Back to work!

My Mom left today. Boo hoo. Back to work for her and for me too I guess. Back to cleaning my own house and bathing my children myself:) Oh, and cooking...I haven't cooked a meal since last Tuesday!
Am I the only one that wonders "how did I get here". Just before I opened my eyes this morning, I was 17. I was care-free and my only worries were test scores and boyfriend problems. I could stay up past 11pm (geez 3am..for that matter) and feel great the next day AND I had a rockin' body. I could run and never be out of breath and bake my body in the sun, with no worries.

So, this morning I woke up, to look at myself in the mirror and notice, crow's feet amongst my "mother's mask". My body weighing me down as I still have 15 pounds left of motherhood left to lose. My breasts aren't mine anymore and they surely won't be till a professional takes care of them for me! So, I nurse, then change a diaper, then go in to get the other baby. Change another diaper, strip the bed of wet sheets and start a load of laundry. Put two kids at the table and make sippy cups and breakfast. Pour myself diet coke, PRAYING that it will give me the jolt that I need to make it till nap time.

I never have time to dry my hair. I never leave the house with make-up on, applying it only while driving or once I arrive somewhere. My best looking outfit is jeans and a t-shirt. I wear a nursing tank top every day. My only lipstick, is a chapstick. I threw out any shoe that remotely had a heel and now live in flip-flops. I get my hair cut about every six months and haven't had a pedicure in over a year and my feet are starting to get run down.

I need a mini-vaca. Just someplace, somewhere that caters to ME. Somewhere where I can enjoy sleeping in and dining out. No, mid-night nursing sessions. No, poopy diaper explosions to attend to. No, melted chocolate chips and smeared ketchup on my bestest t-shirt. Anyone, know of the place I'm looking for? A place that I won't feel guilty about leaving this place I call home?
I think I left it back at the youthful age of 17, in my size 0 jeans!

weehuggers review AND GIVEAWAY!! CLOSED

I'm always excited to test out new diapers. There has to be something that's bigger and better being made every moment! I approached weehuggers AIO to do a review/giveaway with them, and they were more than compliant!

Let me start with the packaging. An adorable heart shaped paper clip attached to a plastic baggy with loop tabs was in with my diaper. A very cute and personal touch, which I haven't seen with ANY other diaper.

I pre-washed the diaper only once (cold rinse, hot wash, cold rinse) before I let Zealand do the first test run. I am not a fan of hook and loop for the most part because of how Bum Genius' laundry tabs shrivel and cause the hook to loop on everything in the wash....errr. I liked how wee huggers doesn't have a laundry tab yet a removable tab cover...although I KNOW I will lose them and then not be happy. (Customer service will send you new tabs if you lose yours!!) Let me tell you, trying to get the tabs off the hook hand...is HARD! They say they have a kung-fu grip, well believe it!( My mom who has a bad wrist from falling last year and osteoporosis from breast cancer and cannot work this diaper, so I hope that means Zealand can't either!) I hang dry my diaper covers and shells, which is something you will need AT LEAST 48 hours to do with this bamboo diaper.

We were sent a large as Zealand is about 26ish pounds. I'm always leery of larges because Zealand is such a small, large KWIM? But his weight DOES fall into their large category. My mom was in town for the first reveal, and she commented on how it hung in his tooshie area. And it really did! He looked like a bug butt:) I was initially disappointed, going into our second trial. I pulled it up high and wrapped it around snug....much better. He still has a small bug butt, but I think it's because he has lots of room to grow into this diaper. (I think we need a medium) Definetly measure before you decide what size!

We took this diaper for a test run to Walmart (I know...don't get me started on that). Zealand changed into this diaper at 8:00am and played at the house before we headed to breakfast and to the store. By the time we got home, it was 1:00pm. He had leaked straight through. This could be for one or two reasons. 1. I used a crappy Free and Clear detergent that made my diapers stinky/ammonia-y and leak or 2. Because of the bamboo outer shell, these are not made to last much longer than 3 hours.

I love the gussets. REAL gussets. He hasn't had a bowel movement yet...of course he won't till after the review is up, (murphy's law) :) I also love the waterproof bamboo PUL, not polyester or vinyl feeling, but nice and soft. Before today I would have placed this diaper as 5th or 6th place. Now that I have fixed the bug butt somewhat, I can really see the potential and now place it 2nd or 3rd for a DAYTIME diaper!!



I like it better OVERALL than Wonderworks, Happy Baby, Bumkins, Bella Bottoms and Bamboo Bums
I like it better for EASE TO PUT ON/FIT than knickernappie, Fuzzi Bunz OS, Bella Bottoms, Happy Baby and Bamboo Bums (because it IS velcro)
I like it better CONSTRUCTION wise than Bum Genius 3.0 velcro, Fuzzi Bunz OS, Bumkins, Bella Bottoms and Bamboo Bums (no stuffing or covers needed)


Final synopsis:
Super cute! Super strong hook/loop! Super soft! NOT a nighttime diaper and not intended to be worn for a long amount of time. Easy to use with no snaps. Takes a LONG time to dry because of bamboo. Considerably trimmer than other diapers on the market. Great price for bamboo AIO.

