Saturday, September 28, 2013

Cleaning with Kids


            Has anyone else become a little obsessed with cleaning since having children? Has the vacuum become your new best friend? I know it has for me. I was just thinking the other day how funny it is some of the things I worry about cleaning now that I never even THOUGHT about before. Can anyone relate?
            I will admit: In the past, I was TERRIBLE about cleaning. To be real honest, I’m still terrible about cleaning certain things, like dishes. *cringes * I’m also still not great about “picking up.” Yes, I’m one of those people who believes there’s a huge difference between cleaning and picking up.
            Anyhow, I always jokingly, but seriously, told my husband I would get better about cleaning when we had children. And for once, that’s actually something I stuck true to my word on. I’ve been gradually getting better and better, especially once Myka started rolling all over the place more and crawling.
            Luckily, my daughter is kind of different from most kids in that she hardly ever sticks anything she shouldn’t into her mouth. The few occasions she does it’s usually a toy when her teething is really bothering her. Still, me and my Hoover have become bffs for life and have a weekly date, usually on Saturday. ; )
            Well, that’s not entirely accurate. I actually vacuum twice a week…once at home and once at the house we babysit at. I shouldn’t even do it there since it’s not in my job description, but…they have a tiny dog…that doesn’t get groomed…like, ever…unless grandma does it. I love animals, I really do, but I find it disgusting to no end picking dog hair off of BOTH children’s mouths constantly. Ew.
            Also, the other day, I never gave much consideration to how dirty the OUTSIDE of trash cans can get. That is, of course, until Myka got on her knees and considered trying to pull herself up on the one, again, where we babysit. Yucky. (I’m sure our kitchen one at home isn’t great either, to be fair.)
            I also went even more overboard while babysitting the other day (I know I keep going on about where we babysit, but we're over there 9 hours a day, 5 days a week. :/) by vacuuming one of their air vents. Also something I never gave much thought to since hubby usually changes our filters fairly often and makes sure the vent is clean. This thing was gross, though. Both of the kids have been sick and I’m sick at the moment and couldn’t help but think, “That may not be why we got sick, but I’m sure it’s not helping!”

Betcha can't tell which part I vacuumed already! Pretty sure these things aren't supposed to be fuzzy...

            I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I’m not a germophobe unless it comes to my daughter. Yes, I realize she’s going to get sick, she already has a few times with minor colds. No, I don’t go around disinfecting everything all the time. (Unless another kid puts one of her toys in their mouth. Ew. Hee hee) Yes, I realize that disinfecting/cleaning too much can actually cause yourself or your kids to become sick more often. Ok. I feel better now. Just had to clear that up. ; )

            So, have you become obsessed with cleaning something more than you used to once your kids became mobile? 

Friday, September 27, 2013

Squishie Baby $15 Gift Card Giveaway

Squishiebaby.com
Photo Credit: Squishie Baby

            Good morning! As you may have seen, Getting Green with Baby recently reached 3k Facebook “likes” (Thank you so much! I really do appreciate each and everyone one of you!) AND my daughter’s 1st birthday is coming up in 2 short weeks! To celebrate both milestones, I will be hosting a special giveaway or review and giveaway once a week for the next 3 weeks!
            We’re kicking off this special mini series today with a giveaway from Squishie Baby! Squishie Baby is a new website that was launched earlier this year by a husband and wife team who welcomed their own little one in April. Being less than thrilled with items from other retail stores, they decided to start searching high and low for unique, handmade items. Thus Squishie Baby was born, a centralized marketplace for the best baby items out there!
Photo Credit: Squishie Baby

            Don’t worry. Squishie Baby has something for the mamas too! You can find some amazing bath and body items, such as Peppermint Fizzing Foot Soak, a variety of bar soaps and bath bombs, aromatherapy items, and much more.
            Are you a nursing mama? Squishie Baby also sells nursing necklaces, pads, and balm for those sometimes painful nipples that can accompany breastfeeding.
            To find out more about Squishie Baby and browse through all of their cute and unique items, click HERE. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway form below for your chance to win a $15 gift card to their store! Good luck!



Hauck Toys Go Kart Giveaway


Welcome to the Hauck Kids Go Kart Giveaway, 

Hauck Toys manufactures fun, innovative products for boys and girls of all ages. Megan from Housewife on a Mission was sent a Superman Go Kart to review from Grand Touring Baby. Grand Touring Baby, if you don't know, is the official domestic distributor for Hauck, i'coo and Hauck Toy products in Canada and the USA! To read Megan's full review of the Superman Go Kart, GO HERE.

About the Go Kart:
Innovative, durable and sport inspired design puts the driver of the new Hurricane pedal kart in complete control of any situation.  The custom, ergonomic seat is adjustable and equipped with a high backrest – for a comfortable and safe sitting position. Speed can be kept in-check, even through curves, with the easy-to-use handbrake. 
Kids love the Batman/Superman go kart due to its fantastic handling characteristics, child-oriented ergonomics and safety. In addition, it encourages physical activity, builds strength, endurance and co-ordination.
     • Sporty 3 point steering for responsive, quick maneuvering
     • Adjustable Bucket Seat will accommodate multiple heights
     • Weight tested for 100lbs
     • Race-Styled Pedals with real rubber wheels & 8 Ball Style Brake
     • Age: 4 – 8 years old

I think these are so neat! It's kind of like a cross between a big wheel and motor powered go-kart. Being a bit of a tomboy when I was younger, I would have loved something like this, so I'm sure there are little girls out there that would like these too!


