Hi! Welcome to the world of an attorney, a self-professed research junkie and, above all, a mom of two. When I was a first time parent, I was overwhelmed with the amount of baby items and gear available on the market. And since I am a ridiculous research junkie – prior to buying ANY item – I always had to read every review and article to ensure, to the best of my ability, that I was buying what I believed to be the most necessary and worthwhile items (when balancing cost vs. quality).
I still remember being 6 months pregnant and shopping for hours at a Babies “R” Us. I ended up leaving with only a migraine and a onesie. I just couldn’t bring myself to buy a baby product without reading reviews first!
I try not to buy a lot of things, but when I do spend my money, I want to make sure that I am buying a high-quality product. Even though that usually means an item which is more expensive than a mainstream product in the same category, it is more worth it to me. (However, I also know that more expensive doesn’t always mean better. It can just mean… more expensive.)
With this blog, I hope I can save my readers the trouble that I went through of scouring the internet to find great, high-quality baby items. Honesty and integrity in my reviews is something that is very important to me. I appreciate when I can read a genuine and thorough review and that is what I always strive to do. I will never recommend something that I wouldn’t be willing spend my own money on.
Mommy tested, baby approved!
And as much as I originally intended this to be a review blog, it has also, inevitably, become a personal space for me. A place to talk about my family, my life, and my experiences as a mother.
I apply the same passion I have for researching products into every aspect of my parenting. As a result, I have become a semi-crunchy, semi-attachment parenting, semi-RIE-parenting, semi-baby-led-weaning, pro-babywearing, pro-homebirth/unmedicated childbirth, toxins-conscious, and organic-when-sensible mom. I say “semi” a lot because I don’t strictly adhere to any one philosophy or parenting theory. For me, there is no one size fits all. I strongly believe that you have to evaluate what works for your family. Because, even after I have read everything there is to read about a particular parenting topic, I always go with one thing above all – my common sense and mom instincts.
So a little about my family… I met my husband, the mysterious “Mr. C,” back in 2005. (I refer to him as Mr. C because he is a very private person and would prefer I not divulge any personal information at all.)
One of our first pictures together. We look so young!!
Since then, we have supported each other through college, grad school, and, finally, law school. I can say, without a doubt, that I would not be who I am or where I am in life without him. He is my best friend and he completes me.
In 2012, I had the privilege of marrying Mr. C in a dream wedding that I never even knew I wanted. It was one of the happiest and most memorable days of my life.
Max was born on November 5, 2013, kicking and screaming into the world. No, literally, he screamed non-stop for over an hour. But he was, is, everything I knew I wanted and more. He is the embodiment of my heart outside of my body.
Sometimes the best photos are a little blurry 🙂
Alexa made her appearance on October 7, 2015. She’s been a sweet, peaceful and more easygoing baby. Her personality is so different already. I can’t wait to learn more about her and I feel like our family is finally complete.
If you made it all the way to the bottom of this page, I figure you might want to read some stories about my family 🙂 Here are some of my personal favorites:
Happy First Birthday Max! (A Love Letter)
Please, Don’t Call My Son Smart
Alexa’s Birth Story (as Told by Dad)
Race: Lessons from a Three-Year Old
My Daughter Makes Me a Better Mother
In Spite of the Teachers You May Meet…
Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook (I like to share interesting and relevant articles) or Instagram (for photo updates).
Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy Mommy to Max!
Hi
I came across your post on having a confinement nanny.
I live in Miami, Florida USA and I am due in Aug 12 2015. I am having a hard time finding a confinement nanny here. I am Singaporean Chinese and I do speak Cantonese fluently.
Can you pass me your confinement nanny’s contact and I can take it from there?
Thank you
May
glowboxes@yahoo.com
Reading your articles, it feels like reading my life. I have two of my own and went through the same thing of being overwhelmed by the stuff available. Non-toxic and healthy lifestyle is very important to me and this is the best and most insightful blog I’ve found yet. Thank you again and I”m excited to explore more of your posts 🙂
PS – stumbled upon your blog while researching Holle. Thanks for writing about it!
Irena
Hi Irena, it’s always nice to find a like-minded parent. Thank you so much for being a reader!
