Our First Pampers Rewards - Free Gifts for Buying Diapers!

As I mentioned in a previous post, I was way behind when I signed up for Pampers Rewards.. I think our little one was 10 months old when we started (oh all those months of diaper codes I could have used!). Since then I've been entering codes every time I can and saving them up. 

Initially I was going to wait and get one of the big items for Miss M, but the other week I decided to trade some points in and get something small for her.  I saw this Little Bakers Cupcake set from Step 2 and thought it would be great for her to play with when she's using the kitchen helper I was making her.  Redeeming the points was very easy - just log in, choose your reward, check out, and confirm your mailing address.  Done!  

The cupcake set wasn't as rugged as I was hoping for considering it's from Step 2, but it is very, very cute.  The set comes with a tray, six cupcakes, and six interchangeable frosting tops.  Our little one can't quite get them on and off herself yet but she is really enjoying them still. 

And, of course the best part about it was they were free!  I didn't even have to pay shipping, which was amazing (note: some items you do have to pay shipping for).  I'm looking forward to ordering more free gifts.. just have to remember to keep entering my codes!

PS - I just stumbled across an account on Instagram that shares some of the free codes Pampers releases for promotions.  Follow @free_pampers_codes to help boost your point total!  

Want to see what else we got from Pampers Rewards?  Check out my other posts:  

• Our 2nd Pampers Rewards:  Little Tikes Shopping Cart
• Our 3rd Pampers Rewards:  Potty Training Chart
• Our 4th Pampers Rewards:  Melissa and Doug Tool Kit

Please note items available from Pampers Rewards are subject to change.  

Nûby Review: Splash n' Catch Bathtime Fishing Set

Today I'm reviewing Nûby's Splash n' Catch Bathtime Fishing Set.  I was so excited to receive this as our little one loves "catching" everything in a net lately.  In fact, one of her favorite things to do is throw the mesh bag for her blocks (which is pretty small) on top of our black lab's back and shriek with delight that she captured her, it's pretty adorable.  | This post contains affiliate links and an honest review of products provided to us by Nûby |

The Splash n' Catch is recommended for ages 18+ months and comes with a fishing net and four colorful sea animals that can be linked together.  It's BPA-free and, according to Nûby also PVC-free, which is very important to us.  Miss M loves catching the animals and taking them in and out of the net.  She's also been playing with this toy out of the tub and has been enjoying putting all kinds of things into the net - small blocks, her snacks, a shoe, etc.  

This toy is great for developing hand-eye coordination and teaching your little one some colors.  The one small flaw of this toy that we found is our little one can't link and unlink the animals together on her own, but maybe with time she will be able to.  

The Splash n' Catch Fishing Set would also be a great toy to bring outside and use in the kiddie pool or water table and I know we'll definitely be bringing it outside this summer.  

Miss M loved putting her other bath toys in the net too (pictured are Nûby's Bath Letters and Numbers).  

- I received this item for review from Nûby but all opinions expressed are my own.  Please see our full Disclosure Policy for more information -   

Nûby's Splash n' Catch Bathtime Fishing Set can be purchased at various retailers including Kohl's and Amazon.  

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Local Product Love: Maine Leather Co.

Today I wanted to share about this awesome little leather goods company called Maine Leather Co., based out of Portland, Maine.  It's run by Belle Hilmer, who makes every product with lots of love.  Each item is made of great quality, rich leather and is cut, sewn, and riveted together by hand.  

Maine Leather Co. offers a lot of different items - from wallets, to catch-alls, to bags (their Signature Tote is gorgeous!), and even beer coozies - all will an underlying love for Maine.  

I got one of their catch-alls a little while ago and have been hiding it away it for my husband's birthday, but now that his birthday has gone by I can finally share it with you.  In the past, my husband usually leaves his keys, sunglasses, and wallet in his hat by the door but I really wanted to get him something nicer to corral these things.  His family has a deep history in Maine, his Grandfather was a logger way up in "the county," so having the state of Maine sewn into the tray definitely has personal meaning to him.  

