Mom4Life

Organization ideas from Mom 4 Life Angela P.

I don't think this is really pregnancy related because, well, I was completely unaware of the importance of organization until I had my son!  But what has worked for us in our home-

After years of complaining that my husband would box things up in the attic, and not label the boxes or we'd forget what was in what, so we'd end up with a bigger mess of trying to figure out what was in the boxes- Anyway..so now we label each box with a number.   Then on an index card we write the contents of each numbered box and number the index card accordingly.  So box #1 has index card #1 and a list of what is inside the box.  Then we store the cards in a small index card box that takes up no room at all!

Angela P. Texas

Thank you Angela for your helpful idea, I like this!  If anyone else has ideas along these lines please feel free to leave a comment below!  Tomorrow we will have another idea presented by another one of our readers. - Heather L.

The fight against Skin Cancer and a free sample for you!

With the Skin Cancer and other sun related illnesses on the rise, sun protection through clothing and swimwear is the best way to ensure your family’s health against the Sun’s harmfully UVA/UVB rays. Sun tan lotion and block are good, but one needs to reapply it often and the application times vary greatly according to the UV index that day, the skin type of the person using the lotion, and whether any swimming is involved. Even if you are wearing sunblock, most doctors would tell you to avoid the sun between the hours of 10am and 4pm and then stay in the shade whenever your shadow is shorter than you are. A even greater concern is over exposing one’s children to the sun at an early age and teaching them such bad habits that they could emulate throughout their life. A major point of fact is that just _one_ blistering sunburn before the age of 18 can double one’s chances of ending up with a deadly skin cancer later in life.

However, there is good news! Much of this risk can be avoided by wearing UV Clothing and UV Swimwear, which eliminates these worries and offers a greater degree of security. A leader in such sun protective UV clothing and UV swimwear is the Alex & Me Company (www.AlexandMe.com). Alex & Me has been around since 1997 and they are widely considered the industry experts in the consumer UV sun protective field. Moreover, Alex & Me offers the largest brand selection and the greatest variety of such tested and certified UV sun protective apparel. They educate and urge their thousands of loyal customer to not only think that such UV clothing is just for the beach. Alex & Me’s UV sun protective offerings include shirts, shorts, hats, pants, skirts, sarongs, and dresses for any activity including: swimming, jogging, walking, biking, gardening, shopping or any other activity you can imagine under the sun.

This company has also just introduced a women's spa type sunscreen, SunBotanicals, fused with aromatherapy essences gentle enough for daily use that is dermatologist recommended and tested.  It is a 30 SPF, ultra sheer, multi-vitamin complex, that has UVA/UVB protection and is water resistant. It has been recently dermatologist approved and recommended. Our 2008 SunBotanicals line consists of three  scents, rain, lavender and tropical.   The Skin Cancer Society recommends everyone wear at least a 15 SPF sunscreen daily. With SunBotanicals, the first of its kind, women won’t mind smoothing it on daily! SunBotanicals is the perfect "must have" item for ladies.

To give you a chance to try it out for yourself, Alex & Me has offered to send you a sample of their SunBotanicals sunscreen.  Simply email Missy (mommy2abbey@aol.com) and let her know you found out about her product though our blog and ask her for a free sample while providing your mailing address-Enjoy!

Easy Stain Removal by Kristina B.

Out of Spray-N-Wash (or whatever)?  No problem.  Grab some Ivory bar soap.

Here's what you do: simply dampen the stained spot and the soap.  Rub in soap.  Rinse at least partly out so you know if it's working or if you need to do it again.  Toss article (not the soap!) in the washer and wash and dry as normal.  Ta-da!

Now, if you use something like Lunapads, this is a great way to get them a little cleaner before tossing them in the wash, and helps prevent staining.

As I said, I use Ivory bar soap for this.  You may want to try it with whatever brand you have around.  Either way, feel free to let me know how it goes.

Smart Moms Teething Jewelry - Weekly Giveaway

This week we are giving away a Smart Moms Necklace and matching Bangle Bracelet you choose the color:).

Retail Value $31.50
Teething Bling was inspired by babies who like to tug on our jewelry. Made from the same material as many teething toys, Teething Bling looks great on Moms, Grandmas, Aunts and Caregivers but is safe for curious babies to handle and chew. Smart Mom Jewelry is non-toxic, phthalate free and all pendants come with a breakaway clasp.  Isn't that a smart idea?!

The winner of our Pinkbench Headband was Andrea.  She chose the brown large floral in a size small for her choice:).

Thank you to all of you that provided some really great "It Worked For Me" ideas last week!  We have a nice supply of great ideas that I can share with all of you over the next weeks an months--it is wonderful!

