Mommy's Favorite Things: December 2011



Friday, December 30, 2011

Bringing Home Baby: Tommee Tippee Review & Giveaway




Tommee Tippee is one of those companies that you trust! They have been around for such a long time and back when everyone used them. 
When we received sippy cups in the mail from them a long time ago, both my mother, Jon's mother, and Jon all recognized the name. It's a very popular brand and most everyone has heard of them!

This time I was fortunate to receive the Closer to Nature Electric Breast Pump. 
 Everything you need is included.
 It comes with the pump which plugs in OR can take batteries to make it portable. It comes with one 5oz bottle, all the necessary parts to hook the bottle up to the pump, 2, 2oz storage containers for storing in the fridge or freezer, a sterilizer case which is also great for storing everything, some breast pads and a couple extra parts.
 Everything all together, ready for pumping.
 The shield pops off easily for cleaning.
 Then this part unscrews for easy cleaning
 Then the main pump area unscrews from the bottle
 All the parts.
 Or you can leave it together and just unscrew from the bottle itself.
 The bottle, which comes with a nipple and cap.
There is also a little pod that the bottle sits in. Great for on the counter. 

So I've gotten to use this pump quite a bit since breast feeding hurts me a lot. I've been using it so I can get something in him but it's less painful for me. It works quite well! The only downfall is it's a single pump and not a double. 

You push the power button and let it go for a few minutes. It will bring on your let down, then you can choose which setting you want, setting 1 is short and frequent pumps, setting 2 is medium and frequent pumps and then setting 3 is long and semi frequent pumps. It's more powerful for 3 too. It's whatever you can handle basically. 

I find setting 2 or 3 does the best for me. I turn it on, get it to suction and latch and then turn it to level 2 or 3. Since my milk isn't in yet it is okay to not wait for let down, since there really isn't one. 

The whole pump is BPA free too which is awesome. 

One downfall is that there is only one bottle. So after each pumping session you need to pour it into another bottle to put in the fridge. 

Price: This electric pump is $129.99. Babies R Us carries it. They also have 6, 4oz storage pods with storage container for $13.99 for easier storage. 

Overall: *****. This pump works for what it's intended for!

*Disclaimer* I received an item directly from Tommee Tippee in exchange for a review. I was not paid to try out these products*
A big thank you goes out to Tommee Tippee for allowing me to review this product and offering a giveaway


Emerson Brooks birth story!



12/27 (my due date). I had an appt with my OB at 1:50 and he stripped my membranes, it hurt, but I read that if it didn't then it wasn't done right... I was still a 3 (had been for 3 weeks) and after the strip I was a 3-4 and had bulging waters. He said he'd see me that night. 
Starting at 5:30 I was having some contractions. They were pretty regular for a whole hour (about 4-6 minutes apart) then went to about 8-9 minutes, then 10-11 minutes, then back to 4-6 and so on. They did this until 11 o clock. Regular, but not consistent. Then they stopped... I figured I'd go lay down and try and get some sleep. I fell asleep around 12. I had 3 strong contractions wake me up for the next couple hours, but I was able to fall back asleep... until 3:15. 

12/28 (1 day overdue). At 3:15am I woke up with painful contractions. So I started timing... about 5-6 minutes apart and lasting upwards of 2 minutes! 
I woke up Jon at 3:40 and he said to keep timing. I timed them until 4:10 and finally woke him up and said we need to leave. They got a little stronger and I had to breathe through them, but they weren't majorly strong. They weren't that bad. 
We got everything ready and arrived at the hospital at 5:30am. I was first checked at about 6:15 and was a 6, 80% effaced and a -2 station. 
It was right around 7:15 I asked for the epidural. I was trying for a natural delivery, but I had some super strong contractions and just knew it would be best for me to get it. 
At 8:20 my dr came in and checked me again 6-7, 90% effaced and -1 station! He then broke my water!
It was 9 o clock when I felt the pressure (never felt this with my daughter so it was WEIRD). Jon paged the nurse and she checked me... 10!!!!
I went from a 7-10 in about 40 minutes!!!
They wanted me to have a few more contractions and bring him down before I started pushing. 
The nurse had me start pushing at 9:22, I pushed through 3 contractions (about 6 times) and then she paged for the dr. and a catcher! They arrived immediately and I started pushing... I kept feeling him get closer and closer and then knew he was RIGHT THERE. I pushed for about 5 minutes and about 6-7 times and he was born at 9:30am!!

Emerson Brooks born at 9:30am weighing 7lb 6oz (I guessed this number EXACTLY!) 19 3/4" long! He had a 13" head circumference. 

I tore in 1 spot that needed 3 stitches, but other than that it went perfect! So much different than with Avery where I pushed for 40 minutes. 

So from Beginning of active labor until he was out, was just about 6 hours and 15 minutes! I had a lot of prep contractions there for a while though!
So glad it's over and we're home and doing good!!









Tuesday, December 27, 2011

40 Weeks!



I have actually made it this far. I never thought I would. Since Avery came 7 days early I assumed he would too. Then I wanted to avoid Christmas and now he's doing that and then some!

