Today I'm participating in the Stop and Smell the Roses Vlog Link Up hosted by Mandy Rose from House of Rose Blog.
Check out what I'm thankful for this week:
What are you thankful for?
What are you thankful for?
Cleaning the toilet is one of my least favorite things to have to do.
Nothing stinks worse than coming behind everyone and cleaning up the mess left.
So having the opportunity to review the Scrubbing Bubbles One Step Toilet Cleaner was beneficial to me for several reasons:
- It cleans the toilet after one step twice a day for 30 days
- It requires zero scrubbing or bending over
- It's easy to install in seconds and easy to use
Watch as I show you how to install the One Step and use it to keep my toilet clean.
The One Step definitely makes life easier. Now, if I can just get my carpet cleaned it would add a few years back to my life!
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free for the purpose of reviewing the mentioned product and/or doing a giveaway. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Dear Hyperemesis (HG)-
Today I should be taking a pregnancy test and recording crazy videos and taking photos with my husband celebrating the positive test results just like in the past.
(Pregnancy Announcement video 2009)
But, I am not.
We've been there and done that twice, and emotionally I was ready to be doing it again. We both were. But physically, we know that now is not the time.
Why you ask...with a stupid grin.
You know exactly why. You are the reason I am not pregnant today and you love it.
You love to come into pregnant women's lives and steal their joy. You rob them of nearly every breath. You wreck havoc on their bodies, sending them to the hospital suffering, only to find there is no relief but time. You steal future babies daily.
Hyperemesis, you suck!
I would kill you if I could. I am trying, trust me. I would rather see you dead than an expecting mom or unborn baby any day.
Since 2009, after 7 months on bed rest with you sucking the life out of me, I vowed to NEVER have another baby.
Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a severe form of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. It is generally described as unrelenting, excessive pregnancy-related nausea and/or vomiting that prevents adequate intake of food and fluids. If severe and/or inadequately treated, it is typically associated with:
- -loss of greater than 5% of pre-pregnancy body weight (usually over 10%)
- -dehydration and production of ketones
- -nutritional deficiencies
- -metabolic imbalances
- -difficulty with daily activities
www.helpher.org
Because of you my pregnancy was not kind to me. Not a day went by that I didn't feel like I was dying. Every day, I just sat waited to take my last breath. I watched helplessly as you tried to steal my life from me.
You stole my daughters mommy away as my doctor worked tirelessly to save my life and my baby Gabriella's as well.
Zofran, Reglan, Prednisone, Scopolamine, IV's, GI Cocktails, and more medications were all on my side fighting against you and the side effects of your dreadful visit.
You were still winning.
But I want you to know that today I followed up with my current Sidelines Buddy, who I have supported emotionally throughout her hyperemesis-ridden pregnancy for the past few months, and she has delivered a brand new beautiful girl.
Take THAT!
She is through with you, and I am refreshed.
She is buddy number 5 that you have tried to claim that I have supported since becoming a Sidelines Volunteer in 2007. That motivates me to have no fear.
So, you are no longer winning and you will not steal my babies from me.
I may not be announcing a pregnancy today as I once would have liked to do, but I'm not doing so by my choice...not by fear.
I no longer fear you. I am going to continue to fight you every chance I get. Whether I am supporting another mom-to-be, or having another baby of my own!
And when I do decide to have another baby, it won't be like before. I will be ready for you. You will not sneak up on me. I'll be expecting you with my fists clenched!
If you don't show up. No worries, you were never welcome in my life anyway.
But if you do decide to show up and try to suck the life out of me again, I will lay in the bed no matter how sick and tired I am, and I'll remind myself as I've done twice before, that
"This too shall pass."
You will not steal my babies from me!
Read more about Hyperemesis and it's effects on pregnancy!
What started as a simple doodle for a precious little girl brought the Doodle Darlings to life!
With every adorably designed organic cotton onesie comes a soft plush toy companion for your child to love and cuddle.
- 100% certified organic combed ringspun cotton 5.0 ounce 1x1 baby rib lap shoulder creeper
- White and natural are sewn with 100% cotton thread
- Flatlock seams
- Double-needle rib binding on neck, shoulders, sleeves and leg openings
These precious creepers are available from size Newborn to 24 months, but they'll keep their new little friend forever!