My final HONEST opinion on cloth diapers in general:
I look for ease when I look to BUY diapers. I want one that I know when DH grabs it, it will last whatever we have going. I don't want to have to second guess or pack extra clothes. I don't like having alot of sized diapers because I have two babies in diapers! I like to throw in a couple of one size diapers in my diaper bag and not have to worry who I will need to change while we are out. I like to have my diapers transpose from day to night with ease. Don't get me wrong, I have my fair share of sized diapers and my fair share of diapers I don't trust at night. Sometimes I'm a bad mom, but hey, I have two babies, usually one on each hip WHILE pushing a cart, WHILE grocery shopping, so I forget to change a diaper or two. Sometimes they go 5 hours. My mission is to find the best ALL AROUND diaper, not the best make-do for now and watch the clock so we don't go over 3 hours and have a leak diaper.

Wanna Win one?!

Mandatory entry:
Go to the weehuggers site and tell me your favorite color

Additional entries: (leave 1 comment PER entry)
Follow my blog
Follow me on twitter
Grab my NEW button for your blog
Follow weehuggers on twitter

TWEET this giveaway!

Contest will end Monday September 7th during cloth diaper chat!

CONGRATS to the Build-A-Bear Winner!

I AM SOOO SORRY! This is 10 days late! I gotta keep better track of these things, I guess. With my computer being broken....I know excuses excuses...

anyway the winner is #65 Megan R. (otherwise known as mom2chunkymonky)

She has 48 hours to respond....but I know she will;)

Thanks for all those who entered!!

I'm still alive...and 101 Followers!!!!

Sorry to those of you that actually read what I have to say besides reviews/giveaways. My computer is fixed but I have to get my wireless hooked back up to it, and since my Mom is in town, I haven't had much time. Kingsley is set up in a pack and play in my bathroom, as her bedroom is also the spare room. So it seems that as soon as I get the time to set up the computer, Kingsley is asleep and I can't go into my room, in case of accidentally waking her.

It's really lovely to have my Mom here. She cleans my house and lets me take naps:) She rubs my back and plays with my hair at night. I love switching roles and being the baby. She came into town because Christian went down to Tampa to apply for the Hillsborough Sheriff's Department. His first day was an intense physical fitness test followed by an interview. I think only 2 followers "know" Christian. He is NOT an interviewer. He tends to take the back seat and not be the type "A" personality that interviewers want. It has cost him a job before even though he is highly qualified to do almost anything. They loved him! (I know because my brother in law is a Deputy and they texted him to tell him) The next day was another make or break day....the polygraph!!! We've all done something we don't want others to know about. Called in sick to work, when you weren't, maybe went to a Jimmy Buffet concert and smoked a tad of weed? Took something that was laying around work, that you knew they wouldn't miss if it was gone! Anyway...he passed that too! So tonight he does a 6pm to 6am ride-a-long on a patrol. He still has an oral board and a psychological test to do weeks down the road.....but for now, it looks VERY positive!

THANK YOU FOLLOWERS!!!! I am not at 101! I promised a big giveaway...now I have to rustle some stuff up! I gave away some of the stuff that I was going to giveaway here, to a friend with a newborn.....so I gotta re-evaluate some stuff! Thanks for following, thanks for listening, and thanks to those who comment. I know I have some good gals, and I truly thank you all!

Mommy Necklace winner!!

Since I'm on Hubby's computer, there is no screen shot of the random number

It did choose number 27!

So congrats to: krenneker

She has 48 hours to respond or I will make another Mommy very happy!

Busy Body Book Review and GIVEAWAY!! CLOSED

I was given the Personal and Family organizer from Busy Body Books at the most pivotal time this year with my computer crashing just last Friday! I LOVE to write lists and make plans. I also seem to love losing those lists and plans. I write and jot stuff down on random bills or envelopes and set them in places I know I WON'T forget. For some reason, I can never remember that easy place, where all my crap is! I can write the same grocery list 4 times because I can never seem to remember what I did with the list. I of course find them weeks later, shoved in my seat cushion or on the bottom of my diaper bag or used as a bookmark in my magazine.

This book came 2 weeks before my computer crashed. I had already started my note taking in this book and the pockets are already full. It has 5 spaces for family members and as we only have 4, I chose to use the 5th spot as an entire family row. For example this week:

Kingsley has her 7 month appointment (even though she is 8 months...prior bad planning) on Monday at 3:15

Kingsley has her breastfeeding group on Tuesday at 11:00 followed by Zealand's speech therapy at 1:30. I noted that I need to call Highlights magazine and that my Mommy Necklace giveaway is over on Tuesday too.

Wednesday is Tot Rock for both Zealand and Kingsley and in the family column, My Mommy comes into town!!!

Thursday is a Doctor's appointment for me and Christian has his physical and interview down in Tampa for the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (Keep us in your prayers that day)

Friday is tie-dye at the park for both the kids....hosted by me, of course!

On the left hand side of the page has an open section for To Doodles and a lined section for those that need a checklist.

