Utterly Yours Pregnancy Pillow Giveaway (CLOSED 10/17)

Oct 10,2011 / By Maria / 5 Comments

We all know that pregnant women are supposed to sleep on their left side, but it’s not always comfy. I’ve heard of some women kicking their hubbies out of bed to make room for bulky pregnancy pillows! Utterly Yours has a better pregnancy pillow to keep you comfortable, and your spouse in bed!

The Utterly Yours pregnancy pillow is made in the U.S.A and has a cube design that opens into two triangles. The solid side is eco-friendly memory foam (hypoallergenic, zero gas emissions, pollutant free manufacturing process) that conforms to your belly. The patterned side is a higher density (firmer) foam that supports your back and keeps you comfortably on your side.

The pillow is compact enough to travel with, but it isn’t overly complicated or difficult to use. The fabric that connects the two sides stretches to accommodate a growing belly, but it’s available in 3 sizes so you can get a great fit. If you’re very close to the maximum, you may want to size up. Otherwise one pillow will get you through your pregnancy! The pillow is available with 6 different color/pattern combinations, and the cover is removable and machine washable! Each pillow retails for $44.95 plus S&H, and are also available through distributors, retailers and online retailers.

Giveaway: Utterly Yours is offering one of my readers a pregnancy pillow in her choice of size and color (ARV $44.95.)

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Bumgenius XS / Newborn AIO Cloth Diaper Review & Giveaway (CLOSED 10/14) US/CAN

Oct 7,2011 / By Maria / 18 Comments

My newborn cloth diaper stash just wouldn’t be complete without a Bumgenius newborn diaper!

Bumgenius 4.0s are designed to fit babies from 7-35 pounds, though I have heard some people say they don’t fit well until 8-10 lbs (depending on baby’s shape.) I will find out soon enough, since we started cloth diapering my son when he was over 14 lbs and needed the medium setting of Bumgenius 3.0s. (He is about 26 lbs, 28 months old and still in mediums!) Anyhoo, the XS/Newborn AIO is designed to bridge the gap there, and fit babies from 6-12 lbs. At just $12.95 each, I think they are very reasonably priced.

They have velcro closures, which I still think are the easiest! I know many people prefer snaps because of their longevity vs. velcro, but I figure most people won’t use newborn diapers long enough to notice. I definitely think velcro will make it easy for middle of the night changes, and trying to change diapers as quickly as possible. That’s assuming your babies scream bloody murder when they are put down, let alone diapered, like mine did. 😉 Since they are so small, they have just one laundry tab in the middle, and the other closure tab goes on the overlap of the first one.

They look just like the one size diapers as far as the leg elastic and the stay dry inner. However, the soaker is sewn in. The now discontinued Bumgenius sized AIOs in small, medium and large had an additional pocket to add absorbency. This also allowed you to turn the diaper inside out to get the insert cleaner. The XS doesn’t have this pocket. I don’t love AIOs as much as I do pockets and I wish Bumgenius would release an XS pocket diaper, or a mini one size pocket diaper. Hint, hint, hint… 😉

Here is the XS measured folded and stretched:

They are definitely a bit smaller than the one size diapers, but not really any narrower/trimmer through the crotch. It seems a bit larger than some of the other newborn diapers I have. I’m guessing I will either have to fold it down under the umbilical cord, or gently place it over. Of course, that also means it will fit longer!

Here’s my “model” in a newborn disposable and a size 1 disposable:

In the Bumgenius XS/Newborn AIO:

See my update after using this on a baby.

Giveaway: One reader will receive a Bumgenius XS/Newborn AIO cloth diaper in their choice of color (subject to availability.) Diaper will be purchased by me from my choice of reputable online cloth diaper retailer.

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Thirsties Duo Cloth Diaper Giveaway (CLOSED 10/13) US/Canada

Oct 6,2011 / By Maria / 15 Comments

I bought my Thirsties Duo Diaper and published my Thirsties Duo Diaper review about 16 months ago. Take a look at it for all the detailed photos, info and measurements! (It is one that migrated from blogger to WordPress, so the text is a little squished, sorry! Manually fixing the spacing on all those posts is on my to-do list!)

16 months later and I still love this diaper. I bought the size two, which fit my son at a year old, and still fits him at 28 months old, with lots of room to grow. I haven’t had any of the longevity issues with the Velcro that I’ve had with some other diapers.

The Duo Diapers are “one-size style” with 3 snap down rise settings, but they come in two sizes. Size 1 is estimated to fit 6-18 lbs and size 2 fits 18-40 lbs. This means that two sizes of diapers should get you all the way through potty training.

