The Daily Stroll

Keep It Clean

A Performance Bib. That is what we all need. Well not us, but our little people in our lives who tend to spatter peas on everything. As I was scraping bananas off of my expensive wallpaper this morning I wished that everything could be covered in a lovely soft terry with a waterproof backing. At least if my wallpaper can't be during infant feeding time, my infant can be and she sure needs it.

Baby Chaleco makes Performance Bibs. They cover up baby or toddler in a cute, and flexible way. No more starchy or hard plastic bibs- I mean who wants to sit in their high char with that on? They even cover the shoulders which can get just as messy as everything else when baby is trying to avoid said peas and such by nodding her head side to side. A few different styles are available, The "Dribble Buster" is cute, the "Frock" is fitting, but my favorite is the "Shoulder Shield" for those sticky pea incidents we keep having.

I also got to thinking that Baby Chaleco bibs make a great first birthday party bib. When you let junior at the cake you will want to protect his first birthday outfit that you spent a fortune on and fantasize about turning into an heirloom.

designer:: baby chaleco

Priority shipping is standard on orders of two or more products.

Snuggle Bug Baby Company

A good blanket. It can mean the difference between sleeping baby and not so sleeping baby. It can bring comforts of home with you on a road trip, and add instant style to the nursery.

Snuggle Bug Baby Company designs blankets with the entire families needs in mind. Like they say on their homepage, their blankets are high quality with super soft fabrics, and they give you the choice of any of their simple designs to fit your lifestyle. They make less than 100 blankets in each design to insure that your baby has the most unique blankie on the block.

Measuring in at 35"x37", each blanket has 100% cotton designer fabric on one side and white ultra-soft marshmallow fabric on the other. Yes, Marshmallow. That being said- if you think you are in love with one of them you better scoop it up. They are selling out like hotcakes.

We like the blankets, the designs, the websites unique way of showing you all of your choices, and most of all we love Snuggle Bug for giving every 9th blankie made to charity.  They call this the Magical 9th Blankie and we couldn't agree more.

What is your favorite design? Match it with your baby's personality. I think I have a "Clara" (ruby) and a "Tula" (elkë) on my hands!

designer:: snuggle bug baby company

daily stroll readers:: Order any Snuggle Bug Baby Company blanket now through April 2008 and get a free newborn hat and free domestic shipping!

Looks Silly But It Works

It looked silly. I mean would she like it? Would she even chew on it? Would it be too big for her mouth? In a moment of teething desperation these questions go out the window and you will try anything. This is the true story of how we finally tried the RaZbaby Raz-Berry teether.

I had seen this product before. I mean hello, I am who I am. However I just passed on it because when you see it up close it looks like something out of a science fiction movie. It is a GIANT raspberry on a rubber leaf that resembles a pacifier but is half the size of my baby's face (not really).

Elkë is 6 months now and teething hardcore. Ruby did not cut her first tooth until she was 15 months old and never teethed. I am not sure which I would trade. The not knowing if your child will ever get her teeth and taking them to the dentist to discuss dentures, not to mention the fact that Ruby still hardly eats a thing because she missed all mechanical digestion practice that infants get. Or would I rather have the up most of the night, inconsolable, rash faced infant who is on a Motrin drip and we still can't see any buds poking through. Which of these would you choose? Like any of us have a choice.

So about 2 weeks ago I was ready to try anything including this kind of odd looking teether. I found one to my surprise at my local grocery store for only $3.99 and scooped it up. I got home and washed it and handed it to Elkë who immediately took a liking, no scratch that- a lovin' to it. She is RaZlovin' and although it doesn't take her pain away or make her teeth come any faster it keeps her mind off things for a while and she looks so cute trying to fit it into her mouth. The soft silicon filled "Raz-Berry" is nubby and perfect for their gums. She can suck on it if she wants or she can sort of chew on the flexible berry. The leaf and loop are easy for her to hold and the whole thing is bigger than a regular sized pacifier so it is safe for all ages. The colors also keep her interested.

I highly recommend this product. I am probably the last mom in the world to try it and God knows they don't need the media buzz as it's on almost every drugstore and grocery shelf in America, not to mention Amazon.com, but if you are hiding in a closet of "scary baby gear that looks like a disease" shame and you haven't forked over the $4 for it. Please do you and your unhappy infant a favor and go get one. Comes in blackberry too- so I hear.

designer:: Razbaby - check here for stores in your area

Oh Please Just Have Crayons

Do you find yourself thinking first not about what the restaurant that you and your family are about to embark upon serves and if the kids will like it, but if they have crayons to keep them busy? I do.

Sure crayons can only go so far but if you aren't hitting one of the chain family restaurants you may be in trouble from the start. The local golf club or sushi restaurant may not have anything for the kids to do, after all it's not really their responsibility. However you are sick of eating the chicken finger platter and if you see one more vinyl booth or balloon wielding clown it will be too soon.

Dine out wherever you want and rest assured that the kids will keep their cool for at least long enough for you to get their order in quickly- as long as you carry along DINE-n-DOODLE. This neat little roll of crayons is handmade, of superb quality, fits right into your handbag and will provide the saving grace you need. You may even have time to get your drink order in just to take the edge off.

For moms like me who have crayons marking up the lining of their favorite  handbag, this is your answer. 8 crayons are included, holds 16 regular size crayons- so you are 1/2 way there.

designer:: Dine & Doodles by Lil B.

