The Play Gym Built by Experts!

Save $10 off your purchase of a Lovevery Play Gym by clicking here

We stumbled upon Lovevery a few months ago and I was instantly attracted to the beautiful design, gorgeous colours, and array of learning tools for babies! The more I found out about Lovevery, the more I knew I needed to get my hands on one of their play gyms!

Made with sustainably-sourced wood, the design is just stunning. It takes 2 minutes to assemble and disassemble so it can be easily moved to any room in your home and taken with you when you go visit friends and family!

Every item on this play gym was purposely chosen and the detail that went into designing each piece is exactly what you want as a parent! It comes with an Organic Cotton High Contrast Montessori Ball, a Sustainably-sourced Wooden Batting Ring, Organic Cotton Teether with BPA-free Silicone Rings, a System of interchangeable cards to help stimulate every sense and encourage learning and a Play Guide with activities designed by child development specialists.

There are 5 development zones on the Lovevery play gym that you can cover up or leave exposed to prevent overstimulation and encourage learning! The 5 zones include:

1. Learning to focus

2. Making sounds

3. How things feel

4. Hiding and finding

5. Exploring colors

Save $10 off your purchase of a Lovevery Play Gym by clicking here

Bath Time Essentials For A New Baby

With a second baby on the way, I am being a lot more particular about the products that I MUST have. I saw super quickly with Zane which products were useful, a waste of money, and which didn’t stand the test of time with a baby. Bath time can be a total bonding experience with your baby or it can be super stressful as a new parent so being fully equipped is SO important!!

I’m rounding up my MUST HAVE bath time products for new and experienced parents alike who are expecting a new baby! These items will also make amazing baby shower gifts!

• A light, portable and adjustable bath tub is a MUST. You don’t want one that’s only for newborns because you’ll be replacing it shortly after your baby arrives and one that isn’t specifically for newborns will drive you insane. You will either be constantly holding up your baby so that they are propped up, or you’ll have your baby constantly sliding down the slippery inclined plastic.. I recommend the Moby Smart Sling 3-Stage Tub. This tub is awesome because it grows with baby through three stages: Stage 1: Newborn (0-3 months; up to 15 lbs); Stage 2: Infant (3-6 months; up to 20 lbs); Stage 3: Sitters (6+ months; up to 25 lbs). There are 2 positions that you can place the tub in and then you can completely remove the interior mesh once your baby can comfortably sit. The mesh also provides a type of “grip” that a simple plastic tub won’t provide which is great for newborns. Click here to learn more.

• An easy to grip, light, ergonomic bath rinser. I love the Moby Waterfall Bath Rinser by Skip Hop. We actually have this one in blue and have used it since Zane was born! It’s designed to keep water out of your baby’s eyes and ears, it’s light, and the one we currently have has lasted us over 2 years already! We actually ordered a second one because Zane loves to help rinse himself off in the bath so now I can get him rinsed off and he can help too! Click here to learn more.

• A large and soft bath towel. Don’t make the mistake of getting a small newborn one… it will last about as long as your clean shirt with a new born. I totally recommend getting a larger one that is soft, has a large hood (Zane had a big head that never full fit in the new born towels) and one that is good quality so that it can withstand daily and sometimes 2 times a day baths! For Zane and our new baby, we have always used the Skip Hop Zoo Hooded Towel. It’s soft, bright and vibrant, and great quality! Click here to learn more.

• A SINK BATH! Before having Zane, I had never heard of these, and I won’t make the mistake of having another baby without using one! The Skip Hop Moby SoftSpot Sink Bather™ is the perfect size for newborns and infants. It allows you to give them a bath in the kitchen or bathroom sink. It’s GREAT for when you’re on the go, visiting your parents or friends houses and accidents happen. It’s also super practical when you’re alone and your baby has an accident. It’s hard sometimes to contain the mess, undress your baby all while trying to fill up a bathtub. With the Sink Bather, you can put your baby right in the sink and use the sprayer or tap to keep them warm and start bathing them immediately! It has a velcro strap so that it can be easily hung to dry, it has neck and head support for babies and a mesh centre so that your baby is cradled. I am SO excited to give it try when our mini arrives in a few short weeks! Click here to learn more.

