Happy Heiny Interview on KUSI

Today we joined Linda Byerline, creator of Happy Heiny's, for her interview on San Diego KUSI News. My youngest, Cooper, is the handsome little stud-muffin in the Skull Happy Heiny's. Click on the Photo of Linda below to see the live video.

Wordless Wednesday

I am not sure how wordless this is but, here we go with 2 of my boys version of the the worlds most annoying video clip/song ever.......I apologize in advance!

C Berry Baby of the Month

Announcing our November "C Berry Baby of the Month", 9 and 1/2 month old Ruby Lynn, isn't she adorable!

Ruby Lynn is featured on our main shopping page this month! If you would like your little one to be our next C Berry Baby, be sure to email a photo to info@cberrybaby.com

C Berry News

A lot of great New Products are being added this week........be sure to check them out! Today we added Peek-A-Boo Bags (ABC, Boy and Girl styles), a great educational toy.....as a former preschool teacher I am so excited about carrying these bags and using them with my 4 year-old and it is great for travel!

This week we are sponsoring the Swanky Mom New letter! We will be giving away one of our Rockin' Baby Gift Sets! Be sure to check out their site for great mom finds!

The Accidental Babywearer

I remember quite well that when my first son was just two weeks old I told my pediatrician that I was apprehensive about breastfeeding in public. Quite matter-of-factly he explained how his wife wore a sling and breastfeed while shopping. The whole idea of wearing a sling was unthinkable to me at the time. I was not an overly "earthy" and "hippy-ish" person and the styles of slings back then were bulky and plain.

Flash forward 1o years later. It is my second son's birthday party and my childhood friend Jane shows up with her 2 girls and is using a funky patterned pouch sling. I had no idea that two days later I would find out that I was pregnant again. So for the first time I flirted with the idea of "babywearing" although, at that time, I did not know yet what babywearing was or the many benefits. What I did know was that I was clueless to how I was going to chase my rowdy 3 year-old (not so coincidentally named Chase) and hold onto a newborn baby.

So I bought my first pouch sling when I was five months pregnant because it looked like something I might actually be able to figure out and I loved the fabrics and designs. It arrived at my doorstep and then I waited. Finally Cooper was born and about one week later I decided it was time to try the sling. The first time I put him in it I kept my arm under him the whole time afraid he'd fall out...of course there wasn't any good reason for this fear, it just felt strange to hold your newborn baby without, well, actually holding your newborn baby. And then that was it......we both fell in love with babywearing! Cooper was soothed by the rocking motion of the sling and being held close to me and I loved the freedom to go about my normal day while holding my baby. The first 6 weeks of his life we flew to Michigan for a wedding, spent a week at the beach for Jonas' Surf Camp and then took a family vacation to Maui and I don't know if I could have done it without my sling.

As he has grown, so has our babywearing "know how" and comfort level. We soon branched out to a SlingEzee Ring Sling which was great for breastfeeding and longer trips! Once Cooper reached 4 months, I decided to try a hip carrier. At first it seemed foreign to have buckles after using a sling so often but it quickly became a favorite of ours! It provides great support and is really simple to use...no fuss at all once you adjust it to your size. In fact, I found that I loved the hip carry so much that I started using my slings in this carry style as well!

My newest favorite is the Ellaroo Ring Sling. It is more of a splurge but it is made from the softest organic cotton I have ever felt on a carrier and it is truly beautiful on. Definitely worth it once you find that a sling works well for you.

If you were to ask me what has changed my experience the most as a mother this time around, it is babywearing, no doubt about it. I never leave home without a carrier, I even keep a spare pouch sling in my car at all times! Once you are accustomed to babywearing, it becomes a part of your everyday life, and takes seconds to throw on. I use a sling just to run into Starbucks or the Post Office!

I actually almost feel sorry for my $500 stroller system that sits in my garage gathering dust. As much as I love it, I love being able to move through the aisles and through the crowds at the zoo even more! I also don't miss getting it in and out of my car and I can use the trunk space for more shopping bags!

So, that is how I became a babywearer...be sure to vote for your favorite type of baby carrier on the left. It is great for moms to see who are considering trying to wear their little one!

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Baby Food Recipes

I think it is safe to say that, as parents, we understand how important a healthy diet is and one of the easiest ways to ensure your babies are given the right start is by making your own baby food.

I love being able to say that my children have never had baby food from a jar! Now it may sound like a lot to take on but it is ridiculously simple! I started making baby food before I could make a pot roast (although my cooking skills have greatly improved since then). I thought it would be interesting to share some baby food recipes each week and perhaps get some tips and recipes back!

A few things to note....each baby is different and you should rely on your baby's' signals and your doctors advice on when to introduce solid foods. Additionally, in the beginning you want to introduce single ingredient purees to test for any possible allergies.

That being said, this is what you need:

a food processor or hand blender
ice cube trays (what I use) or freezer containers
steamer (helpful but not necessary, I just use an inexpensive collapsible one)
Large Freezer Ziplock Bags

After making the puree, simply scoop it into the ice cube trays and allow to cool. Write the name of the recipe and the date on the large Ziploc bag and put the tray inside. Once frozen, pop out the "baby food cubes" and you have perfect baby-sized portions to defrost as needed!

4-6 months -Butternut Squash

*all 3 of my boys loved this one

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

Cut squash in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds, and wrap each half in foil

Bake for 1 and 1/2 hours or until tender

Scoop out the "meat" and blend with a little water to your preferred consistency

hint: this recipe mixes great with homemade applesauce

6-12 months-Peach, Apple & Strawberry Puree

*yummy, try a taste...another benefit to making it yourself!

1 apple (peeled, cored and chopped)

1 ripe peach (peeled, pitted and chopped)

3 large strawberries (note, some kids have allergies to strawberry so be sure to watch closely after first introduction)

Steam the apple for about 6 minutes or until tender. Add the peach and strawberries to the steamer for about 3 more minutes. Blend to a smooth puree.