Friday, August 12, 2011

I Heart Huggies Slip-Ons

Huggies Little Movers Slip-On Diapers, Step 5, 50 Count (Pack of 2)I've been using the new Huggies Little Movers Slip-On Diapers for about a week now and I am a fan! The slip-on design makes my life so much easier (if you've ever tried to fasten a regular diaper on a running toddler, you can understand) and they have nifty opening side tabs so that you aren't pulling a dirty diaper down your kid's legs.

I also really like the fit of the diapers--Andrew is 33 inches long and 25 lbs and the size 4s (22-37 lbs) are snug like underwear without the between-the-knee sag of other diapers. I think we could even go up to a size 5 (27+ lbs) since Andrew is on the tall side now and he'll outgrow the 4s lengthwise in a hot second, but the side panels are so stretchy and soft, the 4s fit like a glove. Oh, and gone are the sharp edges of the regular Little Movers size tabs--Andrew was really getting cut up and sore from those!

Absorbency-wise, they are as absorbent as regular Huggies--which means we still have overnight leaks at times like we have in EVERY brand of diaper we have tried. I'm so used to changing sheets that I wasn't surprised, though. I don't think any diaper can withstand the pee that springs forth from Andrew overnight!

Price-wise, ouch. Amazon is listing the 100 pack of size 5s, 112 pack of size 4s, and 132 pack of size 3s (16-28 lbs) at $50.16 today. Diapers.com isn't much better right now: $49.99 for a smaller quantity of diapers--but you can get $5 off the price if you join the site's free Take 5 loyalty program. I think I'm just accustomed to the price of Luvs and other discounted brands--guess you pay for the convenience of pulling up!

So, what's the difference between these and Pull Ups or Easy Ups? Well, they are priced pretty similarly, but the Slip-Ons come in smaller sizes. Pull-Ups do start at 18+ lbs for the 2T-3T size, though, (and in a nighttime version!) so I will be trying those down the road and--you guessed it--reviewing them right here. Speak up, though, if you have experience with trainers or slip-ons that you'd like to share--I'd love to hear your opinion too!

Update: It looks like the box of 100 size 5's won't be available to ship for 2-3 weeks from Amazon! If you order the 80 pack ($47) and sign up for the subscribe and save option, though (it is free and you can cancel whenever you like) the 80-count box is $33 for a limited time--that's an extra 15% off the normal 15% subscribe and save discount.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Simply Awesome Play/Birthday Venue: The Playroom in Nyack, NY

Andrew's favorite: the ball pit! 
My mother, Andrew and I stumbled upon The Playroom Nyack just after its grand opening in July. This place is the Shangri la of indoor play places--much smaller than Wee Play in Nanuet, but a million times cleaner and brighter (and more fun for caregivers too).

Lauren, the owner and a Rockland local, has thought of everything to make The Playroom the best indoor play destination in Rockland. From the cheerful walls which were painted by local college students to resemble Dr. Suess illustrations to the fun Kids Bop playing in the background and the amazing toys (a ball pit, Little Tykes Sizzle N Serve kitchens, a bouncy castle, a huge sandbox, and more.) There is also a great space for parties which start at $250 for 10 kids (contact the playroomnyack@gmail.com for details). With the sandbox and large castle rock wall and slide to the back, I'd say babies through kids age 10-ish will have tons of fun at this venue.

Check out the photo gallery HERE and drool!

What's more, there's a lounge dedicated to caregiver comfort, complete with comfy leather couches, a flat screen TV, and a Keurig coffeemaker. (Drinks and healthy snacks are also available for the kids for a fee.) And while it is such a pleasure watching over your little one in such free caffeinated luxury, at certain times The Playroom will be offering drop-off childcare services and staff members to play with your little ones so you can take it even easier!

Seriously, I am over the moon in love with The Playroom and, more importantly, so is Andrew! Andrew had a ball, and I was just so impressed at how friendly Lauren was and how clean the facility was (the bathroom changing table actually was stocked with liners--a rarity!) Entry is $15 for the day and you can come and go as you please from 10am-6pm daily. You can also buy a monthly pass for $65 until September 1st and special deals come along with that (guest passes, a t-shirt, etc.)

Check the Playroom out online HERE or on Facebook and do contact them directly for more specifics about memberships and parties. Speaking of... I better get a move on and book Andrew's 2nd birthday party there before you all book the place up!!

68 Main Street
Nyack N.Y. 10960
Phone: 845.512.8265

Friday, August 5, 2011

Dr. William Greenberg at Pomona Pediatrics (Pomona, NY)

Andrew had his 18-month check-up last week and we were finally able to check out Pomona Pediatrics after going to Clarkstown Pediatrics a couple months earlier. We had a relatively nice experience there, and I'm pretty sure it is indeed the practice we will stay with... I'm really just still mourning the fact the we can no longer go to the amazing Dr. Paul in Queens!

That said, the office staff at Pomona Pediatrics was very friendly and we were acknowledged as soon as we entered. Our nurse was super nice and made accommodations for squirmy Andrew (he was allowed to sit on the scale rather than stand and she marked his height on a piece of paper rather than making him lay down on the table.)  And Andrew really like Dr. Greenberg (complete bio HERE).

While a little bit stern seeming at first, Dr. Greenberg actually joked a lot with Andrew and put him at ease. I was particularly amused when he "listened" to Andrew's Mickey Mouse doll with his stethoscope and said "I hope you have good insurance for this one!"

Dr. Greenberg also took the time to answer my questions and go over baby safety tips with me, and he reassured me that, come time to give Andrew more vaccinations, I would be able to hold him in my arms rather than go through the trauma that was trying to restrain him at Clarkstown Peds. He also mentioned that, while they do take temperatures rectally for kids Andrew's age, they were looking into getting a head-scan thermometer that would be less invasive (please get on that soon, people!)

The few negatives that I saw were that the nurse did not take Andrew's temperature and that the waiting area is in dire need of new seating (the seats are ripping apart). Also, there are a bunch of very large, somewhat-cobweb-y stuffed animals hanging from the ceiling. But, while I found them a bit creepy, Andrew was beside himself with happiness looking at the huge Dora, Minnie Mouse, Elmo, etc. hanging above him (I guess the office staff knows best... but please get up there with a duster!)

Also, upon leaving, we were not ask to schedule to next appointment and I just find it frustrating that both Clarkstown and Pomona Peds dropped the ball on this. Regardless, we'll be returning to Dr. Greenberg for our next appointment when Andrew turns two in January. I'll be sure to keep you posted with a follow up review!

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Intriguing--Huggies Little Movers Slip-Ons

Huggies Little Movers Slip-On Diapers, Step 4, 56 Count (Pack of 2)
$50 for a box of 112 (Amazon)
Andrew hates having his diaper changed, and I more often than not have to get his diaper on and off while he is standing. So, I was reaaly intrigued to hear that Huggies just released a slip-on version of their Little Movers diaper: Huggies Little Movers Slip-On Diapers.

These diapers were just released today on Amazon, so I haven't had a chance to try them out, but I will definitely be buying a box to see if they a) work, b) are worth the almost $30 increase from the regular Little Movers and c) are not just a glorified version of Pull Ups. I'm supposing that they do have a lot in common with Pull Ups--slip on design, easy open side tabs for changing--but fill the smaller sizes gap (sizes 3, 4, and 5) that  Pull Ups do not cover.

I'll try them out and get back to you STAT. Until then, may your changing times be peaceful and your diaper-fastening fingers swift!