Potty Training Dance – Giveaway

March 29, 2009 By MomStart 118 Comments

Can you dance the dance, can you walk the walk? Does you baby have the wiggle in the middle. Mine sure does. She is starting to ask to go pee pee on the potty. She even asked if she could go poo poo the other night. She was so excited she ran out afterwards and told her daddy that she tried. She tried to go poo poo.

Yes we are the proud parents of a little girl that has her own potty dance. In 15 years from now she is going to kill me for writing this post. Zoe, I love you. Because of your potty dance we get to give Pull Ups away to some lucky family.

********You can win at M80:*********contest at M80 is over*******

The grand prize is a six-month supply (6 packages) of Pull-Ups and wipes.

Good luck and we can’t wait to read your stories!

The sweepstakes ends March 31st. ********now closed****

M80 has contacted me on be-half of Kimberly Clark and is offering Pull Ups to one of my readers chosen at random.

To Enter:

Go vote for your favorite potty dance.

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Filed Under: giveaway, Uncategorized

Sabra’s Mediterranean Party Giveaway Closed

March 29, 2009 By MomStart 18 Comments

Sabra is a dipping company. I haven’t had their new hummus line yet, but I will be trying it along with a log of my friends later this week. I’m very excited about it too. I already purchased all of the veggies and crackers to go with it. I was thinking about making some bread too. Lots of different things for dipping into the hummus.

About Sabra

Sabra Dipping Company makes refrigerated dips and spreads and is currently the leading manufacturer of Mediterranean style dips. Sabra’s products are not limited to hummus; they also include eggplant dips, babaganoush spreads, and salsa.

The company was founded in 1986 in Queens NY.

About Hummus

Hummus is made from the chic pea. Chic peas are tasty and healthy. Here’s why:

High soluble fiber content can reduce LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol)

Higher in protein than ground beef-without any animal fats

A good source of iron

Low in carbohydrates contains no added sugar

Dairy, trans-fat, and cholesterol free

What makes Sabra Go Mediterranean® hummus so delicious?
Sabra Go Mediterranean is committed to making authentic, freshly cooked Mediterranean foods a staple of America’s diet. To that end, our hummus is made with authentic ingredients, including:

Fresh chickpeas (not pasteurized or from a can)

Real Mediterranean sesame tahini

Authentic, imported Mediterranean herbs and spices

We all need some warmth and Sabra’s handing it out. I am hosting a party this week sponsored by Sabra and they want to give one away to one of my lucky readers.

You will receive product coupons and a gift card to purchase veggies.

To Win, You need to visit Sabra watch the commercial and tell me the name of the actor. He was on a TV series recently for a few weeks in a row.

The first person who answers correctly wins!

Filed Under: giveaway

Did you see all the green posts?

March 28, 2009 By MomStart 2 Comments

Something happened this week, I failed to write all of my green posts. Let me tell you a story.

Two weeks ago, I took my children to a play date. Then we went to a tea party. At one of the two things, I picked up some mega germs. I heard that I was not the only mother that suffered from this fate. Add those germs with a few nights of very restless sleep and I got sick. I have been having a terrible time fighting these germs. So yes, I was sick. I was able to post all of my other posts but my “green” initiative turned into more of the kind of green you really don’t want to read about on a blog.

I shall have to get to writing and I think the cold has pushed it’s way through. I’m starting to feel better, now that my husband is sick. Hopefully we won’t continually pass it from one member of the family to the other. I also intend to make it to more events this next month with my MOMS Club. I am the Historian and Newsletter editor so you would think I could get my act together.

My family is also planning on getting out and spending the day together tomorrow to try and learn about the eco green. I saw that there is a lot of fun child activities at the Green Festival. Hopefully we won’t be scared off by any crazies. You never know what you’re going to run into in Downtown Seattle.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: festival, green, Seattle

Exergen TemporalScanner Giveaway

March 28, 2009 By MomStart 184 Comments

Thanks to the Family Review Network I have the opportunity to review the Exergen TemporalScanner.

When it comes to thermometers I have tried them all. We have a thermometer that is for rectal, oral, and under the arm. We have a pacifier thermometer. I have an ear thermometer. Actually, I have two ear thermometers.

When it comes to taking the temperature of your child it is extremely difficult. If they are screaming the pacifier will not stay in their mouth long enough to take the temp. The ear is difficult with Mr. squirmy Miles my little man. My daughter always complains about the ear as well. Not only is getting their temp difficult, getting an accurate reading is difficult.

Last time my son was sick his temp was 104. I freaked out. I called the doctor and the nurses asked what I used to get the reading. They said that the best I could do was use the under the arm but I have to add a degree to it. They also told me not to worry, but if I get 104 with my new TemporalScanner, we’re going to the ER because my doctor said 105 is brain melt.

The TemporalScanner uses infrared to measure the body temperature. It uses the temporal artery which is the temp of our blood flow. It is so easy to use. You just rub it across the forehead and get the temp. It says on the directions to make sure the hair is out of the way and that you go in a straight line, but I haven’t done any of that and I have been completely satisfied with the accuracy. Heck, all I want to know is if they have a fever or not. We have been able to use it to take the temperature of the room we are in. It’s an accurate read too. It has been the least invasive way for getting their temp with the most accurate result. My kids can use it on each other and my oldest child is two. I love my kids.

You can purchase the TemporalScanner at Costco, Wal-Mart, and Babies R Us.

Just ask your pediatrician for your TAT-2000C Educational Pamphlet which includes a $5.00 (mail-in) rebate coupon good toward your purchase of a TAT-2000C ComfortSCANNER™ or TemporalScanner™ Temporal Artery Thermometer.
If your pediatrician has run out of TAT-2000C Educational Pamphlets, just click here or on the image of the pamphlet to the left and download a full copy, including the rebate coupon.

Enter to Win

Become a fan of TemporalScanner on Facebook That’s one entry

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Leave a comment for every entry and the giveaway ends April 9

Filed Under: giveaway

Aloha Friday – Best Moment

March 26, 2009 By MomStart 29 Comments

Kailani says “In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that they take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response”.

My Question:

What was the best moment you can remember?

For me, it was right after I gave birth to my daughter. I love both of my children equally, my son’s birth was so traumatic that I had to recover before I could enjoy him. But the best moment was when they laid my daughter on me after she was born.

Filed Under: aloha Friday

Da Bib Giveaway

March 26, 2009 By MomStart 67 Comments

Da Bib has entered our house. I asked for a neutral color because I wanted both of my children to be able to wear it even though I just put it on my son. The reason why my son gets to wear it all the time is because he makes the biggest messes when eating and drinking. He can not take a drink without getting liquid everywhere. His shirts are soaking wet.

Da Bib has saved us from wet clothes. Why is it better? It is better because of the collar that goes around his neck. This elastic fits comfortably and tightly around keeping his entire neck covered. So when liquid goes rolling down his neck as if he has holes in his mouth the collar absorbs the liquid. Now this saves mommy about 15 minutes in time because I don’t have to change his clothes after every snack and meal anymore.

Da Bib comes in different colors, pink, blue, yellow. Da Bib makes Da Hugs, Da Giggles, and Da Burp. Check them out.

You can win one.

Visit Da Bib and tell me what color you want and who it is for.

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Leave a comment for every entry and the giveaway ends April 7

Filed Under: giveaway, review, Uncategorized, VLog

Exciting Announcements

March 25, 2009 By MomStart 2 Comments

I have three announcements!

1. I get to be in a press interview. I’m actually nervous and can’t believe I got this invitation. The Food Network has contacted me and requested that I participate in a Bloggers Press interview with Keegan Gerhard. He is the host of the Challenge Series on Food Network. My husband and I were watching a lot of Food Network when I was pregnant with my second child and we wanted something appropriate on for my daughter. YEAH!!! What should I ask?

The purpose is to promote The Last Cake Standing which premiers on April 5. The Food Network has turned Food Network Challenge into and extreme sport. The finale is going to be a 24 hour long contest. WOW!

“Last Cake Standing super- charges our popular Food Network Challenge series to make it the toughest, longest, most extreme cake competition ever,” said Bob Tuschman, Senior Vice President, Programming and Production. “Viewers will be amazed, not just at the brilliant creations, but at the fierceness of the competition. Who knew cake decorating was an extreme sport?"

2. I am having an author visit my site. On March 31st. The Author of If Mama Don’t Laugh It Ain’t Funny Lucy Adams is brining a book and a hat to give away. She is on a blog tour and has decided to share a short story with us that is not in her book.

Lucy’s many roles as mother (of three boys and a girl), wife, daughter, educator, friend, neighbor, team mom, and carpool queen keep Lucy busy. Inspiration streams from the daily sprint around the metaphorical hamster wheel: burning meals, trying to look cool in a minivan, funeralizing deceased hermit crabs, eating pet watermelons, observing the oddities of Southern culture, dodging road rage in the grocery store, and then doing it all over again the next day.

In addition to authoring If Mama Don’t Laugh, It Ain’t Funny, Lucy writes a weekly humor column, which currently appears in three newspapers – The McDuffie Mirror, Tennessee Star Journal, and Columbia County News-Times. Lucy maintains contact with her readers through her blog, web site, www.IfMama.com, and regular e-newsletter.

3. After my cup of coffee, some sever cold medicine, breakfast and lunch and another cup of coffee I remember what that third thing was. I have a freebie for you. You can purchase for free a book called Breathless Bethany Buttercup. I am in the process of reading it and I’ll write a small review later, but I wanted to introduce it to you. This is a great resource for parents who have kids with Asthma.

Schering-Plough has partnered with the Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA) to develop Breathless Bethany Buttercup, a cute and colorful children’s storybook that uses a little girl’s story about her experience with asthma to provide information about asthma management. It’s designed to help parents talk with their kids about the importance of properly managing the condition.

My husband has Asthma and his isn’t very bad, but exercising is not his friend and as a child it was very difficult for him to participate in sports. So check out this book if you need help with your kids and sports.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

How to Mess Up your Child’s Life

March 25, 2009 By MomStart 61 Comments

What a great book title right? Most of the time when we are looking for parenting books we want to find books that will help us be better parents right? This book is great, it will defiantly give you some laughter, some I’ve seen that and some oops.

The introduction to the book is called “It’s all downhill”. It can only get worse. They start out crying but then you can raise angry, talk back, yucky stinky kids.

From the back cover:

Lazy Parents, Look No Further!

For parents intent on messing up their children in mind, body and spirit, this refreshing guide describes the “seven habits of highly defective people” (aka the seven deadly sins) that will slowly dissolve a child’s character-guaranteeing an unhappy and unproductive adult. Each chapter tackles a different deadly habit and shows parents how best to instill it in their kids. For example:

Feed an enormous ego by always rescuing children from failure. Encourage deep-seated discontentment by modeling resentment for what others have. Kindle an expressive temper by showing children how to get even when they’ve been offended. Develop a sense of greed by giving kids everything they want. Inspire laziness by doing the children’s chores yourself.

As a bonus, also included are the precautions wise parents take to avoid messing up their children. Family experts and parents of four, Olivia and Kurt Bruner know how hard conscientious parenting can be. They describe some of the most common mistakes well-meaning parents make and offer surefire strategies for making or breaking the best kids possible!

“If you want to take your healthy, normal child and turn him or her into an absolute ‘mess’-this is the book for you. We know Kurt and Olivia well, and we’ve seen what a ‘mess’ their children are-and you want your kids to be as ‘messy as their kids!”

About the Authors:

Olivia and Kurt are a husband and wife team. They have worked with Dr. Dobson and Focus on the Family. Kurt is now serving as a pastor in Dallas and is also heading up a team that is focused on improving families at home life.

There are great ideas in this book or rather terrible ideas and you will learn something or wish you didn’t find yourself in that nasty habit already ruining your child’s life. Maybe it will be, hey my neighbor’s kids do that or suffer from that kind of parenting. Or, you’ll learn how to tackle your own laziness. My daughter just likes to look at all the peas on the cover. Read Peas Mommy. She’s so cute!!

I have five to giveaway

Enter: By spilling on yourself. Tell me something you think could be done better. I’ll go first…

“I could do better by paying more attention to my children and less attention to my computer. Yes, I am guilty, I find my children will abuse my computer to get my attention and I deserve it, but my poor computer doesn’t.”

Extra Entries

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Leave a comment for every entry and the giveaway ends April 7

Filed Under: giveaway, Uncategorized

Motown meets Corneille

March 24, 2009 By MomStart 5 Comments

Before I even put the cd in to listen to I read Corneille’s story. His story is a very tragic one where he lost his family and his music is where he hid until now.

Corneille was born in Germany, but both of his parents were from Rwanda. He lived in Germany for seven years before meeting his home. He then lived in Rwanda feeling like a stranger, because of his Western upbringing. 10 years after moving there, he was lucky to survive the genocide of 1994. This was when he lost his entire family.

Instead of hating the world he decided to embrace life and the fact that his family showed him nothing but love.

“Music has been the place where i could go to hid and forget about the world. I couldn’t make sense of a majority of the things that happened to me, so i used music as a shield. But over time, music has become a vehicle to channel out everything that I’ve been keeping from myself for all these years. And the new album is definitely the most honest, real assessment of everything that’s happened in my life, because I’m not trying to hide as much.”

So now I introduce Corneille – The Birth of Corneille

Listening to his music, especially the first song Back to Life, I can hear his appreciate for the friends in Germany that took him in after he lost his family. I mean, he has lived his music. He has a soft sound and defiantly fits in with the R&B music style. I have a great appreciate for his lyrics and his music. I think that artists that are truly able to express themselves show true talent.