Diana Gainsworthy

Diana's answer: I have a BabyBjorn Active and it's been good to me. My husband doesn't like it though - says it has a way of tightening as he wears it until it compresses his back. A couple of friends of ours have Ergos and they all seem to like them.

Diana's answer: Gas is great. It's ready fast and makes less smoke. You can also control the heat more.

Diana's answer: I need my desk and keyboard to be nice and low. One of the things I like about my Apple keyboard is that it is very thin. It's not a huge difference, but the keys are a little lower than some other keyboards. It's also small and wireless so it's easy to move around or even place in your lap for a while if you want to change your position around.

Diana's answer: Fundex Whoops is a great game for the backyard and helps teach balance and coordination. You will have to play with him though! You know how kids are when they get a game for a present.

http://www.amazon.com/Fundex-2805-Games-Whoops/dp/B0019O30MG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1314493351&sr=8-1

Diana's answer: IKEA's cribs are inexpensive, safe, and non-toxic. I trust their product testing at least as much as other companies. This one is only $70. You'll need a mattress. IKEA has a selection of those from $35 to $70.

Diana's answer: We had the delivery guys mount it for us. There was a promotion for free shipping and installation and we took full advantage. You need to have a good plan ready before they come, though. Like knowing where you want the cables to go to, and having your furniture out of the way. In our case they did the hard part of putting the bracket on the wall and then seating the TV, and afterward we did all the little stuff like moving furniture into place and routing cables. The following weekend we had to go out for some longer cables. The power needed an extension and the cable itself ran diagonal across the room for a while there :) You should be sure to think it through carefully.

Diana's answer: Some gas grills have a tray where you can place coals. They'll 'cook' along with your food. But if you're interested in the gas grill for convenience you should check out an electric countertop grill you can use in the kitchen, or a grill plate to place across the burners of your stove. Either will let you grill right in the comfort of your kitchen. The main reason for an outdoor grill is that charcoal gives off noxious gases and ash as it burns. Some people think that an outdoor gas grill is just a ridiculous thing.

Diana's answer: However Plum Organics are frozen fresh so they won't last in your bag on the go. Earth's Best has good quality baby food in a jar that is pasteurized and you can pop the lid off just about anywhere. They're pretty easy to find in more stores, too.

Diana's answer: Yes, Plum Organics are really good. It's about as close as you can get to homemade without making it yourself. You can get them at Whole Foods.

Diana's answer: I know how you feel :) Don't worry, it will be all right!

Strollers are tough because it's hard to get everything perfect in one model. A small one that folds up into nothing will be light and easy to pack, but not as ergonomic to push or as stable on outdoor roads and such. Then again, a big tank with pneumatic wheels will be comfortable for you and the baby to take jogging around the lake, but won't pack up at all. And even most "small and light" strollers that can stand up to everyday abuse aren't quite small enough to take on a plane. So I know it sounds crazy now, but be prepared for the possibility that you might need more than 1.

My Graco Quattro is a pretty good all around stroller. It's not fantastic at any one thing but it is durable and versatile. If you start with something like that you will learn naturally what else you might prefer. The Britax Blink Umbrella Stroller is a lighter option to consider.

Diana's answer: The Chico Cortina is supposed to be good for tall people. The designers figured that if you're tall you probably have long legs and have trouble kicking the stroller, so the handle sweeps back in addition to being higher.

Diana's answer: I don't think Coby is as good as Sony.

Diana's answer: Here's the one I have. Not much to say about it. Which is probably a good thing! :D

Diana's answer: v2 is out! But the lines at the store are crazy. I was at the Apple store last week and people were lined up outside IN THE RAIN!! The crazy part was that the store had already run out of iPads for the day so people were lining up in the rain to stay through the night!!!

Diana's answer: Hah. Yes. Don't leave a baby in any diaper all day :D

I am hearing good things from friends about the 7th Generation brand. They're not cheap and not easy to find in all areas but they do the job well enough and are some of the most sustainably produced around.

Diana's answer: The towers don't take up much floor space.

Diana's answer: The oil-filled radiator variety seems relatively safe to me. The oil is sealed inside, it's just there to absorb heat and then release it evenly. The whole unit gets warm but not hot enough to light anything on fire, even if it tipped over.

Diana's answer: This is my little lifesaver. I run it whenever the dander gets high!

Diana's answer: Hah! My husband would definitely disagree with you there. He's never liked Sharp products for some reason. I don't understand why, really, but he has a thing about them. ;D

Diana's answer: We also have a Panny Plasma and like it!

Diana's answer: You shouldn't have to use a rinse agent, but you might get more water spots without it. Also more water will cling to the dishes, which might mean longer drying times. Try it both ways and see what kind of results you get.

Diana's answer: This is an important question to look at when shopping for a new dishwasher: what kind of detergent does it require? Not all models accept all detergents anymore. It's kind of confusing, and I think partly they do secret deals with the detergent manufacturers to help sell their latest and most expensive soaps.

Diana's answer: Fisher & Paykel is definitely not a brand for someone on a budget. The Bosch models are pretty respected and more reasonably priced.