"I love you ALL day!"

If you have kids, you know that they like to eat.... ALL day.  With three children, I feel like I'm constantly grabbing food and muttering things like, "Oh my gosh, all you kids do is eat ALL day!!!", "You want something else?  You've been eating ALL morning!", "What? You JUST ate!" and so on.  Really, I can't complain too much considering most of what they eat is healthy and who wants to say "No!  You can't eat that avocado!"

While none of my ramblings phase any of my kids, our youngest has a found new terms for her love for me.  Mixed in with the "I love you big as the world"s and "I love you SO much"s, I also have "I love you ALL day!" and "I love you ALL morning... SO much."

Maybe it's silly, but the sweetness and innocence of it all snaps me back into the moment every.single.time.  As a busy adult and parent, there are so many things that I rush through, but those simple words have found a way to ground me.

Mad love for the kiddos <3  What are your favorite moments?

Heads Up: We're moving to Wordpress!

I thought I'd give you all a bit of warning.  I am in the process of moving the blog over to the Wordpress platform.  I am hoping for little to no interruption, but we shall see!  If there is any downtime, I'll keep you updated on my Facebook Page.

Once I move the site, I will not be implementing Google Friend Connect.  If you follow with GFC please sign up to follow my feed or sign up for my posts via email.  Be sure to like the Facebook Page too, as I share all posts on there as well.

We'll have a whole new layout to play with and once we're done the site should be easier for you to view and navigate.  Are there any features you'd like to see to make the site work better for you?  While I'm working on things, I thought I would see if there are any requests.

Also, are there any topics that you would like me to cover?  I have some things in the works, but it's always nice to hit on topics that I know you're looking for.

Okay, back to work.  Wish me luck!

Have a great Monday!

Score One for Cloth Diapers!

I hope you all had an amazing time at the #GivingHOPE Twitter party last night put on by Kim from Dirty Diaper Laundry!  She did an amazing job organizing all of it.  Between 7pm and midnight there were 1,493 tweets!  That means collectively, we reached 1.6 million people!

There was lots of great conversation,  prizes, donations, and most importantly awareness raising about Giving Diapers, Giving Hope.  It could not have been possible without the participation of the many companies and blogs that took part, and of course you, the readers that came to show your support.  BUT, it's not over yet! 

Be sure to head over to Kim's Facebook page to show your support for the amazing blogs and companies involved and have a chance to win some awesome prizes (they total more than $1,700!!)  There you will find an easy to use form where you can enter to win.

Share this event with all of your friends too!  Raising awareness is something we can all do.  If you want to do more, make a donation to Giving Diapers, Giving Hope by visiting their website.  When you do, you can select the "donation" option on the giveaway form to receive 25 additional entries to the giveaway mentioned above!

A shout out to all of the companies and bloggers that helped make this possible!

Bloggers! - go, follow and show them some love :)
The Eco Chic, Change-Diapers, Geeky Green Mom, Cloth Diaper Geek, Padded Tush Stats, Boba Blog, All About Cloth Diapers, Baby Dickey

And the Companies!

NOW Family, Jack be Natural, Orange Diaper Co., Incredibum, Tushie Ties, Sweetbottoms Baby Boutique, THE Balm, Modern Cloth, BabykicksUSA, Oeko Popo, GEN-Y, Abby’s Lane, Thirsties, Go Green Baby Co., Diaper Junction, Revel Handmade, Kelly’s Closet, Knickernappies, Kelly Wels, Hot Mama Gowns, Eco Nuts, MoDia Diapers, Dearest Diapers, Sweet Pea Diapers, Wooly Rounds, and The Parent Guide

Giving Diapers, Giving Hope to Families in Need

Our youngest child is down to using diapers at nights and naps these days, but I could not be more passionate about sharing cloth and spreading the knowledge of all that cloth is and helps to provide. Savings for families, toxin-free diapers for our children and hundreds of tons of waste and chemicals kept out of landfills each day.