One lucky person will WIN a Hauck Toys Superman 
or Batman Go Kart (winner's choice) valued at $229!

Connect: You can connect with Hauck Toys on the Grand Touring Baby website and on their Facebook.

Win It: Just enter using the Giveaway Tools form below for your chance to WIN a Hauck Toys Go Kart in either Superman or Batman theme.

To WIN a Hauck Toys Superman or Batman Go Kart valued at $229, 
just enter using the Giveaway Tools form.

Open to the US (48 Continental)  and Canada 
(excluding Yukon, NWT & Nunavut) only,ages 18 and up.  
Ends 10/11/13 at 11:59 PM EST.

Disclosure: I did not receive any compensation for hosting this giveaway.  The participating bloggers are not responsible for prize fulfillment.


Thursday, September 26, 2013

Update

            I’m sure most of you don’t mind that I’ve only been posting giveaways for the most part lately, but I still feel bad. So here’s a little update.
            First of all, how do you parents do it that have children less than a year apart? Seriously. Given, my daughter and “L”, the boy we babysit, are only 5 months apart, but still. Compared to Myka, L is needy enough. I can’t imagine having a newborn right now with Myka becoming more and more mobile!
            With that being said, I’m still having a really hard time adjusting to this babysitting thing. I don’t know what I was thinking when I agreed to babysit at THEIR house. (That’s not entirely true. I was thinking, “Oh, I can use my money and buy craft stuff to get my Etsy store going!” lol) On top of it being extremely inconvenient for us in more ways than not, it’s hard to get motivated to do anything productive when we get home. Then again, I’m sure that’s true for any working parent.
            As I mentioned, I’ve also been trying to get things made to re-open my Etsy store under a different name. I’ve had a really hard time coming up with a good name. I’m really excited about getting things going, even though I’m still kicking myself for not starting sooner!

            Last, but not least, there seems to be something going around with the kids and I’m REALLY hoping I’m not getting it. To be honest, I really don’t know whether it’s a cold or allergies. I’m leaning toward and hoping more for the latter. My eyes are starting to get itchy as I write this, so I’m really hoping for allergies…Although I’m not sure why. They’re just as bad as having a cold and last longer in my experience! Lol I just need a REAL vacation…

Glee Gum Candy Kit Giveaway

Welcome to Simply Southern Couponers 
Make Your Own Glee Gum Candy Kit Giveaway! 
Sponsored By: Glee Gum
Glee Gum
Glee Gum started in 1992 when the founders visited Northern Guatemala, where they are economically depressed. This is where the concept for Verve was born and so was their most popular product, the Make Your Own Chewing Gum Kit. Today Verve provides the community of Northern Guatemala with a sustainable source of income.
To see more about Glee Gum read Simply Southern Couponers full review here.
kits
Did you know that Glee Gum is made with natural ingredients? It is also eco-friendly, including the packaging! Pretty neat, huh?
Event Details:
September 26th - October 10th at 11:59 pm
One lucky reader will win a Glee Gum Candy Kit of their choice.
Open to US residents 18 years of age or older.
Enter using the Entry form below.
Good Luck and thanks for entering!!

Giveaway Disclosure

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

On the Go Giveaway

Enter to win this collection of great gear every child needs for on-the-go!

Prize Package Includes:

  • Yummi Pouch Brights - 2 sets of reusable food pouches ($30 value)
  • Diono RadianR100 car seat ($259.99 value)
  • Tivoli Couture Luxury Memory Foam Stroller Liner in Emerald. ($49.99 value)
  • Imagine Baby The Shade ($39.95 value)
  • yoomi - 8oz Feeding System ($37.50 value)
  • líllébaby COMPLETE Organic Carrier ($135 value)
  • Buttons Diapers 3 cloth covers and 6 daytime inserts ($54 value)

Total Value = $600+

Yummi Pouch - Reusable Food Pouches

yummi pouch reusable food pouches
Yummi Pouch Brights - 2 sets - Retail Price: $30
Yummi Pouch Brights (Set of 4) combine style and convenience in an eco-friendly container you can fill with homemade smoothies and blended snacks! Easy to fill and clean through the top zipper opening and enjoyed by drinking from the side spout, Yummi Pouch reusable food pouches are great for kids taking healthy snacks on the go. Includes set of 4 assorted patterns. For more information visit yummipouch.com.
  • Set of 4 Yummi Pouch Brights reusable food pouches
  • Dishwasher and freezer safe
  • BPA and phthalate free
  • Great for on the go snacks!
  • Hold up to 6 ounces each

Diono

diono carseat giveaway
Radian®R100 Car Seat - Retail Price: $259.99
The Radian®R100 Car Seat offers the adaptability you need to keep your child's car rides safe and comfortable for years. From birth to booster car seat, the RadianR100 fits children in the rear-facing position weighing from 5 to 40 pounds and children in the forward-facing position weighing from 20 to 65 pounds. With longevity in mind, this model converts to a booster seat for kids up to 100 pounds.
Dedicated to giving families safe and enjoyable travel experiences, Diono has more than a decade of experience producing award-winning products. Diono car seats, stroller and travel accessories continue to gain high ratings from industry experts, media and families worldwide for their unique functionality, safety innovations and thoughtful designs. For more information visit us.diono.com.

