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. 

If you love it, buy it! 

 
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I've always considered myself pretty good at only having things in my life that I love and actually use.  

When I was single living in Philadelphia, I managed to live in a 400 (ish) square foot apartment with virtually no storage and zero clutter.

Now I have a baby, and the amount of crap this child necessitates is ridiculous!  I was convinced while pregnant that I would never be 'that mom' schlepping around multiple bulging bags just to go run a few errands; but, I am.  The reason I'm 'that mom,' is because babies need stuff, and a lot of it! 

Granted if I'm just running to the supermarket for a quick trip, I'll shove a diaper, wipes and toy in my handbag and call it good.  But if I'll be out of the house for more than 45 minutes with my little one, I need to have an arsenal of supplies to combat the litany of scenarios he's already thrown my way while on the go.

Hauling all this crap is a pain, literally, a pain.  My handbag and his diaper bag are heavy and the straps dig into my shoulder (making it nearly impossible to tote both and carry him).  If I opt to just put both bags in the cart, the basket is half full before I start shopping.  

Initially, I had the Buggygear™ Buggy Heart Stroller Hook, https://amzn.to/2CRtux5.  This hook is pretty good for a mini-outing (accommodating one, maybe two small to medium sized bags pretty easily).  The only issue with this hook is that the heavier items tend to slip the hook to the side of the stroller handle causing the bottom of the bags to end up rubbing on the stroller wheels.   

Being a fan of Buggygear™ products, I stumbled across their Boutique Stroller Hooks, https://amzn.to/2BR1fy7, and figured it was worth a try.  After road testing these bad boys this weekend, I'm thrilled to announce that they are awesome!  

The hooks are a breeze to attach to stroller handles with rubber straps that clasp shut easily.  Also, you can put them anywhere (not just on the top of the handle like most other hooks); this allowed me to put them lower on the stroller braces and helped prevent tipping (this picture was taking without the baby in the stroller and even with my handbag, his diaper bag and a huge Old Navy shopping bag - NO TOPPLING OVER).  The double hook feature accommodated everything and eliminated rubbing on the stroller wheels (just a bit of rubbing from that massive Old Navy bag).  I can't wait to try them out on a shopping cart (oh, the things motherhood makes exciting).