Maine Leather Co.'s products show a great love for their home state - whether it's boldly emblazoned front and center or a subtle rivet with a tiny Maine outline, their state pride is strong.  

The details and craftsmanship are wonderful.  The outline of Maine is sewn into the leather in such a way that there are no knots, even the back looks beautiful!  

Follow Maine Leather Co.  
|  Shop  |  Facebook  |  Instagram  |  Twitter  |

- I received a shop credit towards this product as part of a promotion, but all opinions expressed are my own. -

Nûby Review: Bath Letters and Numbers + GIVEAWAY!

Today I'm reviewing Nûby's Bath Letters and Numbers - and to top it off we're giving away a set of these over on Instagram (details below)!  | This post contains affiliate links and an honest review of products provided to us by Nuby |

I was so excited when we received these Bath Letters and Number to review from Nûby.  I was looking for something a little different than the boats and rubber animals Miss M has now and I thought these foam letters would be a nice change of pace.  

These bath letters are phthalate and BPA free which is very important to us, and are recommended for ages 18+ months.  Right now Maddie just loves the colors and shapes of them but as she gets older these will be a great tool to teach numbers and letters.  They stick remarkably well to the wall of the tub when wet, and our little one had a lot of fun moving them around and taking them on and off. 

I initially had some reservations that these would stay wet for a long time and get yucky in storage but that wasn't the case at all - the foam dries remarkably fast and holding moisture isn't an issue.  Overall these are a simple, fun toy for in and out of the tub.  

*GIVEAWAY*

We've partnered with Nûby to give a set of these Bath Letters and Numbers to one lucky winner on Instagram!  Follow me (@birchlandinghome) and find our giveaway post for details and to enter.  Good luck!  

- I received this item for review from Nûby but all opinions expressed are my own.  Please see our full Disclosure Policy for more information -   

Nûby's Bath Letters and Numbers can be purchased at BuyBabyDirect.com, Baby Depot, and Amazon.  

Nûby Review: No-Spill Insulated Cool Sipper

The last few days have been hot in New England and it (finally) feels like spring.  Even the last bit of snowbank in our yard has finally melted too - hooray!  I thought a warm day like today would be a great time to review our Nûby No-Spill Insulated Cool Sipper Cup.  | This post contains affiliate links and an honest review of products provided by Nûby |

This cup is a Step 4 training cup and is recommended for ages 18-months+.  Maddie is almost 17 months old and I think for most toddlers you could introduce this cup to them a little early if they seem ready.  Maddie has always been a bit behind in her oral development and so it took her a little longer than I think it would for most kids to get the hang of how to tip the cup up and sip through the spout, but she did it.  I can certainly see how this cup helps transition little ones to drink from an open cup.  

The cup has an insulated base which helped keep Miss M's water cold while we were drawing with chalk out on the hot pavement.  It has a soft silicone spout and is BPA-free which is very important to us.  I really liked that the cup only has three parts (cup, spout, and threaded top), which is so much easier to clean than the straw cups with a million parts that Maddie is currently using.  I'd say the only improvement that could make it easier to clean would be to make it dishwasher safe.  

- I received this item for review from Nûby but all opinions expressed are my own.  Please read our full Disclosure Policy for more information. -   

Nûby's No-Spill Insulated Cool Sipper can be purchased at Amazon and Big Lots.  

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Nûby Review: Octopus Floating Bath Toy

This is my first Nûby review and I am so excited to be a part of their Parent Blogger Network!  Maddie has been a huge fan of their sippy cups from the beginning, and for the longest time their Flip 'N Sip Straw Cup was the only kind she'd use.  They've sent me a few products to try and share with you, the first of which is their Octopus Floating Bath Toy.   

This little floating octopus comes with 3 fun-shaped rings to "toss" on his arms in the bath, and while the rings are too small to actually toss them on successfully it is a great toy to work on hand-eye coordination with.  Our little one loved taking the rings on and off repeatedly.  