• Toys Toys and more Toys. They will keep your mini’s hands occupied and out of their soapy hair and will give you the time you need to properly wash them. I always recommend toys that move, toys that can easily be disinfected and toys that don’t have a ton of grooves and holes so that you don’t have any moldy surprises. Our 3 fave right now are: Count & Play Bath Puzzle, Zoo Paddle & Go Owl and the Mix & Match Foam Pals Bath Toys (these actually stick to the sides of your tub and will keep your baby entertained and as grow with them as they learn that they can move them around and make different animal combinations!).

If you think I’m missing anything, please let me know in the comments below! You may have noticed that all our products are from SkipHop. We did a massive haul at SkipHop and keep returning to them for our baby products because we love the quality, price and design of all their products. They’re a brand we trusted with Zane and they haven’t let us down! Click here to see their full product line!

Unexpected Diaper Bag Essentials

When you leave the house with a baby, being equipped with everything you could possibly need could be the different between enjoying your day out, and having to come home early due to a fussy baby. We all know the usual items for a diaper bag - wipes, changes of clothes and DIAPERS! I wanted to recommend a few others that you may or may not have thought of and that will save you in any meltdown situation!

For starters, you need a good diaper bag. With Zane, I started off using one that I found at a regular retail store, but quickly learned that a good diaper bag has several essentials that you can’t find anywhere else.

1 - Stroller clips: A necessary feature is stroller clips, which allows the bag to hang from the handle of your stroller, freeing up the storage compartment underneath for shopping and other bags! Without stroller clips, you’ll be forced to put your bag under the stroller, leaving no room for jackets, shopping bags or groceries. It sounds like something silly now, but when baby arrives you’ll understand what I’m talking about!

2 - Insulated pockets for bottles and food: An amazing feature in some diaper bags (including this one!) is 2 insulated side pockets for bottles or other food. This means you can go to the park in the summer with a bottle of milk or water and it will stay cool! Or you can keep a bottle of water or formula warm. This is a lifesaver when you are somewhere (like the park) where there is no hot water or microwave in sight!

3 - LOTS OF POCKETS: This diaper bag from Elfe Juvenile products has 8 diaper different compartments. It means you can stay organized, find things easily, and most importantly, fit EVERYTHING that you need into 1 bag.

4 - BACKPACK BACKPACK BACKPACK: I can’t stress this enough. When you have a crying baby or one that just needs love, you need your hands free. Having a diaper bag that goes over your shoulder might look cute, but its super impractical. I can’t recommend enough to find one that’s a backpack. And there are so many awesome styles now, that you don’t need to compromise style for functionality.

Next up on my list are a few teethers from Nuby. We used SO many of their products with Zane and I’m loving being able to discover even more of what they have to offer with baby #2! A teething baby is generally a cranky baby so with the help of the products below, you can help you mini remain soothed while you’re out and about:

1 - Fruity Chews: These unique teethers will help your teething baby find relief. Their unique texture will provide comfort and the small delicate grip is perfect for your baby’s little hands to grasp!

2 - Beaded PaciFinder: Thanks to this, you won’t lose any more pacifiers (or have your mini throw them on the floor!). This Nuby one comes with a silicone teether too so whether your baby needs to be soothed or needs to chew on something to sooth her gums, you’ll have it all!

3 - Happy Hands Teething Mitten: These mittens are perfect for babies that still can’t grasp a traditional teether and that tend to chew their fingers instead! The soft silicone will soothe their gums and you can easily clean it can even be machine washed!

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, finding the right pacifier is crucial to a happy baby. I don’t think there’s a logic behind why some prefer one shape over another, so I recommend buying a few different ones, figuring out which one your baby prefers, and then STOCK UP!!! Always make sure to get the appropriate size - the nipple in the bigger sizes will be too big for your mini and will make them gag!

