesome robots was just the motivation my little guy needed to start devouring his greens.

Win it!
We're giving away a personalized 3 piece place mat set of your choice! Just send us an email, reviews@mamaspeaks[dot]com, and let us know why Olive Kids was created.

Hot Wheels

Not all tricycles are created equal. And the latest offering from Italtrike, the Oko Tricycle [$150], makes that all too clear. This pint size prodigy is a starter course in modern design and whole lot of fun.

Oko, recommended for kids aged 2-5, was developed with children's ergonomics and safety in mind. The cushy padded seat with three point harness and topple-proof steering will keep your little one secure as they take to the open sidewalk. And if the finer arts of peddling and steering haven't quite been mastered (or you're just in a hurry) you can chart the course via the removable push bar.

Assembly is a breeze, as is adjusting the seat and handle bar as your child grows. Best of all, the Oko is the most bike-like trike we've found meaning when your pint-sized Lance Armstrong is ready for two wheels the transition will be a breeze.

Find Your Kid’s Inner Mr. Wizard

It’s never too early to join the science club. The Young Scientists Club provides fascinating quality, science related products that will send your kids on great adventures.

Take a wild ride into the world of the human body and perform some exciting experiments with The Magic School Bus Journey Into The Human Body Science Kit.  Complete with a life-size poster of the human body & even rubber gloves, this kit contains the essential tools to perform 11 intriguing, hands-on experiments.

If you really want to channel your kid’s inner Mr. Wizard, check out the other great kits The Young Scientists Club has to offer.

If you didn’t pay attention in science class, the Magic School Bus kits offer a great way to learn alongside your child and will spark their interest in future scientific endeavors.

You know, other than what’s growing under their bed right now.

Playground Ink

My husband is a tattoo artist and we have our fair share of ink, so it was no surprise when my toddler starting asking pretty early for his own. He's obviously much too young for the real thing but I'm all for the temporary kind. Um, yeah. That was before I checked the ingredient lists and realized most of the available designs I could find we're a little too intense for his years year. Enter Tattoos for Tots.

Two Mama's joined forces to create cool, colorful, temporary tattoos that are age appropriate for toddlers. Each kid friendly design, be it flower or pirate ship, is imprinted with it's name so your little one can associate the name with the object and make connections between letters and sounds. (If only we could all say that about our tattoos). And best yet is that Tattoos for Tots [$4.00] are non-toxic, contain FDA approved colors, and are made in the good ol' USA .

Of course an excited little boy who just can't wait to have a dump truck on his belly won't sit long enough for it to get there, but with these babies one wet swipe and they peel and stick perfectly. And if your little one wants it off before it wears away a little bit of baby oil will do the trick. All the coolness, no regrets- but be warned, they're just as addictive as the real thing.

Win it!

Tattoos for your tot! We have some sample packs to give away! Just let us know who the Mama's are that created these "wear to learn" gems - reviews@mamaspeaks[dot]com by midnight August 16.

Yummy Baby

If you're anything like me when you find something you love you stick with it. From food to fabrics once I'm hooked I'm all the way in. Babylicious delivers beautifully in fabric department. Their collections feature a variety of products available in coordinating designs so you can mix and match everything from babies nursery to their bath gear. And aside from just looking great this stuff will stand us to the wear and tear a little one brings. 

One of our favorite offerings is the get messy bib, available in two sizes for babies and tots. Whether you're looking for a cover all as your little one learns to feed himself or a smock for your budding artist this bib will keep the messy away from the clothes. And the Yummy Blanket is just that. Style meets warmth and comfort here with a smooth cotton print on one side and cozy fleece on the other. And the generous size means its well suited for swaddling or snuggling up with your yummy bundle of joy. Delicious!

Win it!
Would you like your very own Yummy Blanket (Groovy Pink)? Just send us an email - reviews@mamaspeaks[dot]com by midnight August 15.

Neato!

