Expert nap tips from parenting expert Elizabeth Pantley

Did you know that studies have proven healthy sleep habits for your child now can directly impact their health for the rest of their lives? Or that a child not wanting a nap and not needing a nap are not one in the same?

But let's get real: While our intentions may be great, real life doesn't always allow for step-by-step approaches to getting our kids the daytime rest they need (and the sorely needed breaks we get while they nap!). Crabby kids, relatives popping in unannounced right before nap time, teething, upset bellies, that doctor appointment you can't miss, that 15 minute car nap that ruined little Johnny's afternoon siesta that led to an even more difficult bed time fight because he was so overtired...we've all been there, done that, and were all ready to pull out hair out by the end of the day.

Best-selling author and parenting expert Elizabeth Pantley recently shared with me her newest book, The No-Cry Nap Solution: Guaranteed Gentle Ways to Solve All Your Naptime Problems (Pantley), and I can't recommend this book enough.

There's a lot of great information in this book for parents of newborns through toddlerhood, and I made plenty of notes while I read. And there was also plenty of information that did not apply to our situation, some of which I skipped entirely and some of which I just skimmed (because I do plan on having another baby eventually!). But that is what is so great about Pantley's book: it's not a one-size-fit-all solution. Whether you co-sleep, nurse-to-sleep, stick to a by-the-clock schedule, or fly by the seat of your pants (like I do), you and your nap-fighting child will benefit greatly from the little bit of time it will take to sit down and read!

A few very important lessons I learned while reading Pantley's book included:

* Buttercup needs 12 hours of sleep a night and 1 to 2 hours of nap time per day for 13 to 14 hours of sleep total. Oops! I had been cutting her short by about 2 hours. We have been working on remedying that situation and I am already noticing improvements.

* Night time sleep can help make up for naps but naps cannot make up for night time sleep.

* No matter what ANYONE tells you, newborns cannot be spoiled. So baby-wear, cuddle, and hug to your hearts content.

* I am not the worst mother in the world.

* What works for us is fine. A parenting expert says so. So if Buttercup and I are happy with our she-holds-my-hand-until-she -falls-asleep-for-every-nap-and-bedtime situation, then so be it. It doesn't mean I am spoiling her and it doesn' mean I did something wrong. It just means that this is what is right for us. (I'm not sure why I needed an expert to tell me this to make me feel better, but thank you, Elizabeth. You don't know how much better this makes me feel.

I should also point out that I actually read the book. As in cover to cover. And that is a big flippin' deal because I haven't read a book since before I gave birth. This one mattered. And I think you'll agree.

Elizabeth Pantley's The No-Cry Nap Solution: Guaranteed Gentle Ways to Solve All Your Naptime Problems (Pantley) is available at Amazon.com.

Pretty in Pink!

I love me some boon and I know you do, too!

And do I have a boon for you! I'm sure you are aware that the boon Flair High Chair is now available in a sweet pink design from Amazon for the little princess in your life.

Aside from the updated boost of color, all the flair that makes the Flair the rockin; high chair that it is are the same:
* a chemical resistant, waterproof pad that removes easily for cleaning
* a five-point harness
* a sturdy pedestal that slides easily under tables without scratching floors (and makes it look just plain awesome)
* a pneumatic lift allowing for height adjustment
* and it's free of all that bad stuff like BPA, Phthalatets and PVC. (And this is seriously the most important consideration, in my opinion.)

So you want one right? In pink and white? Or perhaps blue and white? Or would you prefer the boon signature orange and white?

You tell me...Boon is generously offering one lucky reader a Flair High Chair in the color of their choice to celebrate the new Pretty in Pink chair now available.

To enter, just leave me a comment telling me what color your would prefer if you won!

Entries will be accepted until midnight, EST, March 3, 2009 and the winner will have four business days from the announcement date to contact me with their information or an alternate will be selected.

