Fluffy Cheeks Giveaway!

And the winner is....

Jenny H said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/jennhull/status/55633676893032448
jhull at m dot marywood dot edu

April 6, 2011 9:11 AM

Remember last month when I introduced you to Fluffy Cheeks?

Well, the awesome folks over there sent me a Flip diaper to review.

I have tried about every cloth diaper out there, so I was very excited to try one I hadn't seen yet.

I really like the Flip Diaper.

It is a cover with an insert that just lays in it.  This is great for a quick change, or if you are going to be out and about.  It is trim and easy to use.  It reminds me a bit of the Bummis Super Snap Wrap, but is one size and I love that.  It will fit both my newborn and 2 1/2 year old.  Love not having to have a lot of different size covers laying around.  It makes diaper changes especially easier for Jeremy, who never knows whose is whose when it comes to anything related to the kids!

They come with 2 different options for the liner - a stay dry insert and an organic insert.  The one pictured above is the organic insert.  I have also used my prefolds in it and it works great.

I love how absorbent the liners both are, and the stay dry one really does just that, stay dry.  Libby wore a stay dry liner with another cloth diaper to bed one night, and when she woke up in the morning, her skin was just moist.  Color me impressed!

My friends at Fluffy Cheeks want to share the love with one of you and are giving a $25 gift certificate to their store.

That is such a great deal, you could get some great diapering supplies with $25!

To enter, go on over to Fluffy Cheeks and look around.  Come back and tell me what you would get with your $25.

For additional entries you can:

1. Tweet about this giveaway and be sure to include @prairiemama in your tweet so I can see it :)
2. Subscribe to my blog
3. Go Like Fluffy Cheeks on Facebook

You may enter as many times as you like, I like to stack the odds in favor of those who work for it ;)  Remember to leave 1 comment for each entry, or you will only be entered once.

Contest will run through Wednesday, April 6 at 9 pm CDT.

Good luck my cloth diapering lovelies!

*I was given a Flip cover, 2 stay dry inserts and 2 organic inserts to assist me in my review.  However, the words, as always, are mine and can't be bought.

This is Killing Me

Seth loved Kindergarten.  He loved his teacher, his friends, the things he was learning.  He did fabulous and had fun.

First grade came and he was thrilled, so were we.  He got into the new charter school right around the corner from our house.  He could walk everyday and excelled beyond all of our expectations.

Then the curve ball came for our whole family.  Our future was uncertain, we had no idea where we would end up.

When Jeremy got the job offer in Austin, Seth begged me not to make him move.  He begged me not to take him out of his school.  He begged us not to make him leave his very best friend, Holden.  He cried, he bargained, he threatened and finally, he accepted.

After much prayer, we decided to homeschool him to help with the transition.

What I didn't realize was that it was only going to be the right answer for a while.  It got beyond difficult.  I couldn't keep up anymore.  I struggled, I prayed, I bargained, I cried, and finally, I accepted.  He was to go to Public School.

To say this transition has been difficult would be an understatement.

He begs me every morning to please not make him go.

After school he tells me he had a good day.  But after dinner, it is a different story.

Last night he came to me in tears telling me that he just doesn't think this school is the right place for him.  He doesn't have any friends in his class (yet), he doesn't understand the Math and when he asked his teacher about it, he said she just "blew up" at him.

Now, I know he is very vulnerable and sensitive right now.  She could have been frustrated about anything, or just a little irritated and spoken to him with not the nicest voice in the world and he would think it was blowing up.

BUT, she could have also been really frustrated with him and really blew up at him.  I don't know.

I emailed her and we are meeting next week, that will be good.

But for now, I am hurting for my baby boy.  It is so hard to tell him that sometimes we have to do hard things and that is just part of life.

While I tell him he has to stick it out for 2 months, I am also telling myself the same thing.  Two months and then he is mine again, and I can have him home to play and help me all day long.

What do you do when your kids are really struggling with something like this?  Something that you know is the right decision, but is so hard.  How do you do it?  I need help please.

Little Lies

I lost my camera.
again.

I swear my pregnant brain gets worse with each baby.

