Preparing for birth "Moon over Maize" $50 GC review and #GIVEAWAY {World-Wide}

While getting ready for my home birth, I've got most things here in order. The birthing pool is partially inflated and just hanging out in my hall closet. All the tools to inflate the birthing pool are located right next to it.
I have my essential DoTerra oils ready to be used (I've decided on using elevation to be diffused while in labor)! LOVE the smell!
I've got my chapstick, towels, camera batteries charged and also have a few snacks set aside! Of course the most important thing about having a home birth (or any birth) is being ready in your state of mind! Many people are afraid of labor and would not ever consider birthing at home.
It is my personal belief that my body was created by God Himself for the purpose (one of many) to birth babies! I know that my body knows what to do and will do what it was created to do when the time comes. I'm confident. Will it hurt, um yes, but knowing that the pain is temporary and is for a purpose, it is quite a different mind set when it comes to the pain as compared to having a broken wrist or feeling sick!

I am a reader and facebook fan of a blog called "Birth Without Fear." It was while I was looking over that site and reading the incredible, empowering birth stores from VBAC's to C-sections, to unassisted home births that I came across Moon Over Maize!
Monica is the Etsy Artist behind Moon Over Maize and she creates the most beautiful jewelry I've seen in quite awhile!
When I saw her "Birth With Faith" necklace I knew I had to have one.
What a better reminder for me than this necklace to keep in mind that my body was created to do just what God made it to do!

I contacted Monica and she sent me this beautiful necklace for review.

 The necklace came on a sterling silver chain.

Monica also added three beads to the center of my necklace to coordinate with my 3 kid's birth dates!   

As I wear this necklace and prepare to welcome my third child into our family, I am reminded constantly that my faith in Christ is what sustains me! He has given me a life I do not deserve and I am so thankful for my boys and my husband.
I think of those that I know that are struggling with infertility or are in an abusive relationship and I am so thankful that God has saved me from all of that. I was wild and crazy in my younger years and I have experienced loss and pain, but I keep moving forward, keep pressing on towards the goal that He has called me to!

Monica has graciously offered one LWML reader a $50 GC towards the purchase of anything in her Etsy shop. Check out some of her other beautiful items she has to offer:

I can't tell you how amazingly talented Monica is! These pictures do not do her pieces justice! There are a few things I've been contemplating buying. I'd love to buy my midwife a little key chain or necklace!

I could spend a lot of money at Moon Over Maize!! That's for sure!

If you are new to my giveaways, please be sure to go here and read the rules on how to enter! I'd hate for you to do all the work to enter the giveaway and then not be eligible to win!

Don't forget about the Diono Radian RXT car seat giveaway that is also going on. One US resident will win their very own Diono Radian RXT in their choice of color/print!! {ends 16 April}

Enter to win a $50 GC to Moon Over Maize's Etsy shop!

This giveaway is open world-wide!

Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above in exchange for my review. This review is my honest opinion based on my own personal experience, and may differ from yours. I did not receive any monetary compensation in exchange for this review!

Good luck and have fun!!

~Mama of the Littles~

Safe and Sound: A Diono Radian RXT Giveaway Event

Disclaimer: This giveaway is in no way sponsored by Diono®. Winner is responsible for reading and understanding the child restraint manual, and properly installing and using the child restraint; should winner require assistance with the child restraint, winner should contact the manufacturer for assistance as soon as possible. Sponsors and bloggers hold no liability for adverse outcomes related to the use of this child restraint. My opinions are my own and Life With My Littles was not compensated for this posting. Life With My Littles is responsible for prize fulfillment.

We are pleased to bring you Safe and Sound: A Diono® Radian RXT Giveaway Event hosted by Life With My Littles, and Water Rolls Uphill.

This giveaway is sponsored in part by Just Kids Store and every blogger found in the Rafflcopter widget.

One lucky winner will receive a Diono® RadianRXT child restraint, approximate retail value $269.99.

This giveaway runs from April 2, 2013 at 12:00 AM to April 16, 2013, at 12:00 AM, and is open to US residents ages 18 and over.

The Diono® RadianRXT features include:

• Accommodation of a wide weight range of children from 5 pounds to 80 pounds in a five point harness;
• An infant insert for superior fit and comfort;
• Head wings, steel alloy frame, reinforced sidewalls, and adjustable head support;
• Extended rear facing to 45 pounds;
• Forward facing from 20 to 80 pounds (and up to 57");
• Allowing for use as a high weight harnessing booster up to 120 pounds;
• SuperLATCH and being rated for LATCH to 80 pounds;
• Sits low in vehicle for easy boarding and exiting of the seat;
• Narrow seat width to allow for a three across child restraint configuration, in many vehicles;
• Extensive safety testing and NCAP crash tested;
• A ten year seat life.

