It must have been destiny. When mom Jennifer Fleece wanted something softer than cotton for her baby’s crib sheet, she decided to make her own. Of what, you ask? Why fleece, of course! Fleece Baby was born, like almost all parent-invented products, of necessity. We’ve been reviewing Fleece Baby sheets and aren’t quite sure how we lived without them for so long.

Fleece Baby crib sheets & playpen sheets have a brilliant patent pending 6 inch deep pocket and elastic all the way around the bottom. They’re easy to get on (I was surprised that they were actually easier than less secure sheets) and easy to get off, yet no amount of tugging from the top by little hands will make them pop off. You actually have to lift the mattress.

One might think that fleece would be too hot. I thought that, but it’s absolutely not true. They’re definitely warmer than cotton sheets when they need to be, but they wick away moisture keeping babies cool, dry, and comfortable all night long. To test their moisture wicking ability (because I’m sure that’s what he was doing), my son dumped a bowl of water & eucalyptus oil on his mattress and it all ran right off onto the floor leaving the mattress clean & dry & ready for the long-awaited bedtime!

The crib sheets are available in seven solid colours for $24.99 USD and the playpen sheets are available in ecru only for $14.99 USD.

I understand Jennifer’s in the process of making her fab sheets in twin, queen & king! Count me in!

Order yours from the Fleece Baby Shop.

If you’re like me, you see a product with the word ‘miracle’ in the title and you think it’s a scam made just for annoying infomercials. The Miracle Blanket , however, is anything but.

We have been reviewing the Miracle Blanket for a while now. We have two associates with new babies who agreed to help us out with the review. The reason it took so long is that the first reviewer refused to give the sample up to the second reviewer because it worked so well! I gave them each another swaddling blanket that I had when my son was newborn so they’d have a comparison.

The comments on the ‘other blanket’ were 100% negative. “The velcro doesn’t stick.” “The velcro isn’t in the right place so I can’t get it tight enough.” “Baby’s arms are out within minutes.” “It’s pretty, but that’s about it.”

The comments on the Miracle Blanket were, in contrast, 100% positive! It’s very easy to use, there is no velcro to worry about and it’s very wide (6 feet) to allow the tails to wrap multiple times around baby & create a calming pressure on the belly. It has a foot pouch to keep baby’s feet warm & secure, and ingenious arm flaps to keep the little Houdini from escaping. Both of the reviewing mothers mentioned how easy it was to learn to nurse once their babies were swaddled properly, and they also both reported an immediate increase in night time sleep.

Invented by an exhausted father of three, Mike Gatten, the Miracle Blanket really works! (Now I sound like an infomercial, but it’s true!)

The Miracle Blanket is currently 10% off of the regular retail price of $29.95. Twins? Triplets? Just want to make sure you’ve always got one without baby bodily fluids on it? Get 15% off orders of two or more!

Not one to take risks on new products? No problem! The Miracle Blanket has a lifetime guarantee. No fees & no small print. A real guarantee.

The patented Miracle Blanket comes highly recommended by The Opinionated Parents – get it while you’re pregnant and use it immediately. You won’t believe the difference it makes in your baby’s sleep patterns (and, therefore, yours).

We’ve got a gender neutral Miracle Blanket (pictured above) for one lucky TOP reader. To be entered in the random draw, email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with MIRACLE in the subject line and tell us what non-blanket item is available from the Miracle Blanket order page. Contest closes at midnight MST on 4/30/07.

Milk Bomb is an awesome online, full-of-snark kids t-shirt shop with an explosive attitude. Owned by snarky dad & designer Steve O’Neil, Milk Bomb is hip to the horrors of pastel & chicks.

The Congratulations, You Get To Sit Near Me tee, available in all sizes from 3 mos – 6T, is a surefire hit for the traveling family. Now that I’ve found this, I’m never getting on a plane with kids without them wearing one. Chances are, if you’re traveling with kids, you’re going to tick off at least one of your fellow passengers. Anyone with even a small semblance of a sense of humour will have a hard time veiling their smile when they see your kid’s shirt.

In honour of tomorrow’s Canadian tax filing deadline, I’m also loving this Our Little Tax Write Off tee. It’s also available in all sizes up to 6T.
[Side note: This is our first year filing with a dependent, and it turns out that in Canada your kids are only a tax write off if you're divorced. (Way to support family values, Canada!)]

Milk Bomb ships all orders free of charge!

Enter to win your choice of a 12-18 mos Live Free or Cry snapsuit or a size 2 Congratulations tee. Email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with MilkBomb 12-18 or MilkBomb 2 in the subject header and tell us one other snarky saying available from Milk Bomb that wasn’t mentioned in this review. Contest closes at midnight MST on 5/4/07. Congratulations Cara & Sara!

It’s a well known fact even among the least environmentally conscious of us that chemicals are harmful. Susan Gluck-Pappajohn & Francesca Olivieri started Sage Baby NYC with the mission to help new and expectant parents take the next step –beyond organic food– in creating a healthier environment for their babies and children.

As new mothers, they saw their peers diligently serving organic milk and food to their children so that they are not exposed to numerous toxins and chemicals, only to turn around and unknowingly expose their children regularly to a variety of other toxic chemicals in their households and elsewhere. Through their company they have searched the world to identify the very finest and most stylish organic and non-toxic products, like this limited edition rattle hand-turned from pesticide free old-growth applewood. Wow.

Sage Baby began in 2005 selling only to NYC locals via trunk shows. With that success under their organic cotton belts, they decided to launch their website and have been live since March 2006. They offer a huge assortment of products including organic cotton clothing, bedding and towels; organic skincare; non-toxic toys; non-toxic cleaning products and air purifiers. And their site also contains some great advice and links to some great non-toxic resources.

There’s nothing Sage Baby carries that I wouldn’t buy. I’m especially loving this limited edition organic Soho Baby ‘see-hors’ set from the speesees line. It comes with a kimono (3-6 mos.) or long sleeve tee (6-12 mos.), yoga pants in a gorgeous shade of pear and a matching terry-lined bib.

