Wordless Wednesday Tuckered Out Mini Pony

Gizmo, our mini pony, is tuckered out after a day of eating hay and running around.

The Happiest Baby Guide to Great Sleep by Harvey Karp, M.D. Book Review

I received The Happiest Baby Guide to Great Sleep by Harvey Karp, M.D. for free to facilitate this review.

The author, Harvey Karp, M.D., is a pediatrician, child development specialist, and children's environmental health advocate. Besides this book, he is also the author of The Happiest Baby on the Block and The Happiest Toddler on the Block. This book, The Happiest Baby Guide to Great Sleep gives simple solutions for parents to use with their kids that are ages birth to 5 years old. This book delves more into getting and keeping your child asleep during the night so you can also get better sleep too.

Everyone needs a good amount of sleep so that you don't feel sleep deprived and exhausted. Most new parents have trouble knowing what to do and are plagued with having little to no sleep at night. Dr. Karp's simple and straight forward techniques might just help you keep your sanity. Although people parent differently and so these techniques might not work for everyone because of this. I also know that every one of my kids and your kids are individuals and something that might work for one might not work for the other. Keep this in mind.

This book is broken up into parts and chapters. These offer tips on how to help your newborn, infant, or toddler get the rest they need, while debunking some of the most widely held myths about babies and sleep. There is Acknowledgments, an Introduction and then chapter 1 goes into the Science of Sleep. Then Part 1 talks about little babies sleep from birth to 3 months spanning from chapter 2-5. Part 2 is on babies 3-12 months of age spanning chapters 6-9. Then Part 3 is about toddler and preschool sleep from 1-5 years of age spanning chapters 10-13. Part 4 is all about tips on special situations and problems. Then there is an Appendix, Sample Sleep Schedules, Glossary, References, Resources, and an Index.

I found that most of Dr. Karp's methods were things that I had heard before, just not in sequence like the 5 S's approach the author teaches to turn on the calming reflex for babies. I am seasoned and fairly experienced in the field of motherhood since having 5 kids now. I totally agree with him where he says that it is wrong to assume that: babies need to sleep in total quiet and that the cry it out method works. I know that my kids sleep through the night now because I didn't tip toe or whisper to make sure they didn't wake up when they were younger. I understood that the stillness of our homes at night is so different compared to the sounds and movement in the womb. Like the author, I also don't believe that kids or babies that have too much love and attention can get spoiled.

However, I was not quite sold on the notion that a parent should always wake a sleeping baby, the wake-and-sleep technique. Although most of my children self soothed themselves after I placed them back in their beds/cribs after breastfeeding, changing and/or rocking them in my arms. Usually the jolt of being placed back into bed was enough to wake them for a moment and then they usually lulled themselves back to sleep. But I do believe that self-soothing is something that needs to be learned for good sleep. Also, it goes into the correct method of swaddling your baby safely and the importance of powering down (turning off TV, computers, cell phones, and other bright screens to not interrupt sleep with light). In the toddler section it goes into easy "no-cry" tips that end infant and toddler bedtime struggles in just days in which I thought were invaluable.

I don't believe what he says about colicky babies. I know for a fact that when my babies were screaming and they had all their other needs met it was from gas, indigestion, and/or stomach pain...I would have to burp them better or rub their little bellies and I could hear the loud noises their tummies were making. I also never used pacifiers with any of my kids and the author says to use them to protect against SIDS. I don't see how a pacifier would help, although I know a lot of parents that swear by them.

The Happiest Baby Guide to Great Sleep does cover some interesting topics which I did not know. I did not know what the best and worst white noise to play while sleeping was until this book. I did not know that you can sleep train babies to sleep at least one extra hour from the first weeks of life.

All in all I have mixed feelings about this book and what it teaches. Overall it teaches things that probably would help and wouldn't hurt anyone to try. I cannot guarantee these techniques will help YOU specifically though. Like any parenting book that one might read throughout their parenting years this book's techniques might or might not help you and your children. As a parent I can say that going with my best gut feeling and my good instinct always helped me through tough spots.

If you would like to know more about the author's promotional tour click HERE.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I am participating in this book review campaign with One2One Network. I received this book free from Harper Collins for the purposes of reviewing it. I have not received any other compensation. My participation in the campaign enters me into a drawing for a gift card. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else.