This week to win the Smart Moms Necklace and matching Bangle Bracelet:

1) Simply visit our "New Items" page and see all the fun new goodies that we have added recently.  Depending on how long it has been since you visited our site the items are displayed in the order they were added so you may only have to look at the first page or two to see what is new for you.
2) Leave a comment here letting me know which item(s) you like the best.
3) If you see anything especially fun, feel free to send an email to a friend of yours with a link but you don't have to if you don't feel especially moved to do so;).

That is it!  Good luck!  For those of you who enjoy the surveys (giving your thoughts on possible new products) don't worry, we will be doing more of those in the future but I am slowing down on looking for new products as the baby date gets closer for me:).

Want to see what we were up to this week?  We moved my husband to a room downstairs as his "office" (we both work from home) and moved our daughter into his "old office".  I have before and after photos for you below:).  It is such a "happy" room now, I love it!  Click on the after images to see them larger.

Before:

After:

I was a guest on the Babies & Moms Radio Show

Last Friday I was a guest on the Babies & Moms Radio show talking on the topic of Potty Training and Bathing Products created by moms to make time in the bathroom better.  I invite you to listen to the show by clinking on the link here Broadcast date: April 11, 2008 (show #57)  Below are the products I spoke about:

Products for The Potty and Bath from Mom4Life.com
The Potty Bench: The Potty Bench is a training potty featuring two enclosed side storage spaces for organizing potty training supplies, and a pull-out drawer for easy sanitary clean-up. Simply close the lid to use as a large, sturdy stool that supports up to 300 lbs. The sleek, modern design includes a built-in toilet paper holder and a removable soft deflector shield. Retail price: $44.99

The Potty Hammock: Provides a clean, safe, portable , consistent way to potty train your child. The Potty Hammock is extremely portable and compact. It folds into a 4″ x 4″ x 1″ flexible pocket-sized carrying case for easy transport. The carrying case easily fits into a purse or pocket. This makes it easy to use both at home or on the go! Retail price: $19.95

The Potty Watch: Half the Battle of Toilet Training is to remind the child when it’s time to go potty. The Potty Watch™ by Potty Time takes care of that job for you. It’s easy for parents and fun for kids. The Potty Watch helps children remember to try to go potty by playing music and lighting up at 30, 60, or 90 minute intervals, as set by their parent. Children just starting their potty training will usually start at 30 minute intervals, and increase as they get better at knowing when they need to go. Retail price: $9.99

PottieStickers: Here is a creative toilet-training system that offers portability, structure and success. It provides day-to-day consistency throughout the toilet training process. Parents and child caregivers now have a portable positive alternative to toilet-training their children. The PottieStickers® toilet training system uses colorful pressure sensitive labels/stickers that your child places onto a fold-out scene creating a picture. Your child is rewarded 1 sticker for sitting on the potty, 2 stickers for peeing and 3 stickers for pooping. The PottieStickers® “No Wrong Way Toddler Designs” allows your child to place the stickers in any direction and always be correct. There are a variety of sticker sets to choose from and each set comes with 3 designs per package. They are available both with or without a “Toilet train your child in 7 days” CD. Retail price: $9.99-$12.99

The Flo: Combining multiple functions into a single device, Flo provides a simple solution to several bath time challenges. This unique product diverts the flow of water, creating a gentle waterfall, while providing a protective faucet cover to help guard against injury. Flo also functions as a bubble bath dispenser. Retail price: $15.99

The Kangaroo Bath Towel: It’s a pouch for your little one. It keeps you dry while bathing the kids. It’s for you, but really it’s all about them. Lift them out of the tub and put them into the Kangaroo and keep them warm and cozy with the softest towel around. It comes equipped with a hoodie to make sure every inch of them stays warm. As your baby gets older, our Kangaroo towel gets longer. It comes in two adjustable lengths so no need to go out and buy a larger towel. Retail price: $48.00

Bath Towel by Yikes Twins: Say goodbye to bath time troubles!! Your little ones will beg you to bathe just so they can get out and wear these fun and imaginative hooded towels. These towels are not mass produced. Every towel is designed and handmade in studio by owner Wendy Carter. These 54″x28″ (plus hood) 100% cotton towels are big enough for kids from 2 to 8 years old (infant towels are also available) and sturdy enough to last until they grow out of them. As an added bonus, every towel purchased can be personalized for the small fee of $5.00. Retail price: $35.00-$37.00

Bubbly Wash by Love Me Baby Me: Love Me Baby Me’s soft and gentle bubbly wash is sulphate and paraben free! This unique, tear-free formula contains natural ingredients, herbal extracts and nourishing botanicals to help cleanse and soften your baby’s tender skin. Love Me Baby Me has a new approach to a Natural Preservative using a special blend of pure, floral extracts is the safest, non-toxic, chemical-free preservative available on the market today. It has a natural unique aroma of vanilla and almond. The 8 FL. OZ. lasts and lasts! Retail price: $19.95

Starting Swimming Lessons by Suzette Boyette

Many moms wonder when they should start swimming lessons. Do we start at 6 months? 18 months? 2 years? When they're ready or when Mom is ready?! It really is a source of enormous anxiety for us moms, isn't it?  Is there a right answer? Well, I have three little ones under the age of 9 and I can only give you my own experience...

