We live in times where counterfeits are common place, whether it be fake money, cell phones, tickets for events, or something else. And now, sadly, we have to be careful when purchasing certain baby items.

Ergobaby, one of the world’s most popular brand baby carriers, recently released a list of online retailers that they state are selling counterfeit Ergos to innocent parents across the world. They were able to compile the list through emails and calls from people who had bought the fake ergo products. You can read the full list of online counterfeit retailers HERE, and Ergobaby state they will update it monthly.

If you are interested in buying an Ergobaby product, please consider the following:

1. When buying in person, be sure that you have checked you are buying from an Ergobaby authorized retailer. You can search for authorized retailers HERE. Please keep in mind that Ergobaby does not authorize sales through Craigslist.

2. When buying online, always check the online authorized retailers list HERE.

3. The only Ebay Ergobaby authorized retailer is Big Blue Castle. Anyone else on ebay is not an authorized online retailer, so do not risk buying from them!

4. If possible, check the workmanship of the product. Ergobaby’s website states “ We take great pride in providing the highest quality Ergobaby® products.” I have an ergo carrier and this is completely true, they are well crafted, and counterfeits often show poor workmanship.

Real Ergobaby products come with the following promise:

“For our authentic products, we can guarantee attentive & personal Customer Service, a 30-day trial period (for undamaged returns) and stellar warranties, services and protections, as well as the ultimate security and safety that an Ergobaby® Carrier provides.”

Be sure to do your research before buying an Ergobaby product, and I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed with the real thing. Ergo carriers really are worth the money- they are fantastic!

If you or anyone you know believes they have bought a counterfeit Ergobaby product, email counterfeit@ergobaby.com

Have a spring or summer baby on the way? There are many new products coming soon that we know you’ll be excited about. We are! Here are a few of our favorite upcoming 2012 products.

Baby Jogger City Mini GT

The City Mini GT is probably one of the most anticipated strollers for 2012.  It is the beloved City Mini but souped up with forever-air tires, taller seat back, adjustable handlebar, new handbrake and easier access to the basket. This is one stroller to watch out for!  Woot! Woot!

Sneak Peek Video of Baby Jogger City Mini GT

Baby Jogger City Mini GT Double

Baby Jogger Versa

Baby Jogger didn’t stop with the City Mini GT for 2012.  They are bringing out the Versa as well.  This is a luxury stroller with reversible seat that can be folded easily with the seat attached whether it’s forward or parent facing.

Sneak Peek Video of Baby Jogger City Versa

Baby Jogger City Versa

Orbit Baby Double Helix

Orbit Baby will be debuting their first-ever double stroller – the Orbit Baby Double Helix – in Spring 2012. If you thought the G2 was a head turner, wait until the Double Helix.

Sneak Peek video of the Orbit Baby Double Helix

clek Foonf

It’s the car seat with the funny name and hefty price tag.  The Foonf is clek’s first (and highly anticipated!) convertible car seat. This convertible car seat is suitable from 6+ months, has a rear-facing weight limit of 45 lbs and can accommodate a forward-facing rider up to 65 lbs. The seat sports a rigid LATCH system and features clek’s new REACT safety system.  Will it be a game changer?  We’ll wait and see in summer 2012.

 Valco Baby Spark

What we think might be the Valco’s biggest hit of 2012 is the Spark. The Spark will be Valco’s do-it-all stroller. Plus, it comes in a Twin! The stroller seats will not only reversible but will transform into a bassinet. Is that not enough? The stroller can be folded with the seat forward or rear-facing and the twin stroller will allow you to have one seat reversed and one facing-forward or both facing forward or both parent-facing. It will have rear air-filled tires, adjustable handlebar and easy access to basket from both ends. We knew you would like it! The Spark has a projected arrival of June 2012 and will retail around $450 for the single and between $600-$700 for the twin.

Valco Baby Spark

 Valco Baby Zee

First up in 2012 for Valco Baby will be the Zee. The Zee will be Valco’s “hybrid” stroller that is lightweight but also all-terrain. Weighing in at only 18 lbs, this stroller sports front swivel wheels, rear suspension, compact fold, automatic lock, and large canopy. Plus, the Zee will take a bassinet, snack tray, infant car seat (with the adapter) and turn into a double with a Joey Toddler Seat or Hitchhiker riding board.

 Peg Perego Siesta High Chair

Peg Perego is adding a brand new high chair to their family of baby gear in 2012. It’s called the Siesta and it is stocked with features. If you know the Peg Perego Tatamia, it’s very similar EXCEPT it doesn’t have that manual swing option.

The Siesta has a reclining seat, one-handed removable tray, compact fold, wheels to move it here or there, a t-bar (that is connected to the chair NOT the tray!) and an adjustable footrest. Plus, it will come in four fun colors: orange, brown, cream and lime. The Peg Perego Siesta will be available in early 2012. To see the Siesta in action and to check out more new products from Peg for 2012, check out our Sneak Peek Video HERE.

 bloom Zen

The bloom zen will be the newest luxury stroller for the well-to-do.  This amazing stroller has a one-handed retracting fold that makes it the world’s slimmest and simple to move full size stroller. The Zen will start at $799 and will be available in early 2012.

