the steal network

many months ago, i remember seeing on FB that my friend, jessica, had shared with us on her wall that Ergo Baby Carriers were available on BabySteals for almost half price!  intrigued as i was, i needed a new baby carrier (my Baby Bjorn wasn't cutting it as i didn't like how it "fit" my girls), and as much as i had previously "bookmarked" this site, i really had no idea what i was in for... until, i check it out.  i purchased my Ergo, and have bought some Bumboo Cloth Diapers (our nighttime fitted cloth diapers), Baby Banz sunglasses (pink for Coral Bliss and purple for Willow Kate), and some innobaby snack-size containers for when my girls are old enough.  


here are its deets:


what? you know those pricey items in the baby store/boutique that you'd LOVE to purchase, but the price tag just itches at your wallet?  well, look no further.  BS and KS offer fabulous mama-related or baby/kids-related brands/items for such a great price that it's a steal.  up to 80% off, you will save $, time, and headache from shopping around with your baby in tow to purchase the most perfect, practical necessities or gifts.  


where?  based out of UT, they quickly ship the package... i've seen my packages within three days of shipment.  the postage is a reasonable price, as well.


when? BabySteals.com - offers a 9a.m. and 9p.m. (MT) steal; KidSteals.com - offers a 9a.m. (MT) steal or visit the Steal Network to look at all of them at once.  make a decision fast because they sometimes sell out within minutes!  


how? so, let's say that you bought something that you ended up not using or rarely used.  there's this AWESOME site, KidCrawl.com where you can buy items that other parents (like you!) bought from the BS/KS/SS, but for roughly the same price!  no more ebay/amazon/craigslist shopping! :)

here's another similar site that you'll also bookmark:

Baby Half-Off - just like BS, but a different site.  local.  based in mesa.

happy shopping!!!

culture pass for phoenix-area

whoever created this idea is BRILLIANT!!!

my friend, jen and i just discovered the culture pass, and we are so thankful and stoked at the same time. :)  here are its deets:

what? admits 2 adults to a local museum/zoo/outdoor attraction for free.  

where? so far, we have visited to the Phoenix Children's Museum and the Arizona Science Center.  when the weather cools down, we plan on visiting the outdoorsy places like the Desert Botanical Garden, The Phoenix Zoo, and many more! :)

when? once you check out the pass, you have one week to use it, and then it will go back on the shelf.  they will give you a receipt that you will then take to the destination and get in free. :) you can only check out two passes per month.

why? to save families $$$ in this hard economical time AND for mamas to get out of the house and meet up for playdates!  especially good for the summer where you can go to an indoor place with ice-cold a/c!  it's a nice change to save some $ from the admission and instead buy lunch, pay for parking, and have a great playdate with your babies!  plus, you're not rushed to get through everything so you take your time because you can always go back for more. :)  finally, it's a CHEAP way to get to know the city if you're new to phoenix!

how?  first-come, first-serve at the local library (chandler, glendale, phoenix, peoria, mesa, scottsdale, or tempe)- only a limited amount available.  i've gotten two tickets so far in two weeks... how?  i "stalk" (ha ha) the phoenix library and the glendale library's catalogs (the latter one is closer to me and where i've gotten them), and consistently check when CP are due or if they are "sorting." 

here is the phoenix library's catalog.  search "culture pass" under "title," and see what's available close to you. 

here is the glendale library's catalog.  search "culture pass" under "exact title."

for more information, please visit here.

enjoy!!!

the TWO pumping necessities

there are two* necessities that you will LOVE for a good pumping session.  whether you're at home or on the go... you'll be so thankful for the both of these...

i remember when i was in Babies 'R Us, and i saw this hands-free pumping bra.  i thought, $40 is a lot to spend on that, and i kept on walking.  WELL, i went back to get it.  BEST CHOICE EVER.

if you pump, there are TWO necessities that you ABSOLUTELY will need.  i mean, absolutely, no choice around it, saving you SO much time... so, here they are:

1. hands-free pumping bra by medela.

(about $40)

now, look at how easy it is to use and still multi-task at the same time... even changing diapers, playing with your babies, paying the bills online... it's AMAZING.  look at all those possibilities here.  no more detesting your pumping sessions...  it's endless how much strength and time you'll save because you'll use it about 8x a day!  totally get your usage out of it!!!

now, two things:
1. do NOT buy one until AFTER you deliver.  you have no idea what size you'll be until you deliver.  until after your milk comes in.  there's no guarantee with estimating, so just wait it out.
2. you are ABLE to convert a former bra into this with a guide here.  the ONLY thing i'll say about this is your bra fastens in the back, and this hands-free bra shown above fastens in the front.  that is super convenient for when you're quickly assembling everything to pump... especially in the dark.  :)


2. a car charger for your pump by medela.