The first time I lost it I offered a $5 reward to whoever found it.

Jeremy found it.  In the trash can next to the computer desk.

Seth was not happy that Jeremy found it.

I told him I would give him some opportunities to do extra work around the house (i.e. helping me get this place cleaned up for giving birth), and he could earn $5.  He was happy with that.

This was on Saturday.

On Monday, I couldn't find my camera, again.

For 2 days I searched and searched and searched my house for my camera.  It was nowhere to be found.

In an act of sheer desperation, I told Seth that I would offer another $5 reward to whoever could find my camera.  I told him the last place I remember seeing it was in the sewing room.

Five minutes later, he brought me my camera.

I was thrilled!  Where did you find it????

In the little bird door, he said.

Really?  I would never have thought to look there.  Here is why...

I was suspicious.  Can you see why?

I decided to let it go though, and gave him the option to get a new Lego set that I had bought (worth $5) or the $5.  He chose the Legos.

When Jeremy came home, I told him about Seth's mad detective skills.  Daddy isn't nearly as lenient as Mama, so he started questioning Seth a bit.

Seth finally looked at me and said, "Mom, I'm sorry.  I lied.  I put the camera there because I knew you would offer $5 again to find it".

Stinker.

Moral of the story?  Never offer money to a child who wants to buy Legos more than anything.  Also, make him do the work you were going to pay him for, but this time he has to do it for free.

Also? Keep your camera in the bag so you don't lose it again.

If you Give a Kid a Camera

They will have a LOT of fun.  And you will have some great pictures of their day.

Photos by Miss Amelia Mae.  I think she has a real future as a photographer, don't you?

And for your protection, I took out all the pictures she took of my bum.  It is as big as my belly these days and that is saying something!

Homeschool Dropout

Hello, my name is Kim and I am a homeschool dropout.

It has been 2 weeks since I last homeschooled and my son is now in public school.

This is hard for me to admit, but homeschooling is not the best option for my family.

I have been reading blogs of amazing women who homeschool, for years.  I always thought that I could do it too.  They keep their houses clean, their worlds organized, they craft, they homeschool, they do everything.  It can't be that hard.

But it was.  I couldn't keep up.  I felt like I was drowning all the time.

So, I surrendered and have put faith in the public school system again.  I have never had a bad experience with Seth in public school.  I pray I never do.

I worry as he is gone all day, with a teacher I don't know, with kids I don't know, in an environment I don't know.  I worry that he will get made fun of, that he won't fit in, that he won't understand what is going on.  I worry, I worry, I worry.

I want to control every aspect of my children's lives.  But, I know I can't.

So now, I let go and I do what I know is best for my family.  Just like those amazing women I spoke of before, homeschooling is not the best option for my family.

So, I am a homeschool dropout, and that is ok.

**Thank you all for your love and support yesterday.  I heard from many of you via twitter, facebook, here and in my inbox.  Your encouragement and prayers helped me and my sweet boy through the day.  He did fabulous and loved his day.  He didn't want me to walk him to his class this morning, he's got it covered he said.  I will still worry while he is not in my nest, but know that he will be okay and will tell me if something happens that he is not comfortable with.  And I am so grateful for that.

There He Goes

He came to me in tears last night.  "Mom, I'm scared.  I don't want to go".
I know buddy, I am too I wanted to say.  
Instead, I put on a brave face and say, I know buddy, you will do great though.
"I don't want the other kids staring at me".
I know. They will though. You are new, they want to know all about you, they are curious.

He breaks down in tears and climbs on my lap (what's left of it at least) and buries his head in my shoulder.

"Why can't I just stay home?  Why can't you homeschool me anymore?"

He is breaking my heart. 

"I wish I could sweetie.  I really do.  It just isn't working for Mama anymore. I am sorry".

Jeremy takes him and, in a flash of brilliance, gives him a half dollar and 2 gold pennies.  He tells him to put them in his pocket and rub them when he is scared.

He is calmed down a bit and goes to bed.

This morning he gets ready for school.  New KU shirt, camouflage shorts, coins in his pocket.  He is ready to go.  We have a family prayer and pray that he will do great, will be brave, and will have fun.

