Showing posts with label baby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label baby. Show all posts
Monday, July 08, 2013

mOmma Spill-Proof Cup is the mOmma of all Cups! @LansinohUSA


When Little One was a baby, I noticed that Lansinoh seemed to be one of the brands all my breast-feeding mom friends talked about.  Lansinoh has everything from breast pumps to breast pads, breast milk storage and bottles and drinking sets.

In fact, one of the best gifts a friend ever gave me was a basket she put together filled with baby necessities from Lansinoh.  The Lansinoh Disposable Nursing Pads came in really handy, as did the Lansinoh HPA Lanolin.

I was excited to see that Lansinoh also has items for feeding babies as they continue through different stages of their development.  When I first saw the mOmma Spill-Proof Cup with dual handles and Straw Cup, I was intrigued by their unique design.

Because of the round ergonomic shape and soft handles that are designed for baby's hands to grip, and the fact that pliable silicone spout is for of baby's developing teeth and gums, this makes for a great cup. With babies that like to toss things or drop things frequently, it really helps that the spout is spill-proof.

Gadget Girl, one of my mom testers was given the opportunity to try out both the mOmma Spill-Proof Cup with dual handles and the Straw Cup.

Gadget Girl's Thoughts


My 10-month-old daughter is still mainly using bottles, but we have started to introduce sippy cups. She will try to get them to her mouth (a feat she can’t do with a bottle unless she is lying down) and has tried a few types so far. I love the shape of the mOmma, however, when you turn the cap to close the cup, the sipper also turns and can become uneven with the handles. 

Perhaps if the sippy cup had the handles on the top but separate from the cap/sipper feature, it would make it easier to make the sipper and handles line up, thereby allowing the baby to get the sipper to its mouth. The handles are very helpful in helping her get the sippy cup close to her mouth. 

Over all a good sippy and has not leaked yet even though my daughter throws it around.

Can’t wait to try the mOmma straw cup when she is ready for a straw. She's still not quite ready, but she is eager to try sipping out of the straw!



Did you know that the mOmma Spill-Proof Cup has been awarded the PTPA Seal of Approval? Parents Tested and Parents Approved.

Editor's Note:  When using the Lansinoh mOmma cups, it is important to note that one needs to push the spout down all the way inside the collar of the cup before closing to avoid unevenness.  Pushing the spout down all the way inside the collar of the cup will help ensure proper use and an optimal drinking experience for child. 

Disclosure - Our Mom Tester received products to facilitate this honest review.
Tuesday, July 02, 2013

Zombie Mom No More: Dr. Brown's ~ Helping Parents With All Their Babies' Feeding Needs


Who knew that there were so  many different kinds of bottles, nipples, soothers and feeding products out there?  With so much selection to choose from, it can get a little dizzying at times.

When I was a new mom, I went to family, friends and other moms for tips and recommendations when it came to all things baby.  I'm a research person when it comes to all things concerning my family.  I like reading ratings and reviews of products and I like finding out why parents prefer one product over another.

Though I nursed Little One, we also bottle fed her.  Hubby was able to give her a bottle of expressed breast milk so that Mommy could get a bit of sleep too.

Since Little One is now four years old, I have enlisted the help of my product testers for items geared towards infants and toddlers. Here's what my parent testers, New Mommy and New Daddy have to say about Dr. Brown's products.

Zombie Mom No More: Dr. Brown's Helps Parents With All Their Babies' Feeding Needs

I am a Zombie Mom.  I never realized what the hashtag #zombiemom really meant until we had our baby a few months ago.  Since circumstances did not permit me to breastfeed our child, we had to resort to bottle feeding her.  Before you cast any judgment, we do know "breast is best", but medical conditions have not permitted me to give my child that important gift of "liquid gold".

Coupled with me not being able to breastfeed, another challenge we faced was colic.  Yes, our sweet little babe is a very colicky babe.

When you have a colicky baby, you do research.  Lots of research  on how to soothe that baby's discomfort.  We've tried pretty much everything, but to no avail.  When Christine at Life on Manitoulin asked us if we wanted to try some Dr. Brown's items, we were really excited! What I like about Dr. Brown's Patented Internal Vent System is that it reduces colic, spit-up, burping and gas.  This is a big thing for us, as our child suffers from colic.


