Stuff Parents Need

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

CiCi’s Pizza: Best Restaurant for Families with Young Kids! (GIVEAWAY!!!)

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Since having Darah, I have radically changed my perspective about what is important in a restaurant setting. Pre-kids, I wanted something quiet, maybe even a little romantic in setting when going out to eat.

Now, I want a place that has sufficient high chairs, clean restrooms (ok, I always wanted that), changing tables in the restrooms, and a wait staff that knew how to accommodate the needs of little ones. For example, I love when a server proactively brings a drink with a lid for a child or when they bring extra napkins without me having to ask for them.

I also want to go to a place where other diners won’t be too fazed should my child decide to belt out “Part of Your World” halfway through the meal, or if she and daddy need to go on a scenic tour of the restaurant and explore everything.

Such a restaurant is not so easy to find, and honestly, that’s why we don’t go out to eat very often! But there are a few places we have discovered that fit the bill. One of the very best options, in my personal opinion, is CiCi’s Pizza.

If you have never had the pleasure of dining at a CiCi’s restaurant, you really are in for a treat. The fun begins as soon as you step into the restaurant. You can see not only the register, but also the entire cooking area right when you walk in, and EVERY employee stops and says, “Welcome to CiCi’s!” as soon as you walk in. It’s such a cool thing! You then proceed to order. I highly recommend the all-you-care-to-eat buffet, which is just $5.49 per person (the exact price may vary by location). Kids 3 and under are FREE! That is a price point that families on a budget can actually afford, and the food is awesome! They are constantly putting out new, hot pizzas to enjoy, and they also have a salad bar and some dessert pizzas. Yummy!

If your kids are a little bit older, they will enjoy hanging out in the game room that most every CiCi’s has. Be sure to bring some quarters so that they can play some games!

I also wanted to let you know about a GREAT promotion CiCi’s is currently running. Right now you can call in and order 3 medium pizzas for $9.99 (takeout). Let me make sure you understand what I’m saying. The price isn’t $9.99 per pizza, as you might expect. It’s $9.99 FOR ALL 3 PIZZAS!!!!! You can select 3 one-topping pizzas, or you can also choose from nine CiCi’s speciality pizzas, wuch as the Kansas City BBQ, Buffalo Chicken or my family’s personal favorite, the Spinach Alfredo pizza. I seriously just paused while writing this to put our nearest CiCi’s pizza phone number in my cell…we are TOTALLY calling this number later today and ordering some pizza!

Also, take a second to get yourself signed up for CiCi’s Pizza Perks. This is an email program where specials such as this get delivered right to your inbox so you never miss out!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is going to win 2 free buffet coupons on CiCi’s so that you and your family can experience the fun waiting to be had at CiCi’s Pizza!

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Hunk Ta Bunk Ta Greatest Hits cd (GIVEAWAY!!!)

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Today I’m featuring a children’s artist who is new to me, but she’s been cranking out award-winning music since 1992! Her name is Katherine Dines and her band is called Hunk Ta Bunk Ta. If you are also new to this band, I’ve got great news…there’s a new cd that can help you get to know the band by featuring the very best hits from their albums! It’s called Hunk Ta Bunk Ta Hits and it has 15 songs that fans over the years have treasured the very most. That means that every song on the album is toe-tapping, very catchy and just plain delightful!

I think the sound of this group is a bit folksy, with lyrics that are easy to follow and sing along with, which I really appreciate for younger kids. I would definitely recommend it as a great cd that is stuffed with fun music your little one is likely to love!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a copy of Hunk Ta Bunk Ta Hits!

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PediaCare New Dosing Features

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I want to highly recommend that you check out this video (just under 4 minutes) that can tell you about the updates to acetaminophen products. It’s important to get updated on what’s been changing with these products so that you can know best how to treat them when they get sick. The video also has some really good tips for how to get kids to take their medicine! Here’s a link to the new dosage chart, as well.

I have been trying out PediaCare’s Fever Reducer/Pain Reliever with Darah (we had a recent cold circulate in the house). And I LOVE the new dispenser method. Darah prefers to take her medicine with a syringe, and we used to spend a LOT of time trying to get her medicine out in the proper dosage (we’d often get air pockets over get too much medicine out, and then put too much back in…such a pain!). The flow restriction that the products now have has ensured that we get it right the first time!

I also LOVE that they have a dosage based on weight. It’s really important to read that label carefully! I’m really glad to see on the infant products that it doesn’t just say, “ask a doctor.” That used to drive me nuts! Now you have a better idea for the proper dosage. But do make sure you know the weight of your child…no guessing!

I also like that PediaCare products are dye free, so that’s one less harmful thing for my kids to be ingesting.

The PediaCare Infants Fever Reducer/Pain Reliever is intended for ages 0-36 months and retails for $6.99 for a 2 ounce bottle. PediaCare Children’s Fever Reducer/Pain Reliever is intended for ages 2-11 and is $7.59 for a 4 ounce bottle.

Edit: This giveaway is now closed.

