1-Year Parents Magazine Subscription Giveaway!

One of my favorite magazines is Parents Magazine.  I've had a subscription for about 2.5 years now and have loved receiving this magazine.  From pregnancy, toddler-hood through pre-school, Parents Magazine has helpful and informative articles for all of the stages of your little one.  There are fun craft projects and recipes in every issue!  So, there's simply something for everyone in your family!  A subscription to Parents Magazine would make a wonderful gift for any expectant mom!  There's actually a limited time offer being offered by Parents Magazine where you can receive 2-years FREE!  Simply pay for a 1-year subscription and receive 2 years FREE!  Click here for the details!  If you would like to WIN a 1-year subscription, I'm about to give one away.  Finish reading this blog posting for your chance to win!

The holidays are quickly approaching!  To help you with all of your festive celebrations, Parents Magazine has a special feature, "100 Days of Holidays!"  Sign up for the "100 Days of Holidays" newsletter and receive e-mails featuring yummy recipes, craft projects and many more ideas to make your holiday season extra fun and special for your entire family!  Click here to sign up for the "100 Days of Holidays" e-newsletter!

So, let's give away a 1-year subscription to Parents Magazine!  I'm using Rafflecopter for the and there are TWO Mandatory Entries with the other entries as "extras."  This giveaway will run Monday, September 26th, until Monday, October 3rd.  The giveaway will close on Monday, October 3rd at 11:59 PM (CST).  The winner will be chosen at random by Rafflecopter and will be contacted via e-mail.  The winner will have 24 hours to respond, otherwise I will pick another "chic momma!"  This giveaway is open to US residents only.  Thank you and good luck! 

P.S. - This giveaway is solely sponsored by Toni The Chic Momma.  I'm just being nice by giving something away and have received no compensation!  Thanks for reading and stopping by!

Saline Soothers Giveaway!

Fall is here!   I love this time of the year, but sometimes my nose doesn't share my same beloved affection for the season.  Oklahoma weather is known for being flip-floppy.  We'll have a rainy, cool day only to have a warm and humid day the next.  I remember one time in high school where I wore shorts to school and by that evening when I was attending the Friday night football game, I was wearing a coat, hat and gloves as it was snowing.  There's a popular saying that if you don't like the weather in Oklahoma, just wait a minute and it's bound to change.  So, when I received my Saline Soothers in the mail, the timing was perfect.  Last Friday was a chilly, rainy day and by the weekend warm weather had returned.  In the morning, my nose has definitely been suffering because of back-and-forth weather changes and the tender skin around my nose is starting to become red and raw.

As you know, I have used Boogie Wipes for my little guys and if you love Boogie Wipes, then you're sure to love Saline Soothers.  Saline Soothers are brought to you by the makers of the famous Boogie Wipes and are meant for more mature, distinguished noses!  I have to admit, I have used my sons' Boogie Wipes myself and am thrilled with their newest product, Saline Soothers.  Here's the low down on Saline Soothers from the Saline Soother's Official Web Site:

• Saline (Sodium Chloride) is a mineral found naturally in the earth that excels at dissolving mucus when used in the right concentration.
•  Building on the proven effectiveness of saline, the makers of Boogie Wipes have created Saline Soothers Moisturizing Nose Wipes.
• Dry tissues can chap your nose and those with aloe can leave a filmy residue on your skin. Not so with Saline Soothers.
• Pre-moistened with natural saline, vitamin E, and aloe, Saline Soothers are designed to do just that – soothe.
• Saline cleans and helps dissolve mucus, while moisturizing aloe and vitamin E keep your nose looking and feeling up to snuff.
• Hypoallergenic and alcohol free. Like Boogie Wipes, Saline Soothers come in three refreshing scents: Cool Menthol, Fragrance Free, and Light Lavender.

 

Check out the Saline Soothers YouTube Video!

I have been using the Fragrance Free Saline Soothers and they have definitely helped my nose feel better.  Saline Soothers are so much better then a plain tissue and the 15-count packets are convenient for your purse, diaper bag or brief case.  With cold and flu season quickly approaching, Saline Soothers should be on the top of your grocery store list.  You can buy Saline Soothers at Wal-Mart, Walgreens and other fine retailers.  Visit www.salinesoothers.com to search for a location near you!

