A Fulfilled Mommy

Wordless Wednesday: Children imitating breastfeeding

2013-05-22T05:17:00.001-05:00

My 3-year-old daughter is a good little mommy!

SoftBums Echo Cloth Diaper Review & Giveaway

2013-05-20T10:29:00.001-05:00

SoftBums Echo AIO diaper in Berry Owls with velcro

SoftBums is a cloth diaper company I have heard a lot about from my friends who cloth diaper. I was thrilled when SoftBums agreed to let me try out their Echo cloth diaper. I've been a cloth diapering mom since 2009, on three different babies. I've tried most of the types of diapers there is and I am often not thrilled with the bulk of some brands. I was pleased to find out how trim the diaper from SoftBums was under Hallie's clothes!


Unlike some cloth diaper brands, there is no bulk under her sleeper!

SoftBums offers two different diapering systems. The Echo is an AIO (all in one) diaper and the Omni is a pocket diaper. I chose to review the Echo since I have been stuffing pocket diapers for many years and as a mama of four, I am trying to simplify my cloth diapering routine.

What I liked most about the Echo diaper is that the pods are designed to keep the shell clean in the event of a huge blow out. It is great that this shell can be used for more than one diaper change. Hallie is 3 months old and exclusively breastfed, so she can have pretty big poos sometimes. While I put her in this diaper, my husband was the one to change her, and coming from a man's perspective this diaper won him over! This diaper held in the mess very well. I also liked being able to use each pod alone without having to double it, so we got two changes out of this diaper.

Hallie modeling her SoftBums diaper. She was NOT letting go of one of the pods. ;)

A mom could order an appropriate amount of shells and pods and make this her entire cloth diaper stash. It's especially great that these diapers fit a younger baby well. I have a lot of pocket diapers that are supposed to be one size diapers and they truly aren't, leaving huge gaps around Hallie's thighs. Adjusting the size for your baby's needs is easily done with the drawstring accessible in the front pouch of the diaper. SoftBum's Echo diaper fit her thighs just perfectly as it describes it should: snug, but not tight.

Now enter to win a SoftBum's diaper of your own! One lucky winner will win a SoftBums Echo diaper and super dry touch pod, with the coloring and closure of their choice!

Entry -Form

Disclosure: I received no compensation for this post. SoftBums sent me one SoftBums Echo cloth diaper and super dry touch pod in exchange for my review. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. A Fulfilled Mommy Blog is not responsible for prize shipment.

What's going on around here?

2013-05-15T03:04:00.001-05:00

I used Grammarly to grammar check this post, because while blogging at nearly 3:00 a.m., my brain isn't all there. Actually, when IS it all there? ;)

We've been attempting to wrap up our homeschool year and as usual, life hasn't gone according to plan. But, when does it ever? I've decided to wrap it up as far as math and most of the handwriting we've been working on with Guggy as he finishes up kindergarten. Reading has turned into a sore spot for him, so I've decided to make that our priority over summer.

My plans for summer learning is to keep it simple. We're not going to simply quit all together, but we're going to make reading fun. So far, we've trying to read an hour a day. This can be challenging, but on days we are running errands and daddy is driving, I can pull up books on my smart phone, or simply bring some along. It's also a great way to keep the kids entertained in the car. We live out in the country, so it's a long drive to most places for us.

We also picked up a phonics curriculum I'm planning on working on as a supplement over summer as I research what we're going to use for the fall. I actually got a great deal on You Can Read lessons and videos at the library's book sale. I'm excited to give it a try!

Also, each of our children, even the baby, has been signed up for our small town library's summer reading programs. Once a week, we'll attend a lap sit or story time. For me, it's crucial to incorporate these activities in our lives. Reading is one of my favorite past times and even if my children don't enjoy reading, I want them to be good at it, and to also have good reading comprehension.

What are your homeschool plans for this summer?

ClosetMaid Blogger Opp

2013-05-08T03:26:00.002-05:00

Hosted by: Everything Mommyhood

May is for Moms: An Interview With Myself

2013-05-08T02:52:00.000-05:00

I've come across a great link up by Amy at Not Your Average Crazy

1. Before you ever even had children, how did you feel about being a mother?
That's a hard question. I never really envisioned myself having a lot of children, let alone being a homeschooling, stay at home mother. I guess I just figured it was something I would eventually do. I never really gave it any thought.