Tivoli Couture

tivoli couture
Luxury Memory Foam Stroller Liner in Emerald - Retail Price: $49.99
Tivoli CoutureT specializes in Practical LuxuryT solutions for strollers, car seats and baby carriers.
Tivoli Couture stroller liners are unlike any other stroller liner on the market today. Tivoli Couture is the original inventor of the luxury memory foam stroller liner! Our memory foam stroller liners have been evaluated and recommended by a Chiropractor to help with proper spinal alignment and support. We chose memory foam padding because of its orthopedic qualities. Memory foam is known to relieve pressure points and help promote circulation - an important feature for children sitting in their stroller for prolonged periods of time. Tivoli Couture stroller liners also help cushion the ride and help absorb stroller shock; they double as tummy time mats and changing pads - just perfect for busy parents on the go!

Our stroller liners are super trendy and are available in a number of modern designs, colors and prints. They are reversible for style, versatility and year-round comfort. For more information visit TivoliCouture.com.

Imagine Baby

imagine baby the shade
The Shade - Retail Price: $39.95 (car seat not included)
The Shade by Imagine Baby is an award winning infant car seat canopy that protects baby from outside elements and germs. It also provides baby with a shaded place for napping when on the go. Made from a soft, stretchy micropoly/Lycra material The Shade provides baby with UPF 50+ protection from the sun's harmful rays and fits easily on most infant car seats. For more information visit imaginebaby.com.
  • UPF 50 + sun protection
  • Water resistant
  • Year round use
  • Breathable
  • Flexible fit on most infant car seats
  • Easy care - machine wash cold, line dry
  • Fits into any size diaper bag

yoomi

yoomi feeding system
8oz Feeding System - Retail Price: $37.50
Yoomi was created by Farah and Jim. A mom and dad whose experiences of stumbling around the kitchen in the early hours and begging waiters for hot water when out and about inspired them to look for a better solution. The combination of Farah's inspiration and Jim's engineering skills, together with expert advice and help from friends and family, has resulted in yoomi, the bottle that warms baby feed in just 60 seconds. For more information visit yoomi.com.

lillébaby

lille baby carrier
líllébaby® COMPLETET Organic Carrier - Retail Price: $135
The future in babywearing is here! Compare the líllébaby® COMPLETET with any baby carrier and you will see why it deserves its name. COMPLETET in function, comfort, and style, this carrier grows with your family. It includes every carrying position and ensures your baby is positioned ergonomically correct in every setting. It's all about options - it's COMPLETET!
Resonating the Scandinavian values of quality of life, honesty, and a love for nature's beauty, líllébaby strives to make baby products that bring this functional style to parents, anywhere. We wish parents to attain the simple luxury of keeping their baby close while building a natural bond, in perfect comfort and style. Soft, luxurious organic fabrics for treasured moments. Made with 100% soft-brushed organic cotton and lined with luxurious, 100% organic sateen cotton.

Designed with the unsurpassed functionality and comfort of the líllébaby® COMPLETET baby carrier line. The perfect baby carrier For more information visit lillebaby.com.

Buttons Cloth Diapers

buttons cloth diapers
3 cloth covers and 6 daytime inserts - Retail Price: $54
Tangerine, Lavender, & Apple

Buttons Cloth Diapers were born at home. As a husband and wife team, we designed our diapers to be easy to use and affordable for everyone - the way it should be. We believe in keeping our lives simple, even when it comes to diapering.

Buttons Diapers feature soft, leak-proof, and durable diaper covers. The double-gussets around the legs keeps the mess in, so your little one can run, jump, climb, and sleep while your mind is at ease. Elastic at the back and tummy makes a custom fit. The durable snaps allow the covers to adjust to fit any baby (approximately 9-35 lbs.). And, they come in many adorable colors! For more information visit buttonsdiapers.com.

Enter to Win this Fabulous Set of Prizes!

One Winner will be selected October 3rd. Have fun and good luck!
On The Go Giveaway prizes
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, September 23, 2013

A Newborn Collective Giveaway


Welcome to "A Newborn Collective", 
a giveaway event hosted by A Mama Collective and Viva Veltoro.

In honor of Jenna's newest addition, a sweet baby girl, we've put together an amazing prize package for new moms and babies!  

I just love giveaway packages like this! Check out all of these awesome prizes below. This would make a great gift for any new mama!

One winner will take home a wonderful $422 bundle which includes:

Tiny Prints: 50 Birth Announcements, valued up to $150.  Tiny Prints is thrilled to help you celebrate your new arrival with hundreds of unique, stylish birth announcements.  You can personalize your announcements with your very own photos, which will surely become lasting mementos of those precious newborn moments.  Tiny Prints ensures that your cards are printed with the best photo quality possible on the highest quality paper, all at a wallet-friendly price.  To see Jenna's adorable newborn and her review of Tiny Prints, just click HERE

aden + anais: A 4-pack of swaddles in the winner's choice of print.  For countless generations, mothers have swaddled their children with natural muslin to keep them warm in the winter and cool in the summer.  You'll get to continue this tradition with the softest swaddles and fashion-forward prints from aden + anais!  Check out Jenna's review of these cozy swaddles HERE.  

mum + bub skin care: The winner will receive the entire line of mum + bub skin care, including Soothing Ointment, Hair + Body Wash, and Ultra-Gentle Lotion.  Mum + bub is a naturally-derived, pawpaw fruit infused skin care collection for baby and you.  It's gentle and perfect for that delicate baby skin.  You can see what Jenna thought about mum + bub HERE.  

