Boba 3G Giveaway!

Welcome to the boba 3G Baby Carrier giveaway, hosted by Thrifty Nifty Mommy & Viva Veltoro!

Thrifty Nifty Mommy recently had the opportunity to review the boba 3G Baby Carrier. You can click here to read her review. I am a huge fan of the Boba 3G! I have one myself and have been using it since Isaac was an infant and still use it at 22 months! 

The versatile boba 3G Baby Carrier will take your little one from infancy to toddlerhood without any extra inserts. It's ergonomic for both baby and parents. For baby, this comfortable carrier offers full leg support with removable foot straps. The body of the carrier rises several inches higher than other carriers, offering better neck and head support. For Mommy or Daddy, this carrier has adjustable shoulder and chest straps and a contoured waistband that distributes a child's weight to the hips for stress-free shoulders and back. Storage pockets, a removable sleeping hood and a shoulder strap for keeping your purse in place are just a few final touches that make the boba baby carrier a cut above the rest. This toddler or newborn carrier is for little ones 7-45 lbs. 100% cotton and machine washable.

• Includes removable hood, removable foot straps
• Features 2-position options: front or rear-facing
• Suggested for ages 0-48 months

Photos adapted from boba.

To find out more about the boba family, visit the boba website then make sure you like boba on Facebook and follow them on Twitter at @boba.

One lucky person is going to win a boba 3G!

Open to the US only, ages 18 and up.  Ends 10/14/13 at 11:59 PM EST.

Enter using the Giveaway Tools form below. Good luck!

Entry-Form

Disclosures: This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. Thrifty Nifty Mommy and the participating bloggers have not been compensated for hosting this giveaway, nor are they responsible for prize fulfillment. Thrifty Nifty Mommy was sent a boba 3G free of charge to facilitate her honest review. Giveaway is open to residents of the US only. Giveaway will close at 11:59PM EST on 10/14/13. One (1) winner will be selected randomly from all eligible entries. 

YOU are a Strong Mom!

Being a mom is one of the hardest things I've ever done. When you become a mom your whole life goes from doing things you want to do, when you want to do them, to doing everything when and how this tiny little person wants them done. Nothing is about you anymore. You invest everything into that little baby and your world is turned upside down. 

So what makes a strong mom? Are you not a strong mom if your baby slept through the night the first week? Or breastfed like a champ with no difficulties? Are you not a strong mom because your child doesn't have any special needs? The answer to that is a big fat NO. We are all strong moms in our own way and for our own reasons. Being a mom is not always easy rainbows and bunny rabbits. Yes, it is the most rewarding job, but also one of the hardest. We all have hurdles to overcome and children who want to test their boundaries, and things that bring us down and tell us that we aren't good enough. This is why we have to stick together and not be the enemy of our own kind. 

Too often I see other mothers judging and bringing down moms more than any other person out there. We are the ones who have to stick together, not bring each other down! Just because you don't do things exactly like someone else doesn't mean that you're not in this together with them! We are all just trying to raise our kids the best we know how and still make it out alive. We are all strong moms for different reasons and with different opinions and ideas and ways of doing things. We have to stick together. 

I am a strong mom because I pumped breast milk for my firstborn for the first 4 months of his life and knew when to give up and make the switch to formula because I was unhappy and exhausted. I am a strong mom because I made it through sleepless nights with both a toddler and a newborn up and down through out the night every night for months. I am a strong mom because I sent my little guy off to preschool this year with only a few tears. I am a strong mom because my four year old likes to test his boundaries every single day and has the attitude of a teenager, but I still manage to keep my patience (while locking myself in the bathroom for a few minutes at a time to cool down of course)  and just try to direct him in the right ways. 

We are all strong moms who have to jump through all kinds of different hurdles and overcome all sorts of battles in this crazy world we call life. Every mother out there is a strong mom in her own way. Whether you have a special needs child who needs lots of extra care or attention, or your just a first time mom trying to figure this parenting thing all out. Let's stick together and bring each other up in encouragement. Let's not judge each other for things we do differently but accept each other and look forward at the main goal that we are all trying to reach. 

Are you a strong mom? Do you have a story to share? Email me by clicking the Contact Me link at the top of my blog to be a guest blogger in the Strong Mom Series! 

Step 2- Choose Any Toy Giveaway!

