sit ‘n snooze: tiny love 3-in-1 rocker napper

 Gear for Baby Walnuts
May 042012
 

Delicate, precise handiwork isn’t only necessary for surgeons and craftspeople; it’s also crucial for moms of sleeping babies. I remember when my almost 4-year-old would finally conk out in her bouncy seat or swing. I was absolutely terrified to move her, for fear of disturbing her precious shut-eye–and me having to contend with a very unhappy baby. (And this was my second kid, so my fear factor should tell you something.) How cool would it have been to have an infant seat that doubles as a safe sleeping spot. My baby wouldn’t have to fall asleep in an uncomfortable, upright position–and I wouldn’t have to agonize whether or not to wake her. Well, Tiny Love has solved this dilemma with its new 3-in-1 Rocker Napper. Aside from the standard bouncer seat bells and whistles–toy bar, music box and mobile–this seat turns into a fully reclined, bassinet-like sleeping spot with raised sides for extra security. No more cramped neck muscles, or endless fretting that your little one will fuss if you attempt to transfer her. And because the Rocker Napper can accommodate babies up to 40 lbs., we imagine this seat will become a nursery mainstay.

In a Nutshell: “Never wake a sleeping baby.” Now you can follow Mom’s sage advice with a clear conscience, thanks to this multitasking baby seat.

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the mouse that roared: graco minnie mouse swing

 Gear for Baby Walnuts
Apr 102012
 

When my preschooler was an infant, boy, could that kid cry! Pacifiers were never enough to soothe her; she’d spit them out faster than I could pop them back in. And bouncy seats never offered enough movement to satisfy her for any considerable length of time. Thank goodness then for her swing, a newer, portable model that replaced her older sister’s bulky floor model. It didn’t matter that it offered more music or an extra cushiony seat; for this temperamental tot, it was all about the constant motion that kept her smiling and her mommy, sane. Amazed as I was four years ago to see the transformation in her swing’s more sleek design, I marvel today at the strides in innovation that make baby gear more fitting for the modern-day nursery than ever. And Graco’s Minnie Mouse Sweet Snuggle Premier Infant Soothing Swing, part of the new Disney Baby line, falls right into that camp. We love the fact that this swing is set high up off the ground, discouraging any curious kitties or other unwanted guests from disturbing your little one’s privacy. The number of options for her optimal comfort level is staggering: 4 sitting positions, 6 swing speeds and up to 15 songs. (My 3-year-old would so envious if she knew what she was missing!) An extra cushy seat and canopy with soft toys in a rich plum color palette are the icing on the cake. This is one swing bound to afford babies (and their moms) some peace of mind, no matter how cranky they get.

In a Nutshell: Give your baby the gift of contentment as she rocks away in a swing that’s got all the bells and whistles to keep her–and you– smiling.

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weekly wardrobe: petites frites bibs

 Feeding the Little Walnuts, The Accessorized Walnut, The Green Walnut
Jan 262012
 

When my older daughter was born, I received a gift of seven bibs, each one embroidered with a different day of the week. An adorable concept…if only the bibs hadn’t been white. Once she grew and moved on to solid foods, it wasn’t long before those beautiful bibs were permanently stained with mashed peas and peach puree. The “Friday” bib looked more like “Fdy,” while “Sunday” became just plain old “day.” (Easy for a sleep-deprived mom to figure out which bib to wear, but somehow I don’t think that was the point…) That’s why we can appreciate the Day-of-the-Week Bib Set from Petites Frites, a collection that is as pleasing to the eye as it is to the touch. Made from an ultra-soft, two-ply cotton blend and colored with baby-friendly dyes, these bibs come in two assortments–rainbow and cornwall–and are awash in a eye-popping palette that will stand up to spit-up, strained peas and everything in between. We’re especially fond of the mood monikers, a different one reserved for each day of the week. We can relate to “Foggy Friday,” and are optimistic for a “Sunday Funday.”

In a Nutshell: Pack a little punch into your baby’s mealtime routine with a variety of bibs that will get you through all those round-the-clock feedings.

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cradle of love: bloom coco rosso

 Gear for Baby Walnuts, The Furnished Walnut
Jan 172012
 

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.

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mad for adler: jonathan adler loves skip hop

 Diapering for Walnuts, Gear for Baby Walnuts
Dec 022011
 

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.

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measuring up

 The Accessorized Walnut, The Pregnant Walnut
Nov 102011
 

The 7-year-old me would be so psyched at just how cool stickers have become. Forget about waiting until you’re a kid to start your collection; if you’ve got a super-hip mom, you can begin your love affair with stickers in utero. Earlier this summer, The Talking Walnut reported on Sticky Bellies, a line of adhesives that moms-to-be can affix to their growing bellies–a clever way of answering the never-ending “when are you due?” line of questioning from strangers everywhere. Now, we’ve just come across another company offering a similar product: Belly Banter from SlickSugar. In addition to a line of pregnancy decals featuring witty sayings like “running out of womb” and “I love pickles,” there’s an assortment designed for new babies’ onesies. Remember propping up your baby next to a sign proclaiming six months (even when she couldn’t quite sit up without being propped up, too)? Well, put away the marker and paper–now your little one can proudly profess his age with Belly Banter decals. They come in unisex-, girl- and boy-themed sets, each containing 15 removable stickers that easily adorn any ordinary onesie. The makings of a memorable baby shower gift, Belly Banter is one way of saying age is anything but a number.