Today I am officially 40 weeks! I'm due today! I don't know how I feel about it. I have mixed feelings I guess. I know he'll come when he's ready, but I also just want to be done.

I found out I was pregnant 4 days before my missed period, so I've been pregnant a LONG time and I've known about it a long time now.

I have an appt today at 1:50. We'll see what happens. I will ask for a sweep and we'll go from there. I had contractions that were 4.5-6.5 minutes apart last night for about 2 hours, then I fell asleep and when I woke up at 6am all had stopped!

I know that since I see a regular OB he'll talk induction, so I'm going to set one up for Friday morning. 1. I'm due in December so I'm having my baby in December, 2. The tax return! Might sound selfish, but at that point I'll be 3 days overdue already.

So most likely he'll be here no later than Friday evening or so!!!
I hope I'm more dilated this week too... We'll see what happens!




Monday, December 26, 2011

Bringing Home Baby: ThinkBaby Review & Giveaway






I received a sunscreen to review from ThinkBaby this summer. But they also have baby bottles. 

I was fortunate to receive the Starter Set of bottles to review. 

It comes with 2, 5oz bottles which have a slow flow (0-3 month) nipple on them. 2, 9oz bottles which have a medium flow (3-6 month) nipple on them and then it includes 2 additional fast flow (6-12 month) nipples. 

So it really is a great starter set. I do remember with Avery though that she never went beyond the slow flow nipples on any bottle. The medium she would gag on the milk. So I may not be using all the nipples. But it's nice that they're included. 

The nipple is anti-colic and is all one piece, it's also a medical grade silicone. 


What I REALLY like about the bottle though is that it can later be transformed into the sippy cup just by buying the Conversion Kit which  comes with a sippy handle and 2 spouts. 

Price: The Starter set is $19.99 which isn't bad for 4 bottles at all.  The Conversion kit is $6.99. I think this is worth it for making them a sippy down the road.

Overall: *****

*Disclaimer* I received an item directly from ThinkBaby in exchange for a review. I was not paid to try out these products*
A big thank you goes out to ThinkBaby for allowing me to review this product and offering a giveaway


Friday, December 23, 2011

Bringing Home Baby: Paige Lauren Review & Giveaway






High Quality baby clothes is a nice thing to have, it's hard when they outgrow items in 1-3 months or so though. Sometimes it's just nicer to pick up cheapy things on clearance and then pass them on when they get outgrown. 

But it's always nice to have a few good quality items in your baby's closet and Paige Lauren understands this!

We received the Classic Romper with Footsie in the Slate Color
I love that it has the hand flaps. Great to prevent a baby from scratching their face.
 The feet are so cute!
 Makes for easy diaper changes.
 I also love that the neck unsnaps on both sides. Makes for taking it off and putting it on easy and you can also slide baby in from the top if you wish!
I Love the color of this romper. It's a gorgeous grey. I like the different patterns on it too. The body is stripes and the feet and arms are dotted.

This comes in 6 colors too! Which is great. It also comes in sizes from NB up through 12-18 month.

It's a fairly thin material, but it's really nice and warm at the same time. It takes up very little space in the closet/drawer or diaper bag though because it's kind of thin! All the snaps are Nickel and Lead Free so that's kind of nice as well. 

Paige Lauren carries lots of other items as well
Tops/Jackets
Gowns
And more!

Price: The Romper I received is $46!

Overall: *****

*Disclaimer* I received an item directly from Paige Lauren in exchange for a review. I was not paid to try out these products*
A big thank you goes out to Paige Lauren for allowing me to review this product and offering a giveaway


Hanna's Candles Review & Giveaway



I'm a serious Candle Fanatic. You can always find 1-2 on my counter that have been used and burnt, and you can usually find at least 10 more scattered throughout my house waiting to be burned. I have candles everywhere, I think they're a great way to make a room smell good, but also to create an ambiance in the room. 

I was very fortunate to review 3 candles from Hanna's Candle Company. NOW, Hanna's is many different brands in one, so there's going to be a few links here. I received a Kathy Ireland Sugared Pecan Pie candle! I also received a Caramel Pecanabon Cinnabon Candle as well as a Natural Soy Banana Nut Bread candle!

We started with the Cinnabon. SO delicious smelling!!! You can clearly tell I love baking scents though, they are awesome!!

The cinnabon was burned daily for almost 1.5 weeks straight. When we burn a candle we burn it for 8 hours+ a day, so a long lasting candle for sure. It says 75-85 hour length! I'd for sure say that was accurate! 

The Banana Nut Bread is next. We're still working on it. It definitely smells just like you've been baking. In fact the first day I lit it, Jon came home and thought I had made banana bread. Poor man, he was so excited!! That's how good it smells though. Nice and Yummy!

We haven't started the Kathy Ireland Shaker one yet, but it smells very good and I'm sure it will burn just as nicely. 

All these candles burned/burning nice and evenly. Nothing left behind which is the way it should be. 

They have a TON of scents and series to choose from. They have Jolly Rancher candles. Almond Joy, Mr Goodbar! So yummy. Such Diversity. 