2. Since becoming a mother, what is something that has happened that you never thought would?
I always figured I would be a career woman. I was a sophomore in college when I became pregnant with my first child. I've always been a stay at home or work at home mom since.

3. Is being a mother less difficult, more difficult or exactly how difficult you imagined?
There are difficult parts and days. The most difficult part of mothering is getting caught up in the small things. The laundry can wait. The dishes can wait. Your babies can't. I have to remind myself to slow down and enjoy my children while they are little.

4. What is your fondest memory of being a mother (so far)?
As most mothers I would say, the day each of my four babies were born. Overall, I would have to say my fondest memory has been watching my children come together as we find out our groove together in life. It's a learning process.

5. If your children could only learn one life lesson from you, what do you hope it is?
I hope my children would really that you only get one life. Prioritize needs vs. wants, but above all, love Jesus, and live life day by day.

The Black Shard Giveaway (The Magic Warble Sequel) Ends 5/22

2013-05-08T01:15:00.001-05:00

I'm excited to bring you all a giveaway for the sequel of The Magic Warble, which is entitled The Black Shard. This is a 255 page book that has 1-2 pictures per chapter. A perfect read for kids around the middle school age.

Synopsis:
"Kristina’s stay at summer horse camp is horrible to say the least, and it’s all because Hester and Davina are there as well, making her life miserable. When Hester’s cruel prank goes terribly wrong, it’s actually what sends the three girls back to the magical land of Bernovem. In Bernovem, Kristina is very excited to see her former friend, Prince Werrien. When he invites her to sail with him on his ship to his homeland Tezerel, putting it simply, Kristina can’t refuse.

Reunited with her gnome, dwarf, animal, fairy friends … and best of all, Werrien, things seem like they couldn’t get any better for Kristina. But when Werrien becomes fascinated with an unusual seeing stone, the “Black Shard”, Kristina is haunted by a ghostlike old hag. Struggling against suspicion, guilt, illness, and ultimately the one who wants to possess her soul, Kristina will see it’s in her weakest moment that she will encounter more strength than she has ever known."

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To wean or not to wean? That is the question!

2013-04-26T17:11:00.000-05:00

When I had my third child, I knew I wanted to be sure to exclusively breastfeed him. After a very interesting birth experience, I did everything they say to do to avoid problems with breastfeeding like avoiding bottles early in our breastfeeding relationship. I also set small breastfeeding goals of 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, etc. My ultimate goal was to reach 18 months of breastfeeding. Well, we a little over a year passed that goal at 2.5 years old.

To wean, or not to wean? Just under a year ago, we found out we were expecting our fourth baby, who is now nearing three months old. Over these last few months, we have been tandem breastfeeding. I've had to experience periods of jealousy from my son. I am well aware of the benefits of breastfeeding into toddlerhood, but sometimes it is frustrating to deal with him wanting to nurse after the baby having a marathon nursing session.

On the other hand, it has also helped Avery ease into the transition of being a big brother instead of the baby. It can be very easy to just offer a nursing session to calm him down. On top of that, there are so many other benefits to him. Some moms practice child led weaning until age 3 and some even longer than that. For now, we are going to keep doing what we're doing.

Image source: thealphaparent.com

My Two Cents...Oh, How Far We Have Come!

2013-04-15T18:50:00.001-05:00

My Two Cents...Oh, How Far We Have Come

Maternity clothes really have a reputation for making pregnant women look "frumpy". In fact, I had my first child when I was 20-years-old and was terrified of what I was going to be stuck wearing for the next nine months. I figured I'd look something like Mimi from Drew Carey wearing a muumuu (bar the make-up)!

Image source: www.propstore.com

Nevertheless, the clothes turned out not to be as bad as I thought they would. Since my pregnancies have been so close together (2007, 2009, 2010, and 2013), I would say that the styles hadn't really changed, until very recently.

Clothes have evolved even more so now so that women who like to wear skinny jeans can actually find them in the maternity section.

During my pregnancies, I would resign to sweatpants and yoga pants when I was at home. …But for shopping trips or going out, I'd like to be able to dress nicely without being uncomfortable.

As a casual dresser myself, I would more-so frequent a pair of boot cut maternity jeans from Old Navy or Target with a cute top. In cooler weather, I favored layers and I found many cute maternity wraps with my most recent pregnancy.

