The Little Looster

I stumbled upon one of the greatest inventions for potty training and I am excited to share it with you because I have had success in potty training my 20 month old. I began to introduce my baby to the potty before she was 1. Yes, I said one. And it worked! She was potty trained. BUT then I moved and was unable to get her into a routine until she was 18 months old. I tried the same method that I did previously, but it did not work. It didn’t seem like she knew what “pee pee” and “poo poo” were. A few rounds of Elmo’s Potty training DVD and she was excited again, but it was not happening. I bought another potty and put it next to the bed thinking it was a timing issue, but it wasn’t. At one point, I gave up and thought she just was not old enough to control it.

One morning she came with me to the bathroom in the library and I explained I was going to go pee pee. Later that day, she went to the toilet and wanted to pee pee. I showed her the wonderful potty that we bought for her and that we could go pee pee together. Then I realized she did not want to use the baby potty she wanted the big girl toilet. Later that night I received an email from Little Looster asking me to review their product and it could not have been better timing. We were at a point that I was not sure if she wanted to go and we spent lots of time in and around the toilet.

The warehouse must be in the next town over because shipping was super speedy and before I knew it we were ready to go. At first, she was apprehensive of this new toilet accessory. I was happy that it was sturdy, well made and had Ls on it making it fun for her. I never worried about it flipping or her slipping off of it. I allowed her to touch it and step up and down a few times. Days later she is going to the potty on her own. The Little Looster was the piece of the puzzle that I was missing! No wonder it is a 2011 Gold Metal Winner. And it is Made in the USA!

One month update: We are still successful! My little girl is stepping up the front and the sides now.  I am thankful for the little opening that my heels fit into when I am using the toilet. Now if I could only transport the Little Looster in my car to public restrooms.

For more information: http://www.littlelooster.com/

CookieCoo Dancing Star (Guest Blogger)

CookieCoo Dancing Star – A New Way of Learning for Children through Edutainment

Learning should be fun. This is what parents and teachers alike agree to when it comes to teaching young children. Fun should be injected in the lessons to be able to catch the attention of young kids so they will be become more interested. Fortunately, in these modern times, the same principle applies with the exception that it makes use of a modern twist. Apps for children like CookieCoo Dancing Star are considered to be the tools of learning nowadays as parents are sure to have different media devices in use. If you have an iPad, you will be able to use it to give your child a chance to develop his coordination skills through the rhythm game of CookieCoo Dancing Star.

Fun apps for children aren't hard to find. The CookieCoo Dancing Star can be easily purchased from the iTunes store at just $0.99. iPad apps for kids such as this can be used by parents to entertain their children for a few sessions or they can use it to teach them how to coordinate their senses properly to hit the right instrument at the right time by following the beat of the music and other cues found in the game. One reason why CookieCoo Dancing Star is listed among the best children apps for iPad is the fact that the interface of the game is easy enough to understand even by a very young child.

Childrens apps are not just designed to entertain youngsters but they can also be used to hone the skills of these players through a series of activities such as rhythm game, sing-along as well as dancing. With CookieCoo Dancing Star containing colorful characters that kids are sure to fall in love with, they will be acting as guides for kids to learn how to sing the song and even dance to the tune as well.

Parents should keep their eyes peeled for top educational apps for children because these apps are useful when it comes to teaching new ideas to kids ranging from toddlers to pre-schoolers.

iPhone: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cookiecoo-dancing-star/id489072048?mt=8

iPad: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cookiecoo-dancingstar-hd/id495611023?mt=8

Trailer (embed code):

Thank you to Peter Song for your review!

The Magic Knot Genie & Grow With Love Boutique

The Magic Knot Genie is your solution to tangled hair! The Grow With Love Boutique allowed me to try this product. Thanks to a healthy pregnancy, my hair has grown to new lengths, but has also become dry and knotted. My hair type has always been straight and silky as I am from a South Asian descent, but I am not used to the new texture.

Out of the box, I noticed the ergonomically correct shape of the brush. It is so easy to grip. I am sure this would be great for children to minimize slipping. After brushing my hair the first time, I felt like I got an unexpected yet refreshing scalp massage and within minutes my knots were gone. Be sure to check out Tinseltown Silver and other amazing color options!