Bottles are not just bottles

I remember the first time I sent my husband out to the store to buy a few bottles for our baby. I just found out I couldn't breastfeed (after numerous attempts) and sent the husband out blindly into the world of baby stuff and more. The poor guy came back defeated...and armed with (I kid you not) over a dozen different bottles.  Plastic bottles, glass bottles, ones that were bent in odd shapes, straight ones, tall ones, fat ones. Oh goodness.

It also turned out our baby happened to be a fussy one too. Not happy with anything.  Some preferences were made apparent, but then came the colic.

With Dr. Brown's it's great to have the option of having different sizes to choose from depending on your baby's needs.

No technical, science wiz here, won't try to explain how things work. Let me just say that I was impressed with the patented internal vent system, but even more so when I read that in a university study that measured nutrient levels in baby bottle milk showed that Dr. Brown's fully-vented bottles helped maintain important nutrients (like vitamins C, A. and E, as well as lipids) that are key nutrients to baby's health.

Oh, it's not bottles that Dr. Brown sells. They  have thought of everything from bottles to cleaning brushes, to sterilizers and soothers!

Oh, baby! A whole lotta stuff to learn about baby feeding products (and cleaning them)!


Can I tell  you that  Dr. Brown's Microwave Steam Sterilizer is a parent's best friend?  I won't mask my excitement when I say the custom tray is molded for Dr. Brown's bottles and parts.  No more boiling huge pots of water and sterilizing your bottles and parts! It's really easy to use too!  Trust me. As one who has made it a habit of boiling all of Baby's feeding items, I've ruined a bunch of them all in the name of sterilization.  No one told me that if you boil some products, they don't work as well or don't end up fitting properly or end up making a leaking mess all over your baby's face.

Yes, the Dr. Brown's Microwave Steam Sterilizer is in fact a godsend.

For the love of soothers!

We have a fussy little baby when it comes to soothers.  We have about two dozen soothers (not kidding) and have been trying to find the perfect one. Soother nipples: Too small. Too big. Too hard. Too flat. Too round.  There doesn't seem to be any pleasing our child.  You won't believe me when I say this, but these soothers actually did the trick.  Now, that is a hard feat!

"My Momma always said, 'Soothers will give ya buckteeth!'"

These soothers were designed by a pediatric dentist and were developed to prevent dental issues. I remember many years ago, people used to say not to give your child a soother because it would give them buck teeth.  1. These were designed to present dental issues and 2. They really do help sooth our little peanut.

Whether you're an experienced parent or a pair of clueless first time zombie parents like us, we hope you maneuver through your parenting journey with relative ease. Remember to enjoy and savour the blissful moments and learn to laugh at everything else...like going to the store about buying a dozen different types of bottles in a sleep-deprived state or doing the dance of joy when your baby decides she loves a particular soother or bottle. For the love of baby bottles, soothers, and all that is good in the world, these moments are fleeting. Enjoy :)

 We're happy to report that you can purchase Dr. Brown's products at http://www.babiesrus.ca.

Thanks to Christine and Life on Manitoulin for giving us the opportunity to test these products.  Thank  you to Dr. Brown's for quality products we can trust on our fussy little peanut. ~ New Mommy and New Daddy


This post was generously sponsored by Dr. Brown’s, but the opinions and images are my own. For more information, visit www.drbrownsbaby.com.
Sunday, June 23, 2013

Bringing Home Baby ~ Pampers Twitter Party #ILoveSwaddlers


Every parent can relate when it comes to bringing baby home for the first time.  There's the first time putting baby in the car seat, first car ride, sitting in the back seat with them, going home for the first time, and first sleep at home!

I think it's pretty universal that as first time parents, many of us have the same feelings of excitement as well as apprehension bringing baby home for the first time!

For myself, there was a little more drama with Little One being born at 28 weeks gestation.  There was the whole air ambulance trip, hospital bed rest, "spontaneous birth" (Yes! That's what was written in her chart after she canon-balled her way into the world!), 72 days in the NICU and a huge roller coaster ride of emotions.


After our life in the NICU, we got to take Little One home.  Then it sank in...Wow! We're bringing baby home!

I  have to say that I was really impressed to discover that Pampers makes diapers for even the tiniest babies.  The hospital we were at used Pampers Preemie/Size P for the preemies in the NICU.  Though the hospital provides preemie diapers for the preemies in the NICU, something I just learned and think parents should know is that parents need to bring diapers to the hospital with them.

