Adventures of a first time SAHM!

UNMOTIVATED

2011-04-30T12:34:00.000-07:00

It's kind of ironic that I'm finally motivated to write a post about how unmotivated I've been. I've been really uncomfortable this pregnancy, especially these past few weeks, and I still have 7 weeks to go! Blah! Is it possible for the post partum depression to start now???
It's honestly a struggle some days to just get through the day and accomplish basic tasks like cooking (oh, don't get me started on how much I've come to dread making dinner!), laundry (I HATE my washer!!!!!), and bathing my daughter (getting more and more difficult to lean over the tub and get up from the floor). I also have difficulty balancing and managing my time. I feel guilty if I'm cleaning and doing household chores because I feel like I'm neglecting my daughter. Then, if I'm interacting with her I feel like I'm neglecting the house. I know there is a proper balance, I just have to get over it in my head and just do it.

I have a husband who works his butt off at his job in order to provide for us and so that I can stay home with Emma. He's also a really great, interactive father who is genuinely concerned with the development of our daughter. But, he's not the neatest of people and that makes for a lot of extra work for me. It's been difficult to get him to pitch in a little more since basic things, like doing dishes (darn belly gets in the way of everything) are getting harder and harder to accomplish. It was really nice of him to take her to the Children's Museum this morning so that I could have "a break", but the huge mess left in the kitchen makes it hard for me to relax.

There are so many things I could complain about but that wouldn't be very fun to read, so instead, I'll TRY to write about some positive things.

There has been some progress in getting the baby's (who now has name, Owen) room together. Of course there's still more to do, there always is, but it's nice to be able to walk in there and have space to sit down and sort through clothes and toys.

I won a totally cute, custom made diaper from Doodle Dypes (review coming soon), and the owner, Sandy was nice enough to throw in an extra, newborn diaper for Owen. Awesome! These diapers are so cute and I can't wait until I can put the matching diapers on Emma and Owen.

I have a mentor through a group at church and she's been really great at challenging me to think critically about faith issues. This is something that I've needed for a long time! I really look forward to meeting with her (and not just because I get to go to Starbucks for adult-only time) because she is so kind, caring and knows the Bible better than I do! I think everyone needs a Biblically more mature mentor on their side!

I finally made an appointment with a therapist who specialized in traumatic birth and pre and post natal counselling. Hopefully, now, I can work through the negative feelings I still have from Emma's birth process and find some confidence so I can have a successful VBAC this time. Oh how I want that more than anything IN THE WORLD!!!!

All that being said: I really do have to thank God for a roof over my head, food on the table, a great family and healthy pregnancy and all the other extra things I have that a lot of people don't.

Oh, and I do have a few giveaways coming up. I just have to get up the motivation to get them done, let's hope this is the start of a roll.

Skin MD Review and Giveaway

2011-04-12T10:21:00.000-07:00

I was so thrilled when Skin MD Natural contacted me and asked me to do a review of their skin care items. You'd be hard pressed to find a negative review of this stuff! I had never had a problem with eczema before last winter and it hit hard. It was all over my hands and forearms, so itchy and irritating. Nothing I tried was working to make it better, until I found Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion. This stuff truly is amazing!!

[From the manufacturers website]
A shielding lotion does the real work to prevent dry skin in two ways.

First, it assists the inner layers of skin to absorb moisture. The humectant (an ingredient that attracts moisture) used in Skin MD Natural is unique to it and has been laboratory tested to be 6 times more effective than any other you will find in common creams.

Second, a shielding lotion enhances the power of the top layer of the skin to resist environmental irritants while protecting the inner natural moisture.

This can be a big benefit for those who cook, wash dishes and garden because Skin MD Natural helps skin retain its natural moisture and oils in the face of all those irritating soaps and chemicals.

www.skinmdnatural.com has hundreds of dermatologist and user reviews including many addressing severe dry skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis. People with sensitive skin -- and those of us who like to live as naturally as possible -- will appreciate that Skin MD Natural is hypoallergenic, free of fragrances, parabens and colorants. It is made with more than 90% natural ingredients and 100% food-grade ingredients that are on the FDA's "most safe" list.

I'm not having as much of a problem with eczema this year (my midwife swears it's due to the fish oil supplement that I'm taking), but HOLY COW, do I have dry skin!!! I'm sure most of you mothers can relate to washing your hands a million times/day as I do. I really love that Skin MD is a natural product that works by strengthening your skin's own defenses and not just coating you with greasy film. It's super soft and silky. And, the best part is, it works!

I did notice a weird little red patch on the back of my daughter's knee and thought I would try the Skin MD on it. I think it might be psoriasis, but I'm not sure, anyway, here are the results:

before

after

You can see that it's much less red, splotchy and angry looking. And this is only after a couple applications of Skin MD. I'm confident that with regular use, it'll totally clear up. I'm picky about the type of skincare products that I use on my daughter and I love that there are no artificial or weird chemical ingredients in Skin MD, I wouldn't even think twice about putting it on my daughter! Oh, one more thing to LOVE: Skin MD Natural is made in the US, using 100% solar power, without animal ingredients and it is not tested on animals. How many skincare products can claim that?

You can buy Skin MD natural from their website or select retailers.

Skin MD Natural is generously offering one of my readers a full size bottle of Skin MD Natural Shielding lotion!

How to enter:
Each action counts as one entry unless otherwise stated. Leave a separate comment for each entry and please include your email address. You must complete the mandatory entry before you are eligible for any other entries.

**Mandatory Entry**
Visit the Skin MD website and tell me something else about their amazing products not mentioned here. There is lots of information!

Extra Entries:
*like Skin MD on Facebook
*like Skin MD on Twitter
*sign up for the Skin MD mailing list
*Follow me publicly through google friend connect-counts as 3 entries! Leave 3 separate comments.
*Subscribe to my blog by email, through feedburner-counts as 3 entries!
*Grab my button and tell me where it is posted
*Blog about this giveaway, link back to my site and leave me the URL of your blog
*NEW!!! Like my brand new Facebook page- counts as 5 entries!!!!

The fine print:
This giveaway is open worldwide and will end April 26, 2011 at 9PM pacific time.
Winner will be chosen by random.org and contacted by e-mail, then must respond within 48 hours or else a new winner will be chosen.
I was not paid for this review, and received no compensation. I was provided samples of the product mentioned for review purposes. All opinions expressed are my own and completely truthful.

Thank God for an ear infection!!!

2011-03-22T20:58:00.000-07:00

Seriously, I really mean it!

To say that the last week has been looooooong would be an extreme understatement! Emma woke up last Sunday with a slight fever and acting sick, so we stayed home from church and rested. I had a little cough, but no other symptoms so I thought it was just allergies. I started feeling worse and worse and was at the on-call doctor by Monday night, he diagnosed me with bronchitis. I wouldn't have even gone to the doctor, but I am 26 weeks pregnant and had just been around a neighbor who had bronchitis and I just didn't want to take a chance that the cough would turn into pneumonia or something harmful to the baby.

So I spent two whole days in bed. Luckily, my husband was able to use sick time to stay home and take care of Emma while I rested. While Cirt is an excellent, attentive father, he's not the best multitasker and wasn't really able to take of Emma and the household chores at the same time. When I came out of the bedroom after two days, the house was a bomb and hubby was saying that he felt sick, fantastic! Plus, now Emma was saying she felt "ick".

Cirt stayed home for the rest of the week and then Emma came down with a fever on Thursday night. She spent the next three days on the couch watching Clifford. She had a fever, which hoovered around 101/102, slight cough, and congestion. The most worrisome thing, however, is that she wouldn't eat, play, smile, hardly moved or talked, she just wasn't herself!!! So heartbreaking!! I knew she had a sore throat, too, because she would cough and then whine or cry. She wasn't sleeping well and didn't want to do anything!

I know some people would've run to the doctor right away, but I was trying not to be that mom (not that it's necessarily bad). I just felt that the fever meant she was fighting a virus or something and I should just let her body do it's thing, making sure she had rest and fluids. I usually just gave her Tylenol or ibuprofen at bedtime so she could sleep better. Our bodies are designed to heal themselves, after all, as long as everything is aligned and working properly. She's normally a really healthy little girl.

Finally, finally after 3 days of her just laying around she woke up Monday morning and didn't feel hot! She was really weak from not eating and kind of stumbled around when she tried to walk, but at least she was up, moving, doing puzzles and she actually ate 1/4 of a peanut butter sandwich and some crackers for lunch, wahoo! I thought she was on the mend. But, then she took a 3.5 hour nap, woke up crying and when I went in to get her she was completely burning up, whining again and didn't want to move. I took her temp. It was 104 degrees and I was scared! I finally decided to take her to the doctor. By this time, however, our regular doctor's office was closed so we had to go to the walk-in clinic.

When my husband got home from work, we bundled up our little girl, took her out in the rain and sat in that darn clinic for 2 hours with a hot, whiny, sore, sleepy, sick little girl. She was saying things like: "I'm feeling bad." "go home now". "need to go to doctor." When we FINALLY got to see a doctor, he took one look in her ear and said: "There it is, she's got a raging ear infection!" He let me look through the ottoscope (is that what it's called?). Her ear drum was monkey-butt red and the dr. said it should be pearly white. Poor, poor girl, I felt so bad! This is her first of, I'm sure, more to come. I used to get ear infections a lot as a little kid so I know how painful they are. They always seemed to strike in the middle of the night and I'd be up all night crying.

I'm so glad, however, that we know what the problem is and it has a quick and cheap fix. I'm not a huge fan of antibiotics, I think they are a little overused, but I'm so grateful that they exist and work in situations like this!!!! Praise God, my little girl is already feeling better and we had a really good day today. She's still whiny and not 100% herself but so much improved over the past 4 days.

Smartipants winner!

2011-03-21T17:11:00.000-07:00

Well, after getting hit hard last week with bronchitis, flu, fevers, yucky noses and the such I've gotten quite behind on, well, everything! So I realize that this is late, but here is the winner of the Smartipants giveaway.
Out of 541 entries, wow, random picked number 240 and the winner is....

Ashley! Congrats, she has confirmed and her information will be sent on to the sponsor. I've got two cool giveaways that I'm hoping to get published tonight, so stay tuned!

I have a two year old!

2011-03-02T21:28:00.000-08:00

So, actually my daughter turned two a few weeks ago, but I've been really unmotivated lately, especially to blog. Anyway, you know those Babycenter updates that come in your email (I know you all get them too). Well, they used to say: Your baby is such and such months old, then they when Emma turned one they stared saying: Your toddler is such and such months old. But now! Now they say: Your preschooler is....What???? I don't have a preschooler, I have a sweet little baby girl!!!! No, really, I do.

I just can't believe how fast the time has gone, and yes, I do know how cliche that is and that EVERY parent says that, but it is probably the most truthful truth in the whole world! Emma is so grown up and still such a baby at the same time. She is smart, funny, kind, sweet, caring and loving. She can count to 5, knows how to spell her name, knows colors and shapes (even octagon), plays make believe with her little babies and makes up stories and scenarios. She also still says: "need mama" sometimes in the middle of the night, says: "rock Emma" and snuggles with me, wears diapers, ~~uses a binky at night~~ (we're now binky-free, yay), sleeps in a crib, can't open doors yet (and I'm not encouraging her to either).

She's gone from this:

(this was one of her first big outings, to the Skagit Valley Tulip festival, when she was 10 weeks old)

to this:

(first taste of watermelon, at 4 months old)

to this:

(swimming with daddy, 6 months old)

to this:

(her one year check up!)

to this:

(riding her 4 wheeler, 14 months)

to this:

(swinging at the park, 18 months)

to this:

(a super-cute, sassy two year old)

Just when I was about to start spring cleaning, we get hit with this:

2011-02-24T17:26:00.000-08:00

A late February snow! Two days ago I had my drying rack out on the deck and was sunning my diapers. And I have all sorts of ideas for spring cleaning, seriously, I have a huge list. And...the baby is coming in June, so I'm probably nesting, so the drive to clean will be extra strong.

On that note; does anyone have any good ideas for cleaning metal blinds? I hate metal blinds!!!! But they're what we have in our house and not a high priority on the home improvement list. Anyway, I do dust them regularly, but some of them were gross when we moved in and I've never given them a scrub down. I was looking up methods online and found this common suggestion: take them down, soak in a bathtub with mild soap, rinse and then lay out on a towel to dry. Has anyone tried this? Does it work?

23 weeks, and it's a.......

2011-02-23T15:01:00.000-08:00

BOY!

Yikes, honestly, I'm still getting used to the idea of having another baby and more so now that I know it's a boy. I really, really wanted another girl (I'm sorry if that sounds selfish or mean or whatever, but I'm not sorry for the way I feel, I can't help it). I just haven't had time to think of myself as a mom to a boy. I know that as soon as I hold the baby in my arms all doubt and any negative feelings will vanish, but at the moment I'm still getting used to it, so please don't judge. I fully believe in expressing one's feelings, I think it's necessary in order to work through them.

Besides just wanting another girl, there are a couple personal issues relating to boys that my husband and I are on opposite sides of and negotiation has been difficult. I was really stressed out about it during the first trimester! I'm starting to feel a little bit better, and again, I know I'll be fine once the baby is actually here.

Most of the important baby gear we bought for Emma is gender neutral looking, not that the color of a car seat or stroller really matters, but you know how some people get ;) So, now I'm on the hunt for baby boy clothes, since I don't have any of those and we're otherwise pretty well set. Oh, except for one more thing......diapers!!!!

Oh newborn joy! I'm so excited to start cloth diapering right away this time (I didn't start with Emma until she was about 6 months old). We bought up a bunch of small Bum Genius all-in-ones (10, I think) back when they were discontinued and I have a super cute Smartipants that I got for review (check out my giveaway here), a couple fitteds that I got from a WAHM and three small Fuzzibunz. I also plan to use prefolds and covers, which I already have. Other than that, what else do you think I need to exclusively cloth diaper a newborn? Of course I still have Emma's whole stash, which is mostly onesize diapers, that I can use too. I'm not planning on Emma totally being out of diapers, but hopefully she'll be mostly potty trained by June when little guys comes.

Smartipants review and giveaway Extended until 3/16!

2011-02-16T20:52:00.000-08:00

When I got the Smartipants newborn diaper in the mail, I couldn't help but smile, it's just the cutest thing ever! I was blessed to be sent a "little smarti" newborn diaper from Smartipants for review. I've loved Smartipants diapers ever since I first heard of them and bought my first 3 pack of pocket diapers. They fit my daughter well (still do), are super simple to wash and have the perfect amount of absorbancy. They also come in cute colors.

I cannot wait for baby to arrive so I can put this diaper on him. I didn't start cloth diapering Emma until she was about 6 months old, and I'm really excited to do it from day one this time around! I just can't resist the cuteness of newborn cloth diapers, they really are the most precious things ever. I've taken really good care of my stash (which is mostly onesize diapers) and plan to use them for the next baby. I don't think I'll need newborn diapers for too long because of all the onesizes we already have, but I do want to have some because I've heard that onesize diapers don't really start fitting until about 10 pounds.

The Little Smarti newborn diaper is an all in one, so you don't need a cover, has a velcro closure, which I prefer, especially for a tiny baby. It has an extra thick layer of absorbant microfiber down the middle and a stay dry top layer of soft suedecloth. It comes in three cute colors. Since my newborn isn't here yet, I solicted Elmo to help me out :) The diaper fit him great.

Here is the Little Smarti compared to two other newborn diapers I have (left to right), a Fuzzibunz size small and a Bum Genius all in one size small.

As you can see, it's pretty comprable to the BG, but quite a bit smaller than the FB. Now I'm wishing I'd bought xs Fuzzibunz, oh well. I don't plan to use newborn diapers for too longMy thought in even buying newborn diapers was this: I've heard from so many moms that onesize diapers don't start fitting well until around 10 pounds. For my daughter, that would've been about 2 months. Who knows how big this baby will be, but I'm not expecting a tiny one, since my first was 8lbs. 14oz.

Here is the Little Smarti next to two onesize diapers on the smallest setting. Left to right: Smartipants pocket diaper and a Bum Genius pocket diaper. Admittedly, the Smartipants onesize on the left is about 18 months old, so the elastic is probably on it's last legs. The Bum Genius on the right is a 4.0 and quite a bit newer, so it's much more similar in size to the Little Smarti.

Have I convinced you yet? Wouldn't you like to have a Smartipants of your own? You can get them here.

Win a great Smartipants prize package right here! One of my lucky readers will win a Smartipants diaper with insert in choice of color and a smartfit cover. I'm so jealous, wish I could win.

How to enter:

Each action counts as one entry unless otherwise stated. Leave a separate comment for each entry and please include your email address. You must complete the mandatory entry before you are eligible for any other entries.

**Mandatory Entry**

Visit the Smartipants website and let me know which of their products is your favorite.

Extra Entries

*like Smartipants on Facebook
*sign up for the Smartipants mailing list (enter your email address at the bottom of the website)

*Follow me publicly through google friend connect-counts as 3 entries! Leave 3 separate comments.

*Subscribe to my blog by email, through feedburner-counts as 3 entries!

*Grab my button and tell me where it is posted

*Blog about this giveaway, link back to my site and leave me the URL of your blog

*NEW!!! Like my brand new Facebook page- counts as 5 entries!!!!

The fine print:
This giveaway is open worldwide and will end March 9, 2011 at 9PM pacific time.

Winner will be chosen by random.org and contacted by e-mail, then must respond within 48 hours or else a new winner will be chosen.

I was not paid for this review, and received no compensation. I was provided the product mentioned (little smarti newborn diaper) for review purposes. All opinions expressed are my own and completely truthful.

I'm featured!!

2011-02-03T11:55:00.000-08:00

Check it out! I'm the featured blogger today on Simply Stacie. Hers is a really neat blog that I've been following for quite a while now. She has great giveaways on a daily basis and lots of other good informative posts. You should definitely stop by and follow her!!

SMEAD helps you get organized for tax time

2011-02-01T21:07:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you, but tax time is always a little stressful for me. There is so much to think about, information and receipts to gather, so on and so forth. Luckily, SMEAD is here to help. They have all kinds of great office organizing products to help you get things on track!

I was sent the tax organizer and the expanding file to review. The tax organizer file is so awesome, SMEAD has really thought of everything! There are 6 pockets and tabs for filing and storing records and receipts. And just in case you don't know what kinds of documents you should be collecting, there is a printed checklist right on the front cover to help you keep track. Printed and blank labels are included for labelling the pockets.

The expanding file has 12 pockets, conveniently, one for each month. It holds 900 sheets of paper, so you should be able to fit everything you need for tax time in it. The file will allow you to store papers as you go, making it easy to just grab it and go, come tax time. The best part is, it allows you to keep everything all in one place. In my house, if there is no place to file something, it just gets shifted around from counter top to counter top. This file will make things so much easier to get organized!

These items are available for a limited time, at a special price at Walmart and Office Depot.