Just Kids Store sells Diono® child restraints and many other wonderful necessities for your children. Please visit their website to see their full line of products and save even more by using one of the coupon codes below.

• "Save20” to save 20% sitewide (some restrictions apply, see website for full details)
• “Shoes25” to save 25% off all shoes
• “Zoob25” to save 25% off all Zoobies plush toys
• "BOB25” to save 25% off of any BOB or Britax product

Please enter using the Rafflecopter form: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disana Wool Soaker review and $25 GC #GIVEAWAY {MomBecks} US/Canada

I really enjoy working with Rebecca of MomBecks! She is such an inspiration and the customer service she provides is top notch!
I was sent a red Disana wool soaker in size large for review.

Here is some more information on the Disana wool soaker (taken from Mombecks' website):
"Product Details Disana wool soakers are the most natural and breathable covers for your baby. They are made of 100% Oeko Tex certified organic wool knit that fit like little shorts. Absolutely adorable with a T-shirt as a summer outfit! They are the best overnight covers because wool can absorb 30% of it's weight in liquid, so when the diaper underneath gets soaked the cover will start absorbing the extra. The beauty of wool is that you only need to wash every other week. The lanolin in wool reacts with urine and creates a soap, so they are basically self-cleaning. Just air out after every change, hand wash every other week in a gentle wool wash like Disana or Eucalan, NOT Woolite because it strips the lanolin off, and soak in a lanolin bath to restore lanolin content. Felting makes them even more water proof by pulling the fibers closer. To felt, soak in lukewarm water and squeeze. Roll in a towel and squeeze to remove excess water. Then, dry on high for 10-15 minutes. Check after 10 minutes and stop felting when it's the size and shape you want it to be. The waistband can be rolled up for cold winter months or rolled down for warmer weather. Can be worn over a snappied flat or prefold diaper or a fitted diaper. Comes in 8 great colors in size Newborn (6-13lb, tag says 3-6 months), Small (11-18lb, tag says 6-12 months), Medium (17-26lb, tag says 12-24 months), Large (21-35lb, tag says 2-3 years), and X-Large (30-40lb, tag says 4-5 years)"

This soaker fit my 28 lb 2 yo perfectly!

Front

 Back

I used it at night for him as he was a heavy wetter!
It did need to be washed and lanolized before use, but I find that process very simple!
I've blogged about how to care for your wool in the past. You can read about how to clean and lanolize your wool here and here! Sustainablebabyish put out a great tutorial on their FB page which you can view here!

What's so great about wool!?
It's a natural fiber, sustainable, easy to care for, creates a bullet-proof cloth diapering solution for heavy wetters!
I LOVE wool!

Do you have a heavy wetter that wakes you up at night because their diaper is sopping wet? If so, you should try a wool soaker over a fitted diaper!

You can purchase a Disana wool soaker directly from MomBecks for only $25.00!
They come in many beautiful colors too!

Rebecca of MomBecks has graciously offered one LWML reader a $25 GC towards the purchase of anything on her website: www.mombecks.com

To enter simply fill out the Rafflecopter form below.
You may have to click on 'read more' in order for the Rafflecopter form to fully load!

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents (some restrictions apply to Canadians as far as what items can be shipped to Canada)!

Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above in exchange for my review. This review is my honest opinion based on my own personal experience, and may differ from yours. I did not receive any monetary compensation in exchange for this review!

Good luck and have fun!!

~Mama of the Littles~

#NBFluffNStuff Grand Prizes!!

So as many of you know, the #NBFluffNStuff event will take place sometime after this little one graces us with his/her presence! (I'm due 22 April)!

Here is the list of grand prizes for the event! Please keep in mind that there are also 40+ other prizes to be won from cloth diapers to nursing pads to mama cloth!

This is only the Grand prize list (in no specific order)!

Boba 3g soft structured carrier:

 

JJ Cole Norah Diaper bag:

Ergo bundle of joy:

Naturepedic organic 2-sided organic changing pad:



$75 GC to Snuggy Baby

Britax B-Safe infant car seat:

Onya Outback Baby carrier:

Cuddly Wrap (Peapod Creations):

Who is excited??
I know I am!!
Leave me a comment and let me know what grand prize you'd love to win!!

