peekabooby! (a GIVEAWAY)

Why is it that a word like "booby" can stop a grown person in their tracks? And why is it that men and boys seem to like that word so much?

Several weeks back my husband and I were laying in bed on a Saturday morning and Levi (our 15-month-old) was bouncing around, climbing on top of us, and generally just being cute. We were practicing naming body parts (like eye, ear, and nose) when he pointed to my husband's chest.

"Booby!" Ryan exclaimed.

"Not so fast Ryan," I chimed right back. (I could just imagine our little son walking around pointing to people's chests and exclaiming "booby!"

"Can you please use another word?" I asked him. Ever since then Ryan has been calling them his "chest buttons" (inspired by the belly button). Classic. I'm not sure "chest button" is any better of a term, but whatever. Hopefully I can at least prevent my son from learning the word "booby" for a few more years.

Seriously. Men and boobies. Unbelievable.

But... speaking of boobies, I do want to introduce you to Peekabooby! breastfeeding covers:

I was given one of these by a good friend of mine when I was expecting and it turned out to be one of my staple baby items. I now buy them as baby shower gifts for nearly every expecting mom I know.

Here's a few things I like about them:

They are great for nursing in public. The neck strap helps to secure the cover in place. The gape at the neck allows you to "peek in" at your "boobies" to make sure everything is happening correctly and leaves you hands free to help your baby attach or position just right. You can fold it up into a very small square, which takes up minimal amount of space in your diaper bag or purse. You can throw it over the stroller to block out sunlight when baby is sleeping or you're on a walk. You can wear it around your neck when babe's snoozing on your chest in a baby carrier to block out sunlight and other stimuli. The come in very pretty fabrics.

And, they are hand-made by a small business owner in Colorado. (I love supporting women's small business!)

this is the one i have... "samurai" because i love all things asian.

In honor of the Memos birthday, we will be giving away two of these nursing covers. (Valued at $39.00 each.)

The first will be chosen randomly and the second will be chosen by Katie Pollock (owner of Peekabooby!) and I according to what we deem as the most creative, convincing, memorable, or funny comment.

There are several ways you can enter. Choose one or all of the following:

1. Minimum entry: Visit Peekabooby! and choose your favorite design, then tell us which one you'd choose in a comment here. It's that easy. No mandatory follow required. :)

Additional entries:

1. Follow the Memos through GFC or RSS or email subscription. (See links on the sidebar.)
2. “Like” the Memos on our new facebook fan page.
3. “Like” Peekabooby! on facebook. 
4. Blog about this give-away. (Make sure to leave me the link in a comment so I can visit.)
5. Tweet about this give-away, including @mommyhoodmemos and @peekabooby twitter handles and the link to this post up to once per day. (Make sure to leave a comment here telling me that you've tweeted to count as your entry.)

For each of the above entries, you MUST leave a separate comment. 

Giveaway extended to May 25, 2011. I will announce the winner the following week.

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. My own Peekabooby! nursing cover came as a gift from a friend. All opinions expressed are genuine and my own. 

Dear friends, I seriously love my Peekabooby! nursing cover. I know you will too.

good luck,


Important update 5/14: Due to the disruption of Blogger this past week, my original Peekabooby nursing cover giveaway post and your comments/entries have disappeared. To-date they have not reappeared. I'm so sorry for your inconvenience. Please enter again below.

Enter to win The Pregnancy Companion. 
Win it for yourself or to give as a gift to an expecting friend.
(Giveaway closes May 20, 2011.)

Yay! YOU get presents in honor of MY birthday!

Are you an expecting mama? Link up with

the Bloggin' Babes and Babies of 2011.

adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2011
do not reproduce without written permission

the cadillac of all double strollers

I have been on a mission to find THE double stroller.

Since our kids will only be about 20 months apart, I want to have the option to strap 'em both in without feeling like I'm driving a steam train from behind or trying to move a double-wide mobile home through the aisles at the shops. And since it's our second baby, we won't need much in terms of "gear" this time... just some more cloth diapers (I'd like another 10-15) and a double stroller. (And of course some cute dresses if baby turns out to be a girl!)

So the double stroller - our baby #2 big ticket item.

