Saturday, February 19, 2011

Mommy Has To Clean The House Too

Hello everyone!

I was very happy to read your comments on my post Ten Things My Baby { and I } Could Not Live Without and that you found my list useful. So, this morning I thought I should share with you my favorite household cleaning supplies. I know "how fun", but what can you do?
Mommy has to clean the house too.

Here they are:

Numero 1, the one and only Windex. I wonder what did people do before when surface cleaners did not exist? Soapy water? And then rinse? And then dry?....I love this surface cleaner ( I prefer the Crystal Rain it has a good smell, not so strong as the original). I clean tables, granite counter tops, windows, mirrors, glass, stove, sink, almost anything but wood and leather surfaces. Which takes me to...

Dust and Allergen, Outdoor Fresh, 12 oz. CFC-Free Aerosol
This is my favorite leather
and wood cleaner
2. Pledge Dust and Allergen. Love the smell of this one. I use it on marble, leather and wood. Leaves a nice shiny coat on the surfaces and repels dust.

CLOROX ANYWHERE HARD SURFACE SANIT. SPARY 9/22oz
Love the On The Go
size of this product
3. Clorox Anywhere- Hard Surfaces. Use it anywhere! I swear by this product. I keep one in my bathroom, one in the nursery and one downstairs under the kitchen sink. This product is so mild, yet it claims to be tough on germs as any Clorox should be. I wipe kitchen counters and any non-porous surface i use for food prepping. Is the only product i use to clean all the surfaces in the nursery. I use it also on the stroller, car seat, the food tray of the high chair, you name it. I like that it doesn't need to be rinsed.

* * Quick Tip: I also buy the on the go size and carry it in my diaper bag. I use to disinfect surfaces that baby would be touching for sure like restaurant tables or high chairs.

4. Tilex Mold and Mildew. Although I honestly do not have mildew/mold problems in my bathrooms, every now and then I see some small specs in the shower. No need to scrub here. Just spray, wait and rinse.
Works great.

Swiffer Dusters Extendable Handle Kit 1 set
This duster works great
on hard to reach places
5. Swiffer Duster (with the extendable handle).This duster really works like no other. I remember when I was a kid and my mom asked me to help dusting the house, the duster was a stick with feathers!! Very soft by the way but we know that it didn't do its job! The swiffer duster however, has an electrostatic pad that picks up the dust, doesn't spread it all around the air. I use the extender to reach high cabinets and shelves. I love how I can use it in all the nooks and crannies of my chaotic home-office. Oh! And It works great picking up cat hair (yes, I have a beautiful cat...One day I'll blog about her).

6. Swiffer Sweep Vacuum Cleaner. I love the fact that if I drop breadcrumbs, garlic peel, cookie crumbs, grains of rice (I'm not that messy, my stove is a little far from the sink and prep area) I just have to pull out this little very handy vacuum. Is very light, easy to clean and cordless. The only con I find is that  you can't use on very large areas before the battery is dead. {If you know of a good cordless and light vacuum that doesn't "die" quick, please drop me a comment}.

7. Swiffer Wetjet. This is the swiffer vacuum's soul mate. I couldn't  imagine having one and not the other. Same thing here: quick cleanup! It's light, it's hygienic (I love the disposable pads, I think it's worth the money) and the cleaner comes in 4 different varieties. The scrubby strip works great. The starter kit could be a little expensive, click here for money saving coupons!

Dawn Direct Foam Dishwashing Foam, Refill, Fresh Rapids Scent, 30.9 Fluid Ounce Bottles (Pack of 6)
You will love this
dishwashing foam
8. Dawn Direct Dishwashing Foam: Buy it once and then buy the refill! Two good reasons why I love this product and you will too: the foam dispenser allows you to use one hand. There's no need to  pick up the bottle and squeeze over the dishes (unless you transfer the liquid into a soap pump) and the other reason is that one little pump goes a long way.
I buy an average of one refill every 5 weeks.

9. Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner with Bleach. It's obvious. Why would you buy a toilet bowl cleaner that didn't have this shape? It makes toilet cleaning a bliss, disinfects and the job is done without touching a thing. And speaking of touch less, here is mi number 10 pick.