While cloth diapering does cost far less than disposable diapers, there are many families that struggle to buy basic necessities, including diapers of any kind.  In April 2010, Giving Diapers, Giving Hope was started by Kristen McCarthy and Emily Glover as a local cloth diapering lending foundation in Glouster, MA.  Within weeks of beginning their local service, GDGH’s Facebook page and email inbox were full of inquiries from parents across the country. To meet this need, Kristen and Emily decided to expand and accept applications from families throughout the United States. Over the last 10 months, Giving Diapers, Giving Hope has already managed to help over 70 families cloth diaper their babies.

Because Giving Diapers, Giving Hope expanded so rapidly to meet the needs of families, they are still working to obtain enough funding to file for their 501 c3. A 501 c3 is needed to become a recognized Non- Profit and will further their ability to help lend free cloth diapers to families in need.

In addition to filing for the 501 c3, Giving Diapers, Giving Hope will use funds raised to purchase office supplies such as business cards and letterheads, packaging materials, and buy supplies needed to repair donated diapers.

To make this happen, Kim of Dirty Diaper Laundry has planned an amazing two-part fundraiser and I am so thrilled to be a part of it.  To kick it off, join @KimRosas, @GivingDiapers, @EFFBlog (myself) and friends and tweet using the #GivingHOPE hashtag for fantastically fun night of cloth diaper fun.  

There will be prizes given during the party but to be eligible you must RSVP on Kim’s website. Some prizes include gift certificates to Abby’s Lane and Kelly’s Closet, 6 Diaper Rite Pockets from Diaper Junction, 8 CJ’s BUTTer’s from Sweetbottoms Baby Boutique, a Prize Pack of all natural, vegan balms from “THE” Balm, a One Size Gro Via, Thirsties Duo Diaper, GroVia Magic Stick and GroVia disposable Biosoaker inserts from Jack Be Natural and more! But this is just the TIP of the iceberg.

If you're new to Twitter parties, I suggest TweetGrid.  Simply go to this link, login with your twitter account and add your twitter handle in the 3rd column to follow tweets directed at you.  It can be fast-paced but this layout helps a lot.

There is also a Facebook Fundraising Campaign with over $1,700 worth of prizes you do not want to miss out on! There are prize packs from: 

The NOW Family (ARV $124)

Orange Diaper Co (ARV $100.00)

Tushie Ties Tie on Prefolds ( ARV $90.00)

$100.00 GC to Sweetbottoms Baby Boutique

BabyKicks Prize Pack (ARV $78.00)

Oeko Popo Prize Pack (ARV $84.00)

“Try Cloth Diapers” Prize pack from Go Green Baby Shop (ARV $70)

GroVia and more Prize Pack from Jack Be Natural

Accessory Pack from Abby’s Lane (ARV $75.00)

Accessories Pack from Modern Cloth ($ARV $80.00)

Incredibum Package (ARV $100.00)

“The” BALM! Package (ARV $75.00)

3 DUO AIO’s + more from Thirsties (ARV $75.00)

2 bumGenius Freetimes from All About Cloth Diapers

and much, much much more! Whew! 

All of the prizes are listed on the Dirty Diaper Laundry Facebook Page, the contest is open now and ends midnight on February 14. To enter just like the sponsor’s pages using the easy to use Rafflecopter widget. You don’t have to like every page but you must like the sponsor’s page to win their prize. 

It should be noted that every sponsor you see listed has generously given a monetary donation to Giving Diapers, Giving Hope so please, please show them your appreciation and support!

How can you help? Just spread the word to all of your friends! Share the giveaway on your Facebook, Twitter, Message Boards, or by carrier pigeon to your buddy on a deserted island.

If you want to do more to help out a worthy cause you can, and you even get more entries into the giveaway! If you donate any amount, anything, you get 25 extra entries. Send a donation to givingdiapersgivinghope@gmail.com via Paypal then choose the Donation option in the giveaway. By donating any amount you increase your chances to win one of these amazing prizes!