So, let's give away some Saline Soothers!  One lucky winner will win TWO packs 15-count Fragrance Free Saline Soothers.  Many thanks to Boogie Wipes and Saline Soothers for sponsoring this awesome giveaway!

I'm using Rafflecopter for the first time and am looking forward to using it for my future giveaways!  There are TWO Mandatory Entries and the other entries are simply extras.  This giveaway will run Monday, September 19th, until Monday, October 3rd.  The giveaway will close on Monday, October 3rd at 11:59 PM (CST).  The winner will be chosen at random by Rafflecopter and will be contacted via e-mail.  The winner will have 48 hours to respond, otherwise I will pick another "chic momma!"  This giveaway is open to US residents only.  Thank you and good luck! 

P.S. - This review/giveaway is sponsored by Boogie Wipes/Saline Soothers.  I received an assortment of Saline Soothers samples and products for this review, but this review is my personal, honest opinion.  My 2 cents.  Thanks for reading and stopping by!

Happy Blogging!
Toni The Chic Momma

Finger Painting, Anyone?

I'm sure when you envision finger painting, you picture your little one playfully painting a sheet of paper or canvas with bright, vivid colors all over his fingers.  Sounds idyllic, right?  Well, my first experience with finger painting was Friday and my idea of finger painting will never, ever be the same.  So, let's get this story started from the beginning...

It was Friday after lunch time and I was letting my 2-year old son play a little more before his nap time.  My youngest was in the pack-n-play awaiting his lunch.  My plan was to let my toddler play a little longer, put him down for a nap and then get youngest fed.  I was in the living room folding laundry and my toddler had headed to his room to play.  About five minutes passed without anything amiss.  Then, it hit me.  What hit me, you may ask.  Well, a horrible stench drifted into the living room.  I immediately dropped what I was doing, headed to my toddler's room and stood at the door way in utter, complete disbelief.  Poop, yes poop, was "painted" everywhere.  Oh.  My.  Gosh.  What horror had I encountered?  I rubbed my eyes.  Surely, this must be a nightmare.  I mean, why would my precious toddler "paint" his room with the contents of his dirty diaper?  I was in shock.  What ever do I do?  My toddler's hands and feet were covered in a poop, so I picked him up and carried him into the bath room.  We have a bath seat for my youngest, but my toddler can still fit in it.  I placed my little guy in the bath seat in the empty tub and gave him a toy or two to play with.  I headed back into his bedroom to access the damage.  At the scene of the crime, I tried to make heads and tails as to what had gone down.  Apparently, my toddler did the "Boot Scootin' Boogie" across the length of the crib.  The crib sheet was coated.  When my little guy realized he wasn't totally cleaned off, he used his hands to clean his bottom and legs.  Of course, then his little hands were covered in the dirty, yucky mess.  So, in an attempt to clean his hands, he "painted" the head board of the beautiful cherry wood crib.  I guess he was satisfied with the clean-up efforts and decided to get out of the crib.  By now, his feet were covered and so as he climbed out the crib, the crib railing and slats also become encrusted with the dirty mess.  I then followed the trail of brown foot prints on the carpet which led to the window sill.  Apparently, my toddler tried scraping the gunk off of his hands using the window sill as there was evidence all over.  At some point, my toddler played with some of his toys assaulting them with the brown, yucky, dirty gunk. 

While my toddler patiently awaited in the empty bath tub, I quickly began to clean his room.  I started with the crib.  The crib sheet couldn't be saved and fortunately was the only fatality of this dirty crime.  The other victims (plush toys, carpet, walls and everything else in between) cleaned-up well and are now back to their pre-poop assault form.  After the room clean-up, I proceeded to pre-clean my little one and then finally gave him a good scrub down in a warm, soapy bath.

Just curious, but how come nobody warned me about the extreme messes I would encounter as a momma? Having a background in Real Estate, I never remember signing a disclaimer or disclosure statement!  If I signed something in the hospital, it must have been when I was still in an exhausted, drugged-up state after my emergency c-section.  Wow.  Parenthood is definitely filled with the unexpected and I never imagined myself scrubbing poop stained walls and carpets.

