I am Corduroy and Flowers!

Frosting Bath and Body facebook giveaway!

2012-01-19T22:16:00.003-06:00

This giveaway is pretty freaking fantastic. Go check out Frosting Bath and Body and look in their wall photo album... I mean, the prize is like a smorgasbord of awesomeness!

Here's a list of the prizes, with a total value of over $145 dollars, it's insane! I've also been browsing their page and they have some nice stuff, check them out :)

☆ The Prize:

♥ Elf Brush Set
♥ Elf Mascara
♥ Elf Eye Primer
♥ False Eyelashes
♥ NYC Nail Polish
♥ Pedicure Set
♥ Valentine's Day Themed Notepad and Pen
♥ Chocolate Bar Mirror
♥ Plastic Heart Ring
♥ Plastic Jar with Felt LOVE topper

☆ Frosting Bath & Body Stuff:

♥ 4 HoneyBunz Tealights
♥ 1 Candy Corn votive
♥ 1 Chocolate Cupcake Bath Soap
♥ 2 Random Scented 35ml. Perfumes (1 men's and 1 women's scent)
♥ 1 Peppermint Scented Heart Shaped Bath Soap
♥ 1 4oz. Random Scented Lotion
♥ 1 4oz. Random Scented Liquid Hand Soap
♥ 1 Random Scented Bubble Bath Salt
♥ 1 Random Scented Fizzy Bath Salt
♥ 1 Random Scented Body Butter
♥ 1 Caramel Apple Bath Bomb
♥ 4 5g Random Pigmented Eye Shadows
♥ 1 Frosting Bath & Body Cosmetic Bag
♥ Lots of Samples & More plus Free Priority Shipping!!!

2012 is a year for change, I think.

2012-01-16T06:53:00.001-06:00

2011 was an off year. It truly was. I don't really know how I feel about it, but it just was "off". I am looking forward to 2012 and all the changes it can bring. I don't really have "resolutions" as those are super easy to just forget about. I do have goals and ambitions though.

I want to get healthier. I'm tired of looking in the mirror and feeling disgusted by what I see. I plan on working my ass off so that when I ring in 2013 I look in the mirror and feel pretty again. It's not just about looks, I want to FEEL healthier. It's important for me to have more energy and just feel good about who I am.

I also want to work on some emotional issues. I'm a pretty emotional/angry person. Why? Well who knows. But I plan on getting to the bottom of it, for the sake of my sanity and family. :)

So here's to 2012... a year of change, of goals, and of becoming a better me. I'm excited! :)

$400 Anastasia giveaway from Pigments and Palettes! 4 winners!!!!

2012-01-11T11:53:00.002-06:00

This is super exciting! Pigments and Palettes is hosting a $400 dollar giveaway from Anastasia Beverly Hills! There are 4 prizes, each worth 100 dollars.!!!

You seriously need to check it out HERE!

Here's a glance at the prizes! I LOVE "Let Your Eyes Do The Talking"

Good luck :D

A neutral lip and bold eyes are sure to stun on any occasion. Play up one of your best features with a powerful pop of color from the Illumin8 palette in Carnival ($40). Finish your look with a Sun Kissed glow from Illumin8 Bronzer ($29) and a glossy nude lip with Hydrafull gloss in Barely ($21).

A neutral lip and bronzy eyes are always in style. As an alternative to a smokey eye, amp up your evening look with a bold metallic bronze ($23). Finish with a Sun Kissed glow from Illumin8 Bronzer ($29) and a glossy, nude lip with Hydrafull Gloss in Moi ($21)

Any makeup artist knows the secret to any flawless face is a radiant glow! Highlighting Creme Duo in St. Tropez ($26), Illumin8 Duo in On Set ($23) and Hydrafull Gloss in Moi ($21) are the perfect set to give your look that sexy shimmer, anytime.

The essential kit to rehab sparse and over-tweezed brows step-by-step. First use Brow Enhancing Serum ($45) to encourage brow hair growth. Next, use Brow Wiz ($21) to fill and define your brows. Finally, finish your look by setting your brows in place by using Brow Fix ($21). Perfect brows are now as easy as 1, 2, 3.

Montagne Jeunesse tester review, Influenster Holiday VoxBox product!

2012-01-03T19:07:00.002-06:00

I received a sample of Montagne Jeunesse Flavored Mask in my Holiday VoxBox, complimentary to test! I wouldn't actually eat it, LOL. But mine smelled so yummy! It was the Strawberry Souffle scented one and it smelled like fresh strawberries and cream. I followed package instructions and put it on my face, and let it sit for 20 minutes. It dried, felt a little tingly, and once washed off my face felt smoother. It was nice and relaxing. It's also fun when the mask dries and you can barely talk. (My sister called me while it was on, *that* was funny! haha! I may not have put enough of it on my face, but it still worked great leaving my face so smooth and silky! I see them at Wal-Mart all the time!

According to the company:

Whether you enjoy looking after your skin, being pampered, or indulging in some me-time, be it alone or with friends, you will absolutely enjoy one of these ‘Life Little Pleasures’… With a huge array to choose from, our face masques are packed with the most delicious natural ingredients and are bursting with luscious fragrances. Suitable for all different skin types, there is one to suit every mood and everybody!

Montagne Jeunesse beauty treats are free of parabens, vegetarian approved and never tested on animals. So treat yourself today to a masque that will hydrate, nourish and leave your skin cleansed, smooth and glowing. Available at ULTA Beauty, Walgreen’s, Claire’s, Walmart, Kroger, CVS Pharmacies and other retailers across the US, these masques are available in a variety of succulent flavours.

You can check out Influenster HERE. You join the site and get boxes based on your activity on the site! It's a lot of fun!

I highly recommend checking out Montagne Jeunesse HERE! I am planning on buying many of their other facemasks to try!

New Years 2012....

2012-01-02T09:59:00.002-06:00

I can't believe it's 2012. I remember being in school talking about the end of the world in 2012, and thinking how far away it was! Well, it's here. It's crazy how time flies, we get older, things change.

I'm looking forward to 2012. I am hoping there will be lots of personal changes for me. I have my weight to work on, my health, and being a better parent/wife. I plan on spending a lot less time on the computer and more time accomplishing my goals and living life.

As a SAHM, and an army wife, I've found it easier to make friends online, then having to work at finding friends to hang out with here. I'm going to work on that too. Get involved with things going on, get the kids registered with Child, Youth, Services, and just get out there. I'm going to look for a job, or finish school, who knows yet. I can't decide what I really want to do, and no point in wasting money on school if I can't figure out where it should take me.

I feel like a new year offers new beginnings and I'm counting on support from my husband, friends, and family to be able to accomplish these goals :)

Happy New Year everyone!

the chance to win a $250 Sephora shopping spree!

2011-12-27T01:30:00.001-06:00

Makeupbee.com has been hosting a competition for holiday looks! The winner has a chance to get a $500 dollar shopping spree!

Merideth P. (on makeup bee) has graciously offered to host a giveaway for a $250 shopping spree if she wins!!!

Check out her block post on it here: http://pigmentsandpalettes.blogspot.com/2011/12/25000-sephora-giveaway.html

Her look is fantastic. I absolutely love it!

Charlize Theron... I love to hate you.

2011-12-20T22:25:00.002-06:00

This is probably the most superficial thing I've ever written, and will ever write, but if there's one person in Hollywood who really inspires me and also makes me feel bad about my body it would be Charlize Theron. I mean, look at her. It's unfair, in a way, how beautiful she is. I don't think Dior could have picked a better model for their perfume because, thanks to her, if I had 60 dollars to drop on a 1 oz bottle of perfume, it most certainly would be for the J'adore by Dior. HAHA.

Not only is she beautiful, she's talented. Her acting is amazing. I've seen many movies with her in them, and I am excited to see Young Adult, because I know that with her as the main actress the movie will be awesome.

She also seems to be an amazing person with such a big heart! I dunno, she's like the perfect package of a human. I'm sure she has flaws, all people do, but man. What I would give to meet her, it would be amazing. I love looking at pictures and reading about her though, and strive to be more like her! :D

Look at her vogue spreads over the years! http://www.vogue.com/vogue-daily/article/charlize-theron-in-vogue/

She's gone to Africa with her African Outreach Program!

NYC (New York Color) Liquid LipShine review :D

2011-12-20T10:39:00.004-06:00

I received a tube of NYC's Liquid Lipshine in Nude York City in my Holiday VoxBox from Influenster . It was a complimentary product for me to test I already own one Liquid Lipshine and thoroughly enjoy it, so I was excited to try a new color!

New York Color has a few different colors. You can find them at their website here: NYC

The product description on the New York Color website says that: "It has pure pigments that created a 3-D gloss effect. Vitamin E provides shine and a moisturizing feel. The formula is non-sticky, super shiny & soft. Available in 10 on-trend shades from neutral nudes, to berries & fuchsias"

It really is not sticky and is super shiny! I goes on smoothly and makes my lips super shimmery. I like the Nude York City for an every day look, it compliments my skin tone and adds a nice amount of shimmer and very little color. Plus, there's a price tag of less than $2.50 for it, which is great for those of us who have to buy make up on a budget!

Vox Box goodies review :D

2011-12-20T10:11:00.006-06:00

So I am finally getting around to writing my review, go me! LOL. I wanted to try a good portion of the products before actually sitting down to write this! I have tried everything, but the ImPress press-on nails, as I'm saving them for a special occasion :) Also, the NYC lip gloss will be in a review all on it's own.

My Holiday vox box was filled with quite a few goodies. You can see the picture post HERE if you want to view it!

I want to review the SoftSoap Coconut Scrub Bar, Montagne Jeunesse Flavored Mask, Mentos Pure Fresh Gum, Larabar Healthy Snack, and Garden Botanika lash primer!

