My Life as a Married Girl (and Mommy!)

Big giveaway event coming June 10th! Earn extra entries now!

noreply@blogger.com (Katrina) — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:12:00 +0000

I have an exciting giveaway event coming soon!

In honor of Baby #3 who is on his or her way, I have put together some fun sponsors for a giveaway event! Some sponsors include Sweet pea maternity, Thanks Mama, Belli skincare, Softbums, Novena skincare, Diaperpalz, Babyville boutique and more!

The event will start June 10th, but you can earn entries now!

There are two ways to do that.

For 2 extra entries into each giveaway, post the button on your blog.

For 4 extra entries into each giveaway, write a blog post that includes the button, a link to my blog, and that has a line or two telling about the event!

(for some reason everytime I try to create a button, it comes out as a broken link... sorry! If you can't link it to this post, just put the button on your blog and put a link to the post underneath it. Thanks!)

Weigh in Wednesday 5/16/12

noreply@blogger.com (Katrina) — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:08:00 +0000

Ok, so I haven't posted a weigh in wednesday in quite a while, but With getting pregnant, I was stuck at the same weight... the scale wouldn't move. My healthy eating was hit or miss especially when a craving hit. And like I said before, I am not dieting, and not trying to lose weight now that I am pregnant. I am however trying to keep up my healthy paleo eating habits. And trying to stay mostly gluten free. I am not being too strict on the paleo, but I defintitely feel better when I am eating right. Anyways, I think last time I weighed in I was at 223. That number has gone up a lb, but not gone down at all... until today! I got on the scale and I am at 221! woohoo! That puts me at a total of 24 pounds lost. =) I almost did a happy dance on the scale. Haha.

Milan Maternity: MM Mother's Day Makeover Giveaway! $100 gc

noreply@blogger.com (Katrina) — Sun, 13 May 2012 19:22:00 +0000

Milan Maternity: MM Mother's Day Makeover Giveaway! Two $100 Winner...: We want to wish ALL of you a Happy Mother's Day this weekend! We having two fabulous giveaways this year! GIVEAWAY #1 : We're hosting our...

Go enter! Ends tonight at midnight!

Bright Starts Ultimate Baby Shower Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Katrina) — Mon, 07 May 2012 07:01:00 +0000

Welcome to the Bright Starts Ultimate Baby Shower Giveaway!

Bright Starts and Mom to Bed by 8, the Iowa-Mom have teamed to off an amazing Bright Starts Sunnyside Collection giveaway to one lucky reader!

This includes the Sunnyside Safari™ Chair Top High Chair, Playard, Plug in Sway & Swing, Portable Swing and Saucer making this truly the Ultimate Baby Shower Gift.

Special thank you to the wonderful bloggers who made this possible including our co-hosts: To Sew with Love, The Lucky Ladybug and Mom Blog Society.

Big smiles and bright adventures go hand in hand in this exciting, fun-filled collection!

Take a walk on the sunny side-where baby gear goes together in delightful new ways. It's a win for infants and parents alike, with irresistable jungle characters adorning an array of fun coordinated products you'll use every day. Each piece of the collection does its job charmingly, with non-stop fun at an unbeatable value.

The Bright Starts Sunnyside Collection is available at Wal-Mart!

Sunnyside Safari™ Chair Top High Chair

A good high chair is a must for moms, and Bright Starts™ Sunnyside Safari™ Chair Top High Chair is as good as they come! It does what a full-sized model does and more, adjusting to four different heights (and nearly any table), reclining to three positions, and converting to a booster seat for smooth transition to the toddler years.
The reversible seat pad is made of stain-resistant fabric you can wipe clean or machine-wash. The removable Stay Level Tray™ remains flat even when the seat is reclining. All this, plus the friendly characters of the Sunnyside Safari™ Collection. Make mealtime and snack time more enjoyable for baby and you. Start the fun with Bright Starts!™

Product Features:

Convenient 2 piece reversible seat pad is made of stain resistant fabric that is wipeable and machine washable
4 height positions to fit most table sizes
3 position recline
Removable Stay Level Tray™ remains level even when seat is reclined
3 locking positions to grow with baby
Built-in holders are convenient for drinks or snacks
Converts to booster for easy toddler transition
5 point convertible safety harness

Sunnyside Safari™ Playard

A bright, sunny place for baby to rest, play, get a quick diaper change and spend a few moments with some friendly jungle pals! That's the Bright Starts™ Sunnyside Safari™ Playard. This playard includes a removable bassinet with our time-saving One Less Step™ feature for easy fold-and-go mobility.
There's a convenient changing table, a handy side storage pocket, easy-roll wheels, a travel bag, plus a colorful toy bar to delight baby. And like all Bright Starts™ products, this playard is an unbeatable value. Part of our coordinated Sunnyside Safari™ Collection. Start the fun with Bright Starts!™

Product Features:

Removable bassinet with One Less Step™ to quickly fold and go
Convenient changing table
Toy bar with 2 fun toys
Side storage pocket
Wheels for easy portability
Includes travel bag

Sunnyside Safari™ Plug in Sway & Swing™

Some swings go back and forth. Some go side to side. This one does both—and does it with music, toys, and delightful jungle style. With a seat designed for 180° rotation, allowing three swing directions, the Bright Starts™ Sunnyside Safari™ Plug in Sway & Swing™ uses our unique TrueSpeed™ technology to sense baby's weight and adjust for consistent speed—so it grows along with baby.
The swing also boasts a volume-adjustable 20 minutes of melodies and nature sounds, an overhead mobile—even an AC adaptor to save on battery expense. And it features the fun and engaging characters of the Sunnyside Safari™ Collection. Start the fun with Bright Starts!™

Product Features:

Seat rotates 180° for 3 swing directions
TrueSpeed™ technology maintains 6 speeds as baby grows
Mobiles with 2 playtime toys easily pivots out of the way
20 minutes of melodies and nature sounds with volume control and auto shut-off
AC adaptor saves money on batteries
Swing time with 3 settings: 30, 45 and 60 minutes
Whisper Quiet™ operation
5 point harness
Machine washable seat pad
Non-slip feet

Sunnyside Safari™ Portable Swing

Find baby's favorite speed with this innovative portable swing. The Bright Starts™ Sunnyside Safari™ Portable Swing is a win for parents and babies—from its machine-washable padded seat right down to its bright yellow, non-slip feet. With six distinct speeds to choose from, you'll find it easy to suit your little one's mood—and our patented TrueSpeed™ technology keeps those speeds consistent even as baby grows.
The Comfort Recline™ seat gives you a choice of two positions, and WhisperQuiet™ operation makes this swing silent in use. Wrap it all up in the super-fun animal decor and you've got a perfect travel companion. Part of Bright Starts™’ Sunnyside Safari™ Collection. Start the fun with Bright Starts!™

Features:

TrueSpeed™ Technology maintains 6 speeds as baby grows
Comfort Recline™ seat with 2 positions
Whisper Quiet™ operation
Easily folds for storage or travel
5 point harness
Machine washable seat pad
Non-slip feet

Sunnyside Safari™ Saucer

This is where babies go for serious fun. A Walmart exclusive, the 7-activity Bright Starts™ Sunnyside Safari™ Saucer offers entertainment options galore—and a lighthearted jungle theme with fun characters you'll adore.
The seat rotates a full 360° for endless interaction with the activity stations. Twin overhead toy arms provide even more entertainment options. And the three different height positions make this one saucer your baby won't soon outgrow. Four link loops mean still more toys can be attached. Part of the Sunnyside Safari™ Collection, this saucer will quickly become a family favorite. Start the fun with Bright Starts!™

Product Features:

3 adjustable height positions allows entertainer to grow with baby
Seat rotates 360° for nonstop interaction with 7 activity stations
2 overhead toy bar arms with mirror, hanging toy and fabric crinkle leaves
Hanging elephant toy
Bendy giraffe teething stalk
Bead chaser with easy to grip textured beads
Lion popper with spiraling beads
Rotating ladybug barrels with fun textures and beads
Rocking toucan on leaf stalk
4 link loops for attaching more toys
Lays flat for storage
Built-in toy tray is easy to clean

Giveaway starts on May 7 at 12:01AM and ends May 28 at 11:59PM. Open to the US residents only; must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

Enter to win the Bright Starts Ultimate Baby Shower Giveaway including the Sunnyside Collection on the rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway Disclosure: I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. My Life as a Married Girl is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment.

Baby to Bee Giveaway event coming soon!

noreply@blogger.com (Katrina) — Fri, 04 May 2012 21:56:00 +0000

I have an exciting giveaway event coming soon!

In honor of Baby #3 who is on his or her way, I have put together some fun sponsors for a giveaway event!

The event will start June 10th, but you can earn entries now!

There are two ways to do that.

For 2 extra entries into each giveaway, post the button on your blog.

For 4 extra entries into each giveaway, write a blog post that includes the button, a link to my blog, and that has a line or two telling about the event!

(for some reason everytime I try to create a button, it comes out as a broken link... sorry! If you can't link it to this post, just pit the button on your blog and put a link to the post underneath it. Thanks!)

8 weeks

noreply@blogger.com (Katrina) — Fri, 04 May 2012 21:03:00 +0000

I am 8 weeks pregnant now! Still feeling nauseous as ever. bleh. Can't wait for it to be over with. And can't wait until the 16th for my first Dr.'s appointment! I am proud of myself because I managed to clean my house today. Haha. Big accomplishment there. You should have seen it for the past few weeks.... my husband is going to be shocked when he gets home. ;-) Baby is the size of a kidney bean this week! =)

7 weeks

noreply@blogger.com (Katrina) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 21:23:00 +0000

I am 7 weeks Pregnant today!

And feeling so sick... With Jack and Ellie, I had nausea, but it wasn't too bad. With this one it is worse. Josh thinks it's twins... I can't wait to find out if it is or not. I have my first Dr.s appointment on May 16th.

So yeah, typical first trimester symptoms... nausea and exhaustion... Oh so fun when trying to take care of a 1 and almost 3 year old... especially when the 1 year old is going through a mommy phase...

Baby is the size of a blueberry this week!

Bright Starts Baby Shower giveaway Event!

noreply@blogger.com (Katrina) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 23:43:00 +0000

Bright Starts, Mom to Bed by 8, Mom Blog Society and Iowa-Mom is excited to present the Baby Shower Event from May 7th to May 28th. This is a free blogger event and accepting signups now.

Join the Bright Starts Ultimate Baby Shower Giveaway event today, grow your readership and offer one amazing baby shower gifts giveaway!

Children and Chores: How to Ensure Responsibility (A guest post)

noreply@blogger.com (Katrina) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 03:56:00 +0000

Although the majority of young children would probably enjoy an easy home life filled with nothing but fun and games, all kids need to learn that responsibility and expectations are not exclusive to the confines of the classroom only. Setting some simple tasks for a child to complete daily/each week on behalf of the family unit then, is advisable.

However, this is easier said than done since it is common to hear “Not now, Mum!” or “I’ll do it later!” any time a child is asked to help out around the house. This is why you should make it clear from the beginning which chores a child is responsible for – any requests made outside of those they have been made chief off will likely receive the “That’s not MY job!” response.

Routine is imperative for ensuring chore completion, as is occasionally rewarding a child who does what is asked of them without fuss.

Coax Chore Completion: Rewards, not Bribery!
The way in which you coax your little ones into sharing the responsibility of home chores often depends on the kids in question and their individual personalities.