Encourage your child to explore the world of the Doodle Darlings even further with the Doodle Darling Ditties 4-in-1 game App for iPhone and Android.
Doodle Darlings is an official sponsor of
The Chatty Momma at BlissDom '12
February 24-26th, in Nashville, TN
I'll have several soft and cuddly Doodle Darlings on hand
to keep several lucky little attendees entertained.
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free for the purpose of reviewing the mentioned product and/or doing a giveaway. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Since February is National Children's Dental Health Month, it's a great time to make sure that you and your children are knowledgeable about good oral hygiene, and you are encouraging them to brush and floss twice a day.
In honor of this special month, National Children's Oral Health Foundation: America's Toothfairy (NCOHF) would like you to take part in learning about good oral health practices with your children.
Here is the routine that my daughter Isabella uses along with some of her favorite oral hygiene products.
First Bella gathers all of the things she needs to get started.
Next, she starts off by flossing in between her teeth with her Plackers Kids Flossers.
Then, she gargles with Inspector Hector's Pre-Brush Rinse.
After 30 seconds, Bella can see where her teeth need the most attention. The pre-brush rinse has turned the plaque in her mouth a nice cool shade of blue.
Next, Bella applies a pea sized drop of her Aquafresh Kids! Toothpaste onto her Dora the Explorer Battery powered Toothbrush by Colgate.
As she brushes her teeth she is careful about getting the teeth all the way in the back as clean as the front, also paying attention to her tongue.
Bella knows that it's important to brush for at least two minutes, so she loves using a timer by Twooth Timer to alert her of when it is okay stop brushing.
Immediately after brushing her teeth, she rinses with her Inspector Hector Anti-Cavity Fluoride Rinse.
And least but not least, she shows Mommy her pretty little teeth for inspection.
Great job, Bella!
Great job, Bella!
Join in the fight against severe tooth decay. Together, we can beat it!
For more information on proper oral hygiene
or to get a personalized letter from the Tooth Fairy for your child,
please visit www.AmericasToothFairy.com
or to get a personalized letter from the Tooth Fairy for your child,
please visit www.AmericasToothFairy.com
I received the Twooth Timer mentioned above for free for the purpose of reviewing it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Do you ever wish you lived in the future and were lucky enough to have a robot like Rosie from the Jetsons, cleaning up after your kids? I sure do.
No matter how many times I clean up toys they always get scattered all over the floor again and again. It's such a pain.
I spend each day cleaning up the toys I've already cleaned up.
When I ask the kids to help me put their toys away, I hear, "Awww, Mom, cleaning up makes me so tired!" It's two against one, and it feels like I'm fighting a losing battle.
My response is always, "I'm getting tired too. I think I'll just throw all these toys away." *wink*
Threatening the kids does work, but we all know it's not nice.
Fortunately, I have found a better way. I've been blessed to receive a new solution to the messy toy problem that is really convenient and very easy to use for both me and the kids. It's called the Lay-n-Go.
"Lay-n-Go™ is a patent pending activity mat,
cleanup, storage and carryall solution in one.
Two sizes (5' and 18") offer kids and parents
a great way to easily manage their toy
collections at home or wherever your travels
may take you!"
LayNGo.com
Now the kids can scatter their toys in the large space covered by the Lay-n-Go and I can step in to clean up everything with just one pull of the drawstring.
Isn't that awesome?
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| Gabby and Grandpoo playing with Mega Blocks |
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free for the purpose of reviewing the mentioned product and/or doing a giveaway. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
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| "I thank God for NEVER letting me go..." |
Yesterday one of the greatest female singers of all time was laid to rest.
As a music lover my heart is broken, but as a mother my heart cries out.
Whitney Houston, has left this world with a legacy of amazing chart topping songs and with an eternity of enjoyment from several films, such as The Bodyguard, and Waiting to Exhale. (Those two are my favorites.) And she has also left a child, Bobbi Kristina, just 19 years of age alone in this world.
I can't help but weep for her.
