Mommy Time Out

Wayback Wednesday - Week 44 & Blog Hop

2012-01-24T22:14:00.002-05:00

Welcome to 2004! Here are some headlines from that year.

Facebook was launched to students from Harvard in February as a social networking site only open to them. (Look how far they have come in 8 years!) Martha Stewart was convicted of a felony. The summer Olympics were held in Athens.

Here is the #1 song from that year. I LOVE this song!

Now let's have some hopping fun! There are no rules except have fun! If you are a new follower leave me a comment so I can follow you back. Link up to your blog, facebook or twitter and if you decide to do your own Wayback post link to that so I can check it out:) Don't forget to check out my co-host Cathy Kennedy for her Wayback post too!

Skating!

2012-01-22T10:30:00.000-05:00

We have a busy day today but the most exciting thing is going to be taking the Princess skating for the first time! She is crazy excited. Now I don't skate but hubby used to, so he is going to be teaching her. I think Bella is most excited for today because it is her daddy taking her. Normally I am the one who takes her to all the extra-curricular programs. Bella has been asking to skate for a very long time. I asked her this week what she would like to do this summer. If she would like to play t-ball or soccer and she got upset with me. She said "No Mama, I want to play hockey!" LOL! I explained she could play hockey in the winter but forst she had to learn had to skate. That is when she said "I know, I need a teacher to teach me! I already said that!" LMFAO! Talk about putting me in my place.

That night I looked up skating lessons but they have already started for the winter. We explained to Bella and she was not happy with me...after all it was my fault for not taking her seriously the first 100 times she asked...but when I told her Daddy could teach her, she brightened up. We bought her skates and a helmet on Friday and she looks so cute. I wish she would let us buy her the hockey skates but she knew the white ones were "girl" skates and REFUSED to even try on the black ones. I know it'll be harder to learn (support wise) to skate in these but she's a tough girl and I know she'll eventually get it.

I can't wait to take pics to share with you.

Baby Update - 4 weeks old

2012-01-21T20:34:00.002-05:00

Gian-Michael is getting so big. We went for a check up Wednesday and found out he is 11lbs 10oz and is 24in tall! Seeing how he eats, it's not really surprising;) He eats every 2 - 3hrs. During the night I had a few great nights where he went 5hrs in between but mostly it is every 3 - 4hrs. He is not a big cryer, except for when he is hungry. He doesn't even cry for a dirty diaper. If we didn't check them, he would probably stay in a full diaper all day. Good thing we check them every hour!

Gian-Michael seems to be on track developmentally. They don't do much at this stage so it really is hard to tell. He is always looking around and seems to react to Bella's voice. We started Parent & Tot swimming this week. Because he is so small, we mostly just sway side to side in the water and I lay him on his back a lot in the water to float. He seems to like it (he didn't cry once) and now his baths seem to go a lot smoother too (he used to cry for these but now he doesn't) I can't wait for his neck to be more sturdy so we can start doing more. He does lift his head from the belly position quite a bit and holds it up for quite awhile. He will lift his head and look up at me or to the side to see what is going in around us.

Bella is doing great with him. If you read my post on Oh Baby, you will have read that I am having a few issues with her. She is looking for attention and a lot of the time it's not the right kind of attention. However, she is a great big sister. She is always wanting to hug and kiss him and is very protective of him. If I leave him crying in his crib for a little longer than usual because I am doing something else, she gets very upset and tells us to pick him up. She doesn't like to hear him cry at all.

I am still experiencing some emotional moments. They are worse on days I haven't gotten enough sleep, but I have strong support system and I know when to take a step back. I am lucky to have family that would drop everything to help me and a neighbour who is always willing to be their if I need her...Thanks Tracey!

I can't wait to see how much he changes over the next few weeks.

Not a Good Mama!

2012-01-18T20:06:00.001-05:00

New post up on Oh Baby. Check it out:)

http://www.ohbabymagazine.com/blog/not-a-good-mama/

Wayback Wednesday Week 43 & Blog Hop

2012-01-17T21:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to 2003! Here is what was in the heeadlines this year. Saddam Hussein, former President of Iraq, is captured in Tikrit by the U.S. 4th Infantry Division, Do Not Call List (in the US) starts providing consumers with an opportunity to limit telemarketing calls, Voters recall Governor Gray Davis from office and elect Arnold Schwarzenegger to succeed him.

And now the #1 song of 2003!

I'm Elmo and I Know It!

2012-01-17T09:48:00.000-05:00

I came across this very cute parody of an LMFAO song. I just had to share it. Bring the kids in, I know they'll get a kick out of it:)

EdenFantasys (adult eyes only)

2012-01-14T22:19:00.000-05:00

Have you heard of EdenFantasys? This is a great site for finding the perfect item to spice up your relationship. Whether you're looking for lingerie or "toys", you'll find it at EdenFantasys. After going through their site, I was quite surprised at just how much they have to offer. They also offer a great looking line of bath and beauty products including make up.

Now that I'm not pregnant anymore, I can't wait to be intimate with hubby. I enjoy feeling sexy and after having a baby, it's not always easy. I like buying lingerie, to help make me feel a little sexier in the boudoir. I have been through the site and I have already made a wish list of a few items I can't wait to purchase (see below pics).

Aren't these sexy???? I look forward to hubby eventually seeing me in these.

Right now is a perfect time to make purchases, with the New Year Clearance going on. You could save up to 70% on certain items.

Are you a blogger interested in learning more about EdenFantasys blogging program? They offer gift cards to bloggers for posting about the various aspects of EdenFantasys. They have a lot that can be written about, which you will see over the next few months. Check out the Eden Community for various posts and reviews that you may find that you can relate too. Keep checking out my blog for updates on the great items EdenFantasys has to offer and posts from the Eden Community.

This post is sponsored by EdenFantasys. Disclosure: “A gift card was provided to me free of charge by Eden Fantasys in exchange for an unbiased review. This review is in compliance with the FTC guidelines.”

Wayback Wednesdays - Week 42 & Blog Hop

2012-01-10T21:00:00.001-05:00

We have welcomed in a brand new year and now we welcome back Wayback Wednesdays! We go back to 2002. What was in the headlines?

Two snipers in Washington DC kill 10 people and injures 3 spreading panic and fear throughout the area. George Bush created the department of Homeland Security to fight terrorism. The Winter Olympics were held in Salt Lake City. These were ones that are most prominent in my memory. The most important memory I have from that year, is this is the year I met and started dating hubby:)

The #1 song for that year is How You Remind Me by Nickelback.

Now let's have some hopping fun! There are no rules except have fun! If you are a new follower leave me a comment so I can follow you back. Link up to your blog, facebook or twitter and if you decide to do your own Wayback post link to that so I can check it out:) Don't forget to check out my co-host Cathy Kennedy for her Wayback post too!

Playful Planet - product review

2012-01-09T15:21:00.000-05:00

I had a wonderful opportunity to review Playful Planet's Storyland Yoga for children ages 3 - 8 yrs old. What a great video to help keep our kids in shape, especially on those really cold days, where going outside just really isn't a fun option.

This DVD allows our children to use their imagination while learning some easy, basic yoga positions. They learn these positions by imitating animals in the stories being told. There are a lot of benefits to yoga for you and children.

- Good for the body & mind

- Increases oxygen intake

- Improves concentration & focus

- Increases flexibility & joint mobility

- Aids circulation, energy flow, digestion & elimination

This is a great video. I honestly wasn't sure Bella would like it but she did. She did both stories (20 mins each) and loved them! Check out the pics of her doing the exercises from Playful Planet.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Baby update - 2 weeks old

2012-01-07T22:38:00.000-05:00

Gian-Michael is officially 2 weeks old today. Life has changed but all for the better. We took him to our family doctor on Thursday for a 2nd check up (since the first was with a walk in clinic) and he is already 9lbs 14oz. He is gaining weight so quickly. He is doing very well. He is still a little yellow but we are trying to keep him close to windows so he can get some UV light that way. I took him out for a short walk today and will again tomorrow (assuming the warmer temps are still around).

Bella has been adjusting very well too. She is a great big sister. She calls Gian-Michael her baby and has nicknamed him Big Guy. Not to say she doesn't act up for attention too. We have had to speak to her a few times about broken rules but that is to be expected. We are always trying to include her in everything we do and I also try to have time for just the 2 of us. I love how protective she is of him too. The other day, I asked hubby to bring Gian-Michael downstairs with him so I can get a few extra hours of sleep (after a rather rough night) and when Bella woke up, the first thing she did was come to the bassinet to check on Gian-Michael. When she saw he wasn't there, she woke me up to find out what happened to him. She was very relieved when I told her that he was with daddy. When people ask her if they can take the baby home with them, she gets very upset and says "no he's my baby".

Breastfeeding is going very well. It is pretty exhausting because it is on demand but I can deal with the 3 - 4hr intervals that it normally is. He does seem to go through a few days where he wants to eat every hour. Those are the days I have issues with. I was worried the first few days that he wasn't ever going to latch on properly but now he's a little pro:) He is already trying to lift his head and look around.

I look at Gian-Michael and Isabella and I thank God for blessing me with 2 beautiful, healthy children.

Sorry.

2012-01-06T11:23:00.000-05:00

I feel the need to apologize for my lack of posting. With the holidays and the birth of Gian-Michael, things have been pretty hectic in our household. I plan to have things back to normal next week.

For the companies I still have to do product reviews for, they will all be up within the next week. Please be patient with me, I am still getting used to having 2 kids now;)

Piczzle - product review

2011-12-31T19:57:00.000-05:00

My little girl LOVES and I really mean LOVES to do puzzles. So when I had the opportunity to review a puzzle from Piczzle, I was thrilled. Piczzle allows you to turn your photos into a puzzle. What a great gift idea for the person who has everything.

We received a 48 piece puzzle for review. The ordering process was simple and straight forward. The site walks you through step by step and even lets you know if the resolution of your photo will work or not for the puzzle you have picked. This allows you the peace of mind to know that your puzzle will come out looking amazing.

The quality of the photo puzzle is also really good. The pieces did not feel flimsy and paperlike. This is especially good for kids like my 3 year old who always manages to rip puzzle pieces when taking them apart. You can order customized jigsaw puzzles from 6 to 2000 pieces, cardboard or wooden pieces and in various shapes. They range in price from $14.99 to $399.99.

Check out Piczzles facebook page and become a fan today. Also check out the following link for a video review of another fan.

