Toddler's Rules

I saw this on facebook. It is funny and sort of true.

Easter Egg Hunt is Back

At ecomom!

Baby BanZ Review

This is my nephew Emerson:

One of his favorite things to do is to go for walks. The problem is that he has super sensitive eyes. Little Emerson would NOT leave his sunglasses on his face!

I did my research and found Baby BanZ!

Baby BanZ are sunglasses that will stay put on your baby's face!

• Styles - They offer a variety of colors and styles of sunglasses. 
• Growth - Other sun products for both babies and kids are sold on their site. Some of their new products include: Prescription Swim Goggles for ages 3 to adult. Ear Muffs that help with ear protection.
• Sizes - Baby BanZ sunglasses are for ages 0-2, while Kidz BanZ are for ages 2-5.  Junior BanZ are for ages 4-10. I did read on some of the comments Amazon that they seemed to fit tight on some babies. Their wonderful customer service sent over a sizing chart right away!
• Lens - Polarized lenses are available, and the lenses can even be swapped out if your child requires prescription lenses.  
• Prices - Baby BanZ sunglasses retail from $17-$19.99. 

I couldn't believe how fast these glasses came to my doorstep. Their shipping is super quick! 
The sample Emerson received are the Baby Adventure BanZ in Pacific Blue.  I thought he looked super cute in them! They have a new rubber nose piece that is to help with comfort. Emerson did have a slight mark indent on his nose when we took them off. My sister Terra said that any glasses will do that. We love the strap. The Velcro strap loops through the frame and folds back upon itself, which is a great design for getting the perfect fit on Emerson’s head. 

Like BanZ on Facebook and Twitter.

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. Banz provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.

If you have questions about this post please contact me at: alissa4illustrationAThotmailDOTcom

Little Boys' Birthday Party Ideas

Birthday parties are especially fun to throw for young children.  When they’re really little, it’s just about family getting together, and when they grow up it’s about them hanging out with their friends.  But, the glorious years from about 4-12 is when you get to have a really great time doing a big to-do with a theme and decorations and maybe even costumes.  Here are a few ideas for throwing your next boys’ birthday party.

Super Mario Birthday Party

Find a cool graphic online and generate an e-vite and let everyone know that it’s a Mario Brothers themed party so they can wear red or green long sleeved shirts, overalls and fake mustaches.  You can give away sacks filled with chocolate gold coins for party favors and set up video games for the kids to play after they eat.

Pirate Birthday Party

This party is a lot of fun because the main activity can be a treasure hunt with clues you’ve written and hidden all over the place.  The swashbucklers can team up to solve each clue to the treasure and then once they find it, split up the booty to take home.

Jungle Party

I’ve tried clowns and magicians, but neither can hold a candle to exotic animals.  Check out your local listings and see if you can find someone who comes to kid’s parties with snakes and lizards.  The boys will think this is really neat and you can really go wild with the decorations and jungle themed food.

Water Wars

If you have a summer baby, that gives you the perfect opportunity to get a bunch of water guns, water balloons, a slip and slide and break out the sprinklers because it’s time to cool off.  Grill up some hot dogs and slap on the sunscreen because you’re going to let them run around and attack each other with water until they’re exhausted!

Each one of these parties gives you a chance to be really involved with your kid’s party.  You’re not just a chaperone; you’re the leader of the fun.  Go on an adventure with son and revel in his good times year after year.

Lisa is a guest post blogger who writes about children’s birthday party ideas and themes like Mario birthday party themes for boys and tea party themes for girls. 

My Son Recently Had a Bad Ear Infection!

Having an ear ache can be truly painful! My 6 year old had one. He hardly cries and had a hurt cry in the car, while we were waiting for his antibiotics.

I read in our medical book that for swimmers ear you can put in 3 drops of rubbing alcohol mixed with white vinegar mixed 50/50 ratio. We've been doing that.

Another helpful product on the market is this cute little bear by Warm Buddy:

 

Their bears have a spot to put a warm pack for aches and a cool pack for fevers. It would have been perfect for my son that was in a lot of pain!

Want to win one of these bears? You can over at Fun Savings Money.

Baby Monitor

Tommee Tippee brand is offering a new  video baby monitor!