Scrubbing Bubbles Fresh Bubbles Flushable Refills, Citrus Action 12ct.
Fresh Brush: easy
and hygienic.
10. Johnson Scrubbing Bubbles Fresh Brush. Another obvious choice. Why would you use over and over again the same old school toilet brush?? Why??.  I can't imagine my cleaning routine without it. This is another product that requires refills and for some people could be an expensive option. But I like that it's flushable and very hygienic.

And that is all for my top ten cleaning items. I hope you find this list useful too and don't forget to drop me a comment if you own or know about a good cordless, lightweight floor vacuum.
I would love to hear from you!!

Have a lovely weekend!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Time is Up!


Time is up for posting comments on Ready for my First Giveaway?! and random.org has picked...



#22 Brittney !!!

Congratulations!

I will be contacting you via email with the CSN Stores gift card code!

Thank you all for participating! I am looking forward to do more giveaways in the near future!

Have a great day!

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Ten Things My Baby { and I } Could Not Live Without.

So, another night comes and I am headed to the bathroom to get the tub ready for my baby. I was so scared when I had to give him his first bath and now, I am bathing him religiously twice a day! Oh how things change!

As I am giving him his well deserved bath ( after a long day of drooling, playing on the floor, drooling, eating solids - which means more dirty diapers- and more drooling ) I think: hmm... I don't know what would I do without this wonderful tub. I am telling you it's a nice tub for baby! and then I saw a couple of more items I thought it would be nice to blog about. After all, I started this blog to spread the word of all the things I learn (and that includes the things I buy and try) while raising my baby. I am sure many mommies-to-be would find this blog post interesting
{so I hope ;)}.

My ten favorite things {as of today} are:




I have to admit, I put this tub on my baby shower registry just for the look of it. Anything "sea related" ? call me. But this tub turned out to be a good one. I like the ergonomic design, the padding for the baby's back and it's very roomy. My boy is 29.5" and still fits perfect. here you'll see that it comes with a toy bar! (mine is an older version and it doesn't have it but it is still the same great design. I love that the drain is a little bit elevated in the air that way it drains easily. I like to start draining the water as I'm bathing baby to make room for more fresh water I add as I rinse him. *Beware*: some reviewer mentions mildew accumulation under the baby stopper. Well, I have NEVER had it. I stand the tub upside and inside down after each use, that way all the water drips and I let it air dry. If you leave the tub laying flat inside the big tub, obviously there's gonna be some water that is not gonna drain so take my advice if you buy it or any other tub for that matter.




I am in LOVE with this baby wash. If you ever wanted to "bite your baby 'cause she's so cute" you will definitely bite her (gently please) after giving her a bath with this nourishing and delicious wash. It is so creamy and makes a fair amount of foam, just enough to feel like you're actually cleaning your baby's skin. As all Johnson's baby products it is made with the NO MORE TEARS formula. AWESOME! Baby loves it too. You'll see. Oh, don't forget to buy the lotion too. You need to keep the same scent after the bath!




What is it about Elmo that makes the littlest of babies smile? I don't know, I never really "studied" Elmo and his behavior until I watched my first Sesame Street EVER when my baby was born ( I know, weird right? I just never watched it) and now I think he's so sweet. This Elmo keeps my baby entertained and it is very useful. You definitely don't want the bare sharp and hard faucet near your baby's skin (or head) so this is a very nice addition to your baby needs list.





I can't believe I didn't have this rocker on my baby registry! Well, as a first time mommy I had to miss something right? It was so funny, I went to my girlfriend's baby shower (two days before my due date!) and she got a "bouncer seat" and I asked: What is that? WHAT???? you don't have one? You gotta have it, it's the best thing ever! YOU NEED IT! So I got home that night and googled and found a couple of options but I opted for thisone. It's a rocker, not a bouncer. It is awesome! Think about it, you can't have your newborn baby laying flat all day inside the crib or the playpen! poor thing! It sounds so logic now but when you're pregnant for the first time, there is so much to do, to learn and to think about, that some things can easily slip your mind. In my case, I didn't find a blog that said that I HAD to HAVE this item. My baby is 6 months and still rocking away (now he rocks himself how cool is that?) and I take this thing up and down the stairs all day, everyday. My baby comes with me all the time (bathroom, bedroom, nursery, home office, family room, you name it). Ah! and for that price, I got a second one we keep at grandma's. Cool!



