Annoucements Galore

I have to gush over a good friend of mine for a minute..... I have a wonderfully talented friend that manages to have a full time job, 2 beautiful children, husband, and manage two successful websites. She just saved my tail this week. There are moments that I wonder how I manage to get through a day without leaving my children accidentally somewhere. Seriously, I would forget my head if it wasn't attached.


To get to my point... I had created a 1st birthday invitation for my baby girl’s birthday next week, SEVERAL weeks ago. Here is the problem. I never actually ordered them! So, by the time that I figured it out it was to late. I called Dawn, owner of Announcements Galore, and asked her if she could help. She of course said yes. Within 2 day she created and printed beautiful invitations for my little girl so that I was able to get them in the mail.

What a great friend! Please if you haven't already, go check out her work. She has reasonable rates and great timing. I can't promise that you will get them quite as quickly as I have, but I am sure she is very timely with regular orders.

You have heard me talk about her before.... She also runs Market Mommy. :)

Dawn's Sites:
http://www.announcementsgalore.com/
http://www.marketmommy.com/
Find her on Facebook by searching on: Announcements Galore and Market Mommy
She is also on Twitter: Search on MarketMommy

Book Review: Melvin the Magnificent Molar

I was asked to do another book review. And what a cute book it was! Parker asked to take it to pre-school the next day so that he could share it with his classroom! I haven't gotten any notes back from his teacher as of yet as to how the rest of the class liked it, but I am sure if they are anything like Parker they asked their teacher to read it again.


Melvin is the Molar all the way in the back of your mouth who we need to make sure we brush. He educates your child through "his eyes" on teeth and how to keep them healthy. He does it in a cute old fashioned rhyming way. The illustrations are just wonderful! They did a great job.

Even at 4 years old I still find myself struggling to get Parker to brush his teeth well. Now all I have to say is make sure you get Melvin and you can see him push that brush a little farther back to reach him. :)

Written by: Julia Cook and Laura Jana, MD and Illustrated by by Allison Valentine. You can find more information about Julia at: http://www.juliacookonline.com/index.html and Laura at: http://www.drlaurajana.com/index.php

The book retails for $9.95 and can be purchase on both of their website and on Amazon.

Ear Infections and Tubes

Both of my children now have tubes. Sophia just had her first pair put in last Thursday. I have to say, as for any surgery that your children under go you are scared for them that nothing with go wrong and the pain that they will go through after it is all over. There were times in the recovery room that I was in tears right along with her. Now that it is done and over it is of course a relief. Everything went well and she is just as happy a little girl as she always was. Maybe even happier, if that is possible. For those of you who know Sophia you will understand. :) To explain to the rest of you.... She rarely ever cries, even when she is sick, the only time I hear this is in the middle of the night when she is scared, lonely, or hungry. Or of course when she is hungry during the day (You dare not show her food as she loves it and can't wait another minute for it!). She has only slept through the night a hand full of times in her, almost 1 year, life. Last night for the first time in a long time I only awoke once to here her whimpers, I believe out of habit. I was able to give her pacifier back and she was back to sleep. Wow, to get a full nights sleep, what an amazing thing!


For all those of you who are contemplating tubes for you little one or have been told tubes may be the next step please keep my thoughts in mind when deciding. Ear infections are painful, for you and your child. Repeated ear infections can cause hearing damage. Although tubes can cause hearing damage it is far less likely than it is for chronic ear infection. Keep in mind that the ear drum can also possibly burst from build up of fluid on the ear with ear infections. This is a very painful thing too. The tubes help to keep the ear drum dry and allow the air to pass more freely cutting down the chances of infection dramatically. I can not promise you that you child will not get sick again once they have tubes. But I can say from my experience with my first child that tubes made a lot of difference in his life. He was rarely sick after they were put in and a MUCH happier child. He also paid more attention to the things around him. I think he was finally able to hear them better. Sophia is a much different child than her brother. But non the less if last night was a testament.... She is sleeping! If that is all it takes for my children to live and feel better..... Then I am willing to do it.

