GIVEAWAY & COUPON CODE: Nowali Moccasins for Babies, Kids & Toddlers

Aimee of Out By Ten & Smiling Mama is the Randomly-drawn winner!

I love giving baby shoes and socks as gifts. Moms always need new, cute items to keep their little one's tootsies warm and I like how foot fashion items fit babies far longer than outfits.

I was excited to try out a cool classic to add to the shower repertoire: Nowali Moccasins. They're Sweden’s famous slipper/sock and have been around since the '50s for that nostalgia Nordic preppy feel. In baby, toddler and kids sizes, these are great gifts for babies to six year olds. I like how they look and feel luxe and hand-me-downable for years, but only cost $24.95.

I like the classic Block Stripes for little boys and the adorable striped-meets-polka dotted Confetti style for girls. The soft soles of all Nowali Moccasins allow new walkers to move freely but the non-skid soles keep slippy accidents to a minimum. Their special design at the ankle keeps the slippers on and they're machine washable to prevent skanky slipper stink, especially important for big kids that fall in love with Nowalis and insist on wearing them everywhere.

GIVEAWAY: Would you like a pair for your child? All you have to do is visit Nowali.com and leave a comment with your favorite product on the site. Deadline for comments is midnight Monday June 1st. The lucky randomly-drawn winner will get to choose her favorite pair!

COUPON CODE: Enter HAPPYFEET at checkout and you'll receive 10% off your total + free shipping for orders over $40. Code good thru 12/31.

GIVEAWAY: Free Nanny Service From Mommy Relief!

The Randomly-drawn winners are Jamie and Vanessa.

Mommy Relief is a local business that provides assistance to families adjusting to life with a new baby. Standard baby nurse/night nurse services are available, but Mommy Relief is unique in that care givers also provide help with the older children in the family. All Mommy Relievers are experienced in providing expert care to newborns and children of all ages. The registered nurses have strong backgrounds in NICU, and the thoroughly screened assistants have hands-on experience with infants. The Mommy Relievers can do it all, from baby care to helping with older kids' homework to light housekeeping and meals. They provide a customized program of help in the topsy-turvy time of welcoming a newborn to the family.

Mommy Relief was started by sisters Kristin Emery and Jennifer Smith, both moms as part of Stonehouse Medical Staffing, Inc., a home health care agency licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia. They began the program when they saw so many moms carting in the “bucket” car seat infant carriers with an older child in tow on the way to the pediatrician. Kristin says,

Jen and I shared a nanny after our second children were born within two months of each other. We realized that we had an amazing situation and all moms should benefit. What we also realized is that moms are reluctant to get help. Some think, 'I am on maternity leave for that exact reason - so I CAN care for my kids, I shouldn’t need help.' Others think, 'It is just one baby, how hard can it be?' Still more think, 'Yes I am tired but I am fine, I can handle it.'

Mommy Relief can make a big difference in those first six weeks. Not only do you get the relief on the day you scheduled but you have a more positive outlook each day leading up to the relief. We hope we can reach lots of families and ease one of the most joyous but exhausting times in their lives. We like to say, “You don’t need a trip to Paris, you just want a shower!!”

Have you recently given birth or adopted, or are you expecting in 2009? Do you have a good friend or relative who could use a hand now or soon? The generous folks at Mommy Relief have provided two separate APISS readers with gift certificates of four hours of Mommy Relief services! These certificates are transferable, do not expire, and are good for families living in the DC Metro region. Two weeks advance notice is required for redeeming the Mommy Relief.

Want to be one of the two lucky winners? Leave a comment below as to why you or a friend could use some Mommy Relief. I'll randomly draw the winners in one week!

Note: I have not personally tried Mommy Relief, will not be receiving any services in exchange for this post and have not been compensated in any way.

GIVEAWAY: Delta Umbrella Stroller of Your Choice, Disney Princess or Disney Pixar Cars

UPDATE: The Randomly-drawn winner is Stacy of The Fabulous Miss S.

Need a new stroller for spring strolls and family vacations? The folks at Delta Childrens Products are offering one lucky APISS family just that with their new single umbrella strollers. The winning family will have a choice of two savvy styles sure to delight your toddler, pink Disney princesses or candy apple red Cars.

