Top Ten Safe Sunscreens for Kids

Spring is finally here and we are so excited to get back outside! And although that sunshine and fresh air are good for the soul, we still need to protect our skin. It is the largest organ of the body after all. Sunscreen is a summer staple for all the mamas, just trying to keep that sweet sensitive baby skin safe. But while it may be offering sun protection, is it actually safe itself? 

The Environmental Working Group has an entire guide to sunscreen but it's pretty in depth and extensive. So I did the homework for you. Unfortunately, like many a skincare product, sunscreen can and often does contain harmful ingredients. It's not something we tend to think about when using a product that we think is protecting us. So first thing first, I made sure each of these sunscreen options for little ones has a clean rating. No scary safe. Check. Then I read reviews. As good as they get. Check. And of course I read further info. from the people who matter most. Moms. They approve. Check. I've put together this list of the top rated, best sunscreens for kids at various price points. Of course you should always take extra precautions like limiting sun exposure, wearing hats and sunglasses and staying hydrated. But rest assured these products safely protect that precious baby skin.

Baby Boy Birthday Gifts

My little man's first birthday is less than a month away and I can hardly believe it! Sorry about all those monthly updates I totally intended to do, buddy #secondkidproblems. It's the thought that counts, right?! Same goes for birthday gifts, but I've tried to take some of the searching part out of it for you! I've gathered intel from top notch sources (moms), scoured the web and tossed in some personal experience to bring you the ultimate baby boy gift guide. 

A few we have + love!

Soft Car Set - These have been a huge hit with both of my kids! They are soft for baby but still fun for big kids and there are removable + washable covers. 

Push Car - This was probably Axton's favorite Christmas gift. He loves being pushed around in it and even holds onto the steering wheel like he knows what he's doing!

Activity Cube - Fallon received one of these mom favorites for her first Christmas and handed it down to little brother. Definitely worth the investment!

Tegu Blocks - These are great for kids of multiple ages for solo play or together. I like that t the magnetics help to encourage independent play since little ones can make shapes by themselves. 

Wooden Stacking Train - Gotta love toys that are durable, cute and super fun to play with plus serve an educational purpose (or several!).

Touch + Feel Books - My kids are both extremely touchy feely and love the sensory aspect of these sweet little books.

Smart Stages Tablet - If your kiddo has a real tablet this may not be the best gift but if not, it's a great little interactive learning toy that can grow with them.

Alphabet Magnets - These are a great size for little hands to practice fine motor skills and perfect to play with while mom needs to occupy kids in the kitchen. 

Cuddle + Kind Dolls - We have several of these cuddle buddies for both kids and they always make great gifts! Snuggly and sweet and an amazing mission!

Gift Guide: For Baby Boys

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7

Go Pod - We took this collapsable baby seat on our beach vacation a couple months ago and it's the perfect baby gear item for traveling! It folds down and comes with a bag just like a camping chair, easy to clean and great for pre-walkers.

Fruit Feeders - Ax man will have a set of these waiting for him Christmas morning! They have great reviews and sound like a winner with the fruit + teething combo.

Push Car - I have seen so many kids on walks with these little cars and thought it would be the perfect big gift for our outdoor loving boy.

Mittens - We have cold winters here in Northern Kentucky but mittens are tough to keep on wild baby hands. These have magnetic closures so they stay on and are super warm!

Shape Toy - Nearly all of Axton's toys have been passed down from big sis so he should get a few of his own, right? I love the colors on this one and the fact that it's meant for playing and chewing.

Trapper Hat - A cute, cozy hat is always a good gift idea for babies who live where it gets cold. They usually still have to be on the go and keeping their little heads warm is a must. 

Furry Booties - Parents everywhere rave about this brand and how well they stay on baby feet. I think they will keep our little man's toes nice and toasty all winter long!

