Park's Book

About a month ago, Park's child development specialist suggested a really great idea to get Park more interested in books, letters and engaging in language development.  She suggested I create a personal book with pictures of items Park knows and loves, then to go through it with him naming the objects (and so on).  I began reading books to Park at a very early age and have always been a bit disappointed his interest in books disappeared around the age of one and has yet to return.  The minute Park's specialist made the suggestion I knew it was a fine idea.  And so I immediately began creating his little book.

I often times upload photos to Walgreens online because it is easy and inexpensive so I thought I would check there first to see if they offered personal photo books.  And to my luck, they did!  For only $9.99 plus tax, you can upload photos to create a book of 20 pages.  I couldn't wait to begin.

I took photos of objects in our home that Park loves such as his favorite car toy, his laughing Elmo doll and his Daddy.  I also gathered photos we already had taken such as his first potty experience and brushing his teeth.  I chose the alphabet book pattern Walgreens had available (they have SO many to choose from) and tried to link up the first letter of the object with that page (e.g. "C" was the picture of his car, "E" for Elmo).

The book came in the mail while I was out of town and Marshall told me Park loved to look at it.  How fun for a little guy to see a book of things that he loves so much from his very own home!  I really feel that it is a great reintroduction to a love for books, reading and associating and a really good tool to use for engaging our little ones!  I also thought it was a good idea for Park to have while I was out of town (because there are photos of me in it:)  Therefore, he could see me whenever he felt lonely for his Momma!

~Mommy Bridget

One More Week to Enter the Tommee Tippee Giveaway-ends 11/5

I apologize...it was brought to my attention that I forgot to have a link for entering this wonderful giveaway on my "giveaways" page.  So here it is.  There is one more week to enter the Tommee Tippee giveaway!  Click here to enter.

It's easy to be forgetful A LOT these days.  I promise to do my best during this pregnancy to not forget silly details such as this.

~Curious Mommy

Winterizing Your Gardens

If any of you are like me and waited until the snow has already begun to fall before winterizing your garden, then you are probably starting to feel a sense of urgency to get your vegetable garden prepared for the winter.  Since this was my very first year with a vegetable garden, I have no idea what I'm supposed to do with the existing tomato, cucumber, pepper, basil and squash plants as well as some other varieties that remain.  So, even though I am miles and miles away from home (stuck in a blizzard no less) I decided it was a good time to be prepared by learning what it is I need to do to get my garden ready for the coming months.  I found a plethora of good ideas and suggestions on the web and since there is SO much information, I've decided to post the links:

• http://home.howstuffworks.com/preparing-a-vegetable-garden-for-winter.htm
• http://www.emmitsburg.net/gardens/articles/adams/2005/prepare_for_winter.htm
• http://www.ehow.com/how_2083866_prepare-vegetable-garden-winter.html

Any other suggestions are welcome!

~Curious Mommy

20 Week Appointment

Earlier this week, we had our 20 week appointment to check on our growing baby and had our 20 week ultrasound the following day.  To our delight, we discovered we are going to be blessed with another little boy.  And we couldn't be more thrilled!  Of course it's only natural to want a boy and a girl someday, but we REALLY wanted another boy.  Not only does it make life a little easier because we don't need to figure out new bedroom arrangements, purchase a lot of new clothes, bedding, books and toys but Park gets to have a little brother!  Park is constantly checking in with his little brother, giving him taps here and there, attempting to hug my belly and kissing it whenever he gets the chance.  It is really sweet.  We are so excited...

And so now that we got to see our little guy this pregnancy is so much more REAL than it has been feeling this past 5 months!  He moves around a lot inside of me and my belly seems to grow daily.  I have some restrictions now as I have marginal placenta previa but am confident it will go away in time.  It won't be long before we get to have another little baby around our home and I get to watch with awe the changes that are going to occur.  Everything is truly falling into place and it is just as I had imagined so many years ago when I first thought about having a family of my own.  I feel so blessed...

Many of you have asked me if we have thought of names for our new baby and although we have a few in mind, we would LOVE new ideas.  In fact, I'm thinking about a giveaway in the future including entries for name ideas.  More information on that is soon to come.

I hope all is well for you and you are enjoying the beautiful fall we are also experiencing here in Utah.

~Mommy Bridget

Tommee Tippee Review and Giveaway-ends 11/5

Tommee Tippee's

Closer To Nature Bottle Review and Giveaway

Tommee Tippee is a company that promotes products to help ease the transition of caring for babies.  From newborn feeding products to weaning products to all the unanswered questions you may have about breast and bottle feeding, weaning  and support with your little one, Tommee Tippee has everything to assist you along the way.

