Time to do some shopping!

I can’t believe the Holidays are here! Time flies. Fortunately I am already almost done with my shopping. What about you? We have some great gift ideas in our store. Our most popular item during the season is the Heads Up Cuckoo Clocks. Our animal friends make a fun and handy gift. We still have some left. You can choose from Cat, Monkey, Cow and Horse. These clocks are very popular and won numerous awards.

Another great item are the gift boxes from Silly Souls. Body, beanie, bib, & shoes all in a great collectible tin and don’t forget all Silly Souls shoes are a 100% vegan.

If you are looking for something smaller items from Boon Inc are always a success. You can’t go wrong with their trendy and funky designs.

As always we offer FREE shipping on orders of $50.00 and more!

Receive a 20% discount on your next order with coupon code “Holiday”

How not to hide Christmas presents

I have been steadily collecting presents for Christmas. Having the opportunity to buy things is not the problem. Getting them in the house is another story. I have bags hiding everywhere. I had the opportunity to get some groceries without Luna and found a Princess Barbie Doll for a great price. I left it unwrapped in the trunk.

This morning i loaded the recycling bin into the trunk and did not think of the Barbie. While I was getting the last stuff from the house Luna had found the Barbie. She was holding it triumphantly in the air and had a big smile on her face. I explained she was not suppose to find the Barbie.

Her answer " That's alright mom I already forgot about it and I will just think I want a truck and not a Barbie." Well that's easier said then done. The whole day she is asking about that present she is not suppose to ask about. According to her she is not asking, but just reminding me.

I hope I do better with the other presents this year!

How to life greener

Lately there are so many ways to life a bit greener. Most items come in environmental friendly substitute. At www.LighterSaferGreener.com you can now buy glasses made using recycled water and environmentally friendly packaging.

Here at our house we use energy saving lights. We have the airco on at 82 degrees during the summer. We have fans in every room to help circulate the air. We recycle glass, plastic and paper. We use our green left overs and table scraps to make compost. Now that our son just turned one I want to get a bike seat and bike my daughter to school instead of taking the car all the time.

We use reusable bottles to take with us on trips and bring our own grocery bags to the store.

One of the biggest improvements in our life is joining a local CSA. We now grow our own vegetables and work in the garden every Saturday morning. It is wonderful to taste natural grown vegetables every day.

Bare Skin

I am a big fan of Bare Escentuals. Now Leslie Blodgett came up with a brand new perfume line named Bare Skin. It is available at Sephora.

"Imagine you're on a beach. The warm rays are beating down on you. There is nothing on the agenda for days, save for sunbathing and sleeping in. Leslie Blodgett has captured the ultimate vacation through fragrance with this intoxicating blend of creamy sensuality, dreamy florals and sexy musks. Glowing, gorgeous sun-kissed skin that just begs to be touched is at the heart of this limited-edition scent, created exclusively for Sephora.

Notes:
Top: No clock in sight and no reason to wake up (Black Pepper, Freesia, Anise).
Middle: Hot, hot hopping to the towel on sand (Iris, Vanilla Orchid, Plumeria, Patchouli).
Bottom: Finally, time to mingle, baring amber shoulders still warm from the day (Sandalwood, Labdanum, Musk). "

“Where Is the Heart of Your Home?”

This question was asked by Twittermoms.
I wish I could say our heart of the home is in our large kitchen with bar or updated dining room with table that seats 8, but that is not happening. We live in a small (900 sq ft) house, which was fine when it was just my husband and me. No several years later with 2 kids it is a bit crowded. We have been planning an expansion for 4 years now, but one thing happens after the other and we are still not there.

So back to the question, if it is not the kitchen or dining room what room is it? Well that will be the living room. This is where we eat, watch TV, read, play with toys or play games on the WII. My baby boy's changing area is on top of the dresser in the living room. We also keep all his clothes, diapers and more in that same dresser. Our house might be small, but is filled with love and that is what matters.

Tell your story and you can win brand new appliances from Samsung Home appliances.

Sneaking Fruits & Veggies

My eye caught this contest on Twittermoms.

They question is how do you sneak in fruit and veggies. I have two great kids, who both will eat almost everything. My little one ate almost all blended baby food. He just is not keen on sweet peas. My daughter was the same. I blend fresh fruit with yogurt and oatmeal, which he loves. I also told my 4 year old daughter that when you mix up your veggies with the rest of the food it will all taste good. Fortunately she believes me and now is convinced that eating veggies is great.

We also are part of a community garden and I think that seeing all the vegetables grow and realize how much work is made her appreciate the vegetables even more!

Little Blends from Horizon and Twittermoms give away prizes to the first 100 bloggers. Visit Twittermoms for more info on the contest.

Silly Souls Bodysuit

We are always on the look out for new and trendy products. I love finding cool and funky clothes for my kids and was happily surprised when we got contacted by Silly Souls. They have an awesome collection of shoes, hats and bodysuits. We recently added some of their bodysuits to our collection of clothes. All bodysuits are 100% cotton, screen printed, machine washable/dryable and cuddly soft. Visit our store now and see the newest addition of Dancing Queen, Dude, Milk Junkie, Diva, The King and Rockette.

Match the bodysuit with shoes, bottle and baseball cap and have a whole outfit.

