Do you want to start educating your child at a very young age?

How about starting in the womb? What parent wouldn't want their child to reach early milestones, be a little smarter, and be a little calmer. My newest discovery, BabyPlus Prenatal Education System. I recently started using mine and so far, I have only good things to say about it. Of course, we don't see the end results, until the baby is here, and going through his or her first steps, words, etc... However, I am a believer and that is why I am using the BabyPlus Prenatal Education System. I know there are a lot of skeptics out there (my husband is one), but honestly, if you were given a chance to make your child, a little bit more brighter, alert, calmer, wouldn't you take it and try it out? Plus, BabyPlus has done research after research that back their findings.

The curriculum has a series of 16 naturally derived sounds that sound very similar to the mother's heartbeat. When I wore mine around the house, my friend asked if it was a heartbeat monitor of some sort. The sound increases as the pregnancy progresses, as you move from level 1 to level 16. The sonic pattern introduces your little ones to a sequential learning process, built around the natural rhythms of their own environment. BabyPlus calls it the "auditory exercise," which strengthens the learning ability during the developmental period. They also say that BabyPlus Children have an intellectual, developmental, creative, and emotional advantage from the time they are born. As a parent, I couldn't ask for anything more.

How does a baby learn through patterns of beats that sound like a heartbeat? A question that I asked myself prior to using the BabyPlus system. He or she starts to discriminate between the sounds coming from the mother and those from BabyPlus. This is where the learning begins.

The first day, I wore my BabyPlus around 8pm, right when I was winding down and my daughter was almost asleep. I pushed the button and set it at level 1. I have 16 weeks left in my pregnancy, so I calculated my curriculum by reading the instructions. I would do each level for 6 days until I deliver my child. When I turned on the button, it sounded like strong heartbeats. You can clearly hear it. As I was listening to the beats, they were putting me to sleep. Furthermore, I have problems sleeping at night, and I was almost knocked out by the end of the session, which was an hour long. My Baby had an immediate reaction to the BabyPlus system. She actually kicked it right on target 4 or 5 times. After that, I could feel her moving around, and jabbing it, every so often.

I have used it for 10 days, and currently I have moved on to level 2. I use it once in the morning, and once at night, for an hour each. Right before I start my session, I talk to the baby and say, "Are you ready to start doing target practice?" She gives me a kick in the stomach and we are ready to go (<--This is something that I am not making up. I have friends and family to proove it). My child is very active when I use the BabyPlus system. They say that the child is either really active or just sleeps. I guess it depends on your child's personality.

Not only do I love the fact that my child is learning inside my womb, I love the fact that I have slept with such peace lately. I really credit that to BabyPlus. We were all inside our mother's womb at one point in our lives, and I think we subconsciously remember those rythmic heartbeats. Moreover, I have had no issues with sleeping, since I started the BabyPlus system.

If you want to know more about the BabyPlus Prenatal Education System, please go to: http://www.babyplus.com/.

The second time around isn't always the same

My first pregnancy was probably a textbook perfect pregnancy. I had absolutely no nausea, no morning sickness, I felt super energetic, and I had no scares. The baby hit every milestone inside me, from the butterflies to the kicking, and when she was ready to enter this world, she came without any problems.

My second pregnancy, started off with a lot of nausea. I couldn't look at a lot of foods, without my gag reflex going off, and certain smells from foods, just made me not want to eat anything. For the first 4 months, I went through 4 very different colds, one lasting 2 months long with the added benefit of laryngitis. On top of my colds, I was dealing with a nauseous meltdown. It was probably the hardest and worst 4 months of my life.

After that passed, I was able to redeem some energy back. But life had it, where I was presented with a whole other set of problems. My sciatica started to flair up. I could hardly sit up straight and stand up straight, so I was stuck in the limbo of "I can't sit or stand, let's just kind of hang in mid air." Everything was just hurting, and sleeping in itself, seemed like a long drawn out task. I was able to go see a great physical therapist who specialized in prenatal therapy. Through that, I was able to do some pain management.

After I got my sciatica under control, then I was presented with a whole other issue. My daughter started to realize that she wasn't going to be the only one. With everyone's excitement over the next baby, she realized that she was going to have some competition. That's when she latched on and wanted to be attached to me. When I mean attached, she was literally hanging onto my thighs, as if she was another extension of my body. From then on, it progressed to crying a lot, doing lots of bad things to get my attention, and doing things she wouldn't normally do.

Currently, she has finally reached the acceptance stage. Now, she is excited to meet and play with the baby. She talks about what she would do with the baby and she knows she will be a big sister. We have come a long way! But oh the cycle continues and never seems to end. Just the other day, when I finally felt like everything was under control, I had a pregnancy scare. After I came out from my bath, I spotted a little blood. Of course, my heart dropped, and I could not breath. I ran into the room to tell my husband and we called our midwife. She assured us, as long as it wasn't prolonged bleeding with bouts of contraction, we should wait it out. I laid down on the bed and just prayed that everything was going to be fine.

