Lovebirds' NYC Valentine's Weekend

Thank you to everyone who's been so patient and gracious with me while I get back to 100% - not quite there yet, but I should be soon! 

Last week with Mr. Lovebird gone it was such a glorious return for all of us given all that was going on and Grayson squealed, "DADEEEEEEE!" when he saw him the next morning when he woke up. He really is his #1 fan! We took it slow and packed up to head to NYC for the long weekend. I always say I'm the queen of making grandiose plans and after years of doing so, I've learned not to get bummed when things don't work out but have proceeded with caution as we work our way through our agenda. This past weekend had the right mix of play and rest - it was perfect! I'm so thankful to our family and friends who are so flexible and accommodating.

We timed our trip so our first stop would be in the Bronx to visit longtime friends April and her family. Remember her son and Nia's first kiss? It was also a delicious experience partaking in real pizza, something we've missed greatly (I think it really must be the water). The chicken vodka slice at Emilio's is EVERYTHING!

Before kids April, her husband JJ, Uka and I were all in the same pre-marital growth group at our church*. It was an intense 10 weeks, but I'm so glad we stuck with it! Uka and I still revisit what we learned during that time and are thankful to our NYC pastor for that foundation.

Once we were stuffed with good food and memories we headed over to the afternoon session of Play Fair. While I've attended Toy Fair in the past (here and here) and while that event is press only, this time around with family in tow coinciding with the inaugural Play Fair, it was an opportunity to get the family in on the action. It was biting cold, but having experienced colder temperatures in New Hampshire and with the power of long underwear coupled with Uka dropping us off at the front door, we made it! 

I attended Play Fair as a guest of KidzVuz, and the event had promised interacting with the latest and greatest toys, but instead it was more coloring pages, bins of LEGOS and piles of Shopkins with a main stage scheduled with events that I know my active kids were not going to sit still for! There were a couple play spaces hosted by Nickelodeon and Razor that I know Nia would've liked, but the lines were daunting. As the event grows it would be great if they reduce the attendance making it easier to navigate, or have fewer, more quality toy experiences for the kids. I even spotted a couple fellow bloggers I know Aliah (Get Fit Diva) and Danielle (Dellah's Jubilation)!

Grayson was content to hang out in the Thomas the Tank Engine play space rockin' his new Doodlepants while Nia made the rounds with Uka.  The best feature they experienced was the Samsung  Gear VR powered by Oculus - they both kept raving about it! As a Samsung user I'm excited to learn more about this technology. 

We lasted for about 90 minutes before heading over to an early dinner in Harlem with Nia's birthday twin and his family. It's so fun now that Grayson is big enough to get in on the action and they all played together while the parents caught up!

 

Sunday we were up for church then Valentine's Day lunch around the corner with my sister and her beau at Sammy's Noodles a spot we've been going to for about 10 years now, and it never fails (although it did go on a health score hiatus a while back WELP!). 

I took a refreshing nap when we made it back up to my sister's place in Harlem where I reportedly didn't move for over an hour. I popped up and got ready for our dinner reservation at Red Rooster and NO, it's not Red Lobster, which post-Bey mayhem a couple people thought that's where we were going! I'll give our experience its own well-deserved post, but the highlight of the evening was meeting Chef Samuelsson. I've met him before at Native when it was still around years ago, and while I've been to Red Rooster a couple times before, it was Uka's 1st time there so it was extra special to be able to thank him for dinner!

My sister Lauren, who had attended the Texture on the Runway event sponsored by Target on my behalf the night before (did you see the teaser I posted of the swag bag?), held it down with the kids watching a movie when we returned so we could watch the mid-season premiere of The Walking Dead. WHOA! It was SO good, agreed? I rarely watch TV, but have 3 shows I really like (TWD, GoT and Downton Abbey), and I have to say I think TWD might be #1. 

We went to bed at a decent hour and after bagels in the morning (again, water) made it back to NH in good time and was able to get grocery shopping done before the snow arrived. Nia ended up having a 2 hour weather delay today so we were able to ease back into the week. 

I'm already counting down to our next visit to NYC...

For now, this weekend I'm looking forward to Uka and I heading to Tracy Morgan's comeback tour show in Boston! This has to be my favorite character of his (the actual opening intro clip is unavailable ARGHHH). 

