Baby Archives - Page 2 of 4 - My Newest Addiction

Things Are Changing + FabKids

January 25, 2015 1 Comment

So, you guys know we are moving from FL to WA by now. I find it insane, myself, that we are moving clear across the country. I thought that we were going to have months to prepare and such. We put our house on the market this week and within a couple hours we had a request to come and have the house shown to them. I loaded up Raegan and we went shopping and had lunch with my husband and when we got back there was a message that the guy put in an offer. WHAT?

We don’t have to move until April, but we were afraid that our house wouldn’t sell fast so we put it up a few months early only to have it sell in 1 day. I am NOT complaining, so please don’t think that. I am still in shock over how fast everything is happening. Not only did our house sell, but the closing on the house is on the day before my birthday. Essentially I will be “home-less” on my birthday! haha So crazy to think. So I have been trying to plan out my life and what we are going to be doing in the mean time.

So far I think we are going to stay in my friend’s spare bedroom or maybe a hotel for a week or so. I have been in touch with different rental companies and realtors in WA and man… it is SO HARD to find something when you don’t know a single thing about the area you are moving to.

For instance… we pay about $600-700 total for our utilities here in Jacksonville but all the research I have done says we will pay about $100-200 for utilities there. What a difference. Thank goodness for the difference though because all the homes that are semi-comparable to what we live in know are like $500+ more a month. Numbers, numbers, numbers… Why can’t things be cookie cutter and the same everywhere so I know what I am jumping into?

I do like the excitement of new and changing things, but there are some things that I just want to be consistent. For instance, the outfit that Rae is wearing in this post is from FabKids! They are a subscription service that offers you a complete outfit for $29.95 a month. Every outfit includes 2 pieces — so you can get a fabulous dress, paired with leggings OR a top and a bottom, etc. They make girls and boys clothing with a wide range of sizes. My daughter is wearing 2-3T but this company can even fit my 9 year old!

Tell me in the comments below: Do you thrive on wild and crazy or do you like safe and steady?

My Newest Addiction at times reviews products provided by PR companies. This is disclosed at the top of those posts. We also use affiliate links. For more, please see the disclosure page.

My Daughter’s Hair Routine | The Gnarly Whale

January 11, 2015 10 Comments

Press Sample

I go on and on about me and my hair routine but I never really mention what I do for anyone else in my family. Today I want to talk a little bit about my toddler. She is super active and has an ABUNDANCE of hair. WHen people see her they assume she is much older than she is because she has a head FULL of hair. It is pretty and silky and flippy and I love it. I am basically jealous. But it also snarls and tangles and smoothing it out sometimes provokes unwanted and unnecessary tears.

Some background on her hair… She has a thick head of fine hair. Just like mine. It makes it bouncy and have a lot of movement BUT it can easily get weighted down when heavy products are used. I can tell when something disagrees with her hair. It will fall flat immediatly.

Like most children, my daughter is super active. She is always whipping and running around like a little monster.

She wants to be at the center of everything. Including her dad’s vision. HA He can’t catch a minute to himself. When he fails to stealthily sneak out of the house for his run she will catch him and he is forced to do a lap with her until she is just too tired. See the enthusiasm on his face?

He is usually left carrying her in his arms on the 2nd half of the small trip. And she eats it up.

So to keep her hair as gorgeous as her little face I have been using The Gnarly Whale products. The Sudsy Shampoo in Sugar Plum smells AMAZING and it lingers in her hair for the entire day. I LOVE IT.

Her hair is easily tangled and its so fine that it can be rather hard to comb out after her bath. I have been using the Hair Detangler in Cotton Candy on her and it is truly amazing. I have to admit… I have been using it also. Not because I need it, but because I ADORE the scent. If my son didn’t protest smelling like pink candy I would spray it on his hair, too!

So tell me in the comments below: Do you use a detangler in your hair routine? What about for your kids (if you have them)?

My Newest Addiction at times reviews products provided by PR companies. This is disclosed at the top of those posts. We also use affiliate links. For more, please see the disclosure page.

OSHKOSH B’Gosh | Give Happy

December 6, 2014 27 Comments

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for OshKosh B’gosh. I received an OshKosh B’gosh gift card to purchase product and to thank me for my participation.

So get ready for the most adorable pictures of an outfit I have ever taken in my entire life. My daughter Raegan just turned 18 months a couple weeks ago and I am amazed at how big she is getting. I feel like I am shopping for her all the time and one of my favorite stores OF ALL TIME is OshKosh B’Gosh. I know that no matter what, I will always find something that matches the cuteness of my daughter! (Can you sense the proud mama in me?) OshKosh B’Gosh really keeps ahead of the trends and with the Holidays coming I know that I can shop for the kids in my family and find something perfect every time.