SMEAD also offers some great articles for those of us who need even more guidance. You should head over to their website and check out all the great resources.

**The fine print: I received the Jan-Dec expanding file folder and the Income tax organizer for review from SMEAD.

19 weeks!

2011-01-28T10:51:00.000-08:00

I really feel pregnant now! What I mean by that is, when I bend over or lay on my tummy (which I won't be able to do much longer) I can feel that there's something in there. Baby is very active at night and when I'm eating. I've gained about 5 pounds, but I've grown a ton. Can't wear regular pants anymore and I feel huge. Luckily I'm not having the horrible edema in my legs that I had the first time, knock on wood, and the heartburn has only bothered me a few times so far. I am however, having that bad pregnancy skin that I've only read about, sigh, oh well. Baby's health and that's what matters.

Overall, things are going pretty well. My vitamin D and iron levels are low, no surprise since I live in the Pac. NW and don't eat much meat. Getting enough of those two elements is somewhat challenging, but I'm doing my best. I discussed my constant craving for anything sweet with the midwife and she suggested that craving sweets usually means that your body needs protein. This make total sense, so now I have to really focus on adding things like nuts and beans to my diet and cut way back on the juice and fruit, this will be HARD!

I am 1000% more satisfied with having a midwife than I was with the OB! My OB was always in such a rush to get through our appointments, I didn't really feel listened to and she even brushed off some of my concerns and discounted my feelings, thought and ideas about my own body! It's so nice to have a prenatal care giver who is actually concerned about my mental, emotional and nutritional well being. Those topics were NEVER even brought up with my OB, and they are soooooo important. I feel listened to, cared for, respected and involved, things I never really felt the first time around. Gosh, if I'd only known then what I know now.......I just kick myself sometimes!

We're finding out the sex of the baby on Tuesday and I can't wait. I really, really, really want another girl, but of course it's not up to me.

CSN Stores review

2011-01-26T15:18:00.000-08:00

Anyone with a toddler knows that it sometimes gets difficult finding new and exciting ways for them to release all their energy. One great, and really fun outdoor activity: swing sets! I live in the Pacific Northwest, and this time of the year we don't get a ton of sunshine so when it peeks out, we rush outside and soak it up! This is my dream set:

CSN stores is a great place to go if you're in the market for a new swing set or other toys or anything, really! I love CSN, I've ordered from them a couple times now and have always been satisfied. The shipping is fast, products are high quality and customer service is superior. Check it out, you will not be disappointed!

*In exchange for writing this post, I was given a $35 CSN gift code with which to use to purchase future review items.

Maternitique review and giveaway 2/9 CLOSED

2011-01-26T15:07:00.000-08:00

While searching for maternity boutiques online, I came across Maternitique. This is a great store, offering everything from skincare safe for pregnancy to clothes, post partum supplies and nursery items. Most all the products are natural and/or organic so you can feel completely confident purchasing from Tara (the owner). This store is so unique and diverse, I love all the items she carries.

I consider myself pretty environmentally conscious and I'm on a quest to live a greener life. So, how is it that I haven't really thought about choosing greener choices for facial care? I'm super careful about all the products I use with my daughter, but I don't often stop and think about myself. I don't really know, but I'm glad that Tara sent me the products she did because I really needed them! And now I'm determined not to go back to drugstore products again.

I was sent the Novena Organic Citrus Blemish Lotion and the Belli Acne Clearing facial wash.

Let me tell you: these products could not have come at a better time! I didn't have acne or skin issues with my first pregnancy, but this time around it's different. I feel like I'm in high school again, darn hormones!! These products have been a Godsend, they pretty much cleared up my skin problems in a week. I know things can change, but I'm feeling really good about the way my skin looks right now.

The facial wash is a gel so it goes on smoothly and simply. It has a really mild lemon scent, which my sometimes queasy stomach really appreciates. You can use it as a regular facial wash or leave it on for 5 minutes as an intensive anti-acne facial mask. All of the ingredients are safe for use during pregnancy so you don't have to worry about any harmful effects on your baby. And the best part, it REALLY works! I love this stuff!!

The citrus blemish lotion is a miracle worker! This stuff cleared up my nasty acne in a week. And it's ORGANIC, that's got to make you feel good. Like the facial wash, it has a really nice, light scent (grapfruit-berry). Just two pumps at night is all you need to turn your skin around. It rates very low on the Environmental Working Group's cosmetic database. I always check the EWG's database to find out the safety of skincare products before I use them.

I hope that you find Maternitique as special as I did and consider purchasing your maternity needs from her!

Buy it

Of course you can buy Smartmom products from their website, and select retail partners.

-or-

Win it!

One lucky reader will win a $25 gift certificate to Maternitique!
How to enter:

Each action counts as one entry unless otherwise stated. Leave a separate comment for each entry and please include your email address. You must complete the mandatory entry before you are eligible for any other entries.

**Mandatory Entry**

Visit Maternitique and let me know something you'd like to have!

Extra Entries

*like the Maternitique Facebook page (2 entries)

*sign up for the Maternitique newsletter

*follow Maternitique on Twitter
*Follow me publicly through google friend connect-counts as 3 entries! Leave 3 separate comments.

*Subscribe to my blog by email, through feedburner-counts as 3 entries!

*Grab my button and tell me where it is posted

*Blog about this giveaway, link back to my site and leave me the URL of your blog

*NEW!!! Like my brand new Facebook page- counts as 5 entries!!!!

The fine print
This giveaway is open worldwide and will end February 9, 2011 at 9PM pacific time.

Winner will be chosen by random.org and contacted by e-mail, then must respond within 48 hours or else a new winner will be chosen.

I was not paid for this review, and received no compensation. I was provided the products mentioned for review purposes. All opinions expressed are my own and completely truthful.

Soda Stream review and giveaway! 2/9 CLOSED

2011-01-19T21:50:00.000-08:00

I am a huge soda drinker and really would drink way too much of it if I didn't know what was good for me. So, when I was given the chance to review a Soda Stream home soda machine I was thrilled! This machine is so cool. It's eco friendly, helps you save money and is super easy to use.
From the Soda Stream website:

The advantages of SodaStream's Home Carbonation System include:

Convenience: No need to carry heavy bottles from the store. The SodaStream system is simple to use and requires no batteries or electricity.

Environmentally-Friendly: SodaStream is an "Active Green" solution that minimizes the huge eco-footprint caused by the manufacture, transport and waste of plastic bottles.

Variety: SodaStream offers over 100 flavors to suit everyone’s taste. Regular, diet, natural, fruity flavors, ice tea, energy drinks, sport drinks, tonic and many more.

Space Saver: No need to store bottles of beverages or empty bottles for recycling in your home.

Personalization: Make drinks just the way you love them… more bubbles, less bubbles, sweeter or lighter, even create your own flavor!

Family Fun: The system is quick and easy to use. It's fun for everyone and kids just love it!

Value for Money: Great savings compared to pre-packed carbonated water and beverages.

Satisfaction Guaranteed: SodaStream drinks makers are of extremely high quality and include a money-back satisfaction guarantee and Lifetime Warranty to our customers.

Like I said, I love, love, love soda, but we all know that many soda brands are filled with tons of artificial chemicals, sugar and other unhealthy ingredients. The Soda Stream flavors are a little healthier than traditional soda. There's even an all natural line of flavors that contain no preservatives or artificial ingredients and actually taste delicious. And, my favorite flavors of all are the Mywater Flavor Essence syrups, which are unsweetened and just give your water a little hint of flavor. I guess you could compare it to Talking Rain. It's so yummy and will really get you drinking your water.

I received the Fountain Jet home soda maker for review. I really like that there are no cords or batteries, so I can put the machine anywhere. It's slim, compact and fits right in. Although I received the black model, there are 3 different colors and a ton of different machine models. The Fountain Jet comes with 2 reusable 1-liter bottles and a carbonating cartridge that makes 60 liters of soda or carbonated water.

It's so super simple to use. Really, you just fill the bottle with water, put it on the machine, push the button three times and then add flavor (if you want). That's it! You have fresh, homemade, healthier soda. I even brought it over to my grandma's house for our family Christmas get-together so the whole family could have their own sodas. They loved it.

You can find the Soda Stream machine that's right for you here. You can also find all the accessories such as syrups, bottles and carbonating cartridges on the Soda Stream website or at select retailers.

Buy it

-or-

Win it!

One lucky reader will win a Soda Stream fountain jet home soda maker starter kit with 2 flavors of your choice, yay!
How to enter:

Each bullet counts as one entry unless otherwise stated. Leave a separate comment for each entry and please include your email address. You must complete the mandatory entry before you are eligible for any other entries.

**Mandatory Entry**

Visit Soda Stream and let me know something else you think is really cool about them.

Extra Entries

*Follow me publicly through google friend connect-counts as 3 entries

*Subscribe to my blog by email, through feedburner-counts as 3 entries

*Grab my button and tell me where it is posted

*Blog about this giveaway, link back to my site and leave me the URL of your blog post

*NEW!!! Like my brand new Facebook page- counts as 5 entries!!!!

The fine print
This giveaway is open worldwide and will end February 9, 2011 at 9PM pacific time.

Winner will be chosen by random.org and contacted by e-mail, and then must respond within 48 hours or else a new winner will be chosen.

I was not paid for this review, and received no compensation. I was provided the product mentioned for review purposes. All opinions expressed are my own and completely truthful.

Winners!

2011-01-10T21:39:00.000-08:00

Here are the winners of the giveaways that ended this past week, congrats, everyone has been emailed.

Ecomom winner:

Congratulations to MommyFerg02

Smartmom Teething Bling winner:

Congratulations to Alliejean

Nachomama winner:

Congratulations to Tina

All winners have been emailed and confirmed. Thanks to everyone who entered!

Husky tools 13 Piece Power Tek Precision Screwdriver review

2011-01-04T14:30:00.000-08:00

I was recently contacted by a representative from Husky tools and given the opportunity to review the 13 piece Power Tek Precision screwdriver set.

I love this screwdriver. Most of the tools in our home "belong" to my husband and he keeps them in the garage. It's not always handy for me to go out there to retrieve a tool when I need it. The Power Tek precision screwdriver is slim (like a really thick pencil), has an easy touch forward and backward button and 12 different attachments. Since I usually only use a screwdriver for small, precise-type jobs around the house, like tightening screws in the baby gate or changing batteries in one of Emma's toys, the size and shape of this screwdriver are perfect! I keep it in the "all purpose" drawer in the kitchen so it's always handy.

The Power Tek comes in a neat case that holds all of it's parts conveniently in one place and it's guaranteed FOREVER, how's that for value! This is the perfect "mom's" tool. Check out all the other tools that Husky has to offer and I'm sure you'll find something you can use!

*I was provided the product mentioned above for review purposes. I received no other compensation and all opinions are my own and completely truthful.

Ahhh, a new year

2011-01-01T22:39:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, I know we did. It was Emma's second Christmas, we got to visit with many different family members, and went to Christmas eve service at church for the first time. I really want to teach Emma the TRUE meaning of Christmas so we started reading about baby Jesus a while ago and reading the Christmas story. If you ask her what Christmas is about, she'll even say "baby Jesus", it's so cute.

It's a new year now and that means a fresh start. I like fresh starts, you can do whatever you want, move on, start over and make things new and better. So, what will 2011 be like for me? Of course, I can't know for sure, but I can hope for the best. A few things that I'm looking forward to :

My daughter is turning 2 in February. I know every mom says this, but I really can't believe how fast it's gone by! These two years have been a whirlwind of emotion, ups and downs, discoveries and milestones. There is no greater joy for me than watching my daughter grow and develop!

I'm turning 32, yikes. That's pretty much half way to 35, which is half way to you-know-what!

I'm having a baby!!!!!!! This will likely be the most exciting event of the year. Emma's little sister or brother is due in June and I'm super excited to be attempting natural labor with a midwife this time!!

My husband and I have finally found a church that we both like and have been going regularly for a few months now. Emma likes it too, she's always really excited on Sunday morning and calls it "baby Jesus time". I'd really like to get more involved and possibly join a small Bible study or women's group.

I used to garden quite a bit, but haven't really done any the past couple years. I really want to plant a garden this spring. I think it'll be a great activity for Emma and I and an awesome learning opportunity. She even got little Dora gardening gloves and tools for Christmas!

Endless possibilities! I can do whatever I want, really, I can. And you can, too. I don't really make "resolutions" but I do like to set goals. I want to eat better, sleep more, pray more, get organized, spend less, read more and be more communicative with good friends.

What are you looking forward to in 2011? Really, I'd love to know!

Really cool fluffy giveaway event over at 29 Diapers! Hurry, last 2 days!!

2010-12-23T09:54:00.000-08:00

Hopefully you've been following the awesome fluffy giveaway event over at 29 Diapers and this will just be a reminder for you. But, if not, then you better get over there and check it out! There are only 2 days left and the final giveaway, on Christmas eve is really quite unbelievable:

[an autographed copy of my book Ecofrugal Baby: How To Save 70% Off Baby’s First Year, a 3-pack of Happy Heinys pocket diapers, a pack of Bummas cloth wipes, an Itzy Ritzy wet bag, Zoe Organics diaper balm, a gallon of Allen’s Naturally detergent from The Little Seedling boutique, a Weleda baby toiletries starter kit, Episencial wash, soothing cream, and face balm to pamper both mom and baby, AND 2 Thirsties Duo Wrap diaper covers with 4 Duo Hemp Prefolds–that’s a $285 value!] *taken from the 29 Diapers website*

Wow, who wouldn't want to win that??? I know I sure do!!!! So, head on over and enter, or better yet, don't (more chances for me to win) :)

My pregnancy so far, 14 weeks...

2010-12-22T16:04:00.000-08:00

I'm officially into the second trimester now, no turning back! This pregnancy is definitely different than my first one. The morning sickness this time around has been almost non-existent (thank God and knock on wood). I felt nauseous pretty much all day long for about 2 weeks back in the second month but never actually got physically sick, so I shouldn't complain. I'm know I'm lucky because so many women have it much worse than I do.

I did however, have a little heartburn last night. Really? This early? I had TERRIBLE heartburn in the last trimester of my first pregnancy. It was so bad that it woke me up in the middle of the night and made me throw up! I'm kinda hoping last night's episode was caused by the cheddar and sour cream potato chips I ate right before bed and is not a preview of things to come.

According to my scale this morning, I've lost one pound. That's right, lost weight! How can that be??? It must be a mistake because I am showing a little bit. I do think that I won't end up gaining as much weight this time because I'm at home, I pretty much only buy organic, whole foods and cook all of our meals. Last pregnancy I was working full time as a social worker, eating out for lunch a lot and sitting at a desk all day long. This time I'm chasing after my toddler, taking walks and eating much healthier, so that's a plus!

This time around, however, I'm having awful skin issues. My skin just looks horrible, I feel like I'm in high school again, yuk! I didn't have this issue the first time. Good news, though, I'm currently reviewing a couple skincare products from an awesome online maternity boutique: Maternitique. So, look for an upcoming review and giveaway post!

If you read my daughter's birth story you know that she was born through cesarean section. I'm determined to give birth vaginally this time and I'm working with a midwife who is very encouraging. I go back and forth between feeling positive about natural birth and being afraid that I'll have to have another c-section. No matter what (unless it's an emergency, of course) I'm going to let my body go into labor naturally and at least attempt labor. The scary part for me is that since I've not pushed a baby out before, I don't know what to expect. Also, I know how awful a c-section recovery is, and it's even worse if you've labored first (which I will). But, overall, I'm excited to have the opportunity to give birth naturally and follow my body's cues this time!

Nachomama tees review and giveaway (1/5)

2010-12-22T15:20:00.000-08:00

Looking for a great, one-stop t-shirt shop to find the best funny, vintage and/or 80's t-shirts? Then you should definitely check out Nachomama Tees. It is a really neat online store featuring a huge selection of great t-shirts.
I love funny tees and found quite a few that were just hilarious. Just look at these:

These are a few of the funny, mild ones that I like. If you're a little more on the edgy or offensive side, they have shirts for that, too. The t-shirts are all very reasonably priced, most are around $15. They also feature a daily deal shirt for just $6.99.
For this review, I picked out this shirt for my husband:

It arrived quickly and was high quality. The customer service at Nachomama is great, they are responsive and timely.

How would you like to win a shirt of your own? Nachomama is offering one of my readers the opportunity to choose either a mystery tee or a $15 gift card!

How to enter:

Each action counts as one entry unless otherwise stated. Leave a separate comment for each entry and please include your email address. You must complete the mandatory entry before you are eligible for any other entries.

**Mandatory Entry**

Visit Nachomama tees and let me know your favorite shirt.

Extra Entries

*Like the Nachomama Facebook page (note: Nacomama is owned by Crazy dog tees)

*Post a comment on the Facebook page telling Nachomama what your favorite tee is or ask them a question about the shirts

*"Like" or "Share" one of the products on their website. The buttons for these are on all product detail pages, above the main image. Come back and let me know you did.

*Follow me publicly through google friend connect-counts as 3 entries! Leave 3 separate comments.

*Subscribe to my blog by email, through feedburner-counts as 3 entries!

*Grab my button and tell me where it is posted

*Blog about this giveaway, link back to my site and leave me the URL of your blog

*NEW!!! Like my brand new Facebook page- counts as 5 entries!!!! Let me know the name you follow under.

The fine print
This giveaway is open worldwide and will end January 5, 2011 at 9PM pacific time.

Winner will be chosen by random.org and contacted by e-mail, then must respond within 48 hours or else a new winner will be chosen.

**Winners cannot have won a shirt from Nachomama or Crazydog tees or have been sent a shirt for promotional purposes in the last 90 days or own a blog of their own.**

I was not paid for this review, and received no compensation. I was provided the product mentioned for review purposes. All opinions expressed are my own and completely truthful.

Smartmom Teething bling review and giveaway! 1/3

2010-12-20T13:43:00.000-08:00

I heard about Smart mom teething bling a little too late for my daughter, she was beyond teething when I learned of the awesome line of innovative and functional jewelry. Even so, I knew this product would come in handy and I was sent a Moonstone donut pendant for review and I love it! It's simple enough to wear everyday, yet versatile and classy enough to pair with something more dressy.

Smart mom jewelry is such a cool company, staffed entirely by moms with a mission and purpose. All aspects of product development take place in the US and the moms make it a point to be easily accessible to customers. All of the Smartmom products are made with the same quality silicone that most baby teething toys are made of and contain no harmful chemicals. There is also a breakaway clasp for added safety and to avoid choking. And, check out the newest addition to Smart mom, Babe Magnet Ties. Babies can even be entertained by dad's accessories!

Even though Emma is not really actively teething, she is slowly getting molars, but it doesn't seem to be bothering her, I told her she could bite the necklace and she just thought that was the best thing ever!

