Mama's Getting Kinda Crunchy

SOPA Strike Blackout

2012-01-17T22:22:00.001-07:00

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2012/01/wikipedia-sopa-strike-blackout.html

My site is going black on January 18th! I encourage everyone else to do the same thing!

GourmetGiftBaskets.com Review!

2011-12-11T00:36:00.001-07:00

I dont think there is anything more fun than receiving a gift basket during the holidays. Actually, I'd be thrilled to get a gift basket at any point in time! I do think during the holidays there is just something festive about a gorgeous gift basket. Last year I had the chance to work with GourmetGiftBaskets.com and it was so much fun! When they contacted me to work with them again this year I didn't hesitate to say yes. I know I am going to get exceptional quality items for an outstanding price.

For review I received their Christmas Gift Basket Classic which sells for $59.99. It is worth every penny! Take a look at everything you get:

- Almond Pecan-dy Crunch - gourmet popcorn and pecans covered in a caramel glaze.

- Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies

- Dipping Pretzels

- Raspberry Honey Mustard Pretzel Dip

- Salted Peanuts

- Signature Dark Chocolate Bar

- Buttered Peanut Crunch

- Metropolitan Train Mix

- Parmesan Artichoke & Garlic Cheese Biscuits

- Chocolate Covered Cherries

I am a serious dark chocolate lover and the Signature Dark Chocolate Bar was by far my favorite item in this gift basket. The thing I love most about this entire gift basket is that it will satisfy a wide variety of people! Whether you crave something sweet, salty or savory, this basket delivers it all. I think you get a very decent amount of product for the money and it is packaged beautifully!

The basket everything comes in is very sturdy, not cheap and flimsy. I love that the basket would be able to serve another purpose in my home after the goodies are gone. I also loved the ribbon and bow. Nothing was smashed or cheesy looking. It came carefully packaged and you can tell they take pride in how the basket looks when it arrives!

I would definitely recommend GourmetGiftBaskets.com for any gift giving occasion in your life! Their prices are fair and they have fabulous customer service! I plan on sending the Beer-B-Q Bucket to a friend for their birthday!

Go check out their award-winning gift baskets and pick up something exceptional for everyone on your Christmas list! While you are there be sure to sign up for email updates to be the first to know about any future offers and follow them on Facebook or Twitter.

I want to say a huge thank you to the fabulous people over at GourmetGiftBaskets.com for this awesome review opportunity and for such gorgeous gift baskets! There is a reason why you guys are award-winning and I am happy to have a go-to company for all of my gift basket giving needs!

Disclaimer: I received free product to review. I was not paid to write this and all opinions are my own!

25 Days of Christmas Countdown 2011!

2011-12-01T11:16:00.003-07:00

Today kicks off a tradition in our house where we do one Christmas activity every single day until Christmas. This can be something small like watching A Charlie Brown Christmas or something bigger like taking the kids to Zoo Lights. It's a ton of fun for the kiddos and I plan on documenting this years activities right here on my blog! Happy Holidays! Here are some of the things we do:

- Write letters to Santa and make Reindeer Chow to leave out on Christmas Eve.

- Hang our stockings up and watch The Polar Express/Drink hot chocolate with whipped cream and sprinkles.

- Baking Day with the kids!

- Family Christmas Picture and mail our Christmas cards/ See Santa?

- Read Christmas books and watch Christmas movies

- Snowman Ornament Kit Craft

- Listen to Christmas music all day long

- Drink sparkling cider with our dinner

- Go to Zoo Lights!

- Build a gingerbread house at home

- Build a gingerbread house with everyone at grandmas house and bake cookies there too!

- Paint holiday scenes on our french doors!

- Help the kids make Christmas cards

- Christmas craft day (Michaels has awesome craft kits!)

- Take a ride to look at Christmas lights

- Christmas Eve everyone gets pajamas and a new ornament

- Homemade candy day! Think fudge, homemade marshmellows and peppermint bark!

- Help a family in need. This Christmas Eve we are going to head over to Pop Cycle on 4th Avenue in Tucson AZ and help them hand out sandwiches and clothes to homeless people. This is SO important to teach kids and show them how awesome it is to help others!

- One night we eat only red and green foods!

- We make paper chain garlands. Never tried popcorn garland but might try it this year!

- Kids shopping day. Each kid gets to pick something for their brother/sisters and mom and dad.

- Kids get to wrap their gifts one night

- Have a slumber party by the Christmas tree

- Stained glass ornament project

- Cookie baking day!

- Go to Winterhaven and see all the Christmas lights

We usually throw in more things as they come up. We dont usually assign dates to these activities, because if we are busy one day then we just do something small like drink sparkling cider with our dinner and watch a Christmas movie, etc. The kids LOVE it and I love having such fun traditions with them. We try to teach our children that Christmas isn't about how much we get, but making memories and helping others!

Do you have any fun Christmas ideas to share? Leave me a comment and tell me! I will be posting each day of December with what we did that day and tons of pictures to help inspire everyone! Todays post will be up later tonight after we finish!

December 1st - Write Christmas letters to Santa and make Reindeer Chow for Christmas Eve!

Merry Christmas!

Danielle

Go Green Pocket Diapers = New Fluff Addiction!

2011-11-18T20:15:00.000-07:00

When I set out to cloth diaper, I had no idea how obsessed I would become. I find myself constantly looking for new diapers to try out, but that gets expensive really quickly. I wanted to cloth diaper to save money, not feed an obsession. That is why I get so excited when I find companies like Go Green Pocket Diapers. They let me feed my fluffy addiction without breaking the bank!

Go Green Pocket Diapers offer two styles of diapers. One is what I am going to call a classic pocket diaper style available in silky or fuzzy prints and then they offer one they call The Champ. Their classic diaper sells for only $9.99 and The Champ sells for $15.95. I love how affordable these diapers are!

For review I was sent the Stellar silky diaper and we absolutely adore it. It's at the top of my post and you can buy it right now for a reduced price of only $8.99.

Things I love about this diaper:

- It's silky on the outside, not stiff or crinkly.

- It has an adorable pattern, which I consider to be gender neutral.

- It comes with an insert at an insanely affordable price.

- The inner fabric is suedecloth, which we prefer in this house.

- There are 3 rows of adjustable rise snaps. This is a one size diaper, which is our favorite kind!

- These diapers have hip snaps to prevent wing droop and the waist snaps overlap. These are features you typically only see on more expensive diapers!

- I love the 3 layer insert! It is surprisingly absorbent. So many of my less expensive diapers I would not let my babies wear out of the house for fear of leaks, but we wear this diaper out all the time and have never had a leak!

- I also love how durable the rise snaps are. Again, on all of my other inexpensive diapers, the rise snaps pop off SO easily. We do not have that problem with our Go Green Pocket Diaper.

Honestly, if I didn't know the price, I would assume it was much more expensive than what it is!

Things I dont like about this diaper:

Absolutely nothing. This is a sensational diaper at an incredible price. I have already told many friends who were interested in trying cloth diapers to buy these instead of more expensive ones. You are getting much more bang for your buck. I find myself reaching for this diaper over several name brand ones in my stash. I love that this diaper isn't bulky, which makes it a winner for wearing while we are out and about! I have also used it on both my 6 month old and my almost 3 year old and have had no issues with it from either of them. This diaper stays on, doesnt leak and the rise adjusts easily from one size to the next!

If you are looking for something more than your basic one size cloth pocket diaper, then look no further! Go Green Pocket Diapers offer a Champ diaper and I cannot wait to own one! This diaper is only $15.95 and offers ALL of the features of higher end diapers. They have dual gussets like on a Rumparooz and the inserts self agitate out like on a Thirsties diaper. I also love that it is four sizes in one diaper. They took the features of 2 of my favorite diapers and combined them into one. This diaper retails for HALF of what the more expensive ones cost! That is insane to me, but oh so wonderful! These diapers really would fit from birth to potty training with no problem from what I can tell. Clearly, I am so excited to buy the Champ and add it to my stash!

I strongly urge any cloth diapering mom out there to check out Go Green Pocket Diapers and add some adorable diapers to your stash. If you are a mama who is cloth curious, look no further! I personally know some women who were turned off to cloth because of price alone. Dont be one of them! Check these bad boys out first. I am so happy with my Go Green Pocket Diaper experience, I see no reason to buy diapers anywhere else. Why on Earth would I pay double for the same quality diaper?

Check out Go Green Pocket Diapers on Facebook to be the first to know about any future deals!

I want to say a huge thank you to the lovely people over at Go Green Pocket Diapers for this awesome review opportunity and for showing me the light!

Disclaimer: I received free product to review. I was not paid to write this and all opinions are my own!

Milkin Cookies!

2011-11-11T21:35:00.000-07:00

If you're a breastfeeding mama, then you probably have heard about lactation cookies. They are little bites of heaven that do wonders for your milk supply. If you are like me, it can sometimes be a pain in the butt to make a huge batch of lactation cookies just for yourself. Sure, they are perfectly safe for other members of the family to eat, but then I cant claim them as "Mama's Special Milk Cookies" and keep them all to myself. Enter a fabulous company called Milkin' Cookies. I seriously consider this company heaven sent. I can have fresh baked lactation cookies sent right to my door!

Milkin' Cookies are the creation of the Mommy Doctors, two physician mommies who wanted to continue nursing while working full time. I think SO many mamas can relate to that scenerio! In fact, they felt the same way I do - I dont want to take Fenugreek! If you could see me, you would see a tantrum about it. I think eating a cookie is a MUCH better solution to supply issues and luckily, they agree!

I noticed a difference after just one cookie. I couldn't believe how much my supply changed after one cookie! They were awesome enough to send me 6 cookies - 3 Oatmeal Chocolate Chip and 3 Cranberry Almond Oatmeal. My favorite by far was the Cranberry Almond Oatmeal. I have always been a fan of a less sweet cookie and I love the little bit of tartness in them. Each cookie comes individually wrapped and should be eaten within 2 weeks or stored in the freezer if you want them to last longer. Each cookie will stay good out of the freezer for 6 weeks, but should be eaten sooner if you want the freshest cookie possible. They dont use any preservatives in their cookies, which I love!

Now lets talk ingredients, which is the most important thing for me!

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip - Oats, Butter, Whole Wheat Flour, Semi Sweet Chocolate, Brown Sugar, Nutritional Yeast, Ground Flaxseed, Wheat Germ, Unsweetened Cocoa, Salt and Baking Soda.

Cranberry Almond Oatmeal - Oats, Butter, Whole Wheat Flour, Brown Sugar, Eggs, Sugar, Almonds, Dried Unsweetened Cranberries, Nutritional Yeast, Ground Flaxseed, Wheat Germ, Vanilla Extract, Salt and Baking Soda.

I love ALL of the ingredients in these cookies! Nothing artificial or hard to pronounce here. The ingredients that will help your milk supply are the nutritional yeast, the flaxseed, oats and the wheat germ. I have tried recipes with brewers yeast and let me tell you, you can tell a difference! I MUCH prefer nutritional yeast to brewers yeast!

Prices:

A 14 Day Supply (14 Cookies) - $20.99

A 30 Day Supply (30 Cookies) - $44.99

A 3 Month Subscription (30 Cookies per Month for 3 Months) - $119.99

I think those prices are awesome. Some may think they are expensive. I sort of look at it like this, I dont have to spend any time cooking, each cookie comes individually wrapped for convenience and freshness, the cookies taste phenomenal and I can keep them in the freezer for whenever my supply needs a boost. Is it cheaper to make your own lactation cookies? Sure, but I know mine dont taste as good as these! I dont have extreme supply issues, so a 14 day supply would last me a long time, which makes the $20.00 worth it. Alternatively, if I DID have major supply issues, I would do the subscription and that would make the $119.99 worth it as well. Either way I think these cookies are a fabulous buy, especially if you do have major supply issues and you cant bake to save your life. Keeping a strong milk supply is extremely important to breastfeeding mamas and I am SO greatful to have this awesome company in my arsenal of breastfeeding products.

My main reason for wanting to try Milkin' Cookies was my solid foods fear. I always have this panic attack when my babies start solids. I get so afraid my milk supply is going to dry up and vanish. I know that sounds so silly, but I think it's a legitimate concern! My baby Josie started solids at 6 months and she has loved every minute of it. I love knowing I have Milkin' Cookies for when I feel like I need a boost!

I strongly urge all of my breastfeeding mamas out there to give them a try and to keep them in mind for anyone you know who is struggling with supply issues. Lets support all breastfeeding moms and offer up the tools to help!

I want to say a huge thank you to Milkin' Cookies for this review opportunity!

Disclaimer: I received free product to review. I was not paid to write this and all opinions are my own.

Pipsqueak Boutique Review (Part 2)

2011-11-06T15:30:00.002-07:00

And this is why she is Violet! Her shirt from Pipsqueak Boutique is PERFECT for her! What is your child's Dictionary Definition? Check out Pipsqueak Boutique for all of your personalized, birthday and custom shirt needs!

PS - That was her outfit creation! Just another reason she is Violet!

Pipsqueak Boutique Review(Part 1)

2011-11-05T19:13:00.001-07:00

I recently had the opportunity to work with a fabulous company called Pipsqueak Boutique and I could not be more happy with my experience. This review is going to be split into two posts because I am having so many issues with posting multiple pictures in my posts and I have no idea why! So stay tuned for part two with adorable pictures of my Violet wearing her shirt!

Pipsqueak Boutique was launched in 2005 after the birth of Jennifer's first niece. Like many other people, she got addicted to all of the adorable baby items out there and was on a hunt for the cutest baby gear for the littler girl in her life. After moving from a huge city to a smaller one, she realized the selection wasn't what it was! Her solution was to start her own store and here we are today!

Working with Jennifer has been incredible and I am so honored to promote her products on my eco blog. Wanting organic items for my kids can sometimes be a challenge. There are plenty of plain organic cotton items out there, but sometimes I feel left out when it comes to the super cute items! It's refreshing to know that Pipsqueak Boutique offers all of their personalized shirts in an organic cotton! You can imagine how excited I was to pick a shirt to review.

After MUCH looking and lots of going back and forth, I finally decided on their adorable Dictionary Definition shirt in their organic cotton. I fell in love with it and knew it would fit Violet's personality perfectly! You get to pick whatever words you want to define your child. We went with:

Violet: Mess Magnet, Princess in Training, Wild Child, Mommy's Little Helper, Cutie Patootie.

When you see the pictures, you will fully understand WHY we picked those words!

I honestly could not be happier with the quality of this shirt! Like I always say, there is NOTHING softer than organic cotton and there is nothing cuter than this shirt!

If you aren't into the whole organic cotton thing, then there are SO many options available to you for shirt styles. You can pick from their ringer tee, raglan tee, long sleeve raglan tee, raglan onepiece, ringer onepiece, organic tee or organic onepiece. I adore that you an personalize the style of tee as well as the color and the wording. For this particular shirt you can choose from white with pink, white with lavender, white with red or all white(organic).

Another big difference between this shirt and other custom shirts from other companies is you would never know this one is screen printed. You honestly cannot feel any raised bumps or lines, no rubbery feeling, no peeling or cracking. It looks and feels like it was always a part of the shirt!

If you want to customize the design of the shirts even further, all you have to do is contact them to make your perfect one of a kind shirt! That is fabulous customer service!

Pipsqueak Boutique offers much more than just personalized shirts like their Dictionary Definition shirt. I for one am absolutely IN LOVE with their Cupcake Pinafore and Bloomer Set and desperately want that or a first birthday shirt for Josie's first birthday! This outfit is what is at the top of my post. Isn't it beautiful?? You can order birthday shirts for toddlers and for any kid in your life I know my kids will feel so special having their own personalized shirt to wear at their birthday parties. Celebrating a birth in the family? Make those big brothers and sisters feel special with their own sibling shirt! Check out their selection of custom outfits while you are at it!

I strongly urge all of you guys to go check out everything that Pipsqueak Boutique has to offer(their selection doesn't stop at clothing!) because there is no way you will be disappointed! Their customer service is fabulous and they ship your item within 5 business days. Our shirt got to us quickly and without any problems.

I want to thank Jennifer over at Pipsqueak Boutique for this review opportunity! It was a blast working with you Jennifer!

Disclaimer: I received free product to review. I was not paid to write this and all opinions are my own!

Honest Kids Review

2011-10-30T20:35:00.003-07:00

We recently had the awesome opportunity to try out Honest Kids Organic Juice Pouches and all I can say is good-bye Capri Sun! Our kids absolutely loved them and I loved that they are way healthier than any other juice boxes on the market.

We were sent the flavors Appley Ever After, Berry Berry Good Lemonade and Super Fruit Punch, but they also come in Goodness Grapeness and Tropical Tango Punch as well. Neither of my kids could tell me their favorite flavor when I went to buy them at my local Target, so we just bought a box of the Appley Ever After. They were perfect to take along when we went to the local apple orchard and pumpkin patch!

These juice pouches are USDA Organic and contain zero high fructose corn syrup, two huge things I look for when I am buying just about any product. I also love how sturdy the pouches are. They aren't as flimsy as competitor brands and the straws are really strong and wont bend while trying to punch them into the pouch. I love that I can hand it to my two year old and she can do it herself without bending the straw.

Each pouch contains about 40 calories and the ingredients are really simple. For example, the Appley Ever After flavor contains:

Filtered Water, Organic Apple Juice Concentrate, Organic Cane Sugar, Natural Flavor, Ascorbic Acid(Vitamin C), Malic Acid and Citric Acid.

Probably my most favorite part about these pouches is that they come in a pack of 8 for around 3.00 and you can purchase them at mass retailers like Target! This is so convenient for me!

These pouches are perfect for road trips, picnics and any other time you want convenience AND an organic product. I really would recommend these to any parent I know.

I want to say a huge thank you to the rockin people over at Honest Tea for this review opportunity and for turning me on to an new awesome product!

Disclaimer: I received free product to review. I was not paid to write this and all opinions are my own.

LARABAR

2011-10-24T22:14:00.003-07:00

The lovely people over at Larabar sent me several samples to try out and I am so incredibly happy they did. My husband and I are always on the lookout for healthy snacks that actually taste good and these bars exceded our expectations.

The thing I love the most about Larabar is that they are gluten free. I am about to undergo testing for celiac disease and if I am diagnosed, I wont be able to eat gluten anymore. At this point I find myself wondering what products gluten ISN'T in because it is in SO many things. What is gluten doing in a Twizzler anyway? I am constantly on the hunt for yummy gluten free snacks and I am so happy that all Larabars are gluten free!

For more information about Larabars and special diets, click here.

I wanted to talk to you guys about two specific Larabar flavors I was sent. One is my absolute favorite and one was not such a huge hit.

First up is Cherry Pie. This bar is a complete WIN for me. I have since purchased several more of these bars to keep in my diaper bag for mommy hunger emergencies! It's perfectly sweet and tart just like a cherry and completely satisfied my sweet tooth. I even gave my kids a bite and they loved it just as much as I did.

"Tart and tasty, chewy, but not ooey or gooey, our Cherry Pie contains 1 full serving of fruit, 5 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein. The simple, 3-ingredient mix of unsweetened cherries, dates and almonds, packs a big flavor with a dollop of fun. "

The flavor that was not a win for me was the Lemon Bar. I was super sad this wasn't my favorite. I adore lemon and this just wasn't what I expected. I wanted more lemon flavor. Dont get me wrong, it was still good, I guess I just like my lemon to be stronger.

One thing I found truly interesting about Larabar products is that each bar contains no more than 9 ingredients and they are all made from whole foods. I love how simple and delicious they are. I also like that they wont freeze or melt. I can keep a bar in my bag and not worry about the 100 degree weather here in Arizona.

I strongly urge you guys to check out Larabars and give them a try because I think you will be pleasantly surprised. They really fill you up and are an awesome healthy snack for when you are on the go!

I want to say a huge thank you to Larabar for sending some bars my way and for opening my eyes to their fantastic product!

Disclaimer: I received free product to review. I was not paid to write this and all opinions are my own.

