Today’s giveaway is from Michelle, who writes the blog Open Eye Health.  Michelle has written the eBook Clean Start: Your Guide to Natural Home Cleaning and she is giving away 2 copies on Simply Rebekah.  Please Note: Ebooks can be read on a regular computer or e-reader.

Clean Start is an excellent resource for anyone who is interested in finding more safe and natural ways to clean their home.  Michelle goes through each room of the home and provides natural cleaning solutions/recipes for each task.  She even provides 2-3 different options for most cleaning projects!

The effectiveness of Michelle’s green cleaning recipes is extremely important to her.  She states in the book:

Throughout my search, I insisted on making absolutely sure that any natural solutions I used and recommended would work just as well, if not better, than commercial cleaning products. During this process, I began testing cleaners on every conceivable household surface I could find. – Michelle, from Clean Start

As an added bonus, Michelle sprinkles 21 helpful hints throughout the book.  I especially loved this one: Clean one side of windows wiping vertically and the other wiping horizontally so that if there is a smearing issue you can easily see what side needs to be touched up.

Along with her natural cleaning solutions, Michelle also provides a list of helpful products & tools, explains the natural cleaning power of each ingredient, gives a price break down to show how natural cleaning can save you money, shares tips on creating a cleaning schedule, and includes a place for you to jot down your favorite recipes.

Michelle has offered to give away two copies of Clean Start!  To enter leave me a comment telling me your favorite thing to clean.  (If it is even possible to find something you actual enjoy cleaning!!)

You may have an extra entry in the random drawing if you:

• Subscribe to Simply Rebekah via email or RSS and leave me a separate comment telling me how you subscribe.  If you already subscribe, you can leave that in a comment also.

*** This is a quick giveaway (enter now!!).  Clean Start: Your Guide to Natural Home Cleaning is only $4.95.  Feel free to buy it today and Michelle will refund you if you are a winner. ***

Disclosure: Two winners will be chosen by random & notified by email after this giveaway closes on February 26, 2012 at 11:59 PM.  Giveaway is open worldwide.  Michelle provided me with a copy of her eBook.  I was not compensated in any other way.  All opinions are my own.  This post contains affiliate links.  If you enjoy reading silly fine print like this then be sure to check out my full disclosure policy.

I have two cleaning themed giveaways that will run through this weekend only.  Then on Monday I’ll announce the winners along with sharing my own cleaning checklist printable.

Today’s giveaway is from Nony, who writes the blog A Slob Comes Clean.  Nony’s blog cracks me up, but even more important is that I can relate.  I hate cleaning.  I have to really work at it or my own house would be a disaster zone.

Nony has written the eBook 28 Days to Hope for Your Home: Not for the Mildly Disorganized and she is giving away 2 copies on Simply Rebekah.  Please Note: Ebooks can be read on a regular computer or e-reader.

This book is for the person who:

• has a hard time throwing things away.
• goes into other people’s homes and wonders where is all their stuff.
• constantly puts things off for later.
• makes piles as their main way of organizing.
• pretends not to be home when faced with unexpected guests.
• isn’t looking for a new way to organize their kitchen, but would just like to be able to see their kitchen counters!

Here is how Nony explains 28 Days to Hope for Your Home:

Just so you know, this e-book isn’t a method. Methods don’t clean your house. You have to clean your house. This is simply a broken-down-to-the-very-basics-that-normal-people-seem-to-know- but-somehow-people-like-us-have-never-grasped instruction/encouragement book. This book is meant to guide you through the basic things that need to be done daily in your home. The things that will give you hope that real change is possible. – Nony, from 28 Days to Hope for Your Home

For four weeks, Nony will walk you through daily tasks that will help get your home under control.  She will not be telling you how to completely clear out all clutter and mess in 28 days.  Instead, she lays the foundation for changing the way you think about cleaning and clutter.  When I was in the middle of My Do-NOT-Go-In-There Guest Room Overhaul, I repeated Nony’s mantra “start with the easy stuff” over and over in my head.  This book is all about the “easy stuff” that seems so hard to get done on a daily basis.

I love the moment in the book when she talks about slobs naturally wanting to tackle the “wow factor” projects.  How many times have I organized something huge instead of simply cleaning a toilet?

