Throughout the entire month of February, SheKnows.com is having a baby shower- and you’re invited!  You can enter to win over 30 gender neutral prizes on their site… and for most products… you can enter as often as you like between now and February 29^th!

Here are just a few of my favorites…however, they are all fantastic!

 

:: Oilo Bundle- Layette + Play Blanket

An obvious favorite… enter to win our yummy 3-piece layette set (cotton zippered one-piece, fitted hat, and snuggle-friendly swaddling blanket), along with one of our new play blankets!

Enter to win this gift on SheKnows.com here.

 

:: $500 Cash from SheKnows.com

When getting ready for a new baby, could there be a better prize?  Relieve some of the financial burdens a new baby can bring by winning this $500 from SheKnows.com… and buy a little something for yourself while you’re shopping for baby!

Enter to win this gift on SheKnows.com here.

 

:: Beaba Babycook

This countertop appliance functions as a steamer, blender, warmer, and defroster for preparing fresh, healthy meals for baby.  With this giveaway- you can steam veggies, fruits, and meats in less than 15 minutes, and then puree or blend them to a desired consistency.

Enter to win this gift on SheKnows.com here.

 

:: Babyhome Dream Cot

This lightweight mini cot is stylish, fresh, and functional.  It has 3 interchangeable positions (break, wheels, and rocker).  It also comes with a convenient travel bag… LOVE this as an option for when baby needs to sleep away from the comforts of home.

 

Enter to win this gift on SheKnows.com here.

 

:: Crabtree & Evelyn: La Source Collection

Win this gift, and receive spa treatments without having to leave home.  Enjoy a gift for yourself of Crabtree & Evelyn Warming Foot Smoother, Intensive Conditioning Food Mask, Ultra Moisturizing Foot Remedy, and Reviving Foot and Leg Mist.

Enter to win this gift on SheKnows.com  here.

 

:: Munchkin Bundle

The perfect prize to equip yourself with Munchin’s best products for keeping life with a baby sanitary!  This bundle comes with the following Arm & Hammer products: Diaper Pail, 3-in-1 Potty Seat, Pacifier, Wipes, and Nursery Wipes.

Enter to win this gift on SheKnows.com here.

 

:: $100 Pediped Gift Card

Some of my favorite shoes for baby, Pediped is offering a $100 gift card toward their darling new Spring/Summer Originals line.  Their shoes are easy to put on, adjustable, and the optimal fit for baby’s feet.

Enter to win this gift on SheKnows.com here.

 

:: Phillips Avent Video Monitor

With this fantastic prize, feel close to baby- even when you can’t be in the same room! Keep an eye on baby with this 2.4” color video monitor, with automatic screen activation, and infrared night vision.

Enter to win this gift on SheKnows.com here.

 

 

When it comes to parenting…finding wonderful products, tips, and ideas is one of our favorite things!  Not only do we love making these discoveries, we equally love sharing them!  One new find we can’t wait to share with you comes from the company, Citrus Lane.  With so many new baby/toddler products constantly hitting the market, it can be difficult to keep up on them all and to know exactly what products you and your child will like.  If you are looking for a great way to learn about and try new products for your baby as they grow- Citrus Lane offers you the perfect way to do just that!

Citrus Lane provides an easy and affordable way for you to discover and enjoy new products monthly.  Each month, Citrus Lane follows a theme, and organizes gift boxes containing products that they love from brands they trust.  Because they are committed to discovering the very best items on the market, their boxes are always filled with products that work great and fulfill realistic needs. Citrus Lane has several options for subscription, which include a monthly box delivered right to your doorstep full of these great products!  One of the best parts is that they track the age of your baby from birth to 3 years old, and each box received is always tailored for your child’s current age and stage.

We love the idea of using these great boxes as gifts for others just as much as we love it as a gift for yourself!  Talk about a gift that keeps on giving!   Who wouldn’t love having a box of treasures showing up every month, ideal for the stage your child is currently going through?  Packaged darling, and always full of useful surprises, these seem like just the thing to give a new mom a boost!  They also offer a wonderful Deluxe Shower Box, which serves as a great gift of assorted treasures before baby arrives.

 

 

 

Not only do we love the concept… we love the fact that their prices are super reasonable… and that the folks at Citrus Lane handpick these items knowing that they will be enjoyed by both babies and parents, alike! 

