Multi-purpose, space saver AND is quiet!! --Bright Starts Ingenuity ConvertMe Swing-2-Seat Portable Swing

Some babies don't like swings, but for Christian during those first few months, a swing was a MUST. 

The swing was often the place he napped best until he was about 3 months old. Not only that, but with every cold he got, we would often break out the swing again so he could sleep more reclined and be able to breath better. 

Living in a townhouse, we knew saving space was going to be a must and we wanted to have a swing AND a bouncy seat so we opted for a 2-in-1 option. Our choice turned out to be bulky to move around the house, LOUD when swinging, creepy music, hard for Christian to play with the toys on the bar, and not an option to transport to grandma's house. 

If only I had known about the Bright Starts Ingenuity ConvertMe Swing-2-Seat Portable Swing 10 months ago! 

This product had everything I was looking for and more!! 

This swing is SILENT. Not just quiet, but the only sounds it makes when swinging are the lullabies it plays! Listen to the video below...Yes, there is audio! 

Here are some of my favorite things about this swing:

The seat locks into place to become just a seat (which is super nice for a baby that likes to pull up on things -- doesn't hit him in the head!) 

The seat also has soothing vibrations and is super soft and cozy with an adjustable and removable headrest. 

The toy bar moves easily to get baby in and out of the seat.

The lullabies are soft, sweet, and soothing. 

Folds easily to be transported (or stored). 

Self-timer can be set so the swing will stop after 30, 45, or 60 minutes. 

Several different speed options (although for a heavier baby, the fastest speed is still pretty slow)

Battery operated so it isn't attached to electricity. 

The only downside is the 20 pound weight limit. Looks like my 10 month old is about done using this swing already... Good thing his friend Judd (in the video) can still use it! 

Visit buybuybaby.com and buy yours now.

**I was provided a complimentary product for the purpose of this review, but all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own**

Perfect Timing... Ingenuity Washable Playard with DreamCentre in Seneca: Product Review

Hello blog world! It's me, Chandelle! I'm still alive over here...just trying to find my way through the boxes...

Just kidding, but we did move into our new house just over a week ago and we are LOVING the new place and all of the space! I sometimes forget we have a whole second level to take advantage of now! 

But anyway, back to the boxes....we are actually pretty much all unpacked already! 

It's amazing. I know. 

Oh...and we have had internet since the second day...

So why haven't I blogged and at least done a 9 month update for Christian (he is 10 months already after all...) ??? 

Well...because I've been busy settling into our new space and routine and all that jazz...and trying out some AWESOME new products!! 

Seriously. We couldn't have gotten these products at a better time and I can't wait to tell you all about them! I don't know how we have made it 10 months without these. 

Life changers I tell you! 

When Christian was first born and we were living in our 2 bedroom, 2 level town home, we survived the multiple diaper changes every day and every hour and the multiple naps by including a Graco Travel Crib in our living room.

I would bend over that thing with the bassinet set up and get pains in my back with every diaper change. But it was convenient. And I didn't know what I was missing!!! 

If you are having a baby, you NEED a playard with a changing table, bassinet and DreamCentre like Ingenuity's Washable Playard!!

Over the past few weeks we have used this SO MUCH -- For naps, night time sleeping, keeping Christian contained and safe while we move items out of the house or into the new house.

Even though Christian is older now, this playard is staying up in our house! It has its own special place in our bottom level of our house for easy access to stick Christian in if I need to do something quick. It also saves me trips upstairs to change his chunky butt and comes in handy for those drop in play dates and little nappers :) 

So you're probably thinking..."Okay, I get it. Get a playard. But any playard should do, right?" 

WRONG!

This is THE playard.

First of all -- The changing table: I have friends with Graco Pack n Plays and they complain that the changing table is not sturdy, but this changing table has a 25 pound weight limit (meaning I can still use it for my chunky 22 pound 10 month old) :) Honestly, I wish all changing pads had these high sides! Its so much easier to change my wiggly boy on this changing table than it is on the one we have in his room! Love it! And the little attached side trays make it easy to keep wipes and diapers right on hand.

