I want to be a spoiled mama!

I will say, I am one of those lucky few that did not get stretch marks, the first time around, and I see no apparent stretch marks currently, with my second pregnancy. However, it's not all about stretch marks, it's about treating yourself and your skin to some guilty pleasures. I call it skincare desserts. After going through many pregnancy related skincare products, I've had some hits and some misses, but nothing really made me feel like a princess. Until I came across, The Spoiled Mama. Like the name, you definitely feel spoiled from the time you open the packaging, to the time you slather on some good ole tummy butter.

I love the fact that you can buy a sampler, before you actually buy the full size product. Although, the prices are very competitive and reasonable for the luxury you are getting. I tried out the Best of Bump Sampler, which included 1/2 oz of Tummy Butter, 1 oz of Bump Gloss, 1 oz Extreme Mama Creme, all for a mere $15. I put everything on, after my bath, and they quickly absorbed into my skin, and had such a light consistency. At first, I was hesitent to put on the Bump Gloss because I've had issues in the past, putting on tummy oil, only to be left with oily stains on my nice shirts. Well, I have to say, there were no stains, and my skin soaked it all right in.

For all the mommas, who are very conscious about the safety of their unborn, like myself, all the products are free from parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, harsh sufactants, artificial colors, and petroleum derivatives. They only use the finest natural and organic ingredients (Vegan Approved/Cruelty Free). If you want to be spoiled and "spoil the baby in you," please visit: http://www.thespoiledmama.com/.

Today is "National Mom's Nite Out!"

Okay ladies, it's your night tonight! Pack your little purses and leave the house, to go to one of many events planned all around the US, for a night out on the town. If that's not option, go to a secret area in your own home and join one of many events going online. There are some great events with a lot of cool giveaways going on, and as a mother, you all deserve this night. I am surely taking this opportunity, to meet fellow mothers, engage in good conversation, and just have some good ole time. If you want to know more about an event near your area, please go to : http://www.momsniteout.com/.

"Part of growing up is falling down."

This is the first thing you will read when you enter the me4kidz website. I was on the hunt to look for First Aid Kits, after my daughter's preschool required her to have one, in her earthquake kit. We live in California, where earthquakes happen everyday, so the schools require this. I went around to different stores, only to find kits that did not look child-friendly. I wanted a kit that would appeal to my daughter, since we were getting it for her. I was really disappointed in my choices, until I came across me4kidz, which stands for, medical emergencies for kids.

The Medibag 4 Kids was a kid friendly first aid kit that comes in a red doctor's bag. My daughter loved this because she felt like she could play doctor with it. When opening the bag, it had a huge assortment of everything and anything you need, when you encounter an emergency. My daughter and I went through each individual item and talked about its use. It even included kid-friendly stickers. The kit definitely had the kid in mind.

me4kidz is a family-owned & operated business, which I love, and they give back to the community by having their products assembled, by the disabled. They also donate 10% of each purchase, back to the disabled community. Another great tidbit about the company is that, all their products are made in the US, which means they keeps jobs inside the US.

My daughter and I both gave two thumbs up to the Medibag. It's a functional, modern looking bag, that carries all your child's emergency needs. I would recommend this to any parents, who are frustrated with trying to find a nice child-friendly emergency kit. Plus, when you make a purchase, you are supporting our nation's economy. For more information, regarding the products they have, as well as store locations, please go to: www.me4kidz.com .

Do I look like an alien?

Okay, so I wanted to share with you my little interesting story this morning. First, a little background. With my first child, I did not show until probably my last month, and it was barely a bloated tummy. When I went into deliver my full term baby, everyone was shocked, and asked me if I was going into pre-term labor. With my second pregnancy, I am currently 7 months along, but most people either don't see it, or they say I look about 3 months. I try to wear form fitting clothes because it feels nice to look pregnant for once. It's nice to using the expecting moms parking spot at the mall, without getting a dirty look, and it's nice to walk across a street without someone trying to run me over. There are so many perks and benefits to being pregnant.

Well, today I had a craving for some bagels. So I went into my favorite bagel shop to get my 1/2 dozen bagels to take home. As I finished ordering my bagels, I noticed this gentleman starting at me. I just ignored him, but I could tell from my peripheral vision that he was still looking at me. I'm one of those girls, if I get annoyed with something, I make it a point to address the person. So I looked at him dead in his eyes, but his eyes was looking somewhere else. It was my tummy. I'm going to be honest, a middle-aged man looking at my tummy, I immediately gave him the title of, "perverted male with a bump fetish." I mean, I didn't know what else to think. So I stood and waited for my bagels. From the corner of my eye, I could still tell that he was staring at me. By this time, I was severely annoyed.

I looked at the lady next to me, and she was staring at my tummy. I was like, wow, my tummy is sure making an impact today. So of course, I looked down at my tummy. I started to laugh. My baby was moving around, kicking, rotating, and you can see all that through my fitted shirt. I am pretty tiny, so visually, you can see the baby move and kick. They were all looking at my tummy in fascination. Sometimes I do feel like an alien because it looks like a hand might come out of my tummy, at any second. I walked out of the shop, just laughing because what was odd and fascinating to them, was ever-so normal to me.

Mommy wants to protect my eyes from the sun

Yes I do! After not wearing sunglasses for the longest time, myself, I had to learn about the consequences, the hard way. Of course, I was lucky enough, not to get any sort of cataracts disease, or eye related issues. However, not wearing sunglasses, I noticed my eyes squinting a lot, and sometimes, having issues of seeing things clearly. Once I invested in a good sunglass, my squinting went away, and all those days of seeing blur, were problems of the past.

