11 (Plus Linky for All Giveaways)

Dec 23,2011 / By Maria / 1 Comment

It’s time to win diapers! On my Friday giveaway roundup, you’ll find cloth diaper, accessory and baby wearing giveaways that I’ve gathered and listed for you.

If you’d like me to list your cloth diaper, accessory, baby wearing (etc.) giveaway next week, send a link and description to maria at change-diapers.com, or Fill out my contact form for readers.

*Prizes from Fuzzibunz (no set end date, ends at 25k fans) Entry is through Facebook app, must “like” them on Facebook to enter

*Fuzzibunz Elite Diaper from Measuring Flower (ends 12/23) RC

*Bumgenius, Tiny Tush & Fuzzibunz Diapers from Abby’s Lane & Dirty Diaper Laundry (ends 12/23) RC

*Red Barn AI2 from Eco Baby Mama Drama (ends 12/23) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

*Better Bottom Diaper from Tailor Made Momma (ends 12/23) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

*4 Cloth Diapers from Greenie Beanie Bottoms Mandatory Facebook “like” (ends 12/23) RC

*Peachy Green AIO from Padded Tush Stats (ends 12/24) RC

*Diaper Rite Diaper from Newly Crunchy Mama of 3 (ends 12/24) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

Snappis from Tailor Made Momma (ends 12/24) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

Gabby Wren Diaper from Tailor Made Momma (ends 12/24) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

Oh Katy Diaper from Mommy’s Favorite Things (ends 12/24)

*$15 Howler Monkey Bums GC from Nicki the Eval Gal Mandatory Etsy “favorite” (ends 12/25) RC

*Lotus Bumz Diapers from Networking Witches (ends 12/26)

*Smart Snugs Diaper from Dirty Diaper Laundry (ends 12/26) RC

Fuzzibunz Diaper from Changing Diapers & Shaky Mommy (ends 12/26) RC

Bumble Baby Diaper from Tailor Made Mama (ends 12/26) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

*Fuzzibunz Trainer from The Mommy Goods (ends 12/27) RC

*Thirsties Fab Wipes, Booty Luster & Booty Love from Letters from Momma (ends 12/27) RC

Hipkiddo Diaper from Tailor Made Momma (ends 12/27) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

Babee Greens Diaper from Tailor Made Mama (ends 12/27) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

Cloth Accessory Prize Pack from Tailor Made Momma (ends 12/27) RC

Barnyard Bummz Diaper from Tailor Made Momma (ends 12/27) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

*Fuzzibunz Diaper from Changing Diapers & Eco Crazy Mom (ends 12/28) RC

*Bumgenius Elemental from Naturally Healthy Parenting (ends 12/28) RC

Moms in the House Diaper from Tailor Made Mama (ends 12/28) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

*Knickernappies Diaper from Bum Covered Diapers and Real Adventures from a Mom of 3 Mandatory GFC follow (ends 12/29) RC

*Beco Baby Carrier from The Not So Secret Confessions (ends 12/29) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

*Lotus Bumz Diaper from Eco Baby Mama Drama Mandatory GFC follow (ends 12/29) RC

*Bumble Baby Diaper from Eco Baby Mama Drama Mandatory GFC follow (ends 12/29) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

Softbums Diaper from The Mommy Goods Mandatory Facebook “like” (ends 12/29) RC

*Boba Carrier, Wrap or Pack from We Have It All (ends 12/30) RC

*Boba Baby Carrier from Simple Mandatory Facebook “like” (ends 12/30) RC

*Boba Carrier, wrap or pack from Eco Baby Mama Drama Mandatory Facebook “like” (ends 12/30) RC

Bumgenius 4.0 from Dirty Diaper Laundry and Dearest Diapers (ends 12/30) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

Glow Bug Diaper from Eco Baby Mama Drama (ends 12/30) RC

Boba Carrier from The Clothspring Mandatory Facebook “like” (ends 12/30) RC

Fuzzibunz Diaper Sprayer & Wipes from One More Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (ends 12/30) RC

Imagine Pocket Diaper from Mommy Needs an Aspirin Mandatory GFC follow and Facebook “like” (ends 12/30) RC

Boba Baby Carrier from Coping with Frugality Mandatory Facebook “like” (ends 12/30) RC

*Softbums Diaper from Trying to go Green Mandatory GFC follow and Facebook “like” (ends 12/31) RC

*Bumgenius & Flip Diapers from Diaper Style (ends 12/31)

*Planet Wise Wet Bag from Diaper Style (ends 12/31)

*Happy Heinys Fitted from Diaper Style (ends 12/31)

