A Review: The Okkatots Travel Diaper Bag Backpack

Okkatots Travel Baby Depot Diaper Bag Backpack: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5/5
This is my personal review of the Okkatots Travel Diaper Backpack

(via Okkatots)

I love having a backpack as a diaper bag. Period. It's so much easier to have both hands free, especially when baby turns to a toddler! The first backpack diaper bag we had was a Fisher Price diaper backpack (see pictures at the bottom). It held up great, for the first year that is. After that the seams started coming undone, majorly undone, in the area where the backpack straps meet the bag, a pretty crucial area if you ask me, and around the outsides of the side pockets. The bag even cost a good deal of money! About $50 (and now it looks to be about $20 more)! Luckily it was a shower gift, but I didn't count on having to purchase ANOTHER baby item, and I hated knowing that friends and family spent their good money on an unreliable product.  

Sigh. What to do now? To up the ante, we also had a vacation coming up that involves Christian's first flight, so I needed something reliable, and fast. I didn't want to be in the mist of trying a new bag out while traveling.

Enter the Okkatots backpack diaper bag! I took the plunge and purchased this travel diaper bag. Yes, it was expensive ($109 on a small sale) but like I said, I needed something that would last and was reliable. I also read other reviews by traveling moms about how great this bag was, so I was pretty sure this was the bag for us.

I began researching traveling with baby's/toddlers and read up more on this bag, and came upon Okkatots detailed page for the diaper bag. All the pictures and descriptions had me sold! I loved seeing the detailed pictures and descriptions. They had so much info!

Pros:
-LOTS of pockets for organizing everything
-pockets are roomy and deep (including an insulated side pocket as well as a pocket that has little sewn in compartments for silverware!)
-side pockets can zip open traditionally or open like a standing book (shown here)
-comfy shoulder straps that adjust
-clip and pocket on the shoulders straps to hold a phone, ipod, keys, toys etc.
-nice handles on top to carry the bag or hang it (can also clip around and onto a stroller, hook etc.)
-can fold open like a standing book, or the front zips down on both sides and folds down like a flap.
-comes with a waterproof pouch (dirty clothes, cups etc.), pacifier pouch, wipes pouch and changing mat
-good size changing mat that has nice cushion  to it
-clip inside to hold keys
-DVD pocket and holder, great for travel and roadtrips
-good size for an airplane carry on (can't wait to test this out!)

Cons:
-Price... $109 is steep, especially for a stay at home mama and her family! It's a good investment though, just like a good baby carrier.
-kinda bulky but doesn't really bother me
-since we cloth diaper, I haven't found a use yet for the flat "diaper dispenser" pocket. (I just keep my cloth diapers in the main compartment)

NOTE: Update to come once I can speak to how well this bag does while traveling!

Fisher Price                           Okkatots

  Fisher Price                           Okkatots

You can definitely notice that the Okkatots bag is larger than the Fisher Price. I love that this bag can hold everything I need it to and more. We never have a problem with no space. I also like the shape of this Okkatots bag A LOT more than the Fisher Price bag. The shape keeps it nice and sturdy and the bag holds its shape and doesn't bow off of your back like the Fisher Price bag.

Take a tour of my Okkatots bag below!

 

I would definitely recommend this bag to anyone who's looking for a diaper bag backpack! It's easy, quick and great for if you're wearing your baby when they're little, or chasing around a toddler.

Check out my review of the Boba G3 Baby to Toddler Carrier!

 

MommyCon Chicago 2014!

MommyCon Chicago 2014 was so much fun! It was my first time every attending this event and I'm glad I did. I actually bought my ticket a few days before the event, which meant that I didn't get a goodie bag from the sponsors, but that was ok.

What actually is MommyCon? Their about section says it all:

MommyCon is a boutique style convention dedicated to bringing modern parents and mothers-to-be together. Our focus is on natural and organic parenting methods and timeless tidbits as we journey through parenthood together. Our seminars and workshops include; babywearing, birth, breastfeeding, cloth diapering, car seat safety, natural health and medicine, baby gear, childproofing and so much more! We end our day with amazing giveaways and each attendee gets a gift bag from our sponsors.

I was excited when I took the leap, bought a ticket, and went to the event BY MYSELF. I drove myself to and from Rosemont (which is very near Chicago and about 45 minutes from my house), in a snow storm, to attend the event. 

I decided to leave Christian at home with hubby. Even though he was 16 months and would have had fun with all the other little kids and toys there, I decided to take a day (yes day) to myself and Michael was the one helping push me out the door. :o) It was sort of freeing to be at an event where all I had to worry about was myself. I could choose when I wanted to eat, what I wanted to look at or do etc. I didn't have to run after C, change him, feed him, keep him entertained etc. It was the first time, since C was born, that I had a day to myself, and it was great.

The first thing I did after purchasing my ticket was look through the speakers, workshops and seminars that they were offering through out the day. I wrote down everything that I wanted to see and the times on my MommyCon schedule that they provided.

