Halo SleepSack

The HALO SleepSack wearable blanket is the nation's best-selling wearable blanket for babies. It is intended to lessen the likelihood that a baby can get entangled with clothing and loose bedding during sleep.

The SleepSack wearable blanket is sleeveless and is worn over pajamas or a t-shirt to take the place of loose blankets. It's the only product to carry the First Candle / SIDS Alliance #1 Safe Sleep Product Gold Seal.

Recently, it earned the Canadian Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths' (CSID) Gold Seal. Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, HALO Innovations has a singular mission: to help create a healthy and safe sleep environment for people of all ages. New this season are the brown tones that have become popular in the infant bedding and apparel marketplace.

To register to win a beautiful Mocha Velboa SleepSack (Small for infants 0 -6 months), please include your baby's date of birth (or due date) in the comments below. Be sure to include your email address so we can notify you if you win.

One winner will be selected at random one week from today.

giggle guide to baby gear

Chronicle Books exhibited at ABC Kids Expo for the first time this year. Author Ali Wing was signing copies of her new book, giggle guide to baby gear. Ali is the founder of giggle - a web site and national chain of baby boutiques offering the best products on the market for families with children.

Let the experts at giggle make it easy to choose the baby gear that's right for your hip family. The giggle guide to baby gear features handy checklists that let you know what you need to buy, and when to buy it. It also provides detailed guidance on big-ticket purchases from cribs to car seats.

To win an autographed copy of the giggle guide to baby gear, simply leave a comment here with the due date or birth date(s) of your children.

A winner will be selected at random in one week.

Banda Bib

Today's blogoversary giveaway comes courtesy of Bazzle Baby, based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Banda Bib by Bazzle Baby, offers something different, really different. A bib that's designed specifically with your dribbling baby in mind! It's adjustable, fashionable and made with 100% soft cotton fabrics free of harsh chemicals.

One size fits all with these Banda Bibs that fit close to the chin to absorb moisture, and help eliminate soreness and chafing. They're great for teething and fashionable feeding since they accesorize baby outfits.

Winner of the iParenting Media Award, and many others, Bazzle Baby also offers Big Bibs, Burpers, Bitsy Bibs, Squeaky Shoes, and Paci Clips.

If you'd like to win a Banda Bib with a pink & white butterfly pattern, simply include your child's date of birth in the comment field and be sure to include your email address (which won't be published).

Winners will be selected at random at the end of one week. Be sure to stop by tomorrow, and the rest of the week to register to win some additional prizes offered by some great companies that were exhibiting at last week's ABC Kids Expo in Las Vegas.

Countdown to my Birth

Our first giveaway this week is a countdown calendar/pregnancy journal for new parents preparing for the birth of their baby. Countdown to My Birth: A Day-by-Day account from your baby's point of view is a page-a-day calendar that covers the forty weeks from conception to birth.

I was lucky enough to have met author Julie B. Carr in Las Vegas last week as she explained to me the idea behind this calendar. Her publisher, Meadowbrook Press, kindly offered this pregnancy journal (with stickers) to us to give away for our blogoversary celebration!

Each day will help expectant parents enjoy the milestones along the journey, from discovering the baby's first heartbeat to the point in which baby is able to open his eyes and begin to look around.

This makes a great gift, not only for new parents to learn more about their baby's development in utero, but for any parent-to-be.

To register to win, simply comment below with the expectant due date of your new baby or a baby you know and love. Don't forget to include your email address so I can follow up with the winner. Email addresses will not be published.

One winner will be selected at random at the end of the week.

One Year Blogoversary!

An entire year has gone by since I first started this blog. It's evolved quite a bit in these twelve months, as have I, and I thank each and every one of you for taking time out of your day to stop here, visit and perhaps leave a comment.

Comments are what keeps us bloggers going so even if it's to disagree or to ask a quick question, I truly appreciate what readers have to say.

In honor of the one year anniversary of the blog and my company, Happy Healthy Hip Parenting, I will be hosting several giveaways and contests over the next week. Great prizes were donated from some amazing companies that I discovered at the ABC Kids Expo last week in Las Vegas.