When we received this photo puzzle, Bella was super excited! She couldn't believe that we had gotten her a puzzle that she was in. I can't wait for her 4th birthday. I have already picked the picture I want to use for her next puzzle. Photo puzzles really are a great gift idea. With Valentines around the corner, what could be more romantic than picking out your favorite photo and giving it to your partner in the form of a puzzle.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Special Christmas Eve Delivery

2011-12-30T13:56:00.000-05:00

Well you may have noticed that I haven't updated the blog in awhile and there is a very good reason for that. We had a special delivery at 6:02pm on Christmas Eve weighing in at 9lbs 2oz and 54cm long. Gian-Michael couldn't wait to make his arrival.

There wasn't much exciting about my labor. At 3am I had one of my many bathroom breaks and noticed the show. I didn't really feel any labor pains but I had a feeling that Saturday was going to be the day. At around 8am I noticed a constant menstrual pain and I was pretty nauseous but it still wasn't major contractions. I called the birthing centre to see if I should be concerned, but they didn't think it was labor and left it in my hands. At 10am, Bella and I took a shower to get ready for the day and that's when the nausea got really bad. As soon as I got out of the shower I started to dry heave. I decided at that point, that we would drop Bella off with my brother in law and we would head to the hospital. They assessed me and I was approx 4 - 5cm and I was going to be admitted. I got the epidural right away (around 11:30) and we spent the day waiting for me to hit 10cm. We watched a lot of Christmas cartoons since there wasn't much else for us to do. I did get a little sick and a lot of hot flashes closer to the time but other than that my labor was uneventful. At around 5:30pm the Dr came in, I started pushing and approx. 15 pushes later, there was our beautiful baby boy.

He did have a low glucose count when he was born so he spent the next 12hrs being poked in the foot with a needle to recheck it. It ended up being fine after the first 2 tests but it was a little scary and it was really hard to hear him cry every time they tested him. We were discharged the very next night and even managed a short Christmas visit with some of my family. They did find his jaundice numbers were a little higher than normal, so Monday we took him for yet another poke. They said that even though the number was slightly higher, it was no reason for concern.

I took him yesterday for his first appt (at a walk in clinic b/c my Dr is on vacation) and he suggested we go back to the hospital emergency because he took one look at Gian-Michael and said he was yellow. So off to the hospital we went. After very many hours, the tests came back and again the numbers were higher but still nothing to worry about. We are keeping an eye on him but all the other symptoms we were told to watch for are non existent. He eats well, and is already past his birth weight. He is up all night and sleeps all day (which hopefully will reverse soon...I really miss my sleep.) And he has no issues in the bathroom department. I am going to take him next week to see my family Dr and see what he thinks. We were advised to keep him near a window to get some UV light that way so hopefully that will help a little.

So now we are just enjoying our time with our family. Hubby is home this week and next and has been a great help. He takes both kids in the morning so I can get a few hours of sleep because I am not getting any at night. I am really hoping by next week we get Gian-Michael on a schedule where sleeping is done at night. I am breastfeeding so it is on demand, which means no control on sleep. During the day he eats every 3 - 4hrs and it is usually me having to wake him. When he is awake, he is so alert. He is already trying to see everything around him and trying to lift his head. Sometimes when I look at him, I forget he is only a few days old. He is already the same size Bella was at around 2 months old, since she was 7lbs 7oz when she was born. I leave you now with a few pics of our new family member:)

Pregnancy Update - 39 weeks

2011-12-23T13:20:00.000-05:00

Today is the day before Christmas Eve and I will be 39 weeks tomorrrow. I just got home from my OB appt and he does not think I will last until Dec 31. So I decided to post early (just in case). The Dr checked and he says I am already 2cm dilated. It is very exciting. I don't even care anymore that he may be a Christmas baby.

We are playing it safe this weekend and spending Christmas at home. We don't want to be to far away in case Gian-Michael decides to make his appearance. I've been feeling pretty good, just a little tired. I haven't had the burst of energy they say you get right before giving birth. I must have already gotten it a few weeks ago. I've been sleeping better (minus the bathroom breaks) which coould be where the tiredness is coming from. Bella has been so good. She lets me sleep in every morning and has been pretty helpful around the house. Not to say it has been all easy but I think she is understanding that I need all the sleep I can get.

Well, if I don't get the chance, I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. For those who don't celebrate have a great holiday season and everyone be safe!

Playful Threads - product review (not for kids eyes)

2011-12-22T11:02:00.001-05:00

OK boys, here is some help for you to find a sexy gift for your Honey! It may not arrive in time for Christmas but Valentine's Day is just around the corner;)

Playful Threads offer so many sexy outfits that there is something to suit everyone. No matter what size or style you're looking for, I guarantee you will find something that your wife or girlfriend will love.
All women want to look and feel sexy. (Even us prego ones...LOL) Ladies, don't be afraid to check out this site and surprise your partner with a fun and sexy evening. Whether you choose sexy lingerie, clubwear or even a sexy costume, you and your hubby are guaranteed a romantic and fun evening.

Oh and don't forget to check out the Men's Loungewear. Even men like to look sexy;)

Hexbug - product review

2011-12-21T10:43:00.001-05:00

Are you still looking for the perfect Christmas gift for your kids? Check out the Hexbug! This is definitely on the hottest toys list for this Christmas.

The Hexbug Spider is unlike any other toy I have ever seen. It is a remote control toy that is for children 8 years and older (although my 3 yr old LOVES it). You control where the Spider goes. It has a mechanism that allows it to go 360 degrees. If you have more than one, the 2 channel switch allows you to control multiple bugs independently or at the same time.

The Nano Bridge Battle Habitat Set will bring any boy hours of fun. Battle your HEXBUG Nanos with the Bridge Battle Habitat Set. Nanos enter the arena through one-way gates and battle against one another until only one remains!

Each Bridge Battle Habitat Sets comes with 2 extremely rare Nano mutations and 29 easy connect pieces, giving you the freedom to get creative and see how many ways your Nanos can battle!

Available at most major retailers at affordable prices, it is sure to bring smiles to many kids faces on Christmas morning. Happy Shopping!

Pregnancy Update - 38 weeks

2011-12-19T12:32:00.000-05:00

2 weeks to go and still no baby! I am pretty sick today which is why I'm a little late in my update. We had a busy weekend and now I am spending the day in bed trying to get better. I am very congested and wanting to be better for when Gian-Michael makes his arrival.

I have to admit that at this point I am tired of being pregnant. The heartburn is horrible and is keeping me awake more than the bathroom breaks. I can't walk for long period of times because the pressure starts to bother me. And the snoring has apparently driven my hubby totally nuts...LOL. He actually went to sleep in Bella's room last night so that he could get a few hours sleep before work. It's just no fun being pregnant at the end of a pregnancy. I wish I could be like some women who love every aspect of their pregnancy but I'm not. I've had 2 now and both have had been challenging in their own way.

My next OB appt is Friday. They're going to check to see if there us any progress so I can try to plan my Christmas. I don't want to venture to far away just in case he decides to give me a special Christmas present. Here's to hoping it happens in the next few days:)

Jmommies - product review

2011-12-15T19:35:00.001-05:00

Do you have a mom to be on your Christmas list? I have the perfect gift idea for them! Go-Gorgeous delivery gowns from Jmommies. Even when we are giving birth, we want to look a least presentable and well hospital gowns just aren't very flattering. Jmommies offers the best solution.

Here is how Jmommies came to be.

When I was Pregnant with my son Aryan, my sister-in-law who happens to be a clothing designer made me a gorgeous looking gown and belly band keeping in mind all my needs. At the time of delivery, when I was asked to wear the hospital gown - I told the Hospital staff that I have one of my own. All the nurses, doctors and my fellow patients who were there were amazed to see the convenience I had wearing my special gown. Everyone kept asking as where did I buy this gown from? I got compliments from all the staff and it made the pictures with the new born even more beautiful. With all this happening around me I was thanking my sister-in-law for this beautiful gift that she designed for me. I was delighted to be termed as style queen at that point of time.

I remember people wearing those traditional boring maternity gowns with those inconvenient string attached to them, I am sure this idea will change the whole experience of delivery wearing the traditional gowns. Also, I wanted to make sure that this product is available to everyone as it so comfortable and easy to use.

Keeping above in mind I along with my sister-in-law have worked on the range of products, which will make your Pregnancy experience convenient and comfortable.

And this is just a beginning; please await exciting new products to be launched in near future.

I received a Go-Gorgeous delivery gown for review and am very excited to wear it the big day! It is great quality! The style is very cute and the material is thick enough that I feel like I am wearing an actual nightgown rather than a hospital gown. The style I received is also made for nursing which is a great option for those of us mommies who want to nurse our children. I can't think of any mom to be who wouldn't want one of these great gowns!

Wayback Wednesday

2011-12-14T10:14:00.000-05:00

Blog hop will be back up in the new year. I am trying to get caught up on my product reviews as my priority.

I hope everyone understands:)

Getting Excited and Nervous!

2011-12-13T09:38:00.000-05:00

New post on Oh Baby! Check it out! I would love your advice:)

http://www.ohbabymagazine.com/blog/getting-excited-and-nervous/

Kidorable - product review

2011-12-13T09:15:00.000-05:00

Kidorable has the most adorable rain gear I have ever seen. I received a rain coat from their newest collection and I love it. When little Gian-Michael makes his arrival, I know he will love it too!

The newest collection is the Dragon Night Collection. What little boy wouldn't want to be a hero that slays dragons?!?

Kidorable carries excellent quality rain gear that will last a long time. Bella has a number of different items from over the years from Kidorable and even though they no longer fit her, they are still in excellent condition. She has already picked out the next style she wants. She is super excited to see the ballerina line. It may have to go on her birthday wish list;)

Here is an added bonus for ordering these great products from Kidorable. Kidorable is partnering with the Children’s Cancer Research Fund to help you support a great cause. We will donate 100% of the proceeds from our Butterfly Umbrellas on www.kidorable.com from Thanksgiving through Christmas, bringing kids health, hope and happiness by revolutionizing the way childhood cancer is treated worldwide. (No coupon necessary. Is that generous or what?!?

So make sure you check out Kidorable today and make a change in someone's life:)

Pregnancy Update - Week 37

2011-12-12T09:45:00.000-05:00

Got my ultrasound results last week and they say the baby is approx. 7lbs. I am huge because there is a lot of water, so I was told to make sure I keep a towel on hand because it's going to be messy...LOL. The one thing they told me for sure was no planned c-section for me. So now we play the waiting game for the next few weeks.

Gian-Michael is constantly moving and I have really bad night time heart burn but other than that things have been pretty good. I am starting to get a little more energy but it is harder to move around because he keeps dropping into position.

I started my mat leave this week! I am so looking forward to spending alone time with my Princess. Today we are going shopping for the last little bit of Christmas gifts. Only 2 more people to shop for...WOOHOO! It is nice to be able to sleep in a little longer in the morning and it's good for Bella too! I have always felt bad having to get her up at 6am with us and now she can sleep longer like other kids.