Storewide Sale at Luna Baby Products

It is time for a storewide sale at Luna Baby Products. We have added many new products over the summer and want to share the joy with our loyal fans and customers.

We now offer two different coupon codes. Pick which one suits your order the best.

Get $5.00 off every order with coupon code "summer"

or

get a 15% discount on the entire order with coupon code "luna"

So visit www.lunababyproducts.com and start shopping!

ABC KIDS tradeshow

Every year there is a great trade show in Las Vegas where many manufacturers of baby products launch there new line of products. It is called the ABC KIDS EXPO.

We at Luna Baby Products can't wait to see all the new products. We are anxiously awaiting the new strollers of Englacha and Baby Planet. Baby Planet had depleted their stock of strollers several months ago and they have been busy redesigning their stroller line. Englacha is coming out with an even better design of their stroller.

Also Bazzle Baby is launching a new design for there bibs.

We will keep you updated of all the new items coming out!

Englacha strollers on Sale

This is a great sale. Englacha makes some of the most innovative strollers. Englacha won the Kind + Jugend 2006 Innovation award.

Here are some of the comments said then:

"An innovative and uniquely ingenious design that allows the top to be turned, and the small child
to extend its view to all four sides when sitting in the pram. It allows the child to face the rear of the
pram, thus facing its parents, or to face forward so as to look around. The seat can also be positioned
sidewards to the travelling direction. It is very practical, and so very easy and user-friendly. With just a
few twists of the wrist is all it takes to turn the seat – the child still in it – in all four directions.
Neither safety, nor stability is ever jeopardized in the process.

The Englacha is built to accommodate both the parent and the child. It is its very purpose "

The Tomi, Runi and the Lany normally sell for $599.99. We now have them on sale for $299.99. Englacha also has a matching diaper bag and a matching Sleep Sack for those cold winter days.
If you have an older child and don't want to walk around with a double stroller Englacha makes a great toddler step. This step comes with three different attachments so it will fit almost any strollers.

TOMS shoes

We are proud to be part of the new TOMS affiliate program. Click on any TOMS shoe banner on our sites and you will be directed to the official TOMS shoe store. If by now you haven't heard of TOMS shoes yet, let us explain how awesome this company is.

One for One

TOMS Shoes was founded on a simple premise: With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One. Using the purch

Our Story

In 2006 an American traveler, Blake Mycoskie, befriended children in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created TOMS Shoes, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. One for One. Blake returned to Argentina with a group of family, friends and staff later that year with 10,000 pairs of shoes made possible by caring TOMS customers.

Since our beginning, TOMS has given over 140,000* pairs of shoes to children in need through the One for One model. Because of your support, TOMS plans to give over 300,000 pairs of shoes to children in need around the world in 2009.

Our ongoing community events and Shoe Drop Tours allow TOMS supporters and enthusiasts to be part of our One for One movement. Join us.
Why shoes?

Most children in developing countries grow up barefoot. Whether at play, doing chores or just getting around, these children are at risk.

Walking is often the primary mode of transportation in developing countries. Children can walk for miles to get food, water, shelter and medical help. Wearing shoes literally enables them to walk distances that aren't possible barefoot.

Wearing shoes prevents feet from getting cuts and sores on unsafe roads and from contaminated soil. Not only are these injuries painful, they also are dangerous when wounds become infected. The leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted parasites which penetrate the skin through open sores. Wearing shoes can prevent this and the risk of amputation.

Many times children can't attend school barefoot because shoes are a required part of their uniform. If they don't have shoes, they don't go to school. If they don't receive an education, they don't have the opportunity to realize their potential.

There is one simple solution...SHOES.

Of the planet's six billion people, four billion live in conditions inconceivable to many. Lets take a step towards a better tomorrow.

Silly Souls by Baby gags shoes

We now carry products by Silly Souls by Babygags inc. We are so excited about the shoes they design. They are just adorable. The shoes are made from natural materials. All shoes are made from PU athletic leather, vegan/no animal materials are used. The shoes are machine washable, which makes life very easy.

The models are cute. We have Dude, Diva, Rock Star, King and Rockettes. Normal retail price is $19.99, but we have them listed for $16.00.

Visit www.lunababyproducts.com and check them out!

Will I ever go to the movies again?

Why i even tried today, I don't know. Somehow I still had the belief going to movies with a 9 month old and a 4 yr old was going to work out. I should have seen the signs. My daughter wasn't feeling well this morning and Jae refused to take his nap and didn't my husband tell me 3 times to go see G force.

But no, I wanted to see Harry Potter (all 2.5 hours of it)and my daughter said she wanted to see it as well. I picked the 1230 showing at the small theater in downtown Saint Cloud. Thinking who is going to the movies on Friday that early. Well let me tell you a bunch of people happened to be thinking the same. My plan was that Luna would sit still and enjoy her drink and popcorn and Jae would eventually fall asleep and we could watch movie in peace. Was I wrong.....

Luna didn't sit for one minute and thought it would be great to swing from one to chair to the another and lie down on the floor. Jae had two poop diapers and that nap never happened. I must have fed him a half jar of baby puffs just to try to keep him quiet. After two hours of getting up and back down, trying to sooth Jae and quietly telling Luna please to behave and sit still in her chair I gave up. Not to mention the ladies behind asked me to leave the room since Jae started to cry. I really couldn't blame them for asking.