Some of the Features:

• Movement sensor pad for infants (alerts when movement is not sensed after 20 seconds) 
•  Several sensitivity levels so that you can hear every sound or just your baby's cries (great for light sleepers) 
• Ability to zoom in and pan the room (up, down, right or left) 
• Parent talk back feature (for when you need to quiet baby without entering the room) 
• Built in 3-level nightlight (all operated by parent unit) 
• Adjustable video for best read outs 
• Ability to turn parent unit to "vibrate" Large full color screen Long distance range (1000 feet) and signal bars at the top of the screen 
• Temperature read out that is accurate
• Ability to turn the LCD screen off while still monitoring baby 

Want to win one of these? Go Graham Go! is holding a contest to win one!

Udder Covers

Udder Covers is giving away one free cover! All you have to enter is "ONEFREE". It bring the $32 price to 0! You do need to pay for shipping, which is $11. That's still and steel for a very pretty nursing cover.

They have more selection on their site!

Carter's Has Some CUTE Things!

I love my boys! I do have to admit that looking at Carter's Bodysuit:

Makes me want to have a girl. It's so cute!

Mom Spotted is giving away a $50 Gift Card to Carter's. I never realized that Carter's sells things for kids going up to size 7! I thought it was just a company for babies. Such a great company!

Shoes for Toddlers

I liked soft soled shoes for my babies. Robeez stayed on their feet really well. When they get a little older and walk around more, you need shoes that can withstand rocks, sticks and cracks in the sidewalk.

UMI Shoes are durable and high quality! I didn't hesitate money wise with my oldest child; because I know the shoes I bought would be used twice. Now they are being used a third time with my nephew and they still withstand wear.

Mom Spotted is giving away a $60 Umi gift card!!!

I play. winterwear

New Age Mama is giving away a coat from i play. Winner gets to choose their favorite color and size.

Boobie Beanie

If you are not in a rush, these hats are very fun, funny and made by hand: Boobie Beanie.

Breastfeeding Campaign

I just love these ads found here. They are not in your face, but get the point across: Breastfeeding really helps.

Economic Stimulus Packages - June/July 2009 Fit Pregnancy

The ad relates to the economic stresses.

The ad copy reads:  “Breastfeeding boosts your bank account and your baby’s immune system, saving you on hospital visits, doctor’s bills, medicine and missed days of work.  It could also save billions on health care costs.  Is your hospital, physician, employer and insurer doing their part to help you succeed?  Let us help you find out at bestforbabes.org.” 

Life Saving Devices - August 2009 Mom & Baby Magazine

The value of breastfeeding and donor milk. In the hospitals they refer to breastmilk as liquid gold. It is preferred for infant emergencies.

 

The ad copy reads:  "Every day and in emergencies, breastfeeding saves lives. Planning on nursing? The night crew can make for smoother sailing. Get a support group. Get expert lactation help. Make sure your hospital, physician, employer and insurer are doing their part to help you succeed. We'll show you how at bestforbabies.org"
 

The Miracle Isn't the Bra - June 2010 USA Today's Pregnancy and Wellness Report

The ad copy reads:  "The miracle is you and the milk only moms can make. Whether you breastfeed, use donor milk, or neither, finding the right support can make all the difference. Best for Babes will cheer you on and help you navigate the "Booby Traps" – the barriers that keep moms from achieving their personal breastfeeding goals. We'll also point you towards trusted WHO-Code compliant resources that protect your feeding decisions. Let us help you get started at brestforbabes.org"

 Click here to order any of  the posters above.

Guest Post - Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance Blog

Hi! I’m Heather. I am a mesothelioma cancer survivor (one of the 2%). I guest blog on the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance Blog. 

When my daughter Lily was just 3 ½ months old, I was diagnosed with mesothelioma.  As any mother would, I knew I needed to fight to be part of the 2% of people who survive this disease. It took a lot out of me, including having the most extensive treatments, and missing the 6^th month of Lily’s life while I was in Boston for surgery.

The reason I blog about my experience is to help other moms who may be going through a similar situation to my own.  It is important to me to serve as a means of inspiration and hope to those who need it. 

Visit Heather's blog to learn more about Mesothelioma Cancer. 

Mesothelioma victims can get help with their legal and compensation options at Mesothelioma Lawyer Center. 

For more help call: 800-793-4540.

My Babyclothes

My Baby Clothes has really cute things for babies and toddlers. They have a really cute selection. My youngest got a hat their and I want to go back to get this one:

 

Here are a few other cute picks I love:

If you are wanting to win a Gift Certificate to My Baby Clothes visit New Age Mama.

I See Me

I think it's so important to read to your kids. It doesn't matter what age they are. They love the attention and they are learning while you read.