How was your weekend? Is it winter break for you and your kids? Nia's is actually next week and we have a fun staycation planned. Stay tuned...

 

*P.S. Speaking of our NYC church, it was where I met Ashley Graham! I was thrilled to see her big news about landing one of the three covers of SI Swimsuit issue. She's a real gem, and I'm so happy for her!

Survive Teething With Baby Banana Brush (& a Giveaway!)

Disclosure: I received samples to facilitate this review; all opinions expressed are my own. 

There are certain laws of second child-dom that have come to pass in our household which essentially can be summed up in the following: whatever happened with the first child will be opposite for the second child. For example, Nia was sleep averse, however Gray loves to sleep. Nia was OBSESSED with nursing, however Gray isn't as passionate about it. We barely noticed when Nia teethed, however Gray's teething is epic. 

About that last part: TEETHING.

It is the reason why I mustn't skip coffee in the mornings and why my to-do list is being neglected. Grayson needs LOTS of cuddles and snuggles to get through teething (and the looooong nights!). He has two teeth that popped in already on the bottom, but the two on the top look extremely painful. His gums have been stuck in swollen limbo for over a week. 

If you follow me on social media you've seen Gray with his favorite teethers across my feed:

They're from Baby Banana Brush who I met at Toy Fair earlier this year. Created by Heather Phillips, a fellow mompreneur, after this scary experience with her son, they have been Gray's favorite especially during this brutal rough patch of teething. I was given the original Baby Banana Infant Teething Toothbrush and Octobrush at Toy Fair, which I attended while I was pregnant with Gray, and waited patiently until I was able to use them. They have since become a necessity in our household!

In addition to the Banana and Octobrush, there's also Sharky and the new Cornelius:

Being from Ohio, I'm especially a fan of Cornelius, the cutest mini-ear of corn! When Grayson sees his Baby Banana Brushes he gets very excited, and I love seeing his little, chubby hands reach for them. Here's a quick video of him in action:

Curious about the technical details of Baby Banana Brushes? Here's the breakdown:

• Made of 100% medical grade silicone (BPA, latex, phthalate, and toxin free!)
• Dishwasher safe
• Can be frozen for extra teething relief
• Baby Banana Brush has amazing accolades and has won awards
• Very affordable at $8.95, (check the website for retailers which vary by product) 

Now the fun part! I'm excited to be giving away the following Baby Banana Brushes to 4 lucky Harlem Lovebirds readers: Banana, Octobrush, Sharky and Cornelius! The giveaway starts today, Monday, December 15 and runs through Thursday, December 18 with the winner announced on Friday, December 19 (open to U.S. residents only). Enter via the Rafflecopter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway Good luck!

Be sure to follow Baby Banana Brush on Facebook and Twitter for the latest product news!

Yep, I Love Madame Alexander's Sweet Lovies Very Berry Ballerina Doll

Disclosure: I am a member of Madame Alexander's Mommy Advisory Board and received a doll for review purposes; all opinions expressed are my own.

A doll lover at heart, I've enjoyed being a part of Madame Alexander's Mommy Advisory Board. Growing up I took such good care of my dolls spending hours brushing their hair, dressing them and playing pretend. Lately, despite not wanting to continue with dance classes, Nia is obsessed with dance. We don't watch much TV, but love watching dance programs together which Nia recreates for her "audience." When we received the Sweet Lovies Very Berry Ballerina Doll I knew Nia would be thrilled, but I didn't anticipate I would be too. 

I like that the doll is soft, dressed simply and cuddly, but most importantly that she's washable! Nia plays hard with her toys and begs to take her dolls out and about with us, but especially being in the city I don't want them to get dirty. At $19.95 and washable the Sweet Lovies Very Berry Ballerina Doll is an affordable doll that I can feel confident allowing Nia to take out and about with us. When she gets dirty I can just wipe her off and let her dry!

The Sweet Lovies Very Berry Ballerina Doll is a welcome addition to our collection. Nia's already integrated her into duets with Angelina and perhaps I can convince her to give ballet lessons another try soon!

To learn more visit Madame Alexander and be sure to follow on Facebook,  Twitter and Instagram for the latest doll innovation.

Continuing Summer Fun with ALEX Toy's Monster Bubbles

Disclosure: I received Monster Bubbles to facilitate this review; all opinions expressed are my own.

