“How long has it been since I last fed the baby?”

If you’ve ever asked yourself this question or any other baby care timing related questions, check out the coolest, must-have baby gadget on the market: ITZBEEN’s Baby Care Timer. You don’t have to be a gadget geek to use ITZBEEN’s Baby Care Timer (but if you are, you’re going to WANT to get your hands on this item!).

Winner of the 2007 iParenting Media Award and awarded the DadLabs.com #2 Dad Invented Product of the Year, ITZBEEN’s Baby Care Timer is the ideal tool for keeping track of everything baby. In addition to reminding you how much time has elapsed since baby last ate or napped, the gadget helps nursing moms remember the side upon which to next feed baby.

Perfect for mom or dad use–especially new, overtired parents who want a simple, push button reminder of the zillion timing details related to having a new baby.

A couple of years ago, a friend (and mom of three children) introduced me to the MeToo Portable Seat by Phil & Teds.  Finding the seat was a bit harder back then.  I vividly remember dashing store-to-store looking for the seat–now, the seat is available online, like at baby-Wise.com. 

The baby/toddler chair ranks near the top of my personal Best of the Best Baby Gear Purchases.  The MeToo is a practical portable high chair.  Perfect for bringing along to restaurants.  Lightweight, yet rugged, aluminum makes carrying the chair, along with the diaper bag and baby, a breeze.  I especially appreciate the MeToo when I go out to restaurants that prohibit the use of a real high chair at a booth due to fire code (hey, weren’t booths made for families in the first place?).  I simply attach the MeToo to the table within the seated booth area, and voila, my little one is at the same level as the rest of the family.

If you have a small home or need to conserve space, the MeToo is also a good substitute for a traditional high chair.  Some parents even use the MeToo on eat-in kitchen bars or islands.  Relatively speaking, the MeToo Chair is not that expensive given the potential frequency of use.  In my household, the MeToo is used everyday–at breakfast, lunch, dinner, among other times.  Talk about a good value.

If you’re looking for a great gift for expecting parents, or a gift for parents of a young child (the seat is designed for up to 40lbs), the MeToo is the perfect, ultra practical gift.  Given that the seat takes up little space, compared to a bulky, traditional high chair or tray-seat, and uses little packaging, I give the MeToo high marks in the eco-friendly department, too.

Is the MeToo one of your overall best baby purchases?    

I happened to find myself “window shopping” in a super pricey, albeit totally chic, brick and mortar baby store the other day.  I discovered two things (although the first I already knew, but reminders are ALWAYS useful):  (1) you generally get so much MORE bang for the buck when you shop online, and (2) there are some uber cool play baby photo albums (a.k.a. developmental photo toys) on the market.

Wondering why you’d ever give your baby a chewable photo album toy?  Well, for development purposes for starters.  Baby friendly photo albums or toys help baby develop familiarity with the displayed faces.  Baby and Mom (Dad, Grandma or the sitter) will find endless joy in playing “who’s that?” or peek-a-boo–and of course, in watching baby give ”kisses” to her favorite photos.  Photo albums or toys also encourage baby talk and giggles.  Colors, designs, and textures also captivate baby’s interest.

baby-Wise.com has a fabulous selection of baby photo albums, toys and cubes.   

Like this one, the Hello Baby Photo Cube by Sassy ($11.49), which introduces baby to fun noises when photos are pressed.  

And this one, the Whoozit Photo Album by Manhattan Toy ($15.95), which holds 5 4×6 images and has special flaps for peek-a-boo fun.

As I ripped apart a closet today looking through storage totes for a particular item, I came across an envelope of old photos.  By old, I mean…hmm, uh…a lifetime ago…sometime long before kids.  Those photos contained images of a college-aged me. 

Wow, I can’t believe that person is–was–me.  When I think about the then-me, I feel like the same person, just with a lot more life experience.  Me sans a husband or three children.  Sometimes, when I’m stressed out by the zillion things I have to do each day to keep the family ball rolling, I find myself longing for her.  Missing her. 

But, today when I looked at the photos of my younger self, for the first time I realized I didn’t long for her.  Sure, I felt a dose of nostalgia thinking about years past, but it hit me hard that I don’t want to be her–or wear her smile.