Additional extra entries are also available if you:
* Become a fan of boon on Facebook
* Become a fan of Berrie Sweet Picks on Facebook
* If you are already a facebook fan of either group, let me know in a comment on my fans page for your extra entry for this contest.
* subscribe to my RSS feed and comment letting me know you did so.
* Blog about contest and link to this post.
* Non-bloggers can email three of their friends about the contest at berriesweet.info (at) gmail (dot) com and CC me on the email. Girl Scout's honor that I will never bother these sweet people. I promise!
* Grab my Berrie Sweet Picks button and place it on your blog page. I'll check!
* Follow me on Twitter! (nickname: berriesweetest)
* Follow boon on twitter (Nickname: booninc)
* Tweet the contest leave a comment with your username telling me what you said to your "tweeple"!

Please note all entries MUST include a valid email address to be considered for the drawing! That means that well, all entries must include an email address to be considered valid. Simple enough, right? ;)

What a boon! We got a potty bench!

Boon is offering one of my winners the chance to win a Boon Potty Bench
for themselves! To enter, visit the boon web site and leave a comment telling me which item you are most interested in seeing reviewed next. (Get an automatic extra entry if you mention a boon item I have not yet reviewed!)

Entries will be accepted until midnight, EST, Jan. 31, 2009 and the winner will have four business days from the announcement date to contact me with their information or an alternate will be selected.

Additional extra entries are also available if you:
* Become a fan of boon on Facebook
* Become a fan of Berrie Sweet Picks on Facebook
* subscribe to my RSS feed and comment letting me know you did so.
* Blog about contest and link to this post.
* Non-bloggers can email three of their friends about the contest at berriesweet.info (at) gmail (dot) com and CC me on the email. Girl Scout's honor that I will never bother these sweet people. I promise!
* Grab my Berrie Sweet Picks button and place it on your blog page. I'll check!
* Follow me on Twitter! (nickname: berriesweetest)
* Follow boon on twitter (Nickname: booninc)
* Tweet the contest leave a comment with your username telling me what you said to your "tweeple"!

Please note all entries MUST include a valid email address to be considered for the drawing! That means that well, all entries must include an email address to be considered valid. Simple enough, right? ;)

My Little Seat: My Newest Travel Must-Have

Who knew that planning a vacation with a toddler would be so tough? I'm getting ready to see my hubby for the first time in over a month (he's currently working in another state) and Buttercup is coming along for the plane ride and long weekend. This, of course, means extra planning and extra creativity to stretch our packing experience to the maximum, what with all the restrictions placed on what we can bring with us. So I decided to contact various businesses in a search for what I call "Travel Must Haves" for parents.

One item I came across is My Little Seat, an ingenious travel high chair sling that allows parents to turn any chair into a high chair for your child. And it's so small and easy to pack! Check out my vlog review, which I also posted at NewBaby!



I love this thing and highly recommend it to anyone interested in an easily portable high chair that takes up next to no space at all in a diaper bag carry-on! It's also a great idea for saving space, and money, in your own home or just a simple trip to a friend's house who doesn't have kids. You can get your own My Little Seat here or at Amazon.com.

Waking up is Hard to Do: Neil Sedaka CD review

When I was little, I only knew two kinds of music: the regional Mexican music my family constantly played every time we got together and, of course, the "oldies" music station my dad loved to play when driving us to and from our family gatherings.


I grew up with an equal mix of Ranchero, Mariachi, and Mexican pop balanced with plenty of Beach Boys, Tina Turner, Beatles, Elvis Presley, Diana Ross and The Supremes, and of course, Neil Sedaka.


So I was very excited to receive a copy of Neil Sedaka's first ever children's album, Waking Up is Hard to Do. (Razor & Tie Entertainment.)


Sedaka has a long and distinguished career behind him, now stretching into its sixth decade, and this incredible children's CD, set for a January 6 release, is a wistful tribute to the hit songs that made my mother fall in love with him.