Jellystone Necklace courtesy of Kissed by the Moon: The winner will get to choose between two beautiful necklaces, either this fabulous necklace or the Troika. Not only do these necklaces look great, they are also non-toxic and safe.  Kissed by the Moon has all of your natural parenting needs - be sure to check out their awesome selection of cloth diapers, carriers, and more!  You can see a full review HERE

Boba Wrap: Winner will take home a classic Boba Wrap, perfect for keeping your baby close. The Boba Wrap is ideal for carrying babies from birth until around 18 months.  No buckles, straps, or snaps to deal with, simply tie the soft material snug against your body for a perfect fit every time.  

Comotomo:  Winner will receive (1) 5oz bottle, (1) 8oz bottle, replacement nipples, and (1) teether; a package valued at over $40.  These are baby bottles, evolved!   Comotomo bottles are a bit soft and skin-like, made of 100% medical grade hygienic silicone.  They are designed to be as close to breast-like as possible with a super-wide mound and naturally shaped nipple.  They also feature an anit-colic vent.  Their teethers are also constructed out of 100% medical grade silicone which means it can be boiled for sterilization and they are perfectly sized for little hands to hold.  

Piyo Piyo Baby Food Processor:  The winner will receive this innovative food processor that comes with seven pieces, including a pestle, mortar, grinding lid, grinding board, filter, juicer, and feeding spoon.  The pieces are perfectly designed so they can all be stacked together for easy storage too!  

GroVia: The lucky winner will receive (1) newborn all-in-one cloth diaper and (1) one-size all-in-one cloth diaper.  GroVia is an industry leader in modern cloth diapers. They combine better designs with better materials for better functionality.  With a newborn in tow, you'll be looking for easy diapering options and GroVia has just the diapers for you!  Their newborn diapers offer a trim fit, soft materials, and are super easy to use.  Once your little one has outgrown their newborn diapers, you'll have a one-size all-in-one to use!  Featuring a super absorbent, organic cotton inner with a soft layer of water resistant TPU outer, this AIO is simple and easy. No stuffing, no doublers - just snap on baby and go!  Check out Jenna's review of the GroVia all-in-one HERE.

One lucky person is going to win ALL of these fabulous prizes!

Open to the US only.  Ends 10/7/13 at 11:59 PM EST.
Enter using the Giveaway Tools form below.  Good Luck!


Disclosure: I did not receive any compensation for hosting this giveaway.  The participating bloggers are not responsible for prize fulfillment.  

Friday, September 20, 2013

Hyland's Teething Gel Review

            Many of you are probably familiar with Hyland’s Homeopathic products, especially if you have ever had a teething child! I’ve heard from many parents who swear by the teething tablets (including myself) to help alleviate the pain and fussiness associated with teething. Did you know that Hyland’s also makes teething gel as well?


            Hyland’s was kind enough to send us some of their teething gel to try out. It seems like Myka has been teething endlessly for the past several months. While I’m glad she’s not a “drooler” like a lot of babies are while teething, it seems like she has gotten increasingly fussier about the whole business as time goes on. Since the teething tablets work magic, I was excited to try out the gel!
            There was a short time a month or so ago when Myka decided she didn’t want to open up for the teething tablets any more. This was another reason I was eager to try out the gel. Maybe she’d open up for that, right? Ha! As per usual, the little turd decided to turn on me again and let’s just say she hasn’t been the most cooperative test subject!
            I swear I’m not going to go on and on about Myka’s peculiarities the whole time, but I’m just trying to be upfront in case you have stubborn children too! M is also different from most kids her age in that she doesn’t stick everything in sight in her mouth. This also made it difficult to get the gel on her gums, but we found several “tricks” that seem to work.
            First of all, you can always just force your finger with the gel in their mouth, but that’s not very fun for anyone, is it? John pulled the “ole switcheroo” on her last night and took her fingers out and put his in to rub the gel on. If you have a child that still takes a pacifier, we even squeezed some out onto hers and rubbed it against her gums since that’s about the only thing she opens her mouth for besides food! We even thought about putting some of the teething gel on HER fingers since she’s been sticking them in her mouth more and more, but we haven’t gone that far yet. ;)


            So, with all of that out of the way, how effective is the teething gel? I’d say it works pretty well so long as you can actually get it covered well on their gums. ;) (Most of you shouldn’t have a problem with this since most 11 month olds stick everything in their mouth, right?) It definitely helps calm M down enough to go to sleep, which makes sense and also states on the directions may happen since their pain is being alleviated. I think Myka finally realizes that it will help her gums and teeth feel better because I’ve gotten her to “open up” the last two times I’ve given it to her. It definitely helps getting it evenly distributed when the little one cooperates!
            One of my favorite things about Hyland’s Teething Gel is that other than being artificial flavor, dye, and paraben free, it also contains no benzocaine! While I will admit I don’t mind using products containing benzocaine on myself, I’d rather not use them on my young daughter. She always likes to stick her tongue out when I am getting ready to rub some gel on her gums, so I like that Hyland’s is not going to make her tongue numb!


