Mad Props to the bottle sterilizer

So, a good friend of mine kept telling me I needed to get a bottle sterilizer. I didn't feel the need to for 2 reasons, 1. I would just sterilize them in a big pot on the stove and 2. I wasn't going to pay $50 for one, OUTRAGEOUS! Well, being the gargae sale queen that she is, she decided she was going on a hunt for a bottle sterilizer for me. She had great success and I've gotta say, I am happy she did. After washing it in the dishwasher and figuring everything out, I sterilized the bottles. It took 2 minutes in the microwave, then I let them sit for a few minutes and voila! I used to sit over the boiling pot in my kitchen for at least 20 minutes, NOT ANYMORE! If you sterilize your bottles and want more time in your day, this is the answer!

These are the 3 pieces to the simple bottle sterilizing system.

You fill this up with 7 ounces of water, add the bottles and/or bottle pieces and your ready to go!

Pop the lid on, and microwave...don't worry If you don't have advent bottles, I use Dr.Browns glass bottles, so  I lay them down and it works the same as it would if they were standing up.

It's no bath, without fun!

Fun colors and great shapes....and edible, haha, that's why the third ball is missing!

I had purchased Sassy bath toys for the babe to play with during cleaning time, and they are bpa free. Well they have little holes in each one to allow water to get in, and I had noticed on one of them that there was a black ring around that hole. I checked the rest of them, and they all had it. This was disgusting to me and didn't seem healthy...soooooo I threw them away immediately. With that said, I was on the search for new bath toys because Stella loves to play in the tub. I looked on all the organic websites and kept coming across the 'bath goods' bath toys by BOON. I was attracted to the colors and texture of the them. So then I was on the search to find the best price. I ended up finding them cheapest on Amazon.com, paying $18 with shipping. They have a soft/sturdy texture to them, as soon as I gave them to the babe she instantly put it in her mouth, like all toys, and chewed away. The great thing about them is that they are flat, so no holes to get black mildew build-up. They are fun for the littles to play with because they float and, when wet, they stick to the bath tub. The set that I bought came with 15 of the floaties, 3 balls and 2 loofahs. They have smaller sets as well. Stay AWAY from the bath toys that have holes, they collect mildew...even if you do clean your bathtub once a week! This bath set ranks very high in my books:)

TOXINS, AHHHHH!

I am really into the toxicity level of products and decided to check the wipes that I use. There is an awesome website out there, http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/, that allows you to search the level of toxins in a product...0=best and 10=health hazard. I used to use the huggies natural and unscented wipes, *wink* *wink* 'natural', and now I have been using the target brand, up and up, because they are a lot less expensive. They don't have the up and up wipes on the website but they do have the huggies and they rated a "4". So something that is supposed to be so natural, isn't. Now I am on a mission, my mission is to make homemade organic wipes. Not only will they be safer for my babes, but it will also save me money. Wish me luck! And don't worry, I will blog about my experience and take pictures along the way. Check out the website and see the toxicity level of the wipes you use!

Reviews and Recalls

I have found a couple of websites that are really good for reviews and/or recalls on products. In my search of a lightweight stroller, I found that the ones I thought would be the best, aren't. Remember, safety first!!! http://www.infantproductreviews.com/ , http://www.babycenter.com/product-recall-finder , http://www.babyzone.com/safety/recalls/photos_2010-recalls-toy-gear/ . Happy hunting for the best!

Is that table clean?

Covers large space

Lays nice and flat and the cup hanging off is just the right length and width, catches a lot.

Going to restaurants and touching the table is disgusting enough for adults, but when your little one wants to touch everything they can get their hands on, it becomes even more disgusting. We were given, as a gift, the best thing to prevent your child from touching the table. It's like a place mat, but has a rubbery material and suctions to the table. It's a nice size for small arms, it covers a big enough area that their little hands don't go beyond the mat. It has a little cup like thing at the bottom of it to catch little food particles....as you know, those things go everywhere! Not only that, if your little lady/man what something to put in there mouth, this is a lot better than the edge of the table! Once your babe is big enough to sit at the table, I suggest getting this! One of the best features...it rolls up and fits perfectly into diaper bag....or purse! http://www.justkidsstore.com/prod/kiddopotamus/tiny-diner-portable-placemat/Blue. This is the cheapest I have found it, with shipping price. Check it out!

Leg warmers....or leg crawlers, whatever you'd like to call them!

I got a pair of leg warmer looking things, for the babe, from my mom at my shower. Thought they were cute, but didn't know if they would EVER get used. Well I was wrong, now that she is crawling they have been the best thing ever. We have all hardwood floors that hurt the little knees, but carpet does as well, they both leave the knees looking red. These 'leg crawlers' keep this from happening, no red knees! If you have a crawler, get these! These are the cheapest I have found, $8/pair: http://www.etsy.com/shop/fategoddess

On her way.....

Yes, it is cute to see the little in these

And it's ok to keep them on while standing, once again, CUTE

From Baby Gap, thicker fabric around the knees for padding.

Coloring...yes you've got it, non-toxic style

I purchased these crayons from Baby Gap, but saw them on websites and wanted them. I paid $5.50 for a box of 6, but you can purchase them on amazon, a box of 9 for $5.36. Once again they are non-toxic........and have a cute little rocket shape which makes it easy for little hands to hold. Check 'em out, folks!

Looks good enough to eat!

Very easy to hold

Look at that little hand go