School may have started but summer's not officially over until September 22 (my birthday!) and speaking of birthdays ALEX Toys was generous enough to send Nia Monster Bubbles in time for her 4th birthday. Nia has a serious obsession with bubbles and I was excited to surprise her with it! We have a stockpile of bubbles sitting on our counter so introducing her to Monster Bubbles was a welcome break in bubble monotony. 

I let Nia get the hang of Monster Bubbles on our balcony - it's for ages 4+ and she was just under 4 when it arrived, but I let her play independently. She poured in the tear-free bubble solution and got down to bubble business! While she did have a hard time getting the bubbles to break off, together we were able to get the hang of it and quickly had to break into her bubble reserve to keep going. She made massive amounts of bubbles!

Monster Bubbles retails for $24.95 and requires 2-AA batteries (not included). A simple switch turns on the internal fan (it's safe from little fingers!) blowing the solution to create bubbles which a simple wand breaks off. You can see it in action here:

 

 

At Nia's party we introduced Monster Bubbles to her friends - I didn't do much explaining and simply set it down and the kids started playing. Even Mr. Lovebird got in on the action! When not in use, we keep Monster Bubbles in our car for trips to the park - much better than our little balcony - and look forward to more playtime at our new place since we'll have a patio and yard!

ALEX Toys is such a fun brand, and I've enjoyed seeing their innovations each year at Toy Fair. To learn more about ALEX Toys visit their website (they have fantastic printables too!), and be sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter for cool giveaways too!

Does it still feel like summer where you live? Is your child obsessed with bubbles too? 
 

Nia's Whimsy & Wonder Tea Party

Disclosure: I received Whimsy & Wonder products from JAKKS Pacific to facilitate this review; all opinions expressed are my own.

I first met JAKKS Pacific at Toy Fair 2014 and was excited to see them again at TTPM's Spring Preview! With Nia's obsession with Daniel Tiger and Frozen, JAKKS Pacific makes some of our favorite toys and when I saw the Whimsy & Wonder line at TTPM's Spring Preview I knew Nia would be a fan. 

I was right!

Sold exclusively at Target, the Whimsy & Wonder line is perfect for your princess. From the Deluxe Dress (SRP $19.99), Tea Set (SRP $14.99) and matching Princess Pal Plush Puppy (SRP $12.99), Whimsy & Wonder has been one of Nia's favorites especially through the end of my pregnancy and now with her brother here since we've been spending a lot of time at home. She loves setting everything up and bringing both me and her dad treats. It also invokes imaginative play - a stage very important for 3 year olds!

Nia can be quite rough with her toys and especially with her multiple wardrobe changes throughout the day, and I really appreciate how the Whimsy & Wonder line has held up to her demands. She plays with the set at least twice a week and it's very durable. The 14-piece tea set is tin and the dress isn't itchy like some of her other dress-up clothes - something she often complains about. 

There are so many other fun pieces to add to your child's Whimsy & Wonder collection including these:

Whimsy & Wonder Jewelry Box (SRP $14.99)

Whimsy & Wonder Wings & Tutu Assortment (SRP $7.99)

If you'd like to have your own Whimsy & Wonder tea party be sure to follow these adorable tips provided by JAKKS Pacific:

• Set a date and send invitations to all your friends (don't forget to include your stuffed animal friends!)

• Select a signature drink! Warm water with lemon or a decaffeinated tea is best for the little one

• Show up to the party in a fabulous dress and accessories from Whimsy & Wonder

Be sure to follow on social media!:

• Instagram: @jakkstoys
• Twitter: @jakkstoys
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/JakksPacificToys

Are you and your little ones fan of tea parties like we are? Any fun tea party tips to share?



P.S. A funny (and Type A!) moment with her Whimsy & Wonder tea set!

Getting Creative on the Go With Crayola Doodle Magic Lap Desk

Disclosure: I received a Crayola Doodle Magic Lap Desk to facilitate this review; all opinions expressed are my own. 

 
My Lil Lovebird is quite the artist and while I tried to persuade her starting around 2 years old to join me in crafting now at almost 4 years old I find she does her best work when I just leave her alone and let her create.