Hi! Please email me so I can share a “Kickstarter”story
Thx!
Hi, clothing and toys Under The Nile sometimes is made Costa Rica , NEVER CHINA
Thanks for pointing that out – after more research, I have since modified my guide.
Hi Lotus,
I ended up at your blog after I saw the North Aware ad on facebook this morning, and I am so glad I saw your posts before I gave them my credit card numbers for the coat. I can’t imagine what you went through went you received that email from Jamil and if I were you I will s*it my pant at that very moment as I am no lawyer. Anyway, as a parent of one 2 years old boy myself I can’t help of thinking of killing myself everyday (figurative of speech) as I just can’t stand my son screaming for no reason. Anyway, good luck and hopefully to see more constructive advice from you. Cheers.
Hi Jonathan, I’m so happy I can save even one person from making the same mistake I did! I still have people commenting on my post who can’t get their money back. It’s not that their coats are sooo terrible but if you don’t receive it or want to return it, then you’re sh*t out of luck.
Good luck with your 2 year old. I’m right there with you!
Hi! I love your post on playmats as I have been struggling to make a purchase for ages. We have a Dwinguler because they advertise as eco-friendly/and being healthy and safe for baby, but I have always been hesitant to truly believe those claims. One thing I love about the Dwinguler is that it’s SO cushy, but also supportive. I love it as it doubles as a yoga and exercise mat and it provides the perfect amount of padding for me as well as for play. Can you recommend which one of the mats that you like might fit the bill for this purpose??
Thanks!
Hi Lotus,
Hoping you could review or link to our folder playmats also, so your Canadian readers would have some local online options.
We’re selling Alzip playmats, which are very similar to Creamhaus products (Alzip is the #1 brand in Korea, and Creamhaus is a close second). If interested, please checkout wunderkids.ca and feel free to contact me anytime.
Great job on the blog. Thanks for doing what you do despite being busy with your career and being a mom of two, amazing stuff!
Warm wishes,
Matt
Hi Lotus. So, my husband is a carpenter and we were going to try to make a lot of these children’s toys for our little ones. I wondered which type of non-toxic wax or paint I should get. Any brand recommendations? Our youngest is 1, so she still puts everything in her mouth. Thanks for your time!
Tami
Hi Tami, it’s great that your husband can make toys for your children! The wood can be left unfinished or finished with beeswax. Sorry but I don’t have any brand recommendations as I never attempted to make our own toys!
Hi!
Just found some more non-toxic, etc. crayons not listed on your blog at:http://themindfulhome.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-best-non-toxic-beeswax-and-soy.html
Many thanks for your blog and the time you spent sharing your life with others.
XOXO
Hi! Do you know if the creamHaus is too thick for a 6 month old trying to crawl? is it grippy enough?
I think there is sufficient traction on the play mat. As for the thickness, once the baby adjusts to it, I’ve found it to be fine.
Greetings
Great site Very informative
Up in Montreal, Canada and looking for a non toxic play mate. Came across this company. Can you please guide me?
Thank you very much
Peter Denise and baby Demetrios
Sorry forgot to mention that this is the company
https://littlebot.ca/
Thank you so much for the article on baby playmats! I spent so much time trying to find a good non-toxic playmat and your article made it so much easier. The comfort designs one is the way to go.
I loved your flooring experience. I have white oak wood sitting in my cabin. I’m not sure what color because it is a cabin? I want a more rustic look. Thoughts? Thank you!
Hi Lotus,
I came across your blog after googling safe nail polishes. We have many Piggy Paints (and one Puppy Paint!) and I just got a Honeybee Naturals. I was looking at Suncoatgirl gift sets and was wondering about their quality. Thank you for your honest reviews!
Well, I then had to browse your site and I noticed your last post was before covid and was genuinely interested in how you and your family are holding up. I hope you are all healthy and keeping busy this summer.
Cheers,
Johanna
Hi I ordered 2 creamhaus mats $500 in January 25 for delivery date of February 7th. When I didn’t receive mats I emailed them. They said they would respond in 48 hours. I have emailed them daily since and still haven’t received a response! It is now February 15th. I called what looked to be Theo lit distributor in NYC and operators mail box is full! Do you have contact info for their USA distributor?