Pretty sure I've found it... my dream stroller: the Baby Jogger City Select.

Check this high-roller out:

Holy moly.

This stroller boasts sixteen different options for the seats - facing toward each other, away from each other, both forward, both backward, using a car seat, using a bassinet, and all sorts of variations and combinations. (I highlighted my favorite ones.)

I tested one out in our local baby store and it is a dream. One-handed steering? No problem. Quick, easy fold? Check. Amazingly huge sunshades (a must for life in Australia)? Bingo. Massive shopping basket underneath? Yup. Nice wheels for a smooth ride? Done. Easy to move the seats around? Unbelievably. Good fit for both my 6'3" husband and me? Yes! Packs down well to easily fit in the small trunk of our car? Uh-huh.

I could go on and on about this stroller. I'm totally in love... and Ryan is too.

It looks great as well - comes in black, diamond (kind of like a silver/light gray), red, or deep purple.

Another thing I love about it is that you can remove one seat and use it as a single and it still works beautifully. (And doesn't feel like a double stroller "missing something.") It's just so incredibly versatile.

I can envision using this stroller not only with Levi and the new bub, but also if we have any more kids down the road (which we most likely will).

The only problem? The price tag! Here in Australia it retails for $1200. I'm not even kidding... that's nearly the price of my first car back in the early 90's!!! And that's not even including the car seat adapter or any extras.

The good news is that I found it online at a baby boutique in America for $476 with free shipping. Yes, nearly 1/3 of the price here!

Looks like I may be asking my parents if they want to stuff that gigantic stroller into their carry-on when the come visit the baby (and us!) later this year.... We'll see what they think about that.

Dear friends, are your kids close in age? Have you found your dream stroller yet? Any tips you'd like to share about choosing one?

a girl can dream, right?

p.s. This is not meant to be a product review as I don't own it and haven't used it enough to give a complete review. It is not a sponsored post either... Merely a mom's opinion as I shop around, research, and compare.





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adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2011
do not reproduce without written permission

another thing i love about australia

In honour of Australia Day today (our national holiday... kinda like the 4th of July) I'm doing two things:

1. Spelling "honor" as honour.

2. Showing you one of the many things I love about this nation:

In case you haven't worked it out already... Australia has special parking spots (just after the disability spaces) at grocery stores and shopping centers that are designated for parents with babies and small children.

Genius I tell you. Pure genius.

Just one of the many things I love about this nation.

And now for a bonus... my favourite pint-size Aussie, all dressed to impress for Australia Day:

levi's shirt says "fair dinkum aussie" (fair dinkum = aussie slang for true/legitimate/real}

Dear friends, happy Australia Day to my Aussie mates! And to the rest of you... feel free to hop on the Oprah Wagon and come and join us for a holiday over here. You will indeed love it too.

aussie, aussie, aussie, oi, oi, oi,

adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2010 
do not reproduce without written permission

these are a few of my favorite things {sweet, sweet baby}

Five months old. As tough an age as this is in some ways (can anyone say teething, developmental leaps, and nap time dramas?), this is by far the best age yet. SO. MUCH. FUN. 

Here are just a few of the reasons why:

1.            Pulling off for a moment while nursing just to look up at me and smile before continuing on with business as usual.
{OhMeltMyHeart.}

2.            Being able to toss baby in the air during playtime.
{WeeeItsSuperbaby!}

3.            Helping momma by putting his legs up in the air and lifting his bum while getting a diaper change.
{SoFreakingCute.}

4.            Toes in the mouth!
{EnoughSaid.}

5.            When being held by someone else in a crowded room… turning his head to make eye contact with me when he hears my voice.
{NewMommyGushing.}

6.            Uncontrollable baby giggles when I say anything with an excited expression and raised eyebrows.
{WhyHelloTherePoopyPants!}

7.            That look of wonder and awe when he watches mommy and daddy eating “big boy food.”
{PleaseLetMeHaveSomeNowMomma!}

8.            The “drunken sailor wobbling hula” when he practices standing up while holding onto my hands.
{DontGainYourBalanceTooQuicklyCauseMommasLovingThis.}