Welcome to the Step2 ANY toy (up to $150 value) giveaway hosted by Thrifty Nifty Mommy and Viva Veltoro!

I am so excited to be participating in yet another huge giveaway! 

Play kitchens, art easels, workbenches, wagons, & even roller coasters, Step2 has something for toddlers and children alike! Every Fall, Step2 releases new items just in time for the holidays. Check out some of the cool new products that are just arriving in stores:

These are only a few of the great new items just released from Step2. Photo Credit: Step2

 Thrifty Nifty Mommy recently had the chance to review one of their new play kitchens (pictured above on the bottom left corner), the Busy Bake Shop Kitchen. This kitchen is designed for using with play dough. Her daughter loves this kitchen, and you can read all about it here. 

Visit the Step2 website to see all of the great products they have for sale. Also, you'll want to make sure that you sign up for their Birthday Club where you'll get great coupons before your child's birthday plus other special offers and deals, especially with the holidays coming up! Also, make sure you like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

Step2, Thrifty Nifty Mommy, Viva Veltoro, and a number of other great bloggers have teamed up to bring you a giveaway for ANY Step2 Toy (up to $150 value) so you can choose the toy that's best suited for your family! 

Giveaway open to the residents of the 48 contiguous US states, ages 18+. Ends 10/9/13 at 11:59 PM EST. Please enter using the Giveaway Tools form below. Good Luck!

Entry-Form

Disclosures: This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. Thrifty Nifty Mommy and the participating bloggers are not responsible for prize fulfillment. Giveaway is open to residents of the 48 contiguous US states, age 18+. Giveaway will close at 11:59PM EST on 10/09/13. One (1) winner will be selected randomly from all eligible entries. Winner may select any toy from the Step2 website that has an original price (MSRP) of $150 or less; shipping will also be provided free of charge. If the winner would like an item that is more than $150 ARV, he/she will be responsible for the difference plus applicable tax and shipping. Please note, this is valid for ONE item up to $150 original price, not a suite of products.  This post contains an affiliate link for Thrifty Nifty Mommy at the Step2 website. As a Step2 Ambassador, Thrifty Nifty Mommy will receive a small credit to spend at Step2.com for every new Birthday Club Subscriber.

A Newborn Collective! {A Giveaway!}

Welcome to "A Newborn Collective", 
a giveaway event hosted by A Mama Collective and Viva Veltoro.

Congrats to Jenna of A Mama Collective on the birth of her sweet baby girl! In honor of her new addition, we've put together an amazing prize package for new moms and babies!  

One winner will take home a wonderful $422 bundle which includes:

Tiny Prints: 50 Birth Announcements, valued up to $150.  Tiny Prints is thrilled to help you celebrate your new arrival with hundreds of unique, stylish birth announcements.  You can personalize your announcements with your very own photos, which will surely become lasting mementos of those precious newborn moments.  Tiny Prints ensures that your cards are printed with the best photo quality possible on the highest quality paper, all at a wallet-friendly price.  To see Jenna's adorable newborn and her review of Tiny Prints, just click HERE. 

aden + anais: A 4-pack of swaddles in the winner's choice of print.  For countless generations, mothers have swaddled their children with natural muslin to keep them warm in the winter and cool in the summer.  You'll get to continue this tradition with the softest swaddles and fashion-forward prints from aden + anais!  Check out Jenna's review of these cozy swaddles HERE.  

mum + bub skin care: The winner will receive the entire line of mum + bub skin care, including Soothing Ointment, Hair + Body Wash, and Ultra-Gentle Lotion.  Mum + bub is a naturally-derived, pawpaw fruit infused skin care collection for baby and you.  It's gentle and perfect for that delicate baby skin.  You can see what Jenna thought about mum + bub HERE.  

Jellystone Necklace courtesy of Kissed by the Moon: The winner will get to choose between two beautiful necklaces, either this fabulous necklace or the Troika. Not only do these necklaces look great, they are also non-toxic and safe.  Kissed by the Moon has all of your natural parenting needs - be sure to check out their awesome selection of cloth diapers, carriers, and more!  You can see a full review HERE. 

Boba Wrap: Winner will take home a classic Boba Wrap, perfect for keeping your baby close. The Boba Wrap is ideal for carrying babies from birth until around 18 months.  No buckles, straps, or snaps to deal with, simply tie the soft material snug against your body for a perfect fit every time.  

