My sister’s co-worker just had her baby shower, and judging by the number of gifts she received, this is bound to be one well-stocked nursery. Hard to believe that among the four (yup, you heard that right) car seats, a myriad of adorable outfits and a chandelier (!) for the nursery, she did not score a crib mobile. Because only a new mom knows just how much time newborns spend (hopefully!) sleeping, it’s ideal to provide them with a little stimulation when they’re awake, especially if they’re content to stay in their crib for a little while longer. Tiny Love’s brand-new-to-stores Soothe ‘n Groove Mobile is the perfect way to wile away the hours (okay, minutes) that your little one can spend happily kicking away. Three smiling, little friends twist and turn overhead, as gentle melodies play in time to their movement. Since we know how quickly we can tire from hearing the same three songs over and over, you’ll appreciate the fact that your little one will be treated to a selection of eighteen different lullabies for up to 40 minutes. Musical mommies with varied tastes can choose from jazz, classical and other favorite genres (sorry, no Adele here). Even after your baby has outgrown the mobile, you can detach it from the crib and keep the music box for her continued listening pleasure. Isn’t the greatest sound a cooing little person?…

In a Nutshell: Your baby’s crib is not complete with a mobile that offers plenty of delightful melodies, without the repetition that can drive even the sanest mom a little batty.

Tags: baby shower gifts, crib mobile, music toys for babies, Soothe 'n Groove Mobile, Tiny Love

If you’ve been keeping tabs on The Talking Walnut lately, you know we’re in the throes of potty-training a rather stubborn 3-year-old. This kid has been plied with everything from pink cookies–reserved especially for taking care of business when we’re not at home–to the stuffed animal of her choice when her rewards chart is completed (I now have more stickers in my possession than a kindergarten teacher). Because this child marches to the beat of her own drum, moving her to the next step (from a potty chair to a cushioned seat) takes a bit of negotiating…followed by the simple act of outsmarting her. This time, we weren’t involved teddy bears, sweets or any other special something. Instead, we magically revealed the weePOD Basix one day and waited to let nature take its course. “Look,” I enthused, as I unwrapped the cushioned potty seat from its box. “It’s your own special potty seat.” “It’s called a toilet seat,” responded the ever-sharp preschooler. (Yeah, yeah. Tomato, to-mato, kid.) “And it’s just for ME!!” Was that a vote of enthusiasm I had just heard? Rather than look a gift-horse in the mouth, I helped this little one drop her pants and climb up. “It’s soft and squishy,” she noted, getting used to the feel of this seat. Not that I’m envious or anything, but I must admit that the comfort of this seat is a great way to entice a reluctant child to giving it a try. Once she successfully finished her bathroom business, I wiped the seat clean and stowed it away for next time. Well, let’s just say that we’re still at it, but at least we’re one step closer to being a big girl.

In a Nutshell: Rome wasn’t built in a day and, despite what the experts say, sometimes potty-training takes longer than you think. Once your trainer in residence is ready to graduate from a floor model to a potty seat, make sure you have this extra-soft seat on hand.

Tags: potty seats, potty training, Prince Lionheart, toilet training, weePOD Basix

Today, on our weekly supermarket jaunt, my 3-year-old and I were treated to a display of hearts-shaped place mats, cupid cookie cutters and all things red and pink. That can only mean that Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. If you happen to be the proud parent of a new bundle of joy, or have a best bud who’s expecting, it’s time to introduce that little babe to the good life with an infant seat she’ll simply love. Bloom’s limited edition coco rosso rocker may be designed for a baby, but it definitely has grown-up appeal. We love that it looks as comfortable as it feels, thanks to a specially designed Plexistyle soft seat. The 5-point harness ensures that your little one stays put, even as she rocks herself to sleep. The coco rosso doesn’t sport any fancy bells and whistles, lights or sounds. If you’re looking for one baby product that fits in with the rest of your contemporary home decor, the coco rosso is it.

In a Nutshell: A sweetheart of a baby gift, the sleek lines of this stylish infant seat make it baby gear you’ll be proud to showcase.

Tags: baby gear, baby rocker, baby shower gift, Bloom, Bloom coco rosso, infant seat, new baby gift

Potty-training simply isn’t pretty. It doesn’t matter if you have adorable reward stickers of smiley faces and kittens, or ruffle-trimmed undies to entice your little one to do her business in the bathroom. Sometimes, kids just don’t want to go when they have to go (sometimes?). If you hit any bumps in the road in that otherwise smooth journey from potty to panties, you’ll appreciate any little clever little tricks to get the job done. We’re getting a kick out of the Super Dooper Pooper Before-You-Go Spray from Poo~Pourri. (If you’re an astute Walnut reader, that name may ring a bell since we reported on their Poo~Pourri Santa spray just last month.) Super-sensitive tots who turn up their cute little noses at the slightest unpleasant odor will love the idea of “scenting” their seat before sitting down. Simply mist the spray, let them do their thing and flush. You’ll instantly smell the citrus notes of grapefruit, orange and ylang-ylang; these scents are not only pleasing on little nostrils, but they produce a calming effect during this somewhat stressful part of parenting. Who wouldn’t benefit from a little aromatherapy, anyway?