• Start out with fabric or bathtub books with they are tiny. You need the book to be durable.Your baby is going to grab, rip and drool on the pages. 
• Move on to board books as they get to be early toddlers. They still need a book that is durable. Toddlers are not very careful and drop things a lot.
• Later you can get to paper books. 

Personalized books help children to connect to what you are reading. I See Me! is great site that is full of personal book options. Right now if you order a book, you get 16 free Valentines to go with the book purchased.

My Organized Chaos is giving away Who Loves Me? This is a great book for siblings. You can add more than one name!

Personalized Bears

I have to say that I never was too into stuffed animals. I loved my dolls. My sons, especially my youngest has always been into stuffed animals. He has a parade of them on his bed. Personalized Teddy Bear has great gifts for a baby shower.

Fun Fritz Family is giving away a custom bear.

DIY - Baby Wipes

My sister mixes up her own solution for baby wipes. It's super easy, less expensive and better for their bottom. If you use cloth diaper, you can wash the wipes right with the diapers. 

My sister mixes her solution up in an animal cracker bear. The kind you'd get at Sam's Club or Costco. You can mix it up and put it in a squirt bottle. The spray would go right on the babies bum or on the cloth its self. Place cloth wipes in a commercial baby wipes container and pour wipes solution over wipes.

I found some recipes here:

Basic Wipe Solution  

You can change the type of oil or soap.

1/2 cup baby oil

1/2 cup baby wash

2 cups water

Just One 

I like this because it's easy to remember. It's just one of everything.
1  chamomile tea bag
1  teaspoon Olive Oil
1 teaspoon baby bath or shampoo
1 drop lavender oil
1 cup hot water

Essential Oil Solution 

4 cups of warm water
2 to 4 drops Tea Tree Oil 
2 to 4 drops Lavender Essential Oil 1 tablespoon Grapeseed Oil
1 tablespoon Calendula Oil
2 tablespoons baby wash

Anti-Fungal 

Omit vinegar if baby has a raw rash.
1/4  cup white vinegar
1 tablespoon calendula oil
A few drops lavender oil 
A few drops tea tree oil 
1/4 cup 100% aloe vera gel
1 cup water

Anti-Fungal Two

This has less vinegar and water compared to the recipe above.
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 tablespoon calendula oil
A few drops lavender oil 
A few drops tea tree oil 
1/4 cup 100% aloe vera gel
1/2 cup water

Almond 'n' Chamomile

Steep the tea bags in hot water, then add the oil.
2 chamomile tea bags
2 teaspoons almond oil
2 cups hot water

Chamomile 'n' Honey

Brew the tea, add the honey and drink any leftovers.
1 chamomile tea bag
1 teaspoon honey
1 cup boiling water

 
Lavender 'n' Tea Tree

1/8 cup Olive Oil
1 tablespoon baby shampoo
4 drops tea tree oil
8 drops lavender oil 
3 cups water

Zany Lavender Solution

1 tablespoon baby oil
1 tablespoon lavender scented baby wash
2 to 3 drops lavender oil
3 cups water

Olive 'n' Tea Tree

1/4 cup Olive Oil (extra virgin not necessary)
1/8 cup gentle baby bath
A few drops tea tree oil
4 cups water

Castile Solution

Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap comes in several yummy scents.
1 tablespoon almond, apricot, or other oil
1 tablespoon Dr Bronner's Liquid Castile Soap
2 drops tea tree oil
1 drop lavender oil
1 cup water

 

Fruit 'n' Veggie

Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap comes in several yummy scents.
1 tablespoon fruit or vegetable-based oil
1 tablespoon Dr Bronner's Liquid Castile Soap
1 teaspoon 100% aloe vera gel
1 cup water

Zany Apricot Solution

1 tablespoon apricot oil
1 tablespoon unscented baby wash
3 cups water

Lotion Potion

1 tablespoon baby oil
1 tablespoon baby soap
1 tablespoon baby lotion
1 cup water

Magic Baby

1/2 cup Baby Magic Oil
1/2 cup Baby Magic Wash
2 cups water

Shampoo Style

1 tablespoon baby oil
2 teaspoons baby shampoo
2 1/2 cups water

Witch Hazel Solution

1 cup witch hazel
1/2 cup aloe vera juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon white vinegar

Nursing in Public

First off I love this link! It's a very sarcastic post about how Breastfeeding is Offensive - NOT! Basically it illustrates how many women who breastfeed show a lot less than women in magazines. It socially acceptable for women to show their breasts in a sexy way, but not in a natural way? So crazy how a lot of society is!