The Smartmom website does give this warning, though: "Children with fully developed teeth may be able to bite through Teething Bling ®. Therefore, parents must determine what is best for their own situation and child and as always, we remind everyone that children - of any age - should never be left unattended with jewelry of any kind."

I can't wait to wear this necklace around baby number two (due in June). If I'd had it when Emma was little, it may have saved a lot of hair pulling. You would never guess by looking at the pieces that they are tough and durable enough for a teething baby, or even toddler. They just look like regular, trendy jewelry that anyone would like to wear.

Buy it

Of course you can buy Smartmom products from their website, and select retail partners.

-or-

Win it!

One lucky reader will win a gift set (a pendant and 2 coordinating bangles) of his/her own choosing.

How to enter:
Each action counts as one entry unless otherwise stated. Leave a separate comment for each entry and please include your email address. You must complete the mandatory entry before you are eligible for any other entries.

**Mandatory Entry**

Visit Smartmom teethingbling and let me know which set you'd choose if you won.

Extra Entries

*Go to the Teething bling website and tell me something else you learned about this awesome company that I didn't mention here.

*Follow me publicly through google friend connect-counts as 3 entries! Leave 3 separate comments.

*Subscribe to my blog by email, through feedburner-counts as 3 entries!

*Grab my button and tell me where it is posted

*Blog about this giveaway, link back to my site and leave me the URL of your blog

*NEW!!! Like my brand new Facebook page- counts as 5 entries!!!!

The fine print
This giveaway is open worldwide and will end January 3, 2011 at 9PM pacific time.

Winner will be chosen by random.org and contacted by e-mail, then must respond within 48 hours or else a new winner will be chosen.

I was not paid for this review, and received no compensation. I was provided the product mentioned for review purposes. All opinions expressed are my own and completely truthful.

Mom Blog Monday!

2010-12-19T20:54:00.000-08:00

Are you a Mommy blogger? Do you blog about your kids? Do you blog about great things for Mommies? Do you wanna meet other Mom Bloggers?

If you answered yes to any of those questions then link up!

This blog hop is hosted by Sippy cups and cloth bums, The Not-So-Secret Confession of a first time Mom , and Luxury Living Frugal Style!

What is a blog hop?

A blog hop is an awesome way of meeting and reaching out to more bloggers.

Rules?

All we ask is that you follow the hosts, Sippy Cups and Cloth Bums, The Not- So- Secret Confessions of a First Time Mom, and Luxury Living Frugal Style. Be sure to leave us a comment so we can follow you back! We always follow back!

Please link directly to your blog ONLY! Please do not link up your giveaways. These will be deleted, as we monitor all links.

We would LOVE it if you'd grab our button and put it somewhere on your blog or in a blog post! This would help us spread the word. However, you aren't required to.

You can follow as many or as few blogs as you'd like.

*Each week one lucky blogger who links up will be the next week's featured blogger.*

This week's featured blogger: me, yay!

Eco Mom review and $15 gift code giveaway 12/31

2010-12-10T14:26:00.000-08:00

I recently had the opportunity to work with Ecomom and have been very pleased. I love their site! They only carry high quality, eco friendly and safe baby, kid and mama products. The team at Ecomom partners with well known and trusted agencies devoted to child safety such as Healthy Child Healthy World and Environmental Working Group to help make sure all the products they carry are safe and healthy for children.

We were sent the Hape Early Melodies Rhythm Set for review

This is a very high quality, wooden toy set. I LOVE wooden toys, I always opt for natural over synthetic and I cringe over all the nasty chemicals that can be in plastic. This musical set will definitely withstand the banging and shaking of more than one child. My husband is a big music lover and has always insisted that we instill the love of music in our daughter, so he was really excited about this toy!

Emma just loves shaking and banging and making "music" with this set. It's getting more and more difficult to get good pictures of Emma these days because she's really busy and always on the move and doesn't much want to perform for the camera. I was able to capture a couple pics of my daughter and my nephew making music. Check out the action in the second shot:

I just can't say enough good things about Ecomom. If you're trying to go green and still need holiday decorations, they have some unique and classy selections. And of course, search the green gifts guide to find the perfect present for anyone on your list.

Another really cool feature of the Ecomom website: The Ecopass. You can purchase a membership for $99 and get free shipping, as well as a %15 discount on every order. Pretty awesome deal, huh?! I'm definitely thinking of taking advantage.

Buy it

You can get the same musical toy set we received from the Ecomom website, along with about a million other eco-friendly products.
Ecomom is also offering a %15 discount off your first order, just enter code: SBBL704 until Dec. 31.

-or-

Win it!

One lucky reader is going to win a $15 gift code to buy whatever you want from Ecomom!

How to enter:

Each action counts as one entry unless otherwise stated. Leave a separate comment for each entry and please include your email address. You must complete the mandatory entry before you are eligible for any other entries.

**Mandatory Entry**

Visit Ecomom and tell me what you would buy if you won.

Extra Entries

*Follow Ecomom on Twitter at EcoMomCEO

*Become a fan of EcoMom on Facebook

*Join the EcoMom newsletter

*Follow me publicly through google friend connect-counts as 3 entries! Leave 3 separate comments.

*Subscribe to my blog by email, through feedburner-counts as 3 entries!

*Grab my button and tell me where it is posted

*Blog about this giveaway, link back to my site and leave me the URL of your blog

The fine print
This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian residents and will end December 31, 2010 at 9PM pacific time.
Winner will be chosen by random.org and contacted by e-mail, then must respond within 48 hours or else a new winner will be chosen.
I was not paid for this review, and received no compensation. I was provided the product mentioned for review purposes. All opinions expressed are my own and completely truthful.

Time to pick out holiday cards!

2010-12-09T14:17:00.000-08:00

Have you checked out the great selection of Christmas cards at Shutterfly? If not, you really should, there is something for anyone and everyone! Since the first time I heard of Shutterfly, I loved it. Going digital sometimes means that pictures stay on the camera, but Shutterfly makes it really easy for me to upload, order and get my pictures right to my mailbox so I can frame them or scrap them. I usually turn to Shutterfly for my holiday cards and I had a heck of a time picking just one, so here are a few that catch my eye:

I love the red hue and the elegant simplicity of it. Peace, love, joy, those words describe what the holidays are about exactly!

This one would be perfect for documenting all the exciting events that happened this year

Now, to pick the perfect photo. I like to incorporate the whole year in our Christmas card and there were a few significant events this year.
Emma turned one, started walking, talking, getting into everything.....all the things that come with toddlerhood

Baby number two was conceived and is on the way
Cirt's photography career really took off and is making us some extra money, yay for that!
We had a really awesome and fun snowstorm!

I really like this picture that Cirt took while we were cutting down our Christmas tree:

As you can see, all these pictures are of just Emma. That's because most of the pictures we take are of just Emma. What I can I say, she's a first born and she pretty darn cute, if I don't say so myself! :) It's going to be tough to find a picture of the whole family, as it's usually daddy behind the camera and Emma saying cheese. I think we'll have to actually make an effort to gather together only for the purpose of taking a Christmas card photo.

And...I think a great idea for Christmas gifts next year would be the photo calendars, especially for grandma and grandpa. Next year is going to be great, too. Emma will turn 2, the new baby will be born and who knows what else! Speaking of Emma turning 2, I think I'll come back to check out the birthday cards section for birthday party invites!

Oh, and if you're a blogger, check this out to get 50 free cards of your own.

A Merry Fluffy Christmas WINNERS!!!!!!

2010-12-08T13:51:00.000-08:00

I hope you all enjoyed this awesome event, I know I had a ton of fun and can't wait to do it again! If you didn't win, don't worry, I've got some other great giveaways coming up! I've emailed all of you, so if you haven't already responded to my email, please do so within 48 hours to claim your prize.
Now, on to the winners!

Day one:

Laura said...
Email subscriber! entry 2

Day two:

Amy said...
I subscribe 3

Day three:

Njos Family said...
receive your emails

Day four:

Janine said...

I follow you via GFC.

Day five:

SAPsMaMa said...
I subscribe to your blog via email
entry #3

2010-12-04T21:01:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the fifth and final day of fluffy giveaways! I really hope you have all had as much fun with this event as I have, I just love sharing fluffy love. I wish all babies were cloth babies.

How A Merry Fluffy Christmas works:

Each of the 5 days of this event, there will be one post up on each blog. In each post, there will be one or more items to be won! Each day is ONE prize package, so there will only be ONE winner for each day for each blog. Each giveaway is open for 3 days.

You MUST do the Mandatory Entry to enter the giveaways! If you do not do the Mandatory Entry, all your other entries will be deleted.

Please remember to read ALL instructions on each blog. We are all a part of the Merry Fluffy Christmas event, but we are each doing different ways to enter. Please read ALL instructions or you might miss something and your entries will be deleted.

The Extra Entries are just that, extra and optional! You can, if you'd like, enter only the Mandatory Entry and call it a day. But entering ALL Extra Entries as well will provide you with a greater chance at winning! :)

And don't forget to visit ALL 19 BLOGS! You can find the Linky at the bottom of each giveaway post..

So the point...? Just make sure to read ALL the instructions on each blog before entering and get out there and HAVE FUN!!!

Day five sponsor

Me!!!

***Please note: In my original post I accidentally listed the prize as a Fuzzibunz perfect size diaper, it should have read: Fuzzibunz ONESIZE diaper. So sorry!
Because I love my readers and subscribers so much and appreciate you all, I'm giving away one of my favorite diaper combos: A Fuzzibunz onesize pocket diaper and a Loopydo insert. This awesome pairing is practically bulletproof and should get any heavy wetter through the night, it worked for my super, duper heavy wetter! I purchase from either Kelly's Closet or Earth Angels Diaper Company, so prize is limited to stock on hand. And....because I have them to give away, you'll also get a couple Snappis.

This giveaway closes on Dec 7th at 11:59pm EST, so hurry and enter!

How to enter:

Again, please read ALL instructions before entering! Also you MUST leave a valid email! If you win and have no email, I will have to choose a new winner. I must be able to get a hold of you.

Mandatory Entry:

You must do BOTH mandatory entries before completing ANY of the Extra Entries!

- You MUST follow my blog via Google Friend Connect (GFC), that's it!

Extra Entries:

- Subscribe by email to my blog (3 extra entries!)

***If you earned extra entries and want them to go toward this giveaway, leave a comment on this post.

Merry Fluffy Christmas- Day Four!

2010-12-03T20:59:00.000-08:00

Welcome to A Merry Fluffy Christmas giveaway event and thanks for visiting my blog!

How A Merry Fluffy Christmas works:

Each of the 5 days of this event, there will be one post up on each blog. In each post, there will be one or more items to be won! Each day is ONE prize package, so there will only be ONE winner for each day for each blog. Each giveaway is open for 3 days.

You MUST do the Mandatory Entry to enter the giveaways! If you do not do the Mandatory Entry, all your other entries will be deleted.

Please remember to read ALL instructions on each blog. We are all a part of the Merry Fluffy Christmas event, but we are each doing different ways to enter. Please read ALL instructions or you might miss something and your entries will be deleted.

The Extra Entries are just that, extra and optional! You can, if you'd like, enter only the Mandatory Entry and call it a day. But entering ALL Extra Entries as well will provide you with a greater chance at winning! :)

And don't forget to visit ALL 19 BLOGS! You can find the Linky at the bottom of each giveaway post..

So the point...? Just make sure to read ALL the instructions on each blog before entering and get out there and HAVE FUN!!!

Day four sponsor

Kim from Rockin Green is giving away a 45/90 bag of detergent in the winner's choice of scent and formula. Go here to read my sponsor spotlight and enter extra entries if you wish.
I am also, personally contributing a 1 ounce container of Earth Mama Angel Baby Bottom Balm, my absolute favorite diaper cream. It's cloth diaper safe, smells great and WORKS!!

This giveaway closes on Dec 6th at 11:59pm EST, so hurry and enter!

How to enter:

Again, please read ALL instructions before entering! Also you MUST leave a valid email! If you win and have no email, I will have to choose a new winner. I must be able to get a hold of you.

Mandatory Entry:

You must do BOTH mandatory entries before completing ANY of the Extra Entries!

- You MUST visit Rockin Green and tell me which scent you'd choose if you won.

- You MUST follow my blog via Google Friend Connect (GFC)

Please leave ONE comment with both mandatory entries and your email address.

Extra Entries:

- Subscribe by email to my blog (3 extra entries!)

If you earned extra entries and want them to go toward this giveaway, leave a comment on this post.

A Merry Fluffy Christmas- Day Three!

2010-12-02T21:01:00.000-08:00

Day three sponsor

Llana from Applecheeks is offering up a package of diapering accessories including: a roll of flushable liners, a 6 pack of super soft bamboo wipes and a bottle of gentle cleansing solution. Go here to read my sponsor spotlight, see examples and enter extra entries if you wish. I will also add a couple Snappis.

This giveaway closes on Dec 5th at 11:59pm EST, so hurry and enter!

How to enter:

Again, please read ALL instructions before entering! Also you MUST leave a valid email! If you win and have no email, I will have to choose a new winner. I must be able to get a hold of you.

Mandatory Entry:

You must do BOTH mandatory entries before completing ANY of the Extra Entries!

- You MUST visit Applecheeks and tell me another item you'd love to have.

- You MUST follow my blog via Google Friend Connect (GFC)

Please leave ONE comment with both mandatory entries and your email address.

Extra Entries:

- Subscribe by email to my blog (3 extra entries!)

If you earned extra entries and want them to go toward this giveaway, leave a comment on this post.

A Merry Fluffy Christmas-Day two!

2010-12-01T21:18:00.000-08:00

Day two sponsor

Anna from Baby Legs is offering up a fun grab bag filled with an assortment of leg warmers, tights (for girls), and socks in your choice of size and gender. Go here to read my sponsor spotlight, see examples and enter extra entries if you wish.

This giveaway is open from Dec 2st 12:01am EST - Dec 4rd 11:59pm EST.

How to enter:

Again, please read ALL instructions before entering! Also you MUST leave a valid email! If you win and have no email, I will have to choose a new winner. I must be able to get a hold of you.

Mandatory Entry:

You must do BOTH mandatory entries before completing ANY of the Extra Entries!

- You MUST visit Baby Legs and tell me which item is your favorite

- You MUST follow my blog via Google Friend Connect (GFC)

Please leave ONE comment with both mandatory entries and your email address.

Extra Entries:

- Subscribe by email to my blog (3 extra entries!)

If you earned extra entries and want them to go toward this giveaway, leave a comment on this post.

A Merry Fluffy Christmas has begun!!!!

2010-11-30T21:01:00.000-08:00

Welcome to A Merry Fluffy Christmas giveaway event and thanks for visiting my blog!
How A Merry Fluffy Christmas works:

Each of the 5 days of this event, there will be one post up on each blog. In each post, there will be one or more items to be won! Each day is ONE prize package, so there will only be ONE winner for each day for each blog. Each giveaway is open for 3 days.

You MUST do the Mandatory Entry to enter the giveaways! If you do not do the Mandatory Entry, all your other entries will be deleted.

Please remember to read ALL instructions on each blog. We are all a part of the Merry Fluffy Christmas event, but we are each doing different ways to enter. Please read ALL instructions or you might miss something and your entries will be deleted.

The Extra Entries are just that, extra and optional! You can, if you'd like, enter only the Mandatory Entry and call it a day. But entering ALL Extra Entries as well will provide you with a greater chance at winning! :)

And don't forget to visit ALL 19 BLOGS! You can find the Linky at the bottom of each giveaway post..

So the point...? Just make sure to read ALL the instructions on each blog before entering and get out there and HAVE FUN!!!

Day one sponsor

Stphanie from Abby's Lane is ever so kindly donating a $25 gift certificate for her awesome online store. You can get anything you want! Go here for my sponsor spotlight post and for some ideas on things she carries.

This giveaway is open from Dec 1st 12:01am EST - Dec 3rd 11:59pm EST.

How to enter:

Again, please read ALL instructions before entering! Also you MUST leave a valid email! If you win and have no email, I will have to choose a new winner. I must be able to get a hold of you.

Mandatory Entry:

You must do BOTH mandatory entries before completing ANY of the Extra Entries!

- You MUST visit Abby's Lane and tell me which item is your favorite

- You MUST follow my blog via Google Friend Connect (GFC)

Please leave ONE comment with both mandatory entries and your email address.

Extra Entries:

- Subscribe by email to my blog (3 extra entries!)

If you earned extra entries and want them to go toward this giveaway, leave a comment on this post.

Episencial winner!!!!

2010-11-29T18:29:00.000-08:00

With only 35 entries, everyone who entered had a really good chance to win and Random.org picked number 8

Camille said:

i follow thru GFC

--camille :)

Congrats Camille, you've been notified and have 48 hours to respond to my email.

My breastfeeding struggle: Emma's birth story part 2

2010-11-29T11:35:00.000-08:00

So, like I mentioned in my birth story natural birth and breastfeeding were two of the most important things to me and what I was most looking forward to. As it happened, neither was in the plans for me. I had a breast reduction about 8 years ago, so I had a feeling that breastfeeding might not come so easily for me. Also, pardon the graphic-ness, but I have inverted nipples. I expressed concern over both of these situations at each of my prenatal appointments and all my doctor would tell me was "we'll just have to wait til the baby is born to find out". Needless to say, this was very disheartening!

All I could do was wait and pray. Well, as I got toward the end of my pregnancy, I remember people asking me if my milk had come in or if I was leaking yet. I wanted so badly to say yes because I knew that these things were supposed to be happening but they just weren't. I never had any signs of milk.

Emma was born. The nurses showed me how to manually express what should have been colostrum, but nothing came out, so they tried to get her latched on naturally but it just wasn't happening. Step two: the nipple shield, "yay!" I thought, a miracle invention that will let me nurse my baby! Yeah, right. Nothing about the whole situation came easily. Even with the nipple shield, Emma didn't seem to be getting anything. I was so worried, but the nurses kept telling me that even if she wasn't getting anything it would be ok because babies are born with extra fat that they can live off of for a while. That did make me feel a little better, but I was already so ashamed that I couldn't feed my child in the natural, God-given manner!!

I think it was day two that they brought out the breast pump. The nurses wheeled in the pump on a little stand and showed me how to work it. I pumped what I could, which was just a tiny bit of colostrum. I didn't want to resort to bottles yet, so we started tube feeding. We'd run a tube from the little container of colostrum and tuck it into the nipple shield and then get Emma attached to the nipple shield. That way, she was still getting my milk, but it was coming from the tube. It must have been day 2 or 3 when nurses brought in the formula. Just the sight of it made me want to cry! But I didn't want my daughter to starve, so what could I do? By the time we left the hospital she had lost more than 10% of her body weight, so we were referred to the lactation consultant.

