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Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

Oh Baby: New Baby Gear Must Haves

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Expecting a delivery from the stork soon? You better hope he’s dropping off these new Baby Gear Must Haves (as featured on Fox Good Day.)

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Just this week I had five friends deliver some of the freaking cutest babies! My Facebook feed filled up with beautiful smiles and memories. While it’s only been a short few years since I spent my days ogling baby strollers (well yesterday really), the baby market has gotten CRAZY!

Baby Must Haves


Remember my trip to the Biggest Baby Shower Ever in Dallas? This little journey got my baby fever running high so I had to have more! And man we found some awesome stuff! Just check out our favorites that you’re gonna either need to click to get it delivered, run to pick it up or like me say, “why didn’t they have that when I had babies!?” 

 Because a hungry baby is a sad baby…

KABRITA GOAT MILK // Online

I tried to breastfeed but everything she drank, she threw up. I would pump, she would drink, she would spit and I would do laundry. What I found out now is she had an allergy to milk AND much more, but if she had goat’s milk formula we could have avoided the whole mess! Kabrita is easy to digest protein snd forms a smaller, softer, and looser curd in the gut than cow milk. 

Baby Must Haves

For some children like mine, cow milk protein may be difficult to digest and may cause mild to moderate symptoms such as colic, constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloating, chronic congestion, recurrent ear infections, and eczema. Kabrita goat milk foods are naturally easy to digest and may be a solution for the symptoms that may be associated with cow milk sensitivity*.

Because Cookies…

BOOB FOOD Lactation Cookie // Online, $20 (before shipping) 

Boob Food Cookies were created by social media star and chef, Anna O’Steen of Lovely Lady Cakes. While nursing her daughter three years ago, she worried about supplying enough milk for her baby and started researching lactation cookies. After two years of research, she’s created an organic recipe with healthy ingredients that include whole oats, brewer’s yeast, flaxseed, almond butter, and sesame seeds.

Baby-Must-haves

By just eating 2 cookies (90 calories) a day can help you start seeing results within the week, with up to 5oz more breast milk. (Some even say same day results!) 

 

Show Your Cool Baby Style

LIL’ FIREFLY // Online and in-store, prices vary 

When it comes to a onesie, your baby’s style can say so much more than a blank white multi-pack. Show your creative streak with something more creative and fun like Dallas’ new Lil’ Firefly. Lil’ Firefly is a different kind of retail boutique. Embracing your child’s Lil’ Firefly spirit, they showcase clothing that reflect the bright, rebellious spirit within each child. Co-owners Sheri and Michel feel passionate about celebrating the true nature of every child so they joined together to create a company with this specific vision in mind. 

Baby-Gear

Get in Gear

Looking for a new destination for all things hip baby and oh, so Dallas?  The Tot is your spot. With two locations, one in Highland Park Village and now on Lovers Lane, The Tot Playhouse is designed to feel like you are strolling into the welcoming home of a friend. The concept store is filled with gorgeous parenting products including the best in baby gear, kids apparel, toys, personal care products, nursery furniture & décor, and much more – all mindfully selected by The Tot team to reflect a sense of luxury fused with forward-thinking functionality. 

CYBEX YEMA CARRIER // The Tot, $309.95

Style-conscious parents will love the YEMA for its sleek design while babies benefit from the close contact. Let’s be honest, no one likes the ugly carriers that are out there now or feel like the lightweight material can’t possibly hold their child. This one does the job with functional design that confidently holds your child close in three different positions. 

Baby-Gear

gB POCKIT STROLLER // The Tot, $249

When folded it is the smallest and most compact stroller currently available on the market (Guinness Book of World Records for the world’s smallest stroller), 12 x 7 x 14 inches to be precise and just 9.5 pounds. While it can be used for travel, overhead areas on the airplane and fits in your purse, it’s not a substitute for a traditional stroller. 

New-Baby-Gear

DOONA // The Tot, $499

Doona is the world’s first infant car seat that transforms to a stroller in seconds, no additional parts required. Ever went on a walk or a drive and you need to get moving but you don’t want to wake up the baby making a move? That’s why the Doona is your best friend.                

baby-gear-must-haves

MIMA XARI STROLLER// The Tot,  $1,424

Mima offers an innovative range of strollers that boast a patented bassinet/ carrycot system located within the stroller seat unit itself, in order to effortlessly transform and grow with your child and your family.