I didn't really find it necessary to spend a lot of money on getting a lot of clothes which you'll only be wearing for a few months to be honest, but more power to you if you can.

I may not shop at the most expensive stores, but I have found that many stores offer several fashionable, yet comfortable selections. You can get really great deals on maternity clothes at many stores, especially if you hit the sales or clearance racks.

For new moms-to-be, I think it is important to consider comfort as well as style when shopping for maternity clothes.

I've learned not to shop for the clothes too soon, because you never know how big your bump will get! Also, some women may need to go a size up simply for the length factor.

Buying a shirt that is too small undoubtedly will ride up, and who wants to spend a night out constantly having to pull down their shirt?

Image source: celebuzz

Also, pregnant or non-pregnant, showing too much cleavage is never cute, no matter who you are, so be sure to keep modesty in mind as well…ahem ahem!

Two pregnant women who are in the spotlight currently and who have two very different styles are Kim Kardashian and Kate Middleton.

I think that the general population would expect Kim Kardashian to have more of a flashy style versus Kate Middleton, who has unwaveringly maintained her conservative style.

I really do favor Kate Middleton's style more so than Ms. Kardashian’s. I find her style to be modest, yet still fashionable for a woman her age.

As a 20-something, it is a style I would not mind wearing myself!

Some women my age would find Kim Karshashian's clothes more appealing, but it is not for me to be honest. You can find photos of her in much tighter, shorter dresses online – which is probably not the sort of style you should de donning 6 months along the way.

I think pregnant women should really embrace the expansion in the acceptable clothing options available now for pregnant women, as we don't have to hide our bumps like women of previous generations, however, that is not to say that we should ignore comfort and dressing to suit our baby bumps entirely. I’m more than sure that we can have both…just look at these lovely dress I found in a maternity wear magazine…

Image source: Tiffany Rose

{This is a partnered post, but all opinions are my own and written by me.}

Take the Boogie Wipes pledge!

2013-04-09T22:11:00.002-05:00

In April, Boogie Wipes will be selecting 1,000 random winners to receive a Save the Sleeve kit! Are you ready to take the pledge? Follow this link!

{Disclosure: I am a part of the Saline Ambassador program. I receive samples and a personal supply of Boogie Wipes and similar products to hand out. There was no monetary compensation for this post. I am just helping spread the word about products I love!}

Monday Listicles: I feel like a superhero!

2013-04-08T03:16:00.002-05:00

It's been a while since I've done a Monday Listicles post, so here we go!

10 THINGS I CAN DO THAT MAKE ME FEEL LIKE A SUPERHERO

1. I have given birth to four children without any pain medication.

2. I am tandeming breastfeeding and also pumping to donate.

3. I can exist on four hours of sleep. (Not saying I'm not cranky, but at least I can function!)

4. Yesterday I managed to have my 2 year old and 2 month old down for naps at the same time, in addition to letting the 3 and 5 year olds play outside for a while, and I also got dinner done. Go me!

5. My 2 year old routinely responds with, "I love you, too." It is definitely heart-warming. I am glad I take the time to tuck my children in and say "I love you" to them each night.

6. The health and lifestyle changes we've made for our family over the last five years have kept us all very healthy for the most part.

7. I take care of four children on a regular basis while my husband is gone around 12 hours a day.

8. Sometimes I still find time to read books.

9. I keep remembering to take my medicine and vitamin supplements (for once!)

10. Shower. As all mothers know, sometimes a shower is a luxury!

Planning our next homeschool year

2013-04-08T02:59:00.000-05:00

Recently I have started planning Guggy's first grade year. We have been using Horizons for math, but with little success. Mid-year, we switched over to the Math Made Easy books and we are finishing up with that. I will be using that for our math. We also switched over to a sight words book that allows him to write the word and make his own sentences. This has greatly encouraged his reading skills in just a few short weeks.

I am debating on staying independent and being more involved with our county's homeschool group next year or joining a homeschool assistance program in a nearby school district. I'm not sure what I want to do for certain. I am certainly tired of changes in our lives (we've moved and had a surprise baby in the last year!) so I am not sure how far I will go with this yet.

