Dana Reviews

Listerine and Reach: An Oral Care Challenge

2010-11-13T12:38:00.002-06:00

I have to confess I'm happy that Halloween is over. While I love to drag out the spooky decorations and take the kids trick-or-treating (and yes, chocolate is my weakness), I worry about the impact all that candy has on my kids' teeth and I'm a wee bit obsessive about making sure they brush often.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) states that despite parents' best efforts, 50 percent of children will have a cavity between the ages of five and nine. We all know that candy and soda are often to blame, however even seemingly healthy foods like fruit juice and milk can be the source of cavities. My own dentist shared (horror) stories about some infants having tooth decay from always walking around with a bottle of milk.

Protecting our kids from cavities should be a parent's top priority. The AAPD recommends that parents schedule an appointment with a dentist as soon as the first tooth appears. I'm sad to report I didn't know this until now, and Dawson has had a cavity before entering kindergarten, even though he brushes morning and night. Getting him into the habit of taking care of his teeth was not easy. I had to practically force him to open his mouth those first few times.

Recently we had the opportunity to participate in the Listerine and Reach Oral Care challenge as part of a blog tour sponsored by Mom Central Consulting. We received an array of tooth brushes and flossing tools, as well as 7 different mouth washes (Listerine Smart Rinse, Listerine Zero, Cool Mint, Agent Blue pre-rinse and more!).

Our family brushed daily and used Listerine mouth wash after flossing. My husband likes the mint flavor best. I'm not really picky as long as my mouth feels clean. Dawson loved the batman tooth brush and after bribing him with TV time he tried the "Batman" Smart Rinse and didn't complain too much. The goal was to complete this oral care routine for a month, and we managed to get 3 weeks in before this review.

Dawson loves the Batman toothbrush, too. This brush helps easily clean those hard to reach places. I like the soft bristles that are designed for new and developing teeth. The brush head is not too big, so it fits well into a child's mouth and the ergonomic handle helps Dawson hold the brush in his hand.

Our family dentist was extremely happy that Listerine and Reach had teamed up to encourage families to get involved in oral hygiene. I'm just glad that we're setting a great example for our boys. The makers of Listerine and Reach have also teamed up with America's Toothfairy to launch "Trick or Treat for America's Toothfairy," a campaign to raise awareness of pediatric dental disease and help provide life changing care to underserved children. Please visit the America's Toothfairy website for more information.

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I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of LISTERINE and REACH and received products to take the Oral Care Challenge. Mom Central Consulting also sent me a Global Giving gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Baby Food: Making it Easy with Annabel Karmel & Infantino

2010-11-12T23:24:00.000-06:00

A few weeks ago I received Annabel Karmel food making products from Infantino as part of a Mom Central Consulting blog tour. I have to say, this stuff is pretty darn awesome:

As mom to a 13 month old who never really cared for processed baby food, I always wanted to make my own baby food but never really knew how to begin or what products to try. I'm grateful to be able to try these products. So, let me share my thoughts!

First things first, the Fresh Food Mill is fantastic. Owen loves fresh fruits and vegetables but with only so many teeth it's hard for me to serve some of them without spending hours in the kitchen steaming and mashing or cutting them into bite-sized pieces. This food mill allows me to make purees that are fresh tasting and easy for Owen to eat.

The Steam Release Micro Dish is a wonderful complement to the Fresh Food Mill because it is the ideal size container for cooking single-serve portions. After steaming carrots I can then use the food mill to make a puree. So far I've steamed potatoes, peas, beans and broccoli and have used the food mill to grind them up and Owen loves them! The great part about these products is that recipes are included inside the packaging as well as on the outside of the box.

Next up, the Mash & Serve Bowl is great for smashing sweet potatoes and steamed cauliflower. I even use it to trick Dawson into eating "mashed potatoes" which are half potatoes and half cauliflower. These products are BPA free, so I don't have to worry about nasty chemicals going into our foods.

For food storage, we received 6 Stackable Food Pots with easy-to-seal lids in three great colors; pink, green and blue. These containers are dishwasher, freezer and microwave safe, too. The down right perfect! We also received a Freeze Tray with nine 1 oz. sections, or food cubes, that make it easy to freeze and store the freshly prepared baby food for later consumption.

Then we've got the Fill & Freeze Puree Pops which remind me of those Tupperware freezer pop makers that my mother used to make Kool-Aid pops when we were kids. I like diluting fruit juice with water to make perfect pops when the boys have colds. They still get some nutrients and stay hydrated, too. These are also perfect for babies who are teething. Freeze a puree and use a pop to soothe tender gums. This product is also freezer and dishwasher safe and so easy to clean.

Last but not least we got a Double Decker Meal box which has 2 single-serve microwavable dishes, 2 large compartment storage containers and 2 plastic spoons (one is really a spork). I like that I can store either small or large portions and take them on the go. Being so busy, this is one item that is easy to use and fits great in our diaper bag.

I really like the products because of they are easy to use, BPA free, most items are freezer, dishwasher and microwave safe, and let's face it, they are so cute to look at. Annabel Karmel designed fabulous products and I'm so glad that Mom Central sent them to us to try on behalf of Infantino.

Stay tuned for another post with recipes and photos of our creations!

For more information about the Annabel Karmel products, visit the Infantino website. Be sure to check out Infantino's brand new website, too!

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I am a participant in a Mom Central Consulting campaign for Infantino and have received various Infantino products as part of my participation.

Shutterfly: The Place to Create Your Photo Cards

2010-11-04T22:32:00.005-05:00

Since Halloween is one of my favorite holidays (hello! chocolate!) I decided to take a picture of my sweet boys in their Star Wars costumes and then create a photo card to send to the family. Dawson dressed up as a Shadow Trooper this year and little Owen donned the cutest Yoda costume ever. His chubby cheeks definitely made the costume work.

Here's my creation, made at Shutterfly:

The thing I love most about photography is setting the scene of my photos. I love finding the perfect backgrounds and capturing a smile or twenty from the the boys. What I love most about Shutterfly is the great number of creative options for my photo cards.

Shutterfly offers great value when it comes to cards and stationary, but you can create photo books as well as order prints, calendars and photo gifts, too. The possibilities are endless.

Last year I designed our Christmas photo card using Shutterfly. I wanted to get that perfect picture of then 5-year-old Dawson and 2-month-old Owen and make the sweetest holiday card. Fifty less-than-stellar photos later, I decided to throw in the towel. Both kids were crying and I snapped a picture. Then creative genius hit. I decided to use the crying shot and this is what I came up with:

How can you not love that? I can't wait to make our 2010 Christmas card.

Here's something else to love!

Shutterfly is offering 20% off all holiday cards. You don't want to miss this deal!

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Full Disclosure: I've used Shutterfly for my photo card needs for past two years. While, I wrote this review as part of a free holiday card promotion sponsored by Shutterfly, and will receive a promo code for 50 free photo cards, the opinions expressed in this blog post are entirely mine, and have not been influenced by the brand and/or company that partnered with me.

Halloween Photo Card 2010

2010-10-15T11:14:00.001-05:00

Little Goblins Halloween Card

Make a statement with Shutterfly Halloween photo cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

Good Health is Under Way!

2010-07-15T21:00:00.000-05:00

For as long as I remember I've struggled with my weight. I have this perception of my body that is probably very skewed, but being overweight is part of that problem. My weight is the result of a hormonal imbalance (I was diagnosed with PCOS in 1998) as well as my difficulty with emotional eating. When I'm sad or depressed I turn to the ice cream and potato chips.

Wait. Let me rephrase that. I used to turn to the junk food. Over the last few years I've gradually learned to eat healthier and cut out all the garbage (but I confess: when I was pregnant, I didn't care what I ate, I was hungry ALL the time).

Now I read labels and count calories and squeeze in cardio and weight training whenever I can. I'm feeling good about myself and taking on new challenges (like training for a 5k! Who knew?).

Recently I had the opportunity to try several health food products. The first is a health drink called UNDERway. It's an appetite suppressant supplement drink that suppresses your appetite naturally and quenches your thirst. It's filled with HeroFiber™ (a super fiber) and vitamins. One bottle of UNDERway delivers the equivalent of 9 grams of fiber nutrition which is nearly a third of your daily recommended requirement of fiber content. And this drank is only 20 calories.

The Acai-Pomegranate drink is my favorite. I like the taste and it quenched my thirst just as expected. I will say that I slammed the drink after a work out and had a bit of a stomach afterward, but I'm thinking this is because I was a bit dehydrated. I'm so used to drinking water and maybe my body was in a bit of shock to drink something so flavorful. UNDERway also comes in Grape and Orange flavors as well.

The other products are part of the Smart for Life program. I sampled oatmeal and chocolate chip cookies, chocolate mountain cupcakes (SO, SO GOOD!) and carrot cupcakes that were delicious and filling, made with the same HeroFiber.

At first it was hard to get used to the flavors because I'm so used to eating food that is super sweet. These desserts are actually good for you. My favorite are the Smart Crunch. I can't describe as anything like I've tasted. They are gooey but crunchy and definitely cure my crunchy cravings.

My husband tried the Momma's Chicken Noodle soup and loved it! He said it was the best "diet" soup he'd ever tasted. And the Smart Bagels are so darn good. I wish I had two packages of those!

After trying the products, exercising and getting enough rest, I lost 5 pounds over two weeks. I'm not sure if these products are the reason, but I do know they motivated me to be healthy.

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I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of underWAY and Smart for Life and received samples of the products to review.

The Moment I Knew

2010-07-15T09:22:00.000-05:00

When I discovered I was pregnant with my first son, I was so excited (and shocked!) that I saved the positive pregnancy test. I put it in a plastic sandwich bag and stored it our bathroom closet. My husband thought it was the grossest thing a woman could do. The funniest part about it was that I made a remark that I should create a keepsake box and market them to other women who may have done the same thing I did. The laughed and called me crazy.

People, I could have been a millionaire, because the brilliant people at e.p.t have crated a pregnancy keepsake and scrapbook card for women to save their positive pregnancy tests! And can you believe that 67% of women do save them? They do! I'm not crazy (I know this because I saved the tests -- yes, more than one -- from my second pregnancy, too!).

Each moment I saw that positive sign my heart filled with joy. I was so happy to be pregnant. As someone who suffered infertility, I didn't think it was possible for me to conceive. The tears of pain were finally washed away by new tears of joy. I was blessed with two beautiful boys. They are the light of my life.

Telling my husband was more fun. I remember calling him at work to share the news (because I can't pee on a stick with him anywhere near me -- it's a crazy fear of jinxing things). He thought I was joking.

"We're pregnant!" I shouted.

"We're what?" he asked.

"PREGNANT! I just took a test!" I exclaimed.

"Are you sure your pee isn't screwed up? Maybe it's giving a wrong reading..."

You can sense his shock, right? Even thought the e.p.t. was correct, my husband insisted on getting a second test at the doctor's office. When they drew my blood he was freaked out, but not as freaked out as when they called later and confirmed that we were indeed having a baby.

"I'm gonna be a father...!" he said. "Holy cow."

We're so lucky to have our sons and I'm so glad I saved those tests. I bring them out every once in awhile, just to remember the excitement of those moments!

Now, if only my husband had listened to my idea, I'd be rolling in the dough right now! Kudos e.p.t for cashing in and creating this keepsake!

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I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of e.p.t and received an e.p.t. keepsake case and a $20 gift card to JustGive.org to facilitate my review.

Juice + Tree Top = One Happy Kid

2010-06-30T22:12:00.006-05:00

My soon-to-be 6-year-old loves apple juice. Whenever he's given a choice between AJ and anything else, he always chooses the apple. It's no surprise really, his favorite fruit is an apple as well.

We've tried a wide variety of juice brands, and recently we had the opportunity to try Tree Top. Samples of their apple juice, mango peach juice drink and applesauce were sent to us and Dawson and I practically fought over the contents of the box.

I wanted to use the applesauce in an oatmeal raisin cookie recipe, but Dawson had container cracked open before I could stop him. He absolutely loves applesauce and the Tree Top brand is delicious, without being too sweet like some of the other brands we've tried.

As for the apple juice, I froze part of it in ice cube trays and let Owen use them as a teething remedy (I place the cubes in his mesh food server for safety). He thought it was the best thing since sliced bread.

Dawson and I shared the Tree Top Trim Mango Peach juice drink. I didn't think he'd like it because he's never tried anything like it. Boy was I surprised that he thought it was fantastic:

I was happy he was consuming 50% less sugar and calories. I always try to water down juice when I give it to the kids to drink, but Tree Top Trim is a healthy choice and that is very important to me.

The Tree Top brand is definitely added to our grocery list. For more information visit the Tree Top website.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Tree Top and received products necessary to facilitate my candid review. In addition, I received a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Infantino: Baby Gear You'll Love

2010-06-27T08:34:00.001-05:00

I've been working with the fabulous consultants at Mom Central for quite some time and was offered the opportunity to test drive some awesome baby products from Infantino. I'm on my second go-round of motherhood and while I saved most of the gear I used with Dawson, I realized how worn out it had become because he played hard with his toys.

Infantino sent three products for us to try: the Twist & Fold Activity Gym, the Fold & Go Bouncer, and the Jumbo Wheel Play Space. When the box arrived I was very excited to rip it open and see what was inside. My first impression was very positive. These products are bright and colorful without being too busy and over-stimulating. I love the jungle themed activity mat with the lion, monkey and elephant hanging down from the crossbars. Owen loves the activity gym as evidenced here:

The Jumbo Wheel Play Space is so much fun! There are so many things that grab his attention, from the rings to the squeaker in the elephant's hat, to the crinkly ears on the elephant and monkey. Check out this happy baby:

He is fascinated with mirrors and both these toys include them in the fun. My little loves to look at "the baby" in the mirror. It's even more fun when he catches a glimpse of Mommy, Daddy or Big Brother Dawson in it, too. We took this wheel mat to the park with us and five other moms commented on how big the play space is and how much they love the colors.

Lastly, we received the bouncer. Owen is just growing too quickly; the chunky monkey barely fits in the seat, but he still loves the toy bar and the vibrating chair:

I love that this bouncer can go anywhere! It folds flat and fits nicely in the trunk (along with the stroller and diaper bag and every other baby item imaginable!). It has soothing vibrations, and by pressing a button you get a heartbeat and 2 nature sounds as well as three different melodies and volume control. This bouncer is full of options for being so compact!

My best friend recently gave birth to her first child and I've recommended Infantino products to her because I truly believe that Infantino puts a lot of thought into their products. Not only do they care about our precious babies, but they come up with unique designs and features that appeal to us picky parents, too. Kudos to you, Infantino!

For more information about these products click the links above or visit www.infantino.com.

Do You Have Smart Taste?

2010-06-08T21:57:00.007-05:00

I love whole-wheat pasta. I try to incorporate it into our weekly meal regime but, my husband isn't a fan of the way it tastes. And the kids? They don't really care what they put in their mouths as long as it's covered in cheese or marinara sauce. We have tried many different brands of pastas and recently had the chance to try Ronzoni Smart Taste spaghetti noodles.

The best thing about Ronzoni is that it's the first "white" pasta to be enriched with Fiber, Calcium and Vitamin D, so I can feed my family something healthy as well as tasty. Ronzoni Smart taste has the Calcium and Vitamin D equivalent to one 8-ounce glass of milk. While I'd never replace any food for milk, I do love that we're getting enough calcium in our bodies to prevent brittle bones and osteoporosis. This pasta is lower in calories and fat, too, which I think will keep those extra pounds off my middle.My husband was skeptical at first, but I pleaded with him to just try it. Here's the dish we made:

Looks delish, doesn't it? Check this view out:

Yes, we really did garnish our pasta with green onions -- it was fabulous.

Ronzoni Smart Taste isn't a whole wheat pasta, but it is super nutritious and everyone in my family loved. Even little Owen had a few noodles. He loved playing with the box, too:

Dawson asked for "that same pasta, but I want the curly noodles! And with butter!" Buttered noodles is his favorite dish. I'll gladly make it for him any time using the Ronzoni Smart Taste rotini.

If you'd like to try Ronzoni Smart Taste, click here to get a coupon for 75 cents off.

“I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Ronzoni and received products necessary to facilitate my candid review and photo contest entry. In addition, I received a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Noodles & Company: Great Taste in Pasta

2010-06-03T06:27:00.002-05:00

I love pasta. My family loves it, too. One of our favorite places to grab great tasting pasta dishes is Noodles & Company. When Mom Central asked us to review the restaurants menu selections I was thrilled!

We received coupons for 5 dishes of noodles. My husband ordered his favorite, Japanese Pan Noodles. Dawson went with his old standby, Buttered Noodles. I chose the new Asparagus & Lemon Linguine. It was delicious. I love asparagus, whether it's grilled, steamed or sauteed, but this entree whet my palette; it was unexpectedly fantastic.

The taste of fresh asparagus, sugar snap peas, feta cheese, basil, red onions, mushrooms and fresh lemon juice is awesome. The flavors meld together perfectly. I'm definitely ordering this again.

What we love about Noodles & Company, aside from great tasting pasta, is that we are able to choose healthy choices when we can. I prefer whole-wheat pasta over regular semolina, and N & C offers whole wheat in their Tuscan Linguine as well. Now that it's aparagus season, you can add it to any dish for just $1.25.

If you love pasta, Noodles & Company is the place for you! Go on, order the aspargus in your fave dish!

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I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Noodles & Company and received five Noodles & Company bowl cards to facilitate my review. Mom Central also sent me a thank-you gift certificate.

Halls Spells Allergy Relief

2010-06-02T11:30:00.002-05:00

Everyone in my house suffers from seasonal allergies. My husband has attacks in Spring and Fall. My oldest son, Dawson, sneezes and coughs from May to August. I started noticing allergy symptoms after I had my first child. (Owen, our youngest child, is showing signs of allergies, too.)

Recently we had the opportunity to try Halls cough drops for allergy relief. The thought had not occurred to me to use what I considered a cold medicine to relieve allergy symptoms.

Halls cough drops helped reduce the scratchy throats, watery eyes and sneezing that all come with allergy territory. My husband was very impressed with how fast they worked. He typically used over the counter medicines like Claritin for his allergies, but Halls cough drops seemed to work well while waiting for his allergy meds to kick in.

Dawson tried a cough drop, too. His only complaint was the taste. Even though they were cherry flavored, he prefers the sweeter, candy-like cough drops. Typical 5-year-old.

I liked the way the drops taste. They are not too sweet, but they aren't sour like some others I've tried. I was glad that my sore throat pain lessened as the lozenge dissolved in my mouth.

Overall we really like the Halls cough drops and recommend them to anyone who suffers from allergies.

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I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Halls and received products necessary to facilitate my candid review. In addition, I received a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Clean Your Air

2010-05-30T13:55:00.000-05:00

Spring is in full bloom and that usually causes my family's allergy attacks to begin. It also makes me crazy because I have the urge to clean the house from top to bottom. Naturally, time constraints and raising two children prevents me from spending as much time as I'd like on deep cleaning. So, I try to do what I can when I have spare moments.

The folks at Filtrete know how important it is to keep our homes clean and healthy. While most of us worry about dirty dishes in the sink and piles of laundry overflowing from the baskets, it's important to make sure the air we breathe is clean and free from dust mites, dander and pollen.

While I haven't tried Filtrete filters, I make an effort to dust our book shelves, mantle and ceiling fans on a weekly basis if not more. My husband washes windows and walls whenever he has the chance, and we vacuum our floors once daily.

I noticed we have fewer allergy attacks when we tackle the little things like dusting and polishing all those surfaces.

What kinds of cleaning tips do you have to share? I'd love to hear them!

Check out Filtrete's website to get cleaning tips and to sign up for the Cleain Air Club.

Hot Moms-to-Be: This Book is for You!

2010-05-26T18:55:00.001-05:00

When I was pregnant with my children I never felt that I looked good. I was always worried about my weight, and I felt that all those pregnancy ailments were wrecking havoc on my hair, my skin and the rest of my body.

I really wish I had a copy of the book The Hot Mom to Be Handbook: Look and Feel Great from Bump to Baby by Jessica Denay. Denay is a blogger and founder of the online community Hot Moms Club. She believes that a hot mom is a woman who is confident and her book discusses pregnancy and motherhood from an honest perspective. Denay is not afraid to offer advice that is realistic and helpful.

She talks about a wide range of subjects, from healthy eating habits to baby showers, the best diaper bags and baby gear. I love the tone of the book. I felt like I was having a conversation with a friend instead of reading a scientific novel on all things pregnancy and baby.

Denay mixes humor with her information and even touches on the subject of piercings as she tells the reader to pass on breastfeeding if you've got a nipple ring (which I DO NOT might I add).

Overall this book is charming and funny and I appreciated all the advice and information.

Check it out at your local book store, or online if you prefer to shop over the internet.

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I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of HarperCollins and received a copy of The Hot Mom to Be Handbook to facilitate my review. Mom Central also sent me a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Get Out of the Office with FedEx

2010-05-24T09:01:00.000-05:00

Have you checked out FedEx’s Out of Office blog? It has so many fun and creative do-it-yourself solutions and projects for many occasions!

I spent many days browsing all the different ideas on this blog. The Home Helper and Parent Project sections are my favorites! And the Business Builder! You must click the link, right now! Go on! See the awesomeness? Who knew FedEx was so cool?

We received a craft pack from FedEx and with instructions to make personalized book marks, as well as crayons, ribbon and wrapping paper strips, and stickers. Dawson is a fantastic artist and he went right to work on his project. Using the FedEx blog for ideas, we each made our own bookmark and I plan on taking them to FedEx to laminate them. (Pictures to follow, my card reader isn't working properly these days.)

What are your favorite ideas from the FedEx Out of Office blog?

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I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of FedEx Office and received the items necessary to facilitate my review. In addition, Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Over or Under?

2010-04-19T23:37:00.001-05:00

When it comes to toilet paper, my husband considers himself and expert. He's rather picky about toilet paper, actually. It can't be too expensive, it must be 2-ply, it has to be absorbent without leaving "lint" behind. Pun intended. Funny thing is, he never changes the toilet paper roll. This is one of my biggest pet peeves. I cringe when I enter the bathroom and find and empty roll still on the holder, and a new roll of paper on the toilet tank. I mean seriously, how lazy do you have to be? If you are already sitting down... I digress. Moving on.

When I was asked by Mom Central to participate in a review of Cottonelle toilet paper I jumped at the chance. My plan was to have my husband write the review, considering how much he loves to debate the best brand of TP. But again, the laziness.

We received 4 rolls of Cottonelle and when the box arrived I promptly rolled under. I know. I KNOW. Most people roll over. I am in the 28% who do not roll over, but I wasn't always an under roller. Before kids, I rolled the paper over. I have only one reason for the switch: if I roll it over, my son will use a lot of toilet paper. He's five. He doesn't understand the rules of TP. When I roll under, he doesn't seem to be able to grab an excessive amount of toilet paper.

Regardless of your rolling preference, Cottonelle toilet paper will accommodate over and under rolling. This toilet paper is soft and super absorbent. It's a strong, textured paper. It met all of my husband's requirements.

The best thing about this Cottonelle is that it's made by Kimberly-Clark, and we have a KC mill in my hometown. After trying this brand I think I'll buy it more often, especially since I know it will boost the local economy. And of course, who can resist the fun of the Great Debate. Tell me: Over or Under?

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I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Cottonelle and received a sample to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Let There Be Light: Sylvania Halogen Light Bulbs

2010-03-26T22:25:00.000-05:00

When Mom Central asked me to test Sylvania halogen light bulbs, the first thing that came to mind was an episode of The Golden Girls I had watched several years ago. Rose was testing two light bulb brands to see which one lasted longer. She set up the bulbs on a test socket board and literally watched them for hours while they were lit, only to be distracted by Blanche from noticing which bulb went out first.

