Bump to Birthday ---- Journal Your Pregnancy and Baby's First Year

Thank you From You To Me for the Bump to Birthday journal.

All pregnancies and babies are different. As moms we like to remember everything that happened during our pregnancies and once our children have been born. Instead of writing everything down on the calendar and then having to go through every month to remember significant events you have had during pregnancy or after your baby was born, you could get a great journal to help you record all of those moments --- good or bad!

Bump to Birthday journal was designed to do just that! From the moment you find out you are pregnant to your little one's first birthday, you'll have all of your experiences documented and organized in an easy to find, fun to use journal.

The Bump to Birthday journal starts out with information about mommy and daddy and how you found out you were pregnant. The journal then continues with weekly gestational updates from 9 through 40+ weeks. Each week has a description of baby at that week of gestation as well as a space to write what has been going on and how you have been feeling.

Next the journal goes through baby's birth! Labor, delivery and birth stats. Followed by a section devoted to baby's first month. The last section is all about baby's firsts, ending with baby's first birthday. 

The color scheme and bird theme are perfect for your baby boy or girl! Work through the journal with mama bird. 

I really like the design and layout of this book. It is a great pregnancy journal. I like that it has detailed information for each week of pregnancy and space for photos and jotting down notes. I also like the section on all the first. 

There are two things I think this book is missing. First, I like to have a chart to document when my child's teeth come in. For some reason I find it fun comparing how fast/slow, soon/late their teeth come in. That being said, there is a "Notes" section that could be used for this. Second, it doesn't have journaling space for each month in the first year. There is a growth chart that gives you space to write height and weight for each month until the first year, but there isn't space to write down what your child is doing in each month. The firsts section does cover all of that info, but I guess I just like to have it organized a little differently.  

All in all, this is a very cute journal that would be the perfect gift for yourself or someone else when pregnancy arrives! A great way to document all of those pregnancy ups and downs as well as your baby's birth and many firsts! 

You can purchase the Bump To Birthday journal from From You to Me for $29.95.

Disclosure: I received the product pictured above in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own and 100% honest. 

My Growing Up Chart {review}

There are many battles I face with my children on a daily basis. Some I have to choose to ignore, some I have to deal with, and others seem so simple that if my son would just do what I ask of him we'd save ourselves unnecessary frustration.

Waking up and getting ready for the day seems to be one of our biggest struggles. My son fights to put on his clothes, brush his teeth and use the bathroom. He's only 5 years old, I can't imagine what the teenage years are going to be like.

Since we started homeschooling this year, I knew we had to come up with a better routine to make our mornings easier on all of us.

My Growing Up Chart takes some of the wrinkles out of our morning routine, making for a happier mommy and a better start to our day. My Growing Up Chart is a sticker reward chart that encourages independence and responsibility in elementary school age children.

Each chart comes with 10 activity stickers and 6 blank ones to fill in your own activities. There are also 12 stickers of each number 1-20 that you apply to the chart as your child finishes each activity or task. There are also star stickers that read "Great Job" for when you child deserves that extra boost for doing great things! The stickers are re-usable. So once your child earns all 20 stickers you can put them back on the sheet and start over. You can even change out the activity stickers as needed. The chart comes with four square shaped double sided adhesive pads for attaching your My Growing Up Chart to the wall or refrigerator. A dry erase marker is also included in the package so you can write on the chart as needed.

Not sure how to use the chart when you get it? No problem! It comes with a "How To" guide to help you get the most out of your rewards chart. 

I was actually surprised at how well Squirrel (5 years-kindergarten) does with this chart. As I was setting it up I was trying to think of a reward for when he got all 20 stickers, but decided not to give an additional reward.  He has been more eager to get dressed and brush his teeth since implementing the My Growing Up Chart. He'll often remind me that he gets a sticker when he completes a task, if I haven't had to ask him then I'll also give him a star sticker.

I feel as though My Growing Up Chart positively affects our morning routine. If I could be diligent with it everyday and stay proactive, we could eliminate or morning struggles completely. I do see this chart helping my child grow some independence and responsibility for himself. The stickers are truly reusable. The bottom of our chart is at the perfect level for my 2 year old. He likes to move the number stickers to cover the eyes of the characters on the activity stickers. I have moved them back several times and they are still sticky! 