Neath less to say I never saw the end of the movie. I think I am 20 minutes short. Now we just have to wait to it comes out on DVD. Movie nights at home are more cheaper and more relaxed anyway.

Now I still need to take Luna on a Girl's night out to see G Force. At least I have only one child to worry about.

car trouble

I understand I normally blog about baby products, but I have to share my frustrations about my car issues. Right before we went on our family trip oversees my Mazda Protege5 broke down. Hubby was merging onto the highway when the engine started to stutter. Since we were only a couple days away from leaving for two weeks we did not bring it to the local car repair shop until after our return.

A little background on my car. I love my car and I am the original proud owner of this Mazda 2003. I never had any issues. All the trouble began last may when one of the spark plug blew. The repair shop did not have a good reason, but replaced all 4 plugs. Couple of months later the car acted up again. They replaced several parts that were related to the engine. They also found a mystery bolt and they told me they had no idea were it came from. . The car was running fine, so I did not think anything off it. I spend $2000 on the car and truly believed it would run for a long time.

Back to the present. After running some test's Andy's repair shop had the nerve to tell us we needed a complete new engine and by the way all the work they had done several months ago are not under warranty. My husband was very upset and we towed the car to the Mazda dealership. They told us the valve had a default error and in rare occasions will break and the bolt will get loose. They found 4 bolt in the manifold and that needed to be replaced. Still a costly repair, but it was better then replacing the whole engine. It also explained the spark plug issue from last May and the challenge in November with the mystery bolt inside the engine.

So last Thursday we picked up the car. I asked the service manager if there was anything I needed to know before I left the car lot. His suggestion a transmission flush with the next oil change, everything else was great. I didn't even made it home without the engine stuttering again. Mazda told us to replace the air boot. We picked up the part and installed it. Full anticipation we started the engine again. .......

It was still shaking. Today the mechanic stopped by the house to try to fix it on site with no luck. The car is towed back to Mazda. I did some researching on the web and come to find out there was a safety recall on the valve and the manifold. I contacted Mazda USA and am awaiting reply to see if Mazda is responsible for the initial costs of replacing the valve and manifold.

In the meanwhile I still have no car. Very Frustrating!!!!!

New Art

We talked about CICI Art factory before. We love Liz Clay's paintings especially made for kids.
n a world of mass production, Cici Art Factory pushes the boundaries of children's room décor. Inspiring and fresh paintings help parents stimulate children's imaginations and activate rooms with thought-provoking art.

We just added two new pieces to the Whit and Whimsy Collection. Dino and Hug are both beautiful and inspiring.

These paintings are 16"x16". These high-quality prints use up to 8 inks to achieve rich tonal values and colour breadth, ensuring the paint strokes look as realistic as possible. They're printed in Canada and mounted on stretcher frames made from BC lumber. These paintings come ready-to-hung.

Bazzle Baby

I truly love the products from Bazzle Baby. We spotted the Bandabib 2 years ago on a baby products tradeshow and immediately fell in love. They created the perfect solution for drooling babies. The Bandabib is a great trendy solution. It looks cool on the baby and it prevents the clothes from being destroyed by the constant drool. It comes in varies of unique print so you can match it with your baby's outfit. You can buy them for $11.99.

Bazzle Baby also features regular style bibs in two sizes - the Big Baby Bib measures 8L x 10W and features a square design instead of the traditional rounded corners. The Bitsy Bib, in comparison, is 6L x 6W. These also come in wide range of trendy designs.

Check out the new line in our store.

Cocoon Couture Bean Bag

We recently came across this brand of Bean Bags and more.We love the use of pictures from the 70's to create something completely trendy and unique.Their Bean Bag Covers are made of pinwale cord with embroidery and fabric appliqués and come in a variety of colors that will match any nursery, playroom, livingroom, movie room, great room, etc… Really, these chairs go anywhere, which is probably why they designed a slick little corduroy handle at the top that’s perfect for carting it around the house.They have designs that girly and cool. They also have several designs that can be fun for both girls and boys.

The bag are shipped without the filling, but bean bag filling is readily available every where. Each bag comes with an internal safety lining to ensure the beans remain in tact.


To read more: http://www.cocooncouture.com/
To buy from the U.S. Stockist: http://www.cute-ture.com/
Retail Price: $130

Moms Most Wanted

I just want to say thank you to all who participated in the Luna Baby Products Give Away hosted by Moms Most Wanted. The three winners are chosen and I received their shipping info today. They will shortly receive their prizes, which consists of a Bambam baby hat and a Bambam stuffed animal. Now that we are in the mood for giving we want to give all our customers a 20% discount. Just type in the code Moms20 when you check out.

As always customer service is important to us, so please contact us with any questions or concerns you may have.

Udder Cover

I wanted to share this deal with you.

We at Udder Covers™ are committed to making the most dependable nursing cover on the market. It’s simple. We want you to have a product that will cover you where you need it and yet still allow you to have eye contact with your baby - all while wearing something chic and stylish.
Our rigid neckline allows direct eye contact with baby.
Our fabrics are made of 100% breathable cotton.
Machine washable.
Please use non-chlorine bleach when washing.

Our covers allow mothers everywhere to nurse in comfort, style and confidence as they breastfeed their babies… anytime - anyplace!
Use coupon code : slickdeal
and receive a free blue or pink nursing cover. You only have to pay the shipping costs.,

Mother's Day

To all my readers.