See just what the folks at Citrus Lane have to offer here.

 

Holiday shopping is in full swing, and here at Oilo, we think one of the very best gifts you can give your little ones, is the gift of reading!  However, with so many books on the market…what to buy? 

 

 We have put together a combined list of our favorites, recommended reads from the American Library Association, and recent Best of 2011 winners to help guide your shopping! 

 

Aside from loving these literary gems for their vibrant illustrations and charming stories…we also love how easy it is to shop for them all online! Yes, please!

 

Books for Baby

 

 

:: Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell

    ISBN: 9781416947370

 

 

:: Higher, Higher by Leslie Patricelli

   ISBN: 9780763632410

 

:: Peek-a-Who by Nina Laden

   ISBN: 9780811826020

 

 

:: Ten Tiny Babies by Karen Katz

   ISBN: 9781416935469

 

:: The Sleepy Little Alphabet by Judy Sierra

    ISBN: 9780375840029

 

 

 

 Books for Toddler

 

 

:: Let’s Play by Leo Lionni

    ISBN: 970375825286

 

:: My Car by Byron Barton

   ISBN: 9780060589400

 

:: Oops! by David Shannon

    ISBN: 9780439688826

 

:: The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse by Eric Carle

    ISBN: 9780399257131

 

:: We’re Going on a Bear Hunt  by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury   

    ISBN: 9781416987116

 

 

Books for Preschoolers

 

 

 

 

 

:: I Stink! By Kate and Jim McMullan

    ISBN: 9780060298487

 

:: Never Take a Shark to the Dentist (and Other Things Not to Do) by Judy Barrett

    ISBN: 9781416907244 

 

:: The Biggest Thing in the Ocean by Kevin Sherry

    ISBN: 9780803731929

 

 :: The Incredible Book Eating Boy by Oliver Jeffers

    ISBN: 9780399247491

 

:: The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

    ISBN: 9780140501827

 

 

For more book suggestions, take a look these previous Oilo posts:

The Power of Reading

Baby Shower Gifts We Love to Give and Get  

 

 

Ever heard of a wall treatment called Anaglypta?  This charming wall treatment has been around since the late 1800’s, and its application still continues to create a powerful character in any space today. 

This embossed wall covering provides a dimensional texture, and is applied as is any wallpaper and transformed with paint or a faux treatment.  In turn, it creates an incredible focal point in any room!

In 2002, Inhabit began to introduce a very Eco-Friendly green product, which they call Wall Flats.  We love this product so much that we incorporated it into our 2011 ABC Kids Expo market display.

You can see more images of our display here.

I have designed with this product for many years to create an atmosphere and mood for many unique spaces.  Here are a few additional images from Inhabit so you can see just how matchless this product is!

 Architect

 

 Braille

 

Hive

 

 Luna

 

Whether you decide to make textured wall coverings a main focal point or a subtle backdrop- it’s a total win-win!  For more ideas on how to integrate this wonderful feature into a variety of spaces, visit Inhabitliving.com…we LOVE their concepts and the eco-friendliness!

 

 

 

 

To take a closer look at other products highlighted in the SheKnows Parenting 2011 Awards, visit www.sheknows.com/parenting/awards/parenting-awards-2011/.   

 

“Baby Blanket Music is still providing soothing lullabies for your little one. This year two new albums have been released featuring Michael Jackson and Madonna who join the current artists lullabies by Simon & Garfunkel, Billy Joel, and John Mayer. Baby Blanket Music was founded by Josh Rutt who is based in NY. A teacher, performer and composer, Rutt takes great care in producing the music that helps your little ones to relax.” 

When decorating a space, flooring should never be an afterthought! It can have a huge impact on a room, and the right flooring can create just the atmosphere you’re striving for!  Today, great looking floors are in abundance and within everyone’s reach.  One of my favorite flooring options is the use of carpet tiles.

With a few simple tools and minimal cutting…carpet tiles can be used to create a variety of flooring motifs.  I absolutely love the type of freedom that comes with decorating with carpet tiles… plus they are chic, eco- friendly, happy, and modern.  What’s not to love?

Check out these wonderful options from Flor.com:

 

 

 

 

 

You can visit Flor.com here !