Comotomo:  Winner will receive (1) 5oz bottle, (1) 8oz bottle, replacement nipples, and (1) teether; a package valued at over $40.  These are baby bottles, evolved!   Comotomo bottles are a bit soft and skin-like, made of 100% medical grade hygienic silicone.  They are designed to be as close to breast-like as possible with a super-wide mound and naturally shaped nipple.  They also feature an anit-colic vent.  Their teethers are also constructed out of 100% medical grade silicone which means it can be boiled for sterilization and they are perfectly sized for little hands to hold.  

Piyo Piyo Baby Food Processor:  The winner will receive this innovative food processor that comes with seven pieces, including a pestle, mortar, grinding lid, grinding board, filter, juicer, and feeding spoon.  The pieces are perfectly designed so they can all be stacked together for easy storage too!  

GroVia: The lucky winner will receive (1) newborn all-in-one cloth diaper and (1) one-size all-in-one cloth diaper.  GroVia is an industry leader in modern cloth diapers. They combine better designs with better materials for better functionality.  With a newborn in tow, you'll be looking for easy diapering options and GroVia has just the diapers for you!  Their newborn diapers offer a trim fit, soft materials, and are super easy to use.  Once your little one has outgrown their newborn diapers, you'll have a one-size all-in-one to use!  Featuring a super absorbent, organic cotton inner with a soft layer of water resistant TPU outer, this AIO is simple and easy. No stuffing, no doublers - just snap on baby and go!  Check out Jenna's review of the GroVia all-in-one HERE.

One lucky person is going to win ALL of these fabulous prizes!

Open to the US only.  Ends 10/7/13 at 11:59 PM EST.

Enter using the Giveaway Tools form below.  Good Luck!

Entry-Form

Disclosure: I did not receive any compensation for hosting this giveaway.  The participating bloggers are not responsible for prize fulfillment.  

Bloggers Wanted! A Merry Fluffy Christmas Giveaway Hop Sign-Ups are Now Open!

I am so excited to be participating in the Merry Fluffy Christmas Giveaway Hop again this year! I have participated in 3 of the 4 years that it has happened and every year has been a huge success! If you are a cloth diapering blogger you'll want in on this one! 

The event will take place December 1st through the 7th. Every blog will have to have a prize package with a minimum of $50 retail value! Every blogger signed up will need to find their own sponsors for the event! No sharing rafflecopter forms! Each blog signed up needs to have their own giveaway! 

For more information and to sign up for the event go visit Jessica, one of the hosts,  at And Then There Were Five! 

We Are Strong Moms!

Are you a strong mom? Have you stayed up all night with a sick little one getting no sleep? Have you had a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) when everybody said you shouldn't? Have you breastfed your baby through all the pain, mastitis  biting, and bad latch, to come out successful and go on to breastfeed? Are you strong simply because you've raised children through all the ups and downs, long nights and early mornings? 

We are all strong moms! We've all had to be strong for our children in one way or another. I love hearing other moms stories so I've started a series called the Strong Mom Series! I want to hear your story! I want to know what makes you a strong mom! It can be as simple or complex as you want it to be! It can be as personal as you want to share! It's totally up to you! 

If you would like to be a part of the Strong Mom Series and guest blog here on my blog, please send me an email at mommyferg02 (at) gmail (dot) com. In exchange for sharing your story, you can include your blog link and up to two social media links in the blog post or in your bio at the end of the blog post. 

I am really looking forward to hearing your stories! I'll be posting a new one every Friday for as long as I'm receiving stories from Strong Moms! 

Baby Kit Co. Grand Opening and Twitter Party! {Plus a Giveaway!}

Welcome to the Grand Opening of Baby Kit Co. Hosted by My Cloth Diaper Stash & SewFatty.

I am so excited to be one of ten bloggers that have joined us to bring 'YOU' the readers a chance to win some amazing prizes. Are you wondering what Baby Kit Co. is all about?

BabyKitCo is a consultation service offering you access to the best products for baby, in the comfort of your home. The store comes to you, they carry the most efficient products to build your baby-rearing stockpile; all well-designed and baby-comfy pieces. They work together with you to create your customized Baby Kit, always aware of your family’s particular needs and wants. They can rent you the Kit while your baby needs the products. Or you can rent for a trial period until you decide to buy from them.