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win one bottle of PediaCare Infants Fever Reducer/Pain Reliever and one bottle of PediaCare Children’s Fever Reducer/Pain Reliever (ARV of both is $14.58).

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Travelproducts.com Review and $25 Gift Card GIVEAWAY!!!

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When traveling with kids, it’s really important to have the right equipment so that you can make things as easy as possible. For example, when we were headed back home from California, we made use of Tim’s parents’ luggage scale. We packed our bags so tightly that some of them were less than 1 pound from the weight limit! We were able to bring everything home with us and not face any surprise fees once we got to the airport. It was great!

Travelproducts.com is an excellent online shopping destination for all your travel gear needs. We got to check out two great products from their extensive website. First, I selected this fabulous giraffe print duffel bag. I actually picked this out to give to my mom as a gift. I already own a duffel bag that has an unusual print on it, and I find it to be of tremendous value at airports. In a sea of black bags, mine stands out so I can very quickly identify it. The same would be true of this animal print bag. Plus, it’s cute! I also think the price point is excellent, as this bag is just $19.95, and it absolutely roomy enough to hold all you would need for a weekend away.

Second, we checked out something that I think would make a great gift for most anyone who is attached to a cell phone (and who isn’t?!). It’s a cell phone charger holder, and I think it is great for home or travel. The reason I think it makes sense to travel with this is because it helps your phone and charger be a little more prominent to your eyes. That’s important when you are packing up to leave your hotel room or wherever you are staying. I know I’ve lost at least 3 chargers, and once I even left my phone while traveling. By having a stand like this where your phone and charger nest together, it makes it harder to forget to retrieve it when it’s time to go!

It’s also great for at home use. One of our charging stations is in our office/laundry room. Our phones usually just sit on the floor to get charged. That’s honestly an invitation for them to get stepped on (either by our feet or by our office chair, which lives close by), or for Darah to find it and play with/mess up the phone. I really like being able to keep it off the floor, now. Plus, it’s only $4.95! What an affordable gift option this makes!

Whatever your travel gear needs may be, Travelproducts.com has got you covered? Lucky enough to be traveling internationally this year? They’ve got an extensive collection of electric converters to help keep your electronics safe and sound. Are you in need of some organizers? The selection here is fabulous!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is going to win a $25 gift certificate to Travelproducts.com!

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Guavamitts by Guavakids: Mitts that Stay Put! (GIVEAWAY!!!!)

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My mother loves to tell me about how when I was first born, she marveled at my beautiful face and my perfect peach skin (aren’t moms sweet?). Just as most moms are inclined to feel about their babies, she thought I was the most beautiful baby in the world.

And then she tells me about how on day 2 I was rolled into her room and my face was full of scratches! No harm was done by any of the nursing staff; these were all self-inflicted. She was so distraught that this had happened to me, but given the fact that she’d just been through a c-section (and this was back in the day when you were totally knocked out for this procedure), clipping my nails wasn’t the first thing she had thought to do upon seeing me, and evidently, neither had the nurses.

I took that story to heart when we had Darah, and I even brought little baby mitts to the hospital. They worked only ok. I had a little baby, and those mitts would fall off her hands! And they are small, which means they would then be hard to find. I don’t think we made it out of the newborn stage last time with a single pair of mitts still in tact!

This time, I’ve got a genius product on hand that will help ensure a proper fit. The company guavakids (mom owned and operated!) has come out with guavamitts, and they are SO smart! From their site, “All guavamitts are designed to stay put and protect, engage baby’s senses, and be gentle on the earth — all while looking stylish and modern.”

These mitts have velcro straps at the wrists to help you get a custom fit for your baby’s hands. You can make them snug enough that they won’t fall off when being worn. Hooray!

Take a look at all the pattern options. High contrast options are great for tiny babies, as it does help with brain development. Because these mitts are on their hands, they are at close range and are going to be looked at again and again…very smart to have the design serve a developmental purpose!

The mitts are made with bamboo (a VERY sustainable resource) and organic cotton. I love the thought that went into this choice. Gentle on the planet and gentle for baby! Also, knowing that the product is organic, there’s no concern about baby sucking or chewing on the mitt…it’s chemical-free!

Buy it!: Guavamitts are available in packs of one for $12.00 or two for $20.00. These would make a most excellent shower gift!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is going to win a pair of guavamitts! Woo hoo!

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CoCaLo Reusable Cloth Diaper: The Perfect Bum!

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You’ve no doubt heard before about the economic and environmental reasons to switch from disposable diapers to cloth. But today I want to focus on another reason:

THE CUTE FACTOR

cocalo diapers

Cloth diapered tushies are the cutest thing EVER, and they put every single disposable diaper on the market to absolute and complete shame. They come in a rainbow of delightful colors and patterns, not to mention the fact that their material can be downright luxurious. Tell me, would you prefer your underwear to be made of material eerily close to paper, or of organic cotton? Yeah, your baby feels that way, too.