The next day, everything was back to normal. But I was still on high alert. Every time the baby kicked or moved, it felt as if the baby was literally going to fall out of me. I didn't feel that with my first pregnancy, so it was another thing I was constantly thinking about. I went to my midwife appointment today and told her everything that was on my mind. So to make sure, she checked to see if my cervix was closed, and surely it was. What a big relief! I guess I am carrying the baby lower than my previous pregnancy, so I am feeling a lot more.

One thing I am learning is that no two pregnancies are the same. Just like life experiences, it takes you in all different directions. You just have to take it in strides.

Making it easier on you and me

Have you ever walked to the grocery store, only to come back with a load of grocery bags and not enough hands? I live like that, almost everyday. We live where everything is in walking distance, and suprisingly we live in Los Angeles, a car filled society. We have a Trader Joes, a 1/2 a block from us, a Ralph's, 1 block from us, and a Whole Foods, 2 blocks from us. Even though they are close by, when it comes to carrying the groceries home, it is no easy task, and those blocks seems like miles away. Especially, when you have a toddler next to you.

My daughter is an active, energetic, full of life, 3 year old toddler. When it comes time to go grocery shopping, I always have to tell her to hold my hands. If not, she has to walk side by side, with me. It's one thing when you're at home giving instructions, it's another when you go out into the "real world" and those actions need to be carried out. Many times, I have had multiple resuable bags full of groceries, and no hands that were free, to hold my toddler. When she runs away, or gets close to the edge of the street, I literally have to throw down those bags and run after her. It's actually a very dangerous situation. On top of going through traumatic stress, I look frazzled, disoriented, and a prime example of those crazy mommas, people point fingers at.

I decided that there had to be something, out on the market, that would prevent these unnecessary situations for me. I came across the Nomie Baby Carry Beaners. Of course, I was super-excited and made reason to go grocery shopping. I put three bags on the carry-beaner, and suprisingly, the bags were lighter than I expected. There was enough room to add on more bags. Plus, the cushioned grip, made it very easy to hold, without any strain.

For the first time, in a long time, I was able to hold groceries while holding my daughter's hand. Moreover, I looked put together, and not a frazzled, disoriented mom, who chases after her kid, in the middle of the street. The Nomie Baby carry-beaner is functional, practical, and reliable! Price:$8
Please check them out at www.nomiebaby.com. They also carry a line of car seat covers as well. It's mom invented and child tested.

Things my daughter says, that melts my heart and makes me laugh.

She says:

• I love you mommy! (blows a kiss with her hand)
• You are a princess, just like me.
• It's my mommy's, don't touch!
• Be careful! (She holds onto my hands really tight, and if there is a car, she will not let me move)
• Where can we buy grandma?
• Where did you buy my face?
• I love you mommy! (she pats me on the head)
• How do you make a sky?

I know as parents, we all hear things that just makes us smile from within. Since my daughter started talking, and trying to put all sorts of words together, its amazing to hear some of the stuff she comes up with. It makes you think again, that children are so innocent and they just speak with honesty.

A lot of times, she will say something, and I will laugh and laugh because it's just so funny. She will look right into my eyes and say, "It's not funny! Stop laughing at me, mommy!" Even that in itself, is amazing in my eyes.

I'm sure we all have moments like that, as our children keep growing, and hit different milestones, or points in their lives.

Why spread germs when you don't have to?

I'm the first to say, when I see a child at my daughter's school or a random kid at the mall, sneezing and coughing, I am ready to run the other way. When our children gets sick, we know the consequences of it, and what it does to our child and ourselves. So I went online to find a product that would take place of a tissue or aspirator, and be sanitary, as well as child-user friendly.

I came up with Germy Wormy! An idea, I didn't even know existed, until I came onto their site. Germy Wormys are disposable sanitary sleeves that you put over your child's elbow. When your child has to cough or sneeze, they can do that right into their Germy Wormy. It's a wonderful way in educating your child, in the prevention of spreading germs, as well as catching germs. The recommended age is between 2-7 years old. You can use the Germy Wormy, both at home and at schools.

You can definitely tell that this product was Mom Invented. It came with a DVD that educates the children through puppetry, of how germs are spread, and how to use the Germy Wormy. It was very creative and educational. My daughter loved it.

