The Tree Huggin Mama Baby Event

Check out the giant baby event at The Tree Huggin Mama's blog. Starts September 19th.

Win a Twilight LadyBug!

Win a Cloud B Twilight LadyBug from Happenings of the Harper Household.

ENTER HERE

Win a Prince Lionheart Wheely Bug!

Win a Wheely Bug from Two of a Kind Working on a Full House.

ENTER HERE Giveaway ends 9.19



And check out all the other great products from Price Lionheart HERE.

Win Habaland Play Blocks!

Want to win Habaland Play Block from Two of a Kind Working on a Full House? ENTER HERE Giveaway ends 9.12



And check out all the other great products from HABA.

Wn a $50 GC to Hearthsong

Check out Life With My Littles blog for a chance to win a $50 GC to Heartsong. I would get this if I am the lucky winner!



I have wanted Magneatos for my son for awhile now. I mean, seriously, how much fun do magnetic blocks sound?

ENTER HERE And don't forget to check out all the other great giveaways and auctions going on at Life With My Littles blog while you are there.

Win a Bumgenius Artist Series diaper!

I am in love with the Artist Series Diapers from Bumgenius. They are so cute! And more importantly (I think ;) ) they work. We never have leaks with our Bumgenius 4.0s. Enter to win an Artist Series Diaper from Happenings of the Harper Household.

ENTER HERE

Win $50 to Genius Babies!

Check out Love You Always and Forever for a chance to win a gift certificate to Genius Babies online store!

I'm going to have such a hard time picking if I won but I think I would go with THIS. I think Charlie would love the magnetic building set not only now but for years to come. And I love toys that can grow with a child.

ENTER HERE

Win a swimsuit form Voda Swim!

Want to win the swimsuit of your choice from Voda Swim? Check out Outnumbered 3 to 1's blog for your chance to win. I would love the Teal Envy Push up in Coral Stone! So pretty!

ENTER HERE

Win a GC to Hapari Swimwear!

I have been working my butt off lately trying to get in shape and lose weight and for the first time in a long time (and possibly in my whole life) I feel comfortable wearing a swim suit. I would love to win this giveaway and be able to purchase a quality suit (maybe even a bikini...) for myself.

Win a $96 giftcard to Hapari swimwear from Sugar Pop Ribbon Reviews & Giveaways!

ENTER HERE

Win an ERGO carrier!

Check out Uniquely Normal Mom and enter for a chance to win your choice of an ERGO baby carrier.

ENTER HERE

Win a Bummis Swimmi!

We used 2 Bummis Swimmis diapers on vacation and they worked out perfectly. They held in everything and I do mean EVERYTHING. ;)

Want to win one for yourself? Check out Outnumbered 3 to 1 and ENTER HERE.

Win an itti bitti d'lish

Want to win one of my favorite diapers? Sugar Pop Ribbons Reviews & Giveaways is giving one lucky reader an itti bitti d'lish!

ENTER HERE

Win a Schwinn Women's Merge Bicycle

We have been talking about getting bicylces for awhile now. I would love to be able to take long bike rides with my husband and Charlie on the weekend. So when I saw this giveaway at Two of a Kind, Working on a Full House I entered right away.

Check out Schwinn's line of bikes HERE

And ENTER HERE

Win an Oh Katy Cloth Diaper!

Check out Happily Domestic's blog and enter for a chance to win TWO Oh Katy One-Size Pocket Cloth Diapers.

Enter Here

Win an itti bitti tutto!

Enter to win an itti bitti tutto diaper from Baby and the Chi's!

Enter Here

Vacationing with Cloth Diapers

Earlier this month we went on vacation to Jamaica (which was AMAZING) and we brought along our cloth diapers despite not having access to a washing machine. We figured Charlie would be in cloth swim diapers most of the day and that we could just hand-wash his regular cloth diapers in the tub. I decided ahead of time to only bring our pocket diapers as I thought the AIO (All-in-Ones) would be harder to hand-wash.

We ended up washing them 3 times in the week we were there. We would start by rinsing each shell and insert out several times and all ringing it to get all the water out. Then we put them all in the tub full of hot water and some detergent (very little as I wanted to make sure we could rinse it all out) and let them soak for a little bit. After that we hand-washed each insert and shell and rinsed it several times. We used the smell test after all that to make sure they were really clean.

Here is a photo of the hand-washing in action.



We originally tried hanging up our diapers outside to dry but it was so humid and we didn't have enough sun on our covered balcony to dry them so we ended up laying the diapers flat on a table underneath the fan all day and they dried just fine.

I won't lie it was work and my husband got a blister on his hand from ringing the diapers out so hard (mircofiber does not feel nice on your skin at all) but we would do it again. I'm hoping next time we go on vacation we will have access to a washer though. ;)

Win an ERGO baby carrier!

Mommy & Me Giveaways is giving an Ergo baby carrier to one lucky reader!

Enter Here

Win a Limited Edition Charlie Banana Diaper!

I am in love with this diaper! How cute is this? I secretly want it in a small for a newborn that I do not have (or plan on having for awhile). You can enter to win one from Goodbye Disposable, Hello Cloth.



Enter Here
Ends 6/9

Blissful Booty giveaway from The Clothspring!

The Clothspring has an amazing Blissful Booty package giveaway right now. One lucky entrant will win a Blissful Booty Ultra & 1 oz bottle of wipe concentrate.

I am lucky enough to own a Blissful booty diaper and can attest to it's awesomeness. It is so soft, has generous sizing, and we have never had a leak using it. And the wipe solution is amazing! I have always used plain water with my wipes until I got a sample of their solution to try. It smells SO good! And it left his bum clean.

Check out the giveaway HERE. And check out Blissful Booty's products HERE.

Charlie with his Blissful Booty AIO peaking out from underneath his jeans. :)

Tot School

I love the idea of homeschool. So when I found the blog 1+1+1=1 this week I was thrilled! I felt such a strong connection to the idea of "Tot School" and I was so excited that I started it right away. Now Charlie just turned 1 last week, so we won't be pulling out the text books anytime soon, but what we are doing is learning through play.

I try and follow Charlie's lead on things, what he wants to play with or where he wants to explore in the house. If we start an activity and he isn't into it then we move on, no big deal. So I thought I would document some of the things we are doing in "Tot School".

Charlie's 1st time painting- It was messy but he loved it.



He even painted the patio. :)



And now I have this colorful masterpiece to hang on my fridge!



We also played with items from the texture box. I simply put different toys and household item with different textures in a box and I bring it out throughout the day. I'm going to try and rotate items to keep the box exciting.

The texture box-



Charlie took time for a imaginary phone call. :)



Playing with wooden blocks. He practiced stacking and clapped for himself every time he added a block.



Going for a third...



And then he built this...



Nah I'm just kidding! But he did knock it down. ;)

Happy Mother's Day!

Yesterday I celebrated my 2nd Mother's Day. Last year Charlie was 5 days old and it was our first full day home from the hospital. And this year I had a sick 1 year old but it was still an amazing day. I think Mother's Day will always be extra special to me because of everything we went through trying to get pregnant. I feel so blessed to even be a Mom and I don't take it for granted.

I wanted to take a moment and say that I hope that all the women going through infertility yesterday also had a wonderful Mother's day. It takes a strong woman to walk down that road and you are an amazing Mother even before your child is conceived because you have been fighting for them for years. I pray that next year the women in my life who are going through this will have a very different experience. You all are never far from my heart or my prayers.

Win 2 itti bitti diapers!

Itti Bitti d'lish is officially one of my new favorites diaper! For an AIO the d'lish is so absorbent and I love the how soft and adorable it is on Charlie's bum. :)

So if you have never tried one before head over to Mommy's Peanut Gallery and ENTER to win 2 diapers- an itti bitti d'lish & an itti bitti tutto.

And check out itti bitti's website HERE.

Tiny Tush $100 GC Giveaway!

Tiny Tush is celebrating it's 10 year anniversary and giving away a $100 GC to one lucky blog reader! Check out their web site HERE and enter the giveaway HERE!

Win 24 Rumparooz diapers from Kelly Wells!

Kelly Wels is giving away a Rumparooz prize pack that includes 24 G2 One-Size Rumparooz cloth diapers, 1 Kanga Care Wet Bag, & 1 Kanga Care Pail Liner to promote the launch of her new book Changing Diapers: A Hip Mom's Guide to Modern Cloth Diapering.



You can preorder her new book HERE. (You get 20 extra entries for pre-ordering!)

And enter the sweepstakes HERE.

And check out extra entries information HERE.

Win a $20 GC from Cloth Diaper Outlet

Who couldn't use $20 for more fluff? If I were to win I think I would get this Bummis Swimmi swim diaper in Clownfish. I had one last year (in turtle print) and it was so cute and worked perfectly.


Enter Here!

Britax Roundabout 55 Giveaway

Check out Mom Spotted for a chance at winning this awesome Britax Convertible Carseat!



Enter Here!

And check out Britax's line of products HERE.

Hapari Swimwear

As much as I am not looking forward to putting on a swimsuit this year I think this swimsuit might change my mind!



Check out Hapari Swimwear and all their cute suits HERE.

Win a Step 2 Gather & Grill Playhouse from Mom Spotted!

Want to win this fun Gather and Grill Playhouse from Step 2 worth $399.99? Of course you do!



Enter Here!

And visit Step 2 to check out more of their fun toys.

Win a Safety 1st Car Seat from Midget Momma!

Want to win the Safety 1st Complete Air 65 Convertable Car Seat? Of course you do! Head on over to Midget Momma and enter before April 22nd!

Enter Here!

Bye Bye Sposies, Hello Cloth Event!

Have you checked out the series of giveaways going on at Mama B's blog yet? If not, you really should!

Here is the list an link of prizes so far-

Modern Cloth Giveaway- 1 reader will win a Econobum FULL Kit and 1 reader will win 2 Thirsties Due Diapers.

DNA Diapers Giveaway- 1 reader will win 1 Thirsties Due Diaper Size 2 & 1 Happy Heiny Diaper.

Nicki's Diapers Giveaway- 1 reader will win 1 Best Bottoms Shell with 2 stay-dry inserts and one overnight insert.

Madison Organics Giveaway- Win 2 One Size Fuzzibunz Diapers & 1 Diaper Pail

Zooper Tango Review & Giveaway- Win a Zooper Rocker & Hook On Highchair

ZukaBaby Giveaway- Win 1 Fuzzibunz OS and 1 Rumparooz OR 1 Thirsties Duo and 1 G Diaper

Figure 8 Maternity Giveaway- 2 Charlie Banana OS

Sandbox Lane Giveaway- Win a $25 giftcard.

Little Buns Giveaway- Win a 6 pack of Charlie Banana OS diapers

Snaps & Snails Giveaway- Win 1 Yo-Yoo pocket, 1 Wet Bag & 2 Inserts

Smart Bottoms Giveaway- Win one Smart One AIO

Suburban Tree Hugger Giveaway- Win a $25 GC

Baby Belle Bottoms Giveaway- Win Fuzzibunz OS in Apple Green

Pure Modern Baby Giveaway- Win a Applecheeks Mini Test & Softbums Basic Pack

Bitty Bottoms Giveaway
- Win 1 Happy Heiny, 1 Rumparooz, & 1 Fuzzibunz.

Oh Katy Giveaway- Win 1 OS Oh Katy diaper.

Euphoria Giveaway- Win a Bumgenius 4.0

Petunia Pickle Bottom- Win a Peaceful Portofino Boxy Backpack

Ten Tiny Piggies Giveaway- Win a FLIP, Bumgenius & Thirsties Duo

Baby Bottoms Boutique- Two readers will win a Wahmies Wetbag & a FLIP diaper.

Snuggle Bugz Giveaway- Win 2 Applecheeks Little Bundles, 1 Swim diaper, & 1 bumGenius bottom cleaner.

Comfy Cozy Diapers Giveaway- Win 1 Artist Series bumGenius diaper

While you are there don't forget to play the Name that Diaper giveaway for extra entries!

Win a Boba Carrier!

Want a chance to win a Boba Carrier? Just follow this link to Dirty Truth Reviews and enter!

Win an ERGO carrier from Jewels & Treasures!

You know from my latest babywearing post below that I LOVE my Ergo! Here is a chance for you to win one for yourself!

Enter here.

Why I love Baby Wearing!

While pregnant last year I along with some Moms-to-be from my Bradley Class attended a baby wearing demo led by Amber from Heavenly Hold.

There were so many options to choose from and I happily tried them all on over my rapidly expanding baby belly. I went in thinking I wanted a sling because honestly that's all I really thought there was to baby wearing. But Amber opened up a whole new world of soft structured carriers, wraps, mei teis & more. I ended up purchasing both a Sleepy Wrap & Organic ERGO carrier. I went with these two because I wanted something that would work well for both myself and my husband who at 6'5 is over a foot taller than me.

Fast forward a few months and I gave birth to the sweetest boy ever. I ended up with a c-section and despite recovering from major surgery I was able to wear my almost 9 lbs baby in the Sleepy Wrap on day 5. It was Mother's Day and we met my family for lunch and a quick shopping trip. He slept the entire time snuggled close to me. During the weeks that followed I wore him often around the house because he did not like to be put down at all. I wore him while sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, and even hanging clothes outside. Daddy even wore him at my 6 week check up!

Here is a picture of us on my 1st Mother's Day. I look a little rough, but he was as happy as can be.



I have to admit I didn't have love for my Ergo at first. But when he hit about 5 months old that all changed! Now I don't know how I would survive without it. I wear him everytime we leave the house whether it be grocery shopping or a trip to the zoo or museum (which we did yesterday and let me tell you he loved it!). The ERGO allows him the feeling of being held while leaving my arms free. But my absolute favorite thing about the ERGO is being able to nurse in it. This is why I say it is a lifesaver! I have nursed him a million places in the ERGO all without having to stop what I am doing and without people around me knowing what's going on. The sleeping hood makes the best nursing cover! The pouch in the front is good size for a clean cloth diaper and small wet bag which is perfect for most outings. I never leave home without my ERGO and even Daddy enjoys wearing Charlie (especially on his back).

A picture of a sleepy Charlie in his ERGO in a corn maze this past fall.



There are so many reasons why I love baby wearing. I love that he feels calm and secure in unfamiliar places. I love being able to whisper things to him and explain the world around him while exploring both inside and outside our home. But I guess my biggest reason that I love baby wearing is because I love having my baby close to me.

Win a Britax B-Scene Stroller

If the Britax B-Scene stroller is anything like B-Ready you are going to want to check this out! I recently won the B-Ready in a giveaway and can personally attest to it's awesomeness (easy to adjust and maneuver, stylish, comfortable, large storage basket, etc.) so I would imagine the B-Scene has to be pretty cool!



Busy Mommy Media is giving one away! Enter here.

I feel a tooth!

Well after 7 (LONG) months of teething symptoms I can finally feel a tooth! I spent about 30 minutes yesterday telling Charlie how proud and excited I was that he was getting his first tooth! He is such a big boy now I can hardly stand it (I won't mention the time I have spent literally crying that my boy will be 10 months old this weekend and oh so close to 1)! I wish I had a picture for you all because you can just barely see a bit of the tooth, but he doesn't even like me looking at it much less taking a picture. Alright I'll quit acting like a crazy excited 1st time Mom now, I just had to brag for a minute!

Knickernappies 1000 Blog Followers Giveaway

Who couldn't use more fluff? Check out Knickernappies blog and enter to win a prize pack worth over $150!

(3) Custom Fit Knickernappies Pocket Diapers in the size and colors of their choice!
(3) LoopyDo's in the size of their choice!
(1) Doorknob Diaper Pail
(1) Knickernappies Diaper Sprayer

Sounds awesome, right? Enter here!

KellyWels.com bumGenius 4.0 Sweepstakes

Have you heard about the AMAZING sweepstakes going on right now at KellyWels.com?

The lucky winner gets-
*18 One-Size bumGenius 4.0 diapers with inserts
*1 bumgenius Diaper Sprayer
*1 bumGenius Pail Liner

If you are thinking of converting to cloth this would be the perfect starter set!

Here are the rules and Enter Here

Planet Wise Giveaway from Take Time To Smell the Rose

Check out this Planet Wise Giveaway from Take Time to Smell the Rose! One lucky reader will win 1 Hanging Wet/Dry Bag.

I have one of these bags and I LOVE it! These bags are so much better than a diaper pail in my opinion. They also work really well when traveling because they have a dry zippered compartment to hold clean diapers. Plus they come in cute patterns! Check them out!

Enter

Green Toys Giveaway from Mommy Times

Check out this great Green Toys Giveaway from Mommy Times. All Green Toys products are made from 100% recycled plastic! I love their tugboat and plan on getting one for Charlie for his birthday in a few months. I figure he could use it in the bath and in the pool this summer.

You could win this truck!

Green Toys Giveaway

The story of Charlie

My husband and I spent 3.5 years trying to get pregnant using different fertility drugs and treatments. About 3 years in we were told we would most likely need IVF to become pregnant. This news was devastating but we decided to take some time off and save money for IVF or adoption as we couldn't decide what road we wanted to go down. So, as you can imagine, we got the shock of our lives on August 22, 2009 when we found out that we were expecting (with no medical treatment).

On May 5, 2010 I became a Mama to my long-awaited little man, Charlie. He is truly an answered prayer and the biggest blessing ever.

It's hard for me to believe he is almost 9 months old. Everyone said it goes by so fast and they weren't kidding! He is crawling, cruising furniture and just last night he walked behind his walker for the first time. He loves dogs and will not leave them alone! He is getting more interested in solid foods with his favorites being broccoli and apples. And he is a cup thief, so watch your glass if you head to our house.

I love being his Mama! I am passionate about breast-feeding, cloth diapers, and following your instincts as a parent. And I love a good giveaway! :)

Thirsties Duo Wrap Diaper Giveaway

Check out this great giveaway from A Mommy's Blessings! You could win a Thirsties Duo Wrap Diaper.

I know I have been dying to try one of these! I especially love the "Cool Stripes" and "Blackbird" prints.

Enter Here

Contest ends February 4.

Contact

Email- CharlieMama05@gmail.com