We’ve taken our oldest daughter to a dozen or so concerts, two of which were Lollapalooza.  As you may or may not know, I do some social media work for Kidzapalooza, the family stage at Chicago’s Lollapalooza festival.  I noticed at the festival last year that some of the kids had headphones on and I made a mental note to get some for my kids, since we love taking our girls to places like Ravinia, Schubas and The Beat Kitchen for their family-friendly concert series.

I made my mental note and immediately thought of Baby Banz.  The have great sun-protection products for kids, including; sunglasses, goggles, hats, etc.  I was stoked when they added the Banz Ear Muffs to their product line.  Anyone who enjoys going to things like, fireworks, races, concerts, movies, etc. with their kids should consider getting these noise-reduction headphones.  Our kids recently used them at a concert…

…and at our local fireworks display this past July 4th

The 2 year old sometimes wears them around the house and magically, she quiets down.  I kind of dig that about these headphones.  I’ve tried them on to see how my hearing was affected and they definitely reduce noise but not to the point where when wearing them, you cannot hear.  So, your children will still be able to hear you talking to them (even if they claim they can’t).  The background noise is reduced making the environment much more comfortable for their little ears.

WIN IT!

We have a pair of Baby Banz Ear Muffs up for grabs.  To enter, leave a comment on this post.  We’d love to hear what music festivals you’ve been to, even if it’s just a small fair in your home town.  What do you love most about outdoor concerts?  Maybe you haven’t been to one yet, which one(s) would you like to attend?

Second chance entry – “Like” Baby Banz on Facebook, so you can keep up-to-date on their ever-so-awesome sun-protection and hearing protection products.

Third chance entry – Leave a comment on Baby Banz Facebook page, linking to our ParentSphere page (to do so, you’ll have to “Like” ParentSphere on Facebook, too).  After you’ve liked both of us, you can leave a comment that you’ve entered to win a pair of earmuffs @parentsphere

This giveaway is valid within the continental U.S.  Enter until and through Thursday, July 28th.

*Congratulations to our winner, commenter number 26, Lacy!

I’ve got my hands on probably the coolest, most useful resource/recipe book on the planet (pun intended).

I highly recommend The Best Homemade Baby Food on the Planet to any parent/caregiver. Tons (and I mean tons) of amazing recipes. Easy ones (I like easy!) and tasty ones. I so could have used this book when my first was younger. I specifically remember stressing about what I was feeding her and searching for simple, yet nutritious and interesting foods for her developing palate.

I’ve got a second chance now and I’m putting these homemade baby food recipes to good use.  There are dishes in here that the entire family can enjoy!

I love the homemade baby food tips and the feedback chart included in the book.  I’m finding all of the information inside extremely inspirational, even now that I have a 5-1/2 year old and 23 month old.  I imagine I will turn to The Best Homemade Baby Food on the Planet for some time to come.  I’m equally thrilled to get copies of this baby food cookbook for family and friends who are expecting.

Here are just a few of the homemade baby food recipes you’ll find inside:

• 6 Months: Yummy Apple-Pear Puree
• 7 months: Orange You Cute Carrot and Sweet Potato
• 9 months: Curried Peas, Lucky Me!

Authors, Tina Ruggiero and Karin Knight get huge kudos from me.  This baby food recipe book is just brilliant and useful in so many ways.

The Best Homemade Baby Food on the Planet was sent to me for review.  To that I say, thank goodness!  Opinions expressed above are my very own.

I go through phases of wanting to exercise and not wanting to exercise. I’ve been in a very long phase of not wanting to exercise. I feel like I may have snapped out of it today.

The weather has warmed up significantly, as in, it’s May but it feels like August.   So the girls and I went out for a walk yesterday.  I’m usually the one complaining but it wasn’t me this time, it was the 5 year old.   She’s been fighting a chest cold and I thought it would do her some good to sweat it out a little bit.   It was 80 degrees at 9:00 am, so, sweat we did.