Along with her 28 day guide, Nony also addresses decluttering strategies, tips for laundry & meal planning, suggestions for how to move forward after completing the 28 day program, and a look at where she is now 2 years after starting her journey.

Nony has offered to give away two copies of 28 Days to Hope for Your Home: Not for the Mildly Disorganized!  To enter leave me a comment telling me a hot spot in your home you can’t seem to keep clean.

You may have an extra entry in the random drawing if you:

• Subscribe to Simply Rebekah via email or RSS and leave me a separate comment telling me how you subscribe.  If you already subscribe, you can leave that in a comment also.

*** This is a quick giveaway (enter now!!).  28 Days to Hope for Your Home is 50% off through February for just $4.00 (no discount code needed).  Feel free to buy it today and Nony will refund you if you are a winner. ***

Disclosure: Two winners will be chosen by random & notified by email after this giveaway closes on February 26, 2012 at 11:59 PM.  Giveaway is open worldwide.  Nony provided me with a copy of her eBook.  I was not compensated in any other way.  All opinions are my own.  This post contains affiliate links.  If you enjoy reading silly fine print like this then be sure to check out my full disclosure policy.

I’m sharing the results of a pregnancy survey I created when I was expecting Grace.  34 women shared their thoughts and now I want to hear yours!  The most popular answers are listed first and include the number of people who responded with that answer.

You can catch up on this series here: Part 1 (books & maternity clothes)

Where should I register?  Should we register at more than one place?

• Babies R Us – 28
• Target – 15
• Wal-Mart – 7
• Burlington Coat Factory  Baby Department – 3
• Meijer
• Don’t Register At All
• Register at More than 1 Place – 9
• TIP: Don’t Register for Clothes.  They go in & out of the store too fast and you’ll get enough anyway.

Rebekah’s Thoughts: I don’t agree with the mom who suggested not to register at all.  You don’t need to register for 1,000 things, but please do register!  It will make it easier on you and those who want to buy you gifts.  I do agree with the tip not to register for clothing.  Plain white onesies would be the exception.  I personally like the Carter’s brand (they run big/long).  The long sleeved ones are great for layering under all the cute short sleeve ones that you’ll get as gifts.  The Gerber brand runs very small.

With Grace we decided to register only at Babies R Us.  Target’return policy had a difficult return policy and I’m not a fan of Walmart.  With baby #2 we’ve decided to register at Babies R Us again.  It might not be common to register with 2nd babies, but we had a couple people ask if there was anything we needed and we thought this would be the easiest way.  This time our registry is mostly filled with diapers and bath products.

Where did you get your nursery furniture?  Do you have any recommendations?

• Family & Friends -8
• Garage Sales – 6
• Babies R US – 5
• Used Furniture Shop – 3
• Target – 3
• Craigslist – 3
• Burlington Coat Factory – 2
• Kmart – 2
• Walmart
• Ikea
• Ebay
• TIP: Add a changing table mat to a hutch/dresser you already own to save money.  – 2
• TIP: Use a bookshelf with baskets as a dresser
• TIP: Buy used, but be sure you research recall information online.
• TIP: Had bad luck with Target sending damaged items.
• TIP: Invest in a Glider w/ foot stool since you’ll use it so much.

Rebekah’s Thoughts:  We ended up getting our crib on Craigslist.  Our changing table is a dry sink we found at a used furniture shop.  Our glider is from Walmart.com.  Walmart’s gliders seemed more affordable than Babies R Us and we used the free ship-to-store option.

Buying used is a really nice option, but research recall information like one mom suggested!  Our crib was recalled because of a problem with the brackets.  We were able to get replacement brackets for free and the crib is 100% safe now.  However, other recalls might not be as easy to fix.  Be especially careful about buying a drop side crib.  Manufactures aren’t even selling them anymore.

How would you answer these questions?

The image in this post was taken by Doriana Jane Photography.  I was 32 weeks pregnant with Grace.

I am 30 weeks pregnant.  Next week I start month 8.

Last month we went swimming at a hotel.  I had heard that swimming is a great activity for pregnant women, but while I was in the water I didn’t feel that different.  HA!  That is what I thought until I actually got out!  Oh. my. word…

I stepped out of the pool and instantly felt awful.  The pressure.  The strain on my back, stomach, everywhere.  The weight of the baby was incredible.  At that moment I realized just how strenuous it is to carry a baby, even when everything is going well.  It was pretty depressing.

I started to beat myself up about stuff.  This might be my last pregnancy and I want to be sure I’m truly embracing it.

• I haven’t written in a pregnancy journal.
• I don’t have any plans for awesome pregnancy photos like I did with Grace.
• I don’t even have any nice “non-professional” pregnancy photos.
• I’m not moving as much as I did with Grace since I’m not working full-time.
• I should be stretching, walking, talking to the baby more, getting foot rubs, and a handful of other stuff!

Is this just the difference in first pregnancies vs. subsequent pregnancies???

5 Random Pregnancy Tid-Bits:

1.  Gender - The envelope with the ultra-sound guess is still sealed and sitting on the kitchen counter.

2.  Names - We are no closer to naming this little one.  Just this week someone told me not to use a certain boy name that happens to be near the top of my list.  She had no idea.  Won’t that be awkward if we end up picking that name!?  haha!

3.  Healthy - I had a doctor appointment on Monday and everything looks really good.  I passed my gestational diabetes test and my iron levels look good.

4.  Weight - I don’t like getting on the scale each month.  I’m guessing I’ll gain more with this baby than I did with Grace, but my midwives aren’t concerned at all.  At one appointment a midwife told me to keep doing what I was doing as far as my weight gain.  Still, it is mentally hard to see those numbers rising.

5.  Getting Ready - I have about 46 things left to do on my Insane Goals list before the baby comes and only 10 weeks to finish it all!  Eek!  I’ll give an update in my next progress report for the Insane Goals Monthly Link-Up on March 1st.

Overall, I am very lucky.  My health has been good and all my pregnancy woes are minor.  Hopefully, I will start taking care of some of those things I’ve been feeling bad about.  Perhaps I’ll start tonight by requesting a foot rub!

Valentine’s day is traditionally when we express our love, but why limit ourselves?  Today I’m sharing a love-filled gift that is perfect for anytime of year.

For my husband’s 30th birthday, I surprised him with a box of love letters written by 71 of his friends and family.  I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate and honor Nate’s first 30 years of life.  The gift cost me very little, but was worth so much.

My husband’s letters weren’t filled with lines of romance.  Instead, I asked his family and friends to express how much they appreciate Nate.  It was touching to see the letters come flooding into my mail box and to know that each one was singing the praises of my husband.  I collected all the letters in a box, wrapped them like a regular birthday gift, and presented them to my husband on his birthday.

I highly recommend giving the gift of love letters.  It is a inexpensive and only takes some organization to pull it off.

Tips for Giving the Gift of Love Letters:

1.  Start early to give people plenty of time to write and return their letters.

2.  Type out a clear instructional letter to explain the gift of love letters and how you want friends and family to help you.  Make sure to include:

• A deadline for returning letters
• Instructions for how to return the letters - I asked people to hand them to me in person, email me, or mail them with only my name on the envelope.  For privacy, people were encouraged to send their letters in a separate sealed envelope.
• Suggestions for what to include in the letter - I suggested that people include a humorous story, a time when Nate made a difference in their day, qualities of Nate that they admire, and/or why they value Nate’s friendship.

3.  The more personalized the letters the better.  Encourage each member of families to write their own letter instead of one letter per family.  Even children can include a letter.

4.  Ask as many people as possible to write a letter.  I’m not suggesting that you betray the trust of your loved one, but…  I hacked into my husband’s Facebook account to help build the list of people I requested letters from.  I copied his friends list and then sent messages through Facebook to people I thought would want to contribute.  It worked out well since Facebook allows you to send messages to people who aren’t on your own friends list.  I also sent requests to a couple of contacts at Nate’s work that were able to distribute my request to the rest of his colleagues.

5.  Use email and Facebook to cut down on the cost.  I sent the vast majority of my request letters through email and Facebook.  The rest I mailed, but the cost was very minimal.  A frugal, but fabulous gift!

6.  Give the recipient space and time to read the letters.  A gift like this is extremely touching, but may be a bit overwhelming.  It took Nate several days to read through his letters.  Don’t rush it and certainly don’t sit there staring at them as they read each letter.  Let the recipient have the personal and private time they need to process such a thoughtful gift.

Is there someone in your life you could bless with the gift of love letters?  I received this same gift when I was in high school.  I still have each letter and can’t image ever throwing them out.