And for that extra sensitive newborn skin, check out their organic preemie and newborn selection.

Enter to win this adorable limited edition Soho Baby Set (size 6-12 mos; value $49; pictured above). Simply email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with SAGE BABY in the subject line and the correct answer to the question How many children do the two moms behind Sage Baby NYC have between them? Contest closes at midnight MST on May 2/07.

As a new-ish mom, when I think of milkshakes I think of either (a) the delicious food I haven’t had in years or (b) myself, flopping up and down as I run. (It’s true. Sad, but true.)

From now on, however, I’ll be thinking of a great kiddie-rock band. Milkshake has released their third CD entitled ‘PLAY!’. I’m a little late to the party, apparently. (Nothing new there.)
The kids have known all along how great this band is. They appear on the NOGGIN Channel, PBS KIDS and starting this spring, they’ll appear daily on DISCOVERY KIDS.

Milkshake’s mission is simple. To create great rock music for kids. Actually, judging by some of the stuff out there it’s not that simple – but they’ve managed to do it. Led by singer Lisa Mathews and guitarist Mikel Gehl (of indie rock group Love Riot fame), Milkshake has become a favourite of preschoolers and parents alike. It’s the stuff of legend. The creation of great kiddie-rock without compromising quality music, great entertainment or that authentic rock & roll spirit.

Check out some of their videos for a sneak peek.

Their music and other great Milkshake gear is available from their online store.

Enter to win your own copy of PLAY! Email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with PLAY! in the subject line and the correct answer to the question “What does Milkshake’s bass player, Cord Neal, secretly listen to?” Contest closes at midnight MST on 4/30/07. Congratulations Adele!

Bilingual living is awesome if you’re so inclined. I’ve always wanted to be bilingual but without direct immersion it was next to impossible, even with 14 years of French in grade school & university.

Among many other benefits, bilingualism gives children a head start in brain development and can put them at the front of the pack in their future job searches. But sometimes, you want the Hola without the Dora.

The multilingual books & CD’s from our friends at Il Cocco di Mamma make great learning tools and allow you to enjoy the wonder of language without the crazy fake accents displayed by those of us who try and fail. They carry several of the classic Dr. Seuss books and some awesome ‘Elmer the elephant’ stories, beautifully illustrated picture dictionaries & flash cards and CD’s packed with traditional children’s folk songs in various languages.

Il Cocco di Mamma is offering TOP readers FREE SHIPPING in the US and Canada, and always offers free gift wrapping with every purchase. Now that’s the kind of service opinionated parents like to see!

For sparing you the Dora for at least half an hour…you’re very welcome!

We’ve got a multilingual gift package from Il Cocco di Mamma for one lucky TOP reader, including a book (English-Italian), CD (Spanish) and FlashWords (English-French). To be entered in the random draw, email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with ICDM package in the subject line and tell us one product in the books & CD’s category at Il Cocco di Mamma that’s not mentioned in this review. Contest closes at midnight MST on 4/30/07. Congratulations Rhodie!

The Opinionated Parents are strong believers in baby wearing and we all do it. Mom of two, Rachel Panush, is the same. She began making slings for herself before the arrival of her first child, and she never stopped. She decided to turn her hobby into a web business and Posh Papoose was born.

Rachel’s aim is to make well made, useful, user-friendly, fun, and stylish slings to encourage baby wearing by all. She has definitely succeeded in all respects. Her selection of gorgeous prints and limited edition fabrics is very impressive. Each sling is made from three yards of limited edition highest quality cotton, making them comfortable, easy to maneuver and extremely functional. I started out my mothering life with a custom made ring sling that I thought was fine until I tried a Posh Papoose Ultra. Not only was it much more stylish but so much more practical. It has a long tail that I have used as both a nursing cover and a sunshade, and the tail has two very large pockets for essentials like diapers, a wipes case and…lipstick! There are two matching strings on the tail that are intended to allow it to be tied up shorter, which is great, but it also works to tie the handle of a water bottle, a pacifier or a treasured lightweight toy to the sling to prevent the dreaded ‘floor drop.’ I put my keys in my pocket, everything else in the sling pocket and off I went, hands free to play with and cuddle my son.

Posh Papoose offers your choice of padded, semi padded and unpadded slings and they match the rings to the fabric. Speaking of rings, the Posh Papoose was WAY easier to adjust than my previous sling. They feature the largest available sling rings that have passed an impact test and a 250 lb pull test. I’ll wear out long before my Posh Papoose does!

TOP readers save 10% at Posh Papoose with the code OP407.
You’ll find Posh Papoose in the TOP Shops,
where we feature permanent discounts exclusively for TOP readers.
When you’re bitten by the shopping bug, always check the TOP Shops first!

Do you think Posh Papoose slings are as great as I do? Then enter to win the sling of your choice! Send an email to theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with Posh Papoose in the subject line, and tell us the one non-sling item available at Rachel’s site. Get your entries in by midnight MST on 4/30/07. Congratulations Harry!

Have you noticed, just over there to your right, the newest Baby Dagny ad?

It looks like this. It’s one you’ll definitely want to click on ~ especially if you or someone you know is pregnant.

Click through to their baby registry page from the image in the sidebar.

Once you register & email your registry to your friends & family, you get a free gift (the purple frog plush pacifier we’ve reviewed. It’s awesome!)

In addition to that, you’ll also receive a gift certificate for 10% of all gift that are purchased from your registry.

And all just for making sure you don’t get a whole bunch of those useless newborn personal care sets.

Almost makes me want to get pregnant.

Almost.

When and if I do get pregnant again, you can bet I’ll be registered at Baby Dagny.

(I want that purple frog!)

‘Tis that time of year when we’re on the lookout for superb Mother’s Day gifts.

Motherhood is an amazing thing. Great moms deserve to be celebrated every day but there’s one day a year when mom gets all the attention. And presents!

Sometimes the presents collect dust. Find a knick knack that says mom and some poor woman will have to dust it forever. Sometimes they stick to the fridge. Every mom loves homemade art.
Sometimes you slime them down your throat with a fake smile on your face loving it all the same. Mmmm, kid-made eggs.