            Also, as you guys may and should well know by now, I am an avid ingredient checker. That’s why I like that on the back of the box not only are the active ingredients listed as usual, but Hyland’s also put what each one’s purpose is! Maybe I’m just paranoid or something, but I think it’s nice to be able to see what their purpose is instead of wondering, “What the heck is THAT for?” or whether it is just an unnecessary ingredient, which a lot of other companies like to use.
            If you have a teething child of any age, definitely be sure to give Hyland’s Teething Gel a try. You can use their store locator HERE to find a local store that carries Hyland’s products. Be sure to look around the rest of their website while you’re there. They have a LOT more products than I even realized, including items for babies, children, AND adults! There is even a coupons and “Hyland’s Tooth Fairy” page! They literally have something for the whole family. : ) 

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Birthday Preparations

            For not wanting to do anything big for Myka's 1st birthday, I feel like I've been doing an awful lot of planning way in advance. ha ha! To be fair, we really aren't doing anything spectacular as far as an actual party. The only family we have that lives even remotely close are my brother and sister in-law and their two kids, so I think we're just going to do pizza and cupcakes with them. If nothing else, our 4 year old niece will be pleased because she's got this idea that it's not a party without cake and pizza. lol We even had that when they came over after Myka was born! ha ha!
            Anyhow, did you go all out for your child(ren)s 1st birthday party or just do a little something at home? Personally, we don't plan on doing any "fun" parties until Myka gets old enough to remember them. However, with her birthday just a few weeks before Halloween and my husband and I being TOTAL Halloween fanatics, we are planning on taking some really cute pictures to commemorate both occasions!
            I go a little nuts when it comes to taking her pictures sometimes. Since I can just never bring myself to justify spending the money on professional pictures, I have fun picking outfits and props to use to take them myself instead! Plus the props can make good seasonal/holiday decorations afterward, or vice versa! I also like having the freedom to take them wherever and whenever is convenient! But yah, I can't wait to take and share her fall inspired and birthday outfit/Halloween costumes pics with friends and family! I just hope my little peapod gets to feeling better before this weekend (when I was planning on doing them) since she's got allergies or a cold going on. : (
            You may have also seen a few weeks ago that I was all worried about finding a healthier cake option for her birthday. Well, let's just say I'm a little relieved I don't have to worry about it now. I can't even get the little stinker to eat finger foods yet! lol Kind of nice not having to worry about it, but I'm also a little bummed she won't have a cake. My hubby did suggest doing a neopolitan mousse type thing instead, so that might be fun!
            It's hard to believe it's already been almost a year since Myka was born. It's true what everyone says about time going by quicker when you have kids! I can't wait to see what the coming years bring. : )

Monday, September 16, 2013

What's for Dinner? Cheesy Broccoli Rice!

            I'm sure you can figure out how to make this yourself without reading the "recipe" below, but I thought it would be fun to share if you have picky eaters and are at a loss for what to make for dinner tonight!

What You'll Need:
-rice of your choice (we used plain old white rice)
-broccoli
-velveeta (Tip: Don't skimp and buy off brand Velveeta. It's nowhere near the same! At least the crap we bought. Blegh!)

1) Cook rice according to directions. (You'll probably want to follow the directions that include 2 cups of rice or more if you have a larger family.)
2) You don't have to, but I'm lazy and cook my frozen broccoli in with the rice. You'll want to put the broccoli in the same time as the rice.
3) Once the rice is finished cooking, add however much Velveeta you would like and mix everything up so it gets nice and melty!


Sunday, September 15, 2013

Easter Giveaway Code Word Page

Monday: candles
Tuesday: fleece
Wednesday: beeswax
Thursday: warm
Friday: Easter
Saturday: egg
Sunday: bunny

Our Trip to the Fair

            Now that I have my own kid, I decided it might be a little fun to visit the county fair. I have to admit, though, I’m a bit nostalgic and it just wasn’t the same as the one I’m used to at home. I realized that it wouldn’t be before we went, but I still have a bad habit of getting preconceived ideas of what places and events are going to be like. Does anyone else do that?
            Anyways, Myka LOVES cats and dogs, so I thought she might get a kick out of the “strange” animals at the fair. That was our main reason for going. Other than that and fair food, I could care less about all the rides and exhibits. I used to enjoy looking at the exhibits, but it’s just more fun when it’s people you know. For me, at least.
            Myka seemed to enjoy the animals, but she wasn’t as into them as I thought she would be. (At least she wasn’t afraid of them, right? Lol) I think she was a little overwhelmed and distracted by all the people, though. Can’t imagine why. Let’s just say she got LOTS of attention!
            Other than getting my foot long corn dog and funnel cake fix (I still think I prefer elephant ears. Have you ever had one? They’re amazing!) my favorite part of the fair was a local business we discovered at one of the booths! I am seriously SO glad we decided to mosey through the building they were in! The lady who owns it (who was absolutely DELIGHTFUL, along with her other family and friends helping her out) was selling all sorts of herbal related things, such as teas, salves, wildcrafting books, and other items like honey and candles. My husband has really got me into the whole herb thing in the past year, so we were both excited to find this.
            There were so many things I wanted to buy, but ended up with just some raw honey since we are still trying to conserve our money some. The honey we bought was not only raw (yay) but it was also local! I’ve already got a list going in my head of things I would like to get when I have money to splurge. I’m not a big tea drinker, but there was a mulled wine one that sounded a-ma-zing. She also had several essential oils to choose from (love me some essential oils!) and a wildcrafting book that even my husband (who knows a lot more about it than me) was impressed with.

