Shower Game Winner: Marykate

Congratulations Marykate! You have won our baby shower game! You will be receiving your prize soon!

Thank you to everyone who played! We picked the winner by having someone randomly guess a number and then we counted down until we got to that person.

And now...to the shower...and gifts!

clean shopper.

It's flu-season...and you know what that means. Lots of nasty germs lurking everywhere you could imagine...and every place you never thought of. Unfortunately, some of it just can't be avoided...but there are some precautions that you can take.

That's where Clean Shopper comes in. It's a shopping cart cover for babies and toddlers with a one-piece construction that protects your children from harmful bacteria from all sides (back, front, sides, handlebars). It's 100% cotton-quilted fabric and has 2 built-in side pockets for storing sippy cups, cell phones and anything else (which could be great for when my hubby tries to stuff his keys and wallet into my already "popping-at-the-seams purse"!) It also includes two loops for toys, folds to a compact size, comes with a handy travel tote, and is machine washable and dryer safe.

I'm delighted to have my very own. Not only do they come in a wide array of fabric color and print choices - you can also choose between the "original," "super soft," or "disposable!" Now, I feel a little better about taking Lorelei out during Flu season, and a little less worried about who just touched the cart before us...and how clean the little seat is.

holiday candies

Ask anyone that knows me, and they will tell you that I LOVE sweets. In fact, when in a restaurant, I have a tendency of looking at the dessert menu FIRST! LOL. So, this time of year means lots of baking...and, well...eating for me.

I've compiled a few of my favorites for you, my wonderful readers:

Chocolate Cookie Crunch Bark

Prep Time:
20 min

Total Time:
1 hr 20 min

Makes:
14 servings, one piece each

1 pkg. (8 squares) BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate

1 pkg. (6 squares) BAKER'S Premium White Baking Chocolate

2 Tbsp. peanut butter

10 OREO Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

PLACE semi-sweet chocolate and white chocolate in separate medium microwaveable bowls. Microwave until completely melted, following directions on package. Add peanut butter to white chocolate; stir until well blended. Crumble half the cookies over chocolate in each bowl; mix well.

DROP spoonfuls of the chocolate mixtures onto wax paper-covered baking sheet, alternating the colors of the chocolates. Cut through chocolate mixtures several times with knife for marble effect.

REFRIGERATE at least 1 hour or until firm. Break into 14 pieces. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

Creamy Peanut Butter Fudge

Prep Time:
15 min

Total Time:
2 hr 30 min

Makes:
24 servings, two squares each

1-1/2 cups sugar

3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) butter or margarine

1 can (5 oz.) evaporated milk (about 2/3 cup)

1 pkg. (10-1/2 oz.) JET-PUFFED Miniature Marshmallows

2 pkg. (10 oz. each) peanut butter chips

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1 cup PLANTERS COCKTAIL Peanuts, coarsely chopped

LINE 13x9-inch pan with foil. Lightly grease foil; set aside.

PLACE sugar, butter, milk and marshmallows in large saucepan; cook on medium heat until mixture comes to boil, stirring constantly. Boil 5 min., stirring constantly. Add peanut butter chips and vanilla; cook until chips are completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring frequently. Spread immediately into prepared pan. Sprinkle with peanuts; press lightly into fudge.

REFRIGERATE several hours or overnight. Cut into 48 squares. Store in airtight container in refrigerator. For creamier fudge, let fudge stand at room temperature about 1 hour before serving.

Classic Chocolate Fudge

Prep time: 10 min Total time: 2hr 10 min Makes: 4 doz pieces

2 pkg. (8 squares each) BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate

1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk

2 tsp. vanilla

1 cup chopped PLANTERS Walnuts

LINE 8-inch square pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides of pan. Set aside. Microwave chocolate and milk in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 to 3 min. or until chocolate is almost melted, stirring after 2 min. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Blend in vanilla. Stir in walnuts.

SPREAD into prepared pan.

REFRIGERATE 2 hours or until firm. Lift fudge from pan, using foil handles. Cut into 48 pieces. Fudge can be stored in airtight container in refrigerator up to 1 week. For creamier fudge, remove from refrigerator and let stand at room temperature about 1 hour before serving.

check out www.kraftfoods.com for more great recipes!

virtual baby shower - game

We are about to announce a lovely woman who we are excited to shower with gifts. But what would a baby shower be without a game? Not a very good one, we say! So, here we go:

We invite EVERYONE to play!

The object? We have hidden a diaper pin. You get to find it. We'll give you a hint. Do you see the ads on the left (under "we love")? It's on one of our friends pages (you need to click the ads and scour their websites). Once you find the diaper pin, click on it (it should link back to a special post), and then follow the directions from there (you'll just have to give us a couple pieces of info (things like name, email, etc)).

And then, we'll draw a winner from THAT list and they will get a most fabulous little prize!

So come join in on the fun....and keep checking back for more...

Boca Beth

I love learning, and I hope to instill this love in my children. At only 8 months old, Lorelei is so very inquisitive and NOTHING gets past her. So, when I heard about the Boca Beth learning program, I knew I HAD to give it a try!

The Boca Beth My First Songs In Spanish CD is wonderful! With 15 songs, combining both English and Spanish around upbeat classic children's music, I just can't quit singing! With this CD, you will learn:

Days of the week, body parts, numbers (to ten), colors, manner words, greetings, and lots more!

So, why should you start teaching your little one, now?


Speaking Spanish is a skill that will reward your child for a lifetime. Get started early! Studies have shown that learning another language before the age of 6 helps children read sooner, show advanced cognitive development and score higher on math and verbal sections of standardized tests!

With all those benefits, why AREN’T your children learning Spanish??

The Boca Beth program was designed for children ages birth to 10 years and has been featured in the media (CNN, Parenting Magazine, The Detroit News to just name a few). It is also the winner of the Learning Magazine 2007 Teachers' Choice Award for the Family.

And guess what?! If you order before December 20, 2007 (4 PM EST), you will get your order by December 24, 2007 and FREE PRIORITY SHIPPING! Click HERE for details!

aden + anais

Learning to swaddle is an essential parenting technique that every parent must master if they ever expect to get a wink of sleep! Enter aden and anais, designer of muslin wraps for swaddling. I never really considered that what TYPE of blanket I was swaddling my precious bundle of joy in could make a difference...but why not?

Muslin has a light, open weave that allows air to flow seamlessly through the material. The soft natural fibers allow your baby's body temperature to adjust naturally, eliminating over-heating, but ensuring warmth and comfort. aden + anais wraps will allow you to safely swaddle your baby, giving you confidence that your baby will experience a peaceful and secure sleep.

And some other smart uses for them? Double it up and use it as an extra large burp cloth... Drape it over a stroller to shade your baby and protect against insects (while still allowing the fresh air IN)...Or shield you and your baby while nursing in public (especially great when it's warm out, allowing the cool breeze to come through).

I just received mine, and am just so amazed. The muslin wrap can be used to swaddle, or as a regular blanket. I love that it comes in many cute prints and is incredibly affordable! This item most definitely makes it to the top of my MUST HAVES list.

Congratulations aden + anais on a wonderful product. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Bella B.

Winter is here, and so is dry, itchy skin - even more-so if you also happen to be pregnant. I've fallen in love with Bella B Silk and Honey Moisturizing Body Cream. Thick and luscious, without feeling greasy, this body cream is wonderful for anyone needing a little pampering. It has a fresh, clean scent - making it perfect, especially for the queasy (hello first trimester!)

Bella B has an entire line of bodycare - from head to toe...all of which are free of petroleum, lanolin, mineral oils and parabens (artificial preservatives).