For my organic followers: A detangler without chemicals! Genius

Update: My one year old found the brush and even her tiny hands were able to hold onto the brush and mimic mommy brushing my hair.

I contacted a friend that has children with more challenging hair than me. Here is what she had to say:

Guest Blogger: Jeanine

I have 3 beautiful daughters, ages 2, 5 and 12. They all have tons of hair with lots of curls. Their hair gets tangled very easily making brushing time a pain in the neck. My 12 year old has to brush her hair in the shower with conditioner in it. The Knot Genie works well in shower because the water does not stay in the brush for long. My 5 year old is reaching that stage of independence where she wants to do everything by herself. The shape of the Knot Genie makes it easier for her to do it on her own and it doesn't hurt. My 2 year old, who is yet to have hair, likes it because it's pink and that is her favorite color. The Knot Genie was a success in my house and I would recommend it to my friends.

Win one here using Rafflecopter

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Link to product: http://stores.growwithloveboutique.com/-strse-952/Knot-Genie-Hair-Brush/Detail.bok?category=Shop+By+Brand%3AKnot+Genie

Thank you to:

If you are looking for quality products with amazing customer satisfaction you found it. Please also check out my previous product review: Fairytale Wishes

The Knot Genie

Guest Blogger: Jeanine

I have 3 beautiful daughters, ages 2, 5 and 12. They all have tons of hair with lots of curls. Their hair gets tangled very easily making brushing time a pain in the neck. My 12 year old has to brush her hair in the shower with conditioner in it. The Knot Genie works well in shower because the water does not stay in the brush for long. My 5 year old is reaching that stage of independence where she wants to do everything by herself. The shape of the Knot Genie makes it easier for her to do it on her own and it doesn't hurt. My 2 year old, who is yet to have hair, likes it because it's pink and that is her favorite color. The Knot Genie was a success in my house and I would recommend it to my friends.

Newbie Mum's Review: I had the pleasure of also reviewing this product. As my daughter is only one I asked a Guest Blogger, Jeanine, to check it out more thoroughly. I did notice that it fit in my hand securely and has great bristle coverage two huge pluses to detangle hair. Be sure to check out Tinseltown Silver and other amazing color options!

Link to product: http://stores.growwithloveboutique.com/-strse-952/Knot-Genie-Hair-Brush/Detail.bok?category=Shop+By+Brand%3AKnot+Genie

Thank you to Grow With Love Boutique
(email: Info@GrowWithLoveBoutique.com)

BUT wait, you can win one here! Please complete the Rafflecopter below

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I am a proud cloth diaperer... with some tricks

Don’t you love the reaction you get when you say, “I am going to try cloth diapers.” Usually there is thought and research behind such a statement with a 6 inch retreat backwards as you brace yourself for questions such as why?! I have also heard, “Yeah, that won’t last long” and “It’s not good for the washing machine. You should use a service.” For some, a service is not a bad option, but in my case I was ready for it. I had the diapers picked (yes, more than one brand) with a wet bag (yes, more than one). The truth is you really don’t know what you are doing until you start to do it. Just like everything else in life.

Here are some of my tips & tricks that have gotten me through the last year of cloth diapering (use at your own risk):

-        Be sure you have a butt balm for cloth diapers. Some are oil based and will repel your diapers. I use Earth Mama Angel Baby (matter of fact I use this brand lotion & wash too).

-        My life saver: liners! Just remove (with poop) and flush. Did you know that you should remove poop from disposables and flush too?! You can also get a sprayer and spray poop into toilet (not me) or you can dunk & swish (never me). Oh and the liners can be used to protect the diaper from any creams on babies butt that may cause diapers to repel (not 100% foolproof).

-        No, no, no softeners, no dryer sheets. Again, repels the diapers. I have gotten away with (unoiled) dryer balls. Also, I use baking soda if they get crunchy.

-        Wetbag vs. pail liner: I never had a “pail” but out of my 3 bags I use the pail liner the most because it is the largest and can handle at least 3 days of diapers.

-        Wipes - I took bounty & tore it into strips and kept a water/oil/soap mix in a glass container - no crazy chemicals & cheap :)

-        Oh washing cloth diapers - regular machine - cold rinse before & after a good wash. Secret: blue Dawn (dishwashing soap) once a month or so for a deeper clean. Front load machine - add a saturated towel to trick the machine into filling the water up & wash on whitest whites. I do a quick rinse at the end.

-        And for stains – lemon juice, water & sun. I swear it works and I was hanging in a window during a NY winter and the stains still came out.

Don’t get overwhelmed with AIO, pocket, hybrid, one size, blah! It really is trial and error. Same with fabrics, wool, microfiber, hemp, this & that. I was so overwhelmed I thought I needed an online class because I wasn’t leaving the house with child to go figure this out and I didn’t have a store that carried these items much less a variety of stock. If I was able to get through this so will you. There is a natural learning curve that happens with some anxiety and apprehension from within and those around you, but remember there are life changing benefits (reducing chemicals your baby is exposed to, decreased diaper cost –in the long run, reducing the landfill, etc.). Feel free to email me with questions. I am not an expert, just a mum that has been in your shoes.

Traveling Tales

I have been thinking that I should start a "how to travel with your baby" post. She is fourteen months and just completed her seventh flight (NY to FL, approximately two hours). She first traveled at three months and it was easy! I nursed her up, she slept and I nursed her while landing. No fuss. At seven months we traveled and not much had changed. She was awake for some of the flight, but no real issues. Around her first birthday, I flew with her alone. I brought a bag of things to do that occupied her the entire flight. She slept for twenty minutes or until they started the beverage service and passengers started to move about the cabin. The last trip was at fourteen months and she slept on the way, but the return flight was difficult and of course I did the trip alone.
I left at 3pm, traveled by car services 30 minutes to the airport, 45 minutes to check-in and clear security, BUT then the flight was delayed an hour and then we sat on the runway for 90 minutes. Oh what fun. Here are some survival tips I have learned:

• Always have food & drink and plan for more rather than less
• Nurse/bottle feed/feed on the way up and down
• Change diaper prior to boarding the plane
• Have a bag of toys. I always bought two or three small new items that she has never seen before
• If possible, have someone fly with you
• Try to book flights close to baby's nap time. Don't keep them up all day if they are used to having a nap this just creates a cranky, overtired child. Stick to your schedule.
• I used travel system at three & seven months, baby carrier when I flew with her alone at one and an umbrella stroller at fourteen months
• Don't carry anything unnecessary on the flight. You will be juggling enough especially if you are traveling alone. A bag pack worked best for me.
• Dress baby in layers you never know what the temperature will be in the airport & on the plane
• Remember to eat, drink and dress comfortably - you never know what could happen!

BabyFans

Is your little one a fan of MLB, NFL or a college team? If so, you have to check out http://www.babyfans.com/!

I was fortunate to learn about Babyfans on Twitter and what an amazing company! I was looking for Yankees gear to complete my Father’s Day gift and here it is. The quality is amazing and the customer service is superb at Babyfans. Super speedy shipping didn’t have me in suspense for too long. My daughter looks so adorable in her pink Yankees jersey.

I am a Vikings fan and they have a great selection. I found a 7 piece 6-9 month old set for $39.95! They even have college teams! Take a moment and check them out at www.babyfans.com.  

Baby Food Making

After 4 months of baby food making, I think I got it! I am putting together cauliflower and cheese, chicken with rice and squash, and of course oatmeal and bananas. I laugh at the day I started. At 5 months and 6 weeks I decided to introduce her to a spoonful of oatmeal a night. Oh did I mention I expressed breast milk into a baby spoon? Yikes! Weeks have passed and I am doing much better. We have tried many foods with the exception of things the Pediatrician specifically said not to (peanut butter, raw honey, red berries, etc.) I know some say it's not a big deal to give it to her, but at this point I want to be safe rather than sorry. I diligently use my Beaba (steamer & processor) to make fruit purees, the protein/rice/veg combo, she gets a yogurt a day (organic Yo Baby), organic cheese blended with potato/cauliflower/broccoli, and oatmeal with  formula because I had the samples and did not want it to go to waste.

I can't say I am an expert, but I sure am getting the hang of things.