Twitter Party Details :

Date: Thursday, Oct. 3rd  Rescheduled to October 9th! 

Time : 9EST

Hashtag: #BabyKitCo

How: TweetDeck, Twubs, or Tchat

Hosts: @MyCDStash, @SewFatty, @BabyKitCo

GRAND PRIZE :

Baby Kit Co. - $100 Gift Card to the online shop that they can use on a Rental, Gear or even services (consultation or Mama Party).

Other Prizes :

The Portable Baby (2 Winners)

• 2 TPB Wraps, one in Violet Honey and one in Cotton Candy ($60 Each)

Itzy Ritzy (5 Winners)

• 5 Ritzy Wraps ($15.99 Each)

BALM! Baby (3 Winners)

• 1 Diaper Essentials Kit ($29.95)
• 1 New Mama Baby Kit ($57.75)
• 1 Cloth Diaper Laundry Kit ($27.95)

Beco (1 Winner)

• 1 Soleil Carrier in Stella Black ($130)

Sweet Herb Medicinals (1 Winner)

• $35 Gift Certificate & Lavender Dryer Balls ($40)

Bumgenius (1 Winner)

• Bumgenius 4.0 in mirror ($17.95)

Lil’ Helper (1 Winner)

• 1 bamboo diaper & 1 charcoal diaper (Value: $46.90)

Ju-Ju-Be (1 Winner)

• BFF Mister Gray Diaper Bag ($165.00)

Planet Wise (1 Winner)

• Large Planet Wise Wet Bag ($19.00)

Blueberry/Swaddlebee's (1 Winner)

• $50 Prize TBA

This RC giveaway will end on Thursday, October 3rd.

It is open to US residents ONLY

Enter Below

Britax Boulevard 70-G3 Carseat Giveaway!

It's Child Passenger Safety Week! We all want our kids to be safe and sound when we travel right? Unfortunately, car accidents take the lives of many precious children each year! In honor of Child Passenger Safety Week,  Viva Veltoro and Thrifty Nifty Mommy

are bringing you a fantastic opportunity to win a Britax Boulevard 70-G3 Car Seat!

Car crashes remain the leading cause of death for children 1-13 years old in the United States, but many times these tragedies can be prevented by the proper use of car seats, boosters, and seat belts.  Child Passenger Safety Week is the perfect time to inspect your car seat and make sure you're restraining your child in the correct seat, and that the seat is installed properly.  Britax has been an industry leader in mobile safety for over 70 years and has a full line of innovative infant car seats, convertible child seats, harness to booster child seats, and belt-positioning booster child seats to keep our little ones safe.  

Ruth from Viva Veltoro had the opportunity to review one of Britax's convertible child seats, 

the Boulevard 70-G3.  You can read her full review of this awesome car seat HERE.  

Here is information about the Boulevard 70-G3 from the Britax website:

HUGS Chest Pads with SafeCell Technology are affixed to the seat shell to ensure proper positioning while SafeCells compress to manage energy and provide resistance to the forward movement of your child in a crash, reducing the risk of head injury

EZ-Buckle System retains the harness buckle in a forward position and prevents the child from sitting on the buckle when boarding

• True Side Impact Protection is deep side walls with energy-absorbing EPP foam along with a head restraint which offers a double layer of EPP foam to distribute crash forces, shield from vehicle intrusion, and contain the head, neck and body while keeping them “in true” or aligned
• Base with SafeCell Technology features SafeCells designed to compress in a crash, significantly lowering the center of gravity and counteracting the forward rotation of the child seat which normally propels the child toward the front seat
• Integrated Steel Bars strengthen the connection to the vehicle and reduce forward flexing of the child seat during a crash
• Energy-Absorbing Versa-Tether features a staged-release tether webbing to slow the forward movement, reducing the crash forces reaching the child, and a two-point attachment to minimize forward rotation while anchoring the top of the child seat
• Tangle-Free, Five-Point Harness distributes crash forces across the strongest parts of the body and provides a secure fit
• 70-pound Weight Capacity for safety and comfort as your child grows
• Rear and Forward Facing Recline for child comfort and positioning
• High Density Comfort Foam provides an extra layer of padding to gently cushion your child
• Plush, Easy-Remove Cover with matching comfort pads and infant body pillow to provide extra comfort and easy cleaning without disassembling or uninstalling the child seat
• Two Buckle Positions offer a snug and secure fit for your growing child
• Infant Positioning Insert may be necessary for small infants to achieve a snug fit of the harness around your child.
• Quick-Adjust, No-Rethread Harness repositions the harness shoulder height without disassembling the harness straps
• Premium Lower LATCH Connectors for a quick and simple installation featuring a push button for easy release
• Built-in Lock-Offs ensure a snug lap and shoulder belt installation with minimal effort
• Anti-Slip, Contoured Base grips and protects the vehicle seat while offering optimum vehicle fit
• Harness Holders keep harness straps pulled to the sides when placing your child in the car seat
• Certified for Aircraft Travel
• Made in the USA with global components
• MSRP (USD) $319.99

