One of our writers at Tips for Toddlers is expecting a new bundle-of-joy, and we just couldn’t wait for the ultrasound in three weeks to determine if she’s having a boy or a girl. We’re secretly hoping for a baby girl, but before we start buying pink and ruffles, we thought we have a little fun with the Intelligender Baby Gender Prediction Test.

We know these tests are just for fun and have about a 50% accuracy rate– however, the box claims it’s more like 90% accurate. We’ll see…

The test is similar to a home pregnancy test, but instead of peeing on a stick, you pee in a little cup. You then take a little syringe and transfer the pee into a little container, swirl, and wait five minutes. Thankfully, it’s not as messy as it sounds.

Orange/yellow means GIRL, while dark green/brown predicts BOY.

Our results…

Looks like we have a baby boy on the way!

The Intelligender Baby Gender Prediction Test costs around $30 and it’s easy and fun. Since we don’t have an ultrasound to confirm the results, there is no way to tell accuracy–yet! There was no denying the color matched for a boy, we’ll update here in three weeks.

The new addition to the Tips for Toddlers family means we will be bringing new reviews and news of all things baby. We know there are a lot of moms out there with toddlers and babies, so we’re making this a one-stop shop. Congratulations Nicole!
UPDATE: It’s a girl!! In defense of Intelligender, we did not follow EXACT instructions and performed the test in the middle of the day. The box states it needs to be tested upon waking.

Maclaren USA Recalls to Repair Strollers Following Fingertip Amputations

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Maclaren USA, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Maclaren Strollers

Units: About one million

Distributor: Maclaren USA, Inc., of South Norwalk, Conn.

Hazard: The stroller’s hinge mechanism poses a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to the child when the consumer is unfolding/opening the stroller.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 15 reports of children placing their finger in the stroller’s hinge mechanism, resulting in 12 reports of fingertip amputations in the United States.

Description: This recall involves all Maclaren single and double umbrella strollers. The word “Maclaren” is printed on the stroller. The affected models included Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, TechnoXLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveller.

Sold at: Babies”R”Us, Target and other juvenile product and mass merchandise retailers nationwide from 1999 through November 2009 for between $100 and $360.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using these recalled strollers and contact Maclaren USA to receive a free repair kit.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Maclaren USA toll-free at (877) 688-2326 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.maclaren.us/recall

Have you been looking for a way to make potty training easier?

Finally there’s a potty training approach that’s flexible and fun. You can tailor it to fit the way your child learns best, so you can keep your Big Kid® engaged from start to finish.

No matter what your child’s phase of training, you’ll love the Pull-Ups® Big Kid® Central Potty Training Success DVD. You’ll discover techniques, tips, songs and games to help you and your child succeed. Order your free copy today.

Available while supplies last.

I am sure we all can agree that Stride Rite is at the top of the list for producing high quality children’s shoes, which they have been doing it for over eighty-five years.
Good quality shoes are important for your child from the moment they take their first steps. Recently Stride Rite released a new line of shoes for early walkers called Natural Motion System. These shoes are specially designed to stay on, create traction, provide comfort, and protect the littlest of feet.

We recently tried these new shoes out with my little friend Cole. Cole is wearing a size 4 in NMS Cavy.

These little shoes were very easy to get on and were obviously well made. The best feature of the Natural Motion System, and what makes them so great for early walkers is the bottoms of the shoe. The soles are completely rubberized to provide traction and reduce slips.

I choose the NMS Cavy (shown) because it was a great neutral boys shoe that can be worn with most outfits. There are currently 3 boys styles, and 4 girls styles in the NMS line which can be seen here at StrideRite.com. Shoes retail from $42-$45 depending on style.

When a new toy to review arrived at our house a few weeks ago from Team Mom, I sure got a surprise when I opened the box!

Inside, staring back at me, were two big eyes. It took me a moment or two to realize what exactly this was…

It’s the Critter Conga from Parents!

We immediately pulled the Critter Conga out of the box and started to play.

Inside the Leopard Conga Drum and the functional Tambourine Lid, there are an additional 10 instruments.

- 2 Snake Drumsticks

- 2 Giraffe Maracas

- Crocodile Clacker

- 3 different whistles

- Monkey Rain Shaker

- Drum Toy

My daughter loved playing with all the different musical noise makers, especially the drum itself which can be played with the 2 snake drumsticks.

My friend was over with her 9 month old son and he got a kick out of the Giraffe Maracas.

We had a great time playing around and the BEST part of all was when we were done, everything fit so nicely inside the Conga Drum and was secured by the tambourine lid.

A mother’s dream…fun and storage all in one!

I loved how this toy was nothing like I’ve seen before. It’s not just 1 toy, its 12-in-1, inside a cool container.

The Critter Conga is great for toddlers as this toy is not only fun, but improves motor skills and memory.

Like all Parents toys, the Critter Conga is very well made and sturdy (can definitely take a beating) and completely safe -all Parents toys are 100% phthalate free.

Parents Critter Conga is recommended for ages 18+ months and retails for $30 at www.costco.com – made by www.Parents.com

Let’s face it, most toddlers love juice.

As a mom I know that most of these juice boxes are full of added sugar and calories that just aren’t needed and can be unhealthy.

I have found a juice box that both my daughter and I approve of made by R.W Knudsen Family.

