2010 June | The Talking Walnut

double duty diapers

Jun 302010

How utterly frustrating it can be to clad a baby in her swim diaper, only to to have a blow-out in the water! I’ve never been a huge fan of disposable swim diapers to begin with. My older daughter always managed to…ahem, “fill” her diaper precisely when we were at the beach. How I couldn’t wait to until it was time to change her, so I could wrestle with the tab-less sides and pull down her diaper while all of its contents spilled out. Not a pretty sight! What an ingenious idea to create an all-in-one swim diaper bathing suit! Bambino Mio Swimsuit Nappies have elasticized leg cuffs that offer a snug fit to prevent any possible “spillage.” The best part is that you don’t need a bulky diaper anymore; this suit is washable and reusable, eliminating the need for costly swim diapers.

In a Nutshell: Get into the swim of things with this swimsuit and built-in diaper, and you’re bound to have a real day at the beach with your little one.

Tags: baby swimsuit, swim diaper

look, mom, no cavities!

The Healthy Walnut

Jun 232010

My 2-year-old takes to her Thomas the Tank Engine toothpaste like a fish takes to water. Too bad brushing her teeth is more like pulling teeth. She spends more of her time sucking on the bristles than anything else. And since her last few baby teeth appear to be coming in, gnawing on her toothbrush has taken on even greater pleasure. How I wish we’d gotten our hands–and her mouth–on the NUK Healthy Start sooner. The training toothbrush set has everything you need to get started practicing good oral hygiene: a cleaning trainer to gently massage and soothe her achy gums, a brushing trainer for cleaning her teeth, and a protective ring that limits just how far she can push the brush into her mouth. Translation: less sucking, more brushing.You’ll like that these tools are BPA-free, too.

In a Nutshell: Brush up on practicing good oral hygiene for your little one. She’ll thank you later for fewer cavities now.

Tags: baby/toddler toothbrush, kids' toothbrush, pediatric oral hygiene

homegrown eating

Feeding the Little Walnuts, The Healthy Walnut

Jun 212010

If it’s true that kids eat what they make, then I’m making an effort to get my 6-year-old on the right track. This afternoon, we made homemade meatballs and this summer, we’ll be reaping the benefit of fresh vegetables from our garden. If you had ‘gardening with the kids’ on your to-do list and realize that you may not get around to it, then consider a short-cut. Amber’s Garden Ready-to-Plant Vegetable Garden Mats are the next best thing to gardening from scratch, and require minimal effort. These mats already have the seeds “planted” in them–simply place in a sunny spot, cover with top soil and add water. You may begin to see veggies sprout in as little as 3-5 days and, if you take proper care of them, they’ll yield fresh produce all season long. That’s plenty of good stuff to “sneak” into our batch of tomato sauce (shhh…just don’t tell my daughter). Amber’s Garden Kits come in a variety of veggies, including Asian, Herb and Summer Crop.

In a Nutshell: Teach your kids that veggies don’t actually come from a can in a fun, engaging way. This kits are so kid-friendly, even preschoolers can lend a hand.

Tags: gardening kits, kids' gardening

no grubby hands

Diapering for Walnuts, The Healthy Walnut

Jun 182010

If there is ever a season for wipes, it’s summer. Think ice pop-stained faced, sticky sunscreen lotion fingers (those are yours), sandy feet…you get the picture. Not that you need an excuse, but sometimes I think about just how many wipes I go through that don’t involve diaper changes, and I feel pangs of mommy guilt. With Jackson Reece Soothing Herbal Baby Wipes, I can breathe a bit easier. This brand is better for the environment because it’s biodegradable and made with organic ingredients that are free of alcohol, chlorine and other harsh substances. In a pinch, these wipes are great as a cooling balm for sunburned skin–an inevitable summertime occurrence. Yes, that mommy guilt can follow me everywhere…

In a Nutshell: If you’re making an effort to go green, this brand of wipes will make you feel at one with nature.

Tags: baby wipes

alpha male

Diapering for Walnuts, Gear for Baby Walnuts

Jun 162010

My husband wouldn’t be caught dead sporting a diaper bag; it’s enough that he remembers to grab a sippy cup when heading out the door with the kids (I don’t expect miracles, you know…). But if he were to acquiesce and tote a bag, it would most certainly be an Alpha Sherpa. Call it the Cadillac (insert favorite sports car here) of diaper bags, this model truly has it all. The cooler component has ample, protective pockets for storing bottles and cold snacks (yup, even his Pepsi One). Technology-savvy dads will relish the storage sections designated for a laptop, MP3 player and any other “daddy gear” they must have at their disposal. Not forgetting the purpose of this bag, the Alpha Sherpa has plenty of extras for your “other” baby, including a pacifier clip, toy loops and a spacious changing pad. Sorry, Dad, that’s something you just can’t sacrifice.