Here's a pic of the products: the Mentos are missing since my husband stole them LOL :D

First, let's discuss the SoftSoap Coconut Scrub Bar. It was typical bar soap, nothing special about it. I used it in the shower and it smelled ok, but left such a weird residue on my skin that I had to rewash with my regular soap and rinse for a few minutes longer than normal. I honestly would never buy it!

The Mentos Gum tasted really fresh and yummy! My husband and I both really like it! It's a little strong at first (which I like) but it does go away relatively quickly, the strong-ness that is!

Larabar fruit and nut bars are actually pretty good. I liked it, and so did my kids (2 and 4). It tastes refreshing, and has good flavor, nothing too grainy.

The next thing I tried was the Montagne Jeunesse Flavored Mask. I wouldn't actually eat it, LOL. But mine smelled so yummy! It was the strawberry souffle one and it smelled like fresh strawberries. I followed package instructions and put it on my face, and let it sit for 20 minutes. It dried, felt a little tingly, and once washed off my face felt smoother. It was nice and relaxing. It's also fun when the mask dries and you can barely talk. (My sister called me while it was on, *that* was funny! haha! I may not have put enough of it on my face, but it still worked. I would definitely buy this product!

The last item I tried was the Garden Botanika lash primer, I was a little skeptical that it would work since I have never used a lash primer before. I was pleasantly surprised at how well it works. It boasts that it will make lashes longer, and it really helped make them longer and more defined. I hope the pictures show it well enough!

tubing:

No primer:

Primer:

and while I haven't tried the press-on nails I LOVE the packaging! It's too adorable :) I hope they work as well as the commercial say they do!

I got the Holiday Vox Box :D

2011-12-15T21:11:00.004-06:00

So I am a little late in blogging about it, as I got the box almost a week ago, but I'm doing it now!

A vox box is a box of samples and goodies from different companies. You get picked based on your badges you've unlocked and activity on Influenster.

I was super excited to try my the box. It sounded too fun!

My box contained Impress Press-On Manicure, SoftSoap Coconut Scrub Bar, Montagne Jeunesse Flavored Mask, NCY Liquid Lip Shine, Mentos Pure Fresh Gum, Larabar Healthy Snack, and Garden Botanika lash primer!

It was so fun to get these items in the mail! I loved trying some of them out! Reviews to come later :)

Aull about you's 100 follower giveaway :D

2011-11-14T19:04:00.002-06:00

there are some amazing prizes!!!! this is a fantastic giveaway, everyone should check it out! :D

http://mrsaull923.blogspot.com/2011/11/100-follower-giveaway.html

- Madd Style Cosmetics Sugar Lips Bomb - Taboo

- Madd Style Cosmetics Sugar Lips Bomb - Skittlez

- Madd Style Cosmetics Pigment: Star Gazer

- Madd Style Cosmetics Pigment: Dr. Rockso

- Madd Style Cosmetics Pigment: Snuffy

- Madd Style Cosmetics Pigment: Trashed

- Madd Style Cosmetics Pigment: Spooky Girl

- Madd Style Cosmetics Pigment: Final Fantasy

- Madd Style Cosmetics Pigment: Tiny Dancer

- Madd Style Cosmetics Pigment: Mr. Roboto

- Madd Style Cosmetics Pigment: Pixie

- Cherry manicure set

- Hello Kitty snap hair clips

- Ardell Fairy Wings false eyelashes

- Nail stickers

- Broadway Nails - Tiger Print

- Bare Minerals Pigment - Bamboo

- Alima Eyeshadow - Platinum

& plenty more!

Beginning my own business with Barefoot Books!

2011-11-10T17:40:00.007-06:00

I have been neglecting my blog, it makes me sad, but life has been so crazy around here lately!!!!

I made the decision to go ahead and become a Barefoot Books Ambassador. I've been thinking about it for awhile now, and just decided to do it! I am super excited, for many reasons. I love their products. I don't think I could sell them if I didn't love them. I love children and learning and creativity things I believe this company supports and stands for! Their books are creative, fun, inspirational, and for all ages. They have a collection of fantastic puppets and puzzles, and many different types of activity books that are so much fun and if you laminate the pages, the books will last forever (or until a child eats it, which could happen! haha).

I'm very excited for this adventure. I bought a stock order and have a ton of awesome products here and am getting ready to host my Grand Opening party in my home! It's just amazing to me to be doing this!

I have a facebook page: HERE

and my own website so those not local can purchase: HERE

and it feels SO good to have something that's mine! :)

Another reason why I love this company is that you have the option to purchase books to send to schools and libraries in Africa. It's such an amazing thing that is done to help give those kids books to read and share the love of reading and creativity with children who don't have many opportunities to learn.

So this is my new adventure! It's going to be pretty exciting, I think!!! :D

loveFemme favorite things giveaway! 3 winners :D

2011-10-13T22:29:00.002-05:00

loveFemme is giving away 3 different prizes for 3 different winners! They are amazing and compiled of her favorite things including NYX, All about Color, Hello Kitty, jewelry, etc :D

http://lovefemme.blogspot.com/2011/09/lovefemmes-favorites-giveaway.html

Chained Links Review :D

2011-10-13T21:49:00.005-05:00

I love jewelry. I love handmade items. Chained Links is perfect for me!

Wendy, the mom behind Chained Links, puts a lot of heart and time into her work. She is a college student and a mother of two. She's awesome to work with and her jewelry is extremely well made. The flower's are made from metal rings and metal scales..

I have a flower necklace and a flower hair comb. Both are made beautifully, and both work great!!! It's absolutely fantastic to find that "perfect" piece of jewelry and these are a perfect set! Her craftsmanship is perfection, she pays attention to every little detail to produce the best work possible and you can tell she puts a lot of time into each piece.

You can find Chained links in the Peace, Love, and Cloth Congo on Hyenacart and on Facebook!

Here I am wearing the necklace:

and another picture of the necklace AND hair comb :D

Here are other items she has for sale! Look at the skill and beauty!

EO Hair Care giveaway from Be Your Own Beauty!

2011-10-13T21:49:00.004-05:00

This is a fantastic giveaway for natural hair care!!! Kristina, the writer of Be Your Own Beauty Blog, has put together a pretty wicked prize package.

so please go check out her REVIEW and then the GIVEAWAY !!!

Enjoy :D

Cosmetic Cupcake PINK for October giveaway!

2011-10-13T01:54:00.003-05:00

This is a pretty fantastic giveaway from Cosmetic Cupcake! I don't think I can explain how awesome it is! Including Hello Kitty and Clinique mini lipgloss key chain, it's just fantastic!

Check it out: http://www.cosmeticcupcake.com/2011/10/pink-for-october-2011-giveaway.html

Another make up giveaway :D

2011-10-06T11:35:00.001-05:00

This time from Precious Pearl!

http://preciouspearlmakeup.blogspot.com/2011/09/100-followers-giveaway.html

You can enter to win:

Wet n Wild Blue had me at hello eyeshadow Palette

Wet n wild I’m getting sunburned eyeshadow Palette

Maybelline Color sensational Lipstick in Nearly there

Maybelline Color sensational Lipstick in Totally toffee

NYC liquid lipshine Lipgloss in Rivington Rose

Rimmel stay glossy Lipgloss in All day seduction

Looks awesome :D

Tarte's True Blood set giveaway!!!!

2011-10-04T21:31:00.001-05:00

Oh my goddess! I have been dying to get my hands on this set but with a 52 dollar price tag I haven't been able to. Adventures in Make up is giving on away! Eeep. The contest runs until Halloween! *crosses fingers* Check it out!

http://shahadakarim.blogspot.com/2011/10/giveaway-tarte-for-true-blood.html

Natural living extends to make up products too!

2011-09-29T17:53:00.002-05:00

As someone who values trying new things, who is very interested in makeup, and also who values finding products that are better for the earth (and for our skin) I LOVE the wide array of products that do just that in the make up world.

For instance: EcoTools provides earth friendly products made from bamboo and even recycled materials. They're brushes have great reviews. I can't wait to try them out.

Organic Wear has some pretty neat makeup that I can't wait to try and some pretty awesome mascara tubes: for instance HERE and HERE. How cool are those?

Also Tarte is pretty "prestigious" and they're products seem to be pretty cool. You can easily find them at Sephora.com

You can be health and eco-conscious while still looking great! I can't wait to buy some of these to review :D

a different sort of giveaway!

2011-09-25T01:46:00.002-05:00

I normally post about cloth diapers, but I've recently ventured into the world of makeup! There's a neat giveaway going on over at Be Your Own Beauty blog. Some pretty awesome prizes up for grabs!

Check it out! :)

http://beingyourownbeauty.blogspot.com/2011/09/my-200-followers-giveaway.html

Oh blog, how I have missed you.

2011-09-10T22:10:00.002-05:00

In a crazy turn of events I was without internet for quite some times. I learned many things in that time: how awesome the internet is, and how bad it was for me. I'm trying not to be on it as much as I used to. It's not good for my sanity. I do value how much easier it is to communicate with people through it though.

I've missed my blog. It's fun to write and an outlet for emotion I can't have anywhere else. I've also realized that I really do have two personalities. One internet, and one in real life. My internet one is the one I prefer. I'm not afraid to say what I think or feel and sometimes I catch my self in real life, because I don't want to hurt someone's feelings, or lose a friend.

I've stopped caring about that. Friends are your friends regardless of differing opinions. They don't just erase you out of their life because you don't agree with something, or because something they said/did hurt your feelings.

I've also realized that I expect a lot out of friends.. and I shouldn't. I imagine everyone would be like me: considerate. Calling/Texting when plans change, or keeping plans, etc. But not everyone does that. Maybe I expect too much and then I let it upset me and hurt my feelings.. I often wonder if it's because I "do unto others as you would have them do unto you." I always let people know when things change, if I'm late I message as soon as I know I'm going to be late.. I try to check in too.. but that could be an outdated practice.

My new resolution. Not to take things to personally either... I tend to do that a lot, and it just gets me depressed.