Baby-Gear-Must-Haves

Just Another Reason to Head to Target

CLOUD ISLAND //  Target, prices vary

If the Starbucks, CVS/pharmacy or the $1 Spot aren’t enough reason to love Target, they’ve added a big one for all expecting and new families.  Cloud Island is Target’s new, exclusive line of nursery décor, bedding, bath and layette products created by Target’s internal design team. The collection includes nearly 500 stylish, affordable items designed with a focus on safety, durability and comfort and will be available at all Target stores and Target.com.

Baby Gear Must Haves

Cloud Island includes more than 70 different prints within nursery and décor products and 14 patterns within the bath collection. Three key themes can be found across the entire assortment, allowing parents to easily mix and match different items in their nursery and bathroom.

Cloud Island bath and layette pieces, including onesies, towels, bibs and more, will roll out starting in August.

 

Sleepy Time is the Best Time 

SWADDLE ME // Prices vary

Why take time how to make the perfect swaddle when you just velcro that baby up? The swaddle (kindly referred to in our family as a baby burrito), is the thing that dreams are made of. A tight swaddle for both my kids meant they’d actually go to bed and not wake themselves up from moving their arms. They felt as snug as a bug in a rug which meant sleep for us! Both there is a technique unless you have a Swaddle Me, which makes it easy with a little more than velcro action. 

BabyMustHaves

4 MOMS bounceRoo // Target, $99 

The 4moms bounceRoo is the only bouncer with 3 unique vibration modes (heartbeat, wave and bee) and 3 intensity settings to help calm and soothe your baby. The bounceRoo also entertains with a fun, natural bouncing motion created by your baby’s movement. The lightweight and compact design is easy to move around the house or take on the go.

4Moms

MOBA BASKET, The Tot, $180

To give babies a better and healthier nights’ sleep, Moba reimagined what the traditional Moses basket should be, and the first Moba basket was born. With a durable basket and stand (sold separately), your baby can be moved where you need, when you need, and looks so chic.

 

OWLET SMART SOCK 2 // Online, $299+ 

The Owlet Smart Sock 2 uses pulse oximetry (most know it as the little red light they clip on your finger at the doctor’s office) to track a baby’s heart rate and oxygen while sleeping. That info is sent to a nearby Base Station and from there to parents’ smartphones, designed to notify you if those levels fall outside the preset zone. I fell in love with this product the minute I heard of it (for obvious reasons) and now it’s on version 2, it’s gotten even better. 

83% of parents who use @OwletBabyCare say they sleep better because of it. Click To Tweet

 

Owlet

It’s a technological marvel that fits right into the nursery, providing parents with incredible peace of mind knowing there is an extra set of eyes helping keep an eye on baby. It’s what we like to call “a little help for the hardest job in the world.” 

Ready to sleep a little better because of your own peace of mind? Then enter to win your own Owlet Smart Sock 2 (valued at $299.) 

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Don't missBabyShowerTrends

Smart Baby Monitor That Gets You Both Sleep

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New baby or one on the way? Then you’re in the market for a baby monitor. Smart technology now allows you to watch your baby and see if they’re breathing, too, with the Owlet Baby Care. Here’s how it could have saved me weeks, months, and years of no sleep and given me the reassurance to get some sleep myself.  

Thanks to Owlet for this collaboration and giveaway opportunity.  

“Don’t let your baby cry.”

Said the doctor to my husband and I as I held my two-month old son. We were finally be who was finally being discharged from the hospital after having being diagnosed with a congenital heart defect, having a shunt put into his heart to keep him alive and thankfully, his body being strong enough to manage breathing on his own. We had spent weeks watching monitors in his room show his oxygen levels, things beep, and thousands of cords plugged into our new little bundle of joy (that unfortunately was also causing a lot of tears heartache at the moment.)  


“If he cries too much, his heart may get too overwhelmed, he’ll stop breathing,” continued the pediatric cardiologist. “So don’t let him cry or do anything that will cause him too much excitement. And always look at his color to see if he’s too blue.” 

Baby Heart Monitor

Talk about breaking in two new parents.

While we were so thankful to get to take our son home, the directions on how to take care of him were very different than the “let him cry it out” methods that had been shared from our friends, families and the prenatal books I had poured over for months.

