Jax Rocks with Bright Starts 3-in-1 Baby to Big Kid Rocker

I was recently given the opportunity to test out the Bright Starts 3-in-1 Baby to Big Kid Rocker, well Jax is actually the one testing it out – I’d break it – 40 lb. weight limit and all.

Anyways, like I was saying, I was sent a rocker for Jax to try out. She LOVED it! She was all giddy when she saw the baby on the box and kept kissing it. So Adorable. As much as she loved on that box and as much as I knew she would love what was inside, I had to wait until she went down for a nap before I could open and assemble it. That little munchkin is in to everything.

Putting the rocker together was a snap! I am challenged when it comes to assembling anything mostly because I don’t like to read directions; and if it calls for a tool then forget about it.

Well, the Bright Starts 3-in-1 Baby to Big Kid Rocker did require a screw driver but I still managed. The directions were illustrated rather than words, so that made it easier on me (haha). It only took about 10 minutes to put together and it shocked the hubs that I did it all on my own. Hooray!

Jax happily awoke to her new chair which she immediately sat in and then tried to climb – but no worries! I simply stabilized the chair with the nifty kickstand and allowed her to conquer her new rocker.

The rocking motion actually helped her to take a few unassisted steps by giving her a little momentum when she stood. She got a kick out of that and kept plopping down in the chair only to stand right back up. She exhausted herself doing that so I turned on the vibration feature and set her in it and got another nap out of her – score!

Bright Starts 3-in-1 Baby to Big Kid Rocker also comes with a toy bar to keep little babies occupied. Jax was not having the toy bar on her chair so I had to take it off. She also refused to be strapped into the seat but I did like that the fasteners on the straps can be tucked into a pocket of sorts keeping the latching mechanism away from little fingers that might be eager to free themselves.

The rocker is vibrantly colored with a fun jungle-y, zoo animal motif, making it perfectly unisex. I really wish we had selected this particular item when Jax was a newborn and we were the market for a vibrating seat. She quickly outgrew the one we went with and it doesn’t “grow” with the child. This one has a 5-point restraint, and easily lowers into a more reclined position, little Baby Jax would have loved it and we would have gotten much more bang for our buck. As it stands, Jax loves the rocking chair stage of it.

It’s very sturdy and the rocking is a gentle motion so I don’t have to worry about her getting crazy and falling out of it.

This is a great product!

HOORAY – Bright Starts is offering Yay Baby! winners a chance to win one of their own! How great is that?

*********GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED.**********

To enter simply follow Bright Starts and Yay Baby! on Twitter and Instagram and “Like” us on Facebook. Click on the Rafflecopter widget on the bottom right sidebar to get started.

A winner will be selected randomly at midnight (PST) on Monday, August 5, 2013 and announced later that day on the Yay Baby! Facebook page.

You must like both Yay Baby! and Bright Starts on the social media outlets stated above to qualify.

Drawing open to U.S. residents only. Good luck!

I received this product for free from Bright Starts for review purposes and the company is providing one 3-in-1 Baby to Big Kid Rocker as a giveaway prize. I was not financially compensated in any way to write this post. All photos, opinions, statements and views are entirely my own. 

Citrus Lane – Round Two

As you may recall (or not) our first Citrus Lane box arrived last month to mediocre reviews from me. Some of the items were decent but I was mostly disappointed in the toy which seemed incomplete.

Well, this month Citrus Lane found redemption in our home! I was very pleased with all the goods that arrived this month and Jax seemed pretty pleased too, especially with the toy and snack items.

Here’s what we got:

Sumo Snack Stacker from ZoLi
You can never have too many snack containers when you have a toddler. I am always searching for something to put some goldfish crackers, yogurt melts or Cheerios in when we are headed out. You never know when a meltdown is coming and with Jax a quick snack helps hold her together. These ones are great and quite large, holding up to 8 ounces of snack-y goodness for your little one(s). Jax is quite fascinated with lids and putting things together so this also makes a nice fine motor skill toy for her. A quick search online showed these snack stackers retail for about $18. Win!

Peek-a-Boo Turtle from Melissa & Doug
We are HUGE fans of Melissa & Doug toys in this house and this wooden turtle did not disappoint! Jax’s grin doubled when she saw it in the packaging and she spent a good 20 minutes playing with it when we gave it to her. Like all of her other Melissa & Doug toys this turtle is well-made and can take some abuse, plus it keeps her engaged.  This toy sells for $9.99 at melissaanddoug.com. Score!

