Congratulations to Heidi Lewis, the winner of the Peter Rabbit Organic's giveaway!!!
Thank you to everyone for entering this wonderful giveaway and please watch for the sponsor's new products to make their way all over the US!
Mommy Bridget
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
CSN Stores Review- Boon Frog Pod Bath Toy Storage
When I was approached about doing another review for CSN Stores online, I was so excited. CSN Stores represent over 200 online stores and therefore carry absolutely anything and everything you are looking to buy. From naturally made products for your entire family to clothing apparel to toys to luggage to home office desks...they really have it all!
CSN Stores, a Boston based company, ships products all over the US and Canada. Below are just a few of their many stores available online:
Search their products by entering in keywords and you'll be amazed at what you find! My personal favorite, search word "environmentally friendly" under "baby products" and see what you find...everything imaginable! Their products are really quite "top notch", including many modern and contemporary products in design...as if they've personally reviewed each and every product before marketing them.
A great benefit from ordering off of CSN Stores online, and many shopper's favorite part about the company, is that the prices are competitive. I discovered this by researching products I've purchased off of other online web sites. One product I've been eying for sometime is the Boon Frog Bath Toy Storage. We really needed a good bath storage system for all of our son's bath toys and one that will allow for the toys to dry properly. This particular storage system by Boon was everything we were looking for and more...and so I decided this would be a fantastic product to review.
Features:
- Comes with adhesive strips for easy application
- Makes bath time clean-up fun & easy
- Drainable scoop allows for collecting and rinsing of toys
- Keeps bath products safely out of reach
- Stores & organizes bath accessories
- Reduces mold & mildew
- Toys,sponges and bottles NOT included
- Featured on HGTV and in countless magazines!
- Award winning: iParenting Media Award Winner Best Products of 2007, Preemie Magazine's Cool Stuff Award Winner 2006, JPMA Innovations Award Winner 2005, Baby Zone Amazing Toy Awards 2005
You can find CSN Stores news and store updates on Facebook and Twitter. Plus, you can visit their blog for sweet savings and special deals.
We are quite satisfied with our multiple experiences with CSN Stores. Go ahead and check out their web site. They have EVERYTHING you could possibly want and need and with so much to choose from, you will forever be hooked! Next time you are in the market for a new item for your household or are looking for that perfect gift, check out what they have available on any one of their 200+ convenient online stores. You'll be amazed at what you find!
Thank you to CSN Stores for providing us with this great product for review.
Bridget James
(author of) The Curious Case of Mommyhood
The Boon Frog Pod Bath Toy Storage was provided to me by CSN Stores for review. All opinions on the product are purely my own. (for a full disclosure, see my "Reviews" page)
The Boon Frog Pod Bath Toy Storage was provided to me by CSN Stores for review. All opinions on the product are purely my own. (for a full disclosure, see my "Reviews" page)
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Just 2 Days Remain to Enter the Peter Rabbit Organic's Giveaway!!!
Hello everybody,
just wanted to remind you all that there are just 2 days left to enter the Peter Rabbit Organic's giveaway. They are giving away a 12 pack of their organic fruit and veggie puree snacks. These are wonderful and healthy snacks for your little ones to enjoy!!! I highly recommend them.
Click here to enter the giveaway. Ends 3/11 at midnight.
Good luck to you all,
Mommy Bridget
Click here to enter the giveaway. Ends 3/11 at midnight.
Good luck to you all,
Mommy Bridget
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
For Breastfeeding Moms?
I received a nice hospital gift from our "friends" at Enfamil last week. After looking at it more carefully, I realized what I had on my hands. So I thought I would share it with you.
This is wrong on so many different levels. But being as I clearly don't have the time to get into this in more detail, I thought the pictures would suffice.
Hey, I scored a really great reusable bag out of the gift!
~Curious Mommy
Monday, March 7, 2011
Kids Say the Darnest Things
Just this morning, my husband and I were discussing how children say the most outrageous things. Coincidentally, we heard some hilarious comments the same day. Below is what I was asked from my sweet and observant little nieces:
My 5 year old niece asked me how my baby "got out of my belly" to be here with us. I realized right away that I had no idea how to answer that one so I looked at my brother (her Dad) to answer the question. Instead, he quickly got up and left the room and left me hanging with cute little eyes on me patiently awaiting the answer...go figure.
