Don't pack up the summer dresses! Just add Skid Pants!

Buttercup and I absolutely love our skid pants from Honeychunks! It's a great accessory to pair with a summer dress or a pair of shorts for a cute and practrical winter outfit!

How sweet it is

Go ahead. Ask my mother-in-law. And my sister. And my neighbor.

They all think I'm crazy-obsessive about a lot of what I do with Buttercup, what with my homemade baby food and rules about what she can eat and what she can't and keeping Buttercup's car seat rear-facing until she's at least 30 pounds, and yes, the list goes on so I'll just stop there.

I just have very strong feelings about how to parent my daughter and keep her as safe as I can, so it would only follow that I'm the same about what I choose to use on her skin to keep it soft and moisturized.

So you can only imagine how happy I am to find the Thymes Sweetleaf Baby line of products. Made of calming organic lavendar, chamomile, and aloe vera, the products are gentle enough for newborn skin and smell so baby sweet.

Since finding Thymes Sweetleaf Baby Lotion ($16.00), I have fallen in love with the barely-there scent of rose, jasmine, sandalwood and amber on my little baby. And since receiving the lotion, Buttercup has come to expect a sweet little baby massage after her baths, which are now required to end with me pretending to eat her toes.

The whole thing ends in giggles, nuzzles, and hugs, and I love every minute of it.

I also love that the Sweetleaf Baby Lotion, which includes shea butter and honey in its ingredients, is Paraben-free.

Another favorite is the Sweetleaf Baby Nursery Diffuser ($40.00). I love scents, and this is one way to allow for that in Buttercup's room without having to worry about a candle flame. Thymes' reed diffuser utilizes bamboo to gently release the light aroma into the nursery, and I couldn't be happier with the results.

You have the chance to enjoy a Sweetleaf Reed Diffuser in your own little one's nursery or bedroom. Just visit the Thymes site and leave me a berrie (read: comment) by midnight EST on July 8 telling me what mom or baby product most interests you and why.

I'll pick one lucky winner at random and will be submit the information to PRIZEYWinners.

Good luck!

Why Britax is Best

Hello.
Remember me? The over-obsessive mom who researches everything to distraction and then some when it comes to her little Buttercup?
Yeah, well, if you thought the Great Stroller Incident of 2007 was a hoot, I can't even begin to explain to you the mental anguish my car seat search caused my husband. And my neighbor. Oh, and the dentist, too.
I must have started looking for a convertible seat when Buttercup was probably 10 pounds. Not cuz I thought I needed it then, mind you, but because I know me and realized that this was not going to be an overnight decision.
So many seats! But one kept coming back and sneaking into my mommy-dreams of Things I Want for Buttercup, and that was a Britax convertible car seat.
And thanks to the good people at Baby Car Seats, that's exactly what we got: a beautiful and sturdy and safe Britax Boulevard in the ever-girly Shannon Purple and Yellow.
Cost and features factor in big, and The Boulevard from Britax comes in on top. With a variety of comfort and safety features designed to keep your child happy, safe, and secure, the Boulevard is made to accommodate a child from the infancy stages all the way to 65 pounds and a standing height of 49 inches or less.
Not sure how long this will take us with our little stretch baby, but every penny on this bad boy is worth the $309.99 after you consider the many features, including the infinite head pad and harness-height adjustment, belly pad for comfort, removable , washable cover, flexible buckle LATCH system, one-hand recline adjustment, and tangle free, polyester five-point-harness.

The Boulevard also features the patented HUGS (Harness Ultra Guard) system, true-side impact protection, and is certified for air travel, too.
I'd also like to note that the Boulevard is easy to install, but H-U-G-E (fits great in our Jeep Cherokee!)so it's not exactly the best buy for lugging in and out of different cars. (That's why you buy a second car seat for your needs.) But if you are planning to park it in your back seat for the time being, you and your tot will be comfortable for the foreseeable future.
Oh, I almost forgot to mention that the optional car seat covers are a MUST! Not only do they offer peace of mind for unexpected spills and accidents, it also can update the look of your seat for the next baby!
I'll bet you are shopping for a car seat if you are still reading this post, so check out Baby Car Seats and their professional phone experts for help in making your decision. And if you're ready to buy one today, you can take advantage of a free shipping offer!