For some reason, six years ago I had in my head that my children (ages 3 1/2 and 18 months at the time) HAD to take SWIMMING lessons right then and there! Immediately! There was a sense of urgency ( we don't even have our own pool...). I just really wanted to know that if there was ever a possibility of being near a body of water that was deeper than the bath water in our bathtub during tubby time that they would know how to get to safety. So, with that said, I enrolled both my children in a program at the YMCA called Safe Start- basically a swimming survival course for children as young as 6 months. There is another program called Infant Swimming Resource that is the similar program.

In both programs, children have a private lesson that is only 10 minutes long.  Moms must be committed to this program and have guts of steel (I'll explain why in a moment). I had to take my children to the lesson every day for about 4 weeks.  Did you catch that? EVERY DAY for 4 weeks. That's 20 times!  The length of  time varies per instructor.  The goal is at the end of the  series, your child who is fully clothed will be able to swim to the wall for safety. If he falls too far from the edge of the pool, he knows how to swim, then roll on his back to get air, and then swim again until he reaches safety. They really do accomplish this!!! It's amazing!!!

The reason I say guts of steel is that you, Mom, have to be strong for your child. He will scream his head off and cry the WHOLE ENTIRE TIME!!! You will see him struggle in the pool and then this little voice in your head starts second-guessing your initial judgment. But, realize that the instructor is trained and knows what he is doing. Trust!!! Needless to say, I was a nervous wreck the first time around! I was literally shaking because both children were so upset! (That's a whole other blog posting!!!)

Now, fast forward six years. My youngest just turned 4 last week. Still  no swimming lessons or safety swimming lessons... until 3 days ago! Six years later, I am not as upset with him crying.. actually I wasn't upset at all!  Remember, he is 4, so I knew he'd be alright. The first day was pretty awful. He hadn't established trust with his instructor yet so he screamed the ENTIRE time. Second day there only 2 minutes of crying for his 10 minute lesson, (but he did start his crying at home while I was dressing him in his swim trunks). Today, he did not cry at all... however, he negotiated every single skill he was being taught. Important lesson here regarding swimming instructors... his instructor listened to him to establish trust. She was patient and understanding. Regardless of his age, she would always be and her voice was gentle, but firm.

So, in answer to the "When should I start swimming lessons?"... I started one at 18 months, another at 3 1/2 and my youngest at 4 years old. Regardless of when I started, the older two (now 7 and 9) swim like dolphins! My youngest says he wants to swim like a dolphin too. So, I started later with him. That's okay. I did what I felt was right for each of my children and also for me.

Moms... go with your gut when knowing when to start something new, when choosing your child's swim instructor and when choosing which program is right for your child. I did and now I have my own little school of dolphins... (do dolphins swim in schools? I know fish do...)

Recycling Magazines by Heather Ledeboer

I get a lot of Pregnancy/Parenting magazines.  I hate just tossing them in the garbage when I am done reading them. I bet some of you either have some great ideas for what to do with them when I am done or might even like to take them off my hands.  Please post any suggestions here and if you would like to have me send back issues your way (I would just ask that you pay the shipping cost) let me know!  I get or have the following magazines:

-Parenting
-Parents
-Pregnancy
-Pregnancy & Newborn
-MomSense (MOPS magazine)
-Babytalk
-Sunset (the Northwest edition)

Want it for free? Claim it! by Heather Ledeboer

We had a Black Bravado nursing tank top returned to us because of a flaw (size 34F(DDD)/G).  Retail price is $45.00.  It is oh so perfect except that on the inside of the tank part of the strap for the nursing bra section has separated from the outside seam.  It is about one inch long.  The tank is brand new otherwise.  I am guessing there is someone out there that can use a needle and thread and fix this baby up and put it to good use.  If this size would fit you, and you can sew (or know some who will fix it for you) this tank could be yours for free. 

All you have to do to claim it is to be the first one to answer 5 questions correctly and post them in the comments below.  I will be watching the replies and make a note in the comments when someone has correctly answered all of them.  The answers to all of these questions are located either in a previous blog post or somewhere on our website, good luck!

