There are many side effects of pregnancy that no one really focuses on. Everyone commiserates about nausea and heartburn, how their bladder now resembles an over-filled water balloon, and how swelling and the inability to bend over have made flip flops the only shoe option.
Let’s talk about digestion for a second. Pregnancy makes our digestive track work slower than a slug racing a snail. Unfortunately, this brings on a whole bunch of fun other side effects. Constipation? Hemorrhoids? Ugh. Best part? These are things I that don’t miraculously fix themselves the moment you deliver your baby like many of the other above symptoms do.
Enter the new Premama Digestive Aid chews. I received these from Premama and Mom Select a few weeks before giving birth and they not only helped immensely during those last couple weeks.. But they were fabulous immediately postpartum. That “please don’t make me use the bathroom..” phase was a bit less terrible!
It’s a simple vanilla flavored caramel. Uh. Yes, you read that right. It’s like candy. Candy that helps your digestive track function like a normal human. WHAT?!? I know. My mind was blown. We love Premama prenatal vitamins because it allows us to take the vitamins without feeling like we’re taking them. This is the same! Like a special treat that helps your body work. It’s not only a fiber source, but a probiotic as well. So, while you’re suddenly feeling better — your body is defending itself better, too!
Trust me, this is a product you will want to take during pregnancy — and you’ll definitely want to pack it in your hospital bag! Plus, just stock up on it for postpartum as well. I would even say you don’t need to be pregnant or postpartum to take them. I mean, it’s just fiber and probiotic. Who couldn’t use that in their life?!
Note: Premama Digestive Aid was provided to me to review by Premama and Mom Select. My opinions are my own and I was not otherwise compensated.
I always swore I’d be a “house proof the baby, not baby proof the house” kind of parent. Honestly? This method worked for our first 3 kids. They were respectful of their boundaries and never pushed them. Then along came little boy number 4. Our daredevil, boundary pushing, toddler tornado. If he can climb it, he will. If he can open it, he will. If he can reach it, he’ll try to eat it. He is the reason why I immediately had to run to the store and buy cabinet locks. Why I had to move everything climbable away from our built-ins… And ultimately the reason we had to start looking at gates for our stairs.
There were two issues when it came to looking at stair gates. First, we have banisters. There aren’t a lot of options on the market that will work with a banister staircase. Second, there are so many ugly gates on the market! When gating your stairs, it’s typically in a place that is highly visible to all who come into your home.
I was asked if we would be interested in reviewing The Stair Barrier and, after looking at them, jumped on the opportunity. When it arrived we were definitely impressed by the quality and the style of it.
It was a little involved to mount. We have a wall-to-banister situation, so we had to drill into our wall to anchor the mounts in. Not a huge deal, because once it was done it was insanely secure.
It is a fabric gate, but it has metal supports inside the fabric to prevent any pushing and bending of the gate when it’s secured and securing it is actually very simple. You wrap the webbing around your banister side and then simply clip it in place.
There are a couple design enhancements that would be great.. Like a way to secure it once it’s rolled up and not in use (though, it rolls nicely and doesn’t fall) but that is a little detail that doesn’t effect my opinion of the product. It’s a gate worth having if you have banister staircases!
I am confident it will keep our little daredevil at bay!
Have you ever heard of The Stair Barrier? Do me a favor and go look at their site (https://www.thestairbarrier.com) and come back and tell me which is your favorite design!
That time has come. If you’re anything like me, you’ve been anxiously anticipating it. Summer.
There is so much to love about the arrival of summer. The warm sun, allowing for more time outside. (The rare time of the year we Pacific Northwesterners get enough natural vitamin D and maybe even a sun tan?) A break from wrangling children to and from school. More daylight to take advantage of.
This year, I have been anticipating the arrival of summer for quite some time. Summer means the final stretch of this pregnancy. I’m THAT much closer to a baby in my arms and not in my rib cage. Woohoo!