My other niece who is 4 years old commented when she saw me, I thought you were supposed to be skinny now. I guess I have some work to do:)
Park was kissing his brother the first day (and every day after) we brought Jude home. After he finished kissing his head, he licked his lips and said Mmmmmmm. I told Park that I thought so too!
Hope you are all well,
~Mommy Bridget
My 5 year old niece asked me how my baby "got out of my belly" to be here with us. I realized right away that I had no idea how to answer that one so I looked at my brother (her Dad) to answer the question. Instead, he quickly got up and left the room and left me hanging with cute little eyes on me patiently awaiting the answer...go figure.
My other niece who is 4 years old commented when she saw me, I thought you were supposed to be skinny now. I guess I have some work to do:)
Park was kissing his brother the first day (and every day after) we brought Jude home. After he finished kissing his head, he licked his lips and said Mmmmmmm. I told Park that I thought so too!
Hope you are all well,
~Mommy Bridget
Friday, March 4, 2011
Birth Story
I am proud to say that we have now welcomed our new son into this world. Julian (Jude) Marshall James was born on Tuesday, March 1st, 2011 at 6:30 am. After what felt like a long day of indecisive labor, our new love blessed us with a peaceful entrance into this world. A whopping 9 lbs. 2 oz., little Jude is truly a blessing to everyone in his life. This is the story of how Jude made it to us...
On Monday morning, I awoke to some mild cramping and a concern of whether or not my water had broken slightly throughout the night. As everyone who has been pregnant knows, frequent trips to the bathroom throughout the night are a necessity...especially in late pregnancy. But even after my 3rd trip, I still awoke to wet pajama bottoms and thought maybe my labor was about to begin. I called my midwife and made an appointment to come go in to confirm.
I got in to see my midwife right away that morning only to be told that I tested negative for my water breaking. I was a little embarrassed because, well, let's face it. I must have leaked urine in my sleep. So I went back home and continued my day with the continuous thought that any day now, my son would be ready to come. I have been feeling my body prepare for weeks. And although I was still a week early, I knew that the time was drawing very near.
At 2 pm, just minutes after I fell asleep for our nap time, I was jolted by a strong contraction. Immediately following just this one contraction, I knew that labor was going to begin. This contraction was much different than the ones I'd been having for weeks and it followed with a lot of cramping. So I got up and began to prepare. I called my husband and told him to head home. I called my doula, Lena, and told her what was going on. And we called my mother in law to let her know Park would be needing her for the next day or so.
Everyone got to the house by 6 pm where my contractions had still been coming and coming on stronger but were extremely inconsistent. I was beginning to doubt whether labor would continue to progress or whether it was just a practice day. Everyone stuck around and we got prepared just in case. Marshall and our doula went through what to expect and how to handle scenarios...thank you so much Lena!!! And Grandma and Park played and did their own thing. I continued to go about my day, resting when I had the chance and trying to relax during the contractions.
By 10 or 11that night, I was exhausted from the day and with it being my normal bed time, I desperately wanted to lie down and get some rest. At the same time, I was worried that if I did rest...my contractions would subside and I really wanted to continue with my labor. So Marshall and I went for a walk outside. Then we came back and decided to get some rest. For the next few hours, we lay in bed. We slept in between my contractions then breathed through each one...only to quickly fall back asleep when it was over. I quit keeping track of how far apart my contractions were and how long they were lasting. I was just so exhausted and really wanted to be relaxed enough in my mind and body to tolerate the pain from the contractions. Finally, around 1:30 am, I realized my contractions were coming every 6-7 minutes consistently so I woke everyone up and decided I wanted to head up to the hospital in Park City. I let my midwife know I was headed up and we left shortly thereafter.