I saw this video and thought of you.



You matter!

Just Between Friends

We all know how expensive kids clothes and items can be. Especially for the little ones, you can't live without that bouncy seat, swing, jumper, stroller, car seat and then all the clothes. It seems that you need a different size every month. Now there is a place to pick up quality gentle used items for a small rice. It is called the "Just Between Friends Consignment Sale".

No need to shop overpriced malls and department stores! No more garage sales, no more hit and miss at consignment stores! We put it all under one roof! Once you discover Just Between Friends, it will be an event that you will never miss again!

They have them all over the country. The closest one to my location is the Central Florida one, which is upcoming weekend. You can also drop items off to consign. I have a bunch load of baby clothes that i am going t drop off. They have a great tagging system. You enter all you products online and it print out tags with barcode for each item. As soon as your item sells it will show up in your account. Get hooked and find the nearest JBF sale at www.jbfsale.com
At the end of the sale they send you a check. It as easy as can be. You will earn 65% of the sell price, but if you volunteer or barter you can receive 70% of the sell price.

Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day 2009

This Tuesday April 21 is Ben & Jerry’s 31st Annual Free Cone Day where their scoop shops give out free ice cream cones.

Free Cone Day is a way to thank customers for their support and a way for customers to check out new flavors.

It was back in 1978 that our co-founders Ben and Jerry first scooped up free ice cream for all. Now it has become an annual tradition – so why not stroll along with a few friends and scoop up a free cone? In appreciation of your free ice cream, feel free to donate to your scoop shop's chosen charity!

I know I will be at my closest Ben and Jerry's for a free cone and some fun!

it's HIPHOP Baby

The fun thing about blogging is that you get to opportunity to review a product and share it with everyone else. Today I am very excited to talk about "it's HIPHOP Baby". This DVD was send to us and it was a perfect DVD for my 4 year old daughter.

"It's Hip Hop, Baby!" is a new children DVD series for ages 2 to 6. These videos educate toddlers and preschoolers with fun child-friendly hip hop music. It combines music and rhymes to teach children their ABC and 123 and much more.

My daughter loved the DVD. It is fun and entertaining and she loves to see all the kids dance. To me some of the kids seemed kind of lost and not sure what they needed to do, but that is part of the relaxed atmosphere the DVD has. The music is fun and friendly. It does not sound like HIPHOP to me as in day to day hiphop you hear on radio, so don't be afraid of hardcore beats and sounds.

Several celebrities love the DVD as well, such Holly Robinson Peete and Justin Chambers (from Grey's Anatomy).

They now have four DVD's out, Rockin' Dance Party, Get Healthy Fit, Things We Do Every Day and All Your Child's Favorites.

You can order the DVD on www.Amazon.com.

Partytime Playhouse, Saint Cloud Florida

There is a new playhouse in Saint Cloud, Florida.

Partytime Playhouse, inflatable play and party house is now open and is located on 2050 Old Hickory Tree road.

They have huge selection of Bounced House, obstacle courses, slides, video games, internet pc's, a TV lounging area and a toddler section. They have open play on Wednesday through Sunday.You are not allowed to bring in any food, but no fear they have a great selection of snacks and food available for you.

"Come visit Partytime Playhouse, where open play is always available for kids with a little ‘extra’ energy. Partytime Playhouse open play is great for daycare field trips, play-dates, parent fun day or just a break from the normal routine. Rain or shine, freezing or humid, the weather is never a factor, because...

“Everyday is a Partytime Playhouse day!!” "

You can also host a birthday party. They have a special birthday room. They sell several packages, which include pizza and a juice box. You are able to personalize your party with special themes and food.
Prices are very reasonable and there are special discounts available for groups. They also have a Kid's Club online. If you become a member you will receive a free day at the partyhouse and online specials.

Make sure you pick up a flyer from us located at the playhouse for a 10% discount in our webstore.

Squeeze free Juice Box Holders

I remember when my daughter was about 2 years old and wanted to drink from a juice box. Like big girls do! Well that did not last long because in no time the juice was all over her shirt.
When I was visiting a trade show in Orlando I ran into Whitney who designed a squeeze free juice box holder. I tried it out and I loved it. The designs are cute and fit both boys and girls.

• The top and bottom "lock" together so kids can't take the juice drink out of the holder
• The holder allows access for the straw in any corner for box drinks and in the center for pouch drinks

Fits nearly all box and pouch juice drinks
the following sizes of juice drink fit in the holder:

• 6.75 oz tall juice box
• 6.75 oz standard juice box
• 4.23 oz small juice box
• 6.75 oz juice pouch

It was one of those simple products that made my life so much easier. Try it out and I know you will love it too!

Englacha Toddler Step for strollers

I had an dilemma when I got pregnant with my second child. Do I buy a double stroller? My daughter was three at that time. She was at that age that she wants to walk, but sometimes is still depending on the stroller to move her around. I looked around for options and eventually received a Quinny stroller with a toddler step. This was a great solution. Now my daughter can stand on the step if she is tired and I don't have to move around a double wide or double long stroller. We found a company that makes great toddler steps that fits most stroller.

The Englacha Rider Pony & Elephant is newly improved product from the Englacha company. THREE different sizes of adaptor which can fit MOST of strollers, buggies and prams sold in the market.

