Things I Love Thursday - Graco Smart Seat

 Don't forget about the Veggie Tales Giveaway! Enter now!

<a href="http://littlebitlife.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src=" http://i938.photobucket.com/albums/ad221/littlebitlife/thursdaycopy.jpg"></a> 

I am officially in awe of any mom who works full time and still has time to blog regularly. I don't have time to shower and blow dry my hair regularly - let alone blog. I almost cried tears of joy when I woke up the other morning and realized that Joey had washed all the dishes and cleaned up the kitchen the night before. Of course I'm also hormonal since after 18 months without her AF is making her return so that could be it too. {That means that we can start planning on trying for #2 next year! :) }

On to Things I Love Thursday. This item I don't have yet but it will be one of Jellybean's presents for Christmas. I personally feel that child passenger safety is a huge deal. Jellybean is currently still in his infant seat, rear facing because he is just a tiny little thing. The AAP now recommends we rear face until at least the age of 2. Our plan is to go long past that. It's just safer. That being said his infant seat will be uncomfortable after awhile and he will want to sit up more soon. Rather than investing in a convertible car seat, then a forward facing and then a booster seat - we are going to shell out the big bucks once on one of these.

Graco Smart Seat All-In-One

• Rear-facing in a harness from 5-40 lbs, forward facing in a harness from 20-65 lbs. then as a belt-positioning booster from 30-100 lbs.
• SafeSeat Engineering - Engineered & Crash Tested to Meet or Exceed US Standard FMVS213:
• Side Impact Tested* (*In addition to meeting or exceeding all applicable US safety standards, the SmartSeat™ car seat has been side impact tested for occupant retention with the built-in 5 point harness system and with a standard vehicle harness system when in high back booster mode. Please consult your vehicle's owner's manual for more specific information on the performance of your vehicle's safety belt system.)
• New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) – peak crash force approximately 2X Car Seat Standard
• Extreme Car Interior Temperatures
• Convenient, stay-in-car base with belt lock off for one time install (LATCH equipped)
• Steel-reinforced frame & car seat base provides strength and durability
• Locking indicators on seat & stay in car base to help ensure proper installation
• Integrated harness storage compartment holds the harness straps that are not in use while in the belt positioning booster mode
• Easy-to-read level indicator on the seat, helps eliminate installation guesswork
• No Re-thread harness for quick & easy harness adjustment
• One-hand, 6 position adjustable head rest for your growing child
• On-the go, 5-position recline so you can recline child while in use
• EPS, energy absorbing foam liner
• Flip-up armrests makes it easy for child to get in & out of car seat
• Child's cup holder keeps child's drink close by

Is it a lot of money? Yes, without a doubt.

I don't think any amount of money is too great though when it comes to my child's safety. I love this seat because of all the options you get with it though. The car seat can recline into 5 different positions so if he falls asleep I can recline him back and let him snooze. Rear facing up to 40 lbs! Harness can be adjusted with the click of a button. And no needs to keep replacing seats as he grows. This is one investment I think is well worth the money.

What are some of your big ticket items this winter?

Link up with me today!

Things I Love Thursday - Veggie Tales Giveaway

We have a winner!

Lucky number 70 which is Donna!

<a href="http://littlebitlife.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src=" http://i938.photobucket.com/albums/ad221/littlebitlife/thursdaycopy.jpg"></a> 

I have loved VeggieTales long before I had Jellybean. I use to watch it with my niece's and nephews and just knew it was going to be a part of my household once I had kids. Veggie Tales is wholesome, clean cartoons with a valuable lesson. I'm not scared of what might be said or done while these are on.

That is why I was super excited when Veggie Tales contacted me about its two new videos out now. TThey are part of the all-new “Family Builders” series. The DVD's contain a combo of three stories, including two classic bestselling VeggieTales, along with lots of music and bonus content.

VeggieTales: Larry Learns to Listen teaches Larry an important lesson when his new Space Squadron game finally arrives and he’s so excited to play that he refuses to read the directions. His toy just won’t work but with the help of good friends and the value of listening it all works out in the end. He is taught that God gave friends and family to help us though each day-- so when we listen we don't miss what others have to say! Included in this DVD are the two classics: “Pistachio” and “Josh and the Big Wall” as well as two sing-alongs with “Larry Learns to Listen” and “Song of the Cebu.”

VeggieTales: Bob Lends a Helping Hand is right up every little boys alley as Bob, Larry and Joe learn how to be “superheros” by helping others. “Tomato Sawyer and Huckleberry Larry’s Big River Rescue” and “Lyle the Kindly Viking” are included in this movie.

