Janiz

Happy Heinys Pocket Diapers

2007-05-01T04:16:00.002-07:00

My daughters use Happy Heinys diapers and love them. I have never used them, I don't have kids in diapers anymore, and when I did I used Pampers and Huggies. If there had been cloth diapers as easy to use as Happy Heinys, I would have used cloth because they are so easy to use and so comfortable that I figure it'd be worth it to get organized in the laundry room and save money on diapers.

Although they seem to cost a lot, when you compare the one time cost of buying custom cloth diapers to the ongoing cost of disposables, cloth diapers are a lot less expensive.

For more information, visit Loving Baby. You can ask my daughters questions about Happy Heinys in their Baby Forum. They'll be thrilled to talk with you!

Kidz Kargo Discovera Tandem Double Jogging Stroller

2006-05-24T15:26:00.000-07:00

We recieved the Kids Kargo Tandem Double Jogging Stroller (phew! That's a long name!). We ordered it on eBay!, and it arrived in perfect condition.

We love it.

It's barely any longer than a single stroller. In fact, with the new baby in the back seat, people didn't even know he was there until we pointed him out. The stroller is so compact that without noticing the two sun visors, people assumed it was a regular stroller.

It's the same width as a single stroller, so the Kids Cargo Double Jogging Stroller is perfect for our walks uptown to shop.

There is plenty of room in the front seat for older kids, and the back seat is a comfy spot for infants. One drawback is the backseat doesn't have a lot of leg room.

You can lock the swivelling front wheet in place, which comes in handy for both very smooth rides and very bumpy ones.

One thing that is missing is a hand break. I love to have a hand brake because it makes going downhill a lot easier! We're going to buy a bicycle handbreak and put install it ourselves.

There's a handy pouch behind the backseat, which even has a little pocket for bottles. Of course, we use ours for our own water bottles. :-)

The basket underneath provides some extra storage, which we like to have for shopping.

All in all, the Kidz Kargo Discovera Tandem Double Jogging Stroller gets a pass from us and a big thumbs up. Costing half as much as similar strollers we were considering to buy, it delivers all we wanted with the one exception of a hand brake.

Kids Cargo Discovera Tandem Double Joggins Stroller facts:

· 5 point safety harnesses
· Two position footrest
· Cushion and footmuff
· Front swivel wheel
· Back seat suitable from birth
· Front seat suitable from 6 months
· Roomy shopping basket
· Raincover
· Multi position hood with clear viewing window
· Wrist strap safety feature
· Rugged easily removable wheels
· Compact and easy folding
· Both seats suitable to 15kg, 33 lb
· Handle height 41"
· Size when erect: 47" x 22" x 41"
· Size when folded: 24" x 22" x 41"
· Front seat width: 14"
· Back seat width: 17"
· Net weight 14kg, 30.8 lb
· Fibre: Polyester 65% Cotton 35%,Filling: 100% polyester

Choosing a tandem Stroller

2006-04-29T12:55:00.000-07:00

Well, we have a double jogging stroller - which was wonderful. However, the problem was the darn thing is so wide, you can't even get through some doors. So my daughter went shopping, online, to find a tandem jogging stroller and found something that looks very good.

The stoller we chose was the Kidz Kargo Discovera Tandem Double Jogging Stroller. It's made in europe, but fairly easy to get in America, providing you like to shop online! We just ordered one from ebay.

There were a few reasons we picked this particular tandem stroller.
- It's very small - the Kidz Kargo Discovera Tandem Double Jogging Stroller isn't much longer than a single jogging stroller!
- It comes complete with footmuff, rain cover, and adjustable canopies . We need the raincover here and the footmuff is perfect for my new grandson. Just slide him in and he'll be all ready without having to wrap him in blankets, first.
- Swiveling Front Wheel. Great for easy maneuvering.
- Wrist strap for added safety. I always use a wrist strap when we're on inclines.

We ordered it on ebay, and are very excited about it. I will definitely be posting a review after we've had a chance to take Kidz Kargo Discovera Tandem Double Jogging Stroller through the paces!

Ferrets as Pets

2006-04-18T13:04:00.000-07:00

Ferrets make wonderful pets, but they aren't recommended for homes with small children. This isn't because the ferret is a danger to the child, but visa versa. The sheer exuberance in their play - children and ferrets - can make for some dangerous situations for the ferret, who hasn't sense enough to avoid it.

Our ferret has lived through many close calls with our 3 year old. I swear that ferret has had more lives than a cat, and he still loves to play with her. He's been held underwater during her bath so she can wash him, he's been stuffed inside a plastic bag, he's been stuck head first in a boot and almost suffocated...

I would suggest that anybody who is considering getting a ferret should wait until the youngest child in the family is at least 6. Old enough to understand that ferrets are not teddy bears, but are real, breathing creatures.

For older children, ferrets are almost an ideal pet. They interract with us, they play, and they will go back to their cages for a nap when we need them to. There is a forum about Ferrets, for anyone who is interested in learning more about these wonderful pets.

Sammy's website

2006-03-27T13:27:00.000-08:00

I made a website for my 3.5 year old daughter. This girl has been using a mouse like a pro since before she turned 2! She's taken to the computer like a fish.

I had her favorite preschool websites bookmarked, and she would find them, click on the one she wanted and then play the games on the sites.

To make things simpler for her and for me, I've created a little website for her. It's Sammy's Site. Using a simple template from www.oswd.org, I put up a few pictures of Sammy and her nephew (my grandson), and make links to all her favorite sites.

I then made an easy to find link to her site, so her browsing couldn't be simpler!

Every so often, I'll add a new site for her to try out. She absolutely loves it, and it's saved me a lot of time, since every site opens in a new window, should something go wrong, she can return to her homepage and click on another link.