We sold many off them already and the feedback is great. When ordered the item is shipped within 24 hours.
Please visit our website and see more products made by Englacha, such as strollers and matching diaper bags.

Dinner time always comes to fast

Do you have that problem that dinner time always seems to come fast. What are we eating today? Do we have the right in house and how do I prepare a quick and healthy meal?

I found a website that might be the answer. It is called the six o'clock scramble. This website calls itself a dinner planning service. They send you an email every week with 5 dinner suggestions. You can customize the list with adding recipes that are on file.

AS A SUBSCRIBER YOU’LL RECEIVE EACH WEEK:

• A Weekly menu plan with five family-tested, healthy, delicious and quick DINNER RECIPES THAT TAKE 30 MINUTES OR LESS TO PREPARE
• An ORGANIZED GROCERY LIST so you can grocery shop just once per week
• A SEARCHABLE DATABASE where you can customize your weekly dinner plan
• Your own personal RECIPE BOX where you can save your family's favorites 30 minute meals
• A newsletter with USEFUL TIPS for easier mealtimes, snacks and lunches
• NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION for each family dinner recipe to help you take charge of your health

Every list you create with the available recipes will print out with a shopping list to make things even easier. I can see that if you are a fulltime working mom or just a very busy mom this service is a great way to stay organized. My family loved the healthy recipes and I loved how easy the recipes were.

You can now receive a $5 discount on a 6 month subscription with the code "twittermoms". You receive a $10 discount on an annual subscription.

Support us in the 2009 StartupNation Leading Moms in Business Competition

Support us in the 2009 StartupNation Leading Moms in Business Competition

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Wit and Whimsy by Cici Factory

We are always on the look out for new products. This time the product found us. We received an email from Liz Clay and we are so happy that we did.

We love her beautiful pictures, especially the Wit and Whimsy collection. These paintings are 16" x 16" and use up to 8 inks to achieve rich tonal values and colour breadth. There are 7 different themes such as Butterfly and Man on the Moon. The first whimsical portrait Bird's Nest, was inspired by the huge tangles in her daughter's hair every morning. The portrait series grew based on the wild hair and rosy cheeks of this first character.These paintings will enhance and beautify any nursery, bedroom and playroom.

If you are looking for a more contemporary look, the "Lotsa" series might be the answer. These series of paintings are original paintings of repeating shapes and vibrant colours, such as birds, milk bottles and chicks.

You can buy these paintings at www.lunababyproducts.com. The paintings will be shipped by Liz herself to your house.

Maui Play Care

Sometimes you just have to do something and you wish you could drop off the kids somewhere. There is now a daycare that does not require membership, reservations or costly dues. It is called Maui Play Care and yes it started in Hawaii.

They charge you by the hour and you decide how long you need to leave them there. They take children 2-8 years old, but are willing to accept older siblings if a younger sibling is also attending. Your child does not have to be potty trained, which is always a plus. They have all kinds of activities throughout the day, such as face painting, rock climbing a 8' X 10' feet screening wall and much more. Maui Play Care even provide snacks at snack time. You do have to bring a meal if they are attending the daycare during meal time.

Locations that are now open are: Kahului Hawaii, Scotzdale Arizona, and Oklahoma Oklahoma City. Locations that will open soon are Orlando Florida, and New Jersey East Orange.

BAMBAM

I love the BAMBAM baby products. We at Luna Baby Products are the only store in the USA that carries some items from this adorable baby products brand from The Netherlands. They used to have a store in a mall downtown Amsterdam and as a teenager I always had to stop by and look at all the lovely items and daydream about the day I had my own babies.

A baby is perfect in its simplicity. From that point of view Nicolette Meijer started her BAMBAM store in Amsterdam in 1992. With a great feeling for styling and fashion, she launched a whole new concept in baby world. The BAMBAM brand represents contemporary trends with a classical eye-wink for over 13 years now. BAMBAM offers all items for baby's from 0 to 1 and more. BAMBAM is familiar and yet refreshing as well; high-grade quality and surprisingly affordable at the same time.

My favorite item are the hats with little sayings, such as "Bad Hair Day" and "Drama Queen".

Disability Awareness: Are We There Yet?

I recently found out that March is disability awareness month and it made wonder if I am doing a great job teaching my 4 year old to except each and every person on this earth no matter what skin color or disability.

My mom did a great job with me and from early on always told me it doesn't matter how person looks from the outside we are all the same on the inside.She volunteered at a day camp for kids with down syndrome. When I was twelve we moved to Amsterdam ( I grew up in The Netherlands), which was the best thing ever. Talk about a diverse city, were you can just be you.

Now I live in a small town in Central Florida, where the population is predominantly Caucasian. There is nothing wrong with that, although I miss the diversity I saw in Amsterdam. I think creating awareness and acceptance isn't that hard, but it has to start with yourself. As a mom I believe in openness and honesty. Children are smarter then we think and I take every
opportunity to teach my child, for example we saw a preview on TV for Big World Little People. Those are great moments to take a minute with your child and explain that not everyone looks the same, but they are no different then me and you.

Overall I think I am on the right path. My daughter is a loving person and greets everyone with a smile and a open heart. I hope I can teach her to be that way all her life.