*Fuzzibunz Elite Diaper from Snappy Diapers Mandatory GFC follow (ends 12/31)

*Bummis Super Whisper Wrap from Diaper Style (ends 12/31)

*Applecheeks Diaper from Diaper Style (ends 12/31)

*Econobum Kit from Sandbox Lane (ends 12/31)

*Rainbow Monster Diaper from Naturally Thrifty Mom (ends 12/31) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

*Glow Bug Diaper from Mommy Adventure Mandatory GFC follow and Facebook “like” (ends 12/31) RC

Babykicks Inserts from Earthy Crunchy Mama and Eco Baby Mama Drama (ends 12/31) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

$100 Amazon GC from Tailor Made Momma (ends 12/31) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

*$25 Bugaboo Baby & You GC from DIYMommyPonx Mandatory RSS feed subscription and Facebook “like” (ends 1/1/12)

*Knickernappies Diaper from Wee Little Changes Mandatory GFC follow (ends 1/1/12)

*Fuzzibunz Diaper from Changing Diapers and Trying to Go Green Mandatory GFC follow and Facebook “like” (ends 1/1/12) RC

Babykicks Diaper from Sweetbottoms Baby Boutique and Eco Baby Mama Drama Mandatory Google+ follow (ends 1/1/12) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

Fuzzibunz Diaper from Kelly Wels and Nicki the Eval Gal (ends 1/1/12) RC

*Diaper Rite Diaper from Mommy of Two Little Monkeys (ends 1/2/12) RC

Lotus Bumz Diaper from Baby Dickey’s Giveaways (ends 1/2/12) RC

*Changing Diapers Sweepstakes – Lots of Cloth Diaper Prizes! (ends 1/2/12) Entry is on Facebook, mandatory Facebook “like” Open to the U.S. and Canada Name/email form, Daily entry

Ecobubs Diaper from One Smiley Monkey (ends 1/4/12) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

Sprout Change Diaper from Eco Baby Mama Drama (ends 1/5/12) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

Diaper Rite Diaper from Measuring Flower (ends 1/6/12) RC

Diaper Rite Diaper from Your World Healthy & Natural (ends 1/6/12)

*Applecheeks Sweepstakes (ends 1/6/12) Entry is on Facebook via Woobox Form

Drybees Diaper from Daily Mothering (ends 1/7/12) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

Oh Katy Diaper from Daily Mothering (ends 1/7/12) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

Tender Tushies Diaper from Midwestern Moms (ends 1/11/12) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

$20 Rumpeez GC from Eco Baby Mama Drama Mandatory Google+ add (ends 1/30/12) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

*giveaways that have been listed in a prior week’s roundup
RC Entries collected via Rafflecopter
GD Entries collected via Google Docs Form

You may enter any “family friendly” giveaway in the linky below. The form Blog name – Giveaway Item – Ending date works well. Please at least include the item and end date, and link directly to the giveaway.

View my where I list my giveaways post, to find more places to link up your giveaways!

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Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Madre Labs Mild by Nature Winner

Dec 22,2011 / By Maria / No Comment

186 people entered this giveaway, with 325 entries in all. The winning entry is #146, which is Ashley Turicik.

Congrats Ashley, I’m sending you an email now!

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Zoe b Organic Sleepy Hat & Natursutten Pacifier Review & Giveaway (CLOSED 12/29)

Dec 22,2011 / By Maria / 4 Comments

I talked about Zoe b Organic last month when I reviewed their fantastic anti-plastic dishes. Zoe b is also the U.S. distributor for Natursutten pacifiers, and they sent me both a Natursutten pacifier and a Zoe b Organic Sleepy Hat.

Natursutten pacifiers are unique, natural rubber pacifiers. Interestingly enough, the protein that can provoke a latex allergy is eliminated during production.

The pacifier’s box is made from FSC certified cardboard, printed with non-toxic soy ink colors and has a window made from corn starch. A small sticker made from rock closes each box. They’ve avoided extra plastic, cardboard and redundant double wrapping.

With a NATURSUTTEN pacifier, you avoid:
• Allergy causing substances
• Artificial color
• Cancer causing substances
• Hormone disturbing substances
• Chemical softeners
• Parabens, PVC and phthalates

NATURSUTTEN pacifiers are softer than silicone, and are very hygienic because they are molded in one piece without joints or cracks where dirt and bacteria can accumulate.

Zoe B’s FAQs answers questions like “why is the shield so big” and “why should I pay more for rubber.” They say that yes, your baby should look like Maggie Simpson. This made me laugh out loud since my husband pointed out that our son totally looked (and sounded!) like her! Pacifiers retail for $7.95 each and are available in several sizes and styles.

