Holiday Baby Gift Guide

Holiday Baby Gift Guide

The holidays are fast-approaching, and for those of us who still have babies in our families (or know those that do), it can be a bit of a hassle to sort through all the products out there and pick out a good present. Let us help you figure it all out– check out our top picks for baby gifts in 2014:

t359_59673de8d96b834637bb04bef43a8eddTolo Rolling Shape Sorter, $28.99

The Tolo Rolling Shape Sorter, by Reeves International, is a great early learning toy. It engages kids with six different shapes to sort, each making their own unique sound. It’s a great pick for kids 12 months and up.

 

 
71nEPZxMahL._SL1500_Sophie the Giraffe Teether, $18.99

Sophie the Giraffe by Vulli is a 7″ teether excellent for helping kids adjust to their teeth coming in. It’s free of phthalates and BPA, and is made of 100% natural rubber and food paint, so there are no safety concerns here! Also, each teether is hand-painted, providing a unique and individually-crafted experience for your child.

 

 

 

 

 

 

81zZTVkD2cL._SL1500_Sensory Ball Mega, $14.99

Edushape’s 4-pack of Sensory Balls is a great value for this holiday season! The pack includes 2 7″ balls and 2 4″ balls in a variety of colors, bringing you hours of play for a low price. The balls are great for dexterity and sensory development in little ones, and their size allows for easy interactive play with older siblings and adults.

 

 

 

71g8IvxWzKL._SL1500_Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker, $34.99

Vtech’s Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker combines shape sorting, piano play, light-up action, and more with the educational value of learning to walk! It’s a fantastic developmental aid on multiple levels– a great choice for toddlers this holiday season. And as an added bonus, it’s half off at Amazon now!

 

 

81Yw0sq+gYL._SL1500_Sir Prance A Lot, $14.99

A great choice for younger kids, Tomy’s Sir Prance A Lot is a clip-on toy that works equally well at home or on the go! Its squeaky knight, colorful clacking rings, and variety of sounds and textures are sure to be a hit with the baby (or babies) in your life.

 

 

71FTr3YczDL._SL1393_Baby Skwish Classic, $12.95

The 6″ Skwish Classic by Manhattan Toy stimulates your baby’s curiosity with bright colors and a variety of shapes. The toy features squishable rods, beads and balls in a framework of colors. Developing minds are motivated with moving beads, colorful balls and bendy wooden rods that take a squishing and revert back to the original shape.

 

 

31xKNouf2JLAngel Dear Blankie, $11.21

Available in over 35 different varieties (including the Pink Bunny, shown at left), the Angel Dear Blankie is a perfect newborn gift. At 14″ by 14″, it’s an excellent size for babies, and it’s machine washable and cashmere soft. This combination of a security blanket and stuffed animal will be a favorite for your baby for years to come.

 

 

71nG5RdwTSL._SL1500_Skwinkle Teether and Rattle Activity Clutching Toy, $12.53

This multifaceted teether and rattle by Manhattan Toy is sure to entertain your child and engage him or her in a variety of ways. Featuring a combination of textures to provide a sensory, rich, tactile experience for babies, the Skwinkle Teether and Rattle Activity Clutching Toy encourages the development of motor skills as well as aiding in teething.

 

71pV6IrQv5L._SL1500_Kick & Play Piano Gym, $39.99

Fisher Price’s Kick & Play Piano Gym features busy toys like a hippo teether, elephant clackers, rollerball frog and more, as well as a large mirror for your baby. It also boasts four ways to play that adapt to your child’s preference: Lay and play; Tummy time; Sit and play; and Take along. This toy engages your baby’s desire to stretch and kick, and grows along with them– it’s a wonderful choice for this holiday season!

Be the Parent… Be the Parent… na na na na na na na, na naaaaa

Be the Parent… Be the Parent… na na na na na na na, na naaaaa

na na na na na na na, na naaaaa – some times parenthood just happens, sometimes its searched for, sometimes it needs a little assistance, sometimes its planned…  Yup planned thats what I’m working on now, I have the most amazing son who brings a smile to my face daily. Its become time to give him a little friend – <internal monolog: SWEET!> but my wife will cut me  if this one isnt a girl.  I’ve been a bit wishy-washy on this factor because boy or girl it doesnt matter but does it?  how many experiences would I miss out on by not having a girl – what happens? If I do get a lil girl then what atleast I’ve done it once with a boy – I tend to know what the bit and pieces do and how to take care of him…  It wasnt much of a conversation to stick with only having one child – but that thought crosses my mind all the time. What if we had just one child? would my son be missing out – would we?

