Recently in Gadgets and Gear Category

Today's theme is bike riding =) Well, the weather is getting nice so you gotta start thinking about outdoor activities! I am going to be a full blown Mommy now and lecture. Always, ALWAYS, wear a helmet when doing any potentially dangerous activities. And that includes running. My daughter took a major spill a couple of days ago running up and down our driveway, which has a severe incline. Luckily, she was about to get on her bike so was wearing a helmet. She came careening down the hill and stubbed her toe in the ground and started flying head first for the asphalt. This is all hearsay, thankfully for my emotional well being I did not witness this. She scraped the entire right side of her torso, which she, of course, cried about but if it weren't for the helmet, I don't even want to think what would have happened to her head and face. So, always wear a helmet and to make it super cool and cute, get a Tail Wags helmet cover. Comes in many designs like Slope Shark and Lucky Lady for $40.

The Huffington Post reported today that the Consumer Product Safety Commission is preparing to issue a general warning about possible suffocation deaths from small infants being carried in baby slings. These slings have been popular for ages but there have been too many deaths caused by these slings for the government to not do something about it. The warning should come out sometime this week.

It is well established thy brushing with an electronic tooth brush improves overall dental hygiene. I use the Sonicare and my dental hygienist always comments on how clean my teeth are. On my recent trip to the pediatric dentist I was told that the Sonicare for kids is highly recommended to establish lifelong good dental care. I tried using my adult Sonicare with my tots with not so favorable results because they were bothered by the vibration. The difference with the specially designed Sonicare for kids is that this model has varying modes that ramp up the sonic vibration so your Tot will get used to it. It starts off slow, in other words, not so ticklish and gradually will increase with each use until it reaches the optimal speed. At which point your Tot is on his/her way to properly maintaining the adult teeth they will be using for the rest of their life. Philips Sonicare for Kids Toothbrush at Amazon for $69.99.

It is raining cats and dogs here, or Pigs and Spongbob Squarepants! But with the heater going, you still always need a good humidifier. I have an area in my garage with all the reject humidifiers. The Crane Cool Mist is best, and most of my friends with tots agree. It is stealthily quiet, you can control the amount of humidity and comes in super cute designs. Another plus, when your tot is sick, according to my pediatrician, cool mist is best. My 2 year old recently got crup, it's where the larynx gets infected so the air way is inflamed and blocked. She sounded like she couldn't breathe and her cough was the sound of a barking sea lion! She ended up in the ER where they gave her an oral steroid but they also treated her with cool mist - just simple plain saline water in a mist form. I was told to take her home and keep her in the bathroom while running a cold shower. I told the doctor about my Crane humidifier and he agreed that it would do the exact same thing, except using WAY less water!! Plus, I can keep this on all day (auto shut off when the water runs out). If you crank this thing way up, you will create a rain forest in your room. You do need to elevate the machine to avoid misting the floor - it does get really wet! I put it on a steady step stool with a towel underneath when blasting the mist on HIGH. The Crane Pig Cool Mist Humidifier, SpongeBob SquarePants and other designs at Amazon for $34.99 and $39.99.

I know it's only $15 but don't waste your money, no matter how curious you are. You go to the OB once a month, you hear the fetal heartbeat, be satisfied. Don't be like Tom Cruise and buy an ultrasound machine at home because you need to monitor the baby's every minute in the womb. There might be more expensive real Doppler fetal heart monitor that actually does what its supposed to but this Graco Prenatal Heart "Listener" (they don't even call it a monitor) only allows you to hear your own heartbeat (and heartburn if you are experiencing that). It is pretty much an amplified stethoscope. I guess you could use it as a stethoscope to listen to your tot's lungs when she's sick, but again, I would probably defer to a doctor and take your tot to one instead of diagnosing anything yourself at home (unless of course you are a pediatrician!).

If I'm not supposed to allow my tots to play video games, I am ignoring that rule. One of the best things about my iPhone are all the game apps for my tots. I have spent many a dollars getting games that will quell my tots restlessness for a few minutes while I get something done or aggravated in traffic. I consider these coping mechanisms for myself! For a limited time, these following apps are free. I downloaded all of them not knowing how good they are, I mean, they are free so why not? I did play with a few, My First ABC and My First 123 are meant for older kids who can read and actually do math, Preschool Tap and Guess the Animals are very very basic for 2-3 year olds, Make a Martian is sort of fun, doesn't allow for endless entertainment but like I said, these are all free so worth a shot and you can dump them if you don't like them.

The following links will take you directly to iTunes for downloading. List list via Deal News.

• My First 123: Addition and subtraction
• My First ABC: ABC flashcards and quiz
• preschoolTAP - Animal Time!: Animal learning game
• Feed Me!: All-around educational game
• Learn Your Flags Flashcards: US and international flag flashcards
• Spell & Listen Cards: Spelling flashcards
• eliasZOO (pictured): Animal identification
• eliasABC: ABC flashcards
• Make A Martian: Alien designer
• Number Fun Time!: Interactive see, touch, and recognition game
• ArithmeTick: Math flashcards
• Guess the Animal: Animal identification game

Boy am I glad school started back up! I am truly thankful for the weight my daughter's teachers pull in her life. To show my appreciation, I am going to do better than just give an apple - how about an apple in an apple cozy!! This little sweater for your favorite fruit is so fantastically charming. And it's not all just for looks either, the extra layer protects it from getting bruised when thrown in your lunch or handbag. No need to wait for Teacher's Appreciation Day (which is May 4th, I just Googled it), show them your love now =) Hand made just for Honeybunch for $20.

Tots love to help out in the kitchen and it is something I want to encourage, I'm dreaming of the day when they will cook and clean for me =) That's why I love the Little Partners Learning Tower ($170.99) but it is so big and won't get out of the way. The alternative, Easy-fold Kitchen Helper Step-stool, has the same concept - keeps tots safe from falling off of a regular step, but it folds up for easy storage! And it is cheaper at $115.88. There are 3 adjustable platform heights, which lock in place. The sides have a dry erase and chalkboard for additional activities. It supports up to 125 lbs so if your mom or mother-in-law needs a little lift, they can hop on up!

I am starting to potty train my 2 1/2 year old and I am seriously considering getting this toilet fish tank to entice her to go. I mean, who wouldn't be drawn in by a real fish tank in the toilet??! This somehow fits with your existing 2 piece toilet and still allows you to flush as usual. And yes, without flushing the fish =) You can get it with or without LED lighting, which is a total bonus, bathroom night light!! The Fish 'n Flush Toilet-Tank Aquarium Kit is $224 with LED lighting and $199 without. I'm not sure if Sponge Bob is included. Thanks Steph for sending this to me!

It is the holiday travel season and the last thing you need is getting weighted down with bulky luggage, like a Pack 'n Play. This easy to fold bed fits in a regular suitcase when closed and the fabric construction makes it super lightweight. It is a pretty darn cute bassinet for something so low maintenance! And when summer comes around, it is the perfect napper with UV protected fabric (but of course, make sure you cover your tot completely with another blanket for the legs and feet). Comes with a comfy padding. The Kushies Easy Fold Bed is $69.99, comes in blue, pink and green for tots up to 12 months.