So, what kind of messes have you encountered with your little ones?  I'm usually not super competitive, but I dare you to beat my "finger painting" nightmare.  Wait, I double dog dare you!  But if you have some messy memoirs to share, please do so!  We mommas can always use a good laugh!

Happy Blogging!
Toni The Chic Momma

(Finger painting pics from http://www.sarahjanestudios.com and http://kiddley.com) 

Adventures in Cloth Diapering!

I have now been cloth diapering my youngest for about two weeks now.  I have been using mainly bumGenius 4.0 diapers and have loved, loved, loved them.  I also have two GroVia all-in-one cloth diapers that I purchased from Tulsa's cloth diaper store, Booty Duty Cloth Diapers.  So far, cloth diapering has been easy and non-eventful.  I have been using a disposable liner in my cloth diapers which has helped out tremendously with dirty diapers.  The clean-up as been minimal and the diapers have washed well without any staining.  Sounds funny, but I know my little one's "bowel routine."  So, I only use a disposable liner around those times.  Anyhow, on Saturday, my little guy had a surprise dirty diaper.  I hadn't used a disposable liner and was shocked!  I know, I know... babies have dirty diapers and I shouldn't be surprised, right?  However, I was surprised, shocked and a little concerned.  How was I going to clean this diaper and thoroughly get all of the "dirty stuff" off of it?  My husband had just walked through the door from work and when seeing my predicament, kindly volunteered to hose off the diaper outside.  OK, OK... let me clarify.  I volunteered my husband and he was sweet enough to accept!  My husband did an impeccable job hosing off the diaper.  There was a little staining, but it washed clean in the wash.  Phew! 

As I was perusing the Cotton Babies web site this morning, I came across an ingenious product.  If bumGenius wasn't genius enough, Cotton Babies has the bumGenius Diaper Sprayer!  I know that the Cotton Babies team had envisioned the above silly debacle and had me in mind when they created their bumGenius Diaper Sprayer.  Here's a little product information from Cotton Babies web site: 

• The popular design from Coolcraft is now updated with new anti-drip technology and is only available from bumGenius with full-color, fold out instructions designed to make the installation process simple from the moment you open the package.
• The diaper sprayer is a fresh way to clean soiled cloth diapers. Its high-pressure spray rinses clean even the messiest diapers. The mess goes where it is supposed to go - and your hands stay clean.
• During potty training, the sprayer is perfect for rinsing potty chairs. 
• The adjustable spray is gentle enough to be used for personal hygiene after childbirth.  
• Easy to Install - no plumber needed: The bumGenius Diaper Sprayer is very easy to install. All parts and detailed instructions with high-quality pictures are included in the box. If you need help with installation, call the 800 number listed with the instructions to talk to an experienced customer service agent.  
• In the Box: One package includes sprayer, fixtures, hose, mounting clip, and full-color instructions with diagrams and pictures for easy installation. 

So, hope you have a great Monday!  If you cloth diaper, do you have any funny cloth diapering stories to share?  Surely, I'm not the only one... right?

Happy Blogging!

Toni The Chic Momma

Babble.com's "Moms Who Are Changing The World"

Some of you may know about my charitable groups, Shower of Hope Oklahoma and Shower of Hope Oklahoma - Hamil Family.  Back in May, I created Shower of Hope Oklahoma - Hamil Family as an outreach to the Hamil Family in Cashion, Oklahoma.  The Hamil Family lost their two precious boys from the May 24, 2011 Oklahoma tornadoes.  Catherine Hamil was taking shelter with her three children in the bath tub when the tornado ripped through their home.  Ryan (3) and Cole (15-months) are Heaven's newest angels.  Catherine Hamil is expecting a baby girl in October and has a 5-year old daughter, Cathleen.  As a mommy to two little boys myself, upon hearing about the Hamil's tragedy, I just felt stirred and felt led to do something.  I had to act.  I created the Facebook page, Shower of Hope Oklahoma - Hamil Family, created a blog, a Twitter page and started spreading the word by any means possible.  Many companies such as The Boppy Company, Lullaby Organics, The First Year's, The Learning Curve, BornFree, Medela, Earth Mama Angel Baby, STOKKE and other notable companies have sent donations, gifts and care packages for the Hamil Family.  We had our first delivery day to the Hamil Family on July 1st.  You can read about our "Delivery Day" here.  Many families and individuals from around the world have generously given to the Hamil Family as well and continue to send blessings to the Hamils.