First Food Success

2011-10-11T23:30:00.003-07:00

I think her first time eating solids was a huge success! She loved it. Her first food was organic brown rice, breastmilk and organic apples! 10-6-2011, she was 5 months old.

Tummy Time!

2011-10-11T23:25:00.001-07:00

Coconut Oil 101

2011-10-11T22:21:00.004-07:00

On my journey to eating healthier foods, I came across coconut oil. Is it good? Is it bad? What is the deal? I found tons of conflicting information and after rooting through it all, I discovered the truth. There is nothing in the world wrong with coconut oil! Is has gotten a bad name for nothing. I really want to spread the word about the benefits of coconut oil and I want to share some of the facts with you guys!

Coconut oil contains lauric acid. The only other food item on this earth that contains lauric acid is breastmilk. Our bodies convert lauric acid into monolaurin which acts as a antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, and an antibacterial.

Coconut oil consists of 90% saturated fat. Dont panic! The fats in coconut oil are a medium chain fatty acid, which is awesome. Medium chain fatty acids do not have a negative effect on cholesterol and actually help protect against heart disease. Short and medium chain fatty acids help aid in weight loss by speeding up the metabolism.

Coconut oil helps improve digestion and can help prevent various digestion related problems like irritable bowel syndrome. The saturated fats in coconut oil have antimicrobial properties which help deal with bacteria, fungi, parasites, etc. Coconut oil also helps in absorption of vitamins and minerals.

Coconut oil contains less calories than other oils and it's fat content is easily converted into energy.

All of my information came from here and here. Check out those sites for MUCH more information on coconut oil. I am so glad we made the switch!

Tropical Traditions Certified Organic Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil is fantastic and the only oil we use in our house now. Their coconuts are used fresh(within 24-48 hours of harvest) from small family farms in the Philippines.

How do they make coconut oil? The coconut meat is shredded and then cold-pressed using the water from inside the coconuts to make coconut milk. The milk then has to sit for half a day allowing the oil to separate from the heavier water. Then they filter the oil from the curds. They do not use any chemicals or high-heat treatment and this coconut oil does not contain any trans fatty acids. I adore that their oil is not mass produced and is made by small farming families. They use methods that have been around for hundreds of years. All of their coconut trees and family producers are certified organic by strict USDA guidelines, which I love! Another thing I love about this oil is its long shelf life! I can stock up when it goes on sale and not worry about it going bad.

My favorite quote from the Tropical Traditions website:

"Virgin coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, a nutrient that supports the body's immune system. Lauric acid is also found in human mother's milk. Dr. Mary Enig suggests the average adult include 3.5 tablespoons of coconut oil per day in their diet to take in an equivalent amount of lauric acid that a nursing infant would receive from breast milk"

I LOVE that quote and it is my number one reason for wanting coconut oil in my diet. I love that it is a natural oil. Vegetable oil is NOT a natural oil. If you squeeze a soybean, you do not get oil. The oil in soybeans(vegetable oil) has to be extracted. It is creepy and unnatural.

I have replaced all oils in my kitchen with coconut oil from Tropical Traditions and I will never go back. I think all of my meals and baked goods taste even better when I use coconut oil! When cooking things like eggs, I can smell the coconut oil when it is hot, but I do not taste it on my eggs. I love that it can replace any oil, including olive oil.

Coconut oil beauty tip - mix this with sugar to make an at home sugar scrub! It is phenomenal and my new favorite scrub. Dont pay ungodly prices for scrubs when you can make your own!

Check out the recipe section on the Tropical Traditions website and check out even more of their research!

Purchase your own Certified Organic Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil here. Right now they have a 10% off coupon code on their website - 111010.

I want to say a huge thank you to the phenomenal people over at Tropical Traditions for this amazing product review opportunity. I am a customer for life!

Disclaimer: I received free product to review. I was not paid to write this and all opinions are my own.

Pure Bar Flavors, My Opinion

2011-10-11T22:05:00.002-07:00

From the Pure Organic line:

Chocolate Brownie - I absolutely adored this bar. I am a dark chocolate freak and I love knowing I was eating something organic and healthy. We cant always have brownies, but one of these bars every once and awhile is a safe choice. If you love dark chocolate and walnuts, buy this bad boy!

Wild Blueberry - My husband actually got to eat this bar and he said it was awesome. This bar is packed with blueberries, dates, almonds and cashews. This was the first one he tried and it definitely sold him.

Cherry Cashew - This was my favorite Pure bar. Cherries are probably my favorite fruit. I could eat them all day and this bar put me in my comfort zone. I think I will always have one of these bars stashed in my diaper bag for emergencies. I think every mom can relate to not taking time to eat while out and about. This is my go to bar! Everything about this was delicious. If you love cherries and cashews, you will love this!

Apple Cinnamon - This was not my favorite, but I am not big on apple cinnamon foods in general. It just reminds me of cooked apples, which I am not a huge fan of. This bar wasn't disgusting by any means. I say I dont like it out of personal preferences for not wanting apple cinnamon. If you love apple cinnamon, you will love this bar for sure. I did like that this bar also has walnuts in it though!

Cranberry Orange - If this flavor comination sounds a bit crazy to you, dont worry. You are not alone. I thought it was a little nuts too, but I ended up loving it! It's perfectly sweet and tart, with almonds thrown in for a kick. I highly recommend this Pure Bar, it was such a surprise.

Pure Naturals line:

Chocolate Almond - This bar was more like a granola bar or trail mix bar. I definitely liked the Chocolate Brownie bar better, but this was still good! If I want something crunchy, I would definitely reach for this.

Peanut Raisin Crunch - My husband ate this one, as he is obsessed with peanuts. He said it was pretty good but wasn't sure about the raisins. He isn't a huge raisin fan, but he said this reminded him of trail mix in a bar form.

Superfruit Nutty Crunch - This was by far my favorite Pure Naturals Bar. It was heavenly! It's sweet and tart and nutty and wonderful! If you love pomegranates, blueberries, cranberries, almonds and peanuts, then look no further. This is the snack for you!

My Baby is 5!

2011-10-10T22:30:00.003-07:00

Today my first born turned five. FIVE. I cant even stand it! I cant believe it has been five years since I first held him in my arms. I cannot thank him enough for making me a mother. He changed my life forever.

Thank you Michael Maden. I hope we made your day wonderful!

Pictures of his party will be posted tomorrow and thanks ONCE AGAIN for being patient with me. I have a couple reviews done, just need to proofread and then post. This weekend has been exhausting and wonderful and I am so insanely lucky. The picture above is the first time I ever held Michael. I pushed for 4 hours only to end up with a c-section. This was one of the best moments in my life.

Updates!

2011-10-04T21:25:00.003-07:00

Hey guys! I wanted to update you on what I have been up to and let you know what is in store for October! We have all just gotten over being sick in our house and I think my girls still have a little bit of a cold. I think all moms know what it's like to have a little baby with a runny nose! We've all held in there and everything is going great now. We have also had a ton of doctor's appointments going on in September. My husband's blood pressure is out of control at 148/110 and he has started taking a couple blood pressure medications. That has been a HUGE adventure for us. I am glad they are taking care of him and getting it under control though.

In October we are busy as well! But dont worry, I have a blog schedule planned out and ready to go. My son turns FIVE on October 10th and I can carely believe it. Where on Earth has the time gone? We are having his birthday party on Saturday the 8th and then on the 9th we are going to pick apples and pumpkins. It's going to be such a fun weekend!

Now on to what I have planned this month for my blog!

I have a PureBar flavor review to post
Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil
Organic Family Cookbook Review
Honest Kids Drink Pouch review
Larabar Review
Milkin Cookies Review
Urban Originals Shirt Review
NurturMe Baby Food Review
Go Green Pocket Diaper

So I have 9 reviews planned for October with the first 2 going live tomorrow night. Thanks so much for sticking with me while I get back into the swing of blogging. It's amazing how life can hit you right over the head! I also have a wordless wednesday going up tomorrow morning and a whole post about saving money while eating healthy as well as my Sunflower Market haul!

I hope you all are enjoying the lovely Fall weather and I cannot wait to share pictures of us picking our apples and pumpkins! I also have a post planned on how to show you all how to make homemade apple butter! I adore the Fall! Oh! If you are looking for a delicious Pumpkin Spice candle, check out the Mainstays one from Walmart! It is amazing and by far the best pumpkin spice candle I have ever found!

Peace and love

Danielle

Pure Bar = Pure Bliss

2011-09-06T21:42:00.003-07:00

As many of you know, I am 4 months postpartum and dying to get this weight off of me. Dont get me wrong, 30 pounds have melted off with ease, and now I have to work for the rest! My doctor also wants me to watch my gluten and fat intake because she thinks my gall bladder might be on the fritz. With all of this going on, I need to make healthy choices with the foods I pick and I am SO glad I stumbled upon Pure Bars. I was sent one of each flavor and there wasn't one bar that my husband and I didn't enjoy.

One of my biggest problems was never packing snacks for ME in my diaper bag. Oh sure, I had plenty for the kids, but when it came to myself, I tended to stop for french fries or something very unhealthy to munch on when we were all out. Pure Bars make it incredibly simple to carry a mama snack with me in my diaper bag. Just toss one in and go. They dont get all smushy in my bag and they keep really well. Now I have no excuse for eating healthy when I am outside of my home! I think this reason alone is a reason for me to love Pure Bars.

My fear with trying out bars like this is that I wont think they taste good. That fear was short lived with one bite of my Pure Bar Organic Cherry Cashew bar. It was absolutely delicious and I became hooked. My husband's first bite was the Organic Wild Blueberry Bar and he said it was fabulous. He wanted to steal the rest of my bars to take for snacks at work!

The absolute best part of Pure Bars?

Cherry Cashew Pure Bar Ingredients: organic dates, organic cherries, organic walnuts, organic agave nectar, organic almonds, organic cashews, and organic brown rice protein.

That's all! I know my body is getting the fuel it needs, no nasty chemicals and I get a yummy snack for only 190 calories! Each bar is also gluten free and vegan. I love a product that tailors to so many people!

Stay tuned for various mini posts on each of the other bars I tried. In the meantime, follow Pure Bar on Facebook and Twitter. You can also subscribe to their newsletter for yummy updates!

Purchase Pure Bars online or use their store locator to find a store near you.

I want to say a huge thank you to the lovely people over at Pure Bar for this fabulous review opportunity.

Disclaimer: I received free product to review. I was not paid to write this and all opinions are my own!

2011- Is it as busy for you as it is for me?

2011-09-02T14:21:00.003-07:00

It seems that 2011 is the year of all out business for our family. Not only are we busy, but we have medical things going on as well. First I was in premature labor and then had a baby, now we have a whole new set of trials! One of the reasons we are a "crunchy" family, is so we can be around longer to take care of our family. I recently found out I may need my gall bladder removed and that this is very common after a pregnancy. My husband just found out his blood pressure is 148/110. He is 25. This kind of junk runs in his family and I want to take ALL precautions and keep him healthy. We are revamping our diet once again and getting healthy!

I am hoping to have some food item reviews here this Fall as we pick up new items to fuel our bodies! I have a review posting this weekend for Organic Pure Bars, so keep your eyes peeled for that. I am also going to be reviewing an AMAZING Organic cookbook and I cannot wait to share that with you guys!

I am excited for the direction of this blog. It seems reviewing TONS of items was not in the cards for me this year, but I am reminded of my blog's original purpose - to be healthy and help our planet. My blog posts are going to include delicious recipes, healthy reviews and some fun giveaways too.

Thanks for continuing to read, enter and support me! I couldn't do what I do without you guys!

Also - if anyone has any information on gall bladders, please share!

Danielle

Costume Discounters Review

2011-08-22T22:29:00.007-07:00

Halloween is a family favorite in the Conner household. Who doesn't love dressing up and pretending to be someone you aren't for a day? Getting costumes for a great price is especially important to me because I have three little ones to outfit! When I was contacted by Costume Discounters to do a review of one of their fabulous costumes, I of course, said yes. I knew their high quality and affordable costumes were something I definitely wanted featured on my blog.

They have a low price guarantee and if you find one of their costumes for cheaper somewhere else online, they will match the price and take an additional 20% off. That sort of guarantee makes me very happy because I feel secure in knowing I am getting the best deal out there!

We decided to browse the toddler Halloween costumes they offer, as well as their big kid varieties and decided on their Toddler Deluxe Foofa Costume! We had our little Violet come on over and show us her favorite and she started squeeling in delight when we saw that she could be Foofa for Halloween. THIS is why we adore Halloween so much in our household. The excitement and creativity from our children is priceless! Having a go-to website for a wide variety of affordable costumes is awesome. I got a real kick out of looking at all the ones available!

We got our costume in August, and you better bet that Violet has already worn is dozens of times and would wear it every day if I let her. It has held up amazingly well and I love knowing she can use it for dress up beyond Halloween and it will last us!

I tried to get my Husband to dress up in one of the other Yo Gabba Gabba costumes, but he wouldn't go for it! The Toddler Deluxe Foofa Costume retails for $34.97 on the Costume Discounters website. Out of curiosity I looked on a few other websites and could not find it cheaper!

We were very pleased with their selection, prices and fast shipping. We would definitely order from Costume Discounters again. In fact, we plan on buying our son's costume from them very soon!

I want to say a huge thank you to Costume Discounters for this review opportunity! Violet is having a blast with her costume and I know she will continue to for months to come!

Disclaimer: I was not paid to write this. I received free product to review, but all opinions are my own.

Josie Charlotte - 3 Months Old!

2011-08-15T23:36:00.002-07:00

Where has the time gone?? I am at a loss for words! We just saw a friend's one week old baby and I wanted to cry! I still feel like Josie is that little and it is VERY clear that she is NOT lol. Delusional Mom Syndrome is what I am choosing to call it. I think we all think our babies are tiny until we see them next to even tinier ones! We also thought Violet was still a baby until we brought Josie home and she instantly grew up before our eyes. It is truly amazing how fast time flies and I know I am going to treasure every moment of every day - even the ones where I am covered in various puke or poop lol. I know these days are short and oh so precious. Michael Violet and Josie - I order you to stay small and depend on me forever! haha.

Getting Clean With Simple Green!

2011-08-15T21:58:00.003-07:00

I am so excited to have Simple Green back on my blog. They are a company I absolutely adore being affiliated with and love even more when it comes to getting my house clean! I reviewed the Simple Green Naturals Collection on my blog last year and when I was contacted to work with them againt his year, I of course, said yes! I mean it when I say I am a customer for life. My husband has already bought huge jugs(1 gallon size!) of Simple Green from Home Depot and I know they wont be our last ones!

I was sent a 67 ounce bottle of the concentrate and a Simple Green spray bottle. The object here is to dilute the concentrate in the spray bottle. I LOVE this. You get so much more for your money and less plastic packaging polluting the world. I have said it before and I will say it again. Plastic will never ever decompose. It will always be on this planet. I love companies who offer their products in concentrated form to avoid all the unnecessary packaging! This gives me one more reason to love Simple Green.

As soon as we received our package, my husband had it ripped open and ready to use immediately. He may be a bigger Simple Green fan than I am! We both love using this cleaner for a wide variety of cleaning purposes in our house. I dont have a favorite purpose for it because we literally use it on everything from kitchen counters to bathroom sinks to high chairs! We have one product that has dozens of uses and we dont have a cupboard full of cleaners anymore. I know for a fact my husband would rather always have this cleaner on hand than have to worry about buying bottles and bottles of stuff that clutter our home and dont work as well!

The concentrated Simple Green is non-toxic, biodegradable, non-hazardous, non-flammable and non-corrosive. I have three children and my number one priority is their safety. Knowing that I am using a safe cleaner give me one less thing to worry about. Having a new baby makes me ultra paranoid that the surfaces in my home be clean and non-toxic. I love having a go-to product that I can count on.

If there is any doubt in your mind as to whether Simple Green is a safe product, listen to this:

The makers of this fabulous product spent over $3 millon to verify it's safety claims and formulation. Lucky for us, they had it right from the very start. It is an environmentally-sensitive non-toxic cleanser/degreaser!

It can be used to clean everything from floors and walls to pots and pans. Yes, I said pots and pans! Now that is a cleanser I know I can trust. I wouldn't trust ANY conventional household cleaner on my pots and pans, but I HAVE used Simple Green on them. I love that I can clean my windows with this and my husband adores than he can clean every greasy tool he owns. And get this mamas, you can even use Simple Green to presoak your laundry!

Simple Green gets out stains from things like lipstick, dirt, grease, oil, pet stains, coffee, juice, blood, adhesives and much more. This bad boy even gets out breastfed baby poop stains!

Check out the Simple Green Uses and Dilutions Chart to see what you can use it for! Also check out the Where to Buy section of their site to see the many retailers that carry Simple Green. I know they sell it at Home Depot!

We cannot say enough about the family of Simple Green products. I say "we" because my husband is just as crazy about them as I am and that is something that makes me even happier. I dont have to worry about him using a horrendous chemical filled cleaner in our home because he loves what I love!

Bonus: I did NOT receive the Simple Green Oxy Dog and Stain and Odor Oxidizer for review, but we DID purchase it on our own when we got our family dog in February and we think it is fabulous! It was the first product my husband reached for at PetsMart when we needed a pet stain solution. I am being 100% truthful when I say we didn't even bother trying out any other product and only bought this! Once again, we were thrilled with our choice!

An extra bonus for us is that Simple Green products are made in the USA and you wont find better customer service anywhere!

Follow Simple Green on Facebook

Follow Simple Green on Twitter

I want to say a HUGE thank you to the fabulous people over at Simple Green for this product review! Keep up the awesome work!

Please excuse my lack of pictures. I cannot for the life of me figure out my new laptop and what the deal is with pictures not posting right! If anyone thinks they can offer me assistance, PLEASE let me know!

Disclaimer: I received free product to review. I was not paid to write this and all opinions are my own!

VBA2C of Josie Charlotte

2011-07-27T23:29:00.002-07:00

This is posted on my youtube account but I had issues trying to publish it into my blog! So crazy, but I am sure it has something to do with this new computer I still am trying to figure out. I posted it this way, but be sure to check out my youtube for other videos and my soon-to-be vlogs! Looking forward to documenting our life, posting recipes, mom vlogs, crafts and future pregnancies!

My Youtube Channel

Wordless Wednesday - What I Have Been Up To!

2011-07-27T23:11:00.001-07:00

Ice Pop Joy by Anni Daulter Book Review!

2011-07-26T21:34:00.006-07:00

This review has been a long time coming and Anni has been wonderful waiting on me! I received an early copy of her newest book called Ice Pop Joy and our whole family is completely in love with it! I think most parents struggle with getting their kids to eat healthy, especially vegetables. With the wonderful recipes in Ice Pop Joy, I dont have to worry about my kids eating healthy! My little ones get a treat that is truly healthy and I can cross one more thing off my mom to do list!

This is one of the most beautiful recipe books I own. Seriously. The pictures are phenomenal and made me want to make each and every one. While we have yet to try them all, I wanted to take a few minutes to talk about a few of our favorite ice pop recipes. I also want to tell you all my favorite features of the book.

One of my absolute favorite sections in Ice Pop Joy is in the beginning of the book. It's called "Help, I Can't Get My Kids to Eat Anything Healthy!" and I think most moms go through this little freak out at one time or another. This section helps us all calm down and gives us truly helpful tips on starting over with the food choices we give our kids. My favorite tip:

Ask for their suggestions on creating a signature "veggie" pop that you name after them.

I adore this tip and my kids love getting creative in the kitchen. I think just letting them have an input in creating a treat is the main way to get them to eat goodies that are truly good for them! Such a genius idea, and yet, it's so easy to forget. We all get caught up in just getting things done quickly, but I've learned I get more done when I just let my kids pitch in. Thanks for the helpful reminder Anni!