Thankfully, this review is nothing at all like that episode. When it comes to light bulbs, I'm no expert. I usually buy the generic 60 watt type. In effort to go green my husband and I have used other energy-saving bulbs only to discover a few annoyances.

The last brand we tried took a while to "warm-up". After flipping the switch the bulb was dim for several minutes before lighting up to it's full strength. It didn't seem to last as long as I had expected either. I had to replace that bulb less than a month later.

The Sylvania halogen bulbs are so much better. The light is bright from moment I hit the switch. These bulbs look like a regular incandescent bulb but this product is made by I name that I trust. Sylvania is committed to bringing lighting solutions to consumers, in addition to producing light bulbs that will have less of a negative impact on our environment. Kudos, Sylvania!

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“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of SYLVANIA and received products necessary to facilitate my candid review. In addition, I received a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Photo Books: Now More Simple Than Before

2010-03-15T23:06:00.001-05:00

As a scrapbooking junkie, I've tried many different products over the last ten years, from traditional to digital and everything in between.

When I was offered the opportunity to try the new American Greetings PhotoWorks Studio Books I was very excited. I love digital scrapbooking, but I'm not a fan of using software that needs to be installed on my computer. In years past I used a Creative Memories software but it's very expensive to buy digital accessories. The PhotoWorks website offers a wide variety of themes including Wedding, Baby, Travel, Kids, Holidays and more.

When I discovered I could choose a theme without downloading software I was in love. The studio books are amazing. Each theme has a pre-designed template, fully customizable by changing the photo layout or background color, as well as the digital embellishments.

After registering for a free account and then uploading my photos to an online album; a process which took twenty minutes (more or less time may be needed depending on the volume of photos you intend to use), I was able to create an entire 8.5 x 11 photo book in under an hour.

The PhotoWorks site allows me to save any unfinished projects making it very easy to pick up where I left off without any effort. These books are amazing! Most projects are printed in less than 3 business days, and shipped withing 7-10 business days. My book arrived in one week. I'm very happy with the price as well. Most finished books are $39.95 for the 8.5 x 11 size, but PhotoWorks offers 8 x 8 for $29.95 or 12 x 12 for $54.95. The prices are much more reasonable than other products I've used in the past.

Another great benefit to using American Greetings PhotoWorks is the ability to share my project. I was able to e-mail my project in the form of a slide show to my family members as well as give the recipients the ability to save copies of the photos (or the book itself ) to their own PhotoWorks account to create their own photo gifts.

The American Greetings PhotoWorks Studio Books are simply fantastic and I'm so glad I got the chance to use this service. Thank you Mom Central!

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I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of American Greetings PhotoWorks and received a free photo book to facilitate my review.

Time for Munchkin Math!

2009-12-22T20:38:00.005-06:00

When it comes to learning to tell time, my 5-year-old has a little trouble. He prefers the digital clocks and calls out the numbers instead of the time ("It's 5, 4, 2, Mom!").

I've tried to explain how to tell time on a standard clock with hands, but Dawson gets frustrated and doesn't really understand the long and short of it.

Enter Munchkin Math by Wendy Miller. Her DVD about telling time gives important reasons for learning to tell time. For example, we need to know when to wake up, when to go to bed, when it's time to eat, when it's time to play, etc.

Wendy and her animated bird friends, Stan and Cuckoo learn to tell time by using unique rhymes, chants and hand gestures.

Cuckoo needs to learn how to tell time so that he can earn his own clock. First Cuckoo learns what seconds, minutes and hours are. By clapping rhythmically, Wendy teaches seconds and explains that 60 claps equals 60 seconds in one minute. Then with a clever rhyme she teaches there are 60 minutes in an hour and 24 hours in a day.

Children on the DVD ask questions to help learn more about how long a second, a minute and an hour is in length. It takes a minute to go down a slide, and a nap is about an hour long, and so forth.

Dawson was intrigued by this DVD because of the clever rhymes. Wendy also uses the classic nursery rhyme Hickory, Dickory, Dock as well:

Hickory, Dickory, Dock!
There are two hands on the clock.
The hour hand's short, the minute hand's is long.
Hickory, Dickory, Dock!

Wendy also uses rhymes to teach children where the numbers are around the clock, and uses her arms like the hour and minute hands as well. This is great for learning the actual number and how many minutes it represents when telling time, for example when it's 5:00 p.m., the long hand points to the 12 and the short hand points to the 5 and so on.

With a little practice, Dawson was learning to tell time on the standard clock! And Cuckoo earned his own clock, too!

We like Munchkin Math a lot. I was happy that the DVD is interactive so that parents and kids can participate together. For more information on Munchkin Math click the link.

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“I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Munchkin Math and received a sample DVD to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Nature Valley Granola Nut Clusters

2009-11-26T10:00:00.002-06:00

The folks at MyBlogSpark sent us samples of the Nature Valley Granola Nut Clusters to try and I was very excited to taste these healthy granola snacks. We received four different flavors: Roasted Cashew, Nut Lovers, Roasted Almond and Honey Roasted Peanut. Everyone in my family loves nuts; from peanuts to pistachios, we crack a shell or two 'round here.

Bringing natural goodness to snacking since introducing the first granola bar in 1975, the folks at Nature Valley offer a variety of healthy granola snacks. I love their granola bars and the bite-sized Granola Nut Clusters are a lightly sweet, yet salty, combination of roasted nuts gently rolled in Nature Valley granola and a touch of honey.

Enjoying these delicious snacks makes me want to don hiking gear and tackle the bluffs, or maybe even a mountain. Each flavor has around 150 to 160 calories per serving and only 7 to 10 grams of fat. They are filling, too. A serving size is about 1 ounce or approximately 8 clusters, but I was satisfied after only 5.

These snacks are 100% natural, and 100% delicious. I'm loving them, and I know you will, too!

Win It: The MyBlogSpark peeps have given a second Nature Valle Granola package to give away to one lucky reader. Leave a comment on this post with the flavor you'd like to try most. One winner will be chosen at random. Giveaway ends 11/30/09 at midnight CST. Good luck! (Please include your e-mail address so I may contact the winner!)

Lunchables: New and Improved

2009-09-03T19:31:00.001-05:00

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central on behalf of Oscar Mayer Lunchables and received a sample to facilitate my candid review. In addition, Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Have you tried the new Lunchables yet? According to my almost 5-year-old son, they are "really, really good!" When Mom Central sent us the coupon to try a sample, we were thrilled. We did have some trouble finding them at our local grocery store, however. Apparently they were so new that the store hadn't gotten them in yet.

After visiting 3 different grocery stores, we finally found one that only carried the Dish Cheese Pizza so we thought we'd give it a try.

The new package design is great. With an upper plastic tray to hold the pizza crust and cheese, and a lower compartment holding the tomato sauce, mini-Nilla Wafers, bottle of water, Kool-Aid single packet, apple sauce and spoon, it was easy to open and assemble the pizza. Dawson loved putting the tomato sauce and cheese on the crust, but his favorite part was mixing the Kool-Aid powder in the bottle of water. He shook it up and said it was Cherry and delicious.

I was impressed by how easy it was for him to eat his lunch without making a mess. As a mom to a pre-kindergartner, one with picky tastes to boot, I often struggle with finding healthy lunches that Dawson will actually eat and enjoy. He'd eat chicken nuggets every day if I let him.

Thankfully, Lunchables are one of his favorite lunch choices. I'm eager to try the other five varieties which include: Turkey + Cheddar Sub Sandwich, Ham + American Sub Sandwich, Turkey + Cheddar Cracker Combos, Ham +American Cracker Combos, and Deep Dish Pepperoni Pizza. Both the Turkey + Cheddar Sub Sandwich and Deep Dish Cheese Pizza (the one we chose) meet the Kraft Foods Sensible Solution criteria for nutritional value.

The product line also offers the following enhancements:

· First-ever sub sandwich

· Turkey made with 100% turkey breast: a good source of protein

· Bread made with whole grain

· Kraft 2% cheddar: an excellent source of calcium

· Applesauce

· Dessert like Chewy Chips Ahoy! Cookies and Mini Nilla Wafers

The new Lunchables are now on our favorites list! Thanks Oscar Meyer and Mom Central for this great opportunity!

Because Things Can Never Be Too Clean

2009-08-14T21:02:00.003-05:00

I've read all the What to Expect books. From pregnancy to birth to toddlerhood, I've crammed my brain with all the important information pertaining to my children and their development. One can never be over-prepared for all things related to motherhood and child rearing.

When it comes to keeping kids healthy I've learned to expect the unexpected, but even then I'm often caught off guard when my son catches a cold or whatever virus just so happens to be going around daycare.

With the H1N1 virus scare still rocking the country, I find that I've become overly concerned with cleaning the house, washing hands and making sure I have a stock of Clorox disinfectant wipes in my cleaning cabinet.

Speaking of Clorox, the company has teamed up with the What to Expect Foundation, and has created a Healthy Home Growth Chart which can be downloaded by clicking here. Plus, it's free!

The What to Expect Foundation, as part of its mission to keep families healthy and help them know “what to expect” during pregnancy and beyond, developed this timeline with a grant from The Clorox Company. It’s full of helpful tips on how to keep your home safer and healthier for your family – now, and as your little ones grow.

Did you know that the average child can touch up to about 300 surfaces every 30 minutes? When I stop to think about it I realize that can add up to a lot of germs!

We all know that and washing is the most effective way to help keep germs from spreading. We've made hand washing a rule in our house, and if we're away from home and away from a sink, soap and water, we rely on the stock of anti-bacterial hand sanitizer I've stashed in the car, my purse and diaper bag. I've also got anti-bacterial wet wipes in the glove compartment, too.

When cold and flu season rolls around, I make sure to clean surfaces regularly, such as door handles, light switches, telephone hand sets and dialing pads, cell phones, laptops and computer keyboards and anything our hands may touch on a frequent basis.

My husband even takes our kitchen, bathroom and bedroom garbage cans to the mudroom and disinfects the inside and outside surfaces once a month. One can never be too careful, he says.

Reading through the Healthy Home Growth Chart, I learned some tips for cleaning baby's bottles (important for me to know, especially now that I'm expecting Baby #2 in less than ten weeks!), including the bottle nipples and other parts. Hot soapy water and using a bottle brush for those nooks and crannies works wonders.

I've discovered it's important to clean baby's toys and rattles and other plastic surfaces, too. Just by soaking in hot soapy water or tossing them into the dishwasher can quickly kill germs. I still soak Dawson's Legos twice a month. He plays with them every day. Who knows how many germs can be found on those things.

The one thing I didn't even think about was cleaning the car steering wheel, door handles and other surfaces I touch every time I drive. Using a disinfecting wipe does the trick. I can't believe I was so concerned with the surfaces in my house and didn't realize that cars can be germy, too.

The Healthy Home Growth Chart offers tips for keeping our home and kids healthy, beginning with 1 month old through 5 years of age. Packed with great tips and advice for keeping our families healthy, this guide is definitely worth checking out.

Have any tips for keeping your family healthy? Share them in the comments!

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I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Clorox and the What to Expect Guide, and received a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate. Mom Central has asked me to review the product in connection with this blog tour.

Pregnancy & Childbirth: Laughing and Learning With Sheri Bayles

2009-07-19T22:23:00.008-05:00

At 27 weeks pregnant, I'm starting to really think about my impending labor and delivery of Baby #2. Let's just say I'm uncertain. My first pregnancy wasn't easy and being unprepared for birth didn't help matters.

Over the last few weeks I've been reading up on labor, delivery and natural childbirth. From books to blogs, I've devoured every bit of advice and savored my new wealth of knowledge.

Recently, I was offered the opportunity to review the Laugh and Learn series and received 3 fantastic DVDs; Laugh and Learn About Childbirth, Laugh and Learn About Breastfeeding and Laugh and Learn about Newborn Baby Care.

Each video is a recording of a live class taught by Sheri Bayles, BSN, RN and award winning Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator. Sheri is also and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and since 1981, she has taught over 4,000 couples in the New York Metro Area including 20 over 20 years at New York Presbyterian Hospital as an Ob/Gyn nurse.

Wow. That's a ton of experience. And it shows in her thoughtful and humorous approach to teaching nervous parents like me about what to expect in labor and delivery.

Yes. Labor and delivery has been on my mind as of late, so I watched Laugh and Learn About Childbirth, first.

On the video Sheri teaches a comprehensive childbirth class to five couples, all in different stages of their pregnancies. The class is broken down into six lessons, beginning with the anatomy and preliminary signs of labor. The second lesson describes three actual signs of labor, and Sheri offers one breathing technique (which does not involve all that huffing and puffing you see on television.... I'm looking at you, TLC).

Sheri then discusses what labor will be like and offers comfort measures such as controlled breathing, massage by your labor coach, SigOth or partner and then gives detailed information about delivery, pushing and cord blood banking.

My favorite part is when Ms. Bayles talks about the medications used in Labor, such as pitocin for labor induction, stadol or morphine for pain relief (it really only takes the edge off, and makes you groggy between contractions), and the difference between an epidural and spinal block.

She discusses the use of forceps and vacuum to assist with delivery (and why they may be necessary) and explains the types of monitoring the hospital staff may use to make sure mother and baby are cared for throughout the labor and birth.

Sherri also explains cesarean section and the circumstances that may contribute to cesarean birth, she gives an honest account of what recovery from that type of surgery wil be like and talks about the importance of taking it easy during the post partum period.

I was very impressed with the volume of information Ms. Bayles provides in this 4 hour course; after all her motto is "knowledge is power." She answered many of the couples' questions and I found that all of my questions were answered as well.

Laugh and Learn About Breastfeeding is a comprehensive guide that teaches positions for nursing, how to breastfeed twins, offers advice on pumping and talks about all the supplies you may need such as Lansinoh for sore nipples, breast shield or nipple shields and even nursing pads.

I was happy to see real examples of breastfeeding using the positions mentioned. It's one thing to describe how to breastfeed, but quite another to see how it's done right.

Lastly, Laugh and Learn About Newborn Care shows parents how to give your baby his first sponge bath as well as his first tub bath, after the navel dries up and falls off, of course. Sheri shows us how to dress baby with minimal fuss and gives a list of the supplies needed for bathing, diaper changing and dressing your little one.

The goal of these videos is to put expectant parents, especially Moms-to-Be, at ease. Sheri does a fantastic job of delivering her lessons with humor and easy-to-understand information. She may use the medical jargon, but she full explains what it means. That's what I loved most about these videos.

Sheri is truly everybody's favorite childbirth expert. I'm so happy I had the chance to review her DVDs. Just after I watched them, I read an article in the June/July issue of Fit Pregnancy about Labor & Delivery, which quoted Sheri's motto, "knowledge is power." So true. I feel confident about all the things I've learned and I'm better prepared for my labor and delivery this October.

WIN IT! The folks at Laugh and Learn were kind enough to supply a set of DVDs to give away to one lucky reader. In the comments, tell me a birth story, share a nursing experience or tell me how you freaked out when your baby's umbilical stump finally fell off. One lucky winner will be chosen at random. Contest ends August 31, at 11:59 p.m. central time. Good luck!

Hemorrhoids Suck! Thankfully, I've Got Tucks!

2009-07-08T20:08:00.004-05:00

Pregnancy is an amazing, beautiful time for most women. Our bodies magically transform, giving us the ability to carry a precious baby for 40 long weeks. But with the magic comes the unpleasant side effects of pregnancy.

Now that I'm nearing the end of my second trimester, I've been experiencing a truck load of pregnancy ailments. From ravenous hunger (and cravings!) to pregnancy acne, and let's not forget the mood swings and swollen ankles, I've experienced them all.

But the worst part of pregnancy, and the one topic most women are embarrassed and uncomfortable about discussing, is the hemorrhoids. It pains me to even mention it on this blog!

Let's face it: hemorrhoids are horrible. I had them with my first pregnancy, and I still remember the painful burning and itching they bring. While they're not considered a serious condition, they are seriously miserable and often intolerable.

When I experienced hemorrhoids during my first pregnancy, I just went to the drug store and bought that famous topical treatment. Walking from the back of the store to the checkout was like a walk of shame. While I was in line I made sure to hide the product so that no one would know my rear end was on fire. When it was my turn to pay, I was red in the face the entire time. It was so embarrassing!

Even though hemorrhoids are a normal part of pregnancy, it's still difficult to talk about them with others, and buying the remedy from the drugstore is even more difficult.

Thankfully, Tucks brand medicated products provide an effective and soothing relief. Tucks Hemorrhoidal Ointment, Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Ointment and Medicated Pads can help with the discomfort, burning, itching and other side effects that hemorrhoids bring with them. Tucks also has a line of Take Alongs, medicated towelettes that give you a convenient way to treat hemorrhoid symptoms on the go.

The best part is that the Tucks products are packaged neatly, and the logo and writing is more discreet, making things less awkward at the checkout line.

And to prove that hemorrhoids are common during pregnancy, I'll share the fact that I experienced them recently. The Tucks products work wonders. Soon the pain and discomfort lessened, making pregnancy almost bearable again. Thanks, Mom Central, for sending a sample just in time!

Rocking Out With Guitar Hero

2009-07-03T08:50:00.006-05:00

I never understood why video game connoisseurs were head-over-heels-in-love with the game Guitar Hero until I had the opportunity to try it out on our Nintendo DS game system. Guitar Hero ROCKS!

Music is something very important to me. I played the violin for several years, I have a collection of CDs two towers high (yes, I know they are probably outdated) and my iPod is maxed out with my favorite music. I wanted to learn guitar in college but never had the time. Now, Guitar Hero is nothing like the real thing, but it is absolute fun!

The fabulous ladies at Mom Central sent us two games from the makers of Guitar Hero: Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits and Guitar Hero On Tour: Decades and when they arrived, we didn't know which game to play first. We cracked them both open and went on our rockin' way.

Let's talk about features first. Using the familiar Guitar Hero Guitar Grip that fits in the game pack slot of the Nintendo DS, both Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits and Guitar Hero On Tour: Decades give the player the ability to jam along with their favorite tunes, and both games offer complete portability.

The Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits set list features 28 songs, all radio-edits of modern rock hits from bands including Coldplay, Fall Out Boy, Weezer, The Strokes and Wolfmother. Besides being able to take the game on the road, the Nintendo DS has a wireless feature that allows players to stream over 80 songs among three games (the third is Guitar Hero: Guitar Hero On Tour) and each includes multiplayer modes.

Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits has the all new Fan Request mode in which players can earn fans by performing their favorite songs in different styles (avoiding note bombs, hitting a 300 note streak or duelling another rocker).

Guitar Hero On Tour: Decades lets you rock out to some of the biggest hits from the 70s, 80s, 90s and today. I love that I can journey through rock history and shred to some of my favorite music and enjoy the decade themed characters and venues.

The Guitar Hero Guitar Grip peripheral is awesome. We can take the music on the go, and the grip has an ergonomic extension that mimics a guitar fret board (and I had no idea what that was until just recently, it's true). The grip fits seamlessly into the hand to deliver a unique Guitar Hero experience.

My husband and I played the game together and after getting comfortable with the grips, playing a few practice riffs and many note bombs, we had the hang of it. The song streaming is tons of fun. We were able to play many of the songs together, and the competition was fierce! It looks like I need more practice. My husband mastered the technique almost instantly.

Our son is almost five years old and he desperately wanted to play the game. The only disadvantage is that Guitar Hero games are designed for ages 10 and up, so the Guitar Grip doesn't fit well into the smaller hands. We did some adapting and Dawson was able to play each game with some help from me or his dad.

The funniest part about playing this game is that everyone begins to believe they are mega rock stars. We took the game to Grandpa's house and he and Dawson were rocking and moving to Cold Play's Violet Hill. My dad asked, "Who is this song by? Do they have it on vinyl?" We all were shaking our heads and laughing.

After seeing a commercial for the video games on television, my son began doing his very own "air guitar" dancing. I was enjoying his moves so much I didn't even think of getting the video camera.

We love Guitar Hero and thanks to Mom Central we're hooked up and hooked! Rock on!

Winner of the Evenflo Comfort Select Breast Pump Giveaway

2009-05-27T09:53:00.003-05:00

Okay folks, I know I'm like three weeks late in announcing the winner of the Evenflo Comfort Select Breast Pump Giveaway. I have a valid excuse. I'm blaming pregnancy.

Okay, that's not true. The truth is, my subscription to the Randomizer number picker thingie expired, and I really don't have very many giveaways to justify the price I'd need to pay to reinstate my subscription.

So...I found a free Random Number Picker tool and finally figured out how to use it.

The winner is:

Commenter number 3! Michelle! Congratulations!

Michelle, please e-mail your shipping address to thedanafilesblog@gmail.com, and I'll send the breast pump and nursing pads out Tout de Suite.

Book Review: Mojo Mom

2009-05-27T09:49:00.000-05:00

The first time I was pregnant I read all the books. You know. The Books. The ones that tell you what to expect during the nine months of pregnancy, what to expect during labor and delivery, how to write a birth plan and how to manage every physical ailment carrying a baby may bring.

Thirty-eight very short weeks later, my son was born and I had absolutely no idea what to do next. The books don't tell you about the excitement and joy that will wash over you, becoming almost too much to bear. The books never told me about the let down after birth, all that pent up excitement about the baby's arrival, and then suddenly you're thinking, "Wait. This is it? So, now what?"

Don't get me wrong, I love my baby (even at 4 and 3/4's old, he's still my baby) and those 38 weeks of highs and lows were totally worth it. But somewhere between conception and birth I lost Dana and became Mom.

Perfect example of this loss of identity: During the nine months of doctor's appointments, the nurse and doctors always referred to me as Dana or Mrs. Tuszke, but the second I pushed that baby out, I was called Mom. A few hours after delivery a nurse came to check my blood pressure and said, "How's Mom doing today?" I wanted to turn around and look for my own mother. (Actually, I wanted to scream at the nurse and tell her I still had a first name.)

Recently, I had the opportunity to read the book Mojo Mom, by Amy Tiemann, Ph.D. and reflect on every aspect of pregnancy, birth and motherhood. Tiemann discusses what happens to a new mother's life after she brings baby home, and offers advice on how to deal with the huge identity shift many women face, especially those who have left behind a career, friends and a paycheck.

I fell in love with her book when I read the first sentence in which she defines what Mommy Mojo really is:

Mommy Mojo is the feeling you get when you are at the top of your game, juglling the many facets of your life and keeping your own needs in balance with family needs.

Okay, I'm bluffing just a little. I wasn't totally in love just yet. At first I thought she was crazy. Balance? Seriously? Yeah right, I thought. I've been doing this mom thing for nearly five years and I've yet to find balance. How could Amy Tiemann believe that finding balance is really possible?

The more I read the more I discovered that as mother's we're often set up to fail. We've been told we can have it all: the job, the husband, the family and still have time for ourselves. It's one of the greatest myths of motherhood, this having it all thing. Tiemann herself says, "Todays' new Moms were raised to believe that we could do anything. We are the Free to Be...You and Me, women who grew up assured that opportunity and equality were our birthright." And that's when I really fell in love with this book.

Tiemann strips away the myths in the first chapter when she discusses the early months of motherhood, or Life Inside the Cocoon. She discusses the first days after birth to the postpartum period, and offers advice on getting help if you think you may be suffering from postpartum depression. Motherhood is a marathon, she says, not a sprint. It is a marathon that is made easier with adequate support, but our culture frequently does a terrible job of supporting mothers and the difficult work they do.

Tiemann adresses the topic of going back to work. She talks about sex after baby arrives. She offers advice on asking for help when you just want to have a nap or take a shower.

My favorite is Chapter 4 in which Tiemann adresses mommy guilt and how to let go of it, as well as the worry and axiety.

She writes:

A contributing factor to Mom guilt is the cultural trend toward overinvolved hyperparenting. This can happen to anyone: Employed Moms may adopt this tendency to make up for lost time with their children, and stay-at-home Moms may become overinvolved to justify their time spent away from the paid workforce.