Time to R.S.V.P for the blog bash!

Hello all. Just a friendly reminder that if you want to get a chance to par-tay with my princess and get in on any of these berrie awesome prizes, you need to comment, post, and sign on with Mr. Linky on this post by June 21.
I've got, like, 30 prizes listed and 15 party guests so far, which means odds are berrie high you'll walk away a winner! And although I plan to run a few blog bash contests open to all, the ones listed here are VIP only, as in Very Important Party Guest.
So what are you waiting for???

***A few tips for those participating:

*Have your favorite birthday photo and story ready to upload for a "Fave Birthday Memory" contest.

*While your hunting through those digital images, see if you can find one for a "Berrie Best Summer" memory photo contest.

*Feel free to host your own Berrie Sweet 1st Birthday Blog Bash Give-Away to help Buttercup celebrate the Big One!

*I'm always on the lookout for awesome products to review, so after we all sing Happy Birthday to Buttercup, I'll unwrap your comment-presents. Tell me what cool product you found for Buttercup (any age limit!)and I'll start requesting more review items! Buttercup and I will open comment-presents on June 28.

And a very big thanks to Go Baby, our official blog bash sponsor!

See you at the par-tay!

What a star!

Buttercup has major movie star potential. Call me an overly-proud Momma, but the girl has a huge Drama Queen Quotient and already sings and tries to snap her fingers while jammin' to her favorite tunes.
And that high note she hits?
Fuggedaboutit.
But no matter how much I might dream of my lil' princess taking the world by storm when she is older, I am perfectly content to cuddle up with her and just bubble with pride as we watch one of her fave DVD's, the too-cute-for-words MeMovies BEE AND ME DVD!
Launched by husband and wife team Stephen Ray and Kristina Zill in 2005, each MeMovie is customized with your baby or young child’s picture and their name. It sounds simplistic, but when you receive the 30-minute long DVD in the mail with your child’s smiling face and top billing as the “Featured Co-Star,” I'm willing to bet you are more excited than your kid is going to be. (I know I was.)
And it gets even better when you and your child hear their name pronounced correctly many times throughout the adorable cartoon. MeMovies customizes “BEE AND ME” for baby’s and toddlers through four years of age with a colorful background sure to capture their attention.
It's cute, it's fun, and I can't wait to post a review of COSTUME PARTY, which is designed for kids four and up.
Stay tuned!

Announcing Buttercup's First Birthday Blog Bash!

I must be crazy!
This little baby of a blog is less than a month old and here I am trying to pull off a successful blog party! No matter how nuts that might sound, I have to at least try. After all, my lil Buttercup is going to be O-N-E!
(WOW)
Her actual birthday is June 12, but to buy myself some time, and to allow all of you the opportunity to join in the fun, I am running Buttercup's Berrie Sweet 1st Birthday Blog Bash from June 21 (her actual due date) through June 28.
The fun is open to both Bloggers and non-Bloggers, so listen up for a few simple rules to get in on some awesome giveaways! Go Baby is the official Berrie Sweet sponsor. A special thanks also goes out to Lipstick to Crayons for designing the super sweet banner for the blog party!

For Bloggers:

* Place the banner in your sidebar by June 21. The code is up on the sidebar. Just just click and paste. Simple, right?

* Go back on your blog and post about the Berrie Sweet Blog Bash, including a link inviting your readers to join in on the party. You can send Buttercup a birthday wish or message and even host your own giveaway if you like! After you have all that set, come back here and sign in to Mr. Linky with a direct URL to your Berrie Sweet Blog Bash post.
Oh-and be sure to stick to one Mr. Linky signature per person.
* And there you have it. Berrie Sweet, right? Just make sure to visit every day of the party to enter my kickin' contests and maybe even play a few games. Also be sure to list the three prizes you are most interested in and I'll do my best to accommodate you should your name be drawn for the main party contest.

Non-bloggers

* You can par-tay too! Just visit five of our Mr. Linky participating blogs and leave a comment on their Blog Bash post. Stop back here with a berrie (read: comment)listing the five blogs you visited and your email address. Easy enough!

