Bedtime Music

When I was expecting and as a young parent, I read and was told that establishing a consistent bedtime routine was key. It helps babies and children know what to expect next. So, we set out to do just that. We had bath and books and singing and many of the standards. It worked well for us. The kids each easily fell into the practice of going to sleep at 8 pm. Now, by no means is bedtime always easy at my house. Some nights, my kids are the best stallers with more needs than you can imagine - I need a drink of water, I need to tell you something, I need a hug (you can't say no to that one!), I need to potty, I need to be covered up, and so on.

One of the things that we bought each time we had a baby was a CD Clock Radio for their bedroom. We had gotten a free CD at one of our hospital classes that was filled with classical music (I had heard that listening to classical music boosts brain power, but understand now that there is question on the actual "Mozart effect"). We would use the snooze function, along with the repeat function, to provide 90 minutes of soothing music for the babies at naptime and bedtime.

I figured that there were two benefits, it contributed to the consistency of our routine and the music would help block out other noises in the house, making it easier for the babies (children) to sleep. The nice thing playing it on snooze was that it didn't run all night and when they would wake and return to sleep at night so that they also knew how to fall asleep without the assistance of music.

For over 7 years, my son listened to the same disc every night and since we had somehow received two from the hospital, my duaghter has listened to the same disc for over 4 years. My son's CD player stopped working this year and now he goes to bed without music. For me, this was a bit of a challenge to accept, as if by him no longer having (needing) the music at bedtime, he is growing up. Despite that, I definitely feel that playing that same CD every night has worked well for us and helped establish bedtime routine.

This post shared at Works For Me Wednesday.

Exergen Temporal Scanner Thermometer

When my kids are sick, it is as tough on me as it is on them. There is nothing sadder than a child that doesn't feel well. The worst was when they were too young to express what was bothering them. It made me feel somewhat helpless, not knowing what was wrong made it hard for me to help them feel better. When they don't feel good, I just want to sit there and hold them and keep them as comfortable as I can.

One thing that I had always had trouble with when they were sick was taking their temperature. When we were pregnant with my son and did a baby registry, we had registered for an ear thermometer expecting it to make life easier than using a traditional thermometer. We used it, but I never was sure how accurate it was. It seemed that if I held the thermometer at a different angle, I would get a different result - which made me question, what angle was correct. It really only seemed to be accurate when they had an ear infection, but it didn't help much when it was the flu or other ailment that was accompanied with a fever.

I tried using a regular thermometer and taking their temperature under their arm, but usually, that would mean me holding them tight and them trying to squirm away. Since I rarely was able to hold the thermometer under their arm long enough, I was never sure that I was getting a good read. I would try to get them to hold it under their tongue, but again, they never wanted to hold it there long enough to get the temperature.

I needed something that was easy to use and could quickly get a temperature reading before they squirmed away. On a visit to the pediatrician, I noticed that they had started using a temporal scanner thermometer. I asked the nurse about it and she told me that there were similar versions available for purchase. I put it on my list of something to look for next time I was out.

When I finally tried the Exergen TemporalScanner Thermometer, I was very pleased with it. For one, my kids found it to be somehow "cool". Suddenly, they wanted for me to take their temperature, fever or not. I liked how simple and easy it was to use. Simply remove the clear probe cover, place the probe against your child's forehead, push down the button and while holding it down, gently sweep it along their forehead and then release the button. Simple. I could get a temperature in a matter of moments and didn't have to struggle with a child that doesn't feel well. As an added bonus, I can get a quick peace of mind before going to bed, because I can easily take their temperature, even when they are sleeping without disrupting their much needed sleep.

From a quality perspective, I feel confident that the Exergen Temporal Scanner is accurate. First, the thermometer is tested 6 times during the manufacturing process, and it comes with a 1-year warranty. But, additionally, tests show it is accurate to within +0.2 degrees F- a much more accurate reading than taking the temperature any other way.

You can learn more about the Exergen TemporalScanner Thermometer on their website and become a fan on Facebook.


The Exergen TemporalScanner Thermometer retails for $30-$50 and is available at many retailers and on-line. You can get a $5 rebate when you purchase an Exergen TemporalScanner Thermometer.

I have liked my experience with the Exergen TemporalScanner Thermometer so far and have recommended it to many of my friends who are moms. I also have a few baby showers coming up and am definitely considering getting one for the moms-to-be.

Giveaway
Thanks to Mama Buzz and Exergen, I am able to offer a giveaway for one Exergen TemporalScanner Thermometer.

To enter, leave a comment sharing what you do to make yourself or your child feel better when you/they are sick.

