Friday, May 31, 2013

Baby Food Fridays Series - Spices

           
            There is a new revolution of sorts occurring in the baby food world. Admittedly, when my husband first told me about reading that you could add spices to baby food I was skeptical. In fact, you’re probably thinking the same thing right now. “It’s safe to add spices to my child’s food? I’ve never read that in any books or online. Family, friends, and even doctors have never mentioned it being something that’s ok to do.” We add spices to OUR food on a daily basis, even if it’s just pepper, so why does it seem so crazy to pep up our babies’ food?
            For whatever reason, it has been ingrained into us that baby food should be as bland as possible. This is actually a phenomenon tied to the United States only. As it turns out, most other countries include spices regularly in their babies’ food without thinking twice about it. Curry, cumin, cinnamon, nutmeg, you name it! So, why don’t Americans spice their children’s food up the same way other countries do?
            It is coming forth as of recently (the past 3 years or so) that there is actually no scientific research to back up the “rule” that baby food should be plain and lacking spices. So, it’s not really a rule at all, but merely a guideline. Even the term “guideline” is pushing it a bit. If your family has a history of food allergies then yes, you should be very cautious when introducing new foods and spices to your child. However, it’s very unlikely and uncommon to have an allergy to spices. If food allergies aren’t a common problem in your family, there is absolutely no reason you can’t add a little spice to your child’s food.
            So, what kind of spices can you introduce in your baby’s food? Darn near anything that’s not terribly spicy (hot)! Here is a list of acceptable ones I found from a couple of my source pages below.

-alcohol-free vanilla
-pepper
-cinnamon
-mint
-nutmeg
-garlic powder
-anise
-ginger
-dill
-oregano
-basil
-rosemary
-lemon zest
-orange zest
-curry (Be cautious with this one. Some babies are sensitive.)

            You’ll want to hold off on the hot kind of spicy stuff until your little one gets older. A few examples of what kind of spices you could add include mixing a bit of cinnamon in with sweet potatoes, adding some garlic powder to mashed potatoes, or some allspice mixed in with squash. Wholesomebabyfood has a great page on adding spices to your baby’s food, including more examples and ideas.
            When is it safe to start introducing spices to your baby’s diet? The general consensus is around 8 months of age, by which time most people have already been letting their little one try real food. Why does this matter? While I think spicing up your baby’s food is a great idea and makes sense, it is wise to still try out plain food with your child a few times to make sure they don’t have any reactions. Once you know for sure they have no allergies to a certain type of food, have at the spices! Plus his/her digestive system will be more developed by then so something that might have upset his tummy a couple months ago might not now. Make sense?
            Baby food and when to introduce it to children can be a touchy subject amongst parents. What are your thoughts or concerns on adding spices? Do you already do this in your household? I’d love to hear from you!

Visit these links below (my sources) for more information and interesting articles on adding spices to your child’s baby food.

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/9646449/ns/health-childrens_health/t/experts-seek-debunk-baby-food-myths/#.UabGFdKOTxB

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Aunt Flo Regulating Tea

            Excuse my language, but Mother Nature is being a bitch once again. I guess it’s tea time. Let me explain…
            For whatever reason, my menstrual cycle (I call it Aunt Flo) started becoming irregular about 4 ½ years ago, which coincidentally was around the time my husband and I got together. I had been on birth control for a year or two before this happening, but had regular periods for several months after stopping. So your guess is as good as mine. Anyhow, it wasn’t really a problem at first because we had wanted to try to have kids right away, especially since my husband, John, is 5 ½ years older than I am. You know what they say: we’re not getting any younger. Suffice it to say, we weren’t exactly trying, but we weren’t exactly doing anything to prevent getting pregnant either.
            Fast forward to today and I thank my lucky stars that the powers that be kept us from having Myka until now because in the 4 ½ short years John and I have been together we have went from having no jobs and living off unemployment for at least a year, almost becoming homeless once, to owning our own home and my husband working for the government! I can’t even imagine what it would have been like had we had Myka sooner. Not good, I can tell you that much. Back to my point, though.
            Although I am thankful, in hindsight, we didn’t have her sooner, it did take us over 3 years to have her with no medical intervention. About half a year or more before Myka was conceived, I was having so many problems with irregular cycles that my dear husband started making an herbal tea for me to help regulate Aunt Flo. I have a terrible time taking pills and we both avoid taking them in general if at all possible, so I was more than willing to try this whole tea idea out.
            As far as I know, there is no actual name for this tea, so for all intents and purposes let’s just call it Aunt Flo regulating tea. It contains dong quai, damiana, and muira puama. It’s super easy to make (as most herbal teas are) and I’ll tell you how below!
            Many of you have probably heard of dong quai. It has many benefits, but as far as the tea goes it can help alleviate menstrual cramps and help with PMS symptoms. To be honest, I had never heard of the other two herbs used in this tea, including damiana, which is known for increasing sexual libido. Muira puama can also be used to increase libido and also helps with menstrual disorders. As a whole, this herbal tea can be used to increase sexual libido, help regulate menstrual cycles, AND help regulate blood sugar. Without getting TOO personal, it’s a one stop shop in my case.
            If you have issues with your not so monthly visitor not arriving on time like I do and prefer using more natural methods for every day ailments, I highly suggest giving this herbal tea a try. I’m getting ready to start drinking it again myself. As much as I enjoy Aunt Flo not visiting so often, I know it’s not healthy. I had several regular cycles right after I had Myka and now they are messed up again. Ugh. *shakes fist at Mother Nature *