After we saw the DVD, we put the Germy Wormy on my daughter's elbow and had her mimic coughing and sneezing, into the sleeves. She had no issues of putting it on and she actually enjoyed herself. When it comes time and she catches a cold, I will not have to go through the grueling process of chasing her around the entire house, with a box of kleenex, or trying to hold her down, as we stick a nasal aspirator, up her nose. It gives her the freedom to run about and when need be, cough or sneeze into the sleeves. Please visit them at: www.germywormy.com and take the first step in the prevention of spreading germs.

Lilabean Nursing Cover Giveaway!

I wrote a review on this fantastic nursing cover a couple weeks ago. It's an all in one Nursing Cover that has more functions than one. Please go and read my review to find out more about this wonderful chic cover. For one of my lucky readers, Lilabean is giving away a nursing cover of your choice, from their site.

To Enter: Please comment below telling us what you like about the nursing cover, as well as your favorite print, by going to: http://www.lilabean.net/. Retail Value: $65.

Please use one account to enter. If found to be using other blogger accounts, as well as anonymous comments to gain extra entries, you will be disqualified from this giveaway, as well as future giveaways. Let's keep it fair!

For additional entries:Please leave a comment for each additional entry you complete. (current followers and subscribers count as well)

• Follow my blog
• Subscribe to my blog
• Follow me on Twitter (@Mommasinthehous, without the E) and Tweet about this giveaway (with a link to this page) on Twitter. Please leave a link to your tweet.(unlimited entries)
• Blog about the giveaway and link back (3 entries)
• Add me as a favorite on Technorati

The giveaway will end on Saturday May 2nd at 11:59pm (PST).

Rules: In order to win, you must provide a valid email. If there is no email address provided, to contact the winner, another person will be chosen. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to the winning email notification with their complete mailing address. If this information is not received within 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open for US mailing addresses only.

Earth Day should be Everyday!

Happy Earth Day!

Let's take a step in protecting our Earth. As parents, I think its good to educate our children at an early age, to start recycling, making conscious choices, and learning the effects of leaving a carbon footprint. I certainly am not perfect, however, I try to make a conscious effort in being green by choosing eco-friendly products, trying to recycle, as well as using reusable grocery bags, lunch bags, and water bottles. If we all made a conscious effort in protecting our Earth, we would be taking a huge step toward protecting it. A little goes a long way! Let's do our part and protect our home, "Earth."

(Go to the Nature Conservancy Website to calculate your Carbon Footprint. You will be shocked to see the National Average. We all need to open our eyes and move one step toward change).

My Mom Logic

Mom+Logic= My Mom Logic?

It's not as easy as 1+1, or 2+2, and the answers are not something we learned in school. As we grow as individuals, go through life experiences, hit road blocks, jump over obstacles, cherish the victories, we start to put one and one together, and two and two together. There is no right or wrong, it's you and your "logic."

My Mom Logic is striving to live in the moment. When I am able to take a moment to be in the moment, I can see everything, feel everything, smell everything, taste everything, and just be myself. Being a mother, we tend to put ourselves on the back burner and do twenty things at the same time. At the end of the day, you find yourself planning ahead for the next day and unable to take a minute for yourself. For me, when I give myself the freedom to be "me" and put myself "first" and live in the moment, I can share so many magical moments with my child, be a better mother, wife, daughter, sister, and friend.

When I was told to share my Mom Logic, I kept running circles in my head. Mom, Logic, hmm...What does that mean to me? We are all moms and we try to make logical decisions based on what we think is right or wrong. But going deeper, the logic behind a mom, to me, is allowing myself, 15 minutes to an hour, to have "me" time, to do what my heart desires, and not feel guilty about it (even if it's taking a short nap). I think taking the time to feed my soul and enlighten my heart, on a daily basis, is what gives me strength to live a more fulfilled life as a mother. When I feel fulfilled, I am more available and open to meet the needs of my child, my husband, my parents, and my friends.

I personally feel that my mom logic, to live in every moment, has opened my eyes to the bigger picture. I am able to laugh, smile, cry, yell, scream, and just to be "me." When you are true to yourself, you can be true to the world, and therefore set an example for your child, that there is nothing wrong with being "you." Whatever you feel, see, taste, and smell are your true experiences. I think when you are honest and true with yourself, you become an honest role model for your child.

Just the other day, the heat of the California weather, crept up on us, and our place was like a sauna. My daughter and I put our bathing suits on and went into the bathtub, and pretended to swim. We even took some strawberries with us. We played with her dinosaurs, put our fingers through the water, she drank some bath water, we fed each other strawberries, laughed a lot, and when water got into her eyes, she cried hard. We were both living, being ourselves, and learning about one another with the moments we were sharing.

For me, I want my daughter to grow up living in the moment and being honest and true to who she is. Every part of who she is, is what makes her special and unique from everybody else. That is why I feel so strongly about living in the moment, and that is what is behind "My Mom Logic."