I have a list of stuff to talk to my doctor about and a shopping list of stuff I want my Mom to buy me when she's her:)

The checklist is for what I need to remind each mom coming to the tie-dye at the park to bring.

Smack dab in between these pages in the removable bookmark.

I spend some time on the phone getting "stuff" done and I really like that I can go back and find everything in one book. For example my computer crashing and the whole 2 days worth of conversation and work order numbers are all strategically jotted down on the same page, where normally it would be on the back of some random paper that I would have thrown away already because of the clutter.

I love that this book is only 10'' tall and fits perfectly in my diaper bag and that it also has a sturdy plastic cover to keep spills and rips to a bare minimum! This book also has To Do lists in the back that have perforated edges. I can write down my grocery list and rip it out and take it in with me! I know where everything is......write (right) in my Busy Body Book!

The only downsides of this book TO ME is that I wish there was a whole month's view before each sectioned weeks. I like to see the entire month in advance and store birthdays and anniversaries that way. I also wish there was more storage room. My folders are already filled with gift cards and those gift cards slip out easily. I like the idea of a thick cardboard business card holder, since most Doctor's offices give your next appointment on those cards as well. I also like the idea of a fully closed pocket so that things don't shift out.

She also has an UN-dated weekly grid pad perfect for desks and a wall calendar for up to 7 family members! There is something here for everyone and the styles are very gender neutral. Prices start at JUST $12.95 and that IS a steal. I saw some planners that were not even half of what this offers at Target for double the price.

If you wanna buy it RIGHT NOW! Head over to Busy Body Books and snag one for the beginning of your school year!

If you want a chance to win one....then keep reading!

Mandatory entry:

Go to Busy Body Books and tell me which you would chose and why

Additional Entries:

Follow Busy Body Books blog

Follow my blog

Follow Busy Body Books on twitter

Follow me on twitter

Become a fan of Busy Body Books on Facebook

Tweet this giveaway once a day including @zealandsmom and @busybodybooks and leave your status from the tweet:)

GOOD LUCK

Contest is for US and Canada

Ends on September 1st at noonish

Busy Body Books gave my a family planner for the review!

Where are my manners?

I completely and udderly forgot to say Thanks to Nicole Marr who spent I have no idea how much time, updating my fabulous new look! I finally feel like I'm "home". I know many of you hated to see the owls go, but there is absolutely nothing to complain about with this new look! You can catch Nicole's blog about her family life with her ADORABLE daughter Penny over at Grudgemom!! And if you need help with your look, she has a new post about her work and what she is doing these days regarding that!

Sit back, relax I'll be here for awhile!

The Doctor Trojan!

Yep, that's what my computer has, the Dr. Trojan. If you have wondered why I have been MIA, now you can ease your mind! I'm on Christian's computer and probably will be for awhile, until new recovery discs show and I get my POS HP back working. My Dad (Papa) came into town this weekend and although we are not very close it was a very pleasant experience. He's the kind of guy that actually gets on the floor and plays, he is real hands on with the babies. Zealand had a blast with him and I enjoyed the bonding time they spent together, since there are so few.

I'm gonna have a few giveaways starting up this week, I just have to pry this computer out of darling husband's hands, as he just bought a new '66 Ford pick-up and has been researching it non-stop.....just what we need right? I got bills out the ying-yang and am contemplating getting a job to help with all the fnancial burden, I just wish I didn't have to worry about added expenses like a friggin' truck!

Be on the lookout for some fabby giveaways and reviews and my much anticipated

TEETHING WEEK

sometime near the end of September. I will be reviewing and giving away all kinds of wonderful teethers. Last count, I had over 7!

Mommy Necklace review AND GIVEAWAY!! CLOSED

I think we've all been where Raelynn founder of Mommy Necklace was when she invented this product. Unable to nurse successfully for 2 let alone 20 minutes without the baby being distracted by husband, television or even a random fly! Who hasn't had the nursing baby pinching at the back of your arm, twirling in your expensive necklaces and charms or wrestling to get your eyeglasses off? (my own personal 3 experiences)

Raelynn decided to join the functionality and durability of a non-breaking cord with get this....STYLE! Guaranteed and warranted not to break, tested for lead and phthalates and non-toxic only scratches the surface of why these have become so overwhelmingly world wide popular. Style, in means that you have 4 choices of pendant style and 22 color options plus a simply snazzy necklace.

I received the dangling donut in vibe to review or better yet have Kingsley review. Both Kingsley who is nursing as well as Zealand who is not, love the necklace. Kingsley likes to feed the dangle loop back and forth while Zealand likes to RIP it off my neck and then put it back together and wear it himself:) I love that I can still wear my own personal jewelry and this necklace doesn't overcrowd it as it is 28" long. But it definitely does OVERPOWER it, with it's bright colors, which isn't much to be said since I am a no fluff jewelry person! The only thing I personally wish it could be, was gnawable....when I mentioned this to Raelynn, she said that you couldn't make a necklace that was this pretty with chewable rubber....and I agree. Although, I agree, Kingsley does not, and I am constantly wrestling to get it out of her mouth, since she doesn't have teeth yet, I should be OK for awhile longer and at least I know that it is not toxic, which puts my mind at rest!