We drive to school.  Before we get out, he asks to have another prayer.  Again, we pray for bravery, strength, and to have fun.

He does great until we get to his classroom.  the kids stare at him.  He looks at me accusingly, "I TOLD YOU THEY WOULD. I AM LEAVING", he whisper shouts at me.

I look him in the eye and tell him to tame his dragon, I see the calm come over him as my heart is breaking.  He goes to his desk, the other kids want to help him, but he thinks they are staring again, so he comes over to me, this time with tears in his eyes (trying to be brave) and we repeat the same scenario as before.

We have to go to the office to find out where he goes for specials.  With 9 1st grade classes (!!!), his class is split, so we don't know which class he goes with.

While sitting in the office, he sits on my lap and again looks at me pleadingly, "Please Mom, take me home.  I just want to do homeschool.  I don't want to be here".

It is killing me.  I want to say Ok sweetie, let's go home.  This was silly.  We can go get your backpack and go to the store, go home and bake cookies.

But, I don't. Instead I tell him,
"Seth, you are a Viking, remember?  You are Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III.  You are not afraid of anything."

I see him straighten up a bit and see the bravery come back into his eyes.

His teacher arrives at this time and that bravery melts away.  He gives me a hug and whispers in my ear, "Please Mom".

I look at him and say, "Hiccup, go talk to your teacher about Dragons".

His wise teacher says, "Dragons? I collect dragons?  You like dragons too?"

He beams, gives hugs to me and his sisters and walks off.

I watch him go, his hand in his pocket rubbing those coins, and pray he will have a fabulous day.

Motherlove Herbal :: Review and Giveaway!

****WINNER*****

Congrats to Pamela, who said,

Pamela said...

I'd try the rhoid balm. Because my babies were all nearly 10 pounds and I've been rocking the rhoids ever since. TMI, I apologize.
thedaytontime at gmaildotcom

March 19, 2011 12:05 AM

 Thanks everyone for entering! :)

*****************

I grow 'em big.

This is the truth.  My biggest baby was Seth.  At 9lbs 3oz, he really paved the way for the other kids.  I measured 46cm at 36 weeks.  Kind of big.

What do you think?  Big belly?  Yep.

I posted these pictures on a forum I was on and one woman commented that she loved my henna tattoo.  I laughed out loud.  Those marks?  Those are my stretch marks.  All from Seth.  The black and white makes them look good, right?  Well how about this...

Red stretched skin.  Those marks have never gone away and they turn red like that with each pregnancy.  They itch and they hurt.

Recently I discovered Motherlove Herbal's Pregnant Belly Salve.  Oh my gosh, this stuff is AMAZING!!!  I have 1 stretch mark that really itches and hurts.  It was bright red a few weeks ago and itching all the time.  I started putting this stuff on twice a day and it has faded and doesn't itch anymore! YAY!

Creating the purest products of the finest quality, Motherlove Herbal Company is dedicated to using certified organic ingredients for a holistic way to soothe, pamper and enrich the pregnant or breastfeeding body. Certified cruelty free and without the use of preservatives, artificial fragrances and petroleum-based additives (such as mineral oil) found in most body care products, Motherlove products instill confidence and peace of mind as you nurture yourself and the life within.

Used to soothe the discomforts of pregnancy and breastfeeding, and pamper the body, our products are also safe and gentle on baby's skin. Motherlove products have been proven so effective they have earned the trust and continued support of lactation consultants, midwives, healthcare practitioners and mothers everywhere.

I love that these products are 100% natural and almost all organic.  The Pregnant Belly Salves "Scar-healing shea butter is added to the same certified organic herbs and oil base as Motherlove's pregnant belly oil to create this creamy salve that keeps skin soft and elastic. This salve effectively prevents stretch marks and relieves the itch of stretching skin. Wonderful for regular moisturizing in the mornings, evenings or anytime! Motherlove’s pregnant belly salve has a zero rating (zero toxins) on EWG’s skin deep database."

They also have products for birth, breastfeeding and the baby.  I can't wait to try their Sitz Bath after this baby makes his grand entrance.  The Rhoid Balm is oh so soothing right now and the Green Salve works wonders on bug bites and even Libby's diaper rash!

Motherlove Herbal wants to gift one of you, my lucky readers, with any product from their website.  Whether you are pregnant, breastfeeding, getting ready to have a baby, or have a new baby, there is something there for you!

To enter, go on over to Motherlove's website and look around.  Tell me what product you would choose and why.

For extra entries you can
1. Follow Motherlove on Twitter
2. Like Motherlove on Facebook
3. Tweet about this contest!

You must leave a separate comment for each entry. You may also enter as many times as you like, but I want to know different products you would choose each time :)

This contest will run for 1 week and will end March 25 at 9 PM CDT.

*Motherlove sent me Pregnant Belly Salve, Green Salve, Sitz Bath and Rhoid Balm to try out.  When the pregnant belly salve samples ran out, I bought some of my own...that's how much I love it.  The words are all mine, you can't buy my opinion.

Time to Stop Running.

Amelia and Libby were asleep and I was having some alone time with Seth.  We talked about him starting school next week and what he was most excited about, and most nervous about.  He is most excited about lunch and recess.  Those are his favorites.  He is most nervous about being the new kid and having everyone stare at him.  Me too.

I hated being the new kid.  We moved the summer before my 6th grade year, and when I was in 10th grade.  It was not easy either time.  And, both times I was scared out of my mind that first day of school.  I remember that uncomfortable feeling as people are trying to figure you out, where you fit, and if they want to be your friend.

I hated lunch both times. Who do I sit with? I don't know anyone and don't have friends yet. It was so awkward and uncomfortable.

I want to shield him and protect him from that.  And I have for 2 months.  I can't anymore and it is killing me.

During our conversation he let me know that I am "on the computer way too much".  So, I am making a conscious effort to scale way back.  I will check my email and blogs during breakfast and lunch and again after the kids are in bed.  But that is it, starting today.  I am their Mom first and foremost, I need to remember that.

******

I am really having a hard time being the new kid here.  I completely broke down to Jeremy because I don't know what I will do with these kids when I have the baby.

If this labor and delivery are like my others, it will happen in the middle of the night.  That really is great except...Libby doesn't sleep all night.  In fact, some nights, she wakes up crying and screaming several times.  What will we do then?  I need Jeremy when I am in labor, I am selfish and can't have him running off to help her every 30 minutes.

Also, even if everyone sleeps all night, we won't and we will be exhausted the next day.  But, the kids will still need to eat and play and want to do things that involve parents who are awake.

It is really hard not having my support system here this time.

I know that we will do what we have to do....but I am scared.

I really wonder what the Lord was thinking when Jeremy lost his job 2 days after I found out I was pregnant.  We felt so certain that now was the time to have another baby.  I wasn't ready physically, but I am not one to ignore the promptings of the Holy Ghost when they are that strong.  And because I know that God has sent this baby to us at this time, in this place, I am sure everything will be ok.

But...I am also human, and very pregnant and feeling very alone.  So I doubt and I wonder and I cry. A lot.

******

These are the things that weigh heavily on my mind and drive me to eat Oreo's at 11:15 pm.  These are the things that keep me awake at night and keep me from relaxing and thinking good positive thoughts about the impending birth of this child.

These are the thoughts that swirl around and around and around in my head.

These are the reasons I use the internet as my form of escapism...all too often.

It is time I stop hiding, stop escaping and stop running.  It is time I start figuring out how to deal with these feelings.  Because Seth is starting school next week whether I am ready for him to or not.  And, this baby is coming in about 6 weeks whether I have worked through my feelings of anxiety or not.

So, here I go, into the depths of my soul to try to gain some peace.  Your prayers, thoughts, and light are much appreciated right now.  I really need it.

33 Weeks and a Big Fat Bruise

*Update* Zappos came to the rescue and completely took care of the shoe situation.  They are issuing a full refund and letting me exchange my shoes for others.  I have opted for some great looking Danskos, a shoe with a great reputation.  So I feel good about it.  YAY for Zappos!

