Friday, December 31, 2010

Daring - No Diaper

My son has been going on this diaper strike.
He'll turn 3 years the middle of May.

My oldest son was much easier to train. He would stop what he was doing to go; my youngest is too busy. He'll even tell us that!

I've been setting our youngest, Isaak on the toilet since he turned 1.
I never treated it like a serious thing. It was pretty casual. 
He's been standing to go. He wants to do everything himself!
He's gone back and forth this whole time.
He sometimes doesn't want to stop playing to go potty.

I have found new tactics to get him to go. I say like, "Hey Isaak do you want to go look in the mirror?",  "Isaak do you want to go make bubbles in the toilet?", "Lets go look at some pictures in the hallway." Anything to get him in the bathroom.

There are a few things in my mind that get in the way of potty training:
  1. Cutting teeth. Both of our kids cut teeth on the later side.
  2. Getting sick.
  3. Pull-Up's.
  4. Lack of consistency.
Isaak would do great with training; then he'd get sick, or cut a tooth. Downhill he'd go, and we'd have to help him back up. Much like how they eat well for a week, and then go through a time where they just don't eat much because they aren't growing.

Pull-Up's are wonderful because the other people that watch him have carpet. Many errands are run throughout the day where Isaak is in a car seat. At home he wears underwear. We have wood floors. Pull-Up's are horrible because toddlers feel like they are wearing a diaper; they pee in them. There lacks the consistency.

Isaak told us that he doesn't want to wear a diaper anymore {even at night}. We're being super daring, and we're giving him what he wants {no diaper}.

He has a toddler bed, so it's a plastic covered mattress. I put down a pee pad, crib sheet, pee pad, crib sheet. That way when he has an accident in the middle of the night I can hopefully remove the top two layers instead of make a bed.

This is something new, so we will see how the no diaper thing goes. Last night I went in at 4 am, and he was wet and cold. He didn't wake up after peeing his pants. It may take awhile, and lots of laundry.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

CSN | Stores Product Review

I was contacted by CSN | Stores once again. I was up for anther product review! I've done a few other reviews and giveaways for them.

CSN | Stores has so much to choose from. I could seriously find just about anything for my house or work at one of their stores.

This time I picked out a juicer. I really hate the idea of my kids having a lot of sugared up juice. In fact we didn't give our kids juice until they were over 2 years old. Even then we watered it down.

I know it was once common to give a baby juice in a bottle. Today it is not recommended according to this site. It's a leading cause of tooth decay. Give juice to your little one in a cup.

By making your own, you know what's in it. You can add the veggies that your kiddo is lacking. It doesn't have to have sugar in it to make it taste good. The juice is fresh.

I spent some time picking out a juicer. It was not an easy task. I ended up getting the Total Chef Juicin Juicer

It was on sale from the original price of $129.99 marked down to $96.86.

I looked up many sites to check out reviews before it was purchased. Every place I looked rated this product high.




I love the recipe guide that it comes with! There are many recipes if your baby/toddler is not ready to eat some of the things listed.

The recipe I tried out is: Carrot, Apple, Lemon and Parsley:
Makes approximately 1 1/2 cups
  • 2 Carrots, trimmed {Note: Babies that are not over the age of 8 months should not have bought carrots other then baby food carrots in a jar due to the amount of nitrates in them. Nitrate levels in baby food carrots in a jar are carefully watched.}
  • 1 apple, peeled and cored  
  • 1/2 lemon, peeled
  • 1 cup packed parsley leaves

We really didn't have to put much pressure on the juicer to push the veggies and fruit down. The machine took care of that!

My top five favorite features of this juicer are:
  1. 700-Watt motor base
  2. Dual speed selector
  3. Dishwasher safe parts
  4. Surgical steel juicing blade
  5. Removable pulp container
 A couple things that were missing from the product:
  1. It was supposed to come with a lid, we didn't get one
  2. It was also supposed to come with a cleaning brush, we didn't get one
Overall we were pleased with this product. I like that we can make our own juice!