By the time we were checked in to the hospital, I was dilated to a 3/4. I continued to labor for another 4 hours...finding any way to ease the discomfort by utilizing what the hospital had on hand for laboring mothers. I tried the bath, the toilet, the bed, and the birthing ball. But mostly, I relied on my body to tell me what was comfortable and productive and the I tried to remain focused. My husband was a wonderful support along with my doula Lena, our midwife Danielle (of course!) and the rest of the hospital staff. We had the greatest staff a girl could ever ask for!
By around 6:15 a.m., I was quite miserable, my contractions were so painful I can't even describe them and they were very close together. My midwife checked me and told me I was dilated to a 9. Yippee!!! I was so ecstatic about making it that far. She decided to break my water since that was pretty much the only thing keeping my baby from descending faster. The minute, no second, she did so...my baby was there and ready to begin his final descent. My midwife told me to sit on the toilet for a few more contractions then we would try the birthing stool. If you've ever sat on a toilet during contractions, you would know how productive it works. It opens you up and relaxes you just enough to get the process on the right track and get you on your way. As painful as it was, I tried to relax my pelvic area more than I've ever done so in the past just to make the contractions their full worth.
As soon as I did so, my contractions were insane! I felt my son move RIGHT where he needed to be and felt this overwhelming urge to push. When I say overwhelming, I mean the only pain at that point was that urge. Holding back from it was so painful, I let out quite the animalistic screams and moans. I couldn't even stop it if I tried...but you would never want to. I told them I wanted to push and made my way to the birthing stool.
So I made it to the birthing stool where my midwife sat in front of it and my husband behind. I leaned my body back and rested my arms on my husbands thighs. Apparently, the stool opens your pelvic area up perfectly...and it did. I let out a few more screams of urgency that I had no control over. My body was in effect pushing my son out during those screams. And trying to hold back from it in anyway was 100 times more painful than any contractions.
You always hear about the "ring of fire" or how the most pain felt during pushing is when the head of the baby begins to emerge. For me, I didn't feel any of that. In fact, I could have cared less about the pain caused from my baby coming out of me. The pain TRULY was for me NOT being able to let him come out quickly enough. My midwife explained to me to let my body take over, to listen to what it was telling me and just let it do what was necessary. In my case, my body was telling me to push and scream and don't stop. My midwife told me to slow down because she didn't want me to tear...but I felt like I couldn't. My doula got in my ear and told me to listen to her carefully and do as she said. She told me to breath fast while my midwife got my perineum pushed back just enough so not to tear. I did that...I don't know how I was able to resist the urge to push, but I did. And as soon as she was finished getting my body ready for the baby to emerge, my midwife told me to "gently" nudge him out. I did that and as fast as we had begun the final endeavor, my son was there. It was so crazy, I didn't even realize that that was it! Marshall and I reached down and grabbed out baby Jude. It was so surreal, so amazing, so much that I cannot even explain. And the minute he was born, any ounce of pain/discomfort I had felt before had suddenly disappeared. It really felt like nothing had ever happened.
I've always been supportive of woman's choices in their birthing, even if I disagree with all the unnecessary interventions and inductions. Because we are all entitled to the same respect and honor as any mother who endures pregnancy and childbirth. But I MUST say, because I wouldn't be true to myself if I didn't and because I've experienced both, that natural childbirth is far more productive and much much healthier and safer for the mother and the baby, the experience more real, and the outcome its full potential. I will forever be a natural childbirth advocate. I know that some births must take different turns, such as mine did with my son Park. And often times those changes to birth plans are done with the best of intentions and for the safety of everyone involved. But all too often natural childbirth is ignored in this country. It's the norm to do so. It's common to have an episiotomy, to have drugs to induce a very abnormal labor and to schedule unnecessary c-sections. To deny yourself and your child the chance at what nature truly only intended is completely devastating in all aspects..
Although a little on the tired side, I physically feel amazing. I never tore, despite the size of my baby (9 pounds!) I never received an epidural or pitocin, which I know the effects from since I had an epidural with Park and pitocin following to help shrink my uterus back. I feel like I could go outside in this beautiful day and exercise, although I know I must refrain from until my body is healed. My spirit has been rejuvenated. My son is a very peaceful little boy, sleeping well and relaxing easily. And as my midwife commented, why shouldn't he be? He was brought into this world in a very calming way and into a very calming environment.