Let’s not just say, “I love you” to those we love.  Let’s tell them why we love them!

When I was pregnant with Grace, I knew I would be hit by tons of advice whether I wanted it or not.  To take advantage of that, I created a pregnancy survey that I sent to my friends.  I even posted the survey on Craigslist!

Over the next several weeks I’ll be sharing the results of my survey in the Pregnancy Advice Swap series.  There is nothing scientific about my results, but during my first pregnancy I found them very interesting and helpful.  I had 34 women answer my questions and now I’m asking you to share your experiences.

Let’s get started!  The most popular answers are listed first and include the number of people who responded with that answer.

What is your all time favorite pregnancy book or other resource?

• What to Expect when Expecting – 18
• Your Pregnancy Week by Week – 4
• Dr. Sears Parenting Books – 3
• The Girlfriends’ Guide to Pregnancy by Vicki Iovine – 3
• The Girlfriends Guide to Surviving the 1^st Year of Motherhood by Vicki Iovine – 2
• Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way by Susan McCutcheon – 3
• BabyCenter.com – 2
• Belly Laughs by Jenny McCarthy
• I’m Pregnant by Lesley Kegan
• Happiest Baby on the Block by Dr Harvey Karp
• American Baby Magazine
• Be Prepared: A Practical Handbook for New Dads by Hayden & Greenburg
• The Birth Partner: Everything You Need to Know to Help a Woman Through Childbirth by Penny Simkins
• The Moms On Call Guide to Basic Baby Care by Laura Hunter
• Baby Whisperer by Tracy Hogg
• Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron
• For establishing a feed/sleep schedule, use Baby Wise by Ezzo and Bucknam

Rebekah’s Thoughts: For pregnancy I enjoyed What to Expect When Expecting (just ignore all the scary this-could-be-wrong parts) Belly Laughs (funny!), and Your Pregnancy Week by Week (fun for seeing how your baby is developing each week).  I did not care for The Girlfriends Guide to Pregnancy.  Parts of it were amusing, but I wasn’t impressed with her thoughts on natural childbirth and breastfeeding.  For labor I benefited from Birth Partner and Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way.  For after the baby is born I highly recommend The Baby Whisperer.

Where was your favorite place to shop for maternity clothes?

• Motherhood Maternity – 20
• Old Navy – 8
• Kohls -5
• Target – 6
• Gap – 3
• Borrow from friends as much as you can – 2
• Goodwill
• Walmart
• JC Penny
• BonTon
• Sears
• H&M

Rebekah’s Thoughts: Hands down Motherhood Maternity is the best, but so expensive!  I was pretty pleased with Old Navy and Target.  The selection at Kohls is pathetically small.  Borrowing from friends was the biggest blessing!

Did you shop for maternity clothes at a consignment shop?  If so, what was your favorite place?

• No Luck at Consignment Shops – 6
• Yard/Garage Sales – 8
• Goodwill/Salvation Army – 6
• Ebay – 2
• Craigslist
• Freecyle

Rebekah’s Thoughts: I didn’t end up going to consignment shops for maternity clothes.  For both pregnancies, I was able to borrow some from friends and used gift cards.  Plus I earned $120 in Target gift cards through online searching with Swagbucks.

How would you answer these questions?

The image in this post was taken by Doriana Jane Photography.  I was 32 weeks pregnant with Grace.

This post contains affiliate links.  Thank you for supporting Simply Rebekah!

Welcome to the 2nd Annual “A Day in the Life of…” photography project!  The concept is simple, but the results are awesome.  Take one picture every hour, for one day, and an unique hour by hour snapshot of your day is created.  I hope you enjoy my pictures and I look forward to seeing yours!

A Day in the Life of Rebekah – January 18, 2012

8:00 AM – Grace just woke up and we are cuddling in bed.  This is very normal.  The fact that I’m already showered and dressed is not normal, but we have “moms’ group” at church this morning.  I love Grace covering her eyes!

9:00 AM – We are on our way to “moms’ group.”  We just happened to pass a horse and buggy right at 9:00.

10:00 AM – COFFEE!!!  The decaf coffee definitely makes it on my short list of things I love about my moms’ group.

11:00 AM – I just picked up my little pumpkin from the childcare.

