Happy Birthday

            It's hard to believe I've been blogging for a year already. It's true what people say about time going by faster when you have kids. Coincidentally my "blogiversary" is on the 17th, which happens to be 3 days after my birthday, so I thought I would do a little reflection post.

 Hubby and I on my...23rd birthday? Crap. I'm getting so old I'm losing track already. ;)

            First of all, sorry I don't have any fun, special giveaway or event for you guys. I tried, but I suck. Sorry. However, if you haven't seen or entered already, Krista at Savory Savings and Gloriously Green Gal is hosting a giveaway for some of our Cottage in the Woods Co. bath products. You can click HERE for your chance to enter to win a lemongrass shampoo bar and bath fizzies and body wash in your choice of scent!

Toys R Us $100 Gift Card Giveaway

 

Welcome to the Toys"R"Us $100 Gift Card Winter Days Giveaway sponsored by Demagogue and hosted by The Parenting Patch!

Although the winter days seem long, soon the dog days of summer will be here. To pass the winter days by, how does a $100 gift card to spend at Toys"R"Us sound? Get some indoor toys to pass the winter by, or start getting ready for outside play this summer. 

One (1) lucky reader of The Parenting Patch and Demagogue will win one (1) $100 gift card to Toys"R"Us. To enter for your chance to win the Toys"R"Us $100 Gift Card Winter Days Giveaway, simply use the following Rafflecopter form. Good luck!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway  

The Toys"R"Us $100 Gift Card Winter Days Giveaway is open worldwide. An international winner will receive $100 via PayPal in lieu of the specified prize. The Toys"R"Us $100 Gift Card Winter Days Giveaway ends at midnight CST on January 30, 2014. One winner will be chosen at random via Rafflecopter. The winner will be sent an email and will have forty-eight hours to respond. If no response is received within forty-eight hours, another winner will be chosen. The Parenting Patch and other participating blogs are not responsible for prize fulfillment.

ebeanstalk.com Review

 

            Hey guys! Have you heard of ebeanstalk.com? I'm excited to be able to share with you all about them today!
            Ebeanstalk.com, established in 2005, offers expert selected toys to match a child's development. I know what you're thinking: There are tons of toy companies nowadays. What makes this one so special? Several things, actually!
            First of all, they have an excellent organization system on their website that makes it super to easy to find what you're looking for. Not only can you shop by age, but also by boy, girl, or top selling toys in each age group, which ranges from babies to 12 year olds. You can find the top selling 1 year old toys HERE and one year old boy toys HERE.

VBAC Series: What ARE Your Options?

 

            Thank you so much for joining me for the VBAC Series here on Getting Green with Baby. I hope all of you ladies out there hoping, planning, or even considering a VBAC have found some helpful information and inspiration here. We're going to wrap up today by examining what exactly your options are for delivery.
            While in theory you have the exact same options on where to delivery your baby as a woman who has had no prior c-sections, there are some major limitations. Your state and specific location are obviously going to play a major role in what options are available to you. Then there are also state laws and VBAC bans at some hospitals to consider. Feeling overwhelmed? You're not alone!

Combi Catalyst Stroller Giveaway

Getting Green with Baby did not receive any compensation for this post.

 

"The Combi Catalyst is a versatile, modular stroller that can easily converts from a travel system to bassinet stroller or toddler stroller. With multiple seating configurations the Catalyst is adaptable to every travel need. The universal infant car seat adapter, is included, and compatible with the Combi Shuttle infant car seat, and other major brands, to create a travel system. The seating unit converts to a bassinet* that lays flat to provide a cozy sleeping area for infants starting at birth. In bassinet mode the seat quickly configures to a large, cushioned toddler seat that can be used for older infants and toddlers and provides three seating positions with an adjustable recline. The reversible, multi-function seat has a weight capacity of 50 lbs. and also features an adjustable, 5-point harness system and removable shoulder and buckle comfort pads. All-wheel suspension with front-lock swivel wheels absorb bumps and provide for a smooth ride. A single step brake pedal locks and unlocks both rear wheels.Parents will further appreciate the one-hand telescoping, comfort-grip handle, the over-sized canopy with ventilation window, and the extra-large storage basket that is easily accessible."-CombiUSA

SPEC INFO 3-in-1 modular design for customized travel as a travel system, bassinet stroller* or toddler stroller Infant car seat adapter system works with Combi Shuttle Infant Car Seat and other major infant car seat brands** Reversible seating unit quickly converts from bassinet to toddler seat Lie-flat bassinet for sleeping baby Three-position and adjustable-recline toddler seat One-hand telescoping handle with comfort grip All-wheel suspension Large under-seat storage, accessible from all sides Over-sized canopy with ventilation window Simple fold with automatic chassis lock One-step, linked parking brake Shoulder and buckle comfort padding Infant car seat adapter included

*Bassinet seating position cannot be used without attaching to the stroller frame

**Other major brands include Chicco, KeyFit, and Graco SnugRide

It's Peachy Keen Thoughts- Review is coming soon so check back at It's Peachy Keen. I think this stroller is amazing looking and as soon as this snow melts we will be walking to our mail box again finally. I so far loved using it around my house and it wasn't even hard to set up and came in a small box!