After going through those problems myself, I vowed that my children would grow up wearing sunglasses. Especially living in sunny California, the sun is so strong, a sunglass is a necessity. Unless of course, you want major problems in the future. I purchased tons of sunglasses, well approximately 7, and they all, either broke, or my daughter threw out the window. She didn't like how the sides of the sunglasses were pressing onto the sides of her head.

After going through endless purchases and nothing really working, as a parent, those concerns made me want to find a sunglass that would be functional, durable, and comfortable. That's when I came across Baby Banz. A company that came up with sunglasses, with the child in mind. They were designed in Austrailia for one of the world's toughest UV environments. They have a UV400 rating (100% UVA/UVB protection). They are shatter resistant and have a durable polycarbonate construction. The strap is made of neoprene elastic, which allows for flexibility, breathability, and comfort. Plus, the side adjustable velcro allows your kids to wear it, as they grow. An "A" in my book. It also floats in water and comes in 12 cool colors. You can choose from Baby Banz (0-2 years) or Kidz Banz (2-5 years). For my fashionistas, they have "Retro Banz," which have bigger lenses, giving it a trendy twist to the original (My daughter loves this one).

My daughter wore her Kidz Banz when she went bike riding, over the weekend. At first, she thought they were regular sunglasses, and ran in circles, trying to avoid wearing them. I promised her that she would get some ice cream, if she tried it on. After I put on the sunglasses, suprisingly, she jumped on her bike and went the other way. When she came back to me, I told her I wanted to take off her sunglasses. She shook her head and said, "NO!" I said, "It's a winner!"

They have a whole bunch of other stuff, ranging from Junior Banz to Sunscreen. Please visit them online at: www.Babybanz.com

Pregnancy Awareness Month

I went to the PAM (Pregnancy Awareness Month) event yesterday. The events' focus was education, exercise, nutrition, wellness and nurture. It was a free lifestyle event for expectant mothers, as well as new parents. The event was hosted by PAM founder Anna Getty, Kelly Rutherford, and Josie Maran. On the newsletter, it said that Ricky Lake was also hosting it, however, I did not see her around.

It was a very informational event, and I was glad that I attended it. You always learn new things, be inspired, and be introduced to new ideas that help us as parents. There was a panel of experts in their own field, offering tips from healthy living, to lifestyle choices made as parents.

For the children, there was an activity area that was hosted by the Hot Moms Club. My daughter came along and she was able to draw a picture on a mock t-shirt paper, plant some sunflowers in her pot, color a backpack, and make her own bracelet. She absolutely loved it. I can actually say that, this would be the first event I attended, where they actually had great activities for children. Everyone was being taken care of, which should be central when it comes to having a healthy family.

The event also had a great amount of noteworthy vendors. Everyone from Seventh Generation, who also sponsored the event, to Dr. Greene, author of Raising Baby Green. Next to the vendors, there was a lounge set aside for Mothers to be pampered with a mini spa experience. I didn't get to try it out because I was running around doing so many other things, but what a great way for mothers to unwind a little.

For lunch, we were treated to a fresh and lite menu, provided by Celebrity Chef Domenic Catelli, author of mom-a-licious. My daughter has been developing a picky tastebud lately, and she doesn't eat anything that isn't plain. For example, she eats plain bread or plain noodles. At the event, we were served with egg salad sandwich, peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and thai peanut noodles. She ate everything without ever asking me to wash the sauce out. So of course, I got the mom-a-licious book signed.

If that wasn't enough, on our way out, we were given gift bags filled with books, bottles, caps, babyfood, etc... My daughter actually sat on the ground and cried for a minute because she was not ready to leave. Usually, she's the first to drag us out of events. It was a very successul gathering. I would encourage and recommend this to any parents for next year.

For more information: http://www.pregnancyawarenessmonth.com

OOTS! I did it again!

If you read my post about OOTS! lunchboxes, you'll know why I wanted to try out their other two products, bbib (pronounced buh-bib) and 2 Dishes and a cup. There is no question that OOTS! products are fully funtional and stylish.

The 2 Dishes and a cup, is a dish set that consists of a plate, bowl, cup, spoon and fork. My daughter loved the shape and the picture of the melon. She dropped her cup multiple times, which is quite usual for her, and there was absolutely no damage to the cup. The bowl had a nice gradual incline, which made it very child-friendly, and easier to eat out of. For my daughter, she had no problems eating her cereal from her bowl. They are made of 100% melamine (a high quality, durable, hard plastic), and are dishwasher safe, but should not be used in a microwave. It comes in 4 different design choices, all being very stylish. Price: $29.95

The bib, is more than just a bib. It's a "bbib" because it has sleeves. I love this idea because I've used hundreds of bibs on my daughter, only to be left with food stains all over her sleeves, as well as her belly. She has a bad tendency of wanting to wipe her mouth with her sleeves, so this is definitely ideal for us. We don't have to worry about her sleeves being ruined anymore. They are made of terrycloth, which pretty much absorbs everything. It fits perfectly around the neck with the reinforced straps that are adjustable. They come in four different designs, and 2 different kinds of color choices for each design. Price:$18.95

For more information, go to www.madebyoots.com. Your kid will be stylin without the mess!