It started with a search for a toddler tee to indulge my son's tractor obsession. I was on the hunt for a shirt featuring a tractor that didn't look like it'd been airbrushed at the county fair or mass produced by children. I looked high and low and finally, finally, followed a readers suggestion to Jeeto! where I found just what I was looking for.

Jeeto!'s to go! collection [$19-$23] features cool kids tees that are simple- Tee shirt. Graphic. Color. Yet unique enough help your little one stand out in Tuesday mornings playgroup. From happy skulls to Pegasus (and of course that beloved tractor) in onesies, tees and long sleeves, you're sure to find a favorite. And if you're getting tired of sneaking your tots favorite tee away every night to wash it, so they can wear it again the next day (am I only one that falls for this?!) you might just want to check out the home collection [$40-$80] and pick up a stretched canvas (or three) in that favorite print.

Now that that problem's solved... if you have a little one with allergies it can be scary to send them off to school, or nursery, or a friends house. Even with warning people forget and slip ups can have serious consequences- what better way to play it safe than to wear the reminder. Jeeto!'s allergy collection [$5-$35] features tee's, patches and stickers that proudly display your little one's gluten, egg or dairy free status (great for tiny vegan's too!). And if nuts make 'em, well, nuts there's a shirt for that too.

Win it!

We have a "Band" Stretched canvas [blue, 9x12 in -$40] for one lucky reader! Let us know what Jeeto! is offering in Limited Edition by emailing reviews@mamaspeaks[dot]com by midnight August 14.

Enter code "mamaspeaks" at checkout for 10% your entire order!

Thanks Sarah Q!

On Parr with Positive Reading

Through the ears of a toddler, the world may sometimes seem like a negative place. Most toddler's hear "No!" and "can't" and "don't" a lot. Todd Parr provides the perfect reading material for your little one to help balance out the negativity.  Each book is full of vibrant images to capture your child’s attention allowing the simple, positive text, such as, “it’s OK to be a different color” from The Okay Book [$7] and "Peace is keeping the streets clean" in The Peace Book [$16] to sink in.  Each book covers tricky topics like unique family dynamics while promoting healthy self-esteem and celebrating diversity. And it's all done on a fun level toddlers and young kids alike can understand.

Todd Parr books, published by Little, Brown & Co., are available in board book, small and large picture books wherever books are sold.  Positive attitude, not sold separately.

-Cara

Perfect Playthings

While you are always your babies favorite plaything, there comes a time when toys are essential to liven things up a bit. There is definitely no shortage of choices in the toy aisle but most things you come across are full of noise and lights and plastic. These toys might serve their purpose, and some are surely a blast, but they get old pretty quick and leave little to the imagination.

If you're looking for something fun, sans electronics, for your little one- Germany's, Haba has it all covered. Specializing in classic wooden toys of exceptional quality and design, their slogan, "Inventive Playthings for Inquisitive Minds", says it all. Designed for open ended, imaginative play these toys will keep the kiddies interest day, after day, after day. Haba has been honored with just about every design/safety award available in the industry with good reason. Remarkable workmanship goes into each toy and the materials can't be beat. Beech and maple woods are the main material sources and the toys use ecological adhesives and lacquers with a water base that not only help the toys last for a lifetime but ensue that they are safe for baby.

With over 1,000 items available you could easily stock your playroom exclusively with Haba toys from birth and never get bored. In fact we've thought about trying to narrow it down to spotlight a few of our favorites, but we just couldn't leave anything out! Thankfully, Haba's website makes searching for the perfect plaything a breeze, and select items are available for purchase directly from their webstore.

This is one company that definitely gets the kid tested, mother approved seal- batteries not included.

Win it!

We're giving away a Vroom-Vroom Wrist Rattle! Send an email to reviews@mamaspeaks[dot]com with Haba as your subject by midnight August 12.

Paper or Plastic? No Thanks!

Do all the disposable shopping bags cluttering our landfills and making their way into our wildlife (and our own) habitats have you feeling down?  Don’t worry, B. Happy!

