Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

safety

Pay Before You Pump! (It’s Safer for Everyone)

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It’s routine. It’s perfunctory. And it literally helps us get from point A to point B. You guessed it – it’s filling up a tank of gas.
Unfortunately, at gas stations across Canada, too many lives have been lost in violent incidents involving gas theft – losses that could have been prevented. Familiar with the term “gas-and-dash?” It’s pretty self-explanatory; gas-and-dash crimes happen when an individual takes off without paying for fuel. And sadly, there are many potential victims along the way:

1. The gas station attendant. Perform a Google search of “gas and dash crimes” and you’ll find a list of gas station attendants who’ve lost their lives while trying to stop thieves. This list is too long. You’ll see horrific stories of attendants being struck intentionally by vehicles or dragged out of the station and down the street. You’ll read about the families they left behind and how they’re grieving their loved ones every day. …

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The Steps, The Situation and The Summer Infant Solution

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No, this is not a sequel to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

And did I say “The Situation?” Fist pump!

All joking aside, for the last several months, we’ve had a bit of a situation. Here’s the easiest way I can break it down:

Upon entering our home, we have a lovely, spacious foyer. To the left, the powder room; to the right, the door to the garage. Simply walk up three steps, and you’ll enter our great room.

Those f#%ing three steps.

And for the record, they weren’t in the blueprints when we bought the home (shakes fist at “builder’s right to make changes due to grading permits”).

So here’s the problem.

1. Our little dude likes to tumble. In fact, not only is he the most uncoordinated toddler I’ve ever seen, but he’s also a daredevil – you know, the kind who’ll fling himself willingly down the stairs just because. A very unfortunate combination.

2. Our older dude is ridiculously hospitable. If the doorbell rings, he’s only too happy to catapult down those three steps and open the door to strangers. In fact, when someone comes a knockin’, it’s generally the Gong Show over here as I try to contain Reid from falling down the stairs, and stop Ryder from answering the door. I usually win the war, but I’ve been known to lose a battle or two.

3. Remember that aforementioned “spacious foyer”? That means a wide staircase. 55″ wide to be exact. Three wide, incredibly inconvenient steps that have been the bane of my existence ever since toddlers roamed my home….

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Dyson Hot Fan Heater: The Cooler Side of Hot

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A few of y’all thought I was out of my tree when I endorsed the Dyson Air Multiplier earlier this year.

“It’s too expensive!”
“Why spend so much on a fan?”
“What makes it better than a traditional fan?”

Well, I don’t have the perfect answer for you, except to say that it’s a) worth every penny, b) safely cooled my hottest room all summer, and c) employs a technology that I don’t quite understand but nevertheless duly appreciate.

In other words, yes, I still endorse the Air Multiplier. BEST. FAN. EVER.

Hot on the heels (pun intended) of the success of the bladeless fan is the new Dyson Hot; using similar Air Multiplier technology, it amplifies surrounding air for long-range heat projection and fast room heating. Translation: You won’t find a better space heater.

But does your household need a Dyson Hot?

(Maybe it doesn’t. If you have absolutely perfect heat distribution, never experience a drafty or chilly room, and keep your home at a balmy 25°C, chances are you have no need for this unit. And, where do you live? Cause I’m moving in.)

However, if you’re like most Canadian families who could use a little targeted warmth in certain areas of your home this winter, read on….

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Britax Marathon 65 #Giveaway

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Note: This Giveaway is now CLOSED.

Shocker! A Britax feature on Listen to Lena!

Okay, I suppose I *may* have featured Britax products a time or two (or three, or four…). But quite simply, I believe that they are the most trusted name in juvenile products, known for their commitment to thoughtful engineering and top-quality, intuitive design. And since they happen to be the number one selling manufacturer of car seats in Canada, chances are you’ve already purchased one.

(Since I’m all about sharing valuable information… read my reviews for the Britax Advocate 65 CS, Britax B-READY and Britax Chaperone Travel System.)

Now I’ll be frank; when it comes to my children’s safety, I don’t shop around. For car seats, strollers and carriers, it’s Britax all the way. But I recently found myself in a bit of a new situation; now that the boys are older, sometimes I’ll take one of them with me to run errands, for play dates – even to attend press events. And since I often end up in downtown TO, I prefer zipping around in my car vs. taking my husband’s large SUV. (Have you ever tried finding street parking with a large car? ‘Nuff said.)

The trouble? I drive a Mini Cooper. And they’re teeny….

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BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib Light

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There are only a handful of companies I can always count on to make my life easier. BABYBJÖRN is one of those companies.

It’s no secret that one of my most coveted products for Baby Reid was the Babysitter Balance; one year and hours of happy bouncing later, I daresay its one of the most thoughtfully designed baby products I’ve ever had the pleasure of reviewing.

So it comes as no surprise that when in the market for a travel crib, I looked to BABYBJÖRN first. An essential for travel across the country (or just from room to room), the Travel Crib Light is the perfect way to keep baby contained – and content.

The good folks at BABYBJÖRN sent Reid a silver crib (pictured above). From the very first day, it has become one of the most popular products in our home.

Lena Loves:

Convenience. The BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib Light weighs only 11 pounds (5 kg) – that’s light enough for grandparents or even older siblings to tote around. The case’s practical handles make it as easy to carry as an ordinary bag; no more awkward golf bag setups like most standard playards. And the sleek styling makes it a pleasure to cart through the airport – I’ve never been able to match the bright juvenile patterns of other playpen shells with my crocodile Prada handbag, know what I mean?

Easy set up. Forget directions. Even my husband – Bizarro World’s equivalent of a handyman – was able to figure this one out. There are exactly three things you need to know: unzip bag, remove frame and shake to standing, insert mattress. That’s it – less than 30 seconds of your precious time. Don’t believe me? Watch this:
[youtube_sc url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pwH74r4b2E?rel=0″]
My husband and I took the Travel Crib Light Challenge – while he came in at about 22 seconds, I was well behind at 41 seconds. Of course, I competed while holding an excited, wiggling baby in one arm – proof that not only does the travel crib set up in under a minute, but it can also be set up one-handed.

Safety and Comfort. I want to stress that although your wee one will likely have fun hanging out in the crib, it’s not a playard. The Travel Crib Light is a safe, comfortable place for your child to sleep when you’re on the go. Made with high quality and machine washable Oko-Tex Standard 100 (class 1) approved fabrics, it translates into peace of mind for parents and a good night’s sleep for baby. The BABYBJÖRN base sits directly on the floor and the frame fans out wider at the bottom. This ingenious design prevents tipping from both sides of the crib and makes it a safe environment for both baby and siblings.

Now have you ever felt the “mattress” that comes with a standard playard? More like a piece of cardboard, right? Well, the Travel Crib Light’s one-piece waterproof mattress is both plush and breathable, allowing for a sleeping experience as close to baby’s crib as possible.

If you think you won’t have a use for the product, consider this: I’ve traveled very lightly in the past year – not enough to qualify me as a world adventurer. The reason I find the BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib Light so convenient is the ability to take it from room to room in literally seconds. I always have a comfortable, safe place for Reid to chill out while I go about my day, and if he happens to nod off in the cozy environment – well, I’m not complaining at all :)

Here’s the Travel Crib Light in “Action” –

REID WAVING FROM HIS FAVOURITE PLACE TO CHILL
CAN YOU SPOT THE CRIB AMIDST THE CLUTTER
DURING MY RECENT RENO-CATION?
EVEN RYDER LIKES TO CRASH IN THE CRIB – IT’S SO COZY
AND COMFY, IT’S JUST LIKE OLD TIMES!

As you can see in th last picture, even a ridiculously tall 3-year old can enjoy a nice siesta in the travel crib. Guess there’s just something about the plush, soft environment that makes him all sleepy!

The crib retails for CDN $329.99 and can be purchased at major retailers across North America. In the Greater Toronto Area, look for it at Dear-Born Baby and Babies R Us.

Click here to learn more about the BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib Light.

Kidz-Med 5-in-1 Non-Contact Thermometer

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I have an all-consuming, borderline irrational, completely phobia-inducing FEAR OF FEVERS.

Yes, it’s par for the course while raising children in this big, bad world: babies get sick, babies teethe, babies receive immunizations, and babies get fevers. And that’s when I turn into a baby. Waa.

You see, I’m not one to stick a well-lubed thermometer up a bum-bum. Sorry, but no. The one and only time I tried to do this with Ryder, he squirmed around so much that I ended up throwing the thermometer in the garbage and cried for about 10 minutes while he glared at me with a mixture of accusation and disgust (oh yeah, he knew what was going down). Back to the old armpit method.

Re: the old armpit method – it’s not perfect either. I can never tell if I’ve got the thermometer positioned correctly; I am terrible at adjusting for accuracy by adding the standard 0.6 degrees Celsius; and rarely get the same reading twice in a row, lending me to believe the axillary method is the least preferred by doctors for good reason. Add to that the fact that Ryder rarely allows me to pin his arm to the side, even if it’s only for a stinkin’ 12 seconds while the thermometer spits out a reading. Waa.

So I really think my prayers have been answered now that I’ve discovered the Kidz-Med 5-in-1 Non-Contact Thermometer –

“Comprised of the most advanced technology in thermometry known today, the NEW award-winning Kidz-Med 5-in-1 provides Moms with the comfort of using a trusted device at a time when reliability is essential. This “no-touch” thermometer’s proven accuracy, ease-of-use and instant reading ability eliminates any uneasiness that comes along with obtaining the temperature of an infant or toddler.

The new Kidz-Med 5-in-1 is not only superior to traditional methods of reading temperature, but is factually as accurate as traditional methods. It is the only trauma-free way to take a child or patients temperature in less than a second! Not to mention, it’s affordable.

With Neverwake Technology, there is no need to wake a sleeping child; the backlit LED display is very convenient for dark areas. It’s totally hygienic, so there’s no worry for cross contamination. The thermometer is faster and easier to use than most; in one second with the click of a button, you receive an accurate reading.” Click here for more information.