9.            Thirty-second 360’s on his tummy.
{WhenTheHeckDidYouGetSoFast?!}

10.        Screams of delight when being mildly (deliberately) startled.
{WhoKnewPeekabooCouldBeSoHilarious?}

11.        The frustrated arm-waiving when throwing a fit.
{FunnyExceptForThoseTimesWhenMommyIsSuperTiredAndOverIt.}

12.        Having his arms stretched out to me when he wants to be picked up.
{IsItWrongThatISometimesPutHimDownJustSoHeCanDoItAgain?}

13.        Head resting on my shoulder and super sweet cuddles when he first wakes up from naptime.
{GetsMeEveryTime.}

14.        The skin… oh, the skin.
{ICantStopTouchingYourChubbyLittleThighs.}

15.        That little baby sigh of relief and pleasure that comes about thirty seconds after nursing has begun.
{TooCuteForYourOwnGood.}

16.        The after-bath hair styles.
{ThankYouDaddy.}

17.        That priceless look of “I-just-accomplished-an-incredible-trick-did-you-see-that?” while making splashes in the bath and saturating daddy.
{YesSweetPeaMommysProudOfYou.}

18.        Being able to sing baby to sleep in five minutes tops if he’s crying in the car due to over-tiredness.
{IKnewIShouldHaveBeenARecordingArtist...ButWhyDoesntThisWorkAtBedtime?}

19.        You know those sneezes that start and then stop mid-sneeze? Baby’s getting those.
{LittleManIsSoFunny.}

20.          When babe sticks his thumb in his mouth while nursing... thinking more is better?
{YouKnowThatIKnowYoureDoneEatingWhenYouDoThatRightSon?}

21.          The paci is no longer for sucking and calming but for chewing and playing.
{SoothieTurnedTeether2For1Deal.}

22.           Those precious moments while nursing that babe reaches up to touch my face or to stroke my chest.

         {PleaseBurnTheseIntoMyMemoryForever.}

Dear mommy friends, I could have gone on and on with this list! Don’t we have so much to enjoy and be thankful for? What are your favorite things about your child at his/her current age?

P.S. For any of you following me that read Dear Nap Time, I've just gotta report back. Two days of perfect naps since then. Can't believe I'm doing this but... kudos to the postal system! That letter was received! {*grin*} I'll keep that in mind for next time.

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i heart... George {baby fashion}

I'm lovin' these little shorts by George at the moment:

They are so preppy and funny to me, but I really love them on him. We have a navy blue polo shirt that goes really well with the shorts... but both together in one outfit is just a tad bit *too* preppy for me (and makes me think I'd also need to tie a sweater around his shoulders). I prefer to pair them with a plain white onsie tee instead. (My favorite are the onsie tees from Just One Year by Carters.)

In other news, big boy five-month-old thinks he can stand up all by himself... momma was entertained and nervous to let him. I had one hand snapping photos and the other ready to catch him just outside of the frame.

He sure was amused... and it made for a very impressive little baby fashion photo shoot, don't you think?

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i heart... SOOKIbaby {baby fashion}

Getting a 5 month old to model baby clothes is... impossible. But I just wanted to share one of my favorite Australian baby fashion designers with you: SOOKIbaby. Levi has their little owl shirt and it's definitely one of mommy's faves.

Can't say Levi was successful in showing off the front of his shirt very well... but we sure tried.

(And the super cute jeans are from BabyGap.)

Love,  l o v e,  LOVE,  L O V E  the baby fashion from SOOKIbaby. Check it out and support a fab Australian company!

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baby loves a shopping trip

Shopping just got so much more fun thanks to Levi’s latest milestone and our new Jeep Shopping Cart Cover!

Last week Levi sat up on his own for the first time... but what was really amazing to me was the fact that he went from being able to sit up for about 30 seconds on his own to lasting for several minutes all in the space of a week! As much as I was surprised at his latest (seemingly) overnight milestone, I was also really keen to try out our shopping cart cover.

You can tell by the photo what he thought of the whole experience! He’s never smiled and laughed so much on a shopping trip before. His new big boy status was obviously thrilling to him and the excursion was a big hit.

So, now that this Jeep Shopping Cart Cover is being added to my list of baby gear faves, I wanted to pass along the tip from one mommy to another. I did a lot of shopping around and comparisons and reading reviews online before I decided on this one. [Note: this is not a sponsored review.] 