I found myself nodding my head throughout the entire chapter. For me, the hardest part of motherhood is the guilt. When I worked full time, I felt guilty for putting my son in daycare. In my head I felt like someone else was raising my child. Parenting was my job, and forty hours each week, I wasn't doing "my job" because I was working hard to pay the bills.

After a lay-off I became a stay-at-home mom for a few months and overcompensated for the time I was away at work by completely immersing myself in motherhood and hyperparenting. Now that I'm a work-at-home mom, some of the guilt has washed away because I'm able to spend more time with my son and contribute to our bank account as well.

There was only one part of this chapter that I wasn't in total agreement with. Tiemann discusses her belief that motherhood isn't really "the most important job in the world." She states, "It's not because motherhood is not important, and I fully acknowledge that motherhood is genuine, valuable work. However, on a personal identity level, Judith Stadtman Tucker, founder of the Mothers Movement Online, introduced me to the revelatoryidea that motherhood is not a job; it is a relationship."

It's true, I did protest at this statement because motherhood is the hardest job relationship I've ever had to work at. College didn't prepare me for diaper blow-outs, colic and breastfeeding troubles. I had on-the-job training and it sucked for the first six months. No one hands me a paycheck for keeping the kid alive 168 hours a week.

As I let Tiemann's words sink in, I began to understand what she meant. The problem emerges when you begin to think of "motherhood as a professional outlet; you will start to expect motherhood to deliver the same rewards that a career does: measurable achievement, results, and advancement, and a sense of identity as you live your life through that role."

There was that word again: Identity. And the more I reflected on this new idea, the more I got it. Motherhood isn't a career. It's hard work, most definitely. There are rewards to being a mom, but they are different than those one receives in a career.

I could write my own book telling you about Amy Tiemann's book. Instead I highly reccommend that you read Mojo Mom. It's honest and informative and I really enjoyed Tiemann's perspective on motherhood. (In fact, I feel like reading it again just before Baby #2 arrives.)

Thanks Mothertalk.com for allowing me the opportunity to read and review Mojo Mom.

Ebeanstalk

2009-05-27T09:45:00.002-05:00

Ebeanstalk is dedicated to a baby's development. And wethey select the best baby toys matched to a baby's development. To see great information on how a baby grows up, check out the info on their baby toys page.

Picking toys for a baby is not as simple as it sounds. Here are some quick baby facts:

Toys for a newborn baby: A newborn baby is briefly looking at objects and attempting to imitate facial expressions. They can follow objects with their eyes and usually quiet down, when they are picked up.

Toys for a three month old: They will enjoy ‘frolic play', reaching for objects and will repeat enjoyable activities. Believe it or not, they will respond to ‘no' (about half the time) and will start babbling.

Toys for a six month old: They'll search for hidden objects (object permanence). They'll reach for themselves in the mirror, play peekaboo, crumple paper, roll from their stomach to their back and even respond to their name.

Toys for a nine month old: They are pushing toy cars, playing pat-a-cake and looking for hidden sounds. The baby toys they are playing with are also getting more fun.

For readers of Dana Reviews, here is a 15% discount on any first purchase at ebeanstalk — TGS345 — just enter the code at the shopping cart.

Review & Giveaway: Evenflo Comfort Select Performance Breast Pump

2009-05-02T20:41:00.007-05:00

Before I got pregnant with my son I knew I wanted to breastfeed. I knew it wouldn't be easy, but it felt like the right decision and I wanted to make the commitment.

After Dawson was born we had a rocky start with nursing. We had problems with latch-on, but after a few failed attempts and a visit with a lactation consultant, we had success. Six weeks later I had to return to work and decided to pump my breast milk. I purchased the big and bulky, top-of-the-line breast pump and my son received all the benefits of breast milk until he was six months old.

When the folks at Mom Central offered the opportunity to try the Evenflo Comfort Select Performance Breast Pump, I jumped at the chance. I'm expecting Baby #2 this October and I plan to breastfeed again.

Despite the fact that I work from home, life is pretty busy with a preschooler. Dawson will be going to 4-year-old kindergarten this fall and I'll be doing the morning drop-off and pick-up on the days my husband works. I'm certain there will be many days of pumping in my future.

When the Evenflo Comfort Select Performance Breast Pump arrived I was surprised at how small the carrying bag is. It's compact and light, unlike the heavy pump I also own. This pump is features dual auto-cycling which allows for improved cycle time for more effective milk expression.

I took the pump out of it's carrying case and assembled it without any trouble at all. I was extremely happy to learn that all pump components, including milk storage bottles are without BPA and contain less than 0.01% phthalates, and additional bottles can be purchased separately.

The Evenflo Comfort Select Performance Breast Pump has improved vacuum performance at all settings between min and max. Even though it'll be months before I'll be pumping, I did try it on one breast and believe me, it has adequate suction, and the plastic horn has a removable soft insert for varying breast sizes.

The best thing about this pump is that it has dual motors, allowing for individual settings on each side, and it operates by either a regulated power adapter or with batteries, making it perfect for pumping even if an outlet isn't nearby (like the car, perfect for road trips).

I also received two boxes of Evenflo Comfort Select Disposable Nursing Pads, one with lanolin (it's treated inner layer helps soothe sore nipples, and is safe for Baby) and the other without. I remember going through these things quickly the first few weeks of nursing. The Evenflo pads are ultra-absorbent and have a discreet contour fit, and there are 48 pads in each box.

I'm very impressed with the Evenflo brand. This pump is perfect for the part-time pumping mom. Thank you, Evenflo and Mom Central for allowing me the opportunity to check out this great product.

But wait! Evenflo sent two Comfort Select Performance Breast Pumps and four boxes of Comfort Select Disposable Nursing Pads, one set for me to test and one set to give away to one lucky reader!

To enter, leave a comment on this post (include your e-mail address please!) telling me what you love about nursing. Comments will be open until 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, May 9th. One winner will be chosen at random and announced on Monday, May 11th. Good luck!

A Rockin' Flashlight for Kids: Sylvania PalPodzzz Portable Nightlights

2009-03-09T09:39:00.007-05:00

My son loves flashlights. Whenever my husband needs to bring out the industrial sized flashlight for home improvement projects, Dawson is right behind him, asking if he can help. By help, he means hold the flashlight for Daddy.

Over the years I've bought several flashlights for my boy, from battery operated to the kind you have to crank by hand to get it to light up. Since batteries can be expensive, I love the idea of flashlights that do not require any.

When the Parent Bloggers Network offered the opportunity to try the Sylvania PalPodzzz Nightlight/Flashlight, I was very excited about it. When it arrived, I was delighted to discover that it's a rechargeable light. No C batteries required.

We plugged in our Rocket Ship light and let it fully charge, and Dawson asked repeatedly if it was ready yet. He loves rockets, so this light was perfect. When the rocket is plugged into the charging base, it lights up as a pretty blue LED nightlight. After an hour or two of charging, the rocket ship light can be removed from it's base and used like a traditional LED flashlight. It also functions as an LED Emergency Back Up Light during power outages.

So far, Dawson likes it as a flashlight. Last night, I found him clutching the rocket in one hand, and a book in the other, with his blanket covering his head. This morning he used it to play astronauts and aliens (a game he just made up), in which he was the astronaut and our dog was the alien. I don't think Murphy was too keen on being chased around with a flashlight, but it sure was funny.

My husband likes the Sylvania PalPodszzz Nightlight/Flashlight, too. Not only is it another great Green gadget, but the nightlight is the perfect amount of light in Dawson's bedroom. We use it in lieu of his bedroom lamp when we want to check on our boy when he's sleeping.

This nightlight/flashlight is a hit! Sylvania also makes a Ladybug version, perfect for little girls. For more info visit this PBN link. Thanks, Parent Bloggers Network and Sylvania for another great opportunity!

Current by Discover: Teaching Money Management for Teens

2009-03-03T09:07:00.000-06:00

When I was a teenager my parents tried to teach me the importance of saving money. I listened to there lectures, and did my best to save, save, save, but when I finally got my first job, my paychecks began to burn a hole in my pocket.

We didn't have prepaid credit cards back then. Or maybe we did, but I didn't know about them. When I turned 18 the first things I did was open a checking account and apply for a credit card. Big mistake on the credit card thing. I was young and naive and maxed out that little plastic thing too quickly. Paying it off was difficult, and after several years of high interest rates and a collection call or fifty, I learned my lesson and I like to think I'm much smarter about when I use the charge cards.

Thankfully, Dawson is too young to know what credit cards are, but there will come a day when he wants to make money and spend money, and I fully intend to teach him the importance of being financially responsible. No parent wants their children to make the same money mistakes they made.

When I heard about the Current by Discover Card program, I was eager to check it out. The Current Card is designed for teens and tailored for parents. It's a new kind of debit card for teens with built-in parental control.

Parents can add money to the card easily, and customize the account by setting spending limits. Once the limit is reached, the card will no longer work, and no additional fees will be incurred.

The Current Card can be used in stores, at ATMs or for online shopping. But the best part is that parents can access account information, check the balance online, track purchases and transaction amounts and view current and past statements and pay bills online, too.

At first I was skeptical about what lessons the Current Card would teach the teen user, but after reading the features and benefits, it's almost like giving your son or daughter a "practice run" in money management. It's a way to jumpstart smart spending habits, too.

The Current Card is safer than cash, has $0 liability, which means that Discover will reimburse 100% of any fraudent charges made with the card. If the card is lost or stolen it can be disabled immediately, and reactived when it's found or replaced.

Because it's not a credit card, it will not affect your teen's credit rating, and will still teach your son or daughter practical skills about money.

For more information, visit the Current by Discover website.

Suave: Live beautifully for less!

2009-03-02T17:49:00.005-06:00

Once upon a time before mortgages, car payments and children, I could afford fancy salon haircuts and colorings. I used the name brand shampoos and I felt like a million bucks. I probably spent a million bucks, too.

Now that my titles include wife, mom and working woman, one with bills to pay and mouths to feed, and with the economy in toilet, I no longer drop $20 or more on shampoos or conditioners. Or hair spray for that matter.

Last month, the folks at Suave sent me a test kit including five of their top products and five competitor products. I know, I was surprised, too. Suave wanted me to try their hair and skin products and compare them to the name brands.

In the kit:

And:

Now, when I saw all these products, I was a bit overwhelmed. How was I going to try them all, and give my honest opinion? But I set out to do so.

I started with the name brand products first. I'd used Jergens before, and while it's a great lotion, the Cherry Almond scent is not my favorite. Who wants to smell like a dessert? It still gave me soft skin and was a great moisturizer, important for winter months in Wisconsin. I put the Jergens brand on one arm and leg, and used Suave's Advance Therapy on the other arm and leg. Suave felt just as soft and moisture packed. I could not tell the difference other then the scent. Since I'm not a fan of scented lotions, Suave got my vote. And Suave is about $1 - $2 less.

Next I compared body washes. Bath & Body Works has always been a favorite, and I love the Sweet Pea scent. But when I tried Suave's Sweet Pea body wash, I was very impressed. Both products are amazing, and when using them in the shower, it was very difficult to tell the difference. The price for Suave's version is almost $4 less. Totally going for Suave next time I hit the store.

As for shampoo and conditioner, Nexxus is something I used back in the day, and while I love the product, the price no longer suits me. Suave's humectant shampoo works just as well and costs almost $6 less than what Walgreens charges for Nexxus. Since we're trying to be frugal, I'm positive I'll be purchasing Suave when that huge bottle of shampoo runs out. Same for the conditioners. Both do the same job, it's just a matter of cost.

I don't normally use hair products, but I gave both hair sprays a try. Again, no difference other than price. And since I've always been a Suave deodorant customer, I have nothing but good things to say about the product.

When visiting the Suave website, I was happy to see some of the facts about how much Americans saved by purchasing Suave products. It's called Suavenomics. Did you know that Americans saved $5.5 million dollars in 2008 by switching to Suave? I mean, why not feel beautiful for less? I love saving money, and with that new baby on the way, I'm gonna need it. Kids are expensive, but worth it. You know what else is worth it? Me looking good without going bankrupt.

For more information, visit Suave.com, or click here to register for product updates, samples and promotions!

Johnson's Baby Products, Tried & True

2009-03-02T16:43:00.002-06:00

When I was 12 years old, my mother gave birth to my baby brother, Frankie. He was the cutest little boy, and I loved playing "mom" to him. Bathing him was tons of fun because he loved to splash and I loved to make funny bubble hairdos on his cute baby head. My mom bought Johnson's No More Tears and used it on all of her kids.

Maybe because I remembered how wonderful Johnson's products were, and how great they smelled, is the reason I chose to use their products on my baby. Even though Dawson is 4 years old, he still requests the No More Tears shampoo and body wash because it's the only soap that doesn't sting his delicate eyes.

When the folks at Mom Central invited me to participate in Johnson's No More Tears 50th Anniversary, I couldn't say no. I've loved their shampoo, body wash and lotions for years.

As part of this blog tour, and to celebrate Johnson's No More Tears 50th Anniversary, I was able to check out their new Baby Channel on YouTube and I'm impressed with the wealth of information the company offers on baby care. Whether you're a first-time mom or have lots of child rearing experience, Johnson's offers tips and advice for all your baby care needs. Even though Johnson's has been giving babies a healthy, happy start in life for more than 100 years, they understand that no one knows more than moms do, and their advice is smart and helpful.

We received samples of Johnson's Head-to-Toe Foaming Wash and Johnson's Baby Bubble Bath & Wash, and both products brought back those familiar childhood memories. I love that the Johnson's products are safe and gentle on Dawson's skin, and with a new baby on the way, I'm excited to use these great products for the new little one.

Thank you, Johnson's and Mom Central for letting us try such great products. For more information, please visit Johnson's website.

Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!

2009-02-20T20:36:00.003-06:00

As a mother of a 4-year-old who likes to watch television I often scan the channels for programs that are age appropriate and educational. Dawson loves anything on Nickelodeon, but recently his favorites have drifted from Dora and Diego to Yo Gabba Gabba! and Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!

Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! is a whimsical, animated, preschool comedy series starring Wubbzy, and innocent, cheerful little gy who loves to play, play, play! Whether it's riding his tooter scooter, baking chocolate doodleberry cake or playing a game of kickity-kick ball, Wubbzy just wants to have fun.

Dawson is very much like Wubbzy. He loves to run and jump, ride his bike and play fun games with his preschool friends. It's no wonder he loves this show.

Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! is an Emmy award-winning series that provides kids with a positive model to teach skills such as honesty, cooperation and fairness all while having fun. Wubbzy is all about teaching by example, one of the most important ways kids learn. The show airs nearly 40 times a week on Nick, Jr. (and I swear we watch the show almost as much), and on February 3rd it's newest DVD, A Little Help From My Friends, was released.

Dawson and I had the pleasure of receiving a copy of the new DVD and my son fell in love the moment he opened the box. The DVD features six great episodes, all focused on the important values of friendship and helping others.

In one episode, Wubbzy and his Wuzzleburg pals search for a lost Wiggle Wrench, and they build a Super Robot in another. Dawson's favorite one is when they escape a runaway Doodleberry Cake. He giggles incessantly, mostly because my son's nickname is Doodlebug and he thinks the word Doodleberry is funny.

This DVD is a hit, and after watching it we went to the Wubbzy website to sign up for the "Wubb Club newsletter, read Wubbzy's blog (I knew I liked that little guy! Bloggers unite!) and listen to Wubbzy podcasts. Wow! Wow! Indeed!

For more information, please visit www.Wubbzy.com. Thanks Mom Central for the opportunity to review this new DVD.

Healthy Foods Are Not Hard to Find

2009-01-28T20:56:00.002-06:00

I hate grocery shopping. It's true. My problem is that I never know if I'm buying good and healthy foods. Sure, I read labels when I have the time, but as a busy wife and mom, I sometimes resort to the fast and easy method (you know, grab whatever and hope for the best!).

Recently, the fabulous folks at Mom Central asked me to check out the Stop & Shop Healthy Ideas program.

Healthy Ideas was created to make it easy for us to shop for healthy foods without reading all the labels. They took into account the things that matter to all of us - calories, fat, cholesterol, and sodium - and developed criteria that evaluated foods based on the FDA and USDA guidelines. They also made sure that every Healthy Ideas food has at least 10% of the daily recommended amount of one nutrient, such as Calcium or Vitamin C.

Healthy Ideas symbols can be found on 3000+ items located throughout the grocery store, including nearly all the fruits and vegetables in the produce department. So you know if you choose Healthy Ideas foods for your family to eat - or as a Simple Swap for your recipes - you are giving them a truly healthy diet.

Healthy Ideas was developed by a team of nutritionists, and reviewed by an advisory panel of physicians and nutrition experts utilizing USDA and FDA guidelines. You can visit the Living Well section for the Stop & Shop website to find answers to frequently asked questions by Stop & Shop customers. To find store locations, click here.

Unfortunately, I live in Wisconsin and we don't have any Stop & Shop stores in the state. However, I loved exploring the store's website. My husband manages a grocery store and it was fun to see what "the competition" is up to.

I like the Healthy Ideas concept, and I learned so much just by browsing the different parts of the website.

For example, did you know that seafood is almost always a healthy food? Nearly everything in the department earns the Healthy Ideas symbol. And because Stop & Shop is a global leader in sustainability, choosing their seafood is a healthy idea for the planet, too.

I like the fact that so many products in the Stop & Shop stores have the Healthy Ideas logo. Finding nutritious foods is so much easier when the experts "read the labels" for us. If only all grocery stores had a program like this!

For more information about the program, please visit the Stop & Shop website!

Preserve Kitchen Line Makes the Cut

2009-01-16T08:00:00.002-06:00

You may recall a review I wrote about the Preserve toothbrushes made by Recycline.

I was thrilled to try them, because the products were made entirely from recycled plastic, but I was in love when I discovered that once my Preserve toothbrush was worn out I could send it back to the company — in postpaid mailers — to be recycled again.

Last month I was contacted by Preserve about testing an item from their new kitchenware line. Of course I accepted because my family is committed to using earth friendly products whenever possible.

The item I received was a bright red cutting board made of the same, 100% recycled #5 plastic (just like the toothbrushes, razors and tableware). The cutting board is very durable and sturdy. I especially love the curled edge that makes it easier to use. I can chop an onion and then carry the board to the frying pan with ease.

The best thing about the Preserve products is that they are stylish and fun, as well as eco-friendly. In addition to the cutting board, Preserve's kitchen line consists of mixing bowls, colanders, measuring cups and food storage, and all products are BPA-free, made in the USA and dishwasher safe. Does it get any better than that?

Yes, it does! The Preserve products are affordable, too. The cutting boards are made in two sizes, small ($8.99) and large ($12.99). The mixing bowls come in a set of three which retails for $21.99, and the large colander sells for $11.99.

Thank you, Preserve for the opportunity to test this fabulous product! For more information please visit www.preserveproducts.com.

Wanna Get Cozi?

2009-01-08T20:26:00.004-06:00

2009 is finally here and my family is busier than ever. It's no secret that I struggle with managing my household. It's true. I'm not Super Mom. (Shhh! Don't tell anyone else.)

The main gripe I have is coordinating my husband's schedule with mine, and keeping track of all of Dawson's activities. Between preschool, swimming lessons and various appointments, it's no wonder I tend to be stressed out all the time.

Welcome Cozi, an online family management system. Cozi offers a family calendar, shopping list application, a family journal, a Cozi Collage screen saver (the no-work way to enjoy all those digital photos piling up on your computer) and many other valuable tools.

I confess, as an amateur photographer (okay, I'm a Camera Nazi) the Cozi Collage is my favorite. It creates stunning collages of your photos and reminds you of upcoming appointments, making intelligent use of your computer’s downtime. It’s a screen saver that’s cool and practical!

My husband, manager in a grocery store, loves the shopping list tool. Cozi has a mobile version especially for the iPhone and Windows Mobile phones. You can sign-in and access your account using your mobile web browser, add and edit shopping lists, and view and edit your family calendar in a snap! You can learn more about this feature by clicking here. The shopping list feature definitely makes our time in the store less stressful and more efficient.

Another great feature is that Cozi has a calendar application that is compatible for use with Google Desktop as well as one that works with Microsoft Outlook. You can synch your calendars and make your life a little less hectic! Who doesn't want that?

But the absolute best part of Cozi? It's FREE. That's right! FREE. Where else can you find a free web service made just for busy families? One that lets you manage and coordinate schedules, organize and store shopping lists that can be accessed from any mobile phone, send quick updates or reminders to family members, and lots more? Yeah, I don't know of any. Cozi rocks.

For more information, visit the Cozi website. Thanks, MomCentral, for introducing me to such a great web service!

My M&M's

2009-01-02T06:52:00.000-06:00

When Mom Central asked if I wanted to customize a batch of m&m's I was very excited and jumped at the chance.

Several years ago I went to a wedding and the bride had party favors with personalized m&m's inside. "Jim & Jenny" was printed on each little candy and I thought it was such a cute idea.

When it was time for me to create My M&M's, I couldn't think of anything clever. I planned to use the bags as stocking stuffers, and Merry Christmas didn't really fit. So I did the next best thing.

I decided to personalize the candies, literally. I chose the phrases "Mommy's Candy," "Daddy's Candy," and "Dawson's Candy," for the three humans in our household. Since Murphy, our dog, can't have chocolate I thought it would be funny to say "Sorry Murphy" on a few of the M&M's as well.

The creation process was a snap. I got to choose my favorite colors, too. I love pastel blues and greens, and the pastel purple was nifty.

Picking the phrases was easy, too. Just type in what you'd like the candy to say, and the website gives a great preview of what the finished product will look like.

Shipping was fast, too! We got our m&m's within 3 business days. I was shocked at how quickly they arrived. Just in time for Christmas.

And my son was very excited to see his name on his candy!

Personalized m&m's are available in various packages, too -- from as low as $24.99 for a pre-designed mix and up to $34.99 for personalized packages in a signature box.

Visit the My M&M's site to start creating your own super sweet treats!

Got Lice? Try Fairy Tales Hair Care's Rosemary Repel

2008-12-29T19:22:00.008-06:00

Back in April, I had the opportunity to review a lice removal shampoo from LiceMD. Fortunately, Dawson didn't have a case of head lice so I didn't need to use the shampoo on his head.

Recently, I was asked to check out some products from Fairy Tales Hair Care, and I agreed based on the information I read about from the company's website:

"Once upon a time, there was a hair salon in Long Island, New York that catered to children’s hair care. For 20 years, parents would ask, "What are these products that make my child’s hair so soft and manageable?" But the stylists at Fairy Tales just smiled and said it was a secret recipe!

Then one day, the Fairy Tales Salon decided to share their secrets. They used only the finest all natural, organic vitamins, minerals, oil extracts, citrus and fruit enzymes in their shampoos and conditioners. Suddenly, mommies and daddies from all over were coming to the Fairy Tales Salon to buy the magic products."

Fairy Tales Hair Care Products are a unique blend of pure rosemary, citronella, oils, lavender and tea tree extracts that act as a natural deterrent to lice and other insects. The best part is that the ingredients are all natural and safe for children.

So often I worry about what types of soaps and shampoos will be safe and gentle on Dawson's skin, especially with his sensitive skin-type. The Fairy Tales products have a soft, natural scent, (not strong smelling or perfume-like), but the Rosemary Repel products are not tear free. The shampoo is thicker than most so it doesn't drip and the products are safe to use on young children as long as you shield your child's eyes.

I love the Fairy Tales Hair Care website because of the great tips they offer for lice prevention, as well as the instructions they provide for getting rid of lice after an outbreak. Did you know that if your child gets lice, you should not shampoo everyday? This is because lice like clean hair not dirty - remember, it's easier to attach to a squeaky clean hair shaft.

Even though Dawson doesn't have lice, we did try the Rosemary Repel as well as the sample of the Tear Free Conditioning Shampoo that was sent along, too. It's a gentle and very mild shampoo loaded with Vitamins E and B to restore shine and texture while gently cleansing the hair. It is safe for babies and toddlers, too! Both products have a pleasant scent and did not irritate Dawson's skin.