Monkey and Bug Diaper Review

2011-06-26T21:39:00.004-05:00

Monkey and Bug diapers, my guilty pleasure. They really rock my socks. She does 1/2 and 1/2 diapers: 1/2 minky and 1/2 cotton outers, minky inner, and hidden PUL. I love them, and so does my daughter! She thinks they are the prettiest diapers ever. Her favorite is her Dora diaper which is a 1/2 and 1/2 diaper, minky inner, and we use a microfiber towel to stuff. It's a OS pocket!

Meghann, the owner of Monkey and Bug, also makes mama cloth and bibs. She's very talented. I own some mama cloth and it's absolutely amazing. Mine is minky topped and it's so comfy to wear, and absorbent!

You can find her on Facebook and on HyenaCart. She has amazing customer service and she works with you on customs.

Taegen is 31 lbs and still fits in her OS Monkey and Bug diapers! They are my night time diapers and my go to going out diapers! Taegen has had the Dora diapers for months now and it holds up greatly! It's been washed, and dried, and washed again in a 2 day rotation and gets a lot of use. It's just wonderful. All of our Monkey and Bugs are fantastic though!

Why I am so glad I cloth diaper!

2011-05-14T10:08:00.005-05:00

*At the Great Cloth Diaper Change in her Banana Mannas Diaper!!!

There are many benefits to cloth diapering, but none that I have felt so much as I have these last few weeks. Vet bills and pay mess-ups and just overall getting behind because of missing money out of our paycheck hasn't left room for any *extras*... I managed to get 100 dollars worth of groceries the last trip for the kids and I for 2 weeks. That's 50 dollars less than what I dropped it down to and 100 dollars less than what we are use to! Very proud.

My budget can't afford to spend money every month on diapers. Taegen would be in a larger size which means more expensive diapers (sure the bags may *say* they are the same prize, but you always get less diapers for your buck with the bigger sizes). I remember using disposables with my youngest and sometimes finding the money to get diapers every 2 weeks was rough, especially with me not working and my husband working at a fast food restaurant)..

So while I have to worry about other things, diapering my child is not on my mind. I have water and electricity and enough diapers to diaper her for 2 days without worrying about washing. I am *so* glad I cloth diaper for times like these. I don't have to try and scrounge the 20 dollars or so every 2 weeks that it would cost me to buy disposables. It would actually be more than that because I'd have to get chemical free diapers as Taegen as a super sensitive butt and I could only imagine what all the extra gross chemicals in some of the more famous brands would do to her.

So here's a shout out to cloth diapers! It truly does save money and make things *a lot* easier when you're budgeting like a mad woman. You don't have to try and figure out where the 40 dollars a month for diapers is going to come from!

*Even she loves cloth! Her shirt says so! :) (Made by Mr.Handsome's Crazy Diaper Emporium)

2 years ago... The Unhindered Birth of my youngest daughter Taegen!

2011-04-26T16:25:00.007-05:00

Today we celebrate her 2nd Birthday! It's amazing that she's two.. I can't believe how fast the time has gone! I love her so much, I love my girls so much. They are amazing siblings.

Taegen was due sometime the middle of May. I wasn't ever really sure what the "EDD" really was. It was sometime between the 15/20th of May though, based on Alex's return home, when I got a positive pregnancy test and my cycle.

May 15th came and went, May 20th did too. Alex had a four-day weekend coming up! We were excited. We had joked about how perfect it would be if I had the baby that weekend because he'd also get a 10-day on top of it (the army gives 10 days of free paternity leave). Friday came, nothing more than the prodromal labor I was used to. Saturday came and we went to a memorial day party, "mandatory fun" with his battalion. I chased Becka, who was 2 1/2 at the time, around and just had a blast. I was 40 weeks and some odd days there and people were shocked. "Aren't you going to be induced?" and other questions were asked, I just laughed and said "why?". I was definitely a giant though. It was neat, as I'd never been this pregnant (Becka was an induction at 38 weeks).

Even with all the activity and walking and being on my feet all day, we had no baby. Sunday and Monday were similar stories. It looked like Alex was definitely going to have to work on Tuesday.

4:30 am on Tuesday morning I was awoken by a strange feeling. I got up, went to the bathroom, and just felt off. I couldn't go back to sleep. Contractions were pretty regular, but I figured it was more of the prodromal labor that I had been having the last 2 1/2 weeks. I was on facebook chatting with my friend Cathi, who told me to time them, and who then told me I was definitely in labor. I was in denial the whole time apparently.

I woke up Alex, it was after 5 by now, and warned him he'd probably need to get up. I walked around, got in the bath and listened to music, I did little dances whenever my body needed to "wiggle". Around 6 I told Alex that he had to get up, this was labor, and Becka was starting to wake up so he needed to help me and her. It was interesting and the contractions suddenly became crazy intense, a feeling I wasn't prepared for. It's like suddenly my body was going from nothing to BAM having a baby. It was super hard to breathe through and work through. I was in the bathtub and began pushing. I wasn't doing it on purpose, my body was. I was making very animalistic groans (for some reason this helped me work through the intense contractions.

I made my way from the bath to my bed and I could feel my body pushing, I felt down and there was my amniotic fluid bags; intact. They broke moments later, all over the bed. I felt bad, I hadn't gotten down any of the sheets so our entire bed was soaked in amniotic fluid. I was on my hands and knees but needed to move. Alex got the pads down on the floor next to the bed and I kneeled there, head and arms rested on the bed. My body did everything it needed to, and this position was heavenly. Gravity worked with me, not against me. I felt down and I could feel a head. I called to Alex and asked him if it was a head and he said "that's definitely a head" haha. In 3 pushes Taegen was out. We hadn't known the gender so the first thing Alex said was "Definitely a girl" haha.

He helped me maneuver over the umbilical chord and brought Taegen to my chest. She latched on right away, doing her own version of the breast crawl. it was amazing. Becka came in as soon as she heard Taegen's cry and kissed her on the forehead. The blood and slime didn't bother her, she was so happy to see her sister for the first time.

I delivered the placenta shortly after, fully intact and amazing looking.

Taegen and I laid in the floor for over an hour, just enjoying each other. She ate for 45 minutes. We cut the chord, got dressed and snuggled on the couch. It took us hours to name her too. We fell in love with Taegen Savela (Savela in honor of Alex's mother's side of the family).

She has grown into a beautiful and crazy toddler. It's amazing how quickly the time passes. It seems like just yesterday I gave birth to her.

Her day of birth, after clean up of course!

Here she is now! My crazy toddler!

This is me flipping Congress the bird.

2011-04-07T12:23:00.006-05:00

Yes, you read that right. This is my big "eff you" to Congress. (Probably unbecoming of a military wife huh?) But, in light of recent events it's more than justified.

Let's take a look at what's going on, shall we. Congress sits in cushy offices and they make, on average, $174,000 a year. Thats $14,500 dollar a month. They are also sitting in these offices, with their $14,500 a month while the rest of the american government workers who make far less a month are at risk of going with out pay. You read that right, GO WITHOUT PAY. Why? Because the douche-bags in Congress can not agree with a budget. They've had since October 2010, and numerous extensions, and here it is April 2011 and what do we have? NOTHING. There's no progress. Why? Because a government shut down wont really effect them will it? It wont effect our President's $400,000 a year salary either. Why? Because of a nice article in the constitution that states "members of Congress shall receive a compensation for their services, as ascertained by law, and paid out of the treasury of the United States." (Article 1, Section 6)

So who does it effect? Our troops overseas and at home. It effects their families. It effects all DoD workers. It will effect even the on post library, which might be closing, depending on the verdict tomorrow, April 8, 2011.

So while Congress, and the President, wear their 2,000 dollar shoes our men and women in the dessert and at home will be working their asses off even without pay, to protect them and this country. The government workers at HUD and other agencies are at risk of losing their jobs too. It's rather unsettling and upsetting.

A government shutdown happened in 1995. Sure people got paid, but how long did it take? Do you know how it actually effected the government? The shutdown COST taxpayers $800 billion dollars, including $400 million in wages to workers who didn't show up to work. (source here)

Doesn't that sound fun?

So here I am, flipping our Congressmen the bird. Regardless of the verdict tomorrow, my "eff you" still stands. This back and forth, and scare tactics, and worry that has made me sick to my stomach all because you can't work together: and for what? To prove which party is the bigger jerk, which one has more power? Well good for you! From this day forward Democrats and Republicans are the same in my book: egotistical, maniacal, agenda pushers without regard to the little people; the people actually effected by your bureaucratic bullshit.

So Congress, when was the last time you looked at the Declaration of Independence?

Remember this?

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness"

Or what about:?

"But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."

Remember that, Congress works for us. We put them there, we allowed this to happen, and we can fix it.

Breastmilk: Nature's medicine

2011-04-07T08:34:00.006-05:00

So I burned myself last night. It wasn't a minor burn either. We're talking one where you could hear the skin melt and see it turn white and blister. It also didn't feel good and was one of those moments where you just couldn't really say a word, but just stood there tears filling your eyes. Ah, fun times.

My first reaction, from my years at waffle house, was to grab a pickle. It's a really simple and effective trick to neutralize the burn and a cold pickle is super soothing.

My next reaction comes from being a mama of two, and having a total of 4 years of nursing under my wing; I put breastmilk on the burn. It worked, within minutes the pain in my hand began to subside and by morning there's no pain and the burn feels so much better. Breastmilk not only soothed the pain, it prevented the burn from blistering even more.

My husband thinks I am crazy, but did you know that there are dozens of uses for breastmilk? It helps conjunctivitis (pink eye), ear infections, stuffy noses, burns, scrapes and bug bites. It's a pretty fantastic, and free "medicine" that any nursing mom has "lying around".

Don't believe me? That's ok, my husband still doesn't; but for those of you reading and on the proverbial fence there is a lot of fantastic articles and research on the subject.

