TushMate Ultimate One-Fits-All Cloth Diaper Review! #summerfluffing

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

I love using pocket cloth diapers most of the time but every now and then I want to use an AI2 or a just a cover and flat. Sometimes for different reasons, and other times just for a change. With the Tushmate Ultimate One-Fits-All Cloth Diaper system I can use one diaper in a number of different ways!

I was sent a Tushmate Ultimate One-Fits-All cloth diaper system to review in the orange color. You can use the Tushmate diaper system as a pocket diaper, AI2, or as just a cover and add your own prefold or fitted diaper inside! It is designed to be possible for almost any situation, such as overnight or out and about. It is designed to fit most infants through toddlers with it's snap down rise adjustments.  The insert is made with 100% natural fabrics that are safe on baby's skin and the pocket liner is made with a stay dry fabric that is also safe for baby's skin. Both simply snap into the cover to be used as either an AI2 or a pocket diaper. 

I really love the concept of this diaper. It's convenient and that's what busy moms like me need. It comes with it's own inserts to use but I can also snap in the pocket liner and stuff it with my own inserts if I want to. I can also just use the cover with my flats or fitteds if I want. It's all up to me. 

The diaper is really well made and thought out too. I get a very similar fit with this cover that I do with my BumGenius diapers and they are one of my best fitting diapers. The insert is really trim yet really absorbent. I've put Isaac down for a nap in this diaper with the insert it comes with and he's had no leaks whatsoever. Plus if I needed more absorbency I could just add the pocket liner in and add more inserts. 

Overall I think the TushMate Ultimate One-Fits-All Cloth Diaper is a great diaper! It's versatile for almost any parent's needs and at a great price! Not only is it convenient, but it works well too, and that is what is most important! 

What's your favorite feature of this diaper system?

Buy It!

http://www.tushmate.com/onlineshop.php

Win It!

Come back tomorrow, July 17th, to enter to win your very own TushMate Ultimate One-Fits-All Cloth Diaper Starter Kit in the Summer Fluffing Giveaway Hop! 

Four Signs Your Toddler May Be Ready for Potty Training!

My little guy will be 20 months old this month and has started to show some interest in what his big 4 year old brother does when he goes in to the bathroom. So I started thinking about when his older brother potty trained and what signs he showed to let us know he was ready. Just because Isaac is curious about the potty, does that mean he's ready to learn how to use it? How do I know if he's ready?  These are some questions a lot of parents wonder about when their baby becomes a toddler. So I thought I'd share a few signs I remember my oldest showing when he was ready to learn to use the potty!

Dry Diapers after Longer Periods of Time- One thing I noticed as Noah got older was that his diapers would be dry after a long nap or two to three hours in the same diaper. This meant his bladder could hold more and he may even be holding it somewhat. 

Showing Interest- Just like Isaac is now, Noah started to show interest when I would use the bathroom and would even ask questions about it. He wanted to watch, as strange as it was, and was very curious as to why I used the toilet and he was still going in his diapers!

Hiding- Noah would do this and other moms have told me their toddlers would do the same thing. Noah would hide anytime he was going poopy in his diaper. He didn't want anyone to know he was going poopy in his diaper! It was almost something embarrassing for him. If a toddler can be embarrassed I suppose pooping in your diaper while everyone else goes in the toilet will do it. 

Asking to be changed as soon as they soil their diaper- After Noah would go hide and soil his diaper he wanted to be changed right away. In earlier months he could sit in a dirty diaper and give me no signs that he was even dirty! I'd have to check him constantly! When he started to be ready to potty train he would come tell me he was dirty and want to be changed! 

Has your toddler shown any of these signs yet? If you have an older child are there any other signs that showed you your child is ready to potty train? 

World Breastfeeding Week is August 1-7! Share your Story!

World Breastfeeding Week is an exciting time for breastfeeding mothers! It's a time when we can celebrate the great thing that we do and raise awareness of how great breastfeeding really is for our baby and ourselves! 