#1 - what is something unique about my childhood?
#2 - what is the sex of the baby I am currently pregnant with?
#3 - how much does it cost to ship to Alaska, Hawaii or a APO address if you order from Mom 4 Life?
#4 - finish this sentence: "before I had children I traveled a lot, visiting over __ countries in __ continents"

Pinkbench Headbands - Weekly giveaway

Happy Friday!  I hope you are all doing well.  I am feeling very tired lately.  I even took a nap yesterday which is very rare for me.  I am feeling each and every pound I have gained in this pregnancy and think that possibly the scales are hiding the true number because I am feeling so big and awkward. I had a fun little "fall on the floor" in Pizza Hut this last week as I tried to scoot out of my booth before a spilled drink saturated by lap.  I was in a heap on my butt and looking over seeing that hardly a drop of soda was on my bench (guess I should have stayed put).  Then a few days later I was carrying my daughter down some stairs leaving the house of a friend (in the dark) when I miscalculated how many steps there were and fell on my knees (quite thankfully no permanent damage was done and Ashlyn was fine).  So really I am thinking I might do well to just give myself bed rest for a while before I really do some damage!  Only about 5 weeks to go now so there is an end in sight:)!

This week we are giving away a Pinkbench Headband (you choose the style)!  Retail Value $14.99 each

Pinkbench's unique headband is a one-of-a-kind, because it really does what it says: It stays on your head and does not hurt. This patent-pending headband allows you to work or play all day and it actually stays in place. You will forget you even have it on.  I think they are perfect for days you have to quickly pull yourself together or just for something fun to add to an already great style!

I was wearing one just the other day and can say "It works and it stays put!" 

Our giveaway item from last week (the Dose Keeper) is on sale for 10% off for until next week Thursday night.  This is a great product for easily keeping track of when you last administered your child medicine!  Lucky Dee F., Marlena, and Cindi our the 3 winners from last week to get a free Dose Keeper.

Here is how you can win: With my pending delivery I am looking for some ways to try to "gear up" and make things easier after the birth (work-wise).  It occurred to me that you guys must have some wonderful tips to share other moms about something that has worked for you.  We have had lots of "It Worked for Me" posts on our blog but I would love to have some content from you. Not only will it be fun to read but will allow me to schedule out several blog posts so that after the baby comes I don't have to think about posting new content for a while -- a win, win right:)!  So PLEASE share with us something that you do that could be a tip for the rest of us.  To submit your "It Worked for Me" idea, please fill out this survey http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e29zpyogfexpw5y1/start and share an "It Worked for Me" idea that I could possibly share on our blog. Thank you!  I can't wait to read and share them!  You have until Tuesday the 22nd and 9PM to enter.

Babies and Moms: Birth and Beyond Gives Away Free Shoes, Zoobies and More

Babies and Moms: Birth and Beyond (www.babiesandmomsradio.com), the Podcast for moms, is giving away hundreds of dollars in products in April including:

 PediPeds valued at $25
 See Kai Run Shoes valued at $25
 2 Sign Babies Board Books valued at $6 each
 Squeaker Sneakers valued at $25
 Robeez Shoes valued at $35
 4 Zoobie Pets valued at $35 each

It is easy to win.  Just listen to Babies and Moms podcasts posted during the months of April and May and follow the on-air instructions to enter to win at  www.babiesandmomsradio.com or listen to Babies and Moms: Birth and Beyond in iTunes.  Products given away each show.   The show on April 18th (tomorrow) features Shoes We Love, Spring Cleaning Tips, and More!

Babies and Moms brings important information to moms of babies and toddlers from birth to three years of age each week through innovative podcasts. Babies and Moms hosts Nancy, Shelly, Stacey and Tricia interview experts in every facet of child-rearing. Additionally, the four hosts are experts in their own right.  With 19 kids among the 4 hosts, they’ve seen it, done it, used it or lived it.

Meet Suzette Boyette

Hi ladies:),
I am excited to introduce to you a new guest blogger that we can all enjoy.  Her name is Suzette Boyette.  I invite you to read below to find out more about this fantastic woman and know we will enjoy her posts.

-Heather Ledeboer

Here is Suzette's introduction to herself:

Although I have a "French" sounding name, I'm about as opposite as you can imagine to a French possibly blonde woman! I am a 5'3" Asian American with dark brown hair and no accent. My parents were born and raised in the Philippines and I (along with 3 siblings) were all born and raised in the US!

I love being a Mom! This is the gift I have been blessed with by God and every day it is a challenge and it takes work to just BE... With three children under 9, a husband who travels out of town 75% of the week, and trying to start a great new business, I have my definite ups and downs! I'm happy to say more ups than downs! I've always been the kind of girl who looks at the world as the "glass is half full" and I am constantly reminding myself that there is only ONE of me and I can only do so much in 24 hours!!!