So now we wait! Christmas plans are all up in the air because we don't know when Gian-Michael will make his appearance. We have lots of plans but everyone knows we're day by day, so we may or may not show up. I feel bad not being able to give definitive replies but everyone is very understanding!

MIA?

2011-12-11T12:09:00.000-05:00

I know I've been away for awhile and I truly apologize. I write this on my iPhone because my laptop is currently out of service. I plan to try and catch up on all my updates and reviews this week. Hope everyone is having a great week. I'll be back soon:)

Pregnancy Update - Week 36

2011-12-05T08:18:00.000-05:00

Wow. I can't believe there is only a month left. I am getting even more excited.

I have an OB appt today and we will be finding out my results from my ultrasound last week. I guess we'll be finding out if there will be a need for a C-Section or if Gian-Micheal is a decent size to still have vaginally.

My daughter is getting even more excited as well. She loves watching my belly move. As we get closer to the due date, it's a lot more obvious to everyone when he is moving and kicking. Bella will snuggle up against me now with her hand on my belly.

The only sad thing for me this week to report is that after 36 weeks, last night as he was swimming around for 15 minutes straight, I noticed that he may have actually given me stretch marks. I hadn't seen any the entire pregnancy and now it looks like I may have some:( So much for all the precautions I took. I was hoping to get lucky again, like I did when I had Bella. Oh well, there are some things that are worth having and I wold say this is one of them:)
Can't wait to let you all know what my results were:)

Winner!

2011-12-05T08:05:00.001-05:00

Congrats to theglencoegirl. You are the winner of the Builder Bag. I will be sending you an email that I will need a response to in 48hrs or a new winer will be chosen.

Thanks to all who participated.

Thomas the Train Mega Bloks - product review

2011-12-01T08:24:00.000-05:00

I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to review the Thomas the Train Mega Bloks. We held a Thomas the Train party and all the kids came in their favorite costume. It was great! We chose to do a costume theme because building with Mega Bloks is a great way to help develop a child's imagination.

It was so nice to see the kids work together to try and put it all together themselves and how they were willing to ask for help when needed. The kids were thrilled to have us mommies sit with them to help them build the structures. As much as kids love to play by themselves, they seem to have a better focus when we get to play with them. Then they each took turns pushing the trains through it. We even through in a Thomas the Train DVD, that was a big hit!

At the end of our fun the kids were super thrilled to learn that they each got to take home one of their very own Mega Bloks set home to play with. I even got feedback from one of the moms after the party about howm much her kids LOVE Mega Bloks. Before this party they didn't have any and now Mega Bloks have been added to their Christmas wish list...WooHoo!

Wayback Wednesdays Week 41 & Blog Hop

2011-11-30T07:50:00.001-05:00

It's 2001! We are getting so close to the end of this fun reminder of everything that happened since my birth! Here are some of the top headlines from this year.

This is a year that will stand out in everyone's mind across the world! Known simply as 9/11. On September 11, 2001 Nineteen hijackers simultaneously took control of four U.S. domestic commercial airliners. The hijackers crashed two planes into the World Trade Center in Manhattan, New York City one into each of the two tallest towers. Within two hours, both towers collapsed. The hijackers crashed the third aircraft into the U.S. Department of Defense headquarters, the Pentagon, in Arlington County, Virginia. The fourth plane crashed into a rural field in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, following apparent passenger resistance. (from the History People)

I believe it is karma to show all terrorists we will not stand for these attack that Timothy James McVeigh is executed for the Oklahoma City Bombing this year as well.

The number one song from this year was Hanging By a Moment by Lifehouse. (One of my faves!)

Pregnancy Update - 35 weeks

2011-11-26T08:23:00.000-05:00

5 weeks and counting! It has been a rough week. Whenever I am on my feet for too long, my right leg starts to get tingly and then goes completely numb:( My ankles and feet are so swollen. It's a good thing I'm almost done my Christmas shopping because I don't think I could handle anymore.

I had my OB appt this week. Doctor made notice to just how big this baby is. I'm going for an ultrasound Wednesday to get a better idea of how big he actually is. I'm starting to get nervous that I'm not going to be able to deliver naturally.

People are starting to make guesses of when i'm going to go into labour. We thought it might be Wednesday. The braxton hicks were so bad, they brought me to tears and I'm pretty sure I left nail marks in hubby's leg. The earliest guess is that I'll go today...I really hope not. It's a little early still. Here's a pic we took earlier this week of Bella checking out Gian-Michael's body part that he decided to poke out.

It was to hard to get the actual bump in the pic. But it was pretty big. This next pic she's hugging him. Unfortunatley, between the 2 of them it didn't tickle, as you can see from the look on my face. I didn't let Bella know it hurt though, I never want to discourage her love for her baby brother.

Look how happy she is:) She can't wait to meet her brother!

Lazer Stunt Chaser - product review

2011-11-25T20:20:00.000-05:00

Here is a gift that all little boys and maybe even some big boys are going to want for Christmas. The Lazer Stunt Chaser by Thinkway Toys is a high-speed, high-performance light-controlled R/C car. Unlike traditional joystick controllers, the Lazer Stunt Chaser is controlled by a patented laser light controller. Simply point the controller, press the trigger, and wherever the laser shines the car will follow. For tight corners try the easy-to-use thumb controls. The Lazer Stunt Chaser also has variable speed controls and a turbo mode for extreme racers. Best of all, the Lazer Stunt Chaser is 2-sided for flip and go continuous action. Equipped with 2 channels so you can race against your friends. To experience even more racing fun, try out the four available stunt sets and set up obstacle courses consisting of flips, jumps, high-bars and vortex action. Set includes: Lazer Stunt Chaser car with built-in rechargeable battery, wireless infrared remote control, stunt ramp, battery charger and instruction guide.

Bella and her Daddy had endless hours of fun playing with this toy. Daddy loved the stunts while Bella just loved driving the car all around the house! I am not surprised at all to hear that it was named
one of the Hot 20 new holiday season toys by Toy Insider Magazine and CNNMoney. Check out this video to see how much fun the Lazer Stunt Chaser is.

Guaranteed to make any boy on your list smile:)

The Builder Bag - product review and giveaway!

2011-11-24T19:16:00.002-05:00

Ok moms and dads, how annoying is it to have lego pieces laying all around the playroom or at the bottom of a toy box because they don't have boxes to go back into? We run into this problem so often. Our little Princess doesn't really like to put things back in their original boxes and they tend to get ripped or thrown out. I was thrilled when I came across a wonderful invention called The Builder Bag.

The Builder Bag was designed to make play time and clean up simple and fun! It works as both a play area and storage system in one. A great way to protect your floors from scratches from all the lego pieces. Just simply lay out the 100% cotton canvas for playing and pull on the cord when it's time to clean up. Take it with you to the park or anywhere you go! The Builder Bag works especially well for building toys such as Lego, Playmobil,Kapla blocks,Tinker Toys and Lincoln Logs. They come in 3 modern colors and look great in any room. My favorite is the blue bag!

I also LOVE that you can get the Builder Pegs Wall Storage System for even better storage. Keeps toys out of the way using very little space. I can't wait to finish the playroom so we can put these pegs up.

Ever since we put all of our lego pieces in The Builder Bag, playtime has gotten more fun for me! I no longer have to worry about fighting with Bella to get her to clean her mess after she's done. All she has to do is close up the bag with the attached strings and she's done. It's done so quickly, I'm not even sure she realizes she's helping me clean:)

How would you like one of your very own! The wonderful people at The Bulider Bag, were kind enough to send me a blue Builder Bag and a Builder Pegs Wall Storage System for one of my lucky readers (open to Canada and the US only). You must be a GFC follower of Mommy Time Out to win. Just leave me a comment with your email address letting me know that you are.

For extra entries:

Like Mommy Time Out on facebook

Follow Mommy Time Out on Twitter

Like The Builder Bag on facebook

Follow The Builder Bag on twitter

Giveaway ends Dec 3, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T08:09:00.002-05:00

I just wanted to take a moment to wish all my American friends and loyal readers a very Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy your turkey and stuffing;)

Wayback Wednesdays - Week 40 & Blog Hop

2011-11-22T18:57:00.001-05:00

Welcome to the new Millenium! Look at that the world didn't end:) The world doesn"t look like an episode of the Jetsons (to many people's dismay).

In the headlines this year, 300 gallons of black sludge was released in the Mississippi River causing an enviromental disaster. Pope John Paul II visits Israel prayed for forgiveness of the sins of those involved in the Holocaust. California suffers the first of two years of Rolling Blackouts.

I was involved in a relationship where I actually got engaged (no not to hubby). A few months after being engaged he admitted that within our time together he had cheated on me, looking for forgiveness prior to our marriage. I couldn`t do it. Our relationship ended, and life moved on. I believe everything happens for a reason and this relationship was only a part of my life story. I am so fortunate that I was able to move on after that to meet the man of my dreams and to build a beautiful family with him:)

The number one song this year was Breathe by Faith Hill. Unfortunately, I am unable to get the video but here is the song from the Grammys in 2001. I also included the number 2 song Smooth by Santana featuring Rob Thomas (love it!)

Tis the Season...

2011-11-22T15:00:00.000-05:00

New post up on Oh Baby! Check it out.

http://www.ohbabymagazine.com/blog/tis-the-season/

Pregnancy Update - 34 weeks

2011-11-19T13:52:00.000-05:00

Time is flying now but Dec 31 still can't come fast enough! This week I have noticed I am a lot more out of breath. I have been trying to get as much Christmas shopping done as I can but it has been pretty difficult. My goal is to be done by Dec 1 so that I only have to worry about wrapping and relaxing while we wait for Gian-Michael's arrival.

We still haven't worked on the nursery. Things got a little hectic around here but it will get done soon. Seeing as there isn't much needed to be done but to put all the baskets with Bella's clothes in them into a different storage area I am not overly worried. Guess I haven't gone into nesting mode yet...LOL.

This little boy does not want to stop moving. It is starting to get a little more painful with every movement. I'm having a little more trouble telling what is braxton hicks and what is just Gian-Michael jumping on my organs. I have also noticed the heartburn is getting worse. I've actually almost thrown up from how bad it is. As annoying as all this can be, it is still very exciting because it just reminds me how close we are to the big day:)

Hand Vibes - product Review

2011-11-16T10:50:00.001-05:00

Here's another great idea for an awesome Christmas gift, in fact they would work wonderfully as a stocking stuffer. Hand Vibes are rubber rings with sayings on them. They are a lot like the rubber bracelet craze that has been around for years now. They have sayings like Friend, Love, LOL, etc. They are a great way for tweens and teens to express their moods.