For more information on Ear Infections and Tube Surgery go to: http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/ears/ear_infections.html

Sophia - 11 Months, 1 Week

As I sit here preparing for my baby girls first birthday I am struck how quickly this year has gone by. I know that everyone says that and that time truly does fly... But I just don't remember being this struck by the first year of my little boy’s life flying by. I am flipping through pictures of her trying to find one that is just right for her birthday invitations. I am amazed by how much she has grown, how here little personality has become her own, and how it is odd thinking of life without her. Every mother needs the reminder to slow down and enjoy their children. Remember that they won't be little forever. So, hold on, cuddle love, and enjoy them every step of the way. This is my little reminder I guess.


Sophia also will be getting tubes next week. Yup, yet another child with ear infections. How did I get so lucky?! I find my self wishing this little step of her life away. I wish that we were already past it and on to the birthday party. But in doing so, I am mentally skipping 3 weeks of her life. How can I do this when every step, every moment, every restless night is just another moment in her life that I get to care for her and cuddle that little baby. Ok I am getting a little sappy here and tearful. Tip of the day. Hold on to them! And every time you think.... I haven't taken a picture of them lately. Go grab that camera and click away! You can't get that perfect picture unless you try. They will not be this size forever and at this age they my only be this size for a day!

I have been a BAD Blogger. Please forgive me. BUT... if you are a mom that likes free stuff or a mom that has your own business you will want to check out the information below!

My wonderful friend Dawn is having a blog party again this week at: http://marketmommy.blogspot.com/ Check it out and take part in the great giveaways!

Party Theme is: Think Spring! You have through the end of the day on April 23rd to take part.  (I know I didn't give you much time. Sorry!)

OFFICIAL PRIZE LIST:

250 Custom Business Cards from Market Mommy
Month of free advertising on Market Mommy {website and e-newsletter}
A Turn Back Time Capsule sample with three days Celloxylin Skin Care , one day Lifeoxylin Elixir and two days Sugar Beet Crystal/Papaya Enzyme Microscrub from Apriori Beauty
Winner's choice of a set of Ficklets from Ficklets
$30 Limited Edition Collection Gift Certificate from Heavenly Flower
$10 Limited Edition Collection Gift Certificate from Heavenly Flower
$10 Limited Edition Collection Gift Certificate from Heavenly Flower
One bag of My Homemade Organic Granola and one 1/4 Lb. nut cluster from Nicole’s Homemade Treats
Gift certificate for 50% off one online item from Heather Hill
Island Coconut Oatmeal Soap from BellaHoney Body Care
Facial Mud Masque from BellaHoney Body Care
A punch out mini guitar pick charm from Metal Pressions

Homemade Laundry Detergent in HE Machines

I have had several requests for information on Homemade Laundry Detergent in HE Machines. So I have been doing a little research. What I have found is that most people don't have a problem with it in their HE machine. Reason being... They is simply because of the low suds factor. With HE machines you must have a low suds soap. Because you are actually using so little "Soap" in this detergent there shouldn't be to much of a factor. Now, that being said you will need to watch yourself as to how much you put in. In my original post I note that you should used 1 Tbs. for regular loads and 2 Tbs. for large loads. I have seen several posts in other blogs that have noted that people with HE washers generally use half of what normal washer would. If you know you have a tendency to put in a little more soap then you really should then simply cut back. You may also want to experiment with what happens with your washer. If you find that it suds up a little to much simply cut back. Now, keep in mind I do not have an HE washer! However, if I did I would be willing to experiment a little to see how things work out. If I ever get an HE I will be more than happy to update you on my progress.

Inside Play Idea

All mothers and care givers look for inside play ideas at one time or another. Most of those times are in the winter months or on rain days. It is one gorgeous day out there so it really doesn't fit the time frame to post this idea but I suppose it is the season. Spring = Rain. I am sure that we will have a few more of those days here soon.

Inside Sand Box:
1- Cookie Sheet (the deeper the better)
1 Container - Salt (Kosher works best as the grain is larger.)
A Few - Match Box Car Size Construction Equipment Vehicles.
Notes:
-Pour the salt on the cookie sheet and let the kids have fun. They will know what to do. :)
-Salt does not become sticky as sugar would.
-Salt is also an natural preservative, you can use it over and over again.
-It won't harm your child if swallowed.
-Easy to clean up.

*I have to give credit to my mom on this one. She found the idea on line. Thanks Mom!