Sunday, January 17, 2010
And the Winner is......
Thursday, January 7, 2010
SmartMom Teething Bling Giveaway

Teething Bling by SmartMom was inspired by babies who like to hug on jewelry. Teething Bling is made from the same material as many teething toys and is designed for little ones that love to chew. It also looks great on the Mom!!!
SmartMom uses only the highest-quality, phthalate-free, federally approved silicone in their Teething Bling line. The material is non-toxic, latex-free, food–safe, even dishwasher-friendly! It is the same silicone used in many other popular teething products and SGS test reports are available upon request. They do however stress that Teething Bling is adult jewelry not intended for children to wear.


There are so many cool products that SmartMom offers. Donut Shaped Pendants, Coordinating Bangles, Heart Shaped Pendants, Teeting Bling Keychains, & Teething Bling Giftsets and even onsies.... They come in so many different beautiful colors and all pendants hang on a black, silk cord with a breakaway clasp. I recommend these amazing products to EVERYONE.. Your little one will LOVE it, the Bling will keep them busy, make their mouths feel better, and you will look beautiful! They make great gifts for that new mom or a perfect addition to a Baby Shower gift..
NOW for the GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!!!!
There will be 1 winner and they will receive 1 Bronze Teething Bling Pendant and 1 matching Bangle.
****Here is how you can get 6 entries for this giveaway****
To enter the giveaway all you need to do is visit the SmartMom website and tell me what you like on their site and comment on this post and tell me why you'd like to win the Teething Bling. Be sure to leave an email address I can reach you at.
To receive an extra 2 entires Follow me on Twitter DANAJUSTTALK and Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post.
And to receive another 3 entries Blog about this giveaway on your site or Blog and link back to this post on my blog.
The SmartMom Teething Bling Giveaway will run until Thursday, January 14, 2010 @ 8 pm so make sure you get your entries in!!!!
Saturday, November 28, 2009
It's another Boy!!!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Babywearing Pluses
It is seen that:
Sling babies cry less. They seem to love to be close to their mother or father and feel more secure, especially right after birth because they fell more wrapped up and close, like they did when they were in the womb.
Sling babies learn more. If infants spend less time crying and fussing, what do they do with the free time? They learn! Sling babies spend more time in the state of quiet alertness. This is the behavioral state in which an infant is most content and best able to interact with his environment. It may be called the optimal state of learning for a baby. Researchers have also reported that carried babies show enhanced visual and auditory alertness.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Good Night, Sleep Tight - BOOK REVIEW Part 1
The Sleep Lady's Gentle Guide To Helping Your Child Go To Sleep, Stay Asleep, And Wake Up Happy
By Kim West with Joanne Kenen
The need for sleep is biological; however the ability to sleep is a learned skill. Some children need a little more help than others.
The Sleep Lady's method is gentle and uses a step by step routine...Baby will sleep more soundly and for longer periods of time leading to well rested baby and parents. 1 in 4 children under 5 have sleep problems.
The most common advice parents receive is to let the baby cry it out and they will eventually fall asleep on their own. It will work eventually but most parents have a problem tolerating it.
Make sure both parents are involved and a united front. Consistency is the key. Don't give mixed messages. Do the same thing every night, not just most of the time. Decide on a plan and stick with it.
The whole family needs good sleep. Everyone deserves it and benefits from it. Good sleep habits are learned…you must teach your children.
Co-sleeping: Some choose it for easy breast feeding and some just end up with it. Think about it before the baby is born...will you want them in your bed at age 2, 4, or 6? What if you have another baby?
Bedtime Routine - must be comforting and predictable, may include books, songs, and their lovey. You need to switch their brain from alert to sleepy. If your child doesn't like part of the routine, such as putting on their pajamas or brushing teeth, do that first & get it over with.
Always put the baby down drowsy but awake. They need to learn how to fall asleep on their own.
1. Most sleep problems are behavioral, but check with your child's doctor to rule out any physical problems that may be disturbing their sleep.
2. Get room darkening shades if your child wakes up too early or has trouble napping when it is light outside.
3. Use a night light.
4. Use a white noise machine if your home is loud.
5. If the parents like to see and hear the baby, get a video monitor.
6. If your child uses a pacifier, give it to them for naps and bedtime only. Leave several in their crib so they can find one and don't need you to come in and get it for them.
7. Do not put a tv in their room.
8. Make sure the same sleep rules apply all the time - at home, day care, with a babysitter, etc.
9. For less overnight diaper changes, use larger diapers with an insert or overnight diapers.
10. If your child's crying leads to vomiting, avoid feeding right before bedtime.
11. Have a morning ritual - reinforce their waking up by opening the blinds and turning on the lights.
12. If you are trying to stop or reduce overnight breast feeding - have dad put the baby down so they don't expect to be nursed.
13. If you need the crib for a new baby, older child's transition to a bed should be at least 2 months before the birth to avoid feelings of displacement.
Always remember that well rested children find it easier to sleep while overtired children have trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep.
Help your child soothe themselves by giving them some space...they often become dependent on the parents to rock, hold, snuggle, and nurse them.
Parents: remember that no one really sleeps through the night. Everyone has partial arousals from time to time. (This is waking up out of fairly light sleep to adjust your blanket or get a sip of water.) We can get right back to sleep because we know how to do that. Babies don't so we have to teach them. They will just wake up and cry for someone to put them back to sleep by nursing, rocking, pacifier, etc. We must help them give up this association so that when this happens they can soothe themselves with a blankie or stuffed animal, or suck their thumb and get themselves back to sleep.
After 6-8 weeks, babies will get their best sleep in a crib or bassinet...not a swing, stroller, or car seat. Motion may put them to sleep but their brain will never reach the level of complete restorative sleep if they are moving.
How to get the right start for newborns & infants: For the first 2 weeks, don't worry about rules and schedules. Focus on recovery from birth, feeding and getting to know your baby. Accept all of the help you can get from family & friends and don't worry about dirty dishes!
2. Encourage soothing techniques other than nursing. Babies will learn how to soothe themselves. After the first few months, you can try swaddling or swinging.
3. Offer a pacifier for soothing and sucking, but not as a sleep crutch. Get them used to falling asleep without something in their mouth. They can use for comfort or to calm down, but not to get to sleep. Start around 6 weeks; it will be a lot harder the longer you wait. If they spit it out, don't put back in right away. Your child may develop a habit of thumb or finger sucking which parents prefer because you can't lose or forget to bring it with you!
4. Sometimes feed your baby when he wakes up after a nap - not just when you are trying to get him to sleep. You do not want to develop a strong association between feeding and sleeping. Sometimes you should nurse when they get up. Try to do twice a day; the easiest times would be in the morning and their first nap. Don't try it at night first because they will be the most tired and fussy.
5. Put him down drowsy but awake at least once every 24 hours. After 4 weeks old, do this once a day. The morning nap should be the easiest to start with. At 6 weeks try with bedtime.
6. Introduce one bottle a day. Even if you are committed to nursing, introduce bottle by 2 or 3 weeks. This is just common sense preparation for unforeseen circumstances down the road. It's totally up to you if you want to use pumped milk or formula. This also gives dad a chance to feed the baby. Some people like to give formula at night to try and help the baby sleep longer (it takes longer to digest so it will be longer before they wake up hungry again).
7. Create a sleep friendly environment. Room darkening shades, soothing colors, no bright or stimulating mobiles. White noise or fan can help drown out other sounds. Music can be used to set the mood, but don't let it run while baby is falling asleep and don't turn it back on if the baby wakes up during the night. Even though babies up to 8 weeks old are very portable and sleep wherever they are, it shouldn't be done all the time. A nice quiet crib will give them a more restful sleep. A bedtime routine is essential by 6 weeks old. It is easier in the beginning - warm bath, dimly lit room, feed and swaddle. As they get older, add stories to the routine. The routine is very important because it cues their brain to slow down after a busy day.
8. Carefully think through the whole question of co-sleeping and the family bed. Evaluate if it's right for you. Know the co-sleeping safety rules. Short term co-sleeping is ok as long as you make the transition to the crib around 3 months...it will be much harder the longer you wait. If the baby is in a bassinet in your room, move to their own room around 3 months. You may sleep in their room with them for a few days while they get adjusted to the new environment. You can get a monitor to keep yourself from worrying about them being alone. If you co-sleep make sure baby naps in their crib alone. They can't get used to you being there all the time to get to sleep...obviously there will be times when they have a sitter, you have another baby, or you are taking a shower. You want their room to be a familiar place to them. The crib will teach them to put themselves to sleep and is also safer than being alone in a bed. Reactive co-sleeping is very bad! This is when you put the baby to sleep in their crib but bring into the parent's bed when they wake up at night. The child will not learn how to sleep on their own and this can last for years. There are other ways to get your child back to sleep without bringing them into your bed.
Lets you be a comforting presence to a child learning to put themselves to sleep in a crib. You start by his side and gradually move out of the room over a 2 week period.
Nights 1-3: Sit in a chair next to the crib. If he fusses, stroke or pat on & off, try not to pick him up unless extremely upset (does not apply to a baby who is sick or scared). Keep it brief and return to the crib awake. Don't do anything stimulating. Can make shh or other soothing sounds. Stay until he falls asleep.
Nights 4-6: Move chair halfway between the crib & door. Stay in chair if possible, don't pick him up unless he's hysterical. Use your voice to calm him down.
Nights 7-9: Move chair to the doorway but within his view. Intervene as little as possible.
Nights 10-12: Move chair into hallway within view if possible.
Night 13 and on: Most babies will fall asleep on their own by now. You can stay in the hall or a nearby room if he likes to hear your voice. If he cries, you can go to the bedroom door to soothe him but don't go into the room. Also don't rush right in, give him a chance to calm himself down.
Check back next week for part 2 of Heather's review
of
Good Night, Sleep Tight!
Friday, August 8, 2008
Review & Giveaway
So, I recently received some great things from Gramma's Baby Stuff that I just love, love, love!! Gayle really is a great lady.. She is a gramma to 2 grandsons, 3 granddaughters, and a step-grandson...She also has a brand new grandaughter arriving this Fall!!
Based out of Alaska she started out by creating and sewing things to amuse her grandchildren. She also has many one-of-a-kind items and all home-made..
Check out the following things she sent me..
A red plastic alligator clip is on one end and a red snap is on the other end... These are so bright and colorful they seem to work great!! She has many different colors and patterns to pick from!
To enter the Giveaway please check out Gramma's Baby Stuff's website and tell me 1 thing you like from her website...
To receive 5 extra entries please post about this Giveaway on your website linking back to me... Please include a link to Gramma's Baby Stuff as well!!
The Giveaway will end August 14, 2007 at 12pm EST!!
PS - If you place an order please mention that you saw my review and Gayle will send you a free binky leash with your order!!
HAPPY SHOPPING!!!
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
For My Baby Wearing Friend
I was up late last night because I couldn't sleep.. (Maybe because today is my 28th Birthday and I'm starting to feel the old age, I can clearly see 30 right around the corner!!) So, anyway, I was browsing around on Consumer Reports and I started to look at all of the Baby Reports. For Strollers, High Chairs, Baby Gates, Mointors, well you get the picture. So I came across the section for Infant Carriers and Slings. And my friend LOVES to Baby Wear, so I thought to post this for her and her little munchkin Eliza!
They say using an infant carrier/sling may take some getting used to, but that they're a great way for keeping your precious bundle of joy close!! Below I have posted a direct link to Consumer Reports : Smart Shopping, Infant Carriers and Slings.. It gives you "Strap on Strategies" Pros & Cons, "Sling Savvy" Pros & Cons, "Getting the Hang of It", "Shopping Secrets", "Important Features", "Recommendations", and a list of Websites of "Whats Available" in alphabetical order! From this direct link you can also access the other reports on Baby Items for more Smart Shopping..
So check it out. Maybe your a new Mom like my friend, maybe you're getting ready to become a Mom.. After seeing Danielle and Eliza using the Sling I would 100% add one to my baby registry when I have a baby!! Looks nice right?
Consumer Reports Link to Article:
Check out Danielle and Baby Eliza @ New Mommy Rant:
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Sometimes I Don't Understand
Sometimes I don't understand why God does the things he does..
The reason I didn't post at all yesterday was because I had such a CRAZY day, I had a bridal shower and a Night Time Christening! I spent more time in the car then I did at the parties, but it was a very fun day!
The reason I say sometimes I don't understand God is because last night while Brian & I were at our friend's new baby's christening we were catching up with friends. While standing at the bar I made a comment on how cute this little boy was. He was on the dance floor dancning up a storm, dressed up in kakhi pants and a tiny navy blue blazer. Our friend mentioned he was only 1 and 1/2 years old and that he was just diagnosed with Muscualr Dystrophy! He continued to say that the doctors told his mother if he was lucky if he lived to 18, but they highly doubt it!
I stood there with tears in my eyes because this little baby, who seemed so happy , is in for a life full of hardtimes and his parents are in for a lifetime of heartache. The mother will ache knowing that she passed this gene on to her child! Hopefully she can come to understand that it's not her fault! (I really hope so).
I am a Catholic, though I'm not too religious. I rarely go to church. I mean I believe in God (I know everyone has thier own feelings), I believe in something, or I want to believe in something. But after seeing this sweet child and hearing about his problems really made me wonder about a "higher power". People say God does thing a for a reason, but there is NO reason for something like this.
I know there are many children born with this disease - hopefully soon someone will find a cure! Below I have posted the link to MDA Helping Jerry's Kids. Here you can learn more about this disease, volunteer or make donations: http://www.mda.org/ .
Thanks, I hope everyone has a very Happy Easter!!








