#Infant – BurritoBuzz

Must-Haves for Weekly Game Nights

Published on November 28, 2018November 28, 2018 by KirstynVelez- www.BurritoBuzz.comLeave a comment

We’ve brought you quite a few must-haves for 2018 but why stop there?!

Cayden’s new and recent thing is “can we play a board game?”… I have absolutely no problem saying “absolutely” every night he asks because at this age, anything keeping him off of electronics is a win in my book.

We’ve been circling between Pop The Pig, Build or Boom, Diggin’ Dino Bones and The Baby Beluga Game. The first two are pretty main stream games but the last two, man, if you haven’t heard about them, I’m here to tell you they are must-haves!

Diggin’ Dino Bones

Diggin’ Dino Bones is a puzzle game in which you “dig” through dirt cards in hopes of finding your dinosaurs pieces and you have the be the first to (correctly) assemble your dinosaur skeleton.

The game includes:

1 Game Board

36 Dinosaur Cards

8 Dirt Cards

8 Action Cards

Rules

In all honesty? The board is pointless. The puzzles don’t look like the dinosaurs on the board and you don’t utilize the board for anything. It just took up space we needed on the table to build our puzzles.

The Baby Beluga Game

In this game, you win by working together- not competing against one another.

If the name sounds familiar, you must be a Raffi fan! The Baby Beluga Game was created, cooperatively, by Raffi and fair-trade, indie game developer Suzanne Lyons of CooperativeGames.com. It features paintings by Ashley Wolff, who illustrated Raffi’s Baby Beluga book, and comes with a free download of the Baby Beluga song and a 32-page illustrated booklet.

I LOVE that this game teaches children that you can win by working as a team and not necessarily outdoing and out-powering others ! The goal of the game is to help Baby Beluga swim free, while finding out about oceans and whales along the way. There may be trouble, but again- work WITH your friends to find the solutions and set Baby Beluga free!

mommy’s BLISS {Review}

Published on September 24, 2016September 24, 2016 by AmandaLeave a comment

When you are a new mom, there are a lot of facts and products being shoved in your face. You really don’t even know where to begin, what advice is legit, and what products you actually need v. the products that people just loved but would be useless to you. When my doctor prescribed vitamin D drops and suggested probiotic drops (I was EBF my daughter), I followed her advice. But I quickly learned that there are so many options, not only that, but there are so many opinions on your options.

Who knew life could be so complicated?

Mommy’s BLISS made my life a little easier two years ago when I had a colicy baby and they continue to make awesome products today! Their line takes the guessing out of choices. You don’t have to worry about additives or additional problems on top of the ones you are trying to treat with the medication.

All of mommy’s BLISS products have: no additives, chemicals or parabens, no artificial flavors or colors, no dairy, no gluten, and no soy. They are also 100% vegan and vegetarian.

Mommy’s BLISS actually contacted me and sent me their new products a few weeks ago and I have been waiting to write this post so I could be sure that I used them to their full potential! I have to say, I am very impressed with their new products and so excited to share some secrets with you!

VITAMIN D ORGANIC DROPS

Let’s start with why breastfed babies need vitamin D drops.

“The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all babies receive routine vitamin D supplementation (400 IU per day) due to decreased sunlight exposure and an increase in rickets-Vitamin D deficiency”

The babies who do need these supplements need them due to a lack of sufficient sunlight, which is the best way to get your vitamin D. For example, with my Ohio babies, it’s far too cold to go outside and play in the sun half of the year, so vitamin D drops are necessary. Also, if you are darker skinned, it takes more sun exposure to absorb vitamin D.

A formula fed baby most likely would not need any vitamin supplements because their formula is fortified with vitamin D. A breastfeeding mom is most likely deficient in vitamin D (unless you take a supplement yourself, you have a pretty good chance of being deficient), so doctors advise you to give your newborn a supplement every day.

Vitamin D helps with healthy growth and bone development. It is not something to take lightly. But neither are all the chemicals and additives that are in some drops. The products are made for newborns. You would think that it would be a requirement to be the best possible product. But it’s not, so parents are left staring at boxes and weighing the risks of the additives and chemicals for their tiny humans.

These vitamin D drops are USDA certified organic and free of any type of chemical or additive! You are giving your child only what they need. Even though I don’t have a newborn, I still give my 2 year old vitamin D drops (under her pediatrician’s guidance). BK#1 is extremely picky, going through the phase that most toddlers go through, and refuses to eat and drink most of the time. I worry about her getting proper nutrients and growing properly. So far so good, but as a parent, you worry. You can’t help it.

My favorite thing about these drops is the amount needed daily. Just one drop. You don’t have to struggle getting a full syringe into your newborn or toddler for that matter. I sneak a drop on the top of her sippy before she takes a drink and voila, no tantrum because I had to hold her down and give her meds. There is no scent or taste either!

Mommy’s Bliss Vitamin D Organic Drops, 0.11 Fluid Ounce

PROBIOTIC DROPS + VITAMIN D & 15 DAY BOOST

When BK#1 was an infant, this would have been a Godsend! My tiny little angel had colic like nobody’s business. I can’t even begin to explain how tired we were. I suppose I should write about that experience, but colic is not fun for anyone. It leaves you feeling like a zombie with literally zero brain cells because every parental instinct you have to comfort them just doesn’t work. She cried all the time and absolutely nothing we did helped. The evenings were the worst with no break at all. Finally, after trying every possible solution, we tried probiotics and we finally found some relief! She slept. She stopped crying. She was happy.

New parents, talk to your doctor! Save yourself and your baby and try probiotics.

If you want to learn more about how they work, read this amazing article.

“Probiotics are living microorganisms that scientific research has shown to benefit human health. Most commonly these are bacteria, but they may also be yeasts. In some cases they are similar to, or the same as, the microbes already found in a healthy digestive tract. Many probiotics were originally isolated from common fermented foods such as yogurt. Mommy’s Bliss Baby Probiotic Drops contain the live culture Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, the most widely studied probiotic in the world with over 800 scientific publications attesting to the safety and healthfulness of these beneficial bacteria. Like all dietary supplements you should discuss the use of probiotics with your baby’s doctor.” source Mommy’s Bliss Probiotic Drops Plus Vitamin D, 0.34 Fluid Ounce

Mommy’s BLISS created an amazing probiotic and vitamin D blend to help parents skip a step! No need to keep track of two medications. Not only is it two medications in one, but it’s the same price of any other probiotic on the market! You are definitely getting the better deal with mommy’s BLISS.

If you don’t have a baby that has colic, you still might want to consider probiotic drops if your child gets sick, to help balance their immune and digestive system. The Mommy’s Bliss Probiotic Drops 15 Day Boost, 0.2 Fluid Ouncewas created to help replenish beneficial bacteria and may help with occasional diarrhea. Antibiotic use may cause occasional diarrhea* and digestive upset.*

Parents, it actually works! My littles were passing a tummy bug back and forth and this had them back to their normal selves and solid bowels much faster than anything ever has. It’s definitely something that I will be keeping in my medicine cabinet from now on.

Mommy’s BLISS is a great company! Learn more about them and why I think they are so great on there site here and be sure to follow them on Facebook and Instagram to get awesome tips and parenting advice.

– Amanda

**Burrito Buzz received this product at low or no cost for the purpose of review or testing. No compensation for a positive review was provided. All product reviews are based 100% off of our personal experiences and we never guarantee a positive review

Keep Germs Away with CleanSmart Toy Disinfectant

Published on September 23, 2016September 22, 2016 by Casey SehmLeave a comment

As you know, cold and flu season is unfortunately upon is. With the changing of the weather and the start of the school year, illness is something that we can’t really ignore. My four year old started her second year of preschool last week and was kind enough to bring a cold home. My family of four all got runny noses, we were sneezing like crazy, had awful sinus pressure, coughing, and had watery eyes, including my poor 6 month old. She got hit the worst and is starting to feel better minus the never ending runny nose. Over the weekend she had a pretty high fever and was overall miserable. When babies get sick, you heart breaks because there’s not much you can do for them. Lots of cuddles and some tylenol to bring down the fever is about all you can do when they’re really young. So what can you do to help prevent the spread of germs when little ones always have toys in their mouths? I have found an amazing toy disinfectant from CleanSmart and I love it so much! I knew I had to share it with our readers!

CleanSmart makes products that are not harmful to people. There are no chemicals or chemical residue, harsh fumes, and the products are 100% natural – just salt and water is left behind after cleaning! There is zero toxicity and can be sprayed around anyone (babies, too). There are no allergy or asthma triggers in any of the products, so you can feel safe knowing what you’re using to clean and disinfect and know the products work! You won’t see any first aid labels on CleanSmart products because there are no hazards. What more could you want in a cleaning product? Watch here to learn about the CleanSmart difference:

I was looking for something to clean my children’s toys, especially with having more than one kid, germs spread entirely way too easy. If one is sick, the other will be soon. It’s just a fact. But I wanted something to help prevent illness as much as I could. Babies put everything in their mouths as we know and germs linger. CleanSmart Toy Disinfectant kills 99.9% of germs and cold and flu viruses, E. coli, salmonella, listeria, strep and RSV. The best part, you just spray and play! You can literally clean toys without rinsing right in front of your child. I often clean my little one’s exersaucer while she’s in it. It’s so easy and I love not having to think twice about using it around my kids. No gloves needed and you don’t have to have a crazy ventilation system (or open all the windows/doors in your house to air it out). It’s perfect to use with teething babies and after sick kids.

I love this product and look forward to purchasing more awesome products from CleanSmart, including their household disinfectants, hand cleansers and more products for my little ones: Pacifier Sanitizer ($4.99) and Nursery & High Chair Cleaner ($4.99). Products for little ones are now available at Babies R Us, so they’re easy to find! You can purchase all CleanSmart products on Amazon. The price point is perfect, $5.99 for the Toy Disinfectant. I’ve had it for about to months now, and I have about ⅔ of the bottle left so it does last a while. Because it’s not harmful, that doesn’t mean it should be left around children. Keep out of reach of children to keep them safe.

Connect with CleanSmart on Facebook and Twitter!

– Casey

Caron & Doucet Cutting Board Wax {Review}

Published on September 18, 2016September 17, 2016 by AmandaLeave a comment

As a parent, I don’t just love to save money, I need to save money. There are diapers to think about, clothes, college… the list is never ending. As a parent, you try to keep everything in your home in the best condition as possible so you don’t have to replace things as often, right? When it comes to my home, I like to keep things simple and natural, but it’s really hard to do that without going broke. It seems like everything that is good for you and natural is double the price of the things that are not so good for you. It’s sad really, but I have found a way to make something I use every day last longer.