Raelynn has generously offered one of my readers a Cherish Dangling Donut necklace!!
For those that cannot wait pick one up for as low as $24.99 with .99 shipping! I know you will want to!

Mandatory entry:
Head over to Mommy Necklace and tell me
which style and color do you like the best!

Contest ends on August 26th at noonish! Good Luck!

Swine flu?

So, yesterday, the day of days! My wireless printer stopped being online and I have/had oodles of ebay postage to print. It ran me late trying to fix it to our friend's 1st birthday party on the island. Well, it seems that every time we go over to the pool area, someone gets sick!
Zealand played harder than I have ever seen him! He even slid down the slide the proper way and didn't freak the whole time doing it! I carried K on my back in the ergo for a whopping 2ish hours, she just held tightly on to her drumstick and was happy as can be. (I may have a future band with the two of them) I had on my favorite peace love mom shirt, I am supposed to be reviewing, and I looked pretty darn cute in it.

We got to the car and I knew something wasn't right. My neck was super stiff and achy and I just knew "it". By the time 11 pm rolled around I had the chills so incredibly bad. Fever was only 100.9, but I think our thermometer is one degree low. I had a terrible headache and I could feel each vertebrae sticking out in pain. I almost went to the ER at about 3 am, because I knew I would have about 4 hours till the kids got up yet decided to just go back to bed. I woke up wearing my huge hot bathrobe over my pajamas and a fleece blanket and a quilt...now I've had the sweats all day....ugh. Thank God, for tylenol extra strength. I took a 5 hour nap and feel much better now that the day is coming to an end.

I have lots of review to post and lots of giveaways coming....just trying to get my timing down. Should I do a review/giveaway every (certain day)? Would you like to see consistency? You tell me!

eebee's adventures Winner!

I love being able to give things away! I love when someone REALLY wants a giveaway and random gives it to them! (I now see how it almost seemed rigged)
Congrats Janet Houle...or muggabug as I know her!

Sorry blog construction!

I dont even know if you can read this...I need to stretch the sides obviously. I am hearing from lots of folks that they miss my owls...what do you think? I thought it was dark and over busy. Lets take a comment poll....what do you like?

Congrats to the Zutano winner!

Congrats to Anne #188! I will be emailing you and sending you a tweet:) 230 comments! Amazing work friends:)

Rock the vote....part deux!

Dont 4get to vote vote vote! Once every 24 hours, I'm in the lead but have someone nipping on my heels! I have to win this toy for Zealand!!!

CLICK HERE

Get an extra entry to giveaway of your choice with each vote!!

And our next project is.....

So, Tot Rock went off without a hitch....well, it went as good as it could go with 6 kids between the ages of 8 months and 22 months. The kids all sorta did their own thing but they seemed to enjoy it and the play time and being with friends is always nice:) (My friend Tara took pictures but I haven't gotten them yet...will post when I do!)


I froze some ice cubes last night and put some food coloring in them before I froze it. Tomorrow I will let Zealand paint with his new paints:) I will definitely have pictures if that!

Don't forget to vote for me here

Rock the vote!

Click here to go over to wooden toddler toys....I'm trying to win my babies their Christmas presents.....(anything to not have to go back to work)

You can and should vote daily:)

I love you readers!!

Tot Rock

This thought came to me in the weeks before I had Kingsley...I just never got the ball rolling. A DIY Kindermusik class. I had taken Zealand while I was preggo with Kingsley and he really enjoyed it! Was it worth the $300 bucks, an easy NO! It was during Zealand's normal nap time and it was about 20 miles away and I was pregnant! So, towards the end, I starting thinking about teaching my own. I looked into Kindermusik training and doing it through them, then I thought, I don't wanna pay that much, how could I feel justified charging others the same?
Well, Eebees adventures (which I have a giveaway for) really put a fire under me. It is easy to be a hands on mom. It can be cheap, and easy and FUN! So, I called all my friends that had showed interest 8 months ago, and they were all still interested!

I put together my own song list:
Family Time by Ziggy Marley
The Airplane Song by Laurie Berkner
Lullaby by the Dixie Chicks
I know a chicken by Laurie Berkner
All I want is you by Barry Louis Polisar (Juno soundtrack)
Heart if the band by They Might be Giants
Songbird by Fleetwood Mac
Rocket Ship Run by Laurie Berkner
Brass in Pocket by the Pretenders
Tree Hugger by Antsy Pants

I bought poster board and chose 4 songs to write the lyrics out, so I could get help singing along
I have activities planned for each song: dancing, baby massage, left brain/right brain exercises, purposeful play ie: pouring, transferring, more dancing and using musical instruments (that we will be making!!)
I copied the play list for the moms to keep and play in their car, so that their kiddos can enjoy it all week long!






I poured two boxes of rice krispies in a large under the bed clear tote for when its pouring/transfering time!
I'm hoping I can come up with a weekly activity that the Moms can feel comfortable going home and doing and incorporating all the things that will make them WANT to come back each and every week.....especially since it'll be FREE! Yep, no charge.

What do you think? Have any ideas of your own? Is this something you think you would like to do together with your friends? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this!