But sometimes, you just want something simple and understated. I’m a mom who hates clutter who was raised by a mom who hates clutter. (Stop reading here, Mom, or you won’t be surprised on May 13!)

The MOMS ROCK tees from 2 Funky Mums are the answer.

These awesome ‘flashy but totally not froofy’ t-shirts are hand emblazoned with rhinestones in large block letters. They have the classic MOMS ROCK in a variety of colours & styles, and also something for Grandma and even teacher! (Side note: Do you think it would be inappropriate for me to send that link to the parents of my class prior to next Christmas in hopes of avoiding the dreaded 13 mugs?)

All of the shirts are made of high quality stretch cotton. Also worth a look is the 2 Funky Mums children’s line. What little girl wouldn’t want a bright pink shirt proclaiming their status as the rock star they are?

Enter to win your choice of tee in your size from 2 Funky Mums! Email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with 2 FUNKY MUMS in the subject line and the correct answer to the question What non-clothing item is available from the 2 Funky Mums site?. Contest closes at midnight MST on 4/30/07. Congratulations Betty!

Planet Mom is my new favourite place to be. Being a mom is awesome. It’s hard, confusing, stressful, and downright freaking awesome.

Two long time mommy friends Elise Nappi and Eileen Schneidmann are the founders of Planet Mom T-Shirts, a cheeky line of apparel for moms (and for dads, but mostly moms). These tees will make even the non-parental crowd laugh and our peers in parenthood will nod in agreement.

Motherhood, when you take it lightly, is one big inside joke. Make sure you’re in on it with Planet Mom t-shirts.

Every morning when I’m seeking my tall, dark & rich…

cup of coffee, I’ll think of all the rest of the moms on the planet with a chuckle. We’re all in it together, and we’d might as well laugh about it.

Make sure you check out the pants & hats, too. And don’t forget about Mother’s Day! (Hint Hint. May 13.)

Enter to win a ‘Secretary of Transportation’ shirt (size L) valued at $36 USD (shown above). Simple email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with Planet Mom in the subject header and tell us your favourite Planet Mom saying that’s not mentioned in this review. Contest closes on 4/27/07 at midnight MST. Congratulations JR!

Artist turned mom turned par.entrepreneur (whew) Jennifer Talbot is the founder & creative director of b.delicious – an online store full of the softest cotton onesies & tees featuring hand cut ultra-suede designs. That’s right – hand cut. Each and every piece.

For infant girls and boys, Jennifer has designed some truly adorably sweet (and delicious!) appliqués like the purse and gumball machine pictured here. She’s also got a super toddler line and she hasn’t forgotten about the mama! Her line for women is understated and original, like the splat tee. If you’re going to have goopy things on your shirt anyway, why not make a statement with it?

Everything from b.delicious is as cute as it looks on the site. Cuter, even. Totally sweet…in a totally non-cavity inducing way.

Enter the code URDelicious for $5 off a purchase of $45 dollars or more until June 15, 2007.

We’ve got a boys gumball onesie (6-12m) and a girls purse tee (18-24m) – both pictured – to give away, with a surprise bonus larger kid b delicious tee thrown in with each one. To enter, email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with delicious boy or delicious girl in the subject line and the correct answer to the question What’s one of the non-clothing accessory items available from b delicious? Get your answers in by midnight MST on 4/26/07. Congratulations Marie & James!

As a mother of a rough & tumble boy, anything with ‘princess’ on the cover is generally passed by. However, I’m so glad I didn’t pass by the opportunity to review the new CD Songs for the Coolest Kids by Princess Katie & Racer Steve.

Whether you have boys or girls or some of each, this CD rocks. It’s not just the sound of the tunes. (Don’t get me wrong – the tunes are great.) It’s the way they mix music kids dig with extremely necessary life lessons. Tell Them How You Feel, for example, is a whole song about feelings and talking it out to feel better, and Sid the Bully is about a boy who bullies others because he felt left out and needed someone to be his friend and show him love. As a teacher, it kind of choked me up. Embarrassing to admit, but it happened. Want to know what else is embarrassing? Walking through the grocery store all alone only to realize I’m singing “This ball belongs to…Manuel Rodriguez…” When a song sticks in my head like that, you know it’s good!

Princess Katie and Racer Steve (a Manhattan-based married couple, otherwise known as Katie O’Sullivan and Steve Borne) spend a great deal of time, when not writing and recording songs, visiting and performing for sick kids in hospitals and at events for abused, neglected, abandoned and at-risk children. They do this simply out of love for the children, often traveling considerable distances and bringing a full band. These are the type of people that all opinionated parents love to support. Great CD, great people. It’s all good.

Want to win a copy of this great CD? To enter, email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with Princess K & Racer S in the subject line and the correct answer to the question “What is Racer Steve’s favorite food?” (Hint: Meet the band to find out!) Contest closes at midnight MST on 4/26/07. Congratulations Lee!

Par.entrepreneur Valerie LeCoeur thinks that pregnant women are beautiful, and so do we. Inspired by her daughter Zoë to start her own company, the aptly named Zoë B online boutique was born.

With Zoë B maternity shirts & tanks, you no longer need to dread the question “Do you know what you’re having?” (Duh. A baby.) Let your shirt tell them instead!

Zoë B maternity t-shirts are 100% cotton and designed for a snug fit — no loose, hiding-the-belly tees here. (Why do people do that anyway? Are they trying to look like they’re wearing a parachute?) All Zoë B products are guaranteed sweatshop-free & come in cute gift-bag packaging.

Also check out the Zoë B baby tees & onesies. Cute overload warning.

TOP readers save 10% at Zoë B online with the code oparents.
You’ll find Zoë B in the TOP Shops where we feature permanent and exclusive discounts just for you!

I’m especially missing my big pregnant belly today – It’s my son’s first birthday.
If we’re blessed with another child in the future, you can bet I’ll be getting the not finding out tee to show off my big bump.