My cutting board! I have both plastic and wood cutting boards, but I like the wood ones better, simply because they’re better for you. Plastic cutting boards can harbor bacteria and chemicals, and you don’t need that in your food. Wood can too, but you can’t gouge a wood cutting board as easily to create crevices that bacteria can grow in. There seems to be a lot of back and forth about this subject, but the simple fact is, wood boards last longer. You can read more about bacteria and cutting boards here.

Personally, I like wood kitchen accessories better anyways. With this fact, I have to take care of them. Wood doesn’t last forever if it’s not taken care of properly and many people don’t even know that you’re supposed to take care of your wood cutting boards and chopping blocks.

Why do they need special treatment? Wood cutting boards can be damaged if they are exposed to too much moisture or allowed to get very dry, so think like a chef and take care of those cooking accessories you spend so much money on and time using. Good cooking tools are not cheap, but if you take proper care of them, they can last you a lifetime and save you from replacing your plastic cutting board every 6 months (as recommended)! My parents have my grandmother’s huge chopping block that has to be at least 30 years old and it still looks new. How? She took very good care of it!

Simply by waxing and oiling your wood boards, they will last so much longer and look like new when you wax them! And Caron & Doucet Cutting Board Wax is the perfect product to have stashed under your sink.

It creates a “durable and easy to clean” finish on any wood and bamboo kitchenware.
Prevents liquids that can cause stains or water damage.
Can be used on wood and bamboo cutting boards, butcher blocks, countertops, knife handles, and whatever else you might have that needs protection.
Created using rice bran wax. Rice bran wax is one of the hardest of natural waxes, giving wood a remarkably durable protective finish. It has a higher boiling point than most waxes, such as bees wax, so you aren’t going to rub it off during washing or if you are using it on a bamboo spoon, etc.
The pure essential oils of lemon, rosemary, and lemongrass were chosen for this product to naturally help eliminate unwanted food odors from food preparation surfaces.

It’s a simple step after washing and drying! Apply a thin layer of the wax to the surface of your cutting board using a clean cloth. Polish to a matte sheen and re-apply when wood starts to appear dull. It takes 2 minutes and your hands will feel fabulous after! It’s like a mini spa trip!

This before and after of my personal board, it is so awesome!

burritobuzz-cutting-board — This photo has different lighting, but notice how all gouges are gone and how smooth it is!

The only bad thing I have to say is that it is a little pricey at $14.95 for a little 4 oz. tin. You can purchase it Here. But honestly, this tin could quite possibly last you an entire year, depending on how often you use it, so it’s totally worth the price!

I am off to go wax all of my bamboo spoons now! I found this product at 34Orange.com, be sure to follow them on Facebook and Instagram for tips, tricks, and inspiration in the kitchen!

– Amanda

Delta DX Side by Side Stroller {Review}

Published on September 13, 2016September 8, 2016 by AmandaLeave a comment

I had been dragging my feet about getting a second double stroller. We have an awesome hand-me-down double jogger that has been well loved, but it’s perfect until it’s not. Almost all double strollers have three things in common:

THEY ARE HUGE, HEAVY AND EXPENSIVE.

Just about every single one on the market. I got to thinking, how long are they really going to tolerate sitting in a stroller? Is it worth spending $300 on the one I really want? In the end my answer was no, it was most definitely not worth it. Even though I didn’t see the value in a super expensive, but more compact double stroller, I also needed something to help me out.

You can’t baby wear all the time. I do a lot, but in some situations it’s just not the easiest. Don’t even get me started on tandem wearing toddlers. Good grief is it a hassle. When we were getting ready to go on vacation, I decided that we had to get something. Long walks, back and forth to the pool, shopping, going in and out of attractions, whatever vacation might bring, I didn’t want to be chasing my toddler and fighting my one year old to stay on my back. I asked some friends what they used and came across this gem of a stroller.

I always thought that umbrella strollers were cheap and not worth my money, but I was incredibly wrong!

Details:

Super compact fold for travel and storage. I can literally shove it under their seats behind my seat, it’s super small!
Two separate canopies
Soft and comfortable handles
360 degree shock absorbing, locking front wheels
Large 6”front and back wheels
Back wheel brakes
JPMA certified and exceeds all ASTM and applicable CPSC standards
Assembled Dimensions (in inches): 22.8 (width) by 36.8 (height) by 18.5 (depth)
Weight: 19.16 lbs
Each seat has a 35 lb weight limit
Fits through standard 30″ wide doorways
Cup holder with 2 attachment points and 2 hanging storage bags
Foot push to collapse and one lever to secure close

Pros:

Assembly was a breeze. All you had to do was pop the wheels on and take some plastic off. It literally took me two minutes.
Super easy to move! You can push it with one finger with the kids in it.
It fits through doors! I haven’t had a door that I couldn’t get through and because it is so compact, you don’t have to have anyone hold the door open for you to get through.
The 35 lb weight limit is great! I know I am going to get a lot of use out of this even though I have large toddlers.
It’s a very smooth ride. I can go in and out of stores, through door ways, over hills, up embankments and over gravel, and my kids stay asleep.
It’s not heavy! I can carry my one year old on one hip, fold the stroller and get it in the car. Thank you Stroller Gods!
Tiny, tiny, tiny. You can fit this stroller into any car and it’s great for travel when you have more than your stroller to put in your trunk. My big jogger literally takes up my entire cargo area.
Cup holder fits adult cups!
Reflective material. The white stripes are reflective, so if you take evening walks, you don’t have to worry about pushing a black stroller and no one seeing it.
It’s inexpensive but high quality. I’ve had this stroller for about a month and have used it almost daily. There is no sign of any wear and tear and nothing feels cheap or like it’s going to break. If I didn’t tell you that it was cheap, you wouldn’t know it!
Delta Children City Street Side by Side Stroller, Black

Cons:

The canopies are small and don’t really do a whole lot. I didn’t purchase it with a canopy in mind, but after a few times of walking directly into the sun, I wish I would have taken the very small canopy into consideration. I throw an Aden + Anais swaddle` over them and it’s fine, but that’s not always convenient.
The wheels are super small, making rough terrain difficult to navigate.
The description on their site and on Amazon says that it has a “Large Under-Frame Storage Bag” and it does not. I thought I would be able to slide a diaper bag under the seats or something and that is not the case. There are the two small hanging bags on the back of the seat that work nicely for a few diapers and wipes, but that is about all they can hold.
Advertised as a 5 point harness and it’s not.
The handles are short (as are most umbrella strollers). I am 5’4″ and I have no problem, but my 5’11” husband wasn’t too happy with them after a while.

Overall, this stroller is amazing! My complaints are small and I do not regret purchasing it at all. A few changes would make it a little better, but for the amazing price, it can’t be beat! If you have a second little one on the way, this is definitely a must have!

– Amanda

Momma’s Little Helper Day Planner {Review}

Published on September 12, 2016September 8, 2016 by AmandaLeave a comment

As parents, we know that time management is essential. So essential that we write things down, put alarms on our phones, put sticky notes throughout our homes, we sync our phone’s calendars with your spouse’s and if you’re like me, you also put everything into a physical planner.

Maybe it’s overkill, maybe I am crazy, but this mom-brain that I have going on is no joke. It starts out as pregnancy-brain because your tiny little human is sucking out your brain cells, and then it turns into exhaustion that I am pretty sure is never ending.

I couldn’t have been happier when Momma’s Little Helper contacted us! With the school year starting, I have zero time to forget things and my old planner was just about done.

This day planner is not like any other because it was made specifically with busy moms. From cover to cover, it is detailed and designed to make your life easier!

About this awesome day planner:

It comes in two styles, flowers and damask.
“Academic planner.” There is plenty of room to write down assignments and projects you have to help your kids with, as well as school functions, classmate info and much more.
Plenty of space for your agenda & notes
Pockets on the inside of front and back covers.
Notes pages for each month unlike most planners with just a small column or one page in the back.
August 2016 – July of 2017 and their 2017 January to December daily & weekly planners will be available in October 2016.
240 pages gives you plenty of space to write down to-do lists and whatever else you may need.
Inspirational quotes and tips on every page.
Awesome price! Currently it’s only $12.95.
For stay at home moms: my planner stays in my diaper bag or purse almost 100% of the time. I like to physically write things down to help me remember them. I like that there are pages for emergency numbers, household contacts and family medical information. If I leave my kids at the sitter’s or a sitter is at my house, I can simply show them where to find the info without having to worry if they know everything in case of an emergency.

It’s small! It is only 8.5″ x 6″, so it fits in most purses and diaper bags. The pockets are the perfect size for receipts, notes, coupons, whatever odds and ends you might not want floating around your bag.
Space for to-do lists and other lists right inside the planner
For working moms: (Katie here, your resident working mom, busy body) I utilize a planner every single day. Not only would I lose my mind without a physical planner, but I also love to look back at my old planners and be nostalgic (you know, about years when I was busy going to the movies and on dates instead of arranging child care and pediatric appointments). I plan my life months in advance, so it’s ideal to be able to have a paper planner in front of me so that I can quickly flip to a date to see what I already have planned.

Nice, long columns for all of the important stuff I need to keep track of!

Likes: the front pocket. The front pocket of my planner usually contains all kinds of chaos that has been paper-clipped in. Now, I have a nice little pocket to hoard all kinds of ridiculous things in. The detailed front pages are fantastic. While I personally will never utilize any of the cooking tip pages (trophy wife of the year, I know) I’m sure plenty of other moms will love these pages. The tips at the top are fabulous. I love random trivia anyway, so I really love seeing it on each page. The layout is great and leaves plenty of space for details, and the quality of the planner is also really good.

Dislikes: I wish this planner had tabs like my current one does. Each month in my current planner has an easy-to-find tab that makes flipping through really easy. While this isn’t a huge downfall, it’s a nice perk and would be great to see in the next edition of this planner. Also, I find that this product could easily be marketed towards dads, too. Stay at home dads, working dads, coaches and dads that just like to use planners would also find it very beneficial. I’d like to see a product geared towards parents putting us all on a level playing field (though, if I saw my husband using a planner I might actually die of shock. He isn’t exactly organized).

Old planner on the left (almost outdated) and new planner on the right. Comparable in size and quality!

If you’re looking for a way to organize your day to day activities, Momma’s Little Helper is definitely the way to go. Be sure to check them out on Facebook and Instagram!

Happy planning!