As Sissy has grown and matured over the last year, she has demonstrated abilities far beyond her age. My current plan is to start her in kindergarten this fall, at age 4. I am not sure how well it will work with her attention span and ability to cooperate, but she has blown any preschool work out of the water. She can identify sight words along with her older brother sometimes.

Currently, I am planning on finishing up our homeschool year in the next 8 weeks if all goes according to schedule. We have one school district that does a 9 weeks on, 2 weeks off and shortened summer vacation which we have been sort of following so far. It has worked well when we've needed a break.

Have you started planning out your next homeschool year yet or are you just wrapping things up for this year?

The Magic Warble E-book Giveaway! Ends 4/15

2013-04-08T02:06:00.002-05:00

I recently won a giveaway for a copy of the e-book The Magic Warble and the author has given me the opportunity to host a giveaway for my readers! This is a fiction book geared towards middle school aged kids about ages 9-12.

Summary of The Magic Warble:

Dwarfs, gnomes, fairies, talking animals, and an evil queen – all these and more can be found in The Magic Warble, an enchanting tale of adventure and friendship.
Twelve-year-old Kristina Kingsly feels like the most unpopular girl in her school. The kids all tease her, and she never seems to fit in. But when Kristina receives an unusual Christmas gift, she suddenly finds herself magically transported to the land of Bernovem, home of dwarfs, gnomes, fairies, talking animals, and the evil Queen Sentiz.
In Bernovem, Kristina not only fits in, she’s honored as “the chosen one” the only one who can release the land from Queen Sentiz’s control. But it’s not as simple as it seems. To save Bernovem, she must place the gift she was given, the famous “Magic Warble” in its final resting place. And she must travel through the deep forest, climb a treacherous mountain, and risk capture by the queen’s “zelbocks” before she reaches her destination. Guided by her new fairy friends, Clover and Looper and by Prince Werrien, a teenage boy, as well as an assortment of other characters, Kristina sets off on a perilous journey that not only tests her strength but her heart.

About the author, Victoria Simcox:

Victoria was born in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, to an Austrian immigrant mother,
and a Dutch immigrant father. She now lives in Western Washington with her husband,
Russ and their three children, Toby, Kristina, and William. Her other family members are
a Chihuahua, named Pipsy and two cats, named Frodo and Fritz. Besides being an author,
Victoria is a home-schooling mother of twelve years and an elementary school art teacher
of eleven years. In her spare time, Victoria enjoys managing her two older children's
Celtic band. She also loves writing, reading, painting watercolors, hiking, good movies,
and just simply hanging out with her family and friends.

You can buy the book on Amazon.com! Be sure to also visit & follow Victoria Simcox's blog here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

(Disclosure: I was not monentarily compensated for this review. I won a copy of the e-book on another blog & was given the opportunity to give away three copies to my own blog readers. All opinions are my own and may differ from your own.)

Curing cabin fever with Monster Crafts

2013-03-25T05:12:00.002-05:00

Making crafts with my kids is one of my favorite things about homeschooling. While Miss Hallie naps, it gives me the opportunity to get some time with my bigger kids. Our latest activity was making monster photo holders from a kit I found in the clearance section at Wal-Mart. It involved glue and foam pieces, which can be tricky for little hands, but they had a good time doing it! I was also glad to just have something for them to do. It snowed here yet again, so it feels like the days of cabin fever are never going to end.

Looking on the box of this product, you can find these at your local Wal-Mart. They are called Monster Camp Crafts. I'm not promoting this product, but just sharing the information for anyone who might be interested doing these crafts too.

Conscious Box Giveaway! (Ends 3/31)

2013-03-23T20:17:00.000-05:00

I am super excited to bring my readers the opportunity to win a THREE month subscription to Conscious Box! You're probably wondering what in the world Conscious Box is? In these boxes you fill find organic and natural products that range from organic food to vegan beauty products. In our family, we strive to use as many natural/organic products as possible, so I am super excited to give this service a try for our household.

Some of the other parts about this service I like is that the labels are BPA-free, there are no GMOs, and there are vegan or gluten free boxes available. Conscious Box is also offering my readers 50% off any subscription using code: DISCOVERNATURAL

Be sure to check the Conscious Box Facebook page for great offers. They have an upcoming Earth Day box that sounds pretty exciting! Share their page with your friends, too!