I love these NaturalFit pacifiers from Chicco:

1 - NaturalFit 2-Pack Soft Silicone Orthodontic Pacifier 0M+

2 - NaturalFit® 2-Pack Mi-cro™ Pacifier 0-2m

Finally, don’t underestimate the importance of brining bibs! Lots. Of. Bibs. Babies drool, they spit up and they drop milk and food all the time. Unless you feel like packing 10 shirts, bring bibs! They’re small, light weight and can be easily switched! I love the Cheeky Chompers Neckerbib! They’re reversible, so soft, have easily attachable snaps at the back and come in an array of colours and patterns to match any outfit!

If you have any questions about the products, don’t hesitate to drop me a comment below or send me an email! You can find them all by clicking the names of the products, or by visiting the Elfe website!

Discovering Boppy

Walking into baby stores is so overwhelming at times and with so much available online it's so hard to decide which baby products to try and trust! That's why I LOVE being able to test out new products and brands and give you guys the low down on what I think! This month I'm putting Boppy to the test. First known for their pillows, Boppy was created by a fellow mama (so we know these products were designed for parents) and they now have an extensive line of baby items that range from nursing pillows, to carriers, to teething scarves and even pregnancy pillows! This month I'm reviewing their new ComfyFit Baby Carrier and their Teething Scarves. 

First up was the ComfyFit Baby Carrier. I'm going to be honest and say that I have never been a fan of baby carriers. I've always found them to be uncomfortable for my back, Zane hates them, and 99.9% of the time I can't figure out how to put it on properly, so I was a bit skeptical about trying out another one (I already own 3 that are all nicely packed away in a storage bin). I AM THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE that not only did I figure out how to put it on in under 10 seconds, but Zane was smiling AND it is the most comfortable carrier I've ever put on.

I am so disappointed that I didn't know about this carrier sooner. It comes with a super practical storage bag, is made from a super soft and stretchy material and it can accommodate your mini forward facing or rear facing. Putting it on is SO easy. There's a snap around your waist, you slide in your arms through 2 holes (that are labeled "right shoulder" and "left shoulder" = SO EASY) and you tie the hanging pieces around your waist. That. Is. It. I LOVE the colour, am obsessed with the fact that my husband can wear it too (and figure out how to put it on alone) and am so happy that Zane is now as comfortable as I am when using a carrier! I totally recommend the ComfyFit Baby Carrier.

I borrowed one of Zane's delicious girlfriends for this photo shoot!

Next on my list from Bobby was their Teething Scarves. I was intrigued when I saw this product online because Zane loves chewing on my face, my jewellery, my arms, shoulders, shirt (you get the point), so the idea of having a scarf that was meant for him to chew on seemed like a genius idea! They come in 4 colours (to match every outfit) and not only does Zane love to chew on them, but the fact that it's around my neck means he can't toss this teether on the floor which is a total mom win. We've all been out at a restaurant with a teething angry baby and then they decide to catapult their teether on the dirty floor... this happens to me daily. With this teether, it's around my neck, is super cute and helps soothe Zane's gums! Click here to visit the Boppy website to check out their Teething Scarfs. 

Little baby Ruby couldn't get enough :)

If you've never heard of Boppy, I totally recommend heading over to their website to discover their entire product line. I love supporting fellow moms and this brand won't let you down with their innovations and quality! 

Top 10 Bath Toys Under $10

Bath time is play time and the happiest time in our home. Below are our current bath time faves! You can click the image or the product name for more info :) 

Skip Hop Zoo Bathtime Basketball! It's so much fun for your mini, and they'll be practicing coordination and dexterity! 

Bathtime Crayons. Safe on all bathtubs, these crayons will provide HOURS of fun and they wash right off! Let your bathtub become your mini's canvas :)

Bath Tub Tunes Water Flutes - Make bath time music time with these adorable noise makers! 