Here are four tips for nursing in public-

1. Practice in front of a mirror. Reason being is that it's awkward at first. That shows on your face. If you are in front of a mirror, you will get used to it. The less awkward it is for you, it is the same for others.
2. Prepare things ahead of time. I usually made sure I went to places that had areas to breastfeed. Some places have mothers rooms. Babies R Us and Von-Mour are a few places that do. Other good stops are places that have more than one dressing rooms. I used to take clothes in with me to act like I was trying on something; instead I was really breastfeeding. You want to make it comfortable for you and your baby. A restroom wasn't that place for me! I would have rather gone to my car than a restroom.
3. Dress so it's easy to breastfeed. It doesn't have to be a nursing top. Just try and dress with loose clothing. Many people like a breastfeeding cover. This allows for privacy, yet has easy access. My sister used to breastfeed in public. People would come up to her to see the sleeping baby. That is all they thought, was that her little baby was sleeping. When in fact he was breastfeeding.
4.  Have extra nursing pads. I leaked a lot more with baby number 1 than baby number 2. Sometimes a baby starts crying, and a mom starts leaking. It doesn't even have to be your own baby crying to have this happen. This is when extra pads come in handy. Layers help to. If you leak, you may want a thin shirt or jacket to put over your shirt.

Target Said Nothing, but Meant A Lot

Target just used this ad:

It's typical. Kids playing, wearing clothing they sell. Did you notice that one of the kids has Down Syndrome?

Sometimes companies don't have to say anything to show support towards someone or something.


Here are a few things Target said by not saying anything:

1. I love that they went with the natural approach. They didn't seek out the classiest kids on the block. They went for kids that are real. 
2. They said that all kids shouldn't be separated because of their differences. 
3. They showed support for kids that have disabilities.
4. They showed that all kids can have fun with another.

Looking For a Onesie That's a Bit on the Different Side?

Check out Beyond Adorable! They have tees and tennis shoes as well. It's a super hip store!

Yep I'm in love with their cuteness! New Age Mama is giving away one tee or onesie!

A Healthy Diet For Moms That are Breastfeeding

I think it's important to just eat healthy and drink enough water to quench your thirst. I found a wonderful article put out by Medela on healthy eating.

Stay Hydrated and Stay Away From Caffeine

• Drink a lot of water. Remember that whenever a baby drinks from you, you loose fluids. I made it a practice just to drink a glass water when my babies were eating. There's no need to drown yourself. Just drink enough that you are not thirsty still. Water is the best thing to drink. 
• Try and stay clear of caffeine. That is easier for some then others. For some odd reason with my youngest I had this new craving for coffee. My doctor said it was fine if I had one cup of coffee a day. That's all I would have anyhow. Check with your doctor. Drinking caffeine can make your baby edgy! While it keeps mom up, it does your baby to. The article said to limit yourself to 300 mg per day (about a 12 oz cup of coffee).

Don't Count Your Calories

• If you were trying to loose weight, many moms do so when a baby breastfeeds. Just try and eat healthy. There is little limit to eating veggies. Fruits have sugar in them, but they are natural sugars. You will need protein to produce milk. If you are a vegetarian you can still breastfeed! Tofu and beans are great sources of protein. Enjoy all the food groups! You need a mix.
• Typically, a breastfeeding mom needs an additional 300 to 500 calories per day. Go ahead and increase your food amount. I ate more while breastfeeding, and lost weight. Then when I weaned I gained weight. It's more when you are ending breastfeeding that you need to watch what and how much you eat.
• Eat Cold-Water Fish. They are higher in DHA and Omega-3 Fatty acids. These vitamins help with eye and brain development. They also help reduce postpartum depression. Some milks have added these ingredients to them. Read labels.  

Pay Attention to Food Allergies

• I never had any problems, but my sister did. Her son broke out in hives and was very fussy; when she ate certain foods.
• Other things to watch out for: Wheezing and green stools with mucus. 
• Talk to your child's doctor on this one. They will help with your diet to make your child a happier baby.

 Supplements?

• Ask your doctor. Mine told me to take my prenatal vitamin for the first few months. Then I switched to a Woman's One a Day vitamin. Really they say if you are eating a well balanced meal, you don't need supplements. I would just consult your doctor though. 