She even included this little pamphlet with the honey with suggestions for how to get the best tasting tea, different herb combinations and what their benefits are, culinary uses, and more!


            I was also excited to learn that there is a local group called “The Herb-N-League” that holds meetings once a month. The store owner also happens to be the president of this group and on the back of her business card it states that The Herb-N-League is, “A fun group of folks who share an interest in learning about herbs & how to grow them, their uses & benefits.” How fun does this sound?! They have field trips, plant swaps, speakers, and work shops…And their meetings are late enough in the evening that both my husband and I could go!

            How about you guys: Do you enjoy going to the fair or taking your kids? Have you ever discovered something interesting while visiting one?

Friday, September 13, 2013

Taddle Tell $50 GC Giveaway

Hosted by:  Momma Lew's Blog 
Sponsored by:  Taddle Tell 

When I found out I was pregnant with a little girl three years ago, I knew my life would be full of tutu's, bows and non-stop dress up.  Now that my little girl is almost three, she is really starting to enjoy using her imagination and really loves dressing up.  So, in short, tutu's and bows have become her obsession too, not just mine for photo props.

Taddle Tell is your one stop shop for beautiful tutu's, birthday dresses, bubble necklaces, costumes, leg warmers and more! Etsy and other markets are flooded right now with handmade designers making similar items.  However, it is impossible to find a shop that comes close to Taddle Tell's high quality designs & products.  Everything is hand made with love.  When ordering my outfit, I found Tammy & Dani to be very helpful and they were always on top of my order.  I found my experience to be very personal and one of a kind.


When browsing the shop, this Pinwheel Birthday Outift jumped right out at me as something I just loved. The shirt is 3D and comes with a beautiful rhinestone in the middle that my daughter just loves.  The TuTu is THE fluffliest tutu she has ever owned.  You can tell the tulle is not your run of the mill quality and I really like that this is something that will fit her for some time.  Julia loved her Bubblegum Necklace as well.  Even my bull of a daughter couldn't break it.  We've been using these Baby Legs Legwarmers since she was born, so I am quite familiar with them and they are the perfect addition to any outfit!  This was the first time she had worn them since she was about 6 months old, so I had no idea they would look just as cute on her at almost 3!

Taddle Tell shop has so much for all different occasions!  With Halloween just next month, their costumes are perfect for your little princess or even for you!  Birthday Outfits are the perfect way to make your little princess look extra special on their big day!  Sizes go all the way up to 5T!

I am a HUGE Halloween fanatic and LOVE the Agnus the Witch costume! Having a girl myself, I hope mine is into playing dress up as well because there are so many cute and fun costumes now!

Taddle Tell would like to give one lucky reader a $50 gift certificate to purchase anything they would like from their shop!  Giveaway will be open to US readers only, 18+.  To enter, follow the steps in the rafflecopter below!  One entry per household.  The giveaway will begin Sept. 13 at midnight and end Sept. 27 at midnight EST.


Good luck and thank you for entering! 

Disclosure:  Getting Green with Baby and Momma Lew's Blog are not responsible for prize fulfillment.  This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other social media networks.  For questions about this giveaway, please contact Momma Lew at reesann723@yahoo.com.  






To Soothe or Not to Soothe: Letting Your Baby "Cry It Out"


            Choosing whether to let your baby self-soothe (aka “cry it out”) or not is a very personal choice and unique to individual family circumstances. However, recent studies have shown that letting your child learn how to self-soothe can actually be beneficial to children AND parents, even in the long run.
            Almost any parent of an infant will tell you that two of the most nerve wracking issues of being a new parent are 1) sleep deprivation and 2) stress, which, if you’re not getting enough sleep, can lead to even higher stress levels! These are just a couple of reasons why some parents choose to let their child self-soothe. If parents are able to get more adequate sleep at night, they are more likely to be less stressed, which in turn positively affects ALL family relationships, including parent/child.
            It’s also important to note that insufficient sleep and stress can also greatly increase chances of maternal depression or even exacerbate pre-existing depression. I’m sure you’ve probably heard the expression, “If mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” It may be a funny saying, but in all truth if new mothers are tired and stressed out (beyond the normal, inevitable amount that comes with having a newborn) it can negatively impact not only her ability to care for her child as best as possible, but her relationship with her significant other as well.

            Many parents are concerned that letting their baby cry it out will cause them long-term emotional and psychological problems along with poor/insecure parent/child relationships. However, an Australian study (which you can read more about HERE) that had one group use sleep training methods (more on that in a minute) and a control group who didn’t use any special methods found that there were no significant differences in the previously mentioned factors by the time the children were 6 years of age. Furthermore, the study concluded that children who went through sleep training not only learned to fall asleep easier, but also slept LONGER through the night.
            Teaching your baby to self-soothe doesn’t have to be as brutal as it sounds. Instead of literally letting your baby cry until they fall asleep without interfering at all, there are two interesting sleep training methods I read about that will hopefully seem far less cruel to those of you who aren’t comfortable with self-soothing but could REALLY use a good night’s rest! According to a Time’s article: “Controlled comforting requires the parent to respond to their child’s cries at increasingly longer intervals to try to encourage the baby to settle down on her own. In camping out, the parent sits in a chair next to the child as he learns to fall asleep; slowly, over time, parents move the chair farther and farther away, until they are out of the room and the infant falls asleep alone.