Cool It Buddy Instant Cold Pack from Me4Kidz
Thankfully, we have not had to use this product yet, but I am sure it will come in handy with an energetic toddler on the cusp of walking in our house. I am also sure that this clumsy mama will be using it someday too! A pack of two retails for $2.99 on the Me4Kidz website.

Nibbly Fingers from Ella’s Kitchen
Jax is a try-anything-at-least-once kind of girl. Sometimes she spits it right back out, sometimes she swallows but doesn’t reach for more and sometimes still, she delights in her food with enthusiasm and relish. These snack sticks were greeted with the latter upon her first bite. She devoured one and immediately whined for another. The entire box was finished in less than three days and I have since bought another. Saying she loved  them would be an understatement and I feel good about giving them to her because they are organic and nutritious. We have tried other Ella’s Kitchen options and they have always been winners for my happy little eater. The nibblers were no exception. I found these snacks for about $4 at my local Target.

This month’s Citrus Lane box also included a code for me to try Postagram from Sincerely Inc., an app that allows you to turn your favorite photos into personalized post cards. The code entitles Citrus Lane subscribers to 10 free postcards. Sounds pretty cool to me although I have yet to take advantage.

This was a great box and really made up for my mild disappointment in last month’s loot. I plan to keep my Citrus Lane subscription for awhile longer because the value is there, the first two items I described are worth more than the cost of the monthly subscription. Plus, it’s so much fun to open up the box and discover the goodies inside.

I was not compensated in any way to write this post. All opinions and statements are 100% my own. 

OMGoodness! The hubs and I were seriously hysterical with laughter over this picture. That face! I die. 

Foot Notes

One of the cleverest ideas (IMO) I came up with for Jax’s first birthday party was the foot stamping activity.

I set up a table with blank cards and envelopes, non-toxic, child-safe ink (by My First Color Box), washable markers and baby wipes for clean-up. Guests were invited to ink their tots’ tootsies and press them into butterfly shapes (to match the party theme) to make their own keepsake note cards.

I know, right? Cute. Cute. CUTE!

Now, a little overdue (I’m a terrible procrastinator), it’s time to send thank you cards to all who joined us. I originally wanted to buy cards that matched the pink and green butterfly invites but then remembered that I had the materials needed (leftover from the party) to make our own hand-made thank yous.

Over the weekend Jax and I got crafty, stamping her pudgy feet into artistic notes of gratitude.  She got a kick out of it – literally kicking her rainbow-hued feet in excitement, leaving colorful toe marks on my legs and hands. Luckily the ink wipes off easily with a wet paper towel or baby wipe (if left on for more than a few minutes warm soapy water does the trick) and washes completely out of clothes.

This was seriously a simple and surprisingly non-messy activity. Jax’s piggies stamped a total of 25 cards and we got the job done in less than 15 minutes. Then I took an additional 10 minutes to draw the butterfly bodies and antennae and write personal notes in each card.

And it’s a relatively inexpensive craft too. The package of blank note cards was $9.99 for a pack of 50 at Hobby Lobby (and I used a 40% off coupon); the ink was $1.99 per pad and there is a rainbow of colors available, also at Hobby Lobby.

I already have plans to stamp Jax’s feet into ghosts and/or bats for Halloween greetings, reindeer for Christmas cards and hearts for her Valentines. FUN!

Not only does Jax have colored feet in this photo, she also has stained hands and a splattered tummy. We did this activity right after she finished her favorite snack of frozen blueberries. She was a mess and had a bath immediately after. The ink cleaned off of her much easier than the blueberries did – she still has purple fingernails.

Sunday Sweetness

Only three months old. So teeny. I miss it.

Winner! WINNER!

Miss Monique Martinez, this is yours. Yay! 

Hi friends,

If your name is Monique Martinez than you have reason to do the happy dance, because you were randomly selected as the winner of the boutique baby wipe clutch case by Charming Stitches.

If your name is Monique Martinez than you need to contact me at yaybabyblog@gmail.com for details on how to claim your prize. Congratulations and enjoy!

Thank you to everybody who entered the drawing. Stay tuned to Yay Baby! in the weeks to come for more exciting giveaways.

Enjoy your weekend. XOXO

Love,

Angel & Jax