Now for the giveaway...use the Rafflecopter form below to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Global Green USA Green School Makeover Competition Presented by Pureology

2013-03-13T06:16:00.002-05:00

It's no secret that going green is great for our earth. Pureology has presented a competition to help a school go green! Although I homeschool my own children, I attended public school and I believe that green materials are important as we are a family who lives a natural lifestyle. I also think that in this day and age, teaching future generations how to reduce their carbon footprint is so important for the well being of our planet. We only have this earth and we all share it.

Why are green schools important? Pureology lists these reasons on their website:

Improved student performance. When children learn in classrooms with natural daylight, improved sound quality, and non-toxic building materials such as non-VOC carpets and paints, test scores can improve as much as 20%. Attendance also improves!

More funds for student resources. When green upgrades are made to a school, water and energy costs can be reduced as much as 40%. These savings can be channeled back into resources that directly benefit students, such as textbooks, computers and other essentials.

Reduced carbon footprint. Greening a school significantly reduces carbon dioxide emissions that cause global warming.

To learn more about making your school green or to enter it in the competition, visit the Pureology website!

(Disclaimer: This post was written as part of the Pureology Challenge on the Influenster website. I received no sort of compensation for this.)

Wordless Wednesday: Lunch with a snowman

2013-03-06T00:57:00.000-06:00

Grandma gave the kids a snowman decoration that they fell in love with at her house at Christmastime. Since he now lives with us, the kids decided he needed to eat lunch with us today. Only appropriate since we were in the middle of a snowstorm.

$150 Visa Gift Card Giveaway! (ends 3/17)

2013-03-06T00:51:00.000-06:00

Welcome to the "Your Lucky Day Giveaway Event" sponsored by Tip Hero, featuring some truly fabulous blogs and a wonderful opportunity to be the lucky winner of a great prize!

At Tip Hero, we've got a whole bunch of treats and tips to help you be festive this St. Patrick's Day, but in order to celebrate the holiday right, we're hosting a great big giveaway event to give one very lucky reader the chance to win a $150 Visa gift card to spend as they please! This giveaway begins on March 6th and will run until St. Patrick's Day, closing on March 17th at 11:59pm US Eastern time. Open to residents of the United States and Canada, 18+. Use the PromoSimple form below to enter this giveaway. Be sure to take advantage of the many entries you can gain, and also be sure to come back daily for even more chances to win. Best of luck to all!

The giveaway runs from March 6th until March 17th 11:59 Eastern Time. The prize is a $150 Visa Gift Card delivered electronically or via snail mail. This event will be open to residents of the United States and Canada, 18 years and older.

Everest Nutrition's Krill Oil Review & Giveaway

2013-02-27T00:01:00.001-06:00

Once upon a time, I knew nothing about vitamins and supplements. As an individual and as a family unit, we've made changes to live a natural lifestyle over the last several years. One of the supplements I've most recently added to my regimen is krill oil. After reading about the benefits of it, I decided it would be a great supplement to take to help my body heal postpartum. I am now a little over three weeks postpartum and my recovery has been absolutely wonderful.

Before I had Hallie, I received my own supply of Everest Nutrition's Krill Oil. The Omega-3 fatty acids that are in krill oil can help with heart health, joint pain, moodiness, lower cholesterol, menstrual issues, and even improve your ability to focus on tasks. What attracted me to taking this supplement the most was the fact that it could help with joint pain. Those of you who followed my pregnancy know that I suffered from symphysis pubis dysfunction and was making several trips to the chiropractor. My body feels much, much better than it did before. Krill Oil being added to the other vitamins and supplements that I take has definitely helped.

I must add that I find the Krill Oil capsules to be easier to take than fish oil capsules. I did not like the aftertaste of fish oil capsules. This supplement is also so important for my husband to take as he has a congenital heart condition and this supplement does improve cardiovascular health.

Of course, before you take this product, you should speak with your health care provider to ensure that it is right for you. You can learn more about this product at KrillOil.com.

One lucky reader will have the chance to win their own supply of Krill Oil compliments of Everest Nutrition. Please use the Rafflecopter form below to enter the giveaway.

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(Disclaimer: I am not a health care professional. This blog post is purely my experience with this product. Do not seek medical advice from this post and speak with your health care provider before starting this or any other supplement. I was not compensated for my time, but received a free supply of Krill Oil to review in exchange for this post. This blog is not responsible for the shipping of the giveaway prie.)