This wooden walker with interactive features will also make it's way into Santa's bag for the chubby cheeked baby boy who lives here. He's going to have to learn to keep up with big sis! Cozy boots that pair with all the stylish outfits keep little feet warm and keep handsome boys up to stud status. Loving this neutral growth chart that would look so cute in any nursery and is a must have for growing babies. A soft, cuddly rattle is always a great baby gift and this raccoon rattle could be a long time friend. This truck touch and feel book could fill the "something to read" category or just be a nice addition to a growing little library. We had these reusable food pouches when Fallon was a baby and used them all the time! Fill them with purees, applesauce or smoothies and save on buying them at the store. We love this soft hooded towel that is big enough to go right into toddlerhood!

Baby Jogger City Select Review

This post is sponsored by Buy Buy Baby. I was compensated in exchange for an honest review. As always, all opinions stated are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible.

Looking for a stroller, whether it's your first time or you are ready to upgrade, can be so overwhelming. I did a lot of research when I was pregnant with Fallon. We also visited our local Buy Buy Baby store to ask questions and to test drive some of their floor models in person. It was such a great experience and we left very confident in our decision to purchase the Baby Jogger City Mini single stroller. We've now had it for over 2 years and it's managed to go on all of our adventures but remain is great condition!

After welcoming Axton into our family I knew we would want to get a double stroller but I was in no hurry. I wore him in my wrap for months while Fallon rode solo in our trusty City Mini. But toward the end of the summer I knew it was time to upgrade and was SO excited and grateful to have the chance to work with Buy Buy Baby. We've been so impressed with the Baby Jogger brand and knew that it would be compatible with our Britax infant carseat. I had tested out the City Select with the second seat, asked tons and tons of mama friends and even embarrassed my husband by approaching strangers in public who were strolling with this model to ask them how they felt about it! When I was finally satisfied with my rock solid research, we went forward with our choice and waited excitedly to receive it. 

We have now had the Baby Jogger City Select in onyx with silver trim and the second seat kit for a few weeks and have taken it so many places already! Our family is fairly active so it's been to the park, the zoo, all around our neighborhood, a few pumpkin farms and even apple picking. All the reasons we chose the stroller have been justified and we are so happy that we went with this model! 

Obviously a double stroller is heavier than a single. It has support much more weight! But this one so light compared to many I've tested. The seats lift off with the click of a button and the frame is so easy to fold, just hold + push and it collapses for easy trunk storage. I especially love that the adapter pieces are so simple to take on and off and there are L and R markers to know which side to put them on at a glance. They can also stay on while the stroller frame is collapsed! One of my favorite features is the hand break. That may sound silly but wow does it make quick stops to put a pacifier back in or toss the toddler a snack so easy. The storage basket is spacious and can be accessed from both sides and the front when the stroller is only being used to seat one child. The handle is adjustable to suit all heights and both seats are the same size so there will not be any arguing over who gets one over the other! Did I mention that the fabric is removable and machine washable?! If you have a third child or just want the capability to stroll with three kiddos there is a glider board attachment. Lastly but arguably the coolest feature of all, drumroll please......with the Baby Jogger City Select there are 16 possible configurations for this stroller!

We are thrilled to have a stroller to push around both of our babies in on all of our adventures that meets all of our requirements and has so far lived up to our standards. Most importantly, the Baby Jogger City Select is Fallon approved, and she can be quite tough to please. The day it arrived she was so excited that she sat in it in our living room for so long that we thought she had fallen asleep! Now that my friends, is a stroller success story!

Girl vs. Boy

It's driven a lot of people crazy that we've chosen not to find out the sex of our babies before birth. I'm all about a good surprise and Chris is just kind of old school when it comes to this. We agreed from the very beginning with Fallon and then did contemplate finding out at the anatomy scan with this baby. But it was short lived and I think we really knew all along we would go for the surprise again. So while I do tend to gravitate towards gender neutral things naturally like grey, white, black, green, tan, I am all for fun prints that are more boy/girl specific. I've picked out some items that I would probably have purchased already if I knew that I was carrying a he or a she. And most likely when this little he or she arrives a few of these gifts will be on the way, because #howflippingcute. Last chance to make your guess!

GIRL 

Floral Sleeper / Solly Wrap / Book / Booties / Hat / Hooded Towel / Rattle / Burp Cloths

BOY 

Gray Sleeper / Solly Wrap / Book / Booties / Hat / Hooded Towel / Rattle / Burp Cloths

Why We Love DockATot

This post is sponsored by DockATot. I was compensated in exchange for an honest review. As always, all opinions stated are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible.

Nearly every time I share a photo or video featuring Fallon's DockATot I am asked this question, "is it really worth it?".  We have both the Deluxe and the Grand models and to be honest, we did not pay for either. Our Deluxe was a gift from my mom when I was pregnant with Fallon. Last year I started working as a social media influencer and DockATot was one of the very first big companies I collaborated with. We received the Grand dock and I reviewed it when Fallon was about 9 months old. Nearly a year later I am thrilled to be working with this company once again, because friends, I stand behind this product 100%.

The Deluxe is the perfect sized cozy little cot to lay a sleeping babe down just about anywhere. It's so light and portable and saves you from having to drag a bassinet up and down stairs, from room to room or have multiple for a 2 story home. We received a brand new Deluxe with one of the beautiful banana leaf pattern covers for our pending arrival and now we can send the old one to Grandma + Grandpa's house! Seeing it next to Fallon's dock I was surprised that I had forgotten how truly tiny newborns are. I cannot wait to see our sweet little babe sleeping in it in less than 2 months!

DockATot was also kind enough to send us a matching cover for Fallon's Grand dock. She has loved this little bed from the moment it arrived and truly I would pay full price for it as it's been invaluable to us. She plays in it all the time, piling up her babies and reading books and you'll almost always find stray goldfish crackers or other snack crumbs lurking in the corners. The covers are so easy to unzip and remove to wash and put back on and have held up extremely well against my toddler tornado. Fallon is still an incredibly inconsistent napper but she's improved so much in the last few months. I love knowing that if she falls asleep somewhere other than her bed (usually in someone's arms) we can just bring in the dock, transfer her over to it and she will sleep safely and peacefully. No traipsing upstairs and hoping she doesn't wake or being stuck under a sleeping babe when it's the only chance to get something done. 

Recently we transitioned Fallon from crib to twin bed and it's been so shockingly easy we are still in disbelief. I definitely think a major factor in this success is having the Grand dock in the bed. It's familiar and cozy for her to sleep in and helps keep her from rolling all over the big new space. I think it will be so nice when the baby arrives that each kiddo will have their own, matching covers and all! We are incredibly thankful to be able to work with such a great company whose product we truly love to use. But when I respond that they are totally worth it, this is my testimony as to why. 

Baby #2 Must Haves

Figuring out everything you think you need for a baby is so overwhelming the first time around. Making a registry helps to break things down by category but oh my goodness all the gear and nursery furniture on top of newborn essentials! I was researching and review reading daily before I was halfway through my first pregnancy. But the second go round....not so much. We have all the big stuff and it hasn't even been 2 years since Fallon was born so the baby world hasn't been revolutionized yet. I made a list of my must have new items for baby #2 and the rest, he or she gets big sissy's hand me downs #secondkidproblems. 

Quilt / Knotted Hats / Changing Mat / Bottles / Pacifier / Drying Rack / Swaddle, also love these + these / Sleeper, also love these + these / Booties / Pacifier Clips / Hooded Towel, also love this / Infant Bath Seat

Gift Guide: For Toddlers, Small Shops

I'm a big fan of shopping small but I know handmade items come at a higher price. So Small Shop Saturday is the perfect time to finally snag something you've been wanting to get your little one at a discount. It's easy to be overwhelmed by all of the makers out there so I'm sharing a few of our very favorites. These are all Fallon approved so we hope your babes love them too!

Rain Boots / Quilt / Doll / Book / PJs / Bow / Baby Wrap / Play Mat / Slumberkin

Favorite Finds: Small Shop Edition

Now that our fall weather has, probably only briefly, returned from its several week long hiatus I thought it would be a good time to share some recent seasonally inspired finds. These posts are so fun for me to do and I hope you enjoy reading them too. I love to see what other people are loving for their wardrobes, homes and kiddos and it is really nice to have a direct link to the things others are raving about, because if they are that good, I want them too!