Chinese takeout has never been so cute. Fortune Tee has hit both Hollywood and trendy parents everywhere by storm. Launched three years ago by LA based Australian Carla O’Brien, this line of hip tees featuring fortune cookie messages and lucky numbers are full of wisdom & whimsy. The sayings on the shirts are a twist on the proverbs found in fortune cookies.

Fortune maternity tees are a great way to announce your upcoming arrival (A baby boy/A baby girl/Twins are in my near future) or, my personal fave, to make people laugh and perhaps fend off some of the stupid yet inevitable pregnancy comments (Sleepless nights are in my near future).

You’re sure to get a laugh of appreciation when you present the expectant parents with the Kung Pao Combo. Lounge pants and the top of your choice packaged together in a large takeout box – with the requisite fortune cookie of course. Make those old ladies in the grocery store gasp (A surprise will appear in my pants) laugh (A timeout is in my near future) or swoon (Confucius says: Little hearts give big hugs). Whatever your pleasure, a Fortune Tee onesie never goes unnoticed.

For the the family who has everything, they also have some great gift sets. Chances are they probably don’t have these. Also check out the Fortune Tee selection of side orders and tees for non-preggo women and men.

All Fortune Tees are 100% cotton and are served up in a way cool take-out box.

Whether a nap is really in your near future or not, it’s nice to pretend.

Enter to win! We have a Kung Pao Combo (your choice of fortune, size & pant fabric) and a maternity tee (your choice of fortune & size) to give away. Email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with your choice of Fortune Kung Pao or Fortune Maternity in the subject header and the answer to the question “What your favourite Fortune Tee saying that’s NOT mentioned in this review?” We’ll draw a random winner from all valid entries. Contest closes at midnight MST on 4/24/07. Congratulations Sylvia & Betsy!

When Parade launched 4 years ago & decided to offer a full baby line, founders Bernard & Laura wanted it to be produced in a socially & environmentally responsible way and so the decided to go with 100% organic cotton. Grown without chemicals & pesticides, organic cotton is not only better for the farming communities where it is grown but it’s softer and longer lasting than processed cotton. All Parade clothing is made in sweatshop free environments through Fair Trade practices and they’ve also just started to manufacture some of their line right at home in Vancouver.

We love the innocent & environmental theme of their designs. They seem to have hit on all the names we call our babes-in-utero that carry over into life outside, like Bean & Peanut. The Parade Organic line of newborn kimonos are absolutely adorable (seen on the little peanut above) – and new parents quickly learn that anything that doesn’t have to be pulled over the head is sure to be worn again and again. The lounge sets, consisting of a lap neck onesie or tee & pants roomy enough to be comfortable over cloth diapers, make a great gift (hint hint to any relatives reading – our next baby wants the bean onesie with the pear green pants). The cotton gets softer with ever wash and is made to be handed down. Also be sure to check out their matching caps & blankets.

The Parade Organic line is available online or at retailers across Canada, the US, Australia & New Zealand.

Want to win? Of course you do! We have a 0-3 mos bug kimono onesie and a 12-18 month sprout t & coordinating brown pants to give away to two separate winners. To enter, email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with your preference of PARADE kimono or PARADE set in the subject line and tell us one other Parade design not mentioned in this review. Contest closes at midnight MST on 4/24/07. Congratulations, Tyla & Rochelle!

I’m a fairly dedicated wearer of the child, but up here in the great white north it gets a little chilly at times. The very awesome Nori Peekaru Vest designed by par.entrepreneur Melissa Radcliffe & her company Together Be is a great solution.

The Peekaru is a fleece vest that zips over a soft baby carrier to keep you and your child warm. It fits comfortably over all carriers, including Baby Bjorns, Hotslings, Ergos, Mei Tais, and Wraps. We tested the Peekaru with a Bjorn, a ring sling & a mei tai and it worked perfectly over all of them. Available in five colours, the Nori Peekaru is a perfect accessory for the baby wearing crowd. It’s made of comfortable stretchy fleece (which I noticed makes it easy for the squirmy child to squirm comfortably) and has a hole for baby’s entire head or face to peek out of. The Peekaru can be worn with the carrier on your front or back. It can be worn with a coat over top (undone) to add warmth, and even in Canada I’ve found that an open coat is enough because the Peekaru did such a great job of keeping both mine and my baby’s body heat in.
It hugs the body in a rather flattering way (if I do say so myself *ahem*) and covers even my tall toddler’s long legs if he wraps them around me. I also love the small pocket – just big enough for a phone & keys.

Putting on the vest is pretty simple. It feels a little awkward at first but it gets easier every time. Simply place your child securely in your carrier of choice, pull the vest on, with your head and your baby’s head going through separate holes. The left side of the vest is completely open. Next, close the left side of the vest with a zipper and pull a drawstring at your child’s feet for a little more warmth if you like. My only suggestion would be an adjustable head opening for the child – perhaps a zipper or some soft Velcro to make it a little easier to pull over their head or to leave loose for those kids who don’t like things around their necks. It’s minor – I still love the Peekaru – but it would be a nice addition.

Enter to win a grey Nori Peekaru Vest in your own size. Email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with Peekaru in the subject line and the correct answer to the question What are the five available colours of the Peekaru? Contest closes 4/23/07 @ midnight MST. Congratulations, Katalin!

Engaged couple Felix Sheng & Maria Jaramillo are the founders of the up & coming alternative tot clothing company Big Tantrum. With bold colours and fresh characters pulling in Asian pop culture, they’re sure to be a huge hit in the niche market of the PWHP club (Parents Who Hate Pastels). And it’s a big and ever growing market.

Maria’s designs and Felix’s business sense bring some great funk & fashion to the table. Check out their great Year of the Pig design. It comes in 6-12 months for the babies born this year and 12-24 months for the older or larger piggies in your life & retails at $25.

For an alternative to the girlie girl licensed characters from the big box stores, check out the little red riding hood tees. Not that they’re just for girls. All of the designs in the Big Tantrum introductory line are perfect for both boys and girls.

