Product Review: Graco Bumper Jumper - Little Jungle

Wow! I have been waiting to use this with Sophia since we registered for it when I was pregnant. You see my niece and nephew loved this toy when they were babies. We used to laugh so hard watching them bounce and spin. Now we are enjoying Sophia's dance moves in this wonderful Graco toy. It hangs in any doorway that has molding or trim work. While baby bounces, the device stays still so no paint is rubbed off on the doorway of choice. It took Sophia one day to figure out the cause and effect motion that when she pushes down on the floor with her feet, she goes bouncing up into the air. It has vinyl straps that won't irritate their hands or face. It comes with two attachment toys in some models and a padded seat. The only thing I recommend is placing a support blanket around baby if they are younger than 6 months. They may tend to wobble back and forth in the seat while on the wild bounce chase. I have noticed Sophia's sleep improving since we introduced this toy. It is a great way to get their legs strong and burn some calories. It is easily moved from one doorway to the next, so a busy mom or dad can bring baby around the house as they tend to their important chores. This is one of those age old toys all house holds with babies must have.

UPDATE! Pottery Barn Kids

Yesterday I returned the stinky baskets to my local Pottery Barn. They were very helpful and happy to take back online returns. While the sales woman was taking care of the paperwork, I browsed the other baskets in the store. It wasn't the kids store, and interestingly enough the baskets they carried were just as nice. Now, when I returned everything, I did notice that they weren't made in China. I want to correct that thought, but they were made in Indonesia. After about an hour of looking and measuring, I successfully purchased six perfect baskets, but they don't sell liners because they aren't made for clothes. That shouldn't present to be a problem. Overall I am happy with my purchase for Sophia's room, but I did learn an important lesson.

With outsourcing being such a huge movement, parents really need to be aware of where all the products they buy for their children are manufactured. Certain products being made abroad aren't an issue, but educating yourself is very important. More to come about smart buying!

The Baby Shower was Awesome!

Hi. Yesterday was my baby shower. Honestly, I was an emotional wreck, but it was truly magical for me. I really am not the type to enjoy the spotlight, but it was fantastic to see all these people gathered in one place to celebrate the miracle of Sophia. After 3 long years, I really enjoyed being the one talking about their child. She deserves all the love that filled the room yesterday.

I was completely taken back by the generosity of my family and friends. This week or next week, I'll be sure to post pictures of items. The posts will focus on quality and assembly. I will try to cover the consumer reports feedback and any other pertinent safety issues that moms and dad need to be held abreast of.

It's been a crazy weekend. Twenty people came over for dinner last night after the shower. My mother in law just left to fly back to NC at 4. It was great having her for the shower. We've been out of the house since 11 because 2 people came to see the house, and I just finished tutoring my sweet nephew. He's the greatest. Now I must go rest. Thanks for reading more to come...

Feeling Well and Planning Ahead

Today I took it easy, and it felt great. The more I relax, the more Sophia moves, and that is the best reward.

Business is starting to develop for Jeff and I. Jeff is finally confident enough to start hiring people for his advertising business. I am quite proud of him because I see he is secure in his ability to bring business and creativity together for himself. Hopefully this will help buy our next home.

As for myself, my educational consulting business is my main stream of income. It entails going out to school districts to train their teachers and staff in various teaching techniques. That is time I won't have next year. In response to questions about next year, I have decided to work one day a month. I will book districts on a first come first serve basis. At first, I felt guilty that I wasn't taking on more work, but Jeff made it clear that he didn't want me to work. That really comforted me because I want so much to be a stay at home mom. That brings me to my next stream of income.

In February, I created Little Baby Headquarters. It was so important to me that I contribute financially to our family without compromising my time with baby. The online store seemed like the best choice. It allows me to provide top-quality items to other pregnant moms, baby products to new families, and downloadable seminars for teachers, tutors and parents.

With the three hard years of trying behind us, I want to enjoy this miracle we waited so long to meet. Hopefully, Little Baby Headquarters will become my main stream of income, so time out at work won't be an issue once Sophia arrives.

I pride myself in being an educational expert, and feel the same about the store. I look high and low for organic/eco-friendly products, so parents can be proud of items they use on or with their children. I also look for products made in the USA. With the economy the way it is, we should focus on keeping our money at home in America.

I would love to hear from other work at home moms, and urge all readers to checkout the great products at Little Baby Headquarters.

Be Well

Choosing Jog Strollers

Today, Jeff and I went to choose our jog stroller, which my overly generous sister has asked to buy for us. This type of stroller was important to us because we love being outdoors with our Beagles, and soon with baby. I know we will be going to the park a lot, and we will be at mom's at the beach a lot. Because of this, we needed something durable that folded quickly and easily. We are mountain bikers, but aren't fans of jogging, so we didn't need the absolute best suspension. Down the road we will need a top of the line bike trailer, but for now, we need a jog stroller that allows for light hiking, speed walking and days at the beach.