My favorite things to do are:

• Cuddling up with my children at night and listening to them just "breathe".
• Reading a good book and sipping a warm cup of tea with my favorite fuzzy socks and PJs.
• Going on a date night at least once a month with my hubbie and having a 3-hour uninterrupted dinner.
• Taking naps on the weekends even when I know I should be folding, cleaning, straightening....
• Inviting my friends over for dinner and everyone "pitches in" in the kitchen. It's always very casual and fun. You come and I put you to work. I joke that they have to "work for dinner" at my house...
• Going to the beach for a week in the summer with the children and my best friend and her family. 7 days of pure relaxation.... no emails, no phones, just sand, water, and the sky!
• Having our mandatory Wednesday playdates with my closest friends... drinking coffee, eating, listening to each other and being women!!!

Those are a few things I love to do and try to do as often as I can! The other things I am are a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner ,a Parent Educator with the International Network for Children and Families, a Childbirth Educator  with Childbirth and Postpartum Association, and a podcaster with my own education company for parents. Check out my website at www.parentseverywhere.com to find out more!

I just am honored to be able to blog on Heather's incredible  Mom4Life.com  site! If you have any questions, I'd be more than happy to give you the answers you're looking for.  I admire Heather a great deal and am thankful for having the privilege to meet dynamic and genuine women such as Heather who are pioneers in being Moms today and do so with such grace and inspiration for Moms all over the world.

With my blogs, I hope to be able to provide you with information that you can use to give you new insight on being Moms or another tool you need in your Mommy toolbox. We need to remember that we are INCREDIBLE women!!! Sometimes, we just need a little kick-in-the-pants to remember!

Not to complain but. . . by Heather L.

It is snowing again:(!

We are in the 7th semi-annual Great Cloth Diaper Hunt, join the fun!

Mom 4 Life is proud to announce our sponsorship of the 7th semi-annual Great Cloth Diaper Hunt™!

What is the Great Cloth Diaper Hunt? It is a really fun on-line scavenger hunt where you get to search for a diaper icon on mom owned websites and enter to win prizes along the way.  it is a really fun way to be exposed to lots of really great websites and have fun and maybe win some cool stuff along the way!  NOT all the websites are Cloth Diaper sites (such as Mom 4 Life) so don't let that concern you if you don't currently use cloth diapers.

How does the GCDH work? It’s simple! You register at http://www.diaperdecisions.com/pages/greatclothdiaperhunt.php on or after April 15, 2008 (the hunt starts on May 1). Then you visit all the participating sponsor sites and hunt for the Diaper Decisions™ diaper, to earn entries to the random prize drawings, including Two Grand Prizes and one Ultimate Grand Prize!

For more details about this great event, please visit the Rules and FAQ pages at http://www.diaperdecisions.com/pages/greatclothdiaperhunt.php . See you at the hunt!

Foods As Medicines? by Jenny Lee

During these last two weeks of being sick I decided to write a blog on how certain foods can actually help cure or prevent certain illnesses.   We have all heard how chicken soup is good for a cold or how important cranberry juice helps cure and prevent bladder infections.  But are there other types of foods that aid in our health? There sure are!

Foods And What They Help With:

Fish- Helps prevent headaches, helps reduce arthritis

Ginger- Helps prevent Headaches, reduces  inflammation and pain, helps settle an upset stomach and cures morning sickness and nausea

Yogurt- Helps bring down fever and reduce allergies

Tea- Helps prevent stroke, Prevent buildup of fatty deposits on artery walls, Green tea is great for our immune system

Honey- Helps insomnia and serves as a tranquilizer and sedative

Onions- Helps ease constriction of bronchial tubes.

Bananas- Will settle an upset stomach

Cranberry Juice- Controls harmful bacteria and helps treat and prevent bladder infections

Pineapple- Manganese found in Pineapples can help prevent bone fractures and osteoporosis; lowers blood pressure

Cornflakes- Helps control PMS and reduce depression, anxiety and fatigue

Oysters- Help improve your mental functioning by supplying much-needed zinc

Garlic- Lowers cholesterol and helps clear up a cold

Cabbage- Cabbage contains chemicals that help heal both gastric and duodenal ulcers.

Red Peppers- Helps with coughs. A substance similar to that found in the cough syrups is found in hot red pepper. Use red (cayenne) pepper with caution-it can irritate your tummy.

Apples- Helps prevent diarrhea and lower the risks of colon cancer, heart attack & stroke

Wheat, Bran and Cabbage- Helps to maintain estrogen at healthy levels and prevent breast cancer

Avocado- Mono unsaturated fat in avocados lowers cholesterol

Celery and Olive Oil- Olive oil has been shown to lower blood pressure and Celery contains a chemical that lowers pressure too.

