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Posted by cassie on Tuesday, 30 October, 2007 @ 7:37 pm

Jody and Van came up to hang out today so after letting the kids play for a couple of hours we hit some consignment shops in Bradenton. Here’s what I found:

After the Stork, 1990 1st St Bradenton (located near the Red Barn in a strip mall)
I thought they had a great selection of clothing, shoes, bedding, strollers, maternity and toys. They also had about 6 cribs and several toddler beds (2 of which were the blue race car beds and I had a really hard time not buying one). Their selection also included pregnancy books, Halloween costumes and teen clothing. Their stroller section included several jogging strollers, 1 double and a myriad of singles. Unfortunately I didn’t find one that would work for me but I can always continue to look.

Interestingly they also had a changing price tags that reduces based upon the time of month. Ie. 10/1 - 10/30 price $6.24 After 10/31 price $4.99. So if you are willing to take a chance on an item still being there you could get a couple of bucks off if you wait.

Overall: I was impressed with their selection but thought their toy section could have been better organized. The store was clean but the staff mostly kept to themselves. I will continue to visit when I am up in that area.

Baby’s Toybox , 5219 14th St West Bradenton (behind dairy queen)
Located behind Dairy Queen just north of St Rd 70 on US 41 this store is a blend of new boutique-y items and consignment. It included pedi-peds, cutsey onesies with sayings and a selection of “specialty” baby products like talcum powder. The owner was there with her toddler daughter and was friendly and tried to do a soft sell on some puzzles to Jody but quickly backed off when it didn’t take.

The store is divided into two sections - new and consignment. The new half consisted of pedi-peds, onesies, christmas dressy outfits, specialty baby products and Melissa and Doug stuff (paints/coloring stuff, puzzles and other toys).

The consignment section housed several cribs and breast pumps, a decent selection of books, including Dr. Seuss (I thought the books were a little over priced), DVDs, girls clothing and some toys. A lot of it appears to be outgrown items from the owners daughter.

Overall: The store itself seems to be rather new, smallish and doesn’t contain a lot of items. I was a bit disappointed after going to After the Stork quite honestly. If you are in the area it is worth stopping in for a peek but I wouldn’t go out of my way to go there.

Posted by cassie on Monday, 29 October, 2007 @ 6:56 pm

We did our yearly treck over to Hunsadar’s Farm for the Pumpkin Festival and as usual, had a blast. I do have some things to complain about though. It cost 2 adults and a 14 mo old (free) $19 just to get in the door! Parking was $4 alone! Ok big deal you say right? A sandwich at most of the vendor stalls was pushing $10 if you could find a cheap-o. We spent about $40 there and it was worth it, but I cringe to think what it will cost in years to come when Anthony is big enough to want to ride everything and get every do-dad they have out there. Luckily I don’t suffer mommy guilt over not getting him everything. No is a well used word in our house. lol

The day was very comfortable since it was overcast and had a bit of a breeze. Anthony was running on a 10 min nap taken on the ride out to the festival. My darling wouldn’t sleep that morning for his usual nap But he had plenty of kids and animals to look at so he was happy as a clam! We went through the petting zoo area and he was doing great until a horse snuck up on him (sounds funny doesn’t it) when his back was turned and touched him. OOOO-EEEE! He puckered up and let out some wails over that. At least the pony was at the end of the petting area so we were able to move on.

He didn’t suffer any lasting effects though because he went for a pony ride ($4 for 4 turns) and was ok with that. I got some great pictures of Nick & Anthony hanging out with the pony train. After that we walked around some more and saw all the craft booths, etc and then picked out a pumpkin for Anthony.

He was so excited to run around in the pumpkin patch, it was just adorable. I can’t wait for him to decorate his little pumpkin. Hopefully we’ll have time to do it tomorrow. Scary thought but I’m going to let him draw on it with markers. Note to self: pick up some washable markers tomorrow before doing so!

Posted by cassie on Friday, 26 October, 2007 @ 5:29 pm

Due to incorrect use of these seats over 25 infants have received injuries. Please do not put these seats on anything other than the floor where the child is safest should they fall. Bumbo has voluntarily stopped production of these seats until they can update their warning labels and safety instructions. To read more about the recall, which includes all seats produced from 2003-2007, click here. To learn about additional safety steps you should take with your seat, click here to visit Bumbo’s safety website.

Posted by cassie on Thursday, 25 October, 2007 @ 5:30 pm

Anthony loves to be picked up, I mean what kid doesn’t, right? But I couldn’t stand him coming over and throwing a minor hissy if I didn’t immediately pick him up when he stood there. So, like all parents I decided to make him work for it a bit. The outcome - “bup”. For some reason all words are beginning with B’s these days and up is no exception. I love that he actually is communicating his needs and he loves that he gets results other than me asking “what do you want” while waiting for him to tell me.

Isn’t life great

Posted by cassie on Monday, 22 October, 2007 @ 7:37 pm

Here is a great e-how article on how to choose teethers that don’t contain some of the chemicals that are recently banned. Of course, this can be applied to all toys since we all know that kids don’t stick with just sucking on teethers. Normally those are the first to “go out the window” in favor of chewing on something else. It also lists manufacturers that are not using phthalates. Do your research and make sure that this still holds true!