DISCLAIMER: Remember that this helps your period get started, so if you think you might be pregnant, PLEASE don’t use this. Always consult with your doctor first before trying alternative methods like this as well. Always read up on possible side effects of medicine and alternative methods. I am in no way responsible for any harm that may come to you from use of this tea. Everyone is different. What works for me may not work for you.

To make Aunt Flo Regulating Tea:

-Fill a microwave safe tea or coffee cup with water nearly to the top. Make sure to leave a little room for your strainer.
-Heat your cup of water up for about a minute or until boiling.
-Place your mini strainer on top of the cup and add the following into it:
            -a medium pinch of muira puama 
-a tablespoon of damiana (this can be a heaping tablespoon if your hormones are really out of whack)
-a small pinch of dong quai powder
-I usually let mine steep for about 5 minutes. Be sure to shake the herbs around a bit so that the water covers them. You can also add a little water over the top of them if you need too. Once it’s done steeping just toss your used herbs in the trash.
-I’m not a big tea drinker. In fact, other that this, I never drink tea. Not even the regular caffeinated kind everyone in the south here seems to love so much. So, if you add a couple spoonfuls of sugar to help the medicine go down, I won’t tell if you don’t. ;) If you do this, I suggest adding it on TOP of the herbs while they’re still in the strainer. It helps the herbs sink so that they’re completely sitting in the water.
-Again, I’m not a doctor, but I recommend drinking a cup of this every day until your menstrual cycle starts and after until your cycles become regular. Why don’t I drink it while I’m on my period? For me personally, I have found that my flow seems heavier if I drink this while Aunt Flo is visiting.



            In case you’re wondering, yes, this tea does work and it has helped regulate my cycles in the past. Otherwise I wouldn't even bother telling you about it. ;)

Sources

Herb Suppliers




(I had a really hard time finding this one online. I think we got ours from a local store when we bought it.)

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Almost Wordless Wednesday

I like sharing pictures too much to share just one and talking too much to not say anything at all. These are from our adventures this afternoon in search of new walking places around town!




Dropcam Giveaway - MCO's B-Day Bash Event

We're celebrating MCO's first blog-birthday with MCO's Birthday Bash are so glad that you could join us for this event! If you've missed the giveaways up until now, be sure to click on the photo below to enter to win some amazing prizes from Strollers to Cookware!

Click on the image below to be redirected to a list of open giveaways.


MCO's Birthday Bash is continuing our celebration with an amazing giveaway for a Dropcam HD! 

I don't know about you, but for me it's hard to believe how quickly technology has advanced sometimes. It seems like just yesterday the plain Jane video baby monitors came out on the market. Now there are companies like Dropcam who have taken video baby monitoring to the next level! A couple of my favorite features of this camera are the two way audio and the mobile app. Check out all of the other great features below and enter to win one of your own!

Photo Credits: Dropcam

Dropcam was developed by co-founders Greg Duffy and Aami Virani after Greg's father desperately wanted to figure out which local dog was making a mess of his yard. He began hooking up IP camera's but was having trouble getting the system to work just right and that storing video on his hard drive wasn't an easy or secure solution. Greg was immediately interested in solving his dads dilemma and called his friend Aamir to talk through the problem. They began throwing around the idea around soon connected with tech pioneer Mitch Kapor who decided to fun the initial development which resulted in the launch of Dropcam in 2009. Now Dropcam is widely used around the country to "drop in" on their babies, pets, and even to catch unsuspecting thieves. 