Since the day she was born life has not been easy. With two famous parents both addicted to substances far more powerful than any humans love, she has seen a lot and has suffered greatly.
My hope is that she will be lifted up in prayer and comforted. Any mother would want that for her children upon her passing.
Clive Davis, the man who not only discovered Whitney, but was also one of her closest friends, gave Bobbi Kristina some of the most beautiful advice. It was, "Always be proud of your mother. She loved you so very much. She defined not only pure talent, but true heart and soul as well. She'll forever be looking after you, and will never let go of your hand."
Whitney loved her daughter so dearly and that was evident in her September 2009 interview with Oprah Winfrey. Bobbi described her mother as her best friend. She was all smiles.
Whitney will be missed dearly, by fans, by friends, but most of all by her daughter and only child, Bobbi Kristina.
May she rest in peace in the arms of God.
Who:
McNeil Consumer Healthcare, Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc.
What:
Infants’ TYLENOL Oral Suspension, 1 oz. Grape, at the wholesale and retail levels (approximately 574,000 bottles)
Lot Numbers: BIL0U00, BIL0V00, BIL3500, BJL2D00, BJL2E00, BJL2T00, BJL2U00
UPC Code: 300450122308
When:
February 17, 2012
Where:
United States (Nationwide)
Why:
McNeil is initiating this voluntary recall as a precaution after receiving consumer complaints reporting difficulties using the Infants’ TYLENOL SimpleMeasure dosing system. In some cases, the flow restrictor feature was pushed into the bottle when inserting the syringe.
Contact:
To return or report defected products, visit www.tylenol.com or contact McNeil at 1-888-222-6036 (Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST; Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST).
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| Baby Shower for Isabella 2006 |
Most people will tell you to wait and see what you receive first before buying anything, because most likely you will be given more than you can imagine.
I agree!
But after having as many as three showers it's still possible to miss a few things that might fly under the radar.
Here are a few really helpful products that you may not receive that you'll be sure to find it easier not to do without:
- Le Bibble
The Le Bibble comes in handy every time you give baby a bottle. Instead of the traditional bib worn around baby's neck, this bib is worn around the bottle. It's fun for babies to look at and is super absorbent and easy to clean. Babies love Le Bibble and the product will last a long time.
- The Necklace Nanny
Toys don't have to be cleaned over and over and longer after being dropped on the floor. The Necklace Nanny makes sure if this. It keeps toys strapped to the stroller or car seat and clean enough for baby to enjoy all the time. our baby will thank you later.
- Boon Spoon
Feeding baby will never get any easier than with the Boon Spoon. This spoon is designed to hold a full meal for baby and you can do a feeding anytime, anywhere virtually mess free! I wish every mom could have a Boon spoon. We'd all be less stressed at feeding time. REALLY!
- Munchkin Portable Diaper Caddy
- Forehead/Ear Thermo Thermometer
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free for the purpose of reviewing the mentioned product and/or doing a giveaway. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
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| Split Screen of Bella and Gabby's iPhones and apps |
Buying an iPhone during the summer of 2007 was one of the best purchases I have ever made. Who knew that a smartphone could make life so much easier? Although it was for me, within the first few weeks, my 9 month old daughter, Isabella, was watching her favorite videos and enjoying music.
By 11 months of age, she was in complete control of this new technology. She stayed entertained and I was pretty impressed!
In October 2008, on her 2nd birthday, we gave Bella her very own iPod touch. Since then she's had the iPhone 3G and 3Gs. She also started using the iPad in April 2010.
With the app store's launch in July of 2008, came more even more freedom from the endless options of apps to download in education, hobbies, business, entertainment, and more.
Now at 2 years old, Gabriella, has followed in her big sisters footsteps and enjoys using Apple products and the app store as well.
Over the years we've downloaded more apps than I care to count and we have enjoyed, updated, rotated, and deleted plenty.
If you're into technology and apps like we are, I hope you enjoy this new series of posts I call "Keeping My Kids (H)Appy, as I share some of the apps that I have downloaded for my girls.