My son Isaak said, "More please!"

 Please take some time to visit CSN | Stores! They do have such a great selection.

Disclaimer:
The opinions on this post are my personal take on the products. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me.
I am not compensated to provide my opinion except for receiving the products themselves to test out.
If you have questions about this post please contact me at: alissa4illustration@hotmail.com

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

The "I Can Do It" Socks!

I have a two year old that is independent and stubborn. He wants to do everything himself, but does not have the coordination to do everything himself.

Getting dressed is a huge thing right now. He's trying to learn. There is a lot of frustration with both parties.

I see he gets frustrated, so I try and help. He gets mad that I'm helping, but realizes that he do in fact need help.

I read about Ez Sox, the "I can do it" socks! I simply love the idea of socks with handles!

They have cute animal socks, and plain ones too.




Our Kids Mom is giving away a pair of these!

News

My Organized Chaos is hosting yet another cool giveaway. This time it is for a $75 gift certificate to Zutano!


My sister's pregnant! I'd love to win this for her. I'm hoping for a healthy baby girl. There's nothing wrong with boys; it's just that we have two son's, three nephew's and one niece on my side of the family. Our niece is in high school. On my husband's side it's another nephew.

She went in for an amnio because she's a carrier of a rare chromosome abnormality called Trisomy 18. Also known as Edwards Syndrome.

She couldn't get the amnio because her membranes were not thick enough. Amnio's can cause a miscarriage, but with this rare chromosome abnormality she carries; she doesn't have a choice in the matter. They have to have the right doctors on staff if the worst were to occur.

She's scheduled for another amnio at the end of the month.

I do have some good news! My sister did get an ultrasound. The baby doesn't have clenched fists, which trisomy babies are known to have. The baby also has a developing heart and brain! The baby was hiding it's parts. It has to be a healthy girl I'm thinking and hoping!

Please put out positive thoughts for my sister! I've been on edge with this whole situation because because it effects the whole family, I love everyone so much!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Is It Ok to Diet While You are Breast Feeding?

It depends what your definition of diet is.

Is it ok to eat healthy {a well balanced meal}, drink water and exercise? 

The answer is yes!

Eating smaller meals much like when you were pregnant is great for you.

Start out slow with the exercise part. You can build it up over time. Just remember that your body has been through a lot. You are also lacking in sleep.

Exercise was a slow process for me at first! I had a c-section because my son Mica was breech and would not turn. I tried everything to get him to turn; my fluid was low, and it just didn't happen. I learned to take exercise slow in the beginning.

When you get further into Mommyhood check out local stroller classes. My sister is in a stroller class for mom's. They walk around a lake and in a mall. They move fast, and the kid's enjoy it!

Is it ok to take diet pills and wipe out one particular food group?

The answer is no!

Want to learn more about this topic? Read: Diet for a Healthy Breastfeeding Mom on the Baby Center website.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Super Baby!

Super Baby Store that is!

My Organized Chaos is hosting a give away for $100 worth of baby feeding supplies from the Super Baby Store!

We have 3 of the products they are giving away. I love the cookbook! It has the ages of when kids can start eating everything. It also has recipes for things like making Play Doh. I could not of made baby food without the food mill. The food mesh {is what I called it}; was great for babies that want to munch on things, yet don't have the teeth for it. It prevents chocking!

I'd love to win this set for my cousin who is pregnant!

Monday, December 13, 2010

20 assorted wipes in Organic Cotton, Soy and Rayon from Bamboo

As a parent, sometimes you wish that you could turn back time, and do a few things differently.

I wish I would of used cloth diapers, and made my own wipes. I never did, and my sister did. Her son/my nephew had huge problems with diaper rash. She had to switch to cloth diapers, and figured, why not switch to making her own wipes as well?

    My Baby's Green is hosting a great giveaway: One lucky winner will receive a pack of 20 assorted wipes in Organic Cotton, Soy and Rayon from Bamboo.



      
    The material looks so soft. Perfect for a baby's tush!
     
    I'm rehashing some baby wipe recipes that I posted awhile back. In these recipes it talks about using Bounty paper towels. This is the best paper towel to use. My sister has replaced paper towels with baby washcloths. Better yet you can replace them with: 20 assorted wipes in Organic Cotton, Soy and Rayon from Bamboo. You have to have a lot of them, but remember that you can wash them and reuse them. Paper towels you can not reuse, and they are harder on the bum.
      Here are a few recipes for making you own wipes:

      Recipe 1

      You will need:
      1. 10 cup Tupperware container
      2. 1/2 roll of Bounty paper towels
      3. 2 tablespoons of baby oil
      4. 2 tablespoons of baby bath wash
      5. 2 cups of water
      • Cut a roll of paper towels in half, remove cardboard. 
      • Each roll of towels makes 2 containers of wipes, which lasts roughly 3 weeks.
      • Mix the liquid ingredients, pull up first towel, pour on top of paper towels. 
      • Let them sit for at least an hour before using them. 
      • Don't shake the container, it will foam up.
      Recipe 2

      You will need:
      1. 6 cup Tupperware container
      2. 1/2 roll of Bounty paper towels
      3. 2 cups water
      4. 2 tablespoons each baby bath and lotion
      5. 2 cups of water
      • Cut a roll of paper towels in half, remove cardboard. 
      • Each roll of towels makes 2 containers of wipes, which lasts roughly 3 weeks. 
      • Bring water to boil and add baby bath and lotion. place one half of paper towel roll into plastic container, and pour solution over paper towels. Once cool, pull your "wipes" from the center of the roll. keep sealed when not in use to prevent evaporation. 
      • Let them sit for at least an hour before using them.

      Recipe 3

      You will need:
      1. 10 cup Tupperware container
      2. 1/2 roll of Bounty paper towels
      3. 1/8 - 1/4 cup oil (mineral or baby oil)
      4. 1/8 - 1/4 cup baby shampoo 
      5. 1 3/4 cups water 
      6. 8 drops of lavender oil 
      7. 5 drops of tea tree oil (optional)
      8. 2 cups of water
      • Cut a roll of paper towels in half, remove cardboard. 
      • Each roll of towels makes 2 containers of wipes, which lasts roughly 3 weeks. 
      • Mix everything together. Add the baby shampoo last to prevent foaming. 
      • Let them sit for at least an hour before using them.

      Thursday, December 9, 2010

      We Have a Winner!

      The first winner did not respond back after I contacted them.

      Sarah comment number 7 won the $15 Eco Mom gift card! Congrats Sarah!

      If you didn't get a chance to see my review you can link up here.

      Saturday, December 4, 2010

      Remember to Enter the Eco Mom Giveaway!

      This giveaway has low entries right now. I haven't had a lot of giveaways, so enter it please! It's to win a $15 gift card to Eco Mom. This giveaway ends December 6 at 10 pm.

      Eco Mom is giving my readers a 15% discount code that can be used now until December 31, 2010!
      The code is SBBL694. You can make a mom or baby very happy by getting them a holiday gift at Eco Mom.


      Eco Mom is a great company they have had a 33% site wide sale and are surprising people through today with free orders. That's right, random people will get free orders!

      Thursday, December 2, 2010

      Reading!

      My boy's have always liked being read to! I remember being in the hospital with my oldest {who is now 5} when he had a staph infection at 7 months. We sat in the rocking chair and read books, sang songs, nursed and rocked. We did those things over and over again.

      When my youngest came along, my oldest child was then 2 1/2. I nursed my younger child and still read to my oldest. It was a way to bond with both of my children at the same time.


      Mom Spotted is hosting a great reading giveaway. Hallmark has offered one Mom Spotted reader a Recordable Storybook!  

      Reading stories is a great bonding tool! Recordable books help children bond with family members that they may not see very often. They can hear the voice of a grandparent that is out of town, or if the child's parents are separated; it's such a special way to keep the absent one present.