When I received an email about working together with ReplayRecycled I was SO excited. Fallon was eating straight off her high chair with her fingers still and I was washing the same few snack bowls and cups every day. Not only do they have an adorably cute selection of tableware for kids, the company behind the products is pretty amazing. It was founded by a husband and wife team and produces recycled, FDA approved, food safe plastic products for moms and kids alike to love. And the company is all run right here in the USA. We have been loving the divided plates for meals, bowls for all the snacks, flat plates for donuts dates and sippy cups to coordinate with every outfit. 

One day Fallon will have enough hair for ponytails and braids but in the meantime, there is always something denoting her as a girl on her head. It drives me nuts when people assume she's a boy! WesternWanderers has the cutest textures and prints for fall and how could I not snag this striped head wrap for my girl?! And can we talk about baby turbans, or topknots as they are so sweetly called over at Olive & Mama Co.? I about died from the cuteness of Fallon wearing this gorgeous neutral print. 

At this point it will come as no surprise to you all who have been following along that my daughter has a thing for blankets and all the soft things in general. She may even become a bigger blanket hoarder than mama! We received the most beautiful black and white quilt from Clemetine Kids and Fallon has been dragging it around with her EVERYWHERE. Of course I'm tickled that it's so Halloween photo appropriate and it washes like brand new every time. I am certain we will end up collecting all of this amazing brand's prints because they are just so good!

And speaking of snuggly soft things, Fallon has slept with the Slumberkin we got her when she first slept through the night in her crib nearly every single night. And while Sugar Plum (yes, we name everything) isn't going anywhere she's a little worse for wear from all the love. So the chilly air, perfect for cuddling has me thinking she should have a new one. Y'all, these little guys are just right for little hands to hold and feel comforted by. New babe will definitely be getting one when he or she arrives! 

Of course Fallon is growing like a weed and was in need of fall clothes, so I had to sneak in some items into her wardrobe from my favorite small shops. The crewneck sweatshirts from Childhoods Clothing are my favorite! She looks so cute in them and they are perfect for exploring outside in the chilly air. The faded red is such a fun color and worked in well with Fallon's capsule wardrobe. 

Happy Friday!

Baby Monitor Review: iBaby Labs

This post is sponsored by iBaby Labs. I was compensated in exchange for an honest review. As always, all opinions stated are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible.

When iBaby Labs offered to send us a brand new video baby monitor and an air purifier I was Tom Cruise jumping on Oprah's couch excited. The frustration with our old monitor  losing the picture and constantly needing to be charged had peaked and we were in desperate need of a good quality model. Thankfully that wish was granted. 

The iBaby Monitor M6S looks like some kind of cute little space robot if you ask me. But don't be fooled, this little camera is far more than a fun nursery accessory. If you want a baby monitor with ALL the features, this bad boy is for you. 

-Pan/Tilt/Zoom 

-Prerecorded lullabies, record your own, and add your own from Google Music, Apple Music, and mp3 

-Temperature, Air Quality, and Humidity sensors

-Two-way audio  

-Unlimited users & 4 viewers at the same time 

But if you're still not convinced, let me share our personal experience. The initial set up is actually EASY. This is coming from the girl whose husband had to stop her from actually throwing the old one out the window because she couldn't figure it out. And he said that one wasn't even that hard. If you can read and use your phone charger (USB cord) you can do it. It's just perfect that your phone becomes the monitor because that's one less thing you have to worry about charging or carrying around the house. I really love that there is an attachment for the bottom of the camera so that it sits flat on whatever surface you choose to locate it. It's very lightweight and easily portable, which will be so nice to bring on vacation next month! It's also pretty cool that Chris can check in on Fallon from work to catch a glimpse of his baby girl snoozing. The picture quality is amazing and the pan/tilt feature can show me pretty much around Fallon's whole room! 