We visited the LC about 5 more times in the month following Emma's birth. It was always the same story: couldn't get her latched, couldn't produce enough milk to solely breastfeed. I was so devastated, depressed and felt really lonely. My life was all about pumping, all day long I sat on the couch, pumped, fed Emma, pumped some more, etc. I think the most I ever got in one pumping was almost 5 ounces, that was a good day! I tried everything the consultants recommended, I took Fenugreek supplements and drank Fenugreek tea. I also took a prescription that has an off label use to increase milk supply, and it did, a little. So, my daughter was mostly formula fed with a little breast milk supplement. I kept up the pumping routine until my milk totally dried up when she was about 6 months old. It was the worst feeling ever!

People tell me that I did the best I could and at least she got a little breast milk in the beginning, but nothing anyone did/will ever say can make me feel better about the situation. I feel like a total failure, I couldn't do the most natural thing in the world for my own daughter. Weirdly, though, I don't regret having the breast reduction. Even the surgery wouldn't have changed my inverted nipples and who knows if I would've had the same supply issues or not. Regardless, the surgery was the right thing for me at the time and I'm glad I was able to have it.

So, here I am, pregnant again and hoping beyond hope that somehow, someway a miracle will occur and I'll at least be able to produce enough milk this time to have my baby mostly breastfed. I'm not delusional and I know that I probably won't be able to get a baby latched on and I'll most likely be tied to the pump again, but I'm OK with that, really, what choice do I have?

This is why I am such an avid breastfeeding supporter and I get really upset when I see moms formula feeding thier babies. I know I shouldn't because I don't know the situation and it's a bit hypocritical of me to judge other moms for using formula when I did it myself, but I can't help it, it's my initial, gut reaction. My feeling about the situation is this: I would've given ANYTHING in the world to have been able to nurse my daughter and I think too many people take it for granted and don't use the most wonderful, natural, free, nutritionally perfect resource available for feeding their babies. If you've got it, use it!

Merry Fluffy Christmas Sponsor Spotlight: Applecheeks (extra entries)

2010-11-29T10:32:00.000-08:00

Applecheeks is a well known, loved and trusted cloth diaper company. It is a Canadian company that is totally committed to customer satisfaction. Applecheeks diapers feature a 2-size envelope cover which means no touching nasty inserts, they come out on their own in the wash, this is my favorite feature. Other cool features: super soft micro-fleece lining, wide, stretchy tabs to prevent wing droop, gentle elastic at the back to hold in messy blowouts, water proof shell and durable snaps. All of which makes an awesome diaper sure to last from birth through potty training. The inserts are all super soft and absorbent bamboo.

Diapers aren't the only products that Applecheeks offers. There are also storage sacs, swim diapers, nursing pads, and even bottom cleaning solution. So they really have you covered for all your diapering needs! The diapers come in some really cool colors, see:

For the A Merry Fluffy Christmas Applecheeks is generously offering one of my readers a package containing a 6-pack of wipes, a bottle of Gentle Cleansing Solution and a roll of disposable diaper liners. I can attest to the fabulousness of this prize. This is what we were sent for review:

I love these wipes, bamboo is definitely the way to go! They are super soft, durable and get the messes cleaned up quickly. The cleansing solution is not only great on bottoms, but also for messy hands and faces. I'm not a huge liner user, so this roll will last forever. The storage sac is the perfect size for throwing in the diaper bag and using to store dirties when we're out and about.
So, for extra entries here are your options

1. like Applecheeks on Facebook
2. tell me where the Applecheeks retailer closest to you is

Snow day!

2010-11-24T21:54:00.000-08:00

Yay, we got our first snow of the season. Sometimes we only get one snow and sometimes we don't get any :( (like last year). I love, love, love snow! Two winters ago I was majorly, 8 months, pregnant and we had the biggest snow storm in forever, at least for our area. I think we ended up getting something like 24 inches of snow over about a week and then we had a cold snap so the snow stuck around for weeks and we were stuck inside. What a great time!

Anyway, we only got a couple inches, but the temperatures haven't gotten above 20 degrees for a couple days now and the whole neighborhood was out playing in the fun stuff. I was super excited for Emma to finally experience snow. And she loved it!

Doesn't she just look so flippin cute all bundled up? She really did have a blast! I'm really happy to have a white Thanksgiving, but I hope there's still some left up there for Christmas!!

Merry Fluffy Christmas: Sponsor Spotlight Abby's Lane (extra entries!)

2010-11-24T21:31:00.000-08:00

Have you heard of Abby's Lane? If not, you really need to check it out. It's such a fabulous online natural baby product boutique. Stephanie, the owner, is mother to 3 beautiful little girls and one handsome boy. She's cloth diapered all of her children so you can rest assured that she knows what she's doing!

Not only does she have a huge selection of cloth diapers, but she also carries baby shoes, baby carries, and all kinds of helpful mama products. She also has some really cool programs and incentives. The Abby's Lane Dollars program lets you earn a point for every dollar you spend at the store and then turn in your points for store credit. I love customer loyalty programs like this! She's got some great Black Friday deals. And, the best thing about the boutique: free shipping on all US orders, how awesome is that?!

For the A Merry Fluffy Christmas event, Stephanie has generously offered to give one of my lucky readers a $25 gift certificate to Abby's Lane!!!! You can buy whatever the heck you want, cool, huh!?

~Extra Entries~ 

So, extra entries will work like this: leave a comment on this post, saying what you've done and then place extra entries into whichever A Merry Fluffy Christmas giveaway you'd like, come December.

1. Like Abby's Lane on Facebook

Good luck, if you enter. Make sure to come back here December 1-5 and enter to win all the cool fluffy prizes offered by all of my awesome sponsors!

Very Exciting News!

2010-11-15T16:50:00.000-08:00

Emma has some super exciting news she wants to share:

Yep, baby number two is on the way, due to make an appearance in June! Oh boy! Or girl!

Merry Fluffy Christmas: Sponsor Spotlight Rockin Green (extra entries!)

2010-11-14T14:42:00.000-08:00

If you're a cloth diapering parent and you haven't heard of Rockin Green laundry detergent, I might ask you where you've been and then tell you all the wonderful things you're missing out on. I admit that I haven't tried a whole lot of different brands of detergent on my diapers, but that is honestly because Rockin Green was the second brand I ever tried and it worked so well that I didn't see the need to try anything else!

It gets the stinkies out, rinses clean and has helped keep my diapers looking fresh and new. Rockin Green comes in several yummy, all natural scents and three different formulas, so there's bound to be a formula combination perfect for you! It's biodegradable, phosphate (and other yucky stuff) free, never tested on animals and works in hard or soft water. Not sure what type of water you have, check out the handy map on the Rockin Green website to help you figure it out.

I was sent 3 samples to try for review purposes. I chose Orangevana, Smashing Watermelons and Motley Clean in hard rock. Let me tell you, they all smell sooooooo good!!! So, as suggested when you begin with Rockin Green, you should soak your diapers for a while (rock a soak) to help get out all the grossness. I ran the diapers through a cold wash cycle, no soap and then soaked them in hot overnight, with 3 tablespoons and this is what I woke up to:

Nasty! Rockin Green got out all that diaper nastiness and, after a couple rinses, the diapers came out clean and smelling fresh. Not perfume-y, just clean! It not only works good at busting up the stinkies, it gets out tough stains, too. Oh, and, if you didn't know already: Rockin Green plus sunning equals the cleanest, freshest diapers you've ever seen!!! I just love this stuff, for other laundry, too. And you don't need a whole lot of it either, just 1-2 tablespoons for a full load.
There are just so many cool things about this company and this detergent, I could go on forever. They recently started offering Rockin Rewards when you make purchases. They've also expanded their inventory to include dryer balls and diaper rash cream. If you don't want to commit to a big bag of soap, you can always order samples.

Convinced yet? Buy some here, a 45/90 load bag is just $13.95 for soft or classic rock and $15.95 for hard rock!

win some!

For A Merry Fluffy Christmas, Rockin Green has generously offered to give one of my lucky readers a 45/90 bag of detergent in choice of scent and formula!

~Extra Entries~ 

So, extra entries will work like this: leave a comment on this post, saying what you've done and then place extra entries into whichever A Merry Fluffy Christmas giveaway you'd like, come December.

1. Like Rockin Green on Facebook

2. Make a purchase from Rockin Green and let me know what you bought.

Emma's arrival, it's only 21 months late :)

2010-11-05T17:26:00.000-07:00

I've thought a lot about writing my birth story, I've done it in my head a thousand times but never actually put pen to paper (so to speak). One of my bloggy friends, baby makin(g) machine inspired me to finally do it. Fashionably late, of course ;)

So, Emma Lynne was due January 29, 2009. She was born February 6, but we'll get to that later. I was working as a social worker for a community mental health agency and planned to work up until she was born or at least until I couldn't physically work any longer. My pregnancy went really well, with the biggest complication being horrible heartburn and edema in my legs/ankles so I shouldn't complain. I don't think the timing could have been any better. I loved not being hugely pregnant in the heat of summer because I was always super hot! I didn't even need a winter coat because I had my little baby heater. But, anyway, on to the birthing part:

The in-laws showed up a week before my due date in the hopes of meeting and helping out with baby Emma. I ended up working until the day after my due date, a Friday, with absolutely no signs of impending labor. Cirt and I had taken a basic birthing class and I was semi-determined to have a natural birth. I just knew for sure that I wanted to breast feed and I didn't want a c-section. Ha ha, joke's on me. All week long, I tried various things to induce labor: long walks, spicy food, acupuncture, my doctor even had me get a Foley balloon (if you don't know what that is, look it up). But, none of it worked, so she said she would induce me on either Wednesday or Friday of the following week, at that point I would be a week overdue. I had originally not wanted to be put on pitocin, but after 41 weeks of being pregnant, in-laws in town from Missouri just to meet little Emma and wanting to meet her myself, I agreed. In hindsight, this was a TERRIBLE idea and I will never agree to an induction again, unless of course, it's absolutely, medically necessary.

So, Friday February 6th, we showed up at the hospital at 7am ready to have a baby. It was Cirt and I and his parents, with many other visitors to arrive later throughout the day. Seriously, I think I had about 15 people there. Anyway, if you've been induced, you know the drill: you arrive, check in, put on the lovely hospital gown, have a million tubes and needles hooked up to you and then you wait. I didn't start feeling any contractions for quite a while. I think I was all "pitted" up by about 9 and my doctor said she would come back at 10 to break my water. By this time I had become unhappy with my doctor. She constantly had one foot out the door and wash really rushing things. In fact, the first thing she said when she came into my room in the morning was: "Alright, I have to leave at 4 today, so we've gotta have this baby by then." Yeah right! That right there should have sent me screaming from the hospital bed, demanding a do-over.

When my doctor came back to break my water, there wasn't very much of it at all, and there was meconium, so Emma was definitely ready to come out. I think they increased the pitocin at that point. I don't remember exactly when I really started feeling contractions, but I think I was asking for an epidural by about 7pm. I had been on the pitocin drip for about 10 hours by then and was only dilated to 5 cm. Having an epidural is such a surreal experience, it's so weird not being able to feel your legs. And, of course, having a catheter is a lovely feeling! So, I had pain-free contractions for a couple hours when the on-call doctor came in and told me that since I'd been at a 5 for a couple hours I probably wasn't going to dilate any further and we should think about a c-section. Whaaaa? 'Cause a 10 hour labor is waaaaay too long for a first baby and being at a 5 for a whole 2 hours is ridiculous! Can you sense my cynicism and dislike for the medical system now?? Oh, and my baby was in distress, right?! No! All the doctors and nurses kept saying when they checked her heart rate was: "Wow! She's really happy in there, her heart rate looks great!"

If only I knew then what I know now......I've read that "Chances of an induced labor resulting in cesarean section for a first time mother triple." I personally know about 5 women in which this has happened. Also, because pitocin makes contractions artificially stronger and faster moms are more likely to ask for an epidural. Pitocin also causes "failure to progress" (my situation) at an alarming rate. Gosh, I could just kick myself everyday for letting my doctor induce me. Don't get me wrong, though, I know there is a time and place for induction and c-section. I don't judge, each mother has to do what's right for her body and her baby. I do firmly believe that my c-section was completely unnecessary and because I've now had one, I'm considered "high risk" and have had a difficult time finding a care giver willing to allow me to attempt VBAC.

Back to Emma's birth: by 9 pm I was exhausted, irritable, emotional and just really, really wanted to hold my baby girl. I consented to the c-section and was prepped for surgery. The doctors said I could have one person in the OR with me, so of course my husband came along. I've have major surgery once before and it's always a little creepy when you enter the OR and see that shiny, metal, cross shaped table with all those bright lights shining down on it. The doctors and nurses reminded me of robots, effortlessly moving about the OR preparing cutting implements and such, no conversation besides incomprehensible medical jargon. The anesthesiologist was really grumpy and stern, he kept asking me: "can you feel this now?" and poking me.

I really wanted video, or at least pictures of Emma being born, and even though my husband is extremely squeamish, he managed to get some really good shots by just holding the camera over the privacy curtain (without actually looking) and snapping away. It's really quite unbelievable! The thing most remarkable to me when looking at the pictures was the size of the umbilical cord, that thing was enormous! So, when you have a c-section, you don't get to have your baby on your chest right away, which sucks, and your husband doesn't get to cut the cord. After she was all wiped off and weighed, Cirt got to hold her and he brought her over to my face. My hands were tied down and, of course my bottom half was being put back together so all I could do was gaze at her (I had to fight hard to stay awake) and snuggle her with my cheeks. It's a moment that all moms dream of and was less-than-ideal for me because of the strong effect of numbing drugs.

So, Emma Lynne was born at 9:30pm on February 6, weighing 8lbs, 14oz. And, as my husband likes to joke, she probably would've weighed 9 pounds if they weighed her before she pooped. She came out pooping! Seriously, there was a lot of poop, well meconium, but you get the picture.

My family was so excited to see Emma, she was the first baby in 20 years in my immediate family, that my aunt actually came running down the hall to see her. Cirt got to carry her back into my room because I was, of course on the wheelie bed thingy. Once you get back into your room it's a whole lot of checking, measuring, emptying, changing bandages and other medical stuff, so it's quite a while before you actually get to hold your child. Frustrating! When I look back at video of me in my hospital room, it's really sad because I can't remember it and I'm obviously completely drugged up. I do remember wanting so badly to look at my baby but having to try soooooooo hard just to keep my eyes open.

After Emma was bathed, and the nurses did all that other stuff they do to newborns, we started the breastfeeding debacle. I had originally planned to include that here, but I think this post is too long already and I'll make it a whole other post, hopefully it won't take another 2 years ;)

I know that my story probably sounds really negative overall, but all that really matters is that I had a healthy baby and I was fine. I promise to try and get the second birth story done much quicker.

Merry Fluffy Christmas: Sponsor Spotlight Babylegs (extra entries)

2010-11-05T16:08:00.000-07:00

If you're familiar with the cloth diaper world, you know how valuable BabyLegs are! They are perfect for keeping your baby's little legs warm and protected and make diaper changes quick and easy.A must-have for any cloth diapering mom or dad!
From the BabyLegs website:

The BabyLegs® brand has grown from one mom's diaper bag accessory - our signature leg warmer - to a popular children's brand with essential child and baby products.

In April of 2005, a young mom was confronted with a diaper rash that just wouldn't quit. The rash needed some fresh air to heal, but she was also concerned about keeping her daughter warm. In a moment of inspiration, she snipped the feet off of a pair of socks and fitted her daughter from hip to ankle with a cool set of leg warmers. These leg warmers not only kept her daughter warm, but also protected her from the elements, made diaper changing and potty training easier, and protected her soft knees while crawling. With some fun designs and some grassroots marketing support, the functional and fashionable leg warmers that began as a solution to keep little legs warm quickly became much more.

I just love that story! You know a children's product is good when it's born out of necessity and created by a mom. Tried and true! Cloth diaper plus BabyLegs plus t-shirt is all baby needs to be cute and fashionable. It's so much easier to change a baby's diaper when you don't have to fiddle with getting her pants on and off, especially when she reaches that really wiggly stage and doesn't like having her diaper changed.

BabyLegs were awesome when my daughter was just learning to crawl. We have hardwood floors and the leg warmers were great for protecting Emma's little knees. And she just looked so cute in them! Oh, and they're not just for girls either. There are plenty of cute patterns for boys too.

I was so excited to find out that BabyLegs expanded to socks and tights, they are just the cutest things ever! All of their products are super high quality, thick and long lasting. They are perfect for adding an extra layer of warmth underneath clothing when it's cold out.

We were sent this grab bag, containing legwarmers, tights, footless tights and socks. Cuteness overload!

Just look at how cute Emma looks in her light pink leg warmers:

There are so many cute choices, there's something for everyone:
I just love these adorable, girly leg warmers!

These would look awesome on any little guy

I can't wait to put these on my little girl this holiday season

There's even an organic line, how cool is that?!

For A Merry Fluffy Christmas, BabyLegs has generously offered to give a holiday themed grab bag ($50 value) to one of my lucky readers!

~Extra Entries~ 

So, extra entries will work like this: leave a comment on this post, saying what you've done and then place extra entries into whichever A Merry Fluffy Christmas giveaway you'd like, come December.

1. Like BabyLegs on Facebook

2. Make a purchase from BabyLegs

I'm featured on Happily Domestic!!!!

2010-11-04T15:09:00.000-07:00

I'm so honored to be featured on one of my favorite blogs, Happily Domestic! Check it out:
http://happilydomestic.blogspot.com/2010/11/fluff-talk-thursdays-meet-our-cloth.html

Episencial review and giveaway!

2010-11-03T14:31:00.000-07:00

I was so thrilled when I contacted Episencial and they agreed to let me do a review. I'd been coveting their body wash and lotion every time I saw them at Target. The packing is what caught my eye first, so cute. Each of the products features a fruit from the Eric Carle book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The whole line of Episencial products are all natural (no synthetics, parabens, SLS or anything nasty that you wouldn't want touching your baby's precious skin) and formulated for the delicate skin of babies and kids. The packing is also completely recyclable and manufactured using solar power. I just love this company!
A little about the founder, Kim Walls, from the Episencial website:

Kim Walls, M.S., is the CEO of Episencial® and creator of the Epicuren® Baby and Episencial skin care products and philosophy. A second-generation skin care expert from the family that developed the world renowned Epicuren® anti-aging skin care products, she now combines her environmental activism with expertise in clinical skin care and nutritional science to develop green, effective skin care for pregnant women and children. For more than a decade, Walls has honed her perspective focusing on botanically-based skin care and transdermal nutrient absorption as a pathway to improved health and beauty for women and children. She shares her experience internationally with dermatologists and estheticians, as well as childbirth and postpartum professionals, underscoring the relationship between optimum health and skin care. Now through Episencial, she is dedicated to sharing that knowledge with new and growing families to support the enhanced health and immunity that effective, all natural products can provide.

We were sent the Sweet Dreams Bubble Bath, Soothing Cream, and Protective Face Balm to review.