The next several months, we wouldn’t sleep. Not even a wink.

Baby Heart Monitor

Like any baby, if you put him down to sleep on your schedule, he would cry. If he was hungry, he would cry. If he happen to wake up and not realize that I wasn’t holding him any longer, he would cry.

At night, even when he was sleeping I’d lie awake, listening for the monitor all night, making sure I could hear (or see) him breathing and making sure if his little eyes popped open, I was there.

And, of course, in the few times I did manage to close my eyes, every time he began to shrill (or worst case I hadn’t heard him), I’d run up the stairs like a marathon, to console him.

If only I had a way to not just have a monitor to watch and hear him, but if there was something to wake me up just in case something happened. That little bit of comfort would have made a huge difference to two new parents not just learning to cope with a newborn, but two parents who needed to monitor their child’s breathing, not  oxygenation and saturation rates at all time.

Eight years later, there is.

Meet, the Smart Baby Monitor, Owlet Baby Care.

The Owlet Baby Monitor is the first smart baby monitor of its kind that uses hospital technology—pulse oximetry—designed to alert you if your baby stops breathing. We’ve miniaturized this technology into a tiny, snuggly baby sock that your little one wears to bed. It’s totally wireless and connects via bluetooth to a base station and Wi-Fi to your smartphone. The product just launched to the public last October after more than two years of development and testing. 

Baby Monitor Owlet

Of course, like anything, things can happen, especially when you’re putting it on a newborn baby that likes to discover their feet and use them often. However, when snugly placed on the baby’s left foot, it works well for many months to come as your baby continues to grow. (Just remember when you take off the sock to remove the monitor as well before throwing in the washing machine.) 

Everyone knows that car seats are a MUST if a baby is in a car, but did you know that more babies pass away while sleeping at home than do in a car related accidents? According to the CDC in 2014, 3,500 babies passed away in 2014 while sleeping – more than 18x the number of babies who died in car accidents in the same year. 

Owlet2

Just like the car seat, Owlet Baby Care believes that home health monitoring could be something comparable to reduce infant deaths. 

And imagine how much more sleep we’d all get…all with the help of a sock. 

Baby Monitor Owlet

You can purchase an Owlet online for $249 (comparable to many baby monitoring devices on the market.)

• Smart Sock Kit (sizes one through three)
• Sock Electronics
• Base Station and corresponding charging cords
• Exclusive access to the Owlet app (available for iPhone and Android users)

The Owlet Monitor GUARANTEES to give you peace of mind. If you are dissatisfied with your purchase of the Owlet Monitor within 45 days of purchase, then it send it back for a full refund.   

WIN AN OWLET BABY CARE MONITOR
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5 New Baby Shower Trends

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Need an idea for a creative baby shower theme? These new baby shower trends show that cute doesn’t mean that it can’t be cool, too.

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When it comes to baby showers, you fall into one of two camps: either you love a good cheesy baby shower – complete with gross baby games with dirty diapers and ahhhing over breast pumps – OR – you love celebrating your friends upcoming bundle of joy, but cringe at the thought of measuring bellies, tasting unlabeled baby food, or drinking your punch from a baby bottle.

BabyShowerTrends


I bet you know which one I fall into.

Thankfully, the idea of baby showers has grown up a little bit. And with it doesn’t mean you aren’t still doing something special for the mama (or daddy) to be, but doing it a way that’s more practical, fitting to the honoree or just more fun to attend for the rest of us.

new baby shower trends

1) Gender Neutral Shower: Book Building Party

Inspired by the Big O (by that I mean Oprah), the idea of this shower is much more progressive as it’s based on building a strong foundation of reading and building a library for the child that can grow with them in their childhood. Using simple decorations literally from the pages of favorite children’s books like Green Eggs and Ham and The Tales of Peter Rabbit, you can find low-cost books at garage sales and places like Half-Price Books. Food and drinks are also based on books themes is ideal for this gender neutral shower (think Goodnight Moon paired with Moon Pies.). Guests can be asked to contribute by bringing a book for the gift, adding a note on the invitation that books are requested instead of cards, and then escribing a special wish or motivational note inside the book from the giftee.