There is also an entire section in the beginning all about alternative sweetners like honey, agave and coconut sugar! I have to admit, I hadn't used any of these items until we dived in to these recipes. I was always intimidated by them and didn't know how to use them correctly. If you have these same fears, look no further because Anni really spells it out for us! They aren't as intimidating as we think they are. I think we all tend to be initially intimidated by things that are different. No need to worry, Ice Pop Joy shows us how to substitute sugar for one of these babies!

Two of our favorite popsicles in this book are the Bluebird(made with blueberries, blackberries, pineapple, acai powder and coconut sugar) and the Rockstar(strawberries, raw agave nectar, raw kale, bluberries, bananas, and wheat germ). Both of these recipes allowed me to use ingredients I had been dying to try but never knew what to throw them in. They were incredibly easy to puree in my blender and then pour into our ice pop molds. We loved that these were substantial fruit bars, not just frozen water pops! You really get to bite into these and chew them. They filled my whole family up! A sweet treat and a hearty snack in one. I have never felt better about giving my little ones a popsicle!

I would have never in a million years thought to make any of these ice pops and we are truly thrilled to have this book in our house. We buy fresh produce every week and always take a peek in this book first to see what we need. I love knowing we can make our ice pop snacks at the beginning of the week and they are good to go!

The best part about owning this book is that we live in Tucson, AZ and will get use out of this bad boy all year round! Definitely a win for us!

Ever want to use tofu in an ice pop? How about chocolate? Grab a copy of Anni Daulter's Ice Pop Joy and get to work! You wont be disappointed! This book sells for $12.89 on Amazon.

I want to say a huge thank you to Anni for this fabulous review and for yet another wonderful book. Keep them coming! I'm so excited that my newest little one is going to get to enjoy all the wonderful recipes in Organically Raised and Ice Pop Joy!

Disclaimer: I was not paid to write this. I received free product to review, but all opinions are my own!

Please excuse the weird layout. I am still trying to figure out this new laptop and it is automatically doing wonky things I did not tell it to do!

Ah!

2011-07-16T12:28:00.002-07:00

Hey guys! If you follow my Facebook then you already know my computer crashed a few weeks ago! I STILL need to pick my winners, which I am planning to do right now. We need to reinstall windows, but I don't have a windows disk since my brother installed it for me. He is going to try to reinstall it today. We drove 2 hours to Phoenix so he could fix it for me! If I cant get it fixed, then I will be hijacking a relative's computer next weekend to finish up my Simple Green and Ice Pop Joy reviews to finish up Summer. Hopefully the winter will be better for me and my blog! Thanks for hanging in there with me!

THANK YOU SO MUCH Simple Green and Ice Pop Joy for dealing with my crap for the last few months! Your reviews are coming next weekend come hell or high water! I already have them written out on paper because I feel so horrible. All I need to do is type them up and post. They WILL be done by the end of July!

Thanks so much again guys! I hope to get some pictures of Josie posted too since it's been a flippin month since I have posted! Jon was out of town for 2 weeks and then my computer DIED. Perfect timing. All I can do is do my best and move on!

Oh, also, someone hacked my Facebook and my blog email so I had to get all of that sorted out. Still need to sort my email and pick my winners. Again, I plan on picking winners today so I can get the winner info sent out. I cant check my email from my Wii, which is SO lame!

Sorry for the long rant! Thanks so much for all the patience. You guys rock!

Danielle

Ecominders Review

2011-06-10T21:26:00.002-07:00

Sometimes we all need a little reminder to be more energy efficient. It is so important to me to save energy and help the Earth and even I have some energy saving issues. That is why I adore Ecominders!

What are Ecominders?

They are removable, reusable stickers that help remind you to do things like turn off the water when you brush your teeth, turn off the lights, don't leave your computer on all the time, or unplug appliances you aren't using. These have been lifesavers in my home and I am so happy I can peel them off and reuse them if we move. I especially love that Ecominders aren't just for home use. They also have sets available for school and office. Reduce your carbon emissions, reduce your impact on the planet and save some money by using Ecominders.

Ecominders for your home are not ugly. They are not going to make your house look like a labeled classroom. They are small enough to not stand out but big enough to definitely notice them. My four year old cannot read, but he knows that the sticker above the light switch says to turn it off! I love that the Ecominders for your office are a little bit bigger and include graphics to help people notice them so they will actually do what the stickers say. I think Ecominders for offices are even more important than the home ones because most people do not think about saving energy at work! The Ecominders for classrooms are bright, colorful and definitely get kids to notice them! How awesome to teach kids from a young age about all of the things we can do to help the planet, not just turning off lights when we leave a room.

One of my favorite parts about Ecominders is that they are so incredibly affordable. If you are having a hard time being energy efficient, definitely purchase these! There is no excuse to not have these in your home. Check them out:

The Kids and Schools set has a ton of colorful, fun illustrations. Purchase this set for only $3.95!

The discreet Home set gives you a small reminder and doesn't clash with decor. This set is also only $3.95

The Office sticker set with a mixture of pictures and words. You guessed it, only $3.95.

You can also purchase a 5 pack of just recycle stickers. I think these are so adorable! They are also only $3.95. These particular stickers are only one time use.

If you need a large amount of Ecominders you can buy each set in a pack of 5 for $17.95.

They also sell Ecominders reusable totes and t-shirts.

I adore these steps that I stole from the website:

So, where do you start?

1. Put Ecominders instructional stickers or logo stickers anywhere you want to be more environmentally aware. (And use them again and again–they're repositionable!)

2. Be “Eco-reminded” to do the little things every day that lighten your impact on the planet.

3. Watch your utility bills go down and reduce your carbon footprint, water consumption and waste.

4. Enjoy how simple it is and how good it feels to help make the planet a greener, cleaner, and better place to live.

5. Share Ecominders with your friends and family and let them know how easy it is to be green!

We have enjoyed our Ecominders in our home for a very long time now. This company has been fabulous to work with and very patient with me. I can't tell you how grateful I am to them for being so patient with me during my pregnancy and postpartum period. I highly recommend their product and will purchase these for my family for gifts! They are so affordable and helpful. I know my kids will grow up doing everything they can to help save our planet and Ecominders are so helpful in that teaching process! Heck, I can see them helping my kids learn to read too since they have already figured out what some of them say!

Head on over to the Ecominders website to purchase your own set!

Follow Ecominders on Twitter!

Follow Ecominders on Facebook!

I want to say a huge thank you to Ecominders for their patience and for this fabulous review opportunity! We adore any little thing we can get our hands on to help our Earth!

Disclaimer: I received free product to review. I was not paid to write this and all opinions are my own!

Curly Cue Winner Finally!

2011-05-31T14:26:00.002-07:00

Hey guys! My brother's sister just left this morning and I got some bloggy work done! Here is my Curly Cue winner FINALLY!

Congrats to comment #7, you won!

Valerie @ My-2-cents said...: I am a networked blog follower
my_2_cents at hotmail dot com

I will be emailing you right now and thank you to everyone who entered. Also thank you ALL once again for putting up with my slowness! I didn't get to eat for the first time today until 1:30 pm if that is any indicator to the craziness in my house!

Danielle

Pictures From Josie's Birth - My VBA2C

2011-05-25T16:00:00.006-07:00

And Life Goes On!

2011-05-25T15:49:00.002-07:00

Blogger has hated me and for some reason wasn't letting me log in! I kept entering the right password, but no access. I was really concerned that I got hacked, but just now I was randomly able to log in!

My last 3 commitments(for now!):

Ecominders

Simple Green

Ice Pop Joy

All 3 of them have been started and just need finished. I plan on getting them done in the next couple of days because my sister in law and her husband will be here this weekend to meet Josie and have some fun in the sun!

June 5th-17th my husband will be in MN for work, so I don't want to be blogging while he is gone. I will already be home alone with 3 kids lol.

I am also picking my Curly Cue winner and extending the Kiki's Fashions and SwaddleDesigns giveaways because I have had trouble promoting them! Online Sweepstakes was giving me trouble and then Prizey. I am going to try to promote them tonight as long as they let me on!

Other than that, everything will be quiet on my blog until things settle down for us. This year has been an absolute roller coaster and I feel so bad for not keeping up with this blog as well as I have in the past! Preterm labor and then giving birth will do that to a person, I guess!

My husband and I are also looking into buying our first home! Any advice on this topic would be greatly appreciated.

Even though I wont have many giveaways going on this Summer, I will keep posting personal updates, pictures, wordless Wednesdays, etc. The blog is not disappearing, just slowing down a little bit this Summer. We just have way too much on our plate for me to do tons of reviews and giveaways. I AM hoping to have a big giveaway in July/August though :)

Thanks to everyone for sticking by me and entering the giveaways I HAVE posted! Keep your eyes peeled for those posts here tonight/tomorrow!

Josie Charlotte Conner - My VBA2C

2011-05-10T16:49:00.003-07:00

After a dramatic 6 weeks, Josie finally decided to make her appearance!

I had decided to take a nap at noon on April 30th. I ended up sleeping for four hours! I remember feeling super crampy when I first woke up and I thought it was because I was hungry, so I went into the kitchen and ate a donut lol. Then I got a stabbing back pain. Contractions started 15 minutes later at 4:15 and they were automatically 3 minutes apart. I decided I wanted to do my hair and make-up and see where these cotractions went. I had been contracting for weeks and knew better than to get too excited!

By the time we got someone to watch the kiddos, got to the hospital and got checked in to the triage, I was in much more pain and the contractions were 2-3 minutes apart(It was also 7 pm). This was where I met Heather and I knew we would get along well! She asked me how many cms I was at my last appointment and when I said 5 1/2, her eyes got HUGE.

"You were 5 1/2 at your last appointment? Are you sure you heard them correctly? You came here and they sent you home??"

So she, of course, was dying to check me and nearly died when I was in fact 5 1/2 cms lol. One OB came into my room to tell me I was being admitted and another came in to tell me I was going home. Another came and told me if I signed the c-section consent form that I could stay and have a baby but if I wanted a VBAC that I had to be watched for an hour for progress. My blood pressure was 158/90 is the whole entire time I was in triage. My hilarious nurse Heather popped her head in and said "Hey I told them you were pissed off so I hope you get to stay now!"

After an hour, my cervix was the same, but my blood pressure was still high and the pain was worse, so they admitted me. My awesome nurse was also my Labor and Delivery nurse and we went across the hall together.

When Heather and I got to my room she turned to me and said "I'm not thrilled about your BP being high but I kind of am because they were going to send you home if it wasn't for that!"

She then went on to tell me how she got yelled at by all the OBs because the woman in triage next to me was zero cms and not contracting and was staying because she consented to a repeat c-section. She told them, "So, we are going to send someone home who is 5 1/2 cms and contracting like crazy and we are going to keep someone who is zero and not contracting all because they want a repeat c-section?? Makes perfect sense to me!"

As soon as she took my BP in Labor and Delivery, it was 122/68 - totally normal. We both busted out laughing and she said it was because I was pissed off over there dealing with all the BS. She started me on the lowest dose of pitocin per those doctor orders. So I was started on a 2 of pitocin and the highest it goes is 20. Everyone was off in surgery and not able to break my water, which was frustrating because my contractions still weren't regular on the pitocin(they never did get regular). They could have sent me home saying I had a failed induction without breaking my water. My nurse checked me an hour later and I was 90%, -1 station and 6 cms. She kept her fingers up there and told me to tell her when I was having a contraction, so I did. She flicked my bulging bag of waters and they busted everywhere lol.

About an hour later, I KNEW I wanted an epidural(this was about midnight). A new guy came in to give me one. He was nice but everything went nuts and I definitely question whether or not he knew what he was doing! After he got it in, he told me it would take 20 minutes to go numb, but I instantly went numb and couldn't get my legs back in bed.10 minutes later I could barely move my arms! My nurse was freaking out and went to get ice to check my levels. She moved the ice from my feet up to my neck and I couldn't feel ANYTHING until my neck. That is NOT normal or good and she called him back in. He turned the epidural down and said it just hits some people really strong. Yeah whatever! I couldn't move at all! I remember not being able to really move my arms, feeling weird and having trouble swallowing. I also had to puke, but it wouldn't work lol it was hilarious. I also got SUPER sleepy and passed right out. Jon said he stayed with me for the longest time before falling asleep himself. At 1:00 I woke up to my nurse checking me and I was 7 cms. I also asked her to turn the epidural OFF so I could eventually push a baby out lol. She did turn it off and I went back to sleep. Oh, my pitocin was still only at a 2 at this point and my OB didn't want it turned up. My contractions still were not regular, but they were changing my cerix, which was all we cared about at the time. I also found out at this time that my OB came in on her vacation to deliver my baby! She popped in to say hi and told me she was going to sleep there in the hospital until it was time to push.

At 4 am I woke up to violent shaking lol which I KNEW was transition, the same thing happened with Michael. I also felt tons of pressure down there and felt something move down! I called my nurse and sure enough, I was 10 and yelled at Jon to wake up and then we did some practice pushing. My epidural had been off for 3 hours and I was STILL numb! My OB came in and stayed with me from start to finish and I love her for that. She kept telling me amazing things like "You are pushing like your other 2 were vaginal births, I swear!". The first push we did she freaked out at how much I moved her down and insisted on getting all the sterile stuff on because she was afraid she would come flying out. She WOULD have come flying out, but then the fun started.

This WHOLE time my contractions were never regular. During pushing this made things even more frustrating because I was having to wait. 15, 12, 10, 8, 14 minutes between contractions and it got ridiculous! IF my contractions would have cooperated, I could have had her out in 2 or 3 contractions! They even turned the pitocin up from 2 to 14 in hopes it would make my contractions closer and it never did!

Josie's heart rate was not happy after about an hour of this no contractions crap and her heart rate was 80-90. The attending OB on call for my OB came in and took over when she saw the heart rates on the monitors. She said if I didn't have a contraction SOON that she would make me have an emergency c-section. I was even more pissed at my uterus at this point! Finally I had a contraction and I pushed and pushed and pushed. I had my eyes closed, so I had no idea what was going on, but I did hear Jon get extremely adorable and so I knew something was happening! He all of a sudden just kept saying "Oh baby baby baby you are doing it! She's almost out, push again! omg!" They were able to use the vacuum to get her out quickly. With the use of a vacuum, they have to cut you, so I had a small episiotomy, with no other tearing. I did not ask how many stitches and I dont want to know lol.

I remember finally opening my eyes because my OB kept telling me to open them. The first thing I said to Jon in the midst of tears was "take a picture!" lol. My OB kept telling me how amazing I was, how she never doubted I could do it and how happy she was for me. She stitched me up and then gave me 50 hugs and loved on Josie before going home to bed! Jon and I both instantly commented on how much she looked like Michael and Violet and how it's so adorable our kids look alike lol.

They also said there was no explanation for her heart going down like that. No cords were around her neck, but she did come out sunny side up, which apparently my babies love to do!

It was a super emotional day and Jon couldn't even answer when they asked if he wanted to cut the cord because he didn't want to cry lol :) love that boy. She was perfect and alert from the get go! Didn't cry a whole ton either!

My 6 pound 10 ounce 19 inch long little girl. Maybe she will be petite and little like me??

Swaddle Designs Review and Giveaway

2011-05-09T22:15:00.001-07:00

Nothing looks cuter than a little swaddled burrito baby! I must admit, when I had my son, I had no idea how to do an effective swaddle. He never would stay in and I found myself wrapping him up over and over again. The funny thing is, he LIKED being swaddled, so I constantly found myself wondering if I was doing something wrong. He would come out of the swaddle, but he would cry because it made him unhappy to not be in a swaddle. SwaddleDesigns got smart and made a fool-proof swaddle blanket. Now there is no more wondering a guessing for those first time parents out there. You better believe I got really good at doing a swaddle after all the practice I had on my son! I really wish I had one of these amazing blankets with Michael and I am so glad I have it with my third baby, Josie.

I was sent the Organic Ultimate Receiving Blanket in Pastel Pink Mod Circles on Ivory and I have never loved a baby blanket more! First of all, it's organic, which we all know I am a huge sucker for. I have a firm stance that nothing else is softer, especially against a newborn baby's skin. Second of all, it's 42 inches square, which makes it a very decent size to swaddle any size baby in. I was even able to swaddle my two year old daughter, Violet! We have also found many other uses besides just using it to swaddle a baby - sun shield, play mat, and a nursing cover. I found this blanket to be plenty big enough to cover myself and my new baby while nursing in public. One of my other favorite things about this blanket is that it is made in the USA.

This particular blanket is $32.00 and comes in the mod pink circles, as well as blue or green.

Here is my precious baby Josie modeling her blanket:

And here is a picture of the "cheat sheet tag":

Another thing I adore about SwaddleDesigns are their continued efforts in promoting safe sleep habits for babies with their Safe Sleep Program. We should always place babies to sleep on their backs to reduce the incidence of SIDS. SwaddleDesigns has an entire web page devoted to this information, and I think all parents should take a look! Always remember their Goldilocks Guide:

“The SwaddleDesigns Goldilocks Guide ~ baby should be dressed appropriately for the current temperature of their environment - not too hot, not too cold, but comfortably warm.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends dressing baby in no more than one layer more than an adult would use to be comfortable in the same environment. Baby's head should be uncovered, unless baby weighs less than eight pounds or the room is cold.

SwaddleDesigns offers many other items, including:

Swaddle Duo
Jewel Tone Collection
Adult Swaddle Wrap
Baby Apparel
Fitted Crib Sheets
Ultimate Receiving Blanket
Marquisette Swaddling Blanket
zzZipMe Sack
Baby Lovie
Stroller Blanket
Cashmere Baby Blanket
Baby Burpies
Bibs
Hooded Towels

I am in love with all of the items they carry and cannot wait to add more of these amazing receiving blankets to our collection.

Check out the SwaddleDesigns Deal of the Day for 50% off select items.

Save 10% when you sign up for the Email Club.

SwaddleDesigns offers FREE SHIPPING for orders over $75.00.

A free handwritten card is included in every order and they even ship international!

I could not be happier with the customer service I received in working with this fabulous company. I got my blanket back in January and they have been extremely patient with me in getting this review/giveaway up. As you all know, I have had a difficult pregnancy and even had several bouts with preterm labor. Josie is finally here and we could not be happier. I am glad I got to include her modeling the blanket with my review and I am even more glad that I got to work with such a phenomenal company.

WIN IT! - US and Canada Only!

One super lucky Mama's Getting Kinda Crunchy reader is going to win a Ultimate Receiving Blanket in the style and color of their choosing. To enter, head on over to the SwaddleDesigns website and pick your favorite! Make sure you leave me your email address in case you win and this entry is mandatory!

Extra Credit

- Follow me on Google Friend Connect
- Follow me on Networked Blogs
- Follow me on Facebook
- Follow SwaddleDesigns on Facebook
- Follow me on Twitter
- Follow SwaddleDesigns on Twitter
- Grab my button and leave me the link
- Subscribe
- Vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs. To vote, click the picture in my right sidebar.

This giveaway will end June 16th at midnight. The winner will be chosen via random.org and will be notified by email and a posting on this blog. As always, they will have 48 hours to respond before I pick a new winner. Thanks guys and good luck!

I want to say a tremendous thank you to the lovely people over at SwaddleDesigns for this amazing review and giveaway opportunity and for putting up with me being majorly slow! I had an incredible time working with you!

Disclaimer: I received free product to review. I was not paid to write this and all opinions are my own!

Photo Card

2011-05-08T20:56:00.001-07:00

Little Lamb Pink Baby Announcements

Shutterfly has cute birth announcements and Valentine's cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

Easter!

2011-04-25T23:00:00.004-07:00

A Roller Coaster Ride

2011-04-20T22:55:00.003-07:00

At my OB appointment on Monday I was sent to triage to be monitored and they ended up admitting me....again! I was having contractions 3 mins apart ALL day. Around 9 pm I was checked and found to be 5 1/2 cms dilated. Because I am only 36 weeks, my hospital has a "no push no pull" policy. What this means is, they wont stop my labor at this point, but they wont do anything to help it along either. The next day my contractions slowed to 10 mins apart and that was that. I was sent home 5 1/2 cms dilated. lol. I didn't even know this was possible!