You see, as happy as that smile staring back at me in those photos looks, that smile knew nothing about the happiness that comes with motherhood.  She knew nothing about the pains or challenges of birthing babies or raising children.  She didn’t have a clue that in becoming a mother she would actually discover herself along the way.

I couldn’t have had better timing in discovering these photos today, given that a blogger at one of my favorite blogs posted a hilarious bit on “How things Change in 10 Years“–that is, once kids come into the picture!  Would the YOU 10 years ago have envisioned the YOU now sharing a bathroom with ”1,000 brightly-colored bath toys“?

Would you go back 10 years if you could–to a time when your closets weren’t jammed packed with baby & kid stuff?

This evening while walking with my children through an airport terminal to catch a flight, I overheard a woman making much ado about the assortment of restaurants at the airport. She was truly ecstatic about the variety. I can still see her waving her hands at the eatery display board and hear her voice reciting the list to her child. Subway. Pizza Hut. McDonalds. Starbucks. Yada Yada…. I couldn’t help but wonder “what’s the big deal?” Even my two year old wouldn’t get this worked up about these places–okay, I admit most of them are old hat–especially Starbucks.

Then while on the plane, I found myself thinking again about that woman’s reaction. Maybe she simply never eats out–with or without her child. I know there are plenty of families who don’t eat out much, if at all, due to finances or food allergies, among other reasons. Maybe I just eat out way too much. After all, my preschooler already recognizes the differences between Caribou’s cocoa and Starbuck’s, and the differences in sub preparation at Quiznos and Subway. My toddler even knows what restaurant tables work best with the Phil & Teds Me Too Chair.

So, now I’m really curious. How often do you eat out with your children? And…what’s “normal”?

Feeling lucky?  If you’re a fan of Chicco products, you might want to try your luck at winning a You & Me Soft Infant Carrier.  Chicco is giving away an Infant Carrier a day.

I vividly remember my first Chicco purchase.  When I was pregnant with my third child and could no longer carry my toddler comfortably on short errands (like into the post office), I decided I needed a lightweight umbrella stroller.  Thinking that I’d use one only for a couple of months, until the baby arrived–at which point I’d whip out my Joovy Caboose–I zipped over to a big box retailer to buy a cheapo ”disposable” stroller. 

My plan quickly changed.  Once there, I immediately fell in love with a lightweight, stylish (retro!) Chicco.  The price seemed reasonable for the quality and incredible ease of use.  Plus, it’s oh, so  smooth!  

My “disposable” tune also changed.  Chicco’s products are far from disposable.  Not only did I end up using the Chicco longer than I expected, but my Chicco stroller ranks at the top of my favorite stroller purchases–and gee, I’ve made far too many of those (looking for “the one”) over the years.

Chicco makes more than strollers, too.  Like ”smart” baby toys, such as Super Rocking Rings, travel seats, and colorful activity tables.  If style is your thing, Chicco tends to use fashionable colors and patterns with its products, too–check out this high chair print.

Are you a Chicco fan, too?     

Yesterday, I took my children to one of the coolest playgrounds on the planet.  The scene reminded me of a mall on Black Friday.  It was packed.  Children everywhere.  Moms.  Dads. Grandparents.  Nannies.  

Besides people, there were a ton of strollers–and lots of bulky ones that made navigating through the crowd visibly challenging. 

Although I didn’t wheel a stroller to the playground, I did arrive with one of my favorite loves, the Ergo.  As I stood (with baby happily and comfortably nestled in the Ergo) watching my preschooler play on playground equipment, a mother pushing the coolest double buggy approached me. 

“It looks like we’re the smart ones,” she said pointing to my Ergo and her Phil & Teds Stroller Buggy.  I quickly agreed.  There is nothing quite like having baby gear that gives you incredible maneuvering power, comfort, and convenience.

Had I brought my old WIDE double jogging stroller (like so many parents at the park had done), it would have been impossible to keep up with my child at the playground.  Phil & Teds Sport Stroller Buggy actually gives you seating for two–but only takes up the space of a single stroller.  If this product had been on the market just a bit earlier, I would have put it on my own baby shower gift list.  Buying it would have been a no brainer.

Plus, if you add that the stroller comes in a variety of colors, including the shade of green that is perfectly sporty and hip, there’s no doubt in my mind that Phil & Teds makes the coolest double buggy on the planet.