Vote for me! Extra entry to all my giveaways!

I caved. I always was annoyed when bloggers had you vote for them somewhere as an extra entry for their giveaways. I thought it to be unethical blogging. Maybe it is, but now I have done it! I really want to win these bad ass toys for Zealand over at wooden toddler toys. Well, Kingsley can play too:)
So please go over at vote for me and my silly poems and everyday that you do (you can vote once per day) come back here and get a free entry to any or all of my giveaways! If I win 1st, 2nd or 3rd, I'll have another live giveaway with lots of cool stuff:)

CLICK HERE TO VOTE

MSMDcb diaper review AND GIVEAWAY!! CLOSED

I had seen MSMDcb (Monkey see Monkey do Children's boutique)on our weekly cloth diaper chats and I hadn't ever heard of her diaper before. (Not that I know everything about CD's ....I'm just saying;) So, I DM'd her and asked if I could give one of her diapers a shot! After giving me a choice on size and color, I chose the camouflage butterflies. I cannot believe I chose anything camouflage....but look how adorable this print is?

It is a canvas material, which is a nice change, as all my other diapers are polyester. I changed her out of a Drybees, which doesn't allow me to overlap the Velcro, and I have skinny babies, into this diaper by MSMDcb! This is a sized pocket diaper and is surprisingly super trim for a pocket! I love the thickness of the Velcro strap as well as the ability to overlap. I'm not used to sized diapers and it is a much needed, nice change to not have to meddle with snaps and adjustments.

I put a BumGenius 3.0 insert in and we had a great overall experience with it. This will definitely be grabbed, before I grab my FuzziBunz and Drybees. I would probably still grab my BGs 1st.....because I have so many and KNOW exactly how long they will last. For Kingsley this diaper would be my 2nd or 3rd favorite! I think that is saying a lot, that she out beat HUGE name brands....don't you? Click over to her site and pick one up for yourself....you will not be disappointed!

Wanna win one?
I will randomly chose one comment during the #clothdiapers chat next Monday the 17th


Mandatory:
1. Visit MSMDcb's store and chose which diaper you like the best

Additional Entries:
2. Follow MSMDcb on twitter
3. Fan MSMDcb on Facebook
4. Follow me on twitter
5. Subscribe to my feeds
6. Vote for my poem here to win Zealand rad toys:)
7. Who would you get a diaper for?
8. Tweet this giveaway for unlimited entries....just make sure to include #clothdiapers in your tweet:)

eebee's adventures review AND GIVEAWAY!! CLOSED

That's Zealand with his puppet, mesmerized by eebee's adventures. He DOES not watch TV or movies, to the point where we turned off our cable. He's just too busy. Sometimes something will catch his eye and he will sit and watch for a minute, then quickly goes back to playing. I have 100's of movies for him and I even invested in Your Baby Can Read (at full price mind you) and he could care less about all of them. I know it is a good thing, but sometimes Mama wants a babysitter KWIM?

Here's the interview on what eebees is all about:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4efUIpNJXKw


So here I am, with that puppet on my hand, you can see the computer cord on the right hand side if the pic, I took the puppet off for a second to tweet, and he pitched a fit! He really cares for these movies even though they seem really babyish for him. The lady kinda weirds me out, I think its the lack of music and talking, since eebee only babbles. These movies make me feel like a bad parent because they make playing with a purpose so super easy to do! I have since started more purposeful play and will be blogging about that a lot....thanks to eebee. These movies are hands on, and use household products to engage and teach infants and toddlers. Zealand loves it and I think besides Roly Poly Ollie, this might be his favorite thing to watch. The theme song it stuck in my head and has been since we starting watching it.....that is good marketing right?! I recommend the movies to not only watch WITH your child, but to MIMIC what they are doing. Be a HANDS ON PARENT!!

eebee's adventures have offered one of my readers a chance to win a 3 pack of DVDs!
retail valued at $48.45

Enter here to win:

Mandatory entry:
1.Follow @eebeebaby on twitter and tweet this giveaway!
(leave your status link as your comment)

Additional entries:
2.Request to be a fan of eebee's adventures on FB
3. Follow my blog
4. Subscribe to my blog
5. Follow me on twitter (leave your twitter ID)
6. Tell me something you do/or will do as purposeful play!
7. Tweet as often as you like for as many entries as you want...just leave your status as a comment

Make sure your email is visible in your blogger account
Can't wait to read your responses!!!

Giveaway will end Sunday August 16th at noonish
Winner will be contacted and have 48 hours to respond or a new Mom will be very happy:)

I received 3 eebee's adventures movies and an adorable puppet for the review

Low entry Grobaby CD giveaway!

In the scheme of cloth diaper giveaways, this one has a low entry. Last I checked there was only 90 and you can enter 6 ways!
Giveaway is for a mandarin grobaby shell set!
SO head on over to Green Kiddos and pick yourself up an entry:)

Blog under construction!

So, once again, I am revamping my blog:) I won one from so dazzling blogs! I get a new header and button! So, I wanted to find the perfect background for hopefully a perfect header!!
She is working on it now and I cannot wait to have a one of a kind blog! Thanks also to Nicole Marr over at Grudgemom who has been so AWESOME in helping me! She did my first button and she hand made my new background! I heart her!

