No Moo Moo!...Please

I am encountering a possible milk protein allergy in Isabella, as I'm sure lots of parents navigate in the confusing, question-filled time before they reach 2 years old and the testing for allergies can start. It is really frustrating. If you are curious whether your child may have a milk protein or lactose allergy I found a good article here on the symptoms, it helped me figure out what was going on with Bella.

http://www.ehow.com/about_5376793_signs-symptoms-milk-allergy-infants.html

During my pregnancy, I started to have a bad milk reaction. It would make me really sick for the entire day, even if I just had enough for a bowl of cereal. Then later, when I was nursing and ate dairy Bella was fussy and had some tummy issues. So, our Pediatrician is wanting us to not give her any dairy until two.

Fine with me, minus the fact that I have one of those family members that does not listen to my food wishes when she is with Bella. She has been sneaking her cream cheese, grr! And I think little dabs of ice cream (!!!) So now the new fruits and veggies I have been trying with her have me all confused because how I am supposed to know if she is reacting to a new food or the cream cheese?

I guess I got my answer after her legs were covered in hives yesterday. Not fun and she was a little fussy but I gave her a bath and a little A&D and she is fine today.



I was attempting to find some tips online as to how to nicely put it when you have a family member like mine who you love and respect but that does not listen to the restrictions you have on your child's diet. It's really hard and uncomfortable to have to be that way. I love and respect her and want her to have all the access to Bella that she wants and value her opinion and tips on mostly everything, except with my child's eating habits. She is very old school and believes nothing has changed since she reared her own children, and oh boy have they! You will probably end up being the bad guy and bite the bullet like I did and have to really put your foot down, even mentioning not bringing your child around as much, but hey if it's for Bella's safety and health there isn't anything I wouldn't do.

I found an AWESOME article written by a now-Grandparent. http://www.thetranquilparent.com/detail/whose-rules-rule-parenting-and-the-role-of-the-grandparent/

I wish all of you the best of luck if you have a family member who doesn't listen to your parental wishes, and I hope you can all find a common ground because family and love are the most important things to have in your child's life and they will forever benefit from what they learn from those around them.

That's right!

Pin It To Win It!

Are you one of the lucky people who has a Pinterest account, and actually knows how to use it? I'm asking because it took me a little longer than I was happy with to get it down, but honestly, once I did I am kind of addicted to pinning things and especially checking out other people's Pinboards and am always on the lookout for activities and recipies other Mommies post to do with children.



www.pinterest.com/NubyUSA



Nuby is currently holding their first Pinterest Contest EVER, it began June 4th -  and ends on the 18th. It's going to be so exciting to see the entries.

Way to enter is as follows and you must have or create a Pinterest Account.

1.Be a follower of Nuby USA on Pinterest (Pinterest.com/NubyUSA)
2. Create a NEW board on your Pinterest Account called "I Love Nuby" and start pinning! Please pin a minimum of 5 Nuby Product images to qualify, add fun captions and be sure to use #Nuby.
3. Once you have done so, email your Pinterest board link to pinterest@nuby.com for a chance to win one of five $25 Nuby Gift Packs!!

Believe me, they are worth trying out for. Nuby products are stellar!



FDA Warning - Teething Gels - Please read and find the CNN article here as well!

Due to the fact that I have a teething baby (now to two big bottom teefies of course!). I am always looking for new remedies for her little gums aside from using the baby Tylenol all the time. I am always in fear of over-medicating, or giving medicine when it's not necessary, as I'm sure all Mothers out there are as well.

I've heard from parent after parent about how remarkable the new Teething Tablets are. I did purchase some, but upon looking at the box and noticing that there is not any dosing information for a child under 2 years of age, then later asking my Pediatrician about them as well I cannot and do not give them to her. I would probably give them a shot if I came across a kind that was for younger babies.

Another option is the baby Orajel, or other brands of teething gels. I do have some of that as well, but like the Tablets have a reason to be uncomfortable about them. I have read a few different places that if too much is put in a child's mouth or if they swallow it can numb their gag reflex and cause them to choke. Yikes! Makes a Momma nervous for sure!

I've just been sticking with freezing her teething rings and giving her the baby Tylenol on nights when she is inconsolable, and I'm glad I have because I just came across new warnings just issued by the FDA regarding Teething Gels specifically.