Quinny Moodd

A new luxury stroller from Quinny that has great features and looks cool. We are talking reversible seat, easy open/close, fabulous push, fun colors…and much more. Expected to hit stores in February 2012.

Sneak Peek Video of the Quinny Moodd

 4Moms Breeze

If you want an easy-to-use playard, 4Moms has you covered starting in early summer 2012. It’s called the Breeze because it is seriously the easiest playard to open and close. Grandma-can-do-it-blindfolded-easy!

Sneak Peek Video of the 4Moms Breeze

Bugaboo Snack Tray

If you are a Bugaboo owner and your little rider has been dying for a snack tray, you are in luck. The Bugaboo Snack Tray is available this month and will satisfy those mid-ride munchies. The Snack Tray (cup holder) will replace the belly bar and snap into one side. It will only fit the Cameleon, Frog, Gecko and the Donkey. Sorry, Bee owners – this one isn’t for you! This “tray” can be a single cup holder or you can snap in the second piece for snacks as well.

BabyHome Emotion

Babyhome is ready to take the US stroller market by storm with their Emotion stroller in March 2012. This new-to-the-US company is bringing all their fabulous baby products to the US but we are most excited about the Emotion Stroller. This lightweight (12 lbs!!) stroller will have an easy book fold, large basket, adjustable seat and footrest, easy push AND will come with accessories such as a rain guard, mosquito net and traveller bag!  Sounds like a winner in our book!

You can’t walk out your front door without seeing a Graco stroller somewhere.  They are everywhere.  Graco’s are the everyman (or everywoman) stroller!  They are budget-friendly and sold at every major retailer that sells baby gear.  Well, one thing Graco hasn’t done yet is a sit-n- stand stroller.  Until now.

At the ABC Kids Expo in Louisville last week, Graco debuted two sit-n-stand strollers (Graco calls it a “Stand and Ride”).  While we don’t have all the specs on the strollers yet (they were out of press kits!), we thought we would give you a sneak peek.

Graco Room for 2

The first stroller is the “Room for 2″.  It is your typical “sit-n-stand” stroller.  Seat in the front for a younger child with a bench and a stand platform in the rear for an older child to sit or stand. The front seat sports an adjustable 5-point harness and a large baby tray with two cup holders and a snack container. The rear of the stroller features a large parent tray and two handles for your rear standing child to hang onto.  I don’t remember how much the Room for 2 will retail for but it’s Graco so you know it will be reasonable.  The only thing that stood out to me about this Sit n Stand stroller is how small the canopy is.  One canopy is supposed to cover both children and it looks too small to sufficiently cover just one.  I just wish Graco had thought more about the size of this canopy.  Canopy size matters! Oh yeah, the Room for 2 also takes an infant car seat in the front.

Graco Ready2Grow

The Ready2Grow is the more deluxe “ride and stand” of the two new Gracos. While the Room for 2 is your typical sit-n-stand (nothing really special), the Ready2Grow has a unique, stand-out feature.  If you have been with us for a while, you would know that we don’t recommend putting a child under the age of 2 1/2 on the rear bench or standing platform on a sit n stand stroller.  We change our story with this stroller though. The rear of the stroller not only has a bench and standing platform but also a removable ”jump seat” with a harness for a smaller child.  That means you can have a smaller child securely strapped in the rear jump seat close to mom (or dad) while another child sits in front. 

The Ready 2 Grow has a huge basket, double canopies (with pop-out sun visors), a big baby tray and a large parent tray.  If that isn’t enough, it has 12 different riding options.  That includes TWO infant car seats at the same time! Talk about versatility for a sit-n-stand (stand and ride)!

We don’t know the retail price on the Ready2Grow or the release date yet.  We will keep you posted.

The Baby Jogger City Select took the stroller world by storm when it was introduced in January 2010!  It’s been one of the hottest single to double (and back to single!) strollers since its debut.  At the ABC Kids Expo in Louisville we got a sneak peek at the City Select changes for 2012.  Do you know what they are?  A new color. That’s it. Nothing is changing to the physical stroller besides it will be offered in a new color.  If people love it – why change it, I guess!

The City Select 2012 will now be offered in a dark sand color that they will call “Quartz”.  Oh yeah, that Diamond (white) color is out!  I’m guessing too many people thought a white stroller that would soon be covered in dirt, crumbs, juice, and poo (hey, it will happen to you!) was crazy!  So, the white is out and the quartz is in. 

There you go!  You are up-to-date on the Baby Jogger City Select changes for 2012! If you missed our Baby Jogger 2012 Sneak Peek Video that showcased new Baby Jogger strollers for 2012, you can see it HERE.