I'm thankful for the opportunity to check out Fairy Tales Hair Care Products and I definitely recommend the all natural shampoo and lice removal products! For more information, please visit their website.

Holiday Gift Guide! Giveaways! And More, More, More!

2008-12-13T22:44:00.002-06:00

There are only twelve shopping days left before Christmas. I know you're probably just as freaked out about this as I am.

With the economy in major trouble, I'm not spending a lot of money on Christmas presents. In fact, I've decided not to get that really big present for Dawson. For starters, it's not a cheap gift and even though the grandparents and aunts and uncles were going to chip in, he can't exactly use it until the snow melts anyway -- and living in Wisconsin, that could take decades. Seriously.

So, we took the item off layaway (the K-Mart people are not very happy with me, but I'm positive a wealthier parent than me will waltz in with his Jed Clampett before you can say "Beverly Hillbillies,") and decided to go with a few smaller gifts instead.

I haven't quite figured out what those gifts will be, and obviously I'm in panic mode.

The good news is I don't have far to look for great holiday gifts. The folks at Mom Central have come up with their awesome Holiday Gift Guide. You definitely need to click over there and check out the cool gifts they recommend. There are giveaways! And, you can register to be a member of the Mom Central Product Testing Panel, too!

(To be eligible to win the daily prizes, participants must register on Mom Central, log-in, and leave a comment on the post. In addition, if participants tweet or email friends about the giveaway, they can earn another entry! In order to earn the entry, they simply go back to the Mom Central Review blog and leave a second comment letting the folks at Mom Central know.)

So? What are you waiting for? Head over to Mom Central to check it out!

Madagascar: We Like to Play It, Play It!

2008-12-12T07:53:00.000-06:00

My son Dawson is only 4 years old, but he's got mad skillz when it comes to playing video games on our Nintendo DS. It always amazes me how quickly he can learn to navigate the animated worlds and figure out the goal of the game.

When the folks at Mom Central asked us to try the new Nintendo DS game, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa we jumped at the chance, and it didn't take long for my boy to learn the rules of this animated jungle adventure game.

Based on the feature film from DreamWorks Animation, the four famous zoo animals – Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe and Gloria the Hippo – and their entire madcap Madagascar crew take players on a whole new action-packed journey to help save the African savannah.

Assuming the roles of all their favorite characters, including those crafty penguins, players must work through 12 distinct levels featuring a variety of wild adventures and fun mini-games. In addition to the diverse single-player gameplay, the Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa Video Game delivers an enhanced multiplayer tournament mode allowing gamers to participate in outlandish competitions alongside or against friends and family.

Dawson loves to play as Alex and he was swinging from vines faster than you can do a Tarzan yell. The game also has several mini-games featuring a variety of quests that include swimming, driving, racing, playing soccer and safari photography.

The colorful screen animation keeps Dawson interested, and he has loves to visit the many different areas of the jungle such as the Watering Hole, the African Jungle and Savannah, the Hippo Mud Pit and the Volcano.

My favorite characters are Melman the Giraffe and those silly penguins! Many giggles were shared while playing this game. Mom Central also hooked us up with a free movie ticket and Dawson and I loved our field trip to the movie theater. We've been singing, "I Like to Move It, Move It...!!" ever since.

Thanks Mom Central for hooking us up. The movie was fantastic, and the game is tons of fun!

"The Littlest Pet Shop and You!"

2008-11-25T00:01:00.001-06:00

That little jingle is in your head now, isn't it?

Earlier this year, Dawson and I had the pleasure of reviewing the video game GoPets: Vacation Island for Nintendo DS. My little guy loved adopting a puppy (and later, a pony) and caring for his pets.

Recently the Parent Bloggers Network asked if we'd like to check out the Littlest Pet Shop (Jungle) game. I immediately said yes based on our previous happy experience.

Littlest Pet Shop brings the magic of owning your own pet to your child. Even though Littlest Pet shop's brand by Hasbro is popular among young girls, the digital world is still a lot of fun for boys, too. While playing this game, Dawson and I got to explore three unique enviroments while unlocking new pets, playsets and accessories.

First we went to the Adoption Center to bring home our pets. After naming them (Cuddly the puppy, Goofy the kitten and Floppy the bunny), we took a train ride to our very own Littlest Pet Shop where we got to color digital pictures to earn kibble for our pets. Once enough kibble has been earned, the player can buy a train ticket for another pet to come to our Littlest Pet Shop.

Dawson loves to play with his pets and give them presents from the Meow Market like clothing, toys and of course delicious food.

I confess, it took a little while to figure out the goal of this game. Basically, the mission is to collect, name and care for all 20 pets. While playing mini-games to unlock each pet, the player can dress each pet with hundreds of accesories. There are 16 mini-games in all, including Pet Set, Toss N Pop, Coloring Craze, Beats N Bops and Bubble Bounce.

Color Craze is Dawson's favorite. He loves to color pictures of his pets using the stylus. He also liked playing Toss N Pop because he could throw darts at a wall of balloons. I liked the Hide N Seek game. It's fun to watch the pets hide behind bushes and then try to find them.

This game is not short on content. The variety of games keeps Dawson occupied, and when he gets bored of one activity he can easily move on to something else.

I liked how vivid the colors on the screen are compared to other games we've played, and the animation is amazing. The facial expressions and sounds these pets make are so adorable, it's like a vamped up version of those little key chain pets that were popular a few years ago.

Another favorite thing about this game? Dawson is much kinder to our dog Murphy because he understands that pets need love and care.

Two thumbs up to the creators of the Littlest Pet Shop game. We love it! Thanks, PBN for this great opportunity! For more information about this video game, click here. To read what others had to say, visit this PBN post.

SeatSnug: Safely Secures Your Little Ones

2008-11-24T05:50:00.000-06:00

One of the things I dislike about driving with Dawson in the car is the fact that he hates to sit still. He moves and shifts in his car seat so much that I'm afraid he'll manage to unlatch the seat belt and hurt himself.

Dawson is obviously too big for an infant car seat, and he quickly grew out of the mid-sized booster seat we had as well. Last winter we bought one of the backless turbo booster seats because it was easy to use in both mine and my husband's vehicles. However, I sometimes wonder if these types of seats are as safe as they claim to be.

So often, I notice Dawson trying to squirm his way out of this bump seat, and I'm afraid one day he'll tip it over or slide it out from under his behind.

The wonderful folks at Mom Central offered an opportunity to try the new SeatSnug child stability device. SeatSnug is the first-of-its-kind, offering both safety and comfort of children riding in booster seats.

Like me, I know you've read the statistics and shuddered when you learned that children in booster seats are at a high risk of injury and death due to seatbelt slack (looseness). A standard seatbelt allows slack to develop in the lap belt portion while children are riding in a vehicle. Seatbelt slack is acknowledged in the auto industry as a major contributor to injuries and deaths in vehicular accidents.

A loose seatbelt allows a child in a booster seat to bounce around, rock, tip, slide, and even fall over during normal vehicle maneuvering, which can result in injuries, such as a child’s head being thrown against the side of the vehicle, as well as leading to child discomfort, including motion sickness.

In frontal impact accidents or during panic stops, a loose seatbelt can further lead to a child submarining under the lap belt. Loose lap belts are also contributors to children, whether in a booster seat or riding without a booster seat, ejecting out of the seatbelt in rollover accidents, allowing children to “fly around” the vehicle, resulting in the potential for severe injuries and even death—even though the seatbelt was buckled!

By gently securing a child while riding in a booster seat, SeatSnug greatly reduces bouncing, rocking, tipping, falling over, submarining, and ejection, thus decreasing the risk of injuries and death in vehicular accidents.

SeatSnug can be easily and quickly clipped onto a vehicle’s existing factory installed seatbelt. Once a child in a booster seat is buckled up, the lap belt may be lightly tightened around the child’s hips by pulling up on the shoulder strap to more safely secure the child, without affecting the normal operation of the shoulder strap. The child will still be able to sit comfortably and has free upper body movement.

Because I'm not mechanically inclined, it did take me a few moments to get the SeatSnug device properly clipped to the seatbelt, but I'm so glad I took the time to get it right. Dawson was still able to move his body while secured in his booster, but he wasn't able to rock the seat and potentially tip himself over.

I'm so glad we got to try the SeatSnug. It retails at $34.95 for one, or $59.95 for two, plus shipping -- a small price to pay for peace of mind while driving with your precious cargo.

Hot Wheels Trick Tracks: Packed With Stunt Action

2008-11-19T00:01:00.000-06:00

Raising a bouncing (off the walls!) boy, I've learned more than I bargained for when it comes to toys. When Dawson was about 2 years old, he loved to play with those little plastic people and their accompanying houses and barns and construction machinery. I swear those little people procreated at night, because I never failed to step on one every morning for a year.

Now that Dawson is the ripe old age of 4, he's all about Hot Wheels. Last time I counted we had 54 of those tiny cars. Some we purchased, others were handed down to my son from my little brother. Dawson loves them. Okay, he loves to crash and bang them, and launch them off the coffee table in our living room.

When the Parent Bloggers Network asked us to check out the new Hot Wheels Trick Tracks by Mattel, I jumped at the chance. I knew my little guy would be excited to play with a toy packed with crashing, launching action.

First we got to play with the Hot Wheels Trick Tracks Triple Stunt Starter Set. When it arrived in the mail I thought Dawson was going into cardiac arrest. He was so excited, complete with jumping and screeching, I swear I couldn't open the box fast enough.

Now I must admit, putting this toy together took a little longer than Dawson expected, but this is only because his very girly mother couldn't figure out which parts to connect first. I quickly realized it didn't matter because the starter set features three ready-made stunts that kids can use to build their own configurations for endless stunt action. Complete with a rockin' loop, this toy kept my son occupied for hours. He loved shooting the enclosed car through all the tricks.

Next, we received the Mattel Hot Wheels Power Loop Stunt Zone set, and I must tell you it is the coolest thing ever. This is the first trick tracks set ever to come with a power booster. This set also comes with one vehicle for some crazy stunt-packed action and high speed crashes. The Power Loop Stunt Zone operates on two D batteries for the wild motorized power loop stunt.

What I loved best about the Trick Tracks sets is that they are compatible with other Hot Wheels tracks. Dawson received the Hot Wheels Twister Alley toy for his birthday this year, and we discovered the tracks and other parts are compatible with the Trick Tracks sets.

When the first of these toys arrived, I recorded a little video of Dawson having fun. Please pardon the messy house and the blank expression on my sister's face. I think she was still frustrated from helping me put the tracks together. (I told you I was girly!)

Overall, I have to say these toys are clever, loads of fun, and Dawson loves them. Another parent bonus? Even with the battery powered toy on, it isn't as noisy as I expected it to be. Some of the other battery operated toys in our house drive me batty, but this toy is tolerable. Thank you, PBN and Mattel (Hot Wheels), for hooking us up!

That's Amazing, Baby

2008-11-11T06:00:00.000-06:00

Before I conceived Dawson I was fascinated with pregnancy. I couldn't wait to have children and I often read books about the miracle of life and babies. When I (finally!) discovered I was pregnant, almost five years ago, I became obsessed with learning about every stage of development in this amazing journey.

I wanted to know how my body was preparing for childbirth. I wanted to know about fertilization and conception, how my baby was growing inside my body, and what to expect throughout my pregnancy.

When Dawson was born, my thirst for knowledge grew ten-fold. I had a living, breathing, tiny human to take care of. I was responsible for the life of that baby. What if I broke it, I thought.

The typical pregnancy books expectant mothers buy, along with the books on babyhood and the toddler years were never very fun to read.

Enter Amazing Baby by Desmond Morris (author of The Naked Ape), a book that chronicles the miraculous transformation that takes place during a baby's first two years of life. The Parent Bloggers Network gave me the opportunity to read and explore this book and I've been unable to put it down.

Filled with pages of easy-to-understand information and facts, and a plethora of diagrams and pictures, Amazing Baby takes the reader on a tour of each developmental milestone in the womb, from conception to birth, and through age two.

Dr. Morris describes in detail how a small, vulnerable, helpless infant blossoms into a walking, talking individual in just two short years.

We all know babies are amazing, but Dr. Morris' book sheds light on the incredible growth and development of these tiny little persons.

While exploring this book, I discovered so very many things I didn't know before.

Did you know that during the nine months between conception and birth, a baby's weight increases a staggering 3,000 million times?

Did you know that a female fetus seems to be more reluctant to leave the snug warmth of her mother's womb than her male counterpart?

Did you know that within 45 hours of birth, a newborn knows his or her own mother by her smell?

Did you know that babies are born with swimming ability?

Did you know that human babies are the only primates to smile at their parents?

Are you as fascinated with this amazing book as I am?

Dr. Morris has a knack for demystifying science and he offers parents (and anyone else interested) a clear explanation of the biology, physics, genes and other factors that combined to produce those little bundles of joy.

However, don't be fooled; Amazing Baby isn't a how-to book on child-rearing. It's a wonderful resource that aims to help the reader to really understand the amazing growth and development of babies.

I like Amazing Baby so much that I'm making it my default Baby Shower gift. Any mother would love to have this well-written "Baby Book."

To read what others have to say, visit this PBN post.

Thanksgiving Dinner 2005

2008-11-09T18:49:00.005-06:00

The first time we hosted Thanksgiving at our house was in 2005. It was a momentous occasion because it was also the first time I cooked a turkey dinner all by myself. Actually, it was the first time I ever cooked a turkey period.

Dawson was a little over a year old at the time, and I remember how nervous I was. How in the hell was I going to stuff, baste and bake a bird and make sure my toddler didn't get killed in the kitchen?

My paranoia is what helped me create a plan for Turkey Day. I prepped all the necessary ingredients the day before, such as chopping vegetables, stuffing the bird, peeling potatoes (I kept them in a pot of cold water in the fridge overnight) and making the apple pie.

When the time came to start the dinner, I was utterly surprised because everything went off without a hitch. I'm not kidding. The turkey was moist and flavorful, the mashed potatoes with garlic were delectable and my apple pie was a hit.

After slaving in the kitchen all day, when my family sat down at the table they were impressed with my culinary perfection. So impressed that after we said Grace, my Dad turned to me and said, "Alright, who catered?"

"Dad, no one catered. I made this meal myself. Not even Doug helped." I said.

My mother chimed in, "Wow. For a first time making turkey, you sure did an amazing job."

Doug added his two cents, "I know you were in the kitchen for hours, but I can't believe you did it."

I was stunned! My family didn't believe I could cook. I was ready to yell at the whole crew (my sister and brothers were over, too) but quickly realized they were pulling my leg. Turkeys.

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This post was written for Parent Bloggers Network as part of a sweepstakes sponsored by Butterball. For more information click here.

Product Review: Emergen-C

2008-10-31T22:35:00.002-05:00

I'm sick. Again. Honestly, this is ridiculous. I must have the worst immune system because every single time Dawson comes down with a bug, within days I've caught the same damn thing.

Just three weeks ago I had the world's nastiest cold, another virus transferred from Dawson to me. That one lasted over ten days.

A week-and-a-half ago, Doug came down with a cold that Dawson brought home from daycare (or preschool) and I did everything in my power to stay away from the germ infested people I love. I refused to hug or kiss them and made Daddy take care of the Doodlebug because I declared I was NOT going to get sick.

Two days ago I woke up with a stuffy nose, sore throat and monster headache. I started to cry. Then I remembered that a very nice PR person sent me some samples of Emergen-C Super Energy Boosters. To be fair, before I received the samples, I was already a loyal Emergen-C customer. My co-worker introduced them to me a few months ago when I had one of my many illnesses.

I received a box of Emergen-C in Super Orange flavor and several samples of the Emergen-C Kidz supplements in a variety of flavors.

Emergen-C is packed with a whopping 1,000 milligrams of non-acidic Vitamin-C, as well as 32 minerals and electrolytes. Add vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6 and B`2 for energy and the result is a tasty little powder mixed with water for a non-caffeinated energy boost.

Now, I know it isn't a miracle cure, but I really believe that all that Vitamin-C may just be what my immune system needs to recover from these nasty colds a little faster.

I've been drinking as many as 3 supplements for the past few days and while this cold is miserable, I noticed I'm not as cranky as I usually am when sick. Perhaps the Emergen-C is the boost I need to get through the day.

Dawson loved the Emergen-C Kidz. This complete Multi-Vitamin and Multi-Mineral supplement has 24 essential nutrients, 500 mg of Vitamin C and choline to support healthy brain function. Dawson just thinks it tastes like Kool-Aid.

I gave a sample to my co-worker for her kids to try and she told me they liked it so much she went to the store and bought a box to keep on hand.

Emergen-C comes in boxes of 36 packets in flavors such as Raspberry, Super Orange, Tangerine, Pink Lemonade and Strawberry and retails for around $8.99 to $10.00. You can find these energy boosters at Target, Wal-Mart, Trader Joe's, Kroger's, Fred Meyer and Walgreens and various super market chains and specialty stores. For a complete listing of retailers, visit the Emergen-C website.

World Egg Day: Vegetable Fried Rice with....Eggs!

2008-10-09T08:13:00.017-05:00

Eggs. Incredible. Edible. I heart eggs. You've got that little jingle in your head now, don't you?

It's true, eggs are one of my most favorite foods. I like mine hard-boiled with a sprinkle of salt and pepper on top. My husband prefers his eggs fried with bacon and slapped on slice of toast. Dawson won't eat them unless he doesn't know they're eggs.

Which is why he loves fried rice with a few eggs scrambled in for good measure. He just thinks it's "big and puffy rice." In honor of World Egg Day, we decided to make a batch of egg inspired dish.

(We found our Vegetable Fried Rice recipe in the Around the World Cookbook that I got at a cultural fair at the local high school. I love this cookbook because the recipes are designed with kids in mind. Nearly all the recipes are easy for kids to make, with parental supervision of course. Unfortunately, Dawson wanted nothing to do with the chopping and cooking so as usual, I stepped in.)

This dish is so delish, I just have to share it with you. I promise, no more rhyming.

Our Ingredients:

3 tablespoons vegetable oil (I use EVOO. See that? I just channeled Rachael Ray.)
1 small onion, chopped
1 small red pepper, chopped (I use half red and half green)
1 garlic clove, minced
2 cups cooked white or brown rice (we use brown)
1/2 cup green peas (I use less, picky child and all)
1 carrot, peeled and finely shredded (I julienne my carrot so that I can feel like a real chef)
2 large eggs (we sometimes use 3)
3 tablespoons soy sauce

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a wok (or large frying pan) over medium-high heat. Add the onion, peppers, and garlic. Cook, stirring constantly, until softened, about 3 minutes.

2. Add rice, peas, and carrot. Cook, stirring constantly, until vegetables are tender, about 4 minutes.

3. Push the cooked ingredients to the edge of the wok. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the side of the wok. Crack in the eggs and stir until scrambled. Slowly stir the rice mixture until blended.

4. Add the soy sauce, cook stirring constantly, until well blended, about 1 minute. Serve hot.

Mmmm. Yummy scrambled eggs...err..."puffy rice."

And egg inspired dish that is truly delish! (Okay, so I fibbed. I like to rhyme.)

Don't forget the soy sauce!

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This post is part of a blog tour put together by the Parent Bloggers Network, in honor of World Egg Day. For more worldly egg dishes, visit this PBN post.

It's Like A Preschoolers Wii!

2008-09-25T09:40:00.005-05:00

My son Dawson is a video game addict. I know, this really doesn't surprise most of you, but he's only 4 years old.

It started innocently enough. We let him play games on the internet at the Playhouse Disney website. One day, we bought him a hand-held video game system from Leapster that he carried with him everywhere. Then we got a Nintendo DS and some kid-friendly games to play.

Dawson was hooked. Some of the games were educational, while others were created for kids ages 6 and over. Little Dawson would get very frustrated trying to understand how to play the different games, crying would ensue, and I'd end up giving the video game a time-out.

Enter the V-Motion V-Smile video game system from V-Tech. When the Parent Bloggers Network asked us if we'd like to try it, I jumped at the chance. This game system is designed for children ages 3-7 years and the games are simple enough to play (which means less crying, except when it's time to put the game away, of course).

When the game arrived, I opened the box and Dawson began to jump for joy.

"Is this for me?" he asked.

"Yes, Bug, it's for you!" I said.

"I LOVE THE MAIL!" he exclaimed. "It brings me toys!"

Needless to say we hooked the game to Dawson's television and began to play the included "Action Mania" game. This system plays Smartridges that are made especially for three to seven year olds, and features popular characters like Scooby-Doo, Thomas the Tank Engine, and Spider-Man, as well as new ones like Kung Fu Panda, Wall.E, and Wonder Pets. There is also a web connect feature that allows for bonus game play downloads, too.

Dawson was very excited about this game, and the game controller is easy to hold and use. We love the "motion" setting best, since he's not quite sure how to work the joystick part of the controller just yet.

One of the games on the "Action Mania" Smartridge is a racing game that asks the player to find the missing letter of a word by turning to the left or the right to choose the appropriate letter. One of the words was "egg" and I was stunned when Dawson spelled out "E-G-G". Granted, we've been working with letter flashcards, and concentrating on how to spell his name, but I think this video game is brilliant, because learning is happening at a slow and steady pace.

After only a few weeks of playing the V-Motion games, I've noticed that Dawson has added new words to his vocabulary, he is recognizing color patterns in every day activities, and he has improved his counting skills.

Dawson's preschool teacher has even mentioned that he speaks in full sentences at a level more commonly seen in children in kindergarten, he follows directions well, and has excellent coordination during games of "Follow the Leader" and "Simon Says". While I don't believe that the V-Motion game system is entirely responsible for all of my son's achievements, I do believe that his learning through play has given him a little boost in his education.

We love the V-Motion so much that we bought Dawson the Thomas the Tank game that teaches spelling and counting as well. The V-Motion V-Smile retails at $69.99, and Smartridges are about $25 or less. You can find more information by visiting the V-Tech website, or by visiting this PBN post.

Qlubb.com: Group Organization Made Easy

2008-09-18T07:00:00.003-05:00

As a mother, my biggest problem is managing time and all the tasks I need to complete in one day. Twenty-four hours indeed pass too quickly.

With Dawson in preschool now, I thought I would accomplish many of the past due items on my to-do list -- after all, I've got 2 1/2 hours free two days a week. Alas, I'm a failure with scheduling. How do I juggle volunteering in his classroom, teaching CCD Tuesday nights, working almost full-time and still have time left over to clean the house and do the laundry that keeps piling higher?

Enter Qlubb.com, which makes organizing parent meetings, playgroups or book clubs incredibly easy. The fabulous ladies at Mom Central asked me to check out the service and I happily agreed.

From their about page:

Qlubb is a web-based group utility that enables real-world groups to easily connect, share and get stuff done. Qlubb brings all aspects of group interaction to one simple and intuitive place. With event calendaring, sign-up sheets, photo sharing, member rosters, task reminder service, and bulletin boards, Qlubb provides all the functions needed to easily and actively participate within a group.

Recognizing that busy people don’t have time or patience to “figure out” another web application, Qlubb has made it a principle philosophy to keep everything SIMPLE (simple interface, simple Qlubb creation, simple task creation, simple account management, etc.). It only takes 2 clicks to create a Qlubb, an 1 click to join a Qlubb.

Accessing and using the site is incredibly easy for even the least computer-savvy members. Qlubb's secure sign-in protects group information, so only members of your group have access. However, participants don't have to individually register and can simply sign in using the group password.

The best part is that Qlubb is easy to use and it's free to register and start managing your schedule and your groups.

For more information, visit Qlubb.com!

Ringling Brothers Circus, Coming to City Near You

2008-09-17T07:00:00.000-05:00

When I was nine years old, the circus came to town. My dad bought tickets for my brother, sister and me. I still remember the excitement upon seeing the clowns, tigers, tight rope walkers and flying trapeze. But my favorite memory see the performers ride in on the elephants.