If you’re looking for a little extra incentive to buy your dream buggy today, check out baby-Wise.com, which has teamed up with Phil & Teds to offer you an amazing deal–a free doubles kit with the purchase of a special sport stroller, PLUS free shipping.      

Have you ever wondered about the differences between humidifiers, dehumidifiers and vaporizers?  Or tried to figure out why other parents get so pumped up when they talk about their child’s adorable animal or Thomas the Train character humidifier?

Until the pediatrician suggested I pick up a humidifier a couple of years ago to relieve my child’s congestion, I didn’t really understand the value of a humidifier.  In fact, I didn’t even think they were safe, especially around children.  That’s when I did a little homework to figure out what I didn’t know.

I learned that humidifiers and vaporizers add moisture to the air.  Dehumidifiers do the opposite.  They take moisture out. When your little one is congested due to a cold and has trouble sleeping comfortably, infusing moisture into the air can be a good thing.  Moisture even helps ward off dry skin and chapped lips.   

The notable difference between humidifiers and vaporizers is the temperature of the released mist.  Humidifiers tend to release cool or warm mist, but vaporizers (i.e. steam vaporizers) release hot mist. 

Hot mist poses a burn danger to children.  That’s why cool mist humidifiers are the choice for children’s rooms or when children are around the house.      

Cool mist humidifiers can provide instant relief from stuffiness and are often useful throughout the year–they can even eliminate those static electricity zaps!  Given the number of colds children will likely have in just the first few years alone, a cool mist humidifier is practically an essential.       

Wondering what to look for in a humidifier?  Here are a few features to look for:

–cool mist

–variable humidity control

 –quiet motor

–auto shut-off

–energy efficiency

–if special filters are required, ease in finding “replacements”

The flu has hit home. My household had a brush with what I thought was the flu a couple of weeks ago, but obviously it was not the flu. Maybe a cousin or distant relative, but a far cry from what has now taken up residence in my home. Lysol has become a good friend. Speaking of which, according to Dr. Jim Sears and Lysol, these are the five best things you can do to safeguard against the flu:

1. Frequent hand washing. Think soap and water, or hand sanitizer.
2. Regular surface disinfection. Disinfecting surfaces like counters, faucets and doorknobs keeps you healthy. I’ve been using Lysol wipes this time around–so much easier than pulling out separate cleaning products and towels.
3. Good nutrition and regular exercise. Eating well and exercising helps to boost your immune system, so you can better ward off illness.
4. Stay well-stocked. Keep cleaning supplies, soaps, and medicines on hand, so you have them when you need them. I’ve discovered kid-friendly “sore throat” lolli-pops are a good addition to the medicine chest.
5. Talk with your doctor, in advance. Discuss what, if any, steps you should take to stay healthy (e.g., flu shot) and learn what medicines you should keep in your home–so you are prepared when the cold or flu strikes.

Since I’m convinced that my toddler’s contact with a germ infested shopping cart has something to do with this plague, I think cart cover is a reasonable addition to the list. Oh, and add lots and lots of laundry detergent to the list, too.

What additions would you make to this list?

If you’re planning to hit the beach with your kids to escape winter, don’t forget to pack these 7 sun essentials:

1. Sunblock. Sunblock shields against ultraviolet rays that cause skin cancer and prevents sunburn. Besides looking for a high SPF value, look for a waterproof, hypoallergenic, and tear-free formula to keep the kids happy.

2. Sun Hat. My favorite pick is a floppy hat, like Patagonia’s Floppy Sun Hat.

3. Beach tent. Whether you’re at the beach or a park with your baby, a sun dome is a must have. Look for a tent that provides instant shade and is easy to pack in a carrying case.

4. Safety SunBlock Shields. Whether driving to your destination or simply touring around in the sun, car sun shades keep your kids comfortable and safe. Munchkin even makes a sun shade with a heat alert feature, that let’s you know whether your car’s temperature is safe for your child.

5. Stroller Shade. If your stroller isn’t already equipped with a shade, you’ll definitely want to bring one along if you plan to spend much time outside in the sun.

6. Water Bottle or Sippy Cup. Make sure your kids stay well hydrated with their very own water bottle or insulated sippy cup. My top picks: an eco-friendly SIGG water bottle or a Munchkin insulated sippy cup by

7. Beach toys. Every trip to the beach needs toys, especially those for making sandcastles and digging in the sand!

Happy Travels!