The Kids' Log: May 20-26, 2012

Have you liked my new Facebook Fan Page yet? Please do, pretty please.

This week in my life...We saw The Hunger Games  movie on Sunday night. It was good, but not as good as the book. I still enjoyed it even with all the tweaks. I bought myself some belated birthday/Mother's Day gifts...the next book in the Hunger Games trilogy, Catching Fire and, using some coupons from DSW, I bought a pair of Dr. Scholl's walking shoes for my aching feet and a new handbag. Can't wait for them to arrive on my doorstep. I learned this week that a high school classmate passed away. It made me unbelievably sad. I cried for two days. She was such a sweetheart and the outpouring of condolences on Facebook made me cry harder. I've been moody ever since. It didn't help that I didn't get much sleep any night this week. I bought myself some wine yesterday to take the edge off. Yay for green apple sparkletini wine! I am such a light-weight drinker it's not even funny.

You see the people in this picture? I love them with all my heart

Toddler Log: 2 Years and 40 Weeks Old 
Marlie is getting back on track after weeks of being a little monster. She has been such a good helper lately, cleaning up messes and watching out for her brother. I was washing dishes and heard him laughing. I walked into the room to find her tickling his feet and saying "peek-a-boo baby!" Talk about heart-melting! She is maturing and growing like a vine. Damon noticed the other day that she now takes the stairs two at a time, and she showed me that she can now reach the doorbell. When did she become a kid?! She still has her silly moments like getting upset when I wouldn't bite her toes after playing "eat-your-foot" with Desmond. And I caught her picking her nose and eating her boogers one day this week. She'll probably be the first valedictorian to belch during her speech.

Baby Log: 8 Weeks Old
Mr. Magoo turned into Sir Fuss-a-Lot this week, but it was my fault. I made lasagna on Monday forgetting that my babies are lactose intolerant. He was up every night with bad gas and didn't go to sleep until he let out a huge fart. Then he was a delightful again. He has a check-up coming up and I am anxious to show his pediatrician the hernia in his belly button. All my brothers had them and one had to have surgery when he was three to repair it. I am hoping Desmond's goes away on its own. He is absolutely in love with his big sister. You should see his face light up when she pays him attention. They shared a bubble bath on Thursday and he just splashed and kicked and cooed while she washed him Buddha belly (well, he doesn't coo so much as make grunting noises). I wish I could have taken a picture. After his bath, I buried my nose into his neck and inhaled his baby smell. The scent made me dizzy with love. He just chuckled with his big boy laugh. He is a lot more smiley now and easy to make laugh.

Spring Gift Card Event: Giving Away 60 Dollar Walmart Gift Card

Mama to 4 Blessings, Chubby Cheeks Thinks and Rats and More along with several other wonderful bloggers are teaming up to bring you last and final round of The Spring Gift Card Event (round 3/May)! For the Spring season we will be offered a new gift card giveaway each month of Spring! For May we are offering a $60.00 Walmart Gift Card!

Thank you for participating in the Spring Gift Card Event. The prize for this event is a Walmart gift card. The winner will be contacted via e-mail once chosen. Mama to 4 Blessings will contact winner via e-mail, winner must respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be chosen. 
U.S., 18+ only. Giveaway ends 5/31.

Enter below Rafflecopter for a chance to win, there is even a daily tweet entry so you can enter daily!

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Wordful Wednesday: Sibling Luv

These two are having a love fest over here

But how long will the mutual admiration society last?

Review: SWIMTRAINER "Classic" Swimming Aid

I never learned how to swim and it's one of my biggest regrets. I very much want to learn, but several near-drowning incidents have left me aquaphobic. I promised myself that I would not pass this fear onto my children. I put them in water from when they were a few weeks old so they could become accustomed to it. My daughter loves the water. She will start swimming lessons this summer. And my infant son is not far behind thanks to Fred's Swim Academy SWIMTRAINER  "Classic."

The SWIMTRAINER "Classic" is a brilliant device that will help teach your baby or child to swim. It facilitates the ideal swimming position in the water so your baby can learn how to move his legs and arms correctly.

We put Desmond in it this past weekend in the kiddie pool and you should have seen him kicking his little legs just like a frog! He still has some growing to do so his arms can reach the water. I cannot wait until he is older so we can give him more practice!