We had the opportunity review the Closer to Nature newborn feeding bottle 260 ml 9 fl oz.  Below is more product information:

• Nipple mimics natural feel, flex and movement of breastfeeding
• Allows for easy transition between breast and bottle
• Wide neck nipple for easier latch on
• Anti-colic, anti-gas, advanced easi-vent™ valve
• BPA & Phthalate Free
• Graduations in mls and ounces
• Hygiene Cap seals the nipple for travel

Tommee Tippee understands the importance of breastfeeding our babies and that is why they created products such as the Closer to Nature bottle to assist in breastfeeding.  There are times when a breastfeeding mother needs to be away from her child during a feeding time and what better way to help the mother-child than to create a product that better helps in the transition from breast to bottle feeding?

The Closer to Nature bottle is so appropriately named as it was designed for an easy transition between breastfeeding to bottle feeding.  In order for this transition to go smoothly, the nipple and the flow must also be similar to that of the breast.  Tommee Tippee designed their bottle just right to make this transition as smooth as possible.

To do this, Tommee Tippee made the neck of the bottle wide, mimicking the breast, for an easy latch on.  The feel of the nipple also mimics the breast as it feels and moves very similar to that of a real breast.

The two month old baby that reviewed the Closer to Nature bottle for us had a successful experience.  The Daddy feeding his son commented on how easy the bottle was to hold.  The little boy latched on to the bottle immediately and drank away.  For an infant that exclusively breastfeeds, this transition to a bottle was an easy and enjoyable experience for both baby and Daddy.  It will definitely be used as an alternative to breastfeeding in the future! 

Speaking of Dads, Tommee Tippee also understands the importance of support from the fathers or other caregivers of our breastfeeding babies.  Want to know how you can help?  Click here for Tommee Tippee's advice on support.  

Thank you to Tommee Tippee for giving us the opportunity to review their wonderful product.

Buy it:  Tommee Tippee's products can be purchased exclusively at any Babies R' Us or Toys R' Us stores.  To find a location near you, click here.

Win it:  One lucky winner will win their choice of either a Closer to Nature feeding bottle, a Closer to Nature weening cup or a Closer to Nature Sippy Cup.

To enter:

***REMEMBER: POST A COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY***

***Also, remember to leave your email address with your comments so you can be reached*** 

Subscribe to my blog (located on the left side of my home page) and tell me a product of Tommee Tippee's you would most like to try.  This is MANDATORY to enter the giveaway.

You also have the opportunity for additional entries (one each) if you do any of the following:

• follow The Curious Case of Mommyhood on Google Follower
• tell me something about Tommee Tippee on YouTube
  
• like The Curious Case of Mommyhood on Facebook
• fan Tommee Tippee on Facebook
• repost this giveaway on your facebook page and post the link with your entry
• follow The Curious Mommy on Twitter
• follow Tommee Tippee on Twitter

Again, please be sure to leave your email address with each entry.

You have until November 5th at midnight to enter.

Good luck to you all,

Mommy Bridget

Baby Belly Rub

I had my 20 week appointment with my midwife today and everything looked great.  Although I measured exactly 20 centimeters which is where I should be, I questioned how large I thought my belly already was.  Everyone told me that I would feel like this because I've already had a child  ("popping" out sooner), but I still wonder if I'm growing a jolly green giant inside of me:)  Even my belly button is already protruding!  So I thought it's about time I begin my daily regimen of using belly rub to ease the tension of my skin.  (By the way, I must comment how amazing I think our bodies are that we can grow these huge bundles in our bellies, watch our body increase in size like nothing we ever imagined, then watch it bounce (literally) back like nothing ever happened!)

With my last pregnancy, I found a recipe for a simple belly rub and used it throughout my entire pregnancy.  It definitely worked well, seeing as though I didn't end up with any stretch marks (although a lot of that is due to inherited genes)...but I still think that if you eat right, drink plenty of water and moisturize your skin better than you ever have before, you can help prevent the markings of a growing baby on your belly.

So I've made another batch of my belly rub and wanted to share the recipe with you all (recipe found in source: Herbs for Health and Healing by Kathy Keville (pictured to the right)).  It is VERY easy!
Here you go:

• 4 400-International Unit Vitamin E capsules or equivalent
• 4 ounces almond oil
• 1/2 ounce cocoa butter
• 15 drops of lavender essential oil

Put the almond oil in a small saucepan and heat on low.  Add the vitamin E (open up capsules and pour into pan).  Add the cocoa butter.   After the cocoa butter melts, remove mixture from heat and let it cool.  Then add the lavender essential oil drops and mix.  I recommend storing the belly rub in a container that easily pours without spilling.