I can't say enough good things about these products. I had stopped using bubble bath for Emma because she was getting yeast rashes and I feared it was because of the nasty, synthetic products I was using, I won't mention any names, but it starts with a J. On the contrary, the Sweet Dreams Bubble Bath has nothing but natural, safe and pure ingredients and I didn't hesitate at all to add it to Emma's bath water. It smells fantastic and she loves it! The gel concentrate is super thick so you don't need a lot to make a luxuriously bubbly bath time experience.

As you can see, Emma was enthralled with the bubbles and had a blast!

The Soothing Cream comes at the perfect time, as my seasonal eczema has flared up again, uggg. It's so darn irritating, I get it pretty badly on my forearms and this cream has been a Godsend! I just put a small amount on and it immediately soothes and keeps my itchy skin under control. I so wish I had taken "before and after" pictures to prove the wonders of this cream, but you'll just have to take my word for it. And I love that it's all natural so I don't have to resort to my prescription steroid cream, which of course works, but is not a good choice for a pregnant woman, like me.

I'm sure the Protective Face Balm will come in handy later this winter after playing outside in the snow (hopefully we'll get lots!) and coming in with rosy cheeks and lips.

So, how can you try these products, too?!

Buy it

Of course you can buy Episencial products from their website, and other fine online retailers like Ecomom. You can use the search function on the website to look for local retailers. I'm so excited that Target stores are a carrier of Episencial, I'm always at Target.

-or-

Win it!

One lucky reader is going to win the same Episencial products that I received, plus a $5 Target gift card!!

How to enter:

Each action counts as one entry unless otherwise stated. Leave a separate comment for each entry and please include your email address. You must complete the mandatory entry before you are eligible for any other entries.

**Mandatory Entry**

Visit Episencial and let me know another of their products that you'd like to try.

Extra Entries

*Go to the Episencial website and tell me something else you learned about this awesome company that I didn't mention here.

*Make a purchase from Episencial or pick up some of their products at a local retailer, come back here and tell me what you bought-5 extra entries!

*Follow me publicly through google friend connect-counts as 3 entries! Leave 3 separate comments.

*Subscribe to my blog by email, through feedburner

*Grab my button and tell me where it is posted

*Blog about this giveaway, link back to my site and leave me the URL of your blog

The fine print

This giveaway is open to U.S. residents and will end November 24, 2010.

Winner will be chosen by random.org and contacted by e-mail, then must respond within 48 hours or else a new winner will be chosen.

I was not paid for this review, and received no compensation. I was provided the products mentioned for review purposes. All opinions expressed are my own and completely truthful.

Have you been Boo'd?

2010-10-25T21:59:00.000-07:00

I had never heard of this fun Halloween game before this year, but it's really fun! I guess it's pretty popular in suburban neighborhoods all over. This is the first time we've lived in a real "neighborhood", like with a home owners association and all. Anyway, we came home from the pumpkin patch on Saturday afternoon to find a bucket with some goodies and a note on our front porch. The person who left it for us was obviously thinking of us specifically because the items were geared toward and appropriate for our 20 month old daughter. I thought that was very thoughtful!

So, the way it works is this: when you get Boo'd, you put up a sign on your door to let everyone know you've already been hit. Then, you "boo" 2 more neighbors and the chain continues. I like "pay it forward" things like this. It's always nice to get a little surprise and know that someone has thought of you.

If you live in an appropriate neighborhood, why don't you start this fun game. Here is a website with more information: http://youhavebeenbooed.blogspot.com/

Happy Halloween!

Winners!

2010-10-22T14:49:00.000-07:00

I apologize for announcing these winners a little late, but here they are:

The winner of the Stride everyday undies is

Congratulations, Hannah, you've been notified and have 48 hours to respond before I have to draw a new winner!

The winner of the Nutria Frog Kingdom book is

Congratulations, Shanee, you've been notified and have 48 hours to respond!

This is what I found after "naptime" the other day

2010-10-21T13:48:00.000-07:00

I'm really starting to get annoyed with this no nap phase that Emma is going through. It's gotten to be about twice a week now, uggg! At least she stays relatively quiet. She always has a few books and dolls in her crib, so she'll just sit and play, talking to herself and her babies.
Yesterday, I went into her room after about an hour and a half without her sleeping. I was greeted with a cheery "Hi!" and this scene:

She did have a shirt on when I put her down. So, I guess she knows how to take her shirt off now.... sigh. Usually, on days when she doesn't nap, she throws every single thing from her crib onto the floor and repeats "uh oh" over and over. So silly!!!!

I'm the Featured Fluff Addict at Knickernappies!

2010-10-17T11:33:00.000-07:00

Did you catch it? If not, here it is: http://knickernappies.blogspot.com/2010/10/fridays-featured-fluff-addict-istamara.html I haven't actually had the pleasure of using a knickernappies diaper, but absolutely love my Loopy-Do's, they are the only thing that gets my little heavy wetter through the night dry!

Thanks, Knickernappies, for this opportunity!

Toddler Tuesday: our new puppy!

2010-10-11T15:13:00.000-07:00

Our new puppy :)

Sorry about the grainy pic, I took it with my cell phone because that's what was around when this happened. Emma now does this all the time, kinda grosses me out. I keep trying to explain to her that those are the doggy beds and they aren't that clean but she just doesn't seem to care :) What a stinker!!

CSN is so Awesome!

2010-10-11T14:56:00.000-07:00

I've been offered another opportunity to review for CSN stores and I'm beyond excited! If you haven't been to CSN stores yet, you're missing out. Everybody needs something, what do you need? New cookware, a lamp, a new barstool? You can find all those items plus thousands more at CSN stores.

I'm not quite sure what I'm going to choose to review yet, but here are a few things I'm eyeing:

This neat storage solution for the playroom, it really needs help!

A babykicks bumboo pocket diaper, been dying to try one!

A new contour pillow, because I've had the same pillow for at least 15 years now, seriously it's that bad!

It's so hard to decide because there's just so much stuff!! And I really love how there a million different ways you can search for items: by price, size, type, color....I could go on and on.

Next time you need something, anything, check out CSN stores. Stay tuned for my review once I finally make up my mind.

An Exciting Holiday Event

2010-10-11T00:07:00.000-07:00

Do you love Christmas? Do you love fluff? Who doesn't, right! Well,this coming December 1-5 you'll have the chance to hop around a bunch of blogs, each of which will be giving away at least $25 worth of fluffy prizes per day. So, that's $125, at least, of wonderful fluffiness being given away by each blog! All prizes are cloth diaper related, oh my, you won't want to miss this one!! There are about 20 blogs participating, organized by Jess, of And then there were 4.

I'm so excited to be part of such an awesome event and can't wait to start bringing you guys sponsor spotlights. Keep an eye out for the spotlights, as they will have extra entry opportunities! But for now, grab the button and put it on your blog.

A baby's first language should be sign: a guest post by Emily Patterson

2010-10-01T22:32:00.000-07:00

I knew even before I was pregnant with Emma that I wanted to attempt to teach her sign language. As an Early Childhood Education major in college, I learned that there are various advantages to teaching a child sign language before they learn to speak verbally, one of the most attractive ones being a decrease in tantrums. Babies and toddlers often throw "temper tantrums" out of frustration due to not being able to communicate what they are feeling. Children develop motor skills before they develop communicable verbal skills, so it makes perfect sense that babies would learn to sign before they can speak.

I started working with Emma when she was about 5 months old, being really persistent with a few key signs (more, milk, eat, please, all done, bath) and she started using them at about 8 or 9 months. It may just be a coincidence, but she was a really easy baby, and even now as a toddler (still using some signs, but talking a lot), she doesn't really throw temper tantrums. :)

So, that's my experience with sign language, but I wrote this post because I was contacted by Emily Patterson, Communications Coordinator of Primrose Schools. She shared with me a very informative article on the topic of sign language and early childhood development:

Early Childhood Education – Acquiring Sign Language

One of the keys to surviving in a tilted economic system in which opportunities to achieve a decent standard of living will be limited is versatility – and the ability to communicate articulately in a variety of ways with the widest possible audience. This includes bilingual ability as well as the ability to communicate in non-verbal ways for the benefit of the disabled – primarily the deaf.

At the same time, a growing shortage of qualified interpreters fluent in American Sign Language has led to more career opportunities – and if current trends continue, it's likely that skilled ASL interpreters will have little problem securing lucrative employment in a society where such a commodity is destined to be in short supply.

Signing Before They Can Speak

A great deal of research has clearly demonstrated that the early years – ages 2 to five – are the best time to educate children in different modes of communication and language. This goes beyond the spoken word (though it is an optimal time for children to learn a second language); many young children have an aptitude for signing as well.

This is not as odd as you may think. As you know, many indigenous peoples around the world, including American Indian nations, have used sign language for centuries to facilitate communication with other tribes with whom they do not share a language. Some paleontologists and anthropologists theorize that Neanderthals – who apparently lacked the vocal mechanism to produce many spoken words – depended a great deal upon hand gestures to communicate.

In fact, recent research suggests that sign language is innate. An article published in the Boulder Daily Camera in 2003 presented strong evidence that babies as young as six months old communicate with their hands:

"...by 6 to 7 months, babies can remember a sign. At eight months, children

can begin to imitate gestures and sign single words. By 24 months, children

can sign compound words and full sentences. They say sign language reduces

frustration in young children by giving them a means to express themselves

before they know how to talk." (Glarion, 2003)

The author also cites study funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development demonstrating that young children who are taught sign language at an early age actually develop better verbal skills as they get older. The ability to sign has also helped parents in communicating with autistic children; one parent reports that "using sign language allowed her to communicate with her [autistic] son and minimized his frustration...[he now] has an advanced vocabulary and excels in math, spelling and music" (Glarion, 2003).

The Best Time To Start

Not only does early childhood education in signing give pre-verbal youngsters a way to communicate, it can also strengthen the parent-child bond – in addition to giving children a solid foundation for learning a skill that will serve them well in the future. The evidence suggests that the best time to start learning ASL is before a child can even walk – and the implications for facilitating the parent-child relationship are amazing.

Co-written by Emily Patterson and Kathleen Thomas

Emily and Kathleen are Communications Coordinators for the network of Georgia educational child care facilities belonging to the AdvancED® accredited family of Primrose educational child care schools. Primrose Schools are located in 16 states throughout the U.S. and are dedicated to delivering progressive, early childhood, Balanced Learning® curriculum throughout their preschools.

Stride Everyday Panties: Review and Giveaway!

2010-10-01T22:08:00.000-07:00

I must admit I was intrigued by the premise of Stride everyday panties with light leak protection. So many women I know have this problem, especially after giving birth. The only real solution, I've heard, is to wear a pantyliner, all day, every day. That can get really expensive and create a lot of waste! You might think that a product offering leak protection would be bulky or ugly, but Stride is just the opposite. What a cool, revolutionary product Stride Everyday is.
Marathon runner and mom, Wendy Spencer, created Stride Everyday after becoming frustrated with the lack of quality products available to control light bladder leakage. As many as one in three women deal with the issue, so she figured there should be a product available to them that combines function and fashion.

Stride panties contain Oquos technology. I had never heard of this before, but it's pretty neat.
from the Stride Everyday website:
OQUOS™ Technology

The first layer of the OQUOS™ technology wicks away moisture 8 times more effectively than cotton for superior dryness. It is designed to maintain its shape to improve body contact during normal activity (such as walking, running or sneezing) and will continue to provide comfort and protection for up to 100 washes. Plus, it’s so discreet no one will know you’re wearing it!

The patented OQUOS™ sub-layers rapidly disperse light leaks, naturally deodorizing while the super-absorbent fibers contained in the liner absorb up to an ounce of moisture.

These panties are super fashionable, there are five different styles to choose from and prices range from $19.99 to $24.99 so there really is something for everyone!

My Experience

These are seriously the most comfortable pair of panties that I own. I opted for the seamless style and I can't even feel them. I imagined wearing a pantyliner and how uncomfortable it gets when it twists and crumples and comes unstuck, uggg. Well, Stride is nothing like that at all, I love 'em.

Buy it

Of course you can buy Stride Everyday panties from their website, but you can also look for retailers who carry them. I'm so excited to see that Bartell Drugs (a Seattle area drug store) is now a carrier of Stride. There's a Bartell's just down the street from me.

Jesenny has generously offered my readers this discount code, valid until Nov. 30! Enter STRIDE 818 for 30% off orders over $35

-or-

Win it!

One lucky reader is going to win a pair of Stride panties in the style of her choice!

How to enter

Each action counts as one entry unless otherwise stated. Leave a separate comment for each entry and please include your email address. You must complete the mandatory entry before you are eligible for any other entries.

**Mandatory Entry**

Visit Stride Everyday and let me know which pair you would choose if you won.

Extra Entries
*Go to the Stride website and tell me something else you learned that I didn't mention here.
*Make a purchase from Stride, come back here and tell me what you bought-5 extra entries!
*Follow me publicly through google friend connect-counts as 3 entries! Leave 3 separate comments.
*Subscribe to my blog by email, through feedburner
*Grab my button and tell me where it is posted
*Blog about this giveaway, link back to my site and leave me the URL of your blog

The fine print
This giveaway is open to U.S. residents and will end October 18, 2010.

Winner will be chosen by random.org and contacted by e-mail, then must respond within 48 hours or else a new winner will be chosen.

I was not paid for this review, and received no compensation. I was provided a complimentary pair of Stride panties to review. All opinions expressed are my own and completely truthful.

Follow me back Tuesday!!

2010-09-28T14:05:00.000-07:00

Yay, it's Follow Me Back Tuesday again! That means: time to link up and discover all kinds of cool new blogs.

Follow Me Back Tuesday is another day of the week that you can gain more followers and find other great blogs to follow on a weekly basis. Follow Me Back Tuesday is hosted by Survey Junkie, Little Yaya's, Review Retreat and Boobies, Babies & A Blog.

Each week we will choose a random number every week from the blogs linked and add the random blog to the #5 spot to link to the following week

This weeks guest host for the #5 spot is This week's Guest Host is Thanks Mail Carrier.

How it Works

Follow the 5 hosts, #1 – 5, ( leave us a comment & we will follow you back- only leave a comment if you follow please ).

Create a blog post about FMBT (you may copy this post if you wish).

Follow as many blogs as you would like ( Leave a comment so they can follow you back).

When you receive a comment from a new follower return the favor &; follow them back.

***Please link directly to your Follow Me Back Tuesday Post. Links that lead directly to your personal blog hop will not be accepted and will be deleted.***

The Nurtia Frog Kingdom book review and giveaway!! DEADLINE EXTENDED!!

2010-09-27T21:09:00.000-07:00

This giveaway's deadline is now October 18!

I was given the chance to review a really neat children's book and musical CD recently. This was right up our alley! One of the most important values I use when parenting and want to instill in my child(ren) is a love and respect of the earth. "The Nutria Frog Kingdom" by Bayou Bennett is an awesome green children's book. Bayou is a film maker and professor of fine arts and cinema at New York Institute of Technology. Her goal in writing this book was to target future generations, the people who will be taking care of the earth for years to come. I just love that!

The story takes place in the magical swamps of Louisiana where the local wildlife has become threatened by pollution. Two young children stumble upon the mess and are taught how to make it right. The main character, King Leo, is actually based on legendary musician Washboard Leo Thomas who is also Bayou's father. How cool is that?!

Emma just loves this book. The story is a bit above her head (she's only 19 months old) but the illustrations are really neat and extremely colorful. We look at the book together and feel sad about the pollution in the swamp and are happy when it's cleaned up. Emma's really cute about it, she makes a fake crying sound when we get to the page with all the garbage laying around the swamp and says "Emma be-uh" (Emma clean up). This is exactly the message I want conveyed to my daughter.

The story has a positive message about getting involved in and cleaning up your community. It encourages practices such as: turning off lights when not in use, recycling, carpooling and buying organic. There are activity pages in the back of the book for older kids to write down their ideas for helping the environment. This would be a really great book to use in a classroom!
Oh, and what is a nurtia frog, you ask? Well, you'll have to read the book to find out.

The music CD contains fun, upbeat bluegrass and banjo songs. I put it on during lunch time and Emma was dancing around in her highchair. She just loved it.

Buy it
You can buy your own copy of The Nutria-Frog Kingdom here. A copy of the book is only $12.99 and a book with CD is $17.99

Win it

Bayou has generously offered one lucky reader a copy of her unique, eco-friendly book, The Nutria Frog Kingdom.

How to enter

Each action counts as one entry unless otherwise stated. Leave a separate comment for each entry and please include your email address. You must complete the mandatory entry before you are eligible for any other entries.

**Mandatory Entry**

This is going to be super simple, just leave me a comment letting me know what your family does to be a little more "green".

Extra Entries

*Follow me publicly through google friend connect-counts as 3 entries! Leave 3 separate comments.

*Subscribe to my blog by email, through feedburner

*Grab my button and tell me where it is posted

*Blog about this giveaway, link back to my site and leave me the URL of your blog

****This giveaway will end Monday October, 18. Winner will be drawn by an online random number generator and will be notified by email. Winner must respond to my email within 48 hours or a new winner will be drawn. This giveaway is open to US residents.

Good luck!!

**I was sent a copy of the book "The Nutria Frog Kingdom" by Bayou Bennett and musical CD for review purposes. Everything written in this review is truth and completely my own opinion.

Calling all cloth diapering mamas and papas: check this out!!!

2010-09-23T15:37:00.000-07:00

One of my bloggy friends, Leslie, has a really awesome giveaway going on right now! I really contemplated not writing this post because the more of you who know about this, the more entries there will be and then I have less of a chance of winning ;) get my drift? Anyway, I really want the extra entries, so I'm promoting this.
Leslie is giving away an organic luxury baby prize pack, and it REALLY is luxury! Any cd'ing parent would be so lucky to have this. She's teamed up with Green Loving Families to offer a prize package that includes: a diaper, wipes, pail liner, soap, baby legs and an Earth Mama Angel Baby starter pack. Can you believe it???? This is so awesome, so go enter, or don't (more chance for me to win :)!

Go here to enter!

CSN Stores/Melissa and Doug wooden blocks review

2010-09-22T22:15:00.000-07:00

A while back I ran a giveaway sponsored by CSN stores. I love, love, love CSN stores! It's like going to the mall without leaving the house, seriously, you can get anything from their site. Well, I had a $20 credit to spend and I really had a hard time figuring out what to get. There is just so much to choose from. I finally settled on this awesome block set from Melissa and Doug.
I made sure to take a picture of it right out of the box because I knew this would probably be the only time it would ever look like this:

This is more often what the cart looks like:

I love Melissa and Doug toys and I really love wooden toys, so much more natural than chemical-filled plastic. Emma loves that she now has her own little wagon to pull around. I was quite hoping that she would love building with the blocks, but so far she's just enjoyed knocking down whatever I build (I think she learned that from being around boys all the time).