To learn more about the Disiblity Awarness month and disibilaties out there you can visit http://www.cvscaremarkallkidscan.com/. This website hosted by CVS is a great resource for information and also explains the great job CVS is doing by raising disability awarenss. CVS All Kids Can^TM, a program of the CVS Caremark Charitable Trust and supported by CVS Caremark, is a five-year, $25 million commitment to making life easier for children with disabilities.

cuckoo clocks

If you think Cuckoo Clocks are old fashioned and not trendy at all you haven't seen the clocks from Heads Up Design yet. HeadsUp Design Company Inc. designs and supplies contemporary giftware.

They make awesome cuckoo clocks for kids ( they are also fun for adults). For example there is MooCoo clock.

"Hannah Holstein in the MooCoo Clock
"Mooo"! On the hour our friendly cow pops out of the doors with her greeting. The MooCoo cow clock comes in a green housing with a swinging purple pendulum."

Each clock comes with a light sensor, which is great. My daughter has the MeowCoo Clock and it does not wake her up throughout the night. She can't watch time yet, but we use the cat as an indicator to use the restroom and the end of "quiet time" in the afternoon.

Check out our online store and see what other great cuckoo clocks are out there!

Start Up Nation

This is the year I consider the relaunch year for my retail website. Although it is up and running for 3 years, this year I am fully committed to make it work. I stopped working at my full time job and want to be home with my kids for awhile. Making the company work is my dream. I stumbled upon a site called start up nation, which provides excellent tips for start up companies. They also have a contest.

"Everybody knows one. Like a super hero, she balances running a family with the heroics of running her own business. We’re talking about moms in business, of course. And now, StartupNation is conducting its first annual ranking of these astonishing entrepreneurs and the businesses they run.

But, how do we know who’s the best of the best? We’re leaving that to you. Over the next few months, it’ll be your daily votes that will tell us who deserves to be named a winner. The list of the 200 winners will be published in May and will be ranked according to votes accumulated."

You can vote every day until March 31st. Just clink on the widget displayed in the right column.

Disney tip

Last week it was my daughter's birthday. She turned four and believe it or not she never had a haircut before. She was almost bald until two years old. So we decided that for her 4th birthday we would take her to The Magic Kingdom and get her first haircut at the barbershop. It was awesome. The Harmony barbershop is located on Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom near the Emporium gift shop with a signature candy-striped pole outside.

We didn't have to wait long, it also helped that the celebration parade passed by. My daughter was so excited. They cut her hair beautifully and for the final touch added "Cinderella Blue" gel and glitter. She also received Minni Mouse ears and a certificate. All this for only $14.00. I really think this is one of Disney's affordable gems.

Top 5 tips for keeping your child healthy

I was on Twitter Moms and came across a contest held by
Wellesse. For every blogger that enters this contest, they win a free bottle of Liquid Vitamin D!

The question they have is:What are your top five tips for making sure your kids are getting the important vitamins and minerals they need for strong bones?

Here are my tips:
1. Play outside
This one is an easy one for my daughter, since we life in Florida and almost every day of the year the weather is great to play outside. Don't forget the sunscreen on those sunny days.

2. Breastfeed
I am currently breastfeeding my 4 month old successfully. This time it seems to go alright. He weighs 15 pounds and is 27 inches tall.

3. Try to let them eat locally grown food.
We are members of a CSA, which is a vegetable garden owned by a group of people. We are workers and work every Saturday morning in the garden and take home a bucket full of organically grown veggies every week. Sometimes you get a veggie you have never tried before, which is great.

4. Give them a vitamin supplement every day
I give my daughter a princess gummy every day. She thinks it's a treat, but I know it is good for her.

5. Give them Milk fortified with Vitamin D
I always buy the milk with vitamin D (the one with the red top. This is an easy way to add more vitamin D to your diet.

My Grandma

Lately I have been thinking about all the great people who I met and learned from throughout my life. It must have something to do with the birth of my second child. I also saw an add for a new CVS contest about caregivers. You can check out the link www.ForAllTheWaysYouCare.com.

The greatest influence in my life has always been my grandmother. Since I was little she was my support. She was there when I needed her always. Unfortunately she died two years ago, but she is always with me in whatever I do. The last years of her life where not easy. My uncle got diagnosed with skin cancer and was told he only had 6 months to life. He managed to life for a year and then his body gave up. My grandmother always looked brave and strong, but come to find out when she was alone she was scared, sad and angry. No one should loose a child, but to loose your child when you are 83 years old feels unfair. After his dead she stayed strong to support the family and my dad.

Two years later her body gave up. I remember I would talked to her on the phone several times and she told me she spend a couple of days in the hospital. She always told me after the fact, so I didn't have to worry. The last time she got hospitalized was initially for fluid in her lungs, but we quickly noticed this was the end. The doctor's finally confessed that my grandmother had heart and lung problems for awhile, but she never told any one in the family. She didn't want to burden anyone. She never worried about herself, only about others. She had a friend who lived in the same building as she did and he was the only one who new what was going on. He was her strength when she couldn't get out of bed or when she needed soeone to lean on. I tell people when they ask about my grandmother 's dead that she died from a broken heart and is the real truth.

All her wisdom and advice are with me every day. My daughter met her great grandmother when she was 1,5 years old for the last time, but I will make sure she knows her for the rest of her life.