Dropcam is a high definition Wi-Fi video camera that has remote viewing and two way sound. Your Dropcam can be viewed through any computer or Apple or Android device. The set up on the Dropcam is a breeze, simply plug it into your computer and the Dropcam system walks you through the  60 second process. Some of the fantastic features that Dropcam offers is:

  • Quick Setup
  • HD Video Quality
  • Secure SSL Encryption
  • Easy Turn On and Turn Off Based on Your Location 
  • Digital Zoom
  • Activity Alerts
  • Exclusive Mobile App
  • Two Way Audio
  • Night Vision
  • DVR
  • & More!


Photo Credits: Dropcam

To see a full review of Dropcam, use this link

To Purchase: Visit Dropcam's website and pick yours up for $149! This is a baby gear must have!

To Win: Mommys Craft Obsession and Dropcam are giving away a Dropcam HD! Enter the Rafflecopter below, all entries are optional with exception of your address, which is necessary for product shipment if you are the winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


The Giveaway will close late on the evening of June 12th. The winner will be chosen at random through Rafflecopter which uses Random.org. The winner will be announced both on Rafflecopter as well as MCO’s Facebook. The winner will have their prize sent to them by Dropcam, Mommys Craft Obsession and other participating bloggers are not responsible for prize shipment. Must be 18 years and older. Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google are in no way affiliated with this giveaway. No Purchase Necessary. US Only.

*Mommys Craft Obsession, Getting Green with Baby, and other participating bloggers have not received compensation (monetary nor product) to promote this giveaway.


Tuesday, May 28, 2013

GAC Water Filter Review


            Are you one of those unfortunate people who live in an area that has really gross tap water? Perhaps it smells like you’re drinking a glass full of rotten egg water or (I’ve noticed this especially at certain restaurants) it has so much chlorine added that it tastes and smells like you’re drinking a glass of pool water? Or, maybe you’re just a water snob like me. If any of the above apply to you, I’ve got a solution to share with you!

Van Delft Inc. makes GAC (granular activated carbon) water filters for use on the go and at home. They are designed to remove chlorine, chloramines (derivatives of ammonia, yuck!), odor and taste, and other particulates in otherwise potable water. Each biodegradable (you read right!) filter is about the size of a tea bag and can filter up to 50 Liters of water.

You may be thinking, “Granulated carbon? How does it work? Is it safe to ingest?” In a nutshell, the carbon is super porous, so, when your water flows over the surface of it all of the nasty bits in your water attach to the carbon. The activated carbon is also perfectly safe to consume, although it is suggested you rinse your filter off first to get rid of the dust. It is commonly used in hospital emergency rooms to treat accidental poisoning. Pretty cool, huh?
            GAC water filters can be really handy on the go since they don’t take up much room in or out of your water bottle, but can be used at home as well. Instead of buying an expensive water filter system for your faucet, just get a pitcher of water and stick one of these little guys in and let it set for a few minutes to let the activated carbon work its magic! These are also great for people who enjoy outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, etc. since they easily fit and don’t take up hardly any room in your sports bottle. These would be great for parents too for running to the store and going on other errands.
            I’ll be honest, I haven’t used these as much as I would like, even though I take a water bottle with me to work every day. I work in Hot Springs National Park so I have ready to drink, non-treated, potable straight from the ground thermal water available to me while I’m working. However, since we have city water at home, I have used these water filters there and while out on our walks. I usually drink the filtered water from our refrigerator machine at home, but I have tried the filter with our tap water and it tastes just as good as the filtered refrigerator water! These have also been a lifesaver on our afternoon strolls, as I mentioned, because I’m a bit of a water snob and find drinking fountain water to be kind of gross. So, I just filled my reusable water bottle up, with my GAC filter already inside, swished it around a bit for the activated carbon to do its job and voila! Non-yucky drinking fountain water!
            Van Delft Inc. is so sure you will be satisfied with their GAC filters that, if you go to their website HERE and click the blue “Try One for Free!” button in the top right corner, they will send you a sample to try one for yourself! If you would like to go ahead and order some, they are very affordable and can be purchased HERE.


Getting Green with Baby was not compensated monetarily for this review. I received a GAC water filter in exchange for my honest opinion and review. All opinions expressed herein are my own. 