Today's Featured Apps are:
Spot the Dot (iPad)
Ruckus Media Group
$3.99
"An eye-poping, interactive app invites toddlers and preschoolers to learn colors as they play 'spot to dot' by pop-up master and author, David. A. Carter." iTunes
What the kids love about this app is finding and identifying the colored spots in different places on the screen. The game goes through a series of colorful dots and switches up the hiding places with each color. They get a kick out of figuring out where the dot is and really enjoy a sense of achievement in the end.
I like using this game to test Gabby on her colors.
Count to Ten (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad)
Midnightsoft
$.99
"Teach your child how to count to 100 with this app. They can count to 100 by 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10. They can count up or down and can adjust the counting speed." iTunes
This is the perfect app for counting. I downloaded this to encourage the girls to count any time of the day and often. They enjoy seeing the numbers flash on the screen as they recite them. The app teaches kids to count by 1's, 3's, and 5's, both forward and backward.
I like the ability to slow down or speed up the counting depending on which child is using the app.
Old MacDonald (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad)
Kiboomu
$.99
"Designed by a preschool teacher, Teaches toddlers and preschoolers animal sounds, first words, instrument sounds, hand eye coordination, and encourages motor skills." iTunes
The girls wake up and play this app immediately. They love playing the piano and also singing along with the farmer. Having the ability to record their attempts at playing the song is also a lot of fun. All kids love Old MacDonald.
Under the Bed (iPad)
Mighty Fudge Studios
$2.99
"There’s a fine line between fantasy and reality, especially at bedtime on a dark and stormy night… and with these parents, that line can get a little hazy! Based on the original award winning short film, Under the Bed is a hilarious twist on the everyday process of putting the kids to bed." iTunes
The kids have learned that the monsters they are afraid of are not real and playing this game gives them more reason to believe it. They like touching items in the bedroom on the app to unmask every child's fears and listening to the spooky sound effects they don't hear when we turn off our lights. They also enjoy the matching game in the app.
A Present for Milo (iPad)
Ruckus Media Group
$3.99
"More than 80 tap-interactive objects that initiate more than 125 animations just right for active young fingers and minds." iTunes
The girls love sweet Milo, the cat. This animated book has been one of their favorites for months. Milo is a lot of fun and this is such a precious app. Bella and Gabby really love the animations which bring life to Milo and the book. He's quite the character.
Fruit Ninja Lite (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad)
Halfbrick Studios
FREE
"A juicy action game enjoyed by millions of players around the world, with splishy, splashy, satisfying fruit carnage! Become the ultimate winner of sweet, tasty fruit destruction with every slash" iTunes
Slashing fruit is not so easy when you have bombs mixed in between. That's what makes this app so much fun for the girls. They're doing great when it's just the food they're destroying. They enjoy playing the split screen between two players as well as playing alone.
Twinkle Little Star (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad)
Kiboomu
$1.99
"Created by a preschool teacher and pianist. This interactive app encourages children to take a more active role in learning! It's also a really fun way to introduce children to playing piano!" iTunes
This is another fun piano game from Kiboomu that the kids love. Learning to play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star is made easy with this app, and singing one of their favorite lullabies karaoke style never gets boring.
(H)Appy Day,
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free for the purpose of reviewing the mentioned product and/or doing a giveaway. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Novartis Recall - Excedrin, NoDoz, Bufferin, Gas-X: Has your medicine cabinet been affected like mine?
I hope you've already heard about the Novartis recall announced January 9, because I just realized last night (as I was about to take a pain reliever) that I have four brand new bottles of one of their recalled products in my medicine cabinet.
"FDA officials warned Monday that some of Novartis' over-the-counter pills may have accidentally been packaged with powerful prescription painkillers made at the same facility. The opioid drugs are sold by Endo Pharmaceuticals as Percocet, Endocet, Opana and Zydone."
So, I want to make sure you are aware of the recall also...just in case.
The affected medicines are:
- Bufferin
- Excedrin
- Gas X
- No Doz
If you currently have any of the over-the-counter medications listed, you can check for the UPC code on the Affected Product List to find out if your lot has been affected.
To get information from Novartis regarding a full refund on unopened or used bottles, or any other recall related questions, visit www.NovartisOTC.com
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