I am looking for some breastfeeding mothers to share their stories for World Breastfeeding Week! I want to hear all about your trials and triumphs while breastfeeding! I'm no longer breastfeeding but I have my own story to tell, but that definitely won't take a whole week! So I'd love to have some guest blog posts for the week of August 1st-7th from mother's who are breastfeeding or have breastfed and would like to share their story! 

If you are interested in sharing your story please email me at mommyferg02(at)gmail(dot)com. Please also share with your fellow breastfeeding friends so they can share their story as well! 

Nikon Coolpix L28 Digital Camera Review!

Disclosure: Staples.com sent me this camera for review. I was not compensated in any other way. The opinions expressed below are my own. 

A camera is a must when you have kids! I absolutely love taking pictures of my kids! They get sick of me taking pictures I do it so much! But I am by no means a photographer. Some of my pictures aren't the greatest which is why I love to have a camera that takes quality pictures even if they aren't from a pro with all the right angles and lighting and details! When I was given the opportunity to review the Nikon Coolpix L28 digital camera from Staples I was really curious and excited to see how well this worked for such an amateur photographer like myself! 

The Nikon Coolpix L28 creates pictures with 20.1 megapixels, 5x optical zoom, and 4x digital zoom. It carriers SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory cards and is powered by two AA batteries. There are 18 scene modes and a smart portrait system to get the best pictures in the setting you are in. 

I received the Nikon Coolpix L28 the day before we were leaving for vacation to Panama City Beach! I was so excited to give it a try while we were at the beach! I was able to put my current SD card right into the camera to save the pictures I took right to the card. The camera is nice and small and fits great in my hand. When I was first trying out the camera it took me a while to figure out which scene setting was the best for taking the pictures I wanted to take. At first there were lines going straight across every picture I took and I was honestly getting frustrated. But then after letting my hubby play with it for a bit, he got it all figured out and in the right scene mode and I started taking beautiful pictures!  Some of the features I love about this camera is how simple it is to use. I can literally just point the camera where I want to take a picture and press the button and I have a beautiful picture! I love the zoom feature on it as well as the video feature! Other than the scene settings, I was able to figure out the camera completely on my own with no help. This camera is definitely simple enough for amateurs like me! 

So when we  got home from the beach I plugged my SD card into my computer to see how the pictures really turned out! I was so pleasantly surprised! They were gorgeous! 

None of these pictures above have been edited other than me adding the watermark to them! Aren't they great pictures?! They all came from the Nikon Coolpix L28! 

Overall I am so pleased with the Nikon Coolpix L28! It is easy to use and works great! The pictures come out gorgeous every time! It's perfect for someone who isn't very familiar with cameras or who is a beginner at photography like myself. At Staples.com you can get it for a great price too! If you are on the lookout for a simple, yet durable camera for yourself or as a gift I definitely recommend you check out the Nikon Coolpix L28 digital camera!

Buy It!

To purchase the Nikon Coolpix L28 or check out their entire line of cameras visit http://www.staples.com/cameras-digital-cameras-camcorders-accessories/cat_CG43!

Making Time for Me- Why it is So Important!

When Isaac turned a year old he hit toddler hood full force! I was hoping I'd have a few months of my little baby still but he started walking the day after his birthday and it all went downhill from there! Suddenly I had TWO walking and talking little ones! Noah was three and a half and was coming on strong with the attitude and it just seemed like all I was doing all day long was catering to two whiny little boys. One was always awake, even through the night! They even began fighting over toys already! I was beyond overwhelmed. 

After much anxiety and feeling overwhelmed for a month or so I began running. A friend of mine was running and said it was such a stress relief so I thought I would try it. Running soon became a daily routine along with eating healthier and it also became a stress relief for me. Now I don't just run but I work out 5-6 days a week. I work out hard too. I sweat. I feel tired. And it feels great! It's my ME time. It's my way to let all the stress of the day go and start fresh. 