I was even fooled by the "Naturals" kind of Baby Orajel, as you can see it still has Benzocaine.





The stomach-dropping quote that I read was:

"Benzocaine is a local anesthetic that’s in products like Anbesol, Orajel & Baby Orajel, Orabase and Hurricaine. The FDA says using benzocaine products to stop mouth and gum pain can cause a rare and sometimes fatal condition called methemoglobinemia. Methemoglobinemia is a blood disorder where the oxygen that’s carried through the blood to the tissue drops to dangerously low levels. In severe cases it can cause death."

The article also states that the FDA did issue a warning in 2006, and other in 2011.

Hard core facts: Since 2006 there have been a total of 29 reported benzocaine gel-related cases of this blood disorder. 19 total in children, and shockingly 15 of the 19 were in babies under 2 years of age!

Some key signs to look for: Blue fingernails, skin, lips, trouble breathing, headache, light headedness and an increased heart rate.

An extremely scary fact with methemoglobinemia is that it can likely occur after just the first time using it, as well as even if you have used it countless times on your child.

I found the article at Parents.com but CNN wrote the original and that can be found here: http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2012/06/01/fda-warns-about-benzocaine-in-baby-pain-gels/?hpt=hp_bn12

Please be careful with your little ones!! I will continue to search for more homeopathic remedies for my little one and if I come across anything worth reporting I will be SURE to get it back to you. Anything to decrease the use of Teething Gels. I hope this helps to get the word out!

Uncle Ryan

Due to the fact that I was recovering in the beginning of the month from gallbladder surgery I never did do an entry about a very important event in my life.

For one reason or another I had not seen my one and only big Brother Ryan since I was about 5 months pregnant or so, and his Daughter, my niece Alyssia Megan (yes, named after me!). It's been very hard to not be a part of either of their lives especially since my Brother and I have always been so close. He had a lot to do with raising me and is and will always be so dear to me. With an amazing single Mother who worked multiple jobs it was Ryan I went to for everything. He is my confidant, my best friend, my partner in crime, the one who taught me how to ride a bike, the ONLY one who I would ever let help me wiggle out a loose tooth, patch up a "boo-boo" or kick the butts of school bullies. I love him a lot.

It was becoming very hard for me to have not seen him or Alyssia for so long, but during my stay in the hospial Ryan and my niece surprised me and showed up to come see me. It was a very tearful and sweet reunion. I got to hug and squeeze them both and Uncle Ryan got to meet my Daughter for the first time. Can you say "Tissue please?" Here are some photos from that day, and since then.
We are now back in eachother's lives and I couldn't be happier. We are eachother's only siblings and our Daughter's are our only children. I am blessed to have them back in my life and Bella is blessed to have an Uncle like her Uncle Ryan. My heart is warmed and I am humbled and I cannot wait for the special memories in the future that our Daughter's will have growing up closely and have all the fun cousin experiences that Ryan and I had growing up with ours. Blessed!

Firsty Firsts!!

One happy Momma is typing this right now! What a great two weeks we have had! Isabella has FINALLY sprouted her two bottom "teefies." Which might I add would put a shark to shame! Holy sharp! They are like little scissors. It's great to see them poking through, though they aren't fully out yet, just the tips. She seems much more relieved that they have broken skin.

She also turned 6 MONTHS OLD yesterday and on her big 1/2 Birthday, or .5 as we were jokingly referring to it I took her swimming for the first time as well. She absolutely loved the warm water and was splashing like crazy!

Me and my big 6 month birthday girl during her first time swimming



And here is my little fishy and my friend Tammy splashing away.

Replacement Spouts and Straws

Hey Nuby Lovers!! Do you have a little chomper like mine who chews everything in sight? Then maybe you have experienced what I am going through now, Bella and her two brand spanking new bottom "teefies" have chewed right throught the rubber spout on her sippy cup, yikes!

Luckily you can actually get replacement spouts and straws for your Nuby cups instead of having to replace the whole cup. Brilliant right? I honestly haven't seen any companies that have done anything like this before, most of them would want you to have to go out and buy a whole new cup over and over.



If you are in need of some replacements for your kiddo's favorite cup, http://www.buybabydirect.com/ has what you need! Head on over and check out all the sales and great deals they have going on.

Medical Kit Sale Today & My Review of my own Nuby Medical Kit!