Baby Banz Sunglasses

With Spring being around the corner and sunny days on the way, it is time to think of sun protection. We life in Florida so sun protection should be always on my mind. Not that I always think of it. Last Wednesday we spend all day at Magic Kingdom and it did not even dawn on me to put sunscreen on my kids until we were home and I noticed my 4 year old had burned her neckline.

At Luna Baby Store we just received a shipment of Baby Banz Sunglasses. These sunglasses are awesome.Baby Banz were originally designed in Australia for one of the world's toughest UV environments.
Features

• Lenses 100% UVA/ UVB protection
• Category 3 lenses offer high sunglare reduction and good UV protection
• Durable polycarbonate Ophthalmic quality
• Capable of being replaced with prescription lenses
• Neoprene elastic strap matches chosen color of sunglasses and allows for flexibility, breathability, and comfort
• Side adjustable Velcro® allows for years of wear as the child grows
• Frame is made of shatter-resistant polycarbonate
• Sporty, sleek design

Right now we have the following colors in stock:
Caribbean Blue, Blue, Pink, Pink Diva

Visit www.lunababyproducts.com for more info

Nomie Car seat cover

As a mom of two I often look at the inside of the car and the car seats and think "what happened?".
Once in a while I attack the car with two bags. One bag for items that are trash, the other bag for items that do not belong in the car. Then there is always the issue of the car seat. You can vacuum out the crumbs, but we all know it is hard to get the stains out. Some fabrics you are not allowed to wash, others take a magician to take apart and forget about putting it back together after you wash it.
When I got pregnant of my second child I looked for a new cover for my infant seat. The once I found were expensive and seemed difficult to put on. Now we found the solution.
The Nomie infant car seat cover. It is easy affordable and comfortable.

The nomie baby^TM car seat cover is an easily removable, waterproof cover for your infant or toddler/convertible car seat. The nomie baby^TM has elastic edges allowing it to fit most standard car seats, such as the Britax Roundabout and Graco brands. The Velcro opens add to the ease of installing the cover. The nomie baby^TM slips over the existing cover without having to remove it from the car, or struggling to disassemble the straps. Simply open the Velcro, pull the straps thru, and close the Velcro around them.

The nomie baby^TM is made of 3 separate fabrics put together to give your child the most comfort while at the same time protecting your car seat. A cozy soft fabric sits against your child, a padded layer allows for absorption, and finally a third layer which is treated with a waterproof barrier keeps your car seat protected. The 3 fabrics have been quilted, so the padding won't clump in one area after machine washing. When the nomie baby^TM cover gets dirty, and it will, simply take it off your car seat, throw it in the washing machine then dryer, and slip it back over your car seat!

The cover comes in three color options: lime, pink, blue and white. You can buy at www.lunababyproducts.com

Diaper Choice

Now a days there are great options for reusable diapers. Brands like Bumkins make it cool and funky to have reusable diapers. We carry the fitted cloth diapers form Milano.
Baby Milano’s Fitted Cloth Diapers not only have a super trim fit, they also have a super absorbent core. The diapers are made with 100% cotton, double fleece and an ultra thin absorbent core which gives the diaper a trim fit.

The adjustable hook and loop closure enables a snug fit around the tummy and legs. The elastic around the legs not only helps with the fit around the legs, but it also contains the messes.

The diaper’s unique core is composed of 4 layers of super absorbent, yet ultra thin fabric that is made from our special blend of viscose and polyester. For durability and comfort, the outer layer is made of 220 GSM cotton.

The inner layer is made of a soft double fleece, which helps wick the moisture away from the baby’s skin and helps to keep the baby dry and comfortable. The diapers also have a soft cotton binding around the legs and back to protect the baby’s delicate skin and to cup diaper messes.

Five Tips for Diaper Use - Disposable vs Reusable

Choosing the right type of diaper for your baby is a personal decision. Here are some tips to help you make the right choice for your family:

1. It is easier to determine when a reusable cloth diaper is wet.

2. Babies using reusable cloth diapers tend to have less diaper rash.

3. Today's reusable cloth diapers have snaps and Velcro fasteners and pleasing patterns for baby.

4. As far as the environment goes, disposable diapers generate a lot more garbage, while the washing and drying of reusable cloth diapers generates the use of electricity.

5. With either type, have wipes or a clean washcloth, diaper ointment and a changing pad all ready for the diaper change.

Twitter Moms: The Influential Moms Network

Help with The cold

Well it is that time again. I am having a severe cold. Not really something you want to haven when you have two young children and run a business from home.So I found this article, which had some good stuff.

During the winter months, many of us spend more time inside with the heat on. Indoor heating and low humidity create the perfect environment for cold and flu viruses to multiply. How can you protect yourself from catching those viruses and stay healthy during this time of year?

Holistic Medicine: Why We Must Exercise the Immune System


It may seem strange for a naturopathic doctor to say, but getting sick isn’t always a bad thing. Our immune system benefits from the occasional cold or flu, as it challenges and reminds our white blood cells and other immune fighters to do their job. Think of a mild cold as a fire drill for your immune system, that way if a real fire comes along, the body is ready. That being said, if you find you are susceptible to every little bug and are constantly sniffling and coughing through the winter months, a little prevention can go a long way.

Naturopathic Remedies to Avoid the Winter Blues!