While at Toy Fair this past winter and most recently at TTPM's Spring Showcase I was excited to preview Crayola's latest products including expansion of their Doodle Magic line. With the ability to keep the color on the special paper only, it really puts me at ease knowing scribbles won't end up all over the floors, especially because Nia prefers to stretch out on the floor instead of sitting at her art table to color. 

Nia was thrilled when we received Crayola's Doodle Magic Lap Desk and was mesmerized by how easy it was to erase her projects and recreate over and over again:

The lap desk comes with 4 markers, a wand which contains a special eraser fluid and a cloth to dry it off. I appreciated how there's storage space on the back of the lap desk for the markers and wand eraser, however there's no place to store the cloth. We just try our best to keep tabs on it!

Check out this quick commercial to see Doodle Magic in action: 

 

While we don't have a car, there are times when we still use a car share program to get around, and the lap desk is really helpful (especially on one-hour long drives to the midwife!), as well as just for quiet time at home. As we're preparing to head to the hospital for Baby Agbai 2.0's birth the lap desk will definitely be coming with us to help keep Nia occupied!

You can purchase the Crayola Doodle Magic Lap Desk (MFRP $24.99) directly from Crayola here (and save 15% when you share via social media!).
 

Go, Go Lil Lovebird! Nia's Razor Jr. Kuties Unicorn Scooter

Disclosure: I received a Razor Jr. Kuties Unicorn Scooter for review purposes. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Our first spring in Jersey City two years ago Nia developed a certain obsession with scooters: whenever we were at the playground she would try to take over any temporarily abandoned scooter while the owner was running around or playing on the jungle gym. She was definitely too little to use one at the time, but her obsession didn't stop. 

I took quite a few pictures of her "meeting" her new unicorn scooter - she was petting it so frantically they came out blurry!

While at Toy Fair this year I stopped by the Razor booth then met them again at TPPM's Spring Showcase. I was excited to see their full line of scooters and now with Nia nearly 4 years old, she's the perfect age for Razor's Jr. Kuties line which currently retails for about $40 at Target and has an age minimum of 3 years and weight max of 44 lbs. (Nia's 41 lbs). While I had images of Nia attempting to scoot around super fast as I see older kids do around the city, I quickly learned that the 3-wheel configuration of Razor Jr. allows for younger kids to better maneuver vs. their traditional 2-wheel scooter which is more appropriate for older kids.

Nia was thrilled when her Kuties Unicorn Scooter arrived and begged to take it out immediately. We compromised and she practiced in our apartment building's hallway several days with her dad before taking it outside (I posted this Instagram sneak peek of her in the elevator on her way out to test it!).

Here's a quick video of Nia's first time outdoors with her Razor:

Somehow she convinced me she could scoot all the way to school (it's usually a 15 minute walk). Let's just say we won't be doing that again anytime soon, and once we finnnnnnnally made it to school she even agreed it wasn't a good idea! We've had the scooter about two weeks now, and she still needs quite a bit of practice maneuvering - something she should get lots of time doing this summer when we head out and about. 

I know once Nia gets a bit more practice she'll literally be flying, and I'm happy to share my favorite features:

• The safety of having 3 wheels
• Double function - with the removable hobby horse Nia likes to use it for pretend play when she's not scooting
• Lightweight - I was concerned about this especially during the walk to school; it was easy enough for me to pick it up and carry it when she wasn't able to scoot

Here's what I'd change:

• Make it easier to put together - there was one particular bolt that drove both me and Mr. Lovebird crazy! We each took turns trying to put it in place and after his second attempt he finally was able to do it, but boy did we work up a sweat!
• Stabilize the hobby horse - perhaps because Nia is Type A like me while riding she wanted the horse's head to remain positioned perfectly the front, but it kept turning; she'd stop every time to reposition it. If there was a way to keep it front and center that'd be great (or if we were just a bit less Type A!)
• Make it foldable - while I'm thankful that the Razor Jr. Kutie's lightweight, I'm envious of the Razors that fold. It just seems so convenient! When Nia gets older we'll upgrade to a foldable one for sure

And a few thoughts on safety: I make Nia wear a helmet when she scoots outdoors; she has to dismount when crossing the street with me (I hold her hand and carry the scooter in the other); on the playground she is not allowed to scoot around the play space - this is one of the rules of our local park, but I often see it broken and as a result she wants to break it too. 