We’ve got a white 12 mos. BT shirt for the edgy kid in your family. To enter, email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with Big Tantrum in the subject line and tell us what animal is featured in two of the Big Tantrum designs?
Contest closes on 4/23/07 at midnight MST. Congratulations, Leah!

Spring has sprung, and with it comes puddles. Lots of puddles. DLL Rainwear are specialists in…um…rainwear, and their great selection makes puddle jumping even more fun! Rain can be depressing if you’re stuck inside, but invest in the right gear and it’s no less fun than a sunny summer day. Maybe a little messier, but no less fun!

Check out their great mommy n’ me boot sets. I’m loving my Red Fire Chief set ~ perfect for girls or boys (pictured). They’re mid-calf height, 100% waterproof with a comfy moisture absorbing lining and they retail for only $50.95 for the set. And they’re bright red!!

DLL Rainwear (also known as Diane’s Little Lambs) has it all. Boots just for you and boots just for them. They have some pretty adorable adult rain clogs too.

Opinionated Parents – that’s you – use coupon code TOP upon check out to receive 15% off (not including shipping) through July 31, 2007.

Enter to win a Mommy n Me red firechief set in your choice of sizes. Email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with DLL in the subject line and tell us your favourite DLL Rainwear item. Contest closes at midnight MST on Friday 4/20/07. Congratulations Candice!

Looking for something different in a shirt? Sick & tired of your kid looking just like everyone else’s?

Nina and Tom Family Fashions to the rescue!
As a solely owned and operated husband and wife business, Nina and Tom are everything we’re looking for in a great t-shirt company. They design and screen-print all of the shirts themselves, which is pretty darn cool if you ask us. Nina and Tom shirts are of exceptional quality. They’re all 100% cotton and many are organic cotton, which all opinionated parents approve of since we’re all about responsibility and eco-conscious living. They also use low impact water-based inks. I think I’m in love.

Need more proof that these artists offer a quality product? They vary the image size relative to the garment size, which is something you won’t see very often. If you ask nicely, they’ll vary the colour combinations and even the language used just to make you happy. It’s reminiscent of the good old days when customer service was the norm.

At $19 – $23 they won’t break the bank. Sure, you could get a cheaper shirt at a big box store that shall not be named, but you would be supporting child labour and unethical business instead of a great husband and wife team like Nina and Tom!

And, like all the rest of the cool kids, they have a blog. You’re not surprised.

Save 20% at Nina & Tom with the code oparent.
You’ll find Nina & Tom in the TOP Shops too! If you’re bitten by the shopping bug, always check the TOP Shops first!

You could win a 12 month membership to the Onesie a Month club – valued at $250 USD! To enter, email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with Nina & Tom in the subject header and tell us your favourite of the Nina & Tom ‘cheeky’ tees. Contest closes at midnight MST on 4/19/07. Congratulations Betty!

When you’re expecting, the talk is all about the tummy. It’s all you can focus on and that growing baby monopolizes all the conversations. Suddenly, when the baby is born, he or she becomes the focus of all the attention (that’s a good thing!) and the tummy memories slowly start to fade (that’s a bad thing). Even if you, like me, took weekly belly shots and kept a pregnancy journal, there’s something lacking about a box of pictures and a book. I even tried to scrapbook my photos but it was too hard to narrow it down and fit everything I wanted to say into one book.

Tummy Talk’s founding partners and best friends Angela Horiuchi-Yvkoff and Karen Vardeny saw a hole in the market and filled it beautifully. They’ve developed the perfect (and I don’t use that term lightly) journal to preserve your pregnancy memories with elegance & style. The book is 10 ½” x 10 ½” and is hard bound with a durable, pewter spiral binding in a suede-like material with four colour choices. Each cover has a Swarovski crystal on it, adding to the understated elegance. Each book contains 105 color pages on acid free and lignin free, heavy-weight paper for pasting memorabilia, inserting photos and journaling your thoughts & experiences. The back of the book contains 3 pieces of coordinating blank letterhead for the first letters to the baby for placement inside the cover pocket. These girls really did think of everything – there are 3 pages of scrapbook cut-outs included for baby’s first love notes that can be pasted on album pages.
The book is separated into 5 sections that include pregnancy stories, doctor’s visits, weekly journaling, baby shower and birth details. The sections are divided with multi-coloured coated tabs for easy navigation and there’s a clever pocket on each tab for those letters & other memorabilia.

As a scrapbooker myself, I understand the aversion some scrappers have to purchasing bundled books that force you to scrap certain things. Tummy Talk is perfect for both the avid scrapper and the scrap-a-phobics among us. It doesn’t fence you in at all and allows for complete creativity but has just enough to guide the scrapping newbie or the expectant mother who has no urge to ever scrapbook but wants to preserve the precious memories of her growing belly. You won’t believe the quality and beauty of the Tummy Talk book until you see it. It’s breathtaking. The perfect gift for the expectant mother and the perfect splurge to treat yourself in your own pregnancy. After all, it’s for the baby.

Tummy Talk is available at several storefront and online retailers or from their online store. For Canadian & International orders, please contact La Mama Maternity. (Be sure to check the Tummy Talk online store for additional pregnancy goodies as well!)

We have a beautiful Tummy Talk pregnancy journal for one lucky TOP reader (value $75 USD). To enter, email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with Tummy Talk in the subject header and tell us the name of one of the four beautiful colours that Tummy Talk is available in. Contest closes at midnight MST on 4/18/07. Congratulations Ryan!

Donna Bottari is the owner and designer behind TOP fave Il Cocco di Mamma. She designs her own line of signature onesies that are as soft as they are expressive. In line with her store’s goal of promoting & celebrating languages, cultures & people, these unique (and did I mention SO soft) onesies are the perfect gift when you’re looking for something unique. You’ll be asked where you got it, but this time it will be so the lucky recipient can buy more (and not so they can return it behind your back). Available in Italian, Spanish and French popular sayings for $22-$24. It’s a small price to pay for something so cute & original ~ and you’re supporting an indie business at the same time!

