Author Archive

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

Review: Safety First “Nature Next” Bamboo Booster Seat

Thursday, July 16th, 2009

This is a rather simple review; if you are familiar with booster seats, then the Safety First “Nature Next” Bamboo Booster Seat is nothing too radically new. It works as most booster seats do, with a selling point that it is made from the renewable resource bamboo.

Pros:

  • Chair is made from a renewable resource
  • Simple to put together
  • Easy and intuitive to use
  • Locks tightly onto chair it is situated on
  • Harness holds baby well

Cons:

  • When the box was opened, it smelled distinctly of industrial chemicals
  • Sold exclusively at WalMart (sued repeatedly for pollution violations)
  • Made in China (one of the world’s most polluted countries)

When all is said and done, I compared this booster to others – every one I looked at was made in China – so that is a pretty moot point. While I’m not over the moon about it being sold exclusively at WalMart, I am still impressed with the use of bamboo.

Posted in Furniture, Green | No Comments »

Review: Adobe Premiere Elements 7

Thursday, July 16th, 2009

Photoshop – that single word can invoke a lot of feelings – fear (I have no idea how to Photoshop to save my life!), doubt (that’s been Photoshopped to death!), and curiosity (I wonder what I could do with Photoshop and a little time…). It’s the curiosity that will get to you and eventually you’ll move beyond pictures into video.

Adobe Premiere Elements 7 is all about video. And not just home movies meets a boring evening – but rather a way to quickly take video footage and turn it into something great, well frankly, turn it into anything you want.

Pros:

  • Ease of Use – when using the software, using individual commands is simple (but see Cons below for more)
  • Software runs smoothly – I’ve used some editors that hog up all the CPU power and move slow to boot. This is not one of them, thankfully!
  • Tagging your videos is easy and saves a lot of time if you work with a lot of videos.
  • Green screen – you are able to take any object from a solid background (use of green screen is common) and then you can set it in another scene. A LOT of flying scenes will emerge – and all in fun!
  • Online backup with 2GB of storage space!

Cons:

  • So many options! While it may be easy to use, when you first start it up – take it slow; there is a LOT to play with at first.
  • Some processes take awhile to learn with a couple extra steps than I believe is necessary.

So, what should you do with all your time? Well, if you’re a Dad, you don’t have that much time to be wasting in the first place! Long story short, Adobe Premiere Elements 7 is a powerful tool that ends up being a lot of fun – plus, you get excellent results with little work. Just remember: you don’t need to do it all in one day!

Posted in Technology and computers | No Comments »

Review: Adobe Photoshop Elements 7

Wednesday, April 29th, 2009

You have a million photos taking up space on your hard drive, various CDs, and, heaven forbid, floppies. And, yes, you look through them – but what are you going to do with them? Like me, you will do nothing in particular with them other than keep them where they are and trot them out every so often to take a peek by yourself or with others.

Then I received a copy of Adobe Photoshop Elements. And, like all laypeople, I was terrified, because frankly, I’m adept at using a computer, but Photoshopping pictures seemed way out of my league.

Needless to say, I tried the program…and used it and used it and used it. I’ve used it now for a few months; I really wanted to get a feel for the program before I wrote my review. And after I felt comfortable enough, I sat down and made a list of what I liked about it and what I didn’t.

Pros:

  • User-Friendliness – navigation and functionality is simple and intuitive.
  • A guided editor for new users – this made using the program much less intimidating
  • Ability to create Photo Books – these cost a fortune elsewhere and is one of my favorite features
  • Drag and Drop Photos – Organizing has never been easier for photographs!
  • 3 Ways to Edit – Guided, Quick, and Full – something for absolutely everyone.

Cons:

  • Quick to learn, but sometimes hard to figure out exactly what can be done with the picture
  • The Organizer was a little slow to load (an inconvenience, but not too bad)
  • Until you learn how to use the guided editor, frustration may be an issue if you’re new to Photoshop

All in all, a great program that I’ve had a lot of fun with. If you’re looking for a photo organizer or editor, I think this one is a good bet – even for the beginner. I might not yet belong to the leagues of people who can Photoshop as fast as the speed of light, but I’m confident that I can edit my photos with excellent results.

Tags: ,
Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments »

Review: Cloud b Twilight Ladybug

Thursday, April 16th, 2009

In general, I like toys that teach – stationary toys that don’t do anything quickly become one-hit-wonders in my household. Instead, I reach for toys that educate in some way – they needn’t be fancy, only captivating.

The Cloud b Twilight Ladybug is anything but a one-hit-wonder. Honestly – it is the one toy that I was thrilled that I had bought and has yet to disappoint. Let’s look at the all around picture of the Cloud b Twilight Ladybug.