Let me tell you why I personally recommend it:

Price. I got this one for $24.99 with free shipping on Amazon. That’s half the price of similar covers from other leading retailers (and a third of the price of one purchased in Australia). Bargain!

Germs. It covers not only the seat part of the cart, but also the sides and handle and anywhere that baby (and mommy for that matter) can reach. This is especially great at the moment since bubsy has decided that  everything is fair game to chomp on and put straight in his mouth for devouring. Genius!

Comfy. There’s lots of padding, making it oh-so-comfy, even for the novice sitter like my little guy. Lovely!

Safe. It has a safety harness to attach over little one’s chest to help keep him secure in the cart. Good for little monkeys like mine who are still perfecting the art of sitting up independently and also good for little monkeys who are older and want to be on the move. Phew!

Stylish. I love this brown, blue, green, and orange graphic combo. It’s a little more “boyish” looking than “girly”, but is still unisex enough for me to use for the next several years as we add to our family. Funky!

Convenient. I could easily put the cover in/over the cart with one hand while holding Levi with the other. (If you want to tie it in place with the little fasteners, that will obviously need both hands after bubby is in… but I personally don’t think that part’s all that necessary.) Great!

Portable. When not in use, the cover easily folds/rolls up inside an attached carry bag with handles – perfect to throw in the trunk of the car. Nice!

Handy. There’s a large zippered pocket big enough for a spare diaper, a small packet of wipes, and a burp cloth, as well as my keys, wallet, and phone. Oh, to consolidate! Bye bye diaper bag - woohoooo!! Freedom!

Detail. There are a few little cloth rings sewn onto the front of the cover so that you can attach a couple of toys or teethers without having to worry about you kiddo constantly throwing them over the edge. Wonderful!

Multi-purpose. It’s is also able to double as a restaurant high chair cover… And—though not marketed this way—I also thought you could use it as a change pad if you find yourself in a bind and need to use the floor or a bench or the back seat of your car for a diaper change while you’re out and about. Perfect!

Washable. This cover is fully machine washable. No explanation needed!! Fantastic!

So mommy-friends, I just wanted to pass on my latest and greatest baby gear find. We love it!




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story time: you are the one and only you

“On the night you were born, the moon smiled with such wonder that the stars peeked in to see you and the night wind whispered, ‘Life will never be the same.’ Because there had never been anyone like you... ever in the world.”

This is how one of my new favorite children’s books begins – On the Night You Were Born, by Nancy Tillman.

I love reading to my son. 

Since I loved being read to as a little girl, reading to my own children is something I have anticipated for a long time. Until becoming mommy to Levi, I didn’t think I could actually begin reading to him so early. I thought surely it would take a while for his attention span to develop enough for him to take an interest. But to my delight he has always loved story time, even from the time he was just a few weeks old.

Of course he’s too little to care about a story-line or character development, but he loves the quiet time to settle into my lap (or daddy’s), look at the pictures, and hear the sound of my voice. For now it captures him far longer than I expected it to and really helps to wind him down in our transition from play time to nap time. It's also a lovely time for bonding and cuddles.

As time goes on, I know there will be lots of other benefits too. It will help him to develop his own creativity imagination, help him to develop in speech and language, help him to gain an interest in reading and learning for himself, and many other wonderful things that we’ll discover together along the way.

We have a variety of children’s books already, and this is one area of “stuff” that I hope to continue to acquire. I don’t think kids need an excess of toys... but books on the other hand... well I do believe in—and want—bursting bookshelves!

I love silly and creative books that play with words and concepts (like Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein!). I love books with great illustrations (like Eric Carle, Beatrix Potter, and the Charlie and Lola series!). I love books with good stories (like the Curious George series and Where the Wild Things Are!). I love books that aid in learning (like Richard Scarry's word books!) and behavior and character development (like the Mr. Men and Little Miss series). And I love books with deep and meaningful messages and themes – like this one.

On the Night You Were Born is a fabulous book centered on the truth that each child is unique, perfectly created, and wonderfully made. As we try to parent in such a way that our little ones grow up feeling loved, valued, accepted, and significant, it’s books like this that will help reinforce our hard work as parents. Not only that, but as they grow beyond babyhood and gain more understanding in communication, these types of books will be an awesome launching pad for dialogue about just how important they really are.