Kiwi- This is a good source of potassium, magnesium, Vitamin E &fiber. It's Vitamin C content is twice that of an orange
 

Strawberry- Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits &protects the body from cancer causing, blood vessels clogging free radicals. (Actually, any berry is good for you..they're high in anti-oxidants and they actually keep us young.........blueberries are the best and very versatile in the health field........they get rid of all the free-radicals that invade our bodies)
 

Broccoli and Peanuts- The chromium in broccoli and peanuts helps regulate insulin and blood sugar
 

Orange- Great in Vitamin C and helps dissolve kidney stones and lessen colon cancer

Gotta Love Spring! by Heather Ledeboer

I am SO pleased to report that we are experiencing SPRING around our house, finally!!  The weather the last few days has been wonderful.  Blue sky, birds singing, neighbors out riding their horses, SNOW MELTING!!!  Today my husband decided to wash the car and Ashlyn went out to help.  She was well dressed in her cameo rain boots (hand-me-downs from her brother).  Apparently somewhere between the house and the puddle they lost their appeal and she abandoned them.  When I peeked out at her she was having a grand time playing with the water hose, barefoot in the puddle next to the house.  Really, what could I do except take a picture:) (you can click on the images to see larger detail of the mess she made of herself:)?  I am hoping you are having some lovely spring days where you live too!

Good Customer service is so wonderful! by Heather Ledeboer

I am a BIG fan of good customer service.  It seems so rare these days, doesn't it?  I like being able to be understood and listened to and taken care of. 

Well I have to give a big thumbs up to Lauries Langiappe for impressing me this week with their great service.  Here is what happened. . .

When our family moved from CA to ID last June we were sent a really sweet "welcome to your new home" gift in the mail at our new house from a sweet friend.  It was a Monogrammed Stamp with our new address on it.  Now aside from being a really sweet idea to welcome us with a gift to our new home, I personally thought this was a really smart gift idea (cute and PRACTICAL)!

The only bummer was that the ink pad didn't seem to work 100% correctly and often part of the address didn't show up clearly when I used the stamp.  I just fussed with it and held it down longer and such to make it work until it occurred to me that perhaps the company might be willing to help me with this problem.  I contacted them this last week and explained the situation--that it had been almost a year, I had gotten it as a gift and it wasn't working quite right.  The owner was very willing to see what could be done and said she would look into it and let me know.  Not a day went by and she emailed me saying a new stamp was going out for me in the mail!  That was on the 9th.  On the 11th my brand new stamp arrived in the mail working beautifully--no charge!!!

Soooooo I just want to send a thank you out to Laurie for her excellent business sense and let her know that I am keeping true to my word to share the news of her wonderful service to my friends:)!  Keep up the good work and thanks for standing out among many businesses that just don't take the time to care.  I will be back to visit your site again.

I found this on her about us page and can say she is standing behind it:

"we pride ourselves in providing service reflecting the true meaning of our name, LAGNIAPPE (pronounced, ‘lan-yap’). this little piece of our history refers to a word that is commonly used “down here” meaning “a little something extra.” we like our customers to feel our southern hospitality that we’ve “thrown in” to our company name. here, you’ll always feel like you’re getting that “little something extra.” 
   
if your experience should be any less than perfect, please let us know! we’ll do everything we can to make it up to ‘ya! thanks a million for shopping with us!" 

So if you like customer service like I do, stop on over to her site and check it out.  She has LOTS of cute things (most of them personalized) , you just might find something you can't live without:)!

-Heather L.

DoseKeeper -- Weekly Giveaway

Happy Friday. I hope your week has been a good one.  I am doing well as is our family.  I am now almost 34 weeks pregnant and feeling pretty good so far.  In two weeks I am visiting my good friend Sarah who will take some maternity photos for me and I am looking forward not only to visiting her and some friends from where I lived in CA before we moved to ID but also to capturing some great photos before our little boy is born.  I will be sure to share a photo or two at that time with you as well:).

Amy was our lucky winner for the Sweet Roll Swaddler. This product is on sale for the next week at 10% off for anyone who didn't win but wanted to have one of these unique swaddling blankets that allows the feet to be free.  It is perfect for car seats, strollers as well as some baby carriers.

This week we are giving away a product that many of you voted for us to add to our site several weeks back.  It is the Dose Keeper and this product provides an organized solution for peace of mind when recording and administering medicine to your child.  It comes with 10 easy to tear sheets for 50 dosing entries and is prices affordably at just $5.99.  Accidental overdosing is very easy to do, especially if you are giving medicine throughout the night or switching between caretakers to give doses.  A product like this is worth the peace of mind!  This week we are giving away three Dose Keepers!

So how do you enter to win one?  it is really quite easy.  Simply cast your vote in the Pregnancy & Newborn Magazine Reader's Choice Awards and leave a comment here with this post letting me know you did it.  To make it very easy, you can follow the directions outlined here in this link.  The direct URL for the link is http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e29vzjycferxagbg/start  If you choose to also fill out the survey attached to this link (it is just 2 questions long and you can do it as you fill out the survey) you will ALSO be interested to win a $25.00 gift certificate (winner to be announced at the end of this month) AND at the end of the survey you will get a link for 10% OFF all Mom 4 Life orders until the end of April!  Not bad eh?