Waking Up is Hard to Do, which includes a coloring book, is a collection of classic Sedaka songs that have been smartly reinvented as children's songs. His inspiration was, of course, his granddaughters. And even cuter is the back-vocals on songs like "Happy Birthday Number Three," "Waking Up is Hard to Do," and "Where the Toys Are," provided by five-year-old twin grandchildren Charlotte and Amanda.


I love this CD. It's cute, it's fun, it's upbeat, and I love that while Buttercup gets to discover a new musical favorite, I get to sing along in my head to the lyrics I grew up with. This one is most definitely going on my iPod for us both to enjoy!


Waking Up is Hard to Do will be available at Amazon for $8.99 (and you can listen to the tracks, too!)

Go eco-friendly when fighting your cold

It happens every time: Buttercup gets sick and I just bide time until I get whatever little germs she is carrying passed on to me and then end up with a worse cold than she had.

But now I've got a little extra-something in my mommy-arsenal to help get me back on track sooner (since we all know that the world does not stop spinning for sick moms, although I really think it should.)

I had the opportunity to try Cold-Eeze zinc lozenges, which are clinically proven to help reduce the duration and severity of a cold by 42 percent (or within three to four days). It's the Zinc itself that helps get your immune system boosted, and it also gets your system an extra kick in helping fight infections.

But don't make the mistake like I did of waiting for a full-fledged cold hitting you before giving these a try. My sister had much better results when she started the COLD-EEZE lozenges as soon as she felt her cold coming on. She just followed the directions and took a lozenge every two-to-four hours, and she cleared her cold much faster than I did (and didn't have to call in sick to work!)

As for me, I sat at home on the couch popping Organix Cough and Sore Throat Drops like they were going out of style. And even though I would have gladly forced down anything to get rid of my cough and soothe my throat, I liked the taste of these cough drops. I also like that they are the first over-the-counter cough and sore throat drops that are Certified Organic.

Try them out for yourself the next time a cold gets the better of you. Organix are available in Organix is available in Dark Chocolate Mint flavor, Purely Peppermint, Orchard Cherry and Golden Honey Lemon.

Oh, and eco-friendly bonus alert: Even the twist wraps of each lozenge is made from fully compostable corn starch! How's that for sweet?

Stuff this!

If you had aked me when I was pregnant, I would have sworn that my house would NEVER become overun with stuffed animals just because a baby was on the way.
Then Buttercup arrived, and with her the small European country's-worth of stuffed pals that magically appeared--attached to every baby shower present, welcome card, and well-wishing relative's hands when they stopped by for a visit.
So where do I store them? Forget the crib--that's just not safe. The toy box is out because, well, she has too many toys. And that leaves...where again?
Thanks to the oval boon animal bag, I'm at least not tripping over her stuffed friends anymore. This berrie sweet pick is a great solution for rounding up those annoying--I mean cute!-- stuffed animals that have most likely taken over your own home, as well, and is extra practical in the sense that kids can use the stuffed bag as a bean bag chair!

The oversized, plush bag (measuring 30" x 26" x 19") is covered with zippered compartments made of durable and transparent mesh. The zippers themselves are oversized and easy for kids to grip, allowing for no-fuss play. And when it's time to put everything away, it's just as easy to shove every teddy bear, and then some, away for safe-keeping.
We have ours right in the living room and I love that I can put away Buttercup's stuffed animals in plain site. Talk about no stress!
The Boon Animal Bag earns more points for its machine-washability (is that a word?) or the fact that you can drop it off at the dry-cleaners, if need be.
And my absolute favorite part is that the Animal Bag is earth-friendly. Instead having to rely on foam fillers for a soft bean bag seat, you already have all you need in your home to stuff the bag to your little one's precise specifications.
The Boon Animal Bag is available in green or pink and retails for $59.99.
But before you whip out that credit card and order one from Boon Inc., why not take a minute to enter for a chance to win one here???