Octopus Hoopla Bath Time Toss. This is a toy that will grow with your child :) At 12 months they'll love the bright colors and that it floats. As they get older, they'll love trying to toss the rings on the tentacles!

Zoo Mix and Match Foam Pals. Zane is fascinated about how they magically stick and unstick to the side of the tub! He loves putting together the animals and the bright colors :)

Fishin' Bath Toy. This game is great for hand and eye coordination and your mini will love the bright colors! The fish are magnetic which makes it not too difficult of a game! Some of the other one's I've tried actually have a hook and are too difficult for a 12 month old.

Bath time Bubble Book - Bath time fun can be educational too! Take the time to read a quick book :)

Float and Play Bubble Bath Toy - Your mini will LOVE these floating see-through colourful toys :) Zane is always so fascinated by the fact that they're transparent. Be prepared to have one happy baby with these floating around!

Squirting Bath Toys - Guaranteed to get a laugh from your mini when they discover that they can squirt water from their fave toys!

Wind up Swimming Penguin - wind it up and let it go! Watch your mini try to catch it and have a blast while doing it!

Kiko Miami Diaper Bag Review

With winter coming to an end (hopefully soon) I am allll about the backpack diaper bags. I find it so much more practical to have your arms free and with so many options on the market, there is no reason to settle for one that is less than perfect for you! I got my hands on a Kiko Miami Dipaer Bag and here’s what I thought:

I tested out the Freedom Diaper Backpack. First off, I LOVE that this bag comes equipped with so many extras that you normally have to buy. It comes with 2 built in bottle insulators (to keep things hot or cold) and it also comes with two straps so that you can hang it from your stroller handle bar and not take up room under your stroller. It has 8 pockets in total and has two large handles at the top if you want to carry it in your hands.

My fave feature is that it stays open on it's own and stays upright without tipping over! So m any of the backpack diaper bags I’ve tried have not had these features which means you need both hands when searching for something – one to keep the bag open and the other to grab what you're looking for.

This diaper bag is so compact yet has SO much room, you will never need to bring along a second bag for full day trips. Kiko Miami has a ton of other diaper bag options if you’re looking for something other than a backpack. You can click here to visit their website! 

5 Awesome Loot Bag Ideas for Babies and Toddlers!

Get 15% off of everything below as well as all regular priced items at at Elfe.com using the code ZANE15. It's only valid until March 23, 2018 (certain restrictions apply) so don't wait!

Are you looking for creative, amazing and practical loot bag ideas for your child’s next birthday party? Look no further! I’ve rounded up my top 5 loot bag ideas for babies and toddlers (and chose 3 of them for Zane’s birthday party last month! You can click here to read all about his Jungle Themed Birthday). I went on the hunt for loot bag ideas that kids would be able to enjoy long after the party ended and I hope you love these ideas as much as I do! You can also get 15% off of everything below as well as all regular priced items at at Elfe.com using the code ZANE15. It's only valid until March 23, 2018 (certain restrictions apply).

1.     Sip N' Snack Cup: This is a cup that’s perfect for self-feeders and kids who can sip from a straw. It’s an adorable and practical loot bag idea that that the kids will want to start using the second they leave the party! It’s a sippy cup and snack container all in one! It has a genius snack container on the top and a sippy cup on the bottom. I decided to sweeten up the bag a bit and add some candy to the loot bags too! We gave these away at Zane’s Birthday Party to the children that were 2 – 5 years old. Click here to find out more!

2.     3-Step Teether Set: We had a few babies at Zane’s party that where under 9 months and so what better gift than colourful, texture filled teethers that will help soothe their sore teething gums? This 3 pack of tethers is awesome because it covers your mini from start to finish during teething! Click here to find out more!

3.     Bath Time Toss: What’s more fun than bath time? Nothing once you have this colourful floating octopus! This Bath Time Toss is great for kids 18 months+ and they’ll have a blast playing with it in the bath. Zane is only 1 year so he doesn't quite understand that he's supposed to toss the rings on the tentacles but LOVES it none the less :) Click here to find out more!