– Amanda and Katie

**BurritoBuzz received these products at low or no cost for the purpose of review or testing. No compensation for a positive review was provided. All product reviews are based 100% off of our personal experiences and we never guarantee a positive review.**

27 Steps to Being an Awesome Stay-at- Home-Mom

Published on September 9, 2016September 9, 2016 by AmandaLeave a comment

Wake up before your kids.
Schedule your meals and cook ahead to save time.
Always plan time for your own physical activity.
Have a set routine.
Be sure to have naptime and meals at the same time every day.
Schedule your cleaning and only tackle one chore a day.
Don’t forget to have play dates.
This list is a bunch of crap… Sorry about the click bait.

If you’re a stay at home parent, you’re laughing hysterically at this list because 99% of the time all of those are virtually impossible.

I am so sick of seeing Mommy Blog posts about “How to be a Stay at Home Mom”

10 Things To Ensure You Are A Great Stay At Home Mom

6 Ways To Be A Productive Stay At Home Mom

How To Afford Being a Stay At Home Mom

Habits of an Effective Stay At Home Mom

It’s all a bunch of malarkey. You want to know why? Because it looks different for every single mom. Heck, sometimes it looks completely different and it’s a stay at home dad.**gasp** I’m guilty though, because yes, I do click on and read almost all of them. Hoping and praying that somehow this little circus that I got myself into can be more manageable. Honestly, I wish I had an answer for all of your stay at home mom questions, but I don’t. I have tips and tricks that have worked for me and my family, but I guarantee that they won’t work for everyone.

What will help is some brutal honesty.

You will never sleep. Like ever. It just doesn’t happen. We get the kids to bed, I try to get some chores done, spend time with my husband, get ready for bed and by the time I am in bed it is 11pm. In two or three hours, my 2 year old will be up wandering the halls asking for her soccer ball or something ridiculous. After getting her back to bed, I lay back down and generally get another 2 hours of sleep because one or both of my little ones are up at 5 AM every day. Every single day. Today it was 4:45…

3 or 4 hours of sleep at night on repeat. My husband works nights, so sleep is just out of the questions for like, ever. Getting up early for “me time” and to get ready for the day is hilarious.

I have some OCD tendencies but I despise housework. It’s not that I don’t do it. My house is almost always spotless. Especially if we are planning on having company over. I do it, but that doesn’t mean I like it. Your chores never go away. It is a constant stream of dishes, laundry, vacuuming, picking up, dusting, washing the floors, cleaning up outside, cleaning up after pets, picking up toys. Your house never gets a break. No one is at work and daycare all day. It is constantly getting filthy. It might not stay that way for long, but you never stop moving. Between chasing kids and picking up toys, you don’t sit down a whole lot. I never understand when people say they love doing dishes or laundry. I never used to hate it, but I do now. It’s a constant chore that never ends. Someone always has something dirty in their room or on them, and there is always a sippy cup or snack cup hidden away that needs washed.

I told my husband the other day that I am an awesome stay at home mom but I suck at being a housewife. There are many days when I am asked what’s for dinner and the answer is “whatever you can find and you better use paper products.”

It’s hard. Our job is never done.

Your coworkers like to touch you a lot, they are mean sometimes and they don’t do a whole lot of work. Quietly sitting at the computer typing this post and que the 2 year old that just jumped on my back requesting a “pony ride.” There is also a 1 year old over in the corner emptying a basket full of freshly folded clothes on top of the very hairy lab.

You’re never alone. There isn’t a lot of explanation for this. It’s simple. You are your children’s everything, so that means they have to be attached to you all day long. Good luck with your coffee break. I just warmed mine up for the 3rd time this morning.

People will ask you if you want help all the time. Believe it or not, I really can do this. I have two kids and taking them to the store with me is my job. Cleaning my house with kids at home is my job, among many other things.

I will let you spend time with my kids, and sometimes, yes you do need to get out, but I promise you can do chores and things without people helping you all the time. Help is nice. I have been getting better about letting people give me a hand, but just be warned. People have this attitude that because you didn’t wash your hair today that you must need help. It’s annoying and approaching disrespectful. If I was anyone else doing a hard job, would you offer to give me a break because I had a long day? This is a 24/7 job and I am well aware that I signed up for a crazy job.

When are you getting a real job? ……Please ask me that one more time, I dare you. People even say “I just could never stay home and not work, I would have to get a real job and provide for my child.” So when you are at your “real job”, do you hire a real person to watch your kids or a fake one? People are ignorant, say it to your face and want an actual answer, like what they said wasn’t the stupidest thing you’ve ever heard. I am warning you now, if you haven’t heard it already, you will.

Being a homebody isn’t a bad thing. I love being at home. Ever heard of yoga pants and leggings? An endless supply of coffee and baby breath? Keep it coming. I literally have to pump myself up to go out with friends. Don’t get me wrong, I love my friends. I love spending time with other adults. I know it is important. I just like my kids, my coffee, my Netflix and my blog more than dinner and drinks.

“Affording” to be a stay at home mom isn’t easy. Affording is in quotes because I am still trying to figure that out. I am not a couponer. I shop sales and I shop at Aldi. We don’t do a lot of extra stuff, we are a middle class suburban family and I am happy that way. We don’t always get all the new shiny things we want, and there are times that I look back at a month when we had extra expenses and wonder how we did it. But you make it. I promise that there is always a way that things work out. All we knew was that we could pay all of our bills and a little more on one income, that we wanted the kids to have me 24/7, until they were at least in school and that we were going to make it work.

You will never regret the decision to stay home and it is so much fun! I have always wanted to be a stay at home mom. Luckily, my dream came true. Such a simple dream. There is never a bad day when I say “if I could just clock out and go to work.” You will never regret getting extra time with your kids. Getting to see every single milestone unfold before your eyes. Teaching them everything and watching them learn from you. It really is a gift. Don’t take it lightly and don’t brag to your working mom friends about it either.

Not everyone can do it. Being a stay at home mom is not for everyone and there is nothing wrong with that. Working parents are beyond awesome! I have a friend who is an amazing mother but would lose her mind if she was surrounded by her kids all day. Not everyone can do it and that’s completely normal. If you are a working parent, don’t feel bad about working. You spend time and teach your children in your own way, and provide them with awesome caregivers.

Time is fleeting and whatever time we get with our tiny humans is a blessing.

Now that this written maybe I wrote it for myself, to make me feel better. I don’t know. I just hope that someone can relate and has days where they feel like this is the craziest job on the planet, too. ❤

– Amanda

When you stop bending your life…

Published on September 8, 2016August 28, 2016 by katiekuceyeskiLeave a comment

I just saw Bad Moms this week, and I relate on so many levels it’s almost scary…

All of the BurritoBuzz moms know how busy I am. I know that everyone is busy, and that “busy” is just a state of being when you’re in your mid to late twenties. Life doesn’t stop. And if you let it stop, you’re either 1. Dead. 2. Homeless or 3. Eating Doritos on your couch binge watching Stranger Things (no judgement). If you read this blog, you know that I take busy to a whole new level. I work, own a business, write for BB, hike, am a gym rat when time allows and raise the most beautiful, amazing 18 month old (in addition to somehow keeping a clean home). And sometimes, when things come up, I inconvenience my entire daily routine to appease others. I like doing things. If you’ve heard people being termed “do-ers,” that’s me. I can’t sit still. And while I like doing things, because it makes me feel fulfilled, sometimes doing things means bringing unneeded chaos into my life, out of the fear of offending someone by not doing said things.

But here’s the thing: outside of the things I have to do, I shouldn’t be bending my life unless I want to. Things that used to take precedence in my life have been moved to the back burner.

Need a card for a birthday party but it’s nap time? Too bad, we’re going to color a card instead of going to the store. (Aren’t handmade cards better anyway?)

Impromptu friend get together at my toddler’s bedtime? #WholeLottaNope Changing that tiny human’s sleep schedule makes everyone miserable. Want me to go out past 10pm? Also, a big fat no. With a toddler that gets up at 5am-6am, this mama requires sleep.

Want to have a huge family gathering, but it’s hot as shit and there’s nothing he’s going to want to do outside of ripping your breakables from your shelves? Hard pass.

My once feelings of guilt for not always saying “yes” have subsided. Because let’s face it, the sanity of my family is infinitely more important. And while I firmly believe that life shouldn’t stop when you have a baby and that you should integrate them into your typical life happenings, some things are just more hassle than what they’re worth. When life is a constantly revolving door of work, unpaid Uber driving for my toddler and trying to make sure that I at least have enough food in the fridge to feed him, the last thing I should be worrying about is the impression I’m leaving on others when I do or do not participate in events.

So, my guilt? Gone.Thankfully, most of my friends and family remember the days of having small children and understand fully that we do what we can, when we can. We try to see everyone and participate in life, but they understand that life happens and that tiny humans are unpredictable. But to the occasional person that forgets these things, or just doesn’t realize how truly exhausting and long the days are, please forgive us. Our lives are ruled by tiny dictators and sometimes a nap for a grumpy toddler trumps the party that we missed.

– Katie

Livie & Luca Shoes {Review + Giveaway}

Published on September 5, 2016September 4, 2016 by Casey SehmLeave a comment

My favorite part about the start of the new school year (other than having our house being tantrum-free for a few hours) is the back to school shopping! I always loved shopping with my mom for school supplies, new fall and winter clothes and of course shoes! Both my daughter and I love shoes. For school this year, I wanted to make sure I got her a pair that would hold up the entire year and that were cute (my daughter says her shoes have to be cute). I have always been a fan of Livie & Luca shoes, so I decided to reach out to see if we could collaborate on a review. I was thrilled when they offered to send not just one pair, but a pair for my daughter and a pair for Megan’s newly walking son, for us to try out! Mitzi Rivas and Amie Garcia met at a prenatal yoga class in 2003. When Amy saw Mitzi’s first pair shoes, she fell in love and wanted them not only for her own children, but for children everywhere! Their goal was to combine joy, and hand-made shoes, thus Livie & Luca was born! The first collection was released in 2005. The company strives to make a difference and spread joy through their beautiful, whimsical shoes and for their products to positively affect the lives of others. I absolutely love their motto: Spreading joy, growing community, making a difference – this is Livie & Luca. Companies like Livie & Luca are few and far between these days. Their passion and charitable efforts alone will make me a lifetime customer.

I let my daughter pick out the pair she wanted to try from Livie & Luca’s Fall/Winter 2016 catalog. I wasn’t worried because all of the shoes were fabulous, we would have been happy to receive any style! Not surprisingly, she picked the Oak Mary Jane ($62). This shoe is perfect for her and any little one who loves nature! On one toe is a cute little squirrel and on the other is an acorn. They are absolutely gorgeous! I couldn’t believe the quality of materials and how beautiful the brown leather is. The shoe is made from genuine brown leather, nude leather lining, velcro closure (making it super easy to get them on and off), a breathable inner sole, and a padded comfort collar. Although the price for Livie and Luca shoes is quite a bit higher, the quality cannot be beat. These shoes are made to last. The Oak Mary Jane is available in a toddler size 4-13 and the length is true to size and the width is medium. These Mary Janes are perfect for little girls who wear uniforms to school, and they are also available in black!

Megan chose the the adorable Hayes sneaker in Walnut (also available in a Denim, pictured below) for her little guy and they both love them! He just started walking this summer so he’s still learning, but these shoes are helping him get around better and fit his chubby little feet perfectly! This sneaker is a snap to get on thanks to the double velcro straps. Check out all of the cute boy styles here!

I highly recommend Livie & Luca shoes for your little one. There are so many different styles for both girls and boys, you won’t have any trouble finding the perfect pair (or maybe you’ll find two… or three). Sizes are available in baby soft soles (0-6mo to 18-24mo), little kids and big kids (4-13) and youth (1Y-3Y). The prices range from $39 to $70. The price point is a little high (the fabulous quality reflects the price) for me personally and they are out of your budget, they often have awesome sales (like right now) and you can also check out their Buy/Sell/Trade groups on Facebook for great deals on previously owned Livie & Luca shoes. Click here to visit their website to see which styles you fall in love with!

Livie & Luca is such an amazing company, they have offered to give a pair of their shoes away to two lucky BurritoBuzz readers! One winner can pick a girl style of their choice and one winner can chose a boy style of their choice. It’s super easy to enter, just follow the steps below! We will be triple checking to make sure each step is followed!

Follow both BurritoBuzz and Livie & Luca on Instagram.
Like the giveaway post on Burrito Buzz’s Instagram page.
Comment on the giveaway post with what size and gender you’d want if you won.
Tag at least one friend to let them know about this awesome giveaway.

That’s it! The giveaway begins at 12pm on Monday, September 5th and will end at 12pm on Wednesday, September 7th. Two winners (one boy and one girl pair) will be chosen at random and announced shortly after 12pm on the original Instagram post. *This giveaway is in no way endorsed or sponsored by Instagram.*

Don’t forget to follow Livie & Luca on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for the latest releases and sales!

– Casey

Make Bathtime Safe with Puj

Published on September 3, 2016August 28, 2016 by Casey SehmLeave a comment

Bathtime is one of our family’s favorite parts of the day. My oldest loves bubble baths and pretending the bath is the ocean with her Octonaut toys and my youngest, who is just now starting to sit up, loves splashing around while sitting in her bath chair. While bathtime can fun (and relaxing for me, as I know bedtime this close), it can be dangerous. This American Academy of Pediatrics article from 2009 states that on average, 43,000 children are hurt in bathtub or shower-related falls in the United States each year. When my daughter was two, she slipped in our bathtub and chipped her front tooth. It was terrifying! I reached out to an amazing company, Puj, who has innovative and simple products, included bath safety products. Puj was kind enough to send me two awesome products that will help keep your little ones safe!

Puj (pronounced Pudge) was created by parents of four, Ben and Katie Richardson, with a simple mission: to simplify parenting with great products, designed to make parents’ lives easier. Puj was born when Ben and Katie were searching for a better way to bathe their second baby. Their solution was the ultimate baby bathtub, the Puj tub (check it out here, it’s an absolute must for infants). Since then, Puj added many, many more innovative and simple products.

Puj-Clever-Grippy-Bath-Treads--pTRU1-21842116dt

I was fortunate enough to have received two of those products, Puj bath treads ($14.99) and an elephant Puj Snug ($9.99), to review. You can get a plain old bathtub mat anywhere, but Puj bath treads are super spunky and fun! Each pack comes with six 6” round bath treads and there are two colors to chose from. They are also BPA and PVC free, so no worrying about chemicals! The grippy surface helps prevent slipping for both parents and children and can even be placed outside of the tub for added traction when stepping out of the tub. They’re super easy to apply: clean the surface of the bathtub with bathroom cleaner, rinse with water and allow the bathtub to dry completely. Once it’s dry, apply the self adhesive treads and allow 24 hours before using the tub. The good thing is they’re easy to remove and don’t leave any residue or damage!

The Puj Snug is so simple and so necessary with children. It protects their little heads and limbs from hitting the spout. I know my oldest has hit her head several times on the spout, (and I have too!) It’s made out of a super soft foam-like material, (made from excess material from the Puj bath tub) that is BPA and PVC free and can easily bend and flex. The Puj Snug elephant comes in four colors: gray, white, kiwi (yellow) and aqua. It allows access to the shower diverter and because it’s flexible, it can fit on almost any spout. Simple and easy but makes a big difference during bath time.

Puj has amazing products, not just for bath time but for mealtime, and body products for mom and dad. All of their products are gender neutral, so it makes it easy to plan for baby. I give the Puj Snug and Puj bath treads 5 out of 5 stars. They have made bath time so much safer for both of my girls and for my husband and I as well. The price points of Puj products great, they’re very affordable and the about the same as similar products on the market. Check out all of the products Puj has to offer here! You won’t be disappointed!

Be sure to follow Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest for sales and new products updates!

– Casey

Moldy Munchkin & I Are Breaking Up

Published on September 1, 2016September 1, 2016 by AmandaLeave a comment

It really is no secret that the Burrito Buzz moms have a love-hate relationship with sippy cups. We try and tell you about the ones we love and the ones that we hate. Sippy cups are part of life with kids. There’s no way to get around it. Either it’s an awesome cup or it leaks and makes you want to smash it into a million little pieces.

A certain company has yet to leave our “hate it” list. Not only do we hate it, this mama bear is pretty furious. I have yet to try a Munchkin sippy cup that didn’t eventually stain a carpet, dump all over my kid or be impossible to clean thoroughly. We have told you guys about it here and here. I knew it was too good when the so called “Miracle Cup” rarely leaked and my toddlers liked it!

THE MOLDY LID

I received the 360 Miracle Cup as a “gift” when two of my sound machines both stopped working and it took over a month to get them replaced. I was thankful that even after a pretty rough customer service experience, they were trying to make up for it.

It is a simple cup with only three pieces that you can take apart. There is one piece that you can not take off though. The little rubber ring that gives it a tight seal is not something you can remove.

Well, this evening I was drying it off and noticed little gray spots. The ring is clear and tightly secured to the cup. I never thought to take it off because you can’t. I ran my nail under it try and a little pile of black junk came out. Gross! I literally had to take a steak knife, pry it away and then use another knife to flip it off. The pictures speak for themselves. It is absolutely disgusting and I really hope my child does not get sick from this.This is the same lid as above, just the opposite side.

Before Munchkin can give their spiel about how you are supposed to properly clean the cup, like I have seen on other complaints, I will tell you that it is always cleaned promptly and properly. This cup gets rinsed, taken apart and washed after every single use. It doesn’t sit around the house all day, nor does it sit in the sink for days on end. Not only is it washed, but it is also put in the top rack of my dishwasher to get sanitized. Or so I thought…

Parents, please be sure to toss these cups so your littles don’t get sick from them!

Be sure to share with your friends so they can check their cups to!

– Amanda

Weleda Skin Care For Moms & Babies {GIVEAWAY!}

Published on August 30, 2016August 26, 2016 by AmandaLeave a comment

We all want the best for our little ones. Many children have sensitive skin and/or allergies. The worst thing about it is, as a parent, it is so hard to figure out what causes your child’s sensitive skin. My little girl has always had sensitive skin. She breaks out all the time and most of the time, we have no idea what caused it. I am really hoping that she grows out of it, but in the meantime, I seek out organic and extremely gentle products for my babies.

The Weleda Baby Calendula line is absolutely fantastic for allergy prone skin.

First of all, calendula is a flower that is used in multiple ways for health and wellness, but it is mainly used for skin care and as an anti-inflammatory. It is a great moisturizer, helps reduce pain and helps soothe irritated skin. Weleda’s flowers are organically grown in their own gardens in Germany. Weleda has an extensive line of creams, oils, and soaps for all your baby care needs.

ALL OF THEIR PRODUCTS ARE:

Certified natural and dermatologist tested safe for babies.

Free of parabens and other chemical preservatives, synthetic fragrance and petroleum ingredients.

Not tested on animals

Free of GMOs

Diaper Rash Cream

This cream is one of the best I have used in a long time! BK#2 has horrible diaper rash on a regular basis. Any time he cuts a tooth or a dirty diaper doesn’t get changed immediately, he breaks out in a rash and even gets blisters. It’s absolutely heart breaking and I wish I could just let him stay in the nude all the time to help prevent it. This cream got rid of a bumpy and horrifying red rash in one diaper change.

Cloth diaper friendly cream!

It’s thick, but creamy and easily wipes from your finger without leaving a horrible smell.

Key ingredients include: calendula flower extract, sweet almond oil, clary sage oil, beeswax and 12% zinc oxide.

A 2.8oz tube is priced at $14. I found this to be the only downside because it is pretty expensive for such a small tube. Right now it is pretty well discounted on amazon at $8.45, so I will probably be placing an order here soon.
Weleda Calendula Baby Diaper Rash Cream 2.8-Ounce

Body Cream

This is a pretty typical cream. I felt it was more of a lotion than a cream. It is pretty thin and absorbs fairly quickly. As all of the calendula products do, this smells amazing! It’s the perfect amount moisture to keep your little one’s skin nourished daily, but is rich enough that it soothes dry and irritated skin. I have really sensitive, dry, and eczema prone skin, so I was slathering it on and I really like it!

This body cream doubles as a diaper cream as a preventative barrier when your baby doesn’t have a rash.

Key ingredients: calendula, sesame oil, lanolin and almond oil.

A 2.5oz bottle is $12.50 but it’s on sale right now on Amazon! Weleda Baby Calendula Baby Cream 2.5 oz

Face Cream

The face cream was just a little thicker than the body cream and it smelled exactly the same. My littles don’t really get dry skin on their face, but they had awful baby acne and flakey faces as infants so I am sure this would have a God send when they were tiny. There aren’t many lotions specifically for a baby’s face.

Infants get the most random rashes on their faces and most of the time the doctors can’t or won’t do anything because they are so little. A baby face cream gives you the ability to soothe your baby without having to resort to any type of prescriptions.