So here I am up late at night reading Dr. Shettles’s book… searching google for old wives tales… looking at star maps and astrology guides… calendars from different cultures all in the hopes of working on sex selection – for that… (yah not going against my wife here) baby girl.  Got a tip let me know – we’re all ears…

Win a 3 month supply of Huggies Diapers and tips on how to keep up with your little movers

Win a 3 month supply of Huggies Diapers and tips on how to keep up with your little movers

One of the things you get really quickly when you have a baby is just how much work goes into taking care of them – you also never know just how many diapers you’ll go through in a given day.  Let me tell you – its A LOT! Here’s Laila Ali’s tips for how to keep up with your little ones.

10 Tips to Keep Up with Little Movers: By Laila Ali

1. Get moving! Finding time to hit the gym isn’t always easy with a baby at home, so find ways to incorporate aerobic activity into your day. Walk to the library or supermarket whenever possible, and be sure to get your toddler out of his or her stroller so they can walk some of the way, too. If walking to your destination isn’t an option, park the car far from entrances or take the stairs instead of the elevator!

2. Surround yourself with support: From sharing parenting advice to all those special “firsts” in your baby’s life, connecting with other parents is a great way to surround yourself with needed support. Huggies® Brand is helping Parents all over the country come together by teaming up with Meetup, the world’s largest online network of local groups, to host 60 “Keep-Up Meetups” from January – March. “Keep-Up Kits” will be given away to help Meetup Parents keep up with their Little Mover!

3. Laugh! From spit-up to the spilled milk, don’t be afraid to laugh off the silly situations. Laughter really is the best medicine – relieving stress, and burning extra calories! Remember, parenting is never perfect so next time you find yourself in the middle of that messy diaper change don’t let yourself stress – instead let out a loud laugh!

4. Accept a Helping Hand! For a first time Parent, it’s hard to realize you really can’t do it all. Keeping up with your Little Mover all day can be exhausting! When feeling overwhelmed and ready to pull out your hair, it is ok to admit to yourself that you really could use that extra helping hand. Accept your family’s or friend’s offer to come over and keep your Little One entertained for a couple of hours. Don’t second guess this decision, be grateful and accept the favor because you deserve it (and others relish the time with your little bundle of joy)!

5. Don’t Forget to Sleep! Between the late night feedings and round the clock diaper duty, it may seem impossible to get more than a couple hours of shut-eye. To keep from feeling like you are going to fall asleep while at the stroller wheel, try to fit in a nap during the day while your baby snoozes and for the working Parent, ensure you head to bed as soon as possible once the little ones are tucked snuggly in their beds. Teaming up with your partner and switching off middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes can also save you from exhaustion!

6. Take up a hobby: Setting aside time to work on something you enjoy can help clear your mind and leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Don’t be afraid to try out different hobbies until you find the one that fits your schedule and interests. If your hobby is one that can include your Little One, do it this can make for some very special bonding time!

7. Stay Organized: Organization is key to keeping stress to a minimum! From making sure the diaper bag is prepared prior to that long car ride or day at the playground, staying organized and scheduling your day can help you stay calm, cool and collected.

8. Reward yourself: Parents deserve rewards for all that they do on days other than Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. What’s even better is getting kickbacks on items they already purchase – like diapers! This season, enjoy a winning code in every pack of Huggies® Little Movers diapers to cash in for prizes like Starbucks gift cards and iPods! Submit each on-pack code online at Huggies.com to win.

9. Take a break! Be committed to taking regular breaks away from your children. It’s easy to brush off the importance of “me time” but it’s a must to keep you at your best – whether it’s taking a walk, reading a book or going for a drive, “me time” cannot be underestimated!

10. Remember to Treasure those “Aww-Inspired” Moments: Last but certainly NOT least, remember to sit back and enjoy the ride of a lifetime – parenthood! From sharing photos of your Little One rocking Huggies® Little Movers diapers on the Huggies Facebook page, to connecting with other parents on the Huggies Twitter page, remember to treasure each parenting moment!

If you’re looking for some huggies coupons check this link.  If you’re looking for more energy – sorry we’re looking for that too and if you have a baby – just wait for them to become toddlers.

 

How to win it… Contest ends 11:59pm EST. April 14th, 2011.
Leave a comment below with what size huggies your child wears and please include some method for us to contact you in the comment (twitter or email).
You get 1 extra entry for tweeting about this contest (you can do this daily). Must contain the following information: @huggies @dadarocks – http://dad.tc/g3JmL6  and you must also comment with the link to your tweet.

