Things I Love Thursday: Stalking
Okay, maybe not in the “I need to see a therapist” kind of way or the “I’m going to be sent to jail” kind of way. But in the “I like to know everything” kind of way. Whether it is Twitter, Facebook, blogs or my children, I definitely like to be “watching” at all times.
When Isaac was born I insisted we get a video monitor. Many looked at me like it was a bit of overkill and definitely not a necessity. I disagreed. And I was right. We did the whole Babywise thing with him (which he absolutely took to right away and loved) and the video monitor came in HUGE help through that process. You know those fitful grunts where you are trying to determine if they are awake or just falling deeper into sleep? You know, the ones. You sneak in to check on them, they hear you and they are up for good now. Crud! I hated that.
Except I didn’t have that with Isaac because we had a video monitor! I would hear those grunts and groans at 3 am and just take a look in the monitor. He was still sleeping. So I went back to sleep. And the same thing for afternoon naps.
As much as I loved having a video monitor I wasn’t pleased with the one we had. It was big and clunky, like an old black and white television unit. If I was doing anything around the house I had to transport the monitor here and there and find a place to position it. The camera for the bed was stationary and attached to the bed so when he got older he could reach it and mess with it. And the camera stopped working 9 months into use. (It *could* be because he could reach it and liked to play with it BUT that was no good).
So with Tessa on the horizon I decided to do a little more research to find a better video monitor. And I found one! Summer Infant monitors are some of the best rated video monitors you can find. I received the new Sleek & Secure Handheld Color Video Monitor to review and can I just tell you that it is AWESOME!
The camera can be mounted anywhere or just placed on a flat surface like a nearby dresser or shelf. The receiver is incredible because it is not much larger than my iPhone. And it is in color during the day (hard to have color when the lights are out at night). And the sound? I can hear Tessa breathing with the camera 6 feet away. (I turn the volume down a bit so that I can fall asleep).
One of the other functions of the unit is that you can add additional cameras to it. That is INCREDIBLE! I am currently in the process of purchasing a second camera for Isaac’s room. I originally thought I would only need one camera for Tessa’s room. However, we have moved our bedroom upstairs and the two children are 
downstairs. For safety reasons I would like to have a monitor in his room as well. Add to that, that a week or so ago I found Isaac teetering over his bed rail trying to climb out! I think he scared himself enough to not do it again but to make sure I would like to keep my eye out. (And I’m not ready for another life transition right now so we are not moving him to a toddler bed).
We will add the second camera and the receiver lets you see both cameras at the same time so that we can keep an eye on both kids. You can have up to 4 cameras attached! And hopefully get a good nights rest!
If you are having a baby or have a little on and have been debating the value of a video monitor, I personally recommend the investment. I have definitely gotten enough use out of it to warrant the monetary commitment. And if you are having your first child, you can get much use out of the Summer Sleek & Secure Handheld Color Video Monitor because you will be able to just purchase another camera at a later date instead of buying a whole other unit.
Excuse me while I go stalk my children a bit more! 
Disclosure: I received a Summer Sleek & Secure Handheld Color Video Monitor to review. The opinions listed above are my own. I did do the research and was most interested in reviewing a Summer Infant Video monitor.
This post is linked up at Things I Love Thursday at Diaper Diaries.
THANK YOU for this! We’re expecting our second baby in 10 weeks and also “do the Babywsise thing.”
A video monitor has been at the top of my list for things to buy, but I just wasn’t sure which was the best. I really wish we had one now because my 16 month old bangs around so much in his crib, I can never tell if he’s finally quiet because he fell asleep or because he’s knocked himself out.
I’ve been pricing the Summer Infant models for a while now, do you have any ideas on the best place to purchase one?
Thanks again!
Their site lists several different retailers. If I wasn’t in a rush this week because of Blissdom I would have gone through them to do a price comparison. I know Babies R Us and Toys R Us currently carry them and I think Target. Amazon does not have them yet.
When I was pregnant I didn’t think I would need a video monitor and we had an audio monitor as a hand me down. Luckily, my cousin who had a little one got me a bunch of stuff that I hadn’t registered for that she decided I just had to have and that included a video monitor. I LOVE the thing! My daughter is awfully quiet so sometimes the only way to know that she is actually up from her nap is to have the video on. Plus it has just been fun to watch her play and I caught her standing up in the middle of the crib the other day – no hands!
We received a Summer video monitor as a gift when our son was born (I never would’ve made the investment myself) and it has been great. It’s still in our now-4-year-old’s room. Not as sleek as the model you have though, it would be great to have more than one camera. When I saw a similar monitor on sale at Big Lots, I told my preggo friends about it, I definitely recommend it.
I’ve not been able to find this product on any of the retailers listed websites. Has anyone actually seen them in the stores?
I have actually seen them in Babies R Us but from talking to the PR company they are working to get them out to all retailers as soon as possible.
I don’t even think I would use this on the baby. I think I would use it to spy on the older two. They get into all sorts of trouble together
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