I am currently working on 2 different posts - Kiki's Fashions and Swaddle Designs(though I am hoping I can post a picture of my new baby with this one!). And once again I am sorry for the delay. I cant believe the wild ride Miss Josie is taking me on!

I am staying positive and looking at it this way - I am already over 1/2 way done and maybe this is how I am supposed to get my VBA2C? I think God is letting me get most of the work done so I can have an easy labor and get the VBAC that I want....at least I hope!

I will keep everyone updated and I am hoping to get a post up tomorrow as long as I don't go into labor!

Danielle

Kiki's Fashions Review and Giveaway!

2011-04-20T21:25:00.004-07:00

There are very few luxuries at the end of pregnancy. I have learned to really enjoy the little things, that is for sure! At 32 weeks pregnant I went into preterm labor and my little girl dropped right down into my pelvis. My labor was stopped, but I was left with a super low belly and no tops that fit anymore! Literally ONE top of mine still fits nicely and covers my massive and very low belly. I find myself wearing my gorgeous maternity top from Kiki's Fashions about every other day.

I was sent a beautiful blue/gray flower top that I got to pick out and have worn it constantly since January. It has held up incredibly well, and let me tell you, it has gotten a ton of use. I cannot believe how inexpensive this top was, considering how well it has held up and how beautiful it makes my bump look. Everyone who has seen me in it has thought I paid way more for it! Like I said above, it's the little things, and feeling like I look cute means the world to me at this point!

I think it is a challenge to find cute maternity clothing, but it is even harder to find cute, high quality, and affordable maternity clothing. Kiki's Fashions delivers on all three counts. I seriously want everything they offer, pregnant or not! I know exactly where I will be turning for my fourth baby. Okay, maybe I shouldn't be getting ahead of myself since I still need to make it through this pregnancy alive! I do think it says a lot about Kiki's Fashions that I am already planning my next pregnancy wardrobe around all of the fabulous items they offer!

Here is a horrid picture of me in my top from Kiki's Fashions. The picture of me is horrible, but the top is extremely cute and I love how it makes my bump look! Also, ignore my sunburned cheeks!

And here are a few other goodies I totally want my hands on!

This is the Gray Butterfly Short Sleeve Maternity Shirt and it sells for $21.99! How awesome is that?? I adore the styles of tops offered and I love the price even more.

This White Black Flower Print Maxi Maternity Dress would be perfect for the Summer here in Arizona and it is 100% cute! This dress sells for only $29.99.

I love the boldness of this top and the sleeves! This is the Black Pink Print Short Sleeve Maternity Shirt is only $23.99.

Not only is everything on their site less than $30.00, but they also have an entire Clearance Section and an Under $10.00 Section!

If you follow them on Facebook, you will get access to special deals and giveaways!

Use code SAVEMORE20 for 20% off a $100.00 purchase or code SAVEMORE15 for 15% off a $50.00 order!

If all that wasn't enough, you also get free shipping on all orders over $75.00 if you live in the US!

I highly recommend Kiki's Fashions to any pregnant mama out there! If you are looking for affordable, fashionable and comfortable maternity clothing, then look no further! Head on over to their website to find something you just have to have too!

WIN IT!

One super lucky Mama's Getting Kinda Crunchy reader is going to win a $25.00 gift certificate to Kiki's Fashions! I know you will find something you love, so head on over to the website and then come tell me your favorite item! This entry is mandatory and please leave me your email address in case you win!

Extra Credit

- Follow me on Google Friend Connect
- Follow me on Networked Blogs
- Follow me on Facebook
- Follow Kiki's Fashions on Facebook
- Follow me on Twitter
- Grab my button and leave me the link
- Subscribe to my blog!
- Vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs. To vote, click the picture in my right sidebar.

This giveaway will end June 16th at midnight. The winner will be chosen via random.org and will be notified by email and a posting on this blog. As always, they will have 48 hours to respond before I pick a new winner! Thanks guys and good luck!

I want to say a HUGE thank you to the lovely people over at Kiki's Fashions for this awesome review and giveaway opportunity and for putting up with my slowness during this pregnancy! I know they truly care about their customers, when they showed concern over me going into preterm labor! They were amazing and I definitely know where I will be shopping for baby #4!

Disclaimer: I received free product to review. I was not paid to write this and all opinions are my own!

Commitments

2011-04-13T23:10:00.004-07:00

I am so grateful that I get to work with fabulous companies who are so patient with me! Here is a rundown of all of my current obligations and I am working furiously to get them done! This baby is NOT making it easy and I am having contractions as we speak. We ended up back in labor and delivery a little over a week ago and I am going to be 36 weeks on Friday(April 15th). I cannot wait to just have her but I am so blessed to have had her stay in this long! I have been walking around 4 cms and 100% effaced for almost 4 weeks!

Swaddle Designs

Kiki's Fashions

Ice Pop Joy Book

Ecominders

Simple Green

I am getting ready to post 2 of these, hopefully tonight. I AM having contractions right now but I don't expect them to go anywhere. At least blogging is keeping my mind off of it!

Thanks for everyone's well wishes, kind words and support while I go through all of this! I cannot wait to hold Josie in my arms and have things be somewhat "normal" again!

Danielle

Posh Little Tutus Review!

2011-04-11T22:06:00.007-07:00

I have always thought that little girls and tutus go hand in hand. I was so excited to learn we were pregnant with our little Violet, because it meant tutus were in my future! Even cuter are babies in tutus. In fact, her first birthday pictures were done with her wearing nothing but a cloth diaper, a tutu and a flower headband! You can imagine my excitement when I found out I would be working with the fabulous Posh Little Tutus on a product review! The tutu Violet wore for her first birthday pictures had gotten small on her and I knew she was due for another. What we were sent was miraculous to say the least and I plan on keeping it in her keepsake box for her.

I want to show you some of my favorite products they offer and then I will show you the gorgeous tutu we were sent for Violet.

This Ivory Polka Dot Tutu is precious!! I cannot wait to get one for Josie's 3 month pictures. A size 0-3 months will run you $39.99 and you can even add the matching flower headband for only $11.00!

Posh Little Tutus offer MUCH more than just tutus! Check out this adorable Pink Princess Seersucker Flower Bubble Romper for $31.95. This is a size 0-6 months. I want this so bad! Seriously, I want everything sold on this website!

If you are looking for something truly special, order yourself a custom tutu DRESS! I had no idea these even existed and they have made my love of tutus even more obsessive. I want matching ones for Josie and Violet! This particular one is the La Princesse Flair Baby Crochet Tutu Dress in Chocolate, Cream and Shocking Pink! This is $49.99 and you can add the headband for $13.00. This would make for fabulous keepsake portraits!

I want every single one of the hats by Posh Little Tutus. How delicious is this hat?? I have to admit, I am getting way too many ideas for 3 month pictures for my own good! My husband is going to kill me when I go on a shopping spree! This is the Victorian Romance Lavender and Pearls Baby Crochet Hat. This sells for $25.00 and fits babies from 0-18 months.

Speaking of photography and wanting all of their items for adorable pictures, Posh Little Tutus actually offers an entire selection of Photography Props!

We were sent the Ice Cream Tutu and matching hair clip and I could not be happier with the appearance, quality and all of the small details they include with their tutus! It even came packaged in adorable tissue paper. Every detail with packaging and the tutu itself shows how much time and effort they put into the items they sell. I know anything I order from them in the future will be high quality and absolutely adorable! Here are a few pictures of my kids with the tutu. Yes, I said kids. My son instantly thought it was a hat?? I have no idea but I took a picture anyways. Violet loves wearing her tutu and calls it her princess dress.

I think it's pretty easy to see that I am in love with Posh Little Tutus and I cannot wait to dress Josie up and get her three month pictures done. As soon as that time comes, I promise to post them! I adore the tutu with the pearls and headband idea. So classic and beautiful.

Every little girl needs a tutu, so head on over to Posh Little Tutus and check out all of the fabulous products they offer!

I had so much fun working with this company and they have found a customer for life! Lucky for them, I am about to have my second daughter!

I want to say a huge thank you to the lovely people over at Posh Little Tutus for being patient with me in getting this review up and for agreeing to work with me in the first place!

Disclaimer: I received free product to review. I was not paid to write this and all opinions are my own!

Papeterie Review!

2011-04-02T20:38:00.002-07:00

I am a firm believer in always keeping beautiful stationery, thank you notes and notepads in my home. I never know when I will need them and having a gorgeous selection in my desk just makes me feel good. I know that sounds silly, but I am obsessed with paper products and especially anything customized! In a time where most correspondence is through emails or text messages, I feel sending an old fashioned letter or thank you note to be extremely therapeutic. I know when I get a card in the mail, it makes me so happy! When I was contacted by Papeterie to do a product review, I jumped at the chance. I was sent a variety of their beautiful products and I know they are a company I will come back to for my stationery needs!

Check out some of my favorite products by Papeterie:

This thank you note is called Classic Dandelion and I am in LOVE with it! When I run out of my current thank you notes, I am for sure buying these! I love the whimsy and the bright color yellow. If you aren't a fan of yellow, you can get this thank you in 19 different colors. These are $28.75 for 25.

This is a flat letterpress printed notecard called Poppy and I think it is adorable! Perfect if you don't need to thank someone and you just want to send them a sweet message! These luxurious cards are $49.99 for a set of 25. Again, you can pick the color and font for your perfect customization.

Papeterie has a separate Baby site and it is oh so adorable!! The baby product samples are actually the ones I was sent. I fell in love with everything and they make it really hard to pick just one! Check out a few of my favorites from there:

This is their Floral Baby Announcement and I want it for when Josie comes! I love how lighthearted it feels, yet is still elegant! You email them a photo of your little one and a designer sends you an electronic proof that you can then tweak or approve! I love that you can sit at home and get your announcements done! These start at $40.00 for 20.

If I were having a little boy I would pick this announcement called Woodlands. I am in love with it! Same pricing applies.

You can also purchase shower invitations and thank you notes from the baby site! I fell in love with everything they offer and of course, being pregnant, I want it all!

I love this baby shower invitation called Tweet Tweet! These cards are sold in sets of 12 and are sold as imprintables(where you use your home printer to fill in information), fill-ins(where there are headings and lines and you can write in your information), or they can be custom printed by Papeterie. Pricing depends on what you choose!

I was extremely happy with the sample cards I was sent to touch and check out for myself. They are not only gorgeous, but they are a very high quality and sturdy! You definitely get what you pay for. I love that there is something for every price range in the Paptertie Baby Shop!

Head on over to Papeterie and check out all of the other fabulous paper products they offer, especially if you are planning a wedding! RUN to Papeterie Baby for all of your baby shower and birth announcement needs. Everything they offer is fabulous and amazing quality!

If you need custom invitation ideas, check out their Blog and make sure you follow them on Twitter!

If you cant decide on what to buy, order a sample! All samples ship for free!

I want to say a huge thank you to the wonderful people over at Papeterie for this awesome review opportunity and for being so patient with me while I get it up!

Disclaimer: I received free samples to review. I was not paid to write this and all opinions are my own.

HappyBaby Winner!

2011-03-29T20:31:00.001-07:00

So I finally have my HappyBaby Winner!! Congrats and thank you to everyone who entered!

Colleen M said...: I follow you on Networked Blogs.

colljerr at comcast dot net

Baby Has an Agenda!

2011-03-26T19:47:00.002-07:00

Hey guys! Sorry it has been forever since I have updated or posted, but my baby has been ornery! I was just released from the hospital after being in preterm labor at 32 weeks. They gave me magnesium for 48 hours to get the steroid shots in and then treated me with antibiotics. It was 4 days of craziness! I went into the hospital thinking I had a kidney infection and found out I was in labor! I am currently 4 cms dilated and 100% effaced. We don't know how long I will walk around like this but for now I am on bedrest and not allowed to do anything! This means good news for my poor neglected blog and for my awesome readers.

In the next few days I plan on getting the rest of my blog reviews/giveaways posted and listed on giveaway sites. I have 5 or 6 commitments left and I promise to get them up! I have no excuses unless I go into labor! I will keep you all posted and updated and I plan on getting an updated pregnancy picture up here too!

I love you all and thank you all for your support and for reading and putting up with my neglect!

Danielle

Curly Cue Product Review and Giveaway - US ONLY

2011-03-06T20:18:00.014-07:00

I am always amazed by the graphics made into wall decals. I know they are one of the hottest trends right now and I really hope they stay one! It is so super easy to create works of art on your wall with peel and stick wall decals. I found that each company offers something a little bit different and unique. Curly Cue is different from other wall decal companies I have reviewed for in that many of their graphics are reusable. They can be removed and placed somewhere else and I love that! Every design they offer is original and totally unique!

Every step of my experience with Curly Cue has been phenomenal. They were super sweet when I picked out what I wanted to review, got it to me promptly and have been absolutely amazing with their level of patience. When we moved it took us awhile to get my kids' room arranged the way I wanted it, and even though these are reusable, I didn't want to put them up one day and have to take them down and replace a week later. So I waited, and I got super sick from this pregnancy and a million other excuses for why I am so late getting this up, but they have been amazing and haven't yelled at me once!

For review I decided on an item from their Kids section and another item from their Home Accents section. Both were used in my kids' room and both are absolutely amazing! Check them out:

We decided to put the trucks and tractors set on the wall on my son's bottom bunk bed to give him his own sanctuary. We also found this to be a perfect solution for a boy and girl who share a room. Their room is dominated by boy trucks, a train table and all sorts of other boy toys, so I wanted to place the dandelion decal on a big wall in their room for her. The room needed a girly touch and it is getting it in a very unique way.

I want to take a minute to talk about the logistics of the dandelion. It clearly states on the webpage for this decal that smooth walls are recommended due to the intricate nature of the design. We have definitely found this out the hard way! This decal is still not all the way on our wall because it is taking us forever to get up. We are super determined to get it on there, but because we have to smooth each "spike" of the dandelion out over grooved walls, our arms get tired and we need multiple breaks. I highly recommend this for someone with smooth walls. We didn't know what kind of walls we would end up with when we moved, so we are just going with the flow and doing our best to get it up on the wall. I do have pictures of the work in progress, as well as a picture of my wall so you can see what I am talking about. I am so in love with this decal and so stubborn that I probably would have bought it and put it on a non smooth wall anyways!

Here is a picture of our wall surface:

The dandelion is different from the trucks and tractors in that it isn't as thick. You peel the backing off and stick it up on the wall and smooth it out and then remove the clear top coating, leaving behind the decal. The trucks and tractors were easily just peeled off the backing and placed right on the wall, no top layer to bother with. These would be very easy to reuse. However, once we get the dandelion fully up, that baby isn't going anywhere!

The dandelion can be purchased for $39.99 and is available in the following colors:

The trucks and tractors set can be purchased for $14.99 and it comes in yellow or green:

My son could not stop giggling at his trucks and he feels so special that they are on his wall and that they match his bedding. The happiness from my four year old is worth any amount of money, but lucky for me, Curly Cue keeps it really affordable! I can't believe how much you get for only $14.99 and they are amazing quality. I love how thick they are and that we can take them off and move them if he gets sick of them where they are. These are definitely made with kids in mind!

Check out my personal pictures of our decals and the unfinished dandelion. I promise as soon as we get it all up there and smooth, I will post an updated picture(wordless Wednesday post!). I am already in love with it even though it isn't done! It is definitely worth the hassle of trying to apply it to non smooth surfaces!

Curly Cue offers all kinds of decals for home, kids' rooms, college, nurseries, holidays, etc. I am in love with every single design and I really want to purchase this for my newest baby's nursery:

I think these would be perfect for my little Josie!

You can check out all of the amazing graphics offered by Curly Cue here.

WIN IT!!! - US ONLY

One super lucky Mama's Getting Kinda Crunchy reader is going to win a $50.00 gift certificate to Curly Cue. Winner DOES pay shipping on whatever item(s) they pick. To enter, head over to Curly Cue and tell me what you would buy if you win! This entry is mandatory and please leave your email in case you win!

Extra Credit

- Follow me on Google Friend Connect
- Follow me on Networked Blogs
- Follow me on Facebook
- Follow me on Twitter
- Tweet this giveaway ONCE!
- Grab my button and leave me the link
- SUBSCRIBE
- Vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs. To vote, click the picture in my right sidebar.

This giveaway will end April 26th at midnight. The winner will be chosen via random.org and will be notified by email and a posting on this blog. As always, they will have 48 hours to respond before I pick a new winner. Thanks guys and good luck!

I want to say a HUGE thank you to the lovely people over at Curly Cue for this amazing review and giveaway opportunity!

Disclaimer: I received free product to review. I was not paid to write this and all opinions are my own.

Winners! Once Again Finally!

2011-03-01T20:41:00.002-07:00

Hey guys! I know I am late again, but here are my last batch of winners for the time being. I do have more giveaways going up this month, but this will be the last month for giveaways until I have the baby. It is just way too much for me to handle right now! I will be finishing up my current obligations and getting them all posted throughout March, so keep your eyes peeled!

Baby Bump Book Winner #3

Kim said...

network blog follower

Intelligender #9

Elizabeth G. said...

I voted for you on TMBs!

Yobaby #14

A Helicopter Mom said...

Follow you on Google Friend Connect (Mickey Coutts)

My HappyBaby giveaway ends March 4th and there will be a separate posting for that last winner!

Thank you so much to everyone who entered and congrats to those who won! The Baby Bump winner and Intelligender winner will go out in the mail Saturday as long as I get your mailing info!

Danielle

3D/4D Ultrasound Pictures of Josie!

2011-02-20T22:19:00.003-07:00

Isn't she adorable??? Thank you all so much again for being so patient with me during this pregnancy. It has been a roller coaster ride for sure! I am finally able to get some blogging work done though and you can expect to see quite a bit more from me before she is born. I want to say thank you to all of the companies who have been patient with me waiting for their reviews too!

Next up:

Curly Cue Wall Decals

Posh Little Tutus

Ecominders

Papeterie

Kiki's Fashions

Swaddle Designs

Simple Green

I will also have my newest round of winners posted this week! My 28 week OB appointment is tomorrow, so wish me luck!

Danielle

Kushies Review

2011-02-16T20:15:00.006-07:00

I found cloth diaper love when I was still pregnant with my second baby, Violet. One of my best friends had sent me adorable homemade cloth diapers and covers and I became obsessed with all of the cuteness. My baby wasn't even born yet, and I knew cloth diapering was the right fit for us. I wanted to kick myself for not doing it with my son! I wanted to kick myself for ever thinking it was icky or "not for me". Ever since my first taste of fluff, I have wanted to try out all of the various styles, types and brands out there, and I am proud to say I have!

As a member of an awesome cloth diaper forum(www.diaperswappers.com anyone?), I had seen Kushies diapers for sale and had heard others speak about them. Most of what I had heard was that they were hard or crunchy to the touch. I was very anxious to get to try this brand out for myself. I'm not one to take another person's word for something. I need to get my hands on it!

For review we were sent the Ultra-Lite Infant Trial Pack and I was incredibly impressed. These diapers were not hard or crunchy at all. In fact, I found them to be nice and soft. We got the gender neutral green colors and fell in love with the patterns right away. Both my husband and myself thought the diapers were very stylish and retro. The trial packs are available in pink and blue as well as the green we were sent.

There are many cloth diaper options out there, but these are the all in one variety. There are no extra steps, just wash, dry and slap on a booty. They are extremely user friendly and tend to be favorites among the dads out there. My husband really loved using these diapers on our daughter and they were frequently the ones he reached for.

Here is a quote from the website about these diapers:

"Our Ultra-Lite Diaper features 6 layers of 100% cotton-flannel, a special middle soaker layer for increased absorbency, and an outer waterproof barrier for a complete waterproof diapering system. The patented, built-in flap can be folded up for boys or in the middle for girls for extra absorbency where they need it most. Extended tabs with an adjustable hook & loop closure system ensure a snug & secure fit. Simple to use, and another great performer! Adding washable cotton liners helps increase absorbency while padding the diaper for a snug fit, and our flushable, biodegradable liners *(not recommended for use with septic systems) make diaper clean up a breeze! Use washcloths as diaper wipes for a natural, economical alternative."

