The first rule of parenting: DO NOT kill the child.

I love my baby.  I love my dogs.  My baby loves dogs (weird).   In fact, Bennett is always all over the dogs (and vice versa).  

As a good dog mother, I always had applied a once-a-month topical flea and tick treatments.  After having my human baby, I did a little research on these treatments.  Many options on the market include  organophosphates and carbamates that work to kill fleas and ticks by interfering with the transmission of nerve signals.  

I learned that I was using one of the 'safer' products on the market, but topical treatments can put children (and the dogs, too) at risk of poisoning and have the potential for long term effects on the brain and nervous system.  In no way did I want to put Benny at risk, especially considering he's spends so much time on the floor and smooching his face into the dogs' fur.  

Upon discovering NexGard, I have a sense of relief in my child's safety and dogs' health.  This amazing little chewy treat kills fleas and ticks.  We've only been using this treatment for a month, but let me tell you... it works!  We live in the Philadelphia suburbs in a wooded neighborhood loaded with ticks; I've yet to find a tick on any of the pooches since giving them the new treatment.  

When using the topical application on the dogs, I was always stressing about the baby touching them (or even my husband or me) and spreading the chemical on our hands.  Now I don't have to worry a bit; I just give them a 'treat' and relax for the next 30 days. Believe me, or just ask your vet for all the details. 

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Most baby toys on the market are awful for newborns.  There are tons of (overpriced) toys that small babies can't even play with.  I didn't know this until recently, and I'd venture to say most people don't know this.  

When Bennett was born, we had and received a lot of very cute toys for him, but I quickly learned that newborns really can't play with much.  A lot of toys are hard to grasp with tiny fingers (paired with lacking motor skills) and also are just too heavy for bity arms.  There were two toys Bennett got in his first few months that are perfect for very young babies.  The first is the Green Toys Twist Teether and the second.... well, you'll just have to keep reading!

So, my mom signed Bennett up to received monthly Citrus Lane gift boxes when he was born.  These awesome packages arrive every four weeks packed full of cool products based specifically on your child's age and gender.

In his first box from Grandma, there was the Twist Teether from Green Toys, https://amzn.to/2VBG3TY​.  He immediately was able to grasp it!  Then within a few days, he was able to shake it!  As a first time mom, this was HUGE.  I think I have about 30+ minutes of video footage and hundreds of photos (one shown above) with him shaking this toy (ahh, the things my second child will never have to haunt him/her). 

Another awesome toy for little ones, is the Innobaby Teethin' Smart™ EZ Grip Teether & Rattle Flower, https://amzn.to/2BWqiQA.  Scrolling through my Instagram feed from Bennett's first few months, this little green flower is everywhere.  The soft design and tiny rattle feature in the bloom make it a big hit with newborns.  In fact on Christmas morning, my little guy was surrounded by tons of super cool toys and only wanted to shake his little green flower. 

Now as a nearly eight month old 'big boy,' he still loves playing with the Twist Teether and Rattle Flower, https://amzn.to/2BWqiQA.  These are both go-to-toys for the diaper bag since they're not too big (or too terribly noisy).  If you're putting together a baby shower gift package, you have to include at least one of these awesome toys!