In a Nutshell: Potty-training got you down? Perhaps one spray of this uplifting scent may just get your little one to go more often. And if the stress of it all makes you want to pack your bags, the glorious citrus smell will make you feel like you’re in sunny Florida…even if it’s only in your mind.

Tags: aromatherapy, Poo-Pourri, potty training, potty-training products, Super Dooper Pooper Before-You-Go Spray

It’s an ugly day out there, in more ways than one. You know the kind of day we’re talking about: the one where you wake up and it’s so dark outside, you’re convinced your alarm clock is mistaken. You open the curtains to discover it’s raining cats and dogs, and you still must make it to the bus stop. Yeah, we know the feeling. That’s why we can’t help but smile at the little things that make our day: a hug from a child, a hot cup of tea and a unique umbrella that will turn any frown upside down. We recently raved about the latest Uglydoll, even going so far as to dub him Man of the Year, and now we’re tipping our hats to a trio of kid-sized Uglydoll umbrellas that bring some much-needed sunshine to our faces. Styled in either Ice-bat, Ox or the simply put Uglydoll Rainy Day, this rain gear accessory is an entertaining way to ward off the bad weather blues, and keep you dry. We’ll raise our cup of tea to that.

In a Nutshell: If into each life a little rain must fall, then let it be ugly. These fetching umbrellas have us singin’ in the rain…

Tags: kid umbrellas, rain gear for kids, Uglydolls, umbrellas

Baby, it’s cold outside…In the next couple of weeks, we’ll be taking in the sights and sounds of the season–and that means dressing for the weather. A huge fan of layers, I always seem to outfit my kids as though they are headed to the tundra instead of suburbia. But regardless of whether you’ll be strolling city streets or hiking through the hills, if you’ve got a little one in tow, that extra layer of warmth will come in handy. This winter, we’ve got our eye on Maclaren’s buggy blankets. These ultra plush, generously sized throws are a love letter to the cityscapes in which they are detailed. From London to Sydney, New York to Paris, each reversible blanket features a detailed map of four of our favorite capital cities that make us feel as refined as these throws are sophisticated. Not only do they keep your baby well-covered as she traverses the globe, but their lively layout may just keep her preoccupied while waiting in line at Macy’s holiday windows. Our favorite, of course, is the NYC blanket, with its  flip side paying homage to Lady Liberty. NY may be the city that never sleeps, but maybe tucked inside this snuggly stroller blanket, your baby will give you the greatest gift of the holiday season: some shut-eye. Happy Holidays, and to all a good night!

In a Nutshell: Who says a baby blanket can’t make a fashion statement? This stylish one looks and feels great when you’re out on the town.

Tags: baby gifts, buggy blanket, Maclaren, NYC baby products, stroller blanket

Today’s new moms have no excuse for committing fashion “don’ts.” These days, there’s no shortage of hip baby accessories out there, including diaper bags. I can’t say the same for myself when I was a first-time mom. Back then, I thought my lame-o canvas bag in fire-engine red looked cool just because it didn’t have Winnie the Pooh or ducklings all over it. Little did I know the fashion police would be after me…With this in mind, we are loving the latest designer bags from our friends at Skip Hop: the Jonathan Adler Loves Skip Hop line. This collection is awash in bold graphics and a dizzying array of patterns–a signature celebration of the home decor giant’s Happy Chic modern style. The well-named Duo, Dash and the Pronto Changing Station reflect the frenetic, yet always fashionable lifestyle that is motherhood. After all, if you’re going to be toting around poopy diapers all day, at least you can disguise them with a look that conveys coolness. And you won’t have to be on the run from the fuzz either.

In a Nutshell: Motherhood isn’t always pretty. Sling one of these bags over your shoulder when you’re heading out with your baby, and you’ll feel like you’ve got it together…even on the days when you clearly don’t.