This morning after preschool drop-off, I took the 22 month old out in the jogging stroller.  I have never jogged with it.  We’ve had it since 2007, so there ya go.  There’s a first time for everything, right?

I’m not saying it hasn’t been jogged with, on the contrary.  The mister used to take Hailey jogging and now that she’s outgrown it, Teagan is the lucky one.  Anyway, I decided to take a stab at it this morning.

Verdict: It was very hot.  The breeze was nice.  I was really slow.  It felt so good!  I do believe I will make this jogging with the toddler in the stroller a regular thing.

We have this Jeep Overland Limited Jogging Stroller:

I know I wrote about it a long time ago but I can’t find my review for the life of me.  I’ll link up to it if I ever find it.  Anyway, it’s been a great jogging stroller (per my husband).  Let me jog with it a few more times and I’ll let you know my thoughts.  It’s great for walking, this I know.

I also used the Runkeeper iPhone app to track my progress.  It’s not the first time I’ve used this app and it won’t be the last.  There are some new features that I need to check out and then I’ll post my review of it over at TechGeekSphere.

I dont’ feel the need to weigh myself and I have already planned on cutting back on the junk that I usually eat.  I am more or less looking to get more active.  Hopefully you will see many posts like this one in the near future.

Boo-boo patches.  Have you guessed yet?  Ever since my eldest daughter (who is about to turn 5) was a wee one, she has referred to “breasts” as “boo-boo’s”.  Whenever we pass by the lingerie aisle, she giggles a little and points.  Calling bras “Boo-boo patches” is a little joke that we share and saying it makes us both giggle.

And why are we talking about bras and boo-boo’s at ParentSphere?  Well, duh.  It’s National Breast Cancer Awareness month, I’m a woman and I care about all of my lady friends.  So, let’s discuss.

Finding a lump is one of my biggest fears.  Do you check yourself on a monthly basis?  Don’t you think we all should?  Yeah, I do too.  So, I’m setting a reminder for myself every month because I have many reasons to stay on top of my health.

I lost my dad to cancer and my mom has had skin cancer.  I know all about cancer.  I have a cousin who is going through treatments right now and an aunt who went through it a couple of years ago.  These ladies and all of the women who have dealt with breast cancer in some form or another are my inspiration.  I bet if you think about it, someone who has touched your life has gone through it, too.

How do you recognize and support breast cancer awareness?  Let me tell you how I do.

I have been a follower and supporter of Boarding for Breast Cancer for several years.  I first learned about this non-profit breast cancer organization in 2007 at the Vans Warped Tour in Chicago.  I remember thinking, “Wow, very cool.  Someone is finally reaching out to and educating the younger crowd.”  I have sported a B4BC decal on my vehicle and wear a pink B4BC wrist-band ever since touching the jelly breast self-exam boobs at Warped (and I’m proud of it).

So, what is this organization all about?  Staying active, raising awareness and supporting a cause.  B4BC was founded by professional women snowboarders, Tina Basich and Shannon Dunn.  Boarding for Breast Cancer actively educates and raises breast cancer awareness across the country.  I am currently a supporter but plan on getting more involved by volunteering at events around my area in the future.

I have also shown my support of this awesome group’s initiatives by purchasing these two tees:

Billabong – Protect your Tetons tee and Paul Frank – Take Care of the Ladies tee

When you purchase items from the B4BC Official Store, all of the proceeds from your purchases support B4BC’s educational outreach efforts.

Other ways you can show your support for B4BC is by telling all of the young ladies in your life about this “cool” organization,
follow B4BC on Twitter, “Like” their Facebook Page, and/or subscribe to their mailing list to stay up-to-date on their initiatives.  You could also consider volunteering for B4BC when they come to your town.

Last but most certainly not least, check out the Boarding for Breast Cancer, “7 Steps to Stomp out Breast Cancer” interactive guide.

