Apple has started one of their most popular promotions for students and educators. Buy a Mac for college and get a free iPod touch. Order online and get free shipping. Expires September 19, 2008.

Tags: school, gear

Sleepytimestore is my source for Barefoot Dreams and Little Giraffe blankets, which make great baby gifts. Take 20% off everything at through Sunday, using code Summer20. Free shipping for orders over $50.

Free ground shipping on orders of $50 or more at Kidsurplus.com, using code AFF50 at checkout. This offer ends on June 16, 2008. Regular shipping is a flat rate of $7.95.

Tags: gear, clothing, shoes, toys

Memorial Day special at Babies R Us. It's a printable coupon, but will have a code to be used online as well. Expires May 26, 2008.

Tags: toys, diapers, clothing, shoes, gear

Free shipping, no minimum purchase, with code FREESHIP, through May 12, 2008.



For today only, save 20% and get free shipping for Mother's Day with code MOM2008. See site for restrictions.

Tags: clothing, toys, gear, shoes

I just went online to place an order for a Peanut Shell sling (see my review here) for one of my good friends who is due any day with baby girl #2. While I was there, I noticed they were having a big Mother's Day sale, with a discount of 40% through May 13, using code MOTHERSDAY (case sensitive) at checkout. Such a deal, since I was going to buy it anyway (I love it when that happens!).

This is pretty huge, since the slings are kind of pricey, so it knocks off a nice chunk of change (and offsets the flat $8.50 shipping charge). The only catch is that the sales using the code are final (I hope it fits and that you like the pattern, Sofi - if it doesn't, I'l take care of it!). I actually ended up selling mine on craigslist for half my purchase price when I was done with it, so I imagine that if it doesn't work out for some reason (sizing or whatnot), it will be easy to find someone who can use it.

Tags: gear, clothing

Sleepytimestore has been having several coupons ove the last few weeks, and their current one is for Barefoot Dreams products (a Mother's Day promotion). My girlfriends and I got this robe for our good friend LG (for her baby shower), and it really looked comfortable and luxurious. I know I wasn't the only one who was thinking I'd eventually have to get one for myself one day.

Through May 4, 2008, use the coupon code mom for 15% off any Barefoot Dreams purchase. They offer free shipping for orders over $50.

Tags: clothing, gear, toys

Sleepytimestore is my main source for Barefoot Dreams (just got a new hoodie zip-up) and Little Giraffe blankets, which make great baby gifts. For one day only, save 15% on your purchase with code earth15 (ends Wednesday, April 23th, at midnight EST).

Tags: clothing, gear, toys

A while ago, I reviewed the Peanut Shell sling. I just got emailed a coupon code for it (rare) and thought someone out there might find it useful. Use code Spring2008 to save 15% off your order. The code is case-sensitive and can be used once, through April 15, 2008.

Tags: gear

Amazon.com just started a sale on Britax products, which, as many of you know, almost never go on sale. This sale applies particularly to items sold by Amazon and not a third-party seller. Amazon has very competitive prices and free shipping, so check it out if you are in the market for a new car seat (they also have strollers too, but I don't have any experience with them).

We have Britax Decathlons for both boys (fortunately we scored excellent deals on these), and really like them. If you have older models, don't forget to check out their recall (which is hardly a recall, since they just send you these tiny plastic rivets to stick in the bottom of the seat). They are very well-made car seats, and I always feel safe buckling them in. The boys also find them to be very comfortable. The only potential downside is that they are rather large and heavy if you need to move them around a lot. Fortunately, we hardly have to. And since they can be used for kids up to 65 pounds, we'll be able to use them for quite some time.

The sale lasts through March 2, 2008.

Tags: safety, gear, Amazon

Sleepytimestore, which is my main source for Barefoot Dreams and Little Giraffe blankets (which make great baby gifts, by the way) is having a 20% off sale on Barefoot Dreams stuff (a decent discount, since these don't go on sale that often - and hardly at 20% off). Just use coupon code 20Dreams during checkout. Sale ends Sunday, January 20th, at midnight EST.

Tags: clothing, gear

This is not an actual review, since we don't have this gadget. And I make a point to not review/recommend things we don't own, but this is something that I really would have wanted and most definitely would buy now if I was expecting or had a newborn (it'll have to live in my baby shower gift idea list instead). Assuming that it works well (and based on all the positive Amazon reviews), I really wish I knew about it before (I don't think it was around yet - I believe it was released in early 2007), since it really would have come in handy. I don't know how many times I wondered or asked J how long it had been since their last feed or nap when the boys were babies.