Enjoy the beautiful day,

Mommy Bridget

Wow! What a Progressive Weekend!

I had to share with all of you my excitement with Park's progress in the last couple of days.  During his usual chatter, I have now made out over ten new words just in the last 24 hours!  I always knew that he was trying to say the words, it has just taken some time for the words to have the correct sounds.  Coincidentally,  my folks are in town so he has been spending some time with them and he also had the pleasure of having his other Grandma over last night for an evening of fun and play!

Leave it to the moms with experience to get my son movin' a bit further along:)

I just love the feeling of seeing my son's milestones.  I love knowing that the hard work we have done with him and the hard work his behavioral specialist has done with him is paying off....that and the time of growing up a little is doing its work.  And the best part?  Watching my husband's face in excitement of seeing his son turning into his own little person.  Marshall just stares at Park in awe with every new word and every new behavior Park displays.  I've never seen a father love his child as much as Marshall loves his.  Never.  And I feel so lucky that Park has a father like Marshall!

Yesterday, Grandma bought Park a toy airplane which he LOVES.  When he first saw the plane he said, "What is THAT?  It is an AIRPLANE!"  (how could she resist buying it for him?)  And last night, as I lay him in his bed to go to sleep...he insisted I get his new airplane for him.  I handed it to him and he tucked it next to his water.  After a few minutes, I could hear him in his room playing with the plane so I went in there to try to take it away but again, he still insisted he hang on to it.  So I let him.  Later on, before I went to bed, I checked in on him and he was fast asleep...clutching his airplane to his chest.  How sweet is that?!  I thought to myself, boy he must really love his new airplane.  That and he REALLY loves his Grandma:)

It's moments like these that I'm sure many of you have already had with your children who may or may not even be younger than Park.  But it's moments like these for Marshall and I that we know our son is going to be okay.  His personality continues to emerge, and his love for his family grows exponentially.  I told Marshall about Park and his airplane, fast asleep in his bed and I thought my husband was going to shed tears of joy.

I can't wait to see what today brings!  And we are anxiously awaiting for our 20-week ultrasound on Tuesday to find out how our new little bundle is doing and what it is!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend,

Mommy Bridget

Organyc Review

Organyc Review

Awhile back, I became aware of the dangers of common ingredients found in many feminine products on market shelves today. After doing some research on those ingredients, which include pesticides, herbicides and dioxins (such as chlorine), I was astounded that these same chemicals were found in many of the feminine hygenine products I was using!


Known to be highly toxic, dioxins can cause reproductive and developmental problems, disrupt hormones and cause cancer.  For these ingredients to be found in feminine hygiene products is unacceptable.  That's why we can be thankful for companies such as Organyc who produces safe products for women to use.


Organyc was founded in 1947 when they began producing products for "sensitive" women.  Since then, they have developed feminine products that are made from 100% organic cotton, hypoallergenic, organic and biodegradable.  Organyc produces sustainable products to safely fit consumer's needs.

Products made from 100% organic cotton is not only safer for you but also for the environment.  Organic practices greatly reduces the environmental impact production and manufacturing can cause.  Made without genetically modified organisms, you can rest assured that the production of Organyc's products have minimal impact on the environment and will be safe to consumers.


We reviewed a variety of Organyc's products which include their feminine panty liners, pads and tampons as well as their feminine wash and intimate wipes.

Organyc's feminine panty liners and pads are made, as said earlier, with 100% organic cotton.  They have pads and panty liners made for day use, night use and come in different sizes to fit for your comfort. The all natural ingredients in Organyc's pads and panty liners are made for even the most sensitive of women.

Organyc's feminine tampons are made from 100% organic cotton.  They are available in 3 sizes: regular, super and super plus.  They are also available with or without cardboard applicators to suit your needs.  Organyc's feminine products work very well and are comparable to other natural feminine products while at a price to fit within your budget.


Organyc's intimate wash is made from vegetal ingredients to form a surface-active agent which cleanses while it's sugary and skin protective ingredients including cottonseed oil, which is highly emollient, leaves the skin moisturized and soft.  The intimate wash, lacking any harmful ingredients, is safe to use for most even with sensitive skin.  I found this product very luxurious while remaining protective and sensitive to my skin's needs.

Organyc's wet wipes are so soft!  And there is no alcohol, chlorine or parabens found in these wipes.  They do contain lactic acid to help stabilize your pH while avoiding any skin irritation and calendula and chamomile glyceric extracts to promote restful, calm skin.  They also have a light, refreshing scent leaving you feeling fresh and clean without leaving harmful residue on your skin.