Check out this short instructional video to see how it works:
My Thoughts on the SWIMTRAINER:
It's sturdy! The safety belt and pads give me complete confidence that my little one will not sink. On that note, constant supervision is required. An adult should stay within arms reach when using the SWIMTRAINER "Classic" on a baby. The device was easy to set up too. It just needs air. I tried to blow it up by mouth like the woman in the video, but couldn't do it. Maybe my lungs aren't as robust as they used to be, I don't know. We borrowed a friend's air compressor to inflate it and we were ready to go! Every child should have a SWIMTRAINER.

Buy It:The SWIMTRAINER comes in three stages according to the child's age and learning ability (red, orange, yellow). Purchase yours today for $24.90 at Thanks Mama!



Buy It: You can try to win a SWIMTRAINER of your choice from Thanks Mama in my Summer Splash Giveaway through May 27. Enter Now!

The Kids' Log May 13-19, 2012

This week was a lot calmer compared to last week. Amen. I spent some time getting organized for the summer including planning Marlie's 3rd birthday party, enrolling her in summer camp and classes. She will be taking African dance on alternating Saturdays. I have also be thinking about our family vacation at the end of summer. I really want to go to Atlanta and spend a week with our friends back there. I miss them so much and most of them have never met our kids. Desmond will be six months by then and old enough to travel by my standards. I hope we can pull it off.

This week I checked off some tasks on my personal to-do list. I went of my six-week follow-up exam at the OB/GYN. I got all the green lights. This means sexy times can resume, but also that I can start working on my fitness. I am going on a 30-day sugar fast. In the last seven days I've eaten half a dozen sticky buns, cookies, a pint of ice cream, and a slice of carrot cake. Drastic measures are needed to get the sugar monkey off my back.  I went to the spa Saturday and got a glorious massage and foot relief treatment. I created a Facebook Fan Page for this blog, so please go and like it. Consider it a birthday gift to me. Oh, yeah. I turned 36 on Friday. Damon was out of town that day, but he came home that night and surprised me with the coolest present. I am typing on it now...my new HP Notebook. I am still in shock. And it gets better. He arranged for Desmond's honorary godmothers to watch the kids tonight so we can go see The Hunger Games. Hubby is officially out of the doghouse. I like him again.

Toddler Log: 2 Years and 39 Weeks Old
The missus had more good days than bad this week (she was sick with a 24-hour stomach bug on Monday and stayed home with me). The worst thing she did was break open a pen and get ink all over her hands and mouth. We have been trying some new tactics that don't involve yelling or threatening time out. With the pen incident, I calmly explained that eating ink can make you sick. When she is making a racket in the room where the baby is sleeping, we tell her she can go scream in her room, but she has to be quiet in our room. It all goes back to redirecting the behavior we want to change. It's not like she listens to us the first time. She is not that goodie two-shoes child, she is all about pushing buttons and boundaries. We just have to be consistent.

Marlie's knowledge and skills were on shining display this week. She demonstrated her mastery of numbers by showing me the three spiders on the web ("Look, mommy there are three itsy bitsy spiders!"). I love that she can do more than count from memory. She has also been getting herself dressed for school. Gotta love that Montessori education!

Baby Log: 7 Weeks Old
Little Magoo went with me to the doctor's office where he showed off his developing reputation as a ladies' man. The nurses just ate him up. He smiled and cooed and didn't cry once while he was passed from arm to arm. The flirt. New moves: he chuckles now and he likes bobbing his head like he's listening to music playing in his head.

Central New Jersey: Beyond the Shore

New Jersey is most famous as the home of Jon Bon Jovi, the stomping ground cast of the Jersey Shore, and being next door to New York City. It is not widely considered a destination for vacationers or conventioneers, but that is about to change.

Central New Jersey is out to prove that the Garden State has more to offer than its coast. There are a wealth of arts and cultural and entertainment attractions to be enjoyed if you venture inland. You can ride the roller coasters at Six Flags, laugh the night away at one the many comedy clubs, buy fresh produce at the New Brunswick Community Farmers Market, or see the newest exhibit at the Grounds for Sculpture Museum.

If you are planning a convention or off-site meeting, the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center should be on your short list of locations. It's spacious, close to the airport and public transit, and a stone's throw away from the best hotels. 

Central Jersey is an attractive travel spot for visitors on business or leisure and a less expensive alternative to its sister across the the Hudson River. For the family on a budget, staying in Central Jersey is an economical choice and, with NYC a short train ride away, you can enjoy the best of both worlds.

My family vacationed in NYC last summer and we visited some friends who live in Sayreville, NJ. We only stayed for the day, so we didn't get to enjoy any of the sites. But on our next trip you better believe we will be taking advantage of the myriad of things to do in Central Jersey.

Lessons I've Learned During 36 years of Living

Happy 36th birthday to me! In celebration of another blessed year on planet Earth, I thought I might share some of the greatest (and sometimes tough) lessons I've learned throughout my life:

1. Ask. Believe. Receive
2. Be kind to your body because you don't get to trade it in for a new one
3. Exercise your brain everyday
4. Popularity is fleeting
5. Be careful who you call friend
6. Trust your instincts
7. You can't please everybody 
8. If the grass looks greener on the other side it's probably because their is a ton of sh!t under the surface
9. You have to love yourself before anyone else can love you
10. It's okay to say "no"
11. Credit cards are for emergencies
12. Holding grudges is toxic to the soul
13. Forgive someone who has trespassed against you, but never give them another opportunity to do it again
14. Don't take things so personally
15. It's okay to be selfish sometimes 
16. It's okay to have emotions, so cry if you want to 
17. No one wants to attend a pity party except Misery because she likes company
18. First impressions are not as important as last impressions
19. Be who you want to be. People might not like who you are, but they will respect you
20. No issue is black or white, everything has a gray area
21. Think before you speak
22. Outer beauty doesn't last forever, but inner beauty lives on
23. You have to stand up for yourself or people will walk all over you
24. Try something new once before you dismiss it
25. Never say never
26. It's better to give than receive
27. Don't give unsolicited advice
28. If you want something done right, do it yourself
29. Prayer works
30. Be careful what you wish for
31. Sugar is a drug
32. Drink lots of water to cleanse the toxins
33. Embrace your flaws because God doesn't make mistakes
34. Laugh... a lot
35. Marry your best friend
36. Your children are the most important legacy you leave behind

Wordful Wednesday: A Happy Mother's Day

Despite the drama of the preceding days, I managed to have a pretty happy Mother's Day. I got to sleep late, had a wonderful breakfast prepared by my husband and daughter. He gave me a spa gift certificate and a IOU for a family photo shot. I didn't have to wash a single dish or do any laundry. Then we went to Whole Foods for dinner (my choice) because they have the best BBQ in the city.

What I'm Watching on #Netflix

This week's picks from Netflix Instant Watch:

TV Show:
Saturday Night Live: The 2010s. After I became a mom in 2009 it became impossible to stay up late to watch SNL, now I can catch up thanks to Netflix. The only downside is they cut out the musical performances (licensing?). The 2010 season kicks off with Amy Poehler returning as the guest host. It's no secret that the show usually goes through a decline after it loses major cast members, but this season is different. For the premiere, SNL trots out tons of former alumni  who pass the torch to Fred Armisen, Seth Meyers, Andy Samberg, Jason Sudeikis and Kristen Wiig. Then there is the promising new cast, especially Jay Pharoah and his spot-on impersonations of Will Smith and Denzel Washington and Vanessa Bayer and her "Miley Cyrus Show." Funny times are ahead!

Movies:
Melancholia. The movie opens with an extended visual prologue that feels like watching an impressionist painting come to life in slow motion. It's very visually arresting. This film is about two planets on a collision course and two sisters who handle the impending doom in opposing ways. Claire is the responsible older sister and Justine is the tortured younger sister who self-destructs on her wedding day. The movie made a splash at Cannes last year for the wrong reasons after director Lars Von Trier was thrown out for making comments sympathizing with Hitler (that's illegal in France).

Guest Review: Football Guys

I was contacted by a representative from Kaskey Kids about reviewing another one of their sports-based toys. They are the company behind the Go Go Sports Girl Doll I reviewed earlier this year. I was sent the Football Guys, a set of retro-inspired action figure toys. But since Marlie fell below the recommended age of play 3+ years, I asked her classmate Spencer to take it for spin. Here is what his father thought about the Football Guys:

My first thoughts as a parent was that the toy was of an average quality. No flashy graphics, mat was very thin and lumpy, football players did not have much detail etc. I was not expecting Spencer to really engage with the toy but was very surprised. Once we started playing he used it for over 30 minutes without being encouraged to play. After awhile he started to mix other toys with the game and was putting the goal posts on his head etc.... so things became less organized and it was hard for him to have a directed and cohesive interaction with the toy without some parent guiding him. I think that was more do to his age than the toy. Over the next several days he independently asked to get the toy out and was eager to show other family members. I was surprised as there was not really much to the "football guys"...in way of graphics, sounds, movable parts etc. It seemed like the type of toy I would have used when I was growing up but maybe there is something about the simplicity that appealed to that age and was developmentally appropriate for 3 year old. Overall, a nice kit to have but not one the child has asked to play with over and over again.

Things I liked about the Football Guys: 

• Nice bright packaging 
• Easy for the child to pick up and carry Nice pieces included and relatively easy for the child to set up 
• Simple name: the fact that it had "football" in the name gave the child some frame of reference as to what the toy would be about 
• Directions did not have any particular way the toy should be used or played with. 
• Opened ended play seemed to spur creativity with what should be done with the figures

Things I would change/improve:

• The action figures are very small so harder to handle for a child with limited gross motor skills
• The mat that figures are placed on would not lay flat which made it very difficult to get the figures to stand up [note from Kaskey Kids: put a thin sheet and low iron heat over the mat and it will straighten right out. That should help the stability issue. Also the field if not ironed will flatten over some time and use.]
• The base of the action figures are quite light and they tend to fall over especially when the felt mat has been folded and has bumps in it 
• The child wanted to remove the football from the action figures and kept asking for the ball. I actually thought it was smart as that would be easily lost 
• The box was difficult to unlatch for the child who needed help

Buy It: You can buy the Football Guys, Hockey Guys, Baseball Guys, Soccer Guys/Girls online at KaskeyKids.com for $24.99. Use promo code Smile for a 20% discount.

Connect with Kaskey Kids on their Social Media: Facebook / Twitter / YouTube

#SummerSplash Hop Give Away: Have Fun in the Sun Safely Kid Package

Splish! Splash! That's the sound of summer...making cannonball waves in the pool, diving off a rope at the lake, and running into the surf at the beach. Welcome to Summer Splash hosted by Life With Two Boys, With Our Best, and Bella So Savvy! This event begins on May 14, 2012 at 12:01am EST and will end on May 27, 2012 at 11:59pm EST.

Over 100 blogs have come together to bring you some amazing prizes to help you kick off your summer... with a SPLASH! Each blog is giving away at least $25 worth of prizes, plus we have an awesome grand prize for one very lucky winner. Be sure to hop along to each of the participating blogs because the more giveaways you enter, the more chances you have at winning the Grand Prize!

So what's this Grand Prize we're talking about? Thanks to Kid's Creations one very lucky winner is going to win a Two Ring Adventure Playset valued at $3,598! Made from the highest quality Redwood and loaded with fun activities, this swing set is sure to make this summer one to remember! (Please note that the grand prize is only open to residents of the Continental United States and does not include assembly/installation.)





Enter the Grand Prize!

---

My prize package is all about protecting the kiddos while they are out splashing in the sun. I have two prizes worth $45 to award to one winner. This giveaway is open to US residents only since I am sponsoring one of the prizes in this bundle. Check it out...

Prize #1. Sponsored by Thanks Mama. $25 Value
Teach your little one to swim with the SWIMTRAINER "Classic" from FREDS SWIM ACADEMY. This three stage learning system gives your child a high level of security creating positive experiences in the water. The SWIMTRAINER "Classic" provides an ideal swimming position in the water and helps your baby learn how to move his legs and arms correctly. The adjustable belt and 5 air chambers help prevent slip through. The SWIMTRAINER "Classic" is made of PVC and is phthalate free. See my review.

Prize #2. Self-Sponsored. $20 Value
California Baby No Fragrance SPF 30+ Sunscreen. My favorite sunscreen for the little ones because it doesn't sting the eyes, so I bought one to giveaway! It contains organic and sustainably grown ingredients (no chemicals, fragrance or scent masking agents!), provides UVA/UVB broad-spectrum protection, and is water resistant. A WebMD Expert's Choice Winner and ranked in the top 10 natural sunscreens by the Environmental Working Group.

Click -->HERE<-- to Enter and then Hop!

Summer Splash Giveaway Entry Form

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Disclaimer: Please note that the Summer Splash hosts and participating bloggers are not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prize. We have represented each sponsor with the expectation that they will fulfill their prize in a timely manner. While we are not responsible, we will make every effort to assist the winner in obtaining their prize.

The Kids' Log May 5-12, 2012

Mama said there'd be days like this, but a whole week?! I am so beaten up and beat down that I don't think I'll be having a very Happy Mother's Day today. Not that it matters with the hubby asking me if we could celebrate with brunch on Saturday to avoid the crowds on Sunday. WTF?! I told him no. He then tells me he doesn't know what I want. It seems we're having a Hallmark Holiday standoff. How hard is it to plan a nice day for the mother of your two kids that doesn't involve overpriced eggs? I'll let you know the answer in next week's log. To add insult to injury, I have been informed that he will be out of town on my birthday Friday. It looks like next week is shaping up to be a downer too. On top of everything else, my brother had a hearing on Friday for his case and accepted a plea bargain because he was so tired of fighting. He told me he no longer wanted to be a financial burden to our mom. It broke my heart. I know I haven't spoken much about his ongoing legal problems since he was granted bail in December, but there are people who read this blog who will turn what I share into fodder for gossip. But I don't care anymore. I need your prayers to ask God to protect him while he serves a seven month sentence. He might even get out sooner and then this whole ugly mess will be behind him.

In the midst of this hellish week, I did get some slices of heaven. I ate a whole batch of cookies. Comfort food always helps. I went for a long walk on Friday morning to clear my head. Fresh air always helps. I got to exercise my inner couponista at Target. Retail therapy always help. Inspired by Nicole at Help! Mama Remote, I have been keeping my eye out for savings I can use on various coupon blogs. I saw a $3 off coupon for Merona apparel at Target. I found a fitted wrap t-shirt (perfect for breastfeeding) on clearance for $3 so I got it for FREE! High-fives!

Toddler Log: 2 Years and 38 Weeks Old
I do not know what has gotten into this child, the devil maybe? She has been a world-class brat all week. My response to her reign of terror is not winning me any Mother of the Year prizes either. She makes a mess, I shout at her. She disobeys, I scream at her. She acts out, I shriek at her. It's a vicious cycle and I am at a loss about what to do. A short list of her actions this week: She has had "accidents" everyday, both at home and at school. I put accidents in quotes because I know she is wetting/soiling her panties on purpose. She wrapped two plastic hair bands around her arm before going to bed and then woke up in the middle of the night crying in pain. The bands were cutting into her skin and left welts. By morning her arm was swollen and looked infected. Thoughts of doctors amputating her arm below the elbow because the circulation was cut off too long ran through my mind. But it was fine after Damon doctored it. She has a bruise that looks like a barbed-wire tattoo around her arm now. After a session of finger painting she decorated the upholstery on the rocking chair with her hand prints. Then there was the almost-flood. She comes running into my bedroom where I am nursing Desmond asking me for help in the bathroom. I reach the sink just in time to turn off the faucet and prevent water from spilling out all over the floor. She has been talking back and breaking things. I'm shaking my head just thinking about this week. There were days I wanted to drop her off at the fire station, but then she does something like draws me a picture or places acorns on porch for the squirrels to eat (and they do come and fetch them) and I see all her goodness shining through.

Baby Log: 6 Weeks Old
I realized I broke another promise with this babe. I told myself that I would take as many photos of my second child as I did with my first. I have failed miserably in this endeavor. So here is a recent photo of him. He is hard to photograph because he doesn't lay still. As you can see, he is growing so fast and is such a little chubster, my little pig in a blanket. He has so many folds like a Shar Pei! It's too cute! Unfortunately, it also means that he has lots of area that sweat can creep into and cause rashes. Boy, can this little guy sweat! We keep the house cool, but his car seat has black fabric, which makes it a sauna in the Texas heat. His back is soaked by the time we reach a destination. It has caused a wicked case of eczema. I am search for something to cover the fabric in his car seat. Leave a comment if you know of something.

and...

From Funbags to Feedbags: Breastfeeding Making Headlines Again

Photo by timtom.ch on Flickr. Some rights reserved.

Breastfeeding is in the news again, but this time it's not about nursing mothers being kicked out of retail stores or vapid celebrities (Hello, Kim Kardashian!) spouting off about how gross it is. For once, the news is somewhat favorable and the public is having a constructive discourse about breastfeeding. And since I am breastfeeding again, I feel like throwing my two cents into the money pit.

First there was the leaked Oreo ad designed for the Korean market that shows a baby holding one of their cookie sandwiches while nursing. The tagline reads, "milk's favorite cookie." The ad was never published, but word of it got out and the media jumped on it and tried to turn it into a controversy (check out this beautifully written editorial by a fellow mommy blogger). Despite the fact that the ad was killed and would never have been shown here in the U.S. anyway, I am encouraged that a large multinational company like Kraft and its advertising agency would even brainstorm this concept. It means progress.

Then there is Beyonce's cover interview in the current issue of People Magazine's "Most Beautiful People" edition in which she boasts that she breastfed her daughter for 10 weeks to shed the pregnancy weight. Her statement is ripe for controversy. People are taking issue with how long or short she breastfed and whether or not breastfeeding is a magic weight loss solution. In my humble opinion, the fact that a mega-celebrity such as Beyonce is publicly discussing her decision to breastfeed at all is progress. [breastfeeding media trend update: check out the latest cover of TIME magazine]

Progress means more mothers electing to breastfeed. Progress means nursing mothers getting the support they deserve for committing to feeding their babies naturally. Progress means no one telling you to take your infant into a unclean public restroom to nurse. No one telling you that you are spoiling your child by nursing. No mother being forced to give it up because she can't pump at work. No more social media platforms deleting pictures of nursing moms. No more ads being swept under the rug for depicting breastfeeding. 

It's time for breastfeeding to come into the mainstream. 

My little guy (aka Magoo) nursing

 

Wordful Wednesday: The Princess on Her Throne

I caught the princess reading on the potty. It's amazing how much she is like her daddy.

The Kids' Log: April 29-May 5, 2012

I cannot believe it is already May! The month of May is the best, and I'm not just saying that because of my birthday or Mother's Day. May has always signified renewal and hope for me. It's when the flowers really bloom and the leaves on trees turn bright green after the April showers. May also makes me take stock of where I am spiritually, mentally, and physically (swimsuit season around the corner!). I start to make plans to get my butt, brain, and spirit into gear.

This week I fed my brain the Hunger Games and it ate it up! The concept may not be original, but Suzanne Collins is a master with prose and keeps her dystopian novel bursting with vivid imagery and hopping at a fast clip.I am undecided about seeing the movie (like I could go right now anyway) because I hear it leaves out many key scenes from the book. That would irk me. I treated my body to some exercise. I've been power walking up to 4 miles a couple times this week with Desmond attached to me thanks to the Boba 3G carrier my mother-in-law bought for me. I've also been working on cleaning up my diet and curbing the sweet tooth that I developed while pregnant. Spiritually I find myself praying a lot more, asking for infinite patience (like when Magoo has been up for two hours in the middle of the night and won't go to sleep) and infinite wisdom (like when Marlie is throwing an atomic tantrum and I need to get through to her).

With my birthday coming up in a couple of weeks, I find myself itching to redesign my blog. It's only been a year since the last makeover, so I can't really scratch it. Maybe I'll just get a few things tweaked like add some pictures of Magoo to the header and change  the fonts. I've decided not to change the name of my blog because it's more than just my online journal, it's my budding enterprise and I don't want to risk losing any business. It's too much work (and time I don't have) to rebuild my rankings if I buy a new domain name. I could just change the title, but I hate it when blog titles and domain names don't match. So, yeah, this will always be Marlie and Me.
 
Toddler Log: 2 Years and 37 Weeks Old
Marlie is becoming more of a kid each day as she rapidly approaches her third birthday. She still has her moments of toddler drama. Her tantrums are more intense, but happen less often. She is obsessed with snails and likes to show me the slimy buggers crawling up her arm when I pick her up from school. I grit my teeth and tell her they are so cool when I really want to hurl. Shudder. I think she is going to pick a profession working with animals. Marlie is taking her imaginary play to new levels with tea time and pretend baking. She loves to bring me "tea and cookies" and "pancakes." She watches while I pretend to drink and eat what she has made then she asks me if it was yummy. She has also gotten into caring for her doll baby and loves to rock it to sleep and change its diaper. She is suddenly afraid of the dark and the shadows of the trees in her room are scary. We have to cover up the glass door in her room so she can go to sleep.I wonder where all of this is coming from.She was looking at a picture of a young girl who was missing her two front on the cover of a magazine and exclaimed, "her mouth is yucky like a horse!" I told her that she just lost her teeth and that they would grow back. She insisted it was yucky, so I told her that she would lose her teeth too and big, grown-up teeth would replace them. She got all upset and cried that she didn't want to lose her teeth. Why'd I have to go open my big mouth?!

Baby Log: 5 Weeks Old
My big boy is about 10 lbs now and giving me a back ache. The temperatures are skyrocketing and it's becoming an oven down here. Magoo has a heat rash on his ears, neck and the back of his head. Poor baby, but it gave me an excuse to give him his first real bath in the tub. He liked being immersed in the cool water. I rubbed him down from head to toe in aloe vera and the rash looked a lot less red. I finally got him to smile at my funny faces which made my heart melt. He makes these weird sounds that remind my of that guy from the Police Academy movies. He can sound like a tire squealing and hiss like a lizard, but the best sound effect he makes is a dolphin call. I might have to change his nickname to Flipper!

FuzziBunz Elite OS Pocket Diaper Give Away Sponsored by Thanks Mama #ClothDiaperHop

Mother's Day is almost here and we are celebrating with our love for cloth diapers!

Welcome to the Mother's Day Cloth Diaper Giveaway Hop hosted by Daily Mothering! Enter my giveaway below for a FuzziBunz One Size Elite Pocket Diaper from Thanks Mama and then hop to the other blogs listed at the bottom of this post to enter their fluffy giveaways too! Nearly 100 blogs have linked up to bring you dozens and dozens of exciting cloth diaper giveaways. Each blog has a cloth diaper prize valued at $15 or more, and many blogs have prize packs worth over $100. And, don't forget to enter the GRAND PRIZE giveaway at Daily Mothering for your chance to win this amazing $1300 Cloth Diaper Prize Pack!

Every cloth diapering mama has her favorite "system" whether it's old-school folded diapers or the ultra modern all-in-one diapers. My preference is the fitted diaper paired with a cover. I have a few pocket diapers, but none of them made me want to switch styles until I tried the FuzziBunz One Size Elite Pocket Diaper that Thanks Mama sent me. 

FuzziBunz are made from a waterproof PUL exterior and a soft micro-fleece interior. Other features I like on this diaper include:

• ABSORBENCY: FuzziBunz are specifically designed for heavy-wetters like my little guy. They come with two minky inserts to meet your needs. It is now my go-to nighttime diaper because it helps him to sleep longer. 
• FIT: FuzziBunz are made to last from birth to potty training thanks to two design elements, double snaps for the waist and rise and an adjustable elastic around the thigh. My baby boy was 6 lbs 11 oz at birth and he has skinny legs so the adjustable elastic is a major plus. 
• SIMPLE PREP and CARE: I just washed my FuzziBunz once before use according to the instructions on the packaging. It is also quick drying.

Clockwise: FuzziBunz stuffed with both inserts, the adjustable leg elastic, perfect fit!

The only cons with the FuzziBunz Elite OS pocket diaper is that it is single-use meaning that you can't just replace the insert and use it again after it is wet or soiled. Also, I found stuffing the pocket a bit challenging as it narrows in middle even though I have  tiny hands. I imagine dads would have a hard time putting in the insert. Even with these minor inconveniences, I will buy several more FuzziBunz OS Elite Pocket Diapers from Thanks Mama for my nighttime diapering. Thanks Mama is a wonderful company with wonderful customer service and free shipping on any order over $60.00 within the 48 contiguous states. I have placed several orders with Thanks Mama and have nothing but praise for them!

Buy It: Purchase the FuzziBunz One Size Elite Pocket Diaper at Thanks Mama for $19.95. Follow Thanks Mama on Facebook and Twitter where they often announce giveaways and sales!

Win It: Win a FuzziBunz One Size Elite Pocket Diaper in your choice of color sponsored by Thanks Mama right here on Marlie and Me! Open Worldwide!

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