Breastmilk & It's Many Uses

Antimicrobial Factors of Breastmilk

AntiViral Factors of Breastmilk

AntiParasite Factors of Breastmilk

Associated Content article on Breastmilk uses

Kids can bake too!

2011-04-06T08:56:00.007-05:00

My daughter, Becka, turned four January 15, 2011. It was an amazing birthday party with good people and she was spoiled, in a good way of course. My friend Brittney gave her this cute cook book, Kids Can Bake by Nicola Graimes (2009). It's a seriously cute cookbook with some amazing recipes.

We've tried some different ones but baking is so tough with a 22 month old awake and around since she wants to "help" which always involve a giant mess, and as fun as it is it really slows down the baking process.

Yesterday was perfect. The youngest went to sleep. Becka and I had been trying to find time to make the Caterpillar Rolls recipe for a couple weeks now and this seemed perfect, since we had no other obligations and we both just wanted to bake. The recipes and ingredients are relatively simple and Becka has fun pouring the ingredients in and helping mix. It's such a fun time for both of us really.

Baking with your child is so rewarding. You can teach them numbers and measurements and math. You can even teach them about science (yeast reactions, rising dough, etc). You can also teach them about textures and the senses. It's such a big learning opportunity for kids, and parents, because you're learning about your child. The quality time is amazing, even if it's a little frustrating because they do things their way. Patience is definitely a virtue, and remembering that they are kids, they will make mistakes and play with flour, causing a huge mess all over your kitchen! haha.

My youngest woke up before we were finished. We had to let the dough rise. The mess that the two of them made with the flour on the table was pretty big. The laughter that ensued as they played in the flour, was priceless and worth cleaning up a giant flour mess. (Hey it could have been worse, it could have been syrup or honey).

The end result of our Caterpillar Rolls tasted fantastic. Everyone, including my 22 month old who doesn't really eat bread, loved them..

So here's our baking escapade, from start to finish! It was rewarding, fun, and a moment I will cherish. There may come a day where she no longer wants to bake with me, but I'll still have these memories .

(I also recommend you finding this book, I'm sure it's on Amazon.com or even in a book store!)

The Book:

The recipe:

My Little Baker:

Mixing!

The rolls:

Her Sister woke up! :)

Oh what fun!

They have risen, and are decorated:

The finished caterpillar, she wanted chocolate chip eyes. She loved it!

Rearfacing longer? Is it really that important?

2011-04-01T16:29:00.008-05:00

The simple answer is yes, rear-facing past the 1 and 20 minimum required by law (or proper use of the car-seat) is really that important. The not so simple answer is the reasons behind it's importance.

This year the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) updated their stance on car-seat safety. This issues has caused some controversy as many parents don't feel the need to rear-face their children past the minimum, or they think that their other children were fine being turned around, why should they start now? Parents don't want to change what they've been doing for years.

The best response to all of these questions and refusal to change is "when you know better, you do better." That statement rings true about so many things. Becka, my Four year old, was turned around at 1. She was well over 20 lbs, she was a good height and we didn't know about extended rear-facing. We just did what we knew to do. So here she is, healthy as can be, at 4 years old, and perfect. Obviously turning her around had no negative side effects right? Well, I've also never been in an accident with her in the car, thankfully I never had to put her car-seat to the test.

Well, May 2010 came the time where I had to make the choice again. My second daughter was turning 1 and I had the option to forward face her or leave her rear-facing. We didn't turn her around for awhile, and then my husband reinstalled the car-seat forward facing, and I just left it like that. Maybe it was laziness, or ignorance, but I just didn't do it. I never felt comfortable with her like that though, not at all. I talked to Alex (my husband) and we went over all the info and she was back rear-facing the next day. It is now April 2011, she has her very own Safety First Complete Air that she LOVES and she is still happily rear-facing. She turns 2 May 26th. She is a 22 months, 30 lbs, 32 inches tall and is very happily and comfortably rear-facing.

The chest clip is a smidgen to high in the pictures, it should be even with the armpits!

What exactly do the AAP recommendations now say? Well, see for yourself! HERE

"The AAP advises parents to keep their toddlers in rear-facing car seats until age 2, or until they reach the maximum height and weight for their seat. It also advises that most children will need to ride in a belt-positioning booster seat until they have reached 4 feet 9 inches tall and are between 8 and 12 years of age."

12, you ask? Yes, 12. If your 12 real old is short and tiny then for safety reasons they should remain in some sort of booster. No one is saying that your 12 year old needs to sit in a high back booster or a 5-point harness, but the fact is that even at 12 a tiny framed, short child, could be at risk of internal injuries or lacerations from a seat belt that doesn't fit right.

So where is this information coming from, and is it really that new? No it's not. In "2007 study in the journalInjury Prevention showed that children under age 2 are 75 percent less likely to die or be severely injured in a crash if they are riding rear-facing." (APP, 2011)

Now 75 percent is a big number, that's 3/4th's, that's not a small amount of children who can be saved by rear-facing longer.

If you still don't believe me, or the AAP, check out some helpful links and videos from all over. Crash tests, and real-life crash, have shown us how much safer a child can be rear-facing until the minimum of a seat; and with new seats out like the Safety First Complete Air and the Graco MyRide 65 your child can rear-face until 40 pounds.

Helpful Links:

AAP article

Child Passenger Safety Resource

Healthy Children.org

Picture Guide to Carseat Safety

Youtube Video 1

Video 2

Video 3

*warning, videos can be really sad, please be warned. Especially video 2 about Joel BUT these are important, we NEED this information out there.

Plum Crazy For Cloth- review and giveaway on 3 Men and a Lady

2011-03-29T10:56:00.006-05:00

I am writing in purple, because what's more "plum like" than purple? There is a great review, and a giveaway, going on over at 3 Men and a Lady (click here) for Plum Crazy for Cloth. I think the review is well written and just an overall good review. You can be entered to win dryer balls, a diaper, cloth wipes, or even unpaper towels as it's winner's choice! I think it's a good opportunity to try a great product!

To add to her review, I should mention that I have purchased items from Plum Crazy for Cloth. Wool dryer Balls to be exact. These dryer balls are so pretty and just work great. I've used them a few times now and they have gotten fuzzy but have held their shape and definitely help minimize drying time!

You can find Plum Crazy for Cloth on Facebook as well as in the Peace, Love, and Cloth...For All Congo on Hyena Cart; which will be stocking again April 5th!

Anyways; Kate, the WAHM (work at home mom) behind Plum Crazy is fantastic to work with and has great customer service and fast shipping. My dryer balls were custom and she bought the yarn I really liked, which was just really fantastic of her! I definitely recommend this WAHM to anyone in the market for homemade, quality items!

Homemade fruit "roll ups"

2011-03-28T11:45:00.009-05:00

I love to make things homemade, infact I prefer to figure out how to make things than go out to eat or buy them from the store!

I came across a homemade fruit "roll ups" recipe that seemed to go to be true. It was way to simple. I always imagined that making them, without machinery, would be pretty tough. I mean, they look so "perfect"!

Anyways, I was browsing the recipe portion of the Disney Family website (click here) when I came across the recipe. I was thrilled. I wanted to try to make fruit snacks for the girls because even the "100 percent fruit" had junk in them that I didn't like.

The recipe (here) called for dry fruit and water. Simple right? It totally was super simple!

Here's the recipe and directions. We actually used a tropical fruit medley!

By Anne Coleman

Ingredients

8 ounces dried apricots or other dried fruit

1 1/2 cups water

Directions

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.
Line a 12x15 inch baking sheet with aluminum foil; coat foil with non-stick cooking spray.
Combine apricots or other dried fruit with water in a heavy saucepan and simmer for 30 minutes or until fruit is very soft.
Drain excess liquid and pour fruit into a blender. Puree until very smooth.
Pour fruit onto prepared foil and spread evenly, making sure there are no holes.
Place sheet into oven for 25 minutes. Without opening oven, turn heat off and leave oven door shut for 8 hours.
Remove baking sheet from oven and gently peel fruit from foil. Set on waxed paper, right-side down, and press down.
Cut into 12 even strips, lengthwise. Roll each strip with the paper side out and store in plastic bags until ready to eat.

Oh, I also used parchment paper. The picture on the website looks like a type of cellophane was used to back the rolls, I had parchment paper and it worked just fine. :)

Anyways, it was a lot of fun! It was tricky to spread on the tinfoil and getting it as even as possible without any holes was a bit of a process, at least for me, but it was a lot of fun. They aren't as pretty as their processed counterparts but they sure do taste better and looks aren't everything! My children were very pleased with them!

My 4 year old, Becka, was nice enough to let me get pictures of her during her tasting process. She LOVED them, gave them a thumbs up and then ran off to let her younger sister try it. It was a huge success with Taegen too, who refused all photo ops though.

I will be making these again, maybe one day I'll be able to dry my own fruit!

Spread onto the foil:

Cutting into strips (I can not cut a strait line, apparently):

The finished rolls:

Storage :)

Becka's wonderful candid moments lol :) She loved them!

Clover Hill Crafts Diaper Review!

2011-03-23T15:00:00.008-05:00

I am reviewing a diaper made by Danell, owner of Clover Hill Crafts. She creates beautiful diapers and wool clothing and is just a great women to work with! Her customer service is fabulous and her diapers are top notch. Her creations can be found in the Cuties Congo, Clover Hill Crafts store, and in the Bliss Congo on HyenaCart.

Her "about me" section of the congo says this about her: I'm a work at home mom to two little boys, Evan is 5, and Andre is 3. They keep me busy! I live in the Pacific Northwest, with 9 months of rainy, gloomy, gray weather, which gives me ample indoor time to complete my projects and work on new patterns. I started sewing as a child, when my mother taught me about quilting, and have kept working on my skills throughout the years. I've been selling what I make for the last couple years, and have just begun selling under the brand Clover Hill Crafts. Crocheting came about when I was 9 years old, and my mother sent me to her cousin's house for the weekend, so that she could teach me how to crochet. I call it Crochet Boot Camp, and she taught me well! So now for the past 20 years I've been crocheting everything under the sun, from infant dresses to doilies and hats. I've been blown away by the usefulness of crocheted wool longies and soakers.