Current prize list for Buttercup's Berrie Sweet First Birthday Blog Bash:

* GoBaby is offering one outmat ($60 value), two inmats ($50 value for each), five organic onsies ($12 value for each), and five organic T-shirts ($12 value for each)! Thirteen winners will get to select the design and size of their choice of awarded prize at the end of the party. Thanks, GoBaby!

* Circle of Sentiments 1-disc sterling silver or copper Mommy classic Necklace (a $45 value.)

*Avannabel Baby is offering a $25 gift certificate to one lucky winner.

* Honey Chunks is offering a two-ounce sample of their popular Foaming Cleanser in Sensitive and six homemade reusable baby wipes to one lucky winner.

* Smart Mom Jewelry is offering five individual winners the chance at their own matching Teething Bling bangle and necklace set in the color of their choice. (A $31.85 value)

* Monogrammed Gifts and More is offering one winner the choice of either a Blue Monkey or Pink Monkey Burp Cloth set. (A $22.00 value)

* Baby Banz is offering a pair of Baby or Kids Banz and their new Wrapz Bandana to one lucky winner in their choice of size and color. (A $30 value.)

* Hoohobbers is offering their Junior Director's Chair, which also can be used as a booster seat for kids 18 months to four years, to one lucky winner. (A $35.00 value.)

* MJennings Designs is offering a personalized child's name bracelet made with Swarovski pearls and crystals to one lucky winner. (A $25.00 value.)

That brings to total value of prizes to just under $500!

And from me and Buttercup:

Two winners will get to get their magic on with a plush princess wand from Celebrate Express!
Interested in adding a prize (or five?) to the list from your blog or online store? Email me at pm.lupercio@gmail.com and I'll update the prize list daily through June 21, which, by the way, is the deadline to enter for the Blog Bash. I'll host a few separate contests as part of the fun, so make sure to visit often!

Here's Mr. Linky!

My sentiments, exactly

Who doesn't love jewelry? I know I do.
One of my absolute fave pieces is my Classic Mommy Necklace from Circle of Sentiments. The best-selling, hand-stamped, sterling silver disc is personalized with your child's name, and is a simple and versatile piece to pair with jeans and a tank or that little black dress for a night out on the town.
If you want an extra special touch, the Birthday Necklace includes an extra disc with your child's birthday. Have more than one child? It's simple to order additional discs to make sure everyone stays close to Mommy's heart.
Each Mommy Necklace includes a 16- or 18-inch sterling silver ball chain, and discs can accommodate up to seven letters (large discs can fit up to nine.)
My Circle of Sentiments Mommy Necklace is honestly one of the most worn pieces of jewelry in my collection. It's cute, simple, and beautifully sweet.
Get your own, or give one as a gift, with a generous 10 percent off for Berrie Sweet Picks readers, with discount code Circle 10!

Mad for my capz

I will be honest: I love baseball caps. Love them, love them, love them. And in the summer, you'll most likely find me wearing one, like, all the time. So of course, I need a little variety.
This is where Madcapz comes in. Crazy-creative Carrie, the mom-pranuer behind the sweet designs, decided that she needed to create her own variety after getting tired of sports teams and company logos she didn't care about on her head. So now, she sports the Madcapz she designs, which are a far cry from the normal "I borrowed it from my husband/boyfriend/found it in the back of the closet" look so many of us get stuck with when trying to mix a cute baseball cap in with our personal style. Instead, you get a fun fashion-statement and the sun protection you except from a made in the USA product!
But wait-there's more. (Sorry, it's late and I am now finding inspiration in infomercials.)
Madcapz offers a full line of capz for women, kids, and infants, as well as women's visors in berrie awesome patterns like Poppin' Pink, Midnight Moon, and Kitty Crowd. Check them out for yourself and be sure to come back here with a comment on your favorite design and style for a chance at your own Madcapz! And get this; the winner gets to pick their own capz for either themselves or their child.
As usual, you get an extra entry if you either write a post about this contest and then leave me a second comment with the link, or if you grab my blog button and plop it on your site. Just make sure to let me know you did that so I know to give you an extra entry.
Already have my button on your blog? Just let me know and after you visit the Madcapz site and leave me some comment love, you'll get two entries, just like that.
Be sure to check back because I'll be posting a discount code for Madcapz, too!
Contest ends at midnight (EST) on June 8.
So get read, set, comment!