Pampers Size P (for preemies) were the diapers we used when we brought Little One home.  I was so thankful to have diapers that fit my tiny baby!  Little One was 980 grams at birth and when we brought her home from the hospital, she was 5 lbs! Finding a diaper that fit such a small baby would be a challenge had we not had Pampers.  Even Hubby thought Pampers Size P fit Little One really well.  He really liked the fact that the yellow line turns blue when baby has wet the diaper. The indicator line was one of Hubby's favourite Pampers features.

It's no surprise that Pampers Swaddlers is the #1 Choice of Canadian parents and hospitals for newborn babies.


I remember when my brother and his wife had their twins and they used Pampers on their girls. It's a brand they trusted and preferred for fit and leakage protection.

Speaking of leakage protection, I was chatting with a friend recently and she said she loves that Pampers' 12 hour leakage protection helps her baby sleep through the night without waking up with a leaky diaper.  Yes, Pampers has Mom's back from birth to potty training with Cruisers and Easy Ups for baby at each stage.

Have you heard of Pampers Village (pampers.ca)?  It's a loyalty program that enables consumers to redeem rewards for every package of Pampers purchased, exclusive coupon offer, newsletters with parenting tips, and exclusive promotions.  Discover all the benefits you can get by joining over 500,000 Canadian parents!  I'm a member!  Despite the fact that Little One is now in Junior Kindergarten, I still enjoy  reading what's on pampers.ca. It's a great resource for new and experienced moms as baby moves through the stages. Plus, who knows if Little One will have a sibling in the future?

For new moms, getting a tailored newsletter for baby based on their stage is a great thing! I also like letting friends know about the exclusive rewards and coupons they can get from Pampers Rewards. Let's face it, moms (first time or veteran) can always use the support of a community and being able to share experiences with other moms.  This is what it's like on the Pampers Canada Facebook page! Chat about everything from bringing baby home for the first time, baby sleeping through the night, and more!

I was just talking about Pampers with my best friend yesterday and smiled when she said, "Pampers is like wrapping your baby's bottom in a cloud".  I love that!

Twitter Party!

#iloveswaddlers Twitter Party—over $1,500 in prizes to be won!

Ready for some exciting news?  Summer is the season of new bumps and babies, and with the Royal baby on the way, Pampers Canada wants to share memories and tips from experienced moms with those preparing for their first big day!

As  an experienced a mom who has been there before, I'll be tweeting with @Pampers, @Gingermommy, @momvstheboys, and @myweeview on June 26th, giving some mom to mom support by sharing what new moms need to know about bringing their first baby home.

It's going to be a lot of fun! Who doesn't love talking about baby experiences?! Plus, the prizes are phenomenal!  Definitely things any new mom would love!

$1,500 in prizing with a Grand Prize worth almost $700! 

GRAND PRIZE: The ultimate expecting mom bundle includes diapers and more to keep baby comfortable and capture precious moments.

* Over 1,200 Pampers Swaddlers diapers
* Over 500 Pampers wipes
* Canada onesie (0-3 months)
* Two bottles of Ivory Snow Liquid detergent,
* “Caring for Kids: The Complete Guide to Children’s Health”
* Kodak Play Sport video camera

 Pampering Mom Prize Pack (over $250)

Whether new or experienced, mom always deserves to be pampered!
* Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Moisture Mask
* Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Moisture Mist
* Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Shampoo & Conditioner
* Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Silky Moisture Whip
* Venus & Olay razor and Satin Care with a Touch of Olay Shave Gel
* CoverGirl Blast Flipstick
* COVERGIRL LipPerfection
* Secret Outlast deodorant
* Vidal Sassoon Hair Colour coupon
* Olay Ultra Moisture Lotion
* Olay Total Effects Daily Anti-Aging UV Moisturizer Plus Touch of Foundation Cream
* Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Anti-Aging Eye Cream Line and Dark Circle Minimizing Brush
* Olay Total Effects Refreshing Citrus Scrub
* Olay Total Effects Tone Correcting Night Moisturizer
* Olay Total Effects Tone Correcting Eye Treatment
* COVERGIRL Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss (two shades)
* Febreze Candle

Pampers Swaddlers & Memories ($200) THREE WINNERS!
* Two boxes of Pampers diapers
* Pampers Wipes
* Kodak Play Sport video camera
* Ivory Snow Liquid Detergent
* Canada onesie (0-3 months)

Pampers Swaddlers ($80)  THREE WINNERS!
* Two small packs of Pampers diapers
* Pampers Wipes
* Ivory Snow Liquid Detergent
* Canada onesie (0-3 months)


That's a whole lot of prizes to give both Mom and baby the Royal Treatment!

Please join us on Wednesday, June 26th from 8pm-9pm EST.

