A Supportive Community for New Moms: Playtex Mom Trust

I still fondly remember my first days of being a new mom.
It was a weave of emotions: contentment, bliss, anxiousness, uncertainty.

After successfully placing our car seat inside our car with our newborn daughter inside, the hospital in the distance as we slowly (very slowly...) drove away, both my husband and I sat in silence and wondering in our heads: That's it. We're on our own now. 
We were young, inexperienced and although elated and overjoyed to have our little girl coming home, we didn't know what to expect.

Me with 5 Week Old Ava (2008)

This is so common for all new moms. I even had a whole new bout of emotions after my 2nd child was born -- I even suffered from post-partum blues (see my post here).
I believe it's just the motherly protectiveness that overpowers and because we just want to make sure they're OK.

It's always great to have support and advice from seasoned mothers and even just solace from other mothers that are going through the same thing.

I was happy to learn of Playtex Mommyville. 

The Playtex Mommyville Community brings new Canadian moms and moms to be together to share moments, thoughts and tips about caring for your newborn.

When my daughter was born, I relied only on my mom and other family and friends and of course my doctor. There were often times that I needed some reassurance with issues that my mom or friend never experienced with their child.

I wasn't really as active online so I didn't utilize the benefits of a supportive online community.

Benefits of being a mom in Generation Z!

I was happy to be chosen to be part of the new Mom Trust Program which is affiliated with Playtex Mommyville. I jumped at the opportunity to participate because I understand and appreciate how valuable a community like Mom Trust is for all new moms alike.
The Mom Trust program is a virtual, North American network of moms (10 from Canada and 10 from the US). The vision for this program is to have influential moms share their stories, tips, insights and unique experiences of motherhood, while also providing reviews on amazing Playtex products.

Did I mention I cannot live without my Playtex Diaper Genie Elite?
Check out what a few of my readers that I gave the opportunity to test the Diaper Genie Elite had to say here.

Still wondering what the advantages are of joining the Mommyville Community?
You will get:

• special offers
• create a personalized profile
• monthly sweepstakes - each month they offer contests and promotions
• reviews of Playtex products
• customized newsletter based on age or due date of your child to your inbox
• articles and Baby FAQ section to find empowering information to help you along the way

To join the Mommyville Community, sign up here.
You can also join them on Facebook at Facebook.com/playtexmommyville .

Navigate the exciting and sometimes challenging world of motherhood with us! Take Care.




----
Disclosure: I am part of the Mom Trust Program with Playtex and receive compensation as part of my affiliation with this group; however all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Read More

Diaper Diaries: Beware of the Teething Poopies + Diaper Genie Elite #Giveaway

Their sweet smell, the beautiful sounds of their laughter, their super cute, chubby little fingers and toes... Babies... What is that smell?! 

Warning: Excessive use of the word "Poop" ahead. Proceed with caution.

Oh how we love our little ones but man are those dirty diapers deadly!

Nobody warned me about teething poopies. What are teething poopies you ask?

Google this: Teething and more pooping. 

My 12 month old son has been teething for the past few months but most recently within the last month till now (he's a late teether), he's been having a disproportionate amount of dirty diapers.

Way more than what I'm use to.

Initially I thought Is he sick? Should I take him to see the doctor?

But then a close friend that is also a nurse and works with family doctors all the time reassured me that this is very normal. As long as his #2's were not diarrhea (super watery), have blood or black then there's nothing to worry about.

*phew*

I knew he was OK, a mother's instinct always knows, because he ate well, he was in good spirits and totally normal... just extra poop!

And some of those extra poops were dangerous, explosive ones. Like the ones that would shoot up to baby's upper back or all over his thighs. Yeah, that kind. My fellow moms totally know what I'm talking about.

With all of that came the green-eyed diaper monster... diaper rash.

It was a bad one too. 

We changed up our entire diaper-changing routine to accommodate our baby's sore bum which included complete removal of baby wipes (we now use sensitive wipes which work best for my son's sensitive skin) and only cleaned him with water. 