Lipase

This is a word I had never heard of. It was really frustrating to go through the work of pumping, freezing, washing all the parts and find out my milk was sour! When I had the problem of having a sour smell to my already frozen breastmilk, one lactation consultant knew what was going on, while another didn't.

Spoiled breastmilk is called "Lipase." It is when thawed milk tastes and smells sour.

There is something you can do to prevent lipase. You just need to scald your milk before freezing it.

When do you scald milk?

When it is fresh; before you freeze it.

How do you scald milk?

To scald milk: Place milk in a heavy-bottomed pan over low heat. Stir occasionally until the milk is just hot with steam and small bubbles appearing around the edges. Do not boil.

I used a double boiler. I put water in the outside pan, and my milk in the inner, smaller pan. I just warmed it up ever so slowly until small bubbles appeared around the edges. You are then done.

Does scalding break down the nutrients in milk?

Yes, but not anymore than freezing does.

For Crying Out Loud!

It seems many parenting techniques change all the time.

It used to be that your baby was to be positioned on their tummy; now it's their back. The time frame in which solids are introduced changes as well.

I think the key thing is to research. You have to know and understand the professionals. Will you agree with everything you read? NOPE!

Of course you get A LOT of opinions. Some wanted, some not wanted.

I have a family with a Grandma that was a nurse, a Mom that was a nurse, 3 Aunts that are nurses, a sister that is a nurse and 2 cousin's that are nurses. Needless to say there are a lot of opinions in my family. Even when I breastfed, my Mom and one Sister were very supportive, while the others weren't as much. Hard to believe that any nurse wouldn't be supportive of that. It is true that some are not. Usually because they never breastfed themselves, or tried it and were unsuccessful.

The "Cry it Out" sleep technique is now under the fire!

You can read a whole article on this topic here. Please read it!

I always felt uncomfortable letting my kiddo's cry and cry some more. It's one thing to let them cry for 15 minutes. There are times where I tried everything and it seemed nothing would calm my little one down. Usually I'd find out later that it was a tooth coming through or a nasty ear infection. Twice, if I would have waited to attend my babies, they would have been closer to death. When my youngest, Isaak had meningitis we acted quickly. We were told that, if we would have waited to get him in the emergency room, that would have been very bad for our 2 month old! My Father was the one who acted quick in regards to our oldest having a staph infection. He noticed Mica's neck getting large. I'm so glad he noticed that! If he was in a daycare, it might of gone unnoticed.

Some parents let their kids cry for hours. They believe in self soothing. That is what many articles talked about just a few years ago. The articles mentioned that if you picked your child up, that was spoiling them.

Think of it this way: Your baby has no way of communicating except for crying when something is wrong. There is no such thing as spoiling a newborn. As they get older, sure you should let them cry in their crib, but not for long periods of time.

Listen to your instinct.

Remember that your baby's only way of communicating to you that something is wrong is to cry.

Some Adoptive Moms Learn to Breastfeed Their Babies

I was looking over this article and am amazed as to how much times have changed with breastfeeding!

My oldest sister was adopted in the 1970's. It was a time were my parents were told that they could not get on a plane because they had an infant. They rode from Oregon all the way to Nebraska on a bus.

My Mother would have jumped at the chance to breastfeed my sister. The problems were that Moms at that time: A) Didn't know that they could. B) Didn't have very good double/affordable pumps.

It's still not the norm for Moms that adopt to breastfeed. It is happening more. Some Moms are making this happen because it adds health benefits for both child and mom. It also builds more of a bond between the two.

“It’s impossible for me to know what our bond would be like if I hadn’t done it, but I could not feel closer to my son,” said Schaeffer, whose son is now 11 months. “He’s got a really wonderful, very secure attachment to me. I don’t know how much (breastfeeding) played into it, but it sure didn’t hurt.” She also said, “It was such a relief, such a consolation that I would be able to have some sort of physical bonding.”  -Schaeffer Article found here.

To produce milk, women take birth control pills for several months, fooling the body into thinking it’s pregnant. The guide also suggests domperidone, a gastrointestinal drug with a side effect of milk secretion.

Domperidone isn’t FDA-approved, and like Reglan, it can cause depression.

With the help of Domperidone and nipple stimulation; breastfeeding an adoptive child can be done. Many women pump a lot the moment they learn they are getting a new baby.

Some women are able to produce breastmilk without the use of drugs. There are also natural herbs like Fenugreek many women use to help produce more milk.