We received donations above and beyond what the Hamil Family needed, such as additional high chairs, changing tables, baby clothing, toys and other baby/toddler items.  I then created Shower of Hope Oklahoma to help other families in need who were the victims of the Oklahoma tornadoes.  On July 2nd, my husband and I met with Mikaela Hulstine with Heart 4 Children Ministries, a non-profit charitable organization located in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.  Heart 4 Children Ministries was helping a family in Chickasha, Oklahoma, who were also the victims of the May 24th tornado.  Shower of Hope Oklahoma was able to bless this family by donating: A crib, crib mattress, cradle, changing table, pack-n-play, baby toys, baby/toddler clothes, high chair, umbrella stroller, a new Boppy nursing pillow, new Boppy crib sheets, new Medela bottles and other baby/toddler items!  Several items were actually items that I had won from various blog and web site giveaways.  I have been blessed by winning several giveaways and felt led to bless this family with my new baby/toddler item wins. 

The initial charitable outreach for the Hamil Family was so successful and my desire is to continue helping other families in the future who are the victims of natural disasters.  My dream has always been to have a foundation or non-profit charity, so that I could be in the position of being a blessing to others.  That dream can become a reality with your help.  I was recently nominated for the www.Babble.com "Moms Who Are Changing The World" contest.  I'm hoping to be one of the lucky winners so that I will have the resources to turn Shower of Hope Oklahoma in a 501(C)(3) non-profit charity.  I'm hoping you'll take the time to visit my nomination page and VOTE for me!  Thanks for the support!

Happy Blogging,

Toni The Chic Momma

Week of Fluff!

Last week, I wrote about receiving a "fluff" package in the mail.  I received five bumGenius cloth diapers from Cotton Babies.  You can read that blog posting here.  This blog posting is my follow-up.  My "diaper diaries," if you will.

So, it has been one week since I began my cloth diapering adventure and you know what?  Cloth diapering my 1-year old has been E.A.S.Y.  Yes, I said "easy" for you non-converts!  Honestly, truthfully EASY!  I have to admit that I was a little apprehensive when I first began cloth diapering last week.  I guess we're always a little fearful or nervous about the unknown and for me, cloth diapering was uncharted territory.  I think many of us have pre-conceived notions of what cloth diapering entails.  When many of us think of cloth diapers, we think of the cloth diapers of our mother's day or even our grandmother's day.  Let me tell you, today's cloth diapers are high tech compared to the "old" cloth diapers!  When my mother-n-law came over last week to babysit my little ones, she stood and talked to me while I was changing my youngest.  When I showed her the cloth diaper, well, let's just say that she was mighty impressed.  The bumGenius 4.0 diaper that my little one was sporting seemed like a luxury item compared to the cloth diapers my mother-n-law used on her youngest.  

I'm sure some of you are wondering about the dirty diapers.  I have to be honest, I wasn't looking forward to the first dirty diaper in a cloth diaper.  Lucky for me, my mother-n-law changed that first dirty diaper while my husband and I were gone for our "date night."  The next day, I experienced my first dirty diaper.  I had been wondering about the clean-up of dirty cloth diapers plus wondering how bad the staining might be.  I actually had purchased some GroVia disposable liners from Tulsa's newest cloth diaper store, Booty Duty Cloth Diapers, to use.  So, how was it?  Well, the disposable liner worked like a charm and pretty much caught everything.  All I had to do was flush the mess down the toilet and voila it was gone!  Now, some of the "juice" from the dirty diaper did make it onto the cloth part of the diaper.  However, it cleaned up just fine and I didn't have any staining!  Speaking of staining, drying your cloth diapers in direct sunlight will remove stains.  I picked up that helpful tidbit from the cloth diaper group I started on Facebook.  If you're in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area, check out Fluffy Bums of Tulsa.