I ordered the Russian Nesting Doll CHC 2.0 One Size Fitted Diaper from her store on March 18th, 2011. It arrived today, March 23, 2011. This diaper was an auction, but was super special for me to win since I traveled to Russia when I was 15 and now my children are in love with the nesting dolls that I've had since that trip. It's just special to me. Matryoshka's are just amazing, hand made works of art so having a diaper that portrays that is special.

The description for the diaper read: This diaper is created from these adorable Nesting Dolls fabric. The snaps are Black and light blue, serging is Green, and inner fabric is soft Blue cotton velour. The inner absorbant layer (sandwiched between cotton velour and printed knit fabric) is heavyweight Organic Hemp Bamboo Fleece, for maximum squishiness and absorption! There are 3 rise adjustments to fit your growing little one. And cross-over tabs give flexibility in sizing. Hidden snaps ensure that no snaps will touch your baby's sensitive skin. The large insert is made of a contoured petal soaker, with Bamboo and/or Hemp material, and topped with velour. The small insert is also made of contoured petal soaker, with Bamboo and/or Hemp material, topped with velour; and snaps to the bottom of the large soaker so it can more easily be used as a doubler. And best of all, with the petal system, no snaps will touch your baby's skin!With all of this cotton, bamboo and hemp material for all layers of the diaper, you're left with up to 11 layers of absorbant fabric! Fits most babies 10 lbs to 35+ lbs.

Now doesn't that sound heavenly? I knew the diaper was going to be cute, but I wasn't prepared for the cuteness, or the squishiness, that arrived at my home today! Both of my daughters were impressed as well, of course they loved the design!

Front of diaper:

Back of Diaper:

Inside:

view of large and small insert:

As you can see it just looks so very squishy and soft, and it is as squishy and soft as it looks! I put the diaper on Taegen, my 21 month old daughter, and she just loved it! Usually it's a fight to get action shots (yes, I am the crazy woman who chases her child around with a camera saying "just one butt shot, please!", lol), but she had no problem posing for this diaper! It fit great, and for a child who has spent the last few months in such an awkward shape phase, that says a lot! The tabs were so stretchy, but not too stretchy and there were enough snaps to get a great fit! It is a fitted, so it "requires" a cover to be waterproof, but at home we don't use covers. She has worn it for over 2 hours with no sign of wetness. (I usually don't leave her in diapers this long, but this is a review so I wanted it to be accurate). She's in her bed napping and the diaper is still not wet!!!! How fantastic! I am impressed, and wondering why I hadn't ordered a Clover Hill Crafts fitted before!

Front of Diaper Fit:

Back of Diaper Fit:

Range of Motion example:

Playtime!

18th Annual March/Demonstration For Genital Integrity (virtual and live)

2011-03-23T08:36:00.006-05:00

Every year thousands of baby boys are circumcised. Every year 117 neonatal baby boys die because of circumcision, that's more than neonatal SIDS death (in boys).

From March 28, 2011-April 3, 2011 You can show your virtual support of genital integrity by changing your facebook profile picture to something that speaks about circumcision or genital integrity. You can write about it on your blog, you can get the word out there that boy and girls should have equality. Genital integrity shouldn't be a double standard.

This is the link to the facebook virtual demonstration group.

https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=195891940433528

The page that created the virtual demonstration is Saving our Sons and you can find them HERE!

Some may wonder why a mother of two girls cares so much about circumcision, and the answer is simple: I care about babies. Had my first daughter been a boy he would have been circumcised. Why? Because I went with the crowd, I didn't know better, and I would have let my husband make that decision (blindly) because "he has a penis, he knows more about them." Yes, I actually believed that.

Then came a wonder website called Cafemom. I know, I know; how can a website change your views, right? Well, I met a wonderful woman name Kate, she was one of my first non-mainstream friends I made on the site. She was also pregnant, planning a natural birth, and was NOT circumcising her son. Hmmm, not circumcising? Why? So I asked, and researched, and decided that there's no way that I could ever do something like that to my child.

There are so many "reason" people give for circumcising their boys, whether religious or for vanity or for the health benefits, but I often wonder how many people ever took the chance to just think about what that decision really means?

A foreskin, is more than just a piece of skin, it contains nerves and glands and it protects the head. It can increase sexual sensitivity (and according to my dear friends, the sex is better with an intact man lol). The foreskin, albeit tiny on babies, actually adds to penis size and girth in a grown man, so you're also removing that. Not only that, but you are removing all choice from your son. Where's his say in what happens to his body? Why can't he decide whether his foreskin gets to stay or go?

A little bit of a tangent here, but the most horrible excuse ever given is "I wanted him to look like daddy". Really now people? Are we going to give our children tattoos? What if daddy was missing a toe, would you remove a toe too? Because I can almost guarantee that a missing toe is far more noticeable than a missing foreskin. I have two daughters and their biggest fascination is that mama has hair. That's all. They don't examine me enough to notice that we look different. It's the same for boys. Daddy has hair, and that's fascinating, but there's not going to be an uproar that their penis' don't look like their dads, because it wont: they are little boys and not grown men.

Back to my point of Genital Integrity, it's important to recognize that the MGM (male genital mutilation) is very similar to the FGM (female genital mutilation) that people frown upon. We hear horror stories of women losing their clitoris or labia, or all of it. BUT it's culture in those societies, so isn't it slightly hypocritical to be supportive of circumcision, and then disgusted at those countries that practice FGM? Did you know FGM used to be legal in the United States, and in fact some small religious sects still practice it.

According to the World Health Orginization FGM is: Female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. (read the bolded carefully, It's mutilation for girls, and not boys; such a sad double standard)

What is the definition of MGM then? Well, the World Health Organization doesn't have one. Instead you find pages and pages of circumcision benefits (including those benefits that are completely vague and unreliable, such as "preventing the spread of HIV- which is a study done in africa where cleanliness and unprotected sex are rampant, completely unreliable).

There is so much more I can write about, and there's so much I didn't cover. I hope that this lets people think. I am including links to some helpful resources for more information regarding circumcision. Remember: once it's done, it's done. While there is a possibility of foreskin restoration it's painful and can be completely avoided by just allowing your child to make that choice for himself.

Not my body, not my choice.

Dr. Momma

Saving Penises and their Information Packs

Woman Uncensored

Awesome giveaway from The Tree Huggin' Momma and Forward Thinking!

2010-09-20T08:50:00.002-05:00

To be honest I hadn't heard of Forward Thinking until I checked out the blog by Tree Huggin Mama and her giveaway but it has me completely intrigued. The shirt/diaper sets are absolutely adorable and the story is a good one!

The Tree Huggin' Mama has an excellent review and a giveaway for a bib/diaper/shirt/leg warmer set! It's so awesome!

Check them out!

http://thetreehugginmomma.blogspot.com/2010/09/forward-thinking-cloth-diaper-set.html

you should also check out Forward Thinking too!

http://www.facebook.com/4wardThinking?ref=ts

Breastfeeding Struggles: Milk Supply Woes

2010-08-04T09:48:00.004-05:00

While breastfeeding is surely natural and normal it isn't always easy. There are no bottles to judge whether or not your baby is eating the recommended amount ounces. It can be a struggle in knowing if you're feeding too often or too little, especially if you have a fast nurser. It can hurt and one can develop milk supply worries.

But rest assured, while it may not be easy for everyone many breastfeeding issues can be avoided or solved relatively quick.

Kellymom is a great resource.

Dr. Sears has great information on his page as well.

You can also find a local Le Leche League group or visit their website to get some great info on breastfeeding and breastfeeding legislation.

Dealing with some breastfeeding issues can be daunting, but have no fear there IS help if you need it!

Milk Supply Concerns:

First you need to decide if there is actually a supply issue. Why do you feel that way? If the baby is gaining weight (even if slowly) and wetting 6-8 diapers a day, and that means 24 hours, then you don't have an issue. The fussiness and constant nursing could be from other issues.

If you do have supply issues there are many things you can try such as galactagogue's to help increase milk supply. Those include fenugreek and blessed thistle.

You can increase your fluid intake and make sure you are eating enough.

You can also try block feeding. Nurse on one breast for 3 feedings and then switch breasts. That can ensure the baby is getting enough of the hind milk!

You can also make Lactation Aid Cookies:
Here are the ingrediants:

1 C butter
1 C sugar
1 C brown sugar
4 T water
2 T flaxseed meal (no subs)
2 Lg eggs
1 t vanilla
2 C flour
1 t baking soda
1 t salt
3 C Thick cut oats
1 C Chocolate chips
2 T Brewers Yeast (no substitutions)

and here's how to prepare them

Preheat oven at 375.

Mix 2 T of flaxseed meal and water, set aside 3-5 minutes.
Cream butter and sugar.
Add eggs.
Stir flaxseed mix into butter mix and add vanilla.
Beat until well blended.
Sift: dry ingredients, except oats and choc chips.
Add butter mix to dry ing.
Stir in the oats and then the choc chips.
Drop on parchmant paper on baking sheet.
Bake 8-12 minutes.

Why do they work?

Because the main ingredients promote healthy lactation and are just plain full of nutrients

Oatmeal is a frequently recommended food for increasing milk supply, possibly because it contains iron and nursing mothers are often iron deficient. It's also a good source of fiber, and I'm told that if you ask a dairy farmer what they do to increase milk yield, they say that they increase fiber intake.