Hello World Clothing SmartZip Sleeper Review and Giveaway

The Hello World SmartZip Sleeper helps diaper changes be an easier task. With its zipper that unzips at both ends it is great for dressing baby the conventional way and lets you change your little one without having to unzip the whole sleeper.

Comes in 2 colors currently: Blue Me Away and Made Me Blush. A third color: Olive You More is coming soon.

The sleepers are made from 100% interlock cotton. Since cotton is a natural fabric it breaths better than synthetic fibers and is soft against baby's skin. It is also machine washable and has a tag-less neck label so it doesn't irritate the baby. Made in Macau.

I found the 3 month size (which is supposed to be 0-3 months according to their chart) too big for Zari and pajamas should fit snugly. Maybe I should have requested the newborn size. I love the fact that the zipper has a snap flap so that the baby's chin is protected from the top zipper pull and it also has a fabric cover covering the bottom zipper pull so it won't be messed with by little fingers. I thought the non-skid footed bottoms were a nice touch even though she isn't going to be walking for months. The SmartZip Sleeper comes in sizes from newborn to 12 months. Zari will grow into this great sleeper and when she does it will be even more fabulous! She is so cute in it now :)

BUY IT:
You can purchase the SmartZip Sleeper at $32 at Hello World Clothing Company. You can also purchase their SimpleZip Pant at $30 and their Simply Sweet Bodysuit at $20.

WIN IT:
Hello World Clothing has generously offered a SmartZip Sleeper choice of size and color for one of my readers to win.

Mandatory:
1. Go to the Hello World Clothing Company website and tell me by commenting on this post which color and size of SmartZip Sleeper you would love to get.

Additional entries:
1. Subscribe to my blog by feedburner or by email and let me know which way. (2 extra entries each)

2. Fan/Like me on facebook and write something on my wall. (1 extra entry)

3. Blog about this giveaway on your blog and provide me with the link. Make sure you have the link to this post and Hello World Clothing Company in your blog entry or it won't count. (2 extra entries)

4. Grab My Button (see sidebar to the left) AND/OR Put My Blog URL in Your Blogroll - Leave Your Link. (1 extra entry)

5. Technorati my blog and let me know your link. (1 extra entry)

6. Fave me on Momfaves. (2 extra entries)

7. List this giveaway on any giveaway listing website or blog giveaway linky and tell me where you listed it. (2 extra entries)

8. Post this on your Facebook wall, Kirtsy, and/or StumbleUpon. (2 extra entries for each)

9. Comment on one of my regular (not giveaway) posts. (1 extra entry per post you comment on)

10. Follow me on Twitter. (1 extra entry)

11. Tweet this: @finamoon: @whynotsayhello WIN A Hello World Clothing SmartZip Sleeper #giveaway http://bit.ly/fh1frX (Daily Extras are Available)

12. Fan/Like Hello World Clothing on Facebook. (1 extra entry)

13. Follow Hello World Clothing on Twitter. (1 extra entry)

Make sure you leave me your email in all posts so that I can contact you. If you subscribed, blogged about this, listed it, commented on another post, or faved me on Momfaves leave 2 entries saying you did. This contest ends on Friday December 17, 2010 at midnight (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada). This Giveaway is open to all 18 years and over in the U.S. Only!!

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: Thanks to ChicExecs, a company which was created to promote small business campaigns, I was able to let you know about this product. Hello World Clothing Company provided me with the SmartZip Sleeper for free to try and review. This giveaway is also provided free from Hello World Clothing Company. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.

Woombie Review and Giveaway

The Original Peanut Shaped Zipper Swaddle: The Woombie is an ingenious swaddling outfit for babies. It mimics the womb by gently cocooning baby and keeping baby secure. It swaddles baby safely without the use of a blanket or wrap that the baby could possibly get smothered or entrapped in. Allows baby to stretch and move inside without it coming off. Doesn't overheat or confine baby. Prevents: baby from waking up by the startle reflex and baby's little fingernails scratching baby's face. Improves colic symptoms and does not interfere with natural motor development. It also has a 2way zipper that allows you to change baby's diaper without taking the whole outfit off or zipping it completely down. You can just zip the bottom zipper up a little changing baby easily.