            As with any subject of debate, there is always an opposition. A study conducted by the University of North Texas in the past couple of years showed that infants were still “stressed out” after crying it out, even though they WERE falling asleep faster and crying for less time beforehand. This was concluded by measuring cortisol, a stress hormone, in the children’s saliva. However, the study was only conducted for 5 days and a longer follow up is being conducted to verify whether the cortisol levels decrease over time as the children’s sleep patterns “normalize”.
            Keep in mind a few things when it comes to you and your family’s sleep and sanity:
1)     Everyone is different. What works for someone else may not work for you and vice versa.
2)     Do what you feel is best, what you’re comfortable with, and what your gut tells you.
3)     Never second guess yourself, but always be open to new ideas if your current bedtime ritual isn’t working out well for your family.
            How did you or do you put your infants to sleep? Do you rock them or hold them until they fall asleep? Or do you tuck them in, maybe turn some lullabies on, and step out of the room and let them fall asleep on their own? 

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Line Drying at Last!

Nothing like cute little Best Bottoms flapping in the breeze!

            Line/air drying our daughter's diapers is something that we've been meaning to do for awhile now. (I know. Add that to the long list of things we've been meaning to do for a long time that I mentioned a week or so ago.) Thank goodness for porches because pretty much all of the trees in our front and back yard are spaced out too far to hang a clothes line up, imo. Having them on the porch is just the right amount of room while being able to keep an eye on them too, aka making sure one of the cats (Halle, our black cat) doesn't mess with them and knock them down. 
            I have to admit, I wish we would have done this a lot sooner! Since we only have 8 covers (I know. Madness, right?) I have noticed quite a few of them are getting worn out a bit. Don't get me wrong. Best Bottom covers are great and great quality, but with only that many and taking into consideration how much we wash them, it was inevitable. So, besides hoping to save a little energy by not using the dryer as much, I have been wanting to do this in hopes that our covers will last longer too!
            I also decided to see how well the flannel inserts I made would dry outside the other day as well. These things take extra long to dry in the dryer, which drives me nuts! Maybe it's just me, but that seems like a lot of wasted energy! With it being so hot still here, I swear the flannel ones took half the time to dry outside as they do in the dryer! Yippee!
            Needless to say, I'm definitely going to start drying her diaper items outside more often. Do any of you line dry your diapers or clothes? What is your favorite things about doing it?

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Britax Pioneer 70 Car Seat Giveaway

Welcome to the Britax Pioneer 70 Car Seat Giveaway! britaxpioneerEVENT
Thanks to Britax for sponsoring this wonderful giveaway and our host, Everything Mommyhood, as well as our fabulous co-hosts, Green Grandma, Mew Review, Military Wives Saving, Spit Up is the New Black, Faith Filled Footsteps, Downshifting PRO, and Coupon Spice, and a handful of other bloggers for helping promote.
I love that these come in different prints! Not only are you getting top of the line safety for your little co-pilot, but style too!
Britax is a well know brand for making top of the line car seats with your child's safety in mind. Britax car seats are easy to install, a breeze to use and they offer great protection for your precious cargo. They have car seats that will keep your child safe from birth all the way up until a booster is no longer needed. If you are questioning what type of seat would be best for your little one, check out Everything Mommyhood's Car Seat Safety. Everything Mommyhood also reviewed this newly debuted, just in July 2013, car seat, check out her Britax Pioneer 70 Review.
britaxpioneer70
The Britax Pioneer 70 is a forward facing only car seat that is also a booster. The minimum requirements are 2 years, 25lbs, 30 inches to be able to use this seat forward facing, and harnessed (Make sure your child is at least 2 before forward facing, as now recommended by the AAP). You can then use this seat as a seat belt positioning booster, as long as your child is 40lbs and 45 inches, all the way up until 59 inches tall and 110lbs!
The Britax Pioneer 70 is available in 7 different prints, you will see 6 of them in the picture above, not pictured is "Congo" which is a solid red print. The MSRP of the Britax Pioneer 70 is $229.99. This seat is sold at Mass Retailers such as Target, Babies R Us, and Amazon.
Britax is generously giving one lucky reader their very own Britax Pioneer 70 in their choice of print, valued at $229.99!
US Residents, 18 and up only. One entrant per household. All winning entries will be verified. Winner will be picked randomly through the entry form, and will be contacted via email. They will have 48 hours to respond, if they do not respond a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway begins 9/10/2013 at 12am EST and ends 10/1/2013 at 11:59pm EST. GOOD LUCK
Disclosure: This blog and Everything Mommyhood are not responsible for sponsored prize shipment. I have not been compensated for the posting of this giveaway. Everything Mommyhood received the above mentioned product to facilitate the review. Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or any other social media are not affiliated with this giveaway. By participating, you hereby release Facebook from any and all liability associated with this promotion. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Everything Mommyhood.

Monday, September 9, 2013

Weekend Hike in Pictures

            Myka and I got some MUCH needed nature time yesterday. (There may be a Snark Side post in the future on the back story of why I'm emphasizing that.) Anyways, I just love taking and looking at pictures, so I thought I would share some from our ridiculously hot hiking excursion.

Hill Wheatley Park Nature Trail
 There is a deer in the bottom left picture, although you can't see her very well.

