My newest discovery is the Kidsleep. It is basically a night light and an alarm clock, that can also act as a sleep-aid. Very easy to use and no complicated set-ups. My daughter is 3 years old, and I thought it was about time to get her an alarm clock. The way she differentiates time is the old fashioned way, which is probably the most reliable way. When it’s dark, it’s time to go to bed, when the sun comes out, it’s time to wake up. She has been pretty good with that, however, she now attends preschool, which makes waking up at a given time, a little more complicated.

I love that the sleeping bunny shows my daughter to stay in bed, and the wide-awake bunny shows my daughter it’s okay to wake up. The night light is fantastic because my daughter occasionally likes to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, and she wakes me up because she doesn’t want to walk in the dark. The night light offers her the comfort of going to the bathroom, with a little bit of light, and not have to wake me up. Lastly, I love the sound of the alarm clock. It has a bird chirping noise that is non-irritating and non-harsh. You can also have it set so that a rooster sound goes off as the awake bunny is illuminated.

My daughter thought it was a toy at first, as she tried to play with it, but now she knows it’s her little clock. She loves looking at the night light as she sleeps, and loves the awake bunny when she wakes up. When the alarm clock goes off, she says, “Mom, Wake up!” So now she has become my own alarm clock. I feel that there is some sort of role reversal going on, but that is A okay with me!

It is suggested that from birth-2 years, the Kidsleep be used as a night light. From 2-6 years, used as a sleep training aid, with the option of using the alarm clock. You don’t need to purchase any batteries, just plug to an outlet, and it comes with 2 extra bulbs. It’s a really neat product that my daughter will be able to enjoy for years to come. They also carry the Globetrotter, which is smaller and battery operated, for everyday use or travel. For more information, please visit: http://livelovedream.com/.

(Disclosure: Product was provided free of charge for review purposes and does not affect my views or feedback of the product.  This review is based solely on my personal opinion and experience and results may vary person to person.)

I am 35 weeks today and I am literally counting down the days. Of course, I don’t want my baby to come early, but I am at that stage in the pregnancy where i feel stretched to the max in the belly, although people tell me that I look 4 months along, I do not feel attractive at all. For my body frame, which I am on a thinner side, it’s a lot of weight to carry. My husband jokes that I should know how he feels on a daily basis. Not so funny, when I am dealing with a lot of frontal weight that puts a lot of pressure on the back.

My first child came at 38.1 weeks, so I feel that this next baby is going to come right around the same time or earlier. The baby has been sitting pretty low these days, head facing down, so I am literally counting down the days until it’s safe for baby to make its entrance into the world. My midwife says 36 weeks is usually a safe marker, but I have been reading many sites, as well as books that says 37 weeks is when the baby fully develops its lungs. For me, the baby will come when it wants to come, so trying to be as patient as possible.

So today I am trying to just relax and think about what I will be getting my husband for Father’s Day!!!

Our place is completely covered in hardwood floors, and of course I love it because it’s beautiful. However, having my daughter run around everywhere, it isn’t the most practical situation. My daughter prefers sitting on the floors when she plays with toys, when she is coloring, and when she is watching her favorite movie, “Thumbelina.” She will grab a cushion from our couch, and sit on top of it, so that she can be a little bit more comfortable. Sometimes that leads to her falling from side to side because the cusions are higher and curved, and do not provide for a flat surface area. It’s not the safest situation to have your child in.

As a parent, you want your child to be comfortable, but mainly safe. I found a product out on the market that was made by a mom, just like me, and it addresses many of these issues. The Tuffet, is a large round cushion filled with foam beads to protect children, from falling over and possibly getting injured. There are so many things I love about The Tuffet.

I love that it is fully functional. You can use it to watch movies, play with toys, or just sit on top of it. I myself can use it to read a book or watch TV and my husband can use it to play video games. It’s one of those products that is very versatile and can be used by every single family member, not just your child. It’s easy to clean, just drop the cover in the washer, and it’s as simple as 1-2-3. It’s easy to store under you bed or in the closet, and you can easily transport it from place to place. The Tuffet comes in a variety of fabric choices, as well as colors, so you are not limited when it comes to your own personal taste.

When I got The Tuffet, it was super simple to put together. I just inserted the liner into the cover and zipped it close. My daughter was able to sit on top of it comfortably without any issues and she was already dragging it around from room to room. It was really nice to see her sit comfortably reading a book, without me constantly checking on her, to see if she was okay. She was very happy and you could tell she met her new best friend. The Tuffet also has two pockets on top, where you could put essential items, such as a remote control. However, my daughter puts her favorite little dolls in it, as their hiding place.