I love this diaper not only because the open-on-both-ends pocket actually does allow the insert to agitate out in the wash, but for the insert itself. It’s actually two inserts that snap together: a 2-layer microfiber insert and a 5 layer 55% hemp, 45% cotton insert. You don’t need to unsnap them to wash, and not being sewn together means they are easier to get clean. I did notice that over time, they shrunk a little unevenly so they don’t lay exactly flat against each other, but once they’re in the diaper, you can’t tell. The microfiber/hemp combo is a favorite of mine. Put the microfiber side closest to baby so the moisture is wicked away quickly, then the hemp layer underneath locks it away. This is definitely a reliable “car ride” diaper!

The Duo Diaper retails for $18.50 in solid colors, and Thirsties just added “mud” (brown) to the lineup! The prints, including the adorable owl print, retail for $19.50. Thirsties also just announced that the Duo Diapers are now available with snap closures!!

Be sure to request a Thirsties print catalog and “like” Thirsties on Facebook!

Giveaway: Thirsties is offering one winner a duo diaper in his/her choice of size (one: 6-18 lb or two: 18-40 lb), solid color and closure (subject to availability!) ARV $18.50. Entries go in the Rafflecopter form.

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Zoobies Blankie Babies / Blanket Pet Review & Giveaway (CLOSED 10/13)

Oct 6,2011 / By Maria / 14 Comments

Clearly I’ve been living in the dark ages, because I had never heard of Zoobies until about a month ago! If you’ve been living under the same rock I had been, Zoobies are plush “friends” that become a pillow, and have a fleece blanket inside.

The original blanket pets retail for $35, and are available in 24 adorable animals. Their sizes vary based on which animal you choose, but they are quite large, and the blanket measures 34″ x 44.” 9 adorable Storytime Pals feature your favorite characters, and retail for $38. Three slumber pets have sleeping bags inside instead and retail for $50. All are recommended for ages 3+, but safety tested for all ages.

I knew I couldn’t get one for one child and not the other, so instead I let them work together to choose one for the new baby. They both loved the Olivia Storytime pal, but we decided on the Baby Tama the Tortoise Blankie Baby.

The 6 cute blankie babies are smaller versions of the blanket pets, that are recommended for ages 0-2 and retail for $25.

They still serve as a friend, pillow and have a blanket measuring approximately 30″ x 24″ inside.

They also have a silky soft square on the blanket corner, and a detachable teething ring.

Velcro underneath allows it to turn from a cuddly stuffed animal to a pillow.

The blanket zips off for laundering, and it was not difficult to stuff it back in!

They’re not overwhelmingly large for the under two crowd, have squishy soft heads, and Zoobies polyester fill is made of recycled plastic (PET) bottles!

~~Giveaway: Zoobies is offering one of my readers the product of his/her choice (ARV $25-$50.) Entries go in the Rafflecopter form.~~

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Earth Mama Angel Baby A Little Something for Mama to Be Review & Giveaway US/Canada (CLOSED 10/12)

Oct 5,2011 / By Maria / 9 Comments

Earth Mama Angel Baby (EMAB) has fabulous, toxin-free products for pregnancy, postpartum, breastfeeding, baby and family as well as gifts. They have a line of baby loss comfort products, as well as the Healing Hearts Baby Loss Comfort website and Healing Hearts Baby Loss Comfort Facebook page.

I have a soft spot for EMAB because more than a year and a half ago, I had only been blogging for around 4 months, and I was just getting up the guts to try and ask for sponsors for the blog. Not only did I get to review the Earth Mama Angel Baby Bottom Balm and Happy Mama Body Wash, but Tracey of EMAB actually took the time to talk to me on the phone and direct me to several great resources. Do you believe that a year and a half later, we still haven’t used all of our bottom balm? A little goes such a long way, and cloth was really the rash cure for us!

Anyway, EMAB sent me the “A Little Something for Mama to Be” gift package, as well as the New Mama Bottom Spray.

A Little Something For Mama-To-Be Includes:
Happy Mama Hand to Toe Wash 1.67oz
Happy Mama Spray 1oz
Earth Mama Body Butter 2oz
Natural Stretch Oil 1oz
Organic Morning Wellness Tea (2 bags)

When I received this package, I thought about what an awesome gift this would be for a Mama who just shared the news she was expecting. Especially a Mama who is expecting her second, third (etc.) child and is far to busy with the other kids to pamper herself, and is unlikely to receive gifts this time around!

The Earth Mama Body Butter contains organic ingredients, no artificial fragrances, preservatives or dyes and zero toxins! It is delicately scented, absorbs into skin thoroughly, and is heaven for itchy pregnant skin!