Key ingredients: sweet almond oil, calendula, lanolin, and beeswax

IIt’s a little more pricey, but again, it’s cheaper on Amazon at $8.16! Seeing a pattern yet? BurritoBuzz moms love Amazon! Weleda Baby Calendula Face Cream, 1.7-Ounce

Shampoo and Body Wash

I really liked this wash. It wasn’t heavily scented, didn’t bubble up too much and get in their eyes, and it cleaned up any sticky mess my babies were covered in at the end of the day. The wash also has just enough moisture in it to not need a conditioner for babies that have a lot of hair. It left my babies with silky soft curly locks!

It’s tear free and naturally fragranced with essential oils, so there is no worry about the suds getting in tiny and delicate little eyes.

Ingredients: calendula, coco-glucoside, disodium cocoyl glutamate,

I will most definitely be purchasing this again because it worked really well and it is priced right at $13 for 6.8oz. Weleda Calendula Baby Shampoo and Body Wash, 6.8-Ounce

Baby Oil

I know not everyone uses baby oil on their babies and kids, but I love it. I have super dry easily-irritated skin, so I try to keep up with theirs as much as I can. Baby oil gives them just a little bit more than a lotion would to lock in all the moisture. I generally only put it on them after a bath and before bed. That way it has all night to soak in. This has such a mild scent and I didn’t feel like I was overwhelming them with scent like some that I have used. It absorbs extremely fast and doesn’t leave a residue if you get it on clothes. The only down side is the hole in the spout is pretty large. I have had much more than I wanted come out multiple times!

Key Ingredients: calendula, chamomile and sesame oil

Priced at $17.50 for 6.85 oz but I feel like this will probably last me a very long time. Well worth the price! Weleda Calendula Baby Oil, 6.8 Ounce

Stretch Mark Massage Oil

My littles left me looking like a tiger. Not just on my belly but everywhere! I am talking my stomach, thighs, calves and chest. I blew up like a balloon. I always try any stretch mark oil that I can get my hands on!

This oil was great. It wasn’t sticky or thick and didn’t leave much of a residue.

I didn’t have much of a result with the oil, but man it was nice. I did notice that my stretch marks were slightly lighter and not as rough around the edges. So that’s a big plus! I’m sure with more time it will do more!

A 3.4 oz bottle is $25.50 but on Amazon, it’s only $15! Weleda: Pregnancy Body Oil for Stretch Marks, 3.4 oz

Nursing Tea

Weleda Nursing Tea is a blend of 100% organic herbs that supports lactation and soothes digestion. Organic fenugreek seed, used traditionally to increase milk supply, is mixed with organic anise seed, organic fennel seed and other organic herbs to help ease digestion, for both mother and baby.

You get 20 bags in a box for $12.50. Nursing Tea Weleda 20 Bag

We obviously love Weleda! It’s such an awesome company with great products! They also sent us several products to do a giveaway!

How to enter:

Follow us on Instagram or Facebook.
Like Weleda
Comment and tag friends!
Winner will be drawn at random on September 4, 2016!

Good Luck!

– Amanda

NurturMe Baby Food {Review}

Published on August 27, 2016August 26, 2016 by katiekuceyeskiLeave a comment

I was recently asked to sample and review NurturMe blended dry cereal meals with my 8 month old and I was thrilled for the opportunity. Have you strolled down the baby food aisle lately?! As a new mom walking down the baby food aisle, it can be overwhelming with all the options for your little one. I was unfamiliar with the choices for dry baby food, but fortunately my son has been a wonderful eater, so I was anxious to try out NurturMe organic dry meal pouches and explore new flavors and foods.

The dried baby food comes in a simple easy-to-tear open pouch. Pour the food into a bowl and you add either water, breast milk, or formula to create your desired consistency (one pouch calls for 7 to 8 tablespoons of liquid and will make a typical amount of food). I prepared NurturMe carrots, raisins, and sweet potato baby food with water and was immediately impressed. As any mom would, I tried the new food before offering it to my little guy and was surprised at the amount of flavor – it was delicious! My little one ate nearly the entire amount prepared. I was thrilled because I knew he was getting a ton of nutrients.

Like most baby foods, the remaining prepared food can be stored for 2-3 days in the refrigerator. I would definitely recommend NurturMe organic gluten free dried baby food, not only because of the ingredients used, but the convenience as well. I think their lightweight pouches would be great for on-the-go families. These pouches can easily be stored and stashed in your pantry, car, diaper bag, etc. and you have the satisfaction of knowing your growing little one is getting powerful nutrients. Check out their website to learn about all of their product offerings and to find their food in a retailer near you!

– Allyson

ergoPouch Summer Baby Sleeping Bag {Review}

Published on August 26, 2016August 22, 2016 by AmandaLeave a comment

My little ones never stay covered at night, especially my youngest! He is constantly tossing, turning, and throwing things out of his crib. In the winter, we used a Halo Sleepsack. But for summer, I could not find one that would keep him at the right temperature. More times than I would like, he would wake up soaked in sweat. It was such a struggle.

ergoPouch recently sent me their summer sleeping bag to try out this summer. We have been using it for a few weeks now and I absolutely love it! It’s best for 24C (75f) degrees, making it great for hot summer days and nights.

Super soft 400+ thread count Organic Cotton sheeting.

Stretch inserts in top and side panels allow babies to move freely and sleep in comfort.

Double ended zipper for easy nappy access.

Skin-friendly, eco-friendly – no pesticides or chemicals

Highly breathable and antibacterial

This is a very soft sleep bag, it is a super soft sheet-like material giving the perfect layer to cover your baby, but so breathable and luxurious. If your baby still wakes during the night for feedings, then you know how annoying it is to take clothes off to change a diaper. The two way zipper is awesome for diaper changes or just to let your little one have their feet out of they like. Their infant swaddles also have this and makes it awesome for transferring to bouncer or seat safely.

I found the sizing a little larger than other sleep sacks that I have used. We have the 12-36 month and it was a good 6 inches taller than my 2T little man. It was a little awkward at first, but didn’t really bother him and was still super cute. I have machine washed and dried the sleeping back multiple times and it still looks just like new. It definitely holds up really well as there are no signs of wear and tear.

ergoPouch offers many products and I will definitely be looking into more of them for my children for this coming winter. Swaddles, sleeping bags, sleep suit bags, sleep accessories, pajamas, and even PJs for mommy! You can check out all of their awesome products here! Currently, there are some on sale. I know I will definitely will be taking advantage of this sale!

Prices of the sleep sack varies, but is typical for a blanket or sleep sack. The summer sleeping bag is $39.99.

Keep a lookout on Instagram and their Facebook page for regular updates. Right now they are looking for people to try out their new sleeping bag!

I can’t wait for this product to be available in more stores in the US because it is definitely a must for a baby registry!

– Amanda

The Amber Monkey

Published on August 22, 2016August 20, 2016 by katiekuceyeskiLeave a comment

Let me preface this article: I am generally not someone who utilizes holistic approaches to medicine. In addition, this article is in no way written by a medical expert. Please consult your pediatrician prior to utilizing Baltic Amber.

My son started teething pretty early. Now, at 18 months old, he’s still teething. At around 7 months old, his discomfort from teething was pretty unbearable. He was fussy, drooling, and not sleeping well. While we did give him teething toys often, most other remedies were utilized infrequently (Tylenol, tablets, etc.)

I heard the hype of authentic Baltic Amber, and initially dismissed it. After seeing the buzz time and time again, I decided “why the hell not?” We purchased our first Baltic Amber necklace. It was the right size for my son’s neck, had a release clasp, and was knotted between beads. He wore it all day, except for in the bath, and at night we wrapped it around his ankle under a sock. And while I can’t say indefinitely that it was the amber, I can say that within a week there was a considerable difference in his demeanor and even less drool. He wore his necklace for months until he outgrew it, and then we ended up getting one from The Amber Monkey.

Their necklaces are authentic Baltic Amber. They have various sizes and styles, and sell both adult and children’s necklaces. They actually sent us an adult sized necklace, too, that I’ve been wearing!

But truly, the Amber Monkey sells quality items. I inspected each necklace and was impressed by the styling and attention to detail.

Here is some additional information on Baltic Amber:

“For centuries amber has been treasured not only for its beauty but also for its health benefits. The Amber Monkey’s 100% certified Baltic amber jewelry comes directly from the amber mines in the Baltic region of the world. For hundreds of years, people have worn the Baltic amber fossil, which releases trace amounts succinic acid, a natural analgesic and healing agent.

Amber is the fossilized resin from ancient forests which has gone through multiple changes over the centuries. This metamorphosis resulted in an exceptional gem with extraordinary properties. Various types of plant life as well as insects may be encapsulated in the amber resin, adding a peculiar uniqueness. These trees fell and were carried by rivers to coastal regions. There the trees along with their resins became covered with sediment which hardened into amber over hundreds of years. Geological events have repositioned a great deal of the amber, however many amber deposits remain in the ocean residue and can be found on the shores of the Baltic Sea and the North Sea.

Due to its ornamental uses, amber is often considered to be a gem stone in the same class as semi-precious stones such as jade and turquoise. However semi-precious stones are mineralized whereas amber is a wholly organic material derived from the resin of an extinct species of trees. When amber is touched with fire, it gives off the scent of burning pine.

For hundreds of years the properties of Baltic amber have proven to be very beneficial. Many people boast of wearing Baltic amber for relief of migraines, head, neck and throat congestion, teething and toothaches. Amber can be beneficial for controlling rheumatism and arthritis pain, for aching muscles and joints, for carpal tunnel syndrome and sports injuries. For the best results it is recommended to wear the Baltic amber as close as possible to the painful area. From infant on thru the sunset years, wearing Baltic amber can be invaluable in providing natural healing. Baltic amber is the only fossil resin that contains 3/8 percent succinic acid, which is a powerful therapeutic substance. For the greatest effectiveness, it is recommended to wear the amber as close to the painful site as possible. The warmth of the body releases the healing properties of the amber.

Amber is sometimes used as a body oil as well as an ingredient in perfumes. Many spas and wellness facilities use amber oil for message. As the amber warms to the touch, it exudes a pleasant, relaxing fragrance while messaging away aches and pains.

The Amber Monkey offers a complete line of classic style amber necklaces and bracelets. Because of the wide color range of amber, The Amber Monkey jewelry can include a stunning arrangement of tones and hues. The Amber Monkey also offers Baltic amber in combination with semi-precious gemstones to give an added splash of color to the jewelry.