To be considered for the random drawing, leave me a berrie (read: comment) telling me what boon product you'd like to see reviewed next. One extra entry is available if you decide to choose one of the following:
* subscribe to my RSS feed and comment letting me know you did so.
* Add my button to your sidebar and comment (I'll check!).
* Blog about the contest and link to the giveaway.
* Non-bloggers can email three of their friends about the contest and CC me on the email. Girl Scout's honor that I will never bother these sweet people. I promise!
* Grab my button and place it on your sidebar, linking to Berrie Sweet Picks.
* Follow me on Twitter! (nickname: berriesweetest)
Please note that non-bloggers MUST include a valid email address to be considered for the drawing!
I'll pick one name at midnight (EST) on Aug. 4 and post their name to PRIZEYWinners. The winner has four days from the announcement date to contact me, or an alternate winner will be chosen.
See you soon with another review!

This Little Band rocks!

First things first: the CD I am about to review is NOT new. In fact, I got the PR packet in January, so I'm more than a little bit behind on this one. But then again, I have since received plenty of PR packs with kid music CD's, and not all of them are making it on the berrie sweet list.

And yes, this is the list to get one, musical peeps. Give me enough time and I'll be, like, the Oprah of the mommy blog world. (And then I'll wake up, but that's another post.)

Anyhoo, back to the review. Back in March, Brady Rymer released his newest album, "Here Comes Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
" It's a long title, but worth the time it takes to ask the kids if they want to listen to it.

Rymer was a founding member of the RCA roots-rock group, From Good Homes, and toured annd recorded with the likes of Bob Dylan, Dave Matthews, and Bob Weir, which in my eyes, gives Rymer plenty of points in adult-music land, and makes him all the more fun to listen to with the tots.

Since having kids and going off the road to be with his family to touring again with The Little Band that Could, Rymer has won 11 national awards for four of his family/kid CD's. And for good reason!

Like other CD's I will be reviewing here, Rymer and his band are able to hit on the heart of kid music without entering "Barney-ville," which I happen to not be crazy about. But Rymer does it in his own take on modern American roots, like early rock 'n' roll, 60's country rock, blues, and more.

The songs are fun and upbeat, and the CD's been in my mini-van's CD player for a week straight now.

Unfortunately, I can't offer a contest on this one. But Rymer's CD is worth the purchase.

Get it for $15.98 at Brady Rymer's site, CD Baby, Amazon, and retailers nationwide.

Clean those curly locks (the right way)

Have you ever had a bad hair day?


Oh, you have?


Well, whoopie for you! I have you beat! Cuz, in my book, a bad hair QUATER CENTURY pretty much wins that pity contest. (Who's got a violin?)


I was, ahem!, blessed with some majorly kinky curls, which, when not cared for properly, led to my being mistaken for a renegafe Chia Pet. And let's just say that I new SweetER (that would be my hubby)was here to stay the first time he saw me in the morning, looking like I had decided to stick my finger in a light socket just for the hell of it.


I'd post pictures for proof, but I'd like to maintain at least a sliver of dignity here. But feel free to point and laugh at the images in your head.


In my quest for curl control, I have tried E_V_E_R_Y_T_H_I_N_G under the sun, from chemically straightening it (bad idea), to extensions (not so bad of an idea), to the cheap and the expensive for hair cair products designed to make me look a little less like a black show poodle and more like I wasn't embarrased to leave the house.


Unfortunately for me, nothing worked, until I discovered Mixed Chicks Hair Products a few years ago. And yes, curly-haired Mommas, this is indeed when the heavens parted above and the angels started singing.


I love, love, love their shampoo, ($11.99 for a 10 oz. bottle) which is designed to get corkscrew curls squeaky clean. You get a rich lather that adds protein and strength, and a clean head of curls to love.


Most curly-haired chicks already know this, but the curlier the 'do, the drier and more fragile the hair. And since our hairs natural oil's help keep our thick and slinky-like locks under control, Mixed Chicks recommends limiting shampooing to no more than two times per week.