Overall, we're very pleased with the Razor Jr. Kuties Unicorn Scooter. I'll have to do a mini-update at the end of the summer to show her improvement with maneuvering!

Have your kids tried a scooter? Or even you? I see quite a few adults scooting around the city!

Learning to Be a Big Sister with Corolle Dolls

Disclosure: I received an assortment of products from Corolle to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I shared on Instagram a hilarious video I took of Nia's surprise when a special delivery from Corolle arrived just in time for our trip to Puerto Rico. Well, her enthusiasm for Corolle is still going strong, and I wanted to share a few special moments she's been having with her Corolle dolls and accessories. 

I met Corolle at Toy Fair 2014 and was impressed by the brand's attention to detail especially for how their dolls would meet Nia's current obsessions especially with her baby brother arriving next month:

• Giving her dolls a bath
• Feeding her dolls
• Changing their diapers
• Doll strollers

Here's what we received from Corolle: 

Two Mon Premier Bébé Bath Dolls

Mon Classique Baby Accessories Set

Nia was especially enthusiastic about this accesories set including the "real milk" that disappeared from the bottle! Even the squirt bottle of lotion had a little bit that came out seeming very realistic. This set kept her entertained most of the 3 hour plane ride to Puerto Rico and she especially enjoyed showing each feature of the accessories to our seat-mate who was kind enough to indulge her!


Mon Classique Carriage

I have to admit: I shared Nia's enthusiasm when opening up her Corolle dolls and accessories! I adored my dolls growing up and never had a stroller let alone one that was so realistic - it folds down and the bassinet event detaches to convert to a carrier.

Two Mon Classique Fashions  

 
 A few fun facts about Corolle:

• They are a 30-year old French company
• Their dolls have a unique, vanilla scent (I can't get over how it lasts even through the bath, pool, beach and traveling around the smelly city!)
• They have 4 stages of dolls to grow with your child from newborn to 4+ 

When I was editing pictures from our Puerto Rico trip I realized just how connected Nia was to her Corolle doll which she named Maggie (the other doll, Dodo had to say home). You can go back to that post here to see how Maggie kept showing up during our trip!

Nia loves putting her dolls in interesting situations - we were waiting for dinner when I glanced over, saw this and had to take a picture! It doesn't even look real! 

Since returning from Puerto Rico, Nia continues to have fun moments with her Corolle dolls including trips to the park pushing her doll in the stroller and bath time with her dolls - they dry super quick due to their special filling!

The dolls have a hook on the back to dry quickly!

I know especially at the preschool age, pretend play is developmentally important, and I appreciate the high quality of the Corolle dolls and accessories so I can keep them for my son to play with as well. Toys that have longevity are definitely sold investments and I highly recommend Corolle when choosing dolls for your children. 

To find where Corolle dolls and accessories are sold in your area visit their "where to find us" page on their website. 

Did you use dolls to help prepare your older child prepare for the arrival of a sibling?

A New "Favorite Friend" From Madame Alexander

Disclosure: As part of Madame Alexander's Mom Advisory Board I received a doll for review purposes. All opinions expressed are my own. 

We've fully entered doll obsession in our household and while I was at Toy Fair 2014 I had the pleasure of meeting with Madame Alexander, a heritage doll company that I had heard so much about over the years - I was surprised to learn there was even a doll factory in my old neighborhood in Harlem many years ago! I had inherited a collectible doll growing up that I was terrified of breaking and had the same perception of Madame Alexander, but was pleasantly surprised to learn about their everyday play dolls. 

As part of their Mom Advisory Board I'll be reviewing dolls throughout the year and sharing other Madame Alexander news with you. To kick-off this partnership I selected the Favorite Friend Autumn Mist 18" doll for my Lil Lovebird.

{Image Credit: Madame Alexander}

At 18" this is the tallest doll that Nia's had and also the first that's not dressed in baby clothes. Nia picked up on this immediately and wouldn't allow me to call her a baby doll. Instead she named her "Tessa" and declared her her sister.

Excuse me! 

I love seeing how Nia plays with Tessa. It's very important to dress and re-dress her and while I can't share a picture of it here, part of her bedtime ritual includes making sure all of Tessa shares Nia's non choice of clothing. 