“You are the one and only ever you.”

For now, our little Levi has no idea that one day he may have to struggle with his own insecurities and weaknesses and finding his place in the world. (And it hurts my mommy's heart to even imagine that day!) But right now he is most definitely the center of his universe, and no doubt feels extravagantly loved and cared for! So I want to start while we're ahead. I want to be imparting these values into his life before he “needs” us to.

We all want our little ones to grow up knowing how special they are. And what a great tool to help in “training them up the way they should go” than wonderful children’s books that we can enjoy together?

“For never before in story or rhyme (not even once upon a time) has the world ever known a you, my friend, and it never will, not ever again... Heaven blew every trumpet and played every horn on the wonderful, marvelous night you were born.”

[Quotes taken from On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman © 2005, Feiwel and Friends, New York.]


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freecycle helps my world go round

Who doesn’t like free stuff? I mean, seriously.

A couple of years ago I got turned on to an online community called Freecycle. And let me tell you… it’s changed my life!

The basic premise for Freecycle is this: why fill up the landfills when, as the old Chinese proverb goes, “One mans junk is another man’s treasure”?

I couldn’t agree more.

I, for one, love the idea of keeping things unnecessarily out of the landfills. And how could I not feel this way? I grew up in Oregon – the home of the tree-hugger! Recycling has been ingrained in me since childhood. (I’m one of those people that absolutely cringes when I see someone toss a coke can into the garbage.)

And… I also love the idea of getting free stuff! Woo-hoooo…. Freebies!

But for me Freecycle is personal.

My husband and I married two years ago but we’ve both been working as full-time volunteers for a non-profit organization for the last ten years. This means we’ve been responsible to fundraise for our own income(s) – both before we were married, and even still two years later.

Needless to say our first Christmas together found us very low in the cash flow department. We decided to set a very small limit on our spending for each other and instead of focusing on “big” gifts, we’d fill up stockings for each other.

And then it came… the email delivered to my inbox that said someone was giving away an espresso machine!

Oh stop my beating heart!

My husband had been talking about getting an espresso machine since before we had been married, and yet we both considered this a “luxury” item to look forward to… one day. Of course when I got this email announcing the espresso machine give-away, I was desperate to be the recipient.

I politely wrote my email back to the woman who had posted, crossed my fingers, and said a prayer.

And then… it came. The response: IT WAS MINE! And it was going to be Ryan’s.

I’m pretty sure I have never been so excited to give a gift in my life. It was so much fun watching my husband unwrap the little steel milk jug that I had put in his stocking. “Why in the world would she give me this?” he must have been thinking.

Then I pulled out the big package for him. The puzzled look on his face spread to outright confusion.

Still baffled he tore into that pressie, and to his shock (and my absolute delight) he got his espresso machine.

Sure, it was a few years old, but it was a top-quality machine and still in great condition. The previous owner had decided that they were over the “espresso machine phase” and wanted the counter-taker-upper out of their kitchen.

And to us it was like hitting the jackpot. I’m pretty sure it is one of Ryan’s favourite gifts to-date, and it was definitely one of my favourite gifts of all time to give. (It worked out really well for me too considering I was delivered a hot, steamy cappuccino while I nursed my son at 6:00am this morning!)

So yeah, I love shiny, new things. I also love cozy well-loved things. I’m not too proud to relish hand-me-downs from my aunties (they are stylish ladies!) and I’m definitely not “above” grazing the sale racks at the back of stores to find ridiculously overlooked bargains. And Freecycle? Well Freecycle and I, we’ve become good friends over these last two years.

Among other things I’ve received a Bumbo, a vacuum cleaner, a high chair, a kayak (hubs got that one for our two-year anniversary after longing for one for over a year), wooden eco blinds, a glider/rocking chair for the nursery, a play pen (porta-cot), a 3-wheel jogger stroller (pram), a waffle maker, a wardrobe, dressers, a baby sling, shelves, a weight bench (also for the hubs), a bouncer, a jolly jumper… and actually, this list goes on.

But you get the point.

I’ve also given stuff away on Freecycle, but at this point in life, I admit that I’ve received even more than I’ve given. Unless, of course you count the things that I’ve “won” for friends like when I was able to get a new washing machine for a first time mom with a newborn or a new bed for a uni-student friend.

It’s so fun to be a part of a community that both freely gives and freely receives.

Because why shouldn’t we help each other?

And why shouldn’t we pass on good, usable stuff instead of chucking it in the landfill?

In my circles we have an expression: We are blessed to be a blessing. Meaning, when I get blessed, it’s so that I can turn around and then be an even bigger blessing to others.

Sounds like a pretty good motto to live by doesn’t it?

Along with my husband, I hope I can instil these values into our family: generosity, resourcefulness, gratitude, responsibility, and kindness.

So here’s to Freecycle:

Thanks for making my first Christmas with my husband so memorable and fun!

Thanks for helping to furnish my baby’s room!

Thanks for making my home more liveable!

And thanks for letting me bless friends with things I could have never afforded to buy them!

I hope you’ll join a Freecycle network near you and keep the giving going. Just check out yahoo groups and find the Freecycle group in your area. I HEART Freecycle... and I suspect you will too. 

Happy Freecycling mommy-friends!

every mommy needs a white couch (really?)

I love white. White linens especially – white sheets, white towels, white cloth napkins… And I also like white t-shirts, white onsies for bub, white photo frames, white shoes, white beads... the list goes on.

I also love white couches!

A couple of months ago when my husband and I moved into a new place, we decided to get a new set of couches to fill up our larger living space. We knew that we wanted leather because not only is it stylish and so comfortable, but it’s also so much easier to clean than cloth.

We thought about black... but black leather couches can tend to look bachelor pad-ish if not thought through carefully enough. We also considered chocolate brown… But all of our other furniture and living area décor was black, white, and red. We couldn’t afford to redo the entire area, so...

Is it any surprise we chose white?

Yup, for real. I’m the proud owner of white leather couches (well, off-white to be precise). And I’m also a mommy.

I know, I know, you think I’m crazy... We figure that most people do, although only one was brave enough to actually tell us that we’d regret our decision… and I love her for it! (Oh yeah, and she was wrong.)

We’re thankful to have what we regard as a beautiful home, but it’s no show-room and we’re not afraid of living in it. My husband actually tells people when they come over to not worry about spilling on the couches when fear suddenly overtakes their face as we bring them a coffee, wine, or some other bevy. Honestly, our couches are white AND we use them... a lot.

We decided on white for a few reasons:
1. We like it. So there.
2. We live in a really hot climate… and white feels “cool”.
3. It looks great and matches the rest of our décor.
4. We can quickly see if there’s been a spill and easily take care of it straight away.

Point number four is what I’m really getting at.

Now I want you to mull over this... can you clean your couch with a washcloth dampened with warm water? Can you keep your couch looking brand-new with as little effort as wiping down the counter-top? Well, I can!

In a few short months we’ve already spilled catsup, juice, and any other number of food items. (I know it sounds like it, but we really don’t eat every meal at the couch!) We’ve even managed to get blood on the couch, but you’d never know since that too was wiped up with a wash cloth straight away leaving no trace of its existence!

So, what inspired me to write a post about my white leather couches?

This morning as I was sitting on the couch holding my dear sweet three-month-old son... and you know what’s coming: He had a blow-out all over the place! Uh-huh, I’m talking runny, mustard-colored poo everywhere, including the beautiful white couch!

Did this mommy panic? Nope, I just chuckled, went to the sink, got a damp cloth, and PRESTO the couch was clean again in 30 seconds flat! (Are you jealous yet?)

So, there you have it. That’s the reason I think every mommy should have white leather couches. With white you will immediately see/notice stains before they become, well, stains! And cleaning is a snap, which is prefect for a mommy like me who doesn’t necessarily enjoy cleaning.

What’s your favourite baby-friendly (child-friendly) item that’s also pleasing to us adults?

baby faves: fisher price aquarium bath centre

This Fisher Price Aquarium Bath Centre is the BEST baby bath! A friend of mine got it for us as a shower gift and I’m so glad she did. If I was to buy one, I’m sure I would have bought a simpler one (ok, cheaper one) without any “bells and whistles”. While this one doesn’t have any actual bells or whistles, it does have a baby hammock and a couple of toys for “showering” which are attached. It’s the baby hammock that I find so genius. The hammock attaches across the top of the bath for when bubs is a newborn. It allows you to rest the baby in the bath with his head well and truly above the water line as well as be semi-hands free. (Which is so helpful when you’re trying to get that washcloth in between all the chub folds of your precious bub.) Having this hammock insert is wonderful for when your bub is a newborn, especially for first-time-parents getting used to giving baths to a tiny little person. Then, when he outgrows the hammock, there is a reclining“seat” on one end of the bath (with a thin layer of foam on the bottom to help prevent slipping) which is perfect for babies just learning to sit up on their own. And then at the other end of the bath is an area big enough for babies that can sit up independently. It's a genius three-in-one. Love it!!

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baby faves: just one year onsies

I loooooove a baby in a plain white onsie! (Or in a white onsie and teeny little baby jeans!) It’s just my absolute fave. Since we live in the tropics, our son lives in onsies most of the time. We have plain onsies from about four different brands and the best ones I’ve found so far are from Just One Year (a division of Carters). They have nice, soft material and hold their shape well through lots of washes.

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baby faves: childcare captiva pram (stroller)

This is a perfect out-and-about stroller. We were given a Baby Love jogger (which my hubs calls the 4-wheel-drive, even though it’s a three-wheeler:) that we use for tromps around the neighbourhood and on bush walks, but we wanted something smaller to keep in the car that would be useful for me when I’m doing errands around town or going to the shopping centre. The Captiva has a smart, stylish design, it’s one of the lightest ones we found, can be opened with one hand, and only cost us $150 at Target Australia (on sale). The seat folds almost flat and is perfect for newborns, and the incline is on a pulley that adjusts as your child grows older (which also can be done with one hand). It’s exactly what we were looking for… and the price was fabulous considering you can spend SO MUCH MORE.

Update: After having this stroller for a while, I'm still generally very happy with it. BUT, there are a few "cons" that I thought I should pass on. Firstly, the shopping basket is quiet small, and it is also hard to get to when the seat is reclined for a newborn. And secondly, the one-handed steering capabilities are less than to be desired! You can steer with one hand, but not easily. I didn't realize how much this would bother me in the long run... and it's now one of the first things I say to new moms buying a stroller - make sure you can steer it one-handed! (I mostly notice this when I need to make or answer a quick phone call.) Overall, I still consider it a great purchase - good price, small, compact, lightweight, and stylish. It's a great "zip around town" or travel stroller for sure.

This is not a sponsored review, just passing on what I've experienced from one mom to another.

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baby faves: babylove snap-n-go infant carrier

We had a “normal” reversible car seat when Levi was first born, thinking that the infant carrier seats were just one more thing to spend money on that we could do without. Then I went to America and borrowed one from a friend for 10 days while we were there. I was instantly converted! I could go on and on about infant carriers but I won’t. In short, they’re useful when in restaurants, when shopping, when bub falls asleep in the car and you want to let him finish a snooze without disturbing him, and so many other situations. When we got home to America I researched what was available in Australia and this is the one we bought -- the Babylove Snap N Go. It had the best safety and ease of use ratings and was also mid-priced and fairly light weight. We love it and think it was worth every penny, and we’ll certainly use it until Levi grows out of it (and with any subsequent children we have). Great purchase!

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baby faves: moby wrap

I used to see these Moby Wraps on ladies and think they were so hippy-ish. Well, maybe they are but when I was having trouble getting my son to take naps, a friend loaned me hers. I put Levi in it and within 30 seconds he was out! On days when he wouldn’t nap (as a newborn) and I was desperate to get some things done around the house, I’d pop him in there and get nearly an hour-and-a-half sleep out of him. Genius! It was also a life-saver when we took our trip to America at 7 weeks. (Read more about that trip and tips on traveling with an infant here.) You can also use these wrapped in different ways to hold older babies, but we’re not there yet so I can’t comment further. But especially for my son’s newborn days, this worked a treat! You can call me Hippy Momma, but I love my Moby Wrap!!

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