A one-stop lunchbox that has it all

Have you heard of the OOTS! lunchbox? I must admit, when I first saw the pictures online, I thought to myself, it's an upscale version of a bento box. I also thought that it would be way too heavy for my 3 year old toddler. Those were my initial thoughts of how the OOTS! lunchbox looked online. However, it was BPA-free and phthalate-free polypropylene and safety tested for lead. As a parent, moreso than looks, these are definitely important factors for choosing the right lunchbox.

When I had the real OOTS! lunchbox in front of me, I was very impressed with the look of it. It was very contemporary chic and I loved the color combo. Plus, it was pretty light to carry, my daughter had no problems. I told my husband that our daughter will be the most stylin kid in her preschool with a lunchbox like that. It was not only stylish, but once you opened the lunchbox, it was truely functional. It had 4 small and 1 large container, all stacked from the bottom up. I liked the fact that the lunchbox was upright, which prevents food from moving around. Another added on bonus was that the lid of the box holds a bottle in place, under an elastic strap (how cool is that?). You can definitely tell that a lot of planning went into this lunchbox to make it look chic, as well as fully functional.

Of course, I had to put the lunchbox to the test. The first day, my daughter took her lunch in her new OOTS! lunchbox. The two smaller containers contained blueberries and strawberries, while the other two smaller containers contained carrots and sweet potatoes. The larger container contained her pb&j sandwich. On top, she had her SIGG water bottle held in place by the elastic strap that says, "Lunchbox," on it. After driving 6 miles to her preschool and taking some sharp turns, we arrived at her school. I opened the lunchbox, and wallah, a perfectly put lunch, with no indication of any movement. Now as a parent, that makes me smile.

The second day, I took the OOTS! lunchbox to the park. I am currently 26 weeks pregnant, so sometimes it's really hard to make sure I am taking in all the nutrients I need, on a daily basis. Well, this lunchbox made it easier for me because I could pack a well balanced meal by having the different containers there. I was able to get 1/2 of my daily veggie, protein, and grain servings, as well as my full daily servings for fruit. Plus, another mommy at the park came up to me, and told me that my lunchbox was really cute. Woman to Woman, girl to girl, when someone compliments your stuff like that, you know its really nice. Of course, I was smiling from cheek to cheek.

The lunchbox and the containers are dishwasher safe (top rack) and the containers can be used in the microwave. OOTS! lunchboxes are the start of a new wave in the lunchbox industry. Not only do they look very stylish, they are fully functional, and very safe for you and your children (BPA-free, phthalate-free, and safety tested for lead). The Lunchbox comes in three different color combos: Blue, Green and Orange. They are sold with or without the containers. The price tag on these are $35 without the containers or $45 with the containers (Deluxe Version). Please visit them at www.madebyoots.com.

Who wants a Bugaboo for a lot cheaper?

Mommas, I have good news for you! Well, if you live in California, or if you know someone that lives in California, listen carefully. Mark your calendars for the first Bugaboo Warehouse Sale that will take place in Culver City. I have heard a lot of moms in the past saying that they would like to sport a Bugaboo, but the price point did not make sense for their wallets. Obviously, it is a high end item with a price tag to match, however, this will be your chance at nabbing a Bugaboo for a fraction of the cost. The information is all below! So Ladies make sure you mark your calendars!

Date: Saturday April 25th, 2009

Time: 9am-4pm

Location: GMT Studios: Stage 3

5751 Buckingham Parkway

Culver City, CA 90230

Is your Baby a fussy sleeper? Today is your lucky day!

The folks over at 4Moms developed Goodnight Sleep Trainer, to help parents develop good sleeping habits for their children. Even better news, in honor of Mothers Day, they are having a contest and you could be the winner of a $2500 cash prize. Just for entering the contest (limited to the first 150 entries), you will automatically win a Goodnight Sleep Trainer.

Contest Details:

If your child is between the ages of 4 months and two years and has an impossible bedtime routine, won’t sleep through the night in their own room or has any other challenges that you think qualifies them for the title America’s Worst Sleeping Baby, we want to hear about it. Register on-line by following the contest link at www.goodnightsleeptrainer.com and tell us your story.”The Grand Prize winner will secure the title of America’s Worst Sleeping Baby along with a cash prize of $2,500.00 for his or her family along with a free Goodnight Sleep Trainer, which is a hand-held electronic device designed to help parents teach their children good sleep habits. Plus, because Mom is a winner on Mother’s Day, everyone who enters wins a Goodnight Sleep Trainer, which is valued at $29.95.

Child must be between the ages of 4 months and two years old.

Parents can enter their child online by following the contest link at www.goodnightsleeptrainer.com/sleeptrainer/contest.php or by requesting a paper entry form by sending a self addressed stamped envelope to: America’s Worst Sleeping Baby - Contest Entry Form, 4moms, 40 24th Street, 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.

The winner will be announced by May 31, 2009. Complete contest rules can be found online by following the contest link at www.goodnightsleeptrainer.com or requested in writing by sending a self addressed stamped envelope to: America’s Worst Sleeping Baby - Contest Rules, 4moms, 40 24th Street, 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.

The Goodnight Sleep Trainer is the first hand-held device parents can use to help teach their children to sleep through the night. Sleeping through the night is a learned skill that can be taught and pediatricians have long recommended sleep training as a way for parents to solve their children’s sleep issues. Until now that has meant reading and following the instructions of a 200-400 page book – something that can be challenging and difficult to follow when it is 4:00 in the morning and your baby is crying. The Goodnight Sleep Trainer takes these proven methods and puts them in an easy to use hand-held device which guides parents though this stressful process. It also lets you upload your data to the web where you can track your progress online and compare your results to statistical norms.

So go on over and win yourself a Goodnight Sleep Trainer!

Truely a miracle

I am 26 weeks pregnant, with my second child, and it still amazes me that a baby is inside my womb. It's weird because I go through the motions of pregnancy: going to midwife appointments, taking prenatal vitamins, looking at baby items, but it does not hit me that I am really pregnant, until I hear the heartbeat, or feel the baby move and kick me in places, I wish she would not. It's one of those unexplainable things that I cannot describe in detail because you would have to experience it yourself.

With my first pregnancy, everything was so quick, and I was so new to everything, it just felt as if I couldn't really absorb anything, and I just had to go along with it. This time around, it has been a little different. I ask more questions, I am more alert, and I know that I want to be in control, not being controlled by everybody, other than myself.

The first couple months, I was well aware I was pregnant because I was extremely nauseous. You go through the motions of going to midwife appointments, doing lab work, and of course, the ultrasound which shows your fetus growing (which I do not take for granted, by any means), however, the first moment that made me cry, was when I heard the baby's heartbeat. I just laid there in awe, listening to the heartbeat that was inside of me, it's unlike anything else. I still get emotional thinking about it. For me, it was the moment where I said to myself, "I am the mom to this baby." Instantly, my motherly instincts kicked in and I wanted to protect it and just do everything and anything for this baby.

Now, that I am 26 weeks into the pregnancy, the baby has made sure I know her personality, really well. I am pretty much being jabbed and kicked right now, as I speak. Her presence is definitely here and strong. It started with twirling movements, to little kicks here and there, and now she is a full fledged karate kid. But with every kick and every movement, I feel a special bond that is only between her and I.

As I look down at my ever slight stomach (I carry really small), it makes me smile and say ,"She is truely a miracle!"

Sales I want to share with you.

Babystyle is having their final last days sale and you can get a really good deal (up to 50% off everything and 10% extra on maternity wear). Please check out their website for location information: www.babystyle.com.

Also, I just got an email from The Bumble Collection and they will be opening up their outlet, for a limited time. They will be holding a sale for their Limited Edition Warmer/Stroller Liners with Bear, which comes in Emerald Palace and Midnight Garden prints.

Bumble Outlet: Products available for sale on the site can range from items that are slightly flawed to items that are a discontinued seasonal favorite. Blemishes of the slightly flawed product may include: tags sewn on the wrong place, manufacturer markings, minor hardware defects (scratches, missing pieces, changing pads). None of the flaws would affect the basic overall functionality of the item. Their primary purpose of creating The Bumble Outlet was to find an alternative way to reach out to organizations in need. A portion of the proceeds incurred from this site will benefit many charities such as Horizons Homeless Children.

Sale: April 17, 2009 @ 10am PST until April 20, 2009 @ 10am PST

The Bumble Collection

16015 Old Valley Blvd.

City of Industry, California 91745

Who doesn't like some free stuff?

In honor of National Tax Day, April 15th, there are some big chains giving away some free stuff. With our economic state, I think we all need a relief. I am one of those anxious people to see what's free on tax day. I came across the U.S.A Today site which outlines what will be free on tax day and this was the compiled list:

•Free ice cream. MaggieMoo's Ice Cream and Treatery will give away single-scoop servings to customers at 200 stores in what it calls an "e-cone-omic ice cream stimulus package."
•Free sweets. Snack chain Cinnabon will give out Tax Day Bites, free bite-size cinnamon rolls usually known as Classic Bites, from 5 to 8 p.m. at its 700 outlets on tax day.
•Free tacos. At its 275 restaurants in the West, Taco Del Mar will run a promotion: "Taxes Suck. Tacos Don't." People can register at the Taco Del Mar website for an e-mailed coupon for a free tax day taco.
•Free gift cards. T.G.I. Friday's will give Wednesday customers $5 Bonus Bites gift cards for food and beverage purchases of $15 to $25 and $10 cards for those who spend more than $25. Members of the 1,000-outlet chain's frequent-customer

The closest chain to my home is the Cinnabon, so I will treat my daughter to some classic bites tomorrow. Hope everyone got there taxes in on time, or got that extension!