Baltic amber comes in a variety of colors and shapes. Colors range from golden tones and opaque cream colors to olive green, deep cherry and several shades of brown. Color has no significance on the effectiveness of amber, it is purely a personal preference. Bead sizes range from small to large in a variety of shapes, including slender chips, baroque (rounded beads), square beads, and flat olive shaped beads to name a few. Some beads are left in the raw, unpolished state and others have been polished to give a vibrant luster to the bead. This again is a personal preference of the appearance and does not affect the amber properties.

Those who prefer an elegant one of a kind piece of jewelry will certainly not be disappointed in The Amber Monkey’s selection. Our designers regularly add new creations to our collection. For the fun-loving customer, The Amber Monkey has many flirty styles that are sure to please.

Baltic amber necklaces have been a traditional baby teething remedy for centuries. Baltic amber’s natural analgesic, anti-inflammatory, pain relieving properties naturally soothe and calm a teething baby. The amber may also help reduce teething related symptoms such as swollen gums, runny nose, diaper rash, fever, and redness in the cheeks. Baltic amber is great for parents wanting to care for their baby naturally.

Proper fitting of children’s necklaces is critical.

With proper care Baltic amber jewelry will last for many years. Simply wipe the beads with a clean damp cloth. Never expose the jewelry to chlorine, oils or lotions as it will damage the beads. Disclaimer: Baltic amber is for external use only. The amber jewelry is designed to be worn only under adult supervision. Take caution to avoid contact with the mouth. The jewelry contains small parts and is not intended for children. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.”

I’m a firm believer that Baltic Amber has some healing properties. A web search provides mixed feelings and minimal scientific evidence, so I can only speak for our own experience utilizing amber for teething pains.

Want to try one? Check out this map to find out where to buy yours.

– Katie

Family Vacation. What is “vacation”?!?!

Published on August 20, 2016August 20, 2016 by AmandaLeave a comment

Merriam Webster defines vacation as “a period of time that a person spends away from home, school, or business usually in order to relax or travel.”

Okay, so we have the first part down. Definitely away from home and business, but definitely not the last few words,”relax”? Not sure I have even figured out what that is yet! You see, as a parent your “work” never goes away. You are always a mommy and a daddy. No matter how much help (in the form of other competent adults to watch your tiny humans) you bring with you, your children ultimately want you and need you!

We have been ~~at the beach~~ down south for 5 days now and my expectation for what our first vacation as a family of four would be has changed drastically!

TODDLERS DO NOT LIKE CHANGE.

My tiny humans are so confused and out of their element. We are in a huge house with a large portion of our family. They don’t know which way is up, or how to get anywhere. It’s a long walk to get to their snacks and up to their toys in their room. How frustrated would you be if you had no idea where anything was? We are trying as hard as we can to make it feel like home, but that’s pretty impossible in a house double the size of ours.

It’s light out way past their bedtime. Falling asleep has been extremely hard, and they aren’t sleeping through the night because of various unpredictable noises.

Thankfully, I am a morning person and I don’t mind getting up at five, but I’m sure the entire house doesn’t want to get up at the arse crack of dawn to go for a walk. The up side is I have seen more beach sun rises than ever before!

TODDLERS AND HEAT AREN’T FRIENDS.

“I got my toes in the water, butt in the sand, not a worry in the world, a cold beer in my hand. Life is good today.”

Life is definitely good, but your typical vacation habits are just a dream. Babies get hot quickly and then the tantrums start much more easily than they otherwise would. We only spent an hour or two outside at a time for the first few days of vacation. It is a completely different heat than they are used to in Ohio.

TODDLERS ARE A LOT OF WORK.

Oh my word. I am a stay at home mom, so I am used to my children around me 24/7, but add in a different location and they were attached to me like white on rice. Go into vacation with the mindset that you will only relax when the munchkins are sleeping. We never stopped worrying or running around with them. We loved every minute of it, but it was work, work, work, work, work, work…

TODDLERS STILL MAKE MESSES.

Okay, so this is obvious, but I still want to mention it. They still get into everything that you don’t want them to get into. There are still toys strewn across the house. And, unless you pack for every single day, then you will be doing laundry. A lot. All the chores you had at home are still there, just more annoying because all you want is to be laying on the beach. Just to lay on the beach for five minutes…

TODDLERS SENSE RELAXATION LIKE ANIMALS SENSE FEAR.

We worked in shifts, attempting to be able to just sit and soak up the sun. It never failed that once one of us settled down in our chair that both children would start screeching like they were dying.

Sand in eyes.

“He touched me.”

Grandparent moved out of sight.

Wrong parent is holding the baby.

Daddy covered his foot with sand. He is dying because said foot is now gone.

Catching birds is hard.

The best one of all, both toddlers get up and go. In different directions.

So, you run to the rescue of whoever was attempting to watch two toddlers alone.

NO ONE ELSE SPEAKS YOUR TODDLER’S LANGUAGE.

Like I said before, we have a ton of family with us that give us breaks from time to time.

All parents know the “toddler language” but unless someone is around your toddler a lot, then you run into conversations like this…

Adult: I know you were trying to relax, but I have no clue what she is asking for and now she wont stop crying!

Me: Okay, bring her out here.

BK#1: mommmaaa oooseie in yewwooo tup!!!

Me: Good grief kiddo, take a deep breath and tell that to her without fussing.

BK#1: Juice in yellow cup?

Two year olds are funny fickle little things! Don’t feel bad if you don’t know what they are saying 80% of the time. There are days I just stare at her like she is an alien because the things she is saying definitely doesn’t follow a language on earth.

We are having a blast on vacation and you should definitely make it happen for your family if you can! Thankfully, all my children will remember are the hours floating in the ocean and lots of alone time with mom and dad, but man oh man, next year I will definitely be going with much lower standards of what family vacation is with young children!

Keep a lookout for more on our family vacation. Tips, tricks, lists, products and how we turned chaos into fun!

❤ Amanda

Sophie la girafe: A must for little ones

Published on August 19, 2016August 17, 2016 by Casey SehmLeave a comment

Teething babies are the worst. Plan and simple, teething sucks. Sometimes you get lucky and have a baby that doesn’t show he or she is in pain, so you’d never even know they’re teething at all. My first daughter was like that; you’d never know she was cutting a tooth because she was still happy-go-lucky like she always was. My second daughter is a whole different story. Of course every baby is different but she is reeeeally unhappy lately. She’s working on her bottom two teeth and she’s just a fussy, drooling mess. I’ve tried silicone teething necklaces and bracelets that she likes to chew on when I’m holding her. But when I’m not holding, I’m won’t leave her alone (while I do the dishes or laundry) with a necklace.

Ever since my oldest was born almost four years ago, I’ve seen little ones always chewing on a rubber giraffe named Sophie. It seemed to be a big hit with babies and parents alike, but I never took the plunge and spent the $25 to get her one (being a stay at home mom and only having one income, things were and still are financially tight). But with my youngest being a tiny teething terror at a young age, I reached out to Vulli, who makes Sophie la girafe, to collaborate with Burrito Buzz on a review. They were sweet enough to send us a gift set with a Sophie la girafe for my youngest and flash cards for my oldest

As soon as I opened Sophie and washed her, I handed her to my almost five month old and she immediately snatched her by the leg and starting gnawing on her head. Sophie was so easy for her to handle and actually keep a hold of. The way the giraffe is shaped, with its long neck and legs, it allows for little hands to grab any part of it and bring it to their little mouths.

Sophie also has the cutest little face; I think she’s just adorable! In fact, her face has stayed the same since she was born in France in 1961. She’s made of 100% natural latex rubber, which comes exclusively from Hevea trees growing in Malaysia. Sophie is an award-winning toy not only with little ones and their parents, but among the toy industry as well. My one and only gripe with Sophie is that she squeaks like a dog toy which drives my dog, Mesa, insane. My oldest runs around squeaking as much as she can to taunt him. I know that one day he’s going to snatch her and it’ll be game over for our beloved Sophie. But we’re going to enjoy the relief it brings my baby until then.

Sophie came in a gift set ($31.28) that included flash cards for my almost four year old. She’s starting her second year of preschool and we’ve been working on letters and numbers all summer and these flashcards are perfect to continue practicing! They’re quality made with bright and colorful pictures. The 26 cards each have a unique picture on them so she can familiarize with the alphabet (A is for Apple with a picture of an apple, for example). They’ll be perfect for when she starts spelling words, too! I love that I can use these cards with the baby when she gets a little older to learn objects, letters, etc. Sophie la girafe’s picture is on the left hand corner of each card, which little ones will love as they can learn with their Sophie!

Sophie is definitely be a permanent fixture (until Mesa gets her) in our house. I just love how easy it is for the baby to chew on her and our baby actually gets relief. I give Sophie la girafe and the gift set a 5 out of 5 stars. It’s the perfect gift for both toddlers and babies and a great gift for baby showers. I totally get the hype of Sophie la girafe now, our family just adores her! I really wish I would have spent the $25 a few years ago; I know my oldest would have loved her just as much!

Be sure to check out Sophie la girafe website, as there are many more amazing products; gift sets, teethers and rattles, early learning toys, and bath, mealtime and travel products to name a few! We also have a discount code exclusively for Burrito Buzz readers, use code BURRITOBUZZ10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase! {Code valid until 9.17.16}

Don’t forget to follow Sophie on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter to stay updated on products and sales!

– Casey

**Burrito Buzz received this product at low or no cost for the purpose of product review. No compensation for a positive review was provided. All product reviews are based 100% off of our personal experiences and we never guarantee a positive review.**

Egg Retrieval Tips and Tricks

Published on August 18, 2016August 18, 2016 by chelseaphares6 Comments

My husband and I recently went through our first round of IVF. Eventually I will be writing about the whole process more thoroughly, but I had a good friend have her egg retrieval surgery today, and as I was giving her some advice, I realized I should write all this down while I’m thinking about it!

Leading up to your egg retrieval surgery, you’re on a lot of really fun hormones and shots! We call this ‘stimming’ in the TTC world. I think the average length of stimming is around 8-10 days, but I’ve personally known girls who have had to stim for up to 15 days! Not fun. I was lucky and responded quickly to my drugs and only had to stim for 8 days.

Since egg retrieval is a surgery, you can’t eat or drink before the procedure. Because of this, they generally try to do retrieval early in the morning. The whole process is fairly quick. I suggest wearing sweatpants or something comfortable and easy to get on and off (honestly, after stimming for so many days, you’re probably bloated and sore and happy to wear sweats where ever you can!). My IVF nurse had me bring a snack so I could take pain medication right after surgery for the ride home but more on this later.