Woombies are made of a Cotton/Spandex blend & come in 10 styles & 4 Sizes (All Woombies, except older version Deluxe, come with a larger coil 2way zipper.):

*Original - Medium swaddle, perfect stretch
*Original XL - Made 1" Wider for broader/chunkier babies
*Organic - Medium swaddle similar to Original, but Organic fibers
*Deluxe - A fancier version of the Original. Moderate swaddle
*Houdini - A firmer swaddle. Still very stretchy but less stretch than the Original. Fabric thicker than the Original.
*Summer - Thin and light, super stretchy. Light swaddle
*Winter - 100% Polyester Micro Fleece. Warm and cuddly. Firm swaddle, Minor stretch capabilities. MOST restrictive.
*Convertible - Arms open up to convert to arms-free sleep when it is time. Meant for transitioning purposes. Fabric stretchy, relaxed neck line.
*Leggies - Original Woombie with legs for use in elevated sleepers, swings and strollers.
*Convertible Leggies - Arms open up to transition baby. Use in car seat, stroller, swings, upright positioners and more.

I received a Ballet Pink Ruffles Deluxe Woombie for free for Zari to try out and for me to review. She loves being swaddled, but I was concerned before that her blanket I was swaddling her with would come open and possibly block her airway somehow. I found the Woombie to be what I was looking for in a swaddler. The Deluxe Woombie has the advantage of being super cute, but unfortunately doesn't come in the Convertable or Leggie styles. I think that this would be a great addition to their line and hopefully they will consider this. Since my daughter, Zari, prefers to have her hands-free to suck on her fingers sometimes I unzip the top zipper a bit on this Woombie so that she has access to them. Zari seemed to like the Woombie and fell asleep in it.

BUY IT:
Woombies cost from $12 for the clearance Woombies (older style with one way zipper and/or slight imperfections) to $29.99 for the Deluxe, etc.

WIN IT:
Karen at Woombie has generously offered a Deluxe Woombie for one of my readers to win. (Available in 4 styles: Ballet Pink Ruffles, Tropicale Baby Ruffles, Lil'Princess and Lil'Rockstar.)

Mandatory:
1. Go to The Woombie website and tell me by commenting on this post which Deluxe Woombie you would want to win.

Additional entries:
1. Subscribe to my blog by feedburner or by email and let me know which way. (2 extra entries each)

2. Fan/Like me on facebook and write something on my wall. (1 extra entry)

3. Blog about this giveaway on your blog and provide me with the link. Make sure you have the link to this post and The Woombie in your blog entry or it won't count. (2 extra entries)

4. Grab My Button (see sidebar to the left) AND/OR Put My Blog URL in Your Blogroll - Leave Your Link. (1 extra entry)

5. Technorati my blog and let me know your link. (1 extra entry)

6. Fave me on Momfaves. (2 extra entries)

7. List this giveaway on any giveaway listing website or blog giveaway linky and tell me where you listed it. (2 extra entries)

8. Post this on your Facebook wall, Kirtsy, and/or StumbleUpon. (2 extra entries for each)

9. Comment on one of my regular (not giveaway) posts. (1 extra entry per post you comment on)

10. Follow me on Twitter. (1 extra entry)

11. Tweet this: @finamoon: @woombieswaddler WIN A Deluxe Woombie Baby Swaddler #giveaway http://bit.ly/cPODxT (Daily Extras are Available)

12. Fan/Like The Woombie on Facebook. (1 extra entry)

13. Follow The Woombie on Twitter. (1 extra entry)

Make sure you leave me your email in all posts so that I can contact you. If you subscribed, blogged about this, listed it, commented on another post, or faved me on Momfaves leave 2 entries saying you did. This contest ends on Friday November 26, 2010 at midnight (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada). This Giveaway is open to all 18 years and over in the U.S. Only!!

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: Thanks to Woombie for sending me a Ballet Pink Ruffles Deluxe Woombie for free to test and review and for providing the giveaway. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.