B. Happybags  is a complete line of reusable tote bags [$24] for all of your shopping and carting needs.  We found the size (approx. 15” x 12”) to make the perfect grocery bag replacement.  But be warned, these bags are so eye catching, it may slow things up a bit at the checkout lane as the cashier oohs and ahhs.  One thing that isn’t a concern is whether or not these bags can handle your baggage.  Made from upholstery weight fabric, reinforced with grosgrain ribbon and handles made from heavyweight nylon, they are built with the heaviest loads in mind. 

You can choose from an extensive line of beautiful and fun prints like our favorite, Catherine. And since you’ll want your bag looking as good as new, they are even machine washable, and un-shrinkable, on gentle cycle.  While they are the perfect accompaniment to the Farmer’s Market, the usefulness doesn’t end there. Anytime a disposable bag would work, these will work better.  Just think outside the plastic bag.

Win it!
Need some help with your baggage? We have a B.Happybag in Gidget for one lucky mama.  Just send an email to reviews@mamaspeaks[dot]com by midnight August 11 with your pledge to use less plastic and we'll do the rest.

Enter code MamasGreen for 20% off any purchase.
-Cara

I Spy A Family Game Night Very Soon

A family that plays together stays together. Families can count on Briarpatch, the famed creator of games and puzzles that promote learning and fun.

I Spy Seeing Doubles [12.99] takes the memory game to a whole new level, with colors and pictures you’ve grown to love from the original I Spy books. Is your hand quicker than your opponent’s eye? This game sharpens powers of observation, promotes thinking on the fly, and develops hand-eye coordination.

Briarpatch has won over 250 awards for their product excellence. Their games and puzzles are entertaining and enjoyable for hours on end, without the need for flashing lights, sound, or batteries.

That’s my kind of game.

Available wherever games are sold.

Win it! We're giving away an I Spy "Snap" card game! Just email the names of I Spy's creators to reviews@mamaspeaks[dot]com by midnight August 10.
-Steph

Fresh and Klean

We all know that water is by far the best drink for Mama's and toddlers alike. Especially in these dog days of summer it's important to stay hydrated, but all too often we grab our water to go in plastic bottles. While you might argue that you recycle your plastic, nine out ten water bottles are thrown in the trash (adding up to over 30 million per day!) and it takes one plastic bottle over 1,000 years to biodegrade. If the waste isn't enough to send you to your faucet you might be surprised to realize that many brands of bottled water are just that- tap water that has been packaged and shipped to your local store.

Klean Kanteen was created to encourage better health, hydration and environmental responsibility. Their lightweight, reusable, stainless steel bottles are perfect for quenching your thirst on the go. The stainless steel is toxin-free, non-leaching and will keep your beverages fresh and cool. Klean Kanteen's 12oz sippy [$18] is the perfect fit for little hands and lunch boxes, and the sippy adapter can be exchanged for a sport cap as your little one grows. For the rest of us there a 3 larger sizes [$18-$26] and an array of accessories to satisfy your thirst in any situation.

We'll have to admit that it took some getting used to washing and reusing rather than chuging from a plastic bottle and tossing it in our recycling bin. But, the piece of mind knowing that we're eliminating a little waste from our lives and providing our families with fresh water is worth the extra few seconds it takes. Just fill up, refresh, repeat.

Please Tread On Me

Some days I feel like my child walks all over me.  But now, as long as he’s wearing his new T.E.S shoes by Minor Treads ($40-45), I don’t mind one bit.

Minor Treads are skate influenced shoes for the next generation of skaters and some of the coolest kid shoes we’ve seen in a long time.  All styles are available in sizes ranging from a toddler size 6 to a kids size 2. And since skateboarding is not just a man’s sport, the perfect-amount-of-girly styles like Vine Daisy will be greatly appreciated by your little gal.  Each shoe is made from high quality leather with either embroidered, screen printed or patent leather details.  We love the Velcro or faux-lace closure not adding to the chaos of getting out the door with a child in tow.  The shoes are designed to take a beating and to prevent the foot from doing the same from their shock absorbing soles to the cushioned contour insoles.  Although we found the ankle support a bit too stiff for our two year old this will come in handy for those about to hit up a half pipe. Half-sizes are not available so we recommend ordering up – our toddler was pushing the limits on his usual size 7.

