BumpNews

The Best Online ‘Learn to Read’ Software ABC Mouse.com’s Cyber Monday Special

Posted on November 30, 2014

Because I just learned that ABC Mouse.com is having a 5 0%+ off sale for Cyber Monday, I’m resharing my review of the service for your your added edification and consideration.

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I learned recently that a friend of a friend’s child, who is 10 years old, has never owned a book outside of books assigned to him at school.

This child has every digital gadget, tablet and video game at his disposal yet has never been given an actual book to read for leisure ever in his life. Hopefully, he has educational games and access learning sites as well, but it’s not the same.

The sad reality is there are many homes like his and the children in them may suffer schools and risk lagging behind their peer who do read and have access to books.

Reading, and chapter books, are the building blocks to reading comprehension, composition and sentence structure, and command of language, orally and in writing. Many standardized tests require students to master these subjects, not to mention some school entrance tests.

To combat this reality, more and more schools are turning to electronic forms of games and software to reach children the only way some know how.

My children’s school, for example, use a nationwide program called First in Math. It is a competitive game where each child logs on and completes educational games and tests for stickers. The administrators and teachers can monitor when a child logs on and how many stickers he has accumulated. In our school, the computer teacher gets swarmed as he goes to the bulletin board to post the latest results of top students in each grade. It is a healthy way of encouraging competition for learning.

It is also a wonderful example of how digital games can be used to supplement children’s learning when they may not have adequate resources or parental support at home.

They are also great for supplementing information and materials your child may be learning at school.

My 6-year old for example went thru the Starfall (free and paid) website instructions, and currently is going through the ABCMouse.com program which costs about $7.95 monthly. It is totally worth it in my book because combined with some other video-based learning tools, that program helped her learn to read when she was 4-years old.

She does 2nd grade math and she is only in Kindergarten and her oral communication and vocabulary are tops, partially because of it. It helps that her school also has the software embedded in each Kindergarten class so she is very comfortable with it and gets a chance to get even further in the lessons daily.

It has over 2,000 Learning Activities for 2-6 year olds. I love the fact that she gets to pick an avatar that has her skin color and hair type. When she completes a lesson, she gets to pick an electronic prize from play money she accumulates at each level.

Again, its the element of incorporating games fun with learning that makes it great! I purchased it after seeing a pop-up ad for it several years ago and renew each time!

Check it out and use our Bellyitch link to get the first month FREE!

Good luck and do let us know how it’s working for your little one!

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Parenting

REVIEW: ‘Zero to Five’ is the perfect handbook to instruct on how to raise a super smart baby

Posted on October 9, 2014

Parenting books can be overwhelming and so condensely written as to turn off busy parents who may put one down and forget to pick it back up subconsciously mindful of all the text they have to go through to finish.

“Zero to Five, 70 Essential Parenting Tips Based On Science (and What I’ve Learned So Far)” is the anecdote. The book is part handbook, part photo book, part advice text and part testimonials. It’s all in this oversized resource guide bound together in a spiral binder format.

Readers can sit down and immerse in all the pages at once, or just browse through and flip. Each page covers a new tips, tools or suggestions for raising super smart, alert, active and creative children. There is ample inclusion of BTDT advice from moms and other nuggets from tried and true sources.

Journalist, mom and wife Tracy Clutchlow, who is featured on the cover along with her adorable daughter, does a great job jamming just the right amount of fuel of knowledge in this very useful and informative guide.

It’s a great book for this new generation of “reader” parents who enjoy absorbing all the latest advice that is available out from veteran parents, pediatrician and child-care experts. But it is also well written and included enough vibrant photography, font variations and side bars to keep the attention and inform the category of parents who are not really into all of that — who just want the basics, plus a little more.

I enjoyed this book a lot and would recommend it for new first-time parents as a baby shower gift or a refresher for a vet parent as well.

Pick up a copy at Amazon.com!

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Reviews

REVIEW: Use Moji360 to ease pregnancy discomfort

Posted on September 3, 2014

Pregnancy brings all sorts of pain in your muscles and joints as your body changes to accommodate a growing fetus. One of the most common discomforts come from sciatic nerve. It can be painful. Also, as your weight shifts, and baby gets bigger, there is a lot of pressure on your back.