As a mom here's what I like most about Nia's Favorite Friend Tessa:

• Appearance - the doll is dressed modestly, yet stylish; too often many doll choices are a bit too grown up for little girls.  

• High quality - the attention to detail in the clothing (the skirt's even lined!), body and hair assures me that the doll will last

• Easy to play with - when I first opened the box to see Tessa I was concerned she'd be too delicate, but with a soft body, she's definitely huggable, can be posed to sit easily yet is sturdy; Nia likes playing pretend with her as well as carrying her to school (although she begs to keep her there I take her back home with me!)

Nia and I are pleased to have Madame Alexander as part of her doll collection and with care I look forward to Nia having many years of play with "Tessa!"

To purchase your own Favorite Friends doll (retails for $59.95) visit Madame Alexander's website to see the full selection. 

Did you have collectible dolls growing up? Please share your memories below!

 

Beach Fun with B. Toys' B. Squirts

Disclosure: I was provided B. Squirts for review purposes. All opinions expressed are my own. 

My Lil Lovebird is obsessed with her B. Toys Wee MD doctor kit she received for her 2nd birthday and nearly 2 years later it's one of a handful of her toys that has such longevity (and the batteries are still going strong too!). When I met them at Toy Fair 2014 I was captivated by their fun, colorful toys that promote creativity and exploration. They have quite a few fun water play toys coming out later this year, and during our trip to Puerto Rico I took along the B. Squirts for Nia. She was so excited when I surprised her with them and happily carried them to the pool and beach each day.

{Image credit: B. Toys}

Appropriate for ages 1-5 years, the B. Squirts set comes with 5 whimsical animals as well as a bucket to carry them in. We've had buckets break on us after a few uses, but the B. Squirts' bucket is very sturdy and has drainage holes which helped it dry out. 

Even my sisters had fun playing with Nia's B. Squirts! My sister Ariane and I agreed that the hedgehog (or is it a porcupine?!) B. Squirt was our favorite - it has multiple holes to squirt from! 

Back at home, we've enjoyed using the B. Squirts during bath time and look forward to bringing them to our local pool this summer. I know they'll be a hit with Nia's playmates too!

You can purchase B. Squirts here on Amazon (priced at $17.99+shipping as of this post). Also be sure to check out B. Toys' website to see their full line of toys!


 

Traveling Light with 7A.M. Enfant

Disclosure: I received a 7A.M. Enfant Hamper to facilitate this review; all opinions expressed are my own. 

I'm excited to kick-off this week's brand spotlight posts from our recent trip to Puerto Rico with a feature on 7A.M. Enfant!

When I met 7A.M. Enfant at Toy Fair 2014 I was inspired to see their well-designed products for parents with very active lifestyles. Living in metro-NYC it's so easy to become a schlepper and now with another little one on the way, I'm always on the lookout for products that will make getting around easier, especially because we rely on public transit. 

Here's why I chose the 7A.M. Enfant Hamper (retail price $49) for our trip:

• Lightweight and packable - the bag can fold into its own pocket so I was able to toss it into my checked luggage then when it was time for the return trip I filled it with laundry and took it as Lil Lovebird's carry-on. I really appreciated the extra space it allowed in my suitcase for the trip!

• Large capacity - it can really hold a lot without being cumbersome; it's a deep bag that's super sturdy so it's easy to get from one point to another without it feeling flimsy; I also liked that filling it was easy enough for my daughter and I to do together! 

 

Looks like me, but that's actually my sister Lauren! Carrying the Hamper was a family affair during our trip

• Versatile - not only can it attach to a stroller, but you can throw it over your shoulder or carry it by the top handles - during the trip it became a family affair carrying the hamper! We used it as a beach bag during the trip and a laundry bag on the trip home 

• Stylish - with bright, punchy colors the hamper beautifully fits into any scheme you have whether you have it attached to your stroller, on your shoulder or in your nursery; having a girl and boy I also 7A.M. Enfant's gender-neutral color options (you can see all the colors here)

I know we'll get many years of usage out of our Hamper, and I'll even use it for myself when the kids are done - it really is an evergreen product! Thank you 7A.M. Enfant for making our trip easier.

You can purchase the 7A.M. Enfant Hamper as well as sign up for their newsletter here. Follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram too!