For Additional Entries (Leave a Separate Comment for each extra entry):
1. Subscribe to A Busy Mom of Two by e-mail or RSS feed (on my sidebar near the top). Leave me a comment letting me know that you subscribe. If you are already a subscriber, let me know that too - this isn't just for new subscribers.
2. Follow me on Twitter and Tweet about the giveaway and leave a comment with a link to your Tweet. This entry may be completed once each day.
3. Blog about this giveaway. Leave a comment with a link to your post.
4. Promote this giveaway on Facebook.

Giveaway will remain open until March 29th at 6 pm. Winner will be selected using a random number generator. The winner will be contacted by e-mail (be sure to leave one!) and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected.


The opinions in this post are my own. I received no compensation for this post, but did receive a complimentary Exergen TemporalScanner Thermometer for the purposes of reviewing and sharing through Mama Buzz. In addition, one Exergen TemporalScanner Thermometer is being provided for the giveaway.

Pampers Cruiser with Dry Max sample

Today, you can head over to Pampers.com and sign up to receive a free 3 diaper sample of the new Pampers Cruisers with Dry Max. When you get your diapers, if one of them is a specially marked diaper (stamped Team USA), then you win diapers for a year from Pampers.

Everyone at our house has moved passed diapers, but I have many pregnant friends, so I will be requesting the sample to share with them in hopes that I can help them out with the ultimate shower gift - a free one year supply of diapers. (I know I would have liked that!)

Thanks "Cents"ible Sawyer.

Updated: learned that they are available through P&G Everyday Solutions and updated link.

Tried It Tuesday - Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunblock

As a BzzAgent, I had the opportunity to try Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunblock lotion. With an spf of 60+, it is a great way to help keep young children safe from the sun's harmful rays. It uses Purescreen, a blend of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to form a physical barrier to reflect and scatter UVA and UVB rays. The Pure & Free Sunblock lotion is free of fragrances, dyes or oils.

The sample that I received is the lotion, but it is also available in stick form. I really like that the lotion is thicker than most sunscreens and is easy to blend in. I like that it is waterproof and sweatproof - my kids play hard when they are outside and frequently, we pull out the sprinkler, baby pool or slip'n slide.

The 3 oz lotion and the .47 oz stick retail for between $9.99 and $11.99. At some stores, I have found it with all of the sunscreen, but at some stores it is in the baby aisle.

Have you tried the Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunblock? What did you think? Share your thoughts in the comments or leave a link to your blog post.

Baby Toys

One thing that I remember from being a first time mom, is being overwhelmed by the selection of everything that there is for baby. The first wave of "Oh My!" hit when we were registering, there had to be no less than 20 types of bottles and 10 crib mattresses to choose from. We did our best to feel our way through, choosing some things by the patterns/colors, some by the consumer reports safety tips and others by polling our friends who already had kids.

Over time, the sense of being completely overwhelmed has subsided some, but we still struggle with questions - what toys will help them learn and grow?, what is a good thing to get for their birthday, etc. We've leaned on friends and family with older kids for recommendations on toys that are right for each age, those that their kids just loved. With our daughter, we had the benefit of having watched our son play and learn with his toys and were better poised to know when to pull certain toys out of storage for her and which toys to not even pull out.

A few months ago, I was introduced to ebeanstalk. I just wish I had a resource like them when my kids were babies. With each toy, they provide a lot of information in the listing about the toy beyond just a description and picture - they answer "why we love it", they select the developmental skill each toy is best at developing, and provide safety information about the toy. The one tab that doesn't provide much about the product is oddly the Features tab, which seems to be more focused on where a child of a given age is developmentally.

Ebeanstalk is dedicated to a baby's development. Their goal is to select the best baby toys matched to a baby's development. To see great information on how a baby grows up, check out the info on their baby toys page.

Picking toys for a baby is not as simple as it sounds.

Here are some quick baby facts:

• Toys for a newborn baby: A newborn baby is briefly looking at objects and attempting to imitate facial expressions. They can follow objects with their eyes and usually quiet down, when they are picked up.


• Toys for a three month old: They will enjoy ‘frolic play', reaching for objects and will repeat enjoyable activities. Believe it or not, they will respond to ‘no' (about half the time) and will start babbling.


• Toys for a six month old: They'll search for hidden objects (object permanence). They'll reach for themselves in the mirror, play peekaboo, crumple paper, roll from their stomach to their back and even respond to their name.


• Toys for a nine month old: They are pushing toy cars, playing pat-a-cake and looking for hidden sounds. The baby toys they are playing with are also getting more fun.

The good news is that ebeanstalk might say they are focused on baby, but they also offer age appropriate toys for older kids. They have them organized by age as well to allow you to shop for toys by age in year increments up to "7 year old & up".

The toys offered on their site are not the typical items that you find at your everyday department store. I have seen some of them at local specialty and educational stores, but being online, they definitely have a larger selection of unique toys. I like their selection, which is especially great when it comes to giving gifts. There is a lot less likelihood that the recipient might receive two of the toy you select, because the selection is different.