new baby shower trends

2) Sip and See: Milk and Cookies

Taking another idea from the TV, most notable Phaedra from the Real Housewives of Atlanta, a Sip and See is the perfect way to have everyone meet the baby at one time when the mama is ready. It’s a win-win since the mama gets to have enough time to look and feel her best after the baby is born.  And since the guests don’t have to schedule or slot in a time, they just come by to meet the little one, give some hugs and kisses, and be on their merry little way. A Sip and See is less a party and more of a come-and-go affair, there’s less work to put it together (in theory.) For this Sip and See, we had each hostess bring a dozen cookies and offered several different milk options using retro milk bottles for an attractive, no maintenance table setting ideal for guests coming and going for several hours.

new baby shower trends

3) Couples Shower: BabyQ

One of my favorite new trends for baby showers is the couple’s shower. Why should only the mama take part in the festivities?

For a successful couple’s shower, you want a theme that is suitable for both men and women to celebrate without cringing. The BabyQ is a unique idea that combines the idea of a friendly backyard barbecue with friends with a nod to the fact that there will be a baby coming soon. Small, but thoughtful details for the food, drink and décor are what make this Couples Shower memorable. Think Baby Back Ribs, Mini-Me Sliders and having Dad’s Root Beer. For favors: We shared a set of s’mores as guests left to tie it all together with “Take S’more Love Home with You.” A takehome bottle of BBQ sauce with DIY chalk labels are also a great take home with a personalized, rustic look.

new baby shower trends

And don’t forget:

4) Sprinkle: For the Next Shower

It’s exactly what it sounds like – a smaller version of a shower for those mamas that are on baby #3 (4, 5, etc.) and just need something like diapers or an update of onesies or shoes. You can make it what you want, but a sprinkle is more about the thought that counts than the show you’re trying to create.

5) Gender Reveal Party

The Gender Reveal Party has fast become almost if not more important than the traditional baby shower. A fun way to celebrate the identity of the gender of the baby, the idea has grown from a simple idea like opening an envelope in front of friends to a formal cutting of the cake with everyone that came to the wedding reception. This one will continue to grow into a bigger tradition – especially as we continue to find new reasons to order a cake and send out an invite.

Looking for more unique baby shower ideas? Check out my Pinterest Board:

Follow mamachallenge.com’s board Cool Baby Shower Ideas on Pinterest.

And don’t miss BLOOM, April 30 for a half-day of fun, education, networking, and giveaways! 

Bloom-DMB-Baby

 

Sneak Peek: Hot Toys for Tots 2016

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Toys just keep getting better and better! Even for the littles! We’re sharing Hot Toys for Tots as found at the North American International Toy Fair 2016! 

Oh, boy – we’re talking toys! This week I headed over to EyeOpenerTV to share some of the coolest toys you’ll be buying for birthdays, showers, and even Christmas! 


HABA USA Little Friends Bendy Dolls and Accessories // Ages 3+

  • 4 inch tall “bendy dolls” are made from flexible soft plastic, with metal wires inside which allow for them to be posable.
  • Compatible with all HABA dollhouse furniture as well as the Villa sunshine, dream-house and Dollhouse Annex (shown here).

 InRoad Toys PlayTape // Ages 3+

  • A Toy of the Year Finalist, PlayTape sticks to any flat surface and is easy to tear, reposition, and peel up without any residue.
  • NEW Hot Wheels PlayTape debuted at Toy Fair this year and will be available to consumers this summer!
  • Available in different colors and road styles

Yookidoo Musical Duck Race // For ages 6 month+

  • Finalist for the International Toys Award in Nuremburg
  • Battery operated musical duck water race & fountain
  • Cheerful music plays along with the activities with mute button – celebrating bath time and reducing water anxiety.
  • Leaf lever activates 9 random sound & water effects
  • Develops hand-eye coordination, cause and effect, and teaches colors and counting

SoapSox // Birth

  • Snuggle, cuddle, and play together all day, when it’s time for bath, bring them with you
  • Can help ease bath time anxiety/fears
  • The patented soap pocket transforms lovable SoapSox® into sudsy wash cloth
  • Debuted at Toy Fair New Line of Disney Baby Bath Toys Including Characters From Upcoming Summer 2016 Blockbuster Finding Dory

Lassig Casual Twin Bag // This one is for MOM and DAD! 

