Rating: 8
Where to buy: Raise A Bilingual Child the Fun & Easy Way Visit :
www.BocaBeth.com

Like it or not the Spanish language has become a large part of our society.  Our young children will be faced with this language throughout their lives on a daily basis as they become adults.  It’s just a fact.  Why not help your child learn to speak Spanish at any early age so they will never have to struggle like many adults are doing today?

The Boca Beth site is one of the best for helping you find the right way to start your young child on their journey through learning the Spanish language.  This CD is no exception.  It is geared for children ages birth and up.

These cute little songs are set to music we parents grew up with such as Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and The Farmer in the Dell.  With both Spanish and English words included.  There are songs about animals, days of the week, using your manners and so much more. 

This CD is so much fun for both my child and myself.  We listen, sing along and dance around the house all while learning to speak Spanish together.  It’s exciting when I hear my daughter say her colors in Spanish or count to 10.  She has even started saying different foods she likes in Spanish.  I can’t keep up with her most of the time. 

I love the idea that it is in English and Spanish both.  It makes it very simple for my child to relate the Spanish words with things she can see and knows in English.  When she counts she does it in English then in Spanish and uses her fingers to keep track.  It’s great to just sit back and listen and realize she comprehends both languages together.  Not to mention, it makes it easier for me to know if she is picking up the correct words.  I knew very little Spanish before we bought this CD and it was always a bit hard for me to know what words meant what in English…now I can learn the basics right along side our daughter.

If you are looking for a way to help your child learn Spanish as well as English try Boca Beth.  She also has videos that are great and a puppet that the children just adore. 

A lot of schools have begun teaching kids to speak spanish as early as kindergarden. My 5 year old son came home recently and greeted me with “adios , mi amore” funny how he said it, didn’t no he spoke french.

Rating: 8
Where to buy: BébéSounds Nasal Clear Battery Operated Nasal Aspirator

I absolutely despise those rubber aspirators.  They’re hard, clumsy to use and cleaning them is almost impossible.  I was always throwing mine away and getting a new one because I didn’t feel it was clean enough to use again and again.  My baby hated it too.  Every time I would try to use it on her it was like starting World War III.

I found this battery-operated aspirator and because of the features it has, I decided to try it.  It’s great.  No more battles, no more worry about whether it’s sanitary and no more trying to keep a grasp on it while holding down a baby and doing what needs to be done.

It comes with the softest tips in two different sizes.  I don’t have to worry anymore about scratching the inside of my baby’s nose or trying to get my toddler’s nose clear because the tip is too small.

It also plays many different children’s songs.  What a relief that is.  My baby just lies there and listens to the music while I make her feel better.  She actually allows me to do what I need to do without throwing a temper tantrum.

The suction is much better with this than with a manual aspirator.  I was concerned at first because I didn’t want to hurt my children’s noses.  It works great and there is no discomfort for either one of them.  Plus it cuts down the time it takes to do this.  Less fuss and strain all the way around.  

The best part is it’s easy to take apart and clean.  I can even put it in the dishwasher.  That’s about as sanitized as you can get.  I feel comfortable knowing that no matter how many times I use it, it will always be clean and safe for both of my children.

I wouldn’t be without this aspirator.  It’s perfect for both of my children.  It’s safe, comfortable and gentle but gets the job done fast and easy. 

 This review is self explanatory, if your are a mom then you should no how importan an aspirator is. Never leave home with out one.

Rating: 8

Where to buy: Seventh Generation Natural Laundry Detergent, Baby, Ultra-Concentrated Liquid, 50-Ounces Bottles (Pack of 6)

One of my first concerns after the birth of my child was the laundry detergent I would use to wash her clothes.  I was afraid there might be chemicals or dyes that would break my baby out and cause her skin problems she would have to deal with for the rest of her life. 

With Seventh Generation Natural Baby Laundry Detergent I don’t have to worry about that any longer.  The two things that caught my eye right off the bat were the fact that it’s completely biodegradable and contains no harsh chemicals.

This detergent is completely natural.  It contains no chlorine, phosphates, dyes or fragrances.  I have to admit when I first read this I thought, “How in the world will it get my clothes clean?”  My baby’s clothes not only come out clean but they are soft too.  She loves to snuggle with her blankets and being soft to her touch is most important.  She loves them and I love the fact that this detergent doesn’t ruin her blankets and clothes. 

I also like the idea that there are no animal byproducts used in this detergent.  It is made up of a vegetable based formula that works well on getting out stains, but is also gentle on your clothes.  It is also good for the environment and your plumbing.  They don’t even test it on animals. 