It's a wrap!

How many times have you wished for an extra set of hands since the baby was born? Check out the Moby Wrap, the wish-come-true product for moms on-the-go who'd like to avoid the backache associated with many of the traditional baby carriers on the market.
This little gem was my first baby carrier and will always hold a fond place in my heart. It might have taken a while to get used to and a few practice tries with a stuffed animal to make sure I wouldn't drop Buttercup, but once I felt secure in what I was doing, it was pure love between me and my Moby. And the included directions were a cinch to follow.
Once you have the hang of it, your baby will be secure against your beating heart while you revel in the glory of being hands-free. (Trust me on this; it's a truly glorious feeling to be able to soothe a fussy baby WHILE getting the laundry folded. Talk about multi-tasking!)
Or maybe you'd like to try a day out on the town without a hefty stroller to maneuver in crowded stores? I'll be the first to tell you that it is not only possible, it's truly liberating. I can't tell you how many times we have gone out sans stroller and not missed it for even a second.
Best of all; the 100 percent cotton wrap goes from the washer to the dryer with the rest of the laundry. Pick your favorite color out of 13 available choices to match your personality or wardrobe (I happen to love the Moby Wrap Original 100% Cotton Solid Baby Carrier.) It's affordable and will hold your baby from birth to 35 pounds, which makes it an even better deal in my book.You might even consider purchasing two, so you can always have one to wear while the others in the wash.

Biker (baby) chic

Let's just get right to the point. My lil' Buttercup is adorable. But, as it has been proven to me, it is entirely possible to make her even adorable-er. Note the following pictures of Buttercup with her Papa this past weekend:



See? Abso-freakin-lutely adorable-er than ever. I'd like to think it's the baby biker chic look she is sportin' here with her new duds from Baby Banz Sunglasses.
First off, we have the berrie sweet Baby Banz Wrapz in Pink Floral. Her heads just a wee bit small for it still, but that just means she'll get plenty of use out of my new fave baby accessory, which is now an official summer staple in my diaper bag.
Nothin' says "Cute and Dangerous" like this thing.
Then there are the ingenious Baby Banz in Pink Flamingo. Designed to be worn for kids 0-2 and 2-5 (Kids Banz), these little babies are great for keeping little eye's safe from dangerous UV rays. Just be prepared to stop and answer questions by interested and gushing parents!
So who wants their baby (read: child ages 0-5 years old) to look their adorable-est with some sweet duds of their own? the good people at Baby Banz are offering one Wrapz/Baby (or kid) Banz set to one lucky reader. Basically, you leave me a berrie (read: comment), I put names in a hat and let Buttercup draw, and the last one I fish out of her mouth that I can still read is the winner! (You get an extra entry if you can tell me why I wouldn't want to go with the first one I get out of said baby's mouth...seriously.)
One extra entry is also applicable to anyone who blogs about this contest and comes back to drop the link to the post. And if you don't feel like drawing undo attention to this particular contest, thereby flooding the contestant pool, you can get that extra entry by grabbing the HTML code for my button and adding it to your site! Just be sure to let me know you DID that, 'k?
Contest ends at midnight (EST) June 3, at which point I will put the winner in contact with Baby Banz to determine the size and colors of your choice.
Oh-and my lucky readers are also getting treated to a discount code from Baby Banz. Just enter code BSP10 at checkout for 10 percent off your order through June 30.