There has been much talk in my house lately about eating better and living a healthier lifestyle.  I have never been one to spend too much time focusing on my eating and exercise habits (or lack-thereof) and in the past few years, my figure has spilled the beans on that big secret.  I’ve always been a fair weather fan of exercising and still sneak the occasional pack of peanut butter M&M’s.  It’s not that I make completely bad choices in the food that I eat, but I really don’t have a set regimen.  However, it’s becoming more apparent that since there are now children involved, I possibly need one.  Read on.

I was going to ask Eric to write a post here about healthy eating and exercising but that’s silly because, he’s got an entire blog about it.  My husband is determined and very passionate about eating healthy and exercising.  The proof is in his rapid weight loss over the past 6 months.  It’s also obvious how badly he wants me and the kids to join him on his journey of eating and living primal/paleo.  But you wouldn’t know it when he brings home a tub of cookie dough for us. (Enabler!)  However, he redeemed himself this summer with his deck container-garden.  I was able to make plenty of my favorite Caprese salads with garden fresh basil and tomatoes.

I don’t disagree that his idea of healthy eating and weight loss isn’t a good one (because it’s obviously working for him), but I’m just not one of those people who can follow a specific plan or go on a “diet”.  In fact, I kind of hate that word and the idea behind it, so I try not to use it.  I am more of a go with the flow, take it as it comes kind of person and believe that we can make conscious decisions about the food we eat without too many crazy restrictions.  Thinking about following a specific plan just gets me all sorts of out of whack.  Also, I love ice cream.

At the same time, I realize that I cannot just think of my own health anymore.  I have a family and it’s up to me to make sure my kids are learning about being healthy and that we act on what we know and preach to them.  Admittedly, I struggle with feeding my kids super healthy food on a daily basis.  I could give you a slew of excuses for why that is.  I’m a big fan of quick and easy (no, not fast food all of the time, rarely ever actually).  So, I go with what we have in our house on any given day.  Luckily, my kids like fruit and “some” vegetables.  It’s tough with the soon-t0-be five year old, because she’s picky, like her mother.  However, she will sit and munch on red peppers and carrots as a snack.  We can give the toddler anything and she’ll eat it.  That can be good and bad at times.  My goal with the “second child” was to only feed her very healthy foods right from the start, so we don’t have the pickiness problem later on.  (It’s going to work, right?  RIGHT?)

My main problem is that I’m not overly creative in the kitchen.  Not that I don’t want to be, but I don’t have time each day, so if I don’t plan meals ahead, say on a Sunday, we fly by the seat of our pants on the weekdays.  My kids eat a lot of chicken and fish (of the frozen variety).  My toddler is obsessed with apples (there is a debate on whether or not that was her first word).  We don’t stay completely away from “junk” food but we’re careful not to get super junky food.  Like, snacks are mainly graham crackers and baked goldfish snacks.  We totally nosh on trail mix (yes, the kind with M&M’s, sue me) and yogurt with granola sprinkled on top.  Want to know what my father-in-law ate for a snack when he was a kid?  LARD.  That’s right.  So, I don’t think we’re doing all that terribly here.

Most importantly, we are conscious of our eating habits.  We don’t eat bad all of the time but we leave room for improvement.  In my opinion, this is something that will come with time.  Our kids are watching us and it’s important that we at least talk about it and teach them what healthy eating habits are.  It’s a learning experience for us all.

Don’t stop reading here.  Please take a look at what my Yahoo! Mother Board sisters have to say about healthy eating.

Jamba All Natural Smoothies

Add 8 0z. of apple juice and blend away.  Each pack contains enough fruit for 2 – 8 oz. smoothies.

No artificial flavors, no artificial colors and no preservatives.  Just a full serving of fruit, non-fat yogurt and Jamba’s antioxidant boost.

I love ‘em.  The kids love ‘em.  You can get them at these places.

By the way, have you heard about the new cheeseburger chill smoothie at Jamba Juice?  Mmm. Mmm. Mmm!

Well…I stand corrected.

My second baby is a pacifier baby.  Those “paci’s” help her stay calm.  Here we are, 10 + months later and not a whole heck of a lot has changed in the fussy department.