DreamCentre: Perfect, cozy little space for your newborn to nap! Breathable sides are a plus! There is a loose pillow that also can be used, but since its not attached it can easily be removed as well. Soothing nature sounds and classical music lullabies also can be played. The sounds are actually soothing and relaxing -- not all jumbled sounding like some can be!

Did you read WASHABLE!?!? LOVE that you can just unzip everything and wash it all! Even the sides! Easily unzips -- even the changing table and bassinet/dreamcentre. Very convenient and removes the need for having extra sheets, etc. My only concern would be for night leaks and needing to change the bedding in the middle of the night on a trip...so sheets might still be a good idea.

Pros: 

In addition to all of the above, I love the colors of this product! They are more natural and match nicely with our home decor!

Cons: 

The only thing I can think of that I didn't love about this product is something that seems to be the case with all play yards/pack n plays that I have used...the mattress could always be softer and set up could be easier. I always have trouble getting the sides to lock in, but that could just be user error :)

Love this play yard! It has been a God send over the past few weeks as we have been moving and I can't wait to use it with our next little one! (In a few years! Don't get so excited!!) 

Christian also sleeps great in it unlike other pack n plays (true story) and stays entertained playing in it as well! This is a great product to grow with you little one!

Visit buybuybaby.com and buy yours now. 

**I was provided a complimentary product for the purpose of this review, but all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own**

The Mombo Nursing Pillow vs The Boppy

Shortly after Christian was born, I complied a list of "breastfeeding essentials." 

One of those essentials, was a nursing pillow. 

We are long past our days of nursing pillows, but boy are they handy for more than just nursing! These pillows have so many other uses, they truly are an essential even if you aren't nursing! During those early days, weeks, and even months, my boppy was my best friend! I couldn't imagine nursing without one! It made nursing so much easier and more comfortable...no having to hold a squirming baby trying to get him to latch and have him in the right position all at once...I don't have that many hands! 

It was also very helpful for little people meeting our baby boy for the first time :) 

The boppy was also great for tummy time, helping Christian to prop himself up more so that he would have to hold his head up. 

After he got that down, the boppy then became a great support for helping him to sit! In those first few weeks of sitting, Christian was pretty tippy and not able to stay up for long unassisted, but the boppy was there to cushion his fall if he would start to tip (and sometimes even keep him from tipping!). 

Around 4 months old, Christian was big enough that I didn't need to use the boppy for nursing any more, but like I mentioned, it still had a use at our house! A few months later, though I was introduced to the Mombo Nursing Pillow! Man do I wish I had tried this pillow instead of going with the well known boppy! 

The Mombo Nursing Pillow can do EVERYTHING the boppy can do...AND MORE! 

Hard to believe, right!? Well, its true. Oh, and did I mention they are the SAME PRICE!?!? 

So why not get the Mombo!?

Even Christian's friend, Judson, likes the Mombo more! (below) 

You can buy the Mombo Nursing Pillow online or in stores at Babies 'R' Us. 

As a nursing pillow, the Mombo would even be my preferred pillow as it has a firm side which better supports baby during nursing and doesn't seem to flatten and slide out like the boppy often does. Actually, if you are familiar with a Brestfriend, it is this same firmness, but still allows for the other functions as well (tummy time, lounging, sitting, etc). 

Some of my favorite things about the Mombo Nursing Pillow (that the boppy does not have):

Firm side (like mentioned above) 

Soft side for lounging 

Soothing vibration (easily removable for washing) 

Better inner shape for allowing baby to practice sitting 

There are also multiple different covers that you can get for the Mombo Nursing Pillow, just like the boppy so you can always have spares on hand for after those messy spit ups that are bound to happen! 

Also, the Mombo Nursing Pillow now also has a toy bar attachment! When you are not using the pillow for nursing, plain lounging, tummy time or practice sitting, you can attach this bar for a little added entertainment. Turn on the soothing vibrator and you have something quite similar to an infant seat (but takes up a lot less space)! 

