Vicks Germ Free Humidifier: Kaz Covers Your Kids' Health

Recently, one of our humidifiers went kaput. The search was on... Germs were top on the list when researching to buy a new one for our son's room. Granted, I'm no germ freak, but a germ-free humidifier just makes sense. The Vicks Germ Free Humidifier that now graces his room is perfect. It kills 99.9% of bacteria in the water providing clean vapor, and with two chambers holding up to 2 gallons, it can run for 24 hours on one filling. My husband likes not having to change the water chambers so often. Personally, I like the light chamber (ultraviolet light process eradicates water bred germ) and the blue glow it gives off...a nightlight too! Visit Kaz for more information and other health and comfort products. Also check out another neat resource for the sick season, Cold and Flu Central. From their site, "During the winter indoor air is especially dry. Just as with drinking fluids, your immune system needs to breathe in proper humidity levels to work most efficiently. Therefore, using a humidifier makes sense no matter what your symptoms are. And should you have a cold or cough, humidifiers can help ease congestion and soothe sore throats." I would absolutely recommend this one.

Cool Tip: (Get coupon) Adding Vicks VapoSteam or Kaz Inhalant may also help to relieve your congestion and cold symptoms...and smells neat too.

Jump Start: A Secure, Interative Site Making Learning Fun

As kids become more and more versed in computer-learning, a secure, interactive site called Jump Start enables them to utilize technology in an education yet fun environment. From the site, "JumpStart is an award-winning adventure-based 3D virtual world that is super-personalized, wildly imaginative and really fun, but don't let that fool you - it also teaches math, reading, and critical thinking skills so kids get a real jump start in life." Two reviewers with children a bit older than mine took a look at the Jump Start. One said, "I enjoyed customizing the character...my daughter picked out pink hair and an outfit that would certainly end up on every worst-dressed list, but she had a ton of fun being the one to choose her character's accessories." The other was thrilled that the site is secure and also thought that the "3D aspect of the adventures was the most amazing part of the experience." Though my own 2.5 year old (recommended ages are 3-10) is a bit young for the site, we tested it out and will definitely bookmark it for future use. For $7.99 a month members receive additional 3D adventures and the ability to download others directly to your computer. Though it's not always possible to make learning fun, JumpStart certainly achieves this goal making it a perfect choice for kids who want to use the computer and parents who want their kids to learn.

Smart Giveaway: Win a free three month account to Jump Start by visiting their site and commenting back here about your initial thoughts. Click here to find out how to increase each extra contest entries. Contest ended. Congratulations Karen!

Subscribe to Cool Baby Kid by RSS or email or an extra entry and to receive updates on this contest, an announcement of the winner & a special discount for all entrants.

Special Monthly Feature: Your Baby Can Read, Volume One

Each month in a special feature we're tracking the progress of our little ones, ages 2.5 and 10 months, with the Your Baby Can Read program. In Baby Kid Blogs first ever vlog, check out the Smilebox above and be sure to play the 4th slide (video) to see what our 2,.5 year old has been up to as she continues with the program.

Book of Lists for Fun with Kids or Class

One of my favorite all-time books is Book of Lists by James Buckley Jr. and Robert Stremme. I use it in my classroom often for at the bell activities and games, and could easily see having as much fun with it at home when the kids get older. From the publisher: "[there are]...more than 250 fun and fact-filled lists packed into the "Scholastic Book of Lists." In an easy-to-read format, kids can find out everything from "10 Gross Things People Really Eat" to helpful school information like "The U.S. Presidents." I'm often ask for book lists, and Book of Lists is one that I'd absolutely put on my top books' for kids picks!

Smart Tip: Buy Book of Lists at Amazon.com.

Worst Night Ever: Toddler's Febrile Seizure

I'm writing about the worst night I've ever experienced for four reasons...writing has always been therapeutic for me, it will be easier to point to this post to tell the story than re-tell it once again, I want to let my readers know why the blogs will likely not be updated this week, and most importantly to help anyone with a similar experience who happens upon this site.

Yesterday after work my 2.5 year old daughter wanted to snuggle which was uncharacteristic for my normally robust toddler. I noticed a fever and treated it with Tylenol. After a bath and a pre-bed time 2nd dose with her fever now at 102.7, we put her to bed. When two hours later she came into our room we brought her into our bed. At 2:00 a.m. she awoke with what I now understand were convulsions. As I screamed her name, she was unresponsive. My husband, now awake, brought her into the bathroom where she continued to stare trough us with labored breathing as he placed her on the floor on her side. As I yelled to ask if she was breathing, I noticed her lips were blue. While I was on the phone with 911, my husband continued to call out to her. Holding her in an upright position and running downstairs to wait for the ambulance, we could tell she was breathing but the next 5-10 minutes as we waited for paramedics were the longest of my life, not having any idea what was happening.

Before they arrived she regained consciousness and began to say "Daddy." Nearly 1.5 hours later at the hospital she was diagnosed with having a febrile seizure. No prior history, family history or any warning whatsoever. Turns out the episode was brought on by a spike in fever (due to a positive case of the flu) and though completely alarming was actually a harmless event without any lasting effects. Shockingly, approximately 3-5% of children between the ages of 6 months and 6 years will experience a similar episode with a slightly increased risk of it reoccurring in the future. The only recourse is aggressive treatment of fevers in the future which I can only assume will give me mini-heart attacks every time she has even a slightly elevated temperature.

While she and my husband have gone back to normal and all is apparently well once again, I can't get the episode out of my head which is why I will be on the DL for a few days as I spend every spare second making sure my daughter is OK. I don't wish a similar episode on any parent, but take comfort in knowing febrile seizures are more scary than dangerous.

Has this happened to anyone you know? Share you experience...