Plenty of life in this diaper bag

I remember when I got pregnant that I was convinced one diaper bag would be enough for me.
But what I failed to consider was that the diaper bag would be replacing my purse, and since I am a big fan of alternating my purses, I'd be just as anxious to alternate the diaper bag.
And I did do just that, until my Hoohobbers tote bag arrived, anyway. It has since become my "go-to" diaper bag, and the only time we use anything else is when my husband is with me and knows he'll get stuck holding the bag.
What is the appeal to the Hoohobbers tote, you ask? And exactly why is it worth the $70+ price tag? Well, it's simplicity is the main attraction. It doesn't scream "DIAPER BAG" to everyone you pass on the street.
It's durable and won't yellow or crack, with the nylon bottom providing extra security for lugging around all of the kiddo's extras. And trust me when I say that just because it isn't loaded with tons of pockets that there isn't plenty of room to spare.
I have successfully packed a days worth of bottles, clothes, diapers, and a few toys for Buttercup when she was as young as four-months. And out of every bag I own, this one is the sure fire conversation starter when I am out with girlfriends. I also almost forgot to mention that the straps snap over stroller handles for added convenience.
It's super-easy to spot clean, and since it's 100 percent cotton, a toss in the wash is always safe.
The best part is that there is plenty of life after baby in this sweet lil' bag, so Momma can eventually add to her own collection.
Check out the Hoohobbers Designer Tote Diaper Bag China Doll
for a nice gender nuetral choice.
****
Interested in adding to your own collection? If so, I have one Hoohobbers tote diaper bag up for grabs for one lucky mom! You know the drill! Visit the Hoohobbers page and then leave me a berrie (read: comment) telling me what your fave pattern is. You can even get an extra entry if you write a post about this contest on your blog and then stop back here with the link. Contest ends at midnight on May 30.
Hoohobbers is also graciously offering Berrie Sweet Picks readers a discount code (BLG08) for 15 percent off your purchase through July 15. How sweet is that?

Wadda-treat!

Juice is the root of all evil, right? Not exactly.
Sure, when allowed to suck on sugar-laden beverages all day long, bad things (read: childhood obesity and cavities up the wazoo!) are major possibilities and it's not going to matter if the source of said sugar is natural or artificial.
But a happy medium can be found and Waddajuice can help you get there. Single dad Jordan Kerner came up with the idea of a healthier alternative to traditional juice choices when his kids refused to sip on anything else. After perfecting his new concoction, made of pure juice, purified water, and vitamins, all practically packaged in a spill-proof container, Waddajuice, a product from the Snapple line, was born.
Great flavor options like apple, grape, Lodda Berry Fruit and wild berry are tasty, low-sodium, low-carb options for kids and moms alike. Trust me on this. I don't give Buttercup too much in the juice category right now, but I always keep some Waddajuice in stock for when I want a juice-pick-me-up with minimal effects to my blood sugar.
Check it out at Waddajuice.com.

Great shoes for little feet

It has been said time and time again: bare is best when it comes to your baby's feet. While we may all have had to deal with those nasty white atrocities of days gone by, our little ones' tootsies are mercifully happier in quality, soft-soled shoes like Robeez.
It goes without saying that the younger the baby, the less the need for any kind of shoe on the foot, but when it comes to keeping socks from slipping off or how to keep their teeny toes warm on cooler days, these shoes are the perfect option. And when it comes to learning how to stand, balance, and walk independently, pediatricians acrosss the board will tell you that if you must use a shoe to stick with a soft-sole so baby can get their walk on naturally.
Robeez are the cutest soft-soled leather baby shoe developed specifically to promote healthy, natural foot development. The thin sole allows baby to feel the ground through the shoe, which gives them a great grip and freedom of movement. Best of all, they dont fall off! (Buttercup's were perfect for her Halloween costume. Yes, of course, she was a princess.)
Still not convinced? What if I told you they were durable, washable, breathable, and skid-resistant? And of course, we all know babies can work some serious acrobatics with their feet in their mouths, but again, Robeez has you covered with leather tested for safety and free of harmful materials. Robeez come in a variety of adorable designs for both girls and boys from birth to the preschool years. Try them for yourself. Check out the adorable Robeez Infant/Toddler Mary Jane Slip-On.
I promise you'll be berrie pleased, indeed.