Remembering the magic of my first visit to the circus, I can't wait to share the experience with Dawson. I imagine the smile on his face as he watches the lion tamer commandeer the cats. I can almost hear the giggles as the clowns attempt to juggle. In a recent Mom Central survey, 88% of Moms regard the circus as a "not to be missed" childhood experience.

Attending the circus provides more than just a night out. It creates a memory that lasts a lifetime and a tradition that can be carried on from year to year and generation to generation.

The folks at Mom Central asked me to spread the word about the Ringling Brothers Circus that is touring cities across the U.S. this fall. They sent us a DVD of the circus and Dawson was mesmerized by all the action. He especially loved the dancing clowns. We only wish this circus was coming to a town closer to us.

Here are the tour cities and dates:

Indianapolis, IN - Sept. 4-7, 2008
Kansas City, MO - Sept. 10-14, 2008
Grand Rapids, MI - Sept. 18-21, 2008
Denver, CO - Oct. 2-13, 2008
Boston, MA – Oct. 8-13, 2008
Cleveland, OH - Oct. 24 - Nov. 2
Chicago, IL - Nov. 6 - 30, 2008
St. Louis, MO - Nov. 6-9, 2008
Auburn Hills, MI - Nov. 12 - 16, 2008
Highland Heights, KY - Feb 27 - Mar. 1, 2009
Cincinnati, OH - Mar. 4 - 8, 2008

If you'd like to take your kids to the circus, and live near one of the listed cities, feel free to use the code MCC and you'll receive a 20% discount on your ticket purchase (prices vary for each tour stop)

Two Fabulous Books for Preschoolers and Their Parents

2008-09-16T10:10:00.004-05:00

As the mother of a preschooler I have my fair share of battles when it comes to bedtime. Dawson is four years old today, and for the last 2 1/2 years, he's been sleeping in bed with my husband and me.

It's my own fault, really. When he was about 18 months old, I suffered a back injury and couldn't lift Dawson to put him to sleep in his crib. So, on the nights my husband worked late, I'd bring him in bed with me because it was easier. Big mistake. The child can't sleep without his father or me next to him.

Luckily for me, the Parent Bloggers Network asked me to check out two really great books, Ready for the Day! and Ready for Bed!, both by Stacey R. Kaye, and illustrated by Elizabeth O. Dulemba. These books are written with parents and children in mind.

Each story is realistic, and rings true for parents and kids alike, and the books highlight easy to use techniques in color-coded text. Not only is the story interesting for children, there's a section at the back of the book that explains the language of positive parenting.

Ready for the Day! teaches children how get ready each morning without stress (for parent and child), and helps kids learn to be respectful and teaches parents how to replace the begging, bribing and brawling with positive parenting.

Ready for Bed! is my favorite. I was getting tired of the crying, whining and temper tantrums that were happening before bedtime (both Dawson's and mine), and we began reading the book several weeks ago.

After a week of reading the stories, I noticed more cooperation on Dawson's part. But even more amazing was that I noticed I was willing to be more patient with my son. So often I felt like I constantly had to "put my foot down" when it came to setting limits. It was my way or the highway, which really didn't encourage Dawson to follow instructions or obey his parents.

Ready for Bed! and Ready for the Day! offers solid advice for parents such as offering choices, give encouragement, and validate feelings. It's important for our children to know that we were kids once, too, and that we know how they feel. This encourages cooperation and children become more calm and less likely to start a screaming tantrum.

I especially love the dialogue coded in blue throughout each book. The color-coded text are things parents can say to their children to encourage cooperation.

These books are from Free Spirit Publishing, a company that believes in meeting kids' social and emotional needs. Other great books can be discovered by visiting the publisher's website, www.freespirit.com.

Book Review: Maybe Baby: An Infertile Love Story

2008-09-08T10:13:00.007-05:00

Several years ago, four years and nine months to be exact, I discovered I was pregnant with my beautiful baby boy. But only a year before that, I was diagnosed with Poly-cystic ovarian syndrome, and told that my chances of conceiving a child were slim -- or that it would be very difficult for my body to ovulate, thus making my journey to motherhood a long and windy road of uncertainty.

I can't count the number of times I cried and cursed, confessed and denied my anger, and prayed to God; please Dear Lord, grant me a child. All I wanted was to be a mother. From the moment Doug and I spoke our vows in front of hundreds of relatives and friends at beautiful St. Bronislava church, visions of babies danced in my head.

As a Polish Catholic, I was raised with the notion that a woman's purpose was to have lots of babies, cook too much food and feed everyone. After all, the women in my family are baby factories. Most have four or more children. When I realized my body may never house a child, I panicked.

Thanks be to God, I did get pregnant and delivered a healthy baby boy, but those early trials still haunt me. As if they happened only yesterday, I still remember the frustration, sadness and anger. The questions from family as to when we'd have children and why....why wasn't it happening already?

Four years and 9 months later, I'm suffering infertility once again. My husband and I have been trying to have a second child for over a year without success. It's a battle that I often feel like I'm losing. How can two people who love each other so much survive the battle of infertility?

The Parent Bloggers Network asked me if I'd like to read the book Maybe Baby by Matthew M.F. Miller and I jumped at the chance. I was excited to read a man's point of view on infertility issues. Then the book arrived and I read the back cover and began to cry.

"Constance got her period for the tenth month in a row, and I stood in the bathroom having never felt like less of a man in my entire life."

I cried because when it comes to infertility, it's usually the woman with the "problem". In Matthew's case, he discovered he had a low sperm count. It doesn't matter if you're male or female, if you're "the one," the infertile, the feelings of inadequacy are devastatingly real.

Matthew's story begins with memories of his youth, from the house he grew up in, to his struggles as an overweight teen. He describes his emotions with vivid recollection of how he avoided "full-on sex" until he "was no longer fat", to meeting the woman of his dreams, Constance, and the passionate love they share.

Their desire for children began with beautiful green nursery bedding from Pottery Barn, which they ordered before becoming pregnant (after crawling out of $18,000 in credit card debt -- due to their love of the stylish, and shopaholic tendencies).

As I read about the excitement Matthew and Constance shared when opening the box of green frill and softness, I remembered my own excitement when I bought that first baby sleeper after discovering I was indeed having a baby.

But years before, whenever I shopped for gifts for friends' baby showers, my anticipation of my own pregnancies caused waves of excitement and to wash over me. But I have never experienced the pain of knowing that a $300 dollar nursery set is tucked in a closet, unused, because of infertility.

I must confess: reading Matthew's book was difficult for me. Tears stained every other page as I read about the four moments he knew he wanted to be a father, to his anxiety over "masturbating in public" at the clinic.

Reading about Matthew and Constance's struggles with Clomid refreshed my memory of my own use of the fertility drug. His anticipation over the results of a home pregnancy test and the let down he and Constance felt upon seeing that Big Fat Negative made me recall my own disappointment with every stick I've ever peed on.

And then I read chapter sixteen, and all of page 188 is now soaked with my salty tears:

"Joe's funeral was a wholly Catholic affair. Polish Catholic to be exact, which led to an hour and a a half of standing, kneeling, sitting, praying, and sobbing. All of which was closely followed by countless rounds of food and beverages served up by and white-and-black clad waiters in a Polish banquet hall. Sausages, sauerkraut, pierogies, liver and dumplings, chicken and beef were all served as a gut-busting tribute to our dear friend's brother."

Oh, how true this is! Polish Catholic funerals are grand affairs; celebrations of the lives of our loved ones who have passed.

And then I read page 189:

"Two pews in front of us, a young woman was struggling to contain the pacifier and slightly jarring coos of a less-than-two-year-old toddler as Gina's mom stoically revealed the irreparable heartbreak of her daughter, who had purchased her wedding dress the day before the accident. teh toddler was a perfect, dark-skinned, dark-eyed beauty with a mat of curls secured on the top of her head by a small pink bow."

Church is my private hell. Catholic women are raised to make babies. Every Sunday at Mass, I cry just a little as I watch the family with seven beautiful children make their way to the front pew. A few rows over, another family with five children, gets situated in their seats.

Meanwhile, I sit in the far back row, with my husband and son, so that no one can see me cry over the children I wish I had. It isn't that my son isn't enough, I love him dearly -- more than words can describe. I cry because the house of God is a safe place, but for me it represents pain. Pain I can't seem to let go.

Instead of celebrating the vows my husband and I took in that very church, or celebrating the baptism of the child we have, the sacred sacraments professed in praise to God, I cry silent tears in the last row.

Matthew writes so openly about his struggles and about the hope he and Constance felt when choosing to do IVF. While IVF isn't something I'm able to do (for religious reasons), I pray that this method works for Constance and Matthew.

This book is brilliant; honest and compassionate. Matthew shares his raw emotions with the reader. He reaches out to those who have walked in his shoes, as well as to those who may not understand what the infertile world goes through.

This book isn't just about the pain he and Constance have endured, it's also a love story. A story of two people who stand by each other through good times and bad, through life and loss, and for all the days of their lives.

Thank you, Matthew Miller, for sharing your story with us. Thank you PBN, for allowing me the privilege of reading this amazing book.

For more information about Maybe Baby, please visit Matthew's website.

And the Winner Is...

2008-08-23T07:00:00.002-05:00

Remember this giveaway? I finally remembered to draw a winner. Since I don't yet have a subscription to Random.org, I asked Dawson to pull a slip of paper out of his Brewers baseball cap. Of the four comments, #3 was the one Dawson picked.

Congrats to Dan and Marsh! You won the Norton 360 software. I'll be contacting you shortly to get your shipping address!

Dry Hair Today, Suave Hair Tomorrow

2008-08-22T07:09:00.004-05:00

This is my senior photo.

See those long, luscious curly locks? I hated them. My mother convinced me (forced me, really) to get a perm. Sadly, that was probably the last time my hair was healthy, and I graduated eleven years ago.

For the last few years, I've suffered from dry, brittle hair. I've used many different brands of shampoo and it was usually the most expensive brands that made my hair feel soft and manageable.

Then I was asked to to participate in the Suave Summer Hair Care blog tour, and they sent me eight different hair care products. Included in the line-up: Suave Professionals Vibrant Shine Shampoo & Conditioner, Suave Professionals Sleek Shampoo & Conditioner, Suave Professionals Color Care Shampoo & Conditioner, Suave Professionals Extra Hold Mousse and Suave Professionals Extra Hold Hairspray.

Let me just tell you, I fell in love and I'm very picky when it comes to hair products. I tried the Sleek Shampoo & Conditioner first and I liked it so much I almost didn't try the other products. The Suave Professionals Sleek Shampoo & Conditioner duo conditions and smooths dry or frizzy hair (which I so desperately need), but Suave performs for less than more expensive brands.

I remember the commercials stating this fact, but I almost didn't believe it until I tried it. Why was I paying zillions of dollars for the fancy brands when Suave works the same, if not better, for less money?

Enriched with Silk Amino Acids to smooth hair as well as Matrix, Suave Professionals Sleek products soften and improve hair's texture, leaving it looking salon-smooth and healthy.

Next, I tried the Suave Professionals Color Care line, since I have highlights and color in my hair (gotta hide those pesky grays), and I was pleasantly surprised that this shampoo and conditioner is formulated with anti-oxidants to help lock in color while it gently cleanses and protects color-treated hair. The products are salon tested and use the latest advances in hair care to help protect color from fading. I was happy to learn that these products offer UV protection, too.

The hairspray and mousse are great as well. The formulas aren't so sticky that hair is gunky, and the mousse actually made my hair feel softer. When using these products, I noticed my hair beginning to look more full instead of flat and dull.

Overall, I was very happy with the Suave line of products and I'm definitely going to keep using the sleek line over my expensive salon brand. The money I'm saving can pay for the important stuff like gasoline and groceries (those prices are getting more astronomical every day). Thanks Suave for offering affordable, yet professional hair care products at reasonable prices. You've won me over!

Yoplait Kids: Delicious & Fun Yogurt You Can Eat or Drink

2008-08-21T08:11:00.004-05:00

When I was a young kid I hated yogurt. I refused to eat it. Probably because my mother tried to convince me it was just ice cream. When I realized it was "melty" and not frozen, I gagged. Thankfully, when I was older I fell in love with this dairy goodness. For a daily dose of calcium, yogurt is usually my first choice.

Dawson, however, has loved yogurt from the get-go. In fact, we've had a few Strawberry Banana Yogurt Phases 'round these parts, in which my son will only eat yogurt for each of his three meals and loves the yogurt drinks instead of milk. He's even gone so far as to beg for those yogurt pops in the grocery store.

When the Parent Bloggers Network asked us to try Yoplait Kids yogurt, I jumped at the chance, even though we're seasoned veterans.

Yoplait Kids yogurt offers a delicious and nutritious, creamy texture and taste, made with Omega-3 DHA, which is an important nutrient that supports brain growth during childhood development stages (which totally explains why Dawson is so smart -- or maybe he's just a smarty pants?).

We love the Yoplait Kids yogurt drink in Strawberry Banana as well as the yogurt cups in Banana/Vanilla. Dawson loves the packages, too. What child can resist Dora, Diego & The Backyardigans? Dawson stares at the package while spooning delicious yogurt in his mouth.

In each serving of Yoplait Kids yogurt is an excellent source of calcium, 16 mg of Omega-3 DHA, no artificial sweeteners or flavors, Vitamins A& D, protein, and 25% less sugar than the leading kid's yogurt on the shelves of the dairy aisle.

My favorite thing about Yoplait Kids yogurt, other than the nutrional value, is the price. At $2.79 a package (either six 3.1-oz bottles of drinkable yogurt, or a six-pack of 4-oz. cups) I'm able to afford to keep it stocked in our refridgerator for the Doodlebug. Some of the other brans are in the $4-5 dollar range and definitely not as nutrious as Yoplait Kids brand.

Thanks, Parent Bloggers Network and Yoplait for giving us a sweet and healthy treat!

Win It! Along with our samples, Yoplait sent us a cooler back, a Brain Quest game for ages 2-3, and a coupon for a free sample of Yoplait Kids yogurt to give away to one lucky reader. (You can also print a coupon for $1.50 off, by clicking here.)

Leave a comment on this post telling me which flavor of yogurt your kids would love best. Visit Yoplait Kids to check out the great flavors and nutrional values! Contest will end on August 29, 2008 at 11:59 p.m. One winner will be chosen at random. Good luck!

White Trash Moms Unite!

2008-08-13T07:54:00.007-05:00

Less than a month from now my little guy starts preschool. I'm freaking out. Just a little bit. It's a huge milestone. This is the moment that begins my life as a School Mom. Well, that's what my neighbor has begun calling me. Not to be confused with schoolmarm of course. Suddenly, Little House in the Prairie episodes are popping into my head.

I had a point, but what was it? Oh yes, I am now the mother of a preschooler. This is the beginning of Dawson's school career. Visions of art projects, school fundraisers and volunteer activities are dancing through my head.

But after reading The White Trash Mom Handbook, and laughing at The White Trash Mom's clever jokes, I know a little bit more about what to expect. When the Parent Bloggers Network asked if I'd like to read the book by Michelle Lamar (with Molly Wendland), I jumped at the chance.

All mothers struggle with the idea that they must be perfect, but there are some mothers who take perfection to a whole new level.

I know you've seen the moms who sign their kids up for soccer, dance lessons, art classes and music lessons. They can bake a perfect cake and claim they didn't slave all night long as they frosted it.

They're the ones who look like they just stepped out of In Style magazine, and their children are walking ads for Gap Kids. Did you know these moms have a name? They do! They're called The Muffia. Oh mah gawd. It cracks me up. Here's the White Trash Mom's definition of Muffia:

Mean and snobby mothers who usually run the school your child attends. Being a part of the Muffia is being mean and not being real. It's about keeping up a totally bogus and stupid standard of perception that is unrealistic. It is taking motherhood and making it a spectator sport.

After I read those words I fell in love with the book and couldn't put it down. Michelle, aka White Trash Mom, takes a humorous glance at the world of PTA meetings and Bake Sales, but she offers realistic advice for the parents who are less than perfect -- because we all know perfect doesn't exist.

Despite the name of the book, it's not about double-wides and trailer parks -- unless we're talking about Trailer Trash Turleen (and you'll have to read the book to learn about her. It's too good to give away here). In a world that expects mothers to look like Angelina and still bring home a six-figure salary, the White Trash Mom offers sane advice for navigating the politics of elementary school and beyond.

After preschool, we moms are drafted to the "Big Leagues" also known as elementary school, and White Trash Mom offers advice for communicating with teachers, volunteering at your child's school, how to deal with the Muffia and how embarrass your kids as little as possible.

She touches on the topic of Fake Bakin' (no, not artificial tanning) which is the art of transforming store-bought baked goods into "home baked" masterpieces (her recipe for Caramel Brownies is so clever I'm wishing I'd have thought of it myself), she dishes on how to make friends with other White Trash Moms, and offers sane strategies for helping out at your child's school without losing your mind, as well as ways to tackle obstacles at work when it comes to your kids and school events.

Now, some readers might be offended with some of these hilarious suggestions, but I'm telling you it's only because they lack a sense of humor. I mean really, how can you not laugh at the Fake Purse Escape:

If you work in an office situation, there are coworkers and supervisors who love to take note of when you arrive and leave the office. If you are faced with people who love to keep track of who comes in late and leaves early, use my tried and true "fake purse" idea.

Buy and additional purse to keep in your desk. If you need to leave before the stroke of 5 p.m. to get your children or take someone to the doctor, leave the fake purse on your desk or hanging on your chair. Have your desk a little messy. You want it to look like you'll be right back.

I could divulge more hilarous tidbits of this book, but then you wouldn't read it -- and you MUST read it. Oh, the laughter! I can't tell you how many goofy looks my husband gave me when he saw the title of the book as I was reading.

Get thee a copy of the White Trash Mom Handbook. If you're a less than perfect mom (I know I am), this humorous book is for you!

Can-Do Zoo: Can We Dig It?

2008-08-06T18:30:00.004-05:00

"Mom, I like this game!"

I must have heard those words ten times while Dawson was playing the new game Bob the Builder: Can-Do Zoo.

The Parent Bloggers Network asked us to try the Beanstalk Game from Brighther Minds Media, and from the moment I installed the software on my laptop, the kid was hooked. I couldn't be happier.

You see, a few months back I bought Dawson a handheld video game system and a few age-appropriate educational games to play. The box states Pre-K but some of the concepts are more advanced and more appropriate for the kindergarten to first grade set.

Meet Bob the Builder and his machine team. Ready to tackle any project, they hammer out solutions that lead to a job well done. Bob and his team built Bobland Bay, and the animals for the new zoo have arrived. However, there's one problem! They forgot to built the Bobland Bay Zoo.

The Can-Do Zoo game lets Dawson join Bob, Scrambler, Scoop, Muck and the whole Can-Do Crew to help build habitats for all the animals while learning educational fundamentals.

The skills learned include: shape and color identification, pattern, spatial and size recognition, memory, object classification, planning and time sequencing, and problem solving and critical thinking. Can-Do Zoo teaches these skills by encouraging children to think about creative solutions. But the best part of this game is that it's engaging and fun to play, and children can play in English or Spanish.

I was a bit skeptical at first, because Dawson has a short attention span and gets frustrated if he doesn't know the answer to a problem. Can-Do Zoo reinforces postive thinking, and if an incorrect answer is given, the game encourages the player to try again. After just a few moments of play, Dawson had figured out how to click a mouse, how to move the cursor across the screen, as well as learn color patterns and shape recognition.

Dawson's favorite mini-games are Pile of Leaves, Tool Shed and Paint It. I was especially impressed with his ability to name the tools such as hammer, pliers, wrench and screwdriver and the way he was able to recgonize the color patterns as he painted the Zoo's fence.

This game doesn't require internet connection so it can be played on any computer after installation. It's perfect for overnight visits at Grandma's house, too.

Bob the Builder is the #1 TV show among preschoolers, so it's no surprise that this game is tops. Can we dig it? Yes, we can! Or as Dizzy says, "Brilliant!" If you'd like to download a free trial of the game, visit the website for details.

Thanks Parent Bloggers Network and Beanstock Games for giving us the opportunity to play Bob the Builder: Can-Do Zoo! We love it!

Disney Music Block Party

2008-08-03T00:41:00.002-05:00

Earlier, in June, my family took a road trip to Milwaukee for a Brewer's baseball game as well as to attend the Milwaukee Polish Fest. This meant we driving 153 miles south with an almost 4-year-old, and said child has a very short attention span. This was made worse, because I forgot to pack the kid friendly music for our 2 1/2 hour car trip. Bad mama!

When it comes to music, my son Dawson has very particular tastes. He prefers Polkas first, but since my husband isn't too fond off accordions and concertinas, we have a rule: no Polkas when Daddy's home. Since Dawson doesn't really dig his Mama's favorite tunes, we've had to find songs that keep Dawson interested.

We've got a few Backyardigans CDs with music from the cartoon, and his grandma bought him a compilation CD with Disney music a few years ago. After the 100th repeat of Hole In My Bucket, sung by Goofy himself, this Mama was ready to throw that disc out the window.

Thank goodness the folks at Mom Central asked me to listen to some new Disney CDs to help promote the The Disney Music Block Party Tour that is headed for Long Island, NY this month.

The Disney Music Block Party Tour is an engaging festival experience for the whole family incorporating live musical performances by They Might Be Giants, Imagination Movers, Dan Zanes, Ralph’s World, and Choo Choo Soul as well as multiple interactive activity areas focused on stimulating the imagination through music, arts, and play. Kids are encouraged to explore their inner superstar in a fun, kid-friendly environment.

When the discs arrived, I was pleasantly surprised at how good these songs are! We received the Disney Block Party, Ralph's World, Choo Choo Soul, Imagination Movers (Juice Box Heroes album -- this totally cracks me up!), and The Mighty Giants CDs and let me just say, this music is kid and parent-friendly.

We popped open the Disney Block Party CD first and Dawson fell in love with the song Tiki Tiki Tiki Room. We danced and twirled in the living room for nearly an hour. My favorite is the Imagination Movers CD. Their music sounds more like the modern rock n' roll tunes I enjoy on the local radio station. The song Jump Up is a great dance tune.

Ralph's World's Rhyming Circus song was absolutely adorable. Dawson likes to sing along with that one because of the rhyming words. And, of course let's not forget the Chugga Chugga Choo Choo song from the Choo Choo Soul cd. Genevieve and DC travel to exciting lands like the land of numbers and alphabet land where kids can enjoy dance and play to the beat of this urban music sensation as seen on Playhouse Disney.

Another musical genius involved in The Disney Music Block Party Tour is Dan Zanes & Friends. We love Dan Zanes and his Catch That Train album. I admit that I sometimes listen to it in the car sans Dawson. It's that good.

Overall, we loved nearly all of the songs on these cds. If you're looking to add to your kids' music collection, the Disney music is great! Please visit the website for more information.

Supplies For Mom: Too Cool for School

2008-08-02T23:54:00.004-05:00

With enrolling Dawson in preschool comes the task of purchasing school supplies. I thought it was so cute that his preschool has a list of "suggested" items, meaning it's not mandatory for me to buy these things, but it will definitely help out the school. Crayons, Kleenex and a paint smock were just a few of the "necessities." I wonder what he'll need for kindergarten (which is sneaking up on me faster than I want it to).

When I was still a school girl, I loved Back-to-School shopping. I delighted in buying brand new pencils, folders and the latest and greatest pens. Pens with colored inks, such as hot pink, turquoise and neon green were my favorite. My mother would never buy those for me because she didn't think they were appropriate for school (she was a former elementary teacher, so her rules were hard core strict).

I can still remember 4th grade when I threw a fit because I was the only kid without a Trapper Keeper. In fact, I was just reminiscing with my husband about those. Apparently, "Traffic Keepers" as Doug just called them, must have been a late 80s elementary school thing because he says he's never heard of them (he's 10 years older than me, so he was in high school when I was whining about my lack of cool school supplies).