Each package comes with 3 rings and they come in 9 vibrant colors. Two of the rings are visible in the package and there is one hidden ring. I can easily see these becoming the next craze.

My only wish is that they had more "girly" colours. They need to come out with some more pinks and lavenders to please the female tweens. Right now Hand Vibes are not yet available in Canada:( but I'm sure they wiill be soon.

Check out this pretty cool video to see the different rings you can choose from.

Wayback Wednesdays - Week 39 & Blog Hop

2011-11-16T05:42:00.002-05:00

Welcome to 1999! This was a sad and scary year for a lot of high school students. It made us all wonder just how safe are our children when they are in their classes getting their education. 2 boys aged 17 and 18 went on a killing rampage at Columbine high school.

Some great movies came out that year. Some of my faves were The Sixth Sense, Toy Story 2, The Matrix and The Mummy. People started preparing for the new Millenium. There were a lot of worries that computer systems would crash. Others were just excited to party it up! I know I was:)

Here was the number one song from that year.

Now let's have some hopping fun! There are no rules except have fun! If you are a new follower leave me a comment so I can follow you back. Link up to your blog, facebook or twitter and if you decide to do your own Wayback post link to that so I can check it out:) Don't forget to check out my co-host Cathy Kennedy for her Wayback post too!

Perplexus - product review

2011-11-15T10:06:00.001-05:00

Looking for that fun and unique Christmas gift? I think I have the solution.

Perplexus is a 3D maze game where players maneuver a small marble around barriers inside a large sized transparent sphere. Unlike flat srface mazes that are composed of one path, Perplexus challenges players with numerous paths to choose from and dozens of barriers to overcome. Players can race each other or the clock. It is a great tool for cognitive development. It encourages children (and adults) to exercise their problem solving, motor and dexterity skills, as well as improving their hand-eye coordination.

I had so much fun trying to figure out this game. It was a little too old for Bella but she still had a lot of fun trying it. She loves to try and do mazes in her coloring book so it was a thrill to her to try and figure this one out. It really makes you work but is so much fun at the same time. This would make a fun game for family fun nights!

It also comes in three styles for different age groups.

Perplexus Rookie for Ages 4 - 104. It has a difficulty level of 4. (Yes this is the one I am still on...LOL

Perplexus for ages 6 - 106

Perplexus Epic for ages 8 - 108.

Perplexus will bring you and your family hours of fun:)

Almond Fresh - product reviews

2011-11-13T11:59:00.001-05:00

Being lactose intolerant, I am always looking for ways to get my calcium servings without having to take supplements. I was approached by Earth's Own Food Company to try their products.
Almond Fresh comes in 4 flavours: Original, Vanilla, Chocolate and Unsweetened. Check out the nutritional facts from the Original Almond Fresh. They are a great source of Calcium, Vitamins A, D and E and filled with Antioxidants.

Almond Fresh has a great almond taste. I am not a real fan of how milk tastes and this is a great alternative. I used them in a smoothie and it was amazing! What a great change to my breakfast routine! You can find some great recipes here. Especially now that I am pregnant, this is a great source of all the vitamins I need to keep my baby healthy. I can't wait to try all the different flavours. I'm told the chocolate flavour tastes just like chocolate covered almonds...MMMMMMM!

Want to try it for yourself? Click here for a list of retailers. I have some coupons to help one of my Canadian readers experience the wonderful flavours of Almond Fresh.

All you have to do is follow Mommy Time Out on GFC and leave me a comment with your email address.

For extra entries:

Like Mommy Time Out on facebook

Like Almond Fresh on facebook

Winners - Lots of them!

2011-11-13T10:45:00.000-05:00

We have 3 winners for the 25 Shutterfly cards. Congrats to edit, Jessie and Kristin! I will send you an email that I will need a response to before I can give you your coupon code. Congrats and have fun shopping!

Pregnancy Update - 33 weeks

2011-11-12T10:40:00.000-05:00

Wow already at 7 weeks to go! I have had some pretty bad Braxton Hicks. I thought a few times I would have to go to the hostpital but the pains were more than 10 mins apart so I just breathed through them and went on with my day.

I think I gave a sales guy a little bit of a scare yesterday when I had one in front of him. We were buying my new phone and going through the whole set up when I kind of doubled over and just breathed. My face and neck apparently turned pretty red and I got extremely hot. Hubby was with me and he rubbed my back and was there for me. The sales guy was awesome too. He went and got me a couple of cups of water to help me with the hot flash that came with it. I'm pretty sure that was his first experience ever like that:)

I had my OB appt this week and the Dr says I'm still on track to having this baby new year's eve. It really doesn't feel like it. I keep thinking he will be quite early. I just really hope it's not Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. I would rather keep that a special day for what it is and not for the babies birthday. Of course I'll be thrilled whenever he gets here but I worry about how Bella will feel having to share Christmas with her brother's birthday. She is still so young, she doesn't fully understand that the baby will come when he's ready and I have no control over that. Let's all keep our fingers crossed that he will be a new year's baby after all.

Rememberance Day/Veteran's Day

2011-11-11T14:19:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to take a moment to thank all those who have fought and who are fighting for our freedom! For those who still have family members and friends overseas, my thoughts and prayers are with you and my heart goes out to all of you who have lost loved ones.

Get a Melissa & Doug 25% Off Coupon When You Take the North "Poll"

2011-11-10T07:59:00.000-05:00

Have you heard of Melissa & Doug? They make some of the best educational toys out there for kids of all ages. I know my daughter LOVES their toys and we have a few of them on the Christmas wish list this year.

Melissa & Doug want you to tell them which of their educational toys you think is the best! Just click on the image below to place your vote in the North "Poll!" You'll Get a Melissa & Doug 25% Off Coupon** to use at MelissaAndDoug.com just for voting!

Just click on the below picture and get your votes and coupon today. What could be better to start your Christmas shopping?

Wayback Wednesdays - Week 38 & Blog Hop

2011-11-09T08:30:00.000-05:00

Hello 1998! As a Canadian the one event that stands out for this year is Canadian Ice Storm. For 6 days, freezing rain coated Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick. We were fortunate to not be terribly affected by this storm but we did lose power for quite a few hours on one of the days. I remember because it was so cold we chose to go to the mall to keep warm.

Here are some facts taken from About.com about what this ice storm caused.

Casualties and Damage from the Ice Storm of 1998:

28 people died, many from hypothermia,
945 people were injured.
Over 4 million people in Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick lost power.
About 600,000 people had to leave their homes.
130 power transmission towers were destroyed and more than 30,000 utility poles fell.
Millions of trees fell, and more continued to break and fall for the rest of the winter.

Here is the number one song from that year.

Me Giant - product review

2011-11-08T20:25:00.003-05:00

I love graphic tees. I especially love cute ones for my little Princess. I was very fortunate to be approached by Me Giant to review some of their specialized funny shirts.

The shirts and creepers (onesies) are made from 100% cotton. They are all emblazoned with cute sayings and images. My favorite is the kids t-shirt that says Silly Goose. It's one of our very many nicknames for our Princess so it was perfect. In the creepers, I love the one that says Toothless Fairy and Twinkle Stinkle. The creepers come in sizes 3mths to 18mths and the shirts come in sizes 2T and 4T. They also have funny baby bibs and infant hats.

My favorite thing about Me Giant is how they package their items. All the items come in their very own classic metal lunchbox. This makes it such a fun guft for a child to receive. It's 2 gifts in one! Bella loves her lunch box and uses it like a purse! She carries everything she can in it. Check out Me Giant today to find the perfect item for your little Giant today.

1500 Followers...YAY!

2011-11-08T08:03:00.002-05:00

I am so excited! I am at 1500 GFC followers! his is so great! I hope that all my followers enjoy what they read and continue to come back for some fun and to learn about new products! Thank you all who have been loyal and welcome to all my new followers!

Hot blog of the week! Woohoo!

2011-11-07T17:22:00.000-05:00

I am being featured over at Being Frugal and Making It Work. I am so excited! Thanks so much to Cheeky Momma for this wonderful opportunity.

Pregnancy Update - 32 weeks

2011-11-05T08:53:00.000-04:00

Another week down! I can't believe how quickly time is going now. It's hard to believe there is only 8 weeks to go.

Hubby has mentioned that I apparently have started snoring. He says it sounds like I'm sawing logs...LOL. It was around this time when I was pregnant with Bella that he had the same complaint. At least I don't wake myself up;) I'm actually sleeping a bit better. The baby isn't shifting as much anymore or if he does I don't notice it as much. The only thing that seems to wake me now is the bathroom visits and boy are they numerous.

Every day I feel like the baby is dropping a little more. I truly doubt he will wait until New Year's Eve. Let's just hope he stays put for a little longer:)

Tis the Season...

2011-11-04T13:08:00.000-04:00

Christmas is just around the corner! It's time to get the Christmas lists all written up and to check out all the great gift ideas out there! I'm actally starting (and hopefully finishing) my Christmas shopping this weekend!

Over the next few weeks I will be doing some really cool product reviews for some great products that will make amazing Christmas gifts! Stay tuned:)

Wayback Wednesdays - Week 37 & Blog Hop

2011-11-02T05:36:00.003-04:00

Welcome to 1997! This was one of those year's where people will ask you where were you when...? Princess Diana was killed in an auto accident in Paris, France. So now I ask...Do you remember where you were? And how did the news affect you?

Elton John wrote a beautiful song for Princess Diana. Here he is performing it live in Austrailia.

Loove and Sweet - product review

2011-11-01T18:29:00.001-04:00

I was so excited to review handmade hair accessories from Loove and Sweet. All the products are handmade by a BC mom. All the flowers in the pieces are handmade from fabric, felt and ribbon. This is especially great if you are looking for something specific and want to have an item custom made. You can also get handmade earrings. I received a beautiful pair for review from the Victoria Collection and Bella got to review the Alice headband and a hairclip from their Christmas collection.

Bella LOVES her new headband. She wears it as often as she can because she looks so pretty! She keeps staring at herself in the mirror when she has it on. The pieces are made really well. They hold together even through the abuse of a 3 year old. I tried to pull the bow off the headband and it didn't move. I also love how well they hold in Bella's ridiculously thin hair. I don't know how much money I have spent on hair accessories that fall out of her hair and get lost. The times she has worn the Loove and Sweet hair accesories, she always came back with them still in her hair:)

The earrings were really well made as well. I am unfortunately unable to wear anything that is not gold, so I had a friend try them on for me. (she's a little camera shy so sorry no pics of her wearing them) She was shocked to hear that these were handmade earrings. They held up even when her young daughter started to tug at them while they were hanging in her ear. Here is what she said about them: "These are beautiful. I can already think of at least 3 people in my family that these will make great gifts for. I can't wait to check out Loove and Sweet and see what other styles she has to offer!"

