Household Traditions Winner!

 

The winner of the Household Traditions Powdered Dish Detergent giveaway is...

 

Rafflecopter Entry #275, Sherry!

 

Congratulations! You have 48 hours to respond to the email I've sent, or I will have to draw a new winner.

 

Sprout Change & Artisana Winners!

 

 

The winner of the Sprout Change Cloth Diaper system giveaway is...

 

Rafflecopter Entry #1293, Leslie!

 

The winner of the Artisana giveaway is...

Rafflecopter Entry #202, Brittney!

 

 

Congratulations to you both! You have 48 hours to respond to the email I've sent, or I will have to redraw.  

 

Frogs, Spiders & Bugs, OH MY!

This little guy somehow made it into our home a few mornings ago. Buddy was trying to gently pick him up so I grabbed the camera to capture the moment. This boy is so sweet with creatures!

Sometimes I think I have developed a creature-phobia of some sort over the years. Maybe now I'm just overcompensating for all the gross things I played with as a child. I should dig up all the photos I have as a young girl where I'm posing with snakes, bugs and critters. Even more interesting is that I had a mating pair of corn snakes as a teenager. I think I starting freaking out around that time!

I can handle little frogs, rolly-pollys, ants, and ladybugs. THAT'S IT! Anything else, forget it. I'll be down the street, screaming like a little girl. I definitely get freaked out by reptiles, spiders, and creepy crawly insects. I'm more of a warm-and-fuzzy puppy dog lover for sure.

For 5 1/2 years we lived in a 3rd floor condo, where we rarely saw a pest of any kind. Just the yearly tiny spider if anything. Then, we moved in March to a bottom floor apartment. I have NEVER seen so many bugs in my life!!! Somewhere in the time of having a lack of bugs, to an overload of them, I'm developed this extreme dislike.

First, we've found lots of millipedes. I'm now tormented for life from my first encounter with one after we moved in to our new place. I had no idea it wouldn't squish like other bugs! The hard, crispy "shell" under the tissue I was trying to squish it with was a bit too thin. I cried, screamed, and was trying to avoid complete hyperventilation at the hand of a stinking bug! I was probably hilarious to watch (I know my hubby thinks I was!), but I was literally shaking over this thing! I don't know exactly what they are. I'm too grossed out to look them up and find out. All I know is about 20 of those darn 2-inch-long things have made there way into our home (that I know of....), and I've had to catch them. 

We've also had TONS of spiders. Most of them aren't small either. Their bodies are the size of a dime, with thick, fuzzy legs, and are super speedy. They've been found in every area of our apartment, and even IN Buddy's diaper caddy that was by our bed!!!! I even found a spider crawling on my back the other day too. Luckily that one was small enough to squish and I didn't squeal too loudly. Apparently size matters when it comes to creepy crawly creatures.

We've had many species of bugs and critters since we've been here, but the millipedes and spiders have been the absolute most disgusting. As much as I'd love to have our apartment maintenance crew spray for bugs, I won't let them. With a kid, an organic garden on the patio (although my black thumb is killing it anyway), and a loathing for harsh chemicals, I just won't. Dangit! I'm totally in a pickle here. Any advice is certainly appreciated!

Oh, please don't get on my case for squishing bugs. I'd rather do that than let them find their way back into our place! :P

$15 for $40 to TinySoles: Shoes and Accessories for Babies and Kids!

Ready for back-to-school?

Right now through Sunday night, you can score $40 to TinySoles.com for as low as $15 at Plum District! Just sign up HERE for Plum District to get a $5 sign up credit, making this deal only $15 for $40! You can't pass this up! AND they offer free shipping over $20 making this an even better deal!

TinySoles.com carries all the big footwear brands for kids and babies including Robeez, Stride Rite, Umi, Pediped, See Kai Run, Sorel, and KEEN. They also have accessories from brands like Klean Kanteen, Babylegs, No Sippy Hair Clippy, Hatley Rain Boots and Rain coats, and Itzy Ritzy reusable bags too!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

Made With Love Giveaway Hop ~ November 8-13! Sign Up Today!