*Consult your doctor when you are taking any medicine to help with breastfeeding.

Many Mom's that attempt to breastfeed an adoptive child do have to supplement. Many that have a natural child have to do the same. Every liquid gold drop counts.

“This wasn’t my biological child, so I wanted to take every opportunity to bond with this baby that I could possibly get,” said Wilder.

Donor Milk

Earth Mama Angel Baby sent me a great newsletter today about donor milk. I'm breaking the article down. If you want to read the whole article click here.

Milk Banking Questions

Why:

One in nine babies is born premature every day. These babies do better with breastmilk. It increases their survival, health and makes their hospital stay shorter. Sometimes Mother's are unable to produce enough. That is where the donors come into play.

Donors:

Donors are becoming more of a need. Unfortunately there are not a lot of sites out there for donors to acquire money for donating their pumped breastmilk. It's more about the deep personal satisfaction from knowing they have helped improve the health of other babies.

All donor milk is pasteurized in order to eliminate any bacteria or other infecting organisms that may have been present.  Donors are screened before their milk is used.

Northwest Mother's Milk Bank:

The Northwest and Oregon have the highest breastfeeding rates in the nation. Their hospitals do not get donor human milk from their local area. Instead they get it from California and Colorado.

The Northwest Mother’s Milk Bank is working to open a local facility in their area. They need money for equipment and staff. For every box of Milkmaid Tea sold on Earth Mama Angel Baby from November 21 to December 30, 2011, Earth Mama will donate $1 to the  Northwest Mother’s Milk Bank.

Guidelines:

There are special requirements that come from the donor themselves. They have to be clean, not taking any herbs or medicines.

How Much is Needed:

• A baby weighing 2 pounds takes up to 5.5 ounces of milk
• A baby weighing 4.5 pounds takes up to 12 ounces of milk
• A baby weighing 6.5 pounds takes up to 18 ounces of milk

Controversial Advertising of the 21st Century

Source

Benetton is known for their controversial ads. Just lately they put out an ad with president Obama kissing the pope. Do you think they take advertising too far? Remember that their goal is to unit people of all colors.

Jump Start on the Holidays - Energizer Batteries Giveaway

Babies and Kids + Toys and Products = A lot of Batteries!

Energizer® has just the solution to help you get a jump start on the holidays! 

Batteries for the gifts and a free online movie on demand rental to help with the relaxation. Simply purchase a package of specially-marked Energizer® Ultimate Lithium, Energizer® Advanced Lithium or Energizer® Recharge AA batteries and you will receive a free online movie on demand rental reward that can be redeemed at Amazon.com, iTunes.com, Blockbuster.com or the YouTube store.  

Once you get your batteries: 

1. Visit www.energizer.com/movies
2. Follow the instructions to input your battery pack codes.
***Please note: this promotion is limited to one (1) REWARD CERTIFICATE PER PERSON/HOUSEHOLD/E-MAIL ADDRESS.
3. The last day to redeem codes is 4/30/12 at 11:59 p.m. ET 

4. Your Reward Certificate does expire and must be redeemed for your online movie rental within 2 months from the date of issuance. Redemption of the Reward Certificate is subject to all terms and conditions and policies imposed by Hollywood Movie Money On-Demand Rewards.

Here's what Energizer® is giving away to one of my readers:

They are offering one lucky reader a giveaway package that includes two packs of either Energizer® Lithium or Energizer® Recharge batteries (or a combination of both if you prefer) marked with special codes.
  
Mandatory Entry:

What have you or are you thinking of buying for the holidays that requires batteries? Leave your email with this entry. {One Entry}

Optional Entries: 

1. Google Friend this blog. {One Entry}

2. Like Apel Mom and Energizer on Facebook. Leave part of your Facebook name. {One Entry}

3. Like me on Twitter and Energizer on Twitter. Tweet about this giveaway daily. {One Entry}

4. Like me on Twitter and Energizer on Twitter. Tweet about this giveaway daily. {One Entry}

5. Leave a comment on a non-giveaway post. List the post. You are free to comment on any post, but only one can be used for this entry. {One Entry}

6. Blog about this giveaway with a link back to this post. {Five Entries}

7. Vote for me on We're on the Fence. Just click to vote. {One Entry}

This contest closes November 28 at 10 pm and is open to the US. Winners will be picked at Random.org and announced on my Giveaway Page.

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 AT hotmail DOT com

Car Seats

Manual

Make sure you look on your car seat manual. Many car seats last only five years. A lot of people use car seats much longer then specified in the manual.