If you missed it...

Season Three Finale:

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/14938848

Be on the lookout for Newbie Mum :)

Tonight on Shari!

Check out Newbie Mum on http://www.sharicriso.com/  from 8-10pm EST (follow the links to the TV show or click on direct link: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/my-baby-experts).

A brief update: We got back from a Florida vacation a week ago. We were welcomed by 10 days of rain with minimal sun. We have been in hiding.
Baby girl is standing, eating oatmeal, puree vegetables and fruits and just started eating fish & dairy (yogurt/cheese) last week. She poops on the potty every morning making the cloth diaper wash a breeze.

See ya'll on Shari's show tonight :)

I started solids!

I am a guest blogger on Eebie Baby and giving away ad space. Take a look at catch up on how the feedings are going: http://blog.eebiebaby.com/extravaganza/sponsors-give-aways/newbie-mum/

Starting solids - A new chapter in life!

We have made it to the 6 month mark successfully, exclusively breastfeeding. Now the fun begins, solids! I have read charts, blogs, articles, heard the elders opinion, the educated opinion and now it is time to ask your opinion. I think I know what I am going to feed her, but I need to know if you made your own baby food how did you do it? I figured I would grab a pot, steam, mash and feed. HA not so simple! I tried rice and ended up with rice pudding. I tried potatoes and had lumps even with added breast milk. I think she got frustrated with me and gave up. So should I Beaba Baby Food Maker? Baby Bullet? Let me know what worked for you.

Bumblz

I am still singing, “A New Pair of Shoes,” thanks to Bumblz and friends. The Bumblz Clubhouse Friends was an excellent DVD that contained

·         Bright characters

·         Various sounds and songs

·         Allowed children to use their imagination

·         Overcame obstacles

·         Problem solving

·         Utilized key words that a child (depending on age) should know such as shoes, wood, guitar.

·         Diverse characters

·         Demonstrated teamwork

I really enjoyed the sing-alongs at the end and the continuous play option. My five month old was fixated on the television for almost the entire 20 minutes. And I did not mind her paying attention to characters that are a positive influence!

Are you ready for an adventure? Check out Bumblz: The Pirates Treasure

·         Featuring the same bright, unique characters as in Clubhouse Friends that your child has grown to love.

·         All children love a treasure hunt and they are in store for an excellent finding in this treasure chest.

·         There are instruments such as the flute and accordion that are played by the characters.

·         This story was a little more adventurous than Clubhouse Friends since they encounter darkness, waterfall, and a well that they had to travel down.

·         The key to opening the door was completing a math problem. An excellent learning tool!

For my five month old this story was a less catchy as she is looking for constant bright colors, loud noises and singing. She probably stuck with it about 7 minutes, which is good for a 5 month old that was starting to get hungry and tired.

Add Bumblz As Facebook Friend:

Our Bumblz Series Group, to support our cause for a Bumblz broadcast series.

Click here to "Like" Bumblz Media

I was not paid to say any of these things. I did receive free product to test, but this did not affect or influence my opinion of the product. I did not get paid to write this review.

Grow With Love Boutique & Fairytale Wishes

I am excited about these two mommy owned businesses Grow With Love Boutique and Fairytale Wishes that I recently stumbled upon.  Grow With Love Boutique has a wide variety of items that are stylish and affordable. The customer service is excellent and the website is organized making shopping easy.  Right now you will find free shipping on orders over $100! From hats to Silly Sockz and bedding to Fairytale Wishes you can find it all at Grow With Love Boutique.

There are two items that are a must have. The first one is the cutest bloomers! You can find my favorite here: http://stores.growwithloveboutique.com/-strse-841/Bloomers--dsh--Knit-Chocolate/Detail.bok. I do not own it yet, but it is definitely on my list of must haves. They look super soft, fashionable and come with a coordinating shirt. How great is that?! I am a cloth diapering mama so having shirts are a necessity and a cute cover to go over your diap is a bonus.