Brewer's yeast has long been recommended to increase milk supply, though there are some doubts that it does the trick. It does contain lots of B vitamins - another area where nursing mothers may be deficient. At a minimum it might give you a bit more energy. When eaten in large amounts it also might give your baby a "yeasty" smelling diaper, and I'm not sure if it's recommended for mothers who are struggling with thrush. The recipe said 'no substitutions' for this ingredient, but I couldn't find brewer's yeast in time, so used nutritional yeast instead.

Flaxseed oil (this recipe calls for flaxseed meal) is considered by some to be a galactagogue, but I had a hard time finding much on its effects. It does contain Omega-3 fatty acids, and many nursing mothers are deficient in that area because our stores are used in breastmilk. Omega 3s from fish oil are considered a promising therapy for preventing and treating postpartum depression (see the podcast I did on this topic), but the Omega 3s in flaxseed oil are a different form and are not viewed as effective for this purpose.

Why I love breastfeeding!

2010-08-02T13:00:00.004-05:00

Ah Breastfeeding.

It's a natural and beautiful thing, but isn't always easy. I have been nursing since January 2007, that's when my oldest was born.

Nursing was hard. Between working around an IV in her hand, then her head, and the blood blisters and cracked nipples I really felt defeated. Like I just couldn't do this anymore.

When we bring her home nursing seemed to get better until that thing called engorgement happened. My boobs didn't really hurt but were huge and full and Becka couldn't latch. I got a cheap-o pump and she still couldn't latch. She went 10 hours without eating at all and then I fed her for 2 days with a bottle. I cried, my husband cried, and she cried. It was pretty miserable and daunting.

But we worked through it.

People aren't kidding when they say the first 2-3 weeks are the hardest and that it does hurt. Don't let anyone tell you that "it's not suppose to hurt" because unless your nipples have been washed with steel wool this entire time it will hurt, but it goes away!

I know this sounds intimidating, but it wasn't. It was such a short period of the 21 months I spent nursing her. Nursing is just beautiful and it was worth the pain to get to the point where we both enjoyed nursing and were comfortable. I am thankful I didn't give up, thankful for my husband who supported me and the lactation consultant who answered my teary calls at 6am.

Taegen was born in 2009 and she latched on like a pro. Like she was born to do this (haha, of course she was).

It's been an amazing experience and something I will cherish. She's 14 months old now and still nurses, happily, and at times nursing a toddler can be a challenge (like when she decides to get in the downward dog position while latched on or put her foot in my face!) but it's also really fun!

Ha, it seems I trailed off the main idea which is why I love nursing.

Besides the benefits there is nothing more amazing than that moment when your baby smiles while nursing, or you two look each other in the eyes or the hand that caresses your neck.

It truly is a gift that everyone should experience, there's nothing like it.

A newborn baby has only three demands. They are warmth in the arms of its mother, food from her breasts, and security in the knowledge of her presence. Breastfeeding satisfies all three. ~Grantly Dick-Read

on a different topic, here's a great giveaway from UrthBags!

2010-08-02T10:18:00.002-05:00

These bags look super cute!

The giveaway is for one of their modern hippie bags. Chic, modern, with a touch of that 1960's hippie we all love!

From the page it's self it says:

UrthBags are hand-crafted from recycled materials by Fair Trade Women’s Organizations & Artisans – Purses Made with a Purpose!

"Bridgette" Magazine Bag

By owning an UrthBag, you are not only helping to protect our planet, but also to provide jobs to underprivileged women world-wide. UrthBags are durable, ultra-stylish & can be used for almost any occasion as they come in many different styles and are all handmade from recycled & salvaged materials so you can feel good about owning one while making a bold eco-fashion statement.

Monica Ralli, founded Urthbags to help inspire people to develop a stronger sense of eco-consciousness while making a stylish, green fashion statement. I had the pleasure of speaking with Monica recently to learn more about her vision and what’s in store for Urthbags.

Check it out!

http://www.modernhippiemag.com/2010/07/20/urthbagscom/

World Breastfeeding Week!

2010-08-01T10:49:00.002-05:00

Here it is again. World Breastfeeding Week! This time it's 2010! I have been breastfeeding since 2006, with a short break from the time my oldest weaned and my youngest was born!

I am currently still nursing my 14 month old baby, and she has no interest in weaning any time soon!

Breastfeeding is amazing, beautiful, and natural. It can be challenging, painful, and frustrating but none of these three things make it less worth it.

So to kick off World Breastfeeding Week I will list the benefits of breastfeeding!

http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/benefits/

Breast milk has disease-fighting cells called antibodies that help protect infants from germs, illness, and even SIDS. Infant formula cannot match the exact chemical makeup of human milk, especially the cells, hormones, and antibodies that fight disease.

Breastfeeding reduces the risk of ear infections, stomach virus', diabetes, breast and ovarian cancers, and obesity (among the many).

Breastfeeding boosts an infant's/child's immune system.

Breastfeeding produces oxytocin and can reduce the "baby blues" or PPD.

Breastfeeding also saves money in both cost of formula and medical bills :)

These are just some of the benefits!.

Lastly I leave you with a quote!

‎"Nursing
does not diminish the beauty of a woman's breasts; it enhances their
charm by making them look lived in and happy." ~Robert A. Heinlein

Booger Bear Creations Dino giveaway!

2010-07-27T12:25:00.001-05:00

If you haven't heard about Booger Bear Creations, you are definitely missing out. Especially if you have teething children, or any child who has an interest in dinosaurs and pretty colors.

I have 2 dino's and we all absolutely love them. The products are well made and oh so cute! They are great for my teething 1 year old and my 3 year old still loves playing with hers!

So go ahead, check out her blog, and then check out her other products. She definitely rocks my socks!

http://www.boogerbearcreations.com/2010/07/giveaway-happy-birthday-wedding.html

Woman Uncensored pendent giveaway on Saving Obsession

2010-06-25T19:21:00.001-05:00

Here's a chance to show YOUR voice with these AWESOME pendents. Whether you want an advocacy pendent or just something beautiful, Woman Uncensored has it for you!

Here's your opportunity to win one!

http://savingobsession.blogspot.com/2010/06/woman-uncensored-pendant-giveaway.html

Good Earth Giveaway from The Mad Mom Blog!

2010-06-25T13:06:00.003-05:00

This is a pretty cool giveaway, if I do say so myself. As a SAHM sometimes days can get crazy with two little ones and it's nice to have a healthy but QUICK meal to prepare and many dry meals are more like crap in a box. These Good Earth ones look like they would be a much better alternative!

Check it out

http://madmomonamission.blogspot.com/2010/06/good-earth-dinner-giveaway.html

One stop shop for cloth diapering needs!

2010-06-17T12:39:00.002-05:00

This website is like the Wal-Mart of cloth diapers (minus the bad employment practices and cheap products haha).

You can find anything you need here AND they even have a blog and tons of information to help with cloth diapering!

You can find everything from diapers to inserts to detergents and other mama and baby products. It's awesome!

Check them out!

http://www.nickisdiapers.com/

Diaper Shops Bum Genius giveaway! amazing!

2010-06-03T13:09:00.003-05:00

Diapershops.com is giving away SIX, yes SIX Bum Genius One Size 3.0 cloth diapers on their facebook page! It's absolutely amazing. You must check them out!

http://www.facebook.com/#!/diapershops

I really like Diapershops.com! There are SO many diaper varieties and they have them all. Diapershops.com is truly a gateway to all my cloth diapering needs! You can find bulk diapers, OS diapers, and then there's Kelly's Closet which has a wealth of information and supplies and diapers!

You can also check out The Cloth Diaper Whisperer and get loads of information on cloth diapering! It's just an amazing community!

Soap Nuts Giveaway!

2010-04-18T14:07:00.001-05:00

You can find a great giveaway, to 3 readers! Check it out!
http://mommypants13.blogspot.com/2010/04/soapnuts-giveaway-three-winners.html

You can read the review here
http://mommypants13.blogspot.com/2010/04/soapnutsreview.html

CuteyBaby giveaway form the Cloth Diaper Whisperer!

2010-03-12T12:26:00.001-06:00

Great giveaway, everyone should check it out. The diapers are SO adorable. If I don't win one I will probably end up purchasing them! Super cute :)

http://www.theclothdiaperwhisperer.com/2010/03/fluff-friday-70.html

I love cloth diapers HUGE softbums giveaway!

2010-03-11T13:01:00.001-06:00

I Love Cloth Diapers is having a MAJOR giveaway. Come check it out! It's insane :)

http://loveclothdiapers.blogspot.com/2010/03/softbums-spring-giveaway.html

Heartlands Dreams cloth diaper review and giveaway!

2010-03-06T10:01:00.000-06:00

I can attest to the quality of these diapers, as I have owned one! It was one of the first diapers I bought for my little one!

If you go and check out Familylicious Blog you will see a great review and a chance to win one of these fabulous diapers!

http://familyliciousreviews.blogspot.com/2010/03/heartland-dreams-cloth-diaper-review.html

Enter to win a hand stamped necklace!

2010-03-02T17:28:00.001-06:00

These are BEAUTIFUL! Enter to win the contest! Awesome give away!

http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?aid=153384&id=74904223672&ref=nf

Ergo give away from Nicki's diapers!

2010-01-28T16:38:00.001-06:00

Not only is this a great site for cloth diaper purchases, info, and other assorted items you can enter to win an Ergo baby carrier! So check it out!

http://www.nickisdiapers.blogspot.com/

Mega Mother-Baby Giveaway at the Funny Bunny!

2009-12-09T09:59:00.002-06:00

This is an AWESOME giveaway with 2 great prizes! Some great stuff for both mom and baby. Check it out @myfluffybunny!

Awesome blog and tutu giveaway!

2009-12-02T11:22:00.002-06:00

Mommy of 1 and Counting is having a giveaway for 1 NellieBugs tutu! So all you mama's with girls may want to check it out. The Tutu's are STUNNING!