Il Cocco di Mamma is currently offering FREE SHIPPING in the US and Canada, and always offers free gift wrapping with every purchase. Now that’s service!

Enter to win one of two Il Cocco di Mamma onesies – a 6 month “C’est la vie!” or an 18 month “Baci & Abbracci.” Send an email to theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with “ICDM C’est la vie!” or “ICDM Baci & Abbracci” in the subject header and tell us one other popular international saying available on these tees. Contest closes at midnight MST on 4/17/07. Congratulations Micki & Shae!

The Opinionated Parent, a labour of love (primarily a love of shopping, but I digress) has been nominated for the Blogger’s Choice Awards in several categories.

Best Blog About Stuff

Best Blog of All Time
(I was surprised it wasn’t my mom that had nominated us for this one!)

Best Parenting Blog

Best Shopping Blog

and *ahem*

Hottest Mommy Blogger.

If you’d be so kind, please click over on each of those links (or the images below) and give us your vote.
It’s a one time thing in each category. Thanks so much to our nominator(s) and to all of you for keeping this blog at the top of your list of daily reads!

(Pretend this says shopping!)

It’s personal preference, but being the opinionated parent that I am, everyone around me knows I don’t like kids watching tv. I don’t have as much of an issue with movies as with broadcast tv (read: commercials) but I still prefer that kids be playing and entertaining themselves. Or reading.

I’m also not a big fan of early learning scams & schemes for babies that try to sell well-intentioned parents a plethora of crap under the guise that it will make their kid smarter when they were really designed to occupy and entertain (read: entrance) babies.(Crap? Rhymes with Shmaby Shmeinstein.)

However, with all that said, when I was sent the Your Baby Can Read DVD set to review, I was surprisingly impressed. I don’t think for a moment that babies need to read. Nor do I think they should be drilled on anything other than free play. Thankfully, neither does Your Baby Can Read founder Dr. Robert Titzer. Based on his research, the DVD’s and flash cards have been developed to allow a child to see common words, hear the words, see images representing the meaning of the words, and often perform some physical activity related to the words. Dr. Titzer claims that babies can learn written words as easily as they learn spoken words, often at the same time, by using a multi-sensory approach.

As an early literacy teacher (in my “real life”) I know that language acquisition is strongly based in exposure in the early years. As a parent, I know that anything that enhances a child’s communication is a big bonus. Your Baby Can Read does both of those things. The Your Baby Can Read DVD’s are interactive and teach important language skills during the child’s natural window of opportunity for learning language. See it in use here.

The first day I tried DVD #1 with my 10 month old son, he was interested (but not entranced – bonus!) and loved the animals and children on the screen. To my surprise, the next day when I put it on again, the word CAT appeared on the screen for the eleventy bazillionth time (repetition is key) and he pointed at it and said “Cah!” So yeah, it totally works. Is it rote learning? You bet. So is all early reading. It was only a couple of days before he was pointing at our own cat and equating the two.

So, while many people will roll their eyes at the very thought of babies learning to read, this program is fabulous for those of us who want to enhance our children’s communication abilities and capitalize on the early learning research. The whole program would be a great pair with baby sign and lots (and LOTS) of reading aloud to your child. (Which you all do anyway, right? Every single day without fail? I thought so.)

Get yourself a free demo and check it out!

Oh, and they have a blog!

Enter to win a Starter Kit including 5 double-sided sliding word & picture cards from Your Baby Can Read. Simply email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with Read in the subject header and tell us which distinguished award YBCR has received. Contest closes at midnight MST on Monday, April 16/07. Congratulations Heather!

A favourite of opinionated parents everywhere, Vincent Shoes has got your puddle jumper’s tootsies covered this spring. Their great selection of rainy day boots makes me wish for a downpour – and that’s saying something.

What’s better than the freedom to jump in puddles with the knowledge that you’ll not only be dry but you’ll look fashionable at the same time. Have a daughter? The new Blomma style is adorned with romantic flowers for those dainty-ish puddle hops. The H2O and classic Vincent models are my favourite for little boys. The decorative laces add a fun touch – not that you’ll need any added fun once your little one dons these great boots. Our product tester for these boots, a picky seven year old boy, says “They’re comfortable, they’re not dorky and my feet are warm and dry. They totally pass. Can I go now?” From a seven year old boy, it doesn’t get any better than that.

(See our Previous review of Vincent Shoes)

Registered dietitians Liz Weiss & Janice Newell Bissex are the chefs & the brains behind Meal Makeover Moms.

Their book, The Mom’s Guide To Meal Makeovers (Available from Amazon) is full to overflowing with great ideas for bringing nutrition back to the family dinner table (and lunch box).

With the use of fast food, takeout, and convenience meals continuing to rise in North America, this cookbook should really be a staple in the family kitchen. It includes a 5 step meal makeover plan – the how & the why behind the makeover. The Best of the Bunch is a chapter dedicated to improving the convenience foods we use & love (or love to hate). They’ll tell you which brands are the most nutritious and tasty, and give you some quick fix tips to make them even more nutritious. See a sample here. Check out some of their great recipes free ~ There are over 120 in the book!

You can join their free Mom’s Club for a helpful bi-monthly e-newsletter and more. And they’ve recently launched a new blog ~ check it out!

We’ve got an autographed copy of The Mom’s Guide to Meal Makeovers for one lucky TOP reader. To enter, send an email to theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with Makeover in the subject line and tell us which of their sample recipes you’re going to try this week! Contest closes at midnight MST on 4/13/07. Congratulations Kayla!

Necessity is the mother of invention. Or maybe it should be mothers invent out of necessity. Either way, Yvonne Huang has hit the proverbial nail on the head with her invention of Dwink – the universal drink box holder.