Monday, May 27, 2013

Go With Me Chair Review


Normally, I’m not the type of person to “gush” over things. However, the first time I saw this Go With Me Chair I could not stop talking about how cool and nifty it looked! It was even worse when we received ours in the mail. As soon as my husband got home from work I insisted he check it out too. As he looked it over and pointed out various aspects of it, I’m pretty sure I said “How cool is that?!”, and variations thereof, about 50 times. For me, this is one of those products you didn’t realize you needed until you had it. I don’t come across a lot of those!
            The Go With Me Chair is made by Kelsyus, who also manufactures canopy chairs for adults and older children, floating loungers, and more. They even sell floating coolers! The Go With Me Chair is suitable for children ages 3 months to 6 years or 75 pounds. I don’t know about you, but I LOVE products that are going to last me for years to come!
            Because your child will be able to use this chair for many years, it is very versatile, which I also love. There are three main stages to the Go With Me Chair: sitting, standing, and big kid. For the sitting stage there is a five-point harness to keep your child safe while using the chair, even if he can sit up on his own. (Like my daughter who tries to do “baby yoga” as I call it and bends too far forward and can’t sit back up sometimes.) For the standing stage, there is a flap that folds back on the seat portion of the chair with two leg holes and a basket/bag underneath to keep their feet nice and clean and safe from hazardous things while outside. Last, the five-point harness can be removed and the foot compartment rolled up and secured for the big kid stage!
            As if this weren’t cool and handy enough already, the Go With Me Chair also includes a convenient carrying bag for easy portability, a removable tray your child can use for snacks and toys, AND a removable sun shade. And did I mention it has a cup holder perfect for sippy cups and bottles as well? The durable fabric is also resistant to weathering and fading from the sun, so it is perfect to take camping, the beach, or just the yard. You can use it indoors too, of course.
            The Kelsyus folks were kind enough to send a Go With Me Chair for Myka and I to try out. I chose the green dot pattern because green is my favorite color and I prefer gender neutral colors for future use, but they do also offer a blue dot and pink dot option. It comes in a convenient carrying bag with handles, as I mentioned, and is very light weight!

            We’ve had several opportunities to try this wonderful chair out. I’m also planning on using it when I finally kick my lazy butt into gear to do some yard work! We always used the stroller before if we brought Myka out while we were doing things in the yard, but that’s kind of a pain, not to mention she doesn't look terribly comfortable in it, so the Go With Me Chair will definitely come in handy!
            As far as indoor usage goes, these chairs are a big help for playtime if you may need to come and go from the room your child is playing in. Nothing like knowing they’re safe and having peace of mind! This is especially nice if you have little rollers or crawlers to worry about.
Don't mind the Halloween tree in the background that never got put up. lol

            Since I only work part-time and am still home most mornings/afternoons by myself, I like to bring Myka in the kitchen with me if I’m doing dishes or cooking so she’s not in the other room by herself. The Go With Me Chair is a lifesaver because I always put Myka in her monkey bouncer before, but as you can imagine she is WAY too big for it now! Now I can continue to get things done and keep Myka entertained at the same time.

            In just the last month, Myka has decided to start sitting up on her own, rolling all over the place, and “talk”. She just started rolling while my in-laws were here, so it wasn’t really a problem for me to get ready for work in the morning since they kept an eye on her and played with her. Now that they are gone, though, I’m thinking, “Crap. What am I going to do with her in the mornings?!” since she can’t be trusted by herself. (The days of propping her up in the corner of the couch and putting Baby Einstein on are over. *sigh *) So, I decided to see how she did in the Go With Me Chair while I took a bath yesterday and she actually fell asleep in it! (She was like 8 feet away the whole time.) I’m glad I don’t have to worry about putting her in “baby jail” quite yet since it’s still being used as our changing table.
            Speaking of my in-laws being here, they, my husband, and Myka went fishing one day while I was at work and took the Go With Me Chair with them. My husband, of course, forgot to take a picture of it “in action”, but they said she sat there and played and was a happy little camper the whole time. My mother in-law liked the chair because it was light weight and didn’t take up much room in the trunk.
            As you can see, the uses for this chair are just about endless. There’s not really anything I DON’T like about it and would highly recommend it to anyone with young children.

 
Cup holder and hole where you pull the tray string through to secure.

This is where the shade canopy locks in. Very easy to get in and out and you’ll know when it is secure!

