Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
Boogie Wipes Giveaway until 12/2!
I am excited to announce my first giveaway! As a new Saline Ambassador, I have been given the wonderful opportunity to try out Boogie Wipes and Saline Soothers. Boogie Wipes are a great product to have on hand for little stuffy noses this season. These wipes are made from natural saline and come in fresh and grape scent. Saline Soothers are available in Fragance Free and Cool Menthol.
I have LOVED using the Boogie Wipes on my kids, especially my 14-month-old. When he is teething, his little nose can get extremely stuffy. As opposed to using a tissue, these are very gentle on his little nose and gets the job done.
If you are interested in winning a pack of Boogie Wipes, leave me a comment saying which scent you'd like (fresh or grape) and I will pick the winner on 12/2!
I was not compensated for this review, but as a Saline Ambassador I am provided with free samples and products to hand out and for my own use.
Good luck! Contest ends on December 2nd.
I'm linking up to the Exposure 99% Weekday Blog Hop
I'm linking up to the Tuesday's Giveaway Link Up
My Breech Birth Story
One of the topics I have hoped to touch on in my blog is natural childbirth. Most people are amazed at the birth story of my youngest child who is now 14 months old.
People thought that Joe & I were crazy when we conceived our third child when our daughter was just a few months old. Maybe we were. I don't know, but I do know it felt right (and still does). From the beginning, we had tossed around the idea of a home birth, but I went back and forth about it my entire pregnancy.
Fast forward to my 39th and most miserable week of pregnancy. I went to visit my midwife, to find out that my baby was breech. Of course, the medical standard is that breech equals an automatic c-section. I wasn't just going to give in and accept that. I told her that I was still a few days away from my due date and I felt that I could give him a chance to turn. She offered some suggestions such as inversion. I decided to visit a chiropractor who specialized in the Webster Technique, which is known to help breech babies flipped. I also used techniques from Spinning Babies.
After some belly mapping and a medical opinion, we were convinced that the baby was now head down. I decided against any sort of medical induction and decided that I would go into labor on my own at home. My labor started at approximately 8pm and my water broke by the early morning. Now I was induced twice in the past (once for true medical reasons and the other was an elective induction), so maybe that is the reason I'm used to my babies coming out within 15 minutes of my water breaking. That didn't happen this time. I can't say that I was intending on staying home through the whole thing, but I froze up in the midst of active labor from lovely vomiting and pain that I just couldn't communicate that it was time to go to the hospital.
I remember wanting to push and there was vernix and meconium coming out. It dawned on me that the baby had flipped BACK to breech. And I thought what a stubborn child this would be (and he is). We called the paramedics and I needed to push in the ambulance, but they kept wanting me to hold him in. To this day, I still find that ridiculous. It did cause problems because he needed to come out and needed oxygen after he was born.
My breech baby was 8lb 15oz and was 21.5 inches long. It was just about as painful as a pitocin induced birth (I've never had a epidural). But it is an experience that made me stronger. I do hope to see more childbirth professionals educate themselves on the "hands off" breech technique and realize that breech babies CAN be born vaginally. I don't know if the United States is starting to change (I doubt it), but I know that in Canada, they have said that mothers should be allowed to try to birth a breech baby vaginally instead of automatically doing a c-section.
People thought that Joe & I were crazy when we conceived our third child when our daughter was just a few months old. Maybe we were. I don't know, but I do know it felt right (and still does). From the beginning, we had tossed around the idea of a home birth, but I went back and forth about it my entire pregnancy.
Fast forward to my 39th and most miserable week of pregnancy. I went to visit my midwife, to find out that my baby was breech. Of course, the medical standard is that breech equals an automatic c-section. I wasn't just going to give in and accept that. I told her that I was still a few days away from my due date and I felt that I could give him a chance to turn. She offered some suggestions such as inversion. I decided to visit a chiropractor who specialized in the Webster Technique, which is known to help breech babies flipped. I also used techniques from Spinning Babies.
After some belly mapping and a medical opinion, we were convinced that the baby was now head down. I decided against any sort of medical induction and decided that I would go into labor on my own at home. My labor started at approximately 8pm and my water broke by the early morning. Now I was induced twice in the past (once for true medical reasons and the other was an elective induction), so maybe that is the reason I'm used to my babies coming out within 15 minutes of my water breaking. That didn't happen this time. I can't say that I was intending on staying home through the whole thing, but I froze up in the midst of active labor from lovely vomiting and pain that I just couldn't communicate that it was time to go to the hospital.
I remember wanting to push and there was vernix and meconium coming out. It dawned on me that the baby had flipped BACK to breech. And I thought what a stubborn child this would be (and he is). We called the paramedics and I needed to push in the ambulance, but they kept wanting me to hold him in. To this day, I still find that ridiculous. It did cause problems because he needed to come out and needed oxygen after he was born.
My breech baby was 8lb 15oz and was 21.5 inches long. It was just about as painful as a pitocin induced birth (I've never had a epidural). But it is an experience that made me stronger. I do hope to see more childbirth professionals educate themselves on the "hands off" breech technique and realize that breech babies CAN be born vaginally. I don't know if the United States is starting to change (I doubt it), but I know that in Canada, they have said that mothers should be allowed to try to birth a breech baby vaginally instead of automatically doing a c-section.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Meal Plan 11/26-12/1
Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We did over here. This is our meal plan for a week. We're always tight on cash at the end of the month and get creative with meals and repetitive, too!
Breakfasts
Cereal most of the week
Eggs w/ fruit of some sort
Oatmeal
Lunches
Quesadillas
Macaroni and cheese
Spaghetti
Leftovers
PB&J
Dinners
Chicken Salad
Cheeseburger Macaroni
Spaghetti
Egg Sandwiches
Tuna Casserole
Hamburgers
Breakfasts
Cereal most of the week
Eggs w/ fruit of some sort
Oatmeal
Lunches
Quesadillas
Macaroni and cheese
Spaghetti
Leftovers
PB&J
Dinners
Chicken Salad
Cheeseburger Macaroni
Spaghetti
Egg Sandwiches
Tuna Casserole
Hamburgers
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Superpoints and Crowdtap
Superpoints
I wanted to share a website that I have been using to help earn Amazon gift cards to pay for Christmas presents! In addition to Swagbucks, Superpoints is probably my favorite way to earn free gift cards. Right now, I am only redeeming my points for Amazon cards, but you can get Paypal, Wal-Mart, Domino's, and there are many other options! Now Superpoints is by invite-only. You earn points daily by clicking the Super Lucky Button. You can also visit the offer walls and earn more points there. If you would like an invitation, please leave a comment and I will get one to you!
Here is what I have earned so far on Superpoints. Last week I started being able to cash out once a week!
$5 Amazon.com Gift Card
11/18/2011
Processed 11/22/2011
$5 Amazon.com Gift Card
11/11/2011
Processed 11/15/2011
$5 Amazon.com Gift Card
11/06/2011
Processed 11/08/2011
$5 Amazon.com Gift Card
10/29/2011
Processed 11/01/2011
$5 Amazon.com Gift Card
10/09/2011
Processed 10/11/2011
$5 Amazon.com Gift Card
10/03/2011
Processed 10/11/2011
$5 Amazon.com Gift Card
09/11/2011
Processed 09/12/2011
$5 Amazon.com Gift Card
09/04/2011
Processed 09/06/2011
Crowdtap
Crowdtap is a website where you can share information about your favorite brands, earn gift cards, and donate to charity all at the same time! You can also sign up for brand sponsored parties, sample products (some people have gotten free coats, jeans, and flip flops from Old Navy!). It's really a great website. Click on the button below to connect with me on Crowdtap and login with your Facebook!
Here are my stats on Crowdtap:
total actions 381
last 30 days 97
total cash $9.00
last 30 days $4.00
total points 22,515
last 30 days 6,715
So far, I have really enjoyed these websites. After Christmas, I plan to cash out on Paypal more for actual free CASH to use for anything we want or need in our household. :)
I wanted to share a website that I have been using to help earn Amazon gift cards to pay for Christmas presents! In addition to Swagbucks, Superpoints is probably my favorite way to earn free gift cards. Right now, I am only redeeming my points for Amazon cards, but you can get Paypal, Wal-Mart, Domino's, and there are many other options! Now Superpoints is by invite-only. You earn points daily by clicking the Super Lucky Button. You can also visit the offer walls and earn more points there. If you would like an invitation, please leave a comment and I will get one to you!
Here is what I have earned so far on Superpoints. Last week I started being able to cash out once a week!
$5 Amazon.com Gift Card
11/18/2011
Processed 11/22/2011
$5 Amazon.com Gift Card
11/11/2011
Processed 11/15/2011
$5 Amazon.com Gift Card
11/06/2011
Processed 11/08/2011
$5 Amazon.com Gift Card
10/29/2011
Processed 11/01/2011
$5 Amazon.com Gift Card
10/09/2011
Processed 10/11/2011
$5 Amazon.com Gift Card
10/03/2011
Processed 10/11/2011
$5 Amazon.com Gift Card
09/11/2011
Processed 09/12/2011
$5 Amazon.com Gift Card
09/04/2011
Processed 09/06/2011
Crowdtap
Crowdtap is a website where you can share information about your favorite brands, earn gift cards, and donate to charity all at the same time! You can also sign up for brand sponsored parties, sample products (some people have gotten free coats, jeans, and flip flops from Old Navy!). It's really a great website. Click on the button below to connect with me on Crowdtap and login with your Facebook!
Here are my stats on Crowdtap:
total actions 381
last 30 days 97
total cash $9.00
last 30 days $4.00
total points 22,515
last 30 days 6,715
So far, I have really enjoyed these websites. After Christmas, I plan to cash out on Paypal more for actual free CASH to use for anything we want or need in our household. :)
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Thankful Thoughts
In this season of thanks, I am very grateful for how well this year has turned out overall. We started out 2010 with my husband getting laid off, to him finding a well-paying job and getting job promotion. My mother-in-law is healing well after her accident. And as always, our children are healthy, smart, and growing! I'm thankful for every blessing God has given us.
Mostly, I am thankful for God's grace. And that he allows us to to come to him just as we are.
I'm linking up to the Thankful Thoughts Weekend Blog Hop!
Mostly, I am thankful for God's grace. And that he allows us to to come to him just as we are.
I'm linking up to the Thankful Thoughts Weekend Blog Hop!
Friday, November 18, 2011
Meal Plan 11/17-11/24
This has been a long week! My husband has been keeping me busy with repossessions and my mother-in-law had a couple of doctor appointments that I had to take her to.
Now, for the next seven days, I am planning six meals since Thanksgiving is next week. One is included from last week's menu since it was replaced with a frozen pizza night.
Breakfasts
Oatmeal w/ fruit
Cereal
Scrambled eggs w/ toast
Waffles w/ fruit
Lunches
Quesadillas
Mac 'n' cheese
PB & J
Pizza & veggies
* lunch typically accompanies veggies or fruit depending on the day/what we have.
Dinners
Steak & Potatoes
Enchiladas
Sloppy Joes w/ mixed veggies
Beef Stew w/ rolls
Breakfast for dinner
Lemon Pepper Chicken & corn
Thanksgiving w/ family
For new readers, my meal plans tend to run Thursday to Thursday because of my husband's crazy work schedule. :P
Now, for the next seven days, I am planning six meals since Thanksgiving is next week. One is included from last week's menu since it was replaced with a frozen pizza night.
Breakfasts
Oatmeal w/ fruit
Cereal
Scrambled eggs w/ toast
Waffles w/ fruit
Lunches
Quesadillas
Mac 'n' cheese
PB & J
Pizza & veggies
* lunch typically accompanies veggies or fruit depending on the day/what we have.
Dinners
Steak & Potatoes
Enchiladas
Sloppy Joes w/ mixed veggies
Beef Stew w/ rolls
Breakfast for dinner
Lemon Pepper Chicken & corn
Thanksgiving w/ family
For new readers, my meal plans tend to run Thursday to Thursday because of my husband's crazy work schedule. :P
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Meal Plan 11/10-11/17
Stuffed Shells & Salad
Taco Salad
Steak & Potatoes
Tator Tot Casserole
Cheeseburgers & Fries
Chicken Noodle Soup & French Rolls
Taco Salad
Steak & Potatoes
Tator Tot Casserole
Cheeseburgers & Fries
Chicken Noodle Soup & French Rolls
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Meal Plan
I'm doing this from memory again as I've lost my list. I was sick the entire week with some sort of sinus thing. I still have no voice from coughing so much, but at least I am starting to regain energy. Including staying up way too late so I can cash out on Swagbucks and Superpoints!
To my new followers: I don't start my meal planning on Monday's. My husband has a crazy, rotating work schedule so it's basically whenever we need to hit the store again.
On this week's menu:
Goulash
Meatball subs
Beef stew w/ dinner rolls
Beef Stroganoff w/ veggie side
Tuna Casserole
Lemon Pepper Chicken w/ veggie side
Fend for yourself night
To my new followers: I don't start my meal planning on Monday's. My husband has a crazy, rotating work schedule so it's basically whenever we need to hit the store again.
On this week's menu:
Goulash
Meatball subs
Beef stew w/ dinner rolls
Beef Stroganoff w/ veggie side
Tuna Casserole
Lemon Pepper Chicken w/ veggie side
Fend for yourself night
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