Follow Host: @chancesmommy
Co-Hosts: @Gingermommy, @momvstheboys, @myweeview
Sponsor: @Pampers
Hashtag: #ILoveSwaddlers

All Canadian participants, excluding residents of Quebec are eligible to win.  
Please RSVP with your Twitter handle (Ex: @yourtwitterhandle) using the linky below:




Rules & Regulations
Contest is open to legal residents of Canada (excluding Quebec) and are 18 years or older. TO PLAY: Be sure to follow @Pampers, Host  @chancesmommy, as well as co-hosts @Gingermommy, @momvstheboys, and @myweeview.  You must RSVP in order to be eligible to enter to win.

 Disclosure - I am a P&Gmom. As part of my affiliation with this group I am hosting the #iloveswaddlers Twitter party and have been compensated for my services. The opinions on this blog and during the Twitter party are my own.

Monday, May 27, 2013

MIA for a while


Due to family emergency, I will be away from the blog for a while. Hopefully, I'll be able to post again sometime next week or so. Thank you :)
Sunday, May 12, 2013

Mother's Day



On Mother's Day, I usually give a huge shout out to my Mom for all the love and encouragement she has given us, as well as the sacrifices she has made for us.  My Mom has a heart of gold and would do anything for her loved ones.  She's also a little feisty and I can see a lot of her characteristics in my daughter.

I also give a big shout out to my amazing Grandmother every Mother's Day. She died last May and this is our first Mother's Day without her. So much of who I am is a large part of my grandparents' involvement with us and the values they instilled in their grandchildren. I miss my grandparents dearly.

This year, I want to reflect on what being a Mom means to me. I ended up writing my four year old daughter a letter.


Happy Mother's Day to all the amazing Moms out there!
What does being a Mom mean to you?
Tuesday, April 09, 2013

Second Hand Shop Like No Other ~ Perfect Threads


If there's one thing I learned very quickly being a mom, it's that I'm actually a fan of the second hand shop! Kids outgrow clothing really quickly. 

I seem to be forever buying Little One new pants because she seems to constantly be needing new ones! Just a few weeks after buying her new pants, it's time to buy new ones because she always looks like she's in a flood with her pants so short! For this reason, I'm not opposed to the idea of the second hand shop when it comes to children's clothing.

Sure, I love beautiful clothing, shoes, boots, outerwear and accessories for Little One, but I am also realistic, practical, and smart with my money. I buy Little One brand new items whenever I catch a great sale. A lot of times, Little One's clothes are hand-me-downs from her friends. More recently, her clothes have come from either in-store or online purchases at a second hand shop.

Perfect Threads is an online second hand shop that helps parents clean out their kids' closets by buying their children's new and like-new clothing and in turn, they recycle and sell those clothes at ridiculously low prices! 


The concept was intriguing to me and I was curious to find out how exactly Perfect Threads worked. Perfect Threads is a "gently used kids' clothes" market place. It's simple to navigate and finding items that would fit Little One in the stage she is now was pretty simple. I really loved the ease at which I could select items that would accommodate Little One's latest growth spurt!

This was the first time I had ever gotten clothing for Little One from an online second hand shop. 

The concept is genius. You can send Perfect Threads your children's clothes and earn cash. Here's how it works:
  1. Order a bag
  2. Fill the bag
  3. Send it to Perfect Threads for FREE
  4. Earn Credits
Perfect Threads pays you for every item that they can put up for sale. You can use your store credit to "right size" your child's closet OR you can donate the money to charity.

One other thing I like is that Perfect Threads supports various charities like Sick Kids, Red Door Family Shelter, Covenant House, and Children's Wish Foundation. It makes me feel good to know that donations will be made to those good causes and I know that they will be appreciated. Charities and supporting Sick Kids and Children's Wish Foundation are extremely important to me as a mother of a child who had a rough start. Sick Kids Hospital is no stranger to us. I was thrilled to see that Sick Kids is one of the charities Perfect Threads supports.

These are the items I got for Little One from Perfect Threads. 

The items were in the exact condition stated on the website and I was one very happy Mommy. Perfect Threads had given me a gift card to test out their website and online market place. I wasn't the only one who was pleased.

Little One was excited about her new items as well! 

If you are interested in maximizing the use of your children's clothing and using them to "right size" your children's closets, then Perfect Threads is a great option. I actually like the idea of recycling  kids' clothing and helping others at the same time.

For more information, visit the Perfect Threads website.