One lucky person is going to win a Britax Boulevard 70-G3!  

Open to the US only, ages 18 and up.  Ends 10/6/13 at 11:59 PM EST.

Enter using the Giveaway Tools form below.  Good Luck!

Entry-Form

Disclosure: I did not receive any compensation for hosting this giveaway.  The participating bloggers are not responsible for prize fulfillment.  

Green Sprouts Silicone PlateMat Review {Plus a Giveaway!}

Disclosure: I was sent this product in exchange for a written review. I was not compensated in any other way. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Green Sprouts and iPlay Baby is dedicated to providing you with products that help your baby stay happy and healthy! Throughout every stage of the process of making their products they have your baby's health in mind! I was so excited to be able to review another product from iPlay Baby! This time I reviewed the Silicone Platemat from Green Sprouts! 

The Silicone PlateMat is really awesome! It can be used as a place mat or a plate and is super durable and easy to clean! Silicone is hygenic, hypoallergenic, and resistant to bacteria so it is great for messy snacks and meals and keeping baby healthy! It can be wiped off or washed in the dishwasher. It can also be rolled up and packed in the diaper bag for outings! 

I love the Silicone PlateMat! Isaac is a messy little eater! He gets food everywhere when he eats and it is not fun at all to have to scrub down the table every time he eats. When I use the platemat on the table, there's no scrubbing! It wipes off so easily and if it's really bad I can just stick it in the dishwasher! It also stays put on the table so I don't have to worry about any of the mess sliding off onto the floor! 

The Silicone PlateMat is also super awesome for out and about! It rolls up nicely to put into the diaper bag and then you can use it for eating at restaurants or picnics or anywhere! With the Silicone PlateMat you can avoid germy tables and other surfaces!  

I really love my Silicone PlateMat! It's so convenient and helps keep messes contained and germs away! I'd love to have 2 or 3 more to keep one in the diaper bag and have one for my older son! They are so awesome! I love that Green Sprouts and iPlay Baby really take baby and children's health and well being into consideration with the making of all of their products! Plus all their products are very affordable! Healthy and Frugal, you can't beat that!

Buy It!

http://www.iplaybabywear.com/index.php/greensprouts/feeding/accessories-feeding/silicone-placemat.html

Win It!

One lucky reader will win their own Silicone Platemat!

Must be 18+ years to enter. Only one entrant allowed per household. Giveaway is open to US residents only. The winner will be chosen at random and emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. 

An Update on Isaac

If you follow me on Facebook you saw that I announced little Isaac was having hernia repair surgery. The surgery was yesterday so I wanted to just give you all a little update on how it went and how he is doing. 

We had to be at the hospital at 5:45am so it was a bright and early start for him. After a little waiting and talking to the nurses and anesthesiologist and surgeon they took him back to the operating room. It was about 7:15. We waited about another two hours and then we were able to see him. 

He was sound asleep when we got to see him. We had to wait about another hour and let him wake up some before we were able to go home. He had to drink some and keep that down but then he was good to go. So overall we were only at the hospital about 5 hours total. 

Once we got home he slept most of the day, which the nurse told us would be the case. He would wake up for a few minutes and take a drink and look around and then fall back asleep. Then around 4:30 in the afternoon he started to really wake up and stay awake. We got him to eat and by 6 he was his happy self again. It was really great to see him smiling and happy. He did seem like he was in a little pain, so I gave him some Tylenol, like the nurses suggested, and once that kicked in he was fine. After being awake for a few hours we got him ready for bed and he went right back to sleep and slept all night long! 