How do you like that shadow?  It's the best I can do as far as belly shot right now.  That is me in all my 33 week glory.  I feel like a whale, I waddle a lot, my back hurts and I am exhausted.  But I am so blessed to be able to carry this sweet little person inside of me.  To have another human being growing and living and depending on me.  I am blessed.

*****

Remember how Amelia just learned to ride a two wheeler?  Well, this little girl will ride that bike anytime I let her.  Yesterday, she and Seth were out riding and I was doing something inside.  I heard her scream and immediately waddled out to see what was wrong.  She came in holding her elbow and told me she fell.  She had a small scrape on her elbow and a nice big goose egg on her chin (is it still a goose egg if it's on the chin?).  In typical Amelia fashion, I got her cleaned up and she went right back out to ride.  But, not before posing for a few photos for me.  My little ham.

In Need of a New Sole

Long ago (ok, really just 6 months ago) I bought a pair of lovely shoes.  I researched these shoes and found only great comments about them.  This was going to be a big splurge, so I wanted something that was going to last for a long time.

I settled on these lovely shoes from Spring Step.  When they arrived I was thrilled with the comfort and started to wear them everywhere I went.

I was a little disappointed that they scuffed so easily, but I decided that is the price I pay for wearing such comfy shoes all the time.

In January, I wore them to Blissdom.  While there, I noticed they weren't fitting the same on the left foot as the right.  They just felt off, but I couldn't put my finger on it.

I came home to Austin, and Spring had sprung and I was wearing flip flops everyday, so I didn't worry much about my shoes.

Last week though, I went to Kansas City to see Jeremy's family.  I was honored to speak at Fleishman Hillard and Hallmark about blogging.  I wore my shoes because they are SO comfy and really cute.

After we were done speaking, my sister-in-law and mother-in-law came to meet me and we took the kids to Kaleidoscope.  I was on my feet all day long.  My feet and legs were killing me.

I went home and decided to investigate these shoes a bit.  Here is what I found.

The insole was completely sunken into the shoe.  I tried to pull it out and was shocked at what I found next.

Do you see that?  A completely crumbled sole of the shoe.  Everything that makes it soft and cushy is crumbled to pieces.

Now I could understand if I were really overweight or if I wore them everyday for YEARS, but after 6 months????  No way.

So, I contacted the company and did not hear a word.

These are $70 shoes people.  Shoes this expensive should last right?  I am so irritated and frustrated with these shoes and with Spring Step.

I think I'm most upset that the company doesn't seem to care about the quality (or lack of) of their product.  So sad.

Now I am contacting Zappos.com since that is where I bought the shoes.  We will see what they have to say.  But really, Spring Step should be a bit more concerned with the quality of their shoes than they are. ARGH.

How Do You Do It???

Thanks to Crystal Light for sponsoring this post. To learn more about how Crystal Light can flavor your day with 30 refreshing flavors, visit http://www.facebook.com/crystallight.


When we lived in Utah, it was no big deal to people that I was pregnant with my 5th baby.  Seeing a Mom with more than 2 children was commonplace.

In fact, that I only had 3 children made people assume that I would be adding more to my brood.  And a family of 4 or 5 kids was still a pretty small family.

I first noticed the attitude change when I would take my kids to the park in Texas.  I would get looks, and of course, comments.  "How many kids do you have?" "You're pregnant again?" "How do you do it?" "Are you done?".  Then it was at the grocery store and library and now I expect a comment or two wherever I go.

These questions always make me chuckle inside, but have given me pause to really think about one of them.  How do you do it?

It's true, I am busy.  My kids are in swim lessons, and dance -- that takes up 3 nights a week.  I have also been homeschooling for the last 2 months, and essentially have been ON 24/7.

How do I do it?  Well, first I take it 1 day at a time.  Sometimes 1 minute at a time, depending on how the day is going.  I also rely on my husband and friends to listen to me rant, rave and cry when I need.

Most important though, I try to carve out a little "me" time everyday.

I am really lucky that I have a very supportive husband who gets that I need to have a break.  When he comes home from work, we eat dinner, I bathe the kids and he cleans up, then he puts the kids to bed so I can decompress.

Some nights it is me sitting at the computer catching up on blogs and emails.  Other nights I am sewing in my room with my headphones on.  Other nights I am taking a bath in the dark with no one to bug me or distract me.  It just depends on what I want and need to do that night.

I know this isn't always possible, so I take advantage of the gym.  I try to go a few times a week (try is the operative word there) and know that I can rely on someone else to watch my kids while I take care of myself.

And that is what I think it boils down to -- taking care of myself.  No one else is going to take care of me the way I need.  So, I need to put myself first sometimes and do what I need to do to be a good wife and Mama.


How about you?  What do you do to stay sane?  How do you do it?  We are all busy, we all have full lives, I want to know some of your tricks and ideas. 

Remember, visit http://www.facebook.com/crystallight to learn more about how Crystal Light can flavor your day with 30 refreshing flavors. I was selected and paid for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

I survived

Yesterday at 11:45 am, I left home.

Of course I had 3 children, and a weeks worth of clothing, toys and movies with me.

The kids and I are visiting Kansas City for a week.  This is a much needed break from life.  We are staying with Jeremy's folks, playing with Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt, Uncle and Cousin.  This is what we all need.

I wasn't sure I would be able to drive the 12 hours by myself.  But I did it.  I split it up into two days, so it would be easier on this 32 week pregnant Mama.

Thanks to my dear friend Dr. Pepper (not even diet for this trip!), I made it.  I stayed awake and we made it.

Now the fun begins.

Plus, Jeremy will be with me on the way home, so I don't have to drive by myself again.  YAY!

Have a great week friends.  I will be popping in here and there, but not very consistently.

See you soon!

February 28

The last day of February found us doing this...

The belly buttons I made

Riding by herself

Pretty awesome indeed.

Sneaky

This Liberty...she really stands up to her name.

She is a free spirit.  She is spirited, headstrong, determined and wanting to do it HER way.

Anytime I do something she likes (like throw a lego head up the stairs to her) she says, "AWESOME! You DID it! Rock Chalk Jayhawk Mama!". 

She is full of energy, life, and love.

She likes to do things herself, and in her own time.

This includes bedtime.

Last night she did not want to go to sleep.

About 9 pm, I went out of my room and saw her sitting on the floor outside her door.  I decided to let her be and just see what happened.

Thirty minutes later I went to check on her.

I love this girl.  Everything about her.  She is so sweet and so funny and so loveable.  I mean, just look at that hand on her cheek.  Who wouldn't want to eat her up?

It's Not For Everyone

When someone says that I am Super Mom (stop laughing, it happens!) because I homebirth, cloth diaper, breastfeed for a looooong time, etc.  I tell them that the choices I make are the right choices for my family and they may not be right for every family.

If  a Mama tells me that she is resenting breastfeeding her 1 year old, I remind her that when it isn't good for both Mom and Baby, it's time to stop and that it is ok.

If a woman tells me that there is no way she could have a homebirth, I remind her that it is fine, no one is asking her to. 

I am all about empowering with education.  I want women, families, to make informed choices.  To know their options, know their limitations, and follow their heart-gut to make the best choice for their family.

So why is it so hard for me to take my own advice?

Why, when I know in my heart that homeschooling isn't working, is it so hard for me to give up?

Why do I feel like such a failure, when I feel that I need to follow my own advice?

Why is it so hard for me to say that homeschooling isn't right for my family right now?

I don't know why, but it is. 

Seth is going to be starting public school in 3 weeks.  We will finish up this week of school, next week we are going to Kansas City for our Spring Break and the next week is the public school's spring break.  After that, he will be going to 1st grade with the rest of the neighborhood and be in 1 of 7 classes.

I have loved having him home.  I have loved teaching him and watching him learn.  But right now, at this season in my life, I can't do it all day everyday.  I have to get ready for this baby and I can't do it when I have 3 very active hooligans at my feet non-stop.

He needs friends.  He needs to get out of the house (even though he will be the first to tell you that he isn't ready to go to public school yet).

It's not for everyone...but I thought it was for me...and that makes me very sad.