In honor of Earth Month, another green discovery!

While I was on a mission to find resusable ziplock bags, I also found another innovative green alternative. They are called Lunch Skins and are made by a company appropriately named 3 green moms. Just as the name states, they are a mommy start up company that was started by three mommas. They wanted an alternative to ziplock bags that were reusable, durable, washable, and fun for the kids. They wanted to waste less and save more.

I put the Lunch Skins to the test with my daughters lunch today. I was able to write in her name, which I loved because the bag could be identified, and a decent sized sandwich slipped right on in. The apple green color not only made it feel green, it made the food seem fresher, and lively. My daughter also liked that it had a velcro top which made it secure and at the same time, easy to open.

I am so excited that there are more and more mommy start-up companies that are green and taking care of our community and our world. Please go and check out: www.3greenmoms.com.

Note: They donate 1% of their online sales profits to the C&O Canal Trust, an organization formed to protect and restore the the historic C&O Canal near the nation's capital, a trash-free National Park.

Happy Easter Everybody!!!

Happy Easter! Hope everyone had a good Easter Sunday. I spent time with my hubby, my mother, my daughter, as well as my closest friends. We all went to Easter Brunch and pretty much stuffed ourselves silly. My daughter saw some Easter Eggs laying around as decorations, and she thought that it was part of an Easter Egg Hunt (she did one at school). She was looking under tables, next to trees, on the tables, and then I had to break it to her, that they were just for decoration purposes. Anyhow, I really enjoyed my time eating, laughing, and just having simple conversation with my closest friends and family.

Easter Weekend and I am smiling!

Today, I prepared some snacks and goodies for a local homeless person in my neighborhood. When it comes holiday time, I always try to give something to the homeless, whether its food, a card, a book, a meal at a restaurant, or just some inspiration.

I went outside in my neighborhood, with my daughter, and we carried around a huge bag looking for a homeless person. I saw a gentleman who was sitting on the side of CVS and he clearly had both legs in a cast and a huge black garbage bag next to him. He just had such a clear spirit about him. I went up to him and asked him if he would like some snacks for the day, and he nodded his head. I gave him the bag and he said, "You're giving me this whole bag?", and I said "Yes, it's all for you."

As I was walking away, he just continued to stare at me in awe, and I could feel his appreciation for what was given to him. When he opens the bag, he will see a card that has a flower on it, with the message, "Happiness should belong to you always"-Adele Basheer. I wrote in there, "Happy Easter! May your days get brighter and brighter. God loves you. Keep Strong and have faith."

It just puts a smile on my face that I could put that same smile on another person's face. I know my daughter really didn't know what was going on, but she could sense that we were doing something good and making someone happy.

An alternative to Ziplocks?

When my daughter started pre-school, I walked over to Rite-Aid and purchased some ziplock bags. After a week of using these ziplock bags, I felt that it was just a waste and I was contributing to our world's landfills. I always try to be eco-conscious and do my part in keeping our world as clean as possible. My daughter's lunchbag is reusable, her SIGG water bottle is reusable, but putting her sandwich in a ziplock bag, defied the whole purpose. So again, I went on a mission to find a reusable alternative to ziplock bags, and came up with snackTAXI.

SnackTAXI, originally "happy-sacks" started when a mother realized that after packing 500 lunches every year, between her three children, the plastic ziplock bags were just flowing from her house to the landfill. She then came up with what's now called snackTAXIs. They can be used to put sandwiches, cookies, fruits, veggies, you name it, it does the job. I will no longer have the guilt of putting another ziplock bag in my daughter's lunch bag.

Another great thing about snackTAXI is that it's all made in their home-based workshop by local sewers. What a great way to contribute to the local economy. When companies contribute to the local community, it says a lot about the company's integrity, their values, and their core foundation.

I put the snackTAXI to the test, and my daughter loved it. She said it was like opening up a birthday card or a present. It's not only functional but gives another whimsical layer to a child's meal. When I put her PB&J sandwich in the plastic ziplock, it came back unopened and uneaten. When I put her PB&J sandwich in the snackTAXI, it came back empty. I am ecstatic!

You can wash them in the washing machine, but its best to wash with hands and dry by air (just like our hair). It comes in three sizes: the snack-sacks, the sandwich sacks, and the lunch sacks. It's made of 100% cotton and has very cute patterns that meet every taste. Prices are $6.95, $8.95, and $15.95. It will save you money and your world, in the long run. Please visit their site and support their business: www.snacktaxi.com.