Good Morning Everyone! I hope my Blog readers are experiencing some better weather than I am here in Vermont today. It's dreary and rainy and cold! A good day to stay inside and get things done, and get some baby snuggling in too.

It's also a great day for a sale, and what better to do on a dreary day then some online shopping? Sounds good to me! Today Nuby's Medical Kits are on sale at BuyBabyDirect.com, the link to the Medical Kit can be found here: http://www.buybabydirect.com/p/139/24170-medical-kit

I was fortunate enough to get one of these kits with my Nuby Welcome Basket and I personally love it and highly recommend it, I've added my thoughts on some of the tools below. The kit which normally goes for about $7.00 or so is on sale for only $5.24! A very good deal considering all you get in the kit.

The Nuby Medical Kit includes:

Sure-Drop Medicine Dropper & Medicine Dispenser - Measure in Teaspoons and Milliliters. I love both of these for a few reasons. I have a very, very hard time giving Bella baby Tylenol because she hates the taste and gets very worked up and almost always ends up choking no matter what position I put her in. Really scary! I believed it was partly because of her hating it, but also because the dropper that came with the Tylenol was terrible and would slip and end up squirting a big mouthful at a time into her mouth unless you used two hands on it. With Nuby's Medicine Dispenser you have to put some effort into squirting down the dropper so it comes out slowly and not in one huge squirt, which I love. With the old dropper giving her medicine was a two person, very stressful process (not easy whatsoever for a stay-at-home Mommy). Since I have had the Sure-Drop Medicine Dropper and also the Dispenser I have been using both of them for her medicine to see which works better and have been able to throw out the one that came with the Tylenol and can give Bella medicine much more easily and with just one hand. The Nuby Dropper is also skinnier and longer than the one I had so I can put it deeper into the side of her mouth and she actually gets it down instead of just spitting it out all over the place. Success!

Medi-Nurser - To administer oral medicine with a silicone nipple tip on it. How smart! I've never seen anything like this before, which is so strange because it makes perfect sense. What better of a way to get your baby to take medicine then putting a nipple on it like they are used to? Brilliant Nuby, Brilliant.

Nasal Aspirator (Much, much better than the one I received at the Hospital and not as sharp and scary! It's got a much more blunt tip and better suction, this Mommy approves!)

Ear Syringe - Gentle tip won't poke inside little ears.

Not only is the Nuby Medicial Kit a heck of a deal today, it's just a really smart purchase in general and I feel every Mom should have one on hand because you will need it and you will use it! Don't miss out :)

Save the Jars

The link to the article is here: http://www.lilsugar.com/How-Reuse-Baby-Food-Jars-23154590?utm_source=babycenter.com&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=babycenter_facebook

I came across this cool article today for ways to "upcycle" instead of recycle used baby food jars. I love simple crafts like this, because I am unfortunately not as creative and crafty as I'd like to be. Hopefully

Mommyhood brings some newfound craftyness! A Momma can hope right!?

I really like the crayon idea, it's smart and it looks good as well. I will definitely be doing the photo jar idea here, it'd be a great gift too. My FAVORITE is the children's Advent Calendar idea in the article! Lets you make your own and put little gifts and knick-knacks in it for kiddos, if every month were a hassle then doing it the month you are counting down to something exciting would be a smart idea.

A few crafty ideas of my own for these baby jars was to put makeup brushes in a painted baby food jar, or q-tips! You could always label them too. Perhaps put a nail through the lids on a board and then add spices to the empty jars so when you are done with the spices you can simply screw them back onto their lid! They are sealed really well so it would certainly keep the spices fresh. You could also do it with nails, and screws and all those sort of miscellanious do-dads that have no specific place to be around the home. I know my Mother would suggest that empty food jars could house seashells because anything and everything in her house that even midly resembles a bowl or jar houses an endless array of seashells and seaglass :) Something I have done with really neat bottles in the past that would work for baby food jars as well is putting a little food coloring and some water in them for a little rainbow theme or all the same color if you have a color scheme you follow. If you do a little reasearch there seem to be endless things you can do with baby food jars, so now is a good time to start saving some because they aren't so economical anymore and those smart baby food bags are going to fizzle them out eventually I would say.

If you have any other fun ideas for baby food jars, or "upcycled" products of your own I would love to hear about them, feel free to share on here or my Blog Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100003659578701.

Upcycle on Mamas!