The foot bag rolled up and secured with the Velcro flaps underneath the seat of the chair.

The seat flap has snaps so it stays nice and secure!

Leg holes for your little one learning to stand.

Detachable 5-point harness.

One of my favorite features is the safety lock. You just push down on it until it’s straight across and won’t go down any further so you know that the chair is folded out completely!

            If you would like to purchase your own Go With Me Chair, visit Kelsyus’ website by clicking HERE. Also, be sure to keep your eyes peeled in the next week or two for your chance to WIN one right here!

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Boba 3G Carrier Giveaway - MCO's B-Day Bash Event


We're celebrating MCO's Birthday Bash and are so glad that you could join us for this event! If you've missed the giveaways up until now, be sure to click on the photo below to enter to win some amazing prizes from Strollers to Cookware!

Click on the image below to be redirected to a list of open giveaways.



MCO's Birthday Bash is continuing their celebration with an amazing giveaway for a Boba 3G Carrier! 


Photo Credits: Boba

Boba began when two parents decided to leave their hometown of Bolder, CO, and travel the world with their two kids in tow. They took off with only a few personal belongings, a few thousand dollars, two backpacks, two kids, and a dream. They wanted to live their lives and experience freedom togetherWith an amazing idea and determination, the first Boba Wrap was sold out of rural Slovenia and before long the company had taken off. Starting the business was no easy task as the adventurous couple behind Boba traveled the world, but they made it happen and before long Boba turned into a well known and extremely popular brand of baby carriers.



Photo Credits: Boba

Boba carries many types of carriers from wraps to soft structured carriers, regular and organic cotton, and their newest addition, the Boba Air, is their lightest carrier to date. I (Alex at Mommys Craft Obsession) had the opportunity to review one of Boba's Organic 3G carriers, which is exactly like the Boba 3G just made from Organic Cotton, and I absolutely fell in love. I've always been big on babywearing and thought I would never love a baby carrier like I loved the one I previously owned, but the Boba quickly became my favorite and go to carrier that I recommend to everyone.

The Boba 3G Carrier features: 
  • 100% organic cotton
  • Front and back carry options
  • Removable sleeping hood
  • Adjustable sleeping hood, adjusting in length to fit growing babies
  • Zipper pouch may be used to store your hood when not in use
  • Comfortably fits heights 5’0” – 6’3”
  • Waistband range: 25” – 58”
  • Additional adjustments for easier fit & breastfeeding
  • Patent-pending removable foot straps
  • Elastic bands neatly roll up straps
  • Shoulder strap holders keep purses and diaper bags in place
  • Easily adjustable chest strap
  • Uniquely designed to “hug” your child
  • Converts to an infant carrier without an insert
  • Extra head support adjustments for infants
  • Body of carrier rises 2-3” higher than other brands
  • Multiple pockets for on-the-go storage
  • High quality military grade buckles
These look so comfy for the baby AND the parent! Not to mention the other perks listed above...and they come in fun prints! 


Photo Credits: Boba

To see a full review of Boba's [Organic] 3G Carrier, use this link


To Purchase: Visit Boba's website and pick yours up for $120-$125! This is a baby gear must have!

To Win: Mommys Craft Obsession and Boba are giving away one Boba 3G Carrier in Winners Choice of Color! Enter the Rafflecopter below, all entries are optional with exception of your address and color choice, which is necessary for product shipment if you are the winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


The Giveaway will close late on the evening of June 9th. The winner will be chosen at random through Rafflecopter which uses Random.org. The winner will be announced both on Rafflecopter as well as MCO’s Facebook. The winner will have their prize sent to them by Boba, Mommys Craft Obsession and other participating bloggers are not responsible for prize shipment. Must be 18 years and older. Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google are in no way affiliated with this giveaway. No Purchase Necessary. US Only.

*Mommys Craft Obsession and other participating bloggers have not received compensation (monetary nor product) to promote this giveaway.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Go With Me Chair Blogger Opp



Attention all bloggers! Getting Green with Baby has teamed up with Kelsyus in a giveaway for a Go With Me Chair! One winner will receive a chair in his/her choice of color (green, pink, or blue dot). Giveaway is open to the United States 48 contiguous states. Promotion is required 3x/week during the entirety of the event. Free and paid links along with co-host options are available. If you are interested in signing up for this event, please follow the link HERE.