The boxes are called Sensible Sippers and are USDA certified organic, contain 40% less calories and have no added sugar, preservatives or artificial flavors.

Sensible Sippers are the perfect size for little hands and feature the lovable Berenstain Bears on each of the 4 flavors: Apple, Banana, Fruit Punch and Mixed Berry.

The boxes contain a mix of 50% organic juice, and 50% water which reduces the amount of sugar without compromising taste.

Sensible Sippers are available at Whole Foods Markets nationwide.

Click Here & Register for $1 off coupon for any 8 pack of Sensible Sippers – expires 4/30/09.

We just reviewed 2 hot new toys that your children are going to love! The Aquadoodle Draw N’ Doodle and the Bath Blizzard, both from Spin Master.

Aquadoodle Draw N’ Doodle is for ages 2 and up. This is no mess magic! The Aquadoodle comes with a mat and a pen that is filled securely with water. Let your toddler be creative as they Draw and Doodle all over the mat. Don’t worry about messes because it is completely mess free! When mat dries artwork disappears and can be reused all over again. Suggested price: $24.99

Bath Blizzard is recommended for ages 3 and up. The Bath Blizzard from the Kid Kleen collection is a bubble maker for your bathtub. Encourage your little ones to get clean while having tons of bubble fun. The Bath Blizzard is safe and non-toxic with the use of its included bubbles, though any bubble bath can be used. It fits right in the tub on the water spout or knobs. The only problem you may have is getting your child to get out of the tub! Suggested price: $19.99

Both products come from Spin Master and are available at all leading toy retailers.

Did you know that the Cabbage Patch Kids are turning 25 this year?

Available now in stores for a limited time (and sure to sell out before Christmas!) are the original Cabbage Patch Kids from the 80′s. Each one of a kind commemorative kid will be an exact reproduction of the original with the same faces, clothing, and names! These CPK will retail for around $29.99.

We were lucky enough to add a new addition to our family…

Introducing Miss Roxann Elise

As soon as we opened the box I reminisced to back when I received my first Cabbage Patch Kid, the distinct baby powder smell put a big smile on my face…now I can’t stop smelling her!

Roxann also came with her birth certificate (born December 18th) and a silver anniversary baby spoon. We love her little white shoes and socks and even her little diaper. The details on this doll are just too cute!

Do you have memories of your own original Cabbage Patch Kid? Now you can share you memories with CPK lovers everywhere at www.cabbagepatchkids25.com

Be sure to pick up one of these limited edition 25th Anniversay Cabbage Patch Kids for your toddler before they sell out!

The Banana Splits, a hugely popular costumed rock band from the 60′s is back!

Starting September 2nd, The Banana Splits will star in brand new comedy shorts and music videos on the Cartoon Network.

While I don’t remember The Banana Splits, my husband does and apparently was a huge fan. When I told him The Banana Splits were coming back he was really exited.

Together we all went to www.bananasplits.com and watched ALL the music videos.

After about 2 minutes our daughter was singing Tra la la…One banana, two banana, three banana, four…it was really addicting.

The band is made up of 4 characters, Fleegle (dog), Drooper (lion), Bingo (gorilla), and Snorky (elephant). The characters and show is similar to me to Yo Gabba Gabba with a influence on singing and dancing.

The show looks really cute and I know both my daughter and husband are both interested in tuning in.

If you grew up watching The Banana Splits this is a great time to get together with your child and sing songs and dance to some fun, upbeat music.

About a year and a half ago I made a post about the Importance of a 5 point Safety Harness Car Seat. It contained a moving video about a little boy who lost his life in an auto accident which may have been saved if he had been in a 5 point safety seat. Unfortunately, I did not have the funds at the time and it took me a year later to be able to get the seat. I am happy to say I am now the proud owner of a Britax Regent and am happy to finally review it.

From that moment on I KNEW I wanted to get the Britax Regent for my toddler daughter. To be honest, I was not prepared for the physical size of this car seat when it arrived on my doorstep. To say the box is huge is an understatement. I thought for sure it was never going to fit in our small SUV. Once I took it out of the box I realized I was really going to get my moneys worth from this car seat as it was solid. The fabric is ultra soft and my daughter was just as excited as I was to be able to sit in it. My husband installed the seat very easily which is a good thing as he is not very handy (sorry!), and it does not look as big in the car as it did out of the box.

Since we only have 1 child (at the moment) we installed the car seat in the middle of the back seat and there are no obstructions in our rear view. My daughter is now 35lbs and she has so much room to grow in this thing. It is also much easier for me to get her in and out of this seat than our old one (Graco). I really love it and am SO happy I committed myself to buying this seat. It looks and feels so much safer than our last one. I also love the fact that the weight limits goes up to 80lbs so we have a good while left in this car seat.
Safety Features Include:

- Comfort foam and EPS protective foam

- Patented HUGS system, tangle-free 5 point harness with belly pad

- Flexible buckle LATCH system and Versa-tether

- Four shoulder slots for closer fit and one pull front harness adjustment

- Forward facing: At least 1 year old and 22 to 80 pounds

Like anything else proper installation is crucial to the overall safety of the car seat. Britax Car seats have an expiration date of 6 years after they are manufactured, this date can be found on the backside of the seat.

My daughter is riding in Britax Regent – Madison