As a mom, making time for yourself is so important. There's no denying that raising kids can be hard. You lose sleep and you wipe noses and you drive them around and entertain them all day long. But we can't lose track of ourselves and who we are. Here's why:

1. If we want to be the best for our kids we have to feel good. You love your kids right? You want to be there for them. You want to be happy for them. You don't want to be an anxious, grumpy, wound up mess all the time do you? That's how I felt for a while after Isaac hit a year old. And I still feel that way sometimes, but my daily time with the Lord and my ME time is what helps me to get through the day now and helps me to be happy and rejuvenated every day. 
2. Me Time gives you time to rest. When I work out I'm not really resting but I do take time every now and then to go take a nap or take a long hot bath when I can. It is good to rest, especially when you've been going all day (and sometimes night) long! Give yourself that time to rest!
3. Me Time helps relieve stress. It really does! Especially, in my opinion, time completely alone to just breathe and sit quietly and get lost in my own thoughts. That really helps to relieve stress. If I'm having a rough day and I finally get a moment all to myself I feel so much better after that!
4. Me Time gives you time to reconnect with friends. I don't get to do it often but I love to get together with friends and work out or go shopping or get pedicures together! Just me and my friends with no kiddos! It's so nice to connect with other moms and be reminded that we aren't alone and we aren't the only ones with little toddlers and babies keeping us up all night! It's great to get encouragement and advice from friends! 
5. Me Time is good for your relationships. When we are stressed and overwhelmed it not only affects our kids but it affects other relationships as well, especially with our spouses. You don't want to be grumpy and irritated at your spouse because your just tired from the busy, stressful day but sometimes that's what happens. When we get that me time to de-stress and rejuvenate it will help us to not be as stressed out and grumpy towards our spouse as well. 

Now I know it's not always possible to have Me Time every day. I try to work out every day but sometimes it just doesn't happen. Or it doesn't happen until after the kids go to bed. But I think it is really important to try to get just a few minutes a day to yourself. Even if you have to lock yourself in the bathroom! But really, it is good to try to get those few minutes to just breathe. Also, if possible try to get some extended Me Time at least once every couple of weeks. If you can get your spouse to watch the kids while you take a hot bath or go to coffee with friends. With a little me time your day, week, and months can be a lot more pleasant for you! 

What things do you do for Me Time? How often do you get to have some Me Time?

The Snugg- Google Nexus 7 Case Review!

Disclosure: I was sent this product free of charge in exchange for a review. I was not compensated in any other way. 

I have a Google Nexus 7 and I love it. My boys love it too. Noah is always asking to play a game on my tablet and even Isaac will play along with him sometimes. So I want to keep my tablet protected when they play with it as well as when I use it! When I was given the opportunity to review The Snugg case for the Nexus 7 I was really excited to give it a try and to see how well it protected my tablet! 

The Snugg began in 2010 when one of the directors got a new iPad but couldn't find a good quality case they liked. They then created a quality case and grew from there! They now create and sell cases for the iPad, iPhone, other smartphones, and other tablets! 

The case for the Google Nexus 7 I received is made with black PU leather. It fits around the tablet perfectly and snuggly. The top of the case flips around for convenient viewing.  There is also a handle on the inside of the case to use to hold the tablet while using it. 

It also stands up for easy use on a table or with a keyboard! I really like this feature for when the kids are using it! 

I am really enjoying having the Snugg case for my Google Nexus 7. I feel like it is a lot more protected with this case on, plus it looks really nice with the case on it! It's easy to use for carrying along with me on trips and I love the reading handle and the option to stand it up on a table also! The only complaint I have about the Snugg case for my Nexus 7 is that occasionally if I put my arm or hand on the side of the case it will turn the screen off in the middle of using it. It's not a big deal but it can get annoying when I'm in the middle of something. The kids love the case because they can set it up on the table and play their games or watch a show on it without having to carry it anywhere. It's very convenient and protective! 

Like I said before, the Snugg carries cases and covers for the iPad and iPhones as well as many other tablets and smartphones! They come in a variety of colors and are all made with the same great quality!

Buy It!

You can purchase a quality and stylish case for your tablet or smartphone at www.thesnugg.com.

Wordless Wednesday- Summer Fun!