Real Kids Shades Review & Giveaway

           Does your child turn into a baby vampire, hissing and turning away at break neck speed, every time you go out on a sunny day like my daughter? (Ok. So she doesn’t actually hiss, but she may as well.) If so, I have an awesome product to share with you!

            Real KidsShades is a relatively new company that is the leading maker of high quality protective eyewear for children ages 12 and under. Did you know that children under 10 are at increased risk for permanent eye damage from the sun? People often take for granted the importance of eye health and that’s where RKS comes in! Their sunglasses aren’t just cute little baby shades that, while they may look adorable on your child, provide little or no protection from the sun’s harmful rays to your child’s eyes. Real Kids Shades sunglasses provide 100% UV protection-both A AND B! That’s pretty impressive!
            Now, I feel like I should mention that these are still “cute little baby shades.” Real Kids Shades come in a variety of fun colors and designs that kids will love. What’s even more important than the cute factor”? Comfort, of course! These glasses aren’t just miniature versions of adult sunglasses: they’re made with kids in mind and specifically designed to fit them comfortably!

            The folks at Real Kids Shades were kind enough to let Myka and I try out their My First Shades and the Sunhat Combo Pack. Myka has always been a wiggle worm and doesn’t generally like having things on her head. Many of the RKS glasses (including the ones we were able to try) come with adjustable neoprene brands that help hold the glasses in place while still being comfortable for children. We have used the My First Shades in the car and on outdoor walks quite a few times and Myka has not fussed once when I put them on or took them off! I love that they’re adjustable as well because my daughter has a rather large noggin.
Purple hearts My First Shades

            Another great feature of the My First Shades is that the neoprene band is not only comfortable, it floats in water as well! So, these are obviously a great option for trips to the pool and lake as well as every day use. On the off chance little Billy’s shades fall off or get pulled off, you will no longer have to worry about losing them or having to retrieve them from the bottom of the pool!
I even dunked them just to make sure they float. ;) I can't wait to try these out ON baby girl in the pool!
I noticed that most of the water ran off the glasses and what remained beaded up instead of smearing around and making the world look all funky to your kid. How nice!

            I love the sunhat combo pack as well because aside from the My First Shades providing Myka’s eyes with 100% UV protection, the sunhat protects her delicate head from getting burnt as well! She’s finally started getting more hair in the past couple of months, but it’s still pretty thin and exposed up there. We take the majority of our walks near or under trees, so I like that the hat protects her head from bugs and “nature debris” too.
I love using these in the car! The window shade only does so much...
Great for walks outside on sunny days.
Keeping the yucky bugs (and hot sun, of course) off my head!

            As I mentioned, Real Kids Shades offers sunglasses for children up to 12 years old. They also sell Xtreme Elements, which are great for outdoor sports, Flex and Flex Duo for children ages 3-7, and several stylish, but functional, options for 7-12 year olds. I almost forgot to mention that all of RKS products are super affordable! Check out their website HERE.
            Since RKS is so passionate about protecting children’s eyes and spreading the word about eye health in children, they work closely with Prevent Blindness America. You can find more information on the importance of protecting your children’s eyes HERE.
            With summer drawing near, how would you like to win your own pair of Real Kids Shades to protect your little one’s eyes? Enter the giveaway below for your chance! Good luck!


*Getting Green with Baby was not compensated monetarily for this review/giveaway. Real Kids Shades provided me with products in exchange for an honest review. Getting Green with Baby and all other promoting blogs are not responsible for prize shipment. That is the sole responsibility of the sponsor. If you have any questions or concerns, please email me at AliciaOwen6814@yahoo.com.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Damhorst Toys Name Puzzle Stool Giveaway - MCO's B-Day Bash Event


We're celebrating MCO's first blog-birthday with MCO's Birthday Bash are so glad that you could join us for this event! If you've missed the giveaways up until now, be sure to click on the photo below to enter to win some amazing prizes from Strollers to Cookware!

Click on the image below to be redirected to a list of open giveaways.


MCO's Birthday Bash is continuing our celebration with a fun Name Puzzle Stool from Damhorst Toys! 

Who doesn't love unique, but thoughtful gifts? (Unique in a good way. Not the bunny costume from "A Christmas Story" kind of unique. ;) ) Check out these adorable, customized name puzzle stools from Damhorst Toys! What child doesn't love something with his/her name on it?