<br /> <a border="0" href="http://thereynoldsmom.blogspot.com/2011/08/made-with-love-giveaway-hop-november-8.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://oi54.tinypic.com/xl9x0w.jpg" width="125" height="200" border="0" /><br /> </a><br />

Made With Love Giveaway Hop

November 8th-13th

Hosted by: 

The Reynolds Mom & Seventeen Sirens

We're inviting up to 150 blogs to join us in this handmade giveaway event! Each prize item must be handmade by the sponsor. Think Etsy or Artfire (or whatever!). Please read the basic event info below (full details will be emailed to you after sign up).

To participate, you must:

• Sign up your blog in the linky list below.
• Offer at least one handmade prize/prize package value of $25 or more specifically for this event.
• Post the event button on your blog once you sign up.
• Include the event button and linky list in your main event post.
• Consider joining the Facebook group that was created for this event to easily communicate with other participants and hosts.

Rules & Information:

• Up to 150 bloggers will be allowed to participate.
• Sign up order is first-come, first-served.
• Early entries will not be allowed for this event.
• There are NO fees to join in this hop.
• All bloggers must comply with FTC guidelines and Facebook rules regarding giveaways. The Reynolds Mom and Seventeen Sirens will not be held reliable or responsible for those who do not comply.
  

Want to be a handmade sponsor in this event for my blog? Have questions?

Please don't hesitate to contact the hosts (Ashley and Aly) at:

aamadewithlove11 @ gmail.com

(Closed) BabyKicks 3g Pocket Diaper Review and Giveaway Ends 8/24

BabyKicks has been creating high quality, natural and organic cloth diapers and accessories since 2000. I had the opportunity to review one of their very unqiue pocket diapers!

 

The BabyKicks 3g Pocket Diaper is a one-size pocket diaper with many unique features and lots to talk about. It's designed to fit from 7-40 pounds, has 4 rise settings, and offers some really fun colors. This diaper is very different from other pocket diapers I've seen and tried for several reasons.

First, there are fleece gussets at the leg openings, allowing for maximum airflow to your baby's skin. I was really skeptical about these gussets. I've never used fleece covers so I didn't know a lot about this material in cloth diapers, but have found that they do in fact hold in wetness and mess just fine.

Second, this is a side-snapping pocket diaper. It has two rows of 4 snaps on each tab, and two snaps on each side of the front panel to snap onto the tabs. The side-snapping feature helps prevent any major wing-droop. This also allows the diaper to get extra tiny for a newborn. I really like that the front panel is so wide. This helps avoid any folding of the front panel under chubby baby bellies, and just creates a very comfortable look. There is a small section of elastic in the back of the waist to create a snug fit.

Third, the inside lining is quite different than most pocket diapers that have just one material as the lining. This diaper has a contoured area in the middle (shaped like the insert) which is 30% Certified Organic Cotton and 70% Rayon made from Bamboo. Micro fleece lining is around the rest, to wick moisture away from the skin. The cotton/bamboo portion pills quite a bit from the first wash, but seems to calm down a bit after a few more uses. It's very soft though, and a quite cushion-y for sensitive baby skin. I think it would be a great texture to help keep runny infant poo inside too.

Lastly, the pocket for the insert is located in the front, as opposed to most pocket diapers that have the pocket in the back. Apparently this helps avoid inserts sticking out in the back, but I've never had that problem so I'm not sure if it helps or not.

This pocket diaper includes a One-Size Joey-Bunz insert. This very thin insert is made of 55% natural hemp and 45% certified organic cotton. The very thirsty hemp is naturally anti-microbial, grown without pesticides and is not bleached like synthetic fibers. The insert can be folded as necessary into the pocket opening, depending on the rise setting you are using. There are sewn markers to help you determine where how far down to fold so they've made this step easy. 