Each Trail Pack includes:

- 2 Ultra-Lite Diapers
- 2 Washcloths
- 2 Washable Cotton Diaper Liners
- 10 Flushable, Biodegradable Diaper Liners

The Ultra-Lite Diapers fit babies from 10-22 pounds and the trial packs retail for $32.99. This is a killer price for those parents wanting to try out cloth diapering without spending a fortune!

I STILL need to snag a picture of my princess rocking her Kushies diapers, but here are some pictures of what is included in each Trial Pack:

She is currently 25 pounds, but is still able to wear them when we need them. Violet is potty trained at home, but not when we are out or at night.

Speaking of at night, we have used these diapers at night with no leak issues, but she is 2 years old and I think is much more capable of holding her pee than a three month old. As far as day use, we have had no leaks or blowouts and she really seems to enjoy wearing them!

We were more than thrilled with our Kushies experience and I have to say how extremely wonderful they are for putting up with my slow pregnant butt! I have had these diapers for quite awhile and they have been phenomenal with me. They have awesome customer service and a high quality, affordable product!

For a list of retailers, click here.

Kushies is not just about diapers, they offer a ton of products for baby, so head on over to their website and check it out!

Follow Kushies on Facebook

Follow Kushies on Twitter

I want to say a HUGE thank you to the lovely people over at Kushies for this fabulous review opportunity! And thank you again for putting up with my slowness!

Disclaimer: I received free product to review. I was not paid to write this and all opinions are my own.

Happy Birthday Violet

2011-02-03T23:45:00.002-07:00

She got into my lipstick and I asked her if she was feeling beautiful on her birthday and she said "Yes Mommy WIPS" lol. Daddy brought her balloons and she had a very fun day. I cannot believe she is 2!!!

I love you baby girl!

Lets Talk About Pregnancy

2011-02-01T21:35:00.003-07:00

So the joys of pregnancy are definitely among me. It seems every single day there is something new that I am loathing. I do have to say that I am one of those women who prefers motherhood to pregnancy any day! I actually was fooled into thinking that this pregnancy was going to be my golden one though. I wasn't sick at all and with both of my other babies I was deathly sick and hospitalized with hyperemesis gravidarum. I thought I had hit the jackpot with not getting sick!

Boy was I wrong. Little did I know I would be stuck dealing with a condition much worse than 20 weeks of throwing up. I would much rather lose 20 pounds in the beginning of my pregnancy than have to deal with excruciating hip pain for the entire nine months!

Apparently I am suffering from a ligament issue in my right hip. I never knew a ligament issue could cripple me. The way it was explained to me is basically my pelvis is jiggling all over the place because my ligament has relaxed TOO much. This causes me horrible pain and makes it so I literally cant get up most of the time. Tylenol 3 has been prescribed to me and that is a whole new kind of treat in my life. I cannot take it while taking care of my children because it makes me sleepy and it also SUPER constipates you, which is already an issue during pregnancy. Oh joy.

I do have to say that other than my horrible hip issues, this pregnancy is going amazing. I cannot believe I am going to be 26 weeks on 2/4! I cannot believe my baby girl is going to be 2 years old on 2/3! I can tell this year is going to go by in a blur and I am just soaking it all in. I want to remember every single moment because they are going to be gone in a blink. How did Violet get to be two?!

I think severe pregnancy hormones and hip pain go hand in hand. I am not an emotional person normally or even during my other pregnancies, but this time I am a crying machine. EVERYTHING makes me cry, and I am soaking that all in too I guess lol.

Other pregnancy symptoms I am experiencing:

TONS of braxton hicks contractions - which my OB says "good that means your body is getting ready!"

and a TON of fetal movement. They say she is the most active right now and I believe it!

Other than those minor complaints, I am happy and healthy and growing a very active little girl! I cannot wait to meet her and add her to our adorable little family.

Oh! We did add a member to our family recently though. A dog! Her name is Silver and we got her from the Humane Society. She is 1 1/2 years old and a darling little dog! She is a hound of some kind and just perfect for our family. Jon wants to find her a pink John Deere collar lol.

I hope everyone is doing awesome and looking forward to all of the exciting things coming up on my blog! Time to get to work!

Danielle

Updates!

2011-01-26T22:48:00.003-07:00

Hey guys! I love you all for being so patient with me while I get organized for the new year. It's taking me forever to get my pregnant butt in gear, but I think that is my new normal. I have to accept it! I have a few blog commitments I NEED to get done and the companies have been amazing waiting on my preggo booty and they will be going up in the next couple days and all weekend. My Husband promised me several hours of quiet blogging time, so woohoo!

HappyBaby

Kushies

Posh Little Tutus

Curly Cue

EcoMinders

Those are the last of commitments that are coming FIRST and then I have a few new items lined up. I wont be taking on full loads or doing any sort of Baby Bash, because it just isn't happening for me right now. I will be doing plenty of giveaways between now and when the baby is born.

So keep you eyes peeled for those posts to go up this week/weekend and then I will finally be caught up and back on track! Thanks so much again guys!

Danielle

Wordless Wednesday

2011-01-26T22:45:00.002-07:00

I love them!

HappyBaby Review and Giveaway

2011-01-26T21:31:00.009-07:00

When I found out I would be doing a review of HappyBaby Food, I was ecstatic! As you all know, if there are organic baby foods, snacks and meals out there, I want my paws on them! I have to admit, I was worried about the accessibility of these products though. Were they going to be readily available to myself and others? The answer is a resounding YES. I found HappyBaby products at my local Target and Babies R Us!

Not only do I love that their products are organic and locally available to everyone, but they are affordable too! I found all the prices for the HappyBaby products to be comparable to their non-organic counterparts! This makes me a very happy mama. Eating organic is very important to me, but it isn't always possible in this economy. With HappyBaby products, I know my kids are getting the best and my wallet is not taking a hit.

Lets take a look at all of the fabulous items they offer and I'll give you the run down of what I think.

First up are the HappyBellies Organic Cereals. We only tried out the Oatmeal cereal because that is the one we bought and fell in love with. When I went back to get more, we decided to get the same one! They are also available in Brown Rice and Multi-Grain varieties(certified organic!). All of the cereals are enhanced with DHA for brain and eye development, plus the iron, vitamins and minerals that are essential to baby's health. I especially love the added probiotics to help strengthen baby's digestive system and help ward off allergies. These sell for about $3.99 per 7 ounce can.

Next up we tried out the HappyBaby Organic Puffs. These were an instant hit in our house because my children already loved the Gerber Puffs. I'm a much happier mama feeding my children puffs made with 1/2 the sugar as leading brands and that are a good source of Iron, Vitamin D, Calcium and B Vitamins. They are also made with whole grains and taste great! We bought these at Target and the container was already almost halfway gone before we got home! HappyBaby Organic Puffs will cost you about $3.39 per container.

The biggest hit in our household were the HappyMelts Organic Yogurt Snacks. I have never seen my kids eat a snack so quickly! These are lifesavers on car trips and on any outing we need to go on. We bought ours at Babies R Us for about $3.49, which is once again comparable to the non-organic versions out there. They are Gluten free, have zero preservatives and contain probiotics for digestive health! I love that they melt right in their mouth, which makes these ideal for babies and toddlers! HappyMelts are available in strawberry, banana mango and mixed berry flavors.

Unfortunately we have not been able to find the HappyBites and HappyBaby Frozen products in our area as of yet. We do have a Whole Foods a good distance from us and HappyBaby products are supposed to be carried there as well. I do plan on making a trip there to try to find them and when I do, if I am able to find them, I will do another mini post about these specific products.

The last of the HappyBaby products are the HappyBaby Pouches and HappyTot Pouches. These are convenient baby food pouches for Moms on the go! I have had the pleasure of trying these out with my Violet when she was a baby and every flavor was a huge HIT! Our favorite was the apple cherry flavor! These only cost a little over a dollar each and I found them at my Target! You cannot beat that price for organic baby food. As she has gotten older, we have transitioned from the HappyBaby Pouches to the HappyTot Pouches and they are just as well loved by my little Violet!

I am extremely happy with my experiences with HappyBaby and will for sure be purchasing the HappyBaby Pouches again for this next little one due in May! I know they have reliable snacks for all of my children and I love having the reassurance that everything is organic, healthy and delicious.

WIN IT!!

One super lucky Mama's Getting Kinda Crunchy reader is going to win the following prize pack courtesy of HappyBaby:

2 free trial coupons each for HAPPYBABY, HAPPYBELLIES, HAPPYBABYPUFFS, HAPPYMELTS
1 FAQ on DHA & Probiotics
1 Infant & Toddler Nutrition Guide
1 HAPPYFAMILY Recipes

To enter, head over to the HappyBaby website and tell me your favorite product and flavor. This entry is mandatory and please leave me your email address in case you win!

Extra Credit!

Follow me on Google Friend Connect
Follow me on Networked Blogs
Follow me on Facebook
Follow HappyBaby on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow HappyBaby on Twitter
Tweet this giveaway ONCE
Grab my button and leave me the link
Subscribe!
Vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs. To vote, click the picture in my right sidebar!

This giveaway will end March 4th at midnight. The winner will be chosen via random.org and will be notified by email and a posting on this blog. As always, they will have 48 hours to respond before I pick a new winner! Thanks guys and good luck!

I want to say a tremendous thank you to the lovely people over at HappyBaby for being so wonderfully patient with me during my pregnancy!

Disclaimer: I received coupons to get free product to review. I was not paid to write this and all opinions are my own!

Winners!

2011-01-23T18:56:00.003-07:00

Okay guys, once again I apologize for the late winner picks! It is taking me much longer to get back on track and I think I have to give that up until after the baby comes lol. I don't think I will be able to stop playing catch up any time soon and lucky for me I have amazing readers who are patient with me! I have a few giveaways coming up and I am going to keep this blog limping along until after the baby makes her appearance!

First up is my Safeway Gift Card Winner #211

Anonymous said...

Using Safeway.com would be a big time saver-no waiting in long lines! Thanks for the giveaway
------riosamel@aol.com

Next my MommyDop Winner is #88

AmyLynn said...

Subscribing to your blog via google reader.

My Boppy Total Body Pillow is #215

Sarah said...

I want the Boppy® EntertainMe® Play Gym – Flying Circus

And lastly is my Creativity for Kids Winner #84

cpage2323 said...

follow creativityfor kids on fb(tina wofford page)

I want to say a HUGE thank you to all who entered and a congrats to all who did win! Don't forget to enter the Baby Bump Book giveaway and the Intelligender giveaway before they end!

Danielle

YoBaby Review and Giveaway!

2011-01-23T15:23:00.004-07:00

I am always on the hunt for organic, healthy and affordable foods to feed my babies, toddlers and children. I knew I had found a winner when I came across Stonyfield Organic YoBaby yogurt. Violet consistently gobbled this yogurt up with no fuss. I took a taste and soon figured out why! It is creamy and delicious. I love knowing it is made from whole milk for healthy brain development and that it has no horrible pesticides or hormones! We tried out the vanilla and banana flavors and liked them both equally well! I would definitely say this is a healthy go-to snack for any baby!

Want more reasons to pick YoBaby yogurt? Check out this information directly from the website:

Certified organic. Because YoBaby is organic, you know it’s made without the use of persistent pesticides. That’s especially important for babies, because their little bodies are more vulnerable to pesticide exposure. YoBaby is also made without the use of synthetic growth hormones or antibiotics. Learn more.

Helps support brain development. We make YoBaby from whole milk, which helps support healthy brain development. Pediatricians recommend whole milk for babies and toddlers up to two years.

Helps support baby’s immune system. One serving of YoBaby provides 25% of your baby’s daily need for zinc, the mineral that helps support a healthy immune system.

Helps support growth. Each serving of YoBaby provides at least 25% of your baby’s daily needs for calcium, protein, and vitamin D, plus other nutrients essential for babies' growth.

Six live active cultures. Like all of our yogurts, YoBaby contains our exclusive blend of six cultures, including the probiotic L. rhamnosus. Learn more.

Makes feeding time easy. YoBaby is delicious, so babies love it. Parents tell us all the time that YoBaby is one of the first foods their babies ask for by name.

YoBaby offers other flavors besides vanilla and banana and also offers different yogurt sizes to pick the best ones for your baby.

Flavors currently available:

4 ounce 4-pack - Banana, blueberry, vanilla, peach and simply plain

6 ounce Drinkable Yogurt - Banana and peach

4 ounce YoBaby Meals - Apple & sweet potato, pear & green beans, peach & squash

The newest additions to the family are YoToddler and YoKids, as well as Squeezers.

We really enjoyed our YoBaby experience and for sure will be purchasing these products again!

WIN IT!!!

One super lucky Mama's Getting Kinda Crunchy reader is going to win 2 free trial coupons for YoBaby yogurt or drinkable products as well as an Eric Carle Growth Chart. To enter, tell me why you cant wait to give this product a try with your little ones! This entry is mandatory and please leave me your email in case you win.

Extra Credit

- Follow me on Google Friend Connect
- Follow me on Networked Blogs
- Follow me on Facebook
- Follow YoBaby on Facebook
- Follow me on Twitter
- Follow YoBaby on Twitter
- Tweet this giveaway once!
- Grab my button and leave me the link
- Subscribe!
- Vote for me on Top mommy Blogs. To vote, click the picture in my right sidebar.

This giveaway will end February 21st at midnight. The winner will be chosen via random.org and will be notified by email and a posting on this blog. As always, they will have 48 hours to respond before I pick a new winner. Thanks guys and good luck!

I want to say a HUGE thank you to the fabulous people at YoBaby for this fabulous review opportunity.

Disclaimer: I received free product coupons to try out this yogurt. I was not paid to write this and all opinions are my own.

Intelligender Review and Giveaway - US ONLY

2011-01-11T21:10:00.005-07:00

As soon as I got my positive pregnancy test for this baby, I knew I wanted to try out an Intelligender Gender Prediction Test. Like so many other women out there, I was intrigued! I nearly fell out of my chair when they wanted to work with me on a product review and giveaway! The only problem? I had to WAIT to use it! You have to be 10 weeks along in order to use it, and I wasn't far enough along yet!

So let me walk you through the test and the rules for all the mamas out there who have never even heard of Intelligender! First of all, the box looks like this:

It can be purchased for $30.00 from stores like Walgreens, CVS and Target.

The test itself will give you boy or girl results like these:

So when you open up the box, the first thing you will see are the instructions.

Step 1) Collect your FIRST MORNING URINE in the cup provided.

Step 2) Use the included syringe to draw up the indicated amount of urine.

Step 3) Peel the sticker off the top of the test, squirt the urine into the hole and put the sticker back on.

Step 4) Swirl, DO NOT SHAKE, the test for 10 seconds.

Step 5) Place on a flat surface for 10 minutes. Do not disturb the test. It also says to make reading the results easier, you should put it on a flat white surface.

Step 6) Read your results at eye level. This means squat down and look at the results, do not look at them from standing.

Intelligender is supposed to be 90% accurate in laboratory and independent trials. Accuracy rates will vary in real life settings and there are variables that can effect the accuracy as well. Pay careful attention to the following to get the most accurate results:

- Not using the first morning urine can alter the results. As long as you have held your urine for at least 2.5 hours, this counts as first morning urine.

- Do not consume excessive amounts of liquid in the 3 hours before performing the test.

- Do not shake the test, only swirl it.

- Do not disturb the test during the 10 minute waiting period.

- Having unprotected sex in the 48 hours prior to performing the test can give false boy results.

- Pregnant women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome are more likely to receive a boy result, so it is not accurate.

- Women on progesterone should not take the test while on this medication unless they perform the test at least 10 days after the last dose.

I followed all of the instructions very carefully, used my first morning urine, did NOT have sex within 48 hours, I do not have PCOS and was not on progesterone treatments. My results?

I think the picture says it all! I got a VERY clear boy result. My result was darker than the label! I did this test for fun, but literally every single person in my life guessed boy and then I got this test result. I really did convince myself we were having a boy! Either way, we did not care what gender we were getting and this was a ton of fun to do! I really enjoyed the anticipation and it did give us something to do to pass the time and entertain us. Our family members thought it was neat too!

So was Intelligender right for me?

That definitely says GIRL and she is 100% girl! You should have seen my face! I was in denial about it! I really had convinced myself it was a boy!

All in all, we really enjoyed taking this test! It was fun to see if it would be right or not. Remember too, the test is NOT 100% accurate. This should be taken just for fun. I know plenty of moms it was right for as well as moms it was wrong for. Even in perfect lab conditions, this test is only 90% accurate. If you will be emotionally traumatized if it is wrong or if you want to plan your nursery at 10 weeks pregnant, this test is NOT for you.

I was also sent the IntelliCeuticals byIntelligender product called Peace of Mind Flower Essence. It encourages positivity and optimism in the second trimester! I was anxious to try this product out as well because I experienced a high level of anxiety for no reason in my first trimester. My OB told me hormonal changes were making me feel anxious and worried. I cant say for sure if my anxiety going away was from hormones leveling out or the Peace of Mind Flower Essence, but I am happy I am feeling better! I would much rather try a natural supplement like this than any type of medication. This miracle worker can be purchased for $26.49. IntelliCeuticals offers a whole slew of products for pregnancy, as well as for after you have baby, so go check it out!

For the latest updates, follow the Intelligender Blog, and for 25% off of any order from IntelliCeuticals use the coupon code IC025.

Want to see what Intelligender tells you?

WIN IT!!! - US ONLY

One lucky Mama's Getting Kinda Crunchy reader is going to get to try out Intelligender for themselves! The prize pack includes an Intelligender Kit, an Infantino Wrist Rattle and IntelliCeuticals Nature's Nipple Prep Cream! I would love to hear if it was right for you or not too! To enter, follow Intelligender on Facebook. This entry is mandatory and please leave me your email address in case you win!

Extra Credit
- Follow me on Google Friend Connect
- Follow me on Networked Blogs
- Follow me on Facebook
- Follow me on Twitter
- Follow Intelligender on Twitter
- Tweet this giveaway ONCE
- Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link
- Grab my button and leave me the link
- SUBSCRIBE!
- Vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs. To vote, click the picture in my right sidebar!

This giveaway will end February 10th at midnight. The winner will be chosen via random.org and will be notified by email and a posting on this blog. As always, they will have 48 hours to respond before I pick a new winner! Thanks guys and good luck!

I want to say a HUGE thank you to the LOVELY people over at Intelligender for this incredibly fun review and giveaway opportunity!

Disclaimer: I received free product to review. I was not paid to write this and all opinions are my own!

Swagbucks!

2011-01-11T15:51:00.003-07:00

Have you started earning gift cards and other goodies with Swagbucks yet? I am addicted to searching using this search engine and the best part is you earn points to get rewards like $5.00 Amazon gift cards! Come join me in earning gift cards with Swagbucks! So far this year(Just Jan 2011) I have earned 3 $5.00 Amazon gift cards!

I think this is a great way to save up for Christmas this year. One of my goals is to save us as much money as possible this year! I think it will be fun to see how much I can get saved and how many gifts I can buy for free this year!

Click the picture below to sign up and start win

You can also use this referral code:

http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/theconners4

Thanks guys!

Danielle

Sunbelt Review!

2011-01-10T23:01:00.003-07:00

Sunbelt granola bars are a staple in our household, so when I was contacted by them to try out their newest flavors, I of course said yes! The two newest members of the Sunbelt family are Blueberry Harvest and Banana Harvest Granola Bars. Our family became instantly addicted with these flavors that are more refreshing than your typical chocolate granola bars. We loved the change of pace! Take a look at the packaging:

My children devoured the Blueberry Harvest granola bars! I couldn't believe how much they loved them. They were my go to snack for the couple of days they lasted in our house and then I knew I would be on a hunt for them at our local grocery stores! I love that they are a healthy snack that my kids truly loved. I also loved that they are chewy and not hard, which makes it easier for my little ones to enjoy.

