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.