Ingredients: Aloe barbadensis (organic aloe) leaf juice, Olea europaea (organic olive) fruit oil, Helianthus annuus (organic sunflower) seed oil, Kosher vegetable glycerin, Butyrospermum parkii (organic shea) butter, Olivoyl hydrolyzed wheat protein, Cetearyl alcohol, Glyceryl oleate, Glyceryl stearate, Citrus sinensis (organic sweet orange) oil, Aspalathus linearis (organic rooibos) leaf extract, Simmondsia chinensis (organic jojoba) seed oil, Calendula officinalis (organic calendula) flower extract, Borago officinalis (organic borage) seed oil, Rubus idaeus (organic red raspberry) seed oil, Citrus aurantium amara (neroli) oil, Vanilla planifolia (organic vanilla) extract, Xanthan gum

The Happy Mama Hand to Toe Wash contains no petrochemicals, petroleum or petroleum byproducts, 1,4-Dioxane, formaldehyde, or phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfate, cocomidopropyl betaine or other synthetic foaming agents or surfactants, no artificial preservatives, parabens, phenoxyethanol, Quaternium-15 etc. and no artificial emulsifiers. It has a natural, citrus-y ginger scent that would help ease the quease, though luckily I was over the morning sickness stage by the time I received this package!

Ingredients: Saponified Cocos nucifera (organic coconut) oil, Saponified Olea europaea (organic olive) oil, Aloe barbadensis (organic aloe) leaf juice, Kosher vegetable glycerin, Butyrospermun parkii (organic shea) butter, Potassium citrate, Zingiber officinalis (ginger) oil, Citrus paradisi (organic grapefruit) peel oil, Citrus aurantifolia (organic lime) oil, Vanilla planifolia (organic vanilla) bean extract, Calendula officinalis (organic calendula) extract.

Happy Mama Spray is an aromatherapy spray that the whole family will love (if you share!) It is made with a safe, proprietary blend that includes lime and ginger pure essential oils.

Ingredients: water, Citrus aurantifolia (organic lime) essential oil, Zingiber officinale (ginger) essential oil, Citrus reticulate (tangerine) essential oil, Citrus sinensis (organic sweet orange) essential oil, Olea europa (organic olive ) oil, Cananga idirata gebyuba (ylang ylang) essential oil and Borago officinalis (borage) flower essence.

The Natural Stretch Oil is vegan, cruelty free and conains no nut oils. Of course, it has zero toxins and no artificial preservatives, fragrance or color. You can use it for itchy pregnant bellies, as a massage oil (or for perineal massage) or even as a bath oil!

Ingredients: Vitis vinifera (grape) seed oil, Simmondsia chinensis (organic jojoba) seed oil, Borago officinalis (organic borage) seed oil, Matricaria recutita (organic chamomile) extract, Calendula officinalis (organic calendula) extract, a proprietary blend of Citrus sinensis (organic orange) essential oil, Citrus aurantium dulsis (neroli) oil.

Lastly, the Organic Morning Wellness Tea is USDA Certified 100% Organic & Certified Kosher, and contains ginger root and spearmint, a hint of Peppermint, Chamomile and Lemon Balm with a little Orange Peel for flavor. It is caffeine free and packaged in biodegradable, easy to brew tea bags with compostable overwrap. Again, I’m over the morning sickness phase, but my BFF recently received some fantastic news and is in dire need of these, so I’ve passed them on to her. 🙂

Ingredients: Zingiber officinale (organic ginger) root, Mentha spicata (organic spearmint) leaf, Matricaria recutita (organic chamomile) flower, Citrus sinensis (organic orange) peel, Melissa officinalis (organic lemon balm) leaf, Mentha piperita (organic peppermint) leaf.

The other item I received was not part of the above package, and that is the New Mama Bottom Spray. It sounds weird to say this, but I’m looking forward to trying this. Ideally sure, the baby would slip right out with nary a scratch or swelling, but let’s be realistic here! Even the easiest births will leave you uncomfortable for a while, and that’s where this soothing perineal mist comes in! With witch hazel, lavender and peppermint oil, it will soothe postpartum discomfort, and the bottle even sprays upside down! As usual, toxin free and nothing artificial! You can even use it for sunburn, puffy eyes, razor burn and more!

Ingredients: water, Hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) leaf extract, Cucumis sativus (cucumber) extract, kosher vegetable glycerin, proprietary blend of Lavendula angustifolia (organic lavender) oil, Mentha piperita (organic peppermint) oil..

You can use all of Earth Mama Angel Baby’s products with no worries about any harm to yourself, your family or your baby from toxins or artificial anything!

Be sure to “like” Earth Mama Angel Baby on Facebook, follow Earth Mama Angel Baby on Twitter and follow the Earth Mama Angel Baby blog!

Giveaway: Earth Mama Angel Baby is offering one of my readers an “A Little Something for Mama to Be” gift pack (ARV $19.95)

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