Want to give it a shot for yourself or your curly-headed kid? Just visit the Mixed Chicks site and then leave me a berrie (read: comment) telling me what other product you'd love to see reviewed on my blog. I'll pick one luck winner at random at midnight (EST) on July 27 and post to PRIZEYWinners.


Good luck!

This Mommy's "Hooked"

Sometimes, it's the little things that make you go, "duh." Take the The Mommy Hook from Keen Distribution. It's basically an oversize caribener that holds all your bags so you don't have to.

(Okay, so why didn't I think of this?)

It's so simple that it is pure genius. The Mommy Hook is made of durable, heavy-duty aluminum, and is made to hold diaper bags, purses, shopping bags, and more when hanging from your shopping cart or stroller.

I tried it out on a full-day's outing to IKEA with my mom, Buttercup, and my friend the other day, and was pretty impressed with how the rubber guide kept the Mommy Hook from sliding all over the place. We purposely overloaded it to the point of ridiculousness, and at the end of the day, the Mommy Hook was still hanging strong.

And for only $7.99, it's a berrie sweet buy, considering how versatile a product it is. Really, how can you not want to buy one of these right now?

The Mommy Hook is available on the Keen website, and at Burlington Coat Factory/Baby Depot, Buy Buy Baby, and at Happy Baby Products.

Still reading? Good. That means you get to enter for a chance at your own Mommy Hook right here! Just visit the Keen web site and tell me what other product, aside from the Mommy Hook, interests you. I'll randomly choose one winner on July 25 and post their name to PRIZEYWinners.

Good Luck!

The berrie best baby carrier...ever

My berrie sweet friend, Sara, is 19 weeks pregnant and just found out she is having a little girl. I am SOOOO thrilled for her, as I know she and her hubby (also a good friend) already have made this baby very lucky to have them as parents.

And I couldn't help but feel touched when Sara called me just a few days ago to ask for the names of those "baby-carrying things" I use. (Yay! Someone values my opinion!) It was cute, and I just love being able to help my friends get straight to the good stuff (read: skip all the crap I waded through to find said good stuff.)

Which brings me to the Ergo Baby/Child Infant Carrier .
Simply put-this things rocks. Even if you are not a die-hard baby-wearer (which I am), this carrier beats out anything else I have tried for all-day events like zoo trips or 6 mile hikes with 10-month-olds (yes, I did that with Buttercup!). And, as pictured above, my lil sis, Pati, has enjoyed a bit of Wii-time with Buttercup along for the ride.

And for those who do wear their babies like they'll never go out of style (like I do), this is little bit of mom-invented genius really is a lifesaver. Not only is it a truly hands-free carrier, it's well-constructed, and Buttercup loves being carried in it.

Since receiving it, I have taken the Ergobaby carrier everywhere with me. As Buttercup gets older, I let her tell me when she had had enough of the stroller and needs some Mommy/Ergo time. So when the arms reach up, the Ergo goes on, and Buttercup usually falls right asleep against me.

I also rely on the Ergobaby carrier for those days when I am home alone and Buttercup is having one of her infamous "Velcro-Baby" days. Without having the opportunity to strap her onto my back, the cooking and cleaning would never get done. Heck, I've even scrubbed the floors (that's right, scrubbed the floors on my hands and knees!) with Buttercup fast asleep on my back! How's that for hands-free baby-wearing?

But what about "insert-other-brand-name-here?" baby carriers that you see in the magazines or at the stores? And what about those carriers where your baby can face front? Aren't those just as good, you might ask?

Well, since I like to focus on the positive here, I will only say that the Ergobaby carrier is the one to buy. Sure, it's $105.00, but since it will take you from birth to about 45 pounds with ease, it's well-worth the money and then some. In fact, I would have not purchased a stroller before Buttercup's birth had I been smart enough to listen to all of my friends who have one!

