June 20, 2010

Infantino: Baby Gear You’ll Love

I’ve been working with the fabulous consultants at Mom Central for quite some time and was offered the opportunity to test drive some awesome baby products from Infantino. I’m on my second go-round of motherhood and while I saved most of the gear I used with Dawson, I realized how worn out it had become because he played hard with his toys.

Infantino sent three products for us to try: the Twist & Fold Activity Gym, the Fold & Go Bouncer, and the Jumbo Wheel Play Space.  When the box arrived I was very excited to rip it open and see what was inside.  My first impression was very positive.  These products are bright and colorful without being too busy and over-stimulating.  I love the jungle themed activity mat with the lion, monkey and elephant hanging down from the crossbars.  Owen loves the activity gym as evidenced here:

Infantino Fold & Go Activity Gym

The Jumbo Wheel Play Space is so much fun!  There are so many things that grab his attention, from the rings to the squeaker in the elephant’s hat, to the crinkly ears on the elephant and monkey.  Check out this happy baby:

He is fascinated with mirrors and both these toys include them in the fun. My little loves to look at “the baby” in the mirror. It’s even more fun when he catches a glimpse of Mommy, Daddy or Big Brother Dawson in it, too. We took this wheel mat to the park with us and five other moms commented on how big the play space is and how much they love the colors.

Lastly, we received the bouncer. Owen is just growing too quickly; the chunky monkey barely fits in the seat, but he still loves the toy bar and the vibrating chair:

I love that this bouncer can go anywhere! It folds flat and fits nicely in the trunk (along with the stroller and diaper bag and every other baby item imaginable!). It has soothing vibrations, and by pressing a button you get a heartbeat and 2 nature sounds as well as three different melodies and volume control. This bouncer is full of options for being so compact!

My best friend recently gave birth to her first child and I’ve recommended Infantino products to her because I truly believe that Infantino puts a lot of thought into their products. Not only do they care about our precious babies, but they come up with unique designs and features that appeal to us picky parents, too. Kudos to you, Infantino!

For more information about these products click the links above or visit www.infantino.com.

June 13, 2010

Summer, Summer, Summertime

Once again, the blogger formerly known as Dana (okay, I’m still going by Dana but that line just sounds cool), has come back to blog. I’m sure this will be like all the other times. Write a post. Give excuses. Apologize for lack of blogging. Promise to blog more regularly. Go back to life’s demands. Forget to blog for a day week month.

This shit is getting old.  Yes, I said shit.  I can’t help it.  I’m reprimanding myself for not blogging.  Again.

The big news of the past few months:

Dawson has finished his year of 4K (4-year-old kindergarten).  He had a wonderful year.  He started out shy and quiet and ended the school year as a bright, outgoing and super happy boy.  He did miss half of the last day of school because he threw up.  It was the day of his 4K concert and I’m thinking the usual nerves that come with stardom got the better of him.  His teacher called for me to pick him up early.  I was bummed to miss all the little ones singing songs and dancing the hokey pokey, but I was more nervous about my son being sick. Turns out he was fine the next day.  I’m blaming stage fright.

Owen is almost 8 months old.  He’s nearly 25 pounds, almost 29 inches in length and he eats a lot.  We’re still nursing, too.  My baby has no intentions of weaning and I’m okay with that.  I just don’t know where he puts everything he consumes!  He eats rice cereal in the morning, baby food 3 times a day and nurses quite a bit throughout the day and evening.  He has been sleeping through the night, save for a few growth spurts that have caused him to wake up at 3 a.m. for a snack.  He will be the child to eat us out of house and home.  He is going to be a linebacker in the NFL.  Mark my words.  You should see his thighs.  Massive.

I have gone back to work.  I started a job with a temp agency back in February and have been working part-time hours ever since.  I like the flexibility that this opportunity brings.  I’m able to be home with my munchkins for the most part, but I also get to interact with adults and bring home a little cash, too.  I’m still searching for a full time job (since my contract with BlogHer ended in October) but this economy hasn’t rebounded as quickly as I’d hoped.  I’ve had interviews left and right, but the trouble is there are so many applicants for so few positions.  I’m just taking my time, trying to find the right job.  I had an interview last week that was fantastic and they will be contacting me this week with their decision.  Wish me luck!

Our calendar has been packed with parties and events.  We had two graduation parties we attended that last two Saturdays, not to mention church picnics, birthday parties and kids adventures.  I have been taking Dawson to the Lowe’s Build & Grow project days and he has such fun building the kits.  Yesterday he made a picture frame.  It is really cool.

This summer is looking good, too.  Two weddings, a bridal shower, baby shower and a mini-vacation are coming up.  I’m very excited!  I’m keeping the kids busy with swimming lessons, and Dawson is playing T-Ball and Soccer this summer.  I want him to have as much fun as he can before kindergarten starts this fall.

What are you all doing these days?  Any big summer plans?