****WITHIN 3 HOURS OF OUR ARTICLE/POST THIS DESIGNER COMPLETELY SOLD OUT OF THE ROLL-N-GO. AS EACH ITEM IS HANDCRAFTED, KEEP A LOOK OUT AT THE LINK ABOVE FOR MORE TO BE ADDED TO HER COLLECTION AND SHOP ETSY.COM FOR MORE GREAT HANDMADE ITEMS****

License To Be Who You Are

Back when I was a kid there was just no way that I was going to find one of those cool license plates for my bike with my name on it. I mean sure I could have used a "Elizabeth" license plate and scratched out the E but why should I have to?

I set forth to never name my child something so funky that they would not be able to find personalized goodies at those trashy trinket stores near the sea shore. However when it came down to it I named them Ruby and Elkë. Oops. Well that is okay because since we had Ruby 3 years ago and thought we had reinvented the name, it has started to catch on. I am sure they will both be in the top 10 baby names list within the next 5 years since we are after all trend setters. Just in case though, I am happy to have found Babie Plates. I am pretty sure they are able to do any name under the sun and beyond being a hip license plate company for your stroller, bike, nursery door, they have great add-ons like safety reflector foil, photos, birth dates, and flags.

I do have reservations about using them out in public on a regular basis to adorn the stroller as I think that it could develop into a privacy issue, but Babie Plates owners are sensitive to this as well and that is why on their website they help parents learn more about how to keep kids safe. I can see how in a large crowd like at a theme park, or a mom's event where everyone has the same black Bugaboo stroller, how you would want one of these. Easily identify your buggy and avoid a case of mistaken identity. I mean you wouldn't let anyone drive off in your car would you? So why should you let them drive off in your $800 stroller?

So, checkout Babie Plates, this cute and innovative company fresh out of Sweden.

designer:: Babie Plates -using this link you receive an exclusive 10% off.

Rock On

How is this for a stylish rocker? Before baby "e" was born I was searching everywhere for something nicer looking than your average bouncy seat. Of course after I had purchased one in haste I found this.

Your baby will rock themselves silly and you won't have to throw it in the closet when company comes over. This rocker or one of the other styles will blend right in with your living room decor. The best part is that incase you do want to stash it under the coffee table or bring it on a trip, it folds down to a slim profile!

Solid Polypropylene frame, 100% cotton machine washable fabric.

sold at:: pure & honest kids

daily stroll readers use code: stroll15 for 15% off! expires 12.31.07

Keywords: Waterproof + Washable

When I hear the 2 words Waterproof + Washable, I know the product will be a hit in my house. When it is on a car seat it is a home run.

In the past we have not had too many "accidents" that involve fluids but occasionally there has been a "mommy I needagopeepee!" which then results in her having already gone "pee pee" while informing me of said "pee pee" on her car seat. I would take this any day over a barf incident but knowing that could still be in my future I am psyched to own a Lilly Pad Car Seat Cover.

The first thought in my mama brain after a fluids incident used to be(before discovering the Lilly Pad) that I need to remove all of the straps and contort myself to wash the fabric and put everything back together. But not anymore! You should have seen me the last time Ruby had an accident when I was about 7 months pregnant with her baby sister. I thought I would go into labor taking that thing apart. No, now we use the Lilly Pad which easily Velcros onto a car seat (works best with Britax Roundabout and Marathon, not so much with arm rest car seat varieties but check the site for deets). When you have to remove the Lilly Pad whether it be for a casual cleaning or a forced event you simply tear it off. No strap removal, no contortion, you don't even have to remove the car seat from the car. Yes I know - amazing. The straps that you need to keep your child safe are not compromised and the car seat cover simply acts as 1. a barrier between the car seat and the pee, barf, crackers, milk, ketchup and french fry grease fingers, and 2. a comfy and stylish layer of fabulousness!

Many colors available. Machine wash. Patent Pending

designer:: lilly pad company

daily stroll readers receive free ground shipping! use code: stroll at checkout. expires 11.30.07

Silly Knit Hat

Besides being the cutest photo I have seen this week, this knit hat by a designer in the Netherlands is just perfect for the toddler in your life. Of course wearing it over his eyes is totally up to the mood.

Super knitting talent and a lot of silly went into making this hat which also features a button for that loop in the event that your kid wants to take the silly down a notch.

designer:: ballee

PUJ baby

I really love "wearing" my baby and PUJ (pronounced pudge) allows me to do this with simplicity, safety and style in mind.
Their relatively new line of slings travel SUPER lite, and thanks to a great "how to" video on their site and hip illustrations on their hangtags, it is easy to figure out in about 30 seconds exactly how to get the best out of your GO sling. Compliments galore when baby and I go out on the town!

designer:: PUJ Baby

daily stroll readers receive 10% off! use code: DAILYSTROLL

Bink Link

Does your baby dig the pacifier? Mine does. For her it's a must have, and for me the Bink Link is.

We use it daily therefore fitting for the daily stroll. Our favorite design is "candy necklace" but Rodeo (above) is great for your little bucking bronco or broncette. Bink Link manufactures TOTALLY SAFE (so put those skeptical thoughts away) and completely cute wooden pacifier clips with retro flair. Every centimeter of these products have been tested for safety because as a parent owned small company they know that is first on your mind.

Bink Link is perfect for the kid who has everything!

Use with common sense please, do not ever put baby in a crib or leave baby un-attended with a pacifier clip.

designer:: Bink Link