I feel so blessed for this experience, for my beautiful family and for the wonderful support system I was given during pregnancy, labor and deliver and after. Thank you to all for your kind words and unending support.
Your truly,
Mommy Bridget
On Monday morning, I awoke to some mild cramping and a concern of whether or not my water had broken slightly throughout the night. As everyone who has been pregnant knows, frequent trips to the bathroom throughout the night are a necessity...especially in late pregnancy. But even after my 3rd trip, I still awoke to wet pajama bottoms and thought maybe my labor was about to begin. I called my midwife and made an appointment to come go in to confirm.
I got in to see my midwife right away that morning only to be told that I tested negative for my water breaking. I was a little embarrassed because, well, let's face it. I must have leaked urine in my sleep. So I went back home and continued my day with the continuous thought that any day now, my son would be ready to come. I have been feeling my body prepare for weeks. And although I was still a week early, I knew that the time was drawing very near.
At 2 pm, just minutes after I fell asleep for our nap time, I was jolted by a strong contraction. Immediately following just this one contraction, I knew that labor was going to begin. This contraction was much different than the ones I'd been having for weeks and it followed with a lot of cramping. So I got up and began to prepare. I called my husband and told him to head home. I called my doula, Lena, and told her what was going on. And we called my mother in law to let her know Park would be needing her for the next day or so.
Everyone got to the house by 6 pm where my contractions had still been coming and coming on stronger but were extremely inconsistent. I was beginning to doubt whether labor would continue to progress or whether it was just a practice day. Everyone stuck around and we got prepared just in case. Marshall and our doula went through what to expect and how to handle scenarios...thank you so much Lena!!! And Grandma and Park played and did their own thing. I continued to go about my day, resting when I had the chance and trying to relax during the contractions.
By 10 or 11that night, I was exhausted from the day and with it being my normal bed time, I desperately wanted to lie down and get some rest. At the same time, I was worried that if I did rest...my contractions would subside and I really wanted to continue with my labor. So Marshall and I went for a walk outside. Then we came back and decided to get some rest. For the next few hours, we lay in bed. We slept in between my contractions then breathed through each one...only to quickly fall back asleep when it was over. I quit keeping track of how far apart my contractions were and how long they were lasting. I was just so exhausted and really wanted to be relaxed enough in my mind and body to tolerate the pain from the contractions. Finally, around 1:30 am, I realized my contractions were coming every 6-7 minutes consistently so I woke everyone up and decided I wanted to head up to the hospital in Park City. I let my midwife know I was headed up and we left shortly thereafter.
By the time we were checked in to the hospital, I was dilated to a 3/4. I continued to labor for another 4 hours...finding any way to ease the discomfort by utilizing what the hospital had on hand for laboring mothers. I tried the bath, the toilet, the bed, and the birthing ball. But mostly, I relied on my body to tell me what was comfortable and productive and the I tried to remain focused. My husband was a wonderful support along with my doula Lena, our midwife Danielle (of course!) and the rest of the hospital staff. We had the greatest staff a girl could ever ask for!
By around 6:15 a.m., I was quite miserable, my contractions were so painful I can't even describe them and they were very close together. My midwife checked me and told me I was dilated to a 9. Yippee!!! I was so ecstatic about making it that far. She decided to break my water since that was pretty much the only thing keeping my baby from descending faster. The minute, no second, she did so...my baby was there and ready to begin his final descent. My midwife told me to sit on the toilet for a few more contractions then we would try the birthing stool. If you've ever sat on a toilet during contractions, you would know how productive it works. It opens you up and relaxes you just enough to get the process on the right track and get you on your way. As painful as it was, I tried to relax my pelvic area more than I've ever done so in the past just to make the contractions their full worth.
As soon as I did so, my contractions were insane! I felt my son move RIGHT where he needed to be and felt this overwhelming urge to push. When I say overwhelming, I mean the only pain at that point was that urge. Holding back from it was so painful, I let out quite the animalistic screams and moans. I couldn't even stop it if I tried...but you would never want to. I told them I wanted to push and made my way to the birthing stool.