A friend of mine swears by the use of a points chart. Each of her kids has a list of set tasks they are responsible for each day/week printed on a dry-erase board that is prominently displayed on the kitchen wall. The kids all start with 50 points for the month. If they perform a task without asking, they earn two points but if they need to be reminded, they only earn one point. If they do not do a task at all, then five points gets deducted from their running tally. Any child that has 100 points or more by the close of each month gets a prize of their choice (up to the value of £5).

I tried this with my kids for two months and I must sadly admit that it was a complete disaster! While they were excited and keen at the launch of the chores-board, they quickly grew bored with the notion and were losing points at lightning speed as a result. I decided this method wasn’t worth the trouble and moved on to a less organised, but just as effective system…

My own family adheres to a reward and punishment system for the completion/non-completion of household chores – we just don’t implement a chart. Each one of my kids needs to clear their plate of food and load their plates and cutlery into the dishwasher after each meal. If they do not, they lose a privilege. They may be banned from watching the double bill of The Simpsons which is airing on TV later that evening, or be denied access to the family Wii console for a week. A ban from the beloved garden swings is another punishment my two youngest try their very best to avoid.

My teenage daughter is also required to fold and put away her clean laundry twice a week. If her clothes sit in the basket for more than a day, she’ll also lose a privilege such as being allowed to wear mascara to high school and/or go to the cinema with her mates at the weekend.

Any of my four children that complete the tasks set out for them will earn their monthly allowance of £10. I have rarely had to deny one of my children this pocket money but that does not mean defiance has not found its way into our home at times. There have been a number of instances in which one child has had to watch his/her siblings enjoy their money while they have received nothing, due to their previous non-cooperation.

Not getting rewarded can be a hard lesson for a kid to learn but a valuable one too since it helps to teach the life lesson of responsibility, as well as establishing the ideology that there is a consequence for every action.

The author of this guest blog – Kat Black – works on behalf of Climbing Frames UK.

Push to 1000!

noreply@blogger.com (Katrina) — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 02:47:00 +0000

Ok, I'm going to do something I haven't done in a while! I've got some good giveaways coming up in the next couple months along with a "Baby to be" event! So, I am asking for your help! I want to gain as many readers as I can!
All you have to do is refer some friends... For every friend you refer who puts your name in the entry form, you will be entered to win.
What can you win? How does a $10 Starbucks card sound? Don't drink coffee? How about $10 paypal? Super easy!

So, start referring friends, any way you can, and fill out the rafflecopter form below! Easy as pie!

And Thanks to all my current readers! Without you, my blog would be nothing! Feel free to leave me a comment too! I would love to hear suggestions on topics, what you like to read about, etc!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Weigh in Wednesday 4/11/12

noreply@blogger.com (Katrina) — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 02:59:00 +0000

I was so good with my eating this week.... but I guess being newly pregnant and my body preparing itself and beginning to grow a new life just made it almost impossible to lose anything! So I was a little stuck...

Last week's weight: 224
This week's weight: 223
Total weight loss: 22 lbs.

I know that you shouldn't diet while you are pregnant, but technically I am not. I have changed my eating habits and am eating a lot healthier, which is leading to the weight loss. I plan on exercising and sticking to my healthy eating as much as I can, (allowing myself a few treats, especially when the cravings hit...) So I will continue to do the weekly weigh in just to help myself keep track of my weight. I lost a little at the beginning of both my previous pregnancies, and then only gained 15 pounds with each, so I am not planning to let myself gain much, and am hoping to just get healthier and hopefully keep losing some weight!

I now understand...

noreply@blogger.com (Katrina) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 22:40:00 +0000

Why my parents stopped taking us to the big Easter egg hunt at the local park. I remember wishing we could go as a kid and begging, and being mad when they wouldn't take us.

Now that I am a parent, and we took our kids this year... I vow... not again.

We actually went to two. The first one wasn't too bad. It was crowded, but wasn't an insane amount of people. It went fairly quickly, and Jack and Ellie each got 4-5 eggs. The candy in them wasn't too bad either. Jack would have gotten more eggs if he had not been nervous and unsure. Of course there were the parents helping their kids, but I've found that in the younger age group, it's not really for the kids as much anyways...

After that one, I thought "Hey, that wasn't too bad..." so Jack and I dropped Josh and Ellie off at home for nap time and headed to the big egg hunt. When we got there, I almost turned right around and went home, but Jack was excited, and we had nothing better to do, so I went ahead and parked where I could and we walked the half mile in the dirt uphill to the fields where the hunt would be. (and no, I am not exaggerating... I just mapped the distance... haha) We finally got up there, and had to find the end of the line for the 0-3 age group. After waiting 20 minutes, they let us line up around the baseball field. When they finally yelled "go" it was a madhouse of parents rushing the field, shoving their kids towards the eggs, throwing eggs in their kids baskets, and not watching out for the kids that were supposed to be getting the eggs. Jack walked away with 2 eggs. I was so annoyed. So, we started the hike back down the hill (where Jack found two more eggs that other kids had dropped) and proceeded to spend 20 minutes just trying to get out to the main road. It was ridiculous.

So, until they don't allow parents on the field, or if we find a nice small one (like the first one we went to) I don't think we will be going to any egg hunts anytime soon. Some friends and us have already decided that next year, we are going to get together and do a nice hunt for the kids at one of our houses. less stress and more fun for the kids.

What about you? Do you go to the big egg hunts? Have you had any interesting experiences at one? I'd love to hear from you!

Our Easter

noreply@blogger.com (Katrina) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 23:17:00 +0000

We woke up Easter and had a little egg hunt in our front yard, then spent the afternoon with some friends at a minor league baseball game! It was hot, but was a pretty nice afternoon! Here are some pictures from our egg hunt!

Coming Soon!

noreply@blogger.com (Katrina) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 03:32:00 +0000

I hope everyone had a great Easter! We did! Had an egg hunt with the kids this morning, then went to a baseball game!

We also found out yesterday that we are expecting baby #3! I am due Dec. 13th! we are really excited!

Thymes Review

noreply@blogger.com (Katrina) — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 16:00:00 +0000

I like to smell good. Don't we all? So I was really excited to get the chance to review some Products from Thymes

I was so excited to receive 2 boxes of fun goodies! I chose the kimono rose scent because I had smelled it once before, and loved it! (and it reminded me of a perfume I had when I was in high school that I absolutely loved but could never find anything similar!)

They sent me a perfume, body wash, hand soap and lotion set and a room spray. I have to say, I love them all! My favorite though is the body wash! Most nice bodywashes that you get because you like the scent don't leave any scent when you get out of the shower, but this one does! After you get out, you can smell a slight scent that is just enough, and not overpowering! The perfume is nice too, and not too overpowering. But you only need one spray for a nice light scent, which means it will last a long time! The room spray smells nice, but I don't notice it when I come back into the room after a little while, which is kind of a bummer, but it smells nice after you spray it! I would definitely be interested in trying the candle though!

Overall, I am very happy with the quality of the products I received from Thymes, and I would recommend them to anyone!

I have a Nephew!

noreply@blogger.com (Katrina) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 19:00:00 +0000

My Nephew Brayden was born last Thursday! He is so adorable! I had the privilege of being there (and getting to help a little) when my cousin did his pictures on Tuesday. I just had to share a couple!

(All Photos are property of Karrie Hansen Photography. Please do not use without permission.)

Chewbeads Review and Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Katrina) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Ellie is fascinated by jewelry. Anytime I wear any necklace, she is constantly wanting to grab it, play with it, and chew on it. That makes it hard to wear jewelry sometimes! Not with Chewbeads!
Chewbeads are non-toxic jewelry for moms that are safe for babies to tug on, touch and chew!

The idea for Chewbeads began in 2009 shortly after the birth of my son. Like most babies, he loved to put everything in his mouth and my necklaces were a favorite. Like most moms, I didn't feel comfortable letting him chew on them, with concern that they might break or have unwanted chemicals. As a veteran of the fashion industry, I had an amazing collection of necklaces and bracelets, so with those as my inspiration, I set out to create soft, non-toxic jewelry, which was colorful, chic and, above all else safe. Hence, Chewbeads!

Beads are made with 100% silicone (similar to pacifiers & nipples)
Soft on babies gums and emerging teeth
Easily cleaned with dish soap & water, also dishwasher safe!
No BPA, PVC, Phthalates, Cadmium, or Lead
Necklaces have a breakaway clasp for added safety
Necklaces are a great sensory tool to help your baby focus while nursing
Bracelets are a colorful reminder of which side you've just nursed

Chewbeads sent me the Jane necklace in brown. My daughter loves it! She has been teething and I can wear this and not worry about her chewing on it, and it looks nice too!

I would definitely recommend these to any mom with a baby!

Go to Chewbeads and check them out! Chewbeads has also generously offered one of my readers the necklace or bracelet of your choice! Enter on the rafflecopter form below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Weigh in Wednesday 4/4/12 (a day late!)

noreply@blogger.com (Katrina) — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 18:53:00 +0000

I came back from my parent's house yesterday after a quick trip out to meet my new nephew! I tried to be good, and was a little successful. =)

So, I'll just get right to it:

Last week's weight: 226
This week's weight: 224
Total weight loss: 21 lbs. =)

The Aquarium

noreply@blogger.com (Katrina) — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 17:54:00 +0000

A couple weeks ago, Josh and I went away kid free for a couple days. We went to Monterey, so we decided to go to the aquarium. It was pretty neat. (even if it was a little over priced, IMO.) =)

I just thought I would share some pictures with you!

Paleo Truffles

noreply@blogger.com (Katrina) — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 15:00:00 +0000

I broke in my new food processor the other night by making some paleo truffles... aka bites of heaven. I took a couple recipes and kinda came up with my own and they were delicious!

1 c. pitted dates
1/3 c. raisins (can use all dates)
1 c. walnuts
1/2 c. shredded unsweetened coconut
4 tbs. cocoa powder
2 tbs. coconut cream concentrate. (if you don't have this, just add 1 tsp. vanilla, and if more liquid is needed to bring it together, use coconut milk)

Blend together until smooth and roll into balls (or eat out of the food processor like I did. haha)

yum!

PX supply review

noreply@blogger.com (Katrina) — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 15:00:00 +0000

I recently was sent a messenger bag from Army Navy store to review! Pxsupply.com is your Source for Military Gifts & Gear. They have all kinds of military related stuff!

They have everything from bags and packs, camping equipment, vests, combat boots, clothing and more!

I was very happy with the quality of the Urban explorer shoulder bag. It was a little small, but i've been using it as a diaper bag, and am pretty happy with it.

If you are looking for anything miliraty related including army and navy shirts and sweatshirts, then be sure to check out pxsupply.com!

Simple Green Review and Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Katrina) — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 13:00:00 +0000

I was recently sent a bottle of the Simple Green All purpose cleaner concentrate to review!

"Over 30 years ago, concentrated Simple Green® All-Purpose Cleaner was formulated for the industrial marketplace… but it kept finding its way back home! Customer satisfaction, loyalty and demand have since put the Simple Green “family” of popular convenient sizes in retail stores nationwide!

The makers of Simple Green have spent over $3 million to verify the safety claims and unique formulation. Concentrated Simple Green had it right from the start. An environmentally-sensitive non-toxic cleaner/degreaser that really works and can be economically custom-diluted for many, many different uses. From floors and walls to pots and pans, from windows to sinks and drains, even greasy tools, it only takes a little Simple Green to get big jobs done around the house.

Simple Green is one of the most versatile all-purpose cleaners you can buy! It’s non-toxic and biodegradable, without harmful bleach. Because it is a concentrate, you can custom dilute Simple Green to clean just about anything dirty. It replaces most cleaners, detergents, degreasers and laundry pre-soaks you're using now!

Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner can be used on any washable surface, from floors and walls to laundry. It removes the toughest stains including dirt, grease, oil, pet stains, coffee & juice stains, lipstick, blood, adhesives & much more!"

I really like the All purpose cleaner. It has worked well on everything I have tried it all, and I was surprised to see all the things I could use it for! I love that it is non toxic and I don't have to worry about it when cleaning in areas that my kids will come in contact with! I am definitely going to have to try it in my laundry! Especially on those tough kids stains!

I have also tried a lot of the Simple Green Naturals Products, and absolutely love them as well!

Would you like to try Simple green for yourself? Head over to Simple Green to see where you can buy it near you (or order it online!)

Or you can win! One lucky reader will win the gallon size simple green all purpose cleaner congencrate and a spray bottle! Just enter on the rafflecopter form below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

i Play babywear Review!

noreply@blogger.com (Katrina) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:00:00 +0000

I was recently sent a fleece pullover for Ellie from iplaybabywear.com to review!

I Have to say, it is so cute and soft, that I want one for myself!

From their site:
Founded in 1982, i play. focuses on values that prioritize protecting our children and the Earth. Our company has always been about doing the best thing, the right thing for babies. We are committed to leadership in continually learning about product materials and potential health and safety issues concerning these materials. In 2003 we discovered the use of PVC in baby products. We researched and educated ourselves about the dangers of PVC and ensured that all of our products were PVC-free. In 2006 we learned about similar concerns over BPA, a petroleum-based hormone disrupter, and quickly eliminated it from our green sprouts® products. Now we are researching petroleum-free materials and other healthy ways to take care of babies and toddlers.

Some choices we offer include materials that encourage healthy development from the inside and the outside:

Inside

• Natural, non-petroleum materials such as plant starch, plant fiber, wood, and cotton

• Non-petroleum materials such as glass, silicone and stainless steel

• BPA-free plastics such as Polypropylene (PP)

Outside

• Natural fibers such as cotton and plant-based non-wovens

• Organic cotton which promotes sustainable farming

• PVC-free waterproof materials such as EVA and polyurethane coated polyesters and nylon

• Sun protective fabrics of UPF 50+

• Flexible and breathable fabrics for active play

Our products undergo extensive testing and conform to all US ASTM, FDA and CPSIA standards. We believe it is a company's responsibility to monitor the quality and safety of their products.
We design our products in Asheville, NC and work with independently-owned factories in China, Thailand, Korea and Taiwan. We adhere to fair labor and environmentally-responsible standards.
We know that parents’ needs for their children are varied, so we’re always looking for choices to help make parenting easier and more fun. That is why we make baby-friendly i play.® and green sprouts® products for little ones.

Go Check them out and see all the neat products they offer!

Weigh in Wednesday 3/28/12

noreply@blogger.com (Katrina) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 02:24:00 +0000

So I've had a bad couple weeks... it started with Josh and I going on a mini vacation for a couple nights... then we had ellie's birthday party at my parents, I tried to get back on track the rest of the week and just couldn't, then we had ellie's party here... then I was just having a hard time with all the junk left over and the lack of healthy food in the house.

Last time I weighed (2 weeks ago) I was at 225, then after our weekend away I was at 230 (ouch!) Then I got back down to 227, and stayed there for the next week... and this morning I think I was at 226. So, luckily I am only 1 pound up from my lowest, which is pretty surprising actually.

I went grocery shopping today and stocked up on fruits and veggies and I am back on track today! Hopefully I will have some better posts in the future!

Wordless Wednesday 3/28/12

noreply@blogger.com (Katrina) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:00:00 +0000

(Pictures from Ellie's party at my parent's house)