Photo Credits: Damhorst Toys

Damhorst Toys began in 1971 when they manufactured the first ever personalized wooden name puzzle stool that was originally patterned off of a jigsaw puzzle. This family owned, American-made company wanted to give children a boost of hand eye coordination and the drive to master the proper placement of puzzle pieces. The company is now owned by Kris Damhorst and his sister Megin Cassimastis but was started by their parents Don and Carol. Between 1971 to 1998 Damhorst Toys was managed from their home and distributed into toy shops and brought to craft fairs by Carol. The company moved from their home to a larger shop in 1998 and by 2004 Kris and Megin took over full time ownership of the company. The spirit of Don and Carol live on through the vision,creativity, and quality of the Damhorst Toys that are sold and distributed today. Perhaps the most wonderful thing about Damhorst Toys is that their sales are direct so when you are creating an order with Damhorst toys you are speaking directly to Kris or Megin throughout the entire process.




Damhorst Toy's Name Puzzle Stool is available in two sizes (large and small) and in two color schemes (primary and pastel). The small Name Puzzle Stools include up to 8 letters for your child's name, or 7 letters for two names (Example: Ryan Lee or Zoe Jane). The Name Puzzle Stools are made out of wood with a water based, non toxic finish on the stool and the letters. The small Name Puzzle Stool measures 9 X 12 and is approximately 9 inches from the ground, while the large Name Puzzle Stool measures 9 X 20 and is approximately 9 inches from the ground. The large Name Puzzle Stool has a maximum of a 14 letter name or two names with a total of 13 letters. As if the Name Puzzle Stools weren't unique enough, you can even choose to engrave the bottom of them with your own personal message, birth information, quote, or whatever else you would like! Engrave up to 300 characters (9 lines) and give your child an extra special message to look back on into their adulthood. 

Photo Credits: Damhorst Toys


Photo Credits: Damhorst Toys

To see a full review of Damhorst Toy's Name Puzzle Stool, use this link


To Purchase: Visit Damhorst Toy's website and pick yours up for $59-$74! Your little one will love learning their name with this fun and colorful stool!

To Win: Mommys Craft Obsession and Damhorst Toys are giving away one Name Stool Puzzles that will include up to an 8 letter name and up to 300 characters (9 lines) of engraving! Winners choice of pastel or primary colors! Enter the Rafflecopter below, all entries are optional with exception of your address and color choice, which is necessary for product shipment if you are the winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


The Giveaway will close late on the evening of June 5th. The winner will be chosen at random through Rafflecopter which uses Random.org. The winner will be announced both on Rafflecopter as well as MCO’s Facebook. The winner will have their prize sent to them by Damhorst Toys, Mommys Craft Obsession and other participating bloggers are not responsible for prize shipment. Must be 18 years and older. Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google are in no way affiliated with this giveaway. No Purchase Necessary. US Only.

*Mommys Craft Obsession, Getting Green with Baby, and other participating bloggers have not received compensation (monetary nor product) to promote this giveaway.

Ecocentric Mom Subscription Box - Part of the Bloom Into Baby Event

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Sponsored by: Ecocentric Mom
Special Thanks to Our AWESOME Cohosts
This giveaway is part of the Bloom Into Baby Event.
Be sure to check out all of the current Bloom Into Baby giveaways in the linky below the Giveaway Tools Form.
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Ecocentric Mom is one of the best subscriptions out there! Each month they bring you eco-friendly and innovative products for you and your little one!
Check out Ecocentric Mom Reviews on My Four Littles.
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Oh my goodness! I have been looking for something like this for a few weeks now! If you love surprises and trying out earth friendly products as much as I do, you will love this! On their subscriptions, they even offer a mom, mom-to-be, and baby box. How cool is that?! Don't forget to enter the giveaway below after you visit their website!

One lucky reader will win ONE YEAR SUBSCRIPTION to Ecocentric Mom (RV $204).
This giveaway is open to the United States only.
This giveaway will begin 12:00am EST May 22 and end 11:59pm EST June 4.
All entries will be verified.
Good luck and thank you for entering!
  Don't stop now!   Enter some more Bloom Into Baby Giveaways! Disclosure: This giveaway is not associated with, affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or any other social media platform in any way. Social media outlets are in no way responsible for sponsor prize fulfillment. The sponsor alone is responsible for fulfilling the aforementioned prize. This blog did not receive compensation for posting this giveaway. Your information will not be shared with anyone without your explicit consent. This giveaway event is hosted by Amanda from My Four Littles and Four Littles Media. You can contact Amanda at contactus@myfourlittles.com with any questions, concerns, or to see your company featured on a Four Littles Media event.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

MCO's Birthday Bash Baby Trend Twitter Party

We're celebrating MCO's first blog-birthday with MCO's Birthday Bash and are so glad that you could join us for this event! If you've missed the giveaways up until now, be sure to click on the photo below to enter to win some amazing prizes from Strollers to Cookware!