Disclosure - I received a gift card for review purposes and to facilitate this honest review. All the thoughts and opinions expressed on this blog are honest and my own.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013

From Pea to Pumpkin: A Pregnancy Journal


There's nothing quite so magical as growing a baby inside you.  I know it may sound like an odd thing to say, but I'm sure many moms (and expectant moms) agree.

When I was pregnant with Little One, I was in constant awe of everything. I could not believe that there was a tiny being inside me, growing, being nurtured by me and who would eventually give me the gift of being her mother.

I was in awe of how my body was changing to accommodate this new life inside me. I was in awe of how my emotions could change in a moment's notice. Oh, my husband will tell you how my pregnancy hormones kept him on his feet for my pregnancy! I'd cry at the drop of a hat. "I wanted black cherry yogurt! Not strawberry!" Yes, little things like Hubby not getting the right yogurt from the grocery store would make me cry!

Oh, and you can forget about watching TV with me. Even commercials made me cry!

Though I could not contain my excitement and feelings of amazement and love, I also remember the not so glamorous parts of being pregnant. Though I absolutely loved being pregnant, I had all day sickness for my entire pregnancy. Not morning sickness. ALL DAY sickness.

I also worried excessively about my baby. I was already 32 when I got pregnant. This was my first child. I was on complete bed rest and this was a high risk pregnancy. To be honest, I was scared.  Scared something bad was going to to happen to our baby.

Then she decided to propel herself into the world at 28 weeks gestation.

Though I did chronicle my pregnancy on my blog and in a journal/diary, I wish I had an actual pregnancy journal like From Pea to Pumpkin.


I'm getting all emotional just thinking about pregnancy journals! I've got a handful of friends who are expecting babies, so From Pea to Pumpkin is on my list of items to get for the moms-to-be.

About From Pea to Pumpkin

"Pea to Pumpkin is a place where moms are nurtured – so they can help nurture their little ones into the next generation of lovers and leaders, scientists and artists, healers and storytellers. Pea to Pumpkin is a kind place to come together, where motherhood is well-known as an occasionally bumpy, sticky, uphill journey – but one that’s funny and lovely, too.
It’s OK to not know if you’re doing it right, here; Pea to Pumpkin is where you – in all your maternal and human imperfection – are exactly perfect. Here, you are simply one of us."

From Pea to Pumpkin is beautifully illustrated. Author/Illustrator, Geralyn Broder Murray's hand-drawn, like-sized fruit and veggie images represent and help chart the size and growth of baby week by week.

I love that this journal is a place to record the memories and thoughts that are most important to expectant moms. There are fill-in-the-blank prompts, spots to put photos and ultrasound pics, and more. It's just the perfect place for all the important memories and great to keep for posterity.  It really does make a great keepsake.

Sure, pregnancy may not always be as romantic and idyllic as some of us make it to be. I couldn't even go to the grocery store without getting nauseous! The meat section was off limits for me. Despite being sick all the time and being a blubbering mess with all the weepy moments, I can still say that my journey can be looked back on with smiles and fondness.

I highly recommend moms (both first time moms and veterans) chronicle their amazing journeys.



Every great journey deserves a great journal.


Connect with From Pea to Pumpkin on TwitterFacebook and on Pinterest!

Disclosure - I received a copy of From Pea to Pumpkin to facilitate this honest review. All the thoughts and opinions on this blog are honest and my own.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Toys "R" Us Moonlight Madness Sale!


Who doesn't love a good sale? With quite a few friends who are expecting or who have just had babies recently, I'm always on the lookout for a great sale on baby items, toys, etc. With Little One being in Junior Kindergarten and being invited to countless birthday parties, I always need the perfect item to give as a gift.

I just so happen to have the scoop on an event parents will be excited about! I figure that I'd be doing you all a tremendous disservice if I didn't share this amazing info with you!

Toys "R" Us is having a Moonlight Madness Sale for Canadians this Friday! That's right! Friday, March 22nd! You'll be able to find some great deals!

The Moonlight Madness Sale will take place at every Toys "R" Us and Babies "R" Us locations (with the exception of Express stores and where prohibited by local by-laws) as well as online at Toysrus.ca. The sales begin in-store at 6pm local time (check your local store for hours) and online at 6pm EST. With featured deals ranging from 30% to 50% off added every hour on everything from toys to baby gear, parents and gift givers are sure to find something for everyone!

In addition to these fantastic savings, shoppers will earn 100 Bons Air Miles Rewards Miles when they spend $100 or more during the event!