After I dropped her off from school, I came back home and read my new breastfeeding book, on top of it. It was very comfortable, and I was really surprised that my posture was really straight. Something about those beads, in the liner, keeps you from slouching. Had I never sat on it, I would not have known, that added benefit. A lot of items that do provide comfort, are not always the healthiest or the best for us, so it was definitely reassuring to know that my daughter would be sitting up straight while being comfortable.

I think The Tuffet is an overall great product for the whole family and can be used for years to come. It is also Mom Made which I love! Please visit The Tuffet at:www.madebyamom.com.

(Disclosure: Product was provided free of charge for review purposes and does not affect my views or feedback of the product.  This review is based solely on my personal opinion and experience and results may vary person to person.)

I wanted to write something clever today, but I am going to keep it real, I am just completely brain dead. I think when we have children, continue to give birth, we lose brain cells. I really do believe that because ever since my first, I have memory loss. I’ve talked to other mothers, who also feel the same way, so I know I am not the only one in feeling like this.

Prime example, today I went to Trader Joe’s and the entire time I thought I was in Whole Foods. When I went to check out my food items, I kept telling the crew member how much I loved Whole Foods and why I loved to shop at Whole Foods, and he kept saying to me that Trader Joes had quality items for cheaper. I couldn’t get why he kept plugging in Trader Joe’s, until I realized that I was at Trader Joe’s. Needless to say, I felt really stupid and out of it, but the crew member was super nice and really patient with me.

You would think it would stop there. No way! After Trader Joe’s, I needed to stop at the mall to get something for my dad’s birthday. I went there and did not know why I was there. I ended up going to the Disney Store and got my daughter a princess lunch kit. I still couldn’t figure out why I was there. When I came home, my mom called to tell me that we were going out to lunch. I told her that I wanted to stay home because I was super tired and she said, “Are you sure, it’s your dad’s birthday?” I literally shook my head because I completely forgot about it. I mean I was talking about it all morning long.

So right now, I just feel completely out of it and brain dead!!

I am very particular in what sort of things go on my skin. Especially since our body’s largest organ is our skin, and everything that is penetrated into the skin, has an overall affect on our body.  I don’t think many people realize what sort of things are put into our skincare products and how it affects our overall health.  For one, I started to be more conscious of what I put on, with my first pregnancy because it not only affected me, it affected my baby.  With that being said, there are things that are being put into our lotions, our cleansers, our toothpastes, that actually cause birth defects.  Now, how is that possible and legal?  Well, it’s happening everyday, and that’s why we must be conscious consumers, for our own livelihoods.

With my daughter, I only use the best skincare out there because I know the short term and long term affects it has on her.  When I say, “best” skincare, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s super expensive, made of gold, caviar, or the remainders of a circumcision. The prices are very reasonable and the quality is exceptional, without the use of all the bad stuff!  With another baby on the way, I am continually looking for products, that meet the high level of quality, without the high price tag.  Which brings me to, Aleva Naturals.

Aleva Naturals, carry a whole line of baby products, that meets my particular needs without the added nasties.  All their products are free of alcohol, petrolatum, phthalates, SLS & SLES, perfume, mineral oil, paraben, lanoline, and is hypoallergenic.  So they pretty much cover their basis when it comes to most sensitivities and allergies.  As well as leaving out, all the unnecessary chemicals, preservatives, and fillers that also cause harm to our bodies.

The Bamboo Baby Wipes were so soft and were ever-so gentle on the face.  The Baby 2-1 Hair & Body Wash, was a perfect addition to my daughter’s bathing regimen.  It was very convenient that we could wash her hair and her body, at the same time.  It was also nice that it did not have any strong odor to it.  After her wash, we put on the Baby Moisturizing Emulsion, and it was such a nice ending touch.  It went on smooth, and absorbed really quickly.  She was left with soft, supple, and buttery skin.  They also carry the Baby Breathe Easy Cream, which helps ease nasal congestion and relaxes the baby to get a good night’s sleep.  For the mommas out there, they carry a Maternity-Nursing Balm, which helps soothe and protect sore, dry, and cracked nipples.  So they pretty much have everything for you and your baby.

Be a conscious mother, for you and your child. Everything that goes on your skin, goes into your body, and in the end, has an overall affect on you and your baby’s health. Make sure that the ingredients you read on the label, are something that you know, and not some chemistry question, that you are unsure of.

(Disclosure: Products were provided free of charge for review purposes and does not affect my views or feedback of the products.  This review is based solely on my personal opinion and experience and results may vary person to person.)

How many of us sleep at night, or actually not really sleep at night, and wake up the next morning, feeling like we didn’t get a good night’s rest. Well, for my husband and I, that has been the topic of our late night pillow conversations before attempting to go to bed. We find ourselves tossing and turning, as well as itching from head to toe. It sounds a little disgusting, and we both shower religiously, but every night, we are itching ourselves all over, reminding us of our chicken-pox days.

Since we were both experiencing these issues, we knew it didn’t have to do with our bodies and had something to do with our bed. At first, we assumed it was our bed sheets. We started to wash them, almost every other day, and nothing really changed. So then, we thought it was the detergent that we were using. We only use natural detergents, so we tried using other natural detergents, that were completely in its most natural forms. To our sadness, that didn’t work either. We had an inclination that it was probably the nasty little dust mites, coming from our mattress. It was our last and only reason we could come up with.

We then discovered, Protect-A-Bed. They have a whole product line based on allergy relief. Everything from mattress protectors to crib protectors. From their site, I learned that an estimated two million dust mites could thrive in an unprotected mattress. How nasty is that? Did anyone watch that episode with Oprah, going under the microscope, and revealing all the dust mites that are crawling all over our mattresses? Well, that is the visual I immediately got when reading this tidbit.

We tried out the Premium Mattress Protector, which is their standard model. We first followed the washing instructional that was sent along with our protector, which is a must. Then we proceeded to put it over our mattress. We both got ready for bed, and both were crossing our fingers, hoping this would be the answer to our nightly prayers. We actually had a long day, so both of us were ready to pass out, and the protector only helped us because it was super comfortable and soft. Immediately, we both passed out. We woke up the next morning, not once, having to itch our bodies, or being awaken by discomfort. We have used it for over a week, and let me tell you, our moods, our bodies, and our energy levels, have been in tip top shape.

I would recommend this product to everyone, even those that are not having any issues. I would rather sleep in a dust-mite free, allergen-free bed any day, then have to ponder or visualize the thought of little critters walking all over my body. Yuck! There are so many other perks, such as the 10 year warranty, the Miracle Membrane with Total Heat Transference Formula, and protection from stains(accidental spills, perspiration, bodily fluids). For more detailed information about the products from Protect-A-Bed, please visit their site at: http://www.protectabed.com/.

Remember, by protecting your mattress/pillow/crib, you are protecting your family, your health, and your hygiene. Why not sleep with clean comfort? Sleep is something that we all deserve and need. Let’s do it the right way!

(Disclosure: Product was provided free of charge for review purposes and does not affect my views or feedback of the product.  This review is based solely on my personal opinion and experience and results may vary person to person.)

The last couple days have been quite hectic. My father came into town and on top of it, my mom and my dad our staying with us. I went on a non-stop cleaning spree, which consisted of our living room, 3 closets, and the hallway. I can’t believe how much garbage/junk came out of our closets. Now that everything is organized, donated, or thrown away, I feel like I have some breathing room.

Since I have been non-stop at cleaning and I am talking from morning till evening, my back has gone from hurting to now agony. Yesterday, in between cleaning, I literally passed out on my daughter’s bed, for about an hour. It was the best hour in a long time, for my body. Last night was a different story. I had my daughter latching onto me, wanting to sleep with me, and so my husband, my daughter, and I shared a bed together. It was probably the most warm and most uncomfortable experience because we were literally sardined in the bed. It didn’t help that my husband and my daughter had taken over the bed, and I was left with a space so tiny, not even a little puppy would have been comfortable sleeping in.

So today, I decided to have a little “me” time. I totally deserve it, with all the things I have been doing lately. I dropped my daughter off and then headed to M Cafe. Once of my favorite cafes in town. They serve an entirely macrobiotic menu. I had the wild salmon benedict, an almond croissant, and 2 brownies. I savored every little bite and every little moment. It tasted so good and I feel that I have gotten some sanity back in me.

Now for the rest of the day, not do anything!!!! Well for the most part, until I go and pick up my daughter.

Hi Mommas!

I now can add guest blogger to my blogging resume. Today, I posted my review for First Juice, which is such a great company. Please read my post for more information. Morever, I wrote a guest blog on First Juice’s Blog at www.firstjuiceblog.com. Please go and read my guest blog, as well as learn more info on First Juice. Thanks everyone!!!!

I remember the day when my daughter first looked at me, the first time she sat up, the first time she giggled, the first time she said, “mommy”,and the first time she started to crawl. Being parents, we get to experience so many firsts, that can be equally exciting and scary. As those firsts, keep coming at us, we try to do what’s best for our children. Even early on, we are faced with our own “firsts,” breastfeeding versus formula feeding.

As parents, we want to make the right choices for our children. We are living in a world where childhood obesity is on the rise, and more and more foods are coming out packaged, with loads of preservatives. We want to make sure that what is being put into the mouths of our children, is healthy and has nutritional substance.

Eating healthy is very important in my family. I try to feed my daughter organic foods, with lots of fruits and vegetables. I have never been a fan of juices because of the sugar content, and some are just full of empty calories. My daughter likes water and she will drink the smoothies that we make her. But ever since we started her in preschool, she has been requesting juice boxes. All of her classmates, have some sort of juice accompanying their lunches, and my daughter, has her water in her SIGG water bottle. Of course, as a parent, I don’t want my daughter to be limited in her options, and want to offer her other choices. However, I want her options to have nutritional value.
After my daughter told me that she wanted a juicebox in her lunch bag, I went looking for options that would be good for her, and made for children. There are so many juices out there on the market, that are very good for you, but has exceeding amounts of vitamins, for a child’s daily allowance. So I wanted a drink that was made for children. I then came across, First Juice, so appropriately named. The thing I love most, is that it has a blend of fruits and vegetables. So my daughter is able to get her vegetable servings, in with her fruit servings. One thing, I am noticing as my daughter gets older, is that she is trying to leave her veggies off her plate. I love that the vegetables are being incorporated into the juices, and my daughter doesn’t really notice a difference. Plus, it is organic, lower in sugar, and even comes in a spill-proof sippy-top container.

I love that the juices come in my daughter’s favorite flavors. The four flavors are: apple+carrot, banana+carrot, blueberry+purple carrot, peach+purple carrot. I was able to get all four, to try it out on my daughter. I packed the juices with her lunch, all week long, and my daughter finished each and everyone one of them. She asked me, if she could have more. I asked, what her favorite flavors were, and of course, she loved the blueberry+purple carrot juice. She loves anything blueberry, so I wasn’t surprised by her answer. Just to make things a little interesting, the day after we finished her four juices, I packed a regular apple juice with her lunch. On our way home, back from school, my daughter said, “I don’t want the yucky apple juice, I want the blueberry juice with the bicycle boy.” She was referring to the the little boy on the bicycle, on the First Juice label. I immediately knew that it had passed my daughter’s taste test.

Another thing I love about First Juice, is that they are green and safe. All First Juice® brand bottles are made of Bisphenol-A (BPA) free and phthalate-free plastic. Moreover, the bottles are recycle code #1, which is the most widely recycled plastic in the U.S. And the sippy cap bottles are re-usable. Just refill them with the 32oz refill bottles or water. Not only are you teaching your children on good eating/drinking habits, you are educating them on being green. What a great way to start shaping your child’s future!

For more detailed information, as well as purchasing locations, please visit: http://www.firstjuice.com/.

(Disclosure: Products were provided free of charge for review purposes and does not affect my views or feedback of the products.  This review is based solely on my personal opinion and experience and results may vary person to person.)

One thing I am not irritated about is my great midwife appointment today. She checked me, measured me, and heard my baby’s heartbeat. The baby is very healthy and the heart is very strong. She measured me at 32 cm, which is good because the last visit I was at 30cm. So my midwife appointment went very well and I am 2 days from being 34 weeks pregnant.

Now let’s move on to the irritated part of me, which is a huge part of me right now. For the last 3 days, I have been cleaning almost non-stop, except for the occasional pee breaks, to eat something, or to drink some water. Some may say that I am nesting, which could be true, but I really feel the need to clean our living space in tip top shape because we have a little one coming in a few weeks.

Right now, we have a lot of things in our closets, that are mostly my mother’s things. She had these things in storage at one point, but eventually moved it into our closets because we had a lot of huge closets. The bad part about that was she took over, all our closets, meaning no storage for us. So for the last 3 days, I have been going through her things, and sorting it out in boxes and labeling everything. I need to make room and space for our little one and for ourselves.

I am primarily irritated because no one is helping me. My husband has one day off in the week, so he does not want to clean, on his day off. For the most part, I can understand, but if you see your pregnant wife laboring throughout the day, wouldn’t you feel bad? My mom calls me and tells me about her dance classes, what restaurants she went too, and what trips she is going to take. Was there a moment where she stopped to ask, how I was doing? Especially, when I am going through her junk, and extremely frustrated over all the “stuff” she has, that she won’t get rid of because she lives the label, “pack rat.”

So I guess that is the summary of how I feel. I feel overworked, and under-appreciated. My dad is coming into town today from taking care of my grandmother. So my mom came by my place, before she went to pick him up from the airport. The second she set foot into my place, I lost it. I pretty much let all the “lion” in me come out. Of course, my mom defended herself, and offered to help. But, for one second it felt so good to let everything out. I felt bad afterwards, but for that one moment, it felt so empowering and free, just to let everything go.