Stuff Parents Need

Easing the chaos in the nest, one find at a time.

New England Coffee Holiday Flavors: Pumpkin Spice and Egg Nog! Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

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Do you remember in early fall when everyone in the US (or at least everyone in the blogosphere) went bonkers because Starbucks started serving it’s Pumpkin Spice Latte again? I was excited, too, but knew better than to make my way over to that place of business, lest I find my bank account starting to waste away in $4 increments.

I’m all about brewing yummy stuff at home, but I was feeling a bit left out since I just had “the usual” to make and nothing that had a delicious seasonal flavor.

Until now! New England Coffee has put out two awesome fall flavors: pumpkin spice and eggnogg! I have tried them both, and I break out into Christmas songs after just one sip. They are delicious, and a great way to get that coffee shop euphoria minus the coffee shop price tag!

Since I’m expecting, I can only indulge of one cup of coffee each day, and I really make that one cup count by having these delicious flavors on hand. Thank you so much, New England Coffee, for bringing the flavors of the holidays straight into my coffee cup!

Buy it!: New England Coffee is available in many different states (click here for your nearest retailer) and you can also purchase it online! Their prices are quite affordable and the taste, simply fabulous!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is going to win 2 bags of coffee from New England Coffee: pumpkin spice and eggnog! Yay!

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The Best New Addition to Our Medicine Cabinet: VeraTemp Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

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One of the things you learn as a new parent is that fevers can be extremely dangerous for little ones, especially those under 1 year of age. It is important to be mindful of any time there is a noticeable rise in your baby’s temperature, and to get an accurate reading of their temp if you are ever worried.

You also learn that there’s pretty much just one way to do that…rectal thermometer. Raise your hand if you’ve ever been able to take your baby’s temperature this way without one or both of you crying. Yeah, me neither.

Fortunately, technology is an amazing thing, and there’s been an innovation in the world of temperature-taking. Introducing the Kids-Med VeraTemp. This thermometer is a dream come true. Not only do you not have to take a temperature rectally, you don’t even have to touch your kid to get an accurate reading. I’m totally serious!

The VeraTemp is designed to instantly give you a reading that is more accurate than rectal, oral or ear thermometers. It has a built-in memory that will record the last 32 readings, which can help you keep track of when a fever breaks.

You simply point the VeraTemp in the direction of what you are reading, and stay 2-3 inches away from the surface. I’ve been testing it out, and it really works! It doesn’t even make any noise, so you can easily take you baby’s temperature while they sleep without interrupting them.

Additionally, the VeraTemp can read the temperature of bottles, bath water and even the room. That’s amazing, and makes it super useful! I have actually been using it to read my bath temp since you have to watch how hot you let your bath water become when you are pregnant. I LOVE hot baths, so if I’m left on my own, I do let the water get hotter than I should, always assuming that “it’s not that hot!”. The VeraTemp tells me for sure, and while I’m bummed to have to cool it down a bit, I’m really glad to know what is and isn’t safe for the baby.

Buy it!: The Kidz Med VeraTemp is available at places where you likely shop, such at Target, Wal-Mart and CVS. You can also purchase it online at Amazon. It retails for $39.99, and you will certainly get your money’s worth from it!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff  Parents Need reader will win a Kidz Med VeraTemp!

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Maternity Bra Nirvana: Cake Lingerie Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

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Welcome to the next installment of Maternity Monday! Today I’m tackling bras. Yes, you most definitely need some new bras when you are pregnant, as your breasts are going to grow a bit! The majority of your growth actually happens in your first trimester, so even before you might need maternity tops and pants, you probably are going to be shopping for new bras.

When I was pregnant the first time, I got some very practical advice about buying bigger bras. Since I was planning to breastfeed once I had the baby, it was recommend that I just go ahead and purchase some nursing bras, and it would be fine to also wear them during my pregnancy. Sounded smart to me. I always appreciate an opportunity make a purchase last as long as possible.

And then I went nursing bra shopping. At which point I gasped in horror, and if I recall correctly, actually cried. I’m not a bra snob by any stretch, and even by the time I was expecting my first, I was beyond the stage of my life where underwear could be cute at any cost (meaning that it was ridiculous to try to wear in public…you know what I’m talking about). I valued comfort and functionality. But oh my lord. When I saw “maternity” bras, I could not believe the degree of ugly that was waiting for me. It blew me away. I also found that the nursing bras looked strange under my clothes, what with all those extra hooks and with fabric that wasn’t all sewn together in one unit. It was awful, and I decided that I’d just fork over more money to get non-nursing bras for pregnancy, and I’d wear those  horrible contraptions not a moment before I had to once Darah was born.

Did anyone else have a similar experience to me? I’m curious!

This time around, I’m a bit more savvy. I know that there are other options, and I was determined to find some nursing bras that wouldn’t want to make me gag at the site of them. Not only did I find that, but I also found some maternity and nursing bras that are downright GORGEOUS. No, really! Check this out!