Pros:

  • Has yet to let me down – entertains, provokes questions, helps illustrate during stories
  • Construction – plastic shell is rugged, while the body is soft and excellently built
  • Color Selection – 3 colors means 3 levels of brightness and illumination

Cons

  • Red Color – the red color selection is almost impossible to see, even in the darkest room
  • Star Placement – I cannot find most of the constellations in the mini-guide – it may need to be placed at an exact spot within the room, but I haven’t been able to find it.

In the end, it is up to you to pick out the toys for your child – and for my family, the Cloud b Twilight Ladybug is top choice. From its tough (and soft where it matters!) exterior to the way it lights up the room (and a child’s eyes), I have yet to find another toy that elicits such wonder from children and parents alike.

Posted in Babies, Toys and Games, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Review: Munchkin Mighty Grip Glass Bottle

Wednesday, March 4th, 2009

With the plethora of new glass bottles on the market you might look at the bottle and say to yourself “huh, I’ll just grab these and go” – but you need to look closer; not all glass bottles are created equal!

The Munchkin Mighty Grip Glass Bottle (pictured above) is an excellent bottle to seriously consider if you are in the market for new bottles. And, if you’re like me and terrified of dropping one, a snug silicone sleeve can be purchased to protect it!

Pros:

  • BPA free
  • Easy to clean
  • Silcone sleeve is easy to remove and clean and just as easy to replace – all while keeping the bottle safe and secure from accidental drops or bumps.
  • The glass on the sides are ribbed, giving the bottle a good grip no matter what

Cons:

  • The nipple is vented, but I would occasionally have to break the seal from my baby’s lips and let the bottle draw air in order to release the vacuum.

If you are looking for some exceptional glass bottles – these are an excellent choice. Thanks to natural glass, you will feel much better knowing that you are feeding your baby with only what was intended and nothing more (not to mention you won’t have to worry about butterfingers!)

Tags: , ,
Posted in Accessories, Babies | 2 Comments »

Review: Mutsy Stroller

Tuesday, December 16th, 2008

There are planes – and then there are private jets.

There are cars – and then there are Bentleys.

There are houses – and then there are mansions.

There are strollers…

And then there is
Mutsy!

Super chic, super sleek, and oh-so-indulgent, never before has there been such a posh stroller!

European design is just one of the fantastic things about this wonderful stroller. Your little one will be the center of attention in this one-of-a-kind experience. Now, if I sound over excited, I am – simply put, The Mutsy Urban Next is just too cute for words and definitely a conversation starter!

Pros:

  • Amazingly smooth ride – large, easy-swivel tires make any terrain a snap (the stroller comes with a second set of smaller wheels, but I prefer to leave on the bigger ones)
  • Stands upright when folded – easy to maneuver folding means less time fussing with folding and more time with baby!
  • Wheels easily remove – with one-handed removal, this feature makes Mutsy all the better for quick storage
  • The Mutsy Sitter turns your seat into a wonderful, detached seat for your little boy or girl.
  • Soft, Graspable Leather Handle
  • Lots of accessories, including bassinette, hard-shell backpack, Eskimo muff (which is just too cute and warming!), rain cover and many more.

Cons:

  • It seems larger than other strollers – tight turns or small grocery store aisles may pose a problem
  • It can appear weighty for some – at around 25 lbs for the stroller alone, it can be considered by some heavy duty.

If you’re in the market for a stroller and you like that modern European stroller look, then Mutsy is the stroller of your dreams. Combining functionality and charm, it will never fail to impress and charm onlookers.

To purchase, please visit www.goores.com

Great Dad Readers, receive 10% off of your order by using code “gdmu” at checkout

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Accessories, Babies, Owned by GreatDad staff | 2 Comments »

Review: Safety 1st (AKA Safety First) OnBoard Car Seat

Tuesday, December 9th, 2008

Safety1st Onboard car seat.jpg

Buckle up – it’s the law! And not just for you, either – babies in every state are required to be placed in a rear-facing car seat. So you have to juggle between convenience and safety (not to mention how it looks!). You look, you compare, and you search high and low. But you may never find one as good as Safety 1st ’s onBoard™ car seat.

OnBoard™ manages to combine functionality, safety, and a sweet, sophisticated look all into o ne affordable package. And Safety First is a well-known household name when it comes to baby items (I have more than several myself!)

The Good:

  • Spacious – as baby sits comfortably snuggled inside, you rest assured knowing that he won’t soon outgrow the car seat.
  • Leave behind base – keeping the base securely in place in the car means not only convenience, but peace of mind that fewer mistakes can be made in the buckling.
  • EEP Foam – I call it the “super shock absorber stuff” and I can safely say my baby doesn’t know what it is, but he is very appreciative!

The Bad:

  • Handle – not the easiest thing to move up and down, but I’ve only done it once; 99% of the time it stays up anyway.