The second item that you should take a look at is a Super Hero Spray from Fairytale Wishes. Automatically you would think, well it is a spray big deal, but it really is more than that. It smells like peppermint, it is glittery; it feels like silk and comes with a story that makes children “superhero” brave to get through the most difficult days. Moms should know it is made from naturally derived ingredients. Please read more about the helpful effects of peppermint here: http://stores.growwithloveboutique.com/-strse-585/Super-Hero-Spray/Detail.bok. I used it with my baby girl by spraying it on me when she was 18 weeks old. She loved looking at the glitter and though she couldn’t communicate that she liked the smell she definitely was not crying. As she gets older, I can imagine this product will be beneficial in keeping the monsters out of the closet and making her a little braver at the doctor’s office. Also, take a look at Happy Camper, Monster Repellent and Sweet Dreams sprays.

Here’s a little secret from Gail, the owner of Grow With Love Boutique: if your readers become a fan on Facebook for Grow With Love Boutique, they will receive a coupon in their message box for an online purchase.

I was not paid to say any of these things. I did receive free product to test, but this did not affect or influence my opinion of the product/company. I did not get paid to write this review.

Jack the Cuddly Dog, Jack Goes West

 

Your child will be wondering where's Jack’s red ball too!

If you are looking for a DVD for a child 0-3 years old this is it! It is a mix of animation with live shots of various places all across the country. Let me highlight some of the features I noted:

·         Uses familiar words such as train, ball, balloon, kicked

·         The audio matches each scene with added musical arrangements and sound effects

·         Great for teaching up/down, near/far, etc.

·         Many things to point out while watching: animals, shapes, weather

·         I could even see an older child watch it to see a clip of the Grand Canyon or other landmarks

My 19 week old girl was interested in the beginning, but lost focus as any almost 5 month old would. Could have also been a cold that she is fighting.

I hope to see not only more DVDs about Jack, but also a soft fuzzy lovie Jack for my little one to hold while watching the movie.

Please enjoy the following press release and consider welcoming Jack into your home.

Press release:

New York, NY, October 25, 2010 – Following on their promise to make baby and toddler videos that appeal to parents as well as kids, Hello Baby Productions has released the second video of the series titled, Jack Goes West!

Jack, the Cuddly Dog is an adorable animated puppy who lives in a little blue house in Central Park, New York City. In this beautifully shot animation and live action video, Jack’s favorite red ball takes a life of its own when Jack gives it an extra big kick. It bounces out of Central Park, out of the City, and clear across the great American west. Jack chases his runaway ball by plane, train, automobile and balloon. He meets many new friends along the way, such as buffalo, deer and sea lions as he visits the grand canyon, great redwood forests and the beautiful California coast. But will Jack ever get his ball back?

Together with Jack, children are introduced to spatial concepts and relationships while listening to beautiful original arrangements of American classics such as Coming Around the Mountain, Home on the Range, You Are My Sunshine and others.

The video is available at www.jackthecuddlydog.com, and soon at www.amazon.com, www.kidsfirst.org, www.littleonebooks.com,  and select retailers.

Jack Goes West! is the second episode of the Jack, the Cuddly Dog series produced by Hello Baby Productions. Applauded by Filmmaker Magazine as “the cutest cartoon canine ever,” Jack delights parents as well their toddlers and babies and provides a fun and entertaining experience to enjoy together.

Giveaway - Jack, the Cuddly Dog (CLOSED)



I am giving away three free copies of an adorable new baby video called Jack, the Cuddly Dog in Jack Goes West! All you have to do is  become a fan of their Facebook fan page, my Facebook fan page and follow this blog by Wednesday! (see links and details below on where to find the fan page and the drawing of names).

Created for toddlers and babies three and under, the Jack, the Cuddly Dog video series is about an adorable puppy who lives in Central Park, NYC. I went to their website, http://www.jackthecuddlydog.com/, where the producers share some thoughts about how they went about creating "a new generation of baby videos" on their website: 

The Jack series is based on a process of research and study of children’s education and cognitive development. Our main goal at Hello Baby Productions has been to create a form of edutainment that is (to borrow Harvard professor Daniel Goleman’s terminology) "emotionally intelligent."  ...

The Jack, the Cuddly Dog video series is based on a process of research and study of children’s education and cognitive development. Our main goal at Hello Baby Productions has been to create a form of edutainment that is (to borrow Harvard professor Daniel Goleman’s terminology) "emotionally intelligent."