Some of the Moonlight Madness deals customers will find online and in stores include:


In store: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m (or until supplies last*)
Online: 6 p.m. EST to 10 p.m EST online (or until supplies last)
-          50% OFF ALL Littlest Pet Shop Enchanted Pets – Prices Vary
-          50% OFF Kre-o Transformers Beast Hunters Ripclaw Strike Building Set - was $24.99, NOW $12.47
-          50% OFF Little Tikes Woodside Cottage Playhouse – was $299.99, NOW $149.97
-          SAVE $50 Graco Sarah Convertible Crib – was $219.99, NOW $169.97
-          25% OFF ALL Bikes – Prices Vary (this deal available in store only)
-          $10.97 EACH Pampers Jumbo Diapers

In store: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m (or until supplies last*)
Online: 7 p.m. EST to 10 p.m EST onlin(or until supplies last)
-          50% OFF Little Tikes Big Adventures Construction Peak Rail & Road – was $69.99, NOW $34.97
-          50% OFF Select Hasbro Boardgames – Prices and Selection vary
-          SAVE $100 Baby Trend Sit ‘N Stand Double Stroller in Granite – was $269.99, WAS $169.97

In store: 8 p.m. to 10 p.m (or until supplies last*)
Online: 8 p.m. EST to 10 p.m EST onlin(or until supplies last)
-          60% OFF Mega Bloks Halo Covenant Revenant Attack – was $34.99, NOW $13.97
-          50% OFF Summer Infant Sure & Secure Double Bed Rail – was $59.99, NOW $29.97
-          40% OFF Barbie Sisters Cruise Ship – was $99.99, NOW $59.97

In store: 9 p.m. to 10 p.m (or until supplies last*)
Online: 9 p.m. EST to 10 p.m EST onlin(or until supplies last)
-      FREE $50 Toys“R”Us Gift Card with purchase of PS3 500GB God of War Ascension Bundle – $349.99
        (this deal available instore only)
     -         FREE iHome Rechargeable Speaker with purchase of ANY iPod Touch - $199.99
                (this deal available in store only)
 *No Rainchecks

This event is too good to pass  up! I'm going to grab one of my expectant mommy friends, and another friend who is a new mom, and bring them to Toys "R" Us and Babies "R" Us for the sale! We may even have a lovely dinner after scoring some great buys! I know the friend who is expecting was looking for a crib! I see there's a Save $50 on the Graco Sarah Convertible Crib! It's only $169.97! The other friend has a baby in diapers and I see that Pampers Jumbo Diapers are on sale for $10.97 each. It just so happens that my friend's baby wears Pampers! 

Little One happens to have a birthday party for her friend on Saturday, and I've been too busy to go shopping! Thank goodness for the Moonlight Madness Sale! I'll be picking up a birthday present for Little One's friend (among other items for  nieces and nephews)!

Who else is heading to Toys "R" Us on Friday?

Visit Toysrus.ca
Tuesday, March 05, 2013

Million Moments of Joy Contest w/ Fisher-Price ~ #MillionMoments


Being a Mom is nothing I expected it to be.  Nothing could have ever prepared me for all the amazing moments motherhood would bring. Nothing could have prepared me for all those other moments either. You know those moments - OVERtired, OVERexhausted, OVERwhelmed, OVERstressed, OVERjoyed, OVERthemoon, and so on.

Motherhood is not without the other moments.

Here are some of my favourite moments. They're moments that make me smile.

OVERwhelmed

Little One's first few days, weeks, and months of life in the NICU were a bit overwhelming.  Not knowing if she was going to survive each day was stressful. She survived and is now a happy, healthy 4 year old, and we are so very OVERjoyed!

OVERthemoon

When our little preemie learned how to walk and was confident in herself, she was beaming with pride and a sense of accomplishment! 

OVERtired

Playing is so exhausting! Little One used to be able to fall asleep anywhere and in any position. I have photos of her sleeping in the most obscure places!

OVERmyhead

I had no idea that someone so little could make such a huge mess! Little One somehow managed to get hold of her diaper cream and decided it was a good idea to cover the entire kitchen and herself in diaper cream!

thinkitOVER

Little One thought it would be a good idea to play in the mud...until she realized she didn't like being dirty!


OVERhungry

People often ask us if Little One is a picky eater, because she's so petite. She weighed 28 lbs for the past 2 years, despite her very healthy appetite. The kid can eat an entire rotisserie chicken (I came downstairs to catch her in action and boy, was I ever shocked!). She loves her meats, veg, fruit, dairy, but isn't much of a bread or potato kid. She's now 4 years old and just hit the 30 lb mark! 

