Meanwhile...

...over on Sandy Calico Reviews I've written about some of the things sent to try us. Oh no, that's wrong! Try again, I've written about some of the things I've been sent to try. Yes, that's more like it. ;-)

Since becoming Toys R Us Toyologists we've had quite a few toys to test. Find out what we thought about the Tomy Aquadoodle Desk, the Timmy Time Pop-Up Game,  Old MacDonald Lotto, the Crazy Chefs Game, the Fireman Sam Fire Engine Convertible, the Moon Sand Demolition Kit and the Mega Bloks 2-in-1 Buildable Thomas the Tank Engine.


We have also reviewed the ZingZillas CD and My Favourite Nursery Rhymes DVD.


I was given some clothes to wear to the MAD awards by Very.co.uk and my underwear was provided by Spanx Higher Power. What do you mean you don't want to see my pants?! I was also sent my first pair of Converse trainers by Rubber Sole.



Finally, Sandy Calico Reviews... DotComGiftShop - just in time for Christmas.






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Meanwhile...

Introducing the Baby Baby Thumbs Up

Ta daaaaaa!

I made a badge! A great big badge!

Thank you to the lovely Liz at VioletPosy for the 'how to' instructions.

So who deserves the Baby Baby Thumbs Up badge this month?

Polaroid Sunglasses

Presley and Cash were both sent a pair of Polaroid Polarized Sunglasses to try (£19.99 per pair). As well as looking cool, these sunglasses offer 100% UV protection. Both boys took to wearing them straight away and they now put them on as soon as the sun comes out. I've let them play with them and take them on and off repeatedly and they appear to be indestructible. We can't fault them. Thank you Polaroid. Thumbs up!

Hello Baby

Trevor from the online nursery shop Hello Baby very kindly sent the boys a toy each to test. 

We loved the Brio Pull Along Helicopter (£9.99)

We also loved the Brio Classic Wooden Car (£4.99).

The boys have taken them both for a 'brum about', as they call it, almost every day. The toys are wooden, well-made and feel fantastic. They arrived well-packaged and I found the website easy to navigate too. Thumbs up!

Fairy Non Bio Gel

I was sent some Fairy non bio gel, fabric softenener, Timmy Time toys and some toddler tips and an advice leaflet from Dr Carol Cooper (Fairy's ambassador and author of 'The Baby and Child Question & Answer book'). The advice was actually really useful and covered reading, sharing, independence, nursery and clothes. If you would like some more details, please ask.

I was really pleased with the Fairy non bio gel (£7.14 for 962ml/26 washes). It was the first time I had used gel and I was totally satisfied with the results. I've always liked Fairy because we all have sensitive skin and we can be confident that it won't affect us.

You can currently collect FREE Timmy Time books with every purchase of Fairy. See special packs for details.

Guess what? Thumbs up!

Wilkinson Nappies

I was sent a pack of Wilkinson nappies to try (£3.74 for 24 size 5 nappies, two packs are just £7). I couldn't fault them (and I am a self-confessed nappy snob). Yes they're basic, but they did the job. Thumbs up!

Leapfrog Toys

The lovely people at Leapfrog have been rather generous. We were sent The Leapfrog Tag Junior reading system (£29.99) and a couple of books (£9.99 each). The reading device was simple to set up and personalise by connecting to the Leapfrog website. Best to do this when your children aren't around, because they will not want to wait. Both boys found the reading device easy to use, although the on/off button is too accessible when you have an over-eager toddler who likes pressing buttons. They were able to use it as intended really quickly. Presley spent ages trying to figure out how it worked! I have to say that while Presley and Cash both read regular books every day, they don't currently play with this every day. Perhaps that will change as they get older. 

We were also sent an electronic book 'Goodnight Scout' (£13.99) from the My First Book series. Cash has a Leapfrog My Pal Scout that he plays with every day, so his eyes lit up when we gave him this book. It is really sweet and also plays lullabies.

Finally, we also received the brand new Leapster Explorer (£59.99). As it is suitable from age 4 years (and therefore a little advanced for our boys) we haven't opened it yet, but in the interests of disclosure I wanted to mention it.

Thumbs up!

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Introducing the Baby Baby Thumbs Up

Live and Let Live

Have I sold my soul to the devil because I've reviewed a couple of products on my blog?

No, of course not.

Earlier this year I didn't know what a blog was. I started Baby Baby to see what all the fuss was about. It was a case of everyone else (on Twitter) has one so I'll give it a go. I was looking for something I could do for me.

Through reading loads of wonderful blogs I quickly discovered the mostly supportive and friendly blogging community. I feel like I have made friends, I've even met some bloggers in real life. I can certainly count on their advice on parenting issues. If I'm having a bad day and tweet about it I know that the majority of virtual hugs will come from bloggers.

I also discovered that I love writing. This is my 90th post. Wow! I've written 90 blog posts, give or take the odd Wordless Wednesday. The more I write, the more I want to write. I keep a notebook just for blogging and scribble down ideas for posts. If something funny or traumatic happens I start planning the post I'll write about it.

I also write short stories that I don't put on my blog. I've joined a local creative writing group and start a creative writing course next week. I'm so excited about this. I have bought myself a new notebook especially.

When I started blogging I had no idea that people got freebies thrown at them. I was surprised to hear people talking about wanting to make money from their blogs. I wondered how they could possibly do this. I signed up for Google Adsense and have made nearly £5 from it! Woop-de-doop.

I responded to a few requests for reviewers that I saw on British Mummy Bloggers. I thought it was hilarious that companies were happy to send me books, toys, cleaning products and soap. I now get emails every day asking me to review websites, products and services. I am extremely selective. I only accept items that are of value to my family.

I don't have a job, therefore I have no income. I feel I can contribute a product to my family finances and that's great. I don't feel dirty writing a review. For me it's fun. I get to pretend to be a journalist for half an hour. If my lovely readers aren't interested in the product I'm reviewing I don't mind. I hope that they are interested in the 95% of posts that aren't sponsored.

Baby Baby isn't a commercial blog. I'm just having a lot of fun and I hope that comes across.

I respect those bloggers who accept freebies and I respect those that don't. I admire those bloggers that are excellent writers, those who are funny, those who are informative, those who are moving and those that use their blogs as confessionals.

What I don't like is being sneered at or looked down on because I'm not keeping my blog pure.

The internet is a huge place and there's room for everyone. Live and let live.

Live and Let Live