--Also available at Babies 'R' Us. 

The only down sides I found to both of these products are: 

The firmness of the Mombo may not allow for stretching wide enough to fit around a bigger mom

The toy bar is quite a hassle to get on and off the pillow

I'm so excited to have a Mombo for my next little one and I will be recommending this pillow to all my new mom friends...no more boppy! 

Do you use a nursing pillow? 

What's your favorite pillow and why? 

Mom's LOVE Mombo! 

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*I was provided complimentary products for the purpose of this review, but all opinions and views are 100% my own*

Easy Canvas Prints Review and Giveaway!!!

If you haven't caught on by now, I'm kind of picture crazy! From the millions of monthly photos I take of Christian, to his milestone photos, and the crazy "Wall of Christian" gallery wall I created for our house, I LOVE to capture memories in pictures and display them for all to see! 

One of my favorite ways to display pictures, besides in a gallery wall, is on canvas! Canvas also would be a great addition to a gallery wall, but I generally display my favorite photos on canvas about our fireplace as part of our mantel display. I am always getting compliments on our canvas photo which I'm constantly updating as well. We started with an engagement photo, which changed to a wedding photo, and is now a proud family photo which we will be replacing as our family continues to grow. Christian is seriously changing by the day! 

I've never really been super picky about my canvas prints...all I cared about was finding a good picture and then a good deal through Groupon. But then my blog friend Lindsay, over at Pursuit of Pink, shared with me about Easy Canvas Prints. 

The quality of these canvas prints is the best I've had! 

And I've ordered from several different places, including Shutterfly. 

I'm so excited to get this print hanging up in Christian's room! Although...hopefully our house will be selling soon and we can just hang it in our new house in his new room! 

The canvas also included a hanger for the print! I personally use 3M hooks to hang my pictures so as not to put holes in our wall, but if you are using nails, this is ideal! Helps your pictures to hang straight! 

Ordering was easy, although, the process is set up for a landscape photo and I wanted to order in Portrait. It wasn't completely intuitive to figure out how to change the direction of the picture, but I sent a quick email for help and heard back very quickly so I was still able to get my print ordered fast! 

(**If you want to order a portrait instead of landscape print, just simply select the custom size instead of choosing a predetermined size)

Once your photo is uploaded, you're set to order! While the site told me it would take nearly 2 weeks for my print to arrive, this was far from my experience! I had my print within about only 1 week! So Easy Canvas Prints is extra speedy! 

So if you are considering creating your own gallery wall, or just looking to order some prints for your home, I highly recommend you give canvas prints a try and check out Easy Canvas Prints!

Canvas does seem to run a little higher price wise, but at Easy Canvas Prints, there seems to always be a deal!

Right now, single prints are 25% off with Free Standard Shipping and 

wall displays are up to 60% off. 

Even better, for my lucky readers, Easy Canvas Prints is offering you, yes YOU! 50% off when you place your order {here}. That's a deal you don't want to miss! 

But it gets EVEN better...Easy Canvas Prints is also giving away a FREE 8X10 Canvas Print to one lucky reader in the US (excluding Alaska and Hawaii - sorry friends)!

Enter with the rafflecopter below! 

Good Luck! 

Also, be sure to follow Easy Canvas Prints on Facebook and Twitter for more deals and updates! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*I was provided an 8X10 canvas print for the purpose of this review. All opinions are 100% my own.*

Fun Date Ideas with Datevitation - Review and Giveaway!

It's Black Friday on Mommy's First Year! 

Today I'm sharing with you about a fun product called Datevitation - a custom gift book of coupons for your loved one. It would make the perfect Christmas gift for your...husband,wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, parent, or child! 

What's more...this custom gift book is the gift that keeps on giving with lots of fun date ideas! 

I don't know about you, but sometimes its hard to come up with gift ideas for my loved ones, or maybe it's even hard to think of only ONE gift because you could come up with so many ideas. 

Well, Datevitation would be the perfect gift! 

I know it's going to be perfect for my hubby whose love language is quality time! 

Datevitation.com is actually the web's first online platform to create a custom love coupon book. Unlike the pre-packaged love coupon books on the market, you get to be the one to custom pick the dates and even customize the text to your liking! Once you are done customizing your book {right down to adding your own faces!}, Datevitation will then print it out and ship it to you. It will arrive right at your door in this fun packaging! 

So how do you make one, you ask? 

Well, let me walk you through it! 

Go to www.datevitation.com and click on 'make your book'.

To ensure the book is designed to your gender needs, you will be able to select if you are a man/woman/boy/girl and who you are giving the gift too. This will give the correct bodies for the pictures on your coupons. 

You will then get to select a cover. There are over 100 cover options for you to choose from to suit any occasion...from birthdays to holidays to congratulations and just because, you will be sure to find what you are looking for! 

Next is the best part! You won't want to miss this step! 

Be sure to upload a picture of each person's face!! 

This will make your coupon book EXTRA special and personal as it will show you and your loved one doing the activity stated on the coupon. 

How fun is that!??! 

As a side note, if you are a girl with short hair, you may have to pick your hair from the men's options...or choose something a little longer. Other than that, this part is my favorite part of the coupon book! 

Next you get to pick your dates. 

The standard coupon book contains 5 date coupons for $25 but you can add additional date coupon pages for $1 each. 

As I mentioned above, these coupon books are good for ANY loved one! It's perfect for a boyfriend, girlfriend or spouse, but it's also great for kids and parents! Datevitation has recently added over 200 new activity illustrations specifically designed for families. 

And again, don't forget to add your own face :) Your kids will love this! 

But if you are making a coupon book for your sweetie, there are some "adult only" options too! From sweet and innocent to a little more hot and steamy too. No lack of creativity here! 

This also is great if you are in a date night "rut" with your love {or even your child} as their library offers over 500 date ideas! 

As I was making my book for my hubby {sorry love, I just ruined the surprise} I found some fun, new and exciting things for us! 

Finally, to finish up your book you can customize the phrases to go with each date. But, if you are unsure of what to say, lacking creativity, or even just in a hurry, each date comes with a phrase already! You can even keep part of the phrase and add in some of your own words. I liked that! You even can choose a statement from a handful of options for the intro page (kind of like in a card) or you can write your own message or request a blank page to hand write the message at home. 

I'm so excited to give my custom book to my hubby for Christmas! I think he is going to LOVE it! 

I'm even more excited to do some of our date ideas on the coupons! 

Since I made my own book already, I do have a tip for you as I kept getting frustrated as I was in a hurry and user error was slowing me down. 

As you are working on your book, be sure to always scroll to the bottom of the screen {or the top} and click 'save & continue' on the right. 

If you navigate back and forth with just the top tabs you keep losing your work {such as your added faces and changed text and date ideas}.

Now, before you run off to order your own custom coupon book, 

Datevitation is offering you, yes YOU, my lucky Mommy's First Year readers 

a special promo code! 

Books normally start at just $25, so it makes for a thoughtful yet economical gift. But as a special treat for you, my lucky readers, you can use the code 'MOMMY10' for $10 off your purchase PLUS free shipping!! That's a total value of $13.50 meaning you could get your loved one a one-of-a-kind gift for Christmas starting at just $15! 

The order cut-off date for guaranteed delivery by Christmas is December 13th so make sure to get your order in before then!

You even have a chance to WIN a free book! 

Enter below via Rafflecopter for a chance to win. 

The giveaway will end on December 6th. Datevitation will select a winner via Rafflecopter within 24 hours and email the winner a promo code for their free book as well as redemption instructions. 

I hope you have as much fun making your book as I did and that your loved ones love it too! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**I received a custom gift book free of charge for the purpose of this review,

but all opinions are 100% my own. **

Sleep, Where Art Thou, Sleep??? Enter Baby Merlin Magic Sleepsuit : Product Review

Christian was back to his birth weight before he was even a week old and once we didn't have to wake him up every 3 hours to eat, he immediately started sleeping 6-7 hours straight! This kid was a pro sleeper...just like his mama! I love my sleep, so I was a very HAPPY mama too! 

I used to joke that "God knows I can't handle not getting sleep, so he gave me a good sleeper." 

Then it happened...I put his "Slept through the Night" sticker on his calendar the day before he was 12 weeks old... and then he STOPPED sleeping through the night!

I think I jinxed myself because at this point this kid was sleeping 9-10 hours straight on a consistent basis! I was in love with swaddles and swearing by them, even buying all my new mom friends a SwaddleMe for their newborns! 

But also right around the 12 week mark, our little guy started trying to roll over from his back to his tummy and was often getting to his side...so we decided it was time to part ways with the SwaddleMe and break out the Halo Sleep Sacks and just swaddle him arms out. 

The first few nights it wasn't a major difference and decided we would just keep trying it. Then time got away from us and it was nearly a month later and we were realizing that Christian was waking up
 A LOT! 

In fact, a few nights he was up every 1-2 hours! This kid had NEVER done this even as a newborn. What was going on!?! We tried swaddling him arms in again and our sleep still didn't returned...at least not in his crib. 

So I got desperate. Despite our Pediatrician recommending waiting until 6 months to start rice cereal, we started rice cereal at 4 months. And the night that he had his first taste of rice cereal (and loved it by the way) he was awake FOUR times! That surely wasn't the answer. So whoever says cereal will make your baby sleep through the night is not always right....

We returned to some of our old sleep practices of napping in the swing...and even sleeping in the swing at night. While the swing gave him some better naps during the day, it didn't get me more than 2.5 - 4 hour stretches of sleep at night. 

Here is what we had done for sleep: 

Black out curtains in his bedroom 

White Noise

Swaddled arms out 

Swaddled arms in (used to get 10 hours until we switched to arms out)

Sleeping in his swing 

We had tried EVERYTHING...and our 10 hours straight had yet to return. 

Then entered Baby Merlin's Magic Sleepsuit.

I'm not even sure how I heard about this miracle product, but I am SO excited to be able to share it with you!! I really believe that this Sleepsuit is the answer to our sleep prayers! 

Here is what our nights would often look like BEFORE the Magic Sleepsuit:

(I tracked Christian's sleep for a few nights so I could really see the change) 

Night #1 - Bed at 8:45pm, Awake at 1:30am, 5:30am, Up for the day at 8:30am

Night #2 - Bed at 9pm, Awake at 11pm, 12pm, 2am, 4am, 7am, Up for the day at 9:20am

Night #3 - Bed at 9:30pm, Awake at 11:45pm, 4:55am, Up for the day at 9am

Some nights were better, some nights were worse...but NEVER was it as good as when he was swaddled arms in. 

And AFTER the Magic Sleepsuit: 

Night #1 - Bed at 9:15pm, Cried at 4:27am and gave pacifier and went straight back to sleep, then awake at 7:37am to eat and back to sleep until 11am!!
Every night since - Bed by 9/9:30pm, awake between 6 and 7am (about a 9-10 hour stretch) and back to sleep until around 11am!

Magic Sleepsuit During Nap Time: 

BEFORE:
(When swaddled arms in and in the swing)
Nap #1 - Usually about 1.5 hours from 10am-11:30am
Nap #2 - Consistently about 2 hours from 1pm-3pm

(When swaddled arms out)
Awake for an hour
Nap for an hour
Awake for an hour
Nap for an hour
This was our routine...all.day.long.

AFTER:
(with Magic Sleepsuit)
Nap #1 - About 2 hours from 1pm-3pm
Nap #2 - Not always consistent yet as we are still trying to figure out the new schedule but usually around 4pm for up to 2.5 hours!