Here's a link to the blog:
http://heatherandavery.blogspot.com/2009/11/nelliebugs-tutu-review-and-giveaway.html

and if you have no luck at winning giveaways you definitely need to check out Nelliebugs for yourself. Her items are beautiful!

http://www.nelliebugs.com/

The Great Cloth Diaper giveaway!!!

2009-11-05T18:07:00.000-06:00

Here's an awesome giveaway by Cute Caboose in conjunction with the Great Cloth Diaper hunt! Check out her site, and awesome products while you are at it!

You can find out all the information here! Have fun!

Win BumGenius 3.0 OS cloth diapers

2009-09-26T07:48:00.000-05:00

This is an awesome give away. It's so cool. Bumgenius is the latest rage in cloth diapering forums. The are OS meaning they last from birth through potty training. This is for SIX, yes SIX of these amazing diapers, retail is around 120 dollars.

http://clothdiapertips.com/contest-six-bumgenius-3-0-one-size-cloth-diapers/

Drybees Cloth diaper review and giveaway! From a fellow blogger!

2009-06-24T14:05:00.002-05:00

Check out this blog. It has a well written review for a fantastic diaper, as well as a giveaway of said fantastic diaper!

Everyone should read the review, especially if you're considering cloth diapering!

Modern Pirate Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-03-31T09:07:00.000-05:00

Modern Pirate Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Design for Baby Posh Pads review and give away!

2009-03-18T10:58:00.000-05:00

http://www.designbaby.net/2009/03/posh-pads-bamboo-nursing-pads-review.html

Check this out! It's a give away for organic bamboo nursing pads! Every nursing mom needs a good set, or two, of nursing pads and these posh pads are awesome! Especially if you can get them for free!

Check out the blog and enter! :)

the society of the USA is going to drive me insane...

2007-12-07T00:02:00.000-06:00

In a society where women can walk around half naked, and flaunt their bodies nursing mothers are made to feel dirty and ashamed.
In this society we can see celebrities half naked on the cover of magazines, but the women feeding her child on the park bench gets ridiculed. Why?

Is it because this society is so fixated on sex that using breasts for what they are meant to be used for has become unnatural? That Christina Aguelera(sp?) can pose nude on rolling stone with nothing more than a guitar and her hand covering her, but the mom nursing in the mall is indecent. What the hell is wrong with this picture?

Since when has nursing become so damn offensive? Since formula companies started saying that nursing was bad? Or since women are all about convenience as apposed to what benefits their child? Is that why breastfeeding is so uncommon, and so ridiculed?

Or is it a combination of that and the total downfall of society. We can see Lil' Kim get her boob fondled by Diana Ross on national television, but god forbid you see a mother's nipple while she tries to latch on her screaming, hungry baby.

Society needs to grow up and step up. Breastfeeding is like a double edged sword. You are told how important it is and then once you do it you have to deal with being told where and how to do it. What the hell is up with that?

I am so sick of the dirty looks and the snide remarks. I am sick of being looked at like an abuser for nursing my almost 11 month old. Society can kiss my ass. I wish more celebrities would stand up to the plate. Maggie Gyllenhal did, and thank god for her. I just wish more mainstream celebs would get on the breastfeeding bandwagon. We need the info out their.

So moms grab your babies and sit down on that bench and nurse. Do not let this back ass wards society make you feel dirty. You are doing what is best for your baby! Hand them that blanket, and tell them to cover if they do not like it!

Daughter

2007-12-06T01:25:00.001-06:00

Those rosy cheeks and emerald eyes
bring a joy to me unknown before.

With each smile my heart melts.
Each laugh warms my soul.

Your tiny hands tug at my heartstrings
and your laugh dissolves my shell.

In this imperfect world you are a glimmer of perfection.

Your innocence is astounding, the love I feel is frightening.
To love so completely and selflessly is amazing.

I love you more than you will ever know.

What are you thankful for?

2007-11-19T07:32:00.000-06:00

Even if you do not celebrate Thanksgiving, there are still things you are thankful for. I hope everyone takes time, especially this next week, to think of all the things that made you thankful this year.

I am thankful for many things. This year has been full of joy and hardships. It has been a crazy year and so much has happened since last Thanksgiving.

I am thankful for my inlaws, parents, and grandparents. They have been so helpful, loving and supportive.
I am thankful for my husband, who is a great father and who has so much love for me.
I am thankful for Becka, my beautiful 10 month old. I could not imagine life without her.
I am thankful for having a great labor and delivery.
I am greatful for dark chocolate and Blue Sky natural soda.
I am thankful for Susan, my best friends mom, for hiring me at her health food store.
I am thankful for holiday food and decor.
I am thankful for cute little christmas dresses.
I am thankful for the changing of the seasons and orange leaves.
I am thankful for being alive and having a healthy family full of love!
I am thankful that even though money is tight, we do everything we can to ensure the well being of our daughter!

So what are you thankful for this year?

Why are there less organics then non organics?

2007-11-14T04:43:00.000-06:00

I am so confused as to why there is a wider selection of non organic fruits, vegetables, meats, etc. It truly does not cost more to grow and it is healthier for you! Why does america not understand that chemicals and pesticides are not healthy for you?

In my area we have a limited selection in natural foods stores. To top it off, they can not carry organic produce anymore because not enough people buy it. That makes me so sad. Organics taste better than regular food anyways!

I love the taste of freshly picked fruits and vegetables. My grandparents in Germany have their own garden. Their fruits and vegetables taste amazing and grow great WITHOUT chemicals! Many crops in Europe are organic and many animals are free range. It truly is better for the environment and health.

For the life of me I can not figuer out why people would not want to buy ORGANIC. Why would you willingly ingest toxins?

2007-11-08T11:30:00.000-06:00

There was a blog titled, Mother Jailed, put on trial, for curing her son of Melanoma. I am waiting on an email from alexwren@pacbell.net. Who was the one who was listed in the blog to contact. I am checking the validity of it. It basically stated that a mother used "black salve" to cure her son of melanoma and then was arrested and had her children taken away because she "went against the establishment" and "endangered her son", even though her son wanted a holistic treatment.

Even if that story is false, there are many cases where this has happened. In Virginia there was a story about a 14 year old named Abraham who was diagnosed with cancer and was the parents had to fight the court systems. Here is the link to their story, and the bottom link is the Washington post article on "Abraham's Law" a new law passed in Virginia to prevent this from happening to another family.

http://www.abrahamsjourney.com/id2.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/23/AR2007022301793.html
http://www.wvec.com/news/health/stories/wvec_local_032207_cherrix_law_signed.5bb0b17.html
The Internet is not always accurate. I was still doing research on the story but felt it was best to post anyways, just in case it was true. I am glad that there are women who did care about what goes on in the world, and glad that some women on here were not rude about it.

The sad truth is, the government and pharmaceutical companies are afraid of holistic and homeopathic remedies. They are afraid that they will lose money on invasive treatments when nature provides many remedies for us.

Many mothers over drug their children. How many know that garlic oil cures an ear infection? Antibiotics are given at the first sign of infection, and way too often, causing an imbalance in the natural flora in the digestive tract. Then a pro biotic, such as acidophiles is given to restore that balance.

Things like that scare me. They scare me for my family. For my daughter. It scares me for everyone out there who may go through this. It scares me that the government is trying to choose how we treat ourselves and our families. Soon there will be one global pharmaceutical company who supplies drugs for everyone, everywhere. It is just sad and scary.
As to the info floating around about black salve. I would never buy into ANYTHING quack watch says. It is a very biased website who warns against using Chiropractors. I work in a homeopath/natural foods store. I have seen this work. I have met many people who have had it help them, ranging from skin cancer to brown recluse bites. It is painful, but less invasive and less harmful in the long run then other treatments. http://www.blacksalveinfo.com/

No one should use anything homeopathic without talking to a person who works in the store. Natural does not always mean safe, just safer. The people who work at these stores know a lot. My store even has a licensed nutritionist/iridoligist/kineaseoligist. She has gone to school to learn about homeopathic remedies and has never been wrong in her diagnosis of patients.

Drs and their over prescribing of antibiotics.

2007-11-04T01:50:00.000-05:00

I am so sick right now.

I have been trying to figuer out what is wrong with my daughter's stomach. She seems so miswerable, so in pain. Only having a bowel movement once a week.

I started researching. Turns out too many antibiotics can cause an over growth of flora in the digestive tract. This causes an imbalance in the flora.

I started talking to other mothers. Apparently many pediatricians prescribe antibiotics at the first sign of infection. I know now that my daughter should not have had 3 scripts of antibiotics in such a short time. This could very well be why she is so sick.

I also know that every parent should try the natural approach first. Garlic extract can cure an ear infection, there are natural herbs for throat infections.

I am so sad for my daughter. Hopefully the probiotics work.

The joys of motherhood!

2007-10-17T06:31:00.000-05:00

When I was pregnant people would always tell me the downsides of a newborn. "Oh you will never get any sleep", "oh enjoy sex now, there will not be any once the baby is here", "oh, breastfeeding is too time consuming". Granted some of these things were true. Sleep came very seldom and only when the baby slept. Sex died down for a while after the baby was born and breastfeeding did become somewhat time consuming.

What everyone fails to mention is the absolute joy of having a child. No one tells you how much your heart melts at the first real smile and laugh. No one mentions how you begin to tear up at every milestone. People forgot to warn you that when you hear "mama" for the first time your heart explodes with happiness.

Every day is a new adventure. Babies develop so quickly and so much changes over such a short amount of time. One month ago my daughter was only attempting to crawl, and failing miserably. Now she can crawl and pull herself up and sit up on her own. All of these achievements bring tears to my eyes. It is just an amazing thing to watch.

People also forgot to mention how a child brings joy back into your life. Simple things bring you pleasure. As you get older you begin to lose interest in the little things. You begin to take for granted all the things you can do. Having my daughter changed that. The smallest things make me happy, such as watching a butterfly or one of our cats. My daughter is so enthralled in everything and every new discovery and that has rubbed off on me.