12:00 PM – It is lunch time and Grace is enjoying a peanut butter sandwich.  I usually wait to eat until she goes down for her nap.  I love those quiet moments, eating lunch alone.  

1:00 PM – Time to go to sleep, little one.  Time really does go by so fast.  This picture is already outdated.  Just this weekend we took away Grace’s pacifier.  She has handled it much better than I expected.  She misses it, but is sleeping very well.

2:00 PM – Answering some emails.  Do you have something you want to talk about?  You can contact me anytime.

3:00 PM – Grace just woke up from her nap and I was rocking her in her room.  Grace loves to rock with me after her naps.  I have no idea how often that will be able to happen after baby #2 is born in April, so for now I am trying to soak in each and every moment.  This picture is actually of a lamp I made out of a wicker structure, Christmas lights, and a dimmer switch.

4:00 PM – I’m cleaning up the kitchen.  Yes, those are lunch dishes.  That is just how I roll.

5:00 PM – I was kicking myself when my timer went off to tell me it was time to take my next picture.  At that very moment I was looking under the couch for a missing library book.  I didn’t stage my photos throughout the day and this is proof!  How boring!!!  For the record, looking under your couch is very difficult when you are too pregnant to lay flat on your stomach.  I did find the book, but only after Nate came home later and moved the couch for me.

6:00 PM – I was putting some finishing touches on supper.  We tried something new that was awesome.  I might need to add it to my collection of simple recipes.

7:00 PM – I have been devouring oranges lately.  This pregnant lady could probably eat five in one sitting.

8:00 PM – Nate was giving Grace a bath and had a few quiet moments to myself.  I turned on the TV and enjoyed feeling the baby moving.  In this picture I was 26 weeks pregnant.

9:00 PM – Getting my social media fix.

10:00 PM – I do most of my blogging at night.  This evening I was working on my post 20 Green Things I Don’t Do (Part 1).

11:00 PM –  I am embarrassed and appalled that my day ended with paying bills.  I almost never pay bills before going to bed.  Ironically, in 2011 this was my 10:00 PM photo.  I hate paying bills (even though I used this amazingly simple method) and I hope this type of photo doesn’t show up in 2013!

Now it is your turn to share your day!  Use the link-up to add a link to a post on your own blog (click on the blue frog icon).  If you are reading this in your email or RSS reader, you’ll need to click over to Simply Rebekah to add your link and/or see the posts that other bloggers have shared.

• For more details about the Annual “A Day in the Life of…” Link-Up click here.
• Link directly to your post & not your homepage.
• Please link back to Simply Rebekah in your post and feel free to use the “A Day in the Life of…” Link-Up image in your post and/or sidebar.
• Forgot to take your pictures?  No problem!  This link-up will be open for at least two weeks.

January Accomplishments:

1.  I took one picture every hour for one day for the 2nd Annual “A Day in the Life of…” Link-up.  The link-up will be hosted this next Monday (Feb. 6) and I can’t wait!

2.  We met all of our family fun goals this month!  Nate & I had a date night, we took Grace to the play house (pic above), and we used our local hotel night gift card.  Doesn’t she look tiny in that king size bed?

3.  I read Natural Childbirth The Bradley Way and loved it.  Well, as much as you can love a book that talks about one of the most exhausting and painful physical experiences of your life…  (If you are curious, here is Grace’s pain-med free birth story.)

4.  I’m  happy with Grace’s goals for this month.  I found a story time for her, started to purge her toys, got a potty seat, and this weekend we’ll be taking away the pacifier.  Plus I updated her baby book.  I am thrilled with how much is filled out and glad to be released from that guilt!

5.  I accomplished 4 out of 6 of my clothes & fashion goals.  I decided not to buy a maternity coat.  So far I haven’t missed it.

* Check out my complete list of goals below to see other accomplishments I didn’t mention.

January Disappointments:

1.  I started going through my business cards from Relevant, but I barely made a dent in them!

2.  I did start a pregnancy journal, but I only listed important dates that I want to write about and catch up on.

3.  At the beginning of the month I was really motivated in cleaning out the guest bedroom in preparation for Grace moving in there.  Then I lost steam.  I’m probably half done, but there is still a lot of work to be done in there.

4.  None of the photo books or house goals happened.  We bought hooks to solve our no-coat-closet problem, but did we hang the hooks?  Of course not!  Why would we do a silly thing like that when we still haven’t hung any pictures on the walls?!

You can see all my progress & complete list of goals below.  Plus be sure to add your link below and check out the other blogger’s goals!  If you are reading this in your email or RSS reader, you’ll need to click over to Simply Rebekah to add your link and/or see the posts that other bloggers have shared.

My 2012 Insane Goals: Preparing for the Baby Edition

Food & Supply Preparations

• Purge & organize the deep freezer
• Test the slow cooker freezer recipes I found somewhere (??) & pick some to freeze.
• Fill my freezer (as time, money & energy allow).
• Create a small stockpile of bath products.

Nursery Goals

• Decide if the baby will sleep in our room first or in the crib from day one.
• Clean all the bedding.
• Pull out all the gender neutral clothes.
• Reorganize the closet & changing table, switching from Grace’s things to baby things.
• Buy & install black out curtains or shades.
• Hang pictures.
• Get a baby monitor.

More Baby Themed Goals

• Pick out new pack ‘n play.
• Register at Babies R Us.
• Clean & have ready the swing, bath tub, breast pump, baby toys, etc.
• Buy & send out “thank you” cards as needed.
• Reorganize the baby/toddler cabinet in the kitchen.
• Create a pregnancy journal.
• Clean & install the car seat.

Labor & Delievery Goals

• Review The Birth Partner.
• Read Natural Childbirth The Bradley Way.
• Read Supernatural Birth.
• Stretch regularly.
• Pack the hospital bag.
• Pack Grace’s bag and include child care instructions.

Goals for Grace

• Try to find her a new story time.
• Update her baby book.
• Take away her pacifiers before she moves into her new room.
• Make “busy bags” for her to help keep her entertained while I’m nursing the newborn.
• Buy a potty training seat.
• Purge toys.
• Create better toy storage in the living room.

Move Grace to Her New Room

• Purge & organize the closets.
• Pick a bedding set for her big girl bed.
• Paint and/or get fun wall decals.
• Buy & install black out curtains or shades.
• Make a night light.
• Move Grace into the new room in the beginning of March or earlier.

Blogging Goals

• Host the 2nd Annual A Day in the Life of… photography project.
• Go through all the business cards I collected at Relevant and visit each blog.
• Host baby themed giveaways - Contact me if you have a product you’d like for me to review!
• Pre-write a minimum of 5 posts that I can publish after the baby is born.
• Collect a minimum of 5 guest posts. – If you are interested in guest posting, please contact me!

Clothes & Fashion

• Clear out my closet of non-maternity clothes.
• Buy warm & colorful maternity tops.
• Buy new nursing tank tops.
• Buy a maternity coat.
• Get a haircut.
• Get new glasses.

Family Fun

• Take Grace to the local children’s play house at least once a month.
• Enjoy monthly date nights with Nate.
• Use local hotel gift card.
• Use restaurant gift cards. 

Finish Photo Books

• The Year 2009
• The Year 2010
• The Year 2011
• Grace’s First Year Book
• Plus upload pictures to Snapfish monthly.

House Goals

• Clean the carpets.
• Update, print, and follow and new cleaning check list.
• Buy a new computer.
• Hang pictures.
• Solve the no-coat-closet problem.

Now it is your turn to share your lists!  I would love to hear about your goals and progress in the comments or you can use the link-up to add a link to a post on your own blog (click on the blue frog icon).  If you are reading this in your email or RSS reader, you’ll need to click over to Simply Rebekah to add your link and/or see the posts that other bloggers have shared.

• For more details about the Insane Goals Monthly Link-Up click here.
• Link directly to your post & not your homepage.
• Please link back to Simply Rebekah in your post and feel free to use the Insane Goals Link-Up image in your post and/or sidebar.

This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting Simply Rebekah!

Shortly after writing that post I found out that the recommendation changed to keeping your child rear facing until the age of two.  That became my new goal for Grace.

Now here we are.  This picture was taken this weekend.  Grace is 2 years and 4 months old.  She weighs about 24.5 pounds.  Grace happily sits in her rear facing car seat, but I’m starting to wonder…

Rear facing is proven to be the safest position for young children, but at what point do you decide to make the switch anyway?  When should I switch Grace to a forward facing car seat?