Seventh Generation is the leader in non-toxic cleaning products.  They have a complete line of products that are safe for you and the environment.  I have used many of these products and feel very comfortable with them.  I also know that my baby is not only wearing clothes that are soft and safe but that any cleaning product I am using won’t hurt her in anyway.

In my opinion this laundry detergent works just as well as any other baby detergent but is much cheaper and more economical.  If you break it down it’s only a little over $5.00 per bottle.  Who can beat that?  When your baby’s clothes are clean, soft, chemical free and that you’re helping to save the environment and the animals in it, how could you buy anything else?  I know I won’t.

I personally that even the name brand, popolar detergents can cause your little one skin to break out.

Rating: 8 

Where to buy:  Coast Innovations Itzbeen Baby Care Timer

Being a first time mother or a mother of multiple babies can be very hard to adjust to.  Being a new mother whose been there before can be hard when you’re not getting enough sleep and have the demands of a normal day on top of a new baby.  This time system can take away some of that stress and give you more time to just enjoy being a parent.

This timer is so simple it’s hard to believe it’s such a lifesaver.  No longer do I have to worry at 1 in the morning if I just fed the baby, changed diapers or slept right through it all.  Many times I wake during the night not remembering if I’ve been up or not.  Most of the time I have and was in such a fog I can’t even remember it.  This timer saves me from those types of scares. 

I can set the timer for feedings, diaper changes, medications and even if a bottle is past the expiration time.  I feel much more at ease having this wonderful gadget to keep track of these important statistics for me.  Leaves me more time for that sleep I never seem to get. 

I really like that it helps me keep track of when it’s time to give my child medicine.  I have always had a terrible time with remembering when I’m suppose to take more medicine myself.  I have gotten somewhat better with my child because with this little device I don’t have to worry.  I just set the timer for the next dosage and let it go. 

I also like the night-light.  My husband and I share our little experience.  When it’s my turn at 3 AM I don’t have to worry that I’m disturbing him after he was just up at 1.  It also helps when I’m in the baby’s room, to keep for waking him unnecessarily.

The alarms are great also.  My husband can just about sleep through anything and he was worried he wouldn’t hear our baby in the night.  With the alarms he’s right up and going.  It’s great for me also.  If I’m cleaning or working around the house I have a tendency to not pay attention to the clock.  With the alarm I never have to worry that I’ll miss that afternoon feeding.

I couldn’t live without the baby care timer now.  I even take it to the babysitter’s house so they will know when what was one who is involved in our baby’s livelihood.

It also includes a night-light making it simple to read late at night when you don’t want to turn on the lights and wake the rest of the house.  With the optional alarm you can be notified when it’s time to give medications or other chores that need to be completed on a regular schedule. 

I think this is nifty, except I sleep like the dead esspeciallywhen I am really tired.

Rating: 9
Where to buy:  http://www.organize.com

Trying to find extra storage can be hard to do these days.  With homes being built smaller and having families that take the extra room it can be hard to find ways to store your things. 

The Screw Mount Swing Arm Hanger Holder from Organize.com is a great way to make more space in your closet or laundry room.  I really enjoy mine and have them in several places in my home. 

My favorite place is just inside the front door.  It’s easy for the kids to remember to hang their coat up when they come in.  It also gives me extra space to hang up company’s coats.  No more throwing them on the bed.

The laundry room is another place I have one.  I use it to hang up the clothes I don’t want to dry in my dryer.  It’s out of the way and I don’t worry that my clothes will fall off a hook and become dirty again or wrinkled.

All of my closets have one on the inside of the door.  I really like them in my youngest child’s room.  I can place 5 days worth of school clothes right there for him.  All he has to do is grab the first hanger, put the day’s outfit on and we’re off.  No more digging through drawers or a cramped closet before school.  He likes it too because he knows on Sunday exactly what he will be wearing all week.  No more last minute fights because he doesn’t want to wear a certain t-shirt; now he helps me plan the whole week’s wardrobe on Sunday evenings.

With the pivoting motion I can also just fold it over to one side when I’m not using it.  I can keep it out of the way or even hide it behind the door if I want too.  The sturdy plastic and screws are great too.  No more worry about it falling off and my clothes landing in a heap on the floor. 

With my family I couldn’t live without these.  They save me space, time and a lot of frustration. In fact I may just have to order a few more.

P.S.  My husbands closet was once our 2 yr olds favorite hiding spot, I mean his clothes never stayed on hanger because the baby loved going in and yanking them off