Jon and I mostly ate the Banana Harvest granola bars because our children were busy hogging the Blueberry Harvest ones! I absolutely adored these granola bars! They reminded me of banana bread. I know every so often during this pregnancy I crave something a little sweet and these bars hit the spot! Again, I loved that they were chewy and not the typical chocolate granola bar!

After searching high and low for the beloved Blueberry Harvest granola bars, we found them at our local Walmart Market and Walmart Supercenter. Thank goodness we were able to finally get them because I knew our children would gobble them right up. They never last long in our household and I think Sam's Club needs to carry a super sized box for us to buy!

Check out Sunbelt's Commercial on Youtube:

Make sure you follow Sunbelt on Facebook for all of the latest product updates and any special offers!

And check them out on Twitter too!

We really enjoyed trying out Sunbelt's new products and have always kept their other products in our house as snack staples! They have the most affordable prices and put out extremely high quality products! I know they will always have a place in our house and I cannot wait to see what they come out with next!

I want to say a HUGE thank you to Sunbelt for this review opportunity!

Disclaimer: I received free product to review. I was not paid to write this and all opinions are my own!

Getting Back in the Swing - Updates!

2011-01-10T13:58:00.002-07:00

Hey guys! Who else has been in the "New Year New Outlook" mode? I know I have been spending the last week or so figuring out what I want with my year and my life. I think it is so important to reflect and make goals. I don't really go in to resolutions, but I think a fresh new year is a great time to wipe the slate clean and start fresh.

I live in Tucson, AZ and, as I'm sure many of you have heard, Gabrielle Giffords was the target at a shooting on Saturday January 8, 2011. She was not killed, but six others, including a 9 year old girl were killed. This event broke my heart and made me squeeze my children close. I cannot believe that people would do this kind of thing and kill 100% innocent people. It makes my stomach turn and makes me question what kind of future my children have in this country. If you are in the Tucson area and have type O Positive or O Negative blood, please donate.

My fresh start has an even stronger meaning for me after seeing this event unfold. It makes me prioritize my life and what is important. I am grateful for each and every day I get to spend with my husband and children, and this year my focus is 100% on them.

I plan on getting us on a better schedule before this baby is born and I am also working on potty training my almost 2 year old! Violet will be 2 on February 3rd, 2011! I cannot believe it! I also will be celebrating my 25th birthday on January 24th. I think mother/daughter pedicures are in order!

Even though this isn't focusing on my family, it will help us in the long run. I really want to get my house in order before the baby comes. We need an organized, fresh start.

We are planning more trips and fun things to do as a family this year, including visiting with my hubby's sister, going to Oregon to see my family, doing The Polar Express again and spending Christmas in PA with Jon's family. Our focus is on family and saving every penny we have for a potential major life change for us in a couple of years!

My focus will also be on making this blog bigger and better than ever. I have a few obligations left that will be going up this week and then the rest of January will be dedicated to more reflection, planning and blog goals.

The following 8 companies have my full attention this week:

Posh Little Tutus

Curly Cue Wall Graphics

Intelligender

Sunbelt

Yobaby

HappyBaby

Kushies

AND

Ecominders

Thanks for all of your continuing support and I cannot wait to bring you more awesome reviews and giveaways for 2011! What are all of your new year goals?

Little Tikes Winner!

2011-01-05T21:35:00.002-07:00

Congrats to my Little Tikes Neighborhood Market Winner #260

Jolene said...

I love the 6-in-1 Town Center Playhouse at Little Tikes
December 27, 2010 9:03 AM

Thank you to everyone who entered!

Danielle

First Wordless Wednesday for 2011

2011-01-05T21:15:00.003-07:00

My Violet had a serious Nuk addiction lol. For the last 7 days or so she has been Nuk free though! I am so proud of her for starting the new year on such a good note. She broke her last one and never threw one fit over it. I told her we didn't have anymore and she just said "oh". I swear I was the emotional one over it!

Next goal: Potty training!

Happy 2011 everyone!

Holiday Gift Guide: Creativity for Kids Review and Giveaway

2010-12-23T21:54:00.007-07:00

I have had the funnest time working with Creativity for Kids in the past and I was so happy to feature them again as part of my Holiday Gift Guide. I know we are on the tail end of things with this post, but don't worry, there is a giveaway too! I really felt it was important to include them and their fabulous products in my guide and hopefully you are getting many cool ideas for next Christmas and any upcoming birthdays!

My past review was for the Texture Paint Set and both of my children adore it to this day. It is a fabulous buy. This time we were sent the Finger Puppet Theater and it is yet another HUGE hit in our household. I firmly believe that children should be given things for Christmas that allow them to create and Creativity for Kids delivers with all of their sets! Check out the Finger Puppet Theater and then I will show you a few other awesome items from them.

You get to make six adorable finger puppets that are already cut out and formed. All little ones have to do is stick on different colored felts, sequins, googly eyes and pom poms to create their very own fish, dog, cat, frog, butterfly, and bunny. The box says ages 4-94, but my 2 year old had JUST as much fun as my 4 year old doing this. Of course, if you have little ones doing projects with small sequins and such, you should always help them and supervise! This kit also comes with a cardboard theater to play with the puppets and it's adorable! It is incredibly easy to set up and can be decorated with included stickers. You can also write your child's name on it! The Finger Puppet Theater sells for only $19.99 and is worth every penny. Look at what my kids created:

We did this a couple weeks ago and they still ask to play with it on a daily basis!

Check out a few of the MANY items available from Creativity for Kids. They would all make fabulous Christmas or birthday gifts for any child. I swear they have something for everyone!

The Finger Prints Finger Painting Set is for ages 3-93 and is $21.99.

Make Your Own Lip Balm Kit is for ages 7-97 and I want one! This sells for $20.99.

I simply adore the Create Your Own Pop Up Books Kit! I think any child would have fun writing stories and making the pictures pop up! This kit is for ages 5-95 and is $19.99.

I think the My First Scissors Kit is absolutely adorable and I cannot wait to get one for Michael! For ages 4-94 and only $14.99!

I highly recommend all of the imaginative Creativity for Kids products for kids of all ages and for any occasion or just for an every day craft to do!

WIN IT!!!

One super lucky Mama's Getting Kinda Crunchy reader is going to win their very own Finger Puppet Theater. To enter head on over to Creativity for Kids and tell me your favorite item! This entry is mandatory and please leave me your email address in case you win!

Extra Credit

- Follow me on Google Friend Connect

- Follow me on Networked Blogs

- Follow me on Facebook
- Follow Creativity for Kids on Facebook

- Follow me on Twitter

- Tweet this giveaway ONCE

- Grab my button and leave me the link

- Subscribe!

- Vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs. To vote, click the picture in my right sidebar.

This giveaway will end January 20th at midnight. The winner will be chosen via random.org and will be notified by email and a posting on this blog. As always, they will have 48 hours to respond before I pick a new winner. Thanks guys and good luck!

I want to say a HUGE thank you to the lovely people over at Creativity for Kids for this fabulous review and giveaway opportunity!

Disclaimer: I received free product to review. I was not paid to write this and all opinions are my own!

Merry Pregnant Christmas - The Baby Bump Book Review and Giveaway!

2010-12-21T21:44:00.006-07:00

I have read countless numbers of pregnancy books during my three pregnancies. Some were amazingly helpful and some weren't at all. Everyone develops a love for one book or another. I think a very important thing to remember is that new books will always come out and we should always be open to reading them! I had the opportunity to review a fabulous book called The Baby Bump: 100s of Secrets to Surviving Those 9 Long Months by Carley Roney. Carley Roney is also the co-founder and editor in chief of The Knot, Inc.

I know most women have browsed either www.theknot.com or www.thebump.com. I currently get weekly emails from www.thebump.com for my pregnancy!

The Baby Bump has given me everything I want in a great pregnancy book. I never liked the books that made me feel like I was talking to a doctor. I felt they were boring and I didn't always understand everything they were talking about. If you are like me and would rather hear about everything pregnancy related from a gal pal, then The Baby Bump is for you. I love the frankness and the openness to talk about issues that effect a more modern mom!

I do feel like this book is best purchased with one of those boring medical-like pregnancy books, just because there are some things you will want to know more about. This book discusses the more personal aspects of pregnancy and doesn't go into great details about tests performed during your nine months, but this isn't written by a doctor either!

One of my favorite parts of this book are the baby size comparisons. I loved being able to look at how big my baby is getting each week. This week(week 19) baby is the size of a mango. I also adore the charts to help figure out when you are due and the Chinese lunar calendar to see if you are having a girl or boy(though this is just for fun! It was wrong with both of my other children).

In the back of the book Carley includes helpful resources like items to keep in your diaper bag, a pregnancy timeline, a checklist to help you budget for baby, breastfeeding/formula feeding trackers, and a sleep tracker. She has included worksheets that all new moms wish came with every pregnancy book! I also love that there are a whole slew of helpful resources in the back if you are looking for more information. Scattered throughout the book are also quotes from real moms who have been there done that. I always think it is so reassuring to find moms having the same crazy dreams or cravings I am!

This is by far one of my must have pregnancy books and I will recommend it to any preggo out there! It is helpful, informative and loads of fun! The Baby Bump sells for $12.89 on amazon.com and is worth every single penny!

WIN IT!! - US ONLY

One very lucky Mama's Getting Kinda Crunchy reader is going to win their very own copy of The Baby Bump! To enter, head on over to thebump.com and tell me your favorite website feature! This entry is mandatory and please leave me your email address in case you win!

Extra Credit!
- Follow me on Google Friend Connect
- Follow me on Networked Blogs
- Follow me on Facebook
- Follow The Bump on Facebook
- Follow me on Twitter
- Follow The Bump on Twitter
- Tweet this giveaway ONCE
- Subscribe to this blog!
- Grab my button and leave me the link
- Vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs. To vote, click the picture in my right sidebar!

This giveaway will end January 29th at midnight. The winner will be chosen via random.org and will be notified by email and a posting on this blog. As always, they will have 48 hours to respond before I pick a new winner. Thanks guys and good luck!

I want to say a HUGE thank you to the lovely people behind The Baby Bump and www.thebump.com for outstanding pregnancy resources and for this fabulous review and giveaway opportunity!

Disclaimer: I received free product to review. I was not paid to write this and all opinions are my own.

Merry Pregnant Christmas - Boppy Total Body Pillow Review and Giveaway

2010-12-19T21:38:00.003-07:00

When I sat down and thought about products that would really be useful to a pregnant woman, the first item that came to mind was a pregnancy pillow. I don't know WHY I never thought to get one with my other two children, but I was a fool. Boppy sent me their Total Body Pillow to review, and it has changed my pregnant life for the better!

I know we have all heard of the standard Boppy Pillow. I think that is a common name in most households and a favorite nursing product must have among moms. I had NO idea they carried different types of pillows and wedges for pregnancy. Let me show you the mom items they offer and then I will gush about the Total Body Pillow!

First item up to bat is the Cuddle Pillow:

A body pillow for the growing and changing shape of mom-to-be that won’t take over the bed. This smaller-sized body pillow keeps the back properly aligned by supporting the belly and legs. The soft Pima Cotton slipcover is easily removable for washing.

I can see how this would be helpful if you didn't have a huge bed. If you still want support, but cant fit a huge pillow, then opt for this adorable pillow. Destination Maternity sells this for $39.99.

Next we have the Pregnancy Wedge:

The Pregnancy Wedge is a versatile support cushion for back and belly support during or after pregnancy. The compact size allows for easy positioning and is perfect for travel. Soft Pima Cotton slipcover is easy to wash.

This can also be purchased from Destination Maternity for $14.99. This probably offers the least support, but if perfect if you just want to prop your belly or put it behind your back to help keep you from rolling off your side. This is also the most wallet friendly.

Last but certainly not least, we have the Total Body Pillow!

The Total Body Pillow provides total body support before, during and after pregnancy. The unique design follows the body line to offer support and realignment for neck, belly, back and hips. The soft Pima Cotton slipcover makes washing easy.

Additional slipcovers sold separately.

Like I said above, this pillow has saved me during my current pregnancy. I had always managed to get along fine using five or six pillows with my past pregnancies, and it ended up being okay. A little bit annoying, but doable. This pregnancy has been a whole different story. From about 16 weeks until now(19 weeks 3 days), I have had excruciating hip pain in my right hip. I am convinced it is not sciatica and plan on talking to my OB, but in the meantime, the Boppy Total Body Pillow has been my savior! Getting into bed and putting the lower part of the pillow between my legs helps keep my hips aligned and takes the pressure off. The middle section helps support my growing belly and the top part is perfect for wrapping my arms around and snuggling in. I have always been a pillow hugger though!

You can pick up one of these life saving pillows from Destination Maternity for $54.99. I know the price tag seems hefty, but I literally use this every single night and will continue to until I deliver. I know I can use it with future pregnancies as well! The relief it gives me from my hip pain is worth any price tag in my opinion. I highly recommend this if you are having trouble sleeping or are experiencing similar hip or pelvic problems!

WIN IT!!! - US ONLY

One super duper lucky Mama's Getting Kinda Crunchy reader is going to win their very own Boppy Total Body Pillow! To enter, head on over to the Boppy Website and tell me another of your must have items! This entry is mandatory and please leave me your email address in case you win!

Extra Credit!

- Follow me on Google Friend Connect
- Follow me on Networked Blogs
- Follow me on Facebook
- Follow Boppy on Facebook
- Follow me on Twitter
- Follow Boppy on Twitter
- SUBSCRIBE to my blog by clicking the little white envelope up above!
- Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link
- Grab my button and leave me the link
- Vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs. To vote, click the picture in my right sidebar!

This giveaway will end January 17th at midnight. The winner will be chosen via random.org and will be notified by email and a posting on this blog. As always, they will have 48 hours to respond before I pick a new winner. Thanks guys and good luck!

I want to say a tremendous thank you to the Boppy Company for this fabulous review and giveaway opportunity! There aren't enough thank yous in the world for the relief your pillow brings me!

Disclaimer: I received free product to review. I was not paid to write this and all opinions are my own!

Festivities!!

2010-12-19T21:01:00.003-07:00

Violet decided her Nuk was an ornament! lol

Making caramel and chocolate covered pretzel rods!

Happy Holidays Guys!!

Winners!

2010-12-19T20:43:00.001-07:00

Hey guys. I have 2 more winners for you. Sorry it took me so long to get them posted but congrats to who won and thank you to all who entered!

Barefoot Books Winner #45

darlanpaulsmamma said...

follow you on twitter as lovinmykiddos

Eco Mom Winner #20

Erin G said...

I am following using GFC (greenup06)

Thanks again guys!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-12-16T00:29:00.001-07:00

Making Christmas Wreath Ornaments!

Merry Pregnant Christmas - BabyBeat MommyDop Review and Giveaway!

2010-12-15T22:09:00.004-07:00

I am so excited to share this product with you guys and this write up will be followed up with a video product review as well, just as soon as I can get it done! I do have a video of me listening to the heartbeat with it and I will include that! I was sent the BabyBeat MommyDop to review during this pregnancy and of course, I am so incredibly happy that I got this opportunity. I have used this product every single day and it is more reassuring than I could have ever imagined. I want to show you some product pictures and then I will talk your ear off.

This is different from typical dopplers, in that it has a separate speaker base that can hold the doppler portion. I think this is a much cuter design! The MommyDop is specifically designed for moms to use at home and sells for $189.00. I know that seems high, but a high quality medical grade doppler will run you close to $400.00! Think of it this way, you can rent a BabyBeat doppler for $45.00 a month for 6 months of your pregnancy and pay $270.00 or you can purchase the MommyDop from them for only $189.00 and have something you can use with future pregnancies as well!

When you purchase a MommyDop, it comes to you in a cute box you can use to store it in, instructions, batteries, the doppler wand, the speaker base, the cord to attach the two pieces and a 60 gram tube of clear Aquasonic ultrasound gel. This tube of gel lasted me quite awhile and when I needed more, I bought some for $5.95 for 8.5 ounces! This will last me the rest of my pregnancy for sure!

I didn't start picking up the heartbeat with my MommyDop until around 12 weeks, which is when they say to expect to hear it. I of course, started trying around 9 weeks, but don't do this. It will only make you worry that something could be wrong if you cant find it! Ever since 12 weeks I have listened to my baby every day and it brings me a sense of calm. I am currently about to hit 19 weeks and I have only felt my baby move a handful of times. This freaks me out because I was able to feel my first at about 16 weeks and my second around 12 weeks. I check the heartbeat and I feel reassured that my baby is okay. This product is worth every single penny!

Here is a video of my baby's heartbeat. Fast forward to 1:40. It took awhile because apparently it DOES move around a ton, even if I can't feel it.

If you are not looking to buy and want to rent a doppler for a month or two until you can feel your baby move consistently, then be sure you rent from BabyBeat! Their dopplers are superb and there are incredible reviews on their website for the rentals.

This model(BB200) has the heartrate display(which I recommend getting! It would be really hard to try to count a heartbeat when you are all blissed out from hearing it!). A month to month rental is $45.00 and if you buy a 6 month rental it is only $35.00 a month. If you want to purchase this particular model it will cost you $549.00.

I highly recommend renting or buying from BabyBeat. Their Customer Service is phenomenal. If you choose to rent, it ships for free! You will know you are getting a high quality product when you shop through a reputable doppler company like BabyBeat, and not ebay.

Rent or purchase your very own unit right here.

WIN IT!!! - OPEN TO US ONLY!

One extremely lucky Mama's Getting Kinda Crunchy reader is going to win their very own MommyDop! To enter, follow BabyBeat on Facebook! This entry is mandatory and please leave me your email address in case you win!

Extra Credit
- Follow me on Google Friend Connect
- Follow me on Networked Blogs
- Follow me on Facebook
- Follow me on Twitter
- Follow BabyBeat on Twitter
- Subscribe to the BabyBeat Blog
- Subscribe to my Blog
- Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link
- Grab my button and leave me the link
- Vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs. To vote, click the picture in my right sidebar!

This giveaway will end January 12th at midnight. The winner will be chosen via random.org and will be notified by email and a posting on this blog. As always, they will have 48 hours to respond before I pick a new winner. Thanks guys and good luck!

I want to say a HUGE thank you to BabyBeat for this fabulous review and giveaway opportunity!

Disclaimer: I received free product to review. I was not paid to write this and all opinions are my own!

Holiday Spotlight - Safeway.com Review and Giveaway!

2010-12-13T23:59:00.003-07:00

I have had the pleasure of working with Safeway in the past, and I have never been disappointed. My family and I frequently shop at their stores, but did you know you can shop online as well? I think being able to order groceries online through Safeway's Home Delivery Service and have them delivered at a time that is convenient for you is truly valuable!

My grandparents live in a 55 and older community and for several of them this would be incredibly convenient and a life saver! For busy working moms, being able to go online, pick what you want and have it delivered when they get home from work would be amazing!

I personally am a stay at home mom and I still love the convenience. Do you know how nice it is that I don't have to lug two kids to the store? No crying, no wanting things they cant have! It's heaven. The best part is, ordering from Safeway.com is incredibly affordable!

I know many of us have parties during the holidays, and having everything you need delivered right to your door would save you several trips to the store. You can spend that time cleaning(not fun!) and decorating(very fun!).

All you need to do for hassle-free ordering is go to Safeway.com and click the Grocery Delivery tab at the top. You make a new account and enter your Safeway Club Card information if you have it handy. If you don't have it handy, don't worry, when you place an order online, you automatically get the Club Card discounts! You can then browse by isle, just like you would in store! The great thing about shopping online is they have online only buy one get one free deals, Club Card specials and promotion code deals. You can even use ecoupons!

So once you have all the items you need for your holiday party in your cart, click checkout and they will have you pick a delivery date and time. You enter all of your information in and you're done! At this point in time they do not accept gift cards to be used for online orders, so you will have to pay using your credit card.