Pros for Rear Facing Car Seats:

• Safety!
• She doesn’t drop her books and toys on the floor often because the seat “holds them” in place.
• Grace can’t see me sneaking snacks while I drive!
• She can’t be a back seat driver.  I’ve heard of kids making endless comments about red/green lights or getting upset when parents go the “wrong way.”

Pros for Forward Facing Car Seats:

• Grace may be happier in the car.  She tends to do pretty well in the car, but everyone tells me how much she’ll love it when we turn her around.
• The seat won’t get dirty from her shoes anymore.
• Grace may be more comfortable.  Her legs certainly hit the seat now and it doesn’t seem to bother her at all.  Still, she may enjoy the extra room to stretch them out.
• I could see her!  We never put a mirror in our car.
• Grandparents could drive with Grace in their forward facing car seat and we wouldn’t have to worry about switching out car seats or swapping cars.

My thought tends to be: Rear is safer so why change it if she isn’t miserable?  Yet, the switch needs to happen sometime.  So when??  (Note: her current car seat can stay rear facing until 35 pounds)

What made you decide to make the switch from rear facing to a forward facing car seat?

If you have questions about the recommendation for rear facing until age 2, the New York Times published an excellent article on the subject that you can read here.

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The Insane Goals link-up is happening this Wednesday on Feb. 1st and the 2nd Annual “A Day in the Life of…” link-up is next Monday on Feb. 6th!

I would love to be 100% green in all the things I do, but that simply isn’t realistic for me.  To celebrate the “soggy” in me (vs. the crunchy/green part of me), I’m sharing 20 green things that I don’t do.  You can read #1-10 here.

20 Green Things I Don’t Do (#11-20) 

11. Use a Clothes Line – I want to use a clothes line.  I really do!  Sadly, this house didn’t have one when we moved in and installing one just hasn’t happened yet.  Someone please come to my house and install one of those cool pulley system lines off my deck!
12. Ban Plastic Toys – Plastics can be kind of scary.  Some toy companies will guarantee you that their products are BPA free.  Others won’t.  I would love if all of Grace’s toys would be made out of wood with nontoxic paint, but that isn’t very realistic for us.  Instead I’ve made certain things a priority (like play food that will certainly go in her mouth) and other things I’ve been more laid back about.
13. Cloth Diaper – I’ve already written about my 5 excuses and 1 true reason for not using cloth diapers.
14. Family Cloth – Some families who love to cloth diaper have taken it one step further by using cloth toilet paper.  My mother has threatened to write me out of her will if I ever take that step.  I’d like to stay in the will.
15. Recycle All Plastic – I hate to do it, but sometimes I throw away plastic containers.  My area only recycles a couple kinds of plastics, so that means that the rest usually get trashed.
16. Have a Paperless Kitchen – I would love to go completely paperless in my kitchen.  We already made the switch to cloth napkins, but those pesky paper towels keep showing up!  The truth is that my husband has a special place in his heart for paper towels.  I keep trying to change his mind, but I’d rather he help clean the kitchen with paper towels than not help at all!
17. Shop at Thrift Stores – I’ve definitely shopped in 2nd hand stores.  However, when it comes to buying my clothes these days, I just don’t have the desire.  My shopping time is limited, so I don’t want to search through racks and racks.  Plus I tend to buy things that are just ok and not always stuff that I love.  This fashion struggling mama needs to step it up a notch and quit buying things just because they are cheap!
18. Eat 100% Local and/or Seasonal – Bananas don’t grow in my backyard year round.  Or ever.  They still make it on the shopping list!
19. Recycle “Gray” Water – In the summer I try to utilize the water from my daughter’s baby pool and dehumidifier, but we don’t have one of those fancy water-saver-things that collects your bathroom sink water to use in the toilet.
20. Diva Cup/Keeper – If you don’t know what this is, then you’ll have to look it up yourself.  I don’t have the guts to explain it here.  

Now that I’ve spilled my guts about all the green things that I don’t do, I expect all my green readers to go running for the hills and all my regular readers to follow since I mentioned the words “diva cup!”

Are you running for the hills or do you feel relief from any I’m-not-green-enough guilt?

How are you doing on your 2012 goals?  The next Insane Goals link-up is on February 1st.  Plus, the 2nd Annual “A Day in the Life of…” Link-Up is happening in 11 days!  Have you taken your photos yet???

This post is being linked to Your Green Resource.