Buying a stroller

2006-03-20T18:11:00.000-08:00

A stroller is kind of a big investment. We've gone through a few models in my family, and I have some advice for future buyers.

If you are going to use the stroller for shopping, one thing you really need is a good sized basket underneath. Room for things you buy, your diaper bags and whatever you buy while you're out!

If you're going to do any "off roading" with the stroller, you'll definitely want to buy a jogging stroller. The big wheels make a huge difference, and the handbrakes most have make going downhills a lot easier - safer, too.

We go on a lot of long walks - hikes - and with a regular stroller, the poor kids got a noisey, bumpy ride on uneven terrain, such as nature paths or gravel roads. After we switched to a jogging stroller, we found a huge difference in the quality of the ride. The big, air-filled tires on jogging strollers make the ride smoother and quiet and much easier to push. The only drawback we found with jogging strollers is the basket space underneath tend to be small.

The sollution for the small storage space is to buy a bag that is designed to hang behind the seat, on the handle bars. It's also a good idea to look into getting some kind of cup holder for the strollers.

When buying a jogging stroller, a feature that we have liked is a front wheel that swivels, making turning all but the sharpest corners possible without having to lift the front wheel off the ground. This may not sound like a big deal, but believe me, it will save you a ton of energy! These swivel wheels are very stable, keeping the stroller straight until you push it into a turn.

In summary:

1. Storage is important - either find a stoller with a good sized basket, or invest in an attachable bag.
2. Even if you aren't a jogger, a jogging stroller makes for easier pushing and a much quieter, smoother ride.
3. If you buy a jogging stroller, we recommend finding one with a swivelling front wheel. It'll save you a lot of energy around the corners.

My new Grandson

2006-03-20T18:03:00.000-08:00

Last Monday at 3:00 in the morning the phone rang. It was my 38 week pregnant daughter calling. I had already been awake for a few minutes. "What's up?", I asked. "What do you think!!". I don't know where my head was, what other reason would she be calling me early in the morning. The baby was on the way.

Luckily, my other daughter was spending the night at my house, so the expectant parents loaded up their 1 year old and drove him over so Joc could babysit him and my 3.5 year old daughter, while I rushed to the hospital with them. I consider myself a very lucky woman that they both wanted me in the delivery room again this time.

Little Michael, 8 pounds and 6 ounces, and a full head of dark hair, was born after a fast and smooth labour at 6:50 in the morning.

My other daughter is expecting a baby in June. I can hardly wait!

2005-09-07T12:20:00.000-07:00

All About Back to School
Everything you need to get the kids ready for school.

2005-09-06T06:22:00.001-07:00

Your Amazing Toddler
Breaking news: She's not a baby anymore. In fact, your 1-year-old's abilities will amaze you.
Mommy and Me Yoga
Whether you're 3 or 33, yoga is good for you. So grab your child and try this routine by Shari Vilchez-Blatt, owner of Karma Kids Yoga in New York City.
Colds: The Basics
Colds are triggered by a variety of viruses. In fact, more than 200 viruses, all highly contagious, are suspected of triggering the combination of symptoms ? achiness, congestion, coughing and sniffles ? that define a cold.

2005-09-06T06:22:00.000-07:00

The Gas Crisis
Bellyaches can make your baby miserable. We've got the secrets to soothing her little stomach.
Get Set for School
Summer's still in full swing, but that first day will be here before you know it. Here are 90 smart tips from experts, moms, and teachers to help you plan ahead for a stress-free, successful year.
The Tired Moms' Guide to Better Sleep
You're bone tired much of the day, so why do you find yourself awake late at night?even when your child is snoozing peacefully? We've got answers and practical solutions.
Fit for a Kid
School lunches your child will really eat.
Your Amazing Toddler
Breaking news: She's not a baby anymore. In fact, your 1-year-old's abilities will amaze you.
How to Buy a Baby Monitor
Shop with Parents: Read this before you head to the store!

Parenting Multiples

2005-09-05T01:05:00.000-07:00

Parenting Multiples
Every book on parenting will tell you that life forever changes after the birth of a child. Parents of twins or higher-order multiples (triplets or more) can feel as if they've left the hospital and arrived home on a different planet.

Lesbian Parents

2005-09-05T01:04:00.001-07:00

Courts In Two States Battle Over Lesbian Parenting Case
(Montpelier, Vermont) A battle over a child born to a lesbian couple in a since-dissolved civil union will be fought out this week in Vermont in a case that could wind up in the US Supreme Court.

Volunteering at School

2005-09-05T01:04:00.000-07:00

Be helpful at school
You know it's important to volunteer at your child&'s school, but not everyone has lots of time to spend in the classroom. Here are some tips from Parenting magazine for other ways to help:

Parenting Teens

2005-09-04T19:41:00.003-07:00

Good parenting -- teen tragedy
Canton Repository (subscription), OH -23 hours ago
Being the parent of a teenager in 2005 must be scarier than trying to patrol Baghdad with a water pistol. ...

Good Parenting Trumps Teens' Need For Privacy
InformationWeek, NY -Sep 3, 2005
...In effect, by keeping us from our teens' medical records, the law is preventing us fromparenting. We want...

Good Parenting skills vital
Brownwood Bulletin, United States -12 hours ago
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the first in a series of stories on peer pressure during the adolescent years. By Gene Deason -- Brownwood Bulletin....

Parenting 101

2005-09-04T19:41:00.002-07:00

Parenting 101 offers child-rearing skills
RIDDLE: From communication skills to child behavior tips, Parenting 101 classes offer parents and caregivers the chance to improve their child-rearing abilities.