Many days I feel like more of a bartender to my toddler than a mom. ..constantly filling and refilling Sippy cups of milk, juice, water.  With this said, let me just put it out there that there are few things worse than a leaky Sippy cup!  With splattered milk all over the car, my couch, our carpet, and the inside of my diaper bag, it’s no wonder that when I found the Playtex Insulator,  I became slightly obsessed with acquiring quite a collection of them!

The Playtex Insulator really doesn’t leak… I promise.

The cup has only 3 parts… 2 of which are designed to stop those annoying leaks.  The cup comes equipped with Twist ‘n Click lid technology, as well as a Sip-ease valve that work together to provide a leak-proof guarantee.  Because there are only 3 parts, they are easy to wash and easy to assemble.  Also, the cup itself is insulated…which keeps drinks fresh and cool longer than most. 

I’m not typically the type to jump up and down over character-themed products- but after successfully using these leak proof (did I mention….they are LEAK PROOF?) cups… I’ve found myself more than excited about buying cups adorned by Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters!  Oh…and not only do I love these cups… my son is equally as much of a fan!

If you find yourself constantly waging a battle with the messes and drips from a leaky cup… go out and buy one of these cups for your toddler-they’re super easy to find at most stores-and I promise you won’t be disappointed

 

The other night, my mom and I had the pleasure of throwing my sister a baby shower.  It is not her first…or her second…this baby will be number three (all boys!).  Sure, traditionally, you only have a shower for your first …but, I say- why not for your third?  It was a perfect evening with some highlights worth sharing!

:: FOOD

We kept it simple and stuck to the good stuff—sweets!  The evening was enriched with a delectable chocolate cake, and a delicious watermelon raspberry salad. For any late-summer occasion, I highly recommend this refreshing (and easy) recipe!

Watermelon and Raspberry Salad

(Serves 4)

Ingredients:

One 4 ½ pound watermelon- peeled, seeded, & cut into cubes. 

One pint fresh raspberries. 

Juice of one lemon. 

¼ c. sugar.

Combine all ingredients.  Let stand 30 minutes- tossing occasionally until sugar is dissolved.  Serve chilled or at room temperature with vanilla ice cream, if desired.

Recipe from marthastewart.com   

 

:: ENTERTAINMENT

We’ve had our days of shower games galore…but for this occasion, we opted to keep the night more of an evening for socializing.  Plus, by baby number 3, what games are left?  However, we still felt the evening needed some kind of organized activity.

Since my sister’s baby remains nameless, and with the due date around the corner, we decided to focus an activity around trying to name her baby!  My search for ideas on the internet was unsuccessful.  So, I came up with a little to-do for generating some names for baby. If you’re looking for a shower idea…this one was a hit.

 

This game was simple and fun.  It gave present-time some spunk and ignited colorful conversations and insight about the guests.  Not only did we all leave the party amused, the mom of the hour left with 200+ names to get her name juices flowing!

 

:: GIFTS

One of the best parts of having a shower for baby #3 is that the mommy-to-be has been around the block and already owns a lot of stuff!  Gift time was particularly fun as we could indulge and step away from giving only the essentials.  One of the best new shower ideas I came away with?  Pajamas and comfortable options for mommy to wear post- baby! Love it!

Another perk of having a shower for #3, was that in the four short years since her last baby, endless products have hit the market that were not around for her older boys. It was a definitely a fun update on the latest gear! 

I gifted one of my all-time favorite baby products- Fisher Price’s Precious Planet Whale of a Play Tub. 

With this tub, baby can comfortably sit from infant to toddler stage, and mom can enjoy a hands-free bath time- without awkwardly juggling a slippery child!  The best part of this tub is that it has a removable “baby stopper” insert that prevents babies from slipping until they’re old enough to sit up on their own.  The play tub also comes with a removable toy bar to keep baby entertained.  This tub has high ranks across the boards, and having used it- I too highly recommend it!

 

When my little one was just a baby, I don’t think you could count how many times we listened to the built-in soundtrack of the baby swing… even though my son was rarely ever in it!  He loved the soothing sound of the music, and at first it was a great fix for a fussy baby. But, after the 900^th round of “BINGO,” I was at the point where the sound of crying would have been a welcome change!