With over 80 styles to choose from and the possibilty having an item custom made, these make for great gifts. I was going through the Christmas collection and have already found a few pieces that would look great with Bella's holiday dress:) All products come with tags and our gift wrapped making them great gifts. If you would like to order any of these as Christmas gifts, make sure to place your order prior to December 10.

How was your Halloween?

2011-11-01T11:23:00.002-04:00

How was your Halloween? Ours was great but I have one question...What happened to all the kids? I was shocked at how little children came upon our door to get the beloveed treats! I don't think we even got 40 kids. I live in Milton which I know has a lot of kids in the area. So where are all the kids going?

I remember when I was a kid how much fun we had going door to door to collect candies. I love the holiday almost as much as I love Christmas. I still enjoy dressing up and it's even more fun now that I have my daughter to take out. I love watching the joy in my daughters eyes as she shows me what great treat she got. Are times changing that much that kids just aren't going door to door anymore? Pretty much everyone I spoke to about this have all agreed with me. The number of kids who trick or treat seem to be dwindling!

It's so disappointing:( Hopefully we'll have a few more next year!

Firefy Kids Lighting - product review

2011-10-31T21:13:00.000-04:00

I was given an awesome opportunity to review a lamp from Firefly Kids Lighting. This is a great site to add the finishing touches to your childs bedroom or playroom. The best thing about this site is the affordability. The site was founded by Simona Voinic after she searched high and low for affordable kids lighting to decorate her own children's rooms.

Bella chose the Butterfly table lamp. It is adorable! It takes 1 bulb up to 60 watts. We put in an energy efficient bulb and it gives off just the perfect amount of light for our bedtime story reading. I also love that it has a matching chandelier. Bella loves her light. She always wants to keep it on. She even helped assemble it. (which btw, was very simple to do.)

Firefly Kids Lighting is an easy site to navigate. They offer free shipping in Canada and have a flat shipping rate of $15 to the US. What makes the products so affordable is that they buy direct from the manufacturer. I can't wait to finish off the nursery and decide what ceiling light we will choose for it.

Pregnancy Update - 31 weeks

2011-10-30T11:55:00.000-04:00

9 weeks and counting:) I am getting more and more excited. We are going to get the nursery all set up this week. It mostly is good to go since it is the same as when Bella was a baby, but it has also become a storage room for all of the things we packed up that don't fit Bella and of toys she no longer plays with.
They say at this point you probably won't feel the baby move us much anymore. So not the case with this little guy! He's a little mover and still wants his presence known.

Bella is getting more protective of me too. Last night when we were at a Halloween party, I got up to dance. I was told, by my 3 year old, that me and the baby had to sit down and relax. I was then lead to a chair and then tucked in with her bobo (her blankets name). After about 10 mins, she came back and said we had a long enough rest and we were allowed to dance again...LOL. It's amazing how roles can get reversed:)

Some of the ladies I know are all taking pools to see when I will give birth. No one believes that I'm going to make it to New Year's Eve. I will post a new picture soon, so you can all see why. Have a great week everyone:)

NaturzAire (Mothers Choice products) - product review

2011-10-28T17:24:00.000-04:00

I received an all natural deodorizer from NaturzAire (Mother's Choice Products). These are great! They are guaranteed safe, effective and last a lifetime. It is so simple to use. Just simply place the pouch where the odours are and they will be eliminated throughout the day. Most odours will be eliminated within 8 hours.

Here's how it works: Odours are positively charged, NaturzAire products are negatively charged so they attract odours like a magnet. They are good for several months and when it's time all you have to do to is recharge the deodorizer. Here's the best part, to recharge just place the deodorizer outside in the hot sun for 8 hours or the fresh air for 3 days. You can also recharge it in the microwave but this is not suggested if you are using it in diaper pails or diaper bags.

I am so excited to have this product now that there is a baby on the way. All you parents know how wonderfully smelly those diapers can be. How great is it to have an all natural odour remover instead of using chemicals that come in air freshners. The NaturzAire family of products include home, carpet, baby, kitty, pet, pest, , fridge, produce, auto, RV, marine and sportmate. Check out their site today to find the ones that will work best for your home.

Wayback Wednesdays Week 36 & Blog Hop

2011-10-26T08:38:00.000-04:00

Welcome to 1996! What were the exciting headlines from this year?

The Menendez brothers are convicted of kiliing their parents. Ted Kaczynski was arrested as the "Unabomber". A big loss to the comedy world as George Burns dies at 100 years old!

The song I have chosen to feature this weeek was not number one (that goes to the Macarena) but I really like this song. Hiope you enjoy it.

Shutterfly product review and giveaway

2011-10-24T20:37:00.001-04:00

So October is almost over. Where has the time gone? Before you know it, there will be snow on the ground and Christmas decorations everywhere. I have already started making my Christmas lists. Seeing as I am due New Year's Eve, I want to get as much done as quickly as possible. I was checking out the Shutterfly site, and was soooo excited to find the PERFECT Christmas card. Isn't it cute? (No those aren't my kids, we still have to take the perfect picture to go on the card.)

Shutterfly has so much to offer. I have ordered Christmas cards from them before and have never been disappointed. I have also recently ordered a photo book that I can't wait to get! I'm also thinking about doing birth announcements when Babybug is born.

Want to start your holiday card search? You can get 25 FREE cards from shutterfly. That's right, I said FREE! 3 lucky Mommy Time Out followers will get 25 free cards.

All you have to do is be a Mommy Time Out follower on GFC and don't forget to leave me a comment with your email address.

For extra entries (pls leave a seperate comment for each)

Like Mommy Time Out on facebook

Follow Mommy Time Out on twitter

Like Shutterfly on facebook

Giveaway ends November 12, 2011

Pregnancy Update - 30 weeks

2011-10-22T09:56:00.000-04:00

So excited! It's just around the corner now. 10 weeks to go. That's only 70 days!
This has been a great week. Bella and I went to get our flu shots to protect us from whatever viruses might be out there. Some nasty things going around right now and I REALLY don't want to catch them.

Baby is a little mover. He likes to make his presence known:) I love watching my belly ripple and bounce, every time he moves. I should probably video tape it. It's quite amusing.

I've had a harder time sleeping, what with all the bathroom breaks, but I have a great hubby and daughter who let me sleep in on the weekends. Massage therapy has been a great help for the aches and pains. I have gone back to the same prenatal massage therapists I had when I was pregnant with Bella and they are great! I definitely suggest it to anyone who has the pregnancy pains.

Chance for an AWESOME giveaway

2011-10-21T19:40:00.001-04:00

What do you think of this cool looking MP3 player for your kids? I have been given an opportunity to give one of these great MP3 players to one of my loyal readers but I need your help. All you have to do is click on this link and like SweetPea3 on facebook. Don't forget to mention Mommy Time Out sent you so that it counts.

New Post up on Oh Baby!

2011-10-20T11:57:00.000-04:00

Find out why my daughter is braver than I am.

http://www.ohbabymagazine.com/blog/im-a-wimp/

Wayback Wednesdays - Week 35 & Blog Hop

2011-10-19T07:20:00.000-04:00

Welcome to 1995! This was the year I graduated high school. Such an exciting time in my life. Going out into the "real world" was very scary. Do I go to college, do I start working right away... So many decisions to make to begin my adult life.

In other news, OJ Simpson is acquitted. Microsoft introduce Windows 95. A lot of gamers fell in love with the Sony Playstation and the Million Man March took place in Washington.

The number one song from that year was Coolio's Gangsta Paradise.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2011-10-18T09:09:00.001-04:00

This month is breast cancer awareness month. It is so important to get checked for breast cancer and it is becoming even more important no matter your age. I have done self breast exams since my early 20's. My mom had a scare around that time and I wanted to be prepared since I had heard it was hereditary. We were fortunate that she was fine but now she goes every year for a mammogram to be sure. Back then I kept being told I was to young for it, and I was stressing for nothing. But as the years go on, I hear about women in their early 30's being diagnosed. This is a scary fact. I know of 2 people who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. One is a survivor and one is currently fighting. In fact she is going for surgery this week and I hope you will keep my friends mom in your thoughts and prayers tomorrow as she has this cancer removed. I believe we should do what we can to recognize those who have fought and/or are fighting this horrible disease. Now we can.

Hope Paige Medical, a leader in contemporary medical emergency bracelets, is launching the “BCA Hero” Contest for the remainder of October (beginning at 8AM on Monday, October 17^th and ending at 11:59PM Sunday, October 30^th).

Five lucky winners will be selected on Monday, October 31^st and will receive the NEW Stainless Steel Heart-Link BCA Medical Bracelet with free engraving, PLUS a $25 gift card to use on the official brand website towards a gift of their choice.

The rules are simple, post a tribute (photo or well-deserved shout out) to your BCA hero who has fought and won, continues to fight, has lost the battle, or who dedicates their time to finding a cure on the Hope Paige Facebook page. At the conclusion of the contest, the TOP 5 entries with the greatest amount of “likes” and/or comments will be announced as the October winners and receive a custom bracelet from Hope Paige Designs.

Also, for every BCA Bracelet purchased, they are donating 15% of the proceeds to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

This is a great cause and a great way to recognize our loved ones who are fighting to live.

The Dress Party - product review

2011-10-17T20:07:00.001-04:00

The holidays are coming! I bet you didn't want to hear that statement but it's fact. Now is the time to start looking for those adorable little dresses for Christmas pics. I have the perfect site for you to check out - thedressparty.com. I was very fortunate to be able to review 2 dresses from them.

Thedressparty.com has dresses for all occasions. If you are getting married in the near future, you will LOVE the flower girl dresses. I had so much fun going through all the holiday dresses. They are fantastic! When Bella saw the 2 dresses I was sent for review, she squealed with joy:) She couldn't wait to look like a little Princess. I had a tough time getting the dresses off of her because she wanted to keep looking pretty!

Thedressparty.com was created by DeAnne who is a mother of 11 kids and a grandmother! She sells designer dresses at affordable prices. All her dresses are great quality! I was thrilled with the material and the quality of the dresses I received. When I saw the price of them on the website, I didn't expect them to be as wonderful as they were. They totally exceeded my expectations. You definitely get a lot more in quality than what you are paying for!

Here are a few pics of my little Princess all dressed up!

We have a Winner!

2011-10-17T12:14:00.000-04:00

Congrats to zaylyn! You are the winner of the 39Dollarglasses.com giveaway. I am sending you an email that I will need a reply to in 48hrs.