  • Perfect bag for parent of twins, multiple children or just looking for a roomier day-today bag option!
  • Main zipper pocket features plenty of space to hold diapers, extra clothing, toys and their favorite stuffed animals
  • Variety of zipper pockets and compartments to keep loose items organized and easily accessible.
  • Also included is an over-sized insulated bottle holder and over-sized, water-repellent changing mat,
  • Two external pockets located on each end of the bag can be used for water bottles, coffee mugs
  • Made of durable polyester and include carrying handles, shoulder strap and stroller hooks for added versatility. There is also an additional shoulder strap that can be used as a back pack strap.
  • Available in Zig Zag Black and White (shown) or Striped Zig Zag Navy

And because we love our parents, we’re giving away the LASSIG CASUAL TWIN DIAPER BAG! 

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BABYBJÖRN Gives Us WE the Baby Carrier {Giveaway}

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If you’ve had a baby, then you know amount the struggles of holding a baby, keeping them happy and trying to do anything else with your hands – especially if you don’t have any help! Going to the grocery store, the mall or just even walking around become the most uncomfortable and complicated experiences of your life, all because of your bountiful baby of about 12 lbs.

Thankfully, someone  has either shared with you that there is a way to survive without attempting to invent a second set of hands or boy, do I have a solution for you!


Baby Carrier We - Front Carry

BABYBJÖRN, the family-owned Swedish company, which pioneered babywearing in the ‘60s just launched their newest baby-must have with their new BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier We.  Similar to the recently launched Baby Carrier One, the We is suitable for use from birth up to 3 years old, with options to carry your baby on your front close to your heart or switch to a back-carry position with one simple movement. The ergonomic carrier offers maximum comfort for you and baby, supporting the child’s head, back and hips and offering adjustable padded shoulder straps and waist belt.

Baby Carrier We was developed based on the results of hundreds of interviews conducted with families in several countries. BABYBJÖRN found that parents want a simple baby carrier that they can use for a long time and another big bonus: an affordable price.

Baby Carrier We - FrontBABYBJÖRN’s Baby Carrier We is made of high-quality cotton and polyester. The materials are certified for use in baby products in accordance with Oeko-Tex Standard 100, Class 1, which guarantees that they do not contain any health-hazardous or allergenic substances. The company will also launch Teething Pads for Baby Carrier, which will be compatible with Baby Carrier We and Baby Carrier One. Made from a soft, waterproof fabric with no harmful chemicals, these teething pads are easy to slip on and off and can be machine washed, keeping the carrier cleaner for longer.

BABYBJÖRN’s Baby Carrier We can be purchased for a suggested retail price of $139.95. The Teething Pads for Baby Carrier will be available in early Fall for a suggested retail price of $24.95. For more information, please visit www.babybjorn.com, and follow BABYBJÖRN on Facebook and Twitter.

ENTERING BY SHARING:

What’s the one baby item you can’t live without? 

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Five Must-Have Baby Products (that I wish I had when my kids were babies) {Giveaway}

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When I had my first child, I never thought I would have another shower again. There was no way to keep him happy or quiet, so when someone would come for a short visit I would ask for 10 minutes to throw some water on my face. Then my mother-in-law got me a Bumbo.

Life changed after that for the better. I couldn’t believe that anyone could live without one. 

That was about six years ago. 


Now Bumbos are like a basic necessity on any baby registry. 

So when I had the opportunity to visit Dallas Market Hall for PBJ: Play. Baby. Juvenile, a juried trade event for the most innovative gifts and gadgets across the baby and children’s industries!

It was like a wonderland of all the things that made you say “why didn’t I think of that?” So here’s the rundown of some of my favorite finds that could have made those early months so much easier!


Mixie Baby is the only self-contained 2-in-1 formula bottle, making feedings possible at any time. Formula and water are stored in separate compartments of the bottle.  For feeding, simply press the button on the bottle’s bottom and shake to mix. Mixie is BPA, phthalate and PVC free and is dishwasher and microwave safe. 

Can you imagine later at night being able to make that bottle with a click of the button? And it’s even compatible with Dr. Brown’s and BornFree nipples! 


The Cup Catcher is a multi-use connector developed by a local Southlake couple to safety tether a sippy cup, bottle, or even your favorite toy to a car seat, highchair, stroller, wheelchair or shopping. 