Pregnancy, though.. Pregnancy brings a lot of cravings. Both in food and in life. Summer also allows me to indulge in more of those cravings, too! Like fresh summer berries. My favorite way to eat those berries? Mixed into Stonyfield’s Whole Milk Greek Yogurt.. on top of granola. (My granola cravings vary from Honey Almond to Vanilla.. But the yogurt and berries always stays the same! SO GOOD!) Another summer pregnancy craving has been egg salad. I know, I know. When you swap out the mayo for Stonyfield’s Plain Whole Milk Greek yogurt?? Not only does it fulfill a craving.. but it gives a light, protein packed option that I won’t feel guilty about later! (Especially when you step on the scale!) On crackers or as a sandwich.. such a good summer staple.
What else do I crave? Besides food, I mean? Being able to enjoy the sun outside without overheating in an instant. The last week here has been in the high 80’s and 90’s and those temperatures while 33 weeks pregnant? Yuck. I was able to go outside and enjoy time with my family in the sun thanks to my Quinn dress from prAna. No, it is not maternity, but it slides nicely over the baby bump, even accentuates it in all the right places. I’ll be wearing this for the last short bit of this pregnancy, and then will continue to wear it after! It’s light. Comfortable. Cool.
What sort of summer cravings do you have? Maybe it’s a poolside barbeque with your toes in the water while you enjoy a turkey burger and homemade potato salad? A hike up to a waterfall with a chicken salad picnic lunch? A simple playdate at the park, enjoying your kids and some frozen yogurt? (Great, just typing this all out has me craving every single bit of it…) Whatever it is — Stonyfield and prAna want to help you enjoy it comfortably and in style! They have kindly given all of my reader’s a 15% off code for prana.com
SCS16TRMC ** Code valid June 1- July 7 ** Not valid for Influencers, on Gift Certificates or valid with any other offers
They have also given one of my readers the chance to win a Quinn dress (Just like mine!) of their very own! The perfect dress for summer. Leave me a comment telling me what you crave this summer and how Stonyfield and prAna can help you fill those cravings… then enter using the rafflecopter below. (Open to US Residents Only)
Little baby shoes have always been a favorite of mine. Those tiny toes can get cold, dirty, you name it. A lot of shoes on the market for babies and toddlers aren’t really practical, though. Many have , some don’t stay on, some are too heavy for little legs. When moccasins came into style, I was thrilled. Light options to keep feet warm, stay on the foot, and look adorable while doing it — BUT they had to be quality. My kids are small and slow growing, they are also ALL boys, so we enjoy the ability to hand things down if possible. This means I look for shoes, particularly, that are well made, durable, and can be used for long periods of time. Enter in Freshly Picked.
I bought my first pair of Freshly Picked Moccs for our little one’s first birthday. He was gaining mobility but was still too small for most hard sole shoes. The quality leather and construction of the FP moccs allowed him to toddle around as he pleased, but still protect his little feet from the elements. They didn’t form holes or anything. Just cute indentations of toes and footprints in the sole. We were constantly being stopped and asked about his tiny little moccasins. The best part? They go with pretty much any outfit we put him in. Jeans? No problem. Casual clothes? Still work. Dressy clothes? Still no problem.
We have since gone on to own more pairs of FP moccs and I am not disappointed in the slightest. Many people are surprised I put them on my boys, but seriously, they might be the most gender neutral shoe out there. Most recently, we got the “Let it Go” moccs, they are an icy goldish/silverish/iridescent color and our little boy rocks them like no other! They also do a great job offering a wide variety of color options for all preferences.
I am SO in love with Freshly Picked and I can’t wait to buy some of the newborn crib moccs for our new baby boy on the way. (I might even get the newborn bringing home baby bundle! It’s too cute!!)
Our little boy has his variety of developmental delays and one of them has been his ability to self feed. He longs for independence. He wants to do things on his own. It’s something we are working on, but it’s been a process. A slow process.
Recently our friends at Stonyfield and OXO Tot sent us some amazing goodies. Age appropriate products that I was thrilled to put to use to assist him in his self-feeding development. We received a wide variety of products, but I’m going to feature our favorites here. The divided plate with removeable ring, the fork and spoon set, and the roll up bib and spoon set. We also can’t forget our little boy’s favorite meal accessory.. the Stonyfield Kids YoKids Squeeze pouch. Seriously, he would eat one at every meal if I let him!