Pregnancy Update - 29 weeks

2011-10-15T10:26:00.001-04:00

Yeah, I know I missed week 28. Last weekend was Thanksgiving for us here in Canada and I didn't have much time for blogging.

This week has been amazing. The biggest thing I have to share is the fact that Babybug has been sticking either his elbow or his knee into my belly. Every once in awhile you will see a random bump stick out of my belly and when you touch it, it is pretty hard. It is so cool to feel it. Hubby loves it! He never seen that with Bella. He keeps hoping to see a foot or hand.

Walking for long periods is pretty tough. The baby is sitting quite low and he feels like he is on my pelvic bone. I am starting to feel very tired again too. It's a lot harder to get up in the morning and by 9pm, I'm ready for bed.

I believe the baby is starting to react to familiar voices. I know whenever Bella talks to him, he always seem to move around more. He also moves more for hubby. I can't believe how quickly the time is going by. Sometimes it feels like it's not going fast enough but then I remember December is just around the corner.

This week Bella and I have a check up with our family doctor. We will also be getting our flu shots, since flu season has begun. 11 weeks to go. I'm so excited!

Koobli - product review

2011-10-13T21:10:00.000-04:00

So how much do your kids love messy projects? How much do they love it when you do the crafts with them? How many tops have you had ruined from paint or markers that are not washable? Well now there is no longer a worry. Finally, there is a cover up garment for adults, so we can play with our kids without ruining our outfits.

Koobli is a unisex cover up made from 100% micro polyester suede. It comes in 2 colours - blueberry and cherry. This is great. It's like his and hers paint smocks for mom and dad:) I love that they are machine washable and can be dried in the dryer. It's lightweight so even in the summer it won't make you overly warm. Hubby and I loved that we could get a hug from the Princess when she was excited about the paintings she had created. without worrying about how much paint we'll get on ourselves. The Koobli is also great for cleaning, keeping dry during baths and even avoiding stains from food.

I also loved the big pockets on the Koobli. I was able to put markers and paint brushes in them to help keep our table clear when we were doing our crafts. When it was time to put away the koobli, all I

had to do was fold it up and it turns into it's own pouch. This is great for travelling and for easy storage.

Thanks to the wonderful people at Koobli for saving our clothes;)

Baby Chronicles - product review

2011-10-12T21:15:00.002-04:00

I can't wait to meet my new baby boy. I look forward to watching him grow and archiving all his achievements. I was so excited to come across Baby Chronicles.

Baby Chronicles allows you to start your baby's story at conception through his/her first milestones. I have already started filling out my pregnancy reports and my hospital checklists. I'm not alone in loving this book. There are some very famous people who have enjoyed chronicling their baby's milestones including Cindy Crawford. They were even featured in an episode of Two and a Half Men. Here are some of the highlights of Baby Chronicles.

A table of contents to easily direct you to the page you are looking for

A large plastic pocket to hold Baby's birth cards or any oversized mementos

A prenatal section including checklists and shopping lists to prepare for Baby

Space for ultrasound/sonogram, photos, hand & footprints...

Family tree and family photos

Baby's first words, haircut, birthday party …

A growth chart, immunization schedule and medical & dental history logs

A program for introducing solid foods

Letters to Baby and parent's notes

And lots of space for announcements, baby teeth and more …

Baby chronicles is not the only memory book you can purchase. You can also get the Pregnancy Planner, School Year Chronicles and High School Chronicles. I wish I had something like this from when I was a child.

Wayback Wednesdays - Week 34 & Blog Hop

2011-10-12T06:25:00.001-04:00

Hello to 1994! The biggest news story from that year would have to be the OJ Simpson high speed chase. Tonya Harding won the national Figure Skating championship title but is stripped of her title following an attack on her rival Nancy Kerrigan. Lisa Marie Presley married Michael Jackson and Kurt Cobain commited suicide. Here is the number one song of the year.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-10-07T09:46:00.000-04:00

To all my Canadian readers, I want to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving this weekend. For my American readers, have a Happy Columbus Day! Click here to see what I am thankful for this year.

Free Movies for a Great Cause!

2011-10-06T18:13:00.002-04:00

SAVE THE DATE FOR FREE MOVIES! October 22nd is Community Day at Cineplex. Join us on the morning of Saturday, October 22nd at all Cineplex Entertainment theatres for Community Day in support of Starlight Children's Foundation. Doors open at 8:30AM with a great selection of FREE movies beginning at 9:00AM. Plus, enjoy a regular popcorn, regular fountain drink and selected candy for only 2 DOLLARS each with 100% of the proceeds donated to Starlight Children's Foundation! For more information, please visit: http://www.cineplex.com/Promos/Starlight/Community.aspx

About Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada:

For more than 20 years Starlight Children’s Foundation has been dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses and life-altering injuries. Through a broad array of in-patient, out-patient and online resources, Starlight works hard to support seriously ill children and their families from diagnosis through the entire course of medical treatment and beyond. Whether it’s a trip to the zoo, a toy-filled playroom or an exciting sporting event, Starlight’s mission is to bring fun, joy and giggles right where they are needed the most!

GloDose - product review

2011-10-06T09:55:00.000-04:00

I have been very fortunate to have a really healthy baby girl. We have not experienced very many flus or colds since her birth 3 and a half years ago (knock on wood). I can seriously count on one hand how many times she has been ill enough to require medication. The few times however, I have had to give her tylenol to reduce a fever, I was not happy that I would have to turn a light on overnight to see what I was doing and in turn hurting her eyes and/or aggravating the headache she may already have had.

When I heard about GloDose I was excited to see what it was all about. GloDose was invented by a mom, who like me, did not want to have turn the lights on overnight and irritate her children further. She also had kids who shared a room, so it was even more important that she come up with a way to take care of her sick child and not wake the one who wasn't.

GloDose is the first light up medicine dropper. I love that I no longer have to go all the way downstairs to the kitchen to put the amount of medicine I need into the dropper and then go all the way back upstairs, turn her light on, give her the dosage, and then turn the light off and hope she settles down to go back to sleep. It has a soft glow that illuminates the dropper to be able to see the proper dosage being given and getting it into our child's mouth.

It is no wonder this great invention was recently awarded the PTPA (Parent Tested Parent Approved) seal of approval. It has mine.

Wayback Wednesdays - Week 33 & Blog Hop

2011-10-05T06:12:00.002-04:00

Welcome to 1993! There were some interesting stories in the news that year. Michael Jackson was accused of engaging in sexual activities with a teenage boy. River Phoenix (who I had a huge crush on) was found dead. Schindler's List was the Oscar winning movie. Now here was the number one song of the year.

Now let's have some hopping fun! There are no rules except have fun! If you are a new follower leave me a comment so I can follow you back. Link up to your blog, facebook or twitter and if you decide to do your own Wayback post link to that so I can check it out:) Don't forget to check out my co-host Cathy Kennedy for her Wayback post too!

Winner!

2011-10-03T20:45:00.000-04:00

We have a winner for the Discovery Girls magazine subscription! The lucky winner is Ashley! I will be sending you an email that I will need a response to within 48hrs or a new winner will be chowsen. Congrats!

Seventh Generation - My ten tips to prepare for baby's arrival

2011-10-03T19:03:00.001-04:00

I am so excited to be expecting my second this December. With the birth of my first I was always looking for safe and naturl alternatives to pretty much everything we used around the house. There are so many chemical based items out there, and it's scary knowing what damage they can do to us and the enviroment.

With Bella we used disposable diapers. I just wasn't educated enough on the alternatives. I have since done a lot of research into it and definitely plan to look into a new item I just heard about and am very excited about! Seventh Generation’s Free & Clear chlorine-free disposable diapers and baby wipes.

I have a to do list, to make sure we are ready for this baby. As Bella gets older, a lot of the precautions we took with her, aren't as needed, so now it is definitely time to babyproof again.

1. Make sure all the outlets are covered. - DONE

2. Check the expiry date on our car seat. - Seeing as it was nearing the expiry, we went and purchased a new one.

3. Getting rid of all small objects - We removed all of our items that could be swallowed and we are teaching Bella the importance of putting her toys away when she is done with them so the baby and no one else can be hurt by them.

4. Non toxic toys - I try to be very efficient in checking that toys we purchase are lead free.

5. Get the nursery ready - We are using the same nursery that we used for Bella (we moved her into a new room around her first birthday). We might paint the room again so it is very important to me that we use paints that are not toxic and especially non smelling

6. Bottles - I plan to breastfeed as I did with Bella but if there is a need to bottle feed, i plan to make sure all the bottles purchased are BPA free.

7. Preparing Big Sister - Bella is super excited! She is going to be a great big sister. We let her come to the untrasound when we found out the sex of the baby. We also let her pick the name of the baby from the 2 hubby and I chose as our faves. We will let her help with bathing the baby, changing diapers and other easy tasks.

8. Buy baby clothes - this is my fave task. I have clothes in all sizes but only have one or 2 "newborn" items. I figure if they are too small, I can donate them to the hospital for other parents who may need them.

9. Freeze some meals - The first few days home are going to be hectic for everyone. I am so fortunate to have a hubby who loves to cook, but it doesn't hurt to have a few meals made and frozen for the days we're just too tired to cook. My fave meal to do this with is lasagna.

10. Hospital bag - Finally bag the babies and my hospital bag. I plan to have this one done around my 32 week mark. You can never be to careful about when baby is ready to make an appearance!

“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Seventh Generation blogging program, for a gift card worth $50. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”

Pregnancy Update - 27 weeks

2011-10-02T20:04:00.000-04:00

Wow I can't believe it's already 27 weeks. I think I may be carrying the next David Beckham. This kid spends about 75% of the day kicking me and I love it.

I believe the baby might be sitting on a nerve. I have this constant pain in my back and it travels down my left leg. Sometimes the pain is so bad, it brings me near tears. I just have to remind myself that Dec 31 is just around the corner.

This week I have my OB appt. I am hoping that they can give me some of ideas on how to relieve the pain. Baths are great, but I can't sit in a tub all day long. If anyone has any suggestions, I'm open to them. I should also be getting my results for my glucose test. Hopefully they went well.

Oh Baby!

2011-09-29T10:20:00.001-04:00

I am so excited! I will be blogging on Oh Baby! Magazine's website. I love Oh Baby! You should really check them out if you haven't already. They have great articles for topics from prenatal through to toddler. They're a Canadian based magazine and they are always featuring great finds to help raise our kids:) If you love to win prizes, you should check out they're AWESOME contests. They have a number of them that I know I would love to win. Hope you'll check them out, read my blogs and don't forget to check ot all the other amazing mommy and daddy blogs!

