Madelyn has been wearing her Robeez booties almost every day for about a month. 

They are teddy bear soft on the inside and easy for her to put on by herself which is a big deal for most moms, right?  The booties are washable and are available in sizes 0-6 month to 3-4 years.  Madelyn wears her Robeez booties around the house and to friends houses.  They are not great for playing in the yard because of the suede soles, but she has a couple of other pairs of Robeez shoes that she wears to play in.

Robeez is a well known brand of infant and toddler shoes that makes quality shoes for kids affordable and often has great sales.  Robeez is the premier baby and toddler shoe brand, providing soft-soled and flex-soled footwear that supports the healthy development of little feet. Always functional and fashionable, Robeez shoes are a favorite with parents and medical experts around the world.

Buy and browse Robeez Booties on Amazon.com.
GIVEAWAY!
Robeez is giving a lucky winner a pair of shoes.  Robeez will choose the style once the winner chooses a gender and size.
Fill out the form below to enter.  Contest entries accepted until February 20th, 2010.

Robeez suede sole booties is a post from: The Mommy Insider. It looks like you are reading this post in your favorite RSS reader. Don't be shy..hop on over to check out our current giveaways, coupon codes, and to share your comments!

Madelyn can’t hide from me now – she squeaks!

Madelyn recently got a pair of KatieBugShoes.com Pickle shoes and I wish I had the video camera shooting when she put them for the first time.. her face was so funny! She didn’t know what was going on with her feet.
She took off like a crazy girl about 5 seconds after she realized how fun it was to wear squeaky shoes. She ran around the middle level of the house at least 3 times without stopping. We were all cracking up!

These are not your average squeaky shoes. Pickle Shoes are perfect for early walkers and toddlers ages 1-4. I am very impressed with the flexibility and softness of the Pickle’s Supplesoft leather. Madelyn was able to walk run in them right away without needing a “break in” period. Just as is stated on the Katie Bug Shoes website, “Your child won’t want to take them off!”.. Madelyn doesn’t want to take her squeaky shoes off once she has them on. What’s really cool is that the squeakers are removable which means that she can wear the shoes to school and not get kicked out! You can feel pretty confident that you won’t lose track of your child while at the playground if she’s wearing Katie Bug Shoes’ squeaky shoes.. that’s for sure! That’s not an excuse to take your eyes off your child at the playground though.
Like I’ve done with the kids over the years, I’ve learned to tune the squeaking noise out when we’re at home. She loves to go up and down the stairs and make ‘songs’ with her squeaky shoes. Cute.

Madelyn wears a size 9-10 shoe but their largest size, size 8, fits her great. She can even wear socks as shown in the photograph and video above.

More about Katie Bug Shoes:

• Squeakers can be removed
• Non skid soles
• Lots of styles
• Sizes 4-8

GIVEAWAY!

Shoe Review + Giveaway: Katie Bug Shoes is a post from: The Mommy Insider. It looks like you are reading this post in your favorite RSS reader. Don't be shy..hop on over to check out our current giveaways, coupon codes, and to share your comments!

I know you’ve heard it a million times… 4 out of 5 car seats are installed incorrectly according to a recent NHTSA study.

On with the good news..

Evenflo’s new Symphony 65 car seat features the exclusive SureLATCH system, designed to provide a super-fast, tight and safe installation every time with a simple Click, Click, Push.

My experiences with and thoughts about the Symphony 65

Latch System

With SureLATCH, the Symphony 65 car seat is properly installed in 3 steps. The SureLATCH is easier than our pre-Symphony 65 car seat with the latch system. I don’t have to put my knee in the seat and push down like I’m trying to squish an elephant in order to get the latches in and the car seat tight to the seat. If your car doesn’t have the Latch system, you ca install the Symphony 65 with the seatbelt and given that it is installed correct, it will be just as safe.

Infinite Slide™ Harness Shoulder Straps

I love this feature! I don’t have to take the seat cover off to re-lace the straps as Madelyn gets taller. The Symphony 65 car seat straps slide up and down on a rail system (Infinite Slide) and I can easily adjust the shoulder straps while Madelyn’s in the car seat. “The Infinite Slide Harness Adjustment System makes for easier height adjustment with no rethreading.”

Seat Tilt and Headrest Adjustments

Changing the tilt of the car seat is easy as is changing the height of the headrest. Both are one-handed operations.. unless you try to do both at the same time in which case you are a great multi-tasking mommy and I envy you.

Protection and Comfort

The Symphony 65 car seat features energy absorbing foam liner and side impact protection. The pieces in the headrest that round out for side impact protection also keep Madelyn’s head from falling to the side when she falls asleep in the car seat. Madelyn has enough room to sit ‘criss cross apple sauce’ as they say in school, proving that the Symphony 65 is a very spacious yet safe car seat. Great for long road trips. Comfort Touch fabric makes the seat both aesthetically and physically pleasing for the adults driving the car as well as for the child sitting in the seat. Energy absorbing foam liner.

Cup Holder

A cup holder is something that I believe no car seat or stroller should be without. Madelyn can reach the Symphony 65′s cup holder unlike with our Britax.. which didn’t have a cup holder. Granted, the seat is almost 3 years old. Before using this car seat she had to put her cup in the actual seat’s cup holder but then couldn’t get it back out! You think she would have figured out that she shouldn’t do that, but she kept trying. The Symphony 65′s repositionable cup holder folds up small so it’s not in the way or bulky and best of all, Madelyn can reach it.