Example: I want to win a 3 month supply of @huggies from @dadarocks – http://dad.tc/g3JmL6

You get 1 extra entry for following @dadarocks on twitter –www.twitter.com/dadarocks You must comment that you’re a follower.
You get 1 extra entry for following @Huggies on twitter – www.twitter.com/huggies You must comment that you’re a follower.

You get 1 extra entry for becoming our FAN on facebook – www.facebook.com/dadarocks You must comment that you’re a fan.

You get 1 extra entry for becoming their FAN on facebook –www.facebook.com/huggies (and leave a note saying that www.dadarocks.com sent you) You must comment that you’re a fan.

You will have 24 hours to reply before we pick another winner!
Disclaimer: Thanks to Huggies for providing the 3 months supply of coupons for which the winner will purchase the diapers in the size they need.

The Maclaren Beatles Yellow Submarine Stroller – Review and Giveaway

The Maclaren Beatles Yellow Submarine Stroller – Review and Giveaway

I’m a mega-super mega fan of The Beatles, I grew up listening to their music… I grew up going to their concerts (well the remaining beatles that is…) there wasn’t anything in the baby market of strollers that really was cool for Dad until I saw this… When the Maclaren first released the Beatles Yellow Submarine stroller [Amazon] I was drooling… I had an older Maclaren, that I put it through hell – I mean this stroller was abused – we took it around to EVO Conference in Salt Lake, to Texas, to Florida, to over place we drove – its still around being no worst for the wear.  So when I got this stroller and said go test it… I was like a kid in the candy store – I beat on this stroller beyond the normal use… Its even become the stroller I’ve used this winter pushing in to snow banks, sheets of ice and its still awesome!

First the design is amazing! You can see this stroller from across the room, I get compliments on this stroller all the time – its that pretty.  Plus its SUPER Light weight. Running down the basics it has a five-point safety harness, lockable front swivel wheels and linked parking brakes. Its built on the Quest frame, features include the convenience of the one handed compact umbrella fold with carry strap (awesome for airplane trips) and a carry handle, a four-position recline, hand mesh shopping basket, height adjustable shoulder harness (so it can grow with your child). It comes with a specialty printed raincover and the hood is water resistant plus it comes with an great psychedelic-print seat liner thats reversible.  As an add on there is a foot muff [Amazon].  This stroller is a great option for babies three months (need that stable neck) to 55 lbs.

Another factor when buying a stroller beyond weight and function is going to be the warranty and all Maclaren Buggys are backed by their world-class engineering and the industry’s first Sovereign Lifetime Warranty. Which to date I haven’t had to use… really I’ve beat this stroller up… and its gone everywhere my child has in the last 3 months. One thing that I do want to bring up is that this stroller has the redesigned hinge which is now rounded so you dont have to worry about that recall or about hinge covers.

So while this looks like it’ll be daddy’s stroller one of the best parts is how light weight it is coming in at just 12 lbs my wife is usually carrying it up and down subways steps with no trouble at all.

How to win it… Contest ends 11:59pm EST. February 22nd, 2011.

You must comment telling us why you think this stroller is cool? please include some method for us to contact you in the comment (twitter or email)

You get 1 extra entry for following us on twitter – twitter.com/dadarocks

You get 1 extra entry for following @maclarenNA on twitter – twitter.com/maclarenNA

You get 1 extra entry for tweeting about this contest (you can do this daily). Must contain the following information:

@maclarenNA #Beatles Stroller  @dadarocks – http://dad.tc/enxY3H  and you must also comment with the link to your twitter message.

Example: I want to win a @maclarenNA #Beatles Yellow Submarine Stroller Thanks to @dadarocks – http://dad.tc/enxY3H

You get 1 extra entry for becoming a Fan on facebook –facebook.com/dadarocks you must comment that you’re a fan (and leave a little note on the wall)

You get 1 extra entry for suggesting to your friends to become fans of DaDa Rocks  (and leave a little note on the wall) — under the logo of DaDa Rocks is Suggest to Friends name

You get 1 extra entry for becoming a Fan of maclaren on facebook –facebook.com/maclarenbaby you must comment that you’re a fan (and leave a little note on the wall)

You get 1 extra entry for subscribing to our Feedburner digest mailing (right side subscribe by email) – you must also comment that you’ve subscribed

You get 1 extra entry for becoming a friend on Google Connect (right side below facebook box) – you must also comment that you’ve become a friend

You will have 24 hours to reply before we pick another winner!

Disclaimer: Thanks to Maclaren for the prize for this raffle. It’s also limited to the USA too.