NoseFrida The Snotsucker #Review from Thanks Mama

"Thanksmama.com is family owned and operated natural baby store. They offer a great selection of cloth diapering products, potty training pants, swim diapers, natural baby care products, baby carriers, bibs, toys, nursery furniture and bedding, strollers and much more. They look for innovative products that are good for the baby and the environment and they never forget that most families are on a budget. That’s why Thanks Mama offers the Lowest Prices, Free Shipping on orders over $60 within USA, 90 days easy returns; Buy Safe Guarantee and Price Guarantee. Thanks Mama does ship worldwide!

Follow Thanks Mama on Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Pinterest or Google +. They host weekly Giveaways, Contests, Sweepstakes, Twitter Parties, talk about modern family fun and challenges, natural parenting and green living. "

For this review, I will spare you the pictures of the product in use! LOL. Instead, I will show you how the NoseFrida looks right out of the box (below).

 I had the opportunity to use this on Fuss as she was having a tough time with her allergies for a couple weeks when the weather changed...and changed....and changed. She woke up one morning particularly congested and instead of reaching for her allergy medication, I grabbed this admittedly unusual item that Thanks Mama sent me for review.






So, I pulled the NoseFrida out of the box and read the instructions. It consists of 3 parts. The aspirator tube, the collection tube, and the filter. You take the collection end (blue part) with a filter in place and put the end in the child's nose. Then you take the aspiration tube and suck air in, therefore suctioning out the snot. The filter prevents anything from being pulled up into the tube - and inadvertently into your mouth.

I was immediately able to get quite a large amount of snot out of Fuss's nose with the first use. The only problem I had with it was dealing with the sound it makes. The sound alone was enough to make me gag, but I gag sometimes when helping her blow her nose! I will definitely be using this for the new baby instead of the bulb-style suction. After all, I can EASILY clean the NoseFrida with warm water and a little soap. Plus, it is clear so I can be sure it is clean and mold-free before use. The suction bulbs are well-known for growing mold after just a use or two. Check out the NoseFrida and other Health & Safety items Thanks Mama has available!

I sincerely thank Thanks Mama for the opportunity to review this and the other items and I hope you will head over and thank them as well!

Bumkins Reusable Snack Bags #Review Courtesy Thanks Mama

 My second item from Thanks Mama are these great Bumkins Reusable Snack Bags. I was actually able to wash these in the washing machine along with my kitchen towels and they held up without a problem. They are also better than the other brand of snack bags that I have with Velcro closure since these have zippers. First, they are much more secure than the ones with Velcro closures because the Velcro tops just fold over allowing smaller snacks (like Cheerios) to spill out the corners. Second, they actually hold slightly more than the Velcro closures, again because of the fold-over top versus a zipper.

Fuss was very excited to get these and they arrived just at the right time as my baby shower was November 9th and then we had countless doctor's appointments between then and Baby's birth. Fuss was able to take a snack bag full of her "honey nut toasted O's" (LOL) with her whenever she wanted. Some days that included traveling around the house or sitting in her little recliner. 

The Bumkins Snack Bag is made very durably and has withstood a toddler dragging them to Kingdom Come and back again as well as being taken to a party with multiple toddlers around her age. I think at one point they were using it as a football and it didn't tear around the seams or at the zipper! These are definitely going to come in handy for when Baby Boy gets old enough to eat small snack foods as I will be able to carry them around in the snack bags and not have to have those bulky canisters with me all the time. 

Above, Fuss modeling her Cat in the Hat Snack Bag. lol. For more information on Thanks Mama, and their other great Feeding supplies please read below and be sure to stop by their site and follow on their social media accounts for more chances to win great prizes!

"Thanksmama.com is family owned and operated natural baby store. They offer a great selection of cloth diapering products, potty training pants, swim diapers, natural baby care products, baby carriers, bibs, toys, nursery furniture and bedding, strollers and much more. They look for innovative products that are good for the baby and the environment and they never forget that most families are on a budget. That’s why Thanks Mama offers the Lowest Prices, Free Shipping on orders over $60 within USA, 90 days easy returns; Buy Safe Guarantee and Price Guarantee. Thanks Mama does ship worldwide!

Follow Thanks Mama on Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Pinterest or Google +. They host weekly Giveaways, Contests, Sweepstakes, Twitter Parties, talk about modern family fun and challenges, natural parenting and green living. "

Thanks for Your Patience.

I am quite behind right now getting started with the Boy, Oh, Boy! event as well as getting my last 2 reviews up for Thanks Mama. I had Baby Boy on Thanksgiving via C-section after 14 hours of labor when he went into distress (more on that to come as well). Between adjusting to having a newborn again, recovering from the section, and Fuss becoming completely belligerent with us, it has been quite a couple weeks! I am finally feeling better and will be getting things up and running ASAP!