Speaking of folders and notebooks, the folks at Mom Central asked me if I'd like to try some of the hip organizational products from the Simply Chic & Eye Candy lines at Caro lina Pad and Paper.

Carolina Pad and Paper offers school, office, and arts & craft products that feature exceptional quality and design. The JACKIE line is so stylish, it's like school supplies for Moms!

I received a checkbook style monthly calendar, an accordion file folder, a notebook portfolio folder, journal, mousepad, writing pens, postie notes and sticky-tabs, as well as a few magnets and notecards. I fell in love with the bright and bold colors as well as the functionality of the products. Carolina Pad and Paper offers school supplies for kids, organizational products for the personal office, as well as arts & crafts items, such as foam and display board, artist sketch books and construction paper for kid crafts.

Just visiting their website is a little trip to School Supply Heaven. And, if you click here, you enter to win an office makeover. How cool would it be to win that? I definitely need to revamp my work space. Have you seen my file cabinets? They are crammed with stuff. It's insane.

Anyway, I'm in love with the Eye Candy line. It reminds me of all the hot pink folders with panda bears and dolphins on them that I insisted on having in 3rd grade. But the Simply Chic style is very Mom Savvy and more grown-up like.

These delicious product lines are available at Walmart, and I command you to check them out on your next shopping trip.

Don't forget to head over to Carolina Pad and Paper to enter the contest and check out the awesome product designs!

Giveaway: Win Norton 360 Software!

2008-08-01T08:47:00.007-05:00

You may remember that the folks at Symantec sent me a copy of their new complete protection software, Norton 360. Click that first link to read more about the many amazing advantages to having this software installed on your computers (up to 3 PCs per household).

I have a copy of Norton 360 to give away. It was in one of the swag bags I received at BlogHer (and I can't remember which one, because I emptied those bags and shipped all my swag home).

Since I've already got Norton installed on both of our computers, I decided that one of you could benefit from all-in-one security protection. You won't be disappointed in this software. It truly is the best, top-notch security out there and I've been recommending it to everyone I know.

So here's how to enter:

Visit the Norton 360 web page and then leave a comment telling me what you think you'll like best about the software. Participants can enter until Friday, August 15, at midnight (after which comments will be closed). The winner will be chosen at random via Random.org. Good luck!

Hanes is Way Cool for Back to School

2008-07-30T06:00:00.002-05:00

In just a few short weeks, Dawson will be starting preschool. Surprisingly, even preschoolers have school supply lists. In addition to purchasing the required backpack, crayons and a box of Kleenex, I've also picked up a new outfit for my son's first day of school.

Thankfully, I didn't have to worry about getting socks and underwear, because the Parent Bloggers Network hooked me up with the nice folks at Hanes, who sent some great products to try from their Comfort Fit Promise line.

We received the No RideUp! Brief, Fly Will Not Gap! Boxers and the Shaped to Fit! Crew Socks and I have to be honest: the Hanes brand truly is the best.

Now that Dawson has been fully potty-trained for the last eight months, he feels more comfortable about wearing underpants during the day and a pull-up at night (to protect against the occasional accident, of course). When I asked him to try on the Hanes briefs, Dawson was very excited.

"I like my new underwears Mumma." he said. "They don't make a line on my belly."

Some of the other underpants he wears seem too tight, leaving a red mark around his waist, and on his thighs.

The Hanes Comfort Fit Promise briefs fit well on my scrawny 4-year-old. This brand doesn't cut off his circulation, but they aren't falling off of him either. These underpants have No Ride Up leg bands, so even after running around the living room for twenty minutes, Dawson's underpants stayed in place. Practically wedgie-proof!

But, the best part of the Hanes Comfort Fit Promise? (You're going to love this!) If the undies are not comfortable, you can get your money back! Too good to be true right? It's true!

Dawson wasn't too sure about the boxers, probably because we've never introduced them to him until now. He insisted on wearing them over his new underpants as shorts, and I didn't argue. The boxers were just a bit big on him, but Dawson is very skinny. I'm certain they'll fit better in a few months.

The No Gap Fly Boxers are made with soft woven cotton that breathes for airy comfort and the fabric-covered ComfortSoft® waistband won't bind, chafe or leave marks. The greatest thing about these boxers? They're TAGLESS with double-stitch trim -- high quality boxers designed to last longer than the average boxer short.

My favorite item is the crew socks. If there's one clothing item my son wears out quickly, it's socks. I can't count the many pairs of socks I've had to toss because they've worn out with holes in the toe and heel.

The Hanes Shaped to Fit! crew socks are made with plush premium yarns, with cushion in every step. Extra knit-in strech helps assure a better fit, and the smooth no-chafe toe seams are easy on my son's skin and ribbed elasticized tops stay up comfortably all day. These socks are thick, which makes me feel confident about their durability. As the mother of a very active little boy, I'm happy to know that Hanes kept comfort and quality in mind and made socks that are durable -- at least until Dawson outgrows them.

Thank you, Hanes! Your Comfort Fit Promise is amazing! And a very special thanks goes out to the Parent Bloggers Network, too.

Keep your eyes peeled for a Hanes Blog Blast at the Parent Bloggers Network on August 22nd! You could win Hanes-wear for your kids!

Enter to win a Coach bag!

2008-07-29T10:13:00.002-05:00

Click Here. You won't want to miss this giveaway.

GameStop: Great Games, Great Prices, Helpful Employees

2008-07-26T15:51:00.004-05:00

I confess: I'm a geek. What makes me a geek, you ask? I like video games. I'm not an addict or anything, but every once in awhile I enjoy digging out the PS1 to play Tetris. I even had a Nintendo Game Boy a few years ago, but I sold in eBay because I thought I was too old to play video games.

But really, you're never too old to be "a gamer." There. I said it. I'm a gamer, and now that I have a Nintendo DS, I'm having a great time playing Brain Age and Super Mario Brothers. I feel like a kid again and it's quite fun.

A few weeks ago, the ladies at Mom Central sent me a $30 gift card for GameStop, a video game store. I was very excited about this because just a few months ago a store opened in my town. When the gift card arrived in the mail, I took Dawson with me to check out what GameStop had to offer.

When we got there, a very nice video game expert offered his assistance. We looked at the newly released game titles and I was pleasantly surprised to learn that GameStop buys and sells used video games. The prices were reasonable, too.

I fully expected to pay through the nose for the games I liked best, but the prices ranged from $9.99 to 32.99, and all the games are organized by system and then by recommended age and genre (action, adventure, skill, etc.).

Dawson chose a SpongeBob game, Atlantis SquarePantis, and we still had some money left. I chose the CSI: Dark Motives game as well as Flash Focus. We were able to pay for our items quickly and easily, and I was able to purchase three new games for under $50 bucks.

I was most impressed with how helpful the employees were, without being pushy. I was able to ask questions about age appropriate games, and my questions were answered honestly. I even received some great video game recommendations.

I think GameStop is a great video game store. For more information click here.

Discussing Pelvic Health With Poise

2008-07-25T01:27:00.000-05:00

I have a confession to make. I have something to share with you, dear readers, but it's kind of embarrassing to discuss. But here goes: I have this problem with my bladder. Either it doesn't hold the same amount of liquid it used to, or maybe it has gotten smaller after childbirth. Whatever the reason, sometimes I have a problem with light bladder leakage.

It's not as though I can't hold my bladder, it's just something that happens occasionally. Like when I'm busy all day long and forget that I have to pee. Or if I drink too much water and both of our bathrooms are occupied. Occasionally it happens if I can't stop laughing or if I've sneezed or coughed too hard.

This condition is so common among women, it's still considered a taboo subject even with close friends and family. Recent research found that 80% of women who suffer from light bladder leakage are hesitant to talk to their peers about this sensitive topic for fear of embarrassment. I'm one of those women. And I always blamed my "problem" on childbirth, an after affect of pregnancy.

The fabulous ladies of Mom Central have asked me to help women become aware of this very common and uncomfortable condition, and I learned that Kimberly-Clark's Poise brand has joined hands with the Women's Health Foundation (WHF) to increase awareness of pelvic health and wellness.

Recently, the Foundation held the "Below the Belt" benefit to raise awareness of the issues effecting women today and celebrate champions of the cause. At the event, Poise presented the first-ever Passion Award to Linda Michael of Portage, Indiana because her story of personal triumph over pelvic pain and bladder control issues - and her willingness to tell it - has inspired women and doctors alike to share their stories. Click here for Linda's Story (you'll need Window's Media Player or equivalent to play the video.)

Linda personally struggled with and overcame her own pelvic pain and bladder control issues after giving birth to her son and now works toward breaking down the stigma surrounding these and similar problems affecting many women.

We're hosting a blog tour in conjunction with Kimberly-Clark, to help jump start a conversation on Women's Pelvic Heath. (To learn more about bladder control, click here.) What kinds of pelvic health concerns do you have? Have you ever suffered from light bladder leakage? How did you "control" the situation? Do you have any advice you'd like to share about your experience with this condition? Comments are open!

Box Tops for Education: Enter to Win 100,000 Box Tops For Your Child's School

2008-07-24T17:57:00.004-05:00

Well, it's official. I've enrolled Dawson in preschool this fall, and I'm in panic mode. My baby is growing up. In just over a month, my 4-year-old will be going to school. While I'm excited that Dawson will be in a classroom setting, and will learn social skills in addition to his ABCs, I'm nervous because this means kindergarten is nearing faster than I'd like.

Once Dawson is enrolled in kindergarten, I can start giving our box tops to his school as part of the Box Tops for Education program. BTE is dedicated to raising money for schools to develop educational programs, purchase books, and buy school supplies. Right now, I've been saving them for my niece's elementary school.

Box Tops for Education has helped America's schools earn over $200 million since 1996! Schools, grades K-8, can earn up to $60,000 every year through Box Tops. I'm happy to collect these from our favorite products to help my niece and her peers receive the learning materials they need.

I was pleasantly surprised when I learned that Kimberly-Clark is teaming up with the Box Top for Education program. They've created the Rock Your School Contest, in which one lucky winner will receive the grand prize of a concert with Radio Disney Star Jordan Pruitt at their child’s school, plus 100,000 Bonus Box Tops!

100,000 Box Tops can go a long way. Every top is worth the equivalent of 10 cents, and 100,000 computes to $10,000 that your child's school can use to purchase anything they need. Computers, books, playground equipment and classroom parties are just some of the ways schools have chosen to use the funds raised through Box Tops for Education.

Click here for a list of products that participate in the program. I try to buy the ones listed over other brands when possible.

Click here to enter the contest, or for more information about the program, visit the Box Tops for Education website.

Leap Frog: Learning By Leaps and Bounds

2008-07-16T06:00:00.002-05:00

You may have noticed the The Savvy Source widget in the sidebar of this blog, and I'm sure you're wondering, what on Earth is that thing? I'm happy to tell you it's a brilliant quiz that aims to help parents assess their children's language skills. From the website:

The Savvy Quiz is adapted from The Core Knowledge Foundation’s Preschool Sequence, a comprehensive outline of the way young children develop knowledge and skills. Since preschool-age children often spend most of their time at home rather than school, The Savvy Source has adapted the Preschool Sequence for the benefit of parents and other care-givers.

After taking the 5-minute survey, parents will discover the kinds of conversations, songs, books, and activities that are best for their children as well as receive a customized set of recommendations for each child.

When I began the quiz, I wasn't sure what to expect, but the questions were simple and very straight forward regarding my son's development. I was happy that the results of the quiz were presented honestly, without making me feel as a though my parenting skills were inadequate in regards to my child's early education.

The Parent Bloggers Network asked me to participate in taking the quiz, and Leap Frog sent their new Tag reader and two books for Dawson to review:

Dawson absolutely loves the Tag Reader from Leap Frog.

As an avid reader myself, I've always made it a habit to read to Dawson, and our weekly visit to the public library is one of our favorite past times. Dawson enjoys choosing new and interesting books for me to read, but I haven't yet attempted to teach him to read on his own. Frankly, I thought he might be just a tad too young.

Only recently did he finally learn the alphabet and he still sometimes mixes up the letters of the song, but he's making a great effort -- and since we've been enjoying the Tag reader, I've noticed that Dawson is learning word recognition. Dawson loved that the "pen" (stylus) would read the stories to him as he followed along and turned the pages.

Turns out, it's never too early to learn to read. I was shocked when Dawson recognized the word "the" at first glance after only a day or two of using the Tag reader. The books that were sent along, Kung Fu Panda: Po's Tasty Training and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, are age appropriate for the beginning reader (ages 4-6). It was delightful to see the smile on Dawson's face as we listened to each story. With preschool right around the corner, this is a fantastic way to spark his reading and language skills.

One of the great things about the Tag reader is that you can purchase additional books, and downloading the stories is quick and simple. We recently picked up Click, Clack, Moo, Cows That Type and easily connected the Tag to our computer to download the story from the website.

My favorite thing about the Tag Reading System is that it allows my son to learn at his own pace and he is capable of using this educational toy anytime and anywhere.

Thanks so much to The Savvy Source, Leap Frog and PBN for giving us this great opportunity. If you haven't yet visited the three links above, a highly recommend you do so! And get the Tag reader! You will not be disappointed.

Go Green With Recycline

2008-07-10T22:40:00.006-05:00

When I was younger my mother would hound me about the importance of dental hygiene and using the appropriate toothbrush to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Through the years I've used hundreds of toothbrushes and I've tried to be diligent in replacing my brush every three to six months, depending on how fast it wears out.

I've always wondered about all the toothbrushes that fill our landfills. We use so many of them and when they no longer do the job, we toss them in the garbage and buy another or get one from our dentist at our next check-up.

Thanks to the folks at Recycline, I can rest assured that all those old toothbrushes aren't filling up landfills across the world.

Recycline transforms recycled plastic into toothbrushes, razors, colanders, cutting boards and other personal-care and houseware items that can all be sent back to the company — in postpaid mailers — and recycled again.

When I was asked to try a Recycline toothbrush I was very excited and went straight to the company's website to learn more about their amazing efforts to be Green. I was thrilled to see this video:

Recycline Founder, Eric Hudson, is truly a leader in his efforts to preserve our planet with his Earth friendly products. I was astonished to see a link on the website where customers can print a pre-paid mailing label to send Preserve toothbrushes and razor handles back to the company to be "reborn" as plastic lumber for park benches, decks and more!

Recycline is committed to using recycled and environment-friendly materials for their products and packaging. For more information on their Earth Efforts, or to learn more about Recycline, please visit the company's website.

When I find a great product such as this one, I'm forever a loyal customer. The Preserve toothbrush by Recycline has become my new and favorite toothbrush brand. I'm definitely going to recommend it to my dentist, as well.

The Preserve toothbrush is available at Target stores nationwide for only $2.04, and when it's time to replace your Preserve toothbrush, make sure you print the mailing label from the Recycline website and mail it back for free!

Click here to save $1 on the purchase of 2 Preserve or Preserve Jr. Toothbrushes.

Go Green with Recycline!

Safe & Secure With Schlage For Sure

2008-07-10T11:00:00.003-05:00

Those who know me well are aware of my occasional bouts of absentmindedness. I can't count the number of times I've locked my keys in my car or locked myself out of the house -- yes, there are that many.

I'm happy to say that in recent months I've been a lot smarter about remembering where my keys are so as to avoid unfortunate situations that require the assistance of a locksmith (which is very costly, let me tell you). But, I still worry that I'll be in too big of a hurry and will lock myself out in all the rushing around I do from day to day.

When the folks at Schlage asked me to try one of their keypad entry locks, I asked my husband if he thought it was a good idea and the man said yes before I finished my sentence. He hates having to worry about carrying around my spare keys "just in case" because he says he can barely remember his own stuff let alone mine.

When the lock arrived I was a little intimidated by it's weight. The deadbolt lock is heavy duty, you could call it "top notch security in a box". Doug couldn't wait to install it on our front door, but we don't have a deadbolt on our existing door so we decided to install it on our back garage entry door for trial purposes. (We've never had a key for that door so it's probably a good idea to install a new lock before all of our bikes are stolen.)

Schlage includes easy-to-follow directions and great diagrams, making the installation simple even for those who may not be mechanically inclined. Doug had no difficulty getting the lock installed on our door and I was able to follow along with the process as his handy assistant.

Some of the great features of a Schlage keypad deadbolt lock include:

Innovative Turn Lock feature allows you to lock & leave without a key

Provides the convenience of keyless access; customizable to fit your security needs

Ideal for front doors, side & back doors, garage entry doors, etc.

Easily replace most existing deadbolts with a screwdriver in about 30 minutes

No programming required; preset with two user codes so it's ready to use right out of the box

The best feature of this keyless lock is that it operates by a 9 volt battery, meaning no electrical wiring is necessary. I was extremely happy to know that my husband wouldn't accidentally electrocute himself, or have to call his brother, an electrician, to wire electricity to our garage.

After the installation was complete, we were able to program a numeric security code that we could punch in to unlock and open the door. The lock came with preset codes, but we easily changed it to something much easier to remember. Because our spare garage houses my father's RV and my brother's Camaro, and my brother-in-law's moped in the winter months, we were able to provide each person with their own security code to gain access to the garage if we're not home. Talk about convenience! And safety! Our family members were happy to know that their vehicles are safe and secure and they can still get into the garage if necessary.

When I think of the Schlage company, the first things that come to mind are security and quality and we weren't let down. The deadbolt lock impressed us, we're thinking of using the keypad entry with flex lock (which comes with a door handle) when we replace our front door this fall.

Schlage is the leader in security devices, trusted for more than 85 years, and the company is dedicated to creating safe environments. Schlage is the only brand that spans both the commercial and residential markets and the company is on the forefront of developing cutting-edge technology and innovation such as wireless security products, biometrics, and CCTV among others.

A Schlage keypad lock retails for approximately $138.00, and you can find these great products at Lowe's, Home Depot, and Menard's. For more information on Schlage products, please visit their website.

Book Review: The Pregnancy Journal

2008-06-18T08:15:00.007-05:00

When I discovered I was pregnant with Dawson, the countdown to his birth day seemed like an eternity. My pregnancy consumed me. Every twinge, every pregnancy ailment I experienced, had me question whether my baby was alright as well as cause me to be more impatient. I couldn't wait to hold my baby in my arms.

To keep me occupied for the duration of nine months, I ran to the book store and purchased an arm load of pregnancy books, one of which was The Pregnancy Journal.

The Pregnancy Journal is a wonderful companion to any pregnancy whether it's your first or your 18th. It highlights important information about how Baby grows inside the womb, the physical and emotional changes Mom-to-Be experiences throughout her pregnancy, and offers factual information about nutrition and maternal health.

Just like many pregnancy books, The Pregnancy Journal has chapters for the nine lunar months of pregnancy, but within each month this journal offers about half a page of information for each day, from conception through delivery, as well as space for recording your thoughts.

There is also a place to record your mood, energy, appetite, morning sickness and cravings each day, and your weight and waist size each week; a wonderful keepsake for your child to look back on when he or she is old enough.

The Pregnancy Journal was first published in 1996, and has sold more than a million copies which has made it the definitive companion for parents-to-be. The second edition now includes new & updated facts about prenatal development, greatly enhanced nutritional tips, information about second-time pregnancies (including preparing an older child for the birth of a sibling), expanded coverage of breastfeeding, and more facts about doula-attended births. It also offers more room for notes and journaling than the previous edition.

The Pregnancy Journal is easily one of the best books available for a woman or couple expecting a baby. It's wealth of practical information, medical data and emotional nourishment make it easier for the expectant mother to enjoy her pregnancy. It certainly helped me to let go of some of my "New Mama" anxiety, too. If there was only one pregnancy book I could have purchased, The Pregnancy Journal would be my choice.

For more information, please visit the publisher's website.

The Doodlebug Loves Ladybug!

2008-06-10T07:07:00.005-05:00

One of Dawson's favorite activities is cuddling next to me on the couch while I read him a book. However, my son has the attention span of a gnat, and after a few minutes he becomes distracted by something else. It's as though his toys are calling to him from the other room and he must go play with them.

It wasn't always this way. When my Doodlebug was just a tad younger, I could read book after book, and he would listen intently and point to pictures of things he could name.

Dawson will be 4 years old in September, and I try to keep reading so that he will carry his love of books to school with him when it's time to enroll in kindergarten.

The Parent Bloggers Network arranged for Dawson and I to receive several issues of Ladybug Magazine, a children's publication that opens the door to reading for kids ages 2 to 6 years old. It was perfectly described to me as "a more literary version of Highlights for Children" and I loved Highlights as a kid myself (which is probably why Grandma sent a subscription to Dawson for Christmas last year).

When Ladybug arrived, I was impressed with the beautiful illustrations on each page. To put it to the test, I snuggled into my armchair and asked Dawson to read with me. It's safe to say that Ladybug has passed inspection by a very picky child.

Ladybug delivers a wonderful combination of short stories, brilliantly illustrated pictures and clever poems that keep Dawson entertained. Each story in these magazines is engaging and captivating. The first one we read was about a little girl who learns that a dragon is not a good pet. Dawson giggled at the ridiculous idea of a flame-throwing, gigantic lizard sleeping in the bathtub.

I was amazed at how he sat still through each page, and when we read through every issue, Dawson begged to go back and read some of the stories again. He also learned the words to the song "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" because the music and lyrics is in one of the issues about baseball.

While he's not actually reading by himself yet, the words in the stories are simple enough to encouraging word recognition. I found myself pointing to easy words like "the" and "dog" and "stop" so that I could teach Dawson to spell the word. He's got S-T-O-P down pat.

My favorite part about Ladybug? The pages are high-quality and glossy, with the ability to survive in the hands of a very active preschooler. Some of our "regular" books haven't made it that far.

Thanks, Ladybug and PBN for hooking us up with a great read! I am positive we'll enjoy these magazines for years to come.

I'm No Rachael Ray, So I Married Alton Brown

2008-06-08T11:24:00.001-05:00

Cross-posted from The Dana Files.

I'm not a horrible cook. I'm not the world's greatest chef, either. It's safe to say I can turn on the oven, boil water, and make almost any basic recipe given to me. I have a vast collection of cookbooks and I love to dig them out of the back of my pantry to try something new on occasion, but for the most part, my husband is the master chef of our kitchen.

When we were first married, I cooked dinner every weekday. My husband always seemed to eat what I prepared and never complained, however, as a former line cook in a popular local restaurant, he always took it upon himself to educate me on cooking techniques and ways to "doctor up" my favorite dishes.

I always say if it ain't broke, don't fix it, and it started to irritate me that my loving spouse had a "suggestion" for every meal I made. After a few years I decided to hand over the reigns. If he was so smart, he could do all the cooking, right? In fact he thinks he's the greatest chef in our town and often refuses to go to restaurants because he could cook a meal ten times better. (This is probably why we haven't gone to Chili's in ages. He insists on outdoing their baby back ribs.)

After Dawson was born, I barely had time to shower let alone stand in the kitchen over a hot stove for 30 minutes. Then I discovered Rachael Ray and fell in love with her 30-Minute Meals. Her cookbooks are my favorites, because when I do have to cook, she makes it quick and somewhat easy. I've even caught myself saying, "Yummo" and using a garbage bowl.

My husband, a FoodNetwork addict, would frantically write down recipe ingredients from these shows, and then try to recreate the culinary masterpieces. He will spend hours watching Alton Brown on Good Eats, and he has a secret crush on Giada De Laurentiis.

A few years ago, I thought it would be fun to make an Emeril recipe for coconut shrimp. I bought all the necessary ingredients, made the batter with the flaked coconut and proceeded to line the coated shrimp in rows on a baking sheet. I was so impressed with myself, until I realized I forgot to clean the shrimp veins. My husband assured me we wouldn't die from eating shrimp poop, but it took me a good three weeks to eat the little crustaceans again.