Can you even believe that the model is wearing a nursing bra???? She totally is! And, ladies, it gets even better….the bra is designed to beautifully support those of us who have fuller busts WITHOUT UNDERWIRE. Say what???!!! Yes! I swear it!I will not keep this company a secret from you one minute longer. They are called Cake Lingerie, and they are revolutionizing the world of maternity underwear (check out the New York Times article on them!). Thank goodness! I was sent the set above, which is called Cheesecake (cute, right?!). I was nervous about it. I mean, come on…I think we’ve all gotten our hopes up over wireless bras before, only to be quickly reminded that gravity wins and we need some extra support up there. But we also know that when you are pregnant, and ESPECIALLY when you are nursing, the last thing you need is a wire digging into you. This bra really and truly gives you the support you need. It is so comfortable.It is also so unbelievably beautiful. Pregnancy is such a vulnerable time, and in my experience, it can be a real challenge to feel pretty as you watch your belly expand and your body take an overall different shape. It adds insult to injury to have to wear a bulky, awkward nursing bra on top of it all. Cake Lingerie has an entire line of exquisite pieces that you will swoon over, and that will make you feel as lovely as you really are!This bra is also a nursing bra, so it will come in handy after the baby is born. But it doesn’t wear the way most nursing bras wear. You cannot tell that you are wearing a nursing bra. The hooks are discreet! This is the first nursing bra I have ever owned that I don’t worry about wearing out in public.My only wish for this bra would be that it had a way to add some extra lining to it. Perhaps something removable since I can see where it would be in the way once you started nursing. I do prefer my bras to have some light padding, just for modesty. But other than that, this bra is a home run, all the way.

And don’t get me started on the joy of having matching underwear to go with it. The set is so pretty and makes me feel so feminine and just beautiful. It’s a great feeling to have, especially right now!

So, if you are expecting or thinking about getting pregnant, now I can give the same practical advice that others gave to me. Go ahead and buy your nursing bras now to wear during pregnancy. But head straight to Cake Lingerie to make your purchases. You won’t regret it for a moment, and you’ll never have to even contemplate wearing those awful maternity bras that they sell everywhere else!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is going to win a Cheesecake bra and panty set from Cake Lingerie! SQUEAL!!!!

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A New Idea for Thanksgiving….BBQ! Pig of the Month Review

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This Thanksgiving will be my 9th as a married lady. During that time, we have had Thanksgiving at our house 4 times. That has given me 4 opportunities to master the art of cooking a turkey. I haven’t even attempted it once. And I don’t feel bad about it, either!

“Why not?”, you may be wondering. There are so many tutorials online and great recipes that it’s not a very hard thing to try, especially if you already have some basic cooking knowledge. Well, I have a few reasons, actually.

1. Tim and I both don’t really like turkey. We do eat ground turkey as a ground beef substitute, but in terms of having big slices of turkey on our plates, we can take it or leave it. It turns out that we both will eat an obligatory piece on Thanksgiving, but have no interest in going back for more.

2. Our family is still small, and if the two adults in the house don’t really like turkey, what in the world are we going to do with an entire bird??? It would likely be cut up, frozen and then eventually thrown away a  year later (to make room for the next leftover Thanksgiving turkey, perhaps?).

3. So many things taste so much better! I don’t like turkey because even when it is cooked amazingly well, it’s still on the dry side, and its kind of game-y, which I just don’t love. There are so many other wonderful main course alternatives that will be simply divine!

That’s why we’ve never ever made a Thanksgiving turkey, and I’d venture to say that we never will. If we ever host a large family gathering, I will happily pass along the honors of making the turkey to someone else, or if nobody wants to do it, then everyone can be welcomed to our turkey-free table…we’ll have plenty of other things worthy to be gobbled up!

So what DO we put at the center of our holiday table? We’ve done rotisserie chickens before when our table had just 2 people at it, and we’ve also done spiral-cut hams, which we enjoy, but also seem to not quite finish before we have to throw it out. I’ve been told about an alternative product that I can’t believe never occurred to me before (given the fact that we lived in Memphis as marrieds for 6 years!)…..BARBECUE!!!

Let me tell you how to give barbecue top honors at your table this year, and all without having to grill out, or really do much work at all on the big day. Order from pigofthemonth.com. This company is run by barbecue experts who have developed products that will blow you and your guests away. We had the opportunity to try their ribs, and they were finger-lickin’ good!

Let me tell you just how easy it was to serve one of the best “home cooked” meals we have had in ages. First, the ribs showed up on my front door (FedEx let me know what day to expect them so that I could plan accordingly). They were still frozen as they had been packed in dry ice. They were sealed tight, fully cooked, had sauce already on them, and just needed to be thawed (it only took a few hours), cut out of their packaging, put in aluminum foil, and heated up for about 40 minutes. Since my family likes “wet” barbecue, I added a little bit of extra sauce for the last 10 minutes that it was in the oven. Then I pulled them out and let them rest for 10 minutes. I had some baked potatoes that had been cooking in the crockpot (here’s my crock pot potato recipe!). And then I heated up some peas in the microwave. Voila! A restaurant-quality meal on a weeknight. Awesome!