~Mama of the Littles~

 

 

 

 

Bring on the Rain!!! Stonz 100% Rubber rain Bootz review and #GIVEAWAY {US/Canada}

So the other night as I lie in bed I hear the sounds of the wind blowing and rain pounding! I love storms! I love thunder and lightning and just watching creation explode with wind, rain and the like!
The next morning I woke up to tree limbs down, huge puddles of rain water in the street and parts of the state of TN flooded!
I got the boys dressed and we went out back to clean up the yard. It was then I realized I didn't have any rain boots for them!
It was a bit muddy out back and I quickly realized that their sneakers would not cut it in keeping their feet dry.
That day I contacted Stonz who had just announced the launch of a new product...

 

I was thrilled when Stonz offered to send me not one, but two pairs of their rain bootz for my boys!!

I measured my boys' feet and used their handy size chart to determine the perfect size!

My 5 yo wanted a blue pair and my 3 yo wanted a yellow pair!

This is what I received!

Aren't they lovely! Not only are they pretty, but they are non-toxic as well!

100% Natural Rubber

Durable and tear resistant, yet flexible and comfortable

Quick dry 100% cotton liner

PVC-free

Phthalate-free

Lead-free

Formaldehyde-free

*taken from Stonz's website*

 

They have a decent amount of traction on the bottom as well. So when your littles are out splashing around in those puddles, they won't slip and fall!

 

My boys were thrilled to receive these Bootz!

We have not had any significant amounts of rain since receiving the post, but spring has not yet sprung!

My boys have been wearing their boots all over in the house. They play tag while wearing them and pretend they are firemen wearing fire fighter boots while carrying around the hose to my vacuum spraying out various fires around the house :)

I love it!

 

I have no doubt that these rain bootz will be put to good use this spring!

Stonz also makes a liner for their rain bootz to keep your little ones toes nice and toasty warm on cold, wet days!

 

The thing that first drew my attention to Stonz products are their Stonz Booties!!

They are perfect for winter weather and oh so cute!!!

I love these bootz! I'm hoping to buy a pair for my littles for next year !They also have Hatz and Mitz that are adorable too! There are even a few of their items are on sale right now, up to 50% off!! 

 

You can purchase the Stonz Bootz direclty from Stonz's website for only $35.99!!

 

Stonz has generously offered on LWML reader a chance to win a $25 GC towards the purchase of anything on their site!!

Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above in exchange for my review. This review is my honest opinion based on my own personal experience, and may differ from yours. I did not receive any monetary compensation in exchange for this review!

Good luck and have fun!!

 

~Mama of the Littles~

Winners!!

Whew, it's been a long week!
I have three winners to announce today!
First of all, let me start out by saying how thankful I am that each of you take part in reading my blog! It really is a fun thing for me to do, and I love to review items and offer items for you to win!
That being said, please, please, please make sure you follow the rules when you are entering ANY and ALL of the giveaways being held on this blog!
I know that entering giveaways take time and I do verify each entry, so please, if you claim an entry, please do what you claim you do or this will forfeit your entry!
Rules for how to enter my giveaways can be found here!

Now, onto the winners

The lucky winner (re-draw) of the Swaddlebees simplex AIO one size diaper is Britni B.
The winner of the Hylands homeopathic kit is Lisa D.
The lucky winner of the $25 GC to Turtle Soup Company is Samantha C.

Congrats to all the winners!
Winner's have been e-mailed and have 48 hours to respond to claim their prizes before another winner is picked!

I've been very busy taking pictures and writing up blog post drafts for the upcoming "Newborn Essentials Fluff 'N Stuff" event which will happen April/May (just as soon as this little one makes his/her appearance)!

I will be receiving a Diono Radian RXT car seat for review as well the first week of March. I'm working with mommy blogger Liz from Water Rolls Uphill to coordinate a giveaway for a Diono Radian RXT as well (open to US only), which will take place from 2-16 April!

If you are a blogger or a business owner and would like to participate in this event (there is a fee of $10 to join, which will go towards the purchase of the actual seat to be given away) please click on this link and fill out the google document!

If you do participate, you will receive a Facebook and twitter link directly on the Rafflecopter form for the Diono giveaway. If you participate, you can still enter to win, your participation does not void you from entering to win a Diono Radian RXT of your own!

If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me at angela_heffner at yahoo dot com


~Mama of the Littles~