(about $18)

for pumping women on the go, whether you're SAHM, WAHM, or working moms, you will NEED this.  imagine a time when you are ready to leave the house, you time everything perfectly in order to return... only to pump.  if only you could eliminate that, and continue your ventures in the outside!  you can have a life!!!  this gives you that possibility.  i can't tell you how many times i had to return home in order to do that... or try and plan my day accordingly to come home and pump.  i've had this for five months, and it's been a complete lifesaver... saving time so i don't have to return home for ONE reason when everybody else/everything else is already with me on the go.  plus, it's AMAZING if you're looking to travel by car... just pump in the backseat.  lol.  :)  it's so easy to use, and it's the same exact function as a regular plug for the medela instyle pump.  now, for the privacy?  see below. :)

*3. a+a blankets.

(aden + anais muslin butterfly patch swaddles- $37.99)

now, i know that i said TWO pumping essentials, but read below under "3+ months #6" and you'll understand why i included it. :)

for my twin girls, we have two sets of these = 8 total.  these things are awesome and TOTALLY worth every pricey penny.  just so you know, i do know that Target has a limited selection for a reasonable price.  my girls were born in december, and we have used these swaddling blankets EVERY single day since then.  not kidding... every day.  they are suitable for any season.

here's why:

from about 0-2 months, you'll swaddle your baby with these blankets.  they are oh-so-soft, which is exactly what my friend kim kessler donaldson said before i delivered my babies... she said she discovered them with her third child.  they are so so soft.  they do get softer each time you use them... and, they will soon smell like that sweet baby breastmilk (if that's what you do)... that heavenly sweet apricot/peach smell. :)

3+ months, my babies could care less about swaddling.  they fight it like all get out.  :)  so, we use them for the following:
1. to help prop up the bottles to feed the babies whether that's in the crib, carseat, stroller seat, or bouncer (remember, i have two)...
2.  we use them as burp cloths... now, yes, at the beginning i used the gerber prefold diapers as burp cloths, which were AMAZING, and we were always washing them so we needed tons of them with two babies... but, now that my girls aren't spitting up as much as NBs, i quickly grab one of these, place it on my shoulder, and burp, hold my baby or babies... ;) it's nice because it's more coverage in case there is a mishap.
3. use them as a stroller shielder.  in the hot AZ summer, my girls and i stay indoors, but also run a bunch of errands.  for the hot days, i'll put them in their carseats/stroller seats in the stroller, push them around, and whether they're sleeping or not, sometimes, i lie one of these atop the seat to shield my babies....
4. going with #3, i also use them as a sun protector for my babies when we're going somewhere, and i'm carrying one of them... i'll put it over her face to shield her eyes because my girls always close their eyes towards the bright sun with their beautiful big blue eyes... so, it's a simple fix.
5. quick changing table... say you forgot your instant changing table pad and you're in Target's family restroom, so you put this on their portable changing table, and an easy, light fix (true story) because you'll always have more than one on hand since they're so lightweight and easy to put in your diaper bag.
6. nursing cover/pumping cover... when i'm around family, and don't feel like isolating myself, they know that i need to nurse (those were the days- sigh) or pump, so i just take one side of the blanket, loosely tie it together, and i've created a triangular open pocket... an easy shield for your privacy even around others....
ALSO, i use this shield when i'm out and about, pumping on the go... yes, driving around town!  lol!  :)

what are YOUR favorite pumping necessities?

homemade detergent

a month or so ago, on one of the CD sites, they asked moms what their favorite detergent was to use on CD...  someone mentioned their homemade detergent.  intrigued as i was, i found out that she uses a recipe that costs approximately $2 to make and lasts for about a year, give or take.

it's by the Duggars (the family with 19+ kids) under their recipes' section (about 1/5th into the site).  check it out here.  i'm waiting to finish my detergents first before i try this... still for $2?  worth a try!

let me know how you like it!

homemade deodorant

for as long as i can remember, i've had trouble with deodorant.  no aluminum for the risks of possible alzheimer's links... has to smell good... has to absorb the smell... has to really do ITS job.

