Oct 16, 2008

Ask the Mommy Docs!


When you're at the pediatrician's office do you ever have questions that you forget (or are too embarrassed) to ask? Well, look no further! Mommydocs.com is a great resource for parents! It's a website created by two doctors looking to answer parents' questions about their little gems. They have a Q&A, articles addressing issues from bullying to sun safety, a podcast, a blog and much more! Whether you have a question you need answered or are just reading up on kids' health, check it out!

Yummy Breakfast

Looking for a healthy alternative to pancakes? I've been giving Z (frozen) pancakes and instead of putting syrup on them, I smear some jam on top and then a dollop of cottage cheese and cut them into fourths...YUM!

Stay Safe

Every parents' worst nightmare is their little gem sneaking off when they're out and about. Worry no more, a brilliant parent created SafetyTat, self-adhesive tattoos for your child for when they're out. I would imagine they'd be most useful for big outings (think amusement park or the zoo) or school/daycare fieldtrips. They also have tattoos for children with allergies! What a great idea!

My Kozy

Now that the seasons are changing and it's getting colder out, those with newborns are probably wondering how to keep their little gems warm when going in and out of places. When Z was in the infant carseat I used the Bundle Me, but Z was almost 6 months by the time it got really cold out.


My friend had the My Kozy for her son who was born in December and this thing was a lifesaver in terms of keeping him safe from the cold. It's a set that includes a carseat cover (so you don't have to settle for the ugly, scratchy material your carseat comes with) AND a cotton blanket *attached* to the visor of the carseat. The beauty of this is that when you take the baby out of the car, you just pull down the blanket so the baby isn't exposed to the elements. I think it's truly ingenious! Check it out if you're pregnant or expecting this winter!

Long time, No post!

I'm sorry it's been so long! I've been on a little hiatus from postings! I'm back now and have a few really great things for those with newborns and some ideas for those of us with toddlers! Happy Reading!

Aug 19, 2008

More Yum for your Little One

I've discovered another tasty gem for your little one. In my pursuit to find as many easy foods for Z, I seem to be raiding Trader Joe's! I have been giving him the Applegate Farms Organic Beef Hot Dogs and I just tried the Applegate Farms Turkey Hot Dogs. He gobbled it up without my having to put ketchup on it (which is a good thing). I even had one on a bun and they're actually quite tasty! These dogs are all natural (not organic), uncured and contain no nitrites. Check 'em out!

Aug 3, 2008

Super Cute Shoes


Z is finally at the stage where he needs shoes because he's actually *walking*. While I have not tried the See Kai Run shoes, they are sooo darn cute! Check them out!



P.S. If you have some shoes that you really love for your little gem...please SHARE!

Yum, Yum, Veggies!

While your little gem may be eating veggies, Z doesn't seem to like many...or maybe it's just the ones I'm making for him...ie, frozen! Recently I made some roasted veggies and they were such a hit! He seemed to really like roasted carrots AND roasted butternut squash!


Roasted Carrots: I just cut them in half, then in half again (width-wise) and then tossed them in lots of olive oil (be generous with the oil) and sprinkled a little kosher salt on them. I put them in the oven at 425 degrees until they were tender (about 15-20 minutes). They came out so sweet and yummy!

Roasted Squash: I did the same thing as the carrots, but I bought a package (from Trader Joes) of pre-cut and skinned squash. When I took the
squash out of the oven, I sprinkled a little bit of brown sugar on it! YUMMMM!

Jul 28, 2008

More Easy Foods

Over the last week or so, Z has become so picky when it comes to meals. Here are a few things which, thus far, have proven winners.

Applegate Farms Organic Beef Hotdogs (no nitrates)...at Trader Joe's


Aidells Chicken Sausage (spinach and feta)....I also buy these at TJ's


Mac and Cheese...boy the kid loves this stuff! You can try mixing in veggies and even pieces of rotisserie chicken.


Jul 11, 2008

Sit 'Em Down

About a month ago we went to a Japanese restaurant and they had the coolest kid contraption! Instead of the usual wood or plastic highchair, they had the Handysitt that they quickly attached to a chair. This booster was awesome! Z fit so well in it (it's totally adjustable) and it's a great alternative to the big, bulky highchair. What's especially great about it is that it fits right onto your own chair and it looks great while being super comfy for kids. I was quite a fan.

Jul 7, 2008

Book List for Little Gems

As promised, here are your favorite books! These are all boardbooks and there are so many great ones listed here! ENJOY!

Babies on the Go
, by Linda Ashman

Baby Faces, published by DK

Babycakes
, by Karma Wilson

Barnyard Dance
, by Sandra Boynton

Bear Snores On
,
by Karma Wilson

Bear Wants More
, by Karma Wilson

The Big Red Barn
, by Margaret Wise Brown

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
, by Eric Carle

Caps for Sale,
by
Esphyr Slobodkina

Corduroy
, by Don Freeman

Counting Kisses
, by Karen Katz

Daddy Hugs
, by Karen Katz

Eight Silly Monkeys
, by Steven Haskamp

Go Dogs Go!,
P.D. Eastman

The Going to Bed Book
, by Sandra Boynton

Goodnight Gorilla
, by Peggy Rathman

Goodnight Moon
, by Maragaret Wise Brown

Guess How Much I Love You
, by Sam McBratney

Hippos Go Berserk
, by Sandra Boynton

How Do Dinasours Say Goodnight?
, by Jane Yolen

I Am A Bunny
, by Ole Risom, Richard Scarry Illustrations

I Love You Because You're You
, by Liz Baker

Jamberry,
by Bruce Degen

Kiss Good Night
, by Amy Hest & Anita Jeram

The Little Engine That Could,
by Watty Piper

Miss Spider's ABC
, by David Kirtz

My First Baby Signs,
by Linda Acredolo

The Napping House,
by Audrey Wood

The Okay Book
, by Todd Parr

Pat the Bunny
, by Edith Kunhardt Davies

Peek-a-Boo Farm
, by (scholastic)

Peek-a-Moo
, by Marie Torres Cimarusti,

Peek-a-Who
, Nina Laden

Quack Quack, Puppy Love, and Zoo's Who?,
by Priddy Books

The Runaway Bunny,
by Margaret Wise Brown

Snuggle Puppy
, by Sandra Boyton

Sometimes I like to Curl Up in a Ball,
by Viki Churchill & Charles Fuge

Spot Goes to School
, by Eric Hill

That’s Not My Dog!
, by Fionna Watt

The Very Hungry Caterpillar
, by Eric Carle

Where's Spot
, by Eric Hill


*The books in green are my faves AND they are also quite long. When I read these, I skip pages or only read a few lines from each page, making sure the story still makes sense but, making it much shorter!

Jul 3, 2008

Another Food Find!

I discovered something else that I love to eat and now Z does too! The other day I picked up chicken, rice & beans, and fried plantains from my local Peruvian Chicken carryout restaurant. I love this stuff and Z thought it was DELISH! He gobbled up the rice & beans and the plantains. He definitely liked the chicken too, but he really loved those sides. So, next time you're picking up dinner try one of these places: in Bethesda there's Chicken on the Run, on Rockville Pike there's Crisp and Juicy and in Silver Spring there are a slew of other Peruvian Chicken Rotisseries.

PS...I'm working on the Book List for Babies! Should be up soon!