Also a special congrats to my first LIVE giveaway winners!
Jessie Kaitlin and Slee

Thanks everyone who reads this.....I really love you!

MolliCoolz Shakers review AND LIVE GIVEAWAY!

MolliCoolz (like molecules) sent me this HUGE box of "samples". They were full size and I got 6! Originally, I thought these were geared towards children, as all the stuff I review if for the kids. Well, let me tell you, I didn't want to share with anyone! (I'm stingy with my food anyway!) The 6 Mollicoolz came is a Styrofoam box with dry ice right to my door. I waited until after our nightly bike ride to open one up. I started with the cookies and cream. The container has ice cream beads...made famous by Dippin' dots all along the bottom. You add your own milk at your own desired thickness and shake.

Well we love them. I hate to be one of those bloggers that LOVES everything they review.....but so far I do and this is no exception. There are just a few points I'd like to mention: Look in the container when pouring the milk, not the side fill window...or before you know it, you've over filled. You probably will have to stir a bit, then re-cap and shake. We had to every time, a big ball of frozenness was always in a lump, even when DH shook. They only place I KNOW that sells them (doesn't mean other places don't) is Wal-mart....and I'd rather have an enema than go there. And they are roughly $2.00 per milkshake. While $2.00 isn't bad when you jump in the car for a treat, when you are grocery shopping and trying to be budgeting, it probably won't make it to the cart.
They are delicious and I am eating one right now....just spilled chocolate on my tank:(


LIVE GIVEAWAY! I am just in the mood and twitter is boring today!
I will have 2 winners each win 4 Mollicoolz shipped to their door!!
Comments number 50 and 100 win!

Mandatory that you are following Mollicoolz on twitter and facebook to enter!
If you don't have a FB account tweet the live giveaway!
Mandatory that you are following ME on twitter and my blog!

Fair enough? Start entering!

Congrats to our Piggy Paint winner!

Congrats to Crissy #41
I just emailed you and you have 48 hours to respond or you will make another Mama very happy:)

Don't forget if you didn't win.....Piggy Paint has some amazing deals!

My very 1st award! The Meme award!!

I just received my very first blog award!!! Hold your applause:)
Thanks to Nicole over at Family Affair!!!

Nicole has a flair for the truth! She calls it like she sees it and doesn't make excuses. She's funny and sweet....what a combo to have in a friend huh?!

I know she gave it to me because my blog is the bomb diggity not just because we have babies the same age and have known each other for 22 months....right?! (Now applaud)

So, the requirements are to:
Thank the person who gave you the award...Thanks again Nicole:)
List 7 personality traits about yourself &
Pass it on to 7 other bloggers with dynamic personalities


So here are my traits:
(in no particular order)
FUNNY
OUTSPOKEN
FRIENDLY
ASSERTIVE
EXUBERANT
STUBBORN
LOVEY-DOVEY

Now I give this award to:
(once again...in no particular order)

Jess at Monkey Toes Reviews and Giveaways
Rachel at Knowin it and showin it
Sandy at Shopaholic Mommy
Megan at Newly wed newly bred
Amy at Makes Mom Happy
Courtney at One Bored Mommy
Nicole at Grudgemom

HEALTHPOD WINNER:)

#44 ECLAIRESMOM!!
I know you'll be contacting me ASAP, with as much as you tweeted:)

Thanks for entering.....if you REALLY want this....... rumor has it Newly wed newly bred may be having a giveaway for one soon:)

Tweetdeck 101

1. 1st You GOTTA download tweetdeck...if you're still using twitter streamer, you might as well be using a rotary phone! GO to tweetdeck.com and if you don't know how to download from there, I seriously have no hope for you!
2. 2nd You have this massive overwhelming screen right? Well, lets organize it a bit. Use the "eyeglass" on the top navigation bar to search for "chats" that you want to keep in the know about. Here is the "chats" I follow: #clothdiapers #babywearing #bfing and #giveaway
3. 3rd Organize in what order you want your streams to be. For example, you dont get very many direct messages, so no need to keep them on your main page....use the arrows at the bottom of your stream to go left or right with your streams.
4. 4th Make sure your facebook updates is off! There is nothing more embarrassing than tweeting about your breastfeeding to all your high school buddies! Look for the F on the top tool bar.
5. 5th Organize your friends. If you have friends that aren't really your friends and you could care less about what they tweet, put them all together by clicking the group button on your top tool bar and push them to your far right:)
6. 6th Use your shorten URL button, for heavens sake! www's aren't clickable when put into a tweet, so throw up your www in the box under your tweet and just do it!
7. 7th Scroll over the person's face to reply to that person, retweet (saying exactly was said person said) Direct message or other actions, such as follow, unfollow, block or add them to a group
8. 8th Turn off your volume. I hate the dinging it does everytime it updates a new notification. Which I love the notifications when I'm entering all my giveaways!!
9. 9th If you have a second account setup for work or for chats cause you get put in jail, you can add it to this layout and click which account you want to tweet from or tweet from both at the same time....which can be annoying for those people that follow BOTH of your accounts!
10. 10th Dont hit your refresh button! It takes away from the allowed API per hour. Just don't do it OK?
11. 11th Use your setting box: I have auto complete username checked...dont have to type in whole name! I have notification window checked, so when Im blogging, I can see if anyone is talking about me:) I have open profiles in webpages...it saves on the API and it handy too:) And I have autohashtags checked so when you reply to someonewho has #clothdiapers in their tweet, your tweet will have #clothdiapers in it too!
12. 12th change the colors....make it yours! If you love it as much as I know you will, play around and get it to where it's home and fun!
13. To see someone's information click on their name under their picture!
14. To get a tweet status (used in giveaways) click the time you tweeted then copy and paste the URL into the comment form for a giveaway
15. To see what the hell someone is talking about, click the reply to words under the picture far right and that will show you the conversation they are having and who they are responding to:)
16. UPDATE: I forgot my favoritist tool! the twit shrink! It's the button on the far right upper hand side with the arrow pointing down. This will take your tweet that is too long and abbreviate words and use symbols to make it 140 characters! COOL HUH?
    