After many failed attempts with different diaper rash creams and concoctions, I finally found the best one that worked for our sons rash: Equal parts cornstarch and vaseline. Mix them together and apply after a change (air dry for a bit to remove excess moisture).

We now use plain old cornstarch after each change and stay far away from any scented wipes or baby powder and it's doing the trick!

Here is how my diaper-changing station looks like on an average day (well, usually a little more messier than this!)

I'm sure I'm not the only mom with a bunch of interesting stories!

During the week of Sept. 23, the Playtex Mommyville Facebook page will be dedicated to Diaper Diaries, where fans can share their stories with others, creating a fun and informative dialogue all about the challenges of motherhood. 

Do you 'Like' them on Facebook yet? 

I'm sure you will get loads of laughs and relief reading all the great little stories other moms will be sharing during that week -- make sure to check them out! And perhaps share a story or two!

One of the must-have items in my changing room is my beloved Playtex Diaper Genie Elite.

It's a nose-saver and great to have during times like this.
Check out my review of the Diaper Genie Elite here.

Thanks to Playtex Mommyville, One of my readers will get the chance to win a great Playtex Diaper Genie Gift Pack which includes the Diaper Genie Elite and a Diaper Genie Portable Diaper Bag Dispenser {ARV $50}.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Read More

Making Some SmartSpace with Playtex + #Giveaway

If there's one thing I need to get back pre-baby, well aside from being able to fit into my old jeans or taking a quiet, uninterrupted shower, is my counter space.
My kitchen is important to me as I do a lot of cooking and baking and I don't have the most counter space as it is, so I'd very much appreciate having as much space as possible.
Playtex® understood that and created their Playtex® Smart™ Product Line to help bring back the space! I'm pretty sure the creator of this product line-up is a Parent.

I've got a gazillion baby products that tend to either be used once, a few times, often or not at all.
With a bottle-fed baby that is now also eating solids, my counter space is slowly becoming more and more limited.
One product from the Playtex® Smart™ Product Line that I am finding extremely useful is their Drying Rack.

The new Playtex^® SmartSpace^™ Drying Rack, is designed to save time and space with its vertical climbing wall and absorbent machine wash drying mat. 

It holds bottles, nipples, sippy cups, valves, straws, pacifiers and even the bottle brush. Aside from the obvious features, the one feature that I love most, next to the fact that it saves me space, that I did not have with my other drying racks was the absorbent microfiber drying mat at the bottom of the rack.

Why haven't all drying rack creators thought of this?

I use to have to put paper towel after paper towel or small dish towels underneath my drying rack to catch all the water that falls. Usually what happens is added work for me and a lot of wasted paper towel.

It was easy to assemble (even for someone like me that gets frustrated easily with zero patience for building) and put to use right away. You can even add or remove any pegs, shelves or caddies you don't need and instead of using both rack bases, you can even just use one. Functional Design!

It's also dishwasher safe.

Being a 2nd-time Mother of a baby, this product is really advantageous and wish I had this for my first.

The Playtex^® SmartSpace^™ Drying Rack is available at all major retailers and pharmacies across Canada for a suggested retail price of $20.

  

All Moms (and Dads that do dishes!) will really appreciate this product from Playtex^®.

Enter below via rafflecopter to win a Playtex^® SmartSpace^™ Drying Rack {ARV $20} of your own.

*Open to Canadian Residents only.

Contest ends April 28, 2013.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Read More

Personalized Books to Treasure for a Lifetime with Paper Hat Press

 

I was rummaging through my daughter's collection of toys, games and books one day in her room while attempting to do some early spring cleaning. I spent a few minutes reminiscing on the time we purchased each item for her, the sweet memories behind each one is priceless.

The grape juice stain on one the pages of her book, the missing eyeball on one of her bears... they all held a special memory.

It's one thing for us as parents to remember and share these with our children, but it's not always easy for them to remember for themselves.  They're too young.

This is why I have a fondness for personalized items. There's just something about seeing their name on something that gets them giddy with excitement and offers them a touch of super stardom (of course they are super stars in our eyes, right?)

On top of that, having their name on something let's them know that that particular item belongs just for them. And you know how territorial these kids can get.

I came across Paper Hat Press and knew I just had to have one of their custom hard cover books just for my little girl.

She loves to read!

What is so exclusive about this custom book is that it's very personalized to your child, not just with their name, but their appearance, their unique interests and qualities and even a chance to include the name of their sibling and parents/caregiver too.

Constructed in a beautiful hard cover filled with vibrant pages of images and a wonderful and engaging storyline, this is the perfect gift for your child, or even as a great custom gift for your niece, nephew, grand-child, etc.

It was extremely easy to create online.

You can even choose the child's eye/hair/skin colour and length of hair to resemble the child and another special add-on -- the ability to add a personal dedication in the beginning of the book.

It's like you're the author!

Just 3 easy steps and your custom book will be on it's way to you!

1) Choose a book based on the child's age and gender.

2) Personalize the book by simply entering basic and optional information about the child (name, birthday, favorite food, etc.) on the guided order form. Customize the character (choose eye color, hair color, length and style, skin tone) to resemble the child you are buying the book for. Add a personal dedication for the child.

3) Receive your personalized book within 1 week via express FedEx shipping, or within 2 weeks via standard FedEx shipping.

I was impressed with how quickly I received my book!

Each book comes specially wrapped in kraft paper that can be folded into a paper hat!

I was instantly satisfied with the book the moment I held it in my hands and with the cover alone.

The book was filled with 25+ pages of personalized content (so you're not just getting a hard cover book with very little pages -- this offers a lot more!) and the little girl in the book really reminded me of my Ava! From the hair right down to the boots. Amazing. I know the boots was a coincidence but just the appearance alone blew me away.

 

We chose Little Sparkle because I always tell my daughter that she lights up our world.

This is what we added as our special dedication to her right on the first page of her custom book.

I know that she can keep this book with her forever, even onto adult age and perhaps even share with her future daughter and always remember these cherished words from her Mommy and Daddy.

"May life never dull your sparkle. Shine Bright."

Reading the book together was such a treat for Ava.

The look on her face when she heard her name and even the name of her brother... priceless!

There are a lot of things I love. Products I endorse, recommend, and share with my audience. But I have to say that this may just be one of my absolute favourites.

It's one of those items that really tug at your heart strings and will forever hold a special place in your heart and those of the ones you love.

Our next purchase will definitely be for our little boy.

Currently the books are on sale for $31.95 from the usual $39.95, so it's a great opportunity to jump on it! 

PLUS, receive 25% off your next order by entering code PAPER25.  

If you want to learn more about Paper Hat Press and their selection of books, visit them at: www.paperhatpress.com.

Read More

Shower Her with Love: Baby Shower Gift Ideas

Pink and ivory confetti and balloons, beautiful cupcake tower, the serenity and beauty of tealight candles lit on each table and an abundance of love and laughter... I still remember my very first baby shower.

It was your traditional baby shower complete with friends & family, lots of good food, games, and of course plenty of gifts to shower baby girl and mom-to-be with.

Thanks to my mother and sister, it was a successful and absolutely perfect baby shower.

One thing that was not very traditional, was that it wasn't just women at the shower; I made it a point to have my husband by my side and my dad and all the wonderful men in my life to be a part of this as well.
This pregnancy was such a blessing and very much anticipated that I couldn't have any of them miss out on this.

We received so many wonderful baby shower presents, but among them all, there were definitely some that we made the most use of and honestly some that we barely did use unfortunately.

We always get excited, especially when it's our first opening our baby registry (I remember I was scanner-crazy, scanning almost everything I saw), but if I could go back in time, there would be plenty of items I wouldn't have bothered adding to it.

Although a gorgeous picture frame or picture album or a lit-up wall art of baby animals may sound cute... trust me, there are some things that are just not necessary and the mother really does not need.

Yes, it's the thought the counts, but in all honesty, let's get something that mom and baby could really use. 

I thought I'd compile a list of Baby Shower Gift Must-Haves for my new moms-to-be that are planning on opening a registry and also for those that are looking to purchase a gift for an upcoming baby shower.

We all know how much I LOVE Munchkin products! 

There are so many great items and what I love about their website is that they've made it simple for you by categorizing their products. 

Check out their Nursery Essentials for some great baby shower gift ideas.  

Among them, the Arm and Hammer ™ Diaper Pail has to be one of my favourite must-haves (if not #1)!  I'm using it now with a newborn and oh my goodness is it Godsend!  Not only is it easy to use, but it really eliminates the odour and carries a lot of dirty diapers too!  You can check out my recent post about this marvelous product here.

More amazing products from Munchkin that are definitely needed for the nursery are:

• Sarabear® Diaper Caddy (because they just look so much better in
•  this in the nursery & isn't it pretty?!)

• Diaper Duty Organizer (I know firsthand how crowded the changing table can get -- this is very helpful!)

• Deluxe Drying Rack (If you choose to bottle-feed, this is the perfect must-have product!)

• Their Bottle Warmers: Time Saver Bottle Warmer, Travel Bottle Warmer, & more!
• Any of their Safety products (Baby-proofing is always a must-do!)
• Any of their adorable Munchkin Baby Bath Products like their White Hot® Inflatable Safety Tub (it tells you when the water is too hot and it's super cute!)

And they also have many products that grow with baby, like their famous Click Lock™ Sippy Cups!

Make sure you check out their website at www.munchkinbaby.ca to view all their amazing products.

You can also visit and be a fan on Facebook for updates and amazing contests and giveaways!
Speaking of contests, Munchkin Canada has something brewing on Facebook.
Make sure you're a fan today!

Click here to be a FAN on Facebook! 

Other very important baby shower gift ideas that are very much needed by mom and baby are:

• Clothing Necessities. Newborn - 6 months baby Onesies (Short and Long Sleeve)/diaper shirts, Sleepers (These are a favourite of mine -- especially for babies born during the cooler months) socks/booties, mitts, caps and clothing.  Bibs are good too.
• Diapers, diapers and more diapers (& don't forget the diaper rash cream!).  A cute idea that I loved receiving and also a creative way to give diapers is the diaper cake.  How cute are they? 

• Bath and Body products (always go for something gentle and for sensitive skin just in case -- stay away from fragrant products) including Bath Towel (hooded & organic is always a much preferred choice for newborns), Body Wash (stick with fragrance-free and for sensitive skin), washcloths, and a bathtub.

One thing I also received during my baby shower and that I've also done for friends and family is to create a basket with an assortment of baby (and even mom) products.  Check these beautiful examples below.  So adorable!

• Humidifier or Vaporizer
• Nursing Products (for the mom that will be breast-feeding) like a Nursing Cover, Breast Pump, Nursing Pillow (transitions throughout baby's first year for multiple uses).
• A Diaper Bag. One of my favourite diaper bags that is also unisex (let's not forget dad-to-be!) is from 7 A.M. Enfant, their Voyage Diaper Bag.  You can see my review of this product here.
• Health Products like a Baby First-Aid Kit with all the essential items needed when baby gets sick or hurt.
• Baby Bouncer/Rocker
• Baby Carrier/Wrap

Another site that you will have to visit that will make baby shower gift shopping so much more easier is PTPA's website. Click here and check out their Baby Toddler Section with options per category.

You want to make sure you choose a baby shower gift that's a) on the mom-to-be's registry 

and b) a neutral style (mom-to-be may have a different taste than you do, so stick with neutral colors/styles).

It's always nice to ask what the nursery theme is (if there is one) -- this makes it easier for you to find the perfect gift.

This is such an exciting time for mom (and dad) -to-be and I hope this post helps you in choosing something just right.

**Disclaimer: As Brand Ambassador for Munchkin Canada, I have received products & compensation; however the opinions expressed are my very own.**

Read More

Buh-Bye Stinky Diapers: #MunchkinCanada Diaper Pail Review & Giveaway

Any day now, we are going to welcome our new little addition to our family.

Of course there is nothing but pure excitement (and chaos) all around as we prepare our son's nursery for his arrival.

As I go through all the nursery items we kept in storage for our little girl, I came across one of the most important items that was definitely a life-saver nose-saver -- The Diaper Pail! 

A flood of memories, funny and gross (but always cherished) came back to mind about the days when that pail was put to full use.  Those days are coming again! 

For all you experienced mother's (and father's), you know how foul that odour was when disposing dirty diapers without the proper diaper pail/bags.

There's no masking it!

We learned the hard way when we decided to be a little more frugal and just use regular garbage bags the good old-fashioned way.

Let's just say not only did our poor little girl's nursery reek for days, but so did parts of our home! P-U!

Let me introduce you to a revolutionary diaper pail -- the Munchkin® Arm & Hammer Diaper Pail!

This wasn't the diaper pail that I owned 3+ years ago, but the leading competitors so I had to know if this would measure up to it.

Having the great advantage of having close friends & family that have wee ones, I put it to the test during a recent play date with a friend that had twin babies (since my son wasn't available yet to be of assistance for this particular portion of the review).

-----------------------
**UPDATE: Since the birth of my son this past Friday, September 7th, and his arrival home on Sept 9th, let me just tell you that this diaper pail has been of much use! Considering the amount of diapers a little person can consume in only a week's time, my husband and I were amazed at how many diapers it was able to hold (we just changed a bag yesterday) and ZERO odour! We are loving this diaper pail in comparison to the one we used with our daughter in 2008 and truly recommend!
-----------------------

There's no getting past me when it comes to odour -- I can smell anything from a mile away, especially something that's off.  So I was very pleased to learn that this product definitely backed up it's promise.

Check out the awards on it too! It was chosen as top and coveted pick from some of the best (including PTPA!)

The Munchkin® Arm & Hammer Diaper Pail uses Arm & Hammer baking soda to help eliminate odours with an easy to use system:

• one handed operation
• patented self-sealing system seals the bag as the lid closes
• comes with 3 bag refills; more refills sold separately 

Okay, anybody that knows me (especially my husband), will tell you that I'm not so great when it comes to these kind of contraptions.  I want something that I can use (especially if I'm going to use it often), that is quick and very easy for me.  Otherwise, I'd lose my patience with it and ever want to use it again. 

True story.

This was very easy to use from the beginning to the end.

I especially love the fact that it includes a baking soda cartridge that absorbs the odor and dispenses it each time the lid is closed. Awesome feature!

You can check out a demo video here: http://bit.ly/TwdCjl

A full cartridge lasts over 90 days, and refilling is simple (no need for a separate deodorizer). Each bag holds up to 25 diapers and is easy to snap, seal and toss when full. The pail comes fully assembled and includes 3 Arm & Hammer Diaper Pail Refill Bags.

To purchase Refill Bags are inexpensive as well which is a big plus!

The Munchkin® Arm & Hammer Diaper Pail  retails for approximately $49.99 Cdn in most major retailers.

I think a fair price compared to it's competitor and for what it has to offer.

If you're on Facebook, make sure to constantly check up on their Munchkin Facebook page for a $10 instant rebate coupon for the diaper pail.

Another product that I absolutely love is their  Arm & Hammer™ 3-in-1 Potty Seat .  Mind you, my daughter is fully toilet-trained, but she uses it as a stepping stool now and we will definitely be using it for our son when it's his time to learn.

Here are some great potty-training tips and my experience with training from a previous post: http://bit.ly/QrDDiw.

I also love their Deodorizing Plug Protectors and Nursery Fresheners with Brackets to keep your space fresh and odour-free!

I truly believe you will love this diaper pail, that I'm giving one of my lucky readers a chance to win a Munchkin® Arm & Hammer Diaper Pail of their very own + a  Munchkin® Arm & Hammer™ 3-in-1 Potty Seat for your big-little kid that's ready to start (or is) potty/toilet-training!  

To enter, simply visit Munchkin Canada online and then leave a comment below telling me what your favourite feature is on the Munchkin® Arm & Hammer Diaper Pail. 

Simple!

Make sure you leave a comment for you to be eligible to win.  More additional entries and chances to win via rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Read More

Voyage in Style with 7 A.M. Enfant + Diaper Bag Giveaway

After becoming a mother, the one thing that I promised myself I would not sacrifice was my individual style and fashion sense.
Am I ever glad that there are brands out there created by individuals that understand the "au courant" Mom and strive to create products that cater to our everyday needs as busy parents yet still continue to follow fashion trends.

One wonderful example would be French Designer, Rebecca Campora, who founded 7 A.M.® ENFANT, a wide selection of versatile, urban and stylish baby accessories combining good design, fashion and versatility.
Made of the finest materials and outstanding craftsmanship, 7 A.M.® Enfant’s contemporary concept brings together innovation, quality, form, function and unique looks.

Based in New York City, the exclusively vibrant cultural metropolis, the brand reflects the designer and founder’s largest dreams and inspirations: A cosmopolitan, eclectic, colorful, tasteful… cultured and enriching life.




Expecting our 2nd, I was thrilled to receive 7 A.M. Enfant's Voyage Diaper Bag in Black/Grey from their Voyage Collection.

At first glance, it didn't even look like a typical diaper bag.
It has a unisex & urban design that I love, on top of that, I was amazed at all the amazing features this bag had (you wouldn't think it looking at it from the outside!). Nor is the bag heavy and tough to carry around.
Check out all the fabulous features!

The Voyage Diaper Bag includes:
- 1 zippered bottle holder/Lunch Box
- 1 Pouch/Clutch
- 1 Changing Pad

Features:

• 7AM® exclusive, signature “Door System”. With it’s zippered front opening and large built-in, see-through mesh case, tees, onesies, socks, etc stay organized and easy to access.
• Roomy interior and spacious compartments – Shoulder strap and fastening system allowing the “Voyage” bag to attach to any stroller handlebars.
• Two large outside pockets
• One built-in zippered Case
• Inside mesh pockets for baby’s necessities
• One zippered personal pocket
• Two outside pockets for portable phone
• Quick grab handles
• Water repellent outer-shell and lining
• Cushioned changing pad
• See through case for wipes and baby cloths
• Key and matching pouch holder

This bag comes in 4 colours: Metallic-Silver, Metallic-Prussian-Blue, Black, Metallic-Gold.

Price of this bag starts at $98.00 USD and comes in Small and Large. The bag featured here on my blog is the smaller size (but still very spacious!)

Small: 15"W x 10.5"H x 8"D

Large: 17"W x 12"H x 9"D

I absolutely love the style of this diaper bag and I cannot wait to put it to greater use in a few weeks!
What's even more awesome about this diaper bag that my husband loves as well is that because of the unisex style, even he is able to carry it around without sacrificing his masculinity!
This we found a huge problem with all the previous diaper bags we owned in the past.

Looks great on men too! 

You need to hop onto their website at www.7amenfant.com and check out all their incredible products including diaper bags, baby carrier covers, foot muffs, hats, booties & more!
All guaranteed to satisfy your impeccable and customary style.
You can also visit them on Facebook for updates & more!

While you're on their website, you may just want to head back over here and let me know what you're top 3 colors or products & features are for a chance to win your very own Diaper Bag from 7 A.M.® Enfant!

*Please make sure to follow rafflecopter instructions carefully to be eligible.

**OPEN TO US & CANADA 

Giveaway ends July 29, 2012.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

****
Disclaimer: I received a sample product from 7 A.M. ENFANT to conduct the review; however the opinions expressed are my very own.

Read More