Its ergonomic design supports a correct sitting position for baby's hip, pelvis, and spine growth (read: cups baby's butt so their little legs aren't just dangling in the wind when they hang by their crotch), and balances baby's weight through the parent's hips and shoulders. I can honestly say that both Buttercup and I have been happy to be connected for hours at a time while putzing around the mall, the zoo, or neighborhood without a problem.

Now, I can't say anything about the infant insert since I have never tried it, but I do have the back pack and the front pouch accessories, which are wonderful ways to simplify your life even more when out and about with your little one. The backpack can be used independently or can be attached to the Ergo, and the front pouch also comes with a strap so you can use it as a purse. (and for the record, that infant insert is the first thingI am buying whenever the decision is made to open the baby-making factory again.)

And holy moly! I just found sucking pads available on the site! Guess what I'm ordering after my nex pay day thanks to Buttercup's love for eating the straps of the carrier while she's in it!?!?

See, inventor Karin Frost really did think of everything! So Sara, if you're still reading, I have the cranberry...and I love it.

Bend it like Buttercup

What a milestone when your little one can start feeding themselves! Sure, there are messes galore (and cottage cheese in the hair, on the walls, and how the hell did that Cheerio end up in my bra???) but the second your baby shows interest in handling their own utensils, your heart swells with pride. (Just like it swells with pride for all of life's sweet and goofy moments, too.)

That pride, I believe, is what keeps me in a good mood as I mop smooshed blueberries off the floor. In part, the mess comes because Buttercup's fine motor skills are not yet perfected. This can make it a bit difficult to maneuver traditional "straight" utensils into her little mouth.

So what's the answer? boon benders, of course! At only $5.99 for the set, these are perfect startet utensils for little ones, starting at nine-months and up.

Now, I'm not saying that messes won't happen, because they will, but these bendable and BPA-free utensils allow you to custom bend to the appropriate angle for your child to better connect with their mouths. And as Buttercup's grip and fine motor skills improve, the Benders can be slowly unbent until they are perfectly straight, allowing for a great transition to the "big kid" utensils!

Wanna give benders a try with your tot? boon is offering one set of benders to a lucky winner! All you have to do is visit the Boon web site and leave me a berrie (read: comment) telling me what product interests you most! Entries will be accepted until midnight (EST) on July 15.

Flipping for my FitFlops

Unless you have been living under a rock, or are, like the one person in the world who doesn't know who Oprah is, you have already heard of the media frenzy over FitFlops.

These are the famed fitness sandles that claim to burn fat and strengthen and tone leg muscles while you walk. According to information presented on Tip Top Shoes, the FitFlop ,which retails for $49.95, works by destabilizing your foot while you walk, wich creates continuous tension in the leg and foot muscles, almost as if you were walking on individual micro-wobble boards. Every step is said to trim and tone your legs, thighs, calves, and glutes because they are biochmechanically engineered to absorb shock, lessen joint strain, and recreate the gait of barefoot walking.

Well, that's all well and good, and Oprah might have given them the kiss of the success when she listed them as one of her Favorite Things for Summer, but do they work?

I've worn mine on a fairly regular basis since receiving them a few weeks ago, and let me start by saying that the little yellow warning card that comes in the packaging which tells you to start slow and build up how often you slide them on should absolutely be followed. And I can tell you that I know this because I didn't listen, wore them all day the first time I tried them, and my calves, legs, and butt felt like I had been attacked by an elliptical for a few days afterwards.

It wasn't pretty.

So, yes, wearing them, I would say, has actual benefits. And, to top it off, now that I am used to wearing them, they are the most comfortable flip flops I have ever worn in my life. I used to prefer being barefoot, but now that I have these little babies, I wear them more often than I go without. I wear them to and from the gym, when doing housework, and when I'm running to the grocery store.

Now, I know that the burning question in your minds is, "But do your legs and butt now look like the model's?"

Yeah...about that.

The long and the short of it is, well, no.

I have not suddenly morphed into Kate Moss in skinny jeans. I have not magically shed every ounce of body fat. Nor have I decided that celery is the new chocolate.