Several of our favorite boy styles can be found at Blue Eye Boy.  And with Minor Treads, your child can look like a skateboarder without having to break any bones to do it.

Blue Eye Boy is offering 10% off for Mama Speaks readers! Just enter code MamaSpeaks at checkout. (Expires 8/31/07. Excludes sale items.)

-Cara

Lactation Lit

This post will wrap up our weeks devotion to World Breastfeeding Week! If you'd be happy to never see another nursing bra review again, you can breath a sigh of relief (at least for a couple weeks!) but we hope you'll continue to support nursing mama's throughout the year.

We've had several reader requests for advice on choosing good breastfeeding books, and so we bring you our guide to Lactation lit.

How-To's and General Info:

The Breastfeeding Book - Martha Sears
Leave it to a Mama of 8! and Lactation Consultant to write one of the best books on Breastfeeding. A piece of the Sears families growing collection, this book covers everything from initiating breastfeeding to weaning and all the glories and hiccups in between. It's an easy read and a great reference.

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding - La Leche League
This La Leche League classic is what some consider to be the breastfeeding bible. It is an in-depth resource to every imaginable aspect of breastfeeding. This is a must to have on hand. In addition to general how-to's and answers to common issues (sore nipples, low supply, etc) The Womanly Art also devotes a lot to special situations such as nursing preemies.

The Nursing Mothers Companion - Kathleen Huggins
With an entire chapter devoted to your nurslings first week this bestseller is certain to get you off to a great start. The updated 20th anniversary edition also features easy-reference survival guides to help identify and resolve problems at each stage and an appendix on drug safety.

Special Situations:

Mothering Multiples - Karen Kerkhoff Gromada
This is a wonderful resource for families facing the joys and challenges of breastfeeding and caring for twins and more.

The Premature Baby Book - Dr's. Sears
Breast milk is medicine for premature babies. While this focuses on the whole of caring for a premature infant, this book has wonderful information on initiating nursing with a preemie. Breastfeeding Your Premature Baby by Gwen Gotsch is also helpful.

The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers - Dr. Jack Newman
This comprehensive guide covers everything from common breastfeeding difficulties to nursing adopted, special needs and premature babies.

Children's Books:
We Like to Nurse - Chia Martin
This fun book shows several nursing animals and closes with a nursing baby.

Mama Mama - Jean Marzollo
A gentle animal based board book that highlights nursing and gentle parenting.

Breastmilk Makes My Tummy Yummy - Cecilia Moen
This delightful board book celebrates the joys of breastfeeding from a child's perspective.

If you have Breastfeeding books lying around that you're no longer using you might want to participate in the 2nd Annual World Breastfeeding Week Book Release Challenge hosted by Near Mama's Heart.

Express Yourself

We begin to wrap up World Breastfeeding Week with a spotlight on stylish nursing wear. If you've ever nursed a baby you know how uncomfortable "normal" clothing can be, a shirt hiked up to your neck or pulled down to your belly button isn't the most comfortable thing! Launched in 2000, by a breastfeeding mama of four, Expressiva Nursingwear has just the thing to make feeding on the fly a whole lot easier.

Expressivia's eEssentials line has all the basics to make nursing a breeze. These simple, yet stylish pieces are sure to become staples of of your wardrobe. If you're looking for something with a bit more flair the Goddess top [now $20] says it all in the name. With a close fit and comfortable styling this one might just stay in your closet even after your nursing days. You'll also find  a complete selection of dresses (yes, dresses!) bras, sleepwear and plus sizes. And new items are arriving for fall.

With the great offering, monthly giveaways and amazing sales, Expressiva can't be beat. As long as you make milk, they have you covered.

Win it!
We have an Expressiva Twinset for you! (size small) Just send an email to reviews@mamaspeaks[dot]com by midnight August 06.