These days, my "cooking" consists of visits to Subway, and Dawson doesn't seem to mind. (Of course my know -it-all husband insists he could make a better sub at home. He probably could.)

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This post was written for Parent Bloggers Network as part of a contest sponsored by the American Egg Board.

Tuszke Look-Alike Meter

2008-06-03T09:57:00.002-05:00

A friend referred me to this Look-Alike Meter at MyHeritage.com. I thought it was fun to try this out. Some people say Dawson looks like me, others say he looks like Doug. I think he looks like Doug. But apparently, our little boy is the perfect likeness of both of his parents!

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

Review & Giveaway: My Fruit Roll-Ups, A Box of Fruit Flavored Fun

2008-06-02T06:43:00.010-05:00

Whenever we go to the grocery store, I dread the cereal aisle. Why, you ask? Because the fruit snacks are directly across from the Froot Loops, and Dawson can never make up his mind as to which flavor he likes best. His favorites are the Fruit Roll-Ups by far, and sometimes he goes for the Fruit By the Foot, but honestly it takes at least ten precious grocery store minutes for him to decide between the ones with the tongue tattoos or the ones with featured licensed characters.

When the Parent Bloggers Network introduced me to the My Fruit Roll-Ups website I was very excited. My Fruit Roll-Ups allows you to choose from several designs and greetings to personalize a box of the famous fruit snacks. From birthdays, graduations and weddings, as well as sports and holiday themes, you can give a personalized gift for any occasion.

Customizing and ordering our box of Fruit Roll-Ups was a snap. From start to finish, the process took about 8 minutes. Choose one of 419 adorable pictures, add a personalized greeting (24 character maximum) and place the order. That's it. Easy as fruit pie.

Dawson chose a baseball picture and we added the message, "Go Brewers!" since we're all about Milwaukee Brewers baseball this year.

There are four fonts, three font sizes and three font colors to choose from. You can also create 2- or 3-piece patterns, and if you're having trouble deciding the site allows you to save your design to finish later. You can see our finished product here. A box of 30 personalized Fruit Roll-Ups is $29.95, perfect for any occasion.

Want to win your very own box? I'm giving one away! After visiting the My Fruit Roll-Ups website, come back here and leave a comment telling me which design you'd put on your Fruit Roll-Ups if you won. You have until Sunday, June 8th, at midnight. One winner will be chosen at random (using Random.org) and announced on Monday, June 9th. Tell your friends, and ...Good Luck!

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Updated - Congratulations, Brighton! Thanks to Random Number Picker, she was chosen as the winner of the personalized box of Fruit Roll-Ups!

Video Game Review : Go Pets, Vacation Island

2008-05-31T07:45:00.003-05:00

I'm not much of a video game connoisseur. We have an old PS1 tucked away in a closet, and occasionally I drag it out of hiding to play Tetris with Dawson.

A few years back I had a Game Boy Advance, and I bought it only because I saw an old Super Mario game on clearance. I remembered playing that game as a young girl, when Nintendo first came out. After I conquered the levels (like riding a bike) I promptly sold the Game Boy and video game on Ebay. But the Nintendo DS is my favorite, mainly because there are so many awesome games to choose from and many of them are educational.

Recently, I was asked to review the new game by Konami for Nintendo DS called GoPets: Vacation Island. I was very excited because this game is rated E for Everyone and little Dawson (my Leapster L-Max addict) quickly learned to navigate the controls to play the game. Not bad for a not-quite-4-year-old.

GotPets: Vacation Island is an irresistible blend of social networking and virtual pets. This game allows the player to adopt a pet (choose from dog, cat or pony), dress the pet in cute, funky outfits, collect over 799 world decorations, pet accessories and food items, build a buddy list up to 250 friends and exchange messages (called IKU, the language of GoPets), send your pet traveling when you're not playing the game (which introduces you to more friends) and play 5 unique and fun mini-games (darts, tile matching, cooking and blowing bubbles games) and have your high scores saved on the global GoPets server.

When the game arrived, Dawson and I cuddled up on the couch and adopted a pet. Dawson chose to adopt is very own dog and named him Maxxie. The pets in this game can be chosen randomly or matched to my child based on his interests, but the name of the pet and its appearance are completely up to Dawson. Maxxie is a brown and white pup and he was dressed in a kimono and goggles. Dawson has eclectic fashion sense.

Dawson and I quickly learned to make our way around the island, caring for Maxxie and other pets (by feeding, bathing and playing with them) and we decided to connect via Wi-Fi to the GoPets server to meet the owners of the pets visiting us.

We can even host a Wi-Fi party, enabling us to chat with friends across the world, using the Nintendo Friend Code system. This code is designed to only allow the player to chat with approved buddies, and I was elated that Nintendo is helping keep kids safe online while still enjoying the all that Go Pets has to offer.

Sending Iku, short for "icon haiku", was a little tricky at first. Iku is basically haiku with pictures. Dozens of icons are available, each representing a word and players can make short messages to send to the Islanders or other game owners.

The great think about Iku is that it's universal. We can make friends and communicate with someone in any country (China! Korea! France! Turkey!) simply and easily without fear of getting lost in translation. By clicking on the icon, the word translation is displayed into the player's set language. Iku is a great way to protect each player's identity as well, as it doesn't allow free form messages to be sent across the world

While the game was a wee bit complicated to figure out at first, after reading the instruction booklet and browsing the game, we quickly discovered that Go Pets: Vacation Island has a wonderful amount of content.

Dawson and I had a great time playing the game together. His favorite part is petting the dogs, cats, and ponies because they roll onto their backsides, purr and neigh and little hearts display on the screen from all the love.

The best part? Adopting a virtual pet has taught Dawson how to care for our dog, Murphy. Instead of jumping on the poor dog or pulling on his ears, Dawson has decided to pet him, hug him and love him, and he begs to put food in Murphy's dish every day. I'm rating this game EA for Educational and Awesome.

I'm Taking Charge of My Fertility

2008-05-30T00:10:00.004-05:00

Hi. My name is Dana, and I'm "Reproductively Challenged." It's rather uncomfortable for me to admit that I have difficulty conceiving. Factors like weight, heredity, genes, hypertension and other familial traits have contributed to my fertility troubles.

What's even more difficult is coming to the realization that I have to make certain the moon is aligned perfectly with Jupiter (...or is it the sun?), chart my reproductive cycles to determine ovulation, have sex on the "right days," and dance in a circle three times around the apple tree in my back yard, and then maybe, just MAYBE, I will get pregnant.

I've been through this ring-around-the-ovaries game before. It was 2+ years before I conceived Dawson, who is now almost four years old, and for the last year or more, I've been in baby mode. Conception is on my mind all the time. I want nothing more than to have a second child. Unfortunately my body isn't cooperating. I've ranted about that whole situation before.

After months of disappointment it's tough to get back down to "business". Those negative, mocking, pregnancy test sticks are extremely discouraging.

When I was offered the opportunity to review The Fertility Journal: A Day-by-Day Guide to Getting Pregnant, I was very excited and eager to check it out. Author Kim Hahn is the founder and CEO of Conceive Magazine and the online radio show, Conceive On-Air.

When Kim and her husband were trying to start their own family, she became disillusioned by the lack of consumer-friendly information available regarding fertility and conception. After Kim and her husband adopted a baby girl, Kim decided she'd devote her time to helping provide information to other women facing the same issues.

She left her executive position in the banking industry to launch Conceive Magazine, the first mainstream magazine for women who are hoping to start or expand their families, and Kim's own experiences helped her recognize the need for a fertility journal that was full of valuable information.

Hahn's guide is comprehensive and practical, a wonderful tool devoted to helping women track their monthly reproductive cycles to predict ovulation. This guide explains the steps every woman should take to prepare for pregnancy, starting with the pre-conception checkup. Kim offers tips on maintaining good health, exercise, relationships, sex and nutrition, and her guide is jam-packed with factual information about fertility.

There is also a dedicated section titled "When You Need a Little Help" which offers explanations of several diagnoses related to fertility, a thorough description of in vitro fertilization (IVF), and space to record appointments with fertility specialists.

When the book arrived in my mailbox I was happy to see a blank calendar, allowing me to fill in my cycle day, basal body temperature (BBT), and my overall thoughts and feelings. Each page has a health tip and suggestions for looking ahead to pregnancy.

I loved the organized format of this guide so much that I scheduled an appointment with my doctor to discuss some of the things I've learned.

If you're struggling with conception and wish to take charge of your fertility, Kim Hahn's guide is a wonderful supplement to your getting-pregnant-game-plan. For more information visit the publisher's website or any of the links above.

"Scent" from Heaven: Clorox Disinfecting Wipes

2008-05-28T06:55:00.001-05:00

I have a love-hate relationship with cleaning. There are days when I can't wait to scrub every surface, mop every floor and vacuum every room in my house. And then there are the days when I'd rather poke my eyes with knitting needles than get out the broom and dust pan.

My husband is an obsessive neat freak. He considers house cleaning a stress buster. I think he's a little crazy. The man can't sit still. He is Always. Cleaning. Something. I swear he suffers from a disease.

As the mother of a preschooler, keeping our home clean, as well as free from germs and bacteria is one of my top priorities. Considering how often we've been sick with colds and flu this past year, I try my best to disinfect the many surfaces in our home to prevent these illnesses.

I was way excited when I learned the folks at Clorox were going to send me a sample of their Disinfecting Wipes in the new Lavender scent. I use Clorox wipes regularly (the Orange scent is my favorite), and I have a stash of Wipes To Go in my car because Dawson never fails to spill something all over himself and the car seat.

Before I received this sample, I never actually took the time to research why Clorox Disinfecting Wipes are better than paper towels, sponges and dish rags. After visiting the Clorox website I discovered that these wipes are a better way to clean because they are thicker, textured wipes, the low-streak formula makes it easy to use on shiny surfaces like glass and mirrors, and Clorox wipes are effective against common bacteria such as Staphylococcus, Salmonella, and E.coli. An added bonus is the pre-moistened, disinfecting wipes kill 99.9% of germs including the viruses that cause colds and flu (Rhinovirus and Influenza A2).

If you've got a busy house like mine, you know that spills and messes happen all the time. I'm constantly cleaning spilled juice and other messes from my coffee table because a certain little boy is quite clumsy. Clorox Disinfecting Wipes are the quick and easy way to clean and disinfect anytime and anywhere.

I have to be honest and tell you that I was a little skeptical about the new lavender scent. Then our dog threw up in the kitchen -- the one mess that makes me gag! I got out my lavender-scented Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, and the brilliant, thicker wipes made clean-up quick and gag-free. The lavender smell is brilliant. Amazing.

Visit Clorox.com for more information, as well as a list of effective cleaning tips, and make sure you enter to win the Luxury Family Getaway sweepstakes while you're there!

Breathe Easy with AccuClean from American Standard

2008-05-27T06:59:00.000-05:00

I went outside this morning to move the car because the construction workers are here to replace our roof. I noticed a yellow powder all over the hood of my usually green Ford Focus. It's that time of year again. Trees have morphed from budded branches to full canopies of leaves, flowers are in bloom and pollen is quickly being transported by bees and insects.

As slowly as Spring arrives, it sure leaves in a hurry with Summer taking the lead. Along with the changing seasons, allergens make their way into our homes, attacking their sufferers with itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, wheezing and endless nose blowing.

My husband suffers from chronic allergies and our medicine cabinet is stocked with anti-histamines and decongestants year round. It's terrible when he gets hit with a bout of hayfever or an allergic reaction to ragweed, and I hate to see him suffer.

There are several other allergens that affect my husband as well as the usual culprits. Because we live in an older home (30+ years old) with the original furnace still operating, dust and other effectuates often cause allergy attacks for the Hubs.

I wasn't surprised when I learned that indoor air is four to five times more polluted than outdoor air, because most of us spend as much as 90% of our time indoors, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Keeping our home's indoor air quality high ensures my husband will be able to breathe more easily and suffer fewer symptoms.

Allergies and asthma go hand in hand in many cases, and the prevalence of both is on the rise. According to the Centers for Disease Control, asthma has become the most common serious chronic disease in children and the third-ranking cause of hospitalization for kids under 15.

One of the things we plan to do to eliminate allergens is to replace our furnace with a new, energy efficient, allergy reducing system and then installing an air purifying filter.

One of the systems recommended is American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning's AccuClean whole home air filtration system. AccuClean can be attached to your existing furnace or air handler, so you don't need to renovate your home to install it. Once installed, AccuClean removes allergens from the air in every room of the house, as opposed to plug-in air cleaners that operate in only one room.

AccuClean removes up to 99.98% all allergens in your home and the system removes more than 99% of the common flu virus. It's 100 times more effective than the standard one-inch filters and actually easy to clean by simply vacuuming or washing the reusable filter. Not only that, with reusable, cleanable filters, being Green and breathing easy never felt so good.

For tips on breathing easier with AccuClean click here.

Fun, Fun, Fun, All Summer Long, 'Til Daddy Takes the Beach Toys Away

2008-05-26T10:32:00.000-05:00

Ah...Summer. Our favorite time of year. All winter long we dream of the snow melting, the sun shining, trees and flowers blossoming and storing our long johns and sweaters in exchange for swimsuits and short-shorts.

When the first heatwave hits, we pack up the car with beach toys, lawn chairs, a blanket and picnic fare, try not to forget the boombox and Beach Boys CD, and head to our favorite place, the beach.

So many things draw us to the water. The happy memories of good times had. The change of pace from the daily grind. The fresh summer breeze blowing through our hair. The smell of the water and sand. The waves lapping at the sandy shore.

Relaxation, family togetherness and fun for all. It doesn't matter if you're big or small (unless we're talking bathing suits, you know).

Our best memories are made at the beach. No matter how much our lives change from year to year, we always make time to visit our faithful friend.

Beach memories of yore:

Picnics by the beach at Bukolt Park, 2005.

Pails & Shovels, a beach necessity, 2006.

Building Sand Castles in the Sand, 2007.

We can't wait for Beach Season 2008!

The Parent Bloggers Network is sponsoring a blog blast along with Huggies Little Swimmers
and they're asking, "What summer water activities were the most memorable and fun for you?"

If you'd like to participate, click here for details. You have until midnight tonight (Monday, May 26) to write your post, and e-mail your link to parentbloggers@gmail.com. You could win a “Summer Fun Essentials Package” - a beach bag filled with summertime must-haves such as beach towels, pool toys, a sand castle building kit, and a cooler. Plus, products from the Huggies Little Swimmers line, of course!

The Working Woman's Pregnancy Book

2008-05-21T09:11:00.002-05:00

The moment I found out I was pregnant with Dawson, I went to the nearest bookstore and purchased two or three pregnancy books, one of which was What to Expect When You're Expecting. The book was jam-packed with facts and information, but it scared me silly.

I was obsessed with my pregnancy and I thought if I read every book written on the subject I would be prepared for anything that could happen over the course of nine months until my baby arrived. But that book had me worried about every possible ailment my baby could be born with and I spent 90% of pregnancy in a scared, irrational tizzy.

"What if he has spina bifida because I didn't take enough folic acid?"

"What if I forget to take my prenatal pills and he's born with an illness?"

"What if I don't eat enough carrots and he needs glasses by the time his 10 days old?"

The What-Ifs were driving my poor husband crazy. He practically had to pry that book from my hands to keep me from worrying about things that were out of my control anyway.

And maybe all the worrying I did raised my blood pressure because at 31 weeks I was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia and I was sentenced to 5 weeks of bed rest. At 38 weeks my BP was so high that my doctor decided to induce labor via pitocin and after a 5-day hospital stay (and much frustration with the inconsistency of each on-call doctor) I finally had a baby.

Best rest and maternity leave nearly threatened my job, too. The HR person at my company tried to tell me that I would not have a job when I returned because I hadn't been employed long enough to qualify for FMLA. I celebrated my one-year anniversary the day before Dawson was born, but she explained that my five weeks of bed rest didn't count. Turns out she gave me incorrect information, because I had worked more than 1250 hours in eleven months.

No pregnancy book was available to prepare me for that course of events. I wish I had a copy of The Working Woman's Pregnancy Book by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D., back then. Right off the bat, she explains that every mother is a working mother, and her book is a comprehensive resource on pregnancy and childbirth without scaring the expectant mother with all the What-Ifs.

The best part? She has written several chapters dedicated to pregnancy and its effects on work, communication at work, how and when to tell your boss you're pregnant, how to arrange maternity leave, and breastfeeding after returning to work (as well as advice for pumping at work).

Oh, how I wish Dr. Greenfield's book was available four years ago, but I'm so happy I was sent a copy to review. Expectant moms (and their partners) will reap the benefits of Dr. Greenfield's experiences as an obstetrician and working mom, and will enjoy reading the hundreds of interviews the author conducted with mothers, including factory workers, journalists, technicians, attorneys and teachers.

This book offers checklists for multi-tasking moms-to-be, helpful illustrations, stories and advice from experienced mothers and everything from pre-conception planning to balancing life after the baby is born.

The Working Woman's Pregnancy Book is realistic and addresses the concerns of working mothers, yet still offers a comprehensive look at the joys and challenges of pregnancy and motherhood. This book is a must-read for every expectant parent.

What Not To Buy: Gift Giving Advice for Grandma

2008-05-18T12:55:00.000-05:00

When I was a young girl, my grandmother never failed to shower me with gifts on every birthday, holiday or special occasion. I most loved the presents that were not purchased from Fleet Farm or the local thrift store, but I understood that my grandmother wasn't made of money. After all, she had 25 grandchildren to buy for. Shopping for all of us would have definitely broken the bank.

Now that I'm a mother, I realize how expensive kids are, and I would never expect Dawson's grandparents to buy million dollar birthday presents or designer clothing. However, I have to say that my mother seems to be following in my grandmother's footsteps.

Sometimes she gives Dawson presents from Goodwill or St. Vincent de Paul (at least she's supporting good causes), Big Lots, and even a few rummage sales. Don't get me wrong. Some of her choices are great. Others are hideous.

For example, there was the time she bought three t-shirts for Dawson that won't fit him until junior high. Often she buys pre-worn clothing that way too big or is too worn out and I feel terrible when I have to send it right back to the Goodwill donation bin. (Stacy and Clinton should have a What Not To Buy segment especially for Grandparents.)

There was the a bicycle Grandma gave Dawson a year ago that someone left next to their garbage cans for pick-up. And once she gave him groceries. I'm not kidding. When Dawson opened the bag, bananas, outdated candy and fruit snacks were inside.

I don't want to sound like an ungrateful parent, because my parents don't have a magic money tree in their backyard anymore than I do. But sometimes I want to say, "Here's a list of affordable things you could purchase if you choose, or just send what you would normally spend on presents in a check made out to his college fund."

Except, I feel as though that may sound tacky. Instead, I could e-mail the link to the Grandkids Gift Guide to my mother to give her some help in the gift department.

The Grandkids Gift Guide is a helpful resource that allows Grandma (or Grandpa) to search for the perfect, age appropriate, thoughtful gifts for the special grandchildren in their lives.

Grandma can pull up the gift guide and search for the perfect gift according to age, gender, gift type and price, which saves her time and hopefully money. Plus, her grandchild is sure to love the specially chosen gift based on his or her interests.

When it comes to gift giving, of course it's the thought that counts. That's why the Grandkids Gift Guide makes thinking of the perfect gift a lot less stressful.

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How do you handle grandparents’ gifts at your house - are you a list-giver, cash-taker, or just extremely trusting? And what do you do when the gift giving goes terribly wrong? The Parent Bloggers Network is hosting a blog blast all about how to handle gift idea requests and other kids gift-buying dilemmas.

Click here details and participation requirements.

You Say Tomato, I Say Fresh & Simple

2008-05-17T18:32:00.001-05:00

At la casa dei Dana Files, pasta is served quite often. It's quick and easy to make, tastes molto delizioso, and it's something that The Pickiest Eater Ever, aka Dawson, will eat without complaint. In fact, we've boiled so many noodles, and tried nearly every pasta sauce ever made, that one could call us Pasta Connoisseurs.

As much as we love penne and tomato sauce, it can be difficult to get a delicious dinner on the table, especially when our lives are constantly busy and chaotic. Not only that, I hate doing more dishes than I have to, so when the folks at Ragu sent samples of their new Fresh & Simple Pouches I was more than excited.

I know it sounds crazy to be giddy about pasta sauce pouches, but you have to understand my reasoning. In the summer we grow tons of tomatoes. To make sure that nothing goes to waste, my husband boils the many leftover tomatoes into puree and then freezes them in quart containers and heavy duty Ziploc bags. These frozen 'maters are excellent for making homemade pasta sauce, but I can't exactly microwave the plastic baggies without creating a gigantic mess.

I'm not saying I don't love homemade sauce, but sometimes the time it takes to thaw, heat, add garlic and herbs and simmer, is a pain in the rear. Not to mention the extra kitchen utensils, knives, cutting board and saucepan I need to use and wash later.

The Ragu Fresh & Simple Pouch is great for those busy days. I just clip the pouch open, pop it in the microwave for 90 seconds and pour right over my pasta. The only thing I had to worry about was boiling noodles and that takes 10 minutes (we love al dente).

The sauces come in three flavors: Garden Vegetable (Dawson's favorite.), Traditional Tomato Basil (Doug's favorite) and Tomato, Onion & Garlic (my favorite). An added bonus is that Ragu sauces are all natural which means no additives or preservatives, and every 1/2 cup of sauce has a full serving of vegetables.

Even I can't sneak the veggies in my homemade sauce without Dawson turning up his nose. With the Garden Vegetable sauce my picky eater didn't have a clue that he was eating something good for him.

For more info on Ragu and their All Natural sauces, click here. You can also discover some fabulous recipe ideas, like Shrimp in Red Pepper Alfredo Sauce. Yummo!

Hummingbird Jewelry from White Hot Magik

2008-05-08T17:20:00.001-05:00

It's no secret that I love jewelry. I've got it all, from Avon to Lia Sophia. Some of my favorites are the handmade pieces I've purchased from Rebecca. My love of jewelry is probably why I became very excited when White Hot Magik showed a few photos of this awesome Hummingbird jewelry. And she's having a giveaway. Click here for details. Contest ends May 14 at midnight.

Delicioso: Tuscani Pasta from Pizza Hut

2008-05-07T11:43:00.000-05:00

You may have heard the rumor last month that Pizza Hut was changing it's name to Pasta Hut. That was just an April Fool's joke, started only to introduce their new Tuscani Pasta. Yes, Pizza Hut wants folks to start thinking of it as more than just...well, pizza.

The nation's largest pizza chain has begun delivering pasta — something no other pizza chain does nationally.

There are two tasty Tuscani Pastas, Creamy Chicken Alfredo and Meaty Marinara. The price for the pasta is $11.95, the same as a large pizza with one topping, and will feed about 4-6 people. The pastas are baked in the pizza ovens and come with five breadsticks.

How do I know it's tasty, you ask? The folks at Pizza Hut asked me to try it, so they coordinated a delivery of the Meaty Marinara to my doorstep from our local restaurant. It arrived on time at six o'clock on the dot, and the aroma of this dish was so delish, I couldn't wait for my first bite.

I love that this pasta is baked. The noodle wasn't soft (as it could be from over boiling) and the meat sauce with cheese was better than making Hamburger Helper.

My husband was in love with the garlic breadsticks. They weren't over garlicky and considering we both had a couple we didn't care about our breath. Even little Dawson liked it. I think his exact words were, "Mommy, there's a party in my tummy!" I blame Yo! Gabba, Gabba! for that little phrase.

Pizza Hut is making dinner delivery much more convenient with their online ordering, too.

Just click here to find your local restaurant, place your order and select a delivery time. You can pay online with a credit or debit card so all you have to do is set the table and tip the delivery driver. Easy as that!

Want to try it yourself? Pizza Hut is giving away an order of Tuscani Pasta (your choice) to one lucky reader. Simply leave a comment on this post with your name and e-mail address before midnight (CST) tonight. One winner will be drawn at random.

Product Review: Ocean Spray Cranergy

2008-05-06T10:15:00.001-05:00

Since I've become a WAHM, I feel as though I'm running out of energy earlier in the day than normal. I don't know if it's the combination of working, parenting and housecleaning, but lately I've been napping during the late afternoon. If I don't, I'll be a complete crabby-pants by the time my husband gets home from work, and it's not really fair for him to suffer through my tired and cranky whines.

I thought about drinking a high energy drink like Red Bull to keep me moving, but I remembered having a half a glass of that stuff a long time ago, and the crash I felt after it wore off was terrible. Not to mention how unhealthy that drink really is.

When Ocean Spray launched their new Cranergy energy drink I was really anxious check it out. I mean, we all know cranberries are good for us, especially beneficial in cleansing and purifying the body (I drank cranberry juice throughout my pregnancy, and I still drink it to prevent UTIs), and they contain powerful nutrients called proanthocyanidins (PACs) which research suggests can help prevent certain bacterias from sticking to the body.

The folks at Ocean Spray sent me two samples of their new Cranergy drink and my husband and I happily did a taste test. Doug chose the straight cranberry drink, while I had the cran-raspberry, and after the first sip we were in love.

We drink a lot of cranberry juice in this house (occasionally mixed with Vodka) and we were surprised at how Cranergy doesn't taste like the typical energy drink. It's not too sweet, not too tart, but not at all bland. We even exchanged sips to see how the other flavors tasted.

While I didn't feel an instant surge of energy, or become Super Mom, I did notice that I wasn't as tired by two o'clock in the afternoon. If anything, I felt as though I was drinking something very good for me. The drinks blend cranberry juice with five B-vitamins, vitamin C and green tea extract. One of the great things about Cranergy is that it is sweetened with Splenda, is non-carbonated and contains only 35 calories per 8-ounce serving, which is 50 percent less calories than leading energy drinks on the store shelves today.

This busy mama is definitely putting Cranergy on her grocery list. For more information about Ocean Spray Cranergy, click here.

Software Review: Norton 360

2008-05-04T11:58:00.000-05:00

A few months ago my husband and I refinanced our mortgage. We chose to go through a highly recommended local bank as opposed to our credit union which meant we would need to transfer our accounts to the new financial institution.

During this process we discovered that a check neither of us had written had been cleared through our account at the credit union. We worried about identity theft, whether our check book had been stolen or if our debit card number had been pilfered online. Because I like convenience, I almost always pay our bills online and the thought of someone hacking into our account and stealing our money was terrifying.

On our PC, we had the original Norton software but the subscription had expired so anyone could have discovered our banking information and done serious damage to our financial well-being. Luckily it was a bank error, the check in question was mistakenly attached to our checking account, showing a debit that in fact wasn't there. While I was relieved that our accounts were in tact, I realized it was time to install better protection on our computers, both PC and laptops.

After dealing with this banking situation, I was very excited when the folks at Symantec sent me the latest security software, Norton 360. Because identity theft comes in many forms, and it's happening more often these days, I was very excited to discover that Norton 360 uses "Identity Safe" technology that conveniently stores my passwords and log-in information in a "vault". Not only is this information protected, but I don't have to worry about forgetting all my passwords for the many social networking sites I visit.

Norton 360 is full protection which includes antivirus, antispyware, firewall, intrusion protection and SONAR behavioral technology (security software that will look at the behavior of programs running on the computer in order to decide whether they are malicious), and my computers (I can protect up to 3 with my software) are protected on multiple fronts from online threats, including the recent Silentbanker Trojan virus that took advantage of various points of entry to steal personal information.

When I bought my PC four years ago, I had a Trojan virus get into my computer and it was three days before my friend Jim (computer God) was able to get rid of it. The virus had attached itself to several locations on my hard drive, and it was horrifying.

While researching Norton 360, I learned that 58 percent of Norton 360 customers bank online and 68 percent regularly shop online. I definitely fit into these statistics. I do more online banking and online shopping today, especially with the cost of gas being so high.

Installing the software was quick and painless. I thought it would take awhile so I went outside to get the mail. When I returned the computer, less than 10 minutes later, the software was installed and asking me to create my account.

After installation a toolbar appeared at the top of my internet browser, indicating that "Phishing Protection" is on, Identity Safe was active and my log-in and password info is safe. The best part is there are no unnecessary pop-ups. It's smart enough to know when a threat is serious, so I'm not constantly clicking "block", "permit" or "manually configure" like it did with the older software version. Norton 360 is considerate of my time, too. It only runs updates when my computer is idle and automatically shuts itself down after a scan. How easy is that?

If you're ready for full security and full protection of your important information, Norton 360 is the way to go. Click here for a tour of the software or visit the "about" page for more information.

SimplyMobile Mom

2008-05-02T10:02:00.000-05:00

There are days when my life is busy. Very busy. On those days, I make frantic to-do lists and run around town like a headless chicken. When I'm in a hurry, I tend to forget important things. (Like the grocery list. And then I spend more money than I budgeted for.)

I thought about buying a palm pilot to keep my life as manageable as possible but I realized I'd probably be too busy to use it. Or I'd forget to bring it along because I'm always rushing. I know. It's not good for the blood pressure.

When I worked outside the home, my day planner was my best friend. I wrote down everything and anything, and while I still use it at home, I always forget to take it along while running errands or going to appointments. There had to be an easier way to store the information I need and quickly access it on those chaotic days.

When Mom Central introduced to SimplyMobile Mom, a software that enables me to send important content to my cellular phone, I was very interested in trying it out.

The download and installation was very simple and before long I had a little icon on my computer that I could click to launch the program. The only problem I encountered was my Norton Anti Virus software and spyware software tried diligently to protect me from what it thought was an unsafe program. The pop-ups were distracting and hard to control. After disabling these programs I was finally able to log in to my account and start experimenting.

After logging in the fun begins. I just browse the internet as I normally do, with the option of highlighting text and right-clicking to send the content straight to my cell. At first I questioned whether I'd have anything to send but then I discovered the awesomeness of sending recipes which is very convenient at the grocery store when picking up ingredients. I can send copies of important e-mails to my phone and make personal notes in word pad and send it as an SMS as well.

My favorite part of SimplyMobile Mom is that it offers categories for all the information we need, such as Calendar, To-Do List, Shopping List, Grocery List, Contacts, Movies, News and Local Events. It even has categories for Product Reviews, Maps & Directions, and Horoscopes.

I have a Motorola RAZR and it's very simple to retrieve the information that I send. It arrives at my phone just like a text message and it's easy to read, unlike the confusing web access plan that I bought through my cellular provider. With such a tiny screen it was hard to read an e-mail message on the web via phone. With SimplyMobile Mom I can retrieve the content of an e-mail without having to "scroll" (by pressing the arrow buttons on my phone) because the message is converted to a text format.

I love that I won't get spam messages, and there's nothing to install on the phone itself. The only messages I receive are the ones I've sent myself. And because I'm using an approved cellular carrier (which you can find by clicking here), SMS messages I send to my phone are free.

SimplyMobile Mom is free to use. The only charges you may incur are those for accessing SimplyMobile Mom from your mobile phone (called "data usage" by your wireless carrier). For more information about this software, please visit the SimplyMobile Mom FAQ page.

Mother's Day Doesn't Have to Be Another Ordinary Day

2008-04-30T20:39:00.000-05:00

I know I'm supposed to enjoy the second Sunday in May as the day that honors mothers, but for me, Mother's Day is just another ordinary day. My husband usually has to work, leaving me to make the obligatory calls to my mom and mother-in-law, and then I fall into my typical Sunday routine.

It goes something like this: Drag Dawson to church. Go home and eat lunch. Read books to Dawson. Take an afternoon nap. Wake up. Clean the house. Suffer through repeated episodes of SpongeBob. Wait for Doug to get home. Eat dinner. Play Thomas the Train with Dawson. Put Dawson to bed. Collapse on the couch to watch bad T.V. before falling asleep.

The only thing different about Mother's Day is that I receive a handmade card from Dawson (and lots of hugs and kisses), a tiny bakery cake from Doug and maybe some flowers.

I don't expect fancy gifts for my special day. I love those crayon-scribbled cards created on the back of junk mail (we're all about recycling here), and what girl doesn't love a butter cream-frosted confection?

This year I'd like to do something different. Something meaningful. Not just for me, but for others as well.

Thanks to organizations like Global Giving, I can make a financial contribution to many wonderful charitable organizations that are in need of monetary donations.

Johnson's Baby Cause is having a celebrity-sponsored auction of gently used baby items over at e-bay. I bid on Elisabeth Hasselbeck's donation, just because I admire the conservative co-host of The View. I don't actually need a stroller/car seat combo system, so I haven't raised my bid. Instead, I donated directly to help children in Bolivia Survive to Five.

When my husband asked what kind of flowers he should buy me for Mother's Day, I instructed him donate that money to help provide baby supplies for 60 families in The Bronx.

After all, flowers die, but the good feeling of helping others lasts forever. Any day we can give to charity is definitely no ordinary day.

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This post is part of a Blog Blast sponsored by the Parent Bloggers Network and Johnson's Baby Cause. If you'd like to participate, please click here for details.

Movie Review: A Plumm Summer

2008-04-24T08:14:00.001-05:00

A few weeks ago Doug and I implemented "Family Movie Night" because we wanted to spend more time together. With busy schedules it's difficult for us to really hang out with each other and Dawson, and we realize we have to make an effort. Not only are we sharing quality time, we aren't subjected to watching SpongeBob SquarePants over and over again.

It's rare to find a heartfelt yet funny family flick. Most of the movies we choose have over-the-top, complex but entertaining plots intended to hold our interest as well as keep Dawson occupied (think Disney's The Country Bears where the bears actually talk and walk on their hind legs. Yeah. Over-the-top. I know.)

When I was asked to view A Plumm Summer, an independent, family film opening this weekend, I jumped at the chance.

Based on true events, A Plumm Summer is set in small-town Montana in 1968, the story of brothers Elliott and Rocky Plumm who go head-to-head with the FBI when their town's beloved TV star and puppet, Forggy Doo, is kidnapped (err...frognapped?) and held for ransom.

Generations of parents and children in Montana had grown up with Happy Herb and Froggy Doo Show, and little Rocky, Froggy Doo's biggest fan, is devastated when the marionette disappears during a live show in front of hundreds of fans.

Elliot, age 13, feels he has outgrown the show and no longer believes in Froggy Doo. His annoyance with five-year-old Rocky's love for his favorite froggy causes some tension between the brothers, but it's clear that Elliot loves Rocky, he just thinks he's too mature to show it.

While watching A Plumm Summer I felt as though I was transported to the friendly town of Peaks View. It reminded me of the small town my mother grew up in; a town where everyone knows each other and comes together in moments of despair or tragedy.

Elliot's family lives in the house that his mother, Roxie, grew up in. (This made me smile because my husband and I bought the house I grew up in from my parents, and I understood the sentimental feelings Roxie showed throughout the movie.)

Roxie loves her children dearly, but she is so busy trying to keep the bills paid, her husband sober, and her marriage together that she often has no time for Elliot.

It was heartbreaking to watch as Elliott struggled to find validation from his father, Mick, an ex-boxer. Mick treats his oldest son as though he is invisible, and secretly blames the boy for his not being able to go to the Olympics because Roxie became pregnant with Elliot.

When Froggy Doo goes missing Elliott seemingly has no interest in the case, until new neighbor Haley moves into the empty lot next door. Haley, a Trixie Belden fan and junior sleuth, joins Elliot and Rocky in an adventure to find the missing frog.

The relationship between Elliot and Rocky is so endearing and I found myself misty-eyed several times. What I most loved about this movie is that Dawson was captivated by little Rocky and the antics of Sport, Rocky and Elliot's golden retriever. Even my husband, world's toughest movie critic, found the movie charming and sweet. Now that's saying something.

A Plumm Summer premiere's this weekend, April 25, 26, and 27, in theaters across California as well as in Alabama, Minnesota and Montana. A list of theater locations can be found here.

I highly recommend this remarkable film. A successful opening weekend of A Plumm Summer means that more families will have the opportunity to see this move in more theaters across the country.

Hopefully, Hollywood will discover that charming movies like this one are in short supply and will start investing more time and money into making quality films with heartfelt stories that appeal to families.

What a Mom Wants (And It Isn't Flowers and Cake)

2008-04-18T10:36:00.000-05:00

I have a confession to make. My husband and I don't give each other gifts for Mother's or Father's days. Mostly because we're either too busy to remember, too lazy to shop for each other, or just plain don't care. It wasn't always this way. We did try once or twice.

There was the Mother's Day when I was pregnant, when Doug bought me roses, but only because his mother told him he HAD to. And the first Father's Day after Dawson was born, when I bought Doug a case of Busch because I figured I HAD to.

We've done the obligatory gifts on behalf of Dawson. You know, something cheap or handmade. Like a "Happy Dad's Day" message written on the back of junk mail (because we believe in recycling all that crap), or handpicked blossoms from the flower bed (because then we don't have to weed).

Like these flowers, picked from the garden (the card and holder were pilfered from the floral department at the grocery store):

A couple of years ago I got a cake:

Okay. Time for another confession. The real reason we don't do the the gift thing is because we don't know what to get for each other. And we can't very well ask what the other would like, because then it ruins any chance of surprise.

Wouldn't it be great if there was a website you could use that stores all the deets about things your sig/oth would love to receive for any special occasion?

Alas, there is! GetInHerHead.com (and it's counterpart GetInHisHead.com) is a free service that helps you take all the guesswork out of getting the perfect gift for the love of your life.

Kate and Cole Kelly created these brilliant solutions to the problem of not knowing what a girl (or guy!) wants. Imagine showing up with a gift they’ll love, every single time! Pretty darn cool, right?

After signing up with the service, you can create a running wish list, log pertinent information like clothing measurements, favorite flowers, online stores, gift guides, spas and more -- and receive e-mail reminders for all those very important dates, from Birthdays to Anniversaries and any gift-giving holiday in between. Registration is easy (and FREE!), and takes less time than standing in line to return a gift gone wrong.

What are you waiting for? Get over to GetInHerHead.com and then be sure to pass the link to your lover. With Mother's Day (and Father's Day) just around the corner now is not the time to procrastinate.

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The Parent Bloggers Network is partnering with GetInHerHead.com to sponsor a blog blast to promote this awesome, free service. Would you like to participate? Here's how:

Write a post on your blog telling us about the gifts gone wrong or gifts gone right that you've received. Photos are optional, but highly encouraged. You can post anytime this weekend, Friday, April 18 through Sunday, April 20. Don't forget to include your links to http://www.getinherhead.com and http://blog.parentbloggers.com in your post.

Make sure to send your blog post link to parentbloggers@gmail.com and they'll round them up on the PBN blog - so give your post a creative title! What can you win? A gift certificate to your favorite spa for $250 - you name the spa!

Win an Area Rug at Shak In Style

2008-04-17T10:49:00.001-05:00

When my husband and I bought our home, we replaced the ugly, brown, shabby shag with soft cream colored carpeting. Did you read that right? Cream colored carpet. I was asking for trouble. But you see, we didn't have our dog or kids at that time so we didn't exactly think ahead to the consequences of light colored floors and all the cleaning and spot treating we'd be doing in the years to come.

After we got Murphy (our adorable dog) we purchased a cheap Berber rug from Sam's Club. It was so cheap that we threw it out a few years later. The center would bunch up and I can't even count how many times I tripped on it.

When Dawson was born we used smaller rugs to cover the parts of the living room that would receive the most wear. Now that our son is entering the preschool years and loves crayons, markers and paint, we realize we will need to buy a new, more durable rug to cover our precious cream carpet.

Except, area rugs are expensive. The good ones are almost always $300 or more. Something I'm not willing to spend just yet. I thought of going to Walmart to buy a less expensive solution, but my very picky husband feels that would be a waste of money if it's anything like the Sam's rug now covering the floor of the garage.

Shak in Style is hosting a contest to win a beautiful, stylish area rug from the Plaza Rugs in the Jasmine Collection. There are a few different styles to choose from and the contest is open until midnight CDT, April 29th.

Details can be found here.

Free Money, It's a Revolution

2008-04-17T09:06:00.000-05:00

RevolutionMoneyExchange is an online payment service, similar to Pay Pal.

From their website:

Launched in 2007, a new payment network – Revolution Money – was created to deliver significant value to both consumers and merchants through two products, RevolutionCard and RevolutionMoneyExchange. The RevolutionCard eliminates costly interchange fees for merchants while simultaneously providing consumers with enhanced PIN-based security, identity protection, and periodic merchant discounts and incentives. MoneyExchange offers an easy and secure way to send and receive money online between accountholders for free. The accounts are issued by First Bank & Trust, Brookings, SD, Member FDIC and part of the Fishback Financial Corporation. These products are leading the transformation of the payment industry by providing secure, easy, and instant payment solutions to everyone.

Sign-up today, and you will receive a $25 bonus. If you click the graphic link above, I will receive a $10 referral bonus. I think it's a great way to promote an alternative online money transfer service. Once you sign-up using my referral link (which I would greatly appreciate, of course!), make sure you then promote your new referral code on your blog to start referring your pals. With BlogHerCon just around the corner, who couldn't use a little free money in exchange for a few promos?

(Accounts issued by First Bank & Trust, Brookings, SD, Member FDIC and part of the Fishback Financial Corporation.)

Search for the Dynamos Contest, Sponsored by Pond's

2008-04-15T17:40:00.000-05:00

Are you fabulously 40 and over? Want to win a trip to London?

Pond's Clean Sweep has partnered with the big screen remake of Mamma Mia!, starring Meryl Streep (in theaters Summer 2008) to sponsor the Search for the Dynamos contest.

Women 40 and older are invited to form their very own singing trio to perform their own creative version of the Abba classics, "Mama Mia" or "Dancing Queen", as well as submit videos of their performances via the Pond's website. The site features music and lyrics you can download to use for your rehearsals, too.

Here's how it works:

Invite two of your best 40-plus-and-fabulous girlfriends to form a trio with you. Click here to send them an email.
Select and download one of the songs from MAMMA MIA! that are listed on this page.
Make a video of your trio performing your selected song and submit the video to us, online by April 30th.
If you prefer, you can attend the live audition in New York City on April 28th. To reserve a time slot, call 866-99-DYNAMO (39626)

The best part? The winners will score a lavish trip to London to live the life of three Dynamos at the world premiere of Mamma Mia! Official contest rules can be found by clicking this link. Submission deadline is April 30th.

Gold Canyon Candles

2008-04-14T09:15:00.000-05:00

Last month my friend hosted a candle party in her home. It was not your typical PartyLite affair. The company is called Gold Canyon, and I am in love. From their website:

Gold Canyon is a party-plan business with more than 25,000 Independent Demonstrators across North America. We offer a complete line of candles, body and home products including home fragrance in the form of scented candles, room sprays and sachets; home décor with various candle holders; personal care with hand scrub, hand silk, body lather, body lotion, body polish, body crème, bath soak, body mist and candle care products such as wick dippers and trimmers. Even with our vast line of products, every item is developed with great care to ensure it meets the highest quality standards that Gold Canyon established in the early days.

Let me say that I was overwhelmed with all the different candle scents and product sizes I could choose from. The Heritage line is my favorite. Gold Canyon uses superior wax and fragrance blends, enhanced by their unique double wicks, which allows the candles to burn stronger, longer and more evenly.

I especially loved the Ginger Lime (Because it reminds me of Margarita Mondays at the local Mexican Grille) and Sugar Cookie (Umm hello! Grandma's cookie recipe!).

My only gripe is the cost of a 26 oz. jar. At $17.98 apiece, I could only purchase two. They also offer 16, 8 & 5 oz. sizes at a better price, but my Mom Brain figured out the larger size is the better deal at 69 cents an ounce. Good thing I only have the two fave scents.

Anything He Can Do I Can Do, Too (Maybe Not Better)

2008-04-13T14:43:00.000-05:00

When it comes to using the fireplace in our family room, my husband, Doug, is usually the one to start the kindling. He claims there is a right way and a very wrong way to build a fire. In fact, he has his own complicated strategy for layering the newspaper, twigs and logs of wood before lighting the match.

When we first moved into our house, I had no desire to build a fire on my own. The family room is in the lower of our bi-level home so naturally it's colder down there anyway. Doug often joked that I probably didn't know how to burn wood and last winter (which wasn't all that long ago, considering it snowed here yesterday) I proved him wrong. And I didn't use his stupid strategy either.

It was a frigid, blustery day in January with temperatures in the negatives. Our furnace was working overtime to heat our 1970's home and I thought it would be a great idea to start a fire. My theory was that if heat rises (I'm such a genius, right?), it would travel from the basement and warm up the upper level in no time.

First I gathered the old newspapers and crumpled them into little "snow" balls. Then I stuffed them on top of the log grate. Then I added a few kindling twigs. Finally I placed three large logs of wood on top of that.

I could almost hear my husband's voice (he was at work, mind you) if he could see what I was doing.

"No! You've got to twist the paper into spirals! And then stuff them under the metal log grate. Then pile the logs on top and lean all the twigs into the pile to create a tee-pee shape. And once the moon is in line with Jupiter, you can light the match..."

"Shut up," I said to the voice. I lit the match and it didn't take long for my fire to catch. And to my husband's surprise, I kept adding logs to the fire when it started to die out a bit.

When Doug came home from work he saw my great work and said, "Okay, which neighbor came over to help you?"

So maybe I haven't started another fire since (it's a lot of work to man it, you know), but at least I proved that a girl can burn wood, too. Do I get a Daisy Scout badge for that?

From killing spiders to mowing the lawn, and from fixing leaky faucets to changing tires, there are a lot of tasks that women often prefer to leave up to the men in their lives. Maybe you’re still learning how to check your oil, but we’re sure there are plenty of other traditionally male pursuits in which you excel. The Parent Bloggers Network and Ask Patty are asking you to write a post on your blog telling us what you can do just as well as any man out there. Post anytime this weekend - today, April 11 to Sunday, April 13. Click here for details (and check out the prizes they are giving away!).

Product Review: LiceMD Lice & Egg Treatment

2008-04-11T23:23:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago I was watching my new favorite t.v. show, The Real Housewives of New York City. It's a guilty pleasure and I love how the socialites interact with each other. One of the housewives, Countess LuAnn de Lesseps, was telling the other ladies about how her children came home with lice. The Countess used some sort of heat lamp method. That sounds awful.

The mere thought of lice makes me shudder. Suddenly my head itches. Last year, my son's daycare provider informed me that one of the other children had a case of head lice and she wanted to warn us about it. The daycare was doing everything they could to quarantine the infected areas but they didn't know when the child's parents discovered the infestation, and any number of children could have gotten lice, too. We were advised to pick up Nix shampoo, just in case.

My husband ran to the store immediately, while I went home to wash all of our sheets and pillow cases and spray down our furniture with disinfectant. Once we got the shampoo, I put Dawson in the tub and tried to wash his hair without getting the formula in his eyes. The Nix shampoo smelled like a very strong chemical, not at all a pleasant scent, and it made my eyes water. I couldn't help but wonder how safe this shampoo really was!

So, when I was introduced to LiceMD Lice & Egg Treatment, I was happy to learn it is pesticide free. The formula removes lice within 10 minutes and the best part is that it's odorless, which means no strong chemical smell, and it won't irritate your child's scalp because it's hypoallergenic.

LiceMD uses a synthetic lubricant which makes comb-out smooth and easy, even for long, thick or very curly hair. Dimethicone, the primary ingredient in LiceMD, is used as a conditioning agent in many top selling shampoos and has a well-known safety profile.

We don't currently have a problem with lice in our house, so I didn't need to use the LiceMD sample I received, but I did open it to see if it truly was odorless. I didn't smell a thing!

For more information on this product, and to download a money-saving coupon, please visit the LiceMD website.