Getting a partner or friend to massage your aching body is a way to go, but for those moments when you are without a massage partner, having a tool on hand to help alleviate discomfort is essential.

I was quite geeked to get an opportunity to try out the dynamic Moji 360 handheld massager which is used by actual physical and massage therapists.

As a runner and a gym rat, I find that extended long runs or workouts leave my muscles totally sore. Using Moji 360, and following the instructional videos at http://GoMoji.com/videos, I learned how to manipulate the device to ease up pain on my own.

The Moji360 is unique, compared to other massage sticks out there because it has many omini-directional stainless steel spheres embedded within it.

I can apply different amount of pressure, or use the larger spheres on big areas and smaller ones to get deep tissue pressure on small knots in my neck.

During a long family road trip recently, I was able to use it on my hubby who got a stiff neck sitting for a long time during long stretches of driving.

Post massage, you feel the difference, for sure, like you really did loosen up some knots, broke up some scar tissue and increased circulation in tight areas.

Sometimes, when I will be sitting at my office desk all day, I would slip the Moji 360 massager along the back of my chair with the balls facing towards my back and will rub my back against it whenever I needed a little mini massage to keep me going.

All of these uses can work for moms-to-be as well. You can use it before, during or after a work out or whenever you just want a little massage. It comes with a full year warranty, as well.

The device retails for $49.00 and you can get it from the company’s website, find a local retailer or pick up one at a slightly discounted price via our Amazon affiliate . The company sells a mini massager, a foot massager and a lower back massage device as well.

Get it! Go Moji!

See it in action here:

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BumpNews

REVIEW: House of Botori diaper bags are stylish and functional

Posted on August 14, 2014

If you are in the market for a chic, super cute diaper bag in a reasonable price point, we recommend checking out House of Botori.

We sampled the Ginika Tote in a Swirl Tangerine pattern and found it extremely roomy, stylish and functional. There were numerous pouches and compartments for keeping organized various items in your bag.

The bag comes with a pouch for baby food jar so it doesn’t shatter and is kept safe while traveling. It has a matching diaper bag and was very lightweight which is VERY important because after you add diapers, change of clothes, bottles and other “must have” diaper bag essentials, that bag can get quite heavy.

And the other good thing is the bags are also Eco-Friendly and are made of PVC-free materials.

The entire collection sells from between $59 to $99 and can be found at www.HouseOfBotori.com!

Or you can get it at Amazon.com!

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BumpNews

This mom’s invention OmieBox takes on healthy lunch packing woes

Posted on July 22, 2014

They say necessity is the mother of inventions so are moms.

One such mom, Nancy Yen, set out to find a solution for parents who make an average of 180 lunches per child per year and are always struggling to find wholesome solutions. Most lunches are wasted and in fact, in most states food is the #1 source of school waste.

So with her design and engineer team of 2, Yen came up with OmieBox, an innovative bento box-like lunchbox:

It’s a lunchbox with a built-in vacuum insulated bowl, so parents can pack hot and cold food all in 1 box

It contains 3 leak-proof compartments that keep food separate and mess free

It includes special features that are so easy to use, kids never need to ask for help again

The OmieBox is also eco-friendly in that it is BPA-free and made of phthalate-free plastic. It is dishwasher safe, has an integrated utensil holder and comes in a variety of fun, eye-catching colors.

She is doing pretty well with her Kickstarter campaign to raise funds to mass produce and sell the boxes. It has far exceeded its $42,000 goal and has raised over $72,000 in orders and sales and support.

The campaign is still on and runs through August 20th. If you order a box through the campaign, you can get the box which retails for $49.50 for $10 off. Get yours HERE!

Sweet! Sign me up for three for my picky-eating brood of three!

photos: OmieBox

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BumpNews

Winners of Pregnancy Psychic Reading & Chuggington Explorer DVD announced

Posted on July 15, 2014

Congratulations to

Tanisha Ford

on winning the Pregnancy Psychic Reading Giveaway

and

Taylor Closet

on winning the Chuggington Explorer DVD and Train Set Giveaway ($39.97)

Thanks to all who entered the contests!

Stay tuned for some more amazing giveaways coming up! We’re getting some amazing offers from various products!

To get daily postings delivered to your Facebook stream and qualify for EXCLUSIVE FACEBOOK FAN CONTESTS

LIKE

THE BELLYITCH FANPAGE

on Facebook!

For insider tips on the places that celebs go and love, follow Bellyitch on Foursquare

and to keep track on the stylings and comings and goings of your favorite Bellyitch Bumpwatch Babe, follow our Pinterest Board dedicated to the babes!

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BumpNews

REVIEW: Connect and learn with ‘The Multitasking Mom’s Survival Guide’

Posted on July 13, 2014

If you are frazzled, coming unhinged and struggling to find work-life balance while raising your children, you know you are not alone. The makers of the ““Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Multitasking Mom’s Survival Guide”” have released an anthology of stories from multi-tasking moms like you who manage to do it all and take a pause to breathe.

The book, released earlier this year that retails paperback for $14.95, is filled with 101 heart-warming, well-written stories and prose from bloggers, authors, journalists, working moms, stay-at-home and work-at-home moms who strive for balance, order and offer worthwhile temps through their own trial error.

From the publishers: The Multitasking Mom contains 101 inspirational, useful, and amusing stories about mothers taking care of themselves, juggling a career, and enjoying the wonder of being a nurturer and provider. Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen and Amy Newmark do a great job selecting and assembling a good package of tales.

The stories are short reads that you can digest while waiting at the laundromat, for the kids to finish a sport or activity, waiting in bank or grocery store lines. You will be able to connect to the lives of and empathize with contributors.

Pick up a copy at your local book stores or get it online at our affiliate partners Amazon.com HERE!

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BumpNews

Review: Skindinavia’s The Makeup Primer Spray keeps your face flawless all night

Posted on June 4, 2014

Our friends at Skindinavia sent us a complimentary sample of their first product launched in 5 years since the company was created: A make-up primer spray. Apparently Lady GaGa uses the company’s finishing spray on tour so I was excited to give the new product, which only launched last May, a try.

It came just in time as I was heading off to an event where I was judging a student app competition and learned last minute the event would be recorded. That meant I too could possibly have been photographed or videotaped and ended up online somewhere. Yikes! I usually try to keep public photos offline or to a minimum but when it’s out there, I have to look halfway decent.

I already know the importance of primers as a base for make up application and realize the right primer can do wonders for helping your make-up job look flawless, last longer and delineate creasing and fading as the day or night wears on.

First, here is how my face generally looks unfiltered and without any make-up on:

Before heading to the event, I scoped some YouTube DIY make up tutorials for a natural matte look.

I started the application by spraying on the silicone- and paraben-free spray that the company says is loaded with vitamins, antioxidants and a proprietary temperature-control technology (see how it works here) to limit and neutralize shine, I suppose.

I used the spray as a base, then added blush, powder, bronzer, natural lip color, mascara and eye liner for a fresh summer look. My makeup job was so-so (I’m an amateur after all) but the primer helped give it a polished look.

No wonder it got so much rave reviews from Essence, Allure, Vogue, Lucky and the TODAY show.

Here is the final look with no photo filters used to enhance or edit the image:

The event I attended lasted from 5pm to 10pm at night (five hours) and by its end, although some of my make up had worn off, my skin still looked pretty smooth and flawless, most likely because the primer had done its job.

Here is how it looked at the end of the night from a selfie I took in my car:

From its own tests and surveys, the company notes that the primer reportedly “soothes redness, prevents breakouts and controls the appearance of oil, evens out skin tone and reduces large pores.”

Good stuff! I will be using this product all summer!

If you want your own, check out the website. Prices start at $25.00 but if you want to keep your face looking smooth and made up for the night, it’s worth the investment for sure.

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BumpNews

Review: ‘Everybody has Everything’ tells tale of parenthood forced on the ‘Child-free’

Posted on May 30, 2014

If you ever wanted to go into the world of a couple that has

everything except a child, then are

suddenly thrust into an opportunity to raise a child of a coma-induced friend, then you would enjoy

reading Award-winning journalist Katrina Onstad’s novel “Everybody has Everything.”