I hope you will join me in supporting this wonderful organization that is doing so much to help others and raise awareness about cloth diapers. This Fundraiser will help them continue operating for the rest of the year.

To learn more about Giving Diapers, Giving Hope you can visit them on their website or Facebook Page.

Happy Birthday to My Heart

Seven years ago you made me a mommy.  I have no idea how seven years have slipped past us.  It seems like just yesterday you were sleeping in my arms, learning to crawl, eating your first foods, dancing to the Wiggles, learning to read and going off to kindergarten.  You have given me so many gifts in your seven years, and though I have given you two sisters, you are the one that gave me the gift of becoming a mother.

It was your heart that I saw on that first ultrasound and your sweet baby cry that let me know you were here.  It was your big, beautiful, soulful eyes that I stared into in the middle of the night, so full of love and pride.  It brings tears to my eyes every time I think of those moments we shared, for they are so precious.  They say that the eyes are the windows to the soul, and yours could not be more perfect and clear.  In those moments, and in every one since, I felt like I could see into the future.  I remember thinking, "These eyes are eyes that I will look into for the rest of my life."  In that moment, I loved, and understood love, in a way that I never could have imagined.

Thank you for being my son and for being the amazing person that you are.  I am SO proud of you and it is truly my privilege to be your mother.

Happy Seventh Birthday E!

Love,
Mommy

What do you know about Toxic Shock Syndrome?

Did you know that anyone who uses a traditional tampon is at risk for Toxic Shock Syndrome, or TSS?
Brands like Tampax, Playtex, Kotex and OB, just to name a few, are among those to watch out for.

What is TSS, and why is there a risk with traditional tampons?
TSS is the result of the common bacteria, Staphylococcus Aureus, producing a toxin which is absorbed into the bloodstream.  It quickly takes over the body and begins to attack the major organs. It can manifest similarly to the flu, with symptoms like sore throat, achy muscles, fever, nausea, rash, confusion, dizziness, low blood pressure and diarrhea. While these symptoms might seem like a common flu, if you ever have them during your menstrual cycle, call your physician!  TSS can be fatal.

The cause for the relationship to traditional tampons is that they contain synthetic fibers which not only leave tiny abrasions in the vagina, giving direct access to the bloodstream, but also because synthetic fibers do not breathe like natural fibers.  They provide the perfect breeding grounds for bacteria, like the strain that can cause TSS.  Half of all know cases of TSS are related to tampon use.  It is also associated with diaphragm birth control methods and contraceptive sponges.

Thankfully there is an alternative.
Choosing 100% organic cotton tampons, a reusable menstrual cup or menstrual pads can eliminate the risk.  No one has ever reported TSS as the result of using a 100% cotton tampon.  Brands like Maxim Hygiene and Seventh Generation are great options.  Additionally, reusable cups like Lunette & Diva Cup offer the same claim, and are oh so friendly to your body.  I'm a total cup girl, I can't deny it.

You can read all about why you don't want to use traditional menstrual products here (and what ones to give a try!)

Want to learn more about TSS and how you can help?  Visit You-ARE-Loved.org

Choose The Right Carrier For You

Babywearing is such an amazing tool for parents and caregivers.  It provides an opportunity for bonding as well as a chance for parents to get things done around the house.

When it comes to choosing a carrier, the sea of options can be overwhelming and what works for some may not be the favorite of others.  To help narrow the choices I've put together a spreadsheet with basic overviews of various carriers, as well as a sheet dedicated for reviews!

I've already gathered a few reviews to get started, but the magic comes from you, the readers!  The second sheet of this spreadsheet is where you can add your opinions on the carriers that you have tried.

I hope that you find this spreadsheet handy and I thank all of you that take the time to add your opinions, they will be so very valuable to parents looking for just the right carrier!

Speaking of carriers, keep your eyes out for a special review coming up.  It's going to be a lot of fun!

Click Here to View
Babywearing Overview & Review Spreadsheet