Fish Price Rearview Mirror

Price: Approximately $14.99

The above link, and the picture, are not the exact mirror I have, but its extremely similar and by the same brand name

The carseat inspection officer (not really an officer, I just want to make him sound official) frowned upon the rearview baby mirror we have - but i LOVE it. I understand that looking at your baby through the rearview mirror while driving can be extremely dangerous, but it's nice to have when at a stop light or what have you. I was unable to use it for a week when we went to OBX (it didn't cooperate with the vehicle we were using) and I really missed having it.

Pros:

-allows you to easily check on your baby/child

-fun for the child to look at

-bendable strap that allows for (almost) universal use, and secure positioning

-does not take up alot of your rearview mirror space, or your rearview window space

-the mirror is made of a flexible reflective surface. not your classic mirror. if you are in a car accident this mirror will not shatter and do the same damage that a classic mirror would do. I don't think it would do much of any damage actually.

Cons:

-The mirror is made from a flexible reflective material that distorts the baby's face (much like a funhouse mirror).

-I couldn't figure out how to use it in an SUV. perhaps I didn't try hard enough

Since it's deemed "unsafe" I will not recommend it. I will, however, say that I really like this item and have been using it for almost a year now. I plan to continue to use it for Baby #2.

Do Not Recommend: Fisher Price Corner Tub Caddy

I was unable to find a link, picture, and price for this item on babiesrus.com (the store it was purchased from), but I was able to find it on amazon.com

List Price: $14.99

Pros:
-reputable brand name
-cute to look at. fun.
-good size for those smaller bath toys
-gender neutral

Cons:
-small, in my opinion (but maybe we have too many toys in the tub?)
-suction doesn't hold at all

The bottom line for me is that this item doesn't stick to the wall. It doesn't stick when there are toys inside and it doesn't stick when it's empty. I attempted to use it on several different occasions and never did it stick for longer than a minute. I personally am very disappointed in this item and would not recommend it.

Swings

Fisher-Price Rainforest Open Top Take Along Swing

Price: $69.99

Another Fisher Price Rainforest product. What can I say, it's an adorable line!

Pros:

-adjustable music volume

-easy to collapse and take places

-3 cute dangling toys

-adjustable harness system

-varying swing speeds (5)

-fun bright colors

-head cushion for added comfort

-fabric is easy to remove for washing

-the mobile swings, making it easy to get baby out of the seat

Cons:

-swing speed is too fast for a newborn

-batteries not included (four C)

-says its good for up to 25 lbs but at 8months old and only 20 lbs I stopped putting my son in the swing. I found that he would lean himself forward so that his head was upside down, and then get himself stuck (if he wasn't strapped in, he would face plant or do a flip). It looked very uncomfortable - a little painful even. I'm not sure if its the swings fault for tipping forward easily, or not, but it's something I thought was worth noting.

Recommend: Absolutely. But again, the swing is a bit powerful for a newborn, in my opinion.

Graco Silhouette Swing - Deco

Price: $139.99

This is another item that was purchased mostly because of the pattern. It matched all the other Deco items that would be cluttering my living room, so why not?

Pros:

- Good brand name

- has a dial you can turn to adjust swing spead

- seat has a recline feature so they can sit up or recline back (good for different ages, with different amount of neck control, etc.

- has a cute hanging mobile (could be more attractive and eye catching) and fun toys on the tray in front

- when the chair rocks, it sets the mobile in motion

- plays through a series of classical style songs or you can play nature sounds.

- volume can be adjusted

- has a timer for the swing (I have never personally used it, so couldn't begin to tell you how it works)

- has 'soothing vibrations' in the seat

- when baby is older there's a spot on the tray in front of him for snack, etc

- seems to be large enough for older infants.

Cons:

- expensive in comparison to the travel swing above

- larger than travel swings (not transportable and harder to move around the house)

- Tray in front needs to be opened to put the baby inside and usually knocks into the mobile when opening. (a minor annoyance)

Would I Recommend: Jude personally is not a huge fan of the swing. He's used it a small handful of times since he's been home. I hope that as he gets older he gets some use out of it because of the price. But I've heard some kids love the swing and others hate it, if he never grows to like it, maybe #2 will. As far as quality and whether I would purchase it for a child who did like the swing, I'd say sure! It could be brighter and more eye catching/entertaining, but I like that it goes with my set and has a lot of nice features. In general, there aren't many graco products I have that I wouldn't recommend.

Graco SnugGlider Infant Car Seat Swing Frame

Price: $49.99

When I first saw this, I immediately fell in love with the idea of it. Basically you set your infant car seat in the frame and it turns your travel system car seat into a travel swing.

I have honestly NEVER used it. I originally got it because I thought not only would it be great for if he's a sleep when we come home, but it'd be nice for when I walk in the door and need to let Buddy out. We could have this by the door and drop Jude in it while I run out to let Buddy out in the front yard. Really, Jude has not been much of a swinger, so it never got used. That being said, I won't have much to say about how it functions.

Pros:
- Folds up small for cramped quarters
- fits a variety of size car seats
- keeps car seat off the ground (as I type this I plan to pull it out of the closet because I hate having my car seat just sit on the ground - at least it will get SOME use)

Cons:
- In my case, because it folds up so small I threw it in a closet and forgot all about it.
- was a little difficult putting it together. It's a series of gray bars that all looked a like and therefore made it difficult to determine which went where.

Would I Recommend: I plan to pull this out in the next few days and I'll come back to update whether I recommend this item. It seems very practical though for a small space and a baby who likes the swing.