Whether Princess Aurora or Lightning McQueen gets your kid's motor running, I think you parents will like the light weight yet sturdiness of this umbrella stroller. I received one too, and while I at first focused on its cleanliness and the lack of crusted-on snacks in the crevices, I came to dwell on this umbrella stroller's great quality for the price. It has swivel wheels, nice handles, a footrest and seatbelt - all much nicer than the flimsy features in most umbrella models. The stroller only weighs 10 lbs. but will hold a child in the 30 lb. range.

If you win, where will you take your new stroller? Tell us in the comments before midnight Friday April 24 and I'll randomly draw the winner this weekend. The winner gets to choose the design of her choice!

Delta Childrens Products Standard Single Umbrella Strollers
Cost: $24.99 online, will be in stores such as Walmart and Burlington Coat Factory for $19.99 soon

GIVEAWAY: Sock Ons - Never lose baby socks again

UPDATE: Erika is the winner!

Once babies find their feet, keeping socks on those adorable toes is nearly impossible. Sock Ons are these genius little stirrup things that keep those precious booties on. Invented by a British mom of five little boys who always lost their socks, Sock Ons are the consummate "why didn't I think of that?" innovation. And they look super cute and styley too!

Clever Mom is one of the few U.S. online shops that carries this clever design, and owner Ilana, the Clever Mom herself has offered a pair for giveaway to a lucky APISS reader. Perfect to thwart your own little Houdini's sock removal, or for gifting the next baby shower. My sis in law Katie makes beautiful diaper cakes, and Sock Ons would be a darling addition to her crafty creations.

To be entered to win, just go to the Clever Mom website and come back here and comment with your favorite other clever baby gear item featured on the site. I'll randomly draw the winner in one week.

While you're there, use discount code APISS for 15% off any Clever Mom purchases!

Giveaway: The Trendy Bebe Personalized Receiving Blanket

I love browsing boutiques and unique shops. At my favorites, the selections of gifts, fashion items and accessories always makes me feel like I have access to a personal stylist. Popping into boutiques, coffee in hand, picking up a few things here or there is my all time favorite Christmas shopping experience...

JUST NOT ON THANKSGIVING WEEKEND!

Instead, I'm going to pass on the retail craziness, brew my own latte in my cozy home and Windows shop at this cool new online baby boutique, The Trendy Bebe. Adorableness abounds, like the onesies packaged like cupcakes, t-shirt sets for twins and personalized holiday plates by Jamie's Painting. And as you all know my affinity for the under $50 gift - all these items fit the bill.

Another great gift? The personalized lettuce edged receiving blanket (see photo.) 100% cotton and 100% cute, it's the perfect gift to send my girlfriends and family cross-country when a new baby arrives. The personalization is the sweetest touch and the blanket comes in 14 different color combinations. I love the interesting edging. You like it too? Cool! To win the personalized lettuce edge blanket, go to The Trendy Bebe site and then come back here and comment with your favorite TTB products. I'll announce the winner in 1 week!

And all readers can receive FREE SHIPPING on any purchases at The Trendy Bebe by using the coupon code UNIQUE at checkout.

Thanks to Mom Blog Marketing for coordinating this giveaway!

UPDATE: The Random.org-ly drawn winner is Kirstin G!

Giveaway: Walking Wings & Milkscreen

I met some of the women from UpSpring Baby at BlogHer and was entranced by these two new products: Walking Wings & Milkscreen. Both are cool inventions I totally would have used when my kids were younger.

Walking Wings is a contraption that allows you to support your new and learning walker without breaking your back in the process. My first kid was huge and didn't walk unassisted until he was 16 months; I needed this. Other benefits are that the child gains confidence with hands-free walking and his little arms aren't yanked around too much. Cost: $25ish at baby gear retailers

Milkscreen are test strips for your breast milk that let you know if your alcohol consumption will affect your baby. Basically, it tells you whether you need to pump and dump your G&T-laden lactose or if that Corona with lime has already been metabolized and your baby is safe. As someone who is both pro-breastfeeding and pro-drinking, this sounds very useful. Cost: $20ish for a 20 pack at baby gear retailers

Thanks to the good folks at UpSpring Baby, I have a brand new Walking Wings in navy blue and a 3-pack of Milkscreen test strips. Leave a comment below with the item you'd like and I'll use random.org to determine a winner in 1 week.