The tale opens with the tragedy that ushers in a whole new

life and way of living for a pair of DINKS (dual income no kids) who must quickly

learn the way of being parents. Before their friends Sarah and Marcus’ car accident

(which Marcus does not survive) and even after, Ana and her hubby James are a

bit narcissistic, self-absorbed and affluent, existing in upper crust intelligentsia

Toronto social circles.

The prose is written poetically and with fluidity, so much

so that it reads quickly. The dialogue between the characters is real and the

timing and spacing of events from going through the formality of being a

guardian to the 2 ½ year old almost new

orphan, Finn, to a trip back in time to the years of struggling to conceive and

back to the process of coming to grips with all the happenstance and unpredictability

of life.

There are plenty moments in the novel where there is

discussion of modern unspoken taboos like society’s treatment, and de facto,

rejection of women who have no desire to be mothers. One of the main characters

is such a person and for flashes while reading this book, transports you into

the mind of a non-maternal person – correction a non-maternal woman. This

difference matters because aren’t all women supposed to want to be moms?

It is refreshing and

eye opening if you happen to be one of those persons who do not “get” child-free

people. You still may not be able to relate because Ana and James may not be

your kind of people, but you can at least understand more. And complex characters make books more fun to read.

The book doesn’t drag too often because the words Onstad

selects to tell the fictional story are colorful and quite descriptive. It’s a

wonderful addition to your library, for parents –non-parents and would be ones

as well. Onstad is a brilliant writer and story teller.

I enjoyed the book and you may too. It’s certainly perfect for book clubs!

We may be giving away a copy to a Bellyitch Reader. Stay tuned!

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BumpNews

Celeb Review: The VTech Safe & Sound Video & Audio Baby Monitor

Posted on April 28, 2014

We asked new 2nd-time mom, Grammy-nominated World Music songstress Wayna to test out the new VTEch Safe & Sound® Pan & Tilt Full-Color Video & Audio Monitor (retail: $129.99) shortly after giving birth to her second child, daughter Zema, last month with husband Kyle Stephen. The results were a glowing review.

Here is what the mom to 3-year old daughter, Beza, and much buzzed-about singer-songwriter had to say:

“When I had my first child 4 years ago, a video monitor was the first baby shower item I asked my loved ones to splurge on.

Hearing my newborn daughter on a traditional monitor wasn’t enough, I wanted the assurance of watching her — of seeing first hand if her swaddle had come undone or if her back was arched from gas bubbles or if her face revealed whether the noises coming from her nursery were sweet baby dreams or the early signs of a cry for food. The more information I had, the better, and the better I could care for her while peacefully carrying out whatever multi-task I was busy doing.

When I hooked up my fancy video monitor with the even fancier price tag, I was surprised to see that the video feed was nothing like the image on the box. Sadly, it looked more like an infrared video than a TV commercial. But I was even more disappointed when the unit broke after only a few weeks use. Granted, it was tipped off the edge of the crib, but it was only one drop and had landed on double-padded carpet!

Given this experience, my expectations when trying out the V Tech video monitor were measured.

I was surprised, however, to find that all my previous hopes were fulfilled in this device and then some. I was impressed by the perfectly clear, color TV-like video feed; the ability to adjust the camera angle from the receiver to get the best possible view if the baby had moved; the battery-saving mode that enables you to leave the receiver unplugged for longer; the amplified sound that, like a rear view mirror, makes voices appear louder than they are, helping you get to the scene of an accident before it actually happens; and finally and probably best of all, the ability to convert your video monitor into a walkie talkie and converse with someone in the nursery.

On the subject of durability, my toddler knocked the V Tech video monitor over at least 3 times on hard wood floor, and it still functions perfectly!

With all this functionality, flexibility, and extra features, the question isn’t should you buy the V Tech monitor and use it in your nursery. The question is: will it work in a college dormitory? To be determined!

How fun! Thanks Wayna for a great review! We’re gonna have to give that a try with our little ones around here.

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