Bum Beautiful

It's very true that it's what's on the inside that counts, and sometimes it's what you have on under your clothes that can make you feel just right. Belabumbum (pronounced "Bella boom boom" and Portuguese for "beautiful bottom") specializes in beautiful under things for all women. Their lines of lingerie, lounge wear, maternity/nursing lingerie and maternity swim wear are simply stunning. This Brazilian important features innovative cuts and fabrics that accentuate the female body like nothing else.

Belabumbum's gorgeous lingerie is perfect for everyday and special occasions. And is a favorite of us mortal women and celebrities alike. For pregnant or nursing mama's we highly recommend the Lotus Lace [$38] nursing bra and Olivia girl short [$30]. And their coordinating PJ's will make you want to stay in bed all day long.

With just the right amount of detail, Belabumbum lingerie is playful yet sophisticated. And the perfect thing for your beautiful bottom!

Simple Screen, Safe Nursing

After nine months of abstinence, many mama's are ready to have the occasional drink once baby arrives. In fact it's not unheard of for a lactation consultant to "prescribe" a glass of wine to help a newly nursing mama unwind and get her milk flowing. But everyone metabolizes alcohol differently and any alcohol in your milk supply is a real danger to baby. In the past, women have had to stay away from alcohol completely, pump and dump or simply guess if and when it was safe to mix a drink or two with nursing.

Milkscreen [$20 for 8 strips], a simple two minute test for the detection of alcohol in breast milk, eliminates uncertainty. You simply saturate a Milkscreen test strip with freshly expressed breast milk, wait two minutes, and read your results. An obvious change in color indicates the presence of alcohol in your milk (with 99% accuracy) and no change means you're safe to nurse away.

Two minutes in exchange for piece of mind? We'll toast to that! Now if only they made for one for caffeine.

Win it!
Would you like to give Milkscreen a try? We have a box of 8 test strips to give away. Just send your answer to the following question to reviews@mamaspeaks[dot]com by midnight August 4: According to Milkscreen's website, what are negative impacts of alcohol in breast milk?

Luxe for All Your Nine Months

Oh, times they have changed! Just because you have a baby on the way doesn't mean you have to wear the moo-moos of your mama's time. While many mama's-to-be are opting to wear their "normal" clothes as long as possible we're all about the maternity gear. If nothing else when else do you have an excuse to buy a whole new wardrobe?!

Japanese Weekend Maternity is the gold standard in contemporary maternity and nursing gear. From casual tee's and jeans to office ready work wear, lingerie to yoga gear you'll find everything you need all in one place.

We especially love their during & after nursing line. The beautiful tops are designed for easy access and discreet nursing and the gorgeous styling will work with jeans or dressed up for a party. Japanese Weekend's Luxe Jersey Sash Top [$70] has just the right amount of stretch meaning it will grow with you all the way to the end of your pregnancy and leave you with a wonderful silhouette in the weeks after.  It's perfect, feeling fabulous doesn't need to stop once baby arrives!

Win it!

We're giving away the Japanese Weekend d&a Sash Top pictured! Send your answer to following question to reviews@mamaspeaks[dot]com by midnight August 3. (please include your size) Who is the owner/designer of Japanese Weekend Maternity?

Brava! Bravado Knows Breast

A breastfeeding mother’s dream… trendy nursing undergarments with comfort, support, & style. Bravado! Designs was created by two young mothers who refused to succumb to Granny’s over the shoulder boulder holder.

The Essential Nursing Bra Tank is truly fabulous inside and out. I wore mine all day and even to bed- it was that comfy. And I found it quite enhancing as it actually didn’t flatten my chest, but kept me feeling quite lifted! Imagine that!

Celebrity Moms are raving about the Lifestyle Microfiber Nursing Bra, which is famous for its comfort, breathability, & amazing shape. And finally a fashionable nursing bra that fits a wide range of sizes!

Purchase Bravado’s Essential Nursing Kit and get a free breastfeeding DVD! The Kit includes the Original Nursing Bra (you can choose from 6 colors, including leopard!), The Essential Nursing Bra Tank, & the Lifestyle Microfiber Nursing Bra.