Buy it:  
Organyc's products are found in over 20 countries across the globe.  I came across Organyc's products for the first time at Target.  Click here to find a local retailer near you.  You can also click here for a free sample and $1 off coupon for your purchase.

I want to thank Organyc for the opportunity to review many of their wonderful products and for producing products that not only have little impact on the environment but are safe for us to use.  


Bridget James
(author of) The Curious Case of Mommyhood

Charlie's Soap Giveaway-Low Entries (ends 10/15)

The Charlie's Soap giveaway is ending in just a few more days (this Friday, 10/15 at midnight to be exact).  We have low entries so if you are interested, and I think you should be because Charlie's Soap works really great, then click here to enter the giveaway.

Mommy Bridget

350.org and High Road for Human Rights

Over this past weekend, individuals in over 188 countries got together at over 7300 events across the globe to unite and bring awareness over the global crisis of climate change.  In my neck of the woods, Rocky Anderson (former Mayor of Salt Lake City) organized a day of fun for a cause called the High Road Cooler World Music Festival at a local park. He wanted to create a day where locals got together and shared awareness to protect our earth and its inhabitants.   The festival is part of a much larger initiative, called HighRoad for Human Rights.

High Road for Human Rights organizes, supports, and mobilizes an extensive network of people to prevent and eliminate human rights abuses by: (1) elevating awareness about human rights abuses and available solutions, and (2) taking unified actions to achieve changes that will enhance the protection of human rights. (http://www.highroadforhumanrights.net/)

For those of you wondering how High Road for Human Rights all began:

High Road for Human Rights was founded to stop the cycle of complacency – to elevate understanding by people in communities throughout the nation and to organize them so they will be empowered to help make a difference. By taking the High Road, you can join in a mass movement to make certain effective action is taken to protect the human rights of people around the world and help High Road continue its vital work.

Did any of you make it to a High Road event in your area?

If you are interested in joining the "High Road", go here to learn more and  join your local chapter.  If you are interested in learning more about 350.org, the worldwide community of social awareness and greener world activists, go here.

There is so much we can do to help bring awareness of our global crisis, so why not take a few minutes to learn more?  And there is so much fun to be had involving our little ones in our efforts!

~Curious Mommy

Creativity to the Sound of Music

My son has endless amounts of energy.  Since he was only months old, he began a routine of waking up around 5:30 in the morning.  To our sleepy eyed delight, this habit remains 2 years later.  When he awakes in the morning, he bounces out of bed, comes to our room and drags us out of bed as well.  He is always CLEARLY ready to begin his day! 

To our delight on this Sunday morning, our morning wake up call was no different than any other day...(that's a joke btw) so after an hour of coaxing our son to sit and watch a show on the television to give us a chance to awake (in the dark no less!), we decided it was time for us all to begin our day as well.

After the usual play in his playroom, house clean up from the night before, showers and dress...I thought what appeared to be a beautiful morning arising deserved some classical music to go along with it.  I turned on a classical channel that plays beautiful tunes, cranked up the volume, and watched Park go from wandering from toy to toy, room to room, to leading me to his art closet wanting to paint.  What a grand a idea!

We got out his paints and brushes, got him set up and watched as he played with the colors and textures, learned that he needed to hold the paper down with one hand while painting with his other, and blended the colors to produce what can only be described as a masterpiece:)

I mean REALLY...don't you think this belongs in the Chicago Museum of Modern Art!

So to end my note on my child's energy and painting to music:

The importance of creativity through the arts and music can easily be forgotten in the jumble of what we call parenthood.  If you have a child, like me, that has a ton of energy just needing to be released...I find this to be a great tool to put that energy to creative use.  It is never to early to expose your children to the arts and in doing so, what a great reminder of how much YOU enjoy them too!

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend,

Mommy Bridget

Healthy Home Tips Halloween Tips | Environmental Working Group

With Halloween coming up in a few weeks, some of you like me have begun pulling out your festive decorations and thinking about costumes for your little ones.  In planning the upcoming holiday, the Environmental Working Group has some great healthy home tips for "greening" your Halloween.  Such tips include using non-toxic cosmetics, handing out better for you candy versus the unhealthy alternative, staying away from candle burning (which creates toxic air in your home) and using natural home decor.  
For more information, click below for the link:

Healthy Home Tips Halloween Tips | Environmental Working Group

~Curious Mommy

Smoothies to the Rescue

My son has always been a picky eater.  Even though I've attempted introductions to many wonderful foods since Park began eating solids, he remains a very choice food consumer.  He loves fruit, which is great not only because of its health benefits but I know he is getting many nutrients from those foods versus processed items.  He also likes whole grain bread and oatmeal, some cheese and turkey hot dogs...but that's about it.  I've tried time and time again to make a vegetable for him that should be appealing to anyone and he always declines.  He won't even give it a try. 