Cloth Diaper Store Thanks Mama Bumkins Art Smock #Review

I was sent a few items from Cloth Diaper Store Thanks Mama about 2 weeks ago. I will be posting the reviews of the other items pictured separately. First, a little bit about Thanks Mama:

"Thanksmama.com is family owned and operated natural baby store. They offer a great selection of cloth diapering products, potty training pants, swim diapers, natural baby care products, baby carriers, bibs, toys, nursery furniture and bedding, strollers and much more. They look for innovative products that are good for the baby and the environment and they never forget that most families are on a budget. That’s why Thanks Mama offers the Lowest Prices, Free Shipping on orders over $60 within USA, 90 days easy returns; Buy Safe Guarantee and Price Guarantee. Thanks Mama does ship worldwide!

Follow Thanks Mama on Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Pinterest or Google +. They host weekly Giveaways, Contests, Sweepstakes, Twitter Parties, talk about modern family fun and challenges, natural parenting and green living"

The one that was used immediately was the Bumkins art smock pictured in the middle of the photo above. I actually hung it still in the package on Fuss's art easel. It took all of about 5 seconds for her to see it and come running to me, "Mommy! What is this!? Is it for me?" LOL. She naturally asked where it came from and I told her it was sent specially for her. Naturally, she HAD to take it out and put it on immediately!

 Here is the picture of the original packaging...which lasted all of 10 minutes. Fuss took it out and tossed the plastic in the trash. I'm just glad she had been "helping Daddy work on the truck" when I opened the package! (For the full line of prints and other bibs and smocks just click here. Seriously, they are AWESOME!)











And here is Fuss sporting her brand new smock standing in front of her easel. The smock has pockets in the front which are great for storing crayons or markers...or even tools for helping Daddy out (yes, she did that too).

I love the fact that it is made of a waterproof fabric just in case they spill something. Fuss actually dumped a half a bottle of chocolate milk down her chest shortly after finishing her project on the easel. She also had dry erase marker on the front of the smock.

So what happened? Well, all I had to do was toss it in the wash on cold delicate cycle with the rest of Fuss's clothes. I pulled it out before the dryer and hung it to dry. Easy peasy! The best part? The dry erase marker came off the front (we had a little bit of color residue on the back side, which was probably my fault) and ALL of the chocolate milk washed off, and out, of the smock. The pocket, which had been full of milk, didn't even have a trace left on the stitches inside! Honestly, if it hadn't been soaked in milk I would have been able to simply wipe the smock with a damp cloth to get it clean.

Fuss insists on wearing this smock now nearly every time she plays with her easel. It is easy for her to slip on and the Velcro closure at the neck makes it really simple for her to fasten herself. It also ties securely at the waist. Overall, I think this is a great product and a great investment for your little artist. I only wish it also came in a long-sleeved version. Or at least 3/4-length to help protect long-sleeved shirts.


Be sure to head over to Thanks Mama and check out their other great products! You can use the code "5off" to get $5 off your order of $60 or more just for being a follower! :) And head over to the Thanks Mama Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Google+ and show them some Crunchy love! Then, be sure to hit up their BLOG for some awesome tips and weekly giveaways!

Below are a few more shots of Fuss modeling for me. She was so thrilled to be able to model! LOL.

Stuffing crayons in the pocket.

Packing the Hospital Bag and Push Pack #Review

 So, as you know, I have been fighting with preterm contractions/labor. I have yet to actually PACK my hospital bag, but I do have a little helper on my side this time around! I purchased a Push Pack a few weeks ago in the hopes of making life just a little less hectic when it came time to pack.

When it arrived, it was wrapped in pretty purple paper and had several coupons tucked inside the box with it.

Here it is after I opened it up and laid out everything that came in it...which wasn't an easy task as I had Fuss trying to grab everything and take off with it! lol.

It contains just about everything you need! There is shampoo, toothpaste, travel toothbrush, a comb, razor, and even gum and a Luna bar for a snack! Not to mention there is lip balm, breast pads and menstrual pads, but also 3 pairs of mesh undies.

One of my favorite features is that it comes with a little note pad (to write down questions for the doctor) AND Thank you cards and a pen! After Fuss was born I had a hard time keeping track of pens, or even tracking one down in the first place, when needed. The thank you cards definitely will come in handy for those gifts people bring with them to the hospital when they come to meet the new arrival. And, yes, there WILL be gifts! Or at least flowers. I swear, I left the hospital with twice as much stuff as I arrived with!

I have thrown Hubby's Daddy Scrubs in my bag in case he has to stay overnight as well. He will be able to wear them for delivery as well as something comfy during his stay at the hospital. I know that I have 90% of everything I need, but this awesome list from Push Pack is definitely a helpful reminder! For example, I had almost forgotten I needed to pack a nursing bra! As you can see, I have Baby's outfit(s) as well as a shirt for me to wear on the way home and my Bamboobies. The one thing not in the picture that you DON'T want to forget is the BABY BOOK!!! It is now in my bag and the bag is by the door ready and waiting.

It's Almost Here!

The Boy, OH, Boy! event will kick off in just a couple short weeks! First, I have almost made 36 weeks. Second, my OB appointment yesterday went really well except for the fact that I am effacing already! My cervix is 70% effaced and the midwife told me I could go at any time, but to "keep your legs crossed" until at least Saturday (when I'll be 36 weeks) to keep from going to the specialty hospital almost an hour away.