Bravado! Designs is committed to operating in a green, sustainable fashion, so feel good about shopping where you’ll not only be doing the best for you and your baby, but you’ll also be making a difference to the world!

Win it!

We have a Bravado! Original Nursing Bra for you (size medium)! Just email your favorite nursing photo to reviews@mamaspeaks[dot]com by midnight August 2 to enter.

Nursing Moms, Give Yourself a Boost!

Congratulations, you’re nursing a newborn!  I bet now you’re wondering just how you, and your body, will keep up with a very demanding, on demand schedule.  You probably feel too busy feeding someone else that cooking a nutritious meal for yourself would make you break out in hysterics - if only you weren’t too tired to laugh.  Eating isn’t just a luxury for nursing moms, it’s also a necessity.  You need to keep your caloric intake up to not only keep your body in tip top shape but also to keep that milk a flowin’.

We have a great recipe, just for you.  It’s relatively painless to whip together, it’s delicious and it’s the perfect snack on the run, meal replacement and overall a great calorie boost.  Did we mention this was practically designed with nursing moms in mind?  The oats will help with milk supply, the sesame increases the quality of your milk plus flax is a great source of omega-3, cinnamon increases circulation and currants are a good source of iron.  Most importantly, it’s good!

Breakfast Bar:  (12 servings)

2 cups organic rolled oats
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour or oat flour
1 tablespoon flax seeds
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup currants
1 cup sunflower seeds, pecans or cashew pieces (or a little of all 3!)
1 cup coconut flakes
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon ginger
¼ cup turbinado raw sugar
1 ½ cups low-fat vanilla rice milk
¼ cup maple syrup
¼ cup canola oil
¼ cup mango puree (1 mango in the food processor works great!)

Topping:
1 tablespoon turbinado raw sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 9x13-inch baking pan with oil. Place all dry ingredients (rolled oats through sugar) in a bowl.  Using a wire whisk, combine the mixture well.  Place all the wet ingredients (milk through mango) in a large bowl and combine with a wire whisk.  Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and combine gently, using a rubber spatula.   Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and distribute evenly, gently patting the batter into place with the spatula.  Combine the sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over the batter.  Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.   Cool, then cut into 12 bars.  Wrap individually for a great grab and go snack.

We recommend buying as many organic ingredients as you can and not replacing the raw sugar for processed white.  You can substitute applesauce for mango or soy milk for the rice milk. Although, soy can be a bit heavy for a newborn’s tummy.  You can also substitute cranberries for currants but with a newborn’s developing digestive system, cranberries can be known to cause flatulence which can make a baby uncomfortable.  An uncomfortable baby means an uncomfortable Mama.

Nutritional facts per 2 x 2 inch bar:
Calories:  339
Total Fat:  11.4g
Saturated Fat:  3g
Carbohydrates:  50.9
Protein:  8.2 g

- Cara

Haute Mama. Cool Babe.

While I won't claim to have been a fashionista before motherhood, I will admit that the wardrobe has slipped a bit since baby made three. I tend to stick more with practical and comfortable (even it means wearing yoga pants for a week) than anything that could be mistaken for a fashion statement.

There is, however, help on the horizon. Mama Tonjia Coverdale, owner of DivasNBabes, is encouraging us all to ditch the over sized tee's and baseball caps and release our inner diva. Her Haute Mama Line [$11-$30] is full of comfy, casual clothes that will help you make a statement and the Cool Babe collection [$8-$30] has tees perfect for your favorite sidekick.

Just for Mama Speaks readers, DivasnBabes is offering 15% off your total purchase with code MS15. And in honor of World Breastfeeding Week are extending another 25% discount off all breastfeeding/babywearing shirts!

Win it!
Of course we have something special for you. We're giving away an "I Pump Milk, not Weights" tank for Mama and a "Breast Friends" tee for baby. Just email the name of Tonjia's tot to reviews@mamaspeaks[dot]com by midnight August 1.