I also asked questions to those that had been before through the MommyCon Chicago Discussion Group on Facebook. This was a great way for me to easily prepare for the event since others could answer questions like: do they sell food? Is it still fun to attend by yourself? etc.   

There were some great speakers and seminars to attend!

Essential Oils

The Badass Breastfeeder

Cloth Diapering 101

Wrapping 101

Skin to Skin: the benefits

Normalizing Breastfeeding: The Leaky Boob

The Honest Toddler

Pediatrician Panel

Car Seat Safety

The Baby Guy NYC 

and more!

Abby Theuring, The Badass Breastfeeder

Jessica Martin-Weber, The Leaky Boob, actually nursing? What?! :o)

Baby wearing!

 And what's this?

They had a play area at the back of the main seminar room stocked with toys! 

When not attending the workshops and seminars they had a huge room full of awesome vendors who also share the love of forward thinking parenting.

Some that were included:

Bio Oil

4th Trimester Bodies  (check this out, just do it.)

The Bump

Cotton Babies

Doterra

Milkin' Cookies

Moby

Nancy Mohrbacher Solutions and Family

Nuroo

Project: Breastfeeding

Sustainablebabyish

and more!

Nancy Mohrbacher, IBLC, FILCA

I actually have met Nancy and have attended one of her Baby and Me group meetings in Mundelein, IL, closer to home! I highly recommend for breastfeeding moms, her book (Breastfeeding Made Simple). Check out my Breastfeeding Favorites too where I further describe this!

Sloomb ♥

At the end of the day at 5:00pm, they started the giveaways, and boy did they really give away awesome stuff!!! I'm talking about at least 15 Ergos, strollers, convertible car seats, infant car seats, highchairs, bottle sets, wraps, toys AND left over goodie bags..... :o) I ran, well walked quickly, to the counter they were handing them out and was the last one to receive one! (Thank goodness too! because there were some ladies cutting the line..... ahem.)

Some vendor give aways: coupons, stroller tags, honey stick, medicine dispenser, reusable snack bag from itzy ritzy (just for liking their facebook page!), lip balm and a neat wooden honey drizzler.

The Goodie Bag: a silky smooth Moby bag (with inside zipper pocket), Sage Spoonfuls snack cup, Mam bottle, Munchkins 2 pk swaddles, Weleda Nursing Tea (Spanish side showing, oops), Birds & Bees Calm Nights Tea, Blossom Organics lubricant (hahaha, just realized this), Diono travel wipes, Mam pacifier, Motherlove Nipple Cream (under paci, little hard to see), coupons (only G coupon showing), Weengreen glass snack container (soooo loving this!! it has such a satisfying snap and lock! ツ), Bio Oil (yesss), and Rocker Bye Baby Booger Basher. 


Overall, it was an amazing event. I did end up seeing a friend from my previous birthing class, but it wasn't bad going alone. I did feel a little left out because EVERYONE had their baby with them, but I'd still opt for going childless next time. It was definitely a day long event with workshops going from 9-5, and I was tired at the end, but waiting for the giveaways at the end was worth it!!

To see a little more, watch this neat What to Expect at MommyCon video!

Check out MommyCon to see if they are coming to a city near you!

*Pardon the phone camera photos! I wasn't originally planning on posting about this!*

A Review: The Boba G3 (baby to toddler) Carrier

Boba G3 carrier: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5/5
This is my personal review of the Boba G3 carrier

I was searching for quite awhile for the perfect carrier for C. I had a Moby wrap and liked that but I felt that C was getting too heavy and long for that, so I started my search. 

I attended a free baby wearing class through my local lactation consultant, but didn't really find the one. I searched the web and came across an AMAZING comparison chart from The Portable Baby. It shows many different kinds of carriers and lists tons of features for all the carriers (prices, weight limits, cool things about each item, pros, cons, facts about the different parts of carriers such as the waist band and should straps, what kind of build each carrier is good for etc. Trust me, just check it out!)

After reading through the chart and deciding on what I wanted my carrier to have (mostly a good price, and something that would last me many baby phases), I settled on the Boba G3. 

Pros
1. Price. Now I know $120 is kinda pricy, but for what I get it's great, AND it'll last me a loooong time, even with having a chunker of a babe, especially considering it lasts for many phases, leading me to...
2. Weight limits: 7 to 45lbs! I'll be carrying C in this when he's a toddler for hiking, traveling, you name it.
3. The look (for my specific carrier, color: dusk): It's simple and classic. Nothing really frilly or fad about it. Me (and hubby).
4. A comfortable fit for both me AND my husband. The waistband and shoulder straps do not dig, rub wrong, or sit funny. 
5. Easy to fold up and pack with you. It doesn't fold up into a nice neat "package" on it's own, but it's easily packable for trips. (If you should want a bag to keep it in, Boba does make one).
6. Great adjustable bands. Everything is adjustable! Shoulder straps, waist band, hood, side straps, leg straps, where the chest clip sits etc.
7. Comes with a hood that snaps on and off. If a child should fall asleep it's good for a bobble head.
8. 2 little pockets on carrier. One on the waist band that will fit an iPhone and one of the back of the carrier. 
9. Has a snap strap on the should so you can snap a toy, sippy cup, or even a purse onto the carrier.