I was so pleased with these OXO for products. Our little guy was actually able to maneuver the utensils and get food from plate to mouth. The deep grooves and the high curved lip of the divided bowl helped him succeed in getting food from plate to fork. The bib? I think I will be stocking up on these bibs. They caught everything his mouth didn’t, and it was sturdy enough that he could assert his independence and stick the fork straight into the pocked and continue eating everything he dropped. (He wastes nothing! I’m pretty sure he’s going to cost me a fortune in food bills when he reaches that teenage stage.) He was eating a deconstructed turkey taco and mandarin oranges, so the fact that he was able to feed himself any of it, let alone the majority of it, made me quite pleased with the products. The OXO Tot products are easy to clean and easy for toddlers to use. Exactly what we needed for a little boy who wants so badly to be independent but is struggling to do so. We will be added many, many more OXO Tot products to our cupboards. The mere fact that, since adding these products to the line up, our little one has grown even more determined to figure out how to use them? Win in my book.
Note: This post was sponsored by Stonyfield and OXO Tot. Products were provided to me for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.
As LÍLLÉbrities (LÍLLÉbaby Ambassadors) we have a deep seeded love for LÍLLÉbaby. (Affiliate) They are carriers we trust and believe in. When we found out they were nominated for a Cribsie Award this year, we knew we wanted to help spread the word! As a baby industry super fan, I have followed the Cribsie Awards for many years. It thrills me to see the brands I love nominated!
What isn’t there to love about LÍLLÉbaby? From 6 carry positions, no need for an infant insert, fun print variety (including Tokidoki!) and multiple fabric options for optimum versatility. From a 7 pound Newborn to a 45 pound toddler, the LÍLLÉbaby Complete has you covered!
We’re on a mission to help LÍLLÉbaby win a Cribsie this year. This obviously means we want to give you a chance to win a LÍLLÉbaby of your own, and other fun accessories to go with it! (Custom Accessories from RockerByeBaby and Jamberry Nail Wraps) All you have to do is VOTE and enter below!
If you win, which LÍLLÉbaby (Affiliate) style and color/print will you choose? Tell me in the comments. Enter to win below! Open to US and Canadian Residents 18 years of age and older.
**Thanks to Lillebaby, RockerByeBaby and Jamberry at Midnight for sponsoring this giveaway. I was not compensated for this post and all opinions expressed are my own. This post does contain affiliate links.**
Do you ever think about what is means to “be you”? I always said that I like to “be myself” — but what did that really mean? Then I took a step back and thought about what my me really is. I am a simple, ever moving, busy, go-go-go mom of four. I drive a carpool. I tote a baby with me, in a carrier, everywhere. I am lucky if I get a solid lunch– but it’s mostly just a simple snack, like yogurt, before darting out the door to my next appointment, destination, or errand.
I love style, I love feeling like I made an effort. However, let’s be honest.. comfort is priority. I spend most of my day on the floor playing with my toddler. When I’m not crawling around on the floor… I’m jetting from one appointment to another before I rush to pick my children up from school. That is me.
When we were given the opportunity to participate in the #JustBeYou campaign from prAna and Stonyfield.. it was not a simple task for me. I was trying to select my clothing of choice and I bounced back and forth between a few. There were so many options.. so many possibilities. And then I came across the Meryl Sweater Dress. It was cozy. It was simple and adorable. It would accommodate crawling around on the floor. It would work while babywearing. It would be cute enough to go to appointments to, but comfortable enough to grocery shop in. I could wear it to the park and on a nature walk with my preschooler. It was me. Obviously, it would also pair well with my quick lunch of choice.. the simple yet flavorful Madagascar Vanilla Bean Oh My Yog! Apparently I am a more simplistic person- and I am okay with that. Like the yogurt, I have my kick of flavor in my seemingly basic outward appearance.