Fisher-Price is launching the Million Moments of Joy Campaign, which celebrates the REAL joys of motherhood. The great thing about having a community of moms is that we can share the good, the bad, the ugly, the funny, the scary, and the stressful times with each other. When you think of all the OVER____ moments we have as moms, the OVERjoyed moments are what stand out in the end. Yes, even with all the overwhelming, overtired moments, the over the moon moments are what I think of when I hold my sweet little girl!

Fisher-Price is giving you the opportunity to upload your moments to enter for your chance to win!



      AMAZING PRIZES!
     Weekly prize for 8 weeks (so 8 prizes in total). The value of each prize pack is approximately $200 and each prize pack consists of: 
  •      My Little Snugabunny™ Bouncer ($89.99 CAD)
  •      Laugh & Learn™ Dance & Play Puppy ($59.99 CAD)  
  •     Ocean Wonders™ Aquarium ($54.99 CAD)


Go ahead and have fun with this contest! Submit a photo or video of your OVER_____ moments on the Fisher-Price site for your chance to win!


Disclosure – I am participating in the Million Moments of Joy Blogger Campaign by Mom Central Canada on behalf of Fisher-Price. I received compensation as a thank you for participating and for sharing my honest opinion. The opinions on this blog are my own

Why This Mom Loves @Squishysnakpak!


I have something to tell you that may cause you some alarm.  My Little One loves her veggies. My four year old loves food. Period.

She is a meat eater, veggie monster, fruit lover...and has adventurous taste when it comes to food. She loves international cuisine. Yet, she tells me with a sad face that her friends don't like vegetables and "they say veggies are GWOSS!"

That makes me really sad.

I've tried to make her meals seem like meals her peers get, without going the high sodium, high sugar, packaged food route. A treat would be a serving of cheese that she can unwrap. I really do think it's the packaging and having something to unwrap that she wants. She doesn't ever eat the stuff I buy her when she pleads with me because that's what her friends get. She leaves it untouched and says she wants "Mama's cooking".

I was so happy to cross paths with Squishy Snak Pak on Twitter back in January! It was rather serendipitous!

Squishy Snak Pak is a snack container that you fill from the bottom and squish out the top. It's made from BPA-free materials and has a choke-proof cap.The best thing about this product (in my opinion) is the fact that you can wash it and reuse it again and again! This is important to me because I do the whole "litterless lunch" thing with Little One's school lunches.


Squishy Snak Pak is perfect because it's safe, reusable, convenient, and it "looks" like a fun "packaged" food  product. Little One won't feel left out because she's not getting all that pre-packaged stuff, and she'll still be getting food that Mama makes. Don't get me wrong. I'm not super militant about the food she gets. She can have treats once in a while, but when it becomes habit or an every day thing, that's when I have issues.

 Check out the Squishy Snak Paks! I love that there's a window so you can see what's in there!

The Snak Pak on the left has an orange and peach Greek yogurt smoothie and the one on the right has a Beet-pomegranate-apple-blueberry-sweetpotato-Greek yogurt smoothie.


The design is also fun and gender-neutral. It's really cute, and like I said, Little One thinks she's having a fun packaged snack like her friends, but it's actually chock full of goodness!

This is what I've done with our Squishy Snak Paks:

{Beet-Pomegranate-Apple-Blueberry-Sweetpotato-Greek Yogurt Smoothie}


Ingredients:
1 beet
1/2 c pomegranate seeds
1 apple
1/2 c blueberries
1/2 a sweetpotato
1.5 c plain Greek yogurt
Honey to taste (if you wish)

Instructions:
You can either use an electric juicer and juice all of the above fruits and veggies and then blend well with the yogurt and honey OR you can cook and puree the vegetables and fruit and mix the yogurt and honey with that.  If you have a juicer, I recommend juicing. We love all the vitamins and minerals raw veg can give you.
If juicing, wash and scrub the veg, but do not peel the skin. The skin is full of nutrients and flavour. Just wash, cut into strips to fit into your juicer, and juice the sweet potato and beets. For added sweetness, you can also juice 1 carrot for this recipe. I didn't do it this time, but carrot and apple make a really sweet combination.

If you decide to cook the vegetables and fruit, this recipe makes a lovely puree for babies.