Upper Dogwood & Goat Rock Trail
@ HSNP

Sunday, September 8, 2013

DIY Toothpaste


            John and I have been tossing around the idea of making our own toothpaste for awhile. Add that to the list of many things that we keep meaning to do that would be a lot better for us, but don’t do it right away for whatever reason! Anyways, my husband found and made this recipe (Not sure where he got it or if he tweaked it. More than likely he tweaked it some.)
            For whatever reason, I had some reservations at first just because I’m weird about my teeth for some reason, even though they’re not the greatest. My husband convinced me when he said it made his feel cleaner using it than normal toothpaste. To be honest, I’ve only used it a few times, but I really did notice a difference after the first time. There is a particular spot on one of my bottom incisors that never feels clean after using store bought toothpaste, no matter how many times I brush. It actually felt clean after the first time using this homemade toothpaste, though!

What You’ll Need:
-baking soda
-salt
-tea tree oil
-small container

1)     You can use whatever size container you want, but a small one, like the size of a baby food jar, will work just fine. Fill it up ¾ of the way with baking soda.
2)     Fill it up the rest of the way (1/4) with salt.
3)     Add 4 or 5 drops of tea tree oil and mix everything together very well! (You don’t want to go overboard with the tea tree oil. Trust me!)

           That’s all there is to it! Just get your toothbrush wet and dab it into the “toothpaste”.

Friday, September 6, 2013

Breastfeeding Tips & Help


            As you may have noticed, for a “green” blog, I never post or talk about breastfeeding except for the occasional breastfeeding related giveaways I help to promote. It’s something I have felt like I should “come clean” about for a while, but wasn’t sure how to go about it.
            I only breastfed/pumped for Myka for about 3 weeks, and even then supplemented heavily with formula. I absolutely hated it and am still kicking myself for not trying harder. I thought I had done my research about breastfeeding before I even had her, but I’m finding SO many things lately that I wish I had known then. I was mostly worried about her having problems latching on, so I extensively researched that and different positions to try. However, once she was here, life decided to throw me a curve ball, of course.
            We didn’t really have any latching problems, but I did have issues with my supply coming in…or so I thought at the time. Again, if I had known then what I know now I would have thought and done things differently. But, you live and learn, right?
            In order to keep this post somewhat short, I’ll stop there. But, with all of that being said, while I don’t currently and haven’t breastfed since my daughter was 3 or 4 weeks old, I feel very strongly about the subject. I am all for breastfeeding. I have some pretty extreme opinions on the matter, but I don’t feel like starting any arguments, so I’ll keep those to myself. ;)
            Now, as I’ve mentioned several times, I SO wish I knew then the many things about breastfeeding that I know now. So, if you’re like me and having issues breastfeeding but REALLY want it to work, I hope you find at least one of the links below to be helpful in your search for answers and help!

Lactation Cookie Recipe
I've seen the term "lactation cookie" tossed around quite a bit since I've started blogging, but had never looked into it since I'm not breastfeeding. It wasn't until a fellow blogger was kind enough to share this link with me while researching for this post that I found out what it is and what it does! While I'm glad I know about them now for future reference, I am SO mad I didn't when I was having supply problems. I knew about Fenugreek, but the thought never crossed my mind to add it into baked goods! This would have come in really handy since I have a terrible time taking pills!
Breastfeeding Support is Important!
Read about one mom overcoming her early struggles with breastfeeding. Be sure to check out all of the helpful links in her post as well!
Preventing Thrush
Learn the signs of thrush and what you can do to prevent it!
Mastitis
Learn the signs of mastitis and the steps you can take to help treat it!
Milk Sharing
Having problems with your supply running low? Ever heard of milk sharing? Read about one mom's story of why she chose informal milk sharing during a difficult time.
Pumping
Some great tips and things to remember for pumping!
Newborn Baby Stomach Size
This is a great visual of the size comparison between the stomach of a one day old baby up to a one month old baby. So, don't be like me and feel like your baby isn't getting enough to eat! Also, keep in mind that breastfed babies are going to tend to want fed more often than formula fed babies.
More Breastfeeding Tips
Check out this page with over 25 links to helpful breastfeeding posts. I especially liked the "Tips for Breastfeeding Success" and "5 Must-Have Products for Exclusively Pumping Moms".
Myths About Nursing Toddlers
A few reasons from one mom why you shouldn't feel ashamed for nursing your toddler!
More Great Pumping Tips
How to prevent clogged ducts, getting the most from your supply, and more!
A Year of Breastfeeding
Read about one mom's ups and downs through a year of breastfeeding her son, including dealing with a "tongue tie"!
Breastfeeding: Not as Easy as You May Think!
I love this blog post from a mom of 3 because she tells it like it is when it comes to breastfeeding: It's not all rainbows and butterflies like a lot of websites and books will make it out to be! Many, many women struggle with it at some point or another during their BFing relationship and you are not alone!
Tips from the Mayo Clinic: BFing & Pumping Tips for Success, BFing Positions, and How to Boost Milk Production
Homeopathic Remedies for Common BFing Issues
This Milky Mama Remedy Wallet is full of great, easy to use, homeopathic remedies for some common breastfeeding issues, such as low supply, thrush, and mastitis, among others!
Lip Ties
Ever heard of a lip tie? Me neither! Read more about what they are, why they may be the cause of poor weight gain in your infant, and one mom's journey to finding out that her daughter (and 2 previous children) had one and why meeting with a lactation consultant is so important!