So I made it to the birthing stool where my midwife sat in front of it and my husband behind. I leaned my body back and rested my arms on my husbands thighs. Apparently, the stool opens your pelvic area up perfectly...and it did. I let out a few more screams of urgency that I had no control over. My body was in effect pushing my son out during those screams. And trying to hold back from it in anyway was 100 times more painful than any contractions.
You always hear about the "ring of fire" or how the most pain felt during pushing is when the head of the baby begins to emerge. For me, I didn't feel any of that. In fact, I could have cared less about the pain caused from my baby coming out of me. The pain TRULY was for me NOT being able to let him come out quickly enough. My midwife explained to me to let my body take over, to listen to what it was telling me and just let it do what was necessary. In my case, my body was telling me to push and scream and don't stop. My midwife told me to slow down because she didn't want me to tear...but I felt like I couldn't. My doula got in my ear and told me to listen to her carefully and do as she said. She told me to breath fast while my midwife got my perineum pushed back just enough so not to tear. I did that...I don't know how I was able to resist the urge to push, but I did. And as soon as she was finished getting my body ready for the baby to emerge, my midwife told me to "gently" nudge him out. I did that and as fast as we had begun the final endeavor, my son was there. It was so crazy, I didn't even realize that that was it! Marshall and I reached down and grabbed out baby Jude. It was so surreal, so amazing, so much that I cannot even explain. And the minute he was born, any ounce of pain/discomfort I had felt before had suddenly disappeared. It really felt like nothing had ever happened.
I've always been supportive of woman's choices in their birthing, even if I disagree with all the unnecessary interventions and inductions. Because we are all entitled to the same respect and honor as any mother who endures pregnancy and childbirth. But I MUST say, because I wouldn't be true to myself if I didn't and because I've experienced both, that natural childbirth is far more productive and much much healthier and safer for the mother and the baby, the experience more real, and the outcome its full potential. I will forever be a natural childbirth advocate. I know that some births must take different turns, such as mine did with my son Park. And often times those changes to birth plans are done with the best of intentions and for the safety of everyone involved. But all too often natural childbirth is ignored in this country. It's the norm to do so. It's common to have an episiotomy, to have drugs to induce a very abnormal labor and to schedule unnecessary c-sections. To deny yourself and your child the chance at what nature truly only intended is completely devastating in all aspects..
Although a little on the tired side, I physically feel amazing. I never tore, despite the size of my baby (9 pounds!) I never received an epidural or pitocin, which I know the effects from since I had an epidural with Park and pitocin following to help shrink my uterus back. I feel like I could go outside in this beautiful day and exercise, although I know I must refrain from until my body is healed. My spirit has been rejuvenated. My son is a very peaceful little boy, sleeping well and relaxing easily. And as my midwife commented, why shouldn't he be? He was brought into this world in a very calming way and into a very calming environment.
I feel so blessed for this experience, for my beautiful family and for the wonderful support system I was given during pregnancy, labor and deliver and after. Thank you to all for your kind words and unending support.
Your truly,
Mommy Bridget
Eco Clean Review and Giveaway-ends 3/18
Eco Clean Review and Giveaway- ends 3/18
Having trouble finding good cleaning products that are safe to use in your home? Are you also having trouble finding safe cleaning products that work well in cleaning even the dirtiest of jobs and are the cost of those cleaning products troubling to your wallet? Eco Clean has a solution. How about cleaning products made from plant and sugar based surfactants and essential oils that work exceptionally well AND are available at a reasonable cost! Eco Clean's products were made with the heart of an individual devoted to creating sustainable and responsible products for you. Eco Clean, a Scandinavian based company, is committed to their non-toxic and eco-friendly cleaning products for you and your home.