So while my daughter sleeps next to my husband, I will think about all the joys she brings to my life. Even if sleep is not one of them!

and she can crawl...

2007-10-10T22:39:00.000-05:00

The joys of motherhood are astounding. It seems like yesterday she was born and now she is a crawling fool! There are new adventures everyday. It is so amazing to watch this baby grow up. To be apart of everything in her life. She has taught me so much about myself. She has taught me patience and she has taught me to appreciate all the little things in life. She will be 9 months soon... oh boy. (she takes a slight fall here, she is not hurt! It looks bad though)

how is this offensive?

2007-10-10T10:56:00.000-05:00

I just do not get how something so beautiful is offensive? What is the world coming to when feeding a child becomes inappropriate but Christina Aguelera(sp?) naked on the cover of Rolling Stone is acceptable?

My response to Facebooks ban on breastfeeding pictures!

2007-10-10T10:06:00.001-05:00

Facebook SUCKS!

Nursing is not vulgar or offensive. It is beautiful. Moms should be allowed to show off pictures of them nursing their children without being banned or criticised. If you do not like it do not look!

Breast is Best

2007-10-10T09:49:00.000-05:00

I just do not understand why so many people are against breastfeeding? It is the best source of nutrition for an infant. It is great bonding. It helps the mother lose weight. It is free. There are so many benefits, I wish more and more people would realise that.

I also do not understand why nursing in public is such a big deal. So many women get criticised and put down for nursing in public. We have to deal with people telling us to cover our babies heads, to do go to the bathroom and even threatening to kick us out of their establishments. Why? Breasts are meant to feed our children,society made them sexual.

My response to those people usually is "you eat with a blanket over your head and then we will talk." I just do not get it. Bathrooms for one thing are disgusting. They are not clean. I would never grab a plate and eat while sitting on the toilet, why should my daughter have to? Besides the law protects nursing mothers. If you do not like it do not look!

The sleep fairy must have forgotten about me!

2007-10-08T15:13:00.000-05:00

Oh boy. Becka did not fall asleep until 5 30 am. I did not get to sleep until 8 30 am. Today is going to be amazing! Not. :( I am so tired and irritable. Becka is wide awake. I think I am getting a clogged milk duct in my right boob. Not fun at all.

I have had this headache for 6 days now. Nothing helps.

This blog is really just for me to complain. I am just so tired and not feeling well this morning it is hard to no complain. My neck hurts from sleeping wrong as well. UGGH!

I hope the day gets better....

Breastfeeding, why all the negativity?

2007-10-08T07:03:00.001-05:00

Breastfeeding is such a natural and beautiful thing, yet alot of people in today's society criticise women for doing it. Popular websites such as Facebook and Myspace ban breastfeeding picture, resturaunts try and make women feel uncomfortable for feeding their children and everyday people degrade and puplicly scorn women who decided to feed their child in public. Why?

Breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition for babies. It has the most nutrients, it contains antibodies and immunity boosts, it is a natural sedative and laxative. Breastmilk adapts and changes to fit the child's needs. It adjusts for the child. Can formula do that?

Nursing in public is a right. Why do people want to take it away? Breasts are not made to be sexual objects. We are mammals, and mammals nurse their young. So why do humans feel the need to say it is "gross"? That is something I will never understand. We have to feed our children! If you do not like it do not look! Why should our child have to suffer to make you happy!

On October 10th there will be a Virtual Breast Fest. It will be a time for every women out their to get up and speak out against facebook and society. Women will be nursing live, with uploaded videos, and blogs. Women around the US and hopefully the world will let everyone know that the descrimination against nursing moms will not be tolerated! This link is to the video montage for breastfest! http://http://youtube.com/watch?v=8eSdQQpJh7U

The Great Virtual Breast Fest!

2007-10-08T06:40:00.000-05:00

Presented to you from The League of Maternal Justice!

Mission #2: The Great Virtual Breast Fest
Activate your wonder powers by pulling out your boobs on October 10, 2007 at 10:00am (your time) (mark your calendars!) and showing the world that you're a boobtastic superhero mom and damn proud of it.
We're asking women around the world to speak out - and squirt out! - against the banning of breastfeeding pictures on Facebook, as well as against the constant onslaught of negative attention toward breastfeeding mothers in public spaces and in the media.
That's right. We're staging a virtual nurse-in!

On October 10 at 10am (your time), women around the US and Canada and - we hope - the world will breastfeed for justice. We'll nurse our babies or bottle-feed our babies or reminisce about doing either of those things and we'll post pictures and video, all together, and let the world know that there is no shame, only power, in caring for our children.
Spread the word by placing a button on your blog, and then set up your web cam to live broadcast on your blog on October 10 at 10am (your time). If you don't have a web cam, but have a video recorder, post some breastfeeding video! Load it up on YouTube and tag it "The Great Virtual Breast Fest" on October 10!

If you don't have a web cam/video camera or you are not currently nursing, send us your breastfeeding pictures, along with your blog url (if you have one -- non-bloggers are WELCOME and strongly encouraged to participate!). We'll be creating a video montage of pictures that you can embed onto your blog. (If you've already written a post with pictures, please still send us a photo!)

So not to exclude our non-breastfeeding friends, you can participate by writing a post - even a blurb will do - about why you support women's right to nourish their children whenever and whatever and in whatever manner they wish.
We love your boobs too!

Whatever you're planning on doing as part of the Breast Fest, make sure to let us know how you're participating by emailing The Boob Squad. Want to breastfeed live but need a webcam? Plan on putting video up?

Sending us some pics?
We want to know! Are you with us?!And finally, please SPREAD THE WORD. Leave a note on your message boards, tell the moms at your playgroup, or heck, send an email to Oprah! And will someone please load this up over at the Facebook protest group?

This is not a Breast Fest without breasts and lots of them! Swipe a button code, write a post, and let people know we're not hiding under blankets any longer. We'll be adding the links to our sidebar and keeping tabs on our Brest Fest participants!

For more on our Facebook Sucks mission, click here. We're still encouraging people to throw a stone at the big man and deactivate accounts!

And if you know of any potential sponsors - we'd love to get web cams to women who want to join in, but any kind of sponsorship will do! - Please send them our way! Or donate a few bucks in our sidebar. All the proceeds will go towards getting us one step closer to Maternal Justice!

How you can participate:
1) Nurse live on your blog via a webcam at 10am YOUR time
2) Place recorded video of you breastfeeding on your blog at 10am YOUR time
3) Place the LMJ Breastfeeding Montage (available 10/8) on your blog at 10am YOUR time Up and through 10/10, please help us spread the word by writing posts and linking our site with the button codes.

I am Corduroy and Flowers!

Frosting Bath and Body facebook giveaway!

2012 is a year for change, I think.

$400 Anastasia giveaway from Pigments and Palettes! 4 winners!!!!

Montagne Jeunesse tester review, Influenster Holiday VoxBox product!

New Years 2012....

the chance to win a $250 Sephora shopping spree!

Charlize Theron... I love to hate you.

NYC (New York Color) Liquid LipShine review :D

Vox Box goodies review :D

I got the Holiday Vox Box :D

Aull about you's 100 follower giveaway :D

Beginning my own business with Barefoot Books!

loveFemme favorite things giveaway! 3 winners :D

Chained Links Review :D

EO Hair Care giveaway from Be Your Own Beauty!

Cosmetic Cupcake PINK for October giveaway!

Another make up giveaway :D

Tarte's True Blood set giveaway!!!!

Natural living extends to make up products too!

a different sort of giveaway!

Oh blog, how I have missed you.

Monkey and Bug Diaper Review

Why I am so glad I cloth diaper!

2 years ago... The Unhindered Birth of my youngest daughter Taegen!

This is me flipping Congress the bird.

Breastmilk: Nature's medicine

Kids can bake too!

Rearfacing longer? Is it really that important?

Plum Crazy For Cloth- review and giveaway on 3 Men and a Lady

Homemade fruit "roll ups"

Clover Hill Crafts Diaper Review!

18th Annual March/Demonstration For Genital Integrity (virtual and live)

Awesome giveaway from The Tree Huggin' Momma and Forward Thinking!

Breastfeeding Struggles: Milk Supply Woes

Why I love breastfeeding!

on a different topic, here's a great giveaway from UrthBags!

World Breastfeeding Week!

‎"Nursingdoes not diminish the beauty of a woman's breasts; it enhances theircharm by making them look lived in and happy." ~Robert A. Heinlein

Booger Bear Creations Dino giveaway!

Woman Uncensored pendent giveaway on Saving Obsession

Good Earth Giveaway from The Mad Mom Blog!

One stop shop for cloth diapering needs!

Diaper Shops Bum Genius giveaway! amazing!

Soap Nuts Giveaway!

CuteyBaby giveaway form the Cloth Diaper Whisperer!

I love cloth diapers HUGE softbums giveaway!

Heartlands Dreams cloth diaper review and giveaway!

Enter to win a hand stamped necklace!

Ergo give away from Nicki's diapers!

Mega Mother-Baby Giveaway at the Funny Bunny!

Awesome blog and tutu giveaway!

The Great Cloth Diaper giveaway!!!

Win BumGenius 3.0 OS cloth diapers

Drybees Cloth diaper review and giveaway! From a fellow blogger!

Modern Pirate Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Design for Baby Posh Pads review and give away!

the society of the USA is going to drive me insane...

Daughter

What are you thankful for?

Why are there less organics then non organics?

Drs and their over prescribing of antibiotics.

The joys of motherhood!

and she can crawl...

how is this offensive?

My response to Facebooks ban on breastfeeding pictures!

Breast is Best

The sleep fairy must have forgotten about me!

Breastfeeding, why all the negativity?

The Great Virtual Breast Fest!

‎"Nursing
does not diminish the beauty of a woman's breasts; it enhances their
charm by making them look lived in and happy." ~Robert A. Heinlein