Click on the image below to be redirected to a list of open giveaways.


MCO's Birthday Bash is continuing our celebration with a Twitter Party with Baby Trend! Get ready to win great prizes and party with us at the #BabyTrendBday Twitter Party!

We just so happen to have one of Baby Trend's travel systems, so I am a big fan of theirs! They have so many great products and I love that they have cute, gender neutral designs too. One of my favorite things about our travel system is that you know when it's in the car base or stroller properly when you hear it click! The basket underneath on the stroller also has tons of room, which of course is great. I have been able to fit the diaper bag, my lunch, and my purse, with room to spare, in that thing! Keep scrolling to learn about the great giveaway and Twitter party that MCO and Baby Trend have put together! 

Photo Credits: Baby Trend

Baby Trend is one of the leading innovators of baby gear and has been manufacturing quality baby must have's for over twenty three (23) years. Baby Trend strives to accomplish their goal of providing the safest, most reliable products that are available at an affordable price. The first baby products introduced by Baby Trend were their Snap N' Go and Sit N' Stand strollers which have won numerous awards and continue to make their way into families homes as a must have. 

The Sit N' Stand is available in five (5) different variations; the LX, the DX, the Ultra, the Double, and the Tag-a-Long. The Sit N' Stand Ultra has many features that parents of multiples look for in a double tandem stroller, and some features that parents probably hadn't even thought of until Baby Trend debuted their Sit N' Stand Ultra. The Sit N Stand Ultra is not only a double stroller, but it is a travel system as well and is compatible with most major brands of infant car seats including Baby Trend, Graco, Evenflo, Britax, and Safety 1st. The front seat features a 5 point harness, removable shade canopy, removable child tray, parent tray with two cup holders, an easy one hand fold, foot activated rear break, a large storage basket, and much more!



To read a full review of the Sit N Stand Ultra click here.


Hosted By:

@BabyTrend

@loveMCO


Sponsored By:

Photo Credits: Baby Trend


Tuesday May 21st
8:00PM EST

Party Link: http://ow.ly/kClSY
(Tweet Grid)



The Prizes:

One (1) lucky winner will receive one of Baby Trends *NEW* Inertia Infant Car Seats! The Inertia Infant Car Seat features a 8-position adjustable head support, a no-rethread harness, ESP energy absorbing foam for head impact protection, multi-grip carrying handle, crossbar for easy maneuvering, and a controlled motion base that responds to forces instantly, easy installation, rigid LATCH connectors, and an adjustable base with four recline positions. Recommended us for babies 5-32 pounds and up to 32 inches.

Photo Credits: Baby Trend


Two (2) lucky winners will receive Sit N' Stand Ultra's!

Photo Credits: Baby Trend


Please RSVP below, once you have RSVPed you will have the opportunity to take advantage of extra entries by following the hosts and sponsor on various social media networks, and by sharing the party details with your friends and family. You do not have to do any of the additional entries if you do not want to, but please keep in mind that the more entries you do, the better chance you have to win! 

To Win:
You must have RSVPed to the Rafflecopter and have tweeted at least once during the party using the #BabyTrendBday hashtag. Winners will be chosen at random through Rafflecopter (which uses random.org), verified, and announced at the party. If you are a winner you will be emailed within 24 hours of the party ending.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: This twitter party is open to US residents only and is not applicable to P.O. Boxes. All entries will be verified. If you have been lucky enough to be selected as a winner you are ineligible to win any other prizes. Winner is not allowed to ask for a different prize than that of which they won. If you are selected as a winner your name will be announced at the Twitter Party and you will emailed within 24 hours of the party ending to redeem your prize. You will have 24 hours to respond to the email before you will forfeit your prize and a new winner will be selected. Mommys Craft Obsession is not responsible for prize fulfillment or shipment. If you have any further questions please contact Alex at mommyscraftobsession AT gmail DOT com. This blog has not been compensated monetarily for promotion of the sponsors or for participating in this event.

*Getting Green with Baby has not been compensated for the promotion of this twitter party.