Baby Jogger City Select 2012 in Quartz

Sure, you’ve heard that Baby Jogger is coming out with the City Mini GT and the Versa in 2012, right?  If not check out our video sneak peek HERE. While that is super exciting, we haven’t told you what they are doing to the Elites yet!  First, the big news is that the Baby Jogger City Elite Double is being discontinued!!  What!?!  We know.  Crazy!  Sure, the hand brake made it just a bit wide for a standard door and it was a bit heavy but we think they should have just fixed that and brought them back for 2012!  It’s a fab stroller even WITH the hand brake.  So, if you had your heart set on a City Elite Double, you might want to grab a 2011 before they are gone!

They are keeping the ever-so-popular City Elite Single though!  They are making a few changes for 2012 to make it even better.

Here are the changes:

1. Removable auto lock feature (this will be available on every Baby Jogger stroller in 2012)!  Auto-lock?!?  Baby Jogger, have you been reading our diary??

2. Hand break

3. Lowered U-bar for easier access to storage basket

4. Magnetized kicker avoids the loud rip of the velcro (this is another access point to the storage basket)

5. Black frame gives a tougher look (We told you black frames were hot for 2012!)

6. No more white racing stripes down the hood.  Really?  We thought the stripe made it look sporty but I guess some people didn’t.

7. Available in red, black and sand.

Maclaren adds to their Objects of Design Collection with the Denim Twin Triumph

Due to popular demand, Maclaren created a denim twin stroller to add to their popular Denim Collection.  The Triumph Twin has been given a hip makeover, featuring a chic new look with durable denim fabric which is great for boys or girls.  Denim Twin Triump retails for $300.

SHOP Maclaren Denim Twin Triumph Here

Stroller Details:

Basic Weight: 10.6kg / 23.4lb

Carrying Capacity: Up to 30kg / 110lb (US)

Appropriate From: Birth

Recline: Multiple independent positions with adjusting straps

Wheel Size: 11.4cm / 4.5in

Hood

Two independent square hoods

UV protective viewing windows

You know how you see something online or in a magazine and you just have to HAVE it right then and there…only to find out that it’s not sold online but only in retail stores. Ugh! While it wasn’t that bad because it is carried on other online boutiques, it’s always nice to shop straight from the source. That’s why I’m super excited that Zutano has just launched a new Web site that features ALL their lovely clothing for newborns and toddlers, shoes, accessories and even a new nursery collection. With the new site you can shop by age, category or by the print collection. It makes baby shower shopping so fun and easy!

Take a look at a few of my personal favorites…adorable, no?! To view the entire collection visit, http://www.zutano.com/ — happy shopping!

Cups & Cakes Toddler Picnic Dress, $32.

Elephant 4 Piece Crib Bedding Set, $199.80.

Black and White Stripe Sleeveless Romper, $26.

Cozie Baby Hat, $13.

Print Footies, $25.50.

Go Hybrid™ Booster Car Seat

SafeGuard no longer sells the SafeGuard GO Hybrid booster seat. Dorel Juvenile Group, Inc., a division of Dorel Industries and the nation’s largest juvenile products manufacturer, is reintroducing SafeGuard Go as the Safety 1st Go Hybrid™ Booster Car Seat to increase the availability of this unique product to U.S. consumers.

Stay tuned for my full review of this four star rated combination hybrid car seat!

In the meantime, if you are interested in purchasing or learning more about this product, please visit Dorel’s Safety 1st website for more information at www.safety1st.com.

- Ericka, Contributor

If any of you are like me, it literally pains me to buy formula due to the exhorbent costs.  What makes it even worse is that my daughter has to use Similac Alimentum, one of the most expensive brands on the market.  But I have some very great but very brief news.  Today until 11:59PM, almost everything at CVS.com is on sale 20 percent!  Yes moms that means formula, diapers, wipes…everything!  I have never found my daughter’s formula cheaper than $15.19 for a case of six single use cans.  Now I am only paying $11.00.  Best of all shipping is free if you spend over $49!

Just use coupon code FEB20 at the checkout.  When you hit view cart, there is a red bar on the bottom that says use coupons/Extracare Rewards.   Just click on that, add your coupon code and checkout!  Formula never goes on sale!  Especially the formula we use.  So in these tough economic times, hopefully this can help…even if just a little.  But hurry because by midnight tonight the sale is over!

SHOP CVS.COM

COUPON CODE:  FEB20

- Ericka, Contributor

I have heard from a few parents that are concerned about the seat size of the Baby Jogger City Select.  You can see our testers in the seats in our video review but I thought I would take some actual photos to give you a good idea of how big the seat is.  I tested the seat with a 6 month old, 3 year old and a 5 year old.  Just so you know, here are the testers’ stats:

6 months:  18 lbs & 27 inches

3 Years old:  34 lbs & 36 inches

5 Years old:  41 lbs & 42 1/2 inches

Note:  Our 5 year old tester is way past the “stroller age” and never rides in a stroller anymore.  She walks!   But she was very cooperative to help us show what a child near the weight capacity of 45 lbs looked like in the stroller seat!

Don’t forget our full review (with video) of the Baby Jogger City Select:

BABY JOGGER CITY SELECT

UPDATE:  Here are some additional pictures with a Graco Snugride and the toddler seat!

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