I was most anxious about the IV, and I have no clue why. I’d been giving myself multiple shots a day for days. But for me, that was the worst part! Before I knew it, I was waking up in recovery. I think the whole procedure took maybe 15 minutes.

I’ve only been through this once, so I’m sure there are more experienced people who may have different advice, but here is mine:

You will (obviously?) need someone with you to drive you home. If you’re doing IVF, that will be your husband/partner most likely because the clinic will need their “sample” that morning to fertilize your eggs! It’s conception day!
Dress comfortably! I put on only enough makeup to look human, and wore my comfiest clothes.
That being said, wear your hair down. You have to wear a scrub cap, and it’s much easier and more comfortable to lay down without a ponytail bulge in there.
BRING A DRINK FOR AFTER! Holy crap was my mouth dry afterwards. No one warned me of that! It was insane, like having to put water in my mouth while chewing so that I could swallow.
Don’t bring a salty snack. See last bullet point. I took pretzels.
I took the day of retrieval and the following day off from work and highly recommend it. Obviously you can’t work the day of retrieval, but the next day is still hard. I was still taking pain medication as needed.
The heating pad is your friend, use it!
Don’t delay taking stool softener. I never said this was glamorous. Constipation and trapped gas are painful after surgery, and you’re already in pain.
Treat yourself well! Your body just went through a lot. Relax and let someone take care of you. My husband stayed home both days with me and he was awesome. I even got pizza after a nice nap the day of retrieval! I love pizza!

Me looking fabulous after egg retrieval, and so excited they were able to get 10 eggs!!

Like I said earlier, I have a lot more to share from my IVF experience, but these are just a few random things I learned about egg retrieval that I think are useful! To anyone who may be going through this soon, baby dust to you!

– Chelsea

Freshly Picked Moccasins: The perfect shoe for little feet

Published on August 15, 2016August 15, 2016 by Casey SehmLeave a comment

Ever since I can remember, I’ve been obsessed with shoes. I vividly remember getting a pair of The Little Mermaid velcro tennis shoes for Christmas when I was almost four years old. I was in love with those shoes and literally wore them until my toes popped through the front. There are pictures of me wearing them with my toes busting out, but I refused to give them up. My daughter is the same exact way. She’s almost four and has a ton of shoes, far more than I own now (probably because I’d rather buy her shoes instead of a pair for myself). However, she had a little jumping-from-the-slide-to-the-couch-but-missed accident when I was 9 months pregnant this past March. She fractured a bone in her foot and the timing couldn’t have been worse. I was due to have a c-section a week after she got her thigh-high cast on that she had to wear for 3-4 weeks. We survived and she’s doing pretty good now, but she’s still doesn’t like to wear hard sole shoes, she says they hurt her foot. But she loves wearing her Freshly Picked Moccasins! I’m sure you’ve seen little ones wearing leather moccasins, thinking it’s a “hipster baby” fad but it’s not, these shoes are so good for little feet!

Freshly Picked Moccasins were created by Susan Peterson 7 years ago after failing to find a shoe that fit her son’s chubby feet. I have been following Freshly Picked on Instagram ever since my oldest was just a few months old and I have always wanted to get my daughter a pair but didn’t have the funds as a new mom (each pair is $60, but there are a few sales throughout the year where they are discounted). After getting a beautiful pair of moccasins for my almost four year old recently (pink moccs were a must), we are hooked! Whether you’re looking for a bold or subtle shoe for your little babe, Freshly Picked has you covered! There are so many colors and patterns to chose from and they’re always releasing new designs. Seriously, it’s pretty hard to decide on what color to go with. The quality of the leather and craftsmanship of these adorable soft soled shoes is outstanding. The leather seriously molds to her feet, almost like a warm hug (my daughter’s words – “they’re hugging my feet!”) and the elastic band around the ankle keeps them on little feet. Soft soled shoes are perfect for little ones learning to walk, as they allow the foot to move naturally, but also protect delicate feet from harsh terrain.

I know I said $60 was steep for pair of shoes, but I will be buying a pair for my four month old when she starts walking. I know they’re going to be the best option for her little feet as she learns to walk. I love that the soles tell a story once they’ve been worn for a while. You can eventually see the outline of their little feet and remember all the places those moccasins have been and what milestones they’ve been a part of. Regular tennis shoes can’t do that.

My love of Freshly Picked has definitely grown since we’ve gotten our first pair. I’ve always admired Susan’s persistence, drive, and the story of how Freshly Picked was born; It’s never left my mind since I heard her tell it on Shark Tank. She spent an entire summer banging glass out of old windows her brother gave her (he owned a window company) so she could recycle the aluminum. With the $200 made, she started Freshly Picked. If that’s not hustle and heart, I don’t know what is. This is the kind of company you want to be a customer of and watch grow, as I have over the years. Not only are the products on another level, but so is the woman behind the brand.

In case you need another reason to fall in love with Freshly Picked moccasins, we have partnered up to give a pair of moccs to one lucky Burrito Buzz reader! Just follow the simple rules below and head over to Instagram to enter!

Follow both Burrito Buzz and Freshly Picked on Instagram (we’ll triple check!)
Tag 1 friend in the comments
That’s it!

Giveaway ends August 17, 2016 at 12pm EST. Winner will be announced on the original giveaway post on Instagram on August 17, 2016 by 1pm EST. Goodluck!

Don’t forget to follow Susan and Freshly Picked on Facebook and Twitter, too!

– Casey

8 Annoying Toys for Babies & Toddlers

Published on August 13, 2016August 9, 2016 by Casey SehmLeave a comment

When you become a parent, you also become an expert on all things that are annoying. It just comes with the territory. I think toy companies create the most annoying toys for babies and toddlers to drive their parents insane. Literally. Whether or not you buy these annoying toys, or if you try to keep them out of your house, they’ll still likely end up in you child’s toy box thanks to birthdays, holidays or from grandparents who love to spoil their grandchildren. As a mom to an almost four year old and four month old, I’m remembering all of the annoying baby toys my oldest used to have (and thought I got rid of forever) because they’ve once again popped up in our toy boxes. Here is a list of the most annoying toys (baby and toddler) according to me:

Brilliant Basics Corn Popper by Fisher-Price – you all know why this is at the top of the list. It is possibly the most annoying toy ever created (thanks Fisher-Price!) Baby just pushes it and pop, pop, pop, pop, pop goes the balls. It. Never. Ends. If someone gifts your child this toy, they secretly despise you.
See n’ Say by Fisher-Price – it seems like Fisher-Price makes several toys that torment parents. This toy is decades old, I remember annoying my mom with it as a child. Point the arrow at an animal and pull the lever down to hear what animal is is and what is says. You’ll hear “the cow goes moooooooooooooo” over and over and over.
Any kind of musical instrument – this is self explanatory. I love music and my husband is a musician but we cannot stand hearing the our toddler’s toy instruments. Her keyboard, maracas, tambourine, drums and recorder (oh, the recorder is a nightmare) are often hidden because they’re just too much for us to hear all at once when our daughter is playing in her “band”.
Go Baby Go!™ 1-2-3 Crawl-Along Snail by Fisher-Price – another Fisher-Price toy, this snail would always start singing and lighting up when just sitting in the toy box with no one near it because there are no buttons to push to make it turn on. Simply touching it turns it on. Its songs and sound effects are highly annoying and my crazy kids absolutely love it.
Playskool Poppin’ Park Elefun Busy Ball Popper by Playskool – the fan noise this
thing projects is really annoying in and of itself but then it spits balls all over the place. My precious toddler loves throwing them at at me. They’re good for target practice I guess.
Doc McStuffins Musical Light-Up Microphone – my husband brought this home for our daughter about a month ago and I thank my lucky stars everyday that he did (I’m being totally sarcastic). This thing never freaking stops and it’s so loud that it wakes my sleeping baby during nap time when my oldest plays with it. It’s now hiding on the top shelf of her closet and won’t be found for some time.
My Pal Scout & Violet by Leapfrog – at first I loved this dog when my oldest got it as a gift a few years. I liked that it could be programmed with your child’s name so it could talk to them. But the buttons get jammed and the songs get stuck on one word or sound and it just repeats. The only way to stop it just turning it off or taking out the batteries. So annoying.
Shake & Sounds Learning Pup by VTech – the only thing I can’t stand about this puppy is the constant barking. It’s cute and my daughter loves to play with it (she even named it Pumpkin Bubble Gum) but it barks. All. The. Time.

This is by no means a complete list, because according to my husband, any toy that lights up and makes noise is annoying. This is just a small list of the most annoying toys (in my opinion) that we own or have owned. My husband and I often talk about taking the kids’ noisiest toys outside and going Office Space on their annoying asses.

If you have an annoying or noisy toy that you’d add to my list, let me know in the comments or tell us in the comments on this post on Facebook or Instagram! I know I am missing a lot and I’m curious which toys to stay away from!

– Casey

Educational & Parent Approved Shows On Netflix For Toddlers

Published on August 12, 2016August 3, 2016 by AmandaLeave a comment

When BK#1 was tiny, I was set in my ways that she would never be glued to the TV and that I wouldn’t allow her to watch TV all the time. All the flipping time. Little did I know, I was in a for a rude awakening!

Toddlerhood quickly kicked in! Shortly after she turned one, her activity level spiked. Not only was she always on the go, but I was constantly entertaining. She never wanted to be alone, was always into things and I never got a spare second to do much of anything. Hooray, you are developing perfectly tiny human, but really can we cool it for half a second?!?!

I would kill for just a tiny little bit of the energy that toddlers seem to have. I found myself doing everything I possibly could to get her to play on her own just so I could run to the basement to throw a load of laundry in, let the dog out or go to the bathroom. A simple 5 minute task always seemed to have a toddler in tow. She played by herself pretty well, but unless she was in a pack and play, it never lasted too long. That’s okay! Yes, children need to learn to play alone, but when they are growing, they are starving for information and constantly learning!

One morning I woke up with a migraine the size of Texas. I could barely open my eyes, much less entertain a toddler. I was laying on the floor, hoping closeness would suffice and the chant of “ball, run, read, doggies, chase, sing…” started. I am sorry my tiny human, but I just can’t.

I did what I always said I would not do. I turned on a cartoon. I searched “Nursery Rhymes” on Netflix and hoped to find something to help me entertain until her daddy got home or my meds kicked in, whichever came first.