Posted by cassie on Monday, 22 October, 2007 @ 7:14 pm

In the past several days amazing articles have come out on chemicals in our children’s bodies (and of course our own). I find it amazing that people are so naive as to think that all of the cleaners, chemicals, pollutants, etc in our lives don’t effect our bodies. I’ve switched to cleaning with vinegar for 99% of everything because if my son ingests it - it won’t hurt him! And it doesn’t do me any harm either. Think about it people!

Here are some blurbs from the latest news articles, complete with links to read more. Enjoy!

Tests reveal high chemical levels in kids’ bodies

Trasande said children up to six years old are most at risk because their vital organs and immune system are still developing and because they depend more heavily on their environments than adults do.

“Pound for pound, they eat more food, they drink more water, they breathe in more air,” he said. “And so [children] carry a higher body burden than we do.” Studies on the health effects of PBDEs are only just beginning, but many countries have heeded the warning signs they see in animal studies. Sweden banned PBDEs in 1998. The European Union banned most PBDEs in 2004. In the United States, the sole manufacturer of two kinds of PBDEs voluntarily stopped making them in 2004. A third kind, Deca, is still used in the U.S. in electrical equipment, construction material, mattresses and textiles.

Another class of chemicals that showed up in high levels in the Holland children is known as phthalates. These are plasticizers, the softening agents found in many plastic bottles, kitchenware, toys, medical devices, personal care products and cosmetics. In lab animals, phthalates have been associated with reproductive defects, obesity and early puberty. But like PBDEs, little is known about what they do to humans and specifically children.

Read the rest of the article here.

Interestingly enough note the next article is out of California and it bans phthalates (which is mentioned above). Good going Governor! Let’s hope all states follow suit soon!

California Bans Hazardous Chemical in Plastic Baby Toys

SACRAMENTO, California, October 17, 2007 (ENS) - Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed legislation to prohibit the manufacturing, sale and distribution of vinyl toys and childcare products that contain phthalates designed for children under three, making California the first state in the country to ban these chemicals used in baby toys.

“We must take this action to protect our children,” said the governor. “These chemicals threaten the health and safety of our children at critical stages of their development.”

The phthalate ban was among 80 bills the governor signed Sunday to meet a midnight deadline. The ban will take effect on January 1, 2009. Several other states are expected to follow suit.

Read the rest of the article here.

Scary stuff guys. I know a lot of it can be attributed to hype since we are all a lot more aware and connected in our lives today (think old days we had the pony express now we have crackberries) which makes it easier to spread stories that may or may not be true. BUT and it’s a big but… don’t assume it is hype and do what you can to lessen your impact on your health. Buy natural products or make your own. Open up the house and let some sunshine and air in instead of burning cloying candles or spraying air fresheners. You don’t have to be crunchy-granola to take into account your health. Trust me your body will thank you

Posted by cassie on Friday, 19 October, 2007 @ 6:53 pm

Anthony is now 14 months old. I can’t believe how the time has flown! He is now walking, talking and being a toddler Every day he finds something new to do or say and it is amazing to watch him spread his wings. It’s not quite so endearing when he uses it to go against me, but I understand it’s all part of the process. Here’s a movie of him walking in his squeaker sneakers. Enjoy! Anthony walking movie

Posted by cassie on Thursday, 18 October, 2007 @ 3:39 pm

Get a free set of Play-Doh or a box of Crayons with this printable coupon for TRU! Good through October 19th only!

Posted by cassie on Tuesday, 16 October, 2007 @ 7:15 pm

According to the rumor mill earlier this month Target has dropped the price for Luvs diapers to $6.89 and now Walmart is following suit. (Ok well for 90 days anyway).

Stock on up if you need ‘em! Those of you that get the paper and don’t live in FL there should have been a coupon in the inserts a few weeks back for a $1 off.

Wal-mart Rolls Back Luvs Prices

…Walmart has rolled back the price of a Luvs jumbo from $7.99 to $6.99. The rollback will last for 90 days. Yippee!

Posted by cassie on Tuesday, 16 October, 2007 @ 6:58 pm

I haven’t tried making these yet but Jody did over the weekend. Thought you guys might find it interesting.

Kids Oatmeal Banana Bars

1 1/2 c flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 c soft margarine
1 c brown sugar
2 egg
3 med mashed bananas
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 c quick-cooking oats
3/4 c (total) chopped nuts, raisins, or dates (opt)

Preheat oven to 425
Grease and flour 13×9

Sift together flour, salt, soda and spices, set aside.

Beat til fluffy,butter, sugar, egg. Add bananas and vanilla beat til smooth.

Gradually stir in flour mixture and oats til well combined.

(If a little thick, slowly add up to about 1/4 c milk if needed or you can add a little applesauce) Stir in nuts etc.

Bake about 25 min,til golden

They can be left out - don’t have to refrigerate.