Designed to fit standard juice boxes as well as soy, mini and pouches, the Dwink originally appealed to me because of the horror of hot lunch day in my classroom with 20 juice boxes being inadvertently squirted on the floor. As if the caretakers didn’t already hate me enough…

We don’t drink much juice in our house aside from the occasional organic blueberry juice as a treat – we’re water folk – so I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the Dwink also holds the Rubbermaid litterless juice box and allows my infant son to drink his water independently without getting himself and the carpet soaked. The Dwink is dishwasher safe, easy & comfortable to hold and has a non-skid bottom.

They’re available in 4 colours for only $5. Sold.

In the mood to win? Email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with Dwink in the subject line and tell us one place where you can buy your own Dwink. You’ll be entered to win one of two we have to give away. Contest closes at midnight MST on 4/12/07. Congratulations Thea & Jess!

Move over Raffi. There’s a new band in town.

The Funky Mamas are a group of talented Canadian moms who are all about building community through music. Their first CD, Mamas’ Fishing, is an incredibly fun and positive mix of original songs and funky covers. When the 15 tracks are over, you’ll find yourself wishing there were more. The entire CD has a happy, celebratory tone that’s perfect for playtime with an infant and children well into upper elementary school. The CD includes a mix of blues, bluegrass, folk and pop infused with mandolin, guitar, banjo, fiddle, musical saw and more. Anything that gets my 11 month old shaking his booty is good tunes!

Listen to their songs here and tell me which one’s your fave! Make sure you’ve got the kids in the room when you listen ~ can’t miss a chance for that cute kiddie booty shake!

Enter to win a CD & T-shirt from The Funky Mamas! Send an email to theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with Funky Mamas in the subject line and tell us where you can buy the Funky Mamas’ CD. Contest closes at midnight MST on Wednesday, April 11, 2007. Congratulations Jessica D!

We’re on a four day weekend here and will be taking a few days off from posting.

Whatever you’re celebrating this weekend, enjoy the time with your families. We sure will.

(and one of us is currently having a baby!)

(Update: Congratulations to contributing writer and TOP web guru Raechelle ~ Baby Ethan was born on Good Friday at 5:45 pm!)

TOP fave online boutique Baby Dagny has done it again with their newest exclusive product line, super soft Timboo organic bamboo products.

Bamboo is abundant in nature and regrows quickly making it the ideal choice for organic production. It’s also 50% more absorbent than cotton and there are no pesticides or fertilizers used. (Many people are unaware of the plethora of chemicals in non-organic cotton, including carcinogenic formaldehyde.)

Keeping chemicals away from babies is a priority for many parents, but sometimes we compromise luxury in favour of natural. Not so with bamboo. This stuff is amazingly soft, and gets softer with every wash. Available in robes, bibs and washcloths (which you’ll want extra of for yourself – trust me), the Baby Dagny bamboo line is a great investment in your baby’s tender skin, in the environment and in sustainable agriculture.

What’s better? It’s on sale right now! Get 15% off until April 10/07.

Sign up for their newsletter and receive an instant $20 gift certificate toward your order.

Not enough? When you spend a minimum of $75 at Baby Dagny, receive your choice of some great free gifts!

Enough chit chat. Let’s get shopping!

At TOP we, as you may have gathered, LOVE babywearing and all that it represents. We also love trying out new carriers and supporting those we love, even if it means we each have a collection large enough to carry a whole brood.

Ellaroo is a great mother-run company that produces all sorts of carriers – wraps, ring slings, podaegis, mei tais and their trademarked mei hip carrier.

We’ve been reviewing the Ellaroo Mei Tai deluxe carrier. Having never used a mei tai myself, I and three other new-ish mothers all blindly gave it a shot. Without fail, we were all sold on the Ellaroo mei tai deluxe within minutes for several reasons.

If you hadn’t already guessed, this is a TOP highly recommended carrier!

Ellaroo products can be purchased from any of their retailers around the world.

Want to see if you like it as much as we do? Enter to win a Ellaroo Mei Tai Deluxe in the good n’ plenty print (shown – reverses to black) by emailing theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with Ellaroo in the subject line and tell us the one non-carrier item that Ellaroo sells. Contest closes at midnight MST on 4/9/07. Congratulations Glennia!

As parents, it seems natural to put ourselves last. There are so many people, big and little, relying on us for their every need. It gets to a point, though, when you start to see signs of this self-neglect. Like last week? My skin started falling off. For real. Luckily, that was right around the time when we were given the opportunity to review Watersall products.

When par.entrepreneur Drew Aultman‘s husband dismissed her dreams of having a swimming pool by saying she could “can” that idea, that‘s exactly what she did. Using only purified & sterlized water & medical-grade nitrogen as a propellant, she has produced and marketed the Watersall & Splashcool lines of aerosol water.

No alcohol, no fragrances, no preservatives. Nothing but water. In a can. With a fun spray top.

Watersall has many uses. A deluge, in fact.

But you want to know why you, as a parent, should get yourself some, right?

• It gently washes away perspiration and pollutants, as well as random child-induced stickiness.
• Instant hydration for tired parent skin. (Note: my skin is no longer falling off.)
• Revitalizes your face quickly when the cute delivery guy is coming up the sidewalk
• So gentle it is great for expectant mothers and helps to relieve itchy pregnant skin
• Pure enough for newborn babies’ delicate skin
• Instant fix for a child‘s morning bed head
• Great for cleaning children‘s hands before lunch in the park
• During or after sports, it‘s a quick cool-off for athletes or spectators
• Convenient for clean ups while traveling
• Fascinating for toddlers to play with when you absolutely need them to be entertained
• Shocks a hysterically crying toddler back to reality in a “gentle misty shocking” way. (Yes, I tried this in desperation at 2 am. Anything to get the kid to breathe.)

I really like this stuff.

Check out the list of retailers to get your hands on some.

That’s hot as in cool, not hott as in skanky and Bratz-like.

Par.entrepreneur Michelle Seeger is the North American distributor of the Dolca line of clothing & accessories at her site, Dolca USA.

Dolca began in 2001 when Spanish artist Dulce Quesada Magro became inspired to apply her artwork to children’s clothing. Her unique style is a blend of bright scenes built upon playful line drawings. The light and fun feeling of Dolca clothing is what we love best about it.