Feedback on last weeks' survey:
You liked the Utterly Yours Pregnancy Pillow!  95% of you felt it would be a good addition to Mom 4 Life.

What you really liked:
-that it is much more compact than most pregnancy pillows
-you liked the fabric choices
-that your husbands would appreciate how small it is

Main concerns expressed were:
-that the white fabric on the inside of the pillow might get dirty (however, I found out that the fabric is washable)
-that it is something that is hard to justify buying if it is only used for a short time (I agree but during pregnancy, how much would you pay for several months of more restful sleep and then what a nice hand me down gift it would make to a pregnant friend right)?

We have placed our first order for these pillows and if you would like to be contacted when our shipment arrives just email me!

The Murval Diaper bags were not as well received overall.  Some of you really liked them, the look and the price point but others of you didn't like them much at all.  I guess this isn't a big surprise as diaper bag preferences are so varied.  Because we already carry a lot of diaper bags on our site I wanted to see a really strong positive response in order to consider adding this one as well and I didn't get the feedback needed to justify adding this one to the site.  Thanks so much for your great feedback!

What is new on Mom 4 Life

What is new to Mom 4 Life: We have added a lot of really fun new items to our site lately.  I invite you to check them out.  Some of them will be giveaway items in the future.  One you might really enjoy seeing is the Babybonkie.  You voted for this product to be added to our site several weeks ago and we just got our first shipment in.  Oh my are they cute, you are going to love all the fabric options!!!  I can't wait to use one on our little boy that is due in a few more weeks!

More organization ideas by a Mom 4 Life

Continuing our discussing from last week on organization, Kristen emailed me photos of what she has done using wire shelving in her home.  She says, "The wired shelving is great! There are fabric cube drawers that fit perfectly in them too that help keep all the little things together. Plus they make the shelving look a little nicer (we have them in our living room to store/hide my husband's video games and controllers). And I'm sure that as my daughter gets older and has toys all over the place, they will be great to store those as well.

We also use the wired shelves for our bunny cage.  Yes, the bunny cage is huge (not your typical cage). But because he stays in his cage all day while we are gone at work or if he is in trouble (for chewing on something that he shouldn't be), we wanted him to have lots of room to run around. We call it his bunny condo. :)"  -Kristen

What can mom do on the potty? by Heather Ledeboer

Liking to multi task as many moms do, I found something useful to do with my time on "the potty" that was more productive than reading a magazine.

I keep a basket next to the toilet that has greeting cards, envelopes, stamps, my address book, and a pen.  I can often get a quick "thinking of you" or "thank you" note written and ready to send while I sit:).  Another thing I keep in my basket is a small journal where I keep prayer requests.  If I am not writing a note or letter, I can open this and find a person or two to pray for.  Maybe there is a basket around your house that you could fill with a few small projects for such an occasion?

Ah, the Smell of...Vinegar by Kristina B.

What do you clean with?  Bleach?  Disinfecting wipes?  General cleaning sprays?  You know, I usually don't use any of these, save an occasional bout with bleach to combat mold in the bathroom, as we live in a rather humid climate.

A few weeks ago, a woman was kind enough to leave me a comment about the many uses of baking soda and vinegar.  She's right.  Baking soda and vinegar make great cleaners, but as she said, not together.  If you don't know why you don't mix them and then clean, I suggest this: put a little baking soda in a bowl.  Set the bowl in the sink and add some distilled white vinegar.  Go ahead, I'll wait...Ok, now you see why you don't do that.  However, if you clean with baking soda, vinegar does a great job of removing the excess.

Now, if you are unfamiliar with using these products to clean, here's what I use them for:

Baking soda: great for scrubbing the tub.  Sprinkle in, add a little water to make a paste, and scrub.  Also great for cleaning the grout between the tile on counter tops.

White Vinegar: I dilute this in water to mop the floor with (you may want to try this on an inconspicuous area of your floor before you do the whole thing), or use straight as a mild disinfectant or general cleaner.  It also works as a mold or mildew inhibitor.

These methods are pretty environmentally friendly, but to me they are something more than just an alternative way to clean.  If I didn't have small children or a dog, I probably never would have thought twice about using the stronger stuff.  But now that I do, all I have to say is this: what would happen if your child takes a swallow of vinegar?  Now, what would happen if they take a swallow of bleach?

Try some of these more alternative ways of cleaning and see if they don't work for you, too.

Sweet Roll Swaddler - Weekly Giveaway

Happy Friday and congratulations to Shannon who is the winner of our super cute Hair Clip Holder!  For those of you who did not win, you can get yours for 10% off until next week Thursday!