Price: They are cheap, that's the best part! The Kathy Ireland is $6.99, Cinnabon is $12.99 and they have other scents that are mostly $4.99! Great prices. 

Overall: *****

*Disclaimer* I received an item directly from Hanna's Candles in exchange for a review. I was not paid to try out these products*
A big thank you goes out to Hanna's Candles for allowing me to review this product and offering a giveaway


Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Bringing Home Baby: Hevea Review



Pacifiers are important. 
Hevea understands this. They don't just make pacifiers though. They also have a teether and some bath toys, as well as a pacifier bag and clip. 

We received a Pacifier and the Bath Toys for review.
 Bath toys! Fish, Duck and Frog.
 Round Pacifier in a size Small (0-3 month)
 We got the Crowns!
They have 4 designs on the pacifier. They have a Flower Orthodontic, the Crown Round, Car Orthodontic and Star and Moon Orthodontic. So the Crown is the only round one!

They come in 2 sizes a 0-3 or a 3+ month. 

The bath toys, teether and pacifiers are made from 100% natural rubber. Free from BPA, PVC and Phthalates. 

The Pacifiers are ergonomically shaped so they don't interfere with the nose and breathing. They are also all one piece so dirt and bacteria can't accumulate. They are guaranteed to last a minimum of 2 months!

Avery loves the bath toys too. It seems the most simple of items are the most fun and these are her new favorite bath toy! But baby can use them too in just a few short months. I also think they'd be great for not in the bath. It's a one piece solid rubber toy. Nothing screams bath about that!
And check out the adorable Panda Teether. He has 2 sides to him. A bumpy side and a smoother side. 

Price: The Teether is $13.50. Pacifiers are $8.95 and right now for each one purchased they will donate $1 to the CJs foundation! The 3 bath toys are $29.99!

Overall: *****
*Disclaimer* I received an item directly from Hevea in exchange for a review. I was not paid to try out these products*
A big thank you goes out to Hevea for allowing me to review this product


Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Swticha-Pocket Review & Giveaway



This is one of those websites where you see the item and think "Why didn't I think of that?" 

Switcha-Pocket is a great new product!! It's Jeans or a Skirt and you can literally switch out the pocket on the back just by velcro!
We received the Bootcut Jeans in the Distressed Medium Wash. And I chose the Geo Pocket
 I love the ones it comes with though!!
 Just pull the pocket off...
 And put on the new one!
 Comes with a locket bracelet
 And Adjustable Waist!
I got the size 5. Avery is in a 4 now, but not for long. Her 4s JUST fit her length wise. I love that these have the adjustable waist though because that is NECESSARY in this house for her little hips/waist. She could easily wear a 18-24 month in the waist on a lot of pants. But obviously they'd be like bermudas on her!

I wrapped these up for Christmas (Santa is bringing them!) I can't wait to see what she thinks of them. Although if I show her that the pocket velcro's off she'll be doing it CONSTANTLY! But it's fun so why not!

When you wash these you just pull the pockets off. The velcro that's on the jeans is the soft loop side so nothing will get stuck to them in the washer or dryer. The sticky hook part is the part on the pocket. 
If the pockets get dirty I'm sure just a simple hand wash will get them clean!

I know Avery will love the bracelet that comes with these jeans. She's really into jewelry and girly things right now, so these jeans and that bracelet are perfect for her!

They also carry skirts. And you can choose a single pocket OR double pair of pockets if you wish!

Price: The Jeans and Skirt are $39.99. Each pocket is $9.99 or $19.99 for a 2 pair. 
YOU CAN USE THE CODE HEATHER FOR 25% OFF ANYTHING!

Overall: *****


*Disclaimer* I received an item directly from Switcha-Pocket in exchange for a review. I was not paid to try out these products*
A big thank you goes out to Switcha-Pocket for allowing me to review this product and offering a giveaway



Sunday, December 18, 2011

Bringing Home Baby: Little Uni Review & Giveaway



Personalized and CUTE Children's clothing is what I live for. There's nothing like having a pretty unique article of clothing that everyone admires and wants one for themselves! I love that!!

I can totally make people jealous with our new Little Uni custom tee-shirt!


We actually received this tee in a 6-12 month. She informed me that the 3-6 was more like a newborn size and that this would be a bit bigger. She's right! The sleeves look longer, but the width and length of the tee is equivalent to your average 0-3 or 3 month top. So I'm glad I went with that size. 

It will probably be perfect for Spring!

Now, you can get a custom name inside the design, or just a word of choice. That's what makes it custom! 

You choose the size you want, then the top style, then color and then the design. Then you can custom what you want it to say. It's super easy to do!
I LOVE this dinosaur
Some girls ones too
I think they are so cute!

I can't wait to get little man into his new tee from Little Uni. The stitching around the owl is great looking. I washed it and it faded around the edges a bit, but that gives it more of a unique look in my opinion. 

Price: It depends. The Short Sleeve tee is $30. SS Onesie is $32 and LS tee is $32. 

Overall: *****

*Disclaimer* I received an item directly from Little Uni in exchange for a review. I was not paid to try out these products*
A big thank you goes out to Little Uni for allowing me to review this product and offering a giveaway