I watched the videos and loved them. They will be going into Jellybean's stocking for Christmas and I hope he will enjoy them for a few years to come!

Buy It:

You can find these Veggies Tales DVDs in stores now.

Win It!

1 lucky winner will receive a copy of each DVD: Larry Learns to Listen and Bob Lends a Helping Hand

Rules:
This giveaway ends on October 31, 2011 at 11:59 pm EST. November 9, 2011 at 11:59pm EST.
Open to the US only, ages 18+.

Mandatory Entry: Tell me which Veggie Tales video is the favorite in your house.
Please make sure if your email address is not visible in your blogger profile you leave one in your initial entry!  

Extra Entries

• Link up with "Things I Love" Thursday
• Follow VeggieTales on twitter.
• Tweet about this giveaway including @littlebitlife and a link to this post (daily)

       #win newest @veggietales DVDs, Larry Learns to Listen & Bob Lends a Helping Hand http://bit.ly/oSR0kj @littlebitlife  Ends 10/31 #giveaway

• Follow A Little Bit of Life via Google Friends Connect

Link up with Things I Love now!

Things I Love Thursday - These Moments

<a href="http://littlebitlife.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src=" http://i938.photobucket.com/albums/ad221/littlebitlife/thursdaycopy.jpg"></a> 

This is an opportunity to link up every week and share something you or your kiddos just can't live without. Sort of an online girl's night out. So dish about that great new toy you bought your kid or the amazing lipstick everyone needs to try. Let us know what we are missing in our lives.

My thing I love this Thursday isn't a place or a product. It's a moment. Its about taking the time to slow down and just enjoy.


Yesterday was another sunny, beautiful Florida day. I went to feed Jellybean during my lunch break as usual and I decided to run over to the park with him. I hate him being stuck at day care all day so I pulled a "cool mom" trick.

So this Thursday, the thing I love the most is this half hour on a Wednesday at lunch with my Jellybean.

Me and him.

A break in monotony.

And the cutest damn smile - EVER!

What do you love this Thursday?

Things I Love Thursday - My Gym

<a href="http://littlebitlife.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src=" http://i938.photobucket.com/albums/ad221/littlebitlife/thursdaycopy.jpg"></a>

As I have mentioned many, many times before I was a gymnast. I lived for gymnastics. It was ALL I wanted to do. After I retired from gymnastics I stayed in the sport by coaching for about 8 years. I knew from the start that when I had a child I wanted them to do gymnastics.

My reasoning though has nothing to do with wanting Jellybean to be the next Olympian so I was on a search to fond the right program. Luckily my choices were pretty limited due to Jellybean's age so I decided to give My Gym a shot.

Best choice I ever made - seriously!

I love My Gym for everything it is and everything it is not.

I'm not going to lie - one of my reasons for wanting Jellybean to start a Mommy and Me program was for me. I needed a chance to interact with other adults and make a connection. This class gives me a chance to do just that.

My other reasons for wanting Jellybean to do gymnastics though are ALL about him. Gymnastics has been shown to help with reading, math and a slew of other academic subjects. It is also the perfect sport to serve as a foundation for any other sport. Is Jellybean getting all of that now? Probably not. But he is getting something out of it.

I love that My Gym is non-competitive. They aren't trying to develop a gymnastics star. They are trying to make sure my child has a great time though. The class is perfect for his needs as a baby. There is time to just crawl around. We stretch, we sing, we dance, we play. Then we break out. He can do gymnastics activities, swing, chase after a ball or practice pulling himself up on a mat. There's a separation activity where he plays on his own with the other babies and then finally a puppet show and the bye bye song.

That is what I want for Jellybean at this stage in the game. An environment where he gets to work on his crawling, standing and walking. Somewhere that isn't on the lookout to see if he is better than the rest. If he has potential. My belief is - every child has potential - it just might not be in gymnastics! I love that they offer free plays in addition to his class. My Friday lunch hour has now become my play with Jellybean hour - and that makes my week all the better.

So I would have to whole heartedly say that My Gym has exceeded my expectations and I am so happy I took a chance on it.

Now, what are you loving?



Things I Love Thursday - My Moby Wrap

<a href="http://littlebitlife.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src=" http://i938.photobucket.com/albums/ad221/littlebitlife/thursdaycopy.jpg"></a>

I mentioned last week that Jellybean had reflux. (Thankfully he has grown out of it now!) What I may have skirted over was that until we got Jellybean on some medication he screamed. Constantly. If we laid him down for even a second.