Wear your baby all summer long

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a HUGE fan of baby-wearing. Anything that makes MY life easier and keeps Buttercup happy is at the berrie top of my "I gotta have it" list.
Which brings me to the Dittany Baby Solarveil Pouch available at Honey Chunks. Anyone who is familiar with baby-wearing knows that anything that can be done can usually be done that much faster when your baby is safe, close, and happily attached. In my case, this includes showering! (And to spare you all, we are NOT posting a picure of that!)
This little wonder is also a must for the beach or a trip to the local water-park.
I'll admit that the material is a bit on the rough side and that I would never recommend the Dittany Baby for everyday use, but it is the perfect supplemental sling for water and summer-related usage. Added bonuses are the UV protection built right into the Solarveil material, which also happens to be quick-drying and berrie light-weight.
It's easy to use, easy to pack, and a berrie sweet summer pick.

It's Cool to Drool

Let's face it: baby stuff is cute but it doesn't usually do double duty as functional, too. And when you've got a baby cutting a bazillion teeth like Buttercup and her amazing 10 at 11 months, you get tired really quick at trying to keep their little neck dry from the non-stop amount of drool that seems to come with each and every tooth. So what do you do?
Regular bibs won't do the trick since they are only going to catch the drool that has already traveled down your baby's neck, but the super-cute Skibz is the master of all baby drool catchers.
Picture the old western cowboy bandana, but smaller and cuter on your baby in cool prints like Girly Whirly, Baby's Breathe, and Little Surfer. Designed to fit snugly under baby's neck, these things not only do the trick, they also compliment your baby's duds instead of covering them up. The berrie best part? They are all proudly made in the USA.

It's Uni-que

I love me some baby clothes, but I have to admit that ruffles and peter-pan collars can only be tolerated in small doses. And, might I ask, where is it written that baby girl clothes must have pink kittens and boy clothes get the blue puppies? I hate that!
That's why I flipped for Little Uni's simple, modern designs that seriously had me wishing they designed clothing for adults.
But since they don't, I'm perfectly happy to live vicariously through my Buttercup, who looked berrie freakin' adorable in the same set pictured in this post.
Little Uni offers non-ruffle adorned options such as the berrie fave long-sleeved tee with funky appliqued shapes like hippos, birds, and dogs (that also come in PINK, thank you berrie much!) that can be personalized with your little one's name.
This is definitely the way to spice up your baby’s wardrobe while still toning down the “goo-goo” factor. Sizes range from three months to four years. That’s plenty of time to drool over your baby’s clothes.

Chew on this

Since having Buttercup, I have learned a few simple truths:
1) Anything you plan (like peeing alone) will not happen according to your plan; it will happen when the baby lets it happen.
2) Sleep is now a rare commodity.
3) I am now, and forever shall be known as Buttercup's Mommy. My own name? Yeah, that doesn't matter anymore.
4) Jewelry is for idiots. After having Buttercup attempt to strangle me on more than one occasion with whatever necklace I had on, I had a "Ding! Ding!" moment and put it all away. At first I was sad (no more "pretties" for Berries!) but then I rediscovered happy when I found Teething Bling from Smart Mom Jewelry.
This genius, Mom-invented, made in the USA idea takes the best of two worlds, toys for baby and some bling for Momma, and combines them into one super smart, super safe, wearable teething toy that I swear looks like the real thing.
So real, in fact, that people on the street may even stop you and point-blank ask you why you are letting your child chew on stone. (No joke, it happened to me. My answer? I'm letting the baby sharpen her teeth.)

Anyway, with all the concern about toxic this and lead-based that, you can rest assured that this bling is safe for your precious one to chew away to their hearts content. It's high-quality, phthalate-free, food-safe, federally approved silicone, and even dish-washer safe, to boot.
Choose between coral, jade, moonstone, and mother-of-pearl colored options (and more!) in either a donut or heart shaped pendant. Matching bangles also are available, as well as chewable, heart-shaped key chains.
Pretty and smart, huh?
Want some bling for yourself? I have a key chain up for grabs for one berrie lucky mommy to help me celebrate the new blog! Just visit the Smart Mom website and let me know what your favorite color is and then leave me a berrie (read: comment) here. Earn an extra entry by blogging about this contest and stopping back by here with the link to the post.
Contest ends on May 25 at midnight (EST).
Good? Good.