4.     Plush Teething Blanket: This is one of Zane's fave toys at the moment. It’s a teether, a little lovey and has crinkle paper inside so it’s a toy that keeps him entertained as well! I love how colorful it is, the price point is great for loot bags and parents will thank you for sending their kids home with such a memorable and useful toy! Click here to find out more!

5.     Snack Keeper: This cup is PERFECT for children who are at the finger food and snack age. Zane loves to feed himself but also loves tipping over his bowls (and this mama does not love constantly cleaning my floor). It has a special flexible opening at the top that keeps the snacks in, but lets your minis stick their hands in to grab out the snacks! I decided to add some Puffies into the loot bags so that they could start enjoying their bowls asap! I also added in a plastic spoon as a little bonus so that the parents could use the bowl for other things as well. Click here to find out more!

Make sure if you pick these up, you get an extra one for your mini because they won’t want to let them go once they see it (the struggle is real when you pick out great loot bags lol!)

Don't forget you can get 15% off of site wide at at Elfe.com using the code ZANE15. It's only valid until March 23, 2018 (certain restrictions apply)!

Baby Bundles from The Children's Place!

Disclosure: I have partnered with YMC and The Children’s Place and have received compensation for this post. All opinions are my own.

Leaving the house with a baby is tough... and such a long process. Between picking out an outfit, the diaper changes, the spitting up and then getting myself ready, it's often a full day affair. I'm all about finding ways to speed it up so that we're on time and still smiling by the time we get to the car. The Children's Place came to the rescue by launching their incredible Baby Bundles! They've created a one-stop shop where you can find perfectly coordinated outfits and multi-packs to help speed up the getting ready process so you can enjoy more time with your mini! You no longer need to worry about finding coordinating outfits or about not having enough of a certain item... Baby Bundles from The Children's Place have it all and they include affordable, stylish and PERFECT items for every baby :). 

Zane is starting to stand and wobble around so we've now added a new closet staple to his wardrobe: socks with grips on the bottom! But let's be honest... baby socks are going to get lost, so you can never have too many! We picked up this great Baby Bundle: Baby Boys Athletic Stripe Midi Sock 12-Pack

With spring just around the corner, I can't get enough of the bright and beautiful colours at The Children's Place and we ordered a pack of the Baby Zoo Party Pants. With Zoo animals, stripes and elephants, these pants can be paired with a basic plain Tshirt and worn every day!

There's nothing I love more than babies and rompers so I NEEDED to get my hands on this Baby Bundle. It's called the Camo Rockstar Faux-Layer Top Romper And Pants 3-Piece Playwear Set and I am OBSESSED.

The sizes go from newborn to 24 months so if you have an expecting mama friend, look no further for the perfect baby shower gift! Head over to The Children's Place to see what all the excitement is about :)

The Baby Proofing Must Have Product

It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt... and it's every parent's nightmare that their little munchkin will injure themselves while exploring. The littlest thing can become such a danger to curious little hands and the more your minis move... the more they'll explore and the more trouble they'll get in! I recently got to try out the Bily Contoured Top Metal Superyard (available at Babies R Us) and I'm now adding it to my list of Must Have Baby Items. This 3-in-1 Superyard can easily transform from a playard to a gate enclosure and can even be used a barrier between rooms! It has a swinging door that can be opened with one hand, it swings shut on it's own and it has a built-in stay open feature. You can even purchase extensions separately if you need it to be larger.

We have a really oddly shaped stair case with a flat piece of metal on one side and holes between our steps so baby proofing our stairs seemed like mission impossible, until we tried out the Bily Contoured Top Metal Superyard. I love that it matches with my decor (so many of the gates are white), I love that it's super sturdy and metal, and I LOVE that is was simple to install. If you're looking for a gate for an oddly shaped stair case, a sturdy playard, or a barrier to block off certain rooms in your home that won't be an eye sore, I have to recommend the Bily Contoured Top Metal Superyard! You can't always baby proof every room... and you won't have to with this product! Just install the Superyard and you can literally block off any door way to any room in your home! You can find more information about this product on the Babies R Us website by clicking here.