So instead of spending 10 times an hour picking up the cup off the floor while running through the grocery store or the mall, you could avoid bending over relentlessly! 


Cuddlecloth® is an award-winning and patented instant release & hands free bath towel designed for baby’s safety, made for moms convenience. This patented, innovative and practical bath towel bib is made of 100% cotton terry spa velour, one of the largest, thickest towels for baby on the market. 

Remember those first baths and you were so gently with your baby until it came time to pick him/her up with a towel, wondering if you were going to drop them? This is where this towel comes in handy. Just check out this graphic that shows you exactly why you want one of these instead of those terrycloth ducks that don’t have any purpose. 

The Dream by Babyhome  is a highly designed travel cot featuring a unique adjustable leg system that provides three different uses for the same product. Its aluminum structure gives it a modern, sophisticated look complemented by removable and washable fabric in a variety of colors. A foam mattress, a honeycomb breathable pad and a fitted sheet are included.


 We had three pack ‘n plays; whether it was cheap or expensive we somehow either broke them or couldn’t get them put up without screaming an expletive. There’s no “set-up” for these and is light as a feather. 


The Emotion also by Babyhome, stands out for its easy maneuverability, compact folding and lightweight. It is a highly popular stroller because of its attractive design and modern colors, while it is also one of the most functional and practical on the market. With the use of available car seat adapters, Emotion becomes a useful stroller from birth to 55 pounds. 

And at the end of all my stroller envy! I mean I’ve had five strollers and now I’ve found one that hits everything from cost (approximately $300), durability, comfort and weight! 

“What was your baby product you couldn’t live without?”

Answer that and you could win a Mixie Bottle Starter Set ($40!) 






Lasagna: The Perfect Recipe for New Moms {Recipe}

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Note: I received my own Lasagna kit from Red Gold and you can too, just keep reading to find out more.  

When I gave birth the first go-around, I remember a friend who was kind enough to bring me over a lasagna to help with dinner. I can still remember not only how delicious it was, but how it kept me fed for almost a week – especially late at night when my little one decided he needed to get us both up for a few hours. 


Now it’s my turn to bring a meal to one of my friends who just had a baby. However, it’s not just because lasagna is delicious and as Anelle would say “freezes beautifully,” but that this recips is full of several nutrient-rich foods that are needed for a new mom, especially when she has a little one that she’s feeding, too. 


According to WebMd, there are 12 Super-Foods for New Moms including: 

  1. Leafy greens like Spinach
  2. Low-fat Dairy: Cottage Cheese and Mozzarella Cheese
  3. Whole-Wheat Grains like Pasta
  4. Lean Protein like Turkey 

So my Spinach Lasagna Roll-ups are like the super food for new moms – and all in one dish! And did I mention there was less than 20 minutes required to whip these up?  Which makes it my go-to meal for taking over to friends along with a bag of salad, and a loaf of garlic bread!


SPINACH LASAGNA ROLL-UPS

Ingredients

1 (28 ounce) can Red Gold® Crushed Tomatoes, or 2 (15 ounce) cans
2 (14.5 ounce) cans Red Gold® Diced Tomatoes With Basil, Garlic & Oregano
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt to taste
1 (16 ounce) box lasagna noodles, traditional, uncooked
1 (6 ounce) package fresh spinach, washed and patted dry
1 (15 ounce) carton low fat cottage cheese
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions

  • Preheat over to 350o F. 
  • In a large bowl combine water, RED GOLD® CRUSHED TOMATOES, RED GOLD® DICED TOMATOES with BASIL, GARLIC & OREGANO and Italian seasoning.
  • Boil the lasagna noodles making sure they don’t stick. Once cooked, lay each noodle on a sheet of wax paper until ready to roll. 
  • Cover the bottom of a 9x13x2 inch baking pan with 1½ cups of sauce mixture. Take one noodle and then add a layer of cottage cheese, parmesan cheese and then a handful of spinach leaves.  Tightly roll up the noodle into a roll and place seem-side down. Continue until the dish is full. Then add the rest of the sauce. Next layer the top with mozzarrella cheese. Sprinkle the top with Parmesan cheese.
  • Cover tightly with foil and bake for 1 to 1½ hours; until noodles are cooked. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
  • The recipe makes 12 servings, but you could divide the recipe into two 9×9 inch baking dishes and freeze one! 