After trying these ribs, I can say without hesitation that I would put them or any other product from pigofthemonth.com on my Thanksgiving menu. The food is top-notch. And just imagine how wonderful it would be to take the main dish off your mind for Thanksgiving. There are so many other things to worry about and put together that you’ll be so glad to not have to make room for that turkey in your freezer, fridge and oven!

What about you? Have you ever gone turkey-free for Thanksgiving? What do you think about having some barbecue on the table???

Disclosure: I received a complimentary product for review purposes. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own. 

Funducate Educational Curriculum for the Home: Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

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My mom used to have lots of workbooks for me when I was in preschool and kindergarten. I remember working at an advanced level, doing second grade workbooks when I was maybe 5. I’m not telling you this to try to brag on my childhood self, but rather to show that most children can perform and learn beyond what you might expect of them if given the right tools and encouragement. Kids are little sponges, and they will soak up what is around them, whether it be amazing educational information or just junk on tv. Either way, they are paying close attention.

I’ve been on the lookout for some supplemental early childhood curriculum that I can have at home and use with Darah in the afternoon time between her nap and when her dad gets home from work. There are MANY resources out there, but I was drawn to a company that has won the Parent Tested Parent Approved Award, which I know is tough to earn!

Allow me to introduce to you Funducate, a company run by a husband and wife team, is focused on improving literacy in America through not only reading, but also singing and art. I am a big fan of approaching learning from many different angles, so this style really appealed to me! We’ve been working through lots of great products all about the ABCs. We have a wonderful coloring book that has a page for each letter. Darah is really enjoying that. But my favorite item is the My ABC Journal, which is spiral-bound and contains all those same great coloring pages along with pages to practice writing each letter! Darah is a bit young for the writing aspect, but I’ll be so glad to have this on hand when she is ready. I will likely photocopy these pages so that Darah can practice multiple times. I like that they show both upper-case and lower-case letters for practice and that the lines for practicing are wide. This is such a great resource, and it is easy to take on road trips, too!

Buy it!: Funducate has a variety of great resources that encourage literacy in many fun ways. The My ABC Coloring Book is a great buy at $5.50 and the My ABC Journal is well worth its reasonable $12.50 price tag. Be sure to check out their resources that help prepare kids for learning cursive, too!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is going to win a Funducate My ABC Journal and My ABC Coloring Book (ARV $18).

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$1,111 Paypal Giveaway in Honor of 11-11-11! One Day GIVEAWAY!!!!

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Here it is! The 11-11-11 $1,111 cash giveaway! EEEEE!!!!!

A variety of great bloggers and companies have come together to fund this amazing prize. There are also some additional prizes up for grabs, so even if you don’t win the cash, you could still win big! But you must enter TODAY. Don’t put it off or you’ll miss it!

EDIT: THE SECOND FORM IS NOW ON A SEPARATE POST Below you will see 2 Rafflecopter forms. The first one is for the cash prize, along with a $50 gift card to Cheep Boutique! Woo hoo! The second form is for a chance to win a 2.5 carat blue topaz heart earring and pendant set, valued at $300. Wouldn’t that be awesome under the Christmas tree this year???

Don’t just stand there…enter away! Please put your first and last names in the first entry box, your email address, and your FB name that you entered from so that we can verify your entries. It will take up to a week to determine the winner, as ALL entries will be verified before a winner is drawn.

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Get a Melissa & Doug 25% Off Coupon When You Take the North “Poll”

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I have a killer deal for you guys today! Melissa & Doug want you to tell them which of their educational toys you think is the best! Just click on the image below to place your vote in the North “Poll!” You’ll Get a Melissa & Doug 25% Off Coupon** to use at MelissaAndDoug.com just for voting! Now you can get some awesome toys that you know you’ve had your eye on for an awesome price!

Disclosure: I am receiving a gift certificate from Melissa & Doug for helping get the word out about their amazing promotion. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own. Melissa & Doug toys ROCK! 

Coming Tomorrow: A One Day, $1,111 GIVEAWAY!!!!

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I’m am SO excited to announce that Stuff Parents Need is participating in a one day giveaway that is going to BLOW YOUR MIND!

Tomorrow, starting at 12am, you will find a post on my site with all the details about how you can enter to win $1,111 in CASH (paid via paypal) in honor of Veteran’s Day, which is 11-11-11. It’s just a one day giveaway, people. It ends at 12am on 11/12/11 and a winner will be selected and verified. Several bloggers have joined together, along with some wonderful sponsors, to make this possible. Tomorrow morning you will find all the details and the Rafflecopter entry forms so that you can get entered from my page. Easy!

Bet you want to enter, right?!

Tune in tomorrow and GET READY TO WIN BIG!!!!!