What I love about the Squishy Snak Paks is that you can add your baby's favourite pureed combinations and it holds up to 1/2 a cup and can be packed in a lunch bag or insulated diaper bag compartment for on the go!

They're even great for freezer storage of portioned baby food made by Mom!

Little One LOVES her Squisky Snak Paks and so does her Mommy!


For more information, visit the Squishy Snak Pak website. Connect with them on Twiiter and Facebook too!

Disclosure -We received the above items to facilitate this honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed on this blog are honest and my own.



Friday, March 01, 2013

Bathtime is so Much Fun with Boon & @SnuggleBugz! ~ Giveaway


One thing you may know about me is that when I love a company, brand, store, or product, I am a very vocal supporter.  Oh, and if I'm not overly pleased, I'll voice my honest opinions. Always in a respectful and tactful way, of course!

I must tell you that one of my absolute favourite places to shop is SnuggleBugz.ca!  I won't even tell you how many amazing items I've bought from their online store! All I can say is "Thank goodness I don't work there", because I can foresee all my paycheques going to buying fabulous, practical, stylish, top quality products for my child. Not that it's a bad thing! In fact, that's a great thing!  Oh. The spending all my money part...not so great!

Two very cool products we were recently given the opportunity to test out are:
The Boon Scrubble Bath Toy Squirt Set and the Boon Whale Pod Bath Toy Scoop.

Bath time is part of our bedtime routine. After supper, Little One chills out, then has a bath, gets into her pajamas, brushes her teeth, reads a bedtime story (or two...or three!).  Bath time is a very important part of our routine.

If you have kids who aren't keen on batch time, the Boon Scrubble Bath Toy Squirt Set and the Boon Whale Pod Bath Toy Scoop are perfect for getting them wanting to take a bath! I don't know about your kids, but Little One loves being in the bath! She tells us that she wants to "go swimming" in the tub!


What I love about the Boon Pod Toy Scoops is that they are really well made and are so functional and practical! I love that you can scoop up all the toys in one or two quick swoops (or let your little ones clean up their own bath toys by swooping with the Boon Pod Toy Scoop themselves)!

Another feature I love is that there are holes that allow the toys to drain and air dry when stored in the pod scoop! No mildew! Hooray! Nothing is worse than having to throw away bath toys because they get all mildew-infested inside!

I also love the built-in shelf where you can place bottles of bubble bath, baby wash, shampoo, etc. So handy!

Here's a video for your viewing pleasure:

I'm also going to go a step further and say I love the whale pod because it matches my bathroom decor. My bathroom colours are cerulean and white!

As for the Scrubble Bath Toy Squirt Set? As far as bath toys go, these are among Little One's favourites. She can squirt water from them, get all sudsy and use them like scrubber or a loofah! I love that she thinks they're used for cleaning the bathtub! Ha! She goes to town scrubbing my bathtub and shower walls! That makes Mama happy!

We've always been huge Boon fans. We love their products and own quite a few! Of course, you already know how we feel about SnuggleBugz!

Do you want to have your own Boon Whale Pod Bath Toy Scoop and Boon Scrubble Bath Toy Squirt Set?

Giveaway open to residents of Canada. Ends March 15, 2013 at 12am EST.


{ WIN IT }
a Rafflecopter giveaway


This Giveaway is now over. The winner is...Jennifer Grace1! Congratulations!

Disclosure - I received the above products to facilitate this honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed on this blog are honest and my own.

From Our Farm to Your Table

Blog Archive

Farmers Feed Cities

You Can Find Me Here!




Affiliates

Brand Ambassador for

For Fellow Bloggers

Connect With Advertisers - Sign up for SocialSpark!
A Reliable Blogger

Proud Recipient

© 2006 - 2012 Life on Manitoulin. All Rights Reserved. Powered by Blogger.

About the Blog Author


City girl moves to the country, falls in love, and marries a farmer. She tries to incorporate her city ways with her new country lifestyle and blogs to keep in touch with friends, family & students who live far, far away :) Can this city girl go country? Watch as she learns all sorts of exciting things about life on the farm and in a small rural community. *UPDATE* We are now parents! Our baby girl was born on Nov. 11, 2008 (at 28 weeks gestation- 12 weeks premature, but she's quite the trooper)!!!
Contact Me

Les Boutons!

Life on Manitoulin: Just a bunch of ramblings from a city girl gone country!

Life on Manitoulin: Just a bunch of ramblings from a city girl gone country!

Let's Connect

Members

Support


Photobucket


Related Posts with Thumbnails