A friend of mine (thanks Ginger:) suggested I whip up a smoothie for him since he LOVES smoothies with yogurt, vanilla soy milk and lots and lots of fruit...and add veggies to that.  Apparently the vegetables can go unnoticed by a 2-year old.  So I gave it a whirl over the weekend and to our delight (and surprise), he loved it!  We all loved it!

Below is what I put in for ingredients:

• 1 cup vanilla yogurt
• half of a banana
• 4 large frozen strawberries
• handful of blueberries
• 1 cup vanilla soy milk
• lots of spinach
• 2 tablespoons ground flax seed

He gobbled it down.  I can't wait to try other vegetables!  So for anyone who is having trouble getting your child to eat certain foods, I highly recommend this Mommy method of sneakiness...

~Mommy Bridget

Charlie's Soap Review and Giveaway-ends 10/15

I had the great opportunity to review Charlie's Laundry Powder and handy stain remover/All-Purpose Cleaner.  When I began cloth diapering my son, I also began my search for safe to use products to clean his diapers.  During a play date with a friend, I asked her what product she used to clean her diapering system and she told me about Charlie's Soap.  That was the day I was introduced to their wonderful products.

Charlie's Soap company began in the 1970's in an old barn where two brothers came up with the soap's simple and natural ingredients.  Today, Charlie's Soap can be found all over the globe. From the US to Japan to the UK, Charlie's Soap has proven to be an effective natural laundry soap that's safe to use for you and the environment.

Charlie's Laundry Powder is safe even for sensitive skin so it's safe to use on everything including your baby's goods.  It's also hypoallergenic, biodegradable, and HE compatible.  Only one tablespoon is needed of Charlie's Laundry Powder to effectively clean a large load of wash!  Unlike many laundry detergents that only cover up stains and bad odors, Charlie's Soap's coconut based ingredients and Green River washing soda effectively lifts stains, brightens colors and removes nasty odor.  


I used Charlie's Laundry Powder for one week on all of our laundry items including our whites, our linens and our cloth diapers.  After washing, our clothes and linens were crisp and clean without the leftover soapy residue and artificial smell of perfume (which my entire family is sensitive to).  Charlie's Laundry Powder lives up to the test of being a great laundry soap for all of my family's laundry needs!

I also had the opportunity to review Charlie's Soap's All-Purpose Cleaner and stain remover.  This 4 oz. bottle is just the perfect size for my purse...as soon as a stain appears on a clothing item or on my car seats, I can pull it out and use it immediately.  In the wash, the stain remover adds to the power of Charlie's Laundry Powder to  help lift those stubborn stains.  

Charlie's Soap products are a proven effective method for cleaning your laundry items and removing stains.  Non-toxic, environmentally friendly and easy on your wallet, Charlie's Soap products are a must have item for all your household's laundry needs.

Thank you to Charlie's Soap for the wonderful opportunity to review their natural products made in the US.  I highly recommend, just as my friend did to me, that you give their products a try.  You will be amazed at the results!


Buy it:    
You can purchase Charlie's Soap online here or at any one of their retail locations.  To find a location near you, click here.  

Win it:  

Charlie's Soap is giving away a 17 oz. bottle of All-Purpose Cleaner, an 80 load bag of laundry powder, and a grocery tote bag to one lucky winner on The Curious Case of Mommyhood!

To enter:

***REMEMBER: POST A COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY***

***Also, remember to leave your email address with your comments so you can be reached*** 

Subscribe to my blog (located on the left side of my home page) and tell me what laundry soap you currently use.  This is MANDATORY to enter the giveaway.

You also have the opportunity for additional entries (one each) if you do any of the following:

• follow The Curious Case of Mommyhood on Google Follower
• tell me why Charlie's Soap is better for the environment than regular detergent
  
• like The Curious Case of Mommyhood on Facebook
• fan Charlie's Soap on Facebook
• repost this giveaway on your facebook page and post the link with your entry
• follow The Curious Mommy on Twitter

Again, please be sure to leave your email address with each entry.

You have until October 15th at midnight to enter.

Good luck to you all,

Mommy Bridget

Fisher-Price recalls more than 11 million kid products - timesfreepress.com

Fisher-Price recalled millions of their trikes and high chairs. For all of the parents out there, click below to see if you need to return one of their products:

Fisher-Price recalls more than 11 million kid products - timesfreepress.com

Mommy Bridget