I am VERY excited that I may actually get to meet my little boy this month instead of next. However, I know that nothing is guaranteed when it comes to child birth...just look at the craziness I went through when Fuss was born. So, I'm taking it one day at a time and just hoping I can get Baby Boy here in his own time and healthy.

#Giveaway!

To celebrate my 2-year blogiversary (October 6, which I missed...whoops!) as well as my birthday tomorrow, I am giving away 3 bibs!

Head over to my Facebook Page and "like" it, then comment on the pinned photo to win! There will be 1 winner tonight and 2 tomorrow.

Sprout Soup #clothdiaper store in Columbus Ohio

Anyone in the Columbus area? I have recently discovered this little cloth diaper and baby wearing shop in Columbus, OH called Sprout Soup. I perused the site for a little bit and found some really great products. They have such a great variety! They have everything from high chairs to cloth diapers and baby carriers. One of my favorites is the EllaRoo Woven Wrap in the Limona colorway. I have yet to be able to purchase a "good" woven wrap for myself, though. I have used a home made "Moby style" wrap that I really loved until Fuss was over 20 pounds. At that time, I switched to a Mei Tai. I'm really thinking I would prefer the wraps over the MT.

Sprout Soup also has a great section for Sloomb wool covers and wool wash! I just won a wool cover, so I definitely will have to order soon!

Head on over to Sprout Soup and let me know what your favorite product is that they carry or just a certain item you would like to try.

**Published in the hopes of becoming the Sprout Soup featured blogger for 2014. Thanks for your support!**

Fuss's First Sleepover!

I'm so excited to say that Fuss had her first sleepover with Princess and Charlie in preparation for my delivery. If I happen to go all the way to my due date (HA!) then my MIL will be with my SIL in Aruba for a week and won't be available to come grab Fuss at the drop of a hat. The day I was crying to Blondie about this, because that is what we hormonal pregnant women do, Blondie volunteered that she and Dagwood could watch Fuss for me...and since they have car seats, they can even come grab her at the hospital in the middle of the night if necessary. That was a HUGE relief, however, Fuss has always had a hard time sleeping away from home. It didn't matter if she was staying with my mom or my MIL, she would start screaming around bedtime and scream for an hour nonstop! She had never stayed with anyone who wasn't family. So, we decided to give it a shot this weekend.

I feel like I had 1,000 pounds lifted from my shoulders! Fuss stayed ALL NIGHT and only fussed a little tiny bit! She did wake up once when Charlie started snoring and Blondie was able to sing her favorite lullaby and put her at ease enough for Fuss to go back to sleep! She even woke up at 8:00 which is her normal time!

We also are going to try letting her stay with Farmer and Farmer's Wife and their 2 boys (almost 5, and 3) since they live literally 5 minutes from the hospital I plan to deliver at. If things go as well as they did with Blondie, then Hubby and I have (at minimum) 2 other options for Fuss when I do go into labor.

Naturally, there is always my Mom and I plan to have her on-call too. The problem with her is that she lives the farthest away of all. :( It takes about 30 to 45 minutes to get from her house to ours. Besides, I figure my mom will want to be in the delivery room with me anyway.

Things are coming together slowly for everything else. And Blondie and Farmer's Wife are throwing a Baby Sprinkle for me on November 9th which I am really excited about!

Preterm Labor

I managed to see the new labor & deliver floor in our hospital this evening, but it wasn't the way I was hoping.

After working for 4 hours, I ended up having to make a trip to L&D because I had been having contractions for over 2 hours. By the time I arrived the contractions had settled down a little bit. Instead of every 5-10 minutes they were down to about every 15-20 minutes. I knew I wasn't dehydrated. I have had nearly 100 ounces of water today!

The bright side to sitting in the triage for 2 hours is that I was able to hear baby's heartbeat and listen to him kicking at thw monitors! LOL.  Fuss used to run away from them, so at least her brother didn't do that.

After an hour they gave me Procardia to stop the contractions and officially told me it was preterm labor. Thankfully we had no progression or dilation. The cause? Well, no one really said but they did mention that I most likely have a urinary tract infection and gave me an antibiotic. Oddly, sometimes something as simple as a run-of-the-mill infection can jump start labor.

Why can't pregnancy just be easy!?

Canning season

I am so excited!  Thanks to Hubby processing and getting the cooking started on my tomatoes, I was able to successfully can 4 quarts of tomato "sauce" today! It is really great knowing that our hard work this summer paid off. Despite the late start and a few tomato worms, we had a wonderful crop of tomatoes grown without pesticides or fertilizer!

#Preterm Contractions

That's right.

Last night I had an hour and a half of lying in bed, drinking water, timing contractions that were about 5 minutes apart. I should have gone to Labor & Delivery, however, I had just gotten Fuss to bed and refused to go if I didn't have to. I drank at least 20 ounces of water, maybe even 32 in that time. I also started watching one of my favorite shows, "Haven."

I called the doctor's office this morning and they told me (surprise, surprise) if the contractions come back AT ALL with regularity to go directly to L&D. I am currently 30 weeks. Little Boy needs to to bake at least 6 more weeks and be equal with his sister. So, today, I managed to get a few groceries after I finished my transcriptions. I walked slowly and didn't lift anything heavy. I have had about 4 or 5 contractions all day, so I have been resting as much as possible. Dishes and laundry can wait. Shopping for Fuss's new jeans is going to have to wait as well.