Zoe b’s Sleepy Hat is a totally unique hat with a flip-down mask that blocks out light and visual stimulation.

Andrea Verity, the mom originally behind the Sleepy Hat, used to have a lot of trouble getting her son, Ethan, to take naps, especially when they were traveling or visiting family. Starting around 3 months of age, he was much more interested in being awake then going to sleep, no matter how tired he was. Then she used a baby hat to cover her son’s eyes. It instantly cut her exhausting and frustrating sleep-time routine from thirty minutes to five! It also prevented Ethan from waking prematurely. But, after using the regular hat to get Ethan to fall asleep for just a few days, she began to see the need for a better-designed product than a regular baby hat. First, the hat that they were using didn’t have a contour for the nose. Second, it had become stretched, leaving a gap at the eyes and allowing light to come in. Third, she didn’t like having to pull on the hat and shift its position on Ethan’s head, in order to cover his eyes. Finally, they would get funny expressions from people passing by who were wondering why Ethan’s eyes were covered. She wanted a product that would communicate that her baby was having a nap.

After searching for something that fit their needs and coming up empty-handed, Andrea decided to make it herself. Eventually she came up with a hat that looked great, functioned well, and was safe to use. She gave the hat a flip-down mask so that the hat stayed in one place whether the baby was awake or asleep. Finally, she added the graphic of closed eyelashes on the flip-down mask so that others would know that baby was asleep.

We know that some babies fall asleep on their own without fussing. But most do not. Andrea made the Sleepy Hat available to other parents so that they could get some downtime, too.

The hat is designed for babies 3-9 months old, who are able to pull it off if it bothers them. The adjustable top knot and breathable fabric help ensure your baby’s safety, but this product is really designed to block out light & stimulation while you’re on the go and watching your baby.

Hats are made in the U.S.A. and retail for $16.99 each!

Giveaway: One reader will receive a Natursutten pacifier (ARV $7.95) and a Zoe b Organic Sleepy Hat (ARV $16.99.) Combined retail value is $24.94.

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Motherhood Personal Posts

Stressful Situations Bring out my Best Mom Qualities (Sometimes)

Dec 21,2011 / By Maria / 1 Comment

This post is inspired by Sarah at For the Love of Naps’ post about Finding JOY during a car appointment gone bad.

She wrote about a quick oil change appointment turning into 4ish hours of waiting with 2 kids at a car dealership, and having the best of her come out, with patience arriving from places she didn’t know existed.

The post really struck a chord with me because I almost felt like I could have written it myself. We spent pretty much two full weekends in October hunting for a new (to us) car for my hubby, and I spent a lot of time in car dealership waiting rooms with the kids.

Some dealerships had toys, which was fan-freaking-tastic, but my kids actually spent a half hour or more playing with a fire hydrant outside of one, pretending it had hoses and they were putting out fires! I admit that I did a little bit of e-mail checking and Tweeting from my phone, but it was actually nice to just sit and focus on my kids, with nothing else to do.

After the first dealership, I made sure I had some ones in my purse for ~~bribes~~ snacks from the snack machines when the going got a little tough (hee hee!) Aside from a few moments, the kids were actually quite good and quite patient, and sometimes I think their behavior is a reflection of my attitude. When I’m exasperated & short, they act up, making me more exasperated and short with them. When I can find that patience from places I didn’t know existed ( 😀 ) they tend to be better behaved.

While I was very glad when the car purchase was done, I missed being able to sit and watch my kids, and just drink the moment in. When I’m at home, I’m stressed about a long list of things I need to do. I’ve tried really hard to let things go, but it’s just not in my nature. When I started writing lists, I was able to stop obsessing quite as much, but I still tend to constantly be thinking about laundry, dishes, trash, bills, vacuuming, mopping, etc. etc. It is very, very difficult for me to just sit and play with my kids, even when making a conscious effort to focus on only them, and not the 10,000 things I need to be doing.

I think this is why I really enjoy taking them to the park. Even though it’s only recently become slightly less stressful (trying to keep my eyes on both kids & keep my son from getting hurt since he’s still pretty little), they are just so full of excitement, and the dishes are too far to call my name!!

I’ve told myself time and time again that I am not going to look back on my children’s childhoods and think “Gee, I wish I had done more laundry!” Sometimes I feel like I am wishing my kids’ childhoods away when I am overwhelmed and counting the minutes until bedtime. Thank you Sarah for reminding me to find the joy in the little things!

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