Flash forward a year later and cartoons are part of our everyday activities. You know why? Because, sometimes you just can’t! Sometimes we simply cannot compete with toddler energy and we just need to chill out for a second. Don’t abuse it, but I want you to know that it is okay. One parent to another: It will not scar your child to watch a little bit of TV. Most of the time they even learn a thing or two.

That being said, here are some BurritoBuzz favorite Netflix shows for little ones:

EDUCATIONAL

Leapfrog – There are 12 episodes total and the are all extremely educational! Math, science, numbers, letters, shapes, phonics, etc.
Mother Goose Club – I think it’s super corny, but BK#1 loves it! It’s nursery rhymes and children’s songs sang by kids in little costumes and/or cartoons.
Baby Genius – Nursery rhymes and children’s songs. Nursery Rhymes are so important for reading and vocabulary development and music is so influential for a child.
Little Einsteins – This our babies’ absolute favorite right now! BK#1 loves that there is “a mission” and actions with the songs, and BK#2 adores the music!
Curious George – Not strictly educational, but entertaining and there is always a little lesson in each episode.
Clifford & Clifford Puppy Days – A lot like Curious George. Not strictly educational, but definitely lessons in each episode. Fun and cute characters!

This isn’t on Netflix any more (it just was removed), but definitely worth mentioning.

Daniel Tiger – Created by the “Mister Roger’s Neighborhood” foundation. Every episode is a life lesson. Manners, emotions, friends, family, going to the doctor, potty time, pets, weather, siblings, imagination and much more! Sometimes we get a little sick of the same tunes, but it is BK#1’s absolute favorite and she really has learned a lot from it! Now, like I said it’s not on Netflix, but you can catch it on PBS every day at 11am or on their website. PBS in the morning is generally always toddler friendly.

BURRITOBUZZ MOMS APPROVED

Minions – Your toddler probably won’t have a clue what is going on, but it’s loud, funny and high energy, so of course they love it.
How To Train Your Dragon 2 -Adventure, dragons and action!
Sammy & Co. – It is multiple episodes about a turtle and his sea creature friends. Super cute and my animal lover approves for sure!
Puffin Rock – A Netflix original cartoon about the Puffin bird. There are multiple episodes about the cute little bird’s family and their day- to- day life.
Penguins of Madagascar- Crazy and funny little penguins rescuing their penguin friends from Dave the octopus.
Brother Bear (1&2) – “When a young Inuit hunter needlessly kills a bear, he is magically changed into a bear himself as punishment with a talkative cub being his only guide to changing back.”
Masha & The Bear – Originally it was a Russian TV show and it is translated into English. Super funny little girl tormenting a bear. Reminds me a lot of Tom and Jerry silliness
Home – Super cute new Netflix series based on the movie “Home”, about an alien planet making Earth their home, befriending a human, trying to find her mom and saving the Earth!
Lilo and Stitch – An oldie but goodie! Alien experiment comes to earth and finds a little girl who makes him her pet. She teaches him to be good and how to care about family. Very kid friendly and awesome example of a family that isn’t “perfect”. Whatever that is!
Stella and Sam – Adorable show about 9 year old Stella and her 4 year old brother Sam. I love that big sister Stella always lets Sam come on all of her adventures!

Aswith anything, TV is only okay in moderation. Make sure you child is active and not sitting in front of it all day! Also, remember to preview what your children watch first. They are tiny little parrots and there are a lot of things in “PG” movies that I wouldn’t want my kids saying or doing!

– Amanda

Stop trying to one-up the struggle…

Published on August 10, 2016August 10, 2016 by katiekuceyeskiLeave a comment

The comparison of struggle. Sometimes, it seems like parents are wanting to complain in a way that makes it seem like one person has it worse than the other. Like, “oh, your baby doesn’t sleep? Well, my baby is teething horribly which is so much worse.”

But I’ve said it before, where’s the empathy?

*Disclaimer: I’m addicted to ecards, which I’ll be using in abundance in this post.*

Why can’t one person’s struggle be acknowledged instead of mulled over and one-upped by another person’s struggle?

And here’s the truth: we all have some kind of struggle going on. Whether we talk about it openly or not.

Even then, sometime I’ll just be in conversation and talking about a difficult phase we’ve been going through. Right now we’re dealing with some major toddler tantrums. Instead of saying “oh, I remember those days!” or “this too shall pass” or “it gets easier” or something uplifting, I often hear things like “he’ll be worse when he’s two!” “wait until he talks more…” blah blah blah.

When our son didn’t sleep, like at all, for 9 months, I got so much advice on things we should be doing. Like hello, I don’t enjoy being sleep deprived. If you think I hadn’t already tried those things, you are very wrong.

So here’s what I’m getting at: it’s okay to identify and acknowledge someone else’s struggle without being upset that they aren’t facing your exact struggle. Sometimes we all just need to talk about what’s going on to get through the day.

A comparison I’ve heard recently: If you break your leg, you might scream that you’re in pain. In response, someone says to you “every bone in my body is broken!” But here’s the thing, the person with the broken leg is still in pain, whether or not it’s the same pain that you have or to the extent that you have it. It doesn’t make their issue any less of an issue.

This idea goes far beyond just parenting, but I’ve never before experienced such negativity and lack of compassion and empathy as I have since becoming a parent.

When someone takes the time to tell me their struggle these days, I try diligently to get on their level, to show that I care about their difficulties. And it’s impossible to always say the right thing, but I think that if we all try just a little harder to empathize we’ll be in much better shape. Our relationships will be stronger indefinitely.

– Katie

Seventh Generation Coconut Care Diaper Cream {Review}

Published on August 9, 2016August 2, 2016 by AmandaLeave a comment

I have always used coconut oil when my babies have gotten a diaper rash. I don’t always start with it, but if I can’t kick a rash with other creams, then I always slather it on before calling the doctor. Both my littles have always had really sensitive skin and they get a rash anytime they have a dirty diaper for any length of time. BK#2 is much worse than BK#1 ever was. The poor guy always seems to have some sort of rash starting or going. I will have it cleared up for a day or so and he will start teething, or take an extra long nap and it’s back full force! Coconut oil just about always clears it up in a day or two, it is that awesome. The only negative about it is it’s an oil. You have change diapers more often because it soaks into the side of the diaper and causes leaks.

WHY I USE COCONUT OIL FOR DIAPER RASHES:

It has natural antimicrobial, antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties to help the healing and prevention of a rash.
It also contains lauric acids and caprylic acids that are natural yeast fighting agents.

So it basically gets rid of any type of rash your child (or even yourself) has!

Seventh Generation just came out with a diaper cream with coconut oil in it! When I saw it at Target, I was so excited! I have never found anything made for little bums with coconut oil in it. I have just been working around the diaper leaks because it is what works best for my little ones!

Other awesome ingredients: Sunflower seed oil, zinc oxide, palm oil, and rosemary extract. Seventh Generation special formulated it to protect sensitive skin with a non toxic formula that is pediatrician tested!

GLUTEN FREE
NO MINERAL OIL
NO PETROLATUM
NO PARABENS AND DYES
NO FORMALDEHYDE

It is a thick cream that you have to spread around pretty well but when it warms up to your fingers, it spreads easily. There’s absolutely no scent either! So even though you have to spread it on, you won’t be smelling it all day!

The price point is pretty average at $9.99 for a 4 oz tube. The only downfall I have for this product is that you can only find it at Target. Now, I don’t have a problem with that because I have a target problem like most 20-something moms, but I know Target isn’t located everywhere! But it is available on their website. Seventh Generation also released a Coconut Care moisture lotion (7.6oz for $8.99) and a Coconut Care foaming shampoo and wash (9oz for 9.99), both available online as well as in store!

Cute packaging, awesome ingredients, superb quality and most importantly, it’s effective!

– Amanda

Noodle & Boo Skin Care {Review}

Published on August 6, 2016July 31, 2016 by Casey SehmLeave a comment

If you haven’t noticed (or are a first time reader, in that case – hello!), BurritoBuzz loves finding and sharing new skin care products for baby. I look for products that are hypoallergenic for baby’s delicate skin and with no harmful chemicals. I recently found a fantastic, luxurious skin care line for babies and for mamas that I have to share! Noodle & Boo sent me several samples to try with my four month old and I am in love with every single one of them!

Noodle & Boo is a skin care line designed developed specifically for ultra-sensitive skin. The founder Christine Burger worked with holistic and natural healthcare providers to create products that nourish, protect and replenish delicate and sensitive skin. The ingredients used in Noodle & Boo products are certified organic and derived from natural resources. I love that the products are made in the USA and are manufactured in a pharmaceutical-like environment so the quality is superb. Noodle & Boo also has a complete line just for those with super sensitive skin and eczema.

You can rest easy knowing the products are free from a slew of harmful ingredients:

Parabens
Phthalates
Sulfates
PPG’
Dyes
GMO’s
Triclosan
Formaldehyde Donors
Bisphenol A (BPA)
Essential Oils

The first thing I noticed (and loved) was the smell of the products. It’s the epitome of what a baby smells like. They somehow bottled the smell of a newborn and it is fantastic. I received four amazing samples, Noodle & Boo Newborn 2-in-1 Hair & Bodywash (8oz for $14), Super Soft Lotion (8oz for $14), Ultimate Ointment (2.5oz for $15) and Baby Balm (4.5oz for $16). I love all of the products I got to try. The hair and body wash gets my little babe clean, even in all of her rolls (and there are a lot!) and keeps her smelling great. The lotion keeps her skin hydrated, soft and smooth all day. She’s had a few dry patches on her elbows, I’m really hoping it’s not eczema (it’s not bad, so I don’t know if it is or not) and I applied the Baby Balm which provides long-lasting moisture and comforts irritated skin. I love that it’s super thick and after using for a few days, the dry patches have subsided for the most part! The Ultimate Ointment is perfect for diaper rashes, dry skin or eczema as well. It creates a moisture repellant to promote natural healing of rashes. I use it for the rash on my little one’s neck. Her rolls are trapping moisture and the Ohio heat has caused a heat rash. The ointment has helped tremendously.

I love Noodle & Boo products and I would love to try more, especially products for mama! The only issue, is the price. This is a luxury brand (so many celebrities swear by Noodle & Boo, check out their testimonials and who loves Noodle & Boo here!) so the cost is a little high but totally doable if you want high quality products. Be sure to check out Noodle & Boo’s website here. They seriously have so many awesome products to offer for both baby and mom!

Don’t forget to follow Noodle & Boo on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook for new releases and sales!

– Casey