Wayback Wednesdays - Week 32 & Blog Hop

2011-09-28T08:00:00.001-04:00

Hello 1992! So what happened in 1992?

Euro-Disney opened in France. Larry Bird retires from the NBA. But now let's get to the real fun stuff. Here isthe number 1 song from that year.

Educational Insights - September product review

2011-09-27T17:29:00.000-04:00

Okay moms and dads, teachers and homeschoolers, you are going to LOVE these 4 products I got to review from Educational Insights.

No Yell Bell - Every teacher can say they have had at least one rowdy class that they felt they had to yell, to get their attention. Well now there is another way that will save your voice and is a little more fun. The No Yell Bell has 7 different sound effects that are sure to grab your students attention. This could even be a great tool for daycares and preschools.

Alpha Catch - This was one of our faves. We're a baseball family, so what could be better than a learning tool that involves a little baseball. It's a fast paced way to practice letter names and sounds. This is perfect for children just starting school and learning their alphabet. Bella loves it because the velcro on the balls makes it easy to catch them in the adorable baseball gloves. Bella knows her alphabet really well and she loves catching the balls and telling me what letter and colour of the ball she caught. There are a number of other games that can be played.

Games include:
Letter Line Up - "What letter is that?"
Ace the Sound - "What sound does that letter make?"
Beginning Sounds Catch - "Say a word that begins with that sound!"
Ending Sounds Catch - "Say a word that ends with that sound!"
Middle Sounds Catch - "Say a word that has that sound in the middle!"
Word Catch - "Can you make a word with the letters you caught?"
Round Robin Play - "All questions above are asked as a group of kids tosses and catches the balls

Teachable Touchables - This was Bella's other fave. It comes with 10 different pairs of pillows and patches all with different textures. It also comes with a sack to out them all in. We seperated the pairs 10 on her table and 10 in the sack. She would choose one from the table and then reach in the bag to see if she could find the match. This is perfect for our preschoolers and their small hands.

GeoSafari Jr. Talking Microscope - This one was a little to advanced for my 3 year old but would be great for students starting kindergarten. What a great way to introduce science to them.
Features a dial children can turn to listen to fun facts about what they’re seeing on the slides
Challenges children to remember what they’ve learned in an electronic quiz game
Includes 12 prepared slides of common insects
Magnifies 5x and provides a light for easy, close-up viewing

Check out Educational Insights for info on how to piurchase these and other great educational toys and games.

My Self Esteem during this pregnancy.

2011-09-27T10:49:00.000-04:00

As you all know I am 26 weeks pregnant. I am gaining weight as I should be and I don't think I am overdoing it in the eating department. I love being pregnant, although I have had some ups and downs. My biggest down right now is the lack of sleep. The baby sits right on my ribs and it has been pretty painful for me. I would say if I got 3 solid hours of sleep last night, I was pretty lucky. My other down is how I feel about how I look. I'm a little frustrated that most of the maternity clothes I own from when I was pregnant with my Princess don't fit me. Everyone keeps telling me I look great but that is usually after being told how I look huge for 26 weeks or are you sure it's not twins. I have also been told a few times that from behind, you can't even tell I'm pregnant.

Well, I finally had a boost to my self esteem the other day. Most of the compliments you get, are from people you know. So they are obligated to be nice and tell you the things you want to hear right? The best compliments, are the ones that come from people you don't know.

Last week, I was walking back to work from picking up some lunch from a restaurant down the street. There was a car stopped at a red light and the driver started honking the horn and whistling at me. This normally aggravates me. I think it's rude and I don't appreciate it. When I turned around to give the guy a dirty look, to let him know I didn't like it, I saw a look of shock in his face. He right away started to apologize, and said that he didn't know I was pregnant. Well, this actually made my day. I guess there is some truth to "you can't tell that I'm pregnant from behind." Now when I get a compliment, I take it and appreciate it for what it is. And too think, any other day I might have given that guy the look of death and maybe had some nasty words for him...LOL

Sock 'n Boots - product review

2011-09-25T11:30:00.001-04:00

NO this is not a review for actual socks and boots. Sock 'n Boots are 2 new characters in their own book series and they are seriously cute. They have very important lessons to teach our kids. I received a compilation with all 3 of their stories and a colouring book. Bella and I loved them. The stories are easy for children to understand and rhyme so they are fun to listen to.

Each Sock 'n Boots story begins with a question. Then through the antics of the characters, a lesson is taught that answers the question. Once the story is finished the question is posed again which opens the door for additional discussion and interaction. Bella loved this portion of the book. It was fun for me too see what my 3 year old thought of to answer the question. It made me even more aware just how smart she is.

Sock is the younger and more mischievous of the pair. He is a playful and very emotional little guy. He is quick to look for fun but often finds trouble instead. It’s not uncommon to see him shed a tear or two when things get tough. His pal Boots always seems to be there to make him feel better and get him out of trouble.

The smartest little Boot you’ll ever get to know. He’s a little wiser than his younger friend Sock which makes them fit so well together. He’s all for fun but manages to keep a level head. Boots has a sweet tooth and can’t resist a nice big piece of chocolate cake. He is everything a best friend is supposed to be.

To purchase the Sock 'n Boots compilation book with all three stories, go to: https://www.createspace.com/3624701

Check out their facebook page for more info on Sock 'n Boots and become a fan today!

Pregnancy Update - 26 weeks

2011-09-24T08:36:00.001-04:00

I had a check up with my family Dr this week. Everything is going great! Babybug's heart beat is nice and strong. I'm gaining weight as I should be. I am glad that it is only showing in the belly:)

This week I have the "wonderful" glucose test:P I am not looking forward to drinking that horrible orange stuff:( I'm not to worried about having gestational diabetes, since I didn't have it with Bella but I do have diabetes in my family so it is an important test.

I am suffering with some pretty bad back pains. Babybug is sitting quite low. I find it hard to sit for too long and bending down can be pretty painful. I have been going to massage therapy which helps and I am addicted to baths which seem to offer some relief to. If anyone has any other suggestions to relieve this pain, I would love to hear it.

39DollarGlasses.com - product review and giveaway

2011-09-23T20:26:00.000-04:00

I was given an opportunity to review a pair of glasses from 39DollarGlasses.com. It always amazes me at how many people wear or should be wearing glasses. A lot of people go without wearing prescription glasses because they can be pretty expensive and without a good insurance plan, it can cost a pretty penny. 39DollarGlasses.com gives you the opportunity to get the glasses you need at affordable prices.

I really like navigating through the site. You are able to enter what you are looking for. (metal or plastic eyeglasses, men or women's frames) I also liked that there is a way to get an idea of how the glasses will look on you. With the use of SmartFit Face Shapes, you are able to select the shape closest to your face to see how the glasses suit your features.

Do you have a little one who is in need of prescription glasses? Check out the really cute kids eyeglasses. Check out their sunglasses for your choice of either prescription or non-prescription options. You can save 10% on your purchase of any glasses on 39DollarGlasses.com using the code TIMEOUT.

While you're checking out their site, how about checking out which pair of glasses you would like to win! 39DollarGlasses.com have generously offered one of my CAN or US readers one pair of prescription glasses or sunglasses (up to $75 in value)

Mandatory Entry: Like 39DollarGlasses.com on facebook and leave a post on their page mentioning their glasses, prices, etc. (Do not mention Mommy Time Out or your post will be disqualified.) Then leave me a comment here with your email address and let me know that you have done this (I will be checking to make sure this step is done.)

For extra entries: (seperate comment for each pls.)

Follow Mommy Time Out on GFC

Like Mommy Time Out on facebook

Follow Mommy Time Out on twitter

Follow 39DollarGlasses.com on twitter

Giveaway ends October 15, 2011

Wayback Wednesdays - Week 31 & Blog Hop

2011-09-20T22:25:00.001-04:00

It's that time of week again. Time to bring back some memories and have fun meeting people. Don't forget to check out my co-host Cathy Kennedy for her Wayback post too! This week we feature 1991.1991 was most memorable for the year I started high school. A lot of great memories were made in my years there.

What else do I remember from 1991? Jeffrey Dahmer was arrested for serial killing and Magic Johnson announced he was HIV positive. In the entertainment world Silence of the Lambs, Terminator 2 and Sleeping With The Enemy were released (all of which I really like).

The number one song from that year was Everything I do by Bryan Adams. Unfortunately, I am unable to share that video so I decided to choose a fun song instead. Enjoy!

Thyme Maternity - product review

2011-09-20T10:51:00.001-04:00

As you all know, I'm pregnant! I was extremely fortunate to receive a few pieces from the fall line from Thyme Maternity for review. These are must have pieces for the fall.

Modern dressy pan with 3 in 1 panel. These are a great pant for the office or going out to dinner. I couldn't believe how comfortable they were but still stylish. They have a really nice flare leg, which I found very flattering. The belly band can be worn over the belly (which is how I prefer it), folded over so it goes to your belly button or folded even lower so it can be worn under the belly. This is great for all trimesters.

The next item I received was the long sleeved maternity basic tee. This is perfect for the cool nights we have been having. It's made from a soft stretchy fabric, so you can wear it throughout your pregnancy and even after. They are available in a number of different colours. I am looking forward to going and getting a few more.

The last item of clothing I received was a basic lounge pant. Probably going to be the pair I live in...LOL. They look really flattering and are crazy comfy! These are great for going for walks or just hanging around the house. I've even worn them to work a few times and didn't feel like a slob. Another item I will be going to get more of:)

The last thing I received was the Soothing Therapy Skin Care (Energize Leg Gel, Uplift Breast Cream and Protect Stretch Mark Cream). These creams and gels are not overpowering in smell which is my biggest dislike about a lot of the stretch mark creams I have tried. None of these items are tested on animals (great to know) and they all come in biodegradable packaging (another plus!).

To find a Thyme Maternity near you, click here.

DesignerLiners - product review

2011-09-19T18:49:00.000-04:00

I received some DesignerLiners trash bags for review. These are great and I never thought I'd say this about a garbage bag...but they are so cute! DesignerLiners are biodegradable, affordable and decorative. These are definitely going to be used when I host a party. The design is on the inside of the bag so when the top hangs over your waste basket, it is "pretty" to look at. I received the navy blue with white polka dots. I love them.

When checking out their website, I noticed something pretty cool. If you own your own business or have a logo or brand name you want to get out there, they can custom design a DesignerLiner for you!

I know I'll be using these in the nursery when the baby comes:)

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Pregnancy Update - 25 weeks

2011-09-18T20:07:00.000-04:00

So I'm a little late this weekend. It was a busy one. This week it was the same old thing. Baby is VERY active and keeping me up. Sometimes he moves into an area that is a little painful but he never stays there long. I find I am already out of breath when walking for too long and going up stairs.

So time for the big announcement! Bella has picked a name and she has decided to go with Gian-Michael. I think both our dads are thrilled:) His middle name will be Alexander. It is nice to have a name for him.

This week I have a check up with my family Dr. so its exciting to know I'll be hearing his heatbeat again this week. Other than that, there is not much to report. Can't wait to see what this week brings.

Wayback Wednesdays - Week 30 & Blog Hop

2011-09-13T22:02:00.006-04:00

Welcome to the 90's! We lost 2 very famous people this year. Greta Garbo and Sammy Davis Jr. What a huge loss to the entertainment world.

I love the song that I am featuring today. Sinead O'Connor made a beautiful song with a wonderful video. Hope you enjoy!

Now let's have some hopping fun! There are no rules except have fun! If you are a new follower leave me a comment so I can follow you back. Link up to your blog, facebook or twitter and if you decide to do your own Wayback post link to that so I can check it out:) I have a new co-host too! YAY! Pls check out Cathy Kennedy's blog to see what 1990 held for her.

Winner!

2011-09-12T18:46:00.000-04:00

I would like to congratulate Stephanie for winning the "I Dig NY" t-shirt. What a great way to show your pride for what those wonderul heroes did on that horrible day.

I will send you an email that I will meed a response to in 48hrs or a new winner will be chosen.

Pregnancy Update - 24 weeks

2011-09-09T20:56:00.000-04:00

This was a pretty good week. A couple of nights were rough in the sleep department but that it will be an issue for the next 4 months. I had my OB appt on Tuesday. I love hearing Babybug's heart beat. It's the best thing about those appts.

It appears we have an official name for the baby. We had chosen 2 that we liked and then we let Bella decide what name it would be (I felt it was important she pick to really keep her involved in the pregnancy). She chose the name a few weeks ago but you know how 3 year old girls love to change their mind:o)

The names we had liked were Gian-Michael (after both our dads) and Alexander (which is hubby's middle name). I'm going to let you guess which one Bella chose. I will make the "Official" name announcement next week. We haven't told all our family members yet so I'll let all of you know after we tell them. I would love to hear which one of the 2 you like best as well:o)

Shutterfly Review

2011-09-07T20:30:00.000-04:00

I love taking pictures of my family and friends. What is troublesome to me is getting them developed and putting them into albums. That's why I LOVE photo books. They are so much nicer than having loose pictures everywhere. Shutterfly makes making photo books so easy.

With the new baby on the way, I am very interested in checking out their announcements. We are going to baptize the baby and I have already seen a few different styles of invitations I love. They even have some really cute shower invitations.

With Christmas just a few months away. I know I will find the perfect gift for our parents. They love getting pictures of our little Princess. I think this year we might make them a calendar or a photo mug. Make sure you check out Shutterfly to get some great ideas.

Are you a fellow blogger? Want a chance at a free Shutterfly photo book? Sign up: http://goo.gl/K5hUC”

Wayback Wednesdays - Week 29 & Blog Hop

2011-09-06T20:57:00.001-04:00

1989 - The end of an awesome decade. I really wish I was a few years older to really have appreciated it as much as I do now. 1989 was the year the Berlin Wall came down. What monumental day in history that was. I also remember getting ready to watch the World Series with my dad and hearing about a massive earthquake right before the game started.

There were a lot of songs that I loved this year and I had a REALLY hard time choosing the one I want to feature, SO I am going to feature a few of them:) Enjoy, there's a little something for everyone!

Pregnancy Update - 23 weeks part 2

2011-09-05T20:39:00.000-04:00

So I know the last couple of weeks I've been promising updated pics. I finally got hubby to take a few. Of course as soon as Bella saw him taking a pic of me she wanted to be in them too...LOL. I'm glad she did. Hubby got some cute ones:)

It's so cute how much she already loves her brother! Hope you liked seeing our pics. We'll update again in a few weeks:)

Baby and You facebook site review

2011-09-05T06:46:00.001-04:00

I was so excited to be introduced to a great new facebook page (Thanks Mom Central Canada). It has a ton of cool stuff including coupons and other great moms to connect with. Baby and You has some great Canadian based mom bloggers who you should really check out! Mommy Moment dedicated to all things Mom, Lisa from Growing Your Baby, focusing on all things baby.

I don't know to many people who are NOT on facebook, so what a great way to connect with other moms. I love sharing my stories and reviews of baby products and I love to read others peoples stories and suggestions. So you know I will be on this site every day checking out what is new. This page is brought to you by Loblaw Companies (Loblaws, Zehrs, etc). Plus there's a huge contest to win $1000 in groceries (now who can't use that...I really hope I win!)

Plus if you check back in early September (within the next week or 2) for something special. Does anyone like Joe Fresh????

“Disclosure – I am participating in the Baby and You program by Mom Central Canada on behalf of Loblaw Companies. I received compensation as a thank you for my participation. The opinions on this blog are my own.”

Discovery Girls - product review and giveaway

2011-09-04T18:30:00.000-04:00

Okay Ladies, you know as well as I do what a love we have for magazines and that love starts early on. Unfortunately, there are not many magazines out there that are geared for preteens and that offer good articles that are helpful to our young girls. When I was approached by Discovery Girls to do a review for their magazine, I was instantly curious.

Discovery Girls is a magazine created by girls for girls. This is great because it means the content is what our tweens want to read about. It talks about real life situations and it is coming from girls the same age so they are more comfortable with the advice given than if it was written by an adult. I had an 11 year old take a look at the copy I received and she thought it was great. She related to a couple of the articles and LOVED the suggestions for outfits for back to school.

I was surprised to find out this magazine has been around for over 11 years. I am really glad to be able to help spread the word about this great magazine and am looking forward to subscribing to it when my daughter is a tween. Young girls need a magazine that will concentrate on the positives of us rather than reading magazines that give false impressions of the "perfect girl". It's a great read for dealing with embarrassing situations to health and beauty advice.

Do you have a tween at home who you think would enjoy this magazine? Discovery Girls is offering one of my US or Canadian readers 1 complimentary year subscription to the magazine (a $20 value!).

To enter (pls leave your email address 1 entry for each)

Follow Mommy Time Out on GFC

Like Mommy Time Out on facebook

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Like Discovery Girls on facebook

Giveaway ends September 30, 2011

We have a winner!

2011-09-04T10:26:00.000-04:00

Congrats to Angie! I am going to send you an email that I will need a reply to in 48hrs or a new winner will be chosen.

Sunglass Warehouse giveaway

2011-09-03T20:28:00.000-04:00

Just a few more hours to get your entries in for the Sunglass Warehouse gift certificate. Click here to enter. Winner will be abboubced tomorrow. Low entries so get yours in now:)

Pregnancy Update - 23 weeks

2011-09-03T08:39:00.003-04:00

This week I have had to deal with a lot of heartburn. It seems to be everything I eat causes it. Then of course there is the no sleep that you always hear me complain about. As the baby gets bigger it feels like he is squishing whatever organs are on my right side. It really sucks that I can't sleep on my left side. I'm so afraid that if I try to I will get my vertigo again. Anyone have any suggestions on getting a good night sleep without cramping up? Right now I sleep with a pillow in between my knees, a wedge pillow under my belly and a long round body pillow at my back so I don't roll over. I have a half hour ritual I have to perform every night to ensure comfort while I sleep and it only really lasts for an hour:(

The best thing this week had to be watching the baby move and kick. Yep I can see where the baby kicking me and rolling around know. It so cool to see my belly move up with his movements. Makes all my complaints seem so silly.

I know I haven't posted a pic in awhile. I promise to soon. Maybe I'll get hubby to take a pic of me later today.

Wayback Wednesdays - Week 28 & Blog Hop

2011-08-30T20:34:00.000-04:00

This week I am featuring 1988. Rain Man was the top grossing movie of this year. George Bush became President of the US. This is also the year I became a HUGE Guns N Roses fan!

"I Dig NY" Graphic T - We Will Never Forget

2011-08-29T21:39:00.001-04:00

10 years ago, one of the most horrific events that I have ever seen in my lifetime happened on September 11. Anyone you ask about that day, I am positive they will remember what it was they were doing when the terrorists attacks happened in New York. That day was not only a sad day in history but also showed how people can and will band together in a time of need. There were so many men and women in uniform, who worked day and night to try and keep people safe and try to find survivors in what was left of the twin towers. I was fortunate enough to learn about a company who wants to give back to these people.

Duglife.com has designed a limited edition tee that will be available September 1, 2011. 60% of proceeds from the sales made prior to 09/11/11, will be given to the New York Police and Fire Department Unions, given they risked their lives to save others during the terror attacks on the World Trade Center. Duglife's goal is to inspire people around the nation to wear the "I dig NY" T-Shirt on September 11th as a tribute to showing the world just how Americans of all different cultures can unite. They also want to display that we will "Never Forget" and will always dig New York.

What better reason to buy a tee? Spread the word and purchase one of the wonderful t-shirts for such a great cause. Don't forget to purchase your tee prior to September 11 so that 60% of the proceeds will go to these great men and women.

Want to win one of your very own I Dig NY" tees? Just become a fan of Mommy Time Out and leave me a comment with your email address.

For extra entries: (extra comments for each)

Like Dug on facebook

Like Mommy Time Out on facebook

Follow Mommy Time Out on twitter

Giveaway ends September 11, 2011

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Roadkill T Shirts - product review

2011-08-27T21:24:00.003-04:00

I was given the opportunity to review a T shirt from Roadkill T shirts. The y have so many funny t shirts that will fit any type of sense of humor. They sent me a tshirt that I will not show on this page because it is a little crude but it says on it "What the f___ are you looking at?" This is a great tee for my PMS days...LOL!

Roadkill T shirts has funny tees available for both women and men. Their newest concept is one I love for hubby. It's called the Beer Tap T shirt. This is a great gift idea for our boys who are in beer leagues:) They also offer American Apparel t shirts.

Here are a few of the funny tees I really liked from their site.

How would you like to win one of you own funny tees? Check out their facebook page and liek them today. They are always offering giveaways on their facebook page and you could be the next lucky winner.

Pregnancy Update - 22 weeks

2011-08-27T10:06:00.000-04:00

Wow where is the time going? This week Babybug has been treating me like a punching bag! He is making sure I remember he is there:)

Bella is getting more excited every day! She talks to him more and always makes sure to say good night and give my belly a kiss every night. It brings a tear to my every time! I love how happy she is to be getting a brother.

I need to go shopping this week for some new maternity clothes:( I'm a lot bigger this pregnancy than I was with Bella so all the medium clothes I had are a little snug. I don't mind too much though, I love the styles that are out this year;) Wish me luck in not spending too much money...LOL