The bright, fun colors and shapes of the octopus were also a big hit; Maddie was particularly drawn to his big googly-looking eyes.  In fact, when she was playing with it she pointed to his eye, looked at me, and said "eyeee" - the first time she's ever done that!  

One thing I loved about the design of this toy was that it didn't have a hole in the bottom, as most bath toys do.  Bath toys with a hole tend to hold moisture inside and grow mold so it's great that this one was fully enclosed.  

The one thing that really disappointed me about this toy though was that it's made out of PVC, a material that we consciously try to limit in our house - in fact we go as far as to only buy PVC-free shower curtains.  I didn't realize that it was made out of PVC until after her bath.  It's really unfortunate because Maddie loved the Octopus but the material is something we choose not to use.  

- I received this item for review from Nûby but all opinions expressed are my own -   

Nûby's Octopus Floating Bath Toy can be purchased at various retailers including Amazon and Kohl's.  

Follow Nûby | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram |  Pinterest |

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Nûby Parent Blogger

Excited to announce that I'll be joining the Nûby Parent Blogger Network!  

What does that mean?  Well, I'll be writing some reviews of Nûby products and maybe even doing the occasional giveaway right here on the blog!  Stay tuned.. :)

Our Top Baby Registry Must-Haves (many will surprise you!)

Getting ready for a new baby means.. a lot of stuff.  Like, a boatload.  Some stuff you’ll hardly ever use, and others you just couldn’t live without. 
Read on for some of our favorite baby registry must-haves - some will surprise you! 
| This post contains affiliate links |

1. Coconut Oil - This will become your go-to every time baby has dry skin or a rash. It helps treat cradle cap, dry skin, various diaper rashes, and heat rash. It's is a natural anti-fungal and antibacterial so it heals, moisturizes, and helps keep the issue from coming back.
   (FYI - coconut oil can be expensive.. the place where we've found the best deal has been in-store at Trader Joe's.)
   

2. Aden+Anais Swaddle Blankets – nearly all babies love to be swaddled, and these blankets are perfect. They’re made of very breathable muslin which helps ensure baby doesn't overheat and are also over-sized so you always have plenty of material to work with.
   When baby no longer wants to be swaddled, they make perfect lightweight stroller blankets.
   

3. Sophie the Giraffe - I thought this was the most ridiculous thing at first (nearly $20 for a little rubber giraffe? Really?!), but our daughter absolutely loves it! It was one of the first toys she could hold and play with thanks to it's long neck and legs, and all of it's different parts and textures give her a lot of options for teething.
   Now that she's crawling she loves holding on to Sophie and squeaking her against the floor as she goes along. It's become one of our daughter's favorite toys, though our dog did take some convincing that it wasn't for her.
   

4. Convertible Pack 'N Play (with bassinet + changing table) - In the first few weeks when you're sore and beyond exhausted, you're going to want some place close to put your baby down or change her. These convertible pack 'n plays are ideal, but don't get too carried away with them! When we were first comparing all our options we were tempted to get the most expensive one will all the bells and whistles, but instead settled for a mid-range model and I'm so glad we did. Our little baby outgrew the bassinet within weeks so if we had spent extra money on one with an extra-fancy bassinet it would have been for naught. As a whole though these pack 'n plays grow with baby, so this is a purchase you'll be using for a long time.
   

5. Insulated Lunch Box or Small Cooler - Bottle feeding or breast feeding, at some point you will need to take milk or formula with you. Whether you choose a novelty lunch box that will take your little one into daycare and preschool or an ordinary small cooler, having someplace to keep milk and first foods cold on the go is essential.
   

6. Baby Merlin's Magic Sleepsuit - This is another one of those things I thought was a total gimmick at first but after weeks of our little one walking up no less than 15 times a night (oh how I wish I was exaggerating) and refusing to nap during the day, I gave it a try and it certainly was magical!
   The Sleepsuit helps transition your little one when they no longer want to be swaddled, but are still being awoken by their Moro reflex. It allows them to sleep on their back in a stretched out position but the puffy padded suit helps "muffle" their startles, keeping them feeling cozy and safe and allowing them to fall back asleep on their own. The suit comes in two sizes (3-6 months and 6-9 months) and should no longer be used when baby is able to start to roll over in the suit.
   For us this suit was a sanity saver and got our little one's sleep back on track. It also was instrumental in helping us establish naps and start our daughter on a schedule when she was a few months old.
   