If you really want to win this giveaway be sure to share on facebook and chat all about it using Hashtag #CombiLove -Let me know what you like about this stroller.

NOTE- If I see someone posting with the #Combilove I will randomly reward a person with an extra entry into the giveaway. SO be sure to stay active during the giveaway!

Be sure to check out all the info about Combi on their website HERE

{GIVEAWAY}

Sponsored By Combi, Hosted by It's Peachy Keen, Everything MommyHood, Submissive By Design, Addicted To Saving 4 U,

Open to US Residents only who are 18+. Giveaway ends January 31st Midnight EST. This blog/website is not responsible for prize fulfillment or shipping. If you have any questions regarding this giveaway or any giveaway email me at Itspeachykeen@live.com. Enter and share for more chances to win! The Winner will be posted in an annoucment post on It's Peachy Keen. So be sure to be a follower.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

VBAC Series: Birth Story #3

 

             Welcome back to the VBAC Series on Getting Green with Baby! Today's birth story is different from the previous two. I think it's good to balance things out and today's mother (who wished to remain anonymous) was kind and brave enough to share her unsuccessful VBAC attempt. Please remember that each story found in this series is from a real mother, told in her own words. Everyone is entitled to their own feelings and opinions, so please be respectful when commenting. Thanks!

            It's hard to imagine writing this out. I've tried several times. I know it probably won't get read, but I really needed to write this out. Some things I don't remember, and the whole experience is a weird blur that feels like a dream sometimes. 

Bummas Cloths Giveaway

WELCOME TO THE
BUMMAS CLOTHS Giveaway

Hosted by: The Go Mamas

Sponsored by: Bummas

Do you know someone who's having a baby shower soon? These would make a perfect gift for a new mama! 
These are multi-purpose, so they would be an especially great gift for someone that you're not sure what to get for. Just get them a little damp and they make a great alternative to commercial wipes for sensitive bums or those of you are more eco-conscious. Or simple use them as bath wash cloths. It may just seem like a pack of cloths, but the possibilities are endless.  

Read More about Bummas Cloths in The GO Mamas Product Review

 We at The Go Mamas support the handmade and small business community, and promote the importance of buying handmade goods. We hope you will also!

Giveaway Details:

One Winner will win your own pack of Bummas Cloths

This giveaway ends 1/27/14

Open to US residents

Enter the giveaway on the form below

Entry-Form

Disclosure: This giveaway is not associated with Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google or any of their affiliates. The Go Mamas may have received the products mentioned above for their honest opinion. Participating bloggers received no compensation for this publication. The opinions expressed by The Go Mamas are their own, and may differ from yours or this blog's. Getting Green with BAby is not responsible for prize fulfillment or shipment. If you have any questions, concerns or would like The Go Mamas to review your product, please contact us at thegomamas@gmail.com

VBAC Series: The Truth About Uterine Rupture

 

            If you've done any amount of research into VBACs, you have more than likely come across the #1 concern of both mothers and physicians alike: uterine rupture. Obviously, this is a risk that should be considered and taken seriously by any woman thinking about having a VBAC. While varying circumstances will increase or decrease the chances of this, it's important to know that the risk of uterine rupture is not as high overall as you may have been lead to believe or think.

Chicken Coop Progress

            As you may have read the other day, we are getting chickens! If you happened to miss that post, you can read it HERE. I mentioned that we've ran into some snags...Those "snags" happen to be actually getting chickens. lol We've done our research and know exactly what type/breed of chicken we would like to get. However, we have been having a hard time finding anyone who sells them around where we live. We looked into ordering chicks from online sources and local companies (Tractor Supply and the like), but they have minimum orders of around 25/30 chicks. That's convenient and all for real farmers, but we just want 3 or 4 hens for our backyard. John contacted a local mini-farm and they were nice enough to let him know about a poultry and livestock Facebook group for our state. (Ah, the joys of modern technology, eh? :) ) So, the search for chickens still continues. In the meantime, we've (and by we I mean John) already started building a chicken coop!

VBAC Series: Birth Story #2 - Amanda M.

 

             Thank you for joining us again today for our second VBAC story! Today's comes to you from Amanda M. from Lubbock, TX. Again, all the birth stories in this series are told by real mothers in their own words.

            After 40 or so hours of what was later diagnosed as prodromal labor, my husband and I went in to L&D early Labor Day morning. I was only 2 cm and 80% effaced. The on call doctor at the time told me if no progress was made by the afternoon I would need another c-section. They were concerned about size since the last ultrasound a week or so before put my baby at almost 10 pounds and I was a VBAC. They admitted me and gave me my own room after a few hours of monitoring in triage. I expressed my wishes and concerns to my nurse and she spoke to the on call doctor on my behalf. Since my waters were intact and baby girl was good, she agreed to let me stay overnight to see my doctor the next morning.