Today you wouldn't even know he had surgery yesterday! He's his normal, happy self and doesn't seem to be in any pain! We do have to regulate his activity and keep him from jumping and rough housing, but other than that he can go about his normal routine. There is barely any swelling or bruising around the incision, which is awesome! 

I am so thankful this has been such an easy process and he is doing so well! We go back to the doctor in a week to have him checked out and make sure everything is healing properly! Thanks for your thoughts and prayers and I'll continue to update on both my boys as we proceed with this year! 

Green Sprouts Bento Box Review! {Plus a Giveaway!}

Disclosure: I was sent these items in exchange for a written review. I was not compensated in any other way. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Have you heard of the Bento craze yet?! If you've seen pictures on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook of kids' lunches in cute little boxes then you have! Bento Boxes are a creative way to make your child's lunch and hopefully make lunch a little more exciting and fun for them! I was sent a Bento Box from Green Sprouts and iPlay to try out and review! 

Green Sprouts is dedicated to protecting your baby from the inside out! They understand that babies are always putting things in their mouth and trying out new things so they make products that are safe for this type of learning! All Green Sprout products are BPA, PVC, and formamide free! 

The Green Sprouts Bento Boxes come in five fun safari animals! They have a snap on lid and also a nesting tray that sits in between the box and the lid for additional snacks! We received the Alligator Bento Box to try which is perfect for my little guy because he's been really interested in alligators lately! 

Now that Noah is in preschool and takes his lunch to school, I've been using thte Bento Box to pack his lunch. I love the tray up above because I can stick his sandwich in the bottom and his fruit and snacks in the top tray. That way nothing gets mixed up or soggy. Noah really likes the Bento Box and says he shows it to all his friends! It's a really creative and fun way to have lunch! 

The Bento Box is great for picky eaters too! You could use cookie cutters to cut out shapes from food and include a fun variety of food in your little one's Bento Box and it makes meals fun! I plan to try this with Isaac very soon because he has gotten quite picky with his food lately! 

Overall the Bento Box is great! The kids love them and I love them because they get my kids to eat! I love that I don't have to worry about harmful things going into my kids' tummies because Green Sprouts makes all their products free of harmful agents! At only $8 a box it's a great investment for the new school year!

Buy It!

http://www.iplaybabywear.com/index.php/

Win It!

One lucky reader will win their own Bento Box from Green Sprouts in winner's choice of available color! 

Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Only one entrant per household allowed. Giveaway is open to US residents only. The winner will be emailed and have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. 

Workout Wednesday!

Welcome to Workout Wednesday! Here we get together to encourage and support each other in our journey's to becoming healthier! Here you can talk about your struggles, your triumphs and everything in between!

So how has your week been? Did the Labor Day weekend cause you to fall back a little with healthy eating or working out? Right after I finished Insanity last Monday I got sick and didn't workout for nearly a week! It really put a damper on my routine! I'm feeling a lot better now so I've been doing a little bit of walking/running. I am running in a 5k race on September 21st so I want to be ready for that. I've also committed to an Ab challenge for the month of September and we're only on day 4 and my abs are sore already! I hope this gives me a little push towards that baby belly being completely gone! 

This coming Monday I will be starting Shaun T's new program, T25! It's a full body workout in only 25 minutes! I am really excited about this because I am so busy these days that only having to work out for 25 minutes sounds so awesome! 

So today let's talk about time! Is time one thing that keeps you from working out every day? Is there a time of day that you prefer to workout? How do you overcome the time issue to live a healthy lifestyle and be fit? 

For me, being fit has become a priority. It's become part of my daily routine. So I make time for it whenever I can. I usually work out when my youngest son naps but sometimes if I don't get to then I'll do it after the kids go to bed. Sometimes if I'm really busy I'll just go walking with my little guy in the stroller. I try to make time to do something active every single day. I know, I'm a stay-at-home mom and I imagine it can be a lot harder to accomplish as a working parent, but I feel that even 10 minutes a day is better than nothing and it's such an important thing that time should be made to do it. I mean, if we have time to check our facebook and play candy crush, then we should have time to get some kind of workout in, right? 

So tell me, does time make it hard for you to work out? What time of day to you prefer to workout? How has your workout week been? 