If you'd like to learn more about the upcoming baby gear giveaways, you can subscribe to the blog via email, RSS Feed or text messaging!

You won't want to miss out on your chance to win so be sure to stop by every day next week.

And, by the end of this month, a newly designed website will roll out over at the Happy Healthy Hip Parenting company site. I'll launch the new design over here, so keep your eyes peeled for the wonderful graphics created by Mike Ward, friend and colleague whom I met over at Twitter.

There are many wonderful people I've met on line over the last year, so again, thanks to everyone for your support and interest.

Combi

I am amazed at all of these beautifully designed products that I never knew about when my son was young enough to use them.

Combi makes a 3-in-1 high chair, booster chair and toddler seat that is trendy in design and functional, lightweight and easy to use and move.

Don't miss their adorable activity walker (which looks like a car) or their pod bouncer (available in three colors: mandarin, chili or wasabi).

Itzy Ritzy

Itzy Ritzy introduces this luxe, eco-friendly line that is all the rage for discerning parents and tots.

Besides their infant seat covers, their product line also includes shopping cart & high chair covers, designer blankets, and eco-friendly burp cloths.

Even the packaging is visually appealing. The items come inside sleek paint cans for an additional design element that caters to those hip parents and grandparents looking for a unique product as unique as their child.

Sycamore Kids

One of my dear friends had this hammock for her little baby and I admired it before hearing her rave about how effective it was for getting him to sleep at night and nap time.

With three different options for hanging it around your home or nursery, this is a great bassinet, bouncer, and baby carrier all in one.


Internationally safety tested, and easy to use, this hammock does exactly what you need it to - to settle and calm your baby - helping him or her “sleep like a baby”.

Chronicle Books: Parenting & Kids

Chronicle Books, from San Francisco, has some great titles for parents, kids and everyone in between.

This is their first year exhibiting at ABC Kids Expo, but I have a feeling that their booth will expand next year, as well as their fan base!

Here's just a small sample of their latest titles for parents:

Giggle Guide to Baby Gear


Rock-a-Bye Baby:
200 Ways to Help Baby (and You!) Sleep Better


Baby by the Numbers:
Parents' Essential Reference to Baby's Health and Development

Little Fit

Little Fit sent me a postcard prior to ABC Kids Expo. Right away, I knew I'd feature them here since their hats are perfect for the trendy parent (and their tots).

Husband and wife team, Julie and John Arata started Little Fit which is a collection of high quality, hip hats with an emphasis on FIT! Not to mention their great designs!

They're fun, fashionable and certainly a great style for the modern children of hip, happenin' parents!

These are a few of the styles they have to offer:

All I can really say about this new company is that their products are really f-in' cool. Not to be missed! Available in two sizes: Little or Big.

OnTray by 42 Kids

OnTray effortlessly attaches to the shopping cart's handlebar allowing your child to easily feed themselves while your hands are free to shop!

When shopping with young children, holding a snack for them while pushing a shopping cart, are you wondering, "Isn't there an easier way?" Or, "I have a fabric cover for the seat of the cart, but I need a place for my child to easily grab their snacks, so I can shop!"

This is a small, inexpensive product which will make all Moms and Dads wonder why they didn't think of it!

Innobaby

Innobaby's Natural Seat Topper is a multi-use seat topper designed to keep babies and toddlers more comfortable in their strollers, car seats, swings and more.

Designed for babies with eczema and sensitive skin, Natural Seat Topper features an earth-friendly fabric, ramie, which is a premium natural fiber known for its absorbency, breathability, and durability. Natural Seat Topper's patented design offers improved ventilation in addition to the natural benefits of ramie fabric. This combination helps reduce the chance of overheating and relieves the discomfort from perspiration. Additionally, ramie fabric naturally offers resistance to bacteria and stains.

Natural Seat Topper is available in a variety of trimming patterns.

Lots 2 Say Baby

Bold colors and fun sayings transform the everyday pacifier into a stylish new accessory full of character! The pacifiers come in sayings ranging from sweet (Heaven Sent) to Sassy (Volume Control) and everything in between.

Snuggle Me'z

Introducing a new way to take your baby out in style. Protect baby from the elements, like rain, wind, sun, bugs, or use it during nap time.

Zigo LEADER

The first mom- or dad- powered family transportation system. Place one or two children in the ChildPod, put on a helmet, and you're ready to ride. The LeaderLink System allows the Leader to uncouple in 30 seconds or less, transforming it into the separate elements, Zigo ChildPod and Zigo Cycle.

BEING DAD

Surprising, hilarious and unexpected insight on dad's experience from pregnancy to delivery featuring 40 dads who survived it. In intriguing accounts by remarkably honest new fathers from all walks of life, all over the US, the common thread of relief these men feel, having recently survived the pregnancy and delivery process, is entertainingly revealed in the personal experiences they share.

Covering everything from how they first found out about the pregnancy right through to the birth, BEING DAD explores a broad range of subjects, including many rarely discussed openly like miscarriage and sex during pregnancy. The film reveals the fears, anxieties and joys that all first time fathers live through and provides the confidence and assurance they seek to face during this exciting new phase of their lives and become more supportive mates.

Also featured is a wealth of additional advice from a number of experts, including an Obstetrician, Family Counselor, Midwife, Childbirth Educators and a Home Birth Facilitator.

While focusing on the Man’s perspective, the film is perfect for expectant couples to view together and can serve as a catalyst for planning and discussions.

kokopax classic carrier

The kokopax classic carrier offers a fresh new take on the traditional framed carrier. Designed as the go-to gear for the cheers and chores of daily life, the fashionable, lightweight and easy-to-use carrier offers a safe and comfortable ride for baby.

Features:

• Made with 100% cotton canvas
• anodized aluminum frame
• comfortable shoulder straps
• adjustable frame to fit individual user
• padded waist support
• handy storage pocket
• kickstand for easy loading
• 5-pt. safety harness
• ties to secure pax protector™
• toy ring to attach koko™ or other toys
• weighs approximately 2.7 lbs.
• fits in airline overhead bins
• for use from 6 months to 2 years (or up to 35 pounds)
• patent pending

While in Vegas

I'm in Las Vegas and will be here for five days for the 2008 ABC Kids Expo - an annual event for the juvenile product industry. While I'll be focused on the new products for babies and families with children during the day, I'll be taking advantage of the night life found in Vegas. Perhaps you'll see me at one of these venues sipping on a cocktail:

Red Room Saloon (3101 West Sahara Ave, 702-257-9663)
Puff (1030 E. Flamingo Road, 702-221-PUFF)
Sugarcane Lounge (3327 Las Vegas Blvd., 702-607-0700)

Christian Audigier, The Nightclub (3300 S. Las Vegas Blvd., 702-466-9720)

Yellowtail Sushi Restaurant & Bar (3600 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 702-693-7223)
Rok Vegas (3790 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 702-740-6ROK)

During the convention, I'll be highlighting the top companies that I believe will appeal to the happy, healthy, hip parents who read this blog. Enjoy!

If you'll be in Las Vegas over the next few days, let me know. The more the merrier.

Hotslings for Hot Mamas

My sister received the Black Ecru Floral sling from hotslings a few weeks ago after they announced that they'd be launching their new fall line at the upcoming ABC Kids Expo event in Las Vegas. I look forward to seeing the hot new patterns in person but, in the meantime, my sister is enjoying the sling and figuring out which way she and her new baby are most comfortable when he's snuggled up inside it, snuggled up next to her. The sling is not only comfy for both mom and baby, but lovely in its appearance as well.

Check This Out

ABC Kids Expo is just a few weeks away and I'm getting more excited with each day as I continue to receive phone calls, email and postcards from the companies that will be there to present their products.

Here's another batch of vendors that I intend to visit with in Las Vegas:

• pearhead
• All New Materials
• bob gear
• the doodle store
• bumble ride

I also was asked to review a few products that were meant for moms with new babies. As I don't have a baby myself, I had a baby sling and new bottles sent to my sister. I'm visiting her right now. I'll be seeing both the slings and bottles myself and let you all know what we thought at the end of this week.

For now, I'm off to bed. After traveling, meeting the new baby, and entertaining my older nephew for a while, I'm exhausted. Jet lag will kick in if I don't get to bed right this minute. Until tomorrow...