It's called an Itzbeen, and is basically a device that has multiple count-up timers, a clock, and an alarm. The timers count the time since the last diaper chance, feed, and nap/wake time. There is another miscellaneous timer (I would have used this for pumping, but you can use it for medications or whatever), as well as a clock and alarm (which can be silent - a must). There is even a switch to help you remember which breast you last nursed from and a night light and lock to prevent accidental resets. These guys really thought of everything. Basically, it takes all the guesswork out of the first few weeks of a newborn's schedule (when you are most sleep-deprived). It might seem extraneous, but I swear I would have found this to be a lifesaver if we had one of these when the boys were just born. I was always wondering about the timing of things, and it would have helped eliminate some of the worry (there is already plenty to worry about). It's exactly what I needed at the time. The price is fair, at $25. It's a bit more than I'd like, but certainly not as overpriced as it could be, especially relative to how much baby stuff costs. I think it would have been most useful during the newborn period, but by the time I had heard about it, Andy was several months old (he was also our second baby and things were a bit easier). But it's definitely something I'm going to consider putting in baby shower gift bags from now on. Ingenious.

Tags: Amazon, gear

If you're looking for a great present for a toddler, or tired of shopping for an appropriately sized (and comfy) backpack for your preschooler, look no further. Read more

Tags: gear

This Friday is "Black Friday," historically known as the biggest shopping day of the year. I've never been one to stand in line at 5am outside a big box store in order to score a great deal, and I'm not about to start now. I love great bargain but I don't have the luxury of time. Will I be awake? Probably. Perhaps making breakfast or unloading the dishwasher before the boys wake up.

If I find myself with some spare time, I might try to do some Christmas shopping online. I just got an email today from Amazon.com (marketing wizards those guys), reminding me to check out their great deals this Friday. It'd be great to get most of my shopping done early this year. I'm sure it'll be an interesting day!

Tags: toys, clothing, gear, books, shoes, Amazon, diapers

A few days ago, I posted about the Deluxe Baby Keepsake Kit at Redenvelope. While the free personalization offer has expired, they are now offering free shipping through through November 26, 2007. Use code PFXSHIP at checkout.

Tags: toys, clothing, gear, photography

I've added a new section of the site, called "Shopping Resource." It's also located in the right-hand column of this page for future access. These are links to online stores I have shopped at (often quite recently), with any current sales or promotions that I am aware of. I will add more stores soon and try to update as frequently as I can. Suggestions are always welcome.

While you're there, be sure to read the note about affiliation at the bottom of the page, as I'm offering a $10 Amazon.com gift certificate to one lucky reader this month, to thank you for the referrals. Good luck!

Tags: clothing, shoes, toys, gear, website

I've posted about sleepytimestore.com before. They have sales a few times a year on great gift items that are hard to find deals on. The most current one is for 10% off all purchases made between today and midnight on Sunday, November 18th. Just use the coupon code save10. Or, if you are spending over $200 in a single purchase (which is not hard to do if you are doing some Christmas shopping), use the code save15 to take 15% off your entire purchase. M and A love their Little Giraffe blankets, and they make excellent gifts as well.

Tags: gear, clothing, toys

Amazon is having a promotion on baby items through October 13, 2007. You automatically get 10% off orders of $75 or more, which is not bad. I wouldn't go looking for something to buy, but if you've got something in mind, now might be a good time to get it. Some restrictions apply, so read the fine print.

Tags: Amazon, gear, toys

Do you guys remember that song?

I got a pop-up swimming pool online at Linens N Things a while ago, during the off season. It ended up costing $12, which included shipping. Unfortunately, it is no longer offered, or else I'd post it here (I don't like to post about things until after I've used them so that I don't accidentally recommend purchasing stuff that turns out to be crappy for whatever reason). In any case, I was planning to use it on one of the hotter California summer days, and for a while, I thought we weren't going to have one anytime soon. But this past week was scorching hot, and we're on a very long weekend (with both Labor Day and two daycare inservice days), so it was definitely the right time to fill it up. The boys had a great time, and I think we'll probably use it again tomorrow, if it continues to be this warm.



The pool is offered at Amazon, though for just over $20. It's totally worth it if you are looking for a larger kiddie pool. Last summer, we had a tiny inflatable one, which took forever to inflate, not to mention it was pretty wimpy and barely held any water. You do still need to inflate the ring around this one, but it felt like a real wading pool for the boys.



Happy September! Don't forget to submit your ERAS applications, for those of you who are applying for the match this spring. I haven't yet, but am planning to in the next week or so.

Tags: M, A, J, toys, gear

I'm thinking about starting a page with current shopping deals, so that you don't have to wade through the blog posts to find all the sale entries. Until I have a chance to do that, here are two new promotions that are going on that I am considering jumping in on:

Save 15% through September 7 at sleepytimestore.com (originally posted about here). Use code "laborday15"

Save an additional 25% on all sale merchandise at childrensplace.com through September 3. Also, heads up on their Fall sale, which begins September 5th, where fall merchandise will be 40% off.