I'm happy to have found something that helps smooth out our morning routine. Starting off the day on the right foot makes for a straight path for the rest of the day! 

Buy it: You can purchase My Growing Up Chart on Amazon for $18.99.

What part of your day seems to be the most challenging? Have you tried a rewards chart to make it easier? 

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.

Pumpkin Spice Oreo Truffles

If you know me personally or follow Just Me and the Boys Facebook page, you know that fall means Pumpkin Spice everything!

Some of my favorite pumpkin flavors include Dairy Queen Pumpkin Pie Blizzard, Caribou Pumpkin Spice Latte, Pumpkin Spice coffee creamer as well as pumpkin bars and desserts of all sorts.

Last week my mom sent me a link about Oreo's release of Pumpkin Spice cookies! I almost left immediately for Target to get some. Unfortunately it took a couple days for me to actually make a trip to Target. None-the-less, I knew I wanted to make some no-bake truffles with these cookies! After I got the cookies I wasted no time!

You only need four ingredients:

• 1- package Pumpkin Spice Oreos
• 1- 8 oz. package cream cheese
• 3- boxes Bakers white chocolate
• Pumpkin Pie Spice (optional)

Directions (makes approximately 24 cookies):

1. Crush the whole package of Oreos (or most of them... 1 or 2 may have fallen into my mouth). I find a food processor does the best job. But if you don't have one, some elbow grease with wooden spoon in a bowl will do the trick.
2. Mix all crushed Oreo with cream cheese until you no longer see any chunks of cream cheese. If you have made other versions of Oreo truffles in the past, your 'badder' will be a bit more creamy. The pumpkin spice cream isn't as firm as other Oreo creams.
3. Line a cookie sheet with wax paper. Make 1" balls from your badder and place them on the cookie sheet, then place in freezer for about 10 minutes.
4. Melt white chocolate according to directions. Dip each cookie ball into the chocolate and roll around until completely covered and place back on wax paper.
5. After about every three truffles (avoid letting chocolate to set) sprinkle on some pumpkin pie spice for garnish. 
6. Store in an air tight container in refrigerator. They may also be frozen for longer keep! 

These no-bake truffles are seriously good! If you like all things pumpkin then you have to give them a try! 

Let me know what you think! Will you be trying these?

Green Baking with Silicone Baking Cups & Black and White Oreo Cupcakes {easy recipe}

Thank you Galley Essential for the baking cups!

Are you always looking for ways to generate less waste? Silicone baking cups will provide you with a fun re-usable solution!

Galley Essentials Silicone Baking cups come in a package of 12 in four fun bright colors! Some of the benefits of silicone baking cups include a wash and reuse product, the ability to color code if you have gluten free, vegan and traditional baked goods, and the help your cupcakes or muffins bake evenly. These baking cups have a temperature range of -40F to 446F.

I had two concerns when I first tried these:

   Is it going to be hard to get my cupcakes out?
   How easy will they be to wash?

Wash the baking cups before using. The packaging also said that you may add cooking spray if desired. I prefer not to use cooking spray, I have found that ruins my non stick products and is difficult to wash off.

Silicone baking cups hold their shape so you can place them right on a cookie sheet rather than using a muffin pan (who likes washing those?!).

After baking my cupcakes I got to test out my first question; would they come out easily?

Yes! It was surprisingly easy! The cups are flexible and flip inside out leaving you with a perfect cupcake! Sure, some of the cake sticks to the side of the baking cup, but you'll loose even more of your cupcake goodness if you're using paper cups.

Now for the washing. I have used a silicone cupcake pan in the past. Not only was it difficult to get cupcakes and muffins out of, but it was also difficult to wash. After the first time using it I threw it away. These are completely different! These individual cups are easy to rinse clean under water and swish around in bowl of soapy water to remove all residue. Flipping the cup inside out makes it so you can get into all corners of the baking cup.

Black and White Oreo Cupcakes Recipe:

       
       What you need:

• 1 box moist yellow cake mix (and ingredients listed on back of package)
• 1 package Oreo cookies (chocolate cookie on one side, golden on other)
• chocolate frosting

       What to do:

1. Prepare cake mix as directed on packaging (preheat oven)
2. Place on Oreo cookie golden side up in each baking cup.
3. Add prepared cake mix to silicon baking cups to 2/3 full.
4. Bake as directed. Allow to cool completely. 
5. Add chocolate frosting.
6. Enjoy! :)

If you have never had a cookie in a cupcake, be prepared for yumminess (I may have made up that word)! Now I just have to make sure I make cupcakes with at least two of each color silicone cup so the boys aren't both fighting over pink... yes, they fight over pink!

These silicone cup aren't just for baking! Use them to sort foods in a lunch box or to make a colorful presentation at snack or meal time! Put your grapes in purple, your carrots in blue and your dip in green! What child wouldn't enjoy eating their snack out of these fun cups?

You could also make frozen yogurt pops! Just fill your baking cups with your favorite yogurt, put a wooden stick in the middle and freeze! 

You can purchase your Galley Essentials Silicone Baking Cups on Amazon. Get 12 cups for only $10.99! But, Galley Essentials is offering my readers $3.00 off! Use coupon code TOM25OFF to get 12 cups for $7.99! Happy Baking!

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.

Protect Your Baby from the Sun and Bugs While Baby Wearing

Thank you Shaidee for the product samples!

With three kids, getting outdoors is very important. It is essential that I get the two older kids outside to release some energy. Sun protection is high priority. While I can lather Squirrel (5 years) and Bug (2 years) in sunscreen, I can't do the same thing for my newborn.

When we go out I'll often carry Evie (2 months) in a soft structured buckle carrier. She likes to be close mama! Being a newborn, when she is in the carrier not much of her is exposed. Only the top of her head and part of her legs. I have tried putting a hat on her head, but because her head is almost below the top of the carrier, I can't get it to stay in place. So I have have to hold the hat on her head. I even thought "there's got to be something better!"... and there is!

The Shaidee Sun Cover is a visor that you wrap around your chest to protect your child in a front position baby carrier (wrap, soft structured buckle, sling etc) from harmful UV rays.

The Shaidee Sun Cover is light weight yet sturdy so it won't blow around in the wind, but at the same time it is soft enough to be pulled back so you can check on your baby. The Shaidee Sun Cover has a padded band with a bit of elastic which wraps around your body and is secured with hook and loop. This one size fits all design makes it easy to transfer between you and your spouse without having to adjust any clips or buckles.

You can also use your Shaidee Sun Cover on a stroller or carseat.

Some things to keep in mind while using the Shaidee sun visor:

• While baby wearing you always want your baby's head to be "close enough to kiss". That means the visor will be high on your chest.
• Check on your baby frequently. The visor is made so you can fold it over to check on baby. It isn't super easy to do, but must be done to make sure your baby's airways are open at all times.

Just this summer Shaidee added another product to their line-up. Shaidee Bug is a netting that you can use with or without your Shaidee sun cover to protect your child from biting insects as well as UV rays.

The bug cover is lined with elastic to hug your body and completely surround your baby. This loose fabric is breathable and shiny to reflect sunlight and has 50+UPF. There is a buckle that clips behind your back and velcro that attaches to your Shaidee visor to keep the netting in place. The velcro has a fold over tab so when it is not in use you don't have to worry about it nagging your bug netting.

In Minnesota our summers are short and filled with mosquitoes and biting flies!  Shaidee's Nettee allows me to enjoy the great outdoors with my baby! Best part, I don't have to use chemicals on her! 

Shaidee is made in Canada and can be purchased on their website! Shaidee Sun Cover sells for $39.99 and comes in black or white. Shaidee Bug Cover sells for $19.99. You can purchase both as a set for only $49.99!

Visit Shaidee on Facebook and Twitter! 

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.

Charge Your Phone On-the-Go with +Lifeguard Mini

I know you've been there. In that moment when you need to use your phone, but but the battery image is blinking red and you only have 2% charge left. You start making your phone call. You hear "hello" then silence. When you pull your phone away from your ear all you see is a black screen.

That won't be happening to me again any time soon, as long as I have my +LIFEGUARD Mini with me. This super handy back-up phone battery/ portable charger saves you when you forgot to charge your phone or when you've been using it all day long without being able to plug it in. 

This Samsung battery is reliable with 3000mAh giving you the ability to charge your device and have some battery power to spare! 

+LIFEGUARD comes with two cables. One has a USB connector and DC 5V on the other end. The other has USB and Apple Lightning cable on the other end. 

With these two cables, you can charge (almost) any Android phone or tablet, iPhone, iPad or iPod!

The +LIFEGUARD charger easily fits in your hand. If you can fit lipstick in your purse, you can fit this charger in your purse! Charge the battery using a USB port on your computer or with a USB outlet adapter (not included). Batter will charge faster in an outlet.

When the battery is charging you will see a red light. When the battery is connected to your device, you will see a blue indicator light. 

This battery is so small and packed with charge that it is super easy for me to take with me everywhere. I keep it in my purse or diaper bag. I never know when I will be in a situation where I'll need it. Especially with three young children, I don't want to be caught in an emergency situation with a dead cell phone. 

You can order the +LIFEGUARD Mini on Amazon in three different colors; silver, black or pink. Right now it is on sale for $24! 

Where have you been and what have you been doing when your cell phone battery died? 

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.

$150 Visa Gift Card Giveaway from Pure Crafted Beds

Welcome to the $150 Visa Gift Card Giveaway Event

Sponsored by Pure Crafted Beds

Hosted by Mom Powered Media

Pure Crafted Beds is a company who knows Beds. Their factory was started in 1946 and is still owned by the original family and into their third generation! They began by renovating porch furniture and mattresses in the 1940's, to a modern manufacturing facility located in Lansing, Michigan. They've been in business close to 70 years and have brought forth an amazing selection of products that will give you a great night's sleep. Your comfort is their business! Each bed is "hand-crafted" and they always strive to provide the best value for each customer, whether at $299 or $2,999. They carry two basic mattresses the TruEssence and TruSlumber. The only difference between the two beds is the core foam layer, and the TruSlumber bed does not have a base layer of foam. This helps reduce the overall height of the bed, which makes it perfect for children, bunk beds, and other situations where a thinner mattress is required! However the unsurpassed quality remains the same in both!

 

One of the most fantastic features of Pure Crafted Beds is their use of an innovative product called the Eco Shield Cover. Every Pure Crafted Bed has this unique EcoShield cover. This amazing cover is resistant to bed bugs, dust mites, mosquitoes, and moths... all without any artificial chemicals!

   

The proprietary EcoShield fabric is infused with Geraniol, a natural plant extract which provides all natural protection. Many anti-bed bug and dust mite products on the market today use synthetic chemicals. EcoShield® is the first product that is truly 100% natural, with no artificial chemical additives that uses a unique micro-capsule delivery system for long-lasting effects! Through a special process the Geraniol is infused into our EcoSheild® cover, and is slowly released over time as movement occurs on the
mattress.

 

EcoShield® is Scientifically Proven!

To find out more on how these beds are made head over to the video below! Sleep equals health, Don't trust your sleep to just any mattress.



Good night, sleep tight! Get yourself a full night of rest! Not only on a comfortable mattress but on one that you know is free of chemicals and will keep the bugs away.

Thanks to Pure Crafted Beds One winner will get a $150 Visa Gift Card Giveaway ends September 26 at 11:59pm, open to US ages 18+. Only one entrant per household, per address. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Enter using the giveaway form below. Good luck!

Entry-Form

Disclaimer: The participating bloggers were not compensated for this post. No purchase is necessary to enter. One entrant per household, per address. Void where prohibited by law. Winner(s) will be contacted by email and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. The sponsor(s) will be responsible for product shipment to winner(s) of this sweepstakes. This event is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by, or associated with, Facebook and/or Twitter, Google, Pinterest. Contact Elia@mompoweredmedia.com if you have any additional questions or comments.