Please take a minute to NOMINATE ME on MomLogic for Mother of all Bloggers!

Please take a minute to nominate me on MomLogic. You do have to join, but it takes a few minutes, and you will be helping out a fellow momma and this fabulous blog. After you sign up, head to my profile: http://community.momlogic.com/profile/mommasinthehouse and comment on my wall with "I nominate you." Thanks to all!

Do you want to know a Nursing secret?

Introducing the Lila Bean Nursing Covers. An all in one nursing cover that's easy to use and even functions as a front carrier cover, a car seat cover, and a stroller cover. I never knew that nursing covers could be so multi-functional and beautiful. When I opened up the package, my jaw dropped open because I didn't know that nursing covers could be so beautiful. I felt like a kid in a candy store. I immediately wanted to start nursing, although I still have a good 3 months before I do that. The Lila Bean nursing cover takes out the frustration of trying to nurse in public places. I remember when I had my daughter, my options were very limited and I either went into the car or the restroom. At that time, there were nursing covers on the market, but they were so dreadful looking and had such ugly patterns.

I came across Lila Bean when I was looking for nursing covers that were worthy of putting on. Lila Bean really puts nursing covers on the map. The concept began when the founder, Charlotte Butler Penenberg, took matters into her own hands. After trying to nurse her own daughter at a busy restaurant by using a napkin that kept falling off, she knew that she wanted something that would make nursing easier in public, as well as being relaxed. Then she came up with her own wish list of what sort of cover-up she wanted and then she thought, why couldn't this be fashionable? With all that in mind, the Lila Bean nursing cover was born.

To me, nursing is such a beautiful experience, where mother and baby bond. Sometimes, nursing in public places become distracting, loud, and frustrating. It takes away from the true experience between mother and child. With Lila Bean nursing covers, it enables you to nurse, feel comfortable, and be at ease, even in the most distracting places, such as the mall. Lila Bean takes it two steps further by making the nursing cover multi-functional, as well as chic. What I love about the cover is that it fastens around the neck (no wind will blow it off), as well as an elastic seam around the outer edge that keeps the noise and distractions out. Plus, go to the website: http://www.lilabean.net/ , you can see all the beautiful prints that these covers come in, and for the poshiest mommas, it comes in silk (wow!).

I put the cover to the test with a nursing mother at a park and asked her a couple questions:

MH:What do you like most about the Lila Bean nursing cover?
NM: I love that it separates my baby from all the noise from the outside. Also, I like that it's very secure around my neck. I'm very self-conscious when I nurse in public, and I hate using blankets because it gets so hot sometimes and this cover allows air to pass while I have my own privacy.

MH: How would you compare this nursing cover to anything you have seen on the market?
NM: I really can't compare because you can use this cover even beyond nursing. Just as you showed me on the website, you can use this to cover a stroller neatly, cover my baby in her car seat, etc. I definitely have not seen that in other nursing covers.

MH: Would you spend $65 to purchase this nursing cover, why or why not?
NM: If this was just any average nursing cover, I would not spend that much money. But this cover offers you beyond the average nursing cover. I could use this cover beyond my nursing years, which in time translates to saving money.

While I was asking her questions, her baby spit up some milk, and she let me know that it was the first time she was not embarrassed because no one could see that the baby spit up. So if you are in the market to getting a nursing cover that takes it beyond the average nursing cover-up, that's also multi-functional, and chic, please check out Lila Bean nursing covers. It's also momma owned, so let's support our fellow momma!

Side Note: I just washed the nursing cover this morning in the washing machine, and it came out just as new as when I got it in the package. A definite plus in my book!

Eco-Friendly and Organic Consignment Shop in Venice!

As I was doing my regular search online, I came across a nifty store called Eden's Green Closet. Everything in their store is either recycled, meaning that it has gone through someone else's hands first, or organic sustainable and obtained through fair trade practices. You can either buy, sell, or trade at the store. If you are a momma looking for other places to shop and if you are an eco-conscious momma, you should definitely check this store out. They even have weekly events, fundraisers and special sales for their customers. To me, you can't lose with a store that takes care of the world and their own local community.

They are located at 1423 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice CA 90291. If you have any questions email: edensgreencloset@gmail.com

Do you want something that's a cut above Craigslist?

Do you want something that is a cut above Craigslist when it comes to Baby items, gears, furniture, etc.? Then look no further and go to Hand Me Downs. It's pretty much a classified ad for everything and anything baby/children. Just as the name states, they are hand me downs. I took a look at a lot of the items on the site and they are either gently used condition or almost new condition, so you can definitely nab a steal. Moreover, a lot of the items are high end and name brand, for some of you platinum moms out there. In the stroller category, I saw a lot of Orbit, Bugaboo, Stokke, Rock Star, Peg Perego Skate, and the list goes on and on. You can even see Nicole Ritchie and Gwen Stefani auctioning off their hand me downs for their charities. All in all, this one is a winner. Go over to Hand Me Downs, and click on your location, it will bring up the classified section of your locale.