Eco Clean's products are manufactured in a SWAN certified factory:
The Swan is the symbol of the Nordic environmental labeling system and has been around since 1989. In Sweden SIS Miljömärkning AB is responsible for awarding the Nordic environmental symbol – the Swan. Nordic environmental labeling was set up to benefit the environment by providing guidelines for consumers that wish to buy products that have the least impact on the environment. The primary goal of the Swan Certificate is to promote the development of environmentally friendly products and services. Swan certified products must fulfill stringent criteria that guarantee that the products cause less negative impact on the environment than other similar products. The product’s entire lifespan is taken into account, from raw material to rubbish.
They are packaged in fully recyclable PET bottles, are biodegradable and safe to use in your home. They contain no parabens, phosphates, bleach, ammonia or petro chemicals. Eco Clean is truly a remarkable company that produces earth friendly remarkable products!
I had the wonderful opportunity to review these indigenous Denmark cleaning products in my home:
Eco Clean's products are manufactured in a SWAN certified factory:
The Swan is the symbol of the Nordic environmental labeling system and has been around since 1989. In Sweden SIS Miljömärkning AB is responsible for awarding the Nordic environmental symbol – the Swan. Nordic environmental labeling was set up to benefit the environment by providing guidelines for consumers that wish to buy products that have the least impact on the environment. The primary goal of the Swan Certificate is to promote the development of environmentally friendly products and services. Swan certified products must fulfill stringent criteria that guarantee that the products cause less negative impact on the environment than other similar products. The product’s entire lifespan is taken into account, from raw material to rubbish.
They are packaged in fully recyclable PET bottles, are biodegradable and safe to use in your home. They contain no parabens, phosphates, bleach, ammonia or petro chemicals. Eco Clean is truly a remarkable company that produces earth friendly remarkable products!
- Eco Clean Glass Cleaner
- Eco Clean Hand Wash in Grapefruit and Lemon
- Eco Clean All-Purpose Cleaner
- Eco Clean Kitchen Counter Top
Eco Clean's hand wash works well without drying out your hands. They are free of allergens, are all natural, organic, vegan free, non toxic and biodegradable. This hand wash comes in 3 scents:
- wild fruit
- grapefruit and lemon
- lavender
Eco Clean's kitchen counter top cleaner was also extremely effective in getting rid of those typical kitchen messes. A good cleaner that works in wiping up countertops and stove tops from the cooking messes is a necessity and Eco Clean's kitchen cleaner definitely gets the job done! Made from the highest quality sugar surfactant derived from the fatty acids of plants, D-Glucopyranose, this cleaner has exceptional cleaning properties, is compatible with sensitive skin and is pH balanced. It works well on many surfaces including ceramic, stove tops, sinks, tile, cabinets, marble, glass and vinyl.
And Eco Clean's All-Purpose Cleaner is a suitable cleaner for all around your house! I used this cleaner on my furniture, my bathroom counter tops, on my doors and anything else that needed dusting and a great wipe down. This cleaner not only left my house cleaner, it also left a pleasant scent but without the harmful residue and gas vapors typically found in many common household cleaners.
Buy it:
You can purchase Eco Clean products online at Alice.com, Amazon.com, Duane Reade Stores and at www.ecocleanscandinavia.com.
Win it:
Eco Clean is giving away an all-purpose cleaner, a glass cleaner and a hand soap to one lucky winner on The Curious Case of Mommyhood!!! Open to US residents only.
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 all purpose cleaner you currently use in your home. 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
- "like" Eco Clean on Facebook and tell them I sent you on their wall
- "like" The Curious Case of Mommyhood on Facebook
- repost this giveaway on your Facebook page and post the link with your entry
- follow The Curious Mommy on Twitter
- follow Eco Clean on Twitter
Again, please be sure to leave your email address with each entry. This is the only way to ensure you are given credit for your entry on random.org.
You have until March 18th at midnight to enter.
I want to thank Eco Clean for the opportunity to review their really effective, non-toxic cleaning products. I truly value companies such as Eco Clean for the devotion to creating sustainable and responsible products for our planet and its inhabitants.
Bridget James
(author of) The Curious Case of Mommyhood
(All products for this review were supplied to me by Eco Clean. All opinions in this review are purely my own. Please see my Disclosure under my "Reviews" Page for more information.)
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