Angry Momma

I am one frustrated Momma tonight! I recently celebrated my first Mother's Day and as a gift to me because I am such an obsessive reader and am in love with my Nook, my Mother bought me a Barnes & Noble Gift Card to get some new Nook Books with.

SO...I tried to redeem it today and it wouldn't go through. It even lists on Barnes & Noble website that yes you do have to have a card on file, but if you have a Gift Card it will take over and that will be redeemed first. No problem since I have a Gift Card right? Wrong. I have a card on file but it currently has about .67 cents in it because sorry this Mommy doesn't get paid to be a Mommy. Yes I work, but my "job" is 24/7 and I don't punch in and punch out, it doesn't end, and it's hard, and wonderful and exhausting and beautiful and full of meaning, just not monetary. So I chatted with two of their customer service representatives and they said that even though my card is on file and even though the Gift Cards on an account get used before they touch your card you have to have at least .99 cents in your account. Ridiculous!

I sent them an email complaint voicing exactly this and how hurt I am that this rule is the way it is and how unfair it is to me, especially since I have been an avid Barnes & Noble customer since I was a little kid. My Mother and I used to spend hours in there just reading and browsing and getting lost in stories.

No books for me tonight, but hopefully someone will message me back and do something for me, but I'm sure like any other big business there will be "nothing they can do."

Whew! Sorry for the negative post tonight, I am just frustrated and wish that stay-at-home Mommies like me could catch a break once in a while!

Tick!

Today started out beautiful and relaxing! We went to the park for a little family time. Family time = Bella and I on a blanket with my Nook and all of her fave toys, and Daddy shooting some hoops nearby, that way we all get to share a little bit of heaven. It was great, we live a stones throw from our local park, and there is a little path that cuts right through from our house to the park, can't ask for a much better location. It will be great when Bella is a toddler (an older) full of energy to take her right there close by and let her burn off her energy. Another thing I love is that the fireworks are held there each year, so for the first time we don't have to worry about PARKING! We can actually see them from home, so we'll see how Bella handles them this year, and hey if she doesn't like them, it takes about a minute to get back home.

I have been so crazy paranoid about ticks this year, being that we had such an unseasonably warm winter and the level of ticks is about twice what is usually is in past years. I picked up Bella of her blanket and there was a tick! After cursing, crying and freaking out (all while grinding it up in my hand and yelling at it), I called my Husband over who knows a lot about them and it was NOT a Deer Tick, and it was a little baby one so PHEW! This Momma for sure had a panic attack though. I wish there was something I could do, in short of wrapping my kid in a bug net!

So after a thorough tick inspection and a tubby, Bells is relaxing safely at home while we cook up some steaks and unwind! I love the weekend and the summer! Keep up the good weather!

My yummy steak dinner!

Goodnight all :)

Giveaway for NEW Nuby Facebook Fans ONLY!

Hello There!! Do you happen to not yet be a Fan of Nuby on Facebook? If not, then today's giveaway is just for YOU! Nuby is giving away 1,000 No-Spill Hard Spout Cups to their NEW Facebook fans! All you have to do for your chance to be 1 out of 1,000 is to "Like" their page at www.facebook.com/nubyusa and then follow the instructions with your information at www.surveymonkey.com/s/may18hardspout.

Good luck!!!!

Lots of big deals happening today with Nuby!

Good Afternoon!! Just wanted to share some pretty great savings with Nuby today.

Firstly Sam's Club is selling a 4 piece Cup and Snack Set for only $7.98!! My FAVORITE part of this are there Snack Keeper cups, they have these little separators at the top where a child's little hand can go inside and grab a snack but they won't spill out everywhere because they close when they aren't being pushed in. How smart is that!? I know for sure I am definitely buying one when Bella is ready.

You get two of the Snack Keepers and two of the as always NO SPILL Soft Spout Sippy Cups. Check out this set! http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=prod6320023 

Perfect for a little snack to go in the car, or even on a little picnic with your tot in tow. Unfortunately not all of you are Sam's Club Members, or have one close to you, if that is the case you can order online. Unsure if you do? Here's the link to locate a Sam's Club in your area: http://www3.samsclub.com/clublocator/.