Wordless Wednesday Sleepover

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BlaBla Mermaid Dream Ring Review

BlaBla Kids do fair trade with Peruvian artisans who hand knit their designs. They sent me a Mermaid Dream Ring to review for free. The Mermaid Dream Ring is one of my favorite knitted pieces in their collection. It is made of 100% cotton. These Dream Rings are fairly new in their store and beautiful! I love the ocean and when my older kids had a nursery I would decorate their baby room with dolphins and ocean related things. Since I am expecting a new baby in October I thought the Mermaid Dream Ring would be perfect for the baby's nursery. It is a mobile that you can hang anywhere you please. I think it would look great either over the baby's bassinet, on the wall or in a window. It makes a great baby shower gift or even a gift for older kids. These remind me of dream catchers, a hand made hoop with a woven web or net that was first made by the Ojibwa (Chippewa) Native Americans to hang above their children's beds to capture nightmares. I think that the Blabla Kids Dream Ring's colorful and gorgeous craftsmanship would delight baby for hours and is a lovely reminder of sweet dreams.

DISCLAIMER: Thanks to ChicExecs, a company which was created to promote small business campaigns, I was able to let you know about this product. I received a sample from BlaBla Kids free of charge. All information about the products I received from the products, ChicExecs, and information from the BlaBla Kids website. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.

My Precious One by Miss Amy Review and Giveaway

Miss Amy is a Singer/Songwriter, Guitarist, Music Educator, Family Entertainer, Fitness Instructor, Voiceover Artist. She has four CDs out. "I Wanna Know How It Works!" has songs about about invention, science and life; "My Precious One" has lullabies; "Wide Wide World" has songs about the world and universe and "Underwater" is a compilation of songs good for car rides. These songs and CDs are great for children of all ages.

I received My Precious One to review and giveaway free from Miss Amy. I loved the songs on this CD and my youngest loves to listen to them before bed because they are soothing and melodic. Most of the songs on this CD were new lullabies to me. I like the song Are You Ready To Rock? because it is a bit country and the song Get Along because it is a cowboy/cowgirl lullaby. I also love the Fly song because it is about natural things and how they relate to sleep. Miss Amy has a nice voice and this CD has a relaxing effect that helps my youngest fall asleep. You can listen to clips of each of the songs on each of the 4 CDs and also purchase them HERE.

Track Listing:
01. My Precious One
02. Are You Ready To Rock?
03. Get Along
04. Time Passes
05. Fly
06. Soft As The Snow
07. Dona Nobis Pacem
08. Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
09. The Water Is Wide
10. Goodnight Sweetheart
11. I Dream Of Peace
12. Irish Lullaby

HERE is the lyrics.

WIN IT:
Miss Amy has has generously offered a My Precious One CD to one of my readers to win.

Mandatory:
1. Tell me what your favorite way to go to sleep is AND go to Miss Amy's Website to tell me what other CD of hers you would be interested in listening to (Do Both Or Be Disqualified!!).

Additional entries:
1. Subscribe to my blog by email and let me know. (2 extra entries)

2. Become my fan/like on facebook and write that you are entering this giveaway on my wall. (1 extra entry)

3. Blog about this giveaway on your blog and provide me with the link. Make sure you have the link to this post and Miss Amy in your blog entry or it won't count. (2 extra entries)

4. Grab My Button (see sidebar to the left) AND/OR Put My Blog URL in Your Blogroll - Leave Your Link. (1 extra entry)

5. Technorati my blog and let me know your link. (1 extra entry)

6. List this giveaway on any giveaway listing website or blog and tell me where you listed it. (2 extra)

7. Add me on Twitter and Tweet this: @finamoon: @MissAmyKids WIN A My Precious One lullaby CD #giveaway http://bit.ly/b1fif7 (Daily Extras are Available)

8. Fan Miss Amy on Facebook. (1 extra entry)

9. Follow Miss Amy on Twitter. (1 extra entry)

Make sure you leave me your email in all posts so that I can contact you. This contest ends on Friday June 25, 2010 at midnight (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada). This Giveaway is open to U.S. Only!!

DISCLAIMER: Thanks to Miss Amy for sending me a free My Precious One CD to test and review. This giveaway is also provided free from Miss Amy. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.

Wordless Wednesday Teela Dreaming of Karate Kid or Yoga Poses?

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Wordless Wednesday What Did You Put In These Brownies?

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