I miss my baby!!

So last week I survived having my daughter go to her full time preschool. This weekend was a lot of fun because we got to spend a lot of one on one time, especially since we were separated the entire week. When Sunday night came, I had a little anxiety knowing that I had to send her back the next morning. Today, I took her back to her preschool and she said "bye," even before I cued her to, so she was a very big girl. I was a proud momma!

During the day, I received a call for a last minute interview in which I had to drive an hour to the Valley by 5pm, which meant that my hubby had to pick our daughter up. When I found out, I was a little sad because I was looking forward to seeing her. After my interview, I rushed as fast as possible to go home, but got stuck in a major parking lot style traffic, on the 405. Finally, I got a call from my hubby saying that he took her to a nearby eatery and so I headed towards them. When I got to the eatery, I ran in, and there was my daughter running to me and yelling "mommy!" It was the most joyous experience.

Its moment like those that fill my soul and lighten my heart.

Would you like to be a Parent Tester?

I came across this site about a year ago when I wanted to know more about good products on the market for my daughter. The company is called PTPA Media Inc., which also stands for Parent Tested, Parent Approved. Just like the name, it's reviewed by parents like you and I, and then we decide if the product is worthy enough to have our seal of approval. I found this site to be very informational and I got to learn about products that I would not have otherwise. They review everything from bibs, lotions, lunches, dvds, to books. The site pretty much covers the entire spectrum of products. If you have ever thought about becoming a tester/evaluator, you can sign up to be in their database, which has a library of 12,000 other parents. Please visit their site at: http://www.ptpamedia.com/

Fantastic Sales for you and your child!

Saturday 4/4 (1pm-4pm): If you have time this Saturday, go to the Shrnk Sale in Studio City. You can save up to 75% off kids apparel from 3 months - 6 years (Prices run $5-$20). Location: Sunnyside Preschool @ St. Michaels Church, 3646 Coldwater Canyon, Studio City, 91604. Cash only.

Saturday 4/4 (8am-12 noon): JK Tees is having a Sample Sale. Save 50%-65% with tees for adults and kids priced at $5, $10, $15. Location: on the front lawn of Roosevelt Elementary school, 801 Montana Ave., Santa Monica 90403. Cash only.

Let's take a stand. Help save our Earth!

And you say, just how? They say it takes a village to raise a child. Well in this day and age, it takes the world to save the world. We all need to take a step in changing the world. When my daughter started preschool, I noticed a lot of bagged lunches being brought to school. Unless those bags are being reused again on a daily basis, those bags become a part of our world's landfills. Now, that is happening all across the world which has a direct impact on our world's environment.

After feeling like I had to do something, I started to research resusable lunch bag companies, eco-friendly lunch bags, and looking for anything and everything that had to do with this topic. Then came, Kids Konserve. A company that was formed by two moms, who had an eye opening experience when they calculated the amount of trash being formed by their schools during lunch hour. My favorite is the "Reusable Waste Free Lunch Kit." The Reusable, waste-free lunch kit includes recycled cotton sack, cloth napkin, 304 food-grade stainless steel beverage bottle, food kozy and two 304 food-grade stainless steel food containers. Lunch Sack is 7" W x 10.5" T x 4.5" and comes at a price tag of $40. You can also purchase these items separately.

http://www.kidskonserve.com/

Help save the earth and take a stand now!

Mommas in the House Deal: Save 10% with coupon code house.

My Little "Not So Baby" is in Preschool!

Up until this day, I had my own separation anxiety going on. I couldn't sleep last night. I was twisting and turning all night long, thinking about all the scenarios that could go on during her first day. By the time it hit 7 am, I woke up and prepared everything. As I was cutting up her sandwich, I stood there thinking about when I went to school, and what feelings I had on my first day (of course, it was way back when). The whole process seemed so long and so scary!

Finally, we got to her school. The teachers were all ready for us. They smiled, showed us her cubby, and introduced us to all the other children there. They were starting breakfast. The teacher asked her if she would like some and she said yes. She sat there staring at all the other children, still unsure if she wanted to stay or leave. After a couple spoonfuls of cereal, she looked at me and gave me the signal. I asked her if I could leave, and she nodded her head and said yes. At that moment, it was like my baby was transitioning into a big girl. I hesitantly walked out and looked behind me. She sat there eating her breakfast and it was like I wasn't even there.

As I was leaving, I just had to smile. Smile at the fact that I was strong enough to leave, and smile at the fact that my baby was now blossoming into a little girl. That moment felt so magical.