We did our research on consumer reports and have tried out many jog strollers in the past. Today we went with the intention of buying the BOB.

With consumer reports, I have to be cautious because items that are high priced don't get reviewed or don't perform well. Believe it or not, we chose the Baby Jogger but not the performance series which is reviewed on Consumer Reports. We chose the newest line, City Elite.
It was a tough choice, but I feel secure in our decision. Here is what we liked most about the City Elite. It had an adjustable handle bar, three-compartment console, adjustable and storable foot rest, swivel front wheel that can be locked into place, and one step folding feature.

Our second choice was the BOB revolution and it was slightly cheaper. It had top-notch suspension which we didn't need right now. On the side bar of this blog, there is a discount text link for the BOB. Help yourself.

I think either jog stroller is a great purchase. Good luck with your jog stroller purchase.

Little Baby Headquarters:Look at these items

Here are some great pregnancy and baby items you must check out. Go to Little Baby Headquarters











HAPPY SHOPPING!

Take Action, We Did!

Yesterday's post should really have gotten some of you thinking. I wanted to share some valuable information with you today to help you take action.

When Jeff and I wanted to take action after educating ourselves we did exactly what I mentioned yesterday. We found someone doing what we wanted to be doing. We met locally with two real estate investors and just asked them as many questions as possible until they got sick of us. After digesting that information, we found a real estate coach who really put us on the right track.

In the meantime you might say we were straddling. We are both consultants working for ourselves, but we view the consulting as our separate jobs. We view our other endeavors as preparation for our dream. Remember our dream is to have endless time to raise our girls and have money working for us.

This fall our consulting set itself on a great path, so we decided to take our next step toward that dream. We had spent plenty of time on real estate and we are waiting to watch it grow for a year. Now we were ready to learn how to start up and build a business. As mentioned yesterday, we asked ourselves the hard questions, so we could match ourselves to a business. Being pregnant and in the midst of adoption the abvious answer was an online baby store. We have to learn about these products anyway, why not research and buy the best products for our customers as well. Do you see what's coming?
Yes we went and got ourselves another coach.Thanks to her, our store has had a smooth and successful start. Little Baby Headquarters

Our coach taught us more in three, one hour sessions than we could have learned in a year of seminars and books. Her name is Cindy Shebley. Her contact info. is www.clovercity.com.
Be sure to tell her that Cyndi and Jeff in NJ sent you, and she'll give you a phenominal deal. I can't express what an amazing help she has been to us. Cindy is a Business Consultant certified by eBay, she specializes in internet marketing and starting up online.

Your homework:
Read this blog.
Send a comment telling about where you are in your life (i.e. pregnant, quitting your job next month, selling products at craft fairs...whatever it is)
Call Cindy Shebley if you want advice from the best.

Tomorrow, lots more so get going!

Welcome to Day #1: How I Got Here

Thank you for sharing with me our journey of pregnancy and adoption.
My blog will discuss our three year struggle to get pregnant. I will explain how I arrived at this point (This point is called 6 months pregnant and mid-way through an international adoption).
Interestingly, I will walk backwards to explain struggles, lessons and procedures while I progress forward to my due date, June 3rd. During this time I will continue to update you on our adoption from China.
Most importantly, I will inform you of all the products, questions and life lessons my husband and I have encountered during this pregnancy and adoption. My goal is to personally review specific baby products while including pointers and ratings from consumer reports. Many of the products mentioned will be available to buy through our newly created eBay store: Little Baby Headquarters.
Let's begin, shall we.

Today, my husband, Jeff, and I went to the doctors to hear our daughter's heart beat. She is growing so strong.
Funny to think...
A year ago, I was told by my former GYN that I should consider a life without children. A year prior to that, a highly regarded fertility specialist in NYC also indicated the same barren idea. We had decided long ago that infertility treatments weren't for us. Jeff and I never gave up, and we turned to the only source that supplies guarantees: GOD. On August 7, 2007, Jeff and I took a lunge of faith. We began paper work with CCAI in Colorado to adopt a daughter from China. In Addition, with deep faith and unending prayer by many, we experienced our first positive pregnancy test on Sept. 25, 2007. I truly believe God heard and answered our prayers to be parents. In a month's time, He made us parents to two beautiful, unborn children.
For now, I'll leave you with that information to digest. Tomorrow, I will discuss the parenting philosophy that Jeff and I share and how that lead us toward working together and starting a Baby eBay store: Little Baby Headquarters. Also, I'll review the beginning stages of the adoption and the pregnancy.
Be Well.