I was super impressed with CSN. The checkout was easy and shipping was really fast. Our blocks arrived in just a couple of days via UPS. I would definitely recommend CSN to fellow Internet shoppers.

You can get the same wooden block set here.

The fine print

I was not paid for this review. I did, however, receive a $20 CSN gift code in order to facilitate my review.

Uggg, What is it about this time of year???

2010-09-22T17:55:00.000-07:00

...that causes the fruit flies to come out in force and invade my kitchen????? I've been setting traps for weeks now and catching tons each time. I always have bananas out on the counter because we eat them every morning, but this fruit fly problem only plagues me at this time of year, EVERY year, at every house I've lived in.
I went to college in eastern Washington, where each fall the farmers burn their fields causing all the tiny bugs to migrate to people's homes. It was a huge annoyance! I live in western WA now, though and don't understand this? I can't even put my wine glass down to go to the bathroom without coming back to a glass full of flies, disgusting!
Does anyone else have this problem? Is it regional? What do you do to rid your home of these pests? Here are the couple traps I've found most effective:

As you can see, it's very effective! A bowl of apple cider vinegar with a drop of dish soap. The flies are attracted to the vinegar and then when they land on the surface, the soap makes it so they get stuck and can't fly away.

This one is also pretty effective, but it doesn't kill the flies, so you have to have some sort of plan for releasing them so that they don't just come back into the house. You put a piece of fruit in a bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Poke tiny holes in the top. If you do it right, the flies will get in but can't get out. I usually set this one out overnight and then put lid on it in the morning, then take it outside to release them.

Although these traps work, I have to keep using them over and over. It'd be nice if there was a solution that got rid of the flies for good. I refuse to store the bananas in the fridge. I actually tried that and the flies did disappear, but the bananas also turned brown overnight and were ruined! Does anyone have any other ideas for me?

My blog is carbon neutral

2010-09-14T21:14:00.000-07:00

Have you heard about this really neat program? All you have to do is write a blog post about it and the Make it Green program (started in Germany) will plant a tree to neutralize the CO2 emissions of your blog for the next 50 years! How cool is that? Then you grab a button and post it on your sidebar. I love it!

Toddler Tuesday-the potty!

2010-09-13T22:58:00.000-07:00

Oh goodness, my 19 month old is already interested in the potty! Lately, every time I go to the bathroom, Emma follows me in and repeats: "Emma, Emma!" She wants her turn to sit on the toilet. Cirt got her a little potty seat that sits on top of the toilet and a little princess stool for the bathroom a while ago and she just loves them!

I'm actually in no rush for her to start using the potty, I LOVE cloth diapers too much :) but she's showing interest, so we're just going with it. We don't plan to push or anything like that, so we'll see what happens. She is only 19 months old after all.

The funniest part was seeing how much fun she had flushing to toilet and saying bye-bye to the "yuck". She kept flushing over and over and waving goodbye. She also really likes pulling toilet paper off the roll and putting it in the toilet.

Follow Friday!

2010-09-09T23:39:00.000-07:00

I love blog hops, they are such a fun way to find new friends and reading material :)

Join the fun and follow along with me, I'd love to meet you!

Giving up the Johnson's

2010-09-07T14:46:00.000-07:00

When I found out I was pregnant I began doing research and looking into the most natural/organic methods of all things parenting. I chose cloth diapers over disposables, I made all of my own baby food from organic fruits and vegetables and I breastfed as much as I could (I had low supply issues :(). I didn't, however, give much thought to soap and lotion. I'm not sure why, and looking back now, I'm kicking myself. I mean, my parents used Johnson's on me and I turned out OK, didn't I?

What I didn't know then, but do know now is that toxins found in everyday household products can build up in skin and organs. I have to wonder....is it just coincidence that there is a much higher rate of cancer, neurological and other health problems today than in years past (before massive amounts of synthetic chemicals and preservatives were routinely added to health and beauty products)? Probably not!

I was so excited to discover the Environmental Working Group's cosmetics database. It's so cool! You can look up a particular product or an ingredient and find out if there are health risks associated with them. I'm a pretty cynical consumer and I question almost everything. That's why I love that the database is completely unbiased and research based. I was shocked to find out some of the main ingredients in Johnson's bedtime wash and lotion, which is what I used on Emma for a few months (I LOVE the way it smells!), are toxic and linked to developmental/reproductive toxicity, allergies/immunotoxicity and neurotoxicity, Endocrine disruption, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Miscellaneous, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Enhanced skin absorption, Contamination concerns, Occupational hazards, Biochemical or cellular level changes . Wow! That's a lot of concerns!

Not to mention the ingredient list. In the past few years, I've changed my diet to include more whole foods, organic produce and simple ingredient meals. When buying packaged foods, a good rule to follow is: the simpler, the better. It never really occurred to me to read the ingredient list on the soap and lotion I was using on my baby, but of course I should have been doing it! Baby's skin is so much more sensitive and porous, absorbing almost everything put on it, than adults. That's why it is so important to read labels and choose products wisely. I'm happy to report that I'm now an avid label reader for EVERYTHING concerning my child and I've switched to all natural, organic bath and body products. Not only do I feel better about this change, but my daughter doesn't have skin issues, like yeast infections, anymore.

Just compare the ingredient lists of Johnson's bedtime wash to that of another popular organic children's hair and body wash:

Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate, Sodium Trideceth Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Fragrance, Glycol Distearate, Glycerin, Laureth-4, Lauryl Methyl Gluceth-10, Hydroxypropyldimonium Chloride, Tetrasodium EDTA, Quaternium-15, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe barbadensis Leaf Juice.

Saponified Cocos nucifera (organic coconut) oil, Saponified Olea europaea (organic olive) oil, Aloe barbadensis (organic aloe) leaf juice, Vanilla planifolia (organic vanilla) bean extract, Citrus sinensis (organic orange) oil, Kosher vegetable glycerin, Potassium citrate, Butyrospermun parkii (organic shea) butter, Calendula officinalis (organic calendula) extract

I would much rather use the product whose ingredients I can actually pronounce and know what they are. There is even a warning on the Johnson's bottle: "Keep out of reach of children. Do not use without consulting a doctor if child has asthma or allergies or if there is a family history of either. Serious breathing problems could occur." Yikes!

While I actually switched to all natural products a while ago, I've had a stash of Johnson's in the closet. Today is the day I'm setting it all free.

I didn't want to give it up because I just LOVED the way it smelled and I hate wasting, but I didn't want to use it because of all the health risks/concerns. So, it's just been sitting in the closet. I gave it all away to my neighbor (who also loves the way it smells). I don't judge and I realize that millions (I'd guess) of people use Johnson's products and most are probably just fine. But, It's just not the right choice for my family.

I'd encourage all parents to read labels and use the EWG's cosmetic database for products relating to your children. What do you have to loose?

Happily? a SAHM

2010-08-30T22:18:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I almost hate to admit it and feel a little weird talking about it, but it's good to get your feelings out, right?! I am a stay at home mom, but that wasn't the plan. It's a long story, but basically I was planing on taking the usual 3 months maternity leave and then going back to my job as a mental health social worker, leaving my daughter in the care of my neighbor (who is the mother of Emma's little boyfriend). She's now 18 months (wow, still can't believe it!) old and I'm still at home with her. I even take care of my one-year-old nephew at our home a few days/week also!
I went to state college for five years, yes, five, don't laugh! There's a good reason, I promise. I switched majors after sophomore year and to a double major, that's why it took so long. Then I worked as a preschool teacher for a year and decided that I really wanted to do something in the psychology field, so I went to graduate school for an MA in counseling psychology. So, about $50,000 of debt, two degrees and a teaching certificate later: what am I doing? Changing diapers, doing laundry, playing w/play-doh and watching Yo Gabba Gabba, of course! Isn't that what every MA does? Seriously, though lately I've been really struggling to define just who I am and just what my true purpose is.
I love my daughter more than anything in the world and absolutely love being the one who gets to teach her how to eat, walk, sleep, share, love, play....just exist. There is nothing in the world that compares to being a mom. It's the most amazing feeling knowing that my body grew and birthed an actual human being, if you think about it, it's quite mind blowing. Praise God!! All that being said, there are still some people who use phrases such as: "you're JUST a mom.", "oh, so you don't work then" and other ones that devalue motherhood. This drives me nuts and, even though I don't like to admit it, makes me (just a teeny, tiny bit) question how important being a stay at home mom really is.
I really am the biggest advocate for staying at home with your child(ren) that there is, but I don't judge or look down upon women who work outside of the home. After all, it was my plan all along. Each woman and family has to do what is best for her/them. I'm just not quite sure what the best thing for my family is. I really, really try to not be resentful, but sometimes find myself frustrated with our situation.
Going from a two income, abruptly down to a one income family was tough and we're still adjusting! I worry that stressing over money will affect my daughter. Maybe she'd be happier is I was working and we didn't have to be so frugal. Then again, it's probably not the best thing for a child to have everything in the world that they want. See...this is the mental ping-pong that goes on in my mind daily.
So, for the moment, I've given up looking for work and fully devoted myself to being the best mom I can. I do still have days when I miss the working world and having extra money to be able to go out to dinner and movies. But, nothing can compare to seeing my daughter's beautiful, smiling face and hear her laughter every day!
I would love to hear from you other moms. Am I the only one who feels this way????

Cozy Baby Boutique winner!!!

2010-08-29T20:57:00.000-07:00

The winner of the $15 store credit to Cozy Baby Boutique is:

comment number 11, Njos Family said...

I would love to have a farm Puzzle Block Set.

Congratulations! You've been emailed and have 48 hours to respond before I have to choose another winner.

Have you heard about this????

2010-08-26T20:51:00.000-07:00

Do you like entering giveaways? A lot, like I do?! Or, maybe you have your own giveaway blog and have trouble finding places to list your giveaways. As a blogger new to the review and giveaway circuit, I know that exposure is super important and it can be difficult to get the exposure needed to make giveaways successful.
Giveaway scout is an awesome new search engine that scans hundreds of blog for the latest giveaways, contests and sweepstakes. You can search categories or use the search box to look for specific items and sign up for email alerts when new giveaways are posted. Giveaways are published in multiple forums (newsletter, twitter, facebook, widgets).

Or, if you have a giveaway blog, you can use this form to submit your blog to their database. Pretty cool, huh! I highly recommend you check it out.

Zoku Quick Pop maker review

2010-08-24T22:49:00.000-07:00

There's still a little bit of summer left and what better treat is there than a healthy, frozen one on a hot day. Popsicles are a great way to cool down when it's hot out, but most store bought ones are full of sugar, corn syrup and other not-so-good for you ingredients. My step-mother gave me the Zoku quick pop maker when Emma was teething so I could make her homemade popsicles to ease the pain and it's been an awesome gadget!

It makes homemade pops in about 7 minutes, right on the kitchen counter, with out electricity. The possibilities are endless: you could make all kinds of healthy, fresh concoctions. I love it! You just put the whole unit into the freezer for about 24 hours, take it out, put the sticks in and fill it up to the fill line. So far, I've only used the quick pop maker with juice, but you can use almost anything and get really creative:

Don't these just look so yummy?! One of these days I'll get a little more adventurous and make some of these really cool stripey pops. You can even make flavored core pops, like creamsicles. And it really is so simple. I made some refreshing pops out of Santa Cruz organic lemonade the other day.

The Zoku makes 3 pops at a time, but can make 9 total until you have to put it back in the freezer. Each unit comes with six sticks and drip guards, one super tool (used to remove the pops from the freezing unit) and a recipe book. And it really does take only 7 minutes!

When the pops are frozen, just use the super tool to remove the sticks from the frozen unit and then eat 'em :)

You can buy the Zoku here. As of right now, the quick pop maker is the only product from this company but they promise more innovative inventions coming soon. I can't wait!

Toddler Tuesday

2010-08-24T21:33:00.000-07:00

I swore I wasn't going to let my kid(s) watch TV before they turned 2, and even then only very rarely. However, my husband introduced Emma to Yo Gabba Gabba and it quickly became her favorite show (actually, it's the only show I let her watch). It's kind of their thing and really cute. Almost as soon as daddy gets home, Emma says: "gabba gabba!". They sit on the couch together and watch, sing and dance. It's actually a pretty good show and I guess I don't mind if she watches it a couple times a week.
This is what she did the other day:

It's kind of disturbing to see my 18 month old daughter using the remote control correctly, but I love to see her so happy! :)

I LOVE Trader Joe's!!

2010-08-06T21:51:00.000-07:00

How much money do you think I paid for all this?

These are my groceries for the next week and a half. I was good this week. I made a menu, a shopping list and then went shopping. I even got a couple big ticket items, like cheese (why in the world is cheese so darn expensive?!), wine and a gallon of organic whole milk ($5.70, I think this was the most expensive thing I bought). I've really been working hard at stretching our dollars latley because, well, we just don't have that many of them.

When I first heard of Trader Joe's I thought there would be no way I could afford to shop at such a cool store, but I was wrong! It's pretty much the only place I shop for our groceries because of a few reasons: it's affordable, their store brand is actually really good, they have a huge selection of ethnic foods and almost everything in the store is natural/organic. The atmosphere is also really fun, the workers are helpful and friendly and they are awesome baggers. Seriously, these guys and gals can really pack a bag, they are so efficient. My cart was filled to the brim, with a few items up front, next to my daughter and the bagger got it all into 4 bags!

Trader Joe's allows me to feed my family organic without going broke. I love it! I hope you have a Trader Joe's near you because you'll love it. If you've never been there before, check it out, I promise you won't be dissapointed. Oh yeah, how much did I spend? $107, not bad huh?!

**I was not compensated in any way for this post. I think everyone should know about Trader Joe's.

Cozy Baby Boutique $15 store credit giveaway!

2010-08-02T23:32:00.000-07:00

I absolutely love that most cloth diaper related companies have been started by real moms who are so passionate about what they do, and most of these moms remain actively and visibly involved in their companies. Being a one-income family means that I have to make every dollar count and I love investing in companies that share the same passion for cloth diapering and natural/green products that I do!

I had the pleasure of meeting Ann-Marie Speirs, owner of Cozy Baby Boutique. This awesome mama runs an online and real life baby boutique focused on cloth diapers, babywearing and a few other eco-friendly toys and other products. I love that her store has a specific focus and not 10 million different products. I get really overwhelmed when a site or store is difficult to navigate because there are so many different types of products. She has a great selection of cloth diapering and babywearing items and both Ann-Marie and her assistant, Amy, are so helpful and really know their stuff!

Anne-Marie is such a sweetheart and an absolute joy to work with and talk to. The Cozy Baby Boutique store is local (for me anyway), in Woodinville, Washington. It resides within Tot Spot Cafe, a really cool drop-in play place for kids and cafe/meet up for parents. If you're coming into the cafe just to shop, your kids can play for free!

Ann-Marie began using modern cloth diapers back when they were pretty new, so she's been around to see the fluffy evolution first hand! She was so psyched about cloth diapers that she began lending her daughter's diapers out to friends and new mamas at a local hospital. Her passion led her to selling cloth diapers and baby carriers, as well as offering "cloth 101" and babywearing workshops and private consultations. She also works to educate health care, labor and birth professionals on the benefits of cloth diapers. How cool is that?! I wish I had know about her when Emma was first born! Ann-Marie's dedication to cloth diapering and babywearing is inspiring. And get this, she's a founding member of the RDiA. What an amazing woman!

Ann-Marie was kind enough to give me a Planet Wise Wet/Dry bag for review purposes. I was super excited because I've been drooling over these since they first came on the scene. I love that I can use one bag to store both the clean and dirty diapers. It's big enough to hold a days worth of diapers and I can use it by itself or put it in the diaper bag. Perfect for play dates and short trips out, I just love it! You can buy your own Wet/Dry bag from Cozy Baby Boutique here.

Ann-Marie is offering one of my readers a $15 store credit for you to use to buy anything you want, isn't that cool?! You could get this really cool, recycled plastic chef set. Or a set of reuseable sandwich and snack bags . Or put it towards your favorite cloth diaper or baby carrier!

How to enter

Each action counts as one entry unless otherwise stated. Leave a separate comment for each entry and please include your email address. You must complete the mandatory entry before you are eligible for any other entries.

**Mandatory Entry**

Go to Cozy Baby Boutique, look around, come back here and tell me another product (not mentioned here)that she carries that you would love to have. Of course, if you live locally, you can also go into the store and meet Ann-Marie for yourself. I would highly recommend doing that anyway! :)

Extra Entries

*Follow me publicly through google friend connect-counts as 3 entries! Leave 3 separate comments.
*Subscribe to my blog by email, through feedburner
*Grab my button and tell me where it is posted
*Blog about this giveaway, link back to my site and leave me the URL of your blog
*Like Cozy Baby Boutique on Facebook
*Rate Cozy Baby Boutique on Diaperpin
*Rate Cozy Baby Boutique on Thebabywearer.com
*Make a purchase at Cozy Baby Boutique anytime during this giveaway, come back here and tell me what you bought

****This giveaway will end Monday August 16. Winner will be drawn by an online random number generator and will be notified by email. Winner must respond to my email within 48 hours or a new winner will be drawn. This giveaway is open to US residents.

Good luck!!

I was provided a Planet Wise wet/dry bag for review purposes. All opinions written in this post are my own.

CSN Stores $20 winner!

2010-07-30T22:25:00.000-07:00

Random.org picked number 35

Congratulations to Camille of Life and Times of the Sullivan Family!

Winner has been notified and has 48 hours to respond to my email until a new winner is chosen.

Fluff Talk Thursday: Cloth Diapering on a Tight Budget

2010-07-22T23:32:00.000-07:00

Thanks again to Beth over at Happily Domestic for hosting Fluff Talk. Such a great resource for us cloth diapering parents.

One sure conversation starter is to mention that you use cloth diapers. I've found that people react one of two ways. It's either something like, "Wow, you're brave." and "Really? Gross!" Or, the more rare (but my favorite), "Cool! Me too!! What's your favorite?" When I'm in a discussion with a parent who hasn't used cloth and the topic comes to cost, they often look shocked when I tell them the price of one diaper. I always have to explain that, yes, $15-25 for one diaper can be expensive, BUT you have to keep in mind that (if taken well care of) you can use that one diaper over and over. It's well worth the money!

I've often found that one reason people choose not to cloth diaper is because of the potentially high start up cost. It can be difficult to come up with two to four hundred dollars all at once to put up for diapers. Or, as in my case, convincing my husband that we should spend that much money on diapers all at once. By they way, it took a lot of convincing and deal making, but we did eventually come to an agreement and I now have a pretty decent stash.

