Yummy Baby

Although we homemake much of our baby food, we have found that there is a lot to be said for the jarred variety, especially when it comes to fruit. By the time Shelby finished one fresh apple, we probably would have a few rottens ones, so I carefully made the decision to introduce jarred foods. My choice is Beech-Nut. I have very personal reasons involved here. The company is based in upstate NY near where my father is from. Beyond that, though, I like the company's website which lists which foods are gluten-free, Kosher, Kosher Dairy, Kosher for Passover, contain soy or have milk products. Luckily I don't have to be concerned with any of these things, but it is very nice to have easy access to them. I'm sure that there is nothing wrong with any other brand of food, but I have also found Beech-Nut to be the most reasonably priced. So, if you are like us and enjoy making your own food, but need a little help, give Beech-Nut a try!

It really is Magic!

Okay, before I was a mother to a baby girl, I was the mother to two dogs (a friend of mine once protested when I said I wasn't a mother stating matter of factly that if you have to feed them and clean up after them, you are their mother). My dogs play rough with one another. The also rub against and jump up on walls. Not to mention the damage my husband can incur. So, when the Mr Clean Magic eraser came out, I bought one that week. We go through these like you wouldn't imagine to clean walls, floors and shower bottoms. They are awesome! A friend, whose very artistic daughter drew a mural with the big box of Crayola's on her bedroom wall, can testify that yes, crayon does come off with this product. The best thing, all you need is water and NO NOXIOUS FUMES! And if you want more results check out the Mr Clean website!

A New Classic

The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See. And now, Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me. Eric Carle has done it again. This beautifully illustrated fold-out book tells the story of Monica who would like nothing more than to play with the moon so she asks her father to get it for her. This loving tale of a father willing to go to any lengths for the child he loves has become an instant classic in our home where a certain little girl has her father wrapped around her baby pinkie finger. Carle is an amazing author and illustrator and dedicates this book to his own daughter. A wonderful bedtime story book for children of all ages and even children at heart.

Fudge Pie

You want a really simple pie your kids will eat for Turkey Day. Rather than just letting chocolate pudding sit in a pie crust, try this easily baked recipe. You probably have all the ingredients right there in your kitchen now!

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup all purpose flour

1/4 cup cocoa

1/2 cup butter (skip the oleo, too much trans-fat), melted

2 eggs, beaten

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup pecans, or your favorite nut (optional, we have a nut hater in our house, so we skip them)

1 unbaked 9" pie shell

Ice Cream (optional)

Combine first 6 ingredients; stir well. Stir in nuts. Pour mixture into pastry shell. Bake at 350 for 25 mins or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Garnish with ice cream!

The Original

These are the original book and animated versions of Charlotte's Web. The classic tale by E.B. White is full of friendship, love and finding one's place in the world. I recommend reading the book and then enjoying the original animated version featuring the voice talents of Debbie Reynolds, Agnes Moorhead, and Paul Lynd. I can think of nothing better than sharing an afternoon on the farm with Wilbur, Charlotte, Templeton, the sheep and the goose. That's "some pig" that has captured the hearts and imagination of millions of children over the years. Just think, before there was Harry Potter and Ron Weasley there was Wilbur and Charlotte and these friends have taught us how important true friendship is.

Bounces Away

This has to have been one of the best gifts we received after the baby became Shelby. This is Evenflo Exersaucer Mega Circus. It is awesome with the musical bigtop, spinning monkeys and mirror.

My mother swears that Shelby gets smarter every time we put her in it.

A safety warning, be careful that only the baby's toes touch the bottom as baby's little hips can get dislocated easily!

Assembly is required and it helps to have a second person who will read directions when putting together. Also folds up for easy storage and transport and the legs have three levels so it grows as the baby does.

I can count on 30 uninterrupted minutes to do laundry, put dishes away and the like with this great toy! (Kudos to Grandma, Aunt Amy and Aunt Kristy who bought this for Shelby!)

Baby Noah

Everyone knows Baby Einstein. The collection of toys, cds, dvds, etc created by a mother for her kids? Well, we have a favorite DVD from the collection in our home. Baby Noah.

Baby Noah takes your baby on a journey to the savannah, the rainforest and tropics, the ocean, the outback and the polar regions to learn about the animals that live there. A combination of puppets, toys and real animals are used to illustrate the animals of the world. There is also great classical music accompanying the journey and video of kids and even a few mild exercises on color and shape.

My four-month-old is in love with watching the animals and squeals with delight when she sees the kids. The label says ages one and up, but even smaller ones benefit from this video.

I think my favorite part is the illustrations of Noah's Ark and various interpretations of it which certainly give the video a more "biblical feel" as it were.

It's Here

A blog I am creating to provide you with my own product shout-outs and reviews!