i've tried them all, and nothing worked.  i guess i should say... thanks, dad for passing on your "needing to wear deodorant" gene to me. :)

a few weeks ago, i was researching natural deodorants, and came across the ones below.  also, i came across a recipe to make my own deodorant.  the more i read people's comments below the recipe, the more i wanted to try it...

so, i did.  one sunday evening, i made it.  i bought the ingredients at sprout's.  i put some extra oils in it, and immediately, put it on.  that wasn't a great idea.  i should have waited for it to harden--which i later discovered that it solidifies like a deodorant--but, i wanted to try it right then, right there.  for people like me who have sensitive skin, that wasn't a great idea.  i almost felt like a burning.  i didn't know why i got it... perhaps because i had shaved my arms earlier in the day?  either way, i felt bummed out.  i thought, great, now it's not going to work.

i tried it the following day.  it worked fine.  it truly lasts for hours.  one day, i only had to put it on once, and it lasted clear into the following day.  it smells good... if you follow the recipe.  the baking soda really does absorb the smell, sweat.

i LOVE this deodorant; it really does work.  i put it in a small clear rubbermaid container.  they say to put it in a tin can, but i couldn't find one at sprout's. 

overall, i would DEFINITELY recommend this deodorant, and i use JUST a little each time... it's so easy to make, it's natural, it smells good, and the best part is that IT WORKS!!!

so glad that i can save us some $ by having made my own!  :)

go try it!  let me know what you think!

the good 'ol fashioned crock pot

since the babies have been born, i have struggled with putting healthy meals on the table... in suitable time, of course.  postpartum, food was brought over for us, but that ended.  my family left.  my husband works odd hours, so that meant i was responsible for feeding myself. :)  i needed an easy solution for cooking meals... without spending the entire day in the kitchen.  my girls were too young for me to do that.  they weren't at the point of entertaining themselves like they're able to do now at four months old.
i remembered the purpose of the crock pot... is just that.  to have a meal cooking/prepared, so that when you're ready to eat, it's ready to be eaten. :)  absolutely genius! so, i pulled out my crock pot, ready to start.
only, the problem is that from all the slow cooker recipes (i've picked up a few of those Better Homes and Gardens Special Publications over time), i hadn't found many that were REALLY tasty and worth the time to wait all day for it to cook...
i remembered that my friend, Alissa had a blog for crock pot/slow cooker recipes, so i looked that up... and, found the BEST recipe, hands down.  over time, i have found some other worthy recipes that i'd like to add here, but until then... i'll post links to the yummy recipes that i've found for the crock pot.  i'd also like to post the other recipes that i found which were easy to cook without slaving the day away in the kitchen. :)

Cheese and Pasta Delight (A rating)
- instead of buying alfredo sauce (let's face it, with twins, it's hard for me to get out of the house, and i decided to do this last minute the second time), i made my own alfredo sauce from here.  the first time, i bought the alfredo sauce, and i think that it actually turned out yummier with a homemade sauce.  now, with a homemade sauce, you obviously can adjust the calorie intake. :)
- i used a can of chicken, drained (from Costco)
- the first time i did mozzarella cheese, but the second time, i did swiss.  since i usually have mozz on hand, i'd probably do it with that again... to alleviate an extra trip to the store or an extra thing to pick up.
- i used different pasta shells, both times, the dish turned out fine.
- this dish is SO easy to make.  i was pleasantly surprised with all the ingredients meshed well together.
- i think that i used a 4qt. dish, and it made enough food, but the thing is... between my husband and me, it's gone within two days!  :)
- it's also SO yummy to reheat for the following day!  the chicken, alfredo sauce, and veggies really blend well together!

Slow-Cooked Corn Chowder (A rating)
- sometimes, if i'm in a rush, i'll cook this for three hours on high.
- use a thick ham; i think used ham bone... forgot if that's what it's called.  but, it's much tastier with a thick ham.
- fresh parsley works just fine.
- my husband and i were quite impressed with this dish.  very easy to make with few ingredients, yet still nutritious enough.
- i either used a 4qt. or 6qt. and it was just enough for all of the soup.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup (A- rating)
-  i pureed the chicken (as mentioned before).
- i didn't do the tortilla strips as they say to do them.  i just put them on top.  i used very THICK handmade tortillas from Trader Joe's.
- this made A LOT of food.  i used my 6qt. slow cooker dish.
- we really liked this dish, too.