prAna is a company that knows who they are. They pride themselves on being sustainable and organic. Comfortable and flexible for whoever you are, wherever your life takes you. They have offered me a way to help you #justbeyou and find your match in their clothing by providing a giveaway to one lucky person, and a 15% discount for all of my readers. Between now and December 15, 2015 you can take 15% off your purchase at prAna.com using the code JBYF15DBC. (Not valid on gift cards or other offers)
Now, for the giveaway! A Special thanks to prAna for providing this giveaway. One lucky person will win their choice of one (1) item up to a $99 value from the organic cotton collection at prAna.com. How amazing is that?? Which item would you choose?? Which item is your “You”?? And — just for fun — which Stonyfield Oh My Yog! flavor would you pair with it? Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter.
Note: I am a Stonyfield Farm Ambassador and this post was sponsored by Stonyfield and prAna. I was provided a product for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
As a well seasoned mom, there is nothing more evident to me than just how quickly time passes and children grow. While it seems like yesterday that my youngest was just a tiny little infant, I was watching him toddler around the house today and it hit me.. he’s not a baby anymore. Obviously, then I had that stereotypical mom question. “Where has the time gone??” I feel like he has grown leaps and bounds just in the last month. New milestones. New words. Then there is my oldest.. I swear, his looks change almost as frequently as the baby. His clothing style, his hair preference. He’s exhibiting more and more of his personality. He suddenly wants to have full control over what he wears and where it comes from. We can’t forget the middle two.. they are both in varying stages of adorable change. One just got glasses.. clearly a milestone worth remembering. There are loose teeth and crazy clothes.
Photos are a life saver. Photos let us capture ALL of those every day moments and hold on to them. Those small, soon to be forgotten moments. Tiny fingers. Toothless smiles. Purposely mismatched socks. You can capture all those moments in photos.. and thanks to Shutterfly, you can turn those moments into tangible keepsakes. Photobooks, prints, and the wide variety of photo gifts are wonderful ways to look back on those moments whenever you want to. They are sure to put a smile on your face.
Stonyfield Farm also knows how important those moments are, especially for parents of young children — That is why they have teamed up with Shutterfly to provide a code for $20 off your first Shutterfly purchase on 6-packs of Stonyfield YoBaby and YoTot yogurt. (Offer ends February 29, 2016. Minimum purchase of $20 before shipping. One offer per household)
As a Stonyfield Farm Ambassador, I was provided with a code to capture my own memories. I used my Shutterfly code to make a water bottle. I am an avid water drinker, so it’s something I can have with me always to look at and remember those moments. I will treasure it, as the photos I chose to use — my youngest son’s first birthday — already seem to distant.
For more information on this amazing collaboration or to redeem your code from your Stonyfield YoBaby or YoTot yogurt, please visit shutterfly.com/stonyfield or click here.
Note: This post is sponsored by Stonyfield Farm and Shutterfly. I was provided a code of my own to use. All opinions expressed are my own.
So– not a cow in the sense that you all might be thinking. A small, bite sized cow. It was pink, tasted like strawberries and was organic. Yes.. that’s right. An organic pink cow that tastes like strawberries. You did, indeed, read that correctly.
What I am talking about are the new fruit snacks from Stonyfield Farm. Yes, the company that typically makes yogurt. As a Stonyfield Ambassador, Stonyfield was kind enough to send us this new addition to the Stonyfield line up as soon as they hit the market, and they did not disappoint.
We have been a fruit snack free home for a long while.. much to my children’s disdain. They go to a school where the only option is to bring a lunch from home. We try to make it as healthy of a lunch as we can, and I’m sorry kids, but traditional fruit snacks just don’t fall into that category. Until now — and they are thrilled.
The fact that they are organic makes me so happy. (So happy, in fact, I even let the toddler eat them.. fear not, he is older than he appears..) With as many processed, genetically modified, who-knows-what foods targeted at kids now days.. I love that Stonyfield has taken a step to give kids what they want, at the same time as giving moms what we want. These fruit snacks are made with real fruits and vegetables. They have no artificial ingredients or preservatives. They also contain 100% DV of vitamin C!
Obviously, I couldn’t just let the children eat these. If I were going to give you a true review, I would have to eat them too.. right? Yeah.. apparently I needed to review them a lot. I’m pretty sure over the course of the last two weeks, I lost track of how many “test” packs I “had” to consume. This usually resulted in my kids saying something like “MOM! These are our fruit snacks!” Goodness. Don’t they understand mommy is “working”??
For more information on the new Stonyfield Organic Fruit Snacks, visit here.
Note: This product was provided by Stonyfield for review. All Opinions expressed are my own.
Imagine if you will.. you arrive at a destination. You’re already in a hurry and your older child starts doing the dance. You know the dance. The crossed leg, booty shaking.. “I’ve got to peeeeeeee” dance. .. you don’t want to have to spend a lot of time trying to get the baby up in a carrier- but you know you can help the other child successfully use the bathroom and juggle the baby in your arms without someone touching something. Wouldn’t you love a carrier that you could successfully put on with a quick click here, click there, wiggle and BAM! Done. Right? Off to help your child use the bathroom and everyone exits unscathed. Well, hopefully, anyway. Life doesn’t stop. There’s always groceries to buy, bathrooms to use, parks to play at, school pick up. These are essential parenting moments.
Introducing the Essentials Carrier by Lillebaby! All of the class and style of Lillebaby that we love so much, with an added simplicity for all of life’s essential moments. With a special thanks to Lillebaby for providing me with the carrier to get to know ahead of release – I’m going to help you get the know the Essentials so you can see how it will make your essential moments a little easier.
Style: The Essentials definitely has style in mind. Currently available in a grey and white chevron pattern, it isn’t flashy. Isn’t loud. It is sure to compliment most outfits for both mom and baby.
Adjustable: One of the features on this carrier is the ability to adjust the straps 3 ways, and carry in 4 positions. You not only have the 2 way strap adjusters, but you now have a PFA (Perfect Fit Adjuster) at the base of the strap giving you the ability to get the straps even tighter/shorter. This lets the carrier work for even more body types and sizes as well as make breastfeeding while wearing easier to accomplish. You can also carry in 4 positions, unlike many other SSC’s (soft structure carriers). You can do the traditional front and back carry.. but with the Essentials you can also do a hip and an infant carry (With insert, sold separately). You also have the option of crossing the straps to get an even more custom fit.
Back to Basics: This carrier is extremely functional, without a ton of bells and whistles to complicate it. It’s easy to get on. Easy to adjust. Now that I have it adjusted the way I like it, when I get to my destination I just grab it, click the belt on, put baby in and click the chest clip and we’re ready! No messing around with it. With that said, while still remaining simple, it does boast the Lillebaby Pocket on the front. Large and perfect for carrying an assortment of items. I can fit my phone, a diaper or two, some snacks.. it’s perfect.
Hood: The hood is attached on the Essentials, and has a stowaway pocket. It is made from a very soft mesh, similar to that of basketball shorts. (I live in a house of boys.. that’s all I can think to compare it to.. forgive me.) It offers great coverage, while remaining light and airy. It secures to the straps with an elastic pull loop that connects to a hook-like clip. This hook-like clip can slide up and down the strap, again very adjustable.
Lumbar: While this carrier does not come with a lumbar support, Lille-Lovers do not distress. It is compatible with the lumbar support. If you already own a Lille (or many.. If you’re like me..) Just grab one from your other carrier and slide it on the essentials if you want to use it. You will also be able to buy a lumbar support separately to be used with the Essentials. I must confess, the bright Lille-Citrus colored lumbar support from my Citrus Embossed carrier looks really awesome with the Essentials.
Affordability: Now that you’ve seen all that the Essentials has to offer, let me tell you the best (and my husband’s favorite..) part. This carrier will hit the market at a very affordable $89.99!! A durable, practical carrier for all of your essential needs… for under $100 brand new. Obviously, this means I can buy more than one, correct?
Note: I am a Lillebaby Brand Ambassador and I was provided the Essentials Carrier to write this post. I was not otherwise compensated. All opinions expressed are my own.