Lastly, don't forget about Amazon's promotion on Horizon and Silk milk boxes, ending today. M is thrilled with my recent purchase and I am going to order two more boxes today.

Tags: clothing, toys, gear, Amazon, food

I just got this via email. I have yet to check whether the two that we own are affected, but it seems quite likely considering we bought them both last year. There is a repair kit that Britax will send you once you determine that your seat is affected, but it involves gathering some information from the label on the back of the seat (easier to do with A's seat, as it is still rear-facing). I'm too lazy to go look it up right now, but I'm planning on doing it before I leave this morning, so that we can get the repair kit sent soon. Apparently, it just consists of two extra rivets to insert in the bottom of the seat. I don't think this is a major safety issue (you can probably keep using it until the repair kit arrives) - it seems more like a preventive measure to make sure your adjuster strap stays aligned and it's not too difficult to adjust the harness.

Britax Decathlon Child Restraint Model Numbers beginning with E9L47 Manufacture Dates: February 12, 2005 – July 31, 2007

Charlotte, NC, August 2007- Britax Child Safety, Inc. has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in some Britax Decathlon child restraints.

Under certain circumstances, when the harness adjuster strap is pulled from an extreme side angle, the bezel may separate from the child restraint shell allowing the adjuster to move out of position inside the shell housing. Under these circumstances, caregivers may experience some difficulty while trying to properly adjust the harness. There have been no reported accidents or injuries.

The affected child restraints should not be returned to the Britax retailer. Britax will provide a free repair kit and detailed instructions to all owners beginning August 17, 2007. After August 17, 2007 consumers that have an affected Decathlon and have not registered their child restraint should contact Britax at www.DecathlonRecall.com to order a repair kit.

Visit the Britax site for more details, or go straight to the recall form.

Tags: safety, gear

I've gotten several questions about what baby carriers I used with the boys (Baby Bjorn, Ergo, and Peanut Shell). We were lucky enough to borrow the Baby Bjorn from a friend, and while it was great when M was little, both J and I agreed that it really hurt our backs once he got bigger (over 15 pounds). Also, the minimum weight requirement was 8 pounds (M was not 8 pounds for several weeks after he was born). The Ergo is a great carrier overall (the weight is on the hips), but can be bulky to carry around (and needs a separate insert for newborns). This review is for the Peanut Shell sling, which I bought when A was born. Read more

Tags: gear

A while ago, I reviewed our kids' tub, the Primo Euro Tub. I highly recommend it, if you have the space to store it. Despite the fact that our bathroom is tiny, we have room under the sink (there is no cabinet). The tub also has a hole for hanging. M is using the grown-up tub and showering now (but he often still likes to stand in this tub), and A uses this every day.

I also reviewed the baby monitor that we have, the Angelcare Movement Sensor and Sound Monitor. It really works, and has given me a lot of peace of mind. We are still using it for A, and I can't say enough good things about it.

They are both now available at Amazon.com (tub here, monitor here). In fact, they are both on the baby product bestseller list. This is where I'd buy them now if I had to. Amazon has really great prices, free shipping (over $25), and no tax. If you have Amazon Prime, you get free two-day shipping. Also, there is a current promotion for the Angelcare Monitor (until August 15, 2007), where you get a coupon code (placed in your Media Library) for a free 20-page casual photo book (a $12.99 value) from Shutterfly. Not bad. I've purchased other items with similar Shutterfly promotions in the past, and it's totally legitimate, not to mention a really nice bonus.

If you are planning on buying the tub and it is under $25 (the prices can fluctuate a little bit), and you don't have Amazon Prime, I'd pick up a small board book to make the regular free shipping (it's a big tub, and shipping can add up).

Tags: Amazon, gear

We sold our Zooper Boogie. It served us well, primarily as M's stroller (see photo), but A used it as well. And I am feeling a bit happy-sad, because thinking about the stroller reminds me of how my life has changed so drastically since having the boys, and how quickly they are growing up.

I walked M to school in it every day after he was born. I parked it in the back of lecture hall, and he snoozed while I tried to absorb as much renal physiology as possible. We took it to the mall and grocery store, where the massive basket made shopping a breeze. It had all the great features of a high-end stroller without the exorbitant price tag (it was expensive, but not outrageous).

Others must agree, because within minutes of posting it on craigslist, I got several email messages from enthusiastic moms wanting to buy it. Not only was it in impeccable shape (we are pretty good at taking care of our belongings - they've got to last a while), but we tend to underprice. We do this for two main reasons: 1) to sell it quickly, and 2) we know how much gear can add up in terms of cost. We've definitely benefited from secondhand purchases of high quality at great prices from the local parents club as well as craigslist, and we've felt grateful and happy to pass on similar savings to other parents.

We sold it because we bought a double stroller. I had been trying to avoid buying another stroller, since they are so expensive. But it was clear that we needed one. My big plans for M to use it while I carried A just didn't work out. A is getting quite heavy and we aren't getting any younger. Plus, M can walk much of the time, but if we go out near naptime, it's nice to have a place where both boys can snooze comfortably at the same time.



What did we get? Well, after much research and deliberation, we decided to go with the BOB Revolution Duallie. J will be writing a comprehensive review at some point, though it may take a while since he's on a crazy busy rotation right now (I'm playing single mom again, but this time for a whole month). If it was possible to like a stroller more than our beloved Zooper, this would be it. It's so smooth that it hardly feels like you have to push it. My only gripe is that while it can be folded quite easily, it is difficult to move when folded up (hard to explain here, but you'll see when the review comes out). We bought it when REI had their annual Member Sale a few months ago (20% off any one item) and used some leftover REI dividend credit as well. It was well worth the money, as I am sure we'll put it to good use (I have high hopes that I'll go jogging with the kids at some point). And I'm pretty sure it'll be as easy, if not easier, to resell once the kids have outgrown it.

In the meantime, I'll cherish all the memories we had with the Zooper and look forward to all the new ones we'll have with the Duallie. I know I say it a lot, but my, how time really flies!

Tags: gear, M, J, A

Like for most baby-related items, I was pretty overwhelmed when I started shopping for high chairs. There are just so many brands and styles that it was mind-boggling to sift through all the products. It can be really frustrating, when you want to make the right purchase, but have little to go on. Most of our friends had gone with traditional standing high chairs, but we had the particular problem of having very limited space (and a tight budget). After using this Chicco high chair with both boys, I can honestly say that even if we had more space and an unlimited budget, I would still buy this chair. Read more

Tags: gear, food

Check out Kidsurplus.com. If you've never shopped here, be warned that you may end up spending a lot of time and money because the deals are so good. I just placed a large order of various toys and clothing from them, including some fantastic pricing on Stride Rite shoes. I picked up some cute sandals for $18 (priced at least $30 elsewhere in my comparison searches), as well as a bunch of toys and books. They even beat my usual favorite, Amazon.com, in terms of pricing, for many items. If I wanted to just buy one or two things, I'd still go with Amazon (fast, free shipping), but since I was picking up a lot of things, this deal worked out well for me. Also, they currently carry many items that Amazon does not (or that they do through third-party sellers, which can have high shipping rates), so I tried to stock up.

I have ordered from them once before and while there were a few things that ended up being out of stock, the experience was very positive. They even upgraded my shipping (for free, without prompting) to make it in time for Christmas, which I think is a nice touch. Their stuff goes quickly, so if you see something you like, you'll have to act fast. Shipping is a flat rate of $7.95, which, if you are placing a large order, is offset by the deep savings. However, two days after I placed my order, I got an email newsletter that had a free shipping code for orders over $75 (which mine easily was). The code is Little. I have since emailed them to ask if they can waive the charges, but I'm not holding my breath. It was still a great deal for me, and I am hoping to pass on the additional savings to another savvy shopper. The coupon expires on July 3.

Other items that I bought: Melissa & Doug Stacking Construction Vehicles, Elmo Swim Ring, several hard-to-find Woody Click Hape toys, a bunch of Priddy and DK books, and various other toys that I wanted to stock up on.

Whenever I have some extra time, I try to stock up on toys that I anticipate M and A being able to play with over the next several months, so that we'll always have something fun to pull out of the closet on those rainy or otherwise difficult days. I also like to have a bunch of small toys and books available for the boys to play with in the car, at friends' homes (if they don't have young children), or in restaurants. I never know when I'll have another chance to sit down and shop for toys again, so I tend to make a couple of larger toy purchases throughout the year and then store them away until we need them.



The site is packed with stuff and can take a long time to navigate because of the very broad categories and large inventory, but there is a good search function. So if you have any idea about what you're interested in buying, punch it a key word or two and see what you get. Otherwise, it might take over an hour or more to sufficiently browse the site.

Remember to use coupon code "Little" for free shipping on orders of $75 or more (Ends July 3). You may even get your Christmas shopping done really early this year!

Tags: clothing, toys, books, shoes, gear

When I was shopping for play pens for M, I was bothered by how small most of the standard "Pack 'n Play" pens seemed. So when I came across this 38" x 38" square one from Graco, I was hooked. Brief Review

Tags: gear, toys

After extensive research, we decided to go with a three-wheeled stroller with air filled tires to carry our child from infancy to toddlerhood. We didn't want to spend more than $300, but we wanted a full-featured, high quality, smooth riding stroller. After almost two years of use, the Zooper has fulfilled all of our needs extremely well. We are convinced that this is still one of the best values in strollers. Comprehensive Review

Tags: travel, gear