Red Gold Premium Tomatoes is having a Lasagna Party Sweepstakes on Facebook – until Wednesday, Feb. 5! You can win some great stuff including gift cards, lasagna kit, and other fun prizes! So check out http://www.facebook.com/RedGold.




Disaster Diaper Diaries: How Huggies Slip-Ons Saved Us + $25 Target Giftcard {Giveaway}

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Try-it Tuesdays:

 Disclaimer: This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Huggies, but all my opinions are my own. #HuggiesSlipOn #pmedia http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO

 It was one of those days that I woke up thinking, it might be a great day. The house was clean, I had a warm shower all by myself and I actually wasn’t dreading anything in the next eight hours. I could hear a little Mary Chapin Carpenter singing, “I Feel Lucky” in my head.  


Then I went upstairs. 

 I had spoken too soon. 

 My daughter had done her business. Then she peeled the tabs off her diaper and ripped it off. 

 And then proceeded to use my carpeted staircase as her personal roll of Quilted Northern. 

 I was devasted. Maybe because I had just gotten the carpets cleaned. Maybe because I had just taken a shower and I didn’t want to get dirty. Or maybe it’s because poop all over my almost-white carpet is just gross. 

While cleaning it all up was my next step, I had to figure out what I was going to do to make sure this wasn’t going to happen again. NEVER. EVER. AGAIN.


Then like a little Diaper Fairy Godmother, Huggies Slip-On diapers came in to my life. 

What’s so different about Huggies Slip-Ons? 

This diaper has a perfectly snug fit for my busy little kiddo with stetchy sides and Stopping Guards to keep her adorable chunky thighs comfortable all while keeping all the other stuff IN her diaper. Best of all, since they are easy on and off whip these on/off easily without fighting to make her stop to change her diaper (which is helpful since she isn’t stopping and runs faster than me.)  And we’ll even be able to use them as a transition for potty training – our next messy step in toddlerhood. Lucky me. 

Then just like that — mama was able to redeem her day…for the most part. I prevented another snail trail incident from happening all over my carpet all thanks for the Huggies Slip-Ons. 

 Now I just need to work on getting the Mr. Clean Fairy to show up to help me with the carpet. 

 Are you ready to make your diaper diasters turn into diaper dreams? 

*****************************************************************
COUPON ALERT: 
You and your little one can try Huggies Slip On Diapers too 
with this special coupon from Target for $2 off! 
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Now consider this your special Fairy Godmother with a giveaway for $25 Giftcard from Target so you can try your own Huggies Slip-Ons (and maybe a little something for mama, too!) 

Soothe Baby Eczema with Aveeno Eczema Therapy Kit {Giveaway}

By 12 Comments

Want-it Tuesdays:

I received product for the purpose of this review. However, all the information and comments are my own.

A few months ago my beautiful little girl’s perfectly peach and unmarked skin became red, whelped and dry all over her poor little, chubby legs. Since she didn’t complain and thinking she just had a reaction to being out in a field of bluebonnets (a spring Texas requirement), I let it go for more than a week without doing much than amp up her lotion use. It was only after her school became scared the condition may be contagious and it wasn’t going away, I realized it might be eczema.  But just in case, I needed to take her to the pediatrician. 



Comfirmed by her pediatrician, we decided it was time to take her for a dip in an oatmeal bath and slather on the lotion. Why oatmeal?  As a skin protectant active ingredient, oatmeal can help restore skin’s normal pH and aid in the maintenance of skin’s moisture barrier to prevent and protect dry skin. 


Of course, that meant only one brand would do – Aveeno. Since both my husband and I had our own issues with eczema, we already were big fans of their products. But for our little girl we wondered if the treatments might be too intense for her tender skin. 

The Aveeno Baby Eczema Therapy Care Kit is a two-step regimen formulated with colloidal oatmeal to help soothe eczema-prone skin. Eczema Therapy Bath Treatment gently cleanses and relieves irritation due to eczema. The convenient kit helps to improve the four symptoms of eczema—itchiness, dryness, irritation and rough skin. When dispersed in water, the hypoallergenic powder forms a tear-free milky bath that soothes as it naturally cleanses without soap. After bathing, baby’s skin is softer and smoother, and dry, irritated, sensitive skin is relieved.