Razbaby RaZberry Teether
Whoever came up with this idea, God Bless Him/Her! I first read about it on Parents Magazine when I was still pregnant. And finally the day came, my baby started teething and he would chew on anything in order to soothe his gums. None of the ordinary teething rings was good for him, his grip wasn't that good when he started teething and he would just drop them. But this, YES! He doesn't really suck on it (like a pacifier) 'cause -God bless him -he doesn't like pacifiers, but he grabs it by the ring and chews on it for 20 minutes at a time. That's enough time for me to fold all his laundry and put it away (while he's sitting here).





I trust this cream "since day two". Why not day one? because day one I used the other brand and it did not cure the first and only rash my newborn had. My husband picked up Balmex at the supermarket and came home saying: "Honey, I got this one. It says: Reduces redness in 1 diaper change". I am like: all right, let's see... MIRACLE! and that's why I trust Balmex since day two. And I have not changed since then. No diaper rash AT ALL! No kidding. My baby's bottom is as soft and clear as when he was just born, even now that he's eating solids. If you haven't tried it, you should!





My baby's nursery is nautical themed, so this crib attachment seemed very appropriate! You'll think that after 6 months listening to the same sounds and watching the same fishies he would be bored. Not at all, everyday he seems to discover something new. These soother is softly lit and it plays up to 18 minutes of classical music, lullabies or ocean sounds. It has big buttons that makes it easy for the baby to activate the sound. The crab plays peek-a-boo {adorable}, the whale hide and seek and the fish swims. The beautiful blue back light  fades away a little before the cycle of music ends. I was watching my baby on the monitor  (next item on this list) this morning and I saw him turn the soother on for the first time with his toes!! So cute! He seems very peaceful while watching it and now that he can sit for long periods, I can see how much he likes it. My favorite button is the Classical, even I enjoy the music myself. 
 




I didn't buy it and I didn't have it on my baby registry either. It was a gift from a very good friend on my baby shower. The reason I did not put a monitor on the registry was because when it comes to electronics I like my husband to make the decision. So I thought eventually I would go to the store with him and let him pick whatever he thought was good. Well, we didn't have to. My girlfriend couldn't believe I did not have a monitor on my list and she picked this one {she even included a one year service plan, how thoughtful! }.
I am very happy with it. The night vision is awesome, I still can't understand how this little camera can show such a clear image in a dark room like if there was a bright light on. The reception is very good, but I can only talk about my case where the nursery is about 50 ft away from my room. There are so many of these monitors in the market and although it is a very personal decision I definitely recommend
  



Of all the "chewable toys" that my baby has, "Cookie" is his favorite. I guess you can have a favorite toy when you are 4 months (that's when his aunt gave it to him) and wherever we go, if possible I carry it with us. I love that I can clip it on the straps of the stroller/car seat and it is still big enough for the baby to reach for it and suck on it. I throw it in the washing machine EVERY time I do laundry (that's like 7 times a week? ) and it has not faded neither developed any lint. That is huge! you definitely don't want your baby to put lint on his mouth. I love all the items I have listed so far but this one is my favorite. Maybe because  I love the picture perfect image of my son falling asleep holding really tight his Cookie Monster.




Yes, I know. I AM the one that can't live without the Ipad. However, I will give you three reasons why I put it on my list:
  • Uno: I can pull out "Elmo's Song" video in less than 5 seconds {no exaggeration here!}and if you haven't seen it yet, click here. This video has (as of today) 26,974,576 views. It is very sweet and keeps my baby busy enough for me to run and make a bottle or throw some clothes in the wash.
  • Dos: I downloaded this App called My First Words and believe it or not my baby smiles and has a good time touching the screen passing flashcards. Best of all you can make your own flashcards  adding your own pictures and record your own voice. A limited number of flashcards is free but you can get over 200 for just $0.99.
  • Tres: I can blog, read emails, update twitter and surf the web with one hand while rocking baby to sleep or sitting on the floor playing with him. No cables, no bulky battery, no mouse needed.

And those are my baby's ten favorite things that happen to be my favorite too incidentally. I would love to hear from you. What is that item or two or ten that make your life easier and your days happier?




 
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