In a Nutshell: Let your hubby think he’s not toting an actual diaper bag with this hip model. Save your arguments for more important stuff, like who left the toilet lid up again…

Tags: daddy diaper bag

the ultimate sandcastle

The Playful Walnut

Jun 112010

Have you built your first sandcastle of the summer yet? With the balmy weather we’ve had this spring already, we’ve already been to the beach plenty of times, so there’s no excuse why we can’t perfect the art of sandcastle-making. Tell that to my 6-year-old who’s determined to make the “best ever” sandcastle this side of the Long Island Sound. Equal parts water to equal parts sand, though, isn’t as easy as it sounds. Too much water results in a soggy mess, while sand that’s too dry doesn’t amount to much of anything but a pile of sand. Enter the ultimate sandcastle-building tool: the Haba Bucket with Valve. It’s a soft bucket that has a valve on the side, so your child can add just the right amount of water each time to her sandcastles. Because this bucket is collapsible, it fits right into a beachbag. It’s one of those “now-why-didn’t-I-think-of-that?” solutions that results in fewer tears over collapsed castles.

In a Nutshell: Grab your shovel and start digging. With this bucket in hand, your kid will be well on her way to winning this summer’s sandcastle-building competition.

can’t touch this

The Healthy Walnut

Jun 092010

My 6-year-old has her annual check-up in a few weeks, and I know it’ll be hellish. Forget the nurse telling her that checking her blood pressure is like “getting a hug;” she’s too smart for that. And to this day, taking her temperature is still a big deal that requires a 5-minute explanation (and still she’s not buying it). Maybe that why I’m in awe over the Safety 1st ProGrade No Touch Thermometer, a minimally invasive medicine cabinet must-have. It doesn’t have to be put in her ear or her backside (heaven forbid–remember those?), but rather above her forehead and it gives a reading in a mere second. How do you know you’re doing it correctly? There’s an indicator that flashes and beeps when the thermometer is positioned correctly. What’s extra special about this model is that it has a life beyond the bedroom and into the kitchen and bathroom. Believe it or not, you can use the No Touch to gauge the temperature of your bath water, formula or food, too.

In a Nutshell: A multitasking thermometer? Now that’s hot…

Tags: Safety 1st, thermometer

be prepared

Gear for Baby Walnuts, The Traveling Walnuts

Jun 042010

I was never a Girl Scout myself, but I’ve heard enough Boy Scout stories from my husband to have the “be prepared” motto firmly etched in my brain. It’s one adage that is fitting for motherhood, at least in my experience. While I’m finally realizing that you can’t possibly foresee accident waiting to happen–it only took me 6 years!–it does help to do all you can in advance. That goes from welcoming a new baby, to planning a kids’ birthday party and all the moments in between. And getting around town with a baby? That’s one daily “adventure” that begs to be simplified, and the new B-READY modular stroller is one that fits the bill. At first glance, this stroller may appear to be like many of the others on the market, but a closer look under the hood proves otherwise. Sure it has all the basics you’re looking for: a 5-point harness system, adjustable recline, sun canopy,etc. But what stroller do you know accommodates a bassinet, a single car seat or even a baby with an older child in 14 possible configurations? Its sheer versatility and ease of use captivated me. Just check out the YouTube video for yourself. The stroller will be available in July, followed by a new umbrella stroller and a three-wheel model in the fall. Start dropping hints now…

In a Nutshell: You can’t be 100% ready for every curve ball that motherhood throws your way. But with the B-READY stroller, getting to and from anywhere with your baby in tow can be an uneventful trip.

Tags: bassinet, Britax stroller, stroller, travel system

destination: sanity

The Traveling Walnuts

Jun 012010

I’ll confess: I absolutely dread traveling with my kids. I’d rather take them to the doctor, knowing there will be shots involved. I kid you not–it’s that bad. I find that even as organized as I pride myself on being, it frazzles my nerves to hear their endless cries of “are there yet?” and “I have to go to the bathroom”…even though we just made a pit stop not 15 minutes ago. Nevertheless, my husband and I are not about to sacrifice our annual summer road trip and this year, we’ll have the portable DVD player to keep them entertained. But as we all know, how long can that really last? (Once we have to start playing the license plate game or singing “She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain,” I know I’m just doomed.) This summer, though, I have high hopes for a little peace and quiet en route to our destination, thanks to Scholastic Storybook Treasures The Wheels on the Bus Sing-Along Travel Kit . It’s jam-packed with plenty to amuse and entertain my rising first grader and even a few things to interest my 2-year-old. Two DVDs feature 15 classic musical stories, from “This Land is Your Land” (a good one for cross-country trips) to “Dem Bones” (when the feeling of sitting so long drives you a bit batty). When they’ve had their fill of watching, older kids can pop the 13-song CD into a portable player (thank God for headphones). Plus there’s a generously sized activity book, complete with crayons, to enhance what they’ve already read about/sung about.

In a Nutshell: More than just your average DVD, this set will get you through at least a state or two’s worth of driving…without you being driven to insanity. Now, if we could only find a solution to the public restroom.

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