Build-A-Bear review AND GIVEAWAY!!

Out with the old! In with the new! Well, for a day anyway:) As you can see as soon as I opened the box with the Build-A-Bear, Zealand introduced it to Owl. Bear went with us everywhere that day, Owl under one arm and Bear under the other. In the bed for nap time and off to the store and 2 doctor's appointments. I'm sorta glad Bear didn't follow everywhere in the days to come because it made for hard to manage trips that included hand holding!

Build-A-Bear is new for me, I've never been in one of their stores although I definitely know all about them and the concept. I had been wanting to go this summer, once I heard that they now have a specialty owl for the release of Harry Potter but we don't have one in town, so I haven't made it into their store yet! Zealand has PLENTY of stuffed animals, and I assure you, this is no lie, this is the ONLY animal that has caught his attention other than his beloved Owl. Maybe because is has clothes and shoes? Or the fact that is it really quite adorable? Made well? All of the above probably.

For the month of August Build-A-Bear if running a $29.99 promotion. Get ANY bear, ANY hanging outfit and shoes. That's more than I would spend on a bear normally, but I know there are some DIE HARD Build-A-Bear enthusiasts and that this is a great deal in terms of Build-A-Bear deals!!!

Wanna win one?
Build-A-Bear has offered YOU my readers a chance to get your own dressed bear similar to Zealand's!!

Main entry:
1. Follow Build-A-Bear on twitter and tweet that you saw them @zealandsmom (leave your status link as a comment)

Additional entries:
2. Become a facebook fan of Build-A-Bear
3. Follow my blog
4. Put my button on your blog
5. Follow me on twitter
6. Subscribe to my RSS feeds
7. Tell me who you would give the bear to?
8. Any constructive criticism for my blog?

Contest ends Wednesday August 19th at noonish EST
Winners are chosen through random.org
Winner will be emailed and have 48 hours to respond. If no response, I will chose a new winner.

Build-A-Bear sent me a bear for the review.

Zutano review and $75 GC GIVEAWAY!! CLOSED

I had purchased a set of Zutano's itzy bitzy line before Kingsley was born because I knew she was gonna be tiny (Zealand was 6.14 lbs.) The company I had purchased from did a bait and switch of sorts and I ended up with only 4 pieces of the "pictured" set. When I called, they said they were out of the pants that went with the set and they decided what pieces of the set you got! What a gip! I quickly sent it back but never forgot how cute the set was, and how much I wanted it on Kingsley. I thought that Zutano seemed like the perfect fit, for how we hoped her personality would be. Funky, Punky and original!

I contacted Zutano about a week and half ago, hoping I could do a product review for them, desperately wanting a fresh taste of their product in my mouth. I hadn't searched their lines in almost a year and I certainly never thought of them having toddler clothing, since I had honestly never looked for Zealand! And if you have a boy, you know how hard it is to find cute boy clothes!

I chose to get Zealand an outfit and was anxious to see what they would pick out for him. Not only is the outfit by far my absolute FAVORITE I now own....Zealand loves it too! He kept trying to put it on before I was ready for the photo op. The fabrics are soft and the hems are extra surged and expensive looking. Really made to outlast the toddler's ruggedness! For some reason I thought the clothes were cheaply made before I received my sample. I assure you this was not the case.

I looked up the prices that the outfit would be if you shopped online:
The shirt retails for $16.95 and the cargo shorts retails for $27.45
I think that the prices are a bit steep for what I would normally spend...but did I already mention it IS my new favorite outfit on Zealand. What I find great about Zutano is that their product lines are interchangeable. Mix any of the tops with any of the bottoms, to get your "perfect" outfit!

Zutano has offered YOU the chance to win $75 worth of clothing from their Itzy Bitzy line!
this line is for preemies and newborn up to 8 pounds.
This is one giveaway any Mom to be MUST enter....so tell your friends!