Our criteria for emotional intelligence has been the following:

Creating a warm, nurturing character that young children can relate to and feel comforted by in the same way that they find comfort in a teddy bear or special blanket.

Creating a warm feeling in the viewer by using quality animation originating from hand drawings rather than computer-generated images.

Stimulating the auditory senses and cognitive benefits of rhythm and harmony in music with genuine acoustic instruments.

We don’t devote larges sections of screen time to showing plastic toys or stock footage - instead we show animals one can see in the yard next door, in a park, or on a farm. We focus on beautiful and meditative shots of nature combined with images of other babies, colors and shapes, animals, (and of course and lots of dogs :-) 

Babies are amazing and precious! We want to give them the very best we can offer. We want to help them delight in the world, learn and laugh with us and grow to be happy, healthy and wise human beings. We hope you enjoy Jack, the Cuddly Dog!

Above philosophy taken from http://www.jackthecuddlydog.com/philosophy.php. You can find more information on Jack, the Cuddy Dog at http://www.jackthecuddlydog.com/.

I have not had a chance to review this video yet, but received the opportunity to giveaway three (3) copies of Jack, the Cuddly Dog goes West.

Win it here:

Please leave one (1) comment stating that you did ALL of the following:

1-"like" Jack, the Cuddly Dog on Facebook

2-"like" NewbieMum fanpage on Facebook

3-Follow this blog (click on "follow" on the upper right hand column on this page)

4-Leave your name, Facebook name (if different) & email address.
Entries with invalid or missing email addresses will be disqualified

You may earn one (1) extra entry per day by posting this link with a description of the giveaway on your Facebook page. Copy and paste the permalink with your email address in the comment box. To find the permalink click the timestamp of you post.

This video retails for $14.99 and can be purchased at  http://www.jackthecuddlydog.com/shop.php

Shipping is available worldwide, however the video is approved for Zone 1 countries (US and Canada). Offer ends on December 23, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. The winner will be contacted via email and have 48 hours to respond. Maximum one prize per household.

Good luck!!!

I was not paid to say any of these things. I did win free product during a giveaway, which did not affect my opinion of the product/company

Playing catch up

These are the last blogs from Newbie Mum on Facebook:

December 13 at 1:22am ·
NewbieMum Let's talk about shots! She just had her 4 mth shots. I know they are required by the school system and are scientifically proven to give you immunity to X, Y and Z, but are they really? It is like a FDA approved drug that works until it doesn't. Then action is taken. These shots are such a double sided coin.

December 10 at 4:31pm ·
NewbieMum In the hospital they had a plastic container on wheels. I was yelled at one night for having her sleep in the hospital bed with me. (Same people that kept telling me that we should be tummy to tummy as much as possible). At home she has a cosleeper next to the bed and when she is ready to feed we do a side lying position and fall asleep (oops!). So how do you sleep with your baby?

December 9 at 3:47pm ·
NewbieMum So then it was time to breast feed. Well I have a breast and figured if I got her mouth to breast she would know what to do. Wrong! (but you knew that). I had to go to a lactation class where I learned the "nipple" is not the tiny thing on the end and she could take the entire thing into her tiny mouth. So now I knew w...hat I was doing and she decided she wanted to sleep rather than nurse

December 8 at 3:09am ·
NewbieMum At the hospital you are given the choice of "rooming in" or having her stay in a nursery. I chose "rooming in." So there she was looking at me as if she wanted me to keep her warm and protect her. In my mind, I thought what the heck am I going to do with this? Keep in mind she was 5lbs.

December 8 at 3:09am ·

NewbieMum Since it is 3am let me tell you my first thought after she was born. Why did they put that there? She gleamed at me with trusting eyes as if she were saying, "oh there you are. I know you." After our eyes connected I had nothing to say, nothing to think. Only to give her permission to trust me. That was Day 1.