On a recent trip I was shopping for the winter as well as our upcoming move from Florida to the state of Washington. I know that her entire wardrobe must change. No more bare feet or sandals with light short sleeve tops. Sweaters and hats and mittens (oh my) are definitely going to be needed.

And can we talk about these boots for a minute? I have been wanting to get furry boots for Raegan for a year now but never saw the need since it stays pretty hot here. Usually our winters are even mild, but a few days in the last month have managed to get down to the 30s. And the glitter!!! I am gaga for these boots. I wish OshKosh B’Gosh made adult sizes in these!

I got her all dressed up and took her outside thinking she would want to run around like a crazy woman, but she wanted to be right by my side at first. I kept trying to run away from her to take a good picture and she got so upset with me. I was trying to get these photos out of her for no less than an hour. Poor baby. I had to share the picture with you guys though. It is so cute. Even if she is crying a little bit.

Once she was happy again and got moving around she kept pulling off the mittens and hat and throwing them everywhere. Back to her normal mischievous self.

I bought a ton of stuff that day, but I am planning on wrapping some of it to put under the tree so I can #GiveHappy! I got a few pieces that are perfect staples, like a demin shirt. I can already see it with a pair of pink sparkly skinny jeans and those boots!

And this sequin heart top is so gorgeous! I can also see this with a different pair of OshKosh shoes I have for her that are the same color blue with some pink in them!

Now through 12/31/14 you can save 25% off in store or online at OshKosh B’Gosh. You can print it out or show them this picture on my blog right in the store and they can scan it (see the bar code?) or use the Promo Code: GIVE25 online. #GiveHappy and make someone’s holiday wishes come true!

Find an OshKosh B’Gosh store near you and buy #allthethings! They have sizes ranging from infant all the way up to 12! My son is in 3rd grade and can still wear their clothes! Also follow OshKosh on Facebook and Twitter and keep up with their sales! They do them pretty often! I even got cash to spend the next time I go back from this purchase! #SCORE

It is so easy to #GiveHappy! Even the smallest acts of kindness can really brighten someone’s day! How are you going to #GiveHappy this holiday season?

My Newest Addiction at times reviews products provided by PR companies. This is disclosed at the top of those posts. We also use affiliate links. For more, please see the disclosure page.

Gerber Baby Photo Search

October 21, 2014 7 Comments

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Gerber Baby. I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

I am no different than most other proud parents out there. I snap pictures of my children left and right. It is getting harder and harder as my kids grow up. Tristan is almost never home and Raegan is just a blur as she runs around the house. But oh… when they were babies I could always get great still shots of them. Tristan actually told me not to post any baby pictures of him (HA) so I am going to show you some of Raegan throughout the last 17 months of her life while also telling you about Gerber.com and the Gerber “Be Our Baby” Photo Search. Most of the photos will be her sleeping because that is the only time she ever sits still.

When I was a first time parent the resources that are out there today didn’t exist yet. It gets a little overwhelming doing everything for the first time, and on top of doing it for the first time I was also doing it all on my own because the military had us living far away from our friends and family. We made it through with only a few scratches, so that is good. After 8 years went by we finally were blessed with another bundle of joy and it was like starting all the way over. I guess you are just never quite prepared for bringing a new person into the world, but Gerber.com is trying to keep us parents well informed on nutrition, growth and development. In a way, Gerber.com is the closest we have to a baby instruction manual!

The Gerber “Be Our Baby” Photo Search

Now through Nov. 12, you can upload your favorite, most recent photo of your child to Gerber.com/photosearch and enter your baby to win the grand prize of $50,000, one year of Gerber food, and possibly the opportunity for your child to star in a future advertisement for Gerber as their 2014 spokes baby!
Gerber is also awarding $5,000 to 6 winners in each milestone category. Winners will be chosen based on the highest votes in each category on Gerber: Birth+, Supported Sitter, Sitter, Crawler, Toddler, and Toddler 2+.
To enter, register now for a free Gerber account here. Then use this link for the photo search.
Voting will begin Nov. 17, 2014 and end Dec. 14, 2014.
Anyone can cast votes for the six milestone categories and the Gerber panel of judges will select the grand prize winner in January 2015.
Photos will be judged by visual appeal, expressiveness of the child in the photo, and consistency with Gerber’s mission.

As you read, there will be one grand prize winner and 6 milestone winners. The photo search is for children up to 48 months. Only recent photos are accepted. The photos must be taken within 30 days.

I love seeing all the photos that are entered in every year. Some are so sweet they can stir a tear and some are hilarious they stir up some very different tears. Either way, I encourage all of you snap-happy parents, like myself, to enter your baby into the Gerber Baby Photo Search. Follow along with Gerber’s photo search and other news news on Facebook and Instagram!

Tell me in the comments below: What are your favorite types of baby pictures? Sweet or funny?

My Newest Addiction at times reviews products provided by PR companies. This is disclosed at the top of those posts. We also use affiliate links. For more, please see the disclosure page.

Baby Mantra

October 8, 2014 23 Comments

I participated in Influencer Activation on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Baby Mantra. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for participating.

I have mentioned quite often since her birth that Raegan’s skin is so sensitive. These sensitivities have really narrowed down what I can use on her. I recently had the opportunity to try some products from Baby Mantra and I feel like they offer a complete spa experience for babies, not just your typical bath and body care line.

This brand hit home with me because they are natural, organic, gluten free, allergy tested and NPA certified personal care products for babies and moms created by a mother of two little girls! Ingredients that are pure and natural like avocado, grape seed, coconut, lavender, shea butter and many, many more. Simple and good. Let me give you a run down of the products I have been using.

Baby Mantra 3-in-1 Bubble Bath, Shampoo + Wash with Lavender Oil & Aloe is an essential to your bath collection. The light scent of lavender and intense moisturization of Aloe Vera will leave your baby calm, relaxed and snuggly soft. Perfect to relax your little one into sweet slumber.

Baby Mantra Detangling Conditioner with Coconut & Lavender Oil has soothing aloe and witch hazel work together to ease the toughest of tangles and helps to make combing through Raegan’s hair a much less cumbersome task. Nourishing coconut oil and shea butter strenghen hair prone to damage from tangles and knots without weighing it down. Simply run through your child’s hair gently with fingers after shampooing with our Newborn Shampoo & Body Wash. Rinse after a couple minutes and pat dry. Over time you’re sure to see a big difference in your baby’s hair!

Baby Mantra Newborn Shampoo + Body Wash with Coconut & Olive Oil has moisturizing coconut oil paired with antioxidant rich aloe making it a favorite for mom & baby. The convenience of a shampoo and body wash in one refreshing foam free all purpose hair and body cleanser!

Baby Mantra Calming Lotion with Shea Butter & Lavender Oil quickly absorbs into baby skin and provides just the right amount of moisture while forming a protective sealant to maintain a soft supple feel. Lavender Oil provides a light soothing scent to calm and nurture your baby, making it the perfect bed time choice. It has a non-greasy formula and helps heal and protect baby’s dry, delicate skin, leaving skin feeling soft, smooth and healthy.

The final, and most favorite product I have been using is the Baby Mantra Calming Massage Oil with Apricot & Avocado Oil! It contains all natural and organic ingredients and NO toxins, NO artificial preservatives, dyes, chemicals or fragrances. My favorite part is that it can be used as a pre-bedtime massage oil to help soothe my daughter into sweet slumber.

She just can’t resist falling asleep after having a nice warm bath and then being pampered in luxurious lotions and massage oils! I think she gets it from her mama!

Baby Mantra is brand new to me, but they have been around for a while. I am happy to know that they are very accessible. You can purchase stuff from their website, select Walgreens & Duane Reade, BabiesRUs.com and even Amazon.

Tell me in the comments below: How do you pamper yourself? Luxurious lotions, calming oils? I totally want to know!

My Newest Addiction at times reviews products provided by PR companies. This is disclosed at the top of those posts. We also use affiliate links. For more, please see the disclosure page.

Potty Training Tips

October 4, 2014 4 Comments

Thank you Pull-Ups Big Kid Academy for making this post possible.

I can’t believe how much Raegan has grown. It feels like it was just yesterday when I had her… Some things I don’t want to change as she grows, like sweet baby kisses and cuddles. There is ONE thing that I don’t mind changing, which is diaper duty. I cannot WAIT until she can use the bathroom all by herself like a big girl. It is a seriously big step, which is why she is now enrolled into the Big Kid Academy with Pull-Ups!

Luckily some familiar faces are there: Doc McStuffins and Lambie are two of her favorites!

When I was unpacking our shopping bags she opened the pack of Pull-Ups, because she is mischievous like that, and was immediately excited to see them. Let me give you a little back story. Doc McStuffins’ Lambie is her favorite stuffed animal EVARRR! Lambie was the very first stuffed animal I bought her when I was pregnant and it has been near her side since birth. She has had a couple now and the original is just disgusting. I bought a new one, but new Lambie isn’t as good as old Lambie. Go figure. Kids…

I am ridiculously excited that Raegan will be getting into Pull-Ups. I have heard that girls are easier to potty train than boys. Thank goodness for that because Tristan was a nightmare! It was so long ago since I went through that with him that I forgot everything, honestly…

So far so good though! It is a exciting and sad day that my baby is growing up. But Big Kid Academy should definitely help. I enrolled her by signing up on the Pull-Ups Big Kid Academy page!

Every Kid is Unique. That’s why when you enroll at the Big Kid Academy, you’ll get a personalized “My Pull-Ups®” page with potty training activities and advice customized to your point in the potty training journey.

The Big Kid Academy has a world-class library of potty training tips and advice from parenting experts, medical professionals and our brightest alumni: parents who have been there. Subjects include:

• How to talk to day care providers about potty training
• Solutions for nighttime
• Potty training on the go
• The best clothing for potty training

So the two tips I have for other parents out there potty training their babies are this: BE PATIENT and enroll your child in the Big Kid Academy! There is so much helpful information there that I think everyone will take something away from it!

My Newest Addiction at times reviews products provided by PR companies. This is disclosed at the top of those posts. We also use affiliate links. For more, please see the disclosure page.

Skincare for Babies by Mustela

October 2, 2014 22 Comments

My daughter, Raegan, has some of the most sensitive skin I have ever seen in my life. I have never had to pay close attention to the skincare I use on my body, but with her if I am not careful she will breakout and it will take a week or more to get her skin back under control. Mustela is a brand that I have used on her with no problems and, in case you didn’t know, they just came to Walgreens! WHAT!?!?! I love when my favorite brands are sold at stores that are just down the road from my house.

If you arent familiar with Mustela, it is actually a brand with expertise in baby and mommy-to-be skincare and has been in business for over 60 years. They are actually the #1 brand in all of Europe. Their products are tested under dermatological control to be safe, gentle and effective. Their products are also formulated with priority ingredients of natural origin and free of questionable ingredients like parabens, phthalates, phenoxyethanol.

As of September, Walgreens has been carrying Mustela’s 2 in 1 Hair and Body Wash, Hydra Bebe Body Lotion, Facial Cleansing Cloths, Dermo-Cleansing, Stretch Marks Double Action, Stretch Marks Intensive Action and Body Restructuring Gel! That is a mouth full! All of the products in the picture below were just reformulated to include a next generation protective ingredient, Avacado Perseose—which is exclusive to Mustela. After 10 years of research it was found that babies under the age of 2 have skin cells that are extremely vulnerable and easily compromised due to air pollution, temperature variations and UV exposure.

This reformulation just proves that Mustela is committed to creating products that are safe and effective. And the ingredients are 92% of natural origin. I love knowing that the products I am using on Raegan are as precious as her skin.

And as you can, see… She does, too!

A little about the products:

Dermo-Cleansing gently cleans baby’s hair & body, respecting the hydrolopidic film & natural balance of the scalp from birth on. Dermo-Cleansing soothes the skin & compensates for the drying effects of the bath. Formulated without soap and has a tear-free formula!

Hydra Bebe Lotion uses Mustela’s natural patented active ingredient which reinforces the skin barrier and preserves its cellular resources.

2 in 1 Hair and Body Wash softly and effectively cleanses the delicate skin & hair!

Facial Cleansing Cloths were specifically developed to safely clean baby’s face. These Facial cleansing cloths with high skin and eye tolerance are especially adapted to the gentle skin of baby’s face, leaving it soft & moisturized.

Sounds like great stuff, right? Well, right now there is a “Mustela Happy Healthy Baby Sweepstakes” on Mustela’s Facebook page! Check that out! Also follow MustelaUSA on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest!

Tell me in the comments to you what is important to you in your skincare routine!

My Newest Addiction at times reviews products provided by PR companies. This is disclosed at the top of those posts. We also use affiliate links. For more, please see the disclosure page.

Nutrition and Brain Development from Enfagrow + Giveaway

September 30, 2014 27 Comments

Thank you, Enfagrow, for making this post possible! Nutrition is important to me. Giving my children the proper nutrition is even more important. The problem is, they are both picky eaters. My son wasn’t picky until he got into his toddler years and my daughter has been picky since day one. Both of my children took Enfamil formula and my daughter is now taking Enfagrow! I love it because it has everything in it that she needs that her regular food isn’t giving her.

Brain development in babies and toddlers is a rapid process. The foods that toddlers eat don’t really give them everything they need for that process. On average toddlers get about 25% of DHA in their regular diets, which is something that leading experts say help in the development stage. Enfagrow allows us to give our toddlers DHA in their milk drinks and formula. Supplementing DHA in a toddler’s diet can help nourish brain development, which ultimately helps in all of these things that these babies are learning.

Right now I am trying to focus on Raegan talking. Memorizing an entire language is a big thing! I bet you didn’t even think about it like that. We think of babies learning one word at a time, but at the toddler stage they are learning a ton of words a day and their meaning. Everyday is like an entire day at school for them!

And I am proud to say that the pickiest person in my family approves of the flavors. She will let you know IMMEDIATELY when she doesn’t like something and there is never anything left in her bottles! The funny thing is, as soon as I grab the cans she knows that a bottle is in her future. She starts smiling and clapping and running after me as I whip around the kitchen and mix the formula. It really is a time to be celebrated. Not only does it have DHA, Enfagrow also has important nutrients like calcium, vitamin D and iron for healthy growth, and a prebiotics blend designed to help support digestive health in just two servings a day.

Another thing that I absolutely love about Enfagrow is that they come in powder form so it is super easy to make a bottle for her on the go. We both love shopping so when we are out and about, I mix the powder with some bottled water and we are good to go!

So now for the giveaway! This giveaway runs from September 1-10. One person will win one of each of these cans: One Toddler Transitions Can (21oz.) and One Toddler Next Step Natural Milk Flavor Can (24oz.)! The giveaway will be open from Tuesday, September 30 to Saturday, October 11. I want you to comment below and tell me what you love about Enfagrow or why you want your toddler to try it!

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES AND D.C. 18 YEARS AND OLDER ARE WHO ALREADY HAVE INTERNET ACCESS AND VALID E-MAIL ADDRESSES ARE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Promotion begins 9/30/2014 at 12:00 AM PST and ends at 11:59 PM PST on 10/11/2014. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. Official Rules, eligibility, prize descriptions and odds disclosure are available at http://www.thesitsgirls.com/sweepstakes-official-rules/ . Sponsor: Mead Johnson & Company,LLC, 2400 West Lloyd Expressway, Evansville, IN 47721. I received compensation and free Enfagrow for this post. Enfagrow would be happy to help you with your question. Please contact them at 1-800-BABY-123 This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf Enfagrow.

My Newest Addiction at times reviews products provided by PR companies. This is disclosed at the top of those posts. We also use affiliate links. For more, please see the disclosure page.

Do More Knowing Your Child Is Safe

September 5, 2014 22 Comments

EasyPouch Review and Giveaway

July 27, 2014 11 Comments

Press Sample

My daughter is at the point where she is becoming extremely independent and I am enjoying my slight bit of extra freedom. Part of this independence and freedom is to thank to these food pouches that are now flooding the market. My daughter does really well with these pouches on her own but sometimes she squeezes them and they explode everywhere. Even the small chance that will happen leads me to not let her use them. I was recently introduced to the EasyPouch, which is a self-feeding utensil designed to to hold those oh-so-convenient yet possibly messy food pouches and make them mess free.

This pouch is so user-friendly. It is easy as 1 – 2 – 3.

Step 1: Place the food pouch into the container.

Step 2: Close the small door.

Step3: Snap the larger door closed over the small door.

Final step is to unscrew the cap and hand over the pouch to your toddler. Another thing I like about these pouches is that they feel familiar in the hands of your toddler. One thing I noticed when my daughter is using them is that she holds it like she would a bottle and sort of tilts her head back with instinct. That to me means it is really aiding her in transitioning into another form of feeding. Familiar, yet different. Sort of like using a straw in a bottle.

As you can see in the picture below she is completely comfortable with the pouch and that was LITERALLY the first time it was put in her hands. That was a week and a half ago. She has used this convenient EasyPouch at least a dozen times since then and there have been zero messes to clean up. She is happy because she isn’t trapped in a high chair being spoon fed and I am happy because I can get other things done like cleaning and blogging and whatnot…

These pouches are sold in a pack of 2 for $12 and can be found on Amazon. You know that if you are a Amazon Prime member that you can get free shipping (woo hoo). I recommend them wholeheartedly. They are a perfect addition to my daughters feeding utensils.

I have a pack of these to give away to one of my readers. Follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter widget below! Have fun and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Newest Addiction at times reviews products provided by PR companies. This is disclosed at the top of those posts. We also use affiliate links. For more, please see the disclosure page.

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