My advice for starting up a stash as financially painless as possible:

Prefolds and covers! While this is not my favorite option, it's the one I started with and it works! Prefolds are cheap. In my case, I was lucky and found a big bag of about 40 of them at a thrift store in Missouri for $5! They were really thick and worked great under my Thirsties and Bummis covers. You will need quite a few prefolds, but just a few covers, as they can be wiped out and reused until baby poops.
Enter giveaways. There are a ton of mommy bloggers who review and giveaway diapers, myself included. I won my Katydid this way and I love that diaper! There are also many online cloth diaper stores which host giveaways weekly. Kellys Closet is one of them. These sites also run deals all the time. I got 6 brand new, pink, Bum Genius all in ones for $106 on a closeout deal. I was really proud of that one!
Along the same lines as entering giveaways, look for deals. This takes some time and effort, but it's definitely worth it! I'm constantly looking for sale and clearance diapers. Most every cloth diaper site has a sale or clearance section. I've also found pretty good deals on gently used diapers. If you buy one or two diapers at a time and build your stash slowly, you can save a ton of money.
Take good care of your diapers! The longer your diapers last, the less of them you'll need to buy. You'll especially want to take good care of your diapers if you want to use them for more than one child. And, yes, that is very possible. I use Rockin Green detergent for all my diapers, hang my covers and throw the inserts in the dryer. When the sun's out, I put everything outside and it comes in so fresh and white! Just imagine the savings over disposables if you were able to use a stash for two babies!
If all else fails, make friends with a cloth diapering mama and let her know you'd be happy to take her stash off her hands when she's done with it :)

I know there are other and better ways to build a good stash for little money, but these methods worked for me. I truly plan to use my diapers on another child, if one should come along. I haven't done the actual math for this scenario, but I'm sure the savings will be tremendous!

CSN stores $20 giveaway!

2010-07-21T15:44:00.000-07:00

Do you like online shopping? Do you like finding everything you need in one place? Then you really should check out CSN stores! There are over 200 stores you can shop from and find anything. Seriously. Anything from bedding and barbecues to dog beds and dining room sets! Plus, everything in between.

How would you like to have $20 to spend any way you'd like at any one of CSN's stores? They have generously offered one of my readers a $20 credit to use for whatever they'd like. How cool is that?! I have to say, this is one of the coolest sites ever. They layout is very user friendly, neat and easy to read, you can find anything you want quick and easy. I also really like that you can browse by category, brand, pattern, style or sale items. I love it!

If you would like the chance to win this great prize head on over to CSN stores and leave me a comment letting me know what you would love to spend 20 dollars on or what you would put it toward.

How to enter

Each action counts as one entry unless otherwise stated. Leave a separate comment for each entry and please include your email address. You must complete the mandatory entry before you are eligible for any other entries.

**Mandatory Entry**

Make sure you complete the mandatory entry, which is to visit CSN stores and let me know what you would spend 20 dollars on.

Extra Entries

•Follow me publicly through google friend connect-counts as 3 entries! Leave 3 separate comments.

•Subscribe to my blog through email

•Grab my button and tell me where it is posted

•Blog about this giveaway, link back to my site and leave me the URL of your blog

This giveaway will end Friday, July 30, 2010. Winner will be drawn by an online random number generator and will be notified by email. Winner must respond to my email within 48 hours or a new winner will be drawn. This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents. Must be 18 years old or older to win.

Good luck!!

Smartipants winner!

2010-07-16T14:16:00.000-07:00

Congratulations!
Random.org picked number 210, Katie S, and she said...

I follow you publicly via Google Friend #3

The winner has been contacted and will have 48 to respond to my email before another winner will be drawn.

Wordless Wednesday: Grilled cheese and tomato soup, yum!

2010-07-14T13:57:00.000-07:00

Toddler Tuesday-watering the garden with daddy

2010-07-13T14:43:00.000-07:00

Emma LOVES helping. Really, though, what toddler doesn't? It's actually a very nice distraction when we can find something for her to help with, plus she's learning and building confidence. I needed some time without toddler under my feet the other day so I could clean the kitchen. So I sent her outside with daddy to help water the garden. This was during the heat wave so she's just wearing her sandals and organic, all in one, pink bum genius (we love these diapers!).

I cleaned my kitchen in 14 minutes! - Streamlining your cleaning

2010-07-11T22:39:00.000-07:00

So, why should you care? I know I'm a dork, but I actually think about things like how to make cleaning more efficient. I love cleaning. Before I was a mother, I could spend hours and hours cleaning. Cleaning was my passion and I was very thorough! It wasn't unheard of for me to be up until the wee hours of the morning on a weekend reorganizing the junk drawer or taking apart the fans and scrubbing them clean.

I'm still passionate about cleaning, but now that I have a daughter, my focus has shifted somewhat. Of course I think having a clean and orderly home is important in raising children. I was raised in a VERY messy and chaotic home (my mother is a hoarder) and know how difficult it is to function in an environment like that. I don't want that for my daughter! But, I also don't want to spend so much time cleaning the house that I end up neglecting her. I struggle sometimes to find a good balance. So, I've actually been thinking about how to make cleaning more efficient. Specifically, my kitchen.

My kitchen is kind of a thorn in my side. Being a stay at home mom and preparing all the meals for our family, I spend a lot of time in the kitchen and it gets really messy. One huge pet peeve of mine is waking up to a dirty kitchen. The kitchen MUST be clean before I go to bed. The last thing I want to have to do after getting my daughter up from 12 hours of sleep is to tell her she has to wait another half hour so I can have some workable space in the kitchen to make her breakfast. She wakes up super thirsty and hungry, demanding a banana ("nana") immediately.

The only real "me" time I get is after 8, when my daughter goes to bed. I had been spending up to an hour cleaning the kitchen, which meant I wouldn't even be able to sit down until 9. So, in order to have more time for me in the evening, and honestly, to watch Big Brother, I came up with a plan to hopefully help me get the kitchen cleaned quicker but still thorough. Approach it methodically, I though! Here's what worked for me:

1. gather all the trash and recyclables and put them in their containers, we also collect food scraps in the bucket to be put in the yard waste bin
2. throw all the dishes in the sink (to be rinsed and put in the dishwasher in a minute)
3. packed up all the leftovers and put them in the fridge along with the condiments and milk
4. put dishes in the dishwasher and/or hand wash
5. wipe counters
6. sweep/vacuum and spot clean the floor (yes, I do this every night)
It might sound simple, but before I was dashing around picking up trash, washing a dish, wiping a counter...etc But, using the above method I was able to clean my kitchen in 14 minutes (and we even barbecued and ate outside)! There's not many other household chores I can do in under 15 minutes.
Take it or leave it, hope it helps someone!

Friday Blog hop!

2010-07-09T12:21:00.000-07:00

This blog hop is hosted by Melissa at Home Grown Families and Nicole at Mama to 3 blessings. Join me in following them and finding more blog friends!

How to join in on the fun:

Add your main blog link to our McLinky, follow the hostesses in the first 2 spots (Home Grown Families and Mama to 3 Blessings) and then start blog hopping! This is a great opportunity for you to visit other blogs on the link up and comment on their blogs! Take a few moments to follow their blog! - this is a great way to get to know one another! Please only enter your blog link ONE time and G rated links ONLY please. Home Grown Families and Mama to 3 Blessings are family friendly blogs.

When people comment on your blog please let them know that you are part of Friday Blog Hop then return the favor and follow them back! This way everyone gets blog traffic and followers out of participating! Please feel free to grab our Friday Blog Hop button and add it to your blog and spread the word! The more who link up the the bigger the blog hop!

Fluff Talk Thursday-ammonia, ewwww

2010-07-08T14:30:00.000-07:00

I'm very excited to get tips and advice from other cloth diapering mothers through participation in Fluff Talk Thursday, over at Happily Domestic. Link up to share you best cloth diapering advice/tips/solutions and get some from other mamas. Thanks, Beth, for hosting this great resource!

Like many other cd mamas, I've battled the ammonia blues before. The biggest problem time by far is night time! My daughter sleeps 10-12 hours and is a SUPER heavy wetter, seriously, this girl's diaper must weigh around 3 pounds in the morning. I'm afraid I'm gonna make a hole in the floor from dropping her diaper to the ground in the same spot every morning. As soon as I walk into her room in the morning I get a big whiff of the wonderful aroma.

Even though I pretty much only use Bum Genius at night, which have a stay dry liner, my daughter's skin has been affected ammonia burn. My daughter also has issues with yeast (and that's a whole other post!), but one product I've found that works great for pretty much any bottom issue is Earth Mama Angel Baby's Baby Bottom Balm. And, a BIG plus, it's organic, all natural and cloth diaper safe!!! I also give my daughter some diaper-free naked time at night, after bath time to help air things out. Sometimes I'll use a fitted, natural fabrics are best, without a cover during the day and change often. Airing out the bottom is probably the best thing you can do to help it heal from ammoina burn.

For the ammonia smell issues, my best suggestions are Rockin Green detergent and sunning. I can't say enough good things about Rockin Green (you can look through my past posts for more than a couple praises about it). Soaking my diapers, and wipes, don't forget about them, once in a while and washing regularly in RnG has almost completley wiped out the ammonia stink problem for me. Sunning (line drying your diapers outside) your diapers will help keep them stain-free and smelling fresh. The UV rays of the sun are also know to help kill bacteria, the main cause of bad odor! I live in Western Washington and we don't have a ton of sunny days, but I put my diapers out every opportunity I get, even in the winter!!! It's not the heat from the sun that's helpful (although it will help the diapers dry quicker), it's the UV rays that have the bacteria killing power. I've read that UV rays can even reach the diapers on overcast days, and we have plenty of those here.

I can't wait to read other mama's suggestions!

Fourth of July

2010-07-07T17:15:00.000-07:00

This was Emma's second 4th of July but last year she was so little that she didn't really know what was going on. Gosh, a lot changes in a year!
My parents always have people over to their house and have lots of food and a TON of big, reservation fireworks. We didn't go over there last year because Emma was only 5 months old and I was in the midst of transitioning her from her Amby bed to her own crib and I was (actually still am) really strict about her sleep schedule. Since they don't start setting the fireworks off until after dark, if we had stayed that would mean we wouldn't get home until long after Emma's bedtime.
I'm still a nap/sleep Nazi and was super nervous about letting her stay up late and watch fireworks, but my husband seemed to think it was fine so we stayed. I had actually told my mom that we would only come over for a little bit and leave before firework time. I'm really glad we did stay, though because Emma was just so cute about it.
My husband laid her on his chest and they snuggled under a blanket while she laughed, clapped and signed "more". I was worried that keeping her up late would throw off her whole schedule, but it didn't and she's just fine. In my defense, though, most of the reason I'm so strict about her schedule is because I worked really hard to set it up almost from the day we brought Emma home from the hospital. She was such an easy baby, sleeping 8 hours at night from the time she was 6 weeks old, and now is an easy toddler. She's easy going, mellow and predictably (unless she's sick or teething) sleeps 10-12 hours at night and 1-3 hours during the day for her nap. I attribute that to keeping her on a schedule, not wavering unless absolutely necessary. Oh my, I almost forgot....this post is about the fourth of July, not sleeping schedules, anyway...
With all that said, we had a great time at my parent's house, eating and watching fireworks. It was all worth it to see Emma having so much fun.
She hasn't stopped talking about it since. When we ask her about the fireworks, she says: "pshhhh" and waves her arms around. Then she covers her ears (my husband was covering her ears during the show). See what I mean here:

Awesome Homemaking event at HappilyDomestic!

2010-07-01T14:53:00.000-07:00

Here's an event definitely worth checking out! My bloggy friend, Beth, who runs the blog HappilyDomestic, is having a "Joys of Homemaking" event to celebrate her one year blogiversary on July 17th. She's got some great prizes lined up and promises to teach us moms and homemakers some useful skills. I know I could definitely use some cool products to make life at home easier, how about you? Check it out!

Toddler Tuesday: Water fun!

2010-06-29T15:20:00.000-07:00

It's summer time, and I'm really excited because Emma's at a really fun age and we'll be able to a lot more activities this year. Last summer was nice, she was 4-6 months old and didn't mind being toted around, but this year she actually plays! And I love finding fun activities to entertain her. Here she is playing in the pool with her little boyfriend!

Smartipants Diaper Review and Giveaway!

2010-06-27T23:31:00.000-07:00

Even before I was pregnant I began thinking about using cloth diapers. But thinking was really all I did for a while, after all between 2 baby showers and a huge diaper cake, we didn't end up having to buy diapers for a couple months because we had so many disposables. And I must say, my husband was not nearly as excited as I was about switching to cloth and would insist that if I wanted to use cloth, I was on my own. Nevertheless, I was determined.

So I admit that I didn't start using cloth until Emma was 6 months old and even then I could only afford to buy a few covers, which I used with prefolds that I found at a thrift store while secretly dreaming of a big, fluffy stash of pocket diapers and AIO's. Cloth diapering does require a larger upfront investment than disposables, and that can be really scary. Once I got over it, though, it was totally worth it!! The first pocket diapers I ever bought were a 3 pack of Smartipants, I never looked back, I was hooked. At that time Smartipants were relatively new on the market and lots of moms were raving about them, including one of my good friends (who lovingly pushed me into and reminded me of my desire to use cloth diapers). I checked out their website and loved what I saw, especially the price ($14.95 per diaper or $39.95 per 3 pack), so I ordered a girl color 3 pack right away. You can read my post about it here.

These diapers really stand up to wear. When I first started using them, and for about 3 months, they were pretty much my whole stash because I didn't really care for prefolds and covers, so I was washing every day! I've been using the 3 original diapers for about 10 months now and they still function perfectly and look awesome.
Here is the same pink Smartipants diaper on Emma at about 8 months old:

and currently, at 16 months old. She's about 25 pounds and still on the second snap setting, so they will most likely still fit when we start potty training. That makes them a great investment!

I can say with 100% honesty that the only regret I have regarding cloth diapering is that I didn't start sooner. And Smartipants are the perfect diaper for a first timer! They are so easy to use and wash, they're onesize (which means they'll fit a baby from birth to potty training), easily adjustable and the insert comes out on it's own in the wash (my favorite feature!). Even my husband had to admit that it wasn't as bad as he thought it would be.
Smartipants feature:

Leak guard technology, a unique "smart sleeve" that keeps the insert in place and keeps moisture from seeping out of the diaper
a super-thirsty microfiber insert that agitates out of the diaper on it's own in the wash
a waterproof outer layer=no cover required!
soft, microfleece lining that wicks moisture away from baby's skin and cleans up so easily!
gentle elastic along the legs and waist, helping to contain even the messiest of "business" (and they have definitely been put to the test on Emma)
snap closure and one-size adjustment
a really neat wrap up and store feature which allows you to wrap up the soiled diaper, fold the wings in and snap 'em together. This is so handy for when you're out and forgot the wetbag. Just wrap it up, snap it and toss it in the diaper bag.

Soon after my initial experience with Smartipants, I bought more and they now make up about a third of my stash, I just love them, they are the perfect daytime diaper! I think every parent should be using Smartipants, so one of my lucky readers is going to win a Smartipants onesize diaper in the color of his/her choice!!

How to enter
Each action counts as one entry unless otherwise stated. Leave a separate comment for each entry and please include your email address. You must complete the mandatory entry before you are eligible for any other entries.

**Mandatory Entry**
Visit Smartipants, then come back here and tell me which color you would choose if you won. Please leave your email address in your comment or make sure it's visible on your website/blog so I can contact you!

Extra Entries

Follow me publicly through google friend connect-counts as 3 entries! Leave 3 separate comments.
Subscribe to my blog through email
Grab my button and tell me where it is posted
Blog about this giveaway, link back to my site and leave me the URL

This giveaway will end Friday, July 16, 2010. Winner will be drawn by an online random number generator and will be notified by email. Winner must respond to my email within 48 hours or a new winner will be drawn. This giveaway is open to US residents ONLY. Must be 18 years old or older to win.

Good luck!!

Friday blog hop!

2010-06-25T22:37:00.000-07:00

I love blog hops! They are such a great way to "meet" new people. I've learned so much from blogging. The community of mom bloggers is so welcoming and friendly, there really is a place for everyone! I'm currently in the process of becoming a reviewer and beginning to host giveaways. Please consider following me and/or subscribing, the more followers I get, the better giveaways I can do! Oh yeah, and grab my button, too. My husband worked real hard on it.

Her first boo-boo

2010-06-16T21:57:00.000-07:00

Emma tripped and fell on the pavement the other day and suffered her first bloody, scraped knee. :( Guess what? She didn't even cry! Just got up and kept going, she's a girl on a mission! I didn't even know she had actually drawn blood until quite a bit later because she didn't complain at all. My daughter is so brave!

Look at her, looking like a big girl, having a snack on the deck. She REALLY looks like her dad in this picture.

Wordless Wednesday: Beautiful!

2010-06-16T21:47:00.000-07:00

That's MY daughter!!

Super spring cleaning

2010-05-26T13:54:00.000-07:00

If you know me personally, you know that I'm a CLEAN FREAK!!! I take spring cleaning literally and it lasts all spring. It's a great excuse for me to get to all the little projects I've been meaning to do all year. A few days ago, I pulled the stove out and cleaned behind and under it. The dried food bits between the stove top and the counter were really bugging me and I couldn't get at 'em. Of course I do all the normal stuff, but I also do things like this:

I completely take apart my vacuum attachments and clean them thoroughly. My husband thinks it's funny and always says: "Oh no!" when I tell him I've taken something apart because sometimes I have to have help putting it back together. I try to reach every nook and cranny in the house. I also make most of my own cleaners out of natural ingredients. I use my vacuum a lot, it feels so gratifying sucking up dirt, dust and grime. I absolutely hate dusting, but using my vacuum makes it a little easier and faster.

What is your spring cleaning advice?

We won!

2010-05-05T20:45:00.000-07:00

I love following other mom bloggers. A lot of them do product reviews and give away prizes. Recently I was fortunate enough to win a really cool prize: four homemade baby doll cloth diapers from one of my blogger friends, Beth, at Happily Domestic. Her blog is so awesome, she has all sorts of ideas for SAHM's like me. I was inspired by her weekly menu posts to start doing my own again. She recently hosted The Great Girl Event and personally sewed these these totally cute baby doll diapers to give away as one of the prizes!
Emma and I were really excited, here's how it played out:

"Look, Emma, a package for us!"

"Mom, what are these?"

"Mom! Open 'em!"

"What the heck, these will never fit me."

"See, that's how you do it."

"Oh, OK, I got it now"

"Please!" *see her signing it

She's an old pro now.

Thanks so much, Beth!

Emma is four months old!

2010-05-05T20:16:00.000-07:00

**I know this is about 11 months overdue, but I was just editing posts and saw that it was still unpublished.

Emma had her four month doctor appointment today. She is 25 inches long and weighs 13 pounds. The doctor said that she is "the perfect specimen", so that was good to hear. Much to my delight, she only cried for a few seconds after getting her shot. She has quite the personality now, smiles and laughs all the time. She's rolling all over the place, as soon as I put her down on her back, she flips to her tummy. She's holding her head up and pushing up with her arms. She's grabbing for things and getting much better at holding her toys, she's even figured out how to grab the pacifier and take it out of her mouth and examine it. She's been trying some new foods, she had a Popsicle for the first time last week and licked on a piece of watermelon, it was pretty funny! We also tried rice cereal for the first time today and she loved it!