But that's not the FitFlop's fault, now is it? They only promised to help me work out while I walk. And I am plenty satisfied that they are living up to their end of the bargain.

If you'd like to try for a pair of your own FitFlops Walkstar, visit the Tip Top Shoe site and leave me a berrie (read: comment) comment telling me what color and size you would prefer if you won. I'll draw one winner at random at midnight (EST) on July 9. The winner's name will be submitted to PRIZEYWinners.

Go anywhere with the Go Baby OutMat

Let's not beat around the bush here.

I.Love.My.OutMat.

No more throwing cheapy in the car or the bottom of the stroller to spread out at outdoor parties, the park, or my own back lawn, for that matter! For one, they were bulky. And for two, they did squat for keeping me and Buttercup dry when the ground happened to be wet.

The Go Baby OutMat is a water-resistant outdoor playmat that delivers on its promise of making afternoons on the grass or at the beach easy and fun. Made of an innovative, pliable, water-resistant combination of materials, it's easy to use, lightweight and easy to transport (just slip it on the stroller handles or on your shoulder!)and just plain cool looking.



The best part? It's comfortable thanks to the poly-spandex (which replaces the hard vinyl used in other water-resistant play mats) and the terry-cloth surface which stays cool in the hot sun.

The beauty of the OutMat really lies within its simplicity. Just unzip and roll out, have fun in the sun, and then pack it back up when you are done.


And when it's time to wash it, just detach the bag and toss it in the wash!

***BERRIE IMPORTANT BLOG BASH PRIZE UPDATE!!!***

Michelle has been selected as the winner of the OutMat prize! But don't fret if you want one of your own. Normally $60, these nifty (and yes, I said nifty and am not ashamed)OutMats are on sale for $45 for the summer!

The Blog Bash is almost done, so make sure to check back to see who won the rest of our Go Baby loot in Saturday's post.

On Sunday, I'll be back to post our winners from the week's contests. Please be patient with me as I work to contact the companies with winner information for distribution of prizes.

Accidentally attached

I remember reading about attachment parenting when I found out I was pregnant. And I distinctly remember thinking that "those" people were crazy. I mean, come on! Carrying your baby that much was a sure-fire recipe for a spoiled-rotten kid who would grow up to think that the world revolves around them, right?
Yeah...and then I had my baby. And right off the bat I knew Buttercup was all about the Velcro. I could not put that little baby down for anything. All she wanted was her mommy's heart beat, and I was too in love to make her scream until she forgot what it felt like.

Well, that, and I really needed to pee. And do laundry. And the dishes. Oh yeah, and work, too.
So, um, help?
Well, I found it with the Baby K'tan Baby Carrier. It's like my regular-mom version of a live-in nanny, only better because my hands are free and Buttercup is right by me. (Yep, I've become one of "those" people. And I love it.)
So here's how it works. For just under $60 you get eight different carrying positions for a child up to 42 pounds without any complicated wrapping methods. It's soft, light, Dad's love it, and I love that I can just toss it into the diaper bag without a second thought. I can honestly say that I never leave the house without it. (The stroller, however, is a different matter.)
And when I do happen to venture out on my own, Buttercup is usually snug against her daddy's chest in his own K'tan.
Seriously people, trust me on this one. I have tried, like, a million different carriers, slings, and wraps, and this is my berrie top pick for ease of use, carrying options, price, and comfort.

Want to try one for yourself or give one as a gift? Baby K'tan is offering Berrie Sweet Picks readers 10 percent off with discount code berries (all lower case!) at check out through September 13, 2008.
Remember when I said I'd let you know when you really needed to grab your credit card? Well, this is certainly one of those times.

A boon for momkind

Did you know that the definition of a "boon" is "A benefit bestowed,especially one bestowed in response to a request"?
Well, the description fits the boon inc. company perfectly. We moms are always looking for and asking for more and for better for our kids, and what does Boon give us in response? Well, yeah, you got it. A boon.