IT WAS EXHAUSTING.

I was home. ALONE. With a screaming child that hated the car.

WITH A PASSION.

Finally, in sheer desperation – I bought a Moby Wrap. I figured if he felt better when he was upright this had to work.

At first the Jellybean wasn’t sure if he liked the Moby. Heck, at first I wasn’t sure if I liked it either!

But I had just shelled out $40 for the thing so I figured I would keep trying. Initially, I tried the newborn hug hold but my curious monkey did not like not being able to see and look around so I switched him to the Kangaroo.

And there was silence.

HE LOVED IT!!

So four or five times a day, I would strap on the Jellybean and we would walk. All over the neighborhood. I worked off all the baby weight and got to meet the neighbors. The Jellybean would take it all in and then he would sleep. Snuggled up to his Mommy. I grew to love the convenience of the Moby. It wasn’t as cumbersome as lugging a stroller everywhere. It kept people from touching him and spreading their germs to my preemie. And have I mentioned it kept him from screaming? Oh that was nice.

Since then, the Moby has gone everywhere. I wore him at the circus. He was strapped in at shopping trips at Target. Furniture shopping? Yup, A snuggled up Jellybean was right there the whole time trying out couches. Walking the neighborhood looking for a runaway dog – discreetly nursed him in the Moby while talking to those same neighbors! Even now at 7 months old, I will throw the Moby on if he gets fussy while I try to finish up chores and it settles him right down. Quite honestly – it is the best $40 I ever spent. I could live without my stroller even though we do use it more often now but I couldn’t imagine life without my Moby. If you are wondering what to get someone as a baby shower gift or you think they already have everything they need – get them a Moby. I plan on purchasing them for any future momma’s I come across!

You know what else I would love? For you to win my Veggie Tales giveaway! Go ahead and enter!

What are you loving this week?

Things I Love Thursday

Did you notice I'm hosting an awesome Veggie Tales giveaway? You should totally go enter. All the cool kids are doing it! If you link up today you get an extra entry!

<a href="http://littlebitlife.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src=" http://i938.photobucket.com/albums/ad221/littlebitlife/thursdaycopy.jpg"></a>

This is an opportunity to link up every week and share an item you or your kiddos just can't live without. Sort of an online girl's night out. So dish about that great new toy you bought your kid or the amazing lipstick everyone needs to try. Let us know what we are missing in our lives. Because ya'll? I'm tired of just comparing sales on diapers and deciding whether I can go another day with out showering!

So for this Things I Love Thursday I am going to go back a little bit and feature something I loved when Jellybean was a newborn. Next week I am going to gush about my moby wrap that I still use now!

The first thing I could not have lived without was Jellybean's swing. He was a tiny thing when we brought him home and didn't really fit well in a bouncer or anything of that sort. Someone had generously gifted us a Graco Newborn Soothing Center Swing and that was the best thing we could have been given at the time. In addition to being a tiny thing, Jellybean also had reflux. 

The swing kept him inclined which would tone down his screaming for a bit. If he had a cold - the incline helped him breathe. This swing was extra cool in that the base for it also fit our car seat so if he fell asleep in the car we could just take him out and snap the car seat in and let it go. (Not that he fell asleep in the car very often. He HATED riding in the car for the first three months!) 

Graco offers the following description -

The Sweetpeace Newborn Soothing Center was designed based on significant research into the needs of newborns, as well as feedback from real-life mothers. This unique tool is designed to simulate the comfort of the womb with customizable touch, sound, sights, and movement. Four unique seat positions and four different cradling motions mimic how you cradle and hold your baby, and six speeds allow you to customize the Center's movement based on your baby's mood and needs. A two-speed vibration provides baby with a subtle, calming "massage" and a built-in swaddle blanket, head support, and snug five-point harness keep baby feeling extra secure.

Soothing, familiar sounds help to relax your baby as well: choose from low-frequency sounds that mimic sounds heard in the womb; natural sounds such as heartbeat, rain and wind; or lullabies played through the high-quality speakers; or provide your own play list with the included MP3 connection and holder.

Baby's eyes are kept from over stimulation with an adjustable canopy, which controls light and limits baby's line of vision--making it easier for a tired baby to feel calm. A close-by mirror gives baby something interesting to focus on quietly.

Regardless - Jellybean loved the thing. 

Sadly - we can't use it anymore since Jellybean now tries to fling himself out of bouncers, swings or anything of that sort...