Initially, I scoffed at the idea of pacifier sanitizers or sterilizers.  If the binky falls on the floor, whatever, just wipe it off on my sleeve and stick it back into her mouth.  Well, the older she gets, the more she drops it.  The more she drops it, the more I think about the nasty stuff it comes into contact with.

So, as I gather all of my travel necessities, I think about those pacifiers and how I am going to make sure they are sanitary enough to put into my precious baby’s mouth.  She’ll drop them on the floor of the airport, airplane, on the bus from the airport to the resort, and so on.  I’m not too keen on the idea of rinsing off her pacifiers with the tap water in the hotel and I don’t really want to have to find a place to boil my bottled drinking water.

We heard about Pipila from our PR buddies for DesignRoom Group and Little Honey.  Right away, I’m thinking, “Ok.  This thing has to come with us on our vacations.”  If it does what they say it’s supposed to do, kill up to 99.9% of germs residing on the pacifier, then I can’t complain.

I don’t have an “official” way to test the results from the 6 minute sterilization process, but I have to believe that this portable UV pacifier sterilizer works.  Pipila retails just under US $30 and for the money and peace of mind you get, I can tell you it’s worth it.  It’s quiet, quick and convenient.  I’m throwing mine into the diaper bag and it’s going to travel thousands of miles with us and I imagine it’s going to get quite a bit of use.  I can even use it to sterilize the bottle nipples.  I love a product that can serve a multipurpose.

Pipila is easy enough to find throughout the US.  Designroom Group sells them for $29 (they also have a lot of other fun things to browse through).

You’ll hear more about Pipila in a “travel” conversation I recently had with the owner of Little Honey.  Will soon post for your listening pleasure.

So many people comment on my 10 month old’s stunning blue eyes, so, I feel the need to protect those baby blues while we’re spending our days outdoors, underneath the hot, glaring sun.

I know how bad that beautiful sun can be for our skin and eyes, so it’s my job to make sure my kids have reliable eye protection.  Said 10 month old is going to rock the above Pink Camo Baby Banz (sent to us from Baby Banz), at the beach next week.  With 100% UV protective lenses, I can feel at ease about her gorgeous baby blues.

Speaking of her gorgeous eyes, just last week I had her vision checked under the FREE InfantSEE program.

It was easy enough to do.  I just went to the InfantSEE website and used their Dr. Locator search to find an InfantSEE provider in my area.  I made a phone call to one of the AOA members and made the appointment.

A series of vision tests were performed on the baby and she only fussed a little when the optometrist was trying to get a really good look into her pupils (all he did was try to hold her eyelids open so he could look in, nothing terribly traumatizing).  It was easy as pie and now, I have peace of mind.  Second best part was – we walked out of the office without paying a dime.

If you happen to live in the Chicago suburbs – I highly recommend Scott Eye Care in Oswego, IL.  Dr. Ronald Weingart was simply amazing with the baby.

Another reason I bring up the InfantSEE program is because Baby Banz is a member of the InfantSEE Family Tree.

Baby Banz was founded in 2001 in Australia and debuted in America in 2002.  Since their beginning, Baby Banz has added just under a dozen styles of different baby sunglasses to their collection, as well as, UV clothing and accessories.  Their kid-size wrap-around sunglasses have 100% UV protective lenses and retail around US $20.

We’re kicking off summer with a Baby Banz giveaway.  Winner gets a pair of Baby Banz sunglasses of their choice.  This giveaway is open to continental US residents only.

To enter:

1. Leave your entry comment on this post with your favorite style of Baby and Kidz Banz.  Choose from: Adventure BanZ (ages 0-5), Ultimate BanZ (ages 0-5), JBanZ (ages 4-10), Retro Banz (ages 0-5)

2. Want a second entry?  FINE.  Head over to Baby Banz Facebook fan page and “Like it”.  Come back, leave another comment and let us know.