King Ranch Chicken Casserole (A rating of me adapting it to a slow cooker recipe; B rating for taste- have to adjust a few things, obviously)
- i turned this into a slow cooker recipe.  it's cooking now, so i'll write about how it goes.
- it says to cook for 30-45 minutes, so i set the timer and put it on low for six hours.
- i lightly greased the dish with butter.
- for the chicken, i boiled about four boneless, skinless chicken breasts, threw them in my Vitamix, and pretty much pureed them into ground chicken breast... i eat it better that way.  sort of a mind trick to eat meat for me.  we'll see how that turns out, too!  :)
- about the cheese, i didn't put it in yet, and won't until the last hour, so that middle layer won't have the cheese in it. 
- i put two chopped garlic cloves in the soup mixture.
- i substituted cream of potato for cream of chicken since i didn't have the latter on hand.
- i've had a similar version of this but NOT from this online recipe and definitely NOT in a slow cooker!  so, we'll see how it turns out!  fingers crossed! :)
- i omitted the green peppers.
- i used Trader Joe's fresh yellow corn tortillas (i think that they taste better), as well as its packaged chicken broth (not canned).
- i used my 4qt. dish, and the layers really ended up being high in the dish... so, we'll see if that affects anything.
what i learned:
- part of this dish came out burnt because i had it on so long, i think.  i ended up putting parmesan cheese in with an hour and 15 minutes left.  
- i won't do parmesan again.  probably mozz next time. :)
- don't know if i'll puree the chicken again... maybe small chunks, instead. 
- won't do cream of potato again... the potatoes made it a bit sweeter, we noticed.
- finally, i thought that the juice layer might be too much liquid, but it ended up working out just fine.  somehow, i need to eliminate so much juices and create more carb layers so it cooks better in the pot.  not that it didn't cook well; just the way that the recipe is designed for a larger casserole, other adjustments have to be made. :)

Go Green @ Home?

Through my CD/Detergent research, I found some great information about how to recycle and use your resources/supplies/tools more efficiently at home...

Here's a great article on DiaperPin about how to GO GREEN in your home... some ideas I already incorporate, but some others... I could use some help. :)  And, there are some suggestions/ideas that I never considered that are quite interesting... :)

Enjoy!

cigna's "healthy babies" program

i know that cigna has an incentive program, healthy babies, where you talk to a nurse once a month during your pregnancy, and they send you a check, postpartum, for $150... for the full $150, then you need to sign up during your FIRST trimester.  the amount lessens if you sign up in your second or third trimester.     
this program was one of the highlight of my pregnancy.  it was so easy to get a hold of my nurse, and whenever i had a quick question on which i'd like medical advice, i'd then call her.  plus, postpartum, she dealt with my medical issues, having them reprocess paperwork, called the benefits' department for me... because, i, obviously, had no time.  it was so nice.
see if your insurance has a similar program!  they're all trying to become extra friendly now, offering many incentives, programs for a "healthier" you....

which detergent for CD?

4/18/11: i found this awesome site that gives a breakdown in a chart on how each detergent is for cloth diapers (CD)!  here's another useful site, too.

i recently switched from Mountain Green (they have it at JoAnn's, and you can use a 40% off coupon there, so it'd be $6) to Rockin' Green (so far, did take out some stains that the former couldn't off a prefold).  RnG is super powerful and will take care of diapers quite well. :)  it's known to remove difficult stains whether in clothes or not...

through my research, i did come across these two other detergents made specifically for CD:

Biokleen

Crunchy Clean

which one do you use and why?

update 8/29/12: since then, i have also used Country Save, which works awesome and used it for everyday laundry. i got it at sprout's, but the store has since discontinued it.  so, i have reverted back to RnG and every month, i strip my diapers with RLR (for $1.50, which is cheaper than buying in bulk from RLR) that i buy through my local Zoolikins because it's pretty much unavailable anywhere else. :)  RLR is great for freshening up clothes, too- not just diapers!

CDing as a FT mom?

here's a great article about a mom who works full-time (FT) and still chooses to cloth diaper (CD)!

yay for her!

breastfeeding- home and on...

remember how i shared how my complications worsened once i got home?  well, in the midst of all that, i still BF as much as i could.  mostly, football style.  

never did the thought enter my mind to stop.  i couldn't.  i had two little girls who were fighting for their lives, and i needed to do all that i could to protect them.  i had already  had many pregnancy complications, as well as postpartum complications, and  they needed that perfectly good milk that formula could never give them... the nutrients that only breast milk gives. 

