New from Clek soon!!!

Clek will be coming out with an infant insert to be used with the Foonf and the Fllo. I'm not to sure about the details but it seems like the infant insert will allow you to start using the Foonf and the Fllo once your baby is born. That's super exciting for a couple of reasons:
1. You won't have to buy 2 car seats. You can probably get away with buying 1 really good safe car seat for your child and stick with it for 5 to 6 years!
2. Keeping your child rear-facing longer can be easier with less change for your kid. For a child like mine that doesn't like change, it would have been perfect.
3. This will allow me to use my stroller bassinet more. I wouldn't have to bring the car seat out and dock it on the stroller but allow a bassinet which is more comfy for a newborn. Switching between 2 cars can become obsolete if you already own car seats from your previous children (taking into consideration that they are not expired).

I'm excited since we have 1 Orbit infant seat, 1 Orbit toddler seat, and 1 Clek Foonf. We only have 2 bases for the Orbits so now, I'm hoping I can keep 1 Orbit base in each car and a Foonf in one of the cars. That way, no matter what combination we have, the newborn will always fit in one of the cars without worrying about the infant seat. 2 in 1!!!

We picked a Cord Blood Bank - StemCyte

Through our process of elimination and Ob/gyn recommendation, we went with StemCyte. We liked their collection/processing method, decently local bank (in California), and lack of pushiness!

Although I really won't know much about the collection and processing method until I actually have the baby but my doctor recommended them based on her experience. I tried to do as much research as I could but it just wasn't very clear to differentiate between sales tactics and actual facts. What did help was that StemCyte was a public and private bank. That meant we would have access to the public should anything were to happen. Again, cord blood and tissue banking is an insurance plan so we just do your best to prepare for the worse case scenario.

I wanted something local in California so that it wouldn't be traveling so far after I had the baby. I figure the quicker it gets there, the quicker it'll get processed.

After calling all the banks, ViaCord was the absolute worse about telemarketing me afterwards through phone and email. So much so that I began to lost trust in the business. Where was their focus? Why are they so desperate? And threatening me with increased pricing wasn't going to work.

With StemCyte, it was relatively easy process. When I called in, I felt that I got educated in their product than being pushed to by. In fact, they never tried to get me to start the program but just answered by questions and said goodbye. The process to get started was easy and done within a day. I got my box and now its sitting by the garage door waiting for this little one to come. I've notified my doctor of our choice and have given her the heads up that she will need to do the collection.

So far the best person I've known to ask questions about this whole cord blood and tissue banking is probably your doctor. My doctor was very pro banking so she was informative. She's much more educated than we are and she has actual experience with all the different banks. My doctor doesn't get paid for it so I know her opinion and recommendations were neutral. So I highly recommend asking all your questions to your doctor.

I'll do an update after I have the baby and the good stuff has been processed!

Orbit G3 Frame review

So we've had the G2 frame for almost 3 years now and perhaps the only 2 things that really bother me were the brakes and the single cup holder. The G3 took my breath away. Yes, I've become that woman that obsesses over baby products.

Here are what I'm loving about the new G3 frame:

1. The brakes and flip flop/barefoot friendly. Its probably the friendliest brake system I've encountered. So, Orbit took the questionable G2 brake system to #1. Thank you Orbit Baby!!!
2. The double cup holders. You have no idea how much that means to our family. Now, how do I add a 3rd?
3. One hand fold. The G2 was already a pretty simple system but now, they simplified it even more.
4. Maneuverability. That's a long word. I hope I spelled it right. I was happy with the G2 but the G3 is smoother, easier to turn, and more absorbent on the bumps.
5. G2 family friendly. From a family that has the entire G2 line, when the G3 came out, my heart sank. I know, its not that serious but really, after investing so much money you would hope that your investment last a while and be the newest. I think the people at Orbit thought about that instead of being greedy and made the new G3 compatible with the G2 products. With baby girl number 2 due in 5 weeks, I'm really in nesting mode. Getting the G3 frame was like having my first born all over again. We didn't get too much use out of our infant carseat since my daughter wanted to sit upright at 7 months so we got the Orbit toddler car seat for her. So, I really wouldn't have been too happy about having to buy a new infant car seat since who knows how long this lil one will want to stay in it. I'm hoping for a year this time.

So, thank you Orbit Baby for making a newer and better version of the G2 without making my Orbit Baby collection outdated. And most of all, thank you for standing behind your products with great customer service and warranty. For most of my readers in the Bay Area, they are LOCAL!! And yes, you can just go to them if you need something. So for those of use that live here in Northern California, Orbit Baby is your best choice!

Aden and Anais Dream Blanket

It was took a lot for me to pay $49.95 for a blanket so I waited a while before I made the move. Once we washed it, gave it to my daughter, and I ended up fighting to keep my husband away from taking her blanket. It's incredibly soft and thick enough to keep her warm at night and light enough to know that it won't over heat my child if she hasn't learned to regulate her own temperature. The size of the dream blanket is perfect! The size is perfect for her to roll around in her crib and for it to stay on her. Now, they do make a larger size called the Day Dream blanket for those of you adults that would like your own blanky!

I got the Classic blanket but will like to try the Organic or Bamboo one at some point too. We had the bamboo swaddle blankets and it was extremely soft so I can only imagine that the Bamboo Dream blanket is probably even softer than what I have.

You can purchase it at www.adenandanais.com or at Buy Buy Baby.

Toddler Pillow from Restoration Hardware Baby and Child

When I was looking for a toddler pillow a year ago, I had trouble finding one that was small enough for my little girl. Most toddler pillows were still too big for her. I found that the RH Baby and Child toddler pillow with many pillow case choices was perfect size for her. Remember, you shouldn't use a pillow too early for a baby because of the risk of SIDS. I like the many options for pillow cases and the pillow cases fully encase the pillow. I"m not a big fan of down feathers because of the particles that can be breathed into the lung. So, the RH Baby and Child has 2 options for parents. I got the synthetic filled pillow.
When my daughter destroys her RH pillow, I will try the Nook toddler pillow next. I've seen great reviews on this pillow and seems to have more sustainable and natural fills.

Finally ordered the Orbit Baby Sidekick!

The Orbit Baby Sidekick is finally back in stock!!!!!! I know my daughter is going to be so excited when it gets in and luckily it came back in stock before the second one is due! Family outings without a double stroller hopefully!

New Reviews to be coming soon!! Boco Baby, Rumina Nursingwear, and Joovy Boob

As I'm going into nesting mode, there are so many new things out there! I've ordered a personalized going home swaddle blanket and onesie outfit from Boco Baby (boco-baby.com). I'm super excited as we've finally decided on a name. Next, I'm going to start researching nursing wear and I met the owner of Rumina at MommyCon so maybe I'll be ordering one soon. With my daughter, I only used Dr. Brown and she never threw up once from it so I never switched or tried another brand. Not going to fix what's not broken right? Well, as much as I love Dr. Brown, it was quite an investment of constantly purchasing new parts (and there is a lot of them) and the constant washing of all the parts. Again, I still love Dr. Brown and will still use it on #2 but I am going to see if I can get the same good results from the Joovy Boob. I just invested in 2 Boob bottles and I got the PPSU. The higher graded plastic bottle. They also offer a glass one which I will get if the baby takes a liking to it. But in the meantime, I'm starting to clean out stuff so I'll be able to dissect the Boob soon.
Anyone else have any product recommendations? I just love great products and buying only what you need. I spent an hour the other day with a random stranger at Buy Buy Baby going through all that she needs and what she really needs and which was the best. Who ever said to not talk to strangers took all the fun out.