Essentia Baby Jeanius Crib Mattress Giveaway!

Welcome to the Essentia Baby Jeanius Crib Mattress Giveaway, 

hosted by Viva Veltoro and Thrifty Nifty Mommy! I am so excited to be a part of another one of these awesome giveaways! 

Essentia is the world's only company that produces Natural Memory Foam mattresses.  It all started when founder Jack had a family member stricken with cancer.  He became aware of the toxins in everyday items and started searching for natural, healthier alternatives.  Having been in the latex foam business for years, he started looking at mattresses and realized that most were made of poor quality components, filled with chemically derived foams that were treated with chemicals and layered together with glue.  He developed a memory foam made from natural ingredients and founded Essentia - a company committed to comfort and quality, without compromise.  

Essentia has an entire line of natural memory foam mattresses, organic sheets, pillows, dog beds, and crib mattresses.  If you're familiar with Tempur-Pedic products, Essentia is comparable - only natural!  Other memory foam products are manufactured from petroleum based chemicals, not Essentia.  Essential products are made with your health in mind, starting with a foam that's hivea milk based, GREENGUARD certified glues and organic fabrics. Made entirely in Canada, Essentia products have been featured on Dr. OZ, Rachael Ray, and Anderson Cooper.

One of their crib mattresses is the Baby Jeanius:

Here is a little about The Baby Jeanius from Essentia's website:

The Baby Jeanius is made from organic denim and topped with our Natural Memory Foam for a comfortable and healthy sleep surface.

Benefits:

• Made with Essentia's Natural Memory Foam & organic denim.
• Unbleached organic cotton cover
• Columbia Labs Tested natural memory foam.
• Dust mite deterrent
• Hypo-allergenic
• Waterproofing can be achieved with our Crib Mattress Protector

Healthy & Safe:

• No plastic, vinyl or chemically treated fabrics in this crib mattress. The Baby Jeanius is among the most natural and safest organic crib mattresses on the market.
• Meeting all government standards, this natural crib mattress passes all federal and state flammability standards using a Kevlar fabric, the same fabric found in bullet proof vests.

Comfortably Supportive:
The Baby Jeanius offers a firm yet comfortable nights sleep for your baby. The organic cotton support layer allows for healthy physical development, while our pressure relieving Natural Memory Foam lightly contours the body.

One lucky person will WIN a Baby Jeanius Crib Mattress valued at $399!

Connect: You can connect with Essentia on their website and on Facebook, follow on Twitter & Pinterest.

Buy It: Essentia products are available at many locations. Click here to find a retailer near you.

Win It: Just enter using the Giveaway Tools form below for your chance to WIN an Essentia Baby Jeanius Crib Mattress!  Need a mattress for your own bed?  Head over to the Essentia Facebook page for your chance to win ANY PRODUCT OF YOUR CHOICE!   Or, just click on the image below: 

To WIN a Baby Jeanius Crib Mattess valued at $399, just enter using the Giveaway Tools form.

Open to the US (48 Continental) & Canada (except for Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Yukon) only, ages 18 and up.  Ends 9/17/13 at 11:59 PM EST.

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Disclosure: I did not receive any compensation for hosting this giveaway.  The participating bloggers are NOT responsible for prize fulfillment. 

Six Things I've Learned in Twenty-Six Years

Today is my birthday. I am 26 years old. I don't consider myself wise at all, and I still consider myself quite young. I still have so much to learn and even more growing up to do, but I've also learned so much and grown up so much in 26 years. I shake me head at the things I thought I knew just 5 years ago. It's amazing how much you learn and grow up once you become a parent. So I was thinking last night about the things I have learned in my 26 short years and I thought I'd share them with you. 

1. Family is Everything. And family doesn't necessarily mean blood. But whoever your family is they are everything. They will always be what's most important. They will always be the ones who piss you off the most and who love you the most. Spend time with family, appreciate them, love them. Because they are everything. 

2. Worrying what other people think doesn't do you any good. I used to let what other people think consume me. I would make decisions based on what other people think. I would form opinions based on what other people think. I would act a certain way because I was worried about what other people would think if I acted differently. This is something that I've come to realize just this past year-- Worrying what other people think does a person much more harm than good. You are you and you make decisions that are best for you. What other people think about those decisions is not important. If you want to dress a certain way or listen to certain music or feed your baby formula instead of breast milk then you do that and don't worry about what other people think. In the end they don't matter. 