If you need to purchase before the giveaway ends head over to Zutano!
If you wanna enter to win....here's how:

Mandatory entry:
1. Go to Zutano and tell me which of their Itzy Bitzy lines you would buy from

Extra entries:
2. Follow my blog
3. Follow me on twitter
4. Follow Zutano on twitter
5. Follow Zutano on Facebook
6. Tweet this giveaway include @zealandsmom and @zutano
(Tweet multiple times for multiple entries!!!)

Giveaway ends August 14th at noonish EST
***make sure your email is visible in your google account or enter it in your comments and make sure you do the mandatory entry first please...and thanks:)

Zutano sent me one outfit to review.

Piggy paint review and GIVEAWAY! CLOSED

I didn't think twice about the paint I was putting on Kingsley's toes...until Christian brought it up! Just when you think your DH doesn't pay you any attention, they come up with the darndest things. He said "Is that safe? She is gonna put her toes in her mouth and eat it, ya know?" Well, no I didn't know, it never dawned on me. So, I started looking into products. I found Piggy Paint! And here is their story...similar to ours:

My name is Melanie Hurley, founder of Piggy Paint^™. I am a stay-at-home mom with two very fancy little girls, ages 2 and 4, who love to have their fingernails painted. I’ve always hated the thought of my kiddos putting their hands in their mouths after I painted their nails with traditional kid polishes. Not only did the ingestion of the chemicals worry me, but the smell nearly left me light-headed after painting two sets of fingernails and toenails.

One day while we were painting nails over a foam plate, my daughter dropped a glob of her solvent-based polish onto the plate. Shortly after, the paint began to bubble and “ate” through the plate. I looked in dismay at the hole in the plate and decided to test all of her other “kid” polishes on the foam. Within minutes, ALL of the solvent-based polishes began to bubble and eventually left big holes in the plate. From that day on, I decided that any flammable substance that could eat through foam was unacceptable for my children’s fingernails, which would inevitably end up in their mouths.

My quest was on, and Piggy Paint^™ was born. As you may have guessed, our polish is NOT flammable and sits beautifully on the unaffected foam. We hope you enjoy this water-based polish that is specially formulated of natural ingredients. Finally, a kid-friendly polish without the accompanying drawbacks of traditional polishes. It is free of formaldehyde, toluene, phthalates, biphenyl A, ethyl acetate and acetone... and made in the USA!

From my heart to yours, I hope Piggy Paint^™ takes the worry out of painting your little one’s nails and puts the fun back into this enjoyable activity you can share with your daughter and other precious girls in your life.

Why is Piggy Paint™ Nail Polish the safe nail polish choice for children?

• Non-toxic
• Odorless
• Water-based formula
• Hypoallergenic
• Fun, vibrant colors
• Dries to a hard, durable finish

Piggy Paint™ is specially formulated from God’s natural ingredients and dries to a hard, durable finish. There are no toxic chemicals; it’s free of formaldehyde, toluene, phthalates, biphenyl A, ethyl acetate and acetone.

I received the product review within days of asking if I could do a review for her! So a definite A+ in quick shipping and customer service!

I quickly put Kingsley in her highchair so I could assess the situation. Last time, did not go well, so I thought she needed to be tied down and a pretzel stick for distraction:) (My girl loves to eat)

Now, the product, DOES smell like finger nail polish to me, so I wouldn't say that it is odorless but the number 1 ingredient is water and the number 2 ingredient water-miscible acrylic resin and thickeners. So, I'm guessing that acrylic is non-toxic and hypoallergenic although I do not recommend drinking it:) The colors sure are fun and I cannot wait to buy the black for my best friend's baby that is coming on Friday!!!

I only used one coat of paint and I barely blew on it and it came out perfect. Absolutely perfect. I have no idea how many ounces you will get when you purchase from them, they sent me a bottle that was 0.33 fl oz and the prices per bottle online are $9.99. I would think that the price was expensive, but if you are only painting baby toes, even the .33 fl oz bottle would last forever! And if you REALLY care about the environment and what products you put on your child then in my opinion is NOT too much to pay.....read below for a coupon code too!!

EDITED TO SAY: bottles sold online are .5 fl oz....so about double what I received!!!

She did awesome, don't you think?
Now is the fun part because I know you must have this product!!

Want to order it now?
Piggy Paint has generously offered YOU my readers a 15% off coupon
use: BUTTON15L until September 30th on ENTIRE site!
Free shipping on US orders over $25!!

Want to win a $20 Gift Certificate code?
Enter here:

Mandatory entry:
1. Go to Piggy Paint and tell me your favorite color!

Additional entries:
2. Follow Piggy Paint on facebook tell her I sent you!
3. Follow my blog or tell me you do
4. Subscribe to my feeds or tell me you do
5. Follow me on twitter or tell me you do
6. Follow Piggy Paint on twitter or tell me you do
7. Tweet this! Must include @zealandsmom and @piggypaint (You can do this multiple times for multiple entries)

Do I need to say that you must include your email address if it is not visible in your google account? Or that you MUST do the mandatory entry to get the additional entries?.....I didn't think so;)
Giveaway Ends Sunday August 9th at noonish

Piggy Paint sent me one .33 fl oz bottle and a bottle of nail polish removal to do this review.