In a Nutshell: Dress up an everyday onesie with an age-appropriate accessory Here’s to one time in life when you don’t mind revealing just how old you are!

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eureka, euclid!

 Gear for Baby Walnuts, The Playful Walnut
Oct 052011
 

You don’t have to be a mathematician to know that babies need their tummy time. With so much of their day spent on the backs–sleeping, batting at toys under a play gym, etc.–during the early months, infants don’t have as much opportunity to develop upper body strength as they should. Hearing the call of eager-to-explore babies everywhere comes the Right Angle Tummy Triangle from Infantino. Designed by pediatric occupational therapists, this play gym is specially angled to promote muscle development in necks and legs, giving little ones a chance to flex their growing limbs. Ever try to get a baby to stay on her belly? It’s not as simple as it sounds. We like that the Tummy Triangle encourages this type of play with music, a toy bar that includes a peek-a-boo mirror and an inviting, crinkly bee beckoning baby to reach out and grab it. It’s designed for newborns and up, so it’s never too soon to set it up in the nursery. When your little one tires of her bouncy seat, let her check out the world from a different perspective–and watch her hold her head up high. The Right Angle Tummy Triangle will be available in late October.

In a Nutshell: Who knew that one day, the Pythagorean Theorem might come in useful? Well, not exactly, but with the Right Angle Tummy Triangle, you’ve got the right solution for those fussy moments.

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stuck on you

 The Pregnant Walnut
Jul 222011
 

The first time I was pregnant, you couldn’t catch me within 20 feet of a camera. I refused to be photographed and so have no visual record of my expanding belly. By the time I had my second daughter, I was either as little less vain or not as militant about having my picture taken. For those expectant moms who relish documenting their growing tummy, and for people like me who in retrospect should have taken things a bit less seriously, come the oh-so-adorable Sticky Bellies. This line of removable stickers is just the thing for chronicling an ever-changing pregnant body. They affix easily to clothing, so you can stick one on your shirt, grab your camera and snap away. The Oh Sew Ready assortment comes with stickers for 12-40 weeks, enabling you to start marking those milestones as soon as you start  showing. The fun doesn’t have to end with your third trimester; there are also Oh Sew Adorable and Oh Sew Handsome stickers for baby girls and boys from birth-24 months, so you can show your little one just how much she grew. Of course, thanks to Sticky Bellies, now there’s proof that you did dress her up like a little bunny even when it wasn’t Halloween (or Easter). Ah, the humiliation we subject our kids to at such a tender age…

In a Nutshell: Whether celebrating pregnancy milestones or each month of your new baby’s life, Sticky Bellies make a useful and unique baby shower gift.

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baby shower flower power

 Diapering for Walnuts, Feeding the Little Walnuts, The Accessorized Walnut, The Pregnant Walnut
Jun 082011
 

When it comes to gift-giving, I’m a stickler for presentation. I always notice a package smartly wrapped with a satin bow that looks like it belongs in a young girl’s hair, or a gift bag that’s fashionably stuffed with crinkle cut shredded paper (how very eco-friendly). So when you’re sitting ringside at a baby shower, as so many of us are at some point, you tend to zero in on the presents that stand out from the rest of the pack. What better way is there to select such a gift than one whose wrapping cleverly disguises its contents until further investigation? One present that really piques our interest is the Baby Bunch, a surefire companion to the ever-popular diaper cake. Nestled inside a floral presentation box is a carefully concealed bouquet whose flowers are actually made up of baby clothing! Imagine the “oohs” and “ahhs” that will fill the room as your family and friends pass around this adorable assortment of soft good essentials. Each Medium Baby Bunch contains one bib, one hat, one T-shirt, two Onesies and two pairs of socks–all fashioned from 100-percent cotton. We love that every piece of clothing is styled as a flower bud surrounded by fabric leaves and rosebuds, though we would have loved the addition of some baby’s breath, naturally. Nevertheless, the Baby Bunch is one gift that warrants all the attention and fussing it gets…much like that new baby herself.

In a Nutshell: When you’re tired of giving the same old Onesie and bib combo, consider this innovative baby gift, destined to be the talk of the  shower.

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queen mother-to-be

 Gear for Baby Walnuts, The Accessorized Walnut, The Traveling Walnuts
Apr 222011
 

It’s too soon to start planning for Kate Middleton’s baby shower–her wedding day isn’t even here just yet–but it’s certainly fun to imagine her as mum-to-be some day. No doubt her baby’s nursery will be outfitted in royal finery, and her bundle of joy clothed in the lushest, most soft fabrics. But something tells me that when it’s time to step out with the future prince (or princess), the future Queen of England will be doing so in style. If we could be so bold as to suggest a couple of our favorite baby products, we’d put these on her baby shower wish list. To help navigate those London city streets with a little one, the Cybex Callisto is the way to go. This highly functional stroller converts into a stylish city pram just by snapping on a carrying cot right onto the stroller’s frame. That extra roomy storage basket lets the future mum stash away her umbrella for rainy treks or anything she picks up during her daily jaunt. And once those grey skies brighten, she can resume her fresh air walk with her baby safely tucked inside a Snugli baby carrier. We’d recommend the Union Jack model, of course, so she can pay homage to her homeland. Not only is it an eye-catching print, but the back straps are adjustable and the fabric, breathable. Because, yes, even princesses perspire.

In a Nutshell: A stroller that suits royalty and a front carrier that proclaims true patriotism? God save the Queen…

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