3. Really want to win?  You can leave another entry comment on this post if you Tweet about this giveaway.

Just come back here and leave a comment with the link to your Tweet and your Twitter “handle”.  I’ll make this part easy, you can copy and paste the following text for your Tweet (it just fits, I checked):

Do you know how cool @babybanz 100% UV protective sunglasses are? Just ask @ParentSphere – they’re giving a pair away http://bit.ly/chnsVj

(Whatever you end up Tweeting, just make sure you mention @babybanz and @ParentSphere in your Tweet!)

You have until midnight PST on Monday, May 24, 2010 to enter.  Winner will be chosen using Random.org’s number generator and will be emailed and publicly announced on Tuesday.

Please check out these fantastic sun-safety tips on your way out.  Good luck!

***ParentSphere readers can also take advantage of 10% off all orders from the US Baby Banz site now through June 30, 2010.  Enter code:  PSPHERE

I just found out about Infant Swimming Resource.  I watched this video and my chest tightened as my eyes welled up with tears.  The 11 month old baby in the video is an ISR student, so he has the skills to survive if he ever finds himself in an unfortunate situation, like the one in the video.  While I watched, I thought about my own 10 month old.  I pictured her falling into a pool or lake.  She wouldn’t have the skills to be able to survive.  That thought is extremely hard for me to handle.  I’m planning to enroll her in Infant Swimming Resource lessons at a local facility.

I recently had an eye-opening conversation with Dr. Harvey Barnett, founder of Infant Swimming Resource.  He founded the program in 1966 when he was 18 years old and ever since, along with his team of professional ISR swim instructors, has been teaching infants from 6 months to children up to 6 years old, the skill of surviving in the water.

Have a listen to our conversation.  You will learn some excellent tips to help you while you’re at the beach, lake or pool.

Conversation with Dr. Harvey Barnett – Infant Swimming Resource

These 7 Water Safety Tips have been provided by Infant Swimming Resource:

7 Water Safety Tips:

CEO (Constant Eyes-On) Supervision – Never turn your back on your child around water. It takes just seconds for him/her to be in serious trouble. Assign supervision responsibilities so there are never questions about which adult is responsible for watching the child.

Safeguard Your Pool – Build layers of defense around the pool. Permanent four-sided fencing that encloses the entire pool area should be four to six feet high and equipped with self-closing, self-latching gates.

Put Toys Away – Remove all toys from the pool when they are not in use. These colorful objects can be very attractive to little eyes. This also includes furniture and other objects in the pool area that children might use to climb over the fence.

Eliminate Distractions – The leading cause of distractions around the pool is an adult leaving to answer the phone, attend to something inside the home or helping someone else in or around the water. If you must leave, take the child/children with you.

Teach Water Safety – Learn and enforce all the water rules and, above all, teach by your example — never swim alone, obey lifeguard warnings, refrain from running around pool decks, follow ‘no diving’ signs, and always wear a life jacket when boating, fishing or playing in or near deep or fast-moving water.

Flotation Device Dangers – Flotation devices such as armbands, floatation rings and inflatable toys give parents and children a false sense of security. These devices can shift suddenly, deflate or slip from underneath, leaving a child in a very dangerous situation.

Self-Rescue Swimming Lessons – Do your research in selecting an effective swimming program. Choose a program that will teach your child the skills to survive in the water. Self-Rescue skills are vital for infants and young children if they were to end up in the water alone. Instructors should have current CPR and first aid certification. Confirm that the instructor is certified to teach survival swimming skills.

Find a certified ISR Instructor in your area (the Instructor Locator is located on the left-hand side of the site).

We have used many different toothbrushes and just started brushing with the GUM® Summit®+ Toothbrush.  It works a.o.k. for us.  It gets the job done and that’s all that matters when it comes to oral hygiene.

The kiddo is using the GUM® Crayola™ Timer Light Toothbrush.  Here she is in action:

Now, it’s time for us to make that first dentist appointment!  Here’s hoping it all goes well.