Wait, I've got more :)

The site http://www.buybabydirect.com/ is offering 30% off Nuby's Fun Feeding Plates, Bowls and Cups. I found them by clicking on the "Hot Specials" tab, or you can follow the link here: https://www.buybabydirect.com/c/25/hot-specials

Here's a photo of the Fun Feeding Bowls, they are so colorful.

Don't miss out Mamas! And check back with me for upcoming sales and giveaways with Nuby :)

Welcome to Nuby Package!

One of the bajillion great things about being an Official Mommy Blogger for Nuby is that they sent each one of us Mommy Bloggers a "Welcome Basket." I was so emotional and grateful to be a part of Nuby and that they sent me all of these wonderful, amazing things just for Isabella. It warmed my heart so much! I am going to be reviewing the products that they have sent and posting my opinions, photos, and videos of the reviews right on here. So if you are interested, keep checking back with me.


My Nuby Welcome Package!



4,000 Chances to Win with Nuby!

Holy Moly! So I thought yesterday's giveaway of the No-Spill Hard Spout Sippy Cups was big, but today is even bigger! Today Nuby is giving away 4,000 of them! That is 4,000 chances to win one for your kiddos! Make sure to "Like" the posting regarding today's giveaway on Nuby's Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/#!/nubyusa and then just enter your information after clicking on the link below the post! It's simple and easy! I love Nuby!

What a GREAT Day for a Giveaway!!



Hello everyone!!! Nuby is doing another awesome giveaway today! But this time they are giving away 1,000 of their No-Spill Hard Spout Cups today!! They are really neat!! I can't wait until Bella girl is old enough for the hard spout! And thank goodness for the No-Spill! And when Nuby says something is "No-Spill" it actually is so no need to beware of your furniture, carpet, anything because they are really great about leakage! Yay for products that work as they should! Enter to win today on Nuby's Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122523861212932.22646.100003659578701&type=3#!/nubyusa


Stay tuned to Nuby's Facebook for more giveaways! They are ALWAYS giving away great products. Don't miss your chance.

Mother's Day

Glowing proudly on my first Mother's Day! And giving my daughter extra, extra lovin today. Of course, I've always thought of Mother's Day as special. And seeing as I have the best Mother in the world, who deserves the recognition for it, why wouldn't I?

Yet for some reason, the impact and lovely importance of Mother's Day has never set into my head until now that I am experiencing it as a Mother. I love it. I get it. And it's not because I get the glory now too, it's just that I understand as Mothers do now.

It makes me wish my Mother was here very badly. We could have a girls day and watch sappy movies and have take-out Thai food like we used to. I know people say it all the time, but honestly if I can be even the tiniest fraction of a Mother to Bella like my Mother was to me, she will be so truly blessed. I really hope that she and I are as close forever like my Mother and I were (and are!). I never even went through that rebellious "I hate my parents" stage of teenage angst. We have been friends, playmates, and confidants since I was born, and she will attest to that. I hope Bella and I can have girl days and watch movies, and confide in eachother that way. Every child deserves that kind of relationship with their parents. Each and every one!

Whew! Sorry for the deep posting, but this Mama is feeling so blessed today.

Happy Mother's Day to all you Mommies out there, today is for you.

Bella's Peep!

What an eventful day! I went to pick my Grandmother up from her Doctor's appointment today and on the way home I literally almost ran over 3 little, little baby ducklings. They didn't even have feathers yet, they were still all fuzzy. Being the animal lover I am I got them out of the road and ended up harassing this poor guy who's driveway I pulled into to help me (if you know me, subtle is not a word in my vocabulary) Poor guy, I show up at his front door all animated and saying "You have GOT to help me NOW save these ducklings from getting run over!" He was a good sport (not that he had a choice) and helped me. Unfortunately two got separated and took off but we did manage to catch one. Which I declared to be called "Peep" (like the marshmallow thingys of course) and wanted to secretly keep as Bella's personal little Peep. But of course it's wild and needs to be well cared for. It certainly was a muddy adventure, but I got little Peep to the vet clinic and they are going to make sure it gets taken care of. Had to take some photos first though! The animal control is looking for the other two, so I'm sure they will be okay.

Good To Know

Came across this on a friend's Facebook and I just wanted to put it out there as much as I could, because if this is true it could help people and maybe save some lives! Brilliant idea!

I went to Hoax Slayer.com and it did say that the technology does exist, but that it has yet to be implemented in banks, so hopefully it will soon because it's pretty smart!