The home water birth of Hallie Grace

2013-02-22T12:51:00.001-06:00

This is pasted from my personal Facebook page because many of you expressed interest in reading my birth story.

January 27th came and went with no baby. Five days over my due date and me being quite miserable, the assistant midwife came by for a home visit and we did my first cervical check. She found my cervix to be what I call high and tight. I was extremely discouraged by this and tried to hold myself together since my husband was in the middle of his work day, but an hour after Rachel left, I became very emotional.

Friday night came and went with no regular contractions. I woke up Saturday morning, still pregnant, and experiencing prodormal labor at it's finest. (If you know me well, you know I go prodormal for weeks!) I was sick of people calling me, texting me, and asking me if the baby was here yet. So, off on a shopping adventure we went. I figured the best thing I could do to become a non-pregnant person was to act like one. We walked around Sam's Club for about three hours as I decided to stock up on household supplies (I do this yearly). No. Contractions. Finally, we left the store around 8:00 p.m. I'd say and before we left Davenport, I figured I'd stop at Kohl's to see if any winter pajamas were on clearance for our older children. Magically, I started having some small contractions.

We came home, unloaded the items we bought (500 dryer sheets, anyone?), and put the kids to bed. I don't remember when, but at some point, Joe and I went to bed as well. I did my usual getting up to pee every two hours and crying in my sleep because of the back and hip pain I'd been experiencing for months at this point. Unisom was my best friend in the final weeks of my pregnancy. It was the only way I could sleep.

Suddenly, around 7:10 a.m., I woke up because I felt wet. I literally thought, "I know I am very pregnant, but did I seriously just piss myself?" I sat up and more came out. I was a bit alarmed. I walked to the bathroom, emptied my bladder to find this fluid still coming out of me after that, came back to the bedroom and told Joe that I was pretty sure my water was leaking. Then another small gush came. I said, "well, I guess we need to call Kathy" and I did so to inform her of what was going on. And of course, no contractions.

I figured I should rest after a bit, but I wanted to walk a bit to try to help things along. Of course, the house was a dang mess, so I did some light cleaning while Joe took care of anything I couldn't do. At some point, I decided it would be wise to go take a nap. I remember waking up and still only having light, irregular contractions. I checked in with my midwife and decided that getting out of the house was a good idea. My husband thought I was nuts for wanting to go walk around stores with my water leaking, but I sure as heck did it!

I put an extra pair of pants, two pairs of underwear, and pads in my purse and we made the drive to Davenport.
We made very short trips (15 minutes each) to three stores (Vintage Baby, Harbor Freight, and Big Lots). At Big Lots, I felt like my water was starting to go more, so we figured it best to head home. Whether or not I came home and took a nap again, I can't remember at this point, but I do know that my mom decided to come down to the house at this point and took over with the older kids. My midwife also decided to come to the house and check on us.

Shortly after we got home, my mom and Kathy arrived. My mom settled in and Kathy and I went upstairs to do another cervical exam and talk about our options. Of course, I had no contractions during this time. We decided to try to stir active labor with some homeopathy after finding out I was only 2cm dilated and 50% effaced. I wasn't thrilled, but still happy at a little progress. I decided, once again, that I needed to walk...

I informed Kathy that we were going to Wal-mart to walk around. Finally, while we were there, I was finally feeling some good contractions around 7 p.m. Kathy sent me a text message suggesting I go home to get some sleep and I decided I'd better do that while I could. After we left, I stopped at my friend, Nissa's house so she could do some pressure points for me. At her house, my contractions actually were 45 seconds long and about 7 minutes apart. During the drive home, I told Joe that I was having contractions that literally made me want to punch the wall. But they were starting to slow down!

When we came into the house, my mom thought I didn't look very well and thought that maybe we should call the midwife back to the house then, but I said it'd still be a while. I drug my miserably pregnant self up to the bathroom and filled my bathtub with warm water to take the edge off of the contractions. I figured I'd sleep in the tub if I had to. At some point, Joe came up and said he was going to get some sleep. He asked if I wanted him in the bathroom with me and we decided it'd be better for him to sleep outside the bathroom door in the hallway in case I needed anything.