Age

The Symphony 65 accommodates children from 5-35 pounds and can be used rear or front facing. This could be the only car seat your child needs.

Design and Style

The Evenflo Symphony 65 is available in two stylish designs, one great for cars with a grey interior and the other for beige.

The Symphony 65 is larger than my old Britax which I think is fine but it doesn’t fit well in my husbands Volvo sedan which has bucket seats. In his car, the car seat comes within about 6 inches of the front seat so the person sitting in front of Madelyn may get an back massage in the form of tiny feet kicking the seat.
Buy the Evenflo Symphony 65 Convertible Car Seat at Amazon.com for $199 or less.

GIVEAWAY!

My review of the new Evenflo Symphony 65 car seat and a giveaway is a post from: The Mommy Insider. It looks like you are reading this post in your favorite RSS reader. Don't be shy..hop on over to check out our current giveaways, coupon codes, and to share your comments!

I am a huge fan of Mutsy strollers. I’ve been pushing Madelyn, now 3, around in a Mutsy 4Rider (read my Mutsy 4Rider review here) since she was a baby.

I just got a new Mutsy yesterday and shucks if it isn’t a rainy day today so I’m about to open and put it together in the house. I can’t wait for a sunny day.. are you crazy.. it’s a Mutsy!

Key features of the Mutsy Transporter stroller

interchangeability This light flexible Mutsy stroller can be used in combination with a Mutsy bassinnett, a seat cover, and different infant car seats. This buggy is characterized by its ease of operation, a height adjustable push bar and its compact volume when folded.
steering The Transporter is very flexible and maneuverable on account of 2 front swivel wheels. Using the catches above the front wheels, the swivel wheels can be locked into position. The height adjustable handlebar thrills my husband to no end because he is tall and needs the handlebar to be out further than I so he doesn’t kick the stroller every time he takes a step.
folding The Transporter can be folded quickly into a compact form. Furthermore, only minimum work is required to fold the Transporter, as you do not have to remove the seat prior to folding the frame.

More information

Netherlands-based Mutsy, recognized for its modernistic stroller designs featuring a distinctive modular, flexible system, introduces the Transporter, the company’s most affordable and lightest weight stroller to date. The new combination stroller is ideal for the cost conscious parent seeking a high quality baby transport solution.

Ideal for parents on the go, the sporty, full-size Transporter can be used in combination with a bassinet (sold separately) or Graco, Peg-Perego or Maxi-Cosi car seat (optional car seat adapters are sold separately). The bassinet and car seat adapter easily clicks onto the frame over the stroller seat, easing mom’s ability to switch between modes. Additionally, the Transporter seat can easily be completely removed for a sleek look as a pram or travel system. Two front swivel wheels offer exceptional flexibility and maneuverability. Transporter can be folded quickly into an extremely compact form with minimal effort. The four quick-release wheels are easily removable, allowing for even greater compactness and lightness when folded. The deep and padded reclining seat and large, protective hood create a comfortable and serene environment for napping or strolling on a sunny day. A foot rest provides comfort for an older child, and a convenient shopping basket is also included. Other features include height adjustable 4-position push bar and back support adjustment.

The Mutsy Transporter is available in Black, Grey, Red and Sand.

Where can I buy it? here at Amazon.com

How much is it? The recommended retail price is $399 and the optional bassinet is $150

COUPON CODE: Get 10% off any order at Mutsy.com with code minsider10.

Introducing the arrival of the new Mutsy Transporter + a 10% off coupon code! is a post from: The Mommy Insider. It looks like you are reading this post in your favorite RSS reader. Don't be shy..hop on over to check out our current giveaways, coupon codes, and to share your comments!

A child of any age will love this adorable handmade Cupcake Birthday Hat! What a great way to remember your child’s birthday for many years to come.
It measures approx 7 inches to top of candle. Elastic goes under chin and behind ears. Shipped a little large so it can be tied to fit tighter if needed.
Gift packaged and shipped in a recycled box.
Personalized Cupcake Birthday Hats available too!
How much is it? $17-$19
Where can I buy it? Sew Cute Sweets

Sept. 23 Must-Have: Cupcake Birthday Hat is a post from: The Mommy Insider. It looks like you are reading this post in your favorite RSS reader. Don't be shy..hop on over to check out our current giveaways, coupon codes, and to share your comments!

Swarovski crystal binky bling clips are all of the rage in Hollywood. Make your precious angel stand out in a crowd like a star with a Swarovski crystal emebelissed pacifier clip.

Baby Bling pacifier holders are engineered by hand with baby safe products and genuine Swarovski crystals. Crystals are double reinforced for baby’s safety. Baby Bling is compatible with all pacifiers. Made in U.S.A.

How much? $22
Where do I buy it? Pink Taffy Designs

Sept. 16th Must Have: Cupcake Baby Bling Binky Clip is a post from: The Mommy Insider. It looks like you are reading this post in your favorite RSS reader. Don't be shy..hop on over to check out our current giveaways, coupon codes, and to share your comments!