Works out nicely, doesn't it?
The company tag line, "Innovations for modern parents" is also on target. Take a look at Buttercup in her pink Star Bodysuit, one of the many options available in the new line-up of layette options for babies up to 12 months. Not only is it flat out cute, I love the fact that the two-pack of bodysuits (which I like to call "onsies") comes in an environmentally-friendly reusable container. I use mine to take wipes in the diaper bag for cleanups and dirty diapers.
At just $29.99, it's a great way to keep the little ones cool in the summer without decking them out in the typical rubber duckies and toy trucks.
Also available are the berrie hip and functional coverall and hat sets, pant sets, and 5-piece gift sets, which includes a bodysuit, hat, pair of socks, and an innovative bib that attaches to the bodysuit.

All layette options also come in those handy little containers so no one has to feel guilty about throwing any packaging away.
Select styles are currently available at Amazon, select Babies R' Us stores and the web site, Buy Buy Baby, and other retailers nationwide.

But don't stop reading yet! Boon has generously offered a 5-piece gift set, valued at $39.99, to one lucky reader! The winner gets their choice of the Gear for boys or Modern Butterfly for girls in size 0-6 months only.
Just visit the Boon site and leave me a berrie (read: comment) telling me what product you'd love to see most featured on Berrie Sweet Picks and would be willing to scream about it from the rooftops if I begged and pleaded and offered it as a contest prize right here. Easy enough, right? And of course, be sure to tell me what style and size you would like in the five-piece set if you won.
As always, get an extra entry if you blog about it and come back to leave me the link.
Contest ends at midnight (EST) on June 19.

Say hello to Bob

If you had known me when I was pregnant, you probably would have wanted to murder me.
"Why?" you ask?
"Because," I respond, "a sane, non-pregnant person can only listen to a pregnant obsessive person obsess about what stroller to get for so long before wanting to strangle her."
Seriously. Had it been one of my friends, I don't know if I'd be talking to them right now.

I survived (obviously), and have a kickin' stroller to show for my paid-desk-job, internet-searching-while-rubbing-the-belly-thing. (Thanks, former office job!)
Now, before anyone thinks we are loaded, let me set you straight. we are N-O-T. And perhaps because we knew that with my frequent walking for miles on end that we would not be able to afford replacing those cheapy-plastic wheeled jobs every 500 miles, we decided to bite the bullet and plunk down some serious cash on the BOB Revolution Stroller from REI.
Why? Because if you are active and plan to use said stroller for more than just strolling the mall, you need a stroller than can take the punishment associated with heavy use on pavement and off-road trails. That’s where the Bob Revolution comes in. It might look bulky, but it handles like a dream (trust me on this!)whether at the zoo, at mall, or on a 3-mile hike, thanks to rear-positioned shock-absorbers, a fully-pivoting front wheel that locks for off-roading and jogging, and a two-step, fold-up design.
Oh, and let me just tell you that Sweeter (the hubby) went all man-happy when he learned about the shocks. In fact, they pretty much sold the stroller to us by themselves.
Baby will be raving about the Bob, too, thanks to a fully padded reclining seat and internal pockets for porting around snacks and toys. This gem of a stroller also features a rear wheel foot-activated braking system, a five-point safety harness and can be pimped out to the gills with optional accessories galore like a BOB Handlebar Console
(a MUST), single infant car seat adapter (yeah, that's a MUST, too!), or a BOB Warm Fuzzy in White
to add extra comfort to baby’s ride (ehhh...not so much).
You can even take baby on a nice long walk on rainy days with the BOB Weather Shield for Single Revolution/Stroller Strides Models in Yellow.

This stroller is like, my best friend. And it solidified that role when I participated in the March for Babies and ended up pushing my friend's 10-year-old in it, one handed, while I carried Buttercup in my Ergo Baby Carrier for the last THREE MILES!
It steered just as easily as it did when Buttercup was in it, and made me fall in love with Bob all over again.