Zane wasn't too happy that he couldn't play on the steps anymore, but I am thrilled to have peace of mind that he is safe. Now on to baby-proofing the rest of my home!

Easily opening door with an automatic swing shut system and a built-in stay open mechanism that can be activated.

Baby & Toddler Holiday Gift Guide

This year I've gotten to try some pretty great products so I'm sharing my faves for babies and toddlers! Stay tuned for my gift guide for the rest of the family :)

1. Zany Zoo: We discovered this gem while at a friend's house a few weeks ago. Zane was mesmerized and sat quietly playing for longer than I had ever seen before. Zany Zoo is made from wood, painted with bright and wild colours, and makes NO noise. No loud melodies, no bright lights, just Zane's imagination doing all the work... and I love that. Click here for more info on the Zany Zoo.

2. Olili Baby Mitten Clips- No more losing mittens and gloves this winter thanks to these adorable clips! They come in 6 gorgeous patterns, so you're sure to find one that will match perfectly with your mini's outdoor wear. They make a great gift and stocking stuffer! Click here to visit Olili Baby and order yours now!

3. The Dough Parlour: Perfect for 2 years and over, this freshly made-to-order play dough is water & food-based (with NO chemicals) and comes in the most delicious scents (such as bubble gum, chocolate mint and cotton candy)! Let your little one's imagination run wild, and sit back and relax knowing they're playing with something that is made from 100% natural ingredients... also, their packaging is just the CUTEST. Click here to visit the Dough Parlour.

4. Pom Beanie from Belle and Beautique: This boutique, run by 2 mamas, is your one stop shop for baby accessories. My fave this season is their Pom Beanie for kids (which comes in a lot of other colors)! They also have a collection for adults in case you want to twin with your mini (obviously I picked up an adult version)! Click here to visit their website and check out the entire collection.

5. HEARMUFFS: These sound protection ear muffs by Lucid Audio for infants, will ensure that your little ones are able to sleep through all the loud holiday partying and noises, sports events, concerts, and loud outings. They even have models that play melodies and calming sounds! Click here to check them out. 

6. Chewbeads Mercer Rattle: This light weight teether and rattle will please even the crankiest little munchkin! It's light weight, made with non-toxic silicone, and has calmed down even the fussiest babies. It was given to Zane by his Auntie M and it's been his fave toy ever since. This is a must have in every home. Click here to buy yours!

What products are on your wishlist this year? Tell me in the comments below!

Kidsme Reusable Food Pouch - Perfect for My Little Independent Eater

Zane is now 8 months old and is becoming more and more independent every day! He loves his food (like his mama) and has started to want to feed himself. This is a great milestone, but not so great for messes when we're out of the house or when he's dressed and we need to head out the door quickly after he eats. His spoon and food seem to end up everywhere EXCEPT his mouth! I found the PERFECT solution thanks to the Kidsme Reusable Food Pouch from Canada's Baby Store. 

The kit comes with 2 reusable bags to fill with food (that you can use up to 30 times each), labels so you can date and write what kind of food is in the pouch and an adaptor! This kit allows your little one to feed themself using homemade food OR store bought food pouches!

The adapter, which is made from silicone and has tiny holes in it to control how much food is squeezed out (thankfully, because Zane gets so excited for his food and likes to squeeze the bag really hard!), fits on the reusable bags or directly on most food pouches! I love that when we're out of the house, I can just bring a food pouch and an adaptor and don't have to worry about bibs and spoons anymore!

If you don't want the whole kit, you can also just buy the adaptor for the food pouches! 

Click here to see the Kidsme Reusable Food Pouch from Canada's Baby Store!