This week you can win: A Sweet Roll Swaddler.  Sweet Roll Swaddlers are an adorable, simple way to soothe your newborn. Sweet Roll Swaddlers help calm your fussy baby by giving them the snug and secure feeling of the womb. They also aid in breast feeding by keeping those flailing little hands tucked away. Velcro closure and open leg design allows for "swaddling on the go," providing easy access into carseats, strollers, and baby carriers...a true blessing for weary parents and their babies.  Retail Value $42.00

To be entered to win: I have two products for you to weigh in on this week via a short 7 question survey here.  Please let me know what you think by Tuesday the 8th at 9:00PM PST.  Thank you so much!

So what did you think of the Goober Baby Tote Bag?
You liked them and thought they would be a good addition to our site.  You liked the cute fabrics and how versatile these bags are (you can use them for wet bags, makeup, small toys, etc).  I have put in our first order and if you would like for me to email you when they arrive in stock just let me know (although I will try to also remember to mention it here for you:).

Helping Your Kids Countdown to Vacation by Kristina B.

A few weeks ago, I told my almost-4-year-old son, Owen that we have 16 more days until we go to Grandma and Grandpa's.  I then informed him that this translates into 16 sleepy times.  And, with the adorable earnestness particular to children, he responded by saying, "That's a lot of sleep."

I honestly don't remember if my search for a printable countdown calender directly stemmed from that conversation or not.  Or maybe I just like crafty things (and I do like crafty things).  Anyway, I couldn't quite find what I was looking for, but ended up finding something just as good.  I'll admit I shamelessly found this idea at a Disney website while trying to find this apparently elusive calender.  (You can view the Disney site here.)  The basic idea is that you use a paper chain to countdown the days to vacation or other special event.  On each link, you write the number of days left, plus whatever other information you need to put on it such as when to start packing or a reminders to do special related errands.  Each day, you or your child removes one link from the chain until the special day arrives.

Simple, yes?  And it only takes a few minutes to create one.  If you'd like, decorate each link, and see if that doesn't help your child understand how many more days you have to go, but also helps you get a little more organized.  And who wouldn't want that?

99 Balloons by Heather Ledeboer

My cousin sent me a link to a video today and said my eyes would not be dry after watching it.  She was right.  As moms we all treasure our children.  As you watch this movie be reminded of the treasures you have in your home and give thanks to God for his blessings.

Slurp & Burp nursing cover praises from our giveaway winner last week!

It is so fun to hear back from or giveaway winners on what they think of the items they won.  Jana just wrote me this week to tell me her story of how she wanted a Slurp & Burp and how her mom won it for her!  Read below to see what she thought of it once it arrived (and don't forget that it is on sale this week through Thursday afternoon)!

 

Let me start by saying I love the Slurp and Burp! It arrived just as I was getting ready to leave for the store so I took it with me to try out.

A few weeks ago I was showing my mother all the wonderful and innovative products you have on your website. One of the products I showed her was the Burp and Slurp and I told her that I was thinking about getting one. Well, she entered in to the give away and won a Burp and Slurp that she kindly passed along to me!

This is truly a great product. I've tried blankets and other covers but none of them are as great as the Burp and Slurp. It's so simple to use and rolls up to easily fit in a diaper bag. I love that the Slurp & Burp you sent me is organic! I also love the built in burp cloth! I can see that the burp cloth will keep my shirts from getting covered in spit up. I think my favorite aspect of the Burp and Slurp is that I don't have to hide the fact that I'm breastfeeding under a bulky blanket but I can still be discrete.

I'll be giving Slurp & Burps as baby shower gifts from now on. This is something that every nursing mother needs.

Thanks again! Jana

More toy organization ideas from you!

So it turns out that I am not the only one that likes to be organized:)!  Two of you sent me your own stories and photos of what you did to organize your child's room and I thought we should all benefit from your ideas so thank you--your ideas are great!  If more of you have ideas to share please feel free to send them my way and I will post them too!

Hi Heather! Here is another solution for toy storage.  I use the little clear drawers and put "Little People" in them, blocks, balls, small puzzles.  Lots of things will fit in them and the drawers come in different sizes.  The drawers slide out easily too and are light weight for little hands to use.

Thanks!  Robyn

Hi Heather,
I just had to respond to your post since I just got through organizing the kids play area.  We don’t really have a play room and it drove me crazy after the kids went to bed to have basket full of toys in all corners of the house.  I recently ordered these two bookcases from Pottery Barn Kids and a bunch of matching colored baskets from Land of Nod.  (Also plastic bins for art materials came from Target).  Then the kids and I typed up labels on the computer and used images of the items to help identify what goes in each box.  I’m sure some people will say it’s too much…but it gives this anal mama piece of mind and now my relaxing living room has no toys in it at the end of the night (the area where we put the toys is in the back of the house so we don’t even see the toys after they go to bed).  It works great and your post was a timely reminder that I’m happy with what I did (I would have loved your closet storage idea but we have no closets nearby that would work!).

Thanks,

Siri