At about 4 months old, Christian needs approximately 14-15 hours of sleep per day. Our sleepy little guy is now getting about 16-18 hours of sleep per day! So either he needs more sleep than most (like his mama), he is growing, or he is catching up on his lack of sleep before the Magic Sleepsuit!

He now falls asleep happy and wakes up just as happy!

When swaddling is no longer safe, I'm a believer that Baby Merlin's Magic Sleepsuit is the key to a silent night! 


via
Available in blue, yellow and pink. 

You are probably wondering, "Where can I get my own Magic Sleepsuit!?!?"

1. On the Magic Sleepsuit website
*A few options here: 'gently used' option for 50% off the full price and the '2 Sleepsuit' Deal*
*Be sure to like Baby Merlin's Magic Sleepsuit on Facebook to receive 15% off your order*

2. On Amazon

3. Through Isis Parenting

4. At Amma Parenting in Edina, MN

These are just a few ways you can make your purchase. Visit Baby Merlin's Magic Sleepsuit on Facebook to find even more locations that are selling the sleepsuit!
The Magic Sleepsuit is currently available at retailers in the United States, Canada, and Ireland.

My Favorite Things About Baby Merlin's Magic Sleepsuit

1. Christian is sleeping through the night again
2. He falls asleep happy (on his own)...no fussing or crying
3. He takes good naps
4. It's safe to use once baby can roll

One other thing you may be wondering is, "Will my baby overheat?" or
"Can he just sleep in his snowsuit?" 

As thick and bulky as the sleepsuit looks, it is very breathable. Christian has been wearing his regular jammies (a sleeper and a onesie) to bed and not once has he woken up sweaty or overly warm. There have actually been times that he has seemed almost chilly. With the breathable neckline, open hands and open feet, heat is able to escape and keeps baby from overheating. I feel that the sleepsuit is comparable to a sleepsack or swaddle when it comes to warmth. While I have not used the sleepsuit during the heat of summer, I think that most babies would be fine when dressed in only a onesie or even just a diaper with the sleepsuit during warmer months.

As far as just letting baby sleep in his snowsuit...I would be more concerned about baby overheating this way. Snowsuits are designed to keep baby warm and cozy. The sleepsuit is designed based on the coziness of a snowsuit, but with breathability. I would feel that the sleepsuit is a much safer option as well.

It's important to also point out that the sleepsuit does not prevent night waking from teething or sickness. Sorry folks.

It is also best introduced around 3-4 months once baby is breaking out of the swaddle or starting to roll.

Also, in addition to the sleep suit, a good sleep environment is also key. The Sleep Expert, Kim West, also known as "the sleep lady," has partnered with Baby Merlin's Magic Sleepsuit.  She mentions the Magic Sleepsuit in her article, "How to Wean Your Baby From Swaddling".

In keeping with good sleep habits, here is what we continue to do in addition to using the Baby Merlin's Sleepsuit.

1. Bedtime Routine

2. Black out curtains

3. White Noise

Baby Merlin's Magic Sleepsuit was actually designed by a mom whose baby slept great until about 3 or 4 months when he no longer fit the swaddle. Her baby would sleep great if he was in a stroller, car seat or snowsuit...so she created a sleepsuit of her own! That sleepsuit is now available to you as Baby Merlin's Magic Sleepsuit!

The main purpose of Baby Merlin's Magic Sleepsuit is to help babies transition from the swaddle. 
And just like "magic" that's what it does! 


via

I'm not the only one who has had this magical experience.
Sarah Ivens and Ali Landry have both shared about the Magic Sleepsuit on their blogs. The Magic Sleepsuit has also been featured in several magazines and even NBC 10 News!

You can also read TONS of testimonials on the Magic Sleepsuit website. I always question "testimonials" but I'm here to tell you THEY ARE TRUE for the Magic Sleepsuit!

We have experienced this magic and hope you will too! 



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**I received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review,
but all opinions are 100% my own. I received no other compensation.**