With a superior name in baby care and a positive, strong record in safety, the Safety 1st onBoard™ car seat is a sound investment. Not only is it good for your little tykes, but parents will find the stay-in-car base and the knowledge of the child’s safety among the most important attributes.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Accessories, Babies | No Comments »

Review: SoundSleep for Babies CD

Monday, November 24th, 2008

Clue one: The soothing, subtle sound of the heartbeat

Clue two:Ambient, soft conversation sounds

Answer: The SoundSleep for Babies CD, from Sound Science

A lot of parents, especially frustrated ones, have tried products that say they’ll help soothe your baby. And then you turn it on. Far less from soothing, they seem to actually be bothering both you and the baby.

That’s not true with the SoundSleep for Babies CD. The very first time I used the product I was amazed. I put the CD in the player, hooked up the headphones (making sure the volume was appropriate), and put them on a fussy baby.

BAM – silence. A doe-eyed, blinking baby was calm. Maybe from the new experience of headphones, but something tells me it was the womb-like sounds quieted baby.

That’s right: womb-like! Muffled heartbeats (not Tale Tell Heart sounds like in some other products) and muted background conversations all helped baby calm.

Pros:

  • Comprised of actual recordings from the womb, digitally enhanced
  • Based on medical, scientific, and audio research
  • Calms even the fussiest of babies quickly
  • Plays for one hour
  • Keeps baby asleep

Cons

  • Unless the room is super quiet, I had to use headphones – otherwise, just playing them on a CD player, baby was uninterested

I am always skeptical about products that say they will quiet a baby fast – especially if they’re just going to play music and sounds. But the SoundSleep CD has proven me wrong (well, as far as this CD alone goes!). The CD has now become a mainstay in my household, keeping baby comfortable and asleep longer, making sure accidental loud noises are a thing of the past.

Note: The CD plays for an hour. It is suggested that you put the player on REPEAT, keeping the sounds going as long as you feel.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Accessories, Babies | No Comments »

Review: Baby K’tan Carrier

Monday, November 24th, 2008

Sometimes a product comes along that isn’t quite one thing or another. Baby K’tan fits that description. Not quite a sling, not quite a wrap, the best way to label it is simple “carrier” – and what a unique carrier it is.

A lot of carriers have one or two good points to their designs, but the Baby K’tan is chock full of beneficial features.

Pros:

  • Can be used from birth to 42 lbs – one of the only systems to carry that much
  • Made completely of natural cotton making the carrier very breathable
  • Ability to carry twins – the only carrier I’ve seen that is able to do this
  • Comes in patterns for both moms and dads
  • 8 possible positions for baby
    • Cradle
    • Hug
    • Explore
    • Adventure
    • Twins
    • Two-Hip
    • Hip
    • Back
    • Phone support

Neutral:

  • Can take some practice, but with well written and video instructions, getting the hang of it does not take that long

Again we have a carrier with no cons (and only one neutral). That is why with today’s ever advancing products and product ideas, it is important to compare and see what works for you and your little one, or ones!

Of course, not all slings are appropriate for all families and parents. It is very important to find the right sling for you. Remember to ask to try the sling in-store to get a feel for what the sling is all about. If a sling you are interested is unavailable by you and you must purchase online, make sure you are well informed about the company’s return policy.

Note: use coupon code: GREATDAD for 15% discount on any orders at www.babyktan.com..

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Accessories, Babies | No Comments »

Review: Infantino’s Front2Back Rider

Monday, November 24th, 2008

For babies between 8 and 32 lbs.

Continuing the reviews on infant carriers, today I will review the Infantino Front2Back Rider. I am sure it is no secret, after my last review, Infantino is a favorite brand of mine. And the Front2Back Rider is no exception.51qpZSpUZnL._SL160_.jpg

Pros:

  • Light weight
  • Comfortable for both petite and larger people
  • It is super to buckle and unbuckle
  • Soft, memory-foam type straps assure comfort for the wearer
  • Like the SlingRider, it has fantastic, breathable mesh to assure good airflow
  • Extra storage pocket for keys or other small objects (think extra pacifier!)
  • “Tidy Wraps” help contain excess straps

Cons:

  • None

It is a rarity when a product truly has nothing under the Cons section, but this rider has managed to do just that. There is comfort to be found for everyone using the Front2Back Rider – with its soft straps (a big plus), breathable mesh for baby (and peace of mind for parent!) and adjustable sizing; I whole heartedly recommend this product.

Of course, not all slings are appropriate for all families and parents. It is very important to find the right sling for you. Remember to ask to try the sling in-store to get a feel for what the sling is all about. If a sling you are interested is unavailable by you and you must purchase online, make sure you are well informed about the company’s return policy.

Related Posts with Thumbnails

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Accessories, Babies | No Comments »

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »