Join Us at the Ultimate Blog Party 2010!

We already love, love the 5 Minutes for Mom community. We're obviously inspired by Janice and Susan as fellow mom business owners.

From food to photography and pretty much everything in between, they have created a great place for moms to escape to during their busy days to read, communicate, and learn about a deal or two while doing it.

This year, we have been invited to join their Ultimate Blog Party! It's basically a way to rally together a whole slew of mom and parent-related blogs in one place. We'll be joining the "linky list" for businesses, since that's what we write about here at Two Peas and a Blog...new goodies, favorite things, and special offers on all of our wares.

Click the banner to join the par-tay, to find fun new blogs, or two enter your own!

The Countdown to Christmas: Our Favorite Baby Christmas Gifts for 2011

With each shiny, holiday-themed catalog I have received in the mail this week, I pushed it to the bottom of the pile thinking it’s waaaay too early to even think about Christmas shopping. I just finished gorging on Halloween candy.

Then I went to a hockey game last night only to be bombarded with Christmas trees and holiday tunes already in the lobby. And it hit me. Christmas is a measly 5 weeks away! Turns out it IS time to get moving on my shopping...only 35 days to hunt down the perfect gift for about as many people.

At least all the little ones on my list will be easily taken care of, and without stepping out of the office. One of our many perks-of-the-job. Here’s a list of our favorite baby Christmas gifts already available at Two Blue Peas:

12 Days of Christmas Baby Socks: 12 days of adorable baby socks for festive feet

”C is for Christmas” Baby Booties: hand-crocheted, heirloom-worthy baby booties packaged in a precious mock story book

Baby Hoodies, Hoodies, and More Hoodies: from jersey sweatshirt material to knit sweaters, all with hoods for maximum warmth (and cuteness!)

Angel Dear Stuffies: hand knit critters wearing sweaters, quite possibly the cutest thing we stock

Bold, Bright Piggy Banks: these little piggies will store Christmas cash in style

SIDS Awareness Month

October was designated SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) awareness month, and we wanted to pass along some great info that has come across our desk during the month. We also thought it a timely follow-up to our recent post about Aden + Anais swaddle blankets and sleep sacks.

SIDS is unfortunately non preventable, but as parents, there is a lot we can do to reduce the risk factors, including:

Always placing your baby on his back at sleep time
Keep loose items out of the crib
Avoid overheating
Have regular tummy time workouts

This is of course a very short list, but there is some great info stored in the following documents, one of which is from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the other from the CJ Foundation for SIDS:

- AAP Expands Guidelines for Infant Sleep Safety and SIDS Risk Reduction
- 10 Steps to take before Baby Takes His or Hers

Brand Spanking NEW Burp Cloths

In our humble opinion, burp cloths are among the few true must haves for the first few months of your baby’s life.

We like to stash burp cloths all over the house for those unexpected moments when a fountain of milk strikes or when a diaper fails to live up to its leak-free promise.

We use them for changing mats in a pinch, shields from stray streams, and even props for a distracting game of peek-a-boo.

Two Blue Peas has always loved the super-absorbent, double layered terry burp cloths from Bebe au Lait, and the narrow, shoulder shaped bargain burp cloths from Carter’s. And we still do! But we recently decided to craft some of our own to give you burp cloth options in our Pea-ssentials line.

The new Two Blue Peas burp cloths come in pinks, blues, and neutral sock monkeys. They are made from double layered pre-fold diapers with an extra center panel for maximum absorbency. They wash like a dream, can be monogrammed for personalization, and are guaranteed to survive use after use after use after use...well, you get the picture. These burp cloths are solid!

> Shop all monogrammed burp cloths here

To Swaddle or to Sack, That is the Question

For a multitude of reasons, pediatricians recommend swaddling newborns for the first few months of their lives. Swaddling blankets decrease startle reflex awakenings, keep baby safely on his back, comfort by replicating the snug womb, help prevent overstimulation and possibly SIDS...the list goes on and on.

Eventually – though it can seem like an eternity – your little one will be naturally resting easier, longer, without the startle reflex, and he will be ready to move on from the comforts of the swaddling blanket.

But he can still surely benefit from being slightly contained in a “wearable” swaddle blanket, or sleep sack.

We love Aden + Anais swaddle blankets and still find good uses for them after the swaddling days are gone. They make great breastfeeding covers, perfect sun shades for the stroller, and soft diaper change stations in a pinch.

So naturally, we already heart their baby sleep sacks – the perfect transition between the swaddle and simply PJs. Rather than going cold turkey from the swaddle blanket, the Aden + Anais sleep sacks provide a flexible, moveable, but still contained option for bundling a baby.

His arms are free to move about, but his legs and feet stay warm and protected in the extra long sack. The Aden + Anais sleep sacks come in sizes, so you can find the perfect fit for your baby. And the quick zip closure beats the heck out of swaddling once baby discovers how fun it is to flail his arms and legs while mommy wrestles with the swadddle.

Whether you’re still in the swaddling phase or ready to graduate, we proudly, whole-heartedly recommend both from Aden + Anais.

> Shop all Aden + Anais Swaddle Blankets and Sleep Sacks here

Angel Dear “Stuffies” Hand Knit Animals

There comes a point when your “baby” – insert dramatic sigh here – is no longer really a baby.

You’ve introduced solid foods, dropped the crib mattress down to the lowest level, and washed the beloved Angel Dear blankie so many times it’s almost criminal.

Once you deem it time to officially retire the blankie, that certainly doesn’t mean your little rascal doesn’t still need a bedtime buddy or a playtime pal to drag along with you to run errands or go on trips.

Still as adorable – dare we say even more so? – are the new “Stuffies” hand knit stuffed animals by Angel Dear. They’re more grown up with limbs and “clothes”, including sweet scarves to match their fantastic striped pants.

Made of 100% cotton and measuring in at 12 inches tall, they’re perfect for stuffing in a backpack or toting on a plane.

> See all Angel Dear Stuffies hand knit animals

> Angel Dear Squirrel Stuffies
> Angel Dear Dog Stuffies
> Angel Dear Pink Elephant Stuffies

$5, $10, $15 SALE!

Alright pea friends, we’re making room for some fantastic new fall wares. The good news? We’re getting new stuff. The other good news? Our baby clothes sale section is chock full of deals!

Find cute baby t-shirts for $5, bodysuit two-packs for $10, and baby shoes on sale for just $15!

Some items in the baby clothes sale section have been discontinued by the manufacturer, and others are lone items left in our stock. Either way – they’re going, going, gone! And we won’t be getting any more in.

Knock yourself out! > Shop our BABY CLOTHES SALE section now