It's Friday Follow time again!

2010-04-16T21:22:00.000-07:00

I'm Tamara, a SAHM of a 14 month old little girl. Just taking it day by day. I hope you take a moment to check out my blog.

Welcome to the April 16 Friday Follow celebration hosted by One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families and Midday Escapades! We invite you to join us every Friday to get more blog followers and to follow other interesting blogs. It is all about sharing and having fun.

Here's how YOU can join the Friday Follow celebration:
•* Link up your blog name and URL using the MckLinky below. Only need to add on one blog to be seen on all the blog hops.
•* Grab the Friday Follow button and include on your Friday Follow blog post.
•* Follow the Friday Follow hostesses listed in the first 3 slots.
•* Follow as many other blogs on the linky as you'd like
•* Take a moment to comment on the blogs telling them you're from Friday Follow
•* Follow back when you get a new follower through Friday Follow
The list is new each week. The links do not carry over. Please link up each week for new participants to find your blogs. The list is only open to add your blog links on Fridays. It will be visible all week to visit the blogs listed.

The great Orange Glo debacle

2010-04-15T20:32:00.000-07:00

Never, I repeat, never, ever use orange glo hardwood floor cleaner. Of course, if you like having streaky, cloudy looking floors then go right ahead! For me, this was truly a case of "the grass is always greener..." because my floors were just fine. I had always cleaned with my Shark steam mop, which uses only water to clean and sanitize! But, I guess I thought they could be even shinier (wood floors, at least the type I have are not meant to be super shiny), so I tried the Orange Glo floor refinisher that came with a dust mop I bought. After applying the product, the floor looked awesome and super shiny. Things went awry (sp?) the next time I went to clean the floor. I used my steam mop as usual and began to notice a greenish-gray filmy gunk collecting in front of the mop. It took me a minute to figure out that it was the film left behind by the orange glo. Gross!
I did some research and found out that there is nothing but negative talk about orange glo and many people are saying the same thing: "why is this product still allowed on the market?". I couldn't even believe the amount of negative reviews out there! Apparently many a wood floor has been ruined by this product. Why oh why did I not do the research first?? I was definitley kicking myself. The orange glo website even recommends using ammonia to strip floors of their product!
So, I got on my hands and knees with a bucket of ammonia and a rag and went to work. I could actually see the film coming up off the floor as I scrubbed. I really try to keep the cleaning projects I use safe and earth friendly, so I really hated to use such a strong chemical, but I wanted to get the floor back to it's regular state as quickly as possible and everyone said ammonia and water is the best way. I thik it'll take a couple more cleanings, but the floor is on it's way to being film-free.
What's the lesson here: if things are working fine, don't bother changing the routine! I don't know what I was thinking, but I'll never stray from my steam mop again!

The big 3-1!

2010-04-07T21:05:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I originally planned to have this post done before my birthday, but, darn it! life gets in the way of my blogging. A day late, but here it is:

So, I'm turning 31 in a few days. I remember when I was younger and thinking that 30 sounded so old, but now that I'm here, it's nothing like I thought it would be. I don't really feel old, but I do feel like I've accomplished a lot. I also feel like this is the beginning of a new season of my life. On my thirtieth birthday last year, Emma was exactly 2 months old. My twenties were all about education, exploration and finding out who I am. I graduated college, lived by myself, had a couple serious relationships, tried a few careers, met my husband and got married. Obviously, my thirties are going to be about parenting, putting everything I've learned to use and hopefully raising a wonderful human being (and maybe a few more). I began my thirties with a newborn and in honor of my 31st birthday, I thought I would record 31 ways my life has changed/things I've realized since becoming a parent.

1. me time? what the heck is that?
2. I consider the day successful if I've showered and brushed my teeth
3. sometimes I find myself looking forward to an interaction with that annoying neighbor just to have some adult interaction
4. instead of putting a lunch order in for lucky dragon, I eat soggy peas and pasta off of Emma's tray
5. I never thought I could love someone so much and so unconditionally!
6. baby wipes are awesome and are very multipurpose
7. 6 hours of sleep, in a row is now exciting, not necessary
8. coffee is my new, rediscovered best friend! Emma's first word was "hot" refering to my coffee cup ;)
9. the staircase becomes the most fascinating thing in the world to a toddler and the most terrifying thing to a parent.
10. I sometimes have trouble relating my non-parental friends
11. I have a lot more respect for my parents now, parenting is HARD!
12. I've never thought so much about the future in my whole life
13. recycling and "living green" have a real, visible purpose now
14. there's nothing more entertaining than a baby first discovering a mirror
15. I can now shower in 2 minutes flat!
16. naps are so awesome!!!!
17. naps are so aweseome, yes, it's worth putting down twice!
18. I've realized that there are so many things that I though were vital that are just so unimportant now, because NOTHING is as important as my child!
19. being a mommy IS a job, so yes, I do work
20. there really is no need to buy expensive, fancy toys when the box is just as (or even more) entertaining
21. when you become a mom, you automatically grow eyes in the back of your head
22. poop is really no big deal, and someitmes it's even exciting
23. a baby's feet are quite possibly the cutest things in the whole world! and I am NOT a feet person!!
24. all women are warriors, but women who've given birth are goddesses!!!
25. multi tasking is no longer a stressful, once-in-a-while thing, it's a way of life
26. forget about "my kid won't do that/act that way..." because they WILL, no matter what you do
27. you can read all the baby books, read all the blogs and talk to all the moms you want, but your baby is unique and you have to do what is right for you and your family
28. I find myself being both more judgemental and more understanding of other parents
29. however long you think you'll need to get ready and leave the house with your baby...triple it (at least)
30. mashed fruit is yummy
31. my baby is the cutest, smartest, funniest and most precious baby in the world!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ponytails!!!

2010-03-30T14:41:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited that Emma finally has enough hair to actually do something with! I mean, what's the use of having a girl if you can't dress her up and do her hair, right?! Little girls are so much fun!

A few of my cleaning ideas

2010-03-27T22:28:00.000-07:00

Ooh, cleaning tips, I love sharing cleaning tips! I'm constantly cleaning, I mean CONSTANTLY. With a much less than tidy husband, two chihuahuas, one cat and a 13 month old (I also have my 9 month old nephew a couple days/week), my house gets destroyed daily. Here are a few of my tips:

1. The thing I'm most picky about keeping clean is the floors. I vacuum at least every other day, both the carpet and wood. I have a light weight model vacuum in the kitchen, which I use to clean up after meals and I use a steam mop on the wood and linoleum. Steam mops are great because they don't use any chemicals and sanitize with just water.

2. I make my own all purpose cleaning spray and disinfectant. Did you know that tea tree oil and vinegar are natural disinfectants? Baking soda and borax are also great for getting rid of odors and scouring surfaces.

3. I use the brush hand attachment on my vacuum to dust many surfaces. It's a lot faster than other methods and doesn't just stir up and move around dust.

4. Baby wipes are awesome, I use them to wipe down the leather furniture. They are also great for dusting and wiping off toys.

5. A pumice stone is great for removing marks left on the porcelain sinks and toilet. I also use it clean the burners of my gas stove (which get really gross).

6. Clutter makes a clean house look dirty, so I try to keep my house as clutter free as possible. I only put out a few of Emma's toys at a time and rotate them. That way she's limited with the amount of mess she can make daily. I try not to let things like plastic bags, mail, and laundry pile up but take care of them frequently.

7. Every night, before I go to bed, I make sure that the kitchen is clean. There are never dirty dishes in the sink. I always rinse and put them in the dishwasher immediately after use. I also try to clean while I'm cooking instead of letting things pile up. I try not to let things pile up on the counters and make sure they are wiped down. That way, when I get up in the morning I can make breakfast for Emma without having to worry about cleaning up the kitchen first.

She's using the sign language against me!

2010-02-26T14:45:00.000-08:00

So, Emma is now pretty consistently using a few different signs. She uses the sign for "more" when she wants food, whether it's more or not. I don't typically give her cookies or junk food, but, my husband gave her a couple the other day and of course she loved them. Cirt was eating cookies last night and left the box out in the living room. When Emma and I came downstairs this morning, the very first thing she did was go directly to the cookies, bring them to her dad and sign "more". And, of course he gave her one. At 9am!!!! So much for all my efforts, he's such a softie!

I'm a Smarti-mom, are you?

2010-02-24T21:07:00.000-08:00

Can I just say, I LOVE Smartipants! They are my go-to diaper all day long. They fit my daughter perfectly, the insert has just the right amount of absorbency and agitates itself out of the cover in the wash. Plus, you can't beat the super cute colors or totally awesome price of $14.95! Wanna win a three pack of these awesome diapers? All you have to do is become a Facebook fan of Smartipants, which you should do anyway!!! I just checked, and they are at 879 fans right now, so hurry up because at 900, the fun begins!!!!

SMARTIPANTS TO REACH 900 FACEBOOK FANS 3-PACK GIVEAWAY IS OFFICIAL! Here is how to enter....

1. becoming a facebook fan or if you are already a facebook fan is one entry
2. following us on twitter at http://twitter.com/thesmartipants is another entry
3. blogging about thi...s giveaway and then leaving a link to your blog on our fan page here is one entry
4. blogging about this giveaway and then leaving a link to your blog on our twitter page is another entry
5. Re-tweeting about this giveaway is a 3rd entry

We will choose a winner from OUR FACEBOOK FAN BASE based on the above criteria when we reach 900 fans or more! Let's get there and GIVEAWAY SOME SMARTIPANTS!

The great girl event at Happily Domestic, yay!

2010-02-24T14:19:00.000-08:00

Do you have a little princess, like I do? Do you like buying really cute things for your little girl? Well, then, winning totally cute things for free would be even better!!! I'm so ecited about the great girl event over at Happily Domestic, one of the blogs that I follow. Not only is Beth an awesome mom blogger, she's hosting this totally cool event, during which, she'll be giving away some great prizes from some great companies. You should DEFINITLEY check it out:

Follow Friday Blog Hop

2010-02-19T13:55:00.000-08:00

This is my first ever attempt at this, so please bear with me. Feedback accepted and greatly appreciated!

In the interest of saving time and money.....

2010-02-15T11:20:00.001-08:00

Ever since becoming a stay at home mom a year ago, I've been doing everything I can to stretch our dollars and become more organized. A household runs much more smoothly if it's organized and neat. Of course, getting everyone on board is another task all together! I've always planned the weekly menu and made my shopping list from it, but now I'm going to try to take the extra step and actually PLAN out a weekly menu. What I mean is, I'll actually put thought into it, like: what would my family like to eat? how can I balance the meals so that they are healthy and yummy? I also have to plan around such things as days when I watch my nephew. I don't think I'll attempt to make beef wellington with baked Alaska on a day when I have two babies to take care of :) Another, important part of planning that I hadn't been doing is writing down the weekly menu. I think this will make me much more accountable and organized. So, here is the dinner menu for this week: I'd love to hear thoughts, advice and suggestions, I really would!

Monday: sloppy joaquins (a Rachel Ray recipe) and salad

Tuesday: chicken rolls (an old family recipe) and green beans

Wednesday: balsamic chicken (another Rachel Ray), french bread and sweet potato casserole

Thursday: Ziti with tomato cream sauce (my favorite vegan recipe) and broccoli
Friday: baked potato soup and salad

Saturday: basil cream chicken pot pies (another R.R.)

Sunday: probably leftovers, or if I'm feeling energetic then curry chicken with coconut rice

So, would you like to come eat at my house this week????

Rockin Green rocks my world

2010-01-15T16:13:00.001-08:00

As most of you know, I recently started using cloth diapers exclusively. Well, in order to keep the diapers clean and in good condition, it's necessary to use a detergent without a lot of the ingredients in typical laundry detergents. I've experimented with a couple and my new favorite is: Rockin Green. It's so many good things: vegan, non-toxic, biodegradable, yummy smelling and guaranteed to get the ammonia smell out of the diapers. So, I got to thinking...if it cleans my daughter's pee, why wouldn't it clean my dog's pee as well. The little stinkers had peed on my daughter's pink princess tent and I was furious because I thought I'd have to throw it out. But...I just soaked it overnight in Rockin Green, rinsed and it's as fresh as can be. Thank you Rockin Green, I love you!

Wondering where to start with cloth diapers?

2009-10-23T13:21:00.001-07:00

I'm still a newbie in the CD world, but have been turned on to a really cool resource by my good friend, Camille. Diapershops.com offers all you'll ever need to diaper your little one forever! They offer a huge variety of products, packages and accessories and the best prices around. And the best part: the corresponding blog, The cloth diaper whisperer, has been one of the best information sources I've come across so far. The contributing writers are so knowledgable and they cover every possible thing you'd ever need or want to know about cloth diapers. Oh, and my favorite feature is Fluff Friday! Every Friday, diapershops.com gives away a super cool cloth diaper prize!

Catch up

2009-10-13T20:24:00.000-07:00

So, I realize it's been a while since I wrote an update on our family. A whole summer has gone by without me writing about Emma's growth and progress. Well, as you can imagine a lot has happened.
She went swimming for the first time:

She started sitting up:

taught mom why using blankets as crib bumpers is not a good idea:

started eating solid foods and drinking from a sippy:

met her baby cousin, Alex:

had her first airplane ride:

met nana's chickens:

met cousin Hailey:

met aunt Cari:

met her great-grandma Yancy:

attended her first wedding:

started crawling:

and then prompty pulled herself up in the crib, good thing we had lowered it the day before :)

got to sit in daddy's boat:

Emma is now 8 months old, crawling all over the place, pulling up on everything, eating crackers and pasta along with all the pureed veggies and fruit. She has enought hair to actually justify using shampoo and brushing. She's a happy, healthy little girl. And we couldn't be happier with her!!

a learning experience

2009-10-13T17:10:00.000-07:00

So, we've been cloth diapering for a couple months now and I must say that it is going well. Not great, not terrible, but well. My for-now stash contains 3 Smartipants, 2 Bum Genius (thanks to my awesome friend, Camille) 4 diaper wraps and a TON of prefolds (thanks to my MIL). I LOVE the Smartis and BG, but since prefolds make up the bulk of my stash, that is what Emma's in most of the time. They actually work great, are simple to use and don't leak as long as they are changed frequently. And the wraps are a HUGE improvement over the old school plastic pants. If the diaper is just wet, you just wipe the wrap and put in a new prefold, easy, right! I reserve the BGs for night time because with the two inserts we haven't had any leaks. Using disposables at night, I'd say they leak about 1 in 3 times, so the BGs are awesome! I also like the Smartis because you don't have to touch the inserts, they come out in the wash on their own. So, that's why I say it's going well. I certainly have enough diapers to get the job done, but they are not my preferred ones. One day I'll have my dream stash! Just look how cute she is in her Smartis:

Adventures of a first time SAHM!

UNMOTIVATED

Skin MD Review and Giveaway

Thank God for an ear infection!!!

Smartipants winner!

I have a two year old!

Just when I was about to start spring cleaning, we get hit with this:

23 weeks, and it's a.......

Smartipants review and giveaway **Extended until 3/16!**

I'm featured!!

SMEAD helps you get organized for tax time

19 weeks!

CSN Stores review

Maternitique review and giveaway 2/9 **CLOSED**

Soda Stream review and giveaway! 2/9 **CLOSED**

Winners!

Husky tools 13 Piece Power Tek Precision Screwdriver review

Ahhh, a new year

Really cool fluffy giveaway event over at 29 Diapers! Hurry, last 2 days!!

My pregnancy so far, 14 weeks...

Nachomama tees review and giveaway (1/5)

Smartmom Teething bling review and giveaway! 1/3

Mom Blog Monday!

Eco Mom review and $15 gift code giveaway 12/31

Time to pick out holiday cards!

A Merry Fluffy Christmas WINNERS!!!!!!

Merry Fluffy Christmas- Day Four!

A Merry Fluffy Christmas- Day Three!

A Merry Fluffy Christmas-Day two!

A Merry Fluffy Christmas has begun!!!!

Episencial winner!!!!

My breastfeeding struggle: Emma's birth story part 2

Merry Fluffy Christmas Sponsor Spotlight: *Applecheeks* (extra entries)

Snow day!

Merry Fluffy Christmas: Sponsor Spotlight **Abby's Lane** (extra entries!)

Very Exciting News!

Merry Fluffy Christmas: Sponsor Spotlight **Rockin Green** (extra entries!)

Emma's arrival, it's only 21 months late :)

Merry Fluffy Christmas: Sponsor Spotlight **Babylegs** (extra entries)

I'm featured on Happily Domestic!!!!

Episencial review and giveaway!

Have you been Boo'd?

Winners!

This is what I found after "naptime" the other day

I'm the Featured Fluff Addict at Knickernappies!

Toddler Tuesday: our new puppy!

CSN is so Awesome!

An Exciting Holiday Event

A baby's first language should be sign: a guest post by Emily Patterson

Stride Everyday Panties: Review and Giveaway!

Follow me back Tuesday!!

The Nurtia Frog Kingdom book review and giveaway!! DEADLINE EXTENDED!!

Calling all cloth diapering mamas and papas: check this out!!!

CSN Stores/Melissa and Doug wooden blocks review

Uggg, What is it about this time of year???

My blog is carbon neutral

Toddler Tuesday-the potty!

Follow Friday!

Giving up the Johnson's

Happily? a SAHM

Cozy Baby Boutique winner!!!

Have you heard about this????

Zoku Quick Pop maker review

Toddler Tuesday

I LOVE Trader Joe's!!

Cozy Baby Boutique $15 store credit giveaway!

CSN Stores $20 winner!

Fluff Talk Thursday: Cloth Diapering on a Tight Budget

CSN stores $20 giveaway!

Smartipants winner!

Wordless Wednesday: Grilled cheese and tomato soup, yum!

Toddler Tuesday-watering the garden with daddy

I cleaned my kitchen in 14 minutes! - Streamlining your cleaning

Friday Blog hop!

Fluff Talk Thursday-ammonia, ewwww

Fourth of July

Awesome Homemaking event at HappilyDomestic!

Toddler Tuesday: Water fun!

Smartipants Diaper Review and Giveaway!

Friday blog hop!

Smartipants review and giveaway Extended until 3/16!

Maternitique review and giveaway 2/9 CLOSED

Soda Stream review and giveaway! 2/9 CLOSED

Merry Fluffy Christmas Sponsor Spotlight: Applecheeks (extra entries)

Merry Fluffy Christmas: Sponsor Spotlight Abby's Lane (extra entries!)

Merry Fluffy Christmas: Sponsor Spotlight Rockin Green (extra entries!)

Merry Fluffy Christmas: Sponsor Spotlight Babylegs (extra entries)