When your groceries are delivered, your final price will be on the invoice they give you. For example, if you do the buy one get one free deals, when you check out it will give you an order total, but that is not the actual order total! Say it tells you your total is $40.00, you bought 4 items that were $10.00 each and 2 are supposed to be free. When the driver delivers your food, your total charged to your card and on your actual invoice will only be $20.00. My driver was super friendly and told me if I had any problems to call the number on my invoice and gave me his name. You sign their paperwork and then they are on their way!

I love how simple this whole process is and how much time it saves me! I was always under the impression that ordering online and having groceries delivered was super expensive, but it isn't at all. Delivery charges are generally around $10.00 and it is free for your very first order!

I cannot wait to place another order this week, just in time for the holidays! We do not host a party, but we do a cookie baking day and you can bet your butt I will be having all of my baking supplies delivered right to me with Safeway.com!

Use the code CHEER for $15.00 off and free delivery on your first order! Code expires December 31st, so get to ordering! This is a fabulous deal guys!

Check out the adorable Ornamize Me App on Safeway's Facebook page! You could win a $5.00 Safeway Gift Card when you personalize an ornament!

WIN IT!!!

One super lucky Mama's Getting Kinda Crunchy reader is going to win a $50.00 gift card to Safeway. Remember, this cannot be used at Safeway.com, but CAN be used in stores! To enter, tell me why using Safeway.com would make your life easier! This entry is mandatory and please leave me your email address in case you win!

Extra Credit!

- Follow me on Google Friend Connect
- Follow me on Networked Blogs
- Follow me on Facebook
- Follow Safeway on Facebook
- Follow me on Twitter
- Tweet this giveaway ONCE for one extra entry
- Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link
- Subscribe! Click the little white envelope up above!
- Grab my button and leave me the link!
- Vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs. To vote, click the picture in my right sidebar.

This giveaway will end January 10th at midnight. The winner will be chosen via random.org and will be notified by email and a posting on this blog. As always they will have 48 hours to respond before I pick a new winner! Thanks guys and good luck!

I want to say a HUGE thank you to the lovely people over at Safeway. I always love working with you and cant wait to do so again in the future!

Disclaimer: I received free gift cards to compensate for me trying out the Safeway.com service. I was not paid to write this and all opinions are my own!

Holiday Gift Guide: Organically Grown!

2010-12-10T23:15:00.007-07:00

I have had the privilege of working with Organically Grown in the past when they first got started and I am so happy to report how awesome they are doing! I love that I have been along for the ride and have gotten to work with such a fabulous and affordable company. Organically Grown sells organic infants, kids, adult and home decor at very reasonable prices. I adore a company that makes going green and buying organic affordable for the average person. With this economy, it is a must!

For review, we were sent this adorable Organic Cotton Boys "Polar Bear Stripes" Coverall in a 9 months size from their limited edition Winter Collection. While I am reviewing this product, it is actually going to my baby nephew, who is going to look amazing in it! Hopefully we get a picture. Check it out:

Now, I have gone on and on and on about how much softer organic clothing is, and this item is no different! I cannot even begin to tell you how soft this coverall is. I urge everyone to go to a store that sells organic cotton items and feel them, you will never want anything else. Another thing I love about this item from Organically Grown is the quality of the stitching and the simple pattern. It reminds me of what organic clothing should look like. Everything is clean and simple, just the way I like it. This cute infant outfit comes with an adorable hanger and sells for $22.00. It can be purchased in sizes from Newborn up to 9 months.

On December 20th we will be finding out the gender of Conner Baby #3 and if it's a girl, she is SO getting this:

It sells for $28.00 and is absolutely precious!!

Who am I kidding? I want everything on the Organically Grown website and I hope we get to work together again in the future!

Run and purchase your own items before Christmas and get 15% off all orders using code ORGANIC WINTER. And did I mention they offer free shipping on all orders?? They do!

Do like I am going to do, and join their awesome affiliate program!

I want to say a HUGE thank you to Organically Grown for being a part of my Holiday Gift Guide!

Disclaimer: I received free product to review. I was not paid to write this and all opinions are my own!

Holiday Gift Guide: Paperspring!

2010-12-09T22:11:00.006-07:00

I recently had the pleasure of getting to order Thank You Cards from Paperspring. If you have never heard of this fabulous company, then you must go there right now and take a peek around! They carry everything from Holiday Cards to Birth Announcements to any kind of Invitation you might need. Everything is personalized and the Thank You Cards are perfect to give as a gift!

We chose the Rainy Shelter Thank You Cards because everyone needs to keep some laying around! I write thank you notes/cards for everything and I love the idea of having them personalized for us as a family. Take a look at their stock photo and then I will show you ours.

I thought this design was fitting for my free spirit personality and for our little family. I fell in love with them and had to have them.

So lets talk about price for a minute. Any time you buy something customized, whether it be thank you notes or birth announcements, you are going to pay more. Generally you pay per card and Paperspring is no different. This particular design is $1.89 per card. The minimum order amount is 25 and that will run you $47.25 total. I think this is a killer deal for something so personalized. Most people don't go through thank you notes very quickly and I know these will last a long time. These aren't thank yous for something specific, they are just to have handy.

For example, we were just given a couch by the sweetest couple ever and I of course, wanted to write them a thank you! I also plan on tucking a couple of these into my labor and delivery bag when I have this baby to thank any super kind nurses or staff.

I would definitely place another order with Paperspring and I cannot wait for my baby to be born so I can order adorable birth announcements! As soon as we know the gender(10 more days!) I will be on their website scouring the gender appropriate ones I love!

Paperspring is currently offering free 2 day shipping on any order over $50.00, so head on over and check it out, especially if you are expecting a baby because those birth announcements are amazing!

I want to say a huge thank you to the folks at Paperspring for this awesome review opportunity!

Disclaimer: I received free product to review. I was not paid to write this and all opinions are my own!

Newest Winners!

2010-12-09T13:09:00.003-07:00

I know my giveaways tab is kind of sorry looking lately. Things will be picking up again for me after the first of the year. These holidays are exhausting!! Here are my newest winners!

Zutano Gift Card Winner #229

Pamela S said...

I like the Owls newborn dress. Thanks so much!

Rubbermaid Reveal Spray Mop Winner #130

Betty C said...

I think the Adjustable Over the Door Organizer would help my pantry a lot

Wall Quotes Winners #35 and #54

Angela R. said...

I like the Love is inscribed in a heart

AND

MommyTrenches said...

I follow you via NB

I am emailing you now. Thanks to everyone who entered and congrats to my winners! I appreciate you all of sticking around even when things have been a little slow! I promise a HUGE event starting in February!

Danielle

Pregnancy Update!

2010-12-07T09:34:00.002-07:00

Okay guys, time for a pregnancy update and a Pregnancy Event announcement!

So lets go back a little bit with my update. First, I cant remember if I showed you all my Intelligender results, so I want to post them now. However, I WILL be posting an Intelligender review in 10 days when we find out the gender and it is just for fun. So I guess this is a sneak peek for you guys. There will also be a giveaway for all my pregnant readers out there!

My results were clearly BOY. Green is for boy and orange is for girl. I don't think there is any mistake what the test is thinking I am having!

And here is a 16 week belly shot. WARNING: I am huge!!!

I have lost 10 pounds and not gained anything, but I have an extremely short torso. Any height I have is in my legs. I always show sooner than everyone else, even with my first pregnancy!

I am currently 18 weeks pregnant and we find out the gender December 20th. I will be letting you all know ON Christmas Day because that is when we will be announcing the gender.

As far as names go:

Boy - James Keith - James is Jon's grandpa's name and Keith is my grandpa's name. We wanted to honor the great-grandpas!

Girl - Josie - The middle name is still up in the air lol. We narrowed it down but the first name is FOR SURE Josie and that is my aunt's nickname.

So let's talk about my Merry Pregnant Christmas Event!

Next week I will be reviewing the Boppy Total Body Pregnancy Pillow, The Baby Bump book, MommyDop Fetal Doppler, Intelligender and Safeway.com.

All of these will include amazing giveaways!!

CSN Stores - Get Those Orders in!

2010-12-06T14:34:00.003-07:00

I adore CSN Stores. I have worked with them many times in the past and I hope to work with them many times in the future. Since I am a Preferred Blogger with them, I think my chances are good! One huge reason why I love CSN Stores so much is the vast array of items they carry. They have everything from a corner tv stand to bedding sets! They even carry cloth diapers! I love that I can hop on to CSN Stores and find any item that interests me for an exceptional price.

Make sure you get your holiday orders in now so you can get all of your gifts in time for Christmas! There are only 18 days left! I have no idea where the time has gone! With CSN Stores lightning fast shipping, you should have no problems. They tell you how many items are in stock and how long until they ship. You can even use their Delivery Estimate tool to see how long it will take to get to you!

Don't forget that they offer free shipping on most items and have hassle free returns. Happy Shopping!

Holiday Gift Guide: GourmetGiftBaskets.com

2010-12-05T21:24:00.002-07:00

I love gift baskets, especially during the holidays. They just seem so festive, fun and easy to give. When I found out I would be doing a review with GourmetGiftBaskets.com, I knew it would be fun and festive! I was right, and now my family has a gorgeous centerpiece on our kitchen table to remind us that the holidays are upon us. Can you believe there are only 19 days until Christmas?? It seems like Halloween was yesterday!

For review we were sent the gorgeous and delicious Nutcracker Drum Christmas Gift Basket. This baby does not disappoint! Everything comes very well protected in the box, so it is ready to give as a gift or to set out as a centerpiece like we have done. Take a look at how beautiful it is:

Here is a list of all the goodies you will find inside:

· Red Nutcracker Cookie by Nikki's Cookies - .75 oz. - An all natural sugar cookie covered in dark chocolate, shaped like a nutcracker.
· Green Nutcracker Cookie by Nikki's Cookies - .75 oz. - Another chocolate nutcracker cookie of Nikki's boasts ingredients like Wisconsin farmer's butter.
· Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Brittle by Holly Baking Co. - 6 oz. - This amazing delicacy has a cookie taste and brittle crunch, covered with chocolate and peppermints.
· Peanut Brittle by Old Dominion Peanut Company - 10 oz. - A staple holiday treat, this Old Dominion Peanut Brittle will leave them wanting more!
· Butter Wafers by Lady Walton - 2 oz. - Light and decadent, these Butter Wafers are melt in your mouth delicious and are perfect for our holiday baskets.
· White Chocolate Amaretto Filled Wafers by Lady Walton - 2 oz. - White chocolate and amaretto give an indulgent twist on a classic favorite.
· English Toffee Caramels by Marich - 2.1 oz. - Milk chocolate surrounds toffee flavored caramel. Do we need to say more?
· Peanut Roll by Dillon's Gourmet - 3 oz. - Sweetly salty roasted peanuts and rich caramel encompass a nougat center of heaven.
· Praline Pecans by Dillon's Gourmet - 2.5 oz. - This creamy pecan delight is a Southern, old fashioned recipe and that's why you'll see it so many of our Christmas gift baskets.

Everything is so well arranged and it looks too good to rip in to and eat! Don't worry though, my kids have made sure goodies are being eaten. This would make an incredible addition to any holiday party or get together. If you find yourself being invited to parties, consider bringing along one of these gift baskets. You're bringing something to the party and giving a Christmas gift all in one. I don't know who wouldn't LOVE receiving this as a Christmas gift!

You can purchase your own Nutcracker Drum Christmas Gift Basket for $49.99 at GourmetGiftBaskets.com.

If you are looking for something bigger or smaller, they have you covered! GourmetGiftBaskets.com has a wide variety of Christmas, Hanukkah, and adorable New Years gift baskets to fit any budget.

I want to say a HUGE thank you to the lovely people over at GourmetGiftBaskets.com for being a part of my Holiday Gift Guide!

Disclaimer: I received free product to review. I was not paid to write this and all opinions are my own!

Christmas!

2010-12-05T20:58:00.004-07:00

Violet decided all of the snowflakes and balls needed to be in one spot! lol

Helping Daddy with the lights.

She was using the lights to read her book lol

At Zoo Lights! Making crazy faces.

Daddy and Violet at Zoo Lights!

Pretty lights!

Holiday Gift Guide: ERGObaby Carrier

2010-12-05T20:08:00.005-07:00

I love baby wearing. I am one of those crunchy mamas who want to wear their babies everywhere. I had a wrap carrier prior to my ERGObaby carrier and since my "baby" is 22 months old, it really just wasn't cutting it, especially while pregnant! When I found out I would be working with ERGObaby on a review, I about died! I knew a more structured carrier would make me love baby wearing again, and I was totally right.

ERGObaby is a family owned and operated company located on Maui, Hawaii. Since 2003, they have been providing parents with the most thoughtful, highest quality, and most innovative baby wearing products and accessories out there. It is their mission to educate parents about attachment parenting, baby wearing, and related topics, to improve the way our next generations of babies are introduced into the world. I absolutely adore this. I love that they feel so passionately about gentle parenting that is full of love and lots of cuddles!

I found the ERGObaby Carrier to be exceptionally easy to put on. MUCH easier than a wrap carrier. Just slip it on and buckle the buckles! If you are new to baby wearing and all of this seems overwhelming, ERGObaby has awesome instructional videos on their website!

Check out a picture of my baby Violet and I in our adorable ERGObaby Carrier:

This was the best shot we could get! There was no cooperation at all. She thinks being in the carrier means it's time to bounce and play. And can you believe my giant 17 week belly!? Good lord! I love that I can buckle it under my belly and I feel totally comfortable wearing her on my back.

My carrier is no longer on the website to get you a better shot, but check out the Original ERGObaby Carrier in Cranberry:

Isn't it gorgeous? The Original ERGObaby carrier sells for $105.00. I know that seems a little steep, but if you look into baby carriers, it's really not! I think ERGObaby carriers are definitely worth the cost because they are extremely high quality. I have no fear of this carrier ripping or getting ruined and I know it will last me through several babies/toddlers!

These carriers are also available in Performance, Sport, Original, Options, and Organic versions!

My little Violet is in love with being in her carrier. She has always loved my wrap and now she loves this much more structured carrier! As soon as she sees me get it out she immediately wants in! I need to spoil her as long as possible before this new baby gets here and has their turn in the ERGObaby carrier! If you are looking for comfort for you and your baby, then I highly recommend ERGObaby carriers. They distribute weight evenly on your hips and shoulders and help babies sit the way they are supposed to. No stress baby wearing!

Click here to purchase your very own ERGObaby carrier. All US orders of $149.00 or more ship for free!

I want to say a HUGE thank you to ERGObaby for being a part of my Holiday Gift Guide!

Disclaimer: I received free product to review. I was not paid to write this and all opinions are my own!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-11-30T22:19:00.004-07:00

My little Violet hijacked a couple of my dish towels while I was doing laundry and shoved them into a small toy bin. She then proceeded to put her baby to bed. She was trying to kiss the baby in the picture of the bin up by her face. She was so proud of herself and I cried! She is getting so big and is so smart! I always tell her she is such a good Mommy. This little girl LOVES her baby dolls. I cant wait to get her doll accessories and things for her to play with, but for now it's awesome to see her using her imagination!

Holiday Gift Guide - 2010 Holiday Chicobag Review

2010-11-30T20:50:00.003-07:00

I have had the pleasure of working with ChicoBag on a couple of past reviews, so of course I happily agreed when they asked me to review their 2010 Holiday ChicoBag! Check out how cute they are:

I love the idea of putting Christmas presents in a reusable shopping bag or bunching one of these ChicoBags up into it's little pouch to stick in a stocking. I think these are the perfect gift for those family members who have no idea about going green or who want to but don't know where to begin! Don't get me wrong, these are more than perfect for seasoned Earth lovers like myself as well!

These bags are of the Vita style, which allow them to be carried on your shoulder and can hold 40 pounds! Maybe you should purchase these and give them out a little bit early, because they would be awesome for Holiday shopping!

I love ChicoBag's video on Sustainable Wrapping:

They give you creative ways to wrap your gifts in a ChicoBag! It makes perfect sense to me to give a gift within a gift. There is no waste and you are giving something the recipient can actually use afterward. Win Win!

The 2010 Holiday ChicoBags are available for a limited time only and come in three colors - red, blue and green. Each bag costs $12.99 and is worth every penny. These bad boys are huge and will hold anything your heart desires to put in them.

Purchase one of your own 2010 Holiday ChicoBags or one of the many other styles to wrap up your presents in this holiday season. Not only will you be giving a gift to someone you love, but you will be giving a gift to the planet too!

I want to say a HUGE thank you to ChicoBag for this fabulous review opportunity and for being a part of my little blog yet again!

Disclaimer: I received free product to review. I was not paid to write this and all opinions are my own!

Holiday Gift Guide - Little Tikes Review and Giveaway!

2010-11-23T22:43:00.004-07:00

I have had the pleasure of working with Little Tikes in the past and I was thrilled when they contacted me to review their Neighborhood Market! I have said it time and time again that all of the products that Little Tikes offer are made of extremely high quality materials! I know their products will last me through each of my children and they can even be passed on to others' children when mine are done!

Check out my previous post of the Spray and Rescue Fire Truck!

I cant even begin to tell you how much my children love their Neighborhood Market! Our house is filled with pretend play, and grocery shopping is a natural part of it all. Instead of lining up produce on a bookshelf, now my little ones can play shop for "real". Check out how cute it looks next to our play kitchen:

I love the compact design of this as well. We can push it right up against the wall when it is not in use and when my kids want to play with it, we just wheel it out away from the wall. The front doors on it slide open from both ends to store produce, cupcakes and sometimes even baby dolls! One of their favorite parts of this set is the cash register with play money and a credit card. My 22 month old daughter screams "money!" and makes me shop at her store. The top part rolls down to have the store be "closed" and I love that you can write on the chalkboard part! This is an essential item for pretend play in any household and I highly recommend it!

Features from the website:

This super stand is actually three markets in one! With a quick change it can go from a fruit stand, to an ice cream shop to a bakery!

Can be a bakery, fruit stand or ice cream shop
Clear sliding doors for real shopping fun
23 accessories include:

Cash register
pretend money and credit card
3 lemons, 3 oranges, 4 cupcakes, 2 bunches of bananas
1 ice cream scooper, 2 ice cream scoops, 2 ice cream cones

Awning pulls down and winds up
Wheels and handle
Pretend cash register with play money
Chalk board marquee

You can purchase your very own Neighborhood Market directly from Little Tikes on sale for only $71.99! Their normal price is $99.99. This item has every day free shipping as well!

WIN IT

One extremely lucky Mama's Getting Kinda Crunchy reader is going to win their very own Neighborhood Market! This would make any child's day! To enter, head on over to Little Tikes and tell me your favorite item. This entry is mandatory and please leave me your email address in case you win!

Extra Credit!

- Follow me on Google Friend Connect
- Follow me on Networked Blogs
- Follow me on Facebook
- Follow Little Tikes on Facebook
- Follow me on Twitter
- Follow Little Tikes on Twitter
- Tweet this giveaway ONCE - not a daily entry
- Subscribe!!
- Grab my button and leave me the link
- Vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs. To vote, click the picture in my right sidebar!

This giveaway will end December 27th at midnight. The winner will be chosen via random.org and will be notified by email and a posting on this blog. As always, they will have 48 hours to respond before I pick a new winner! Thanks guys and good luck!

I want to say a HUGE thank you to the lovely people at Little Tikes for this fabulous review and giveaway opportunity! Thanks for putting up with all the delays in my life and I cant wait to work with you again!

Disclaimer: I received free product to review. I was not paid to write this and all opinions are my own!

Holiday Gift Guide Nature Pavilion Review (Part 1)

2010-11-22T21:25:00.007-07:00

So since I am dying to get my Nature Pavilion review up and since they have been such an extremely awesome company to work with through all of my issues and getting behind, I want to break their review into two parts. This part will be the write up and what comes in the package, but my 2nd post will be the finished product!

