the steal network

many months ago, i remember seeing on FB that my friend, jessica, had shared with us on her wall that Ergo Baby Carriers were available on BabySteals for almost half price!  intrigued as i was, i needed a new baby carrier (my Baby Bjorn wasn't cutting it as i didn't like how it "fit" my girls), and as much as i had previously "bookmarked" this site, i really had no idea what i was in for... until, i check it out.  i purchased my Ergo, and have bought some Bumboo Cloth Diapers (our nighttime fitted cloth diapers), Baby Banz sunglasses (pink for Coral Bliss and purple for Willow Kate), and some innobaby snack-size containers for when my girls are old enough.  


here are its deets:


what? you know those pricey items in the baby store/boutique that you'd LOVE to purchase, but the price tag just itches at your wallet?  well, look no further.  BS and KS offer fabulous mama-related or baby/kids-related brands/items for such a great price that it's a steal.  up to 80% off, you will save $, time, and headache from shopping around with your baby in tow to purchase the most perfect, practical necessities or gifts.  


where?  based out of UT, they quickly ship the package... i've seen my packages within three days of shipment.  the postage is a reasonable price, as well.


when? BabySteals.com - offers a 9a.m. and 9p.m. (MT) steal; KidSteals.com - offers a 9a.m. (MT) steal or visit the Steal Network to look at all of them at once.  make a decision fast because they sometimes sell out within minutes!  


how? so, let's say that you bought something that you ended up not using or rarely used.  there's this AWESOME site, KidCrawl.com where you can buy items that other parents (like you!) bought from the BS/KS/SS, but for roughly the same price!  no more ebay/amazon/craigslist shopping! :)

here's another similar site that you'll also bookmark:

Baby Half-Off - just like BS, but a different site.  local.  based in mesa.

happy shopping!!!

culture pass for phoenix-area

whoever created this idea is BRILLIANT!!!

my friend, jen and i just discovered the culture pass, and we are so thankful and stoked at the same time. :)  here are its deets:

what? admits 2 adults to a local museum/zoo/outdoor attraction for free.  

where? so far, we have visited to the Phoenix Children's Museum and the Arizona Science Center.  when the weather cools down, we plan on visiting the outdoorsy places like the Desert Botanical Garden, The Phoenix Zoo, and many more! :)

when? once you check out the pass, you have one week to use it, and then it will go back on the shelf.  they will give you a receipt that you will then take to the destination and get in free. :) you can only check out two passes per month.

why? to save families $$$ in this hard economical time AND for mamas to get out of the house and meet up for playdates!  especially good for the summer where you can go to an indoor place with ice-cold a/c!  it's a nice change to save some $ from the admission and instead buy lunch, pay for parking, and have a great playdate with your babies!  plus, you're not rushed to get through everything so you take your time because you can always go back for more. :)  finally, it's a CHEAP way to get to know the city if you're new to phoenix!

how?  first-come, first-serve at the local library (chandler, glendale, phoenix, peoria, mesa, scottsdale, or tempe)- only a limited amount available.  i've gotten two tickets so far in two weeks... how?  i "stalk" (ha ha) the phoenix library and the glendale library's catalogs (the latter one is closer to me and where i've gotten them), and consistently check when CP are due or if they are "sorting." 

here is the phoenix library's catalog.  search "culture pass" under "title," and see what's available close to you. 

here is the glendale library's catalog.  search "culture pass" under "exact title."

for more information, please visit here.

enjoy!!!

new mom tip #3

i love washcloths, but didn't always.  my preemies didn't really need a washcloth for me to fully bathe them.  my hand suited just fine.  so, for a long time, they just collected dust (ha ha) under our changing table.  then, my girls started to teethe, and i was told to give my girls a frozen washcloth.  brilliance.  it's great for me to even piggyback on their treasure and use on our hot days in AZ outside and about!  another great purpose (besides bathing, of course) is to give your baby a wet washcloth AFTER you finish feeding solids.  they "help" clean up their faces, hands by playing with the washcloth.  your job just got easier. :)

new mom tip #2

new mom tip #2


the carseat is quite versatile.  while your baby rides in it in the car (its main purpose), it also serves many more possibilities, such as: a make-shift high-chair, crib, bouncer, and the most-important, next-to-the-shower-seat-while-mama-takes-her-much-needed-daily-shower.  all while playing "peek-a-boo" without the words... as mama showers and little sleepyhead cozily nestles in the carseat in-between the door frame.  God bless the multi-purpose!

tips

i am going to start a new "new mom tip" section... albeit, it might be about newborns (been there, done that), infants (we're still put-putting here), toddlers (not quite there yet)...


new mom tip #1

whenever you leave the house, get out of the car, or a store, look towards the direction of the sun and shade your carseat/baby's head away from the sun.  pull the shade down.  whether you do it or not, your child will turn away from the brightness.  with blue/green eyes as being the most sensitive, your child's eyes will thank you.