I found this diaper to be extremely well made and very soft, but it was hard to actually get the insert in the pocket quickly because the diaper is so flexible. I would have liked to see a little more sturdiness in the diaper itself. Also, the pocket is small, and perfectly sized for the inserts. This makes it hard for larger hands to fit inside, and also difficult to get the insert to lay flat. By the time you stretch out the diaper to fit all the insert inside, the section in the far back is already rippling and not laying flat. This was honestly really frustrating for me because I know this can hinder effectiveness if not properly placed inside.

While I love the natural fibers as extra absorption when needed, I've discovered that I actually prefer microfiber as the primary insert in the pocket under the lining. As much as I'm all-for natural, Natural, NATURAL, this is simply because my super soaker pees SO fast and, although highly absorbent, the hemp just can't absorb it all fast enough like microfiber can (even if I use more than one hemp insert). In fact, while I was taking the photo of Buddy lying on his tummy, I noticed a wet spot on the couch. As he got up, a river poured out the top of the diaper!!! The back side of the insert wasn't wet at all. *sigh* He was in that diaper for 2 minutes before this happened! Not really the diaper's fault. It's just an issue I deal with often. It's also one of the issues we're having with potty training. My son will still "go" in diapers if he's wearing one, and he's usually been holding it until he really needs to go. So, when he has to go, it's A LOT. And underwear right now is a diaper to him too......which means he's naked A LOT at home right now (glad it's summertime!)!!

At 35 pounds, Buddy is already on the largest setting for this diaper. At this point, it's a great, snug fit so I'm somewhat doubtful that this diaper can go up to 40 pounds and still fit well. However, we do get a really nice, trim fit with no gaping in the legs or tummy. It's probably one of the trimmest diaper I have and it seems comfortable to wear.

Price: BabyKicks 3g Pocket Diapers retail for $20.50. Really a great price for a diaper with a natural fiber insert.

The Verdict: This diaper has a great concept and I like natural fibers for their absorption and trimness. This diaper was hard to stuff, but overall is a great-fitting diaper. We just need better absorption. I like the side-snapping feature, and it's probably the best one I've seen. About 90% of their product line is handmade in Maryland which is awesome as well.

Buy It!
Check out BabyKicks.com to buy now, or to find an online retailer!

Win It!

One winner will receive a BabyKicks 3g Pocket Diaper!

Back To School Giveaway Hop Sponsor Spotlight: ECOLunchboxes

At ECOlunchboxes, you'll find safe, eco-friendly, reusable lunch products that are great when considering your families' needs this school year. They offer options that are appropriate for all ages, and certainly make a fashion statement at the same time!

I LOVE ECOlunchbox products because they are...

100% Plastic-free 

Waste free 

Lead-free

BPA-free

PVC-free

Vinyl-free

ECOlunchboxes has generously offered the winner of my Back To School prize an ECOlunchette Kit in winner's choice of color! (ARV $45)

 This kit is beautiful! It has everything you need to go eco-friendly at lunch time. It's stylish, cute, and easy to care for. Here's a bit more about the kit from ECOlunchboxes' website:

Our ECOlunchette Kit includes the ECOlunchette purse lunchbag, a stainless steel food container of your choice, one matching napkin and a bamboo spork.

• The lunchbag's lining is loose and can be easily spot washed at the sink for easy overnight drying or machine washed/tumble dry.

• The lunch bag, which measures 8 inches tall, 13 inches wide & 5 1/2 inches deep, is handmade from textiles that are traditionally block printed by artisans in India and sourced fair trade.

• The matching lunch napkin measures 16 inches by 12 inches and is designed for use as a placemat or napkin.

• The spork is made of sustainably grown bamboo. 

Be sure to check out ECOlunchboxes on Facebook and Twitter!

This prize is up for grabs on my blog during the Back To School Giveaway Hop! Be sure to come back to my blog between August 22-31 to enter for a chance to WIN this awesome prize!