Surprisingly, I stayed pretty quiet until the very end. By 11 p.m., I texted my midwife saying that the contractions were very painful, but not as close together as she wanted them to be. I was feeling a little sick, but grateful to not be puking my guts out. At one point, I literally saw the baby change position to start descending in my pelvis, but I still thought it would be a while. I even refilled the bathtub with warm water and tried to go to sleep since Unisom had kicked in at this point. All of a sudden, I let out this noise and flashbacks of previous labors came. I knew exactly what that meant. I needed to push.

Joe came into the bathroom and asked what I needed. "I NEED..TO..PUSH!" And he was in shock and then another huge contraction came and I felt the baby coming. I managed to say, "Call...Kathy!" And he said, "what do you want me to say?!" When she picked up the phone, he told her, "she says she has to push" and I heard Kathy say, "WHAT?" and I knew she'd be rushing to the house. He was also trying to get the birth tub filled in the next room, but there just wasn't enough time. The next thing I told Joe was that the baby was coming (I felt her crowning) and with one push her head was out, he ran for the stairs while yelling for my mom and I screamed for him to come back. He got back in the bathroom as I finished birthing the baby. I said, "GRAB THE BABY!" and by the time, my mom was upstairs, grabbing towels to wrap her and using her stethoscope to check the baby's lungs and heart since Kathy hadn't arrived.

Hallie pinked up immediately, started screaming, and was rooting. I didn't have the energy to sit up and latch her. It seemed like a long time that I sat in the tub shivering, but I didn't want to get up since I knew it'd be a mess and I hadn't birthed the placenta yet. The placenta finally came out and then the midwives arrived. Rachel set to helping me out of the tub and getting me cleaned up a bit and into bed. Kathy had started the baby's physical exam, which was great. Her apgars were 9 and 10.

Matt (who is 5 1/2) was in the room during the business of taking care of baby & I and I was so impressed with him. He was very observant of what Kathy was doing and didn't freak out at all. He also got the experience of cutting the cord. He loves to talk about the fact that his second baby sister was born in the bath tub.

Hallie Grace was born February 3, 2013 at 11:58 p.m. She was 8lb 6oz and 20.5 inches long.

Cloth Diaper Starter Kit Giveaway! (Ends 3/5)

2013-02-17T14:41:00.001-06:00

Hosted By: My Four Littles and Four Littles Media

Sponsored By: Natural Littles LLC

Welcome to the Cloth Diaper Starter Kit Giveaway from

My Four Littles, Four Littles Media, and Natural Littles LLC!

This would be great for anyone wanting to venture into cloth diapers! I LOVE OsoCozy and Thirsties diapers! One lucky winner will win a Cloth Diaper Starter Kit from Natural Littles!! (RV $150) Prize Includes: 2 6-packs of OsoCozy Prefolds (RV $22) 2 Thirsties Duo Wraps - Solid Colors (RV $26) 2 Thirsties Duo Diapers - Solid Colors (RV $37) 2 Thirsties All In One Diapers - Solid Diapers (RV $31) 1 Planetwise Wet/Dry Bag (RV $21) 1 24oz Bag of EcoSprout (RV $8) 3 CJ's BUTTer Samples (RV $5) Retail Value $150

Prize is limited to in stock items only.

Thank you to my great cohosts: Everything Mommyhood, Mommy's Craft Obsession, Dree's Things, Simply Southern Couponers, Viva Veltoro, MOMentarily Distracted, Brittleby's Corner, and Mommy Moment!

Giveaway is open to the continental US. All entries will be verified. The only mandatory entry is the first one. The additional entries only increase your chances of winning. Giveaway ends March 5, 2013 at 11:59pm EST. a Rafflecopter giveaway Disclosure: A Fulfilled Mommy is not responsible for sponsor prize fulfillment. This giveaway is not sponsored by, endorsed by, or affiliated with Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest in any way. No purchase necessary.

Toddler-Preschoolers Prize Pack Giveaway (ends 3/15)

2013-02-15T00:06:00.000-06:00

Check out this amazing giveaway!

Hosted by: Everything Mommyhood and My Four Littles

Sponsored by: My Giggle Box, Zoobies, Copy Kids, Kidz Gear, Nuby, and Everything Mommyhood.

Thanks to my co-hosts for helping with this giveaway, it wouldn't be possible without them:

Four Littles Media, Brooke Blogs, Reel Mama, CouponWAHM, and Simply Sherryl.