Minimize Exposure

One of the best ways to prevent getting a cold or flu isn’t a holistic therapy, just good, old fashioned hand washing. This doesn’t mean running your hands under water for a few seconds. Use warm water, plenty of soap, and really rub your hands together vigorously for up to a minute to eliminate most germs. Also, avoid touching your face throughout the day; viruses often enter our body through our eyes, nose, and mouth.

Strengthen your Immune System

If you feel like you’re coming down with something, there are steps you can take to minimize the duration and severity of the illness.

1. Get enough sleep and minimize stress as much as possible. Your body cannot heal without adequate rest. Exercise, yoga, and meditation can all reduce the effects that stress has on the body.

2. Eat a healthy diet, with plenty of vegetables, good fats (see previous articles for details), whole grains, and lean protein. Some special immune boosting foods include garlic, onions, and brightly colored vegetables.

3. Stay away from SUGAR—one teaspoon of sugar has been shown to depress the immune system for up to four hours. So when you’re feeling run down, avoid as much processed sugar as you can—including sodas, white bread, refined pasta, and even fruit juice. One common mistake people make is to drink lots of orange juice when feeling sick. The high amount of sugar in the OJ, however, counteracts the benefits from the Vitamin C. There are much better ways to get Vitamin C without all the sugar (see below for details).

Holistic Healing and the Power of Supplements

If, despite your best efforts, you still get sick more than ever, listen to your body. Rest, sleep, and take care of yourself. Take a sick day—for you and for the sake of your co-workers. Supplements that can help include:

Vitamin C: When your body is sick, you can often take more Vitamin C that you usually would. We do recommend you get Vitamin C from a supplement when you are sick instead of from overdosing on orange juice!

Zinc: This mineral can help jumpstart the healing powers of your immune system.

Herbal Medicine: Echinacea is the most famous, but there are many herbs that have anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties.

Homeopathy Remedies: A well-chosen homeopathic remedy is often the difference between sufferings for weeks versus moving quickly through a cold

Feeding Time

 

 

 

 

Feeding Time

Alright, we all know that at some point the kids need to start learining how to eat and drink by themselves. This can be a messy undertaking. We get out the bib and moist towels and maybe even the broom and mop to clean afterwards. The great people at Boon Inc, innovations for modern parents, created a line of feeding utensils that will make feeding time fun and as clean as possible.

Fluid, a toddler cup. This streamlined toddler cup has an ergonomic, two-handed grip that is perfect for small hands. The angled spout requires less head tipping, making it more comfortable to use.


Catch bowl, a bowl with a spil cathter. The Catch Bowl is the perfect way to help first-time eaters control little spills. The built-in food catcher extends toward the child, funneling runaway food back into the bowl. Made from easy-to-clean soft material, the food catcher flexes when bumped. To help avoid bigger spills, a suction cup bottom keeps the Catch Bowl firmly in place.

Squirt, baby food dispensing spoon.The Squirt baby food dispensing spoon allows for convenient feeding, one bite at a time. The easy-to-fill bulb holds up to 3 ounces of baby food and attaches firmly to the spoon end. Simply squeeze the bulb to dispense just the right amount of food. Squirt comes with a protective cover to seal food in and keep the spoon clean between feedings. By combining the spoon and food container into one product, Squirt makes one-handed feeding a snap.

Benders, adaptable utensils.When first-time eaters start using utensils, their motor skills are not fully developed. Benders adaptable utensils were designed to help make the transition to regular utensils a little easier. Parents can position the adjustable end to the perfect angle to accommodate the child’s grip. As motor skills develop, adjust little by little, until straightened.

To buy these products and other trendy baby products visit our website Luna Baby Products

Baby Sling

A lot is said about baby slings There are many sorts on the market. I love to carry my baby in a sling or carrier( I have both). There is nothing more soothing then carry your baby close to you.
On our site we now carry the Organic Hemp Slings from Pretty Momma Sling. These are beautiful slings made by Patrice.

Patrice did not like the sling she had for her baby, but did recognized the comfort and ease for her child. She created her own sling. Her goal was to sell baby slings that moms would be comfortable wearing for extended periods of time, and they would be made with pretty, eye-catching fabrics. Now, after several years in business, she can say that she has, and is, accomplishing that goal with each and every sling that is made.

The sling we sell are made out of Hemp. Hemp is a durable, breathable comfortable fabric similar to linen but softer and machine washable, UV resistant, anti-microbial, and stain and odor resistant. These slings will get softer every time you wash them.

Another great feature of a slings that you can wear them many different ways.
You will get many uses from your Pretty Momma Sling. Some ways to use your new sling are:
1 – Snuggle Hold – Baby is tummy-to-tummy with you.
2 – Nursing Hold/Cradle Hold – Baby is perpendicular to your tummy.
3 – Hip Hold – Baby straddles you hip.
4 – Kangaroo Hold – Baby’s back is to your tummy.
5 – Piggy Back Hold – Baby’s tummy is up against your back.
6 – A shopping cart harness – Put the child in the seat of the shopping cart, put the sling around their tummy and through the slots of the shopping cart and tie.
7 – Drool rag – The tail of the sling can be used as a drool cloth.
8 – Wind/sun shield – The tail of the sling can be used to cover baby’s upper and lower body.

Overall a sling is a great way to bond with your baby and still have your hands free to try to accomplish some of those every day tasks.