NewbieMum In starting this new page I decided to do what I wanted to when I began Newbie Mum: To have a place where new mums can talk about what's going on with their babies. Mine baby girl is 14 weeks old. How old is your child/ren? What was your first thought after delivery? I realize I am about to post this in the middle of the night and I have 5 likes, but let's give this a go :)

Orbit Travel System

My first product review and it is a MUST have

This is the first product that I used, my Orbit Travel system (www.orbitbaby.com). I have to admit that I saw this system on Keeping up with Kardashians. I purchased the system from Baby Earth (www.babyearth.com) with free shipping and no tax. I purchased the stroller, stroller bag, car seat base (2), infant car seat, bassinet with rocker and later stroller seat. Also, I bought both the small and large rain canopy/mosquito net.

Each item came with a warranty card and more importantly instructions, with pictures! Each piece was very easy to become acquainted with and use. My husband was very pleased from day one with this system (points for me!).

I live in NYC and went to Florida for a month with this system. It worked in both environments and while travelling through the airport also.

Infant Car Seat

We first used the infant car seat to bring her home. She looked very comfortable and cozy. The first time I went to her pediatrician I took the entire seat into the office without the stroller. It was easy to carry and worked very well. I have travelled with this car seat in an airplane from NY to FL, but there were no extra seats to carry it onto the plane.  I used a large laundry bag to cover and the white metal part of the bassinet to attach to the base of the seat in case it was bumped I did not want the circular piece to be damaged. In Florida, we attached a Bright Stars stroller toy to the seat and it worked perfectly.

Car Seat Base

It was worth the decision to purchase two car seat bases especially since she will graduate from the infant car seat to the toddler seat. I believe at some point you can turn the toddler seat to forward facing without needing the base.  Also, you do not need the car seat base when travelling it was just more convenient for me to use it.

Stroller

The stroller is easily folded and unfolded with one hand. It is possible to carry the baby in the seat in one hand and the stroller in the other hand with a diaper bag across your body. At first glance, the system looks huge, but in reality it is the same width as the other brands, but is longer to accommodate the 360 degree turning radius of the seat. The wheels pop very easily for storage. After I bought the system, I understood the G1 had two cup holders. I prefer one cup holder with areas to put my keys and other items. Also, the handles are adjustable for taller people I have not had the need to adjust them. I bought a stroller lock on Amazon because I live in NY just in case I wanted to take her away from the stroller it attaches to the stroller perfectly. There is a cargo bag at the bottom of the stroller. I personally do not detach it often and carry it around as I have a separate diaper bag, but I do store the weather pack inside of in just in case.

 Weather Pack

Also, the mosquito net came in handy as the hot Florida sun disappeared and the pesky bugs came out.  There were some days I used the canopy and some days I did not just depending on the weather. Now that we will expect snow I will definitely use the canopy.

Stroller Bag

Putting the stroller into the stroller bag at the gate took 10 minutes, but was only time consuming, not difficult. The headrest on the seat and the strap covers saved me buying them.

Bassinet

Up to three months, she enjoyed the bassinet on the stroller (very rarely used the rocker). She loved walks in the park where she was able to lay down and sleep. In the park there were many very windy days, but the depth of the bassinet shielded her from the noise, debris and cold air of the wind.

Stroller Seat

When I purchased the stroller seat my mum said, “Do you really need another seat?” When I used the stroller seat she had more of an opportunity to sit up and look around. I think it was a great idea and as she grows older the bassinet will be folded down and put away and this will be the preferred seat. It has a snack tray that also keeps the child securely in the seat. I have not tried the recline function and I have read reviews about the shade being sloppy and falling out, but I have not encountered that problem.

My favorite features

I cannot finish this review before I mention my favorite two things the 360 and the paparazzi shield. First, the paparazzi shield sounds over the edge, but really it is not. I used it for days that the sun was hot and shining and while I was in the airport. Who wants germs of the world falling on their child? The 360 aspect of the seat is the reason I bought this entire system. There are days where she faces me and days where she faces outward. There are many factors in this such as weather, age, fussiness index (I should make a scale for this). There are actually studies that show (I have seen them, but don’t quote me on this) that it is healthier for children to be able to see their parents and be able to look out.

Every time I use the system I find another reason I love it. I know it is on the pricier side, but it is worth every penny!

(I was not paid to say any of these things. I did not receive a free product to review this is my opinion of the product. I only give honest reviews. Thanks!)