So essentially, it’s the point and click method – holding the thermometer about 2-3 inches from your baby’s forehead, a temperature is taken using safe, proven and advanced infrared technology. All in about a second. Amen.

I’ve got my hands on one of these little wonders and will be testing it over the next few weeks (hopefully NOT on fevers). Then, be sure to check back for my complete review… and a sweet giveaway!

p.s. If you’re already sold on the product just based on the description (I know I was!) you can grab it on Amazon.com… and it will be available in Canada later this year!

Lena Loves… Britax Chaperone

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My love affair with Britax continues.

I first heard of Britax when I was shopping for a convertible car seat. The Marathon just happened to be the #1 car seat in Canada, and with glowing endorsements from just about every store we visited, it wasn’t a hard decision to make.

It’s now almost two years later and we LOVE the car seat – and more importantly – so does Ryder. I became obsessed with communicating sales and special offers to my mommy readers, hoping to get them on board with this awesome brand which is synonymous with safety. Yes, you’ve seen a Britax sale or two featured on this blog.

So it comes as no surprise that I (literally) jumped at the opportunity to review the Britax Chaperone Travel System, which includes the infant car seat and stroller. We selected the beyond adorable Cowmooflage pattern; the perfect unisex design for sweet peas.

Let’s start with the Chaperone infant car seat. Since the arrival of baby Reid, we’ve been using it for just over two months now. The seat can accommodate children between 4 and 30 pounds, and up to 32 inches – which is actually a very impressive range for a starter seat. It features True Side Impact Protection which distributes crash forces, shields from vehicle intrusion, contains the head and body, and keeps the head, neck and spine “in true” or aligned, to limit injury.

The Chaperone also has a tangle-free, 5-point harness system that features No Re-thread Harness Adjustment; essentially you can adjust the harness height without having to re-thread the straps to accommodate your child’s growth. This feature alone was enough to have my husband singing it’s praises, as he suffers from CSIP (car seat installation phobia).

I love the roomy interior and the large overhead canopy. Reid looks comfortable and content, and there’s absolutely no car seat-sandwich appearance that some babies take on when they’re jammed into infant seats. At 2.5 months old he’s still at the lowest harness setting, ensuring months to come of safe and happy usage.

Carrying the car seat is made easier by an ergonomic handle that is shaped to allow a more natural carrying position with less strain on the wrist. At 10 pounds, the car seat is slightly heavier than my previous model, but I’ll take the trade off for the safety features, aesthetics and ease of use.

The Chaperone infant car seat works seamlessly with the stroller, making it one of the safest, most versatile travel systems on the market today. Built in car seat connectors are permanently attached to the frame of the stroller; these connectors rotate up for use with the car seat and are hidden and out of the way for stroller mode.

The stroller accommodates children from 6 months up to 55 lbs (fifty-five pounds? I know some Hollywood celebrities who could fit into this stroller). The seat sports an adjustable, tangle free, 5-Point harness with three harness heights for a snug and secure fit. A 3-position recline with adjustable calf rest offers customized sleeping positions for children (note that there is no foot rest). And perhaps my favourite feature: All-Wheel Suspension provides for a smooth and easy ride.

Seriously, this stroller coasts. You can actually maneuver with one hand while applying mascara with the other (okay, I’m exaggerating a bit). But it is hands down the easiest stroller I’ve ever pushed, and trust me, I’m all about ease of use. You won’t believe you’re steering a full sized stroller – it actually handles like a compact. Walks with Ryder are a pleasure (and bump-free!) thanks to the fabulous suspension and overall design.

And what about folding it away? I’m glad you asked, because it’s a breeze. The Chaperone has an easy two-step, one-handed folding process (which results in the perfect standing fold). It’s so easy I got it right on the first try, which of course says a lot because I’m usually a “let’s break out the instructions” kind of gal.

There’s also tons of storage space thanks to a large basket that is positioned under the seat, which you can get to even if the seat is reclined (a nice little feature that shows Britax has both baby and parent in mind). I’ve taken this stroller on short grocery runs and am happy to report that it can fit four (4) full sized cereal boxes!

All in all, the Britax Chaperone Travel System is just one more stellar addition to an already stocked lineup. I truly believe that it’s a no-fail purchase – from the ease of use and enviable safety features to it’s modern design, you’ll love introducing the trusted Britax name to your baby from birth.

Click here to learn more about Britax.

I know you’ve been waiting for this… one lucky Listen to Lena! reader will win a Britax Chaperone infant car seat and a Chaperone stroller, in your choice of fabric! (Value $530)

To enter, simply visit their website and leave a comment telling us which feature impresses you most about the car seat or the stroller.

You can also qualify for extra entries! Remember, you must leave a separate comment to claim your extra entry. You can:

(1) Follow my blog, Listen to Lena!
(2) “Like” Britax on Facebook
(3) Follow Britax on Twitter
(4) Tweet about this giveaway (here’s a tiny URL for you: http://tinyurl.com/36nfbks)

I’ll draw for a winner on August 31st. Special thanks to Britax, and good luck everyone!