Baby Log: 1 Year and 11 Weeks Old

Happy All Hallow's Eve! Our household is still on cloud 9 after attending T-W-O Halloween parties this week...yes, I dressed up as Wilma Flintstone twice. We had a blast and even our dog Butters got in on the fun in his Dino costume. What else happened...

• Marlie had been Senorita Cranky at the start of the week, but she has been less fussy since another tooth broke the gum line.
• Her newest word is oh-oh! If anyone drops something, it's "oh-oh!"
• Her newest move is to bend over and then flip upside down. Is it too early to enroll her in a gymnastic class?
• I have been trying to get Marlie to eat a balanced breakfast containg all the food groups. She still won't do the green smoothie, so I found this recipe for something called a puffet. It's like a mini-quiche, but a lot simpler to make. It a bowl, I mixed one egg, a teacupful of coconut milk, 3 oz of grated cheese. 1 tbsp. of flour, a pinch of salt and some spinach (you can also add onions, potatoes, etc..). I poured the mixture into ramekins and baked on 325 degrees for 25 minutes. The came out of the oven looking and smelling great! I thought, surely she will eat this for breakfast it has all of her favorites...NOT! It was back to scrambled eggs, toast and sliced pears.
  
• She likes motioning with her hands...like waving them over her plate when you tell her the food is hot or beckoning you with her finger when she wants you to come over to where she is.
  
• So after reading all the recommendations about which potty chair to buy and taking Marlie to the store to sit on some, I wound up ordering the Once Upon a Potty from Amazon.com. This is the most comfortable fit for her, and I like the old-fashioned saddle seat design. It came with a book and poster. There is also a doll and a DVD sold separately. As you can see, she has taken to it nicely. We haven't attempted to use it yet, just letting her sit on it when I'm using the bathroom.
  

Creepy, Crawly Creations

The ladies over at SITS asked their readers to write a series of posts about Halloween. Today's topic is "Creepy, Crawly Creations." A Canon Rebel T2i camera is up for grabs. You know me. I cannot resist a challenge that comes with a prize.

I like to think of myself as crafty. I'm no Martha Stewart, but I do alright. Certain holidays inspire me to get jiggy with my glue gun. I look forward to decorating for Halloween the most. I want my decorations to send a message to all the neighborhood kids that our home is cool and has the good candy, but have you seen what retailers charge for Halloween decor?

As they say, I can do better. I made a quick stop at the discount store and bought these supplies for about $5:

• a large spider web
• a bag of cobwebs
• a bag of fake spiders
  

I simply spread the cobwebs across the large spider web and then sewed on a few fake spiders...very easy and the result is spooktacular!

I think my creepy, crawly spider web is going to amuse the trick or treaters when they reach my door. Don't you agree?

I am participating in the SITS Halloween Celebration. Join me!

Ghosts of Halloween Past

The ladies over at SITS asked their readers to write a series of posts about Halloween. Today's topic is "Ghosts of Halloween Past." A Canon Rebel T2i camera is up for grabs. You know me. I cannot resist a challenge that comes with a prize.

I submit this photo of me and Marlie from last Halloween. She was just 3 months old. This was our first Halloween and naturally I wanted it to be special. Moreover, I wanted us to match. After much brainstorming, I came up with a garden theme to match her nursery. I found her a flower costume, and I dressed up as a gardener. Not to brag or anything (yeah, totally tooting my horn here), but we were a hit at the kiddie costume party at Damon's office.

I'm afraid that the praise went straight to my head because I have already planned our costumes for the next three Halloweens. I know she is going to hate me later and require a hypnotist to erase the haunting memories from her mind. But for now, I am going to have my fun and dress our family in themed costumes until I get committed or she goes to college. