Aimee E. Ketchum, OTR/L CNMI, founder of Loves Notes Developmental Products LLC:

“I am a pediatric occupational therapist. My role as an occupational therapist in a school setting as well as a new mom, has allowed me a unique perspective on development. Constantly comparing what I saw in the classroom to what I saw my babies doing at home shed a lot of light on the developmental delays that left teachers, parents, and sometimes other therapists banging their heads against a wall. I realized that a lot of developmental delays during preschool and school-age years were the result of missed milestones in the first year of life. After a lot of research and unorthodox treatment methods of taking eight-year-old children back to crawling stages, I realized that this was invaluable information.”

“I was already in the process of making a baby massage instructional DVD for families I had been working with in the NICU. My motivation for that DVD was simply to give overwhelmed families some instruction for when they took their sick babies home and support wasn’t necessarily available. I decided to add all kinds of developmental information to the DVD so that parents would understand the importance of development through the first year and progression of milestones.”

“I made my CD for similar reasons. To give parents a structured activity to do with preschoolers that would not only be fun, but assist with motor skills, cognitive skills, coordination, balance, and body awareness.”

Product Descriptions:

The Aimee’s Babies Developmental DVD is approximately one hour long and it is geared toward babies who are 12 months or younger. Babies learn about the world from their senses. This sensory-based 60-minute DVD is divided into seven segments: one segment for each of the senses, plus an additional segment with detailed baby massage instruction. The sensory segments, including vision, hearing, taste, smell, movement, balance, and position in space explain what the baby is currently able to do in each of these areas. It then it provides tips and techniques to help with the developmental milestones in each of these sensory areas.

Love Notes©, Music and Exercise for Young Children is a program of music, movement, exercise, strengthening, and sensory integration for infants and children. The CD of 11 children’s songs engages children in healthy exercise while building on important developmental milestones. Sold along with a curriculum manual, it is easy for parents to teach children the movements and learn the rationale behind each song.

The music and movements of Love Notes© encourage:

*sensory integration
*gross motor skills
*fine motor skills
*body awareness
*stretching
*strengthening
*social skills (when done in a group setting)
*creativity

Love Notes is ideal for children with special needs or developmental delay. The Love Notes curriculum is also used by several toddler play groups,nursery schools, and summer camps.

Recommendations for use:

Aimee:

“The DVD is appropriate from birth through about 12-18 months. I actually give it out to expectant moms when I teach developmental classes at the maternity hospital I currently work at. I encourage parents to watch it before they even have the baby because the developmental information starts right away, for example, the importance of tummy time, the use of baby massage to help baby heal from the trauma of birth). It makes a great shower gift! The can begin to massage their infant immediately. I am certified in Baby’s First Massage which is geared toward newborns and even perfectly fine for pre-term infants. It helps them to gain weight and regulate their body temperature. The only time you don’t want to massage a baby is if they aren’t medically stable, if they have a fever, a malignancy or a fracture. Otherwise massage is fine any time, at any age!”

“The CD is best used for babies as soon as they can hold their head up through preschool. The booklet that accompanies the CD is full of suggested movements to do with children and babies and even has adaptations for children with special needs. It is great for one on one or a group setting and can help to establish social interaction in a group.”

PURCHASING:

*www.aimeesbabies.com

*amazon.com

Success Through Play™ comments:

An experienced pediatric occupational therapist such as Aimee Ketchum, OTR/L, CNMI is uniquely qualified to present a sensory motor program which will teach caregivers how to stimulate their baby during the first year of life. Aimee consulted with Pediatricians, Occupational and Physical Therapist to produce Aimee’s Babies, a one-of-a-kind comprehensive, developmental and baby massage DVD. The goal of this DVD is to “provide structured stimulation to enrich your baby’s development and exercises for your baby to encourage your baby to develop and reach important milestones during the first year of life.” Aimee explains the importance of stimulating your baby during the critical period of birth to 1 year which serves as the perfect introduction to the DVD.

The DVD is divided in 7 segments: Touch, Stretching, Vision, Hearing, Balance and Movement, Taste and Smell and ends with a Massage Routine. In the touch segment, Aimee explains how beneficial infant massage is and presents a quick and easy to follow massage routine that you can follow. Aimee’s experience in teaching infant massage is quickly evident as her skillful hands demonstrate the beautiful art of this ancient tradition. Other segments that impressed us were the vision segment, where Aimee provides simple exercises to enhance your baby’s visual skills and the balance and movement section where parents will learn how to use an exercise ball to help their baby to improve his balance and develop protective reactions.

Aimee explains how carrying your baby upright in a soft carrier can help to develop your baby’s balance skills, among other things! Tips are provided for helping your baby to lift his head during tummy time and how to prepare your baby for rolling. The importance of the crawling stage is emphasized and parents will learn about the sensory and motor aspect of crawling which make crawling such an important and often overlooked milestone. The DVD concludes with an instructional infant massage routine, but this time, the massage routine is presented without the verbal instructions (provided in the touch segment) but instead, visual prompts are provided on the screen, to guide you. Background music is provided to enhance the routine.

In true occupational therapy style, Aimee shows how everyday objects found around the house including laundry baskets, pegs, playing cards, feathers etc can be used in activities to stimulate your baby. There is no need to run out and by the most expensive battery operated “developmental toys”, because in fact, everyday objects around the house and toys that you make are often more effective and more engaging for your baby.

Aimee presents the information in the DVD very clearly and her experience, enthusiasm and passion is infectious! Aimee takes the time to explain the relevance and importance of each of the techniques and activities and how they help to prepare your baby for future milestones and skills later on, which will help parents to develop insight into why they are doing the exercises. This 1 hour long DVD contains a wealth of practical information and will make an ideal Baby Shower Gift which will equip the parents-to-be with information and techniques that they can implement simply to help their baby to thrive. We recommend watching the DVD before your baby arrives, so that you can be ready once baby arrives.

Love Notes© CD
In addition to being a mom and a pediatric occupational therapist, Aimee is also a talented musician and she combines her skills to produce Love Notes© CD: Music and Exercise for Young Children. This CD comes complete with a 37 page booklet which contains lyrics to the songs as well as a fantastic curriculum manual. In the introduction, Aimee explains how she observed the positive effects of music on children with cerebral palsy and children with speech impediments when she was working as a pediatric occupational therapist in the school system and how her love of music and spending time with children inspired her to create this CD.

For each song, Aimee includes an introductory paragraph which explains the aim of the song and the skills that the song helps to promote. Instructions for performing the song with your child are explained and the suggested movements are outlined with the goal of “whole body movements”. Of particular note are the adaptations for children in wheelchairs or those with special needs, which we were really pleased to see. These insights are what set this CD apart from other CDs on the market and which make this CD so special. Performing the songs according the suggestions provided will help your child to develop oral-motor skills, fine and gross motor skills, tactile stimulation, body awareness, proprioceptive and vestibular stimulation, bilateral integration, rhythm and coordination plus much more, all while having heaps of fun! At the end of this booklet, there is a glossary to explain the meaning of each of these terms. The CD includes 11 songs which are fun and catchy and the the entire family will enjoy moving to! The Love Notes© CD will be a favorite in the house well beyond the toddler years!

We would like to thank Love Notes Developmental Products, LLC for sending us evaluation samples for this review as well as sponsoring the giveaway.

For more information about either of these products and to view classes that Aimee offers, please visit:

www.AimeesBabies.com

Got Green Printing.com was founded to provide consumers the highest quality printed
materials at a low cost while limiting waste and harm to the environment. Their commitment to their customers is indelibly linked to their responsibility to the environment. Got Green Printing.com is helping to make environmentally-friendly printing accessible to all businesses, large and small, by offering the lowest prices available. Got Green Printing.com prides themselves on their quick turnaround times (3-5 business days plus shipping) and even offer FREE ground shipping on almost every item! They offer free local delivery for large quantity orders.

Their environmental printing commitment is commendable. All of their printing is done with soy and vegetable based inks. They offer customers a choice of recycled paper, FSC Certified paper, 100% recycled seeded blooming paper, and paper produced from trees grown specifically for paper making, instead of those harvested illegally. Their UV and Aqueous coatings are also unique in that they contain very low to zero VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) which are known to harm surrounding environments. They offset their electric and carbon emissions with 100% Wind-Powered Renewable Energy Credits (REC’s) and Verified Emissions Reductions (VER) projects, and donate a portion of their profits to several environmental conservation organizations including The Nature Conservancy, The Ocean Conservancy and the National Wildlife Federation.

To get a feel for their work, Got Green Printing.com is happy to provide paper samples, just fill out their sample request form on-line. The Got Green Printing.com website is well designed and easy to navigate. Visit the FAQ section to get started.

We sent Got Green Printing.com a color jpeg file of our business card design. We found their staff to be most helpful and efficient. We were really impressed with their super fast turnaround time. The business cards were printed on sturdy card stock and coated with a matte finish. The printing quality was very professional, and the colors were vivid and bright, as they appeared in the jpeg file that we sent. The cards didn’t stink of toxic VOCS and we felt really proud knowing that eco-friendly materials were used in the production of the cards. The real test came when we visited the ABC Kids Trade Show last week, to debut the cards. We received many compliments about our business cards and people remarked at the quality and printing. They were equally impressed to hear that these are eco-friendly business cards.

Got Green Printing.com offers affordable priced, high quality printing which will help you make a very good first impression. Select to design online or submit your own file, using their templates. What could be simpler? Not in the market for a traditional business card? Consider a mommy/daddy play date card. You meet another mommy in the park or library and your kids get along nicely and you want to exchange contact details for a future play date. Just whip out on one of these cards with your contact details on it and save yourself time and the hassle of finding pen and a paper.

Although we are very much living in a virtual age, there is still something to be said for a high quality, printed product which is tangible enough for you to hold in your hand or display. With the holiday season just around the corner, consider ordering some Greeting Cards or Postcards. Also on offer are eco-friendly stickers, letterheads, envelopes, magnets and more. For more information, please visit: www.GotGreenPrinting.com

Week 4 and 5 were super busy for me. We hosted family at our house which was enjoyable yet partially stressful at times. It was my job to make sure that their needs were met and this involved showing them around town, and cooking meals for them, while balancing being a busy mom. It was really fantastic to see my family again and catch up with them. My regular routine was however interrupted and instead of doing daily walks with the kids, I played tour guide and tried to get in some exercise that way.

Now for my stats!

Current weight: 140 lbs

Lost: 1 lbs

The past 2 weeks have been the most difficult period for me. I put a lot of pressure on myself to cook and entertain and ended up having lots of “bites” to taste test the food and in the end, all the bites really added up. I honestly thought that I would have a gain during this 2 week period, so although I only lost 1 lbs over the past 2 weeks, I will gladly take it! Now that the family have left, I am back on track and expect things to be back to normal. Now that fall is upon us and the weather is cooling down, I am looking for low cal comfort foods. If anyone has some suggestions, please feel free to list them here.

Posted by Mandy, Parent Panel Member

The Solo Deluxe lightweight stroller offers the ultimate in comfort and style, perfectly balanced within a “lightweight aluminum”, “ultra compact” frame. Its sturdy construction and enhanced stability will hold up to all the challenges of your daily travel needs. Its distinctive style and tailoring keep it on the cutting edge of today’s modern strollers. In addition to its eye-catching appearance, the Solo Deluxe also has a wide range of features typically found on higher priced strollers.

Product Details:

* Lightweight aluminum frame
* “Ultra-Compact” fold
* “Comfort-Padded” reclining seat
* “Easy-Use” 5 point harness with comfort covers
* Lumbar support pads and pillow
* Canopy lowers as a sun shade
* “Peek-A-Boo” window in canopy
* Adjustable leg support
* Telescoping, angled “Ergo-Fit” handles
* 2-position adult cup holder
* Removable, opening napper bar
* 4-position child cup holder
* 6 ½” “Easy-Roll” wheels
* Front wheel swivel locks
* Auto fold lock
* Oversized storage basket
* 1 month and up
* Children up to 55lbs; 65lbs max weight
* Free Recycling Program

PURCHASING

*Please click here.

Success Through Play™ comments:

Baby Planet is a new eco-friendly stroller company that offers top quality, ergonomic strollers which are sure to turn heads! In an effort to combat the overcrowding of landfills by discarded consumer products, Baby Planet offers a Stroller Recycling Program and is taking the lead in the fight to save our planet. When you are ready to retire your stroller, Baby Planet will send you a pre-paid shipping label so that you can return your stroller to them.

How’s how it works:

If your stroller is still road worthy, Baby Planet will clean it up and donate it to a charity for families in need. If it has reached the end of its life, it will be recycled (plastic and metal parts). Baby Planet will accept ANY brand stroller. Click here for further information. We commend Baby Planet for this initiative and for helping to improve the state of our environment, one stroller at a time.

Baby Planet offers a full line of strollers. The 2008 line consists of the Solo Sport, Solo Deluxe , Unity Sport, Max Traveler and the Max Pro. In addition, Baby Planet offers the The Endangered Species Stroller Line which is a very special line which which is modeled after 4 endangered species: The monarch butterfly, the lemur leapfrog, the tiger and the snow leopard. A portion of the sale of each stroller from this line will be donated to the Wildlife Conservation Society, which fights to protect endangered species. This product line mimics the Solo Sport line in function.

We had the opportunity to test the Baby Planet Solo Deluxe Solo Deluxe. The Solo Deluxe weighs in at 18.5 pounds (weight includes the canopy wheels, and cup holders). This stroller is superbly designed and solidly constructed. The unique curved profile adds stability and modern style! It can accommodate a child up to 54 pounds. Assembling the stroller was quick and efficient, thanks to the clear and detailed instruction manual. Even the most tech challenged parents will have no problem!

Handle bars:

Never underestimate the importance of ergonomic handle bars when reviewing strollers prior to purchase. In fact, we think that examining the handle bars is one the first things that you should look for when selecting a stroller, not the last! Manufacturers often skimp on the handlebars and parents often focus on everything besides the handle bars. You will be logging in hundreds upon hundreds of miles while gripping the handle bars so please give careful attention and thought to them.

The umbrella style handlebars on the Baby Planet Sport Deluxe are truly exceptional. Firstly, they are angled at approximately 40 degrees for ergonomic and easy steering. They are padded and contoured for maximum comfort. The padded material provides a non-slip surface to gripping surface, which is paramount to safety. Once you have tried these handlebars, you won’t turn back! In addition, they telescope and are height adjustable with 3 different settings, adjusting from approximately 36″ to 43″ to accommodate a range of user heights. Note: Solo Sport does not have adjustable height handle bars.

Canopy:

The canopy is sturdy and unique shaped and locks into place for added security. For additional protection against the sun and wind, the canopy can be extended forward almost reaching the napper bar, which is a great bonus and rarely seen on strollers with an umbrella style fold.

Seat:

The dimensions of the seat are: 12″ W x 11″ D x 18″ H. The plush seat is well padded for your child’s comfort. The 5 point safety harness with comfort covers is easy to operate. An added bonus is the lumbar support. The manual includes valuable information on adjusting the restraint system to your baby/child’s body. The seat reclines via a revolutionary strap system which is situated under the seat. Parents will love this system which allows you to adjust the recline of the seat with great ease. The seat can recline to many different positions, and for younger babies, the seat reclines up to 150 degrees (about 30 degrees shy of flat).

Wheels:

The Solo Deluxe boasts 4 pairs of 6 ½” “Easy-Roll” wheels for added stability and a smoother ride. Front swivel wheels can be locked when negotiating uneven surfaces for a smoother ride. Activate the rear wheel locks by pushing down the lever on each rear wheel. The footrest is another great feature and is easy to adjust. Simply pull up on each side to raise the footrest to the correct height and then press the button on each side to lower it. For babies under a year, keeping the footrest parallel to the ground usually works well. Lower it to the ground (90 degree angle) for babies aged a year and above. Please note that this stroller is not an all-terrain stroller and maneuvers best on smooth surfaces.

Napper bar:

*A padded napper bar provides additional security and is removable. Note: Solo model does not have a napper bar.

Storage Basket:

The storage basket will accommodate a medium size diaper bag plus a few baby essentials. Seen here (right) is the Zosephine Diaper Bag which coordinates beautifully with our Baby Planet Solo Deluxe test sample in Terra Cotta.

Accessories:
The Solo Deluxe comes with both a child cup and a parent cup holder (see wheels image above) which attach easily. Both mom and toddler will be able to keep hydrates on walks which is so important, especially now that summer has arrived.

Operation:
Closing the stroller is easy and simple to do. Lock the stroller, fold the canopy back, push the center foot level up and step on the side lever. The stroller collapses smoothly and quickly and locks automatically. Folded dimensions measure 15″ W X 15″ D X 42″ H. Opening the stroller couldn’t be any simpler. Simply release the automatic lock, pull on the stroller, shake and step on the center foot level. You are ready to go!

Road test:
“The handles are exceptional. They are so comfortable to grip and the angle reminds me of the 10-2 position in driving! This is the first time that both my husband and I can truly share a stoller, with the height adjustable handle bars. Pushing the stroller was a dream. It handles the sidewalks beautifully and I simply locked off the front wheels when negotiating uneven terrain for a smoother ride. This stylish stroller is a real head turner! Last week, at our local farmers market, I was stopped several times by parents who wanted to learn more about this stroller.
The seat relines really easily with the strap system. While most compact strollers either lack a recline or have limited recline, this stroller has unlimited recline positions, thanks to the revolutionary strap system which makes reclining the stroller a breeze! Since we live in a sunny climate, I was most impressed by the canopy which unzips to extend even further, provided maximum sun protection for my son. I haven’t seen this feature on any other compact stroller on the market, which has an umbrella fold. Baby Planet has really thought of everything! My 2 year old son was really comfortable in this stroller and truth be told, I had a difficult time coaxing him out of the stroller! Opening and closing the stroller is REALLY easy! The umbrella like fold is compact and takes up hardly any room in our trunk. We are really excited to learn about Baby Planets recycling program, which means that this stroller will either be donated to a family in need, or recycled to help save our environment. I would highly recommend this stroller!”

*To find out where you can buy this and other strollers from Baby Planet, please click here.

*To view the full range of stroller available from Baby Planet, please visit: www.baby-planet.com

Storksak® is an innovative British brand of fashionable and functional bags designed for style-conscious mothers who want great looking parent bags that can survive their busy lifestyles. Storksak® bags are meticulously designed by two mothers, both professionals based in London, who hated the “diaper bags” that were on the market. They felt a new category of bag was needed, one that didn’t sacrifice style for functionality and toughness. Each Storksak® bag includes a variety of features that adapt to each mom’s varied and changing needs. Special features like adjustable shoulder straps, wipe-clean interior and thermo-insulated bottle holders or pockets which keep a bottle warm or cold for up to 4 hours are standard. Certain styles also include a key-ring clip, detachable mirror and individual compartments for diapers and cell phones and several styles are even large enough for a laptop computer.

Storksak’s® unmatched versatility and use of high quality fabrics, leathers and hardware, enable their collection of parent bags to appeal not only to moms with babies but also to busy professionals in search of a functional and stylish bag for work, the beach or the gym.

NEW for Spring 2008:

Storksak Alex

*Style: Messenger
*Fabric: Heavy Cotton Canvas
*Color: Black (also available in Army Green)
*Retail Price: $145.00
*Retail Credit: www.Storksak.com

Storksak Claire Red Label

*Style: Shoulder/Backpack
*Fabric: PU
*Color: Ivory with Red Accents
*Retail Price: $155.00
*Retail Credit: www.NeimanMarcus.com

Storksak Elizabeth

*Style: Shoulder
*Fabric: Leather with an adjustable/removable canvas strap
*Color: Blush (also available in Chalk, Camel and Grey).
*Retail Price: $285.00
*Retail Credit: www.NeimanMarcus.com

Storksak Julie

*Style: Slouch
*Fabric: Leather and Nylon Satin
*Color: Chocolate (also available in Black)
*Retail Price: $225.00
*Retail Credit: www.NeimanMarcus.com

Spotlight on Storksak® Emily

Storksak® Emily:

*Style: Shoulder bag
*Available in 4 colors: Emily Black, Emily Chocolate, Emily Pewter and Emily Sand (NEW).



*Fabric: Emily Pewter is PU and the Emily Chocolate, Black and Sand are made from nylon satin.
*Trim: Faux leather

*Includes: an adjustable shoulder strap, dual side zip thermo-insulated bottle holders, padded changing mat, matching pochette for wipes, make-up or other accessories, cell phone holder and multiple pockets/compartments all with a wipe-clean lining.
*Retail Price: $168.00
*Retail Credit: select styles available at www.NeimanMarcus.com and all styles available at www.Storksak.com

PURCHASING

*Storksak® bags retail from $142.00- $275.00 and are available at retailers like Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, BabyStyle, Due Maternity and online at www.storksak.com.

Success Through Play™ comments:

Storksak® was founded in 2003 by two professionals and moms, Melanie Marshall and Suzi Bergman, who are based in London. Their goal was to create a line of diaper bags that “didn’t sacrifice style for functionality and toughness”. Storksak® bags have taken the world by storm and style icon Angelina Jolie has been photographed carrying the Emily Storksak® and other styles from Storksak.

The quality of the Emily Storksak® is unparalleled. The Storksak® design team have created a beautiful, stylish, functional and durable diaper bag which you will continue to reach for, after the diaper years are well behind you! The Emily Storksak® is surprisingly lightweight, which means a lighter load for mom to carry (you neck, shoulders and back will thank you!). This medium size shoulder bag features an adjustable shoulder strap accented with a chic buckle. The Emily Storksak® is made from a nylon satin which boasts a wipe clean lining both on the interior and exterior which will ensure that your Emily bag looks pristine for years to come! Storage is plentiful with multi-compartments throughout this bag to store all of mom and baby’s essentials. The inner compartments feature elastic topped pockets to keep the contents in place. The Emily Storksak® has dual side zip built-in thermo-insulated compartments to hold bottles or drinks, which keeps liquids cool/warm for up to 4 hours. The built in insulated compartments are designed so that no passerby would know that they are there, which is a true tribute to the brilliant design of this bag which doesn’t scream “I am a diaper bag”. Included is a large, padded changing pad which measures approximately 23.5″ X 14″ and folds up compactly for easy storage and travel. The changing pad coordinates beautifully with the bag and is a good deal larger than most compact changing pads, making it ideal for use with babies AND toddlers.

Not to be missed is a matching pochette for storing wipes, or other essentials which can be accessed with ease. The Storksak® Emily features tassels on the zippers which means that moms or grandmothers with arthritis or other conditions which limit dexterity will be able to open and close the compartments with ease. Not to forget your toddler who can assert his independence under your supervision and take an active role in helping mom!

The stitching, fabric and hardware used is of the highest quality and results in a chic fashionable bag that is durable yet stylish. To protect your Storksak® , the designers have added a sturdy faux leather botton complete with feet to protect your bag from the ground as well as a large drawstring storage bag proudly displaying the name”Storksak”. Treat the mom-to-be in your life with a gorgeous Storksak® for her Baby Shower.

We distributed the Storksak® Emily to Claire, mom to toddler Eryn. This what she had to say:

“I had seen so much media coverage about Storksak Bags, but I hadn’t seen one in person, until now. I gasped as I opened the box and saw the gorgeous Storksak Emily. I was very eager to test this bag and wasted no time loading up the bag with our essentials. I was thrilled to see the endless storage options. There is room for everything and I have found a “place” to store my essentials for easy retrieval !I usually have a difficult time finding the things that I need and have been known to drop down on my knees, throwing things out of my diaper bag to find what I need. The Emily Storksak has helped me to organize and streamline my life and saved me from unnecessary headaches in the process! I was honestly so thrilled to discover the built-in insulated dual zippered storage compartments which kept Eryn’s milk warm for 4 hours! I haven’t seen this innovative on any other diaper bag! Best of all, it’s like a secret compartment so only Eryn and I know that I am carrying her warm milk in my bag! The Emily Storksak is super easy to clean and I can feel at ease having it around my clumsy toddler-and mom! The bag
weighs less than any other diaper bag that I have owned, which is a huge plus for me since I am prone to neck and shoulder pain. I found the Storksak Emily very comfortable to wear thanks to the sturdy shoulder straps which are adjustable. I was really surprised by how chic and and stylish this bag is, yet super durable and functional at the same time. Now I understand the hype about Storksak and this Storksak has more than lived up to the hype and far exceeded my expectations! Thank you Storksak.”

To view the full collection of Storksak® Bags, please visit:

www.StorkSak.com

Nicole Donnelly, a professional snowboarder turned stay-at-home mom in Seattle, WA is the founder of BabyLegs, LLC, the leg warmers that have taken the world by storm. Nicole’s baby daughter had developed a diaper rash and rug burns while crawling, so this creative mom decided to cut the feet off her snowboarding socks and pulled them over her daughter’s legs. This allowed her baby to go diaper free which allowed the rash to heal. At the same time, her little legs were protected from rug burns while
crawling and they stayed nice and toasty. The concept of BabyLegs® was born and BabyLegs® are now sold in 50 countries around the world, including Iceland, Israel, Japan and Russia. BabyLegs, LLC Headquarters in Seattle, WA is both kid and dog friendly. Employees are encouraged to lead a sustainable lifestyle by working remotely from home and carpooling to work in biodiesel vehicles. BabyLegs, LLC supports the Sanyu Children’s Orphanage and Women’s Health Center in Uganda and other centers across the USA through the donation of products and financial contributions.

BabyLegs® are incredibly versatile and can be worn by newborns all the way through to seniors! BabyLegs® make diaper changing simple and fast. If your baby develops a diaper rash, allow the area to air by leaving the diaper off and dressing baby in BabyLegs®, to keep his legs warm. When your baby starts crawling, protect his legs from rug burns and cold surfaces. BabyLeg®s helps socks stay on (need we say more?). They are ideal for potty training and may in fact reduce the time that it takes to potty train your child. They can be can be worn over bandages (arms or legs) to keep your child from removing them. Babies who are carried in a soft carrier can be dressed in BabyLegs® to keep their legs warm and will solve the problem of clothing “riding up” leaving legs exposed to the elements. They also work well with strollers. Toddlers will love wearing BabyLegs® on their arms and legs, to keep warm and snug. From dance classes to the playground, from the sports field to the mall, children and teens will enjoy making fashion statements in their BabyLegs®. Adults and Seniors can stay warm by wearing BabyLegs® on their arms.

BabyLegs® are available in a full range of designs from classic to modern in solid prints or patterns. One size fits most. We are especially fond of the Organic BabyLegs Collection, which includes 3 natural colored BabyLegs®, solid prints and patterned prints. This collection is made with dyes which meet the Oeko-Tex Standard 100, so parents can rest assured that no harmful chemicals are present. The Organic Cotton collection is ideal for Green Parents and little ones who have sensitive skin.

Purchase BabyLegs® online by visiting the BabyLegs store or find a retail location in your area. Bargain hunters can browse the sale section for great deals. Gift Sets and Gift Baskets are also available.

To learn more, please visit www.BabyLegs.net

Congratulations Claire S. and Janine B.

Transitioning from the Womb to the World is one of the first challenges for a baby. Dr. Harvey Karp named the first 3 months of a newborns life the “4th trimester” indicating that your newborn is in a sense still very immature and will continue to require a womb like environment for the first 3 months of life. One of the simplest ways to mimic the environment is to replicate the familiar sounds that your baby heard in the womb. SoundSleep™ for Babies is a breakthrough audio CD which incorporates a new technology that uses actual audio recordings from the womb which are then digitally processed to emulate the “underwater” sounds that babies experience before birth.

Winner of several prestigious awards, this CD is used in hospitals, NICU’s, clinics, daycare centers and thousands of homes – worldwide. It is endorsed by pediatricians, child care professionals and industry trade journals. It is the result of years of research, and a breakthrough in science and music technology.

SoundSleep™ for Babies uses the patent-pending WombEffect™ technology, combined with a proprietary lush, ambient low-frequency soundtrack leads to faster, deeper sleep for infants. The result is a profound sense of calm so soothing that it can relax and de-stress even the most chaotic of environments. A mother’s resting heartbeat is calming and soothing to baby and provides the hypnotic pulse which helps to lull the baby to sleep. Parents will find the sounds equally soothing and calming.

This is NOT a Lullaby CD. Instead, SoundSleep™ is based on advanced medical, scientific and audio research and is produced by internationally-acclaimed award-winning musicians, producers and audio engineers – the same people who created songs and productions for industry giants like Sheryl Crow and The Eagles.

Eager to put this CD to the test, we had no difficulty finding parents who were desperate to help their infants sleep. Their babies were “colicky babies” who had great difficulty falling asleep and once asleep, would sleep for short periods at a time, leaving both the babies and the parents sleep deprived. The effects of the CD were apparent within minutes of playing it. The parents were delighted that their babies fell asleep faster and slept for a longer duration.

“My baby transitioned from being fussy and restless to calm and centered in just minutes after playing the audio CD. He settled quickly and fell asleep considerably faster AND slept for twice the amount of the time that he usually sleeps for.”

“This SoundSleep™ CD is life changing. I think that it should be standard issue at the hospital, before you are discharged home. It has become my new baby shower must have gift. Thank you.”

At only $19.95, this affordable CD is worth its weight in gold and will be the only CD that you reach for to help your baby make a smooth transition from womb to world.

Purchase your CD here.
To view the full Regal Lager product line, please click here.


*Giveaway*

Courtesy of Regal Lager, Inc 5 lucky readers will each win a SoundSleep™ CD.

Congratulatons Julie T, Amy R., Jessica L., Randi Y., & Penni H.

The Slurp & Burp™ was invented by Missy, Mom of 4 kids (ages 6 and under), Speech-Language Pathologist and yoga instructor who lives in New York. Missy is married to a NY Firefighter in the specialized HAZMAT division.

Missy works 2 days per week while her husband takes care of the kids. Missy enjoys working out and embraces a healthy and active lifestyle.

Missy:

“The idea for Slurp & Burp™ came during a 2 am feeding with 4th child, Emma. I thought it would be nice if there was a product that allowed moms to nurse discreetly in public without covering their baby’s head. The next morning, I cut and sewed a prototype from one of my husband’s t-shirts.”

What exactly is the Slurp & Burp™?

“The Slurp & Burp™ functions like a nursing top. There are two layers of fabric that are separated just enough for the baby to latch on. The fabric is 100% cotton and drapes onto baby’s face so mom always remains covered. There is a sewn-in burp cloth so when baby has finished nursing, mom relayers the fabric and lifts baby to burp cloth. Mom doesn’t have to hide baby under a blanket or isolate herself in another room to maintain her modesty.”

“Because baby remains uncovered, mom & baby can make eye contact/communicate, baby can look around/interact with loved ones (ex. grandpa), it just looks like you are cradling your baby unlike sitting under a blanket which is a billboard that screams look at me I’m nursing, baby nurses more efficiently because she/he doesn’t fall asleep mid-feeding because of the heat like when covered, mom’s report improved let down when they can see their baby….just to name a few…”

“Mom gets to wear her own clothes so there is no need to invest in nursing tops. Slurp & Burp™ is used while wearing shirts that are accessible to nurse from the top…button down, tanks, wraps, u neck, v neck, bathing suit, dresses. Belly remains covered with your own shirt so there is no need to wear a belly band or layer shirts. Nursing from the top of your shirt promotes healthier posture while breastfeeding because baby is lifted to breast level rather than rounding forward and pulling breast down under your shirt.”

The Organic Cotton Version:

Missy:

“What’s more organic than breastfeeding? With that, making an organic version of Slurp & Burp™ was a natural fit. It’s nice to have a product made of organic fabric when it’s touching baby’s face.”

PURCHASING:

*Purchase directly from www.slurpburp.com

*Locate a retailer in your area by clicking here.

HOT off the Press.

Slurp & Burp™ will be releasing a new nursing cover which has a a detachable burp cloth. The burp cloth detaches for washing without needing to launder the entire product. Best of all, any burp cloth attaches to the Slurp & Burp™ so all those shower gifts will be put to good use. The burp cloth can also be removed completely for use with babies who may not require as much clean up. Now the Slurp & Burp™ is always ready for moms-on-the-go making it even easier to incorporate breastfeeding into a modern lifestyle. The new design provides function, versatility, and options all of which facilitate breastfeeding success. This new design will be available from mid September 2008.

GIVEAWAY

In honor of World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7, 2008), which is celebrated in 120 countries worldwide, Slurp & Burp™ is sponsoring a giveaway! Two lucky readers will each receive an Organic Cotton Slurp & Burp™ in the NEW design.

Congratulations Mandy R. & Judi F.

Success Through Play™ comments:

It still surprises us that here in the USA, nursing moms are not widely accepted by the public and many nursing moms feel the need to hide out in public restrooms, nurse in hot, stuffy cars, or other places, just to avoid other people’s glares and comments. A new mom who receives negative feedback may ultimately decide to stop breastfeeding, which is very unfortunate. Over in Europe, things are very different. In many European countries, nursing mamas proudly lift up their tops to nurse and no-one bats an eye. Many states in the USA have enacted laws to protect the rights of women who breastfeed in public. Please click here for more info. “Lactivists” have sprung up all over the USA, out of sheer necessity to increase public awareness.

We were delighted to come across the Slurp & Burp™, an innovative breastfeeding cover which allows mom to nurse discreetly, WITHOUT covering her baby. Some babies simply won’t tolerate having their heads covered, which can make using conventional nursing covers very difficult. With the warm summer months fast approaching, nursing mamas will be pleased to learn about this product! Additional benefits: mom will be able to read her baby’s cues more easily, evaluate positioning and latch on more easily and so forth-ideal for new moms.

The Slurp & Burp™ is a high quality nursing cover which is proudly made in Brooklyn, NY by a very talented team of seamstresses. It consists of a double layer of fabric, worn as a sash, and comes complete with a sewn in burp cloth which rests on your shoulder! To use the Slurp & Burp™, nursing moms must wear tops and dresses that have access from the top. Lets examine how it works! The top layer is pulled up, and the inner layer pulled down, so that the 2 layers slightly overlap. Baby can nurse easily and discreetly, without having his head covered! When its time to burp your baby, you won’t have to reach into your diaper bag to find that burp cloth, because the Slurp & Burp™ has a built-in burp cloth. When you are ready to switch sides, the soiled area moves to the back leaving the clean area exposed for the next burping!

Instructions:
*Click here.

Video Demo:
*Click here.

The Slurp & Burp™ rolls up compactly for easy storage and travel. It is available in several beautiful designs, including an organic cotton version. The burp cloth of the organic version is sewn by Work at Home Moms!

We received 2 samples of the organic cotton version. Here are some comments from our nursing panel:

“Firstly, I must say that the Slurp & Burp™ is sewn very well and will hold up for years to come!. It allows me to nurse without having to purchase additional nursing tops, which is fantastic, because our budget is extremely tight. I don’t have to expose my post-partum belly to the world because with the Slurp & Burp™, I nurse from the top down. I have found that nursing in this way has decreased my shoulder and neck pain and I am feeling great! With summer around the corner, I was not looking forward to the scorching heat and having to cover up my baby in the peak of summer and now I don’t have to! The organic cotton fabric is beautiful and soft and I feel wonderful knowing that my baby’s face is resting against a healthy and non-toxic material. The Slurp & Burp™ gives me the confidence to nurse in public! Thank you!”

“I had tried a few traditional nursing covers on the market, yet I always felt that they drew too much attention to me. The Slurp & Burp™ has changes all this-the people around me just think that I am cuddling my baby, because their isn’t huge piece of fabric covering our bodies bod, drawing unwanted attention! I think that it’s a brilliant design, providing me with coverage, yet keeping my baby’s head uncovered, so that I can see her position and keep an eye on her at all times. It is really super easy to use-no complicated straps or buckles and it washes beautifully. I really love that I don’t have to remember to pack a burp cloth, because this nursing cover has one sewn in-they have thought of everything when designing this!”

The Slurp & Burp™ is helping to empower women to breastfeed in pubic with confidence and we applaud Missy for designing such an innovative product.

For more information, please visit: www.SlurpBurp.com

*Terressentials USDA Certified Organic Natural Body Care
*Organic Cotton Maxi Dress from Gypsy05
*Celebrate World Breastfeeding Week with a Bumkins Contest
*Weight Watchers Online Introduction

*New Balance Walking Shoes and Bamboo Apparel for Women
*French Twists from Barry’s Bakery
*Luna & Larry’s Coconut Bliss Ice-Cream
*Weight Watchers Week 1

*Variable Wheeled Business Case from High Sierra Sport Company
*Weight Watchers Week 2
*BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier Synergy
*Weight Watchers Week 3

*Giveaway: Slurp & Burp™ Breastfeeding Cover
*Dante Beatrix Stroller Tote
*Better ‘n Peanut Butter
*The Original Gymini from Tiny Love celebrates 15 years!

During September 2008, we will be heading to Las Vegas to attend the ABC Kids Trade Show. We will be on the lookout for the most innovative products on the market. While we are gone, we will be hosting several giveaways, so don’t forget to enter.

Hello everyone! I hope that you had a great week. Thank you for your terrific suggestions regarding the kids party. I took every single one of them into account and am pleased to say that I coped well with the temptations. I had a protein packed snack prior to attending the party, so that I wasn’t ravenous upon arrival. I had banked my Flex Points for this very occasion and treated myself to a small chocolate cupcake, which was delicious! I stuck with veggies and fruit for the remainder of the party. For the first time in a long time, I felt that I was in control of my eating. I didn’t feel guilty for eating the cupcake. I knew that it was still within my points range and that allowed me to enjoy it even more. I want to stress again how flexible the WW program really is. From dining out, to attending kids parties, it is flexible and works with you. Despite a busy week, I was able to squeeze in exercise and am now able to walk for 35 minutes as a time and am feeling strong and healthy.

Now for my stats!

Current weight: 141 lbs

Lost: 2 lbs

It has been one month since I started Weight Watchers and I am really feeling terrific. I have lost a total of 10 lbs and my BMI has dropped from 27 to 25. I went shopping for a few new outfits to reward myself! I am well on my way to reaching my 10% goal. I can expect my weight loss to slow down from this point on and I will be checking in with you every 2 weeks. My challenge for the next weeks will be staying on track while entertaining visitors! I have family from abroad that will be staying with us and this means cooking, cooking and more cooking. If anyone has any tips, please feel free to share them!

Posted by Mandy, Parent Panel Member.