Tags: baby shower gift, designer diaper bags, diaper bags, Jonathan Adler, Jonathan Adler Loves Skip Hop, Skip Hop

One of the most useful, unexpected baby gifts I received was a baby footmuff. I don’t recall the brand or name, but I do remember taking one look at this strange contraption and thinking, “Yeah, right. I don’t think I’ll be taking that out of the box anytime soon…” Little did I know that when my daughter’s first winter arrived, I’d be struggling to fit her puffy coat inside her car seat straps day after day. I imagine wrestling a crocodile was easier than this! After many failed attempts at getting her in her seat without any tears, I had a lightbulb moment and quickly ran upstairs to unpack that suddenly practical present. This is genius, I thought, as I carefully stripped off her bulky coat, zipped her upside in the footmuff and topped her off with a pom-pom hat. Voila! Baby is bundled, and not a tear in sight. So naturally, when I came upon the newest baby product in this space, I nearly shed a tear myself (one of happy memories, that is). The name alone, the Wallaroo Bundle, conjures up images of a baby kangaroo, all safe and warm in her mama’s pouch. A smart alternative to a traditional blanket, this fleece baby cover works inside most strollers and car seats. Just pull the drawstring cord to secure a comfortable fit. No more wiggly, cold toes peeking out. What’s more, you can also add the Wallaroo Bundle as a layer to your front carrier and wear it–something we haven’t seen before. It’s the perfect excuse to snuggle close with your little one…as if you needed any reason.

In a Nutshell: Don’t fuss with a bulky coat and blankets for your baby this winter. Brace the chill with a Wallaroo Bundle, and your baby will be as snuggled as can be.

Tags: baby blanket alternative, baby cover, baby footmuff, baby gear, FullBelly Baby, Wallaroo Bundle

I don’t care if my daughter is closer to 4 than 3 years old; I’m not ready to part with her stroller just yet. A trusty, solid ride, her Maclaren Volo goes wherever we go, and has lasted us 7 1/2 years…and counting. While this stroller has seen its fair share of country roads, sandy beaches and other landscapes, it’s naturally had a few bumps and bruises along the way. If your pocketbook tells you that you’ll be hanging onto your own set of kiddie wheels for a while, it helps to maintain the look and feel of a sweet ride. Apparently, the folks at BuggyLOVE had this in mind when they created their line of organic stroller cleaning products. Whether the culprit is dried spit-up, caked-on formula or grimy sidewalk residue, this sweet-smelling kit is tough on stains, but gentle on little noses. Making a diaper change on the fly? Spray down your stroller seat with FreshLOVE and prove that poop can, indeed, smell like roses. FabricLOVE takes the sting out of stained stroller seats with a clementine-scented spot remover spray (if my 3-year-old could eat this stuff, believe me, she would). For the squeaky wheel who always gets the grease, there’s WheelLOVE and finally, PolishLOVE to keep them looking (and smelling) like new.

In a Nutshell: Take good care of your ever-trusty stroller with these natural cleaning products, and chances are you won’t need to replace it until the last baby is all grown up.

The first time we took my baby daughter on a long road trip, I dreaded the moment we’d have to pull over and stop to feed her. I kid you not, I must have spent the better part of the car ride wondering aloud if the bottle warmer we had just bought would actually work, whether it would fit into our car’s adapter outlet properly and how long it would take to heat up her formula. (Yes, you can feel sorry for my poor husband; I do, too–in retrospect.) As luck would have it, my concerns were right on the money: after sitting in a fast food parking lot for what felt like forever, the bottle was only mildly warmed. But, if we didn’t get back on the road fast, my ever-patient spouse warned, we’d get caught up in rush-hour traffic. Torn between giving my young daughter formula that was room temperature at best and heeding my wise husband’s sage advice, I fed her in a hurry…but without much success. She only drank a few ounces before turning her head away and letting out a disgusted cry. Believe it when I say I felt her pain–and it was a long time before we took another road trip. Today’s moms don’t have to wrestle with such aggravation when feeding their baby on the go,  thanks to Toasty Bottle. This baby bottle warming set that works without the hassle of batteries, car adapters or hot water is almost too good to be true. Simply remove the plastic packaging from the warmer and pull off one side of the adhesive strip. Next, wrap the warmer around your filled bottle and attach the adhesive to the warmer. Now, open the Velcro enclosure on the Toasty Bottle holder and place your wrapped bottle inside. The warming packets retain heat as soon as they are exposed to the air and stay hot for less than 30 minutes, giving your baby plenty of time to eat–and burp. Rest assured that the warmer packets use natural ingredients like iron powder and salt, so you don’t need to worry about any harmful chemicals coming into contact with your baby’s bottle. We can’t say the same for the high level of road pollution on the LIE, but that’s another story…

In a Nutshell: Get your baby to her destination safely and on a full stomach with this no-fuss, no-muss bottle warming system.

Tags: bottle warmers, bottle-feeding on the go, feeding accessories, Toasty Bottle, travel-friendly bottle warmer