We have still been using disposables from time-to-time and in between washes as my stash right now is quite small.  However, I'm thrilled with the cloth diapers and love the fact that I'm helping the environment by eliminating extra waste!  

If you choose to cloth diaper full-time, then awesome.  If you choose to cloth diaper part-time, awesome.  However, just changing 3 cloth diapers a day can make a huge difference.  If you visit the Cotton Babies web site, you can purchase a 3-pack of cloth diapers to join the Cotton Babies Change 3 Things Challenge.   Commit to using 3 cloth diapers a day instead of disposables for 1 year.  Every cloth diaper saves about $.25 (depending on what brand of disposables you buy). If you save $.75 a day, it may not seem like much, but those three diapers can save you approximately $260 over the upcoming year. In addition to the savings per diaper, you can save yourself time, money and gas for those emergency trips to the store when you run out of diapers.  Change you, your baby, & your planet.  When you change your BABY's diaper, YOU create a new habit, save money and prevent unnecessary waste on your PLANET.

So, I'm curious, how many of you cloth diaper?  Share your story with me and any helpful tidbits you'd like to pass on to a newbie like myself!

Happy Blogging!

Toni The Chic Momma

iPad2 Giveaway From Shari Criso!

Have you heard of the incomparable Shari Criso?  If not, you're missing out!  Per Shari's web site, "Shari  Criso is a Registered Nurse, Certified Nurse Midwife, International  Board Certified Lactation Consultant, nationally recognized parenting educator, entrepreneur, and most importantly, loving wife and proud  mother of two amazing breastfed daughters."  Let's just say, this woman does it all and does it so well!  Shari Criso also has an amazing weekly web show, My Baby Experts.

I first heard of the amazing Shari Criso through Patricia Peters the genius behind the Warm Milk Baby Hobo Convertible Diaper Bag.  I then began checking out Shari's 1-Hour Question and Answer on the Earth Mama Angel Baby Facebook page.  After attending two Q & A sessions, I decided to LIKE Shari's Facebook page.  I began to see updates from Shari's page and then saw an update for Shari's Tuesday evening show, My Baby Experts.  After one episode, I was hooked.  Shari is so knowledgeable in all things baby related and every week the topics are so informative.  Each week is filled with awesome tid-bits plus practical, useful information for parents.  The cherry on top, is that Shari's blesses viewers every week with incredible prizes simply by RSVP'ing to her weekly show and attending!  

Last month, Shari had an awesome giveaway!  Shari gave one lucky winner the chance to win their choice of an iPad2 or $500 PayPal Cash!  If that giveaway wasn't exciting enough, Shari is doing it AGAIN!  You now have another opportunity to win this fabulous prize!  Simply visit www.WinTheIPad2.com for your chance to win an iPad2 or $500 in Pay Pal Cash!

Make sure you join Shari every Tuesday evening at 9pm (EST) for

My Baby Experts!  

Happy Blogging!

Toni The Chic Momma

September Is World Alzheimer's Awareness Month

Last weekend, my mom, my sister and I participated in the Walk To End Alzheimer's.  It was our first time to participate and we had a great time.  I was thrilled to see such a great turn-out for such an awesome organization.  We participated in honor of my mom's mother, Sylvia Kelly, who was a victim of Alzheimer's and passed away on July 1, 1997.  I'm proud to report that "Team Kasey" raised $1, 275 for the Alzheimer's Association - Oklahoma and Arkansas Chapter.

September is actually World Alzheimer's Month.  The mission and vision of the Alzheimer's Association is simple: 

• MISSION: To eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.
•  VISION: A world without Alzheimer's disease.

Visit  the Alzheimer's Association web site to find out about ways to get involved with World Alzheimer's Month, including:

• Wearing purple on September 21, Alzheimer's Action Day.
• Purchasing special "World Alzheimer's Month" products to raise awareness.
• Attending an Alzheimer's Action Day event near you.

With your help, we can move toward our vision of a world without Alzheimer's disease. 

Happy Blogging,

Toni The Chic Momma