Little Helper Tower: Construction

I just wanted to give you guys a little update on the Little Helper Tower project I mentioned a couple posts ago. My Dad and I (with a little help from JD) started working on it the weekend before last and sure enough about two days later my dad had finished the whole project on his own. He really did an amazing job and I can't get over all the amazing details; from the fancy legs, to the perfectly sanded corners and all for about $30 bucks! Now all that's left to do is choose a color to paint it,  although JD has already begun using it around the house and telling everyone his Abu made it for him!

The Little Helper Tower

Since buying our home, hubby has started a collection of pretty nifty tools that I'm dying to get my hands on! Although we have about a million and one projects to get done around the house, there is one little project that I really want to try making for JD, a Little Helper Tower! JD loves helping me in the kitchen and this tower is a safe and fun way for him to reach the counter tops. Step stools like this one retail for around $150, but I came across DIY plans on Ana White, and the whole project comes out to around $20! I'm hoping to build it this weekend, just in time for Thanksgiving!

Safety 1st: Clear View Stove Knob Covers

Hi everyone, sorry for the lack of posts, but this weekend has been extremely hectic; we moved out of our apartment and into our new home and we haven't even connected our modem yet (thank God for my iPhone). I have tons of things to post about, including a whole bunch of pictures, but I wanted to start with something important, safety! In the last month or so JD learned how to open the baby gate we had installed in the kitchen of our apartment, so we decided in our new home we would toddler proof the kitchen, continue to teach him about things being hot (he already understands that the heater is hot and completely avoids it) and send the baby gate on a vacation. We have purchased a few new safety gadgets and Safety 1st's Clear View Stove Knob Covers are definitely one of my favorites. Our new stove doesn't require us to push the knob in when lighting it, this makes it very easy for JD to turn the stove on by just turning the knob, so these knob covers are perfect, they are inexpensive, very easy to install and of course toddler proof. I'll be posting a few more safety tips soon, so stay tuned!

Buggyguard Retractable Stroller Lock

If you love it, lock it!

Going to a theme park, restaurant, zoo or traveling somewhere? Now you can protect your investment when you have to leave your stroller unattended. These cute Buggyguard companions will secure your stroller & grant you peace of mind so you can focus on what matters most, your kids! The universal attachment fits all strollers, and it's compact so it's perfect for when you are on the go. Simply lock stroller to a stationary object or to itself by locking the wheels in place. Features push-button retraction, stainless steel cable and three-digit combination that can be reset.  I just purchased the adorable Monkey Buggyguard  for JD's new Stroller!

Graco My Ride 65 Convertible Car Seat

JD is finally old enough to sit in a forward facing car seat! He already has a big boy car seat (Evenflo Titan™ Elite Convertible Car Seat) in daddy’s truck, which was actually one of our baby shower gifts, but I was still driving around with JD in a rear facing infant car seat, until today that is. After a little research I found a really great car seat, at an even greater price and installed it myself this afternoon. As you can see here, JD seemed to like it too!

My Ride™ 65 Convertible Car Seat
$105.00
on sale with 20% off coupon

at Babies"R"Us

Sure and Secure Super Wide Custom Fit Gate

We started baby proofing our apartment a few months ago and still continue to do so as JD becomes more independent, but I never imagined it would be this hard. We started with the basics, the outlet covers, drawer latches, furniture safety straps, we even traded in our coffee table for a cushy and safe ottoman. Now, JD has become completely bored with the living room and has moved into crawling and cruising in the kitchen (which isn't always the safest place for a very curious baby); so we decided it was time to buy a baby gate, the only problem was our kitchen/dining room entrance is about 9 feet wide! After a few weeks of searching for the perfect gate, I came across the Sure and Secure Super Wide Custom Fit Gate by Summer Infant, which is fully adjustable to fit openings from 70" to 144". So, this weekend we finally bought it and the hubby installed it. Now we just have to wait and see if it will keep JD safely and securely out of the kitchen, except when he's mommy's little sous chef!

Sure and Secure Super Wide Custom Fit Gate

$80.00

Babies"R"Us

(with 20% off coupon) 

Infant and Child CPR Update

About a month ago I blogged about Infant and Child CPR Classes at TMMC and I’m proud to say that as of today, my Mom, my sister-in-law Mari (JD’s sitters) and myself are all Infant/Child CPR certified. Obviously, I hope we never have to use these skills on JD or any other child; but if we do, I’m confident in saying, we will be ready; with 25 dollars and 3 hours of your time, you can be ready too! 

Julian David

 

my reason for taking this class...

Infant and Child CPR

Although I probably should have done this a long time ago (about eight months ago), this weekend I realized that a crawling, climbing and almost walking baby can get into a whole lot of trouble; so the next to-do item on my list is to get Infant/Child CPR Certified.  Torrance Memorial Medical Center actually offers many classes to our community, for a small fee of course and an Infant/Child CPR class happens to be one of them, so I’ve officially signed JD’s sitters and myself up for this class. If you or anyone you know is interested in taking any of the following classes please call TMMC HealthLinks at (310) 517-4702, click here for 2010 Class schedule.

• Infant/Child CPR
• Adult CPR
• Childbirth Classes
• Newborn Care
• Breastfeeding
• Grandparenting
• Sibling Preparation
• SurperSitter (baby-sitting class for kids 12-16 years of age)

Walking Wings

About a week ago JD discovered his knees and with this discovery he has come to understand that with a little determination he can stand on his own. He has already mastered walking in his walker (on grandma and grandpa’s lovely hardwood floors) and every time we try to sit him down he thinks its time to climb and walk. So this little apparatus is really handy in aiding JD on his newest mission, “walking” (thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Lopez for sharing this great invention).

Walking Wings

$24.99

Target

Babies"R"Us

OneStepAhead

Help your baby learn to walk, the safer, more comfortable way! This unique harness allows baby to balance naturally and hands-free, for fast-growing confidence — without falling. It's healthier for baby's shoulders (no tugging on little arms) and kinder to your back (no more bending over!). With long, adjustable parent's straps and a soft, padded vest that fits 19"-26" chests. For babies 6 months and older.

JD strutting his stuff

Massive Maclaren Stroller Recall...

After going crazy looking for a stroller last month this recall seems ironic, especially since Maclaren was my first choice.

The CPSC reports that Maclaren USA is recalling all of their single and double umbrella strollers sold from 1999 through November 2009 – about one million strollers, in all. The models affected are Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, TechnoXLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveler.

Reports that the hinge mechanism in the back of the stroller can cut (or cut off) a child's fingertips has prompted the recall. If you own one of these strollers, you can contact Maclaren USA at (877) 688-2326 between 8 AM and 5 PM. ET Monday through Friday. Go to http://www.maclaren.us/recall for a repair kit.