Do you have a question about child development that you would like to have answered? Leave a comment with your question. I will ask ebeanstalk and will do a post with the answers to your questions.

Ebeanstalk was kind enough to offer a 15% discount on any first purchase at ebeanstalk. Simply enter TGS345 at the shopping cart to get your 15% discount.

Indispensible Baby Gear

This is mostly an encore presentation of a previous post.

A while back, a fellow blogger posed the questions: what is a baby tool/thing/gadget that you have really enjoyed. There are a lot of things that I have been glad that I had and many that I wonder, why did I waste my money.

I suppose if I had to choose one item that we have gotten incredible use out of and lots of comments when we use it, it would be Kiddopotamus Tiny Diner. A really simple thing when you think about it. A reusable table mat. It rolls up neatly into itself, so it fits in the diaper bag and after use, keeps the mess inside. It has a wide and deep surface and has a tray to catch all those dropped food items. No more worrying about how clean the table is when you are dining out and the catch tray helps reduce the amount of food lost to the floor or left covering your toddler's lap. We love it so much, that I have bought them for almost everyone I know that has had a baby since my son was a toddler. We have used it for the past 4 1/2 years, through two children and it is still holding up fine. Definitely worth the $10 or $12 it cost all those years ago. It amazes me when we head out to dinner how many other diners comment on the mat and how clever it is. Recently, they seem to be more widely available and I am seeing even more diners using them for their young children.

Some other favorites:
Bouncy seat with vibrator
Playskool Step Start Walk 'n Ride
Toddler Silverware with travel case (since discontinued and we recently lost the fork!)
Toddler Silverware from Oneida (not a match to my set, but close and the kids love using "real" silverware at dinner)
Twist crayons (they don't break as easy as the other crayons).

Some non-favorites:
Baby Einstein DVDs
Crayola TaDoodles (the crayons don't stay in the holder).

Check out Works For Me Wednesday over at We are THAT Family, for more tips, tricks and products that work for others.

"Laborious"

Rocks In My Dryer is hosting a meme and in honor of Labor Day, it's all about labor. To play along, hop on over to Rocks In My Dryer and leave your link.

Here are my answers:

How long were your labors?

Kid #1, not sure. Delivered 3 hours after being admitted to the hospital.
Kid #2, not sure. Delivered 4 hours after being admitted to the hospital.

How did you know you were in labor?

Kid #1, water leaking
Kid #2, water leaking

Where did you deliver?

At the hospital for both.

Drugs?

Not really. For #1, I was tapped for the epidural, but bag was never hung. Water broke after tap and I delivered within 30 minutes. For #2, decided #1 wasn't so bad, why bother.

C-section?

Nope.

Who delivered?

Kid #1 - The doctor who I had seen least during pregnancy from the three doctor practice.
Kid #2 - A covering doctor, the two doctors, from my now two doctor practice, were both out of town.

I recently posted the birth stories here.

Tips for Thursday

So, after some additional blog reading, I think that my Tips for Thursday is going to move to Wednesday, so I can participate in Works For Me Wednesday, over at Rocks In My Dryer. For today, I will keep it here on Thursday (can't really go back and make it a Wednesday post now).

Today is a tip that I received from a mom friend of mine. She passed away from cancer about 18 mos ago, but I am very appreciative of a tip she shared when she dropped off a dinner for my family in the days following the birth of my son.

She suggested that I select a stuffed toy to be a "Birthday Bear" and that every month during the first year, take a picture of the baby with that bear. It provides a great gauge for how they are growing and changing. She said she started it when her kids were younger and now, they just take annual pictures with the bear on their birthdays.

I loved this tip. I decided on a birthday bear for my son, in his case it was actually a stuffed bear. I took a picture of him and the bear every month for the first year and then every three months the next year and now, every year on his birthday. My husband mocks me, asking if I will still take his picture with that bear when he is a teenager (if he lets me, I just might). When I did his first year scrapbook, I was able to build a two page layout that showed his progress from month one to twelve very clearly.

When my daughter was born, my Mom and son went to the hospital gift shop and bought her a pink fluffy bear. It became her birthday bear and I have carried on the same tradition with her.

Conveniently, though they are different bears, they are both Ty Bears, so they are the same size, so they also can serve as comparison between the two kids.

I always have to remind myself that I need to take the picture. There has been at least one occasion where the kids had had their bath, read their books and were about to be placed in bed when I recalled that I needed to take that picture. In those cases, not considering the next day to be an option, I dragged them downstairs set them in the picture chair with their bear and snapped away. Those pictures show one tired child in their PJs with their birthday bear, but it is still the milestone picture that I will always have.

I love to look back at all of the pictures to see how they have changed and grown.

Do you have a tradition by which you measure how your child has grown and changed?