CoCaLo Diapers

Today I’m featuring a well-known baby company, CoCaLo, who has just released their first cloth diaper. And they went all out when it comes to respecting the fashion aspect of cloth diapering! All of their CoCaLo cloth diapers in the line are made with super fashionable patterns (look at the denim cuteness!), and the fashion sets, which I had the chance to review, come with matching t-shirts, too!
cocalo diaper inside While I haven’t had the opportunity to put this diaper to the test, yet, I do really like the look of it. It comes with a tri-fold insert that looks highly absorbent. This is the type of diaper where you can simply pull out the soiled insert and put another insert in and then go on about your day, meaning that you won’t be changing your baby out of this super cute diaper cover after just one potty session. Love that! Check out the inside of the diaper for yourself. See how deep the insert holder is? I’ve got a feeling that it is designed to hold up really well against leaks!  These diapers are called Perfect Bum,  and isn’t that the truth? I found that in the winter months, cute cloth diapers like these meant that bloomers weren’t necessary with dresses at all. In fall and spring, I’d just pair something like this with a pair of babylegs an be good to go!

The Perfect Bum is available now at Babies R Us and other specialty stores throughout the country. The fashion set I reviewed retails for $29.99, or you can pick up the diaper with a liner for just $16.99. Edit: They are now REALLY cheap on Amazon! Hurry!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is going to win a Perfect Bum fashion set just like the one I received!

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Fun, Affordable Fashion from Mybabyclothes.com! (GIVEAWAY!!!)

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I love being a customer at Mybabyclothes.com. from baby hats to tutus, this site has it all. It’s all photo-session worthy in cuteness, and also worthy of much excitement due to their reasonable prices!

Last week we received this unbelievably cute twirly dress from the site. It is from Bonnie Jean, a company that we have previously reviewed and loved. Darah asked to wear it IMMEDIATELY, and then proceeded to wear it all day, every day, for THREE FULL DAYS. Yes, indeed! I finally had to point out the dirt that had accumulated on the dress and tell her that it must be washed. As I type this, it is line drying (went through the wash on the gentle cycle like a champ, I’m pleased to report). I have absolutely no doubts that Darah will ask for a status update on the dress when she gets home from school today, in the hopes that it is dry enough to wear again.

This dress looks to me like something from an upscale boutique, but minus the upscale pricing. It’s just $26.99, and considering how much Darah loves it and how cute it is, I’d say that price is a steal! Mybabyclothes.com really is a great destination for baby clothes. Consider shopping there before your next baby shower or for an upcoming birthday for a toddler in your life. Right now they are having a big sale, with prices up to 60% off. Squeal!!!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a $25 gift certifcate to My Baby Clothes Boutique!

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Maternity Monday: MAM Products Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

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As far as pacifiers go, we are EXTREMELY loyal to MAM in our house. Darah was horribly offended whenever we tried to offer her any other type of binky. It would promptly be spit out. So MAM it is around here, and the same will be true for our new baby.

MAM has actually just come out with a new pacifier that has really piqued my interest. It’s called the MAM Perfect Pacifier. What makes it so perfect? Well, the nipple is 60% thinner than a traditional pacifier, which means less pressure on baby’s jaw, reducing the risk of misaligned teeth. Great innovation, MAM! It is offered in sizes 0-6 months and 6+ months. Colors currently available are pink, blue and green. The ARV is $5.99 for this product.

MAM also makes some other amazing products, including an entire infant toothbrush line that I reviewed previously. Did you know that they also make bottles? Well, they do! And anyone who is currently expecting is going to want to check out the MAM Anti-Colic Bottle, for sure. It has a vented base that regulates air pressure. This is important because it means that the milk going to baby will have less air in it, which means less gas, which means less crying! Another excellent feature of the bottles is that they are designed to be quickly and easily sterilized in the microwave. No more waiting for the dishwasher to finish its cycle! These bottles come in 5 oz and 8 oz and retail for $6.99. That’s a great price for such a unique and useful bottle!

MAM products are available at major retailers all over the country.

Win it!: MAM is pleased to offer one lucky Stuff Parents Need reader the following prize pack worth $55!

  •  One triple pack of MAM Anti-Colic Bottle
  • An assortment of MAM Perfect Pacifiers in Blue, Green and Pink

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Win a Vinyl Banner from Uprinting.com! GIVEAWAY!!!

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Do you own a small business? If so, this is a great giveaway for you! Uprinting.com has teamed up with Stuff Parents Need to provide the following giveaway:

2′ x 3′ Vinyl Banners for one winner
with or without 4 Grommets,
premium 15 mil Vinyl Banner
1 Business Days Turnaround time
Free US shipping only

Even if you don’t have a business you need to promote, you should consider banner printing for any number of possibilities, from birthday to retirement banners for special occasions, to welcome home signs for loved ones coming home from time away. We actually have a “Happy Birthday” banner that we put out for everyone’s birthday, and I absolutely love it! It’s a terrific way to quickly decorate for a special day.

 We’ve placed orders from Uprinting.com a few times before and have always been impressed with the quick turnaround and quality products we have received. If you haven’t become a customer of theirs yet, I highly recommend giving them a try!
 Win it!: As I stated early, one of you is going to get a 2×3 banner for your business or home. Woo hoo!

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