Fitting It

Call your child's pediatrician to make sure you can find a local area to position your car seat in your car. Here local fire stations check them.

Out with the Old in with the New

There are also some places that will take old car seats in. Then they give you a discount in their stores. Toys R Us and Babies R Us do this certain times of the year. If you sign up for the mailing list; you will get this information from them.

Clek Car Seats

Clek Oobr and Olli Booster Car Seats are fashionable! I love that they are fun colors. Kids will enjoy sitting in their Paul Frank seats! My Organized Chaos is giving away two car seats! Woo Hoo! Hop on over to check out her giveaway!

Cloth Diapers

If I could change one thing about my kid's babyhood, it would be that I should have used cloth diapers.

"Disposable diapers contain traces of dioxin, and extremely toxic by-product of the paper-bleaching process. It is a carcinogenic chemical, listed by the EPA as the MOST toxic of all cancer-linked chemicals. In small quantities, dioxin causes birth defects, immune system suppression, skin and liver diseases, and genetic damage in lab animals. It is banned in most countries, but not in the U.S." - Mother Herb Diaper Service

Want to start using cloth diapers? My Baby's Going Green has a great giveaway going on right now to get you started!

One grand prize winner will receive 2 pocket covers in sage plus 2 micro terry fleece toppers and 3 hemp-organic cotton inserts. Value-$85. Two winners will receive 1 pocket cover in sage plus 3 micro terry fleece topper inserts. Value-$46.50 each.

Nutrition Past Babyhood

According to the USDA, children need to eat the following amounts and types of nutrients on a daily basis:

Protein                              

2-3 years old: 2 ounces
                                                  
4-8 years old: 4 ounces

Grains                              

2-3 years old: 3 ounces
                                                 
4-8 years old: 5 ounces

Vegetables                         

2-3 years old: 1 cup
                                                 
4-8 years old: 1 ½ cups

Fruits                               

2-3 years old: 1 cup 
                                                 
4-8 years old: 1 to 1 ½ cups

Dairy                                  

2-3 years old: 2 cups 
                                                 
4-8 years old: 2 ½ cups

DingaRings

I really think these baby toys called DingaRings by Ob-Designs looks amazingly fun!

What I love about them: 

• There are many choices of characters.
• They are all natural.
• It's both for teething and play.
• It has a rattle inside.

Win one at New Age Mama!

Healing Hearts - Baby Loss Comfort

I think it's really hard to know what to say when you know that someones baby may not make it, or if the baby does pass away. Emotions are running high anyhow. A loss is devastating!

I felt this way over the summer when I knew my sister's baby was going to have problems. He stopped breathing many times. Somehow my nephew that has many odds against him, is now over 4 months old.

At the time, I didn't know what to say. She is my sister, and I didn't know how to comfort her. Nothing can prepare you for those days ahead.

If someone losses a baby, it is a major loss. I'm not sure all people can understand this. Some, especially people that have never carried a baby see it like this, "They can try again." Like it's no big deal. It's a huge deal! The parents worry that the same scenario could happen again.

A woman carries a baby in her for 9 months. There is a bond established. Daddy and Mommy had a chance to feel the baby move. Both parents got to see the ultrasound and get pictures.

Talking about the baby helps. Many wonder, "How do I talk about a life I never knew?"

Healing Hearts - Baby Loss Comfort is a great resource to go for baby loss.

What to say:

• Many parents have a hard time knowing what to do, they are lacking on sleep and their minds are all over the place during a situation like this. You can offer to call people for them.
• Let them know it's ok to cry.
• Let them know that their child was unique, special and irreplaceable.
• Talk to them about what their baby was like, even if they only knew the baby when they were inside the womb.
• Offer to help them sort through the baby's clothes, toys and furniture when they are ready. Do not push them to do this.
• If they have other kids, offer to take them out. This is one thing I did a lot of with my nephews.
• Offer to run errands for them.
• Tell them to be patient with themselves and give themselves time to heal. Let them know that there are no rules about grieving.
• Offer to take care of the siblings during the funeral.
• Talk about their  pregnancy and baby.
• Don't forget. They may not be ready to talk right away. Talk later on. Take them out to lunch.
• Give them a list of support groups for when they are ready.