Giveaway Event Dates: 2/15, 12:01am EST - 3/15, 11:59pm EST.
Prizes in this ONE WINNER, Preschooler Prize Pack, total value of $145:

Zoobies Blanket Pet ($25 RV)

My Giggle Box Craft Box ($30 RV)

Copy Kids DVD ($20 RV)

Kidz Gear Headphone Set ($32 RV)

Nuby Step Stool ($13 RV)

Toys R Us $25 Gift Card ($25 RV)

This is a great prize pack for a toddler/preschooler!
Check out the reviews for Zoobies, My Giggle Box, Copy Kids, Kidz Gear, and Nuby Step Stool!

Enter to win on the rafflecopter entry form below. US residents only. All entries WILL be verified. Giveaway will end on 3/15 11:59pm EST.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

A FULFILLED MOMMY is not responsible for sponsored prize, nor did I receive any compensation for promotion of this giveaway. Must be 18 years old to enter. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or any other social media outlets. For detailed disclosure please see rafflecopter. If you have any questions please contact Everything Mommyhood.

Blogger Opp: Boba Baby Carrier Giveaway

2013-02-14T14:33:00.002-06:00

Hosted By:

Four Littles Media, My Four Littles, and Everything Mommyhood

Event Dates:

March 1st-15th AND March 16th-31st

Two chances to win! Boba Baby Carrier (RV $125+)

Free Twitter with announcement post.

Information and Sign Ups Here

Tortle Blog Review and Giveaway

2013-02-10T14:44:00.000-06:00

As parents, we have several concerns when it comes to our children, especially when we are new parents. I had my first child when I was only 20 years old and obviously highly inexperienced. I was told that I needed to be sure to let my baby sleep flat on his back in order to avoid Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. I did not know that I needed to move his head in order to prevent Flat Head Syndrome. For a short while, Guggy had a bit of a flat head as an infant. Fortunately, his pediatrician was never too concerned about it and it resolved on it's own without any interventions like a special helmet.

There is a new product out that can help prevents avoid flat head syndrome developed by pediatrician and mom of four, Dr. Jane. Tortle is a beanie hat with a wedge on it so you can switch sides that the baby's head rests on evenly. I was also sent a Tortle to try out on Baby Hallie, who is just a week old. We received pink elephants in size medium and I thought it'd fit her given her birth weight (8lb 6oz), but it is a little big right now. Here is a picture for the sake of demonstration. We will be using her Tortle more as she grows.

You can purchase a Tortle at www.tortle.com. For more information, you can also watch this informative video on Flat Head Syndrome.

Enter for your chance to win a #Tortle of your color and size choice!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received a free Tortle as part of a review program from MomSelect. All opinions and experiences are my own and may differ from your own. There was no monetary compensation for this review or giveaway.

Announcing the birth of Miss H! (Baby 4)

2013-02-06T21:54:00.000-06:00

Hallie Grace was born on Sunday, February 3rd at 11:58 p.m. She was 8lbs 6oz and 20.5 inches long. She was born at home in the water before the midwife could arrive. When I am feeling up to it, I will post her birth story. For now, enjoy a couple of pictures. :-)

$150 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway (Ends 2/20)

2013-02-06T21:35:00.002-06:00

Welcome to Tip Hero's celebratory 7,000 tips giveaway event!

For years, Tip Hero has been proud to share helpful tips that help our community save money. It seems like only yesterday that Tip Hero was a collection of a couple hundred tips shared by us and our amazing readers. Now we are very pleased to announce that we have reached 7,000 money-saving tips on Tip Hero (and growing)! And we thought, "what better way to celebrate a milestone like this than to host a giveaway that would offer all the chance to win something that would save more money?"

That's why we'll be giving away a $150 Amazon gift card to one lucky reader to make our celebration even grander. We at Tip Hero love Amazon for its many and varied savings opportunities. So we're excited to share the opportunity to win this fabulous prize with all of you.

This giveaway begins on February 6th and will run for 2 full weeks, closing on February 20th at 11:59pm US Eastern time. Open to residents of the United States and Canada, 18+.

Enter below for your chance to win this excellent prize. Just fill in the PromoSimple form below for your chance to win. Also, be sure to come back daily for more opportunities to enter. Good luck to all!