when babies stay in the NICU, they have to pass a good amount of tests in order to be discharged... one, being good eating.  my girls were great in every other area... except that.  so, i needed to do it for them.  never did my mind waver in that "this is too hard" or "my body can't take this anymore" or "i'll never have enough milk for them" or "i give up... i only want to do formula."

i BF/pumped as much as i could.  not exclusively.  BF/pumped as much as i could.  i didn't know the tips that i know now.  i remember that i'd have to wake up early in the morning, take a shower, get ready for my nurse to come and pack my wound (remember when i wrote about that?), and make sure that i fed/pumped for the girls before.  i had help then... for the first few weeks with my family in town, and my sister stayed until they were almost three weeks.  
then, i was on my own.  i was terrified.  

how in the world am i going to do this on my own? how am i going to feed them bottles simultaneously?

i cried when my sister left.  

i mean, when you BF twins, maybe it's just me, but... you need someone else to help you and get started... they're already so fragile, and you need to be careful how you position them.  it's really hard to not "bobble" that small doll-size head that's ever so precious.  also, when you BF twins, it takes up a lot of your time.  a lot of your day.  you need to be prepared for that.  YOUR MAIN PRIORITY is to feed your children.  they need nutrition.  nobody else can substitute for that.

so, when my sister left, i was overwhelmed... i mean, every morning she was here, she'd come into my room and take a baby (lay with her, change her, or feed her) while i took care of the other.  she brought me breakfast because, at the beginning, i was often barricaded in my room until noon every day when my husband was at work.  i should go more into that later. :) and, what would i spend my time doing?  BFing or pumping!  obviously, not uploading photos on FB as i fell behind on that and have only recently been able to catch up... :)

i was nervous how i was going to do it on my own.  so, i cried.  i mean, at this point, i was only able to do 50/50% (breastmilk 3-4 oz. per pumping feeding and formula). every time the girls were hungry and i was "out of milk," meaning i had just fed them (not pumped, mind you, will explain later), i'd watch depressingly as my family members would go make up a bottle or heat one up.  it made me that much more driven to BF/pump exclusively.  every bottle i saw then make made me want it so much more.  i knew that it was better for them... but, how?!  i hated that they were getting formula, but what could i do about it?  they needed what i was unable to give at that time.  there had to be a way, though, right? 

i wanted to do 100% BM.  i remember going to the second pediatric appointment (my first with them because remember i was in the hospital?), and the pediatrican (we've since changed for obvious reasons) callously answered me, "i've never seen a mom go past three months BFing twins."  

how insensitive.  you are a jerk.  way to blow the wind out of my sails!

but, i kept reading about twins' moms having "enough" milk for both... or reading that you can truly make enough milk to feed your children.  i wanted that, and didn't know how.  i kept trying to make my milk meanwhile... until i started asking people around when the babies were six weeks...

i learned of another lactation consultant to visit (didn't i see all of you in the hospital?), but didn't want to pay $90 for an office visit (can you imagine ME taking two babies in THEIR carseats to HER HOME office for a "consultation" as she watches me BF twins in a chair?!  AWKWARD!!!) or $160 for a home visit?!  jeez.  rob you! 

so, i started to do my own research…

trial offers for CD

along my research, i remember feeling quite discouraged as i heard all of these different brands, and like i mentioned before, it was quite overwhelming.  i didn't want to spend the $ and buy the wrong diapers.  i mean, don't get me wrong- i don't regret any diapers that i have purchased- none whatsoever.  every diaper has served its purpose and been fine for me, HOWEVER, 


below are some suggestions to "try" CD and see if it's for you... all for very little compared to what you'd pay if you started up a brand new system.  


enjoy!


Granola Babies' CD Trial Offer - based in Costa Mesa, CA; GB gives you the option to "sample" the various diaper choices out there on the market... so you know what you really want to do.
Granola Babies Newborn Trial Offer - based in Costa Mesa, CA; GB gives you the option to borrow the diapers with a refundable deposit!  brilliant.
sweetbottoms baby Diaper Trial - try diapers for a limited amount/time
ReDiaper - purchase gently used diapers/accessories for great deals
Granola Babies' One-Size Cloth Diapers Rental Package -not sure which diapers to buy?  put a refundable down payment/security deposit, "rent" eight popular diapers, and it ends up only costing you $30!
Granola Babies' Tiny Fit AIO Newborn Rentals -same thing as above, except for NBs! :)


great value CD:
Best Value Diapers
Bulk Cloth Diaper
Diaper Shops

do you know of any other CD trial offers?  i did originally write this on 4/3/11, so i apologize for the delay in posting... :)