Cons
** None!!

Arms can be in, out underneath the black strap, out and above the black strap, or out and over the top of the carrier (I suggest that for toddlers).

Great How-To videos on how to wear the Boba and your baby or toddler. :o) 

Note:
*We haven't had a chance to use the leg straps (which is for older kids so their legs do not dangle), but they look pretty cool.
*I also did not use this carrier when C was a newborn. I just didn't have it yet, so I cannot speak to how well it holds for newborns. However, this carrier does not need an insert for that first stage, and other reviews say it's great!

 

A Review: Bummis reusable swim diaper

Bummis Swim Diaper: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ 4/5

This is my personal review of the Bummis swim diaper

I was in search of a reusable swim diaper for awhile. I had thought about it for awhile, since summer was soon approaching and Christian had swim lessons for the first time. Ah!

I knew I didn't want to use the disposable swim diapers if I didn't have to, since I like to cut my ecological footprint down when I easily can.

Through a friend, I found out about Bummis. I read the reviews online, and decided that I'd splurge a little and purchase 2 of these turtle print cloth diapers (considering I purchase so much through garage sales already). They cost about $14 each, which isn't too bad for a swim diaper that will last me probably two summers since I bought a large which ranges from 22-30lbs.

*Also, I didn't know, since I'm a first time mom, that swim "diapers" are not really diapers at all. Urine passes right through! I now look at public pools differently...

Pros:
1. I LOVE the bright amazing colors and pattern of the turtle design.
2. Fit is good, not great (C was at the bottom of the weight range when I first got the diapers. Since he was 22lbs, there was some room for him to grow. Although this was the case, it was not baggy on him). It did fit pretty good around the legs, tummy, and back by his bum.
3. The feel of the diapers is great. Nothing scratchy. (I saw reviews that said the diaper rubbed wrong, but I saw nothing of this, and C has very sensitive skin).
4. Great velcro tabs that opens and closes diaper like a normal diaper (great for if baby has an accident and you don't have to pull the diaper down around them).
5. Good elasticity in the legs and around the top, however the elastic is NOT extremely tight like most rubber swim pants and does not cut into the skin.
6. Drys great and quick. I'd hang mine outside after swimming on the clothes line and I'd take it down before dinner for the next day. Ready to go!

Cons/Potential Cons:
1. Price could be better.
2. We did have a small poo in the diaper and it DID stay in, however I'm not sure how this diaper would hold up if C had a blow out, considering it was a little big on him to begin with.
3. The diaper did fade a little. This might have been due to being in the pool every day for 2 weeks because of swim lessons and me not rinsing well enough, or it could have been because of hanging it outside to dry in the sun every day for 2 weeks straight. Either way it still looks pretty good.

I very much like these swim diapers!

A Review: One Step Ahead Splash Pad

One Step Ahead Splash Pad: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5/5

This is my personal review on the One Step Ahead Splash Pad. This item was on my wish list for my baby for a few months in the spring. I was lucky enough to actually find this one at a garage sale for only $5 right at the start of summer! What a score! (They are usually about $20)

Since my baby Christian was 8-9 months through out the summer, I wanted something that was age appropriate for him to cool off in that we could have fun with at home. I didn't like the idea of a baby pool because that was one more thing to clean, it held too much water for my liking at his age, and it was another huge thing to store. So when I found the idea of a splash pad on pinterest, I was very excited!!

Pros:
1. The price is great (mine was extra awesome :o)
2. The look of the pad is fun, colorful and engaging
3. The hose connection is pretty good, connects well, minimal leaking
4. There is a pretty good drain, just pop the lid and pour it out
5. The water sprays are great, and there are many
6. Floating toys in a water ring
7. Storing this is a breeze since it fold up nice and flat
8. No cleaning necessary!
9. Great size, pretty large, enough to fit at least 3 babies comfortably

Cons/Potential Cons:
1. You have to constantly run the water so the water pressure pushes through creating sprays (lots of water for lots of fun)
2. Because of where the drain is placed you have to maneuver the pad around trying to angle the water out of the drain (I got most of the water out and the water that was left in there, which was very little, evaporated within a day or so)
3. Depending on the age of your baby, this pad does hold a good amount of water creating a small pool (probably about an inch and a half) since the sides are raised from the water pressure keeping everything in. I didn't mind this at all.
4. Because the water is constantly running, it does stay cold, BUT if used on a nice hot summer day.... not so bad.

Overall, this was a great find/purchase and I'd encourage anyone who has a younger baby to definitely seek one of these splash pads out!!