I read something super cool this morning that goes along with this: Don't worry about people who aren't going to cry at your funeral. All I can say to that is Amen! 

3. True happiness isn't about things, it's about you. If you surround yourself with people you love and you have the right perspective you will be happy. Things will go wrong, yes, and things will get tough. But it's during those times that you have to look at life and remember that the tough times are not going to last forever, remember the people who love you, and remember the blessings you do have. That is when true happiness comes. 

4. Don't let your mistakes and problems define you. Learn from them and move forward. Our greatest blessings can sometimes be our biggest mistakes. But only if we learn from them. Don't be afraid or too proud to admit when you make mistakes. Seek forgiveness for those mistakes, learn from them and move one. Don't dwell in guilt or shame. Use those mistakes to become a better person. 

5. Look at the big picture. This is something I've learned in just this past year also. I always used to get so upset about things happening now or not going right this very day. But in reality those things wouldn't even matter when looking at my life and the big picture of it all. When you start to get upset about something or worry about something think to yourself, " is this going to matter in a  year?". Most of the time it won't. So take a deep breath and calm yourself down and look at the big picture. That problem that you were just freaking out about won't seem so big and bad anymore. 

6. You are beautiful, there is no other you. There was never another you in the past and there never will be another you in the future. So embrace who you are and love yourself. Accept that you will make mistakes and you are not perfect. There are things you wish you could change and ways you wish you looked, but you are beautiful just the way God made you and you should always remember that. Loving yourself creates a confidence and happiness that is indescribable. Hold that head high and be proud to be who you are! 

Evenflo Advanced Double Electric Breast Pump Giveaway!

Check out this brand new breast pump that Evenflo has just released! 

Thrifty Nifty Mommy and Viva Veltoro are hosting a giveaway and I am so excited to be a part of it! 

Evenflo wants moms to reach breastfeeding and pumping success and has launched an innovative new breast pump and exclusive educational program in their efforts to help.  Evenflo is the number one retail-purchased brand in breast pumps and they are striving to help mothers overcome the two biggest barriers in breastfeeding - lack of education and access to high quality, affordable equipment.  This month, Evenflo released the Advanced Double Electric Breast Pump, with premium features at an attainable price and world-class educational programs (available FREE with purchase), both designed in collaboration with International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Shari Criso to offer nursing moms the advice, support and  the tools they need to meet their breastfeeding goals.  

The new Evenflo Advanced Double Electric Breast Pump includes premium features such as:

• The ability to control speed and suction separately, allowing for 32 different settings

• A closed-system to keep milk pure from bacteria while pumping

• Multiple flange sizes included for best fit and comfort, and smartly-designed flanges for slouch-free pumping comfort

Moms who purchase the new Evenflo Advanced Double Electric Breast Pump will also receive free access to Shari Criso’s full length, online educational programs ($60 value) – “Simply Breastfeeding” and “Breast Pumps and Briefcases.”  Rich with information, these two programs address topics most relevant to nursing moms and those planning to pump.  Additional tools, such as instructional videos about the pump, can also be found on the Evnflo Feeding website (www.evenflofeeding.com).

The “Deluxe” model of this pump includes a premium shoulder bag, ice packs, four milk storage bottles, thermal cooler, and extra membranes. The “Deluxe Plus” version features all of this, plus two additional milk storage bottles and a Manual Pump adaptor.   The Evenflo Advanced Double Electric Breast Pump (SRP $99.99), Deluxe (SRP $129.99), and Deluxe Plus (SRP $159.99) models will be available soon at Baby Depot, Target.com, Walmart.com, Walgreens.com, Kmart.com, Amazon.com and BabiesRUs.com. 

One lucky person will win an Evenflo Advanced Double Electric Breast Pump,

valued at $100 in this great giveaway!  

Open to the US only, ages 18 and up.  Ends 9/16/13 at 11:59 PM EST.

Enter using the Giveaway Tools form below.  Good Luck!

Disclosure: I did not receive any compensation for hosting this giveaway.  The participating bloggers are not responsible for prize fulfillment.  If you are a business or company and are interested in having your product featured in a giveaway like this, please contact Thrifty Nifty Mommy.

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