Remember how I mentioned we also received an air purifier? Yes, iBaby Labs was kind enough to send us not only 1 but 2 monitors. That's right, the AirSense actually doubles as an audio baby monitor. So while it's detecting and eliminating common household VOC’s such as Formaldehyde, Benzene, Carbon Monoxide, Ammonia, Hydrogen, Alcohol, Cigarette Smoke, Flavor it can also play music and let you know if baby is awake. There are 100s of lighting colors to choose from and it syncs right up to your phone in addition to any other iBaby Lab devices you have. 

I hope y'all know by now that my reviews are always honest. I tend to choose products I'm fairly certain I will love, hence the positive feedback. But I am actually difficult to impress with baby gear and I just can't find any cons to share about these products. We have been blown away by the quality and functionality of our iBaby Labs monitors and I would recommend them to anyone on the hunt. It's hard enough to make the day to day decisions of being a parent and those big tough ones too. So trust me on this one and take it off your plate.  

Nap Time With DockATot

It seems like forever ago and just yesterday somehow that I was making up my baby registry. One of the first items I added to the list was a DockATot Deluxe. I had read so many rave reviews about having one of these cute little portable cots for babes that I just had to have one for mine. We used it all the time to lay Fallon down in and it was so easy to tote around the house with one hand. Chris and I would joke that they should make them for adults because they're so cozy!

Fast forward to 10 month old nap boycotting Fallon. She had outgrown her Deluxe and I jumped at the chance to actually work with DockATot using the Grand. As soon as we put it on the ground, Fallon climbed right in. And we figured out that the key to the dock is that it does double duty for playtime AND sleeping. When we have it downstairs she is free to crawl in and out, bring her toys in it and watch her shows while eating snacks. But when we bring it upstairs she can snuggle up to sleep in it. Throw in some favorite essential oils, crank up the sound machine with a buddy to cuddle and who wouldn't be lulled to sleep in a cushy bed? The positive association Fallon has made with her DockATot has been invaluable to her learning that naps aren't so bad. And we are so grateful! We are at the 1 year mark and finally at the point where naps happen a lot more days than not without a fight. 

As a mom who isn't the biggest fan of having my house cluttered with baby gear, I also

 love that the docks have nice cover options that don't scream BABY. And of course washable gets every parent's vote. The covers zip right off to toss into the wash and they really aren't difficult to get back on. So if you're looking for a baby gift or desperately trying to get your toddler to nap, DockATot is where it's at! Click here for $10 off your purchase.

Shopping Made Easy With Snap & Shop Tray

I used to think strolling through Target with my cute kid in the cart, iced coffee in the cup holder, taking my time to browse was only a dream. But I am happy to report that dream has now become a reality. Yes, it's true, we have had many a happy trip to the motherland or grocery store these days because I found the Snap & Shop shopping cart snack tray. This thing is golden people, golden.

Fallon has always loved being out and about, engaging with people and taking in all the new things around her. When she was tiny her daddy would carry her aka parade her through stores while I pushed the cart and shopped. So you can't really blame a girl for getting upset when she wasn't carried on my solo trips when she got big enough to sit in the cart. Although she was happy, it's not exactly easy to hold a baby and shop, and definitely not leisurely. I do my best shopping hands free so the search for a solution began. 

I tried puffs but it got old constantly feeding them to her. Teething biscuits she ate so fast I could barely blink and then she fussed to be held. Pouches she would drop (or throw) so many times I got a good work out picking them back up. But the Snap & Shop tray is a total game changer. It clicks right onto the handle of the cart, facing your kiddo, and you can fill it up with whatever kind of snack will keep her happy for the next 30 minutes. There are 2 sides to keep different snacks separate or as the division line if you have 2 children. It's deep enough so that you aren't leaving a trail of Goldfish crackers in your wake and also comes with an airtight lid so you can even pack in advance! 

You will never come here to read about something I don't actually use or believe in. So when I tell you that I absolutely love this thing, you can be sure I'm shooting you straight. If you want to have a mom win kind of day, trust me, you need one of these trays in your bag of tricks. 

This post was written in partnership with Snap & Shop but all thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible