Happy Father's Day to all the Daddys. Any guy can be a Father but it takes a real man (& a special one at that) to be a Dad. Minion is lucky to have one of the best :-) Also Happy Day to the single Mamas pulling double duty, you deserve both days!
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Timbutt2oos Review
So I've talked before about my extreme love for gDiapers (it's more of an obsession really), I just can't get enough of them. A few months ago I came across a diaper making mama in my local cloth diapering group, she makes Timbutt2oos. I "liked" her page on Facebook but wasn't sure I would ever actually order anything since I've never used anything but my beloved gs... Then I saw the galaxy print. It's beautiful and I had to have it so I ordered a pocket diaper, the mama was so nice and asked the dimensions of the inserts I currently use so that I can use them as well and she also included 2 inserts of her own instead of one.
Once I received the diaper I was in love with the print even more, so much cuter in person. That being said, I was confused as to how to get it on Minion since it has a bunch of buttons instead of Velcro like the diapers I normally use. I prepped and dried the diaper and decided to try putting it together off of Minion first, I thought I had it figured out but somehow having it on him made a difference (all of his squirming didn't help much) and I was lost all over again. The first time I out it on him it was really loose around the legs and I actually didn't keep it on him long, 1. because he needed a bath and 2. because I was afraid it was going to leak. I contacted the mama and she got right back to me explaining a bit how it worked (great customer service) I was going to take it to the sitter's with me because she uses them too but I ended up figuring it out before I got the chance (AKA before I remembered to pack it).
The next time I put it on him, I used one insert and it held up really well, he had it on for about 2 hours with no leaks. I'm not sure it was on the "right" way but it worked and there was no gaps anywhere. It is a bit bulkier then the diapers I normally use but that's not really a big deal to me. I put it to the test last night and used it as an overnight diaper with both inserts instead of disposables like I normally do, up until last night I have not been able to find a cloth combination that Minion doesn't leak though at night. When we got up this morning and Hubby changed him I was in awe, not only were his jammies and outside of the diaper completely dry but it also contained a massive messy poop. I can not tell you how impressed I am. I can't wait to wash, dry and use it again as my overnight diaper, I'd love to be able to get rid of disposables all together.
When I ordered the galaxy, I had also ordered another print which had not come in stock yet. Originally when I was having fitting issues I had asked her to make it into a wet bag for me instead because I didn't think I was going to get it to work out, sadly there were some issues with her source and the print was unavailable. I was offered a refund or to pick another print, I went with the refund just because we were short on cash at the time but now I really with I had ordered another diaper. I figure if I have at least 4 that would be enough for nighttime and maybe I'll get a few more and put them in my daytime rotation. I'm hoping by the end of the summer to never have to buy disposables again! I'm not sure how happy Hubby will be about that but that's my goal. HEHE.
Once I received the diaper I was in love with the print even more, so much cuter in person. That being said, I was confused as to how to get it on Minion since it has a bunch of buttons instead of Velcro like the diapers I normally use. I prepped and dried the diaper and decided to try putting it together off of Minion first, I thought I had it figured out but somehow having it on him made a difference (all of his squirming didn't help much) and I was lost all over again. The first time I out it on him it was really loose around the legs and I actually didn't keep it on him long, 1. because he needed a bath and 2. because I was afraid it was going to leak. I contacted the mama and she got right back to me explaining a bit how it worked (great customer service) I was going to take it to the sitter's with me because she uses them too but I ended up figuring it out before I got the chance (AKA before I remembered to pack it).
The next time I put it on him, I used one insert and it held up really well, he had it on for about 2 hours with no leaks. I'm not sure it was on the "right" way but it worked and there was no gaps anywhere. It is a bit bulkier then the diapers I normally use but that's not really a big deal to me. I put it to the test last night and used it as an overnight diaper with both inserts instead of disposables like I normally do, up until last night I have not been able to find a cloth combination that Minion doesn't leak though at night. When we got up this morning and Hubby changed him I was in awe, not only were his jammies and outside of the diaper completely dry but it also contained a massive messy poop. I can not tell you how impressed I am. I can't wait to wash, dry and use it again as my overnight diaper, I'd love to be able to get rid of disposables all together.
When I ordered the galaxy, I had also ordered another print which had not come in stock yet. Originally when I was having fitting issues I had asked her to make it into a wet bag for me instead because I didn't think I was going to get it to work out, sadly there were some issues with her source and the print was unavailable. I was offered a refund or to pick another print, I went with the refund just because we were short on cash at the time but now I really with I had ordered another diaper. I figure if I have at least 4 that would be enough for nighttime and maybe I'll get a few more and put them in my daytime rotation. I'm hoping by the end of the summer to never have to buy disposables again! I'm not sure how happy Hubby will be about that but that's my goal. HEHE.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Mama Love Giveaway!
Epic Tales of a First Time Mom is so excited to bring you an amazing Mama Love event for moms and babies.
We have put together two separate prize packs for you! One for the pregnant/new mama and one for the cloth diapering mama! There is over $300 in Prizes up for grabs!
This contest is being hosted by the awesome So Sew Mama, be sure to check out her blog and send some love. Thank you.
(please note that the diapers are probably more girly.)
a Rafflecopter giveaway * Disclosure: Epic Tales of a First Time Mom and So Sew Mama was not compensated for this post. So Sew Mama received the mentioned products to review, all views are 100% So Sew Mama's. This blog and participating bloggers are not responsible for prize shipment. I am disclosing this due to the FTC guidelines. If you have any questions or wish to have your product featured on So Sew Mama, please contact Desiree.
Hosted by: So Sew Mama
We have put together two separate prize packs for you! One for the pregnant/new mama and one for the cloth diapering mama! There is over $300 in Prizes up for grabs!
This contest is being hosted by the awesome So Sew Mama, be sure to check out her blog and send some love. Thank you.
Mama and Baby Prize
$25 gift card to The bird and elephant on Etsy
Maternity Gown from Mommy Moxie! A $60 Value!
$25 Gift card to Pink Blush Maternity! Read the review!
Momo Baby Soft Sole shoes! A $19 value! Read the full review.
Jack and Lily Soft Sole Shoes! valued at $30. Check out the review.
Fluffy Mail Prize
Dreaming in Cotton Cloth diaper! Read the review here at So Sew Mama.
Brown Cow Cotton diaper shell. Read So Sew Mama's review!
(please note that the diapers are probably more girly.)
This giveaway will be live from June 12 to June 24. you must be 18 years old or older to enter and live within the US. no P.O boxes. All additional entries increase the odds of winning. Please leave the best email to reach you in the rafflecopter. Winners who do not respond within 48 hours will lose their prize and the runner up will be emailed. All entries are verified by Desiree.
a Rafflecopter giveaway * Disclosure: Epic Tales of a First Time Mom and So Sew Mama was not compensated for this post. So Sew Mama received the mentioned products to review, all views are 100% So Sew Mama's. This blog and participating bloggers are not responsible for prize shipment. I am disclosing this due to the FTC guidelines. If you have any questions or wish to have your product featured on So Sew Mama, please contact Desiree.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Party Planning
Minion will be 1 in a month! I can't believe it, where has the time gone? We decided to so "The Notekins" from Baby First TV for the theme since Minion loves music. For a while that show was magic, if he was crying and it came on...he instantly stopped. That doesn't work now of course but he still loves it. The show teaches pitch, harmony, tempo and more all while entertaining with gentle music. I think I have a future musician on my hands and I love it. It's kind of hard party planning when your theme is not common enough to find in any stores but that also means I have to make most of the decorations which will save us a ton of money. The Notekins each stand for a different music note and are each a different color so I'm going to get plates, napkins, plastic wear etc. from the dollar store because they have all different colors that way I can just mix it up to match the theme. Most of the decorations I should be able to make with my Cricut which will take a lot of time (and I don't have much to spare) but I know I will get exactly what I want that way. The invitations were easy. I just Google image searched The Notekins and added the party info to the one I liked best on Photobucket, a friend of mine has a connection at Staples and offered to print them out for me free of charge.
One of the hardest decisions was figuring out where to have the party. I don't really want to have it at our house because my family is huge so even planning for immediate family (which to me means aunts, uncle and cousins) is a lot. We also don't have any entertainment for the kids and I always get nervous that someone will let the dogs out (our yard is not fenced in), we also can't really afford to rent a place out. We finally decided on a park near the river with a pretty nice size playground. It has covered tables and bathrooms, basically everything we need. We were originally going to bring the grill but are now going to get hoagie trays so no one have to man the grill for the whole party. Of course I'll make potato salad and all too.
A few months ago I had a vanilla gDiaper customized from Paint Spatter Designs by Audrina Leigh Zaczyk and it's been so hard not to put it on him but I've been to afraid it will get messed up. I had a second one made too (which has also not been on the butt yet), Audrina is so talented, her shop is closed now because she just had a baby but I'm hoping she opens back up soon because I need some more of her work. She has a Batman design I'd love to get my hands on.
This is the birthday diaper.
And this is the other one. Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas is one of my obsessions.
I have not picked an outfit yet... I suppose I should get on that. I suppose I could make him a shirt as well now that Cricut has iron on fabric.
I'm both excited and sad about his birthday. I don't know where the time has gone, I feel like he was just born but I love watching him learn new things. He's definitely a Mama's boy but he gets a little more independent every day, except of course when he's teething like the last couple of days. In one month my baby boy will no longer be an infant but a toddler. I'm not sure how I feel about that, my baby is growing up.
One of the hardest decisions was figuring out where to have the party. I don't really want to have it at our house because my family is huge so even planning for immediate family (which to me means aunts, uncle and cousins) is a lot. We also don't have any entertainment for the kids and I always get nervous that someone will let the dogs out (our yard is not fenced in), we also can't really afford to rent a place out. We finally decided on a park near the river with a pretty nice size playground. It has covered tables and bathrooms, basically everything we need. We were originally going to bring the grill but are now going to get hoagie trays so no one have to man the grill for the whole party. Of course I'll make potato salad and all too.
A few months ago I had a vanilla gDiaper customized from Paint Spatter Designs by Audrina Leigh Zaczyk and it's been so hard not to put it on him but I've been to afraid it will get messed up. I had a second one made too (which has also not been on the butt yet), Audrina is so talented, her shop is closed now because she just had a baby but I'm hoping she opens back up soon because I need some more of her work. She has a Batman design I'd love to get my hands on.
This is the birthday diaper.
And this is the other one. Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas is one of my obsessions.
I have not picked an outfit yet... I suppose I should get on that. I suppose I could make him a shirt as well now that Cricut has iron on fabric.
I'm both excited and sad about his birthday. I don't know where the time has gone, I feel like he was just born but I love watching him learn new things. He's definitely a Mama's boy but he gets a little more independent every day, except of course when he's teething like the last couple of days. In one month my baby boy will no longer be an infant but a toddler. I'm not sure how I feel about that, my baby is growing up.
Friday, May 24, 2013
Mama Love Giveaway Event
Mama Love Giveaway Event
Blogger Opp
Blogger Opp
June 12 - 24
Hosted By: So Sew Mama
Some of the awesome prizes are sponsored by:
First Prize: For Mama & Baby
Second Prize: Cloth Diapers
Still adding more prizes! If you want your product featured please contact Desiree.
Free Twitter link with announcement post!
Additional links available for purchase.
Co Host spots and Host pages available.
Lose - Lose situation
Today I did something I swore I would never do, I have even been known to judge people for it... I'll think twice next time.
It's no secret the we have a lot of animals (2 big dogs and 4 cats), when I announced I that I was expecting many people's first question was "Are you getting rid of any of the animals?" It always made me really mad, of course I wasn't getting rid of any of them, they are family and I made them a promise to care for them for the rest of their lives. Most of them are rescues (except 2 sibling cats I got from a friend) and had a rough start to life, I never thought anything would make me change my mind. I was wrong.
During my pregnancy one of my cats, Freddie Mercury, started acting different and losing fur. No one has fleas, I tried vitamins & different food but nothing helped. After Minion was born, the hair lose got worse so I took him to the vet. He was tested for ringworm and other skin issues but all came back normal, based on that, his acting out and a few other things the vet (who I trust very much) suggested that he was jealous of Minion. I was very upset and didn't know what to do, I contacted the cat behaviorist at my shelter but none of her suggestions help. We discussed re-homing him but neither of us really wanted to and we also didn't know anyone looking for a cat so we were just dealing with it. Then he started hissing at Minion and I became really concerned, again we discussed re-homing him but still couldn't find anyone.
Then, just a few weeks ago, he scratched Minion on the arm. Minion didn't even notice it and it barely bled but that didn't change the fact that it happened. What if next time it's worse or his face or he bites instead. I can't risk that. I knew I had to bring him to my shelter and hope that someone would adopt him. I waited 10 days so that he would not need to be on a quarantine (which would significantly hinder his chances of getting adopted) and brought him in today. It was such a horrible drive to work with him in the passenger seat next to me meowing to be let out of the carrier. I cried during his entire intake and brought him back to his temporary cage myself, turns out I would be cleaning that room today. I was really upset about it at first but ended up being grateful because I could keep an eye on him and do my best to make sure he was comfortable. I asked he vet tech who was checking cats in (giving them their shots and what not) to please do him so that he could be moved to the adoption room ASAP for the big event we are having this weekend. I was petrified he would be out to sleep since he looks funny with the missing fur and can not go to a home with children. I was glad to be working alone today.
Around 1:30pm a member of our life savings department (they work with rescues to get animals out and run the foster program) came and told me he was being sent to one of our rescue partners. I cried again, I was so happy he was being saved but sad that I would never see him again. Going to a rescue means he won't be out to sleep and has a much better chance at being adopted. When the rescue came to pick him and the other cats they were taking up, I was able to pack him up and say my final goodbye (which of course made me cry AGAIN! He looked so sad and tried to cling to me so I just held him for a little while, but eventually the rescue had to leave so I put him in the carrier, told him I loved him again and wished his well. I also told him to behave so he came find an awesome home with no kids and plenty of affection.
It was a horrible day but I know that I made the right choice for him and Minion. Maybe now he won't be so stressed out and will stopped pulling out his fur. I'm going to think about him forever and hope that he's happy and doesn't think we abandoned him. We did everything we could to try and make it work but it just wasn't happening. My house seems quiet without him even with the other animals. I hope this is something I will never have to go through again.
It's no secret the we have a lot of animals (2 big dogs and 4 cats), when I announced I that I was expecting many people's first question was "Are you getting rid of any of the animals?" It always made me really mad, of course I wasn't getting rid of any of them, they are family and I made them a promise to care for them for the rest of their lives. Most of them are rescues (except 2 sibling cats I got from a friend) and had a rough start to life, I never thought anything would make me change my mind. I was wrong.
During my pregnancy one of my cats, Freddie Mercury, started acting different and losing fur. No one has fleas, I tried vitamins & different food but nothing helped. After Minion was born, the hair lose got worse so I took him to the vet. He was tested for ringworm and other skin issues but all came back normal, based on that, his acting out and a few other things the vet (who I trust very much) suggested that he was jealous of Minion. I was very upset and didn't know what to do, I contacted the cat behaviorist at my shelter but none of her suggestions help. We discussed re-homing him but neither of us really wanted to and we also didn't know anyone looking for a cat so we were just dealing with it. Then he started hissing at Minion and I became really concerned, again we discussed re-homing him but still couldn't find anyone.
Then, just a few weeks ago, he scratched Minion on the arm. Minion didn't even notice it and it barely bled but that didn't change the fact that it happened. What if next time it's worse or his face or he bites instead. I can't risk that. I knew I had to bring him to my shelter and hope that someone would adopt him. I waited 10 days so that he would not need to be on a quarantine (which would significantly hinder his chances of getting adopted) and brought him in today. It was such a horrible drive to work with him in the passenger seat next to me meowing to be let out of the carrier. I cried during his entire intake and brought him back to his temporary cage myself, turns out I would be cleaning that room today. I was really upset about it at first but ended up being grateful because I could keep an eye on him and do my best to make sure he was comfortable. I asked he vet tech who was checking cats in (giving them their shots and what not) to please do him so that he could be moved to the adoption room ASAP for the big event we are having this weekend. I was petrified he would be out to sleep since he looks funny with the missing fur and can not go to a home with children. I was glad to be working alone today.
Around 1:30pm a member of our life savings department (they work with rescues to get animals out and run the foster program) came and told me he was being sent to one of our rescue partners. I cried again, I was so happy he was being saved but sad that I would never see him again. Going to a rescue means he won't be out to sleep and has a much better chance at being adopted. When the rescue came to pick him and the other cats they were taking up, I was able to pack him up and say my final goodbye (which of course made me cry AGAIN! He looked so sad and tried to cling to me so I just held him for a little while, but eventually the rescue had to leave so I put him in the carrier, told him I loved him again and wished his well. I also told him to behave so he came find an awesome home with no kids and plenty of affection.
It was a horrible day but I know that I made the right choice for him and Minion. Maybe now he won't be so stressed out and will stopped pulling out his fur. I'm going to think about him forever and hope that he's happy and doesn't think we abandoned him. We did everything we could to try and make it work but it just wasn't happening. My house seems quiet without him even with the other animals. I hope this is something I will never have to go through again.
Friday, May 17, 2013
gGathering, Mother's Day and Sickness...Oh My
I had been looking forward to last weekend for over a month now. I had planned my 2nd gGathering in 6 months, it was my first Mother's Day and I was given a 4 day weekend...what more could a Mama ask for right? Well, apparently that was too much.
On Thursday, (the day before my mini vacation) I started vomiting and just basically feeling like crap but I went to work figuring it would only last a day or 2 just like everyone else. Friday, I laid around still feeling lousy. Saturday (the day of the gGathering) I didn't even want to get out of bed and to top it off, Hubby was sick now too so I had to take Minion with me to the store to pick up a few last minute things for the party. He's pretty good in stores it's just faster to go alone. I forced myself to go to the party and I'm glad I did, I had a great time hanging out with other gDiaper using Mamas and there kids at the playground. I do wish I had been feeling more sociable though. I pretty sure everyone else had fun too. Downside, Minion was now not feeling well and cranky. He didn't want to take a nap, something I desperately needed, but Hubby let me lay down for an hour before waking me up with an even crankier baby.
Sunday was Mother's Day. I bet you are all saying "Oh you must have had a wonderful 1st Mother's Day", nope. It kinda sucked actually. Everyone except Hubby wished me a Happy Mother's Day, he finally did a few hours after I got up but only after I asked him if he knew what day it was (he did by the way). He said something about not being able to get me a gift, as if I cared about that... I just wanted him to say it. Apparently, me being upset was blowing it way out of proportion, I still disagree but whatever. He was very nice to me for the rest of the day though and we also got to spend Monday together too.
Speaking of Monday, Hubby and Minion were feeling better but not me. I still was feeling pretty sick...kinda put a HUGE damper on my whole weekend. I went back to work Tuesday not really feeling up to it but I pushed through the day, Wednesday I woke up vomiting again so I called out of work. I took Minion to the sitter anyway so I could make a doctors appointment and maybe get in a nap, I did get a nap but no doctors. I called as soon as they opened (9am) and was told my doctor had nothing available until 3:30pm the next day, I said no so she offered to call something in for me... confused I asked how she was going to do this without a doctor seeing me. She asked for my symptoms so I gave them to her and told her I was a nursing mother, she said I would hear back shortly. At 1:30pm, I finally got a phone call telling me they can't give me anything because I'm nursing and suggested I call my OBGYN (even though I'm not prego) but when I called them they were very confused and said they couldn't do anything for me if I am not prego (which if what I figured). So... I called the doctors office back and asked to speak with my doctor directly, he called back within 2 minutes and told me himself that I can not take anything since I'm nursing but said he wished I would have made an appointment to come in... Seriously. When I told him about my 9a, conversation he was livid and called the head nurse over and asked her why I was not given an appointment, she had no idea and said there were plenty of openings for the day. Of course the office was now closed though so I got screwed. He was really concerned about the fact that I had not been eating and wanted me to go to the ER of I didn't feel better by the end of the night, I didn't go. Thankfully I felt much better Thursday morning and was able to go to work. Today, I'm as good as new.
Well Mama's, I hope your weekend was better then mine.
On Thursday, (the day before my mini vacation) I started vomiting and just basically feeling like crap but I went to work figuring it would only last a day or 2 just like everyone else. Friday, I laid around still feeling lousy. Saturday (the day of the gGathering) I didn't even want to get out of bed and to top it off, Hubby was sick now too so I had to take Minion with me to the store to pick up a few last minute things for the party. He's pretty good in stores it's just faster to go alone. I forced myself to go to the party and I'm glad I did, I had a great time hanging out with other gDiaper using Mamas and there kids at the playground. I do wish I had been feeling more sociable though. I pretty sure everyone else had fun too. Downside, Minion was now not feeling well and cranky. He didn't want to take a nap, something I desperately needed, but Hubby let me lay down for an hour before waking me up with an even crankier baby.
Sunday was Mother's Day. I bet you are all saying "Oh you must have had a wonderful 1st Mother's Day", nope. It kinda sucked actually. Everyone except Hubby wished me a Happy Mother's Day, he finally did a few hours after I got up but only after I asked him if he knew what day it was (he did by the way). He said something about not being able to get me a gift, as if I cared about that... I just wanted him to say it. Apparently, me being upset was blowing it way out of proportion, I still disagree but whatever. He was very nice to me for the rest of the day though and we also got to spend Monday together too.
Speaking of Monday, Hubby and Minion were feeling better but not me. I still was feeling pretty sick...kinda put a HUGE damper on my whole weekend. I went back to work Tuesday not really feeling up to it but I pushed through the day, Wednesday I woke up vomiting again so I called out of work. I took Minion to the sitter anyway so I could make a doctors appointment and maybe get in a nap, I did get a nap but no doctors. I called as soon as they opened (9am) and was told my doctor had nothing available until 3:30pm the next day, I said no so she offered to call something in for me... confused I asked how she was going to do this without a doctor seeing me. She asked for my symptoms so I gave them to her and told her I was a nursing mother, she said I would hear back shortly. At 1:30pm, I finally got a phone call telling me they can't give me anything because I'm nursing and suggested I call my OBGYN (even though I'm not prego) but when I called them they were very confused and said they couldn't do anything for me if I am not prego (which if what I figured). So... I called the doctors office back and asked to speak with my doctor directly, he called back within 2 minutes and told me himself that I can not take anything since I'm nursing but said he wished I would have made an appointment to come in... Seriously. When I told him about my 9a, conversation he was livid and called the head nurse over and asked her why I was not given an appointment, she had no idea and said there were plenty of openings for the day. Of course the office was now closed though so I got screwed. He was really concerned about the fact that I had not been eating and wanted me to go to the ER of I didn't feel better by the end of the night, I didn't go. Thankfully I felt much better Thursday morning and was able to go to work. Today, I'm as good as new.
Well Mama's, I hope your weekend was better then mine.
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