7. Stain Removers - Babies are messy, and you don't realize just how much so until you have one.
   So far Seventh Generation Natural Stain Remover Spray has been able to take down every laundry stain we've thrown at it - even set-in stains that have already been through the wash once already are no match for this spray.
   For the instances when baby poops, pees, or spits up on things that can't go through the washing machine (like the carpet or the couch) Bi-O-Kleen Bac-Out Stain and Odor Eliminator does a great job at lifting the stains and smells out.
   

8. Jogging Stroller - It doesn't matter if you're or runner or have never worked out a day in your life - get the jogging stroller over the regular stroller with the little wheels.
   After going for walks with friends that have regular strollers, it made me all the more thankful for our jogger! Our BOB stroller navigated the walking path and sidewalks with ease but for our small-wheeled stroller friends, relatively small cracks and uneven parts of the sidewalk became like hitting a brick wall with stroller, baby, and mom coming to an abrupt halt.
   And don't let price and compatibility deter you - my sister-in-law found our nearly $400 BOB stroller on Craigslist for only $40, so don't be afraid to buy used! Also most joggers have car seat adapters available so you can still use your travel system like you would with a regular stroller.
   

9. The Baby Book by Dr. Sears - Ever wish babies came with directions? This is probably as close as you'll come. This easy-to-read book covers all the basics and more and is a great reference for just about everything that will come your way.
   While you're pregnant I also highly recommend reading The Pregnancy Book and The Birth Book (also of the Sears Parenting series). I read several pregnancy/labor books while expecting and these were the most thorough books hands-down. And while they were a little too "touchy-feely" for my taste at times, I felt as though they really helped me prepare for and understand my pregnancy and labor.
   

10. Mattress Protection (for your mattress) - It's a given to get mattress covers for the baby's mattress, but until someone suggested one for our mattress too it never crossed my mind.
    In your last trimester get a good-quality, non-crinkly mattress cover for your own bed. That way in case your water breaks in bed, you're protected. Then even after baby is born, leave it on because at some point baby will poop, pee, or throw-up in your bed. It will happen more than once, trust me. And do you really want to ruin that $400 mattress? Didn't think so.
    

11. Fan - White noise can help lull a baby to sleep and good air circulation can help reduce the risk of SIDS, so having a fan near wear your baby sleeps is a great idea. Some people swear by sound machines to help their baby to sleep, but personally the thought of whale sounds going for hours on end gives me a headache.
    Whatever you decide to do, have a little white background noise and make sure baby's room is well-ventilated.
    

12. Infant Carrier – there are lots of great ones out there. I suggest going to a local Babies ‘R Us or baby boutique and try some on to see what features you like and don’t like. Some people really like a structured carrier (like an Ergo or Boba), and others prefer the ones made of stretchy material (like a Moby wrap). Personally, I prefer the structured carrier.. it’s definitely a lot easier to take on and off when you’re out and about. Just make sure not to get one that's considered a "crotch-dangler" - they're bad for baby's hips!
    Whatever you choose, baby-wearing is not only great for bonding but it’s a HUGE sanity saver. It allows you to be able to still get things done around the house when your little one won’t let you put them down.

That's our list of our top baby must-haves, but of course there are a million other things you'll need - diapers, wipes, bottles, breast pumps, diaper pail, saline drops, co-sleeper or bassinet, crib, high chair, car seat... The list goes on and on but we hope we gave you some ideas for things that you might not have thought of.  
It can be a hard and exhausting job, but motherhood is the most rewarding thing you'll ever do.  Good luck, Mama - you'll do great!  

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Related Posts:

• Important Tips for Creating Your Baby Registry

• Pain-Free Childbirth: My Hypnobirthing Experience

• “Things I Wish I Knew Before my C-Section”

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