 While I loved that there was a kit including the lotion and treatment, I still needed a wash to clean her body when we didn’t have time for a bath. Thankfully there was a solution for that too…the Aveeno Baby Cleansing Theraphy Moisturizing Wash. awarded the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance. Best of all everything we needed was purchased at our local grocery store, didn’t need a prescription and didn’t break the bank. 

 And neither will you with this special giveaway from Aveeno! 

 Are you looking for a nighttime ritual to From AVEENO®, the leader in ACTIVE NATURALS® ingredients and recommended by Pediatricians for over 60 years, comes the AVEENO® Baby Bathtime Solutions Gift Set, which includes products to nurture baby’s skin and pamper mom!


One lucky reader will win the AVEENO® BABY BATHTIME SOLUTIONS GIFT SET (great gift for you or a great baby shower gift) with:

  • Baby Wash & Shampoo: blends natural oat extract into a rich, lathering, soap-free cleanser that cleans without drying
  • Baby Daily Moisture Lotion: non-greasy formula contains natural colloidal oatmeal to help soothe baby’s delicate, dry skin
  • Baby Calming Comfort Bath: tear-free, soap free cleanser contains soothing scents of lavender and relaxing vanilla
  • Stress Relief Body Wash: formulated with natural colloidal oatmeal to clean and moisturize skin, and scented with lavender, essential chamomile and ylang-ylang oils to help calm and relax you in the shower
ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

Giveaway is now closed! 



5 Reasons Why You Should Try White Cloud Diapers

By 7 Comments

Try-it Tuesdays:

 This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of White Cloud Diapers. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

When you have your second child, everything is different. You don’t feel compelled to read the baby books, ask every friend their recommendation or stalk the Internet trying to find the best choices for your child. Your first one was your “practice” and you’ve already spent the time, so you normally just go with whatever you did with the first one. I know when I had my second, there was no question of what brand I was going to use for her diapers.  Not necessarily because it was the best choice, but it’s just what we were familiar with. 

 So when I had the opportunity to try out a new brand of diapers called and then discuss the brand with some other moms, I thought it might be time to consider something different and it was way past time for a playdate. 


Taking advantage of the spring weather (and unfortunately a good bit of wind), we met at the park so we could keep the kids entertained while we did some diaper talk.  We fed the kids some snacks and did a little oohing and ahhing at how cute all our babies were and then got to business. 

The “business” included a few games (think baby shower fun) to get us all familiar with each other and White Cloud Diapers. I know I was reminded at how hard a baby has to work to take down a baby bottle in a little mom vs. mom contest. (I’d share that photo, but it just wasn’t a cute shot at all!) Then I had the chance to meet some new ladies who had driven more than three hours to be there for a our playdate. (That’s committment!) 

But admist all the fun, we also spent some time doing our “doodie” of checking out White Cloud Diapers. And since I’m all about sharing my “try-it out” on Tuesdays, I wanted to let you know what I learned!

5 Reasons Why You Should Try White Cloud Diapers: 

1. My daughter has sensitive skin, so I love that White Cloud Diapers are hypoallergenic and fragrance-free.

2. White Cloud diapers have a special ultra-absorbent inner core that wicks away moisture to help keep babies dry and comfortable and the stretchy sides have secure fit so no accidental leakage. (And no special wet surprise when you put your little one on your side!)

3. While my daughter is past the stage, I would have loved when she was in her early stage diapers to have a wetness indicator that changes color to let me know when the baby needs to be changed.


4. Don’t you get tired of Winnie the Pooh? I love that there are fun animal prints on the diaper so my daughter can point out the names of them as she learns them! 

5. Budget friendly is my favorite word and White Cloud Diapers are available around 30 percent cheaper than brand name diapers. (See for yourself!)

Diapering can be one of the biggest expenses in a family’s weekly budget and a great performing diaper is a must-have for parents. In order to make this affordable,  has reintroduced their premium line of White Cloud Diapers to address the needs of today’s busy parents.

White Cloud Diapers provide your baby the highest quality diaper with superior leakage protection, exceptional softness and great fit. White Cloud Diapers are available exclusively at Walmart, where you can find low prices everyday on all your family’s needs.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of #WhiteCloudDiapers.

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