This little guy is turning one on Saturday. ONE. I am still in shock at where the time went! He has grown so fast and is turning into quite the little boy these days. He is such a fun loving, smart, curious little adventurer. Love him to pieces!
That said, today’s post is a fun one that revolves around some brands that I’ve been loving– perfect for babies to toddlers of your own, or gifts for a birthday, shower or just because. And best yet, there is a giveaway at the end!
Check out some of the brands Bryce and I have been loving lately…
Pediped (Bryce’s shoes and sandals)
About Pediped: Exceptional quality, unsurpassed comfort, and distinctive styling have made the award-winning company the fastest growing children’s footwear brand in the United States. The brand has received numerous industry awards and accolades for their quality. pediped® is sold in over 750 stores in the United States and 40 countries worldwide with an offering of more than 120 designs for boys and girls between its three lines, Originals®, Grip ‘n’ Go™ and Flex®. The award-winning footwear is available in sizes for newborn to 6 Youth. The pediped® Spring/Summer 2016 Collection is now available for purchase online at www.pediped.com and in select retail stores.
Our thoughts: I first heard about Pediped via the emails I get from Lucie’s List (fantastic resource, by the way.) The soles are very grippy and seem to be as close to bare feet as you can get, which is perfect now that Bryce is walking everywhere now (check out some of his first steps here). Overall, they have very nice quality and are super stylish! While they do run true to size, the sandals fit great since they were canvas-like and had a wide opening, but the shoes don’t have a ton of give to them and they don’t go on Bryce’s feet very well at all. They fit the length of his foot fine, but getting his foot/ankle in is really tricky, so I’d recommend sizing up to avoid the same issue we had!
Baby Blanket Music (the Beatles album)
About Baby Blanket Music: New York-based Baby Blanket Music offers a collection of albums featuring soothing lullaby arrangements of songs made famous by well-known artists. The collection includes music from Madonna, Michael Jackson, Elton John, Billy Joel, Garth Brooks, John Mayer, Simon & Garfunkel, The Beatles and Lady Gaga. A Classic Soothing Lullaby Arrangements album is offered as well featuring classic tunes. Baby Blanket Music is designed to aid in the best development of babies while also pleasing the ears of parents, grandparents, family and friends. A graduate of Duke University with a major in music, Rutt, who is a children’s music teacher, composer and performer, selects popular music and arranges it with care on each Baby Blanket Music album.
Our thoughts: We LOVE this album! So great to hear the tunes we all know and love, but soothing in a lullaby form. I first stumbled upon lullaby music based on modern day songs on Youtube, but love that there is a dedicated album out there featuring songs from one artist. (And you can listen to the songs on their website– I even find myself doing that as background while I work!) I’d definitely get another album– but it’s a tough call- do I go with Lady Gaga or some country with Garth Brooks? Tough call :-) Perfect for a baby shower too- so unique!
NurturMe (NurtureMeals, Quinoa Cereals, Snack Packs)
About NurturMe: NurturMe is the first and only family of certified-organic, dried fruit and veggie meals and snacks created to nourish healthy growth and overall wellness in little ones. Bursting with vital nutrients and fresh organic flavor, NurturMe’s Quinoa infant cereals, dried NurturMeals wholesome baby food, Yum-a-Roo’s toddler snacks and Quinoa Squares Organic Puffed Crackers help parents feed their children better from first bites to first steps, and everywhere in between. Made from specially selected super fruits and veggies that are quick-dried in order to preserve freshness, flavor and vital nutrients, NurturMe baby and toddler foods are certified organic, gluten-free, non-GMO and kosher, with no added preservatives, sugars or salts.
Our thoughts: I try to make the best effort in giving Bryce fresh food whenever possible, and when we are on the go or low on produce in our house, I love to have these on hand. Natural, healthy and wholesome- win! Bryce loves the taste of these (we haven’t tried the toddler snacks yet) and I’m a fan too. Plus, they are sold in a ton of stores from Babies R’ Us to Whole Foods to Meijer to Amazon.