It’s always exciting to find new lines of clothing for girls that looks like, well, clothing for girls. You know, as opposed to clothing for prostitutes. Like this 100% cotton polka-dotted jacket with Spanish script translating to “I am happy.” Now that’s childhood.

In addition to the clothes for little boys & girls, check out the Dolca shoes & accessories. And if you fall in love, you can commission Dulce to create something original for your home.

Buy Dolca at their online store or at one of their many retailers.

Win a girls polka-dotted jacket, shown at the top of this post, in your choice of size 2,4 or 6. To enter, email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with Dolca in the subject line and tell us the name of the shoes that Dolca carries. Contest closes at midnight MST on 4/6/07. Congratulations Tisa!

Debi Derryberry‘s CD What a Way to Play is a nice mix of old favourites and original compilations that will entertain children of all ages. Her child-like voice gets and keeps the attention of little people and doesn’t make the big people’s ears bleed (always a bonus, no?)

Our favourite song on her CD, as a family of animal lovers, is My Dog’s My Buddy and we were shocked to learn that she wrote it when she was only nine years old! I’m pretty sure at nine, I wasn’t writing anything more than limericks, and I distinctly remember getting in trouble for never writing anything that didn’t contain the words ‘poo’ or ‘pee.’ Maybe Debi got all of the talent that was intended for me? Either way, talent is something she’s got no shortage of. In addition to her music career, she’s an extremely successful voice-over & screen actress, animal rescue activist and more. (All that on top of being a MOM!).

We’ve got a copy of Debi’s CD What a Way to Play with your name on it. To enter, email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with Debi in the subject header and give us the correct answer to the question What famous Nickelodeon character’s voice does Debi do? Contest closes at midnight MST on 4/5/07. Congratulations Tess!

How many times has your mom told you to “Cover your head!”?

You know you should always listen to your mother.

Keeping your head cozy and warm is both easy and green with Cozy Hoods from SueHavens.com. These warm hoods are made from recycled fabrics by Brooklyn artist Sue Havens.

Choose from the pre-designed collection, select your own from a huge selection of colours for inside and out, or choose ‘surprise me’ and see what you end up with. Each hood is made with a selection of warm wools, soft acrylics and comfy cottons.

Cozy Hoods can be worn tucked in or left out and with the hood up or down. If you live in Canada or the northern US, these hoods are for you.

(If you live somewhere warm, don’t rub it in.)

We have two cozy hoods to give away to someone, and that someone might be you! Email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with COZY HOODS in the subject line and tell us where Sue received her fine arts training. Contest closes at midnight MST on 4/6/07. Congratulations KR & BW!

It’s the beginning of picnic season, even in Canada. The Essentials Blanket from TOP favourite JJ Cole is pure brilliance. It’s truly perfect for the park, the beach, the soccer games and any other location where you might like to sit on the ground. In fact, it’s one of those items that we like so much it calls for a bulleted list. That’s how you know it’s truly fab.

Check the JJ Cole USA store locator to find retailers in Canada, the US and online in both countries.

JJ Cole has a habit of producing items that we would never have thought we needed but wonder how we lived without. The Essentials Blanket is yet another example.

The Opinionated Parent is entered in a competition to get paid to write full time for a year.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it (and I know you will), is to head to this page (or click on either of the images in this post) and click on the blue link on the right hand side that says VOTE FOR THE OPINIONATED PARENT.

In fact, I’m going to ask you to vote once every single day, just because I’m pushy like that.

The Opinionated Parents are exuberant baby wearing advocates and we’re always on the lookout for fashionable and functional ways keep baby close.

Sweet Fletcher is a mom owned and run company. Ashley Waldvogel Gaddy started Sweet Fletcher Designs after the birth of her son in 2003. She launched the company with her simple & stylish pouch style slings and has since expanded into several other great products.

Everything at Sweet Fletcher is sewn to perfection from their stylish signature fabrics and their slings are no exception.

Large enough to be supportive, sleek enough to not add unnecessary bulk and stylish enough to be completely embarrassment free in public, Sweet Fletcher slings are a great accessory for the new mom. They wash up beautifully and the cotton fabrics are lively and light. The last thing you want is a sweaty baby plastered against a sweaty mommy. My two favourite things about them? The perfectly rounded seam which is comfortable for any child from a newborn right up to, and probably well over, my 25 pounder and the reversible design. Every funky sling reverses to a solid colour to match pretty much any outfit.

Babywearing is one of the best things you can do to help with colic, bonding and so much more. Why not look stylish at the same time?

Enter to win a Sweet Fletcher sling in the summer planets fabric (pictured, size extra small for a petite woman 5’2″ & under). Simply email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with Sweet Fletcher in the subject line and tell us the name of one other fabric that Sweet Fletcher slings are available in. Contest closes at midnight MST on 4/5/07. Congratulations Louise!

Canadian stay at home mom and par.entrepreneur Alli Grosberg is the talent behind Alli’s Originals. She creates gorgeous personalized custom-made-to-order, hand stamped sterling silver jewelery for anyone and everyone, including the family pet.

Beautiful bracelets & earrings make a great gift for any mom, and Alli’s Princess Charming Collection is such a cool way to celebrate the amazing relationships in your life. It’s all about “wearing your heart on your sleeve.” Alli uses only the finest quality materials giving her creations a feminine, elegant feel. Wearing one of Alli’s pieces is sure to brighten anyone’s mood. She will create custom gifts for moms, friends, bridesmaids, teachers & more and will do her best to accommodate any request.

Each piece purchased is packaged in an organza drawstring jewelry bag and includes a jewelry care card and optional gift card free of charge.

Additional charms can be added to any piece from the a la carte page.

Check out Alli’s blog regularly for new designs, sales & great contests.

Enter to win a $30 Alli’s Originals gift certificate! (to be used by 4/30/07) Simply email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with Alli’s Originals in the subject header and list any item available from Alli’s website that’s not mentioned in this review. Contest closes at midnight MST on 4/3/07. Congratulations CPA Mom!