Mrs. Terry Fluke started Nature Pavilion back in 2001 with only 12 products for sale! They now carry over 1900 items and have 2 other employees working hard to get all of our orders out in a timely manner! Their mission is to find high quality nature and science toys and offer them at a low cost. I think this is so important! All kids deserve the same science opportunities. And can I just say that customer service is #1 with Terry and the folks at Nature Pavilion. They put up with a whole heck of a lot of chaos in my life and were absolute dolls about it.

For review Michael and I were sent the Toysmith Build-A-Birdhouse, and it is insanely adorable! I wanted to incorporate educational toys and art projects into my four year old's life, and with this product I was able to teach him all about birds after we built it!

Take a look at what is included in this kit for only $9.49!!

Contents:
- Wooden pieces
- Four paint pots
- Paint brush
- Nails
- Glue
- Instructions

I have to say, the value is incredible! The birdhouse is not large, but it's perfect for a little guy to help build and paint with no problems. Of course, Daddy used the hammer most of the time and just let him have a couple whacks at it. I loved that this was an activity they could do together and we were able to incorporate science into the mix as well. This is a definite bonus to homeschooling! We learn through living, and Nature Pavilion makes it simple and affordable! My son had the best day ever working on this project with his Daddy, which just melted my heart. Make sure you stay tuned for part two to see our completed bird house. I wont be able to get it up until November 29th, when we get back from The Polar Express.

Check out a few of the other items offered by Nature Pavilion:

The Insect Lore Butterfly Garden for $19.99.

Toysmith Dig a Sea Shell for $4.29! This looks like so much fun! You use the tools to chisel away at the sand and reveal a shell!

Toysmith Green Creativity Recycled Bottle Light for $10.49. How awesome is this?!

You can find these and many, many more items at the Nature Pavilion website. I have never seen prices this good for projects for kids. Any of these items would be amazing for homeschooling or just for keeping on hand for a rainy day!

I want to say a HUGE thank you to Nature Pavilion for this amazing review opportunity and for putting up with so much from me! You guys rock!

Disclaimer: I received free product to review. I was not paid to write this and all opinions are my own!

Winners!

2010-11-20T19:22:00.002-07:00

Hey guys! I have my next three winners! Sorry again that everything is taking me much longer. I think I need a holiday break to catch my breath and start the blogging year fresh. Everything that has happened towards the end of the year has left me playing constant catch-up! Here are my lucky winners just in time for the holidays!

Mama K's Aromatic Play Clay is Winner #38

Knocked Up and Nursing said...

Facebook fan of Mama's Getting Kinda Crunchy.

Boogie Wipes Winner is #9

abby said...

tweet!
http://twitter.com/uberabby2/status/26884649819

And last but not least we have my Noodle Head Winner #29

darlanpaulsmamma said...

follow on gfc as darlanpaulsmamma

Thanks to everyone who entered and check out all of my other giveaways just in time for holiday gift giving!! Congrats to those who won and I am emailing and posting on Facebook now!

Danielle

Holiday Gift Guide: Clementine Art Review and Giveaway - US ONLY

2010-11-18T15:37:00.009-07:00

I love any and all products geared towards kids doing something. I feel like it is so important for them to have crafts and projects to keep them busy and out of trouble! I've spent many days wondering just exactly what is in traditional paint and art supplies, and I think it's best I not know. We will always have those family members who buy art kits that are not green, and that is OK. Not everything in life can be eco-friendly all of the time. The point is to try. With companies like Clementine Art, we can offer our children non-toxic and eco-friendly art options. I can appreciate their creative drawings even more now!

Clementine is art that all parents can feel good about. Their high-quality art supplies are all natural, certified non-toxic and environmentally friendly! All Clementine packaging is made from 80% post consumer recycled and reusable materials. I swear this company is after my own crunchy heart.

Created by a teacher in Boulder, CO who wanted to make sure kids used safe art products in the studio she taught at, Clementine Art holds nothing back!

Wanna know what the ingredients are in the products they offer? Not a problem!

Want to know about the allergen information? Also not a problem! They disclose everything and don't keep one thing a secret.

You can also find an extensive list of retailers. I had no idea that Clementine Art products were sold in so many stores I frequent! I was really shocked to find out it has been under my nose this whole time.

For review, I was sent their Natural Paint and it has not disappointed us one bit! It comes in a set of six really creamy and vibrant colors. I was surprised at how colorful they are when they are only colored with natural Mayan mineral earth pigments. They are completely free of chemical dyes and petrochemicals. Each pot of paint is 1.7 ounces and has lasted us a long time. The best part? This set is only $13.99! Sure you can buy cheap paint for much less, but why settle? I always thought it important to provide children with high quality art supplies so they can really get creative! Now I don't have to sacrifice safety and I get a high quality, long-lasting product!

My 4 year old son has been addicted to Pokemon lately and it seems every time we draw or paint he wants to attempt to draw the characters. I think it's adorable, but you might not know what the heck is going on in this picture he painted! Check it out:

Other products offered by Clementine Art include Natural Modeling Dough, Natural Markers, Natural Crayons, Natural Crayon Rocks, Natural Glue and a whole Natural Gift Set!

Purchase any of the items mentioned at the Clementine website or at any of their retailers!

WIN IT!!! - US ONLY

One super lucky Mama's Getting Kinda Crunchy reader is going to win the same set of paint I reviewed! This would make an incredible Christmas present for kids or all ages. To enter, head over to Clementine Art and tell me which product you most want to try and why. This entry is mandatory and please leave me your email in case you win!

Extra Credit!

- Follow me on Google Friend Connect
- Follow me on Networked Blogs
- Follow me on Facebook
- Follow Clementine Art on Facebook
- Follow me on Twitter
- Follow Clementine Art on Twitter
- Tweet this giveaway once, NOT multiple times.
- Subscribe!
- Grab my button and leave me the link
- Vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs. To vote, click the picture in my right sidebar!

This giveaway will end December 14th at midnight. The winner will be chosen via random.org and will be notified by email and a posting on this blog. As always, they will have 48 hours to respond before I pick a new winner. Thanks guys and good luck!

I want to say a HUGE thank you to the lovely folks over at Clementine Art for this amazing review and giveaway opportunity and for putting up with my apartment flood, moving and then pregnancy exhaustion!

Disclaimer: I received free product to review. I was not paid to write this and all opinions are my own!

Holiday Gift Guide: KNEX Review

2010-11-16T21:37:00.004-07:00

Another great item I am thrilled to feature in my Holiday Gift Guide are all KNEX products in general, but especially the Sesame Street line! It is perfect for little guys who want to play with the big kid toys but aren't yet ready. When I found out I would be reviewing three of the new toys for ages 2 and up, I couldn't wait! We were sent the Kick It! Elmo Building Set, Cookie Monster's Basketball, and the Swim Time Ernie Building Set. Take a look:

Each one sells for $12.99 and is worth every penny. My kids adore these sets and they are actually manageable for them, even my 21 month old! They come in convenient canisters to store all of the pieces, though it seems the balls always go missing from ours! All of the other pieces stay nice and neat in our homeschool area and that makes for one happy mama. The more organized things are, the better. We thought we would have a hard time getting all of the pieces to fit back into the containers, but we didn't at all. Sure, you cant just dump them back in, you need to arrange them a little bit, but we didn't have an issue. I usually supervise clean up time anyways, because I don't want pieces getting mixed up!

KNEX really took the time to think of the little ones out there when they came up with their Sesame Street Neighborhood Collection line. Not only can you buy these little sets, but there are many others you can buy as well! Take a look:

This is the KNEX Sesame Street Neighborhood Collection School House Set and it sells for $23.99.

Check out the Neighborhood Collection Police Station for $20.99.

And the last one I am going to show is the Neighborhood Collection Fire House! This adorable set is also $23.99.

Not only are these toys cute, age appropriate and more educational than monster trucks, they make my kids incredibly happy, which is what gift giving is all about! I know any child would love these sets.

Here is a little bit of green information I took from the KNEX website:

I love that they are taking steps to be more green and make their products safe for our children. I have peace of mind knowing all of their products are made in the USA, which gives me less concern about lead issues!

I am incredibly happy with my review experience with KNEX, and who wouldn't be? I think this company is a household name! I remember playing with KNEX sets when I was a kid and now my kids will have those same memories!

Purchase any KNEX products here.

I want to say a HUGE thank you to the fabulous people at KNEX for this amazing review opportunity and for putting up with my flood, moving and all other obstacles that seemed to have been in my way!

Disclaimer: I received free product to review. I was not paid to write this and all opinions are my own!

LATE Wordless Wednesday

2010-11-11T23:22:00.003-07:00

Since I figured out I can put my SD card in my printer and upload my pictures that way, I have TONS to post. I want to start with Halloween!

Carving pumpkins in his underwear!

And in diapers - no they weren't cloth at the time what with moving and pregnancy chaos! We are back to using cloth now!

My fairy princess!!

Michael said he was being tough since he was Dan from Bakugan. Ah I love them!

They absolutely adored trick or treating! Violet refused to let us carry her heavy bucket and she hauled it all around the neighborhood like a big girl! One house was so cute too they said, "Look at how cute she is, omgoodness, she gets extra candy!" It was her "treeeeeeeeeat" and holding out her bucket! Not even 2 and jumped right in lol. Michael was sort of afraid of trick or treating actually, but he ended up liking it!

Danielle

Holiday Gift Guide! Barefoot Books Review and Giveaway

2010-11-11T22:32:00.002-07:00

In our household we always give each child at least one book for Christmas. We feel it is so important to instill a love of reading in our children. My husband hates to read, but I have always loved it. He agrees that he wants his children to be readers, and so, we read! Of course, we always read a book before bed and usually we read throughout the day. Violet especially loves to drag every book off the shelf and bring them to me to read and look at with her. Like mother like daughter! When I found out I would be working with the incredibly adorable Barefoot Books, I nearly jumped for joy. Seriously you guys, their books are insanely cute and catchy!

For review I was sent one heck of a selection of age appropriate books for my little ones. Check it out:

Listen, Listen written by Philis Gershator and illustrated by Alison Jay is about listening to all of the wonderful sounds of the different seasons. Think a sizzling sun, crunchy apples and shhhhhh, soft snow. My children love making all of the different noises in this creative and colorful book! You can buy this book for $14.99.

Next up is the delightful Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush written by Sophie Fatus and narrated by Fred Penner. Yes, that's right, I said narrated. This fun book comes with a CD! In this book we follow four children from different countries, each going through their morning routine and getting ready for school. I love how this taught my kids about different ways of life in Europe, Mali, India and China! This book sells for $16.99.

My Granny Went to Market by Stella Blackstone and Christopher Corr is all about counting and rhyming . Granny flies around the world on a magic carpet, buying things from all of the different countries she goes to. My kids adore counting all of the items that Granny buys! This silly book can be purchased from Barefoot Books for $6.99 paperback or $16.99 hardcover!

We're Roaming in the Rainforest by Leslie Krebs and Anne Wilson is an exceptionally magical book all about the Rainforest! We get to see and hear parrots, monkeys, sloths, and other creatures! We love that after the story there are notes about the animals, the rainforest and its conservation, as well as a full-color map of South America! Like all Barefoot Books, this is educational and illustrated beautifully! This hardcover book is $16.99!

I really wanted Earth friendly reading material for my kids and Barefoot Books delivered 100%! They literally have dozens of books, as well as puzzles, puppets and more!

Barefoot Books is all about giving back, exploring other cultures, our planet, and ourselves. They believe in making time for make-believe and letting imaginations run wild! They are a world-wide community of artists, writers, storytellers, musicians, and others who are committed to providing timeless stories and captivating works of art! Lets all live barefoot! This company is all about everything I am and my hippie free spirit. I am totally in love with them and will definitely be purchasing more books, as well as telling everyone I know about them!

All throughout the month of November, for every purchase made, Barefoot Books will donate a book to children in need. That melts my heart. Way to go!

Are you a stay at home mom? Want to make some extra money? Check this out!

As a Barefoot Books Ambassador, you’ll have the opportunity to share our beautiful books and gifts with your neighbors, friends and others in your community. You can work the schedule that’s right for you and live Barefoot the way that suits you best:

Start a home-based business

Earn commissions from 20-40% of retail value, plus loyalty points.

Market Barefoot Books online

Promote Barefoot through websites, blogs or social networks and earn 20-40%.

Create fundraising opportunities

Earn 50% and free shipping on all orders over $500.

Best of all, we supply all the resources, tools, and community support you need to be a success. Interested? It’s free to join, so sign up now!

RUN to Barefoot Books and place an order just in time for the holidays. Orders over $60.00 ship for free!

WIN IT - US ONLY!

One super duper lucky Mama's Getting Kinda Crunchy reader is going to win one Barefoot Book of their very own! To enter, head over to Barefoot Books and then come back and tell me which one you would pick if you won! This entry is mandatory and please leave your email address!

Extra Credit!

- Follow me on Google Friend Connect
- Follow me on Networked Blogs
- Follow me on Facebook
- Follow Barefoot Books on Facebook
- Follow me on Twitter
- Follow Barefoot Books on Twitter
- Tweet this giveaway ONCE - not daily!
- Subscribe to Barefoot Books email updates
- SUBSCRIBE
- Grab my button and leave me the link
- Vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs. To vote, click the picture in my right sidebar

This giveaway will end December 9th at midnight. The winner will be chosen via random.org and will be notified by email and a posting on this blog! As always, they will have 48 hours to respond before I pick a new winner! Thanks guys and good luck!

A HUGE thank you goes out to the fabulously crunchy people over at Barefoot Books for this incredible review and giveaway opportunity!

Disclaimer: I received free product to review. I was not paid to write this and all opinions are my own!

Whats up??

2010-11-10T23:57:00.004-07:00

Hey guys! All winner info has been sent, current giveaways have been promoted, and I am all caught up on all of the little details I had neglected on here!I finally am getting my energy back and getting things done and I wanted to share with you my upcoming projects!

First up is my Holiday Gift Guide:

1) KNEX

2) Barefoot Books

3) Nature Pavilion

4) Clementine Art

5) Little Tikes

6) Curly Cue

7) Paperspring

8) Ergo Baby

9) Gourmet Gift Baskets

10)ChicoBags Holiday Bags

11) CSN Stores

12)Creativity for Kids

13) Posh Little Tutus

Other Reviews/Giveaways I plan to sprinkle in the mix are:

Kushies

YoBaby

HappyBaby

Bent Cover Books

Eco Minders

Sunbelt

The second week of December is my Merry Pregnant Christmas week and I have the following companies lined up for reviews/giveaways!

MommyDop

Intelligender

The Baby Bump Book

Boppy Pregnancy Pillow

December will be a light load, with the majority of posts going up through the rest of November! Keep your eyes peeled and spread the word! I love all of you guys!

Danielle

Christmas? Already?!

2010-11-04T23:03:00.003-07:00

I've been getting this quite a bit over the last couple of days. I can't help myself, I am holiday obsessed. I know Thanksgiving comes first. For me though, Thanksgiving is just a part of Christmas. My Aunt, Uncle and I always go shopping on Black Friday and this year on November 27th we are taking the kids to The Polar Express in Williams AZ at The Grand Canyon Railway. All of these events are the start of Christmas for me. I'm more excited than my children are, though my son says he wants everything he sees on t.v. for Christmas, so I think he is excited too!

Christmas shopping is a year round event for me. I shop as I find thing on sale and now I am mostly done! Black Friday will be the end of my shopping so that I can enjoy the traditions that are special to us. In the meantime I am choosing to do some online shopping for family and friends and I wanted to share my deals with all of you!

For any Christmas shopping you need to do, I highly recommend CSN Stores. I have worked with them a couple of times in the past and have never been disappointed with the wonderful customer service and FAST shipping! Even if you aren't looking for Christmas presents, they carry everything from kids backpacks to lighting! Go check them about and head back here at the beginning of December for some fabulous Christmas ideas in a CSN Stores review!

ArtsCow is offering 3 customized make-up bags for $8.00! Click this link:

http://www.artscow.com/design-templates/cosmetic-bag

And use this code: 3CBAGSFOR8 it expires 11/24

www.seehere.com is offering a photo mousepad for $5.00 shipped! Use code mousepad-7

At www.vistaprint.com you can get a photo wall calendar and desk calendar for $6.15 shipped!

Kodak Gallery is offering a free 5x7 14 page photobook for free with just 1.99 shipping! Use code TARGBOOK until 11/16!

I hope you all are getting your shopping started or done and please don't kill me for already being excited about Christmas!

Danielle

Belvedere Designs Wall Quotes Review and Giveaway

2010-11-03T21:49:00.003-07:00

So the moment we have all been waiting for has arrived. I have moved and finally got one of the two quotes up and I am ready to share with you. Please keep in mind that I STILL cannot find my USB cable for my camera, so I took a couple pictures with my phone, and they are not high quality by any means.

A couple months back I posted a Sneak Peek Post, so make sure you read that first!

I cannot even begin to tell you all how amazing this company has been. Their customer service is like no other. They have put up with me moving and having delays and I love them for it. Since it had been so long since I received these vinyl letters, they were kind enough to tell me that I needed to rub them before applying to prevent the letters from not sticking properly. We did this and had absolutely no issues applying. If we had had issues, they even offered to replace them! I'm telling you, they rock.

Check out Always Kiss Me Goodnight above our bed:

I know it looks crooked(and the quality stinks!), but our wall slants up. This wall saying went up perfectly and it makes our bedroom look so romantic. It instantly transformed the room and we love it! I promise a much better picture if I ever manage to find my USB cable! I think I can plug my memory card into my printer and I will attempt this tomorrow because this quote deserves a better picture!

Wall Quotes are extremely easy to apply. It comes sandwiched in what looks like three layers. There is a top opaque transfer sheet, the quote itself and a stiff white backing. You remove the white backing part and adhere the quote to the wall, smoothing out the words as you go. Once it is up, you need to peel the opaque part off to reveal your quote! It's easy as pie and if you need a picture tutorial, Wall Quotes has one to check out right here.

You can purchase this particular wall quote in three different sizes and almost any color you can think of! The 4" tall by 30" wide will run you $30.00, the 6"x 45" is $42.00 and the 8"x 60" is $58.00! Check out all of the colors you can pick from by clicking here.

We also received this adorable quote:

This came in a light pink color and I want to put it above our daughter's bed. The reason we haven't done this yet is because I have this brilliant idea to buy a very thin board, paint it white and attach the saying to that. This way when we move again, we wont lose both quotes(remember, these are not reusable once stuck to the wall). We have NOT had the time to do this yet, but in the next month I want to get it done and I will post the results.

This quote can be purchased in three sizes as well - 2" x 20"($18.00), 3" x 30"($24.00), and 4" x 40"($28.00). It is also available in many, many colors!

I think my next purchase from Belvedere Designs Wall Quotes will be this beautiful gem for our living room:

I know I am pregnant, but this made me emotional! It just defines our family of four and a half!

There is absolutely no way I could be any happier with my experience and I am a firm believer that everyone should have a Wall Quote in their home. It makes it so warm and inviting.

WIN IT!!

TWO very very lucky Mama's Getting Kinda Crunchy readers are each going to win a $35.00 gift certificate to Belvedere Designs Wall Quotes! To enter, head on over to their website and tell me your favorite quote! This entry is mandatory and please leave me your email address in case you win!

Extra Credit

- Follow me on Google Friend Connect
- Follow me on Networked Blogs
- Follow me on Facebook
- Follow Belevdere Designs on Facebook
- Follow me on Twitter
- Tweet this giveaway ONCE, not multiple times.
- Subscribe!
- Grab my button and leave me the link
- Vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs. To vote, click the picture in my right sidebar!

This giveaway will end December 1st at midnight. The winners will be chosen via random.org and will be notified my email and a posting on this blog. As always, they will have 48 hours to respond before I pick a new winner. Thanks guys and good luck!

I want to say a HUGE thank you to the lovely people over at Belvedere Designs for this amazing review and giveaway opportunity and for putting up with my unexpected flood, having to move and then getting settled!

Disclaimer: I received free product to review. I was not paid to write this and all opinions are my own!