Silikids (sippy cup, straw cup, place mat)
About Silikids: Traverse City-based Silikids was founded in 2006 and is the first mom-founded brand focused on creating products that are safe, modern and made entirely out of silicone, offering an alternative to plastic wares found in the kitchen. Silikids’ designs are safe, modern and practical products offering superior function, while being easy to use and clean. All Silikids products are made from 100% food grade silicone. The Silikids mission is to be the alternative to plastic, bridge the gap between great design and affordability and improve the way we live.
Our thoughts: Wish we had these things sooner! Seriously, these things are great. Easy to clean, durable for Bryce as he learns to eat/drink and of course, safe and non toxic. The sippy cup has a glass interior and can be taken off for cleaning, and the silicone around it protects it if it gets thrown around. And we love the straw cup…perfect for the smoothies that Bryce can’t get enough of lately. The straw is flexible so it’s easier for him to get to his mouth in his high chair, and the silicone top be fitted on glasses you already have. How versatile is that?! And the place mat stays put on the table and collapses down to the size similar to a deck of cards, so it’s great to throw in the diaper bag when we venture out to eat at a restaurant (plus, he can start learning his geography and states early!)
And now the fun part…you can enter to win a prize pack from these great brands, including a Baby Blanket Music album, Silikids sippy cup and place mat, NurturMe $20 gift package and pair of Pediped Originals shoes (winner picks size and gender.) Whether you have a kiddo or know someone who does, worth a shot…there are tons of ways to get entries!
Enter using the widget below. (US only please. All entries will be verified.)
Disclosure: I received products from these brands in exchange for a blog post. No other compensation was provided. I collaborated with these brands because I enjoy them and thought my readers would too!
I hadn’t even heard of some of these brands. Nice post, Val!
I hadn’t either but am so glad I did. I love finding unique (and functional) baby stuff…like those cups?! Game changers, I tell ya!
The cups look awesome. Big brother has chewed through almost all of the cups we had. He is so sneaky about it too! So we are going to need to restock for our little guy and these look great!
I wish I had found these sooner- I love how durable and easy to clean they are! These are a game changer versus the plastic ones we’ve had. Good luck! :-)
Wow! I can’t believe Bryce is already a year old!! Those cups and placemat look so cool!
Time flies for sure! Deacon will be 1 in the blink of an eye :-) You guys would love them…good luck :-)
Everything! Especially the pair of Pediped shoes
I wish I had found these brands sooner- we love them! Thanks for entering and good luck!
Love the Pair of Pediped shoes (:
These shoes are SO nice…great quality! Thanks for entering and good luck!
That placemat and cup combo look great
We love them! Easy to wipe clean too. Thanks for entering and good luck!
I’m excited to try the Pediped shoes, they look really nice!
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Such good reviews! A related question: we’re going to a one-year old boy’s birthday party in a couple of weeks – best suggestions for a gift he’ll love?!?!? I don’t want to do clothes/shoes or books as I know that everyone else will give him those things :)
So if you want to go the route of getting something that isn’t a physical gift, getting them an experience is really thoughtful and unique. Maybe it’s something that you can do with him to make fun memories (or with Mom & Dad too)- think zoo, kid museum, local attraction, etc. Or, you can always give a “gift certificate” to offer to babysit while Mom & Dad go on a date night so you can do something fun with just him!
The pediped shoes are what I’m most excited about! They are great quality.
He is really starting to look so much like you! These all sound like great brands!
I’m most excited to try the sippy cups. We can’t seem to find one that my daughter really likes…
the pediped shoes!! they look so great. i know they would hold up well for all our many adventures
Pediped – I’ve seen them online alot but haven’t tried them yet
I’d like to try the folding Silicone Placemat
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I like the Silikids Sippy Cup because it is much needed.
The shoes! Ive heard they are great!
I’m most excited to try the Pair of Pediped Originals Shoes – I’ve heard good things about Pediped and my little one is just about to start walking.
The shoes are so cute! They look pretty bendy like they’d be good for babies little feet! The sippy cups also look pretty awesome!