What not to say:

• Don't make it sound like it was meant to be, or God's will.
• Don't mention that their baby is in a better place. To the Mom, the best place is with her!
• Don't rush the experience. Death is not something that can be rushed. Let them hold their baby if they pass, take photos. Time does not heal all wounds.
• Don't talk about how you know how they feel. (Unless you have personally experienced the loss of a baby.)
• Don't talk about their other children being all that they need. Each child is different.
• Don't mention how it could have been worse. Each death experience is hard in it's own way.

Sources: 
Grieving Resources
Remembering Baby

Follow Healing Hearts - Baby Loss Comfort on Facebook

Growth Spurts

I remember when my oldest child had his first growth spurt. I was breastfeeding him. He ate so much! I thought for sure there was no way my breasts could produce enough milk for him!

Babies on average triple their birth weight in the first year. *Your Child's Growth

Usually when a baby gets sick they do one of two things: They don't want very much milk at all, or they breastfeed out of comfort. My boys did both. The times where they didn't want to breastfeed, my supply got really low. When they were on their upswings, they went through a growth spurt. Again I felt like I didn't have enough milk for them. Somehow a woman's body seems to compensate for their baby in need. It's so common to worry about not being able to produce enough milk.

After the first year I was expecting my children to still grow rapidly. They still grew, but their growth slowed way down.  It seemed like small growth spurts with a big one thrown in every now and then.

Now my children are older. Isaak is now 3 and Mica is 6. My 3 year old is going through a growth spurt. He is eating everything we give him and then some! One thing my husband noticed is that Isaak wets the bed when he is in the midst of a growth spurt. Our other son did this to. They consume so much throughout the day and go to the bathroom like normal. The fluids in their food have to come out of their bodies somehow. We go from many dry nights to accidents like crazy, then back to being dry again. It's a cycle that a child can not help.

A few things you can do to help: 

• Limit liquids in the evening or at night.
• Take your child potty right before you go to bed. We take Isaak potty around 10 pm.
• Don't go back to diapers. Keep your child in underwear or panties. If you are not wanting to change the sheets; put a diaper on the outside. Gerber sells plastic training pants that we put on the outside of underwear. You want them to feel that they are wet. We also have padded blankets that we put on his bed; this way we don't have to wash all the bedding if he does happen to leak. 

Snacks for Kids

One snack I think that would be great to try is Giddy Dip 'Ems! Life in the Lost World is giving 2 winners a chance to win this snack!

“What makes eating fun for kids? Playing with their food! Based in San Francisco, giddy is an all-natural snack company that proves wholesome snacking doesn’t have to be boring or bland through its all natural snacktivities – interactive snacks that are dipped, peeled, spread or created. Time constrained moms love that giddy is a convenient on the go snack option free of high fructose corn syrup, preservatives and artificial ingredients, and kids love the great taste and fun formats!"

Other Fast Snack Ideas:

• Cut up carrot sticks
• Snap peas
• Grapes
• Bunny Cracker
• Pretzel Crisps

Lactation Cookies

These are great because they are healthy, will help everyone in the house, not just baby and mom!

Want to make some on your own?

Here's a great recipe! 

Milk Trays

I feel like Milk Trays are the way to go with freezing breastmilk.

I happened to use Orka Ice Cube Trays when I froze my milk. They to have lids and were BPA free. I liked that they had silicone bottoms and were different colors. The variety of colors helped me to see which one I pumped first and last. The negatives were that they were not as thin as the Milk Trays. Thin = less time to thaw out when baby is hungry. If you pump a lot, you may have more milk then will fit into the trays. If I were a new mom today, I'd get both Orka Ice Cube Trays and Milk Trays. Orka Ice Cube Trays were really nice for baby food! The color really helped me to the differences between foods that I made. Sometimes foods look exactly alike when in cube form. I think Milk Trays would be better for milk!

Source

Source

I've tried multiple ways of freezing milk. The bags take longer to thaw out. Then the seems leak milk.

With this system you can drop the frozen milk into drop in liners, or stainless steel bottles. They thaw quicker, with little to no mess.

Just Some Features:

• BPA and Phthalate free.
• Made from a medical-grade plastic.
• Designed by working and breastfeeding moms. 
• 16 (8 in each try) cavities that each equal one ounce. I like this because you know how much you are getting out before you thaw the milk.  
• You buy 1 unit that has 2 trays and 2 lids for $21.95 at Mom4Life. No tax or shipping costs. 
• The 2 trays stack easily. 
• Fits through all bottle openings.  
• Made in the USA

Right now Mom4Life is giving away a set of Milk Trays. Go there to enter!