I’m not sure if the ROCKABYE BABY CD’s were around when my guy was an infant, but I can tell you… I wish I had had some! The ROCKABYE BABY CD’s were among the other products featured  with our crib sets on Ellen’s Mother’s Day show this year.  These CD’s are becoming increasingly popular, and you’ve probably seen them popping up on most baby must-have lists out there. 

I couldn’t help but be curious and a little skeptical about these CD’s.  With covers from bands like AC/DC, Metallica, Led Zeppelin, and Aerosmith…I wasn’t so sure how they would pull off the lullaby rock song.  However, trust me… these CD’s are definitely not the Wiggles singing rock n’ roll.  They are simply the classics- but dreamy versions with soothing bells and instruments in place of drums and guitars.  Not only are they soothing for baby…they are totally entertaining to the adult listener.  The Beach Boys edition leaves you with a happy go lucky sun-soaked feeling…while the Elvis Presley CD is a total kick!  They are the same rock songs you know and love- all made into sweet and beautiful lullabies.  The Beatles, Coldplay, Smashing Pumpkins, U2, the Eagles and more…there’s no doubt you’ll find a favorite (or two) to add to your baby’s first music collection.  You can visit www.rockabyebabymusic.com to listen to/purchase their CD’s.  I have fun just browsing through their songs on their website! My favorite? ROCKABYE BABY: The Beatles.

 

ROCKABYE BABY also has what they call their “country cousin” companion CD series, HUSHABYE BABY.  With artists such as Garth Brooks, Rascal Flats, Taylor Swift, and Carrie Underwood, there are plenty of country favorites to choose from with this collection as well.  My favorite on the country side? Hushabye Baby: Johnny Cash.  The HUSHABYE BABY website can be found at www.hushabyebabymusic.com. 

These CD’s are one of my latest favorite shower gifts to give.  I can’t wait to buy some of my own my next time around so my little family can take a break from “Bingo” and be swayed into relaxation with the soothing sound of some rock n’ roll on our playlist!

 

 

Just the other day, some friends and I were having a conversation about what we are all currently reading.   We went through the group, with a range of response.    Several were currently engaged with “The Help,” another had just started to re-read “Pride and Prejudice,” while the rest were involved in a book club reading, “Room.”

The ladies turned to me for my current reading.  “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” I said.

Although the extent of my reading these days is laughable, the truth is—I cherish the time of day when the TV gets turned off, noisy toys are silenced, and I get to settle into a quiet space and open a book with my little boy.

I have a passion for reading with kids. Perhaps my love of this stems from the fact that formerly in life, I spent years as a full-time elementary school teacher.  However, I believe that most likely… the importance of reading was instilled in me early in life by my mother and grandmothers.  I was read to often as a child.  I received books as gifts, regularly visited libraries and bookstores, and had daily storytime.  Because of this, I now have a fondness for reading… which comes with a sweet sentiment of the times I spent listening to stories read to me by these wonderful women.

So, as a former teacher and product of being read to as a child… I'm going to suggest one thing that can potentially change your child’s life as a future reader.  Read with your child every day… no matter how young.  It has been proven time and time again that when kids are frequently read to from a young age, they will be more successful readers as adults.  No matter the age or stage of your child…be it eating the pages, or starting to read the pages themselves, no time is a bad time to read to a child.  Not only does it set a wonderful foundation for when they become readers themselves, it also serves as a precious time between a child and adult where they can engage, enjoy, and learn together.  

Luckily, there are thousands of wonderful books out there, for kids of all ages! The children’s books genre is full of classics as well as more recent treasures that are new on the market.

Because I am currently in the middle of toddlerhood- the types of books that have the most staying power are those with clear, bright illustrations and interactive capabilities.  Some of our current favorites are:

Dog by Matthew Van Fleet

 

Trucks (Bright Baby Series) by Roger Priddy

Goodnight, Baby:  Tuck all the Babies into their Beds by Ikids

 

The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle (and ALL other Eric Carle books!)

 

And a few new ones we can’t wait to get our hands on…

Dancing Feet! by Lindsey Craig

 

One Pup’s Up by Marsha Wilson Chall

 

Yummy, Yucky by Leslie Patricelli

 

Hip Hop by Catherine Hnatov

Keep in mind…it’s also powerful when kids see their parents reading for enjoyment, so pick up a good book and take a couple of minutes for yourself!