Recommend: Jumperoo

Fisher-Price Rainforest Jumperoo
Price: $99.99

Another item I just love.

Pros:
-It's full of things for the baby to look at and play with.
-bright colors
-There are a couple catchy tunes you can play at different volumes.
-Adjustable straps for height (3 positions)
-pretty easy to remove the seat for washing
-toys at varying heights
-seat spins 360 degrees
-toys on all sides
-some lights to catch your baby's attention
-helps promote leg use and muscle development


Cons:
-just too large to fit through doors
-awkward to collapse
-not very travel-friendly
-the dragonfly toy does not stand up like its shown in the pictures. it just flops to the side

Recommend: Absolutely!!!!

Recommend: Fisher-Price Rainforest Booster Seat

Fisher-Price Rainforest Booster Seat

Price: $30.99

When registering I really didn't know if a booster seat was something I would really need, but i figured 'what the heck' and threw it on there. I chose this booster seat in particular because it has a removable toy tray insert that has tons of cool looking toys. My dear friend Michelle purchased it for me and I was reminded just how cute it was. Unfortunately, it sat in it's box for several months before we were able to actually use it. We've been using it now for several months and we just love it. Trent is very entertained by the toys when he's not eating and the tray is great for his puffs. We've taken it to restaurants with us several times and it's been wonderful. You can fold it up a little so that it's easier to take from place to place, and you can use the seat straps as carrying straps.

Pros:

-great toys

-reputable brand

-easy to transport

-adjustable safety buckle

-height adjustable

-tray is dishwasher safe

-straps to secure to chair

-apparently you can remove the back and tray all together once your child is older and use the seat as a big boy booster seat

Cons:

-a little bulky for taking places if you are bringing the toy insert along

-you may not use your high-chair much (this is a joke con, but a serious one. at almost 9 months old we never use our high chair...only this booster seat)

Recommend: Fisher-Price Rainforest Waterfall Peek-a-Boo Soother

price: $43.99

i love love love this item. Since Trent's mobile is pretty boring it's nice that he has something else to sooth him when he's in his crib.

pros:
-absolutely adorable
-baby loves it
-it stays on for up to 18 minutes
-very soothing music
-3 volume control
-multiple options (music and light, just lights, just music)
-one large easy busy to push - my son is starting to push it himself
-reputable name brand

cons:
-a little pricey
-it's a pain to take off and put back on the crib
-batteries not included
-requires 4 C batteries
-the light can be a little too bright in the middle of the night when your baby is just falling asleep. Make sure you know which controls to change so that it's music only - the light may wake the baby up (something I've experienced personally)
-controls do not light up.

recommend: definitely! Use a coupon and get it!

Fisher-price makes a very similar item, call the Wonder Aquarium, that I plan to get for the next kid. Same manufacturer and same concept.

Fisher Price Hoppy Days Bouncer vs. Graco Sooth and Swaddle Bouncer

Fisher Price Hoppy Days Bouncer
Price: $35.99

We didn't think we'd need a swing AND a bouncy seat, so we didn't register for this item. It wasn't until Christmas time (1.5 months later) that we asked for the chair. We realized we needed more places to put the baby down other than his pack n play. When my mom asked me which bouncy seat I wanted I hopped online real quick and went for the first reasonably priced seat that had good reviews (on BRU website).

Pros:

-cute pattern

-very light

-detachable mobile

-mobile has a dangling noise maker
-mobile has 2 detachable dangling toys

-vibration feature
-headrest

-gender neutral

-reputable brand

-reasonable price

-easy to remove the fabric for cleaning (been there)

-nice harness system (or whatever you want to call it

-light weight, easy to carry

-not bulky

Cons:

-you have to remove the mobile before putting baby in the seat, and before taking him out of the seat, or else he will hit his head on the plastic noise maker.

-battery not included

-easy to forget to turn the vibration feature off (not sure I can blame that on the seat though)

Would I Recommend: Yes. This is a classic, affordable seat with a few bells and whistles. It's not extravagant but it gets the job done.

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Graco Sooth and Swaddle Bouncer
Price: $59.99

One of the few items that Jude has used continuously since he's come home is his bouncer. It is super convenient for us because it's light and small making it easy to carry into the kitchen while cooking, into the yard while doing yard work, into the living room while watching tv, etc.

Pros:

- pattern coordinates with many other baby-gear items

- comes with a swaddle blanket that fits through the harness system to mimic the womb for very young babies.

- plays through a few different songs so it's not too monotonous.

- has a sun shade for when we're outside.

- has different vibration settings

- we've been using it for almost 3 months and haven't had to replace the batteries.

Cons:

- harness system is annoying - all Graco harnesses are the same on all of our Graco products (except the car seat) and I dislike them all equally

- fabric cover is hard to remove. I've wanted to clean it a few times and gave up because it was frustrating to get off.

- I didn't put it together, but it looked difficult to assemble - which is only a big deal for the initial out of the box moment.

- there are plush toys hanging from the shade that are attached very loosely with velcro and fall off easily.

- Music and vibration on/off switches turn on easily when moving it around.

- Made out of a suede-type fabric that can be fairly hot in the warm weather.

Would I Recommend:

When comparing it to the cost of other bouncers I'd say it probably wasn't worth the expense. Other's seem to do the job just fine for about 20 dollars less. The music is soothing though (baby mozart music) and it's a little larger than some other options, so he may get more time out of it. We never used the swaddle blanket though - and I'm sure that alone impacted the price. I wouldn't NOT recommend it (it's treated us just fine and I love the pattern), but you could get something equally functional for much less.