I have 67 days left of this pregnancy. I don't want to spend ANY of it stuck in bed! So, I need to slow down. I pushed too hard Saturday while trying to deep clean my kitchen - scrubbed the stove, swept the floors, tried to mop, and ended up in tears from my pelvis hurting - and I paid for it on Sunday night. Guess I just have to accept that I am not Superwoman as much as I want to be.

#ProCook #Giveaway She Said Yes Event!

We're celebrating a special event in honor of two blogging soon to be brides, Larisha from We're Parents and Alex from Mommys Craft Obsession! Each day we will be debuting a special new giveaway or post so make sure you check back frequently! 

ProCook is a family owned company specializing in cookware and kitchenware. They offer the finest quality cookware, bakeware, cutlery, bakeware, dinnerware, flatware and stemware along with a large selection of cooking tools and kitchen essentials. They are positive that you will not be disappointed and you'll be amazed by their incredible value prices! All their products are exclusively designed and manufactured for ProCook from cast iron casseroles and non-stick, anodized, tri-ply or stainless steel cookware to knife blocks and kitchen accessories, and they support all their purchases by an extensive guarantee.

When it comes to registering for your wedding, cookware seems to be the most requested item on the list. I found out while I was registering for my wedding that there are an overwhelming amount of choices for you cookware and it's important to choose a brand that will last for years. Thankfully I had already been introduced to ProCook and I was excited to try out their amazing Gourmet Non-Stick Cookware seven piece set along with their Lock & Fresh Square Storage Set and the Splatter Guard!

I think every family deserves a GREAT set of cookware! I really am jealous that all of you get the chance to win this cookware set and I don't! lol. C'est la vie, I suppose. ;)

Love the cookware above and want to win your own? Visit Mommys Craft Obsession to check out the review then enter to win $75 worth of ProCook cookware below! ProCook is a must have on the for the wedding registry!

Entry-Form

The Giveaway will close late on the evening of October 14th. The winner will be chosen at random through Giveaway Tools. The winner will be announced both on Giveaway Tools form as well as notified by email and announced on Mommys Craft Obsession’s Facebook. The winner will have their prize sent to them by Candice Cunha, Mommys Craft Obsession is 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.

*This blog has not been compensated for the promotion of this giveaway*

Click here to check out all of the other awesome posts and GIVEAWAYS during the She Said Yes! Event!

#Giveaway for a #KeurigMini She Said Yes! Event

We're celebrating a special event in honor of two blogging soon to be brides, Larisha from We're Parents and Alex from Mommys Craft Obsession! Each day we will be debuting a special new giveaway or post so make sure you check back frequently! 

Keurig is brewing excellence, one cup at a time.  Started in 1998 they strive for excellence and you will see it in all their work.  Their patented single cup brewing technology and gourmet brands of beverages all show their promise to excellence. Keurig is the leading single cup brewing system in North America and they believe coffee should always be served fresh just as if you were in a gourmet coffee house no matter where you are. In less than one minute, with their innovative brewing system, you can have the perfect cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. No grinding, no measuring, no filters--it's as simple as it gets. 

Coffee Machines are a go to items on many people's registry, however, for us we wanted something more than just a simple coffee maker.  We actually aren't coffee drinkers ourselves, but both of our families are and we knew we would be inviting people over.  With the Keurig Vue, we have the option to make tea and hot chocolate for ourselves that we do enjoy, but also make a wide range of individual coffee selections for our guests without having to worry about throwing away a whole pot of coffee.

My hubby loves coffee, but I can't stand it (aside from the delicious aromas!). We don't yet have a Kurig, but I have considered buying him one for his b-day in October. Wouldn't you love to win one!?

Want to win your own? Visit We're Parents!? to check out the review then enter to win a Keurig mini in your choice of color  below! Keurig is a must have on the for the wedding registry!

Entry-Form

The Giveaway will close late on the evening of October 12th. The winner will be chosen at random through Giveaway Tools. The winner will be announced both on Giveaway Tools form as well as notified by email and announced on We're Parents!?’s Facebook. The winner will have their prize sent to them by Keurig. We're Parents!? is 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.

*This blog has not been compensated for the promotion of this giveaway*

Click here to check out all of the other awesome posts and GIVEAWAYS during the She Said Yes! Event!

$75 Vitabath #Giveaway She Said Yes! Event

We're celebrating a special event in honor of two blogging soon to be brides, Larisha from We're Parents and Alex from Mommys Craft Obsession! Each day we will be debuting a special new giveaway or post so make sure you check back frequently! 

Vitabath has been offering luxury bath products for over 55 years. They offer unparalleled skin cleansing and conditioning products that offer rich fragrances and high quality ingredients that give you a relaxing and invigorating at home spa experience. In 2011 Vitabath rebranded themselves with the introduction of a new moisturizing, sulfate, and paraben free body wash line that offered fresh and fun fragrances.

For brides and the bridal party, Vitabath makes an absolutely amazing gift. Why spend the money at the spa when you can get high quality bath products from Vitabath and enjoy them in your own home!

What woman doesn't love a little pampering? And it's even better when it's FREE! Scroll down and enter to win this amazing giveaway!

Interested in getting entered to win $75 worth of Vitabath Products? Visit Mommys Craft Obsession to check out the review then enter to win below! Vitabath is a must have on the for the whole bridal party and it makes the PERFECT gift to give a soon-to-be bride!

Entry-Form

The Giveaway will close late on the evening of October 10th. The winner will be chosen at random through Giveaway Tools. The winner will be announced both on Giveaway Tools form as well as notified by email and announced on Mommys Craft Obsession’s Facebook. The winner will have their prize sent to them by Candice Cunha, Mommys Craft Obsession is 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.

*This blog has not been compensated for the promotion of this giveaway*

Click here to check out all of the other awesome posts and GIVEAWAYS during the She Said Yes! Event!

Great news!

Well, I had my ultrasound yesterday. I found out several things. 1) My placenta moved up from 2.5 cm to 4.5 cm, so we are still on track for a VBAC! 2) There is less risk of having a placenta accreta because the placenta itself looks smooth and noninvasive...although there are no guarantees. And 3) Baby boy looks AMAZING! He was literally folded in half during the entire exam with his feet by his head! LOL.

#Scentsy #Giveaway She Said Yes! event

We're celebrating a special event in honor of two blogging soon to be brides, Larisha from We're Parents and Alex from Mommys Craft Obsession! Each day we will be debuting a special new giveaway or post so make sure you check back frequently! 

Scentsy began with a simple idea;  safe, wickless alternatives to scented candles. The idea took off and  quickly developed into one of the most successful direct selling companies in the world, giving people everywhere the opportunity to be their own boss. In 2004, Scentsy joined the Direct Selling Assoication and enrolled its first Independent Consultant. They have now grossed more than one billion in revenue in just over 8 years and is now offered throughout the United Stats, Puerto Rico, Guam, Canada, and Europe. Scentsy products include decorative ceramic warmers that melt scented wax with the heat from a small light bulb, scent bars, room spray, air fresheners (for cars), and many other fantastic products! 

I have had the pleasure of working with an amazing Scentsy consultant named Candice and she has been an absolute doll to work with! When I work with independent consultants I like to get to know them a little better so that I know who I am supporting with their business! Here's a little bit about Candice!

I am a twenty-something working Mommy...Full time working Mommy. Our one year old daughters is expecting her baby brother the end of September!  My goal is to be a stay at home part time working Mommy by 2014!!  While brain storming ways to accomplish this goal, I was at a Scentsy party and got excited about Scetnsy.  The products were so welcoming, I figured hey, this is a great way to make a little money - so I forked over my $99 for my starter kit and set off on an adventure. Three months into selling Scentsy things really kicked off, and I can see myself being able to do this for some extra cash when I reach my goal of being home with my kids during the days. Scentsy is a great product, their scents are amazing and the warmers both plug-in style and regular style are perfectly designed to accompany anyone's taste in décor! Scentsy is not very well known in our area of Massachusetts so between my social media updates and people spreading the word I hope to expand my team of Scentsy consultants and become a Lead Consultant! Besides rocking it as an Independent Consultant for Scentsy - I work in the construction industry doing project management.  I adore my daughter and cannot wait to meet my son.  I love all things Disney and Apple.  I have been happily married to my best friend for four years and look forward to what the future holds for us and our family.  I spend my free time doing the dishes and folding the laundry, that is after bedtime of course... and when I am not doing that I am promoting my Scentsy business!  Join my team!  Place an order! Book a party!  

I have a Scentsy warmer and I just adore the Eucalyptus scent! I use it all the time when Hubby, Fuss, and I get colds or sniffles in the winter. It really helps clear things up and make it easier to rest!

Interested in getting entered to win $75 worth of Scentsy Products? Visit Mommys Craft Obsession to check out the review then enter to win below! Scentsy is a must have on the wedding wish list and it makes the PERFECT gift to give a soon-to-be bride!

Do you have a bride or someone else who you're ready to snag a Scentsy gift for? Join the She Said Yes! Scentsy Party hosted by Alex of Mommys Craft Obsession! 

Entry-Form

The Giveaway will close late on the evening of October 7th. The winner will be chosen at random through Giveaway Tools. The winner will be announced both on Giveaway Tools form as well as notified by email and announced on Mommys Craft Obsession’s Facebook. The winner will have their prize sent to them by Candice Cunha, Mommys Craft Obsession is 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.

*This blog has not been compensated for the promotion of this giveaway*

Click here to check out all of the other awesome posts and GIVEAWAYS during the She Said Yes! Event!

#BoyOHBoy #Bloghop Event is scheduled!

 

I have started getting my sponsors lined up and I have quite a few items already in my possession for the reviews (and giveaways!) to come! I have a couple other bloggers already getting geared up to add a thing or two while we're at it as well. :) 

This event will start whenever baby boy decides to make his grand entrance and Fuss loses her singleton status. I am still working on securing more sponsors, so if you know someone you'd like to see featured, please comment with their name/page below. WAHM's welcome!! 

So far we have diapers, Daddy Scrubs, a Push Pack, and even matching T's for Fuss and baby brother. :) 

Check back frequently for updates!  I hope to have a full list of sponsors up by November 1st!

If you are a blogger interested in participating, please email me crunchierbytheday@yahoo.com

"Mommy, you have a scratch!"

Fuss and I were doing our normal bedtime routine of cuddling in my bed watching "Bubble Guppies" in our jammies (well, I was in a sports bra and pajama pants because I'm a human FURNACE tonight!) and she looked over and said, "Mommy, you have a scratch!" I asked her where it was and she ran her finger across my C-section scar. "Right there."

I giggled, but I told her, "That is where the doctor took you out of Mommy's belly." She smiled this big, shocked smile with wide eyes and asked why. "Because you got to big to stay in there anymore." She thought that was hilarious! A few months ago she had asked if the doctor was going to cut me open to get the baby out. I'm not sure where she picked that up from, but I answered her question as best I could with an "I don't know." She has yet to ask how the baby ended up IN my belly, but I'm answering as much as honestly as I can.

It was just so innocent and sweet that I had to share!

Are you a #sportsfan?

I am relaxing this Saturday afternoon in between sending out emails and doing loads of laundry by watching my home team play. LET'S GOOOOO MOUNTAINEERS!!! Hubby and I really only follow college football because we love to see the heart the college kids have.

My Dad loves the Pittsburgh Steelers. Which kind of sucks for him since he lives in upstate NY! LOL.

Do you follow any particular teams? Who and why? What do you do to show your fan dedication?

#Giveaway Cody the Smart Cub

Welcome to the VTECH Cody the Smart Cub Giveaway 

hosted by: We're Parents!?

We love Vtech toys around here and, even though I haven't tried this one personally, I am sure it lives up to the great name Vtech has made for themselves!

VTECH KIDS

Cody the Smart Cub™ is VTech's Newest introduction to their infant and preschool line.  He introduces children to valuable every-day life skills like routines, first words, and emotions.  He knows exactly what time is it, so your little ones will grow and learn morning greetings, bedtime music, holidays, and birthday wishes.  With VTech's app store, The Learning Lodge, parents can share in the developmental journey online by personalizing their child's name, favorite stories, and more. 

Recommended for ages 6-36 months and retails at $19.99

Connect with VTech on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and newest toys.

To see a full review of Cody the Smart Cub™ GO HERE.

Enter using the Giveaway Tools form below.  Good Luck!

Open to US residents only!!  Ends 9/29/13 at 1:00 AM EST.

 Please consider voting for us on Top Mommy Blogs. Just takes one click and helps us be able to bring you more & better giveaways! Thanks.

 

Entry-Form

Disclosure: I received no compensation in exchange for promoting this giveaway. Participating bloggers are not responsible for prize fulfillment. 

Wow! Hello 3rd Trimester!

In some ways this pregnancy has just dragged on. But to think about the fact that as of Saturday (9/7) I will have just 90 days left is mind-blowing! Only 90 days until we see the face of our baby boy. When Fuss is no longer and only child.

I am still back-and-forth on the final decision of VBAC or RCS. On one hand, I really want to try for a VBAC. I feel like I was robbed of the chance with Fuss. The doctors are now starting to push more for a repeat C-section. Reiterating the risks over and over. Telling me that I will have a full staff in the OR and an anesthesiologist the second I go into the hospital until delivery "just in case I need it." I hate feeling forced. So far the docs have been accommodating. Pre-E hasn't even begun to show up! I'm still leery of that, however, odds are that I won't have it again.

I have another ultrasound scheduled at the end of the month because of a low-lying placenta. If it moved up, like it should have, I will be "cleared" to try for a VBAC. If it hasn't, I will be given no option as the likelihood of complication like placenta accreta is a lot higher. I do tend to think, though, that most of what they say is just scare tactics.

Of course, on the other hand, I continue to debate because it WILL be a different experience than Fuss's birth as it would be simply checking in, going to L&D/surgery, and being done. I will be scheduled a week before my due date...most likely during Thanksgiving break which is when Blondie is free from school to watch Fuss. Also, I plan to have a tubal ligation and a hernia repair. Both of those could be done at the time of the section instead of having to go under general anesthesia at a later date.

It is a lot to think about, but I am still pushing for a VBAC despite everything else. I'm also afraid of the epidural and if I do a VBAC I can do Stadol or other IV drugs instead to help with pain management (or Bradley/hypnobirthing/etc). So much left to do and decide and so little time to do it in!

You Know You're an Adult When...

Things like getting a new shed seriously makes your day. Hubby and I ordered an Amish-built shed and we are both anxiously awaiting its arrival. We have everything blocked out for where it is going to belong, however we're still waiting on the phone call that it will be delivered. I realize it sounds completely nuts, but we are very excited about it since it will give us A) A spot for Hubby's motorcycle, the mower, and trimmer and B) A whole bunch of extra storage space that we desperately need! Over the last couple of months we have accumulated quite a bit more "stuff" after clearing out Mamaw's house of my old belongings and MIL/FIL's building and acquiring some extra furniture items from there as well as a few collectibles. The lack of space in this house is seriously one of the things that stresses me out.

What are some of your favorite space-saving techniques? One of the things I did recently for Fuss's room was to remove the large bin that was her toy box and buying one of these (not an affiliate link or anything, just something I found and I liked) for her to put her toys in. However, she recently threw a fit over the past weekend and had quite a few toys taken away that she must now earn back. Talk about feeling like a horrible Mommy!

Another thing I did was take some Command Hooks and put them on the sides of Fuss's toddler bed for her to hang her princess dresses on. I really LOVE how that turned out! And she loves that she has her dresses all hung up nicely where she can reach them whenever she wants to play with them.

Do you have any other creative ideas for storage and organization in a small space? We will soon have 2 children in 1 room for a while. We definitely need all the help we can get!

#Win a $75 Amazon GC from We're Parents and Babyroues

Welcome to the $75 Amazon Giftcard Giveaway 

Courtesy of babyroues 

hosted by: We're Parents!?

Everyone can use a few extra dollars, especially when it comes to baby gear. So, here is a giveaway to help out with all those things that you have to buy for a new baby!
*babyroues Strollers*

simple lightweight compact

babyroues is proud to introduce the first compact and lightweight luxurious infant-to-toddler Bassinet and Stroller system, which uses the highest technological quality workmanship and safety features available.  For your ultimate convenience the stroller and bassinet have a Dual-facing capability.  It's ONE OF A KIND folding mechanism allows for the bassinet and stroller to fold while attached to the stroller too!  This system will WOW you and your baby from infancy through toddler.  

Prices for this luxury stroller start at just $550 for the LeTour with upgrade options available for the LeTour Lux and Special Collectors Edition LeTour Argent. 

Enter using the Giveaway Tools form below.  Good Luck!

Open Worldwide!!  Ends 9/10/13 at 11:59 PM EST.

Entry-Form

Disclosure: No compensation was received in exchange for hosting this giveaway.  The participating bloggers are not responsible for prize fulfillment.

Planning Stages!

Well, it's official! I'm in the planning stages for an event in December when Baby Boy arrives! I am hoping to do a blog hop-style event, so if you'd like to join just email me at crunchierbytheday@yahoo.com. I have 5 confirmed sponsors so far and am sending out a TON of emails already.

Is there a special shop/vendor you'd like to see hosted? Please let me know in the comments and I'll do my best to get in touch with them!

Are you a vendor that would like to expand your audience? Just email me!

Don't Eat the Toothpaste!

Yes, I actually said this this morning. Fuss has decided that she likes brushing her own teeth. I don't mind. Really. The problem is that since she doesn't want us in the bathroom with her, she can get into mischief...like eating toothpaste. Hubby is at least partially to blame on this one though. He started her new-found ability to put toothpaste on a toothbrush and brush her own teeth. It is usually helpful, though.

That brings me to my next thought of the day: WHAT am I going to do with 2 children!? Some days (especially recently) I feel like I can barely keep up with Fuss. So, how am I going to manage when #2 makes his appearance? I am currently working on Fuss picking up and keeping her/baby's room neat, so that should be a little help. She has been potty-trained for almost 2 years now, so that's not a concern. But what about everything else? The times when she needs something and I'm nursing the little one and can't get to her? Fuss has the shortest span of patience I have ever seen! (We have been trying to work on that too, but it isn't going so well.) My MIL has suggested we read books to her while I'm nursing and I'm hoping that will help some.

Then, what about me? Am I going to have enough patience to survive the 2. Will I have the energy to keep up with them? And, mostly, will I be able to function with my Bipolar?

Of course, these are questions that will eventually answer themselves. I really have no control over the Bipolar, but I am working on the rest of it and I hope to be able to say "YES! I can handle this!" sometime in the near future. As I enter my third trimester, I have a few fears about how we will manage in a 2-bedroom house and just manage life in general.

Hormones, Headaches, and Hair

Three things most women avoid talking about if they possibly can. And this week I have had all 3! I suppose it is the extra testosterone I now have flowing around through my veins making me more prone to random hair growth. I swear, I can almost shave my legs one night and then by morning I have a 1/2" of stubble! It is the strangest thing since I have hardly any hair on my legs in the first place!

Then, for the past week I have had headaches nearly every day. Most of them aren't bad, especially when I normally have a couple of migraines a month. However, I had the worst migraine I have had in the past 5.5 months! It started with auras/visual disturbances. Par for the course since I had Fuss. So, I lay down for 10-15 minutes to allow the auras to pass (and the pain to set in). I took Tylenol the minute the auras started and started drinking Mountain Dew. After about 15 minutes, I went back to work. What set this migraine apart from any other one that I have had is that about 30 minutes after that, I started having numbness in my right hand and fingers. That lasted 15 minutes before leaving and then numbness set into my tongue and mouth for 10 minutes. Again, it left but I called my OB after I finished my work. Hubby wasn't too worried, but I decided to check in. They still refused to call in any meds for me, but told me if it happened again with the numbness to go to the ER. Yay. I don't think so. I have been dealing with migraines for over half my life. Pregnancy just brings out the strangest changes in my symptoms.

And that all leads back to the hormones! Higher levels of estrogen, progesterone, and now testosterone have thrown my body into a spin. Unfortunately, the only cure is having the baby...definitely don't want that until at least November! lol. Here's hoping my body adjusts again for a while like it did at 15 weeks and things settle for a while.

My Breastfeeding Journey #Isupportyou #worldbreastfeedingweek

It might seem as though I had it easy when breastfeeding Fuss. After all, we did make it to 15-months-old when Fuss decided to stop nursing. I was, quite honestly, ready to have my body back to myself after that! Haha! But the beginning was NOT easy for us. And having gone through all I did, I can certainly understand why breastfeeding doesn't always work out.

With Fuss being 4 weeks early, she had a hard time learning to latch on. Her mouth was small. I had flat nipples and large (okay...humongous!) breasts that would nearly swallow her whole if I didn't keep them under close supervision. (That is only a slight exaggeration.) I had a C-section which prevented her from nursing for the first 24 hours thanks to my reaction to anesthesia. The odds were stacked quite high against us from the start.

I was lucky to have the hospital provide their double electric pump to get me started, so I pumped for the first time when Fuss was just a little over 24 hours old. Those 80 mL bottles worked fine for the first pumping or so, but by the end of day 1 I was producing WAY over that in 1 session! The nurses were floored and I had to get larger bottles plus still had a bunch in the refrigerator that I took home. However, when we tried to get Fuss to nurse, we couldn't keep her awake long enough to eat. I tried and tried. The nurse on-shift came to help me (the Lactation consultant was at a conference - go figure) and we tried different positions, tickling feet, jiggling, etc. Nothing seemed to work. So I started using pumped milk to get Fuss to eat. Then she ended up with jaundice. I am SO thankful that the nurses on my shift were so supportive! They never once said to stop breastfeeding! Just kept encouraging and said as soon as we were done with our session to put Fuss back under the bili lights. 

When I was released from the hospital, I took the same approach. Try to nurse for 10 minutes then pump and feed whatever I pumped. Fuss wasn't gaining, though. I went to the LC to get help. We did a pre-feed weight and post-feed weight and Fuss took in 3 ounces in one sitting from a single breast. Great! *We later found out that her lack of weight gain was due to reflux not to her failure to eat.* The next hurdle I faced was that my supply tanked. I went from pumping around 8 ounces per breast - yes, I had a large supply! - to 3 ounces a side. Back to the LC I went. Since at the time insurance didn't even offer the option of seeing an LC, the hospital LC was willing to help for free as a postpartum service. She measured me for flange size...I was using standard flanges which were 6 mm too small for my nipples causing pressure and not emptying my breasts fully. I ordered the 30 mm flange set for my pump and went back to work. I was literally sleeping MAYBE an hour at a time! Fuss was sleeping around 3 hours around the clock by 2 months, but due to the difficulty feeding, I was up for at least 30 minutes after she fell back to sleep to pump. It was awful! I hardly remember much of that first 2-3 months aside from pumping/nursing/attempting to sleep/spitting up. My mom took Fuss overnight about that time and I slept straight for 12 hours! And I woke up with the WORST case of engorgement EVER!! LOL.

By the time we had Fuss diagnosed with reflux and had her on medication (2 months started, but it didn't work well until around 3 or 4 months), she had gotten more used to bottles. Our pedi thought she was spitting up due to lying down while nursing and thought upright bottle feeds would help. They didn't. And by then we were having issues with latching again. *sigh* Fuss didn't want to latch to bare breast, so back to the LC where I received a nipple shield. I used that damned thing for almost 3 months! The worst part for me was that it collected a pool of milk that would spill all over no matter what I did to prevent it. Hubby was still super supportive through all of this. Even my MIL and SIL were supportive! I had a few people say that I needed to give up, though. My mom said that a few times, but I told her I wasn't giving up. Anytime ANYONE mentioned stopping, I said I was going to work through it. AND I DID!!! By 5 months, I had weaned Fuss from the nipple shield and she had an excellent latch! By 8 months she started refusing bottles...lol. I guess that's a whole 'nother can of worms! I still pumped for quite some time, but mostly at night or when Fuss would eat less first thing in the morning so I could avoid being engorged.

My point is, I persevered through all that and had a successful breastfeeding relationship with Fuss for just over 15 months. However, I don't fault those that have difficulty and decide to switch to formula. I had to prove to myself and all the doubters that I could manage it just because I am stubborn. My aunt exclusively pumped for both of her boys. They were born at 30 & 29 weeks and spent a long time in the NICU. She pumped while driving! I supported her. Blondie tried to breastfeed but said she didn't like it and didn't want to continue, so she switched to formula. I supported her through that as well. And I continue to advocate for breastfeeding, but I will ALWAYS support a woman's right to choose how to feed her baby! We should all be able to provide for our children in the best way we can. I know someone who is on medication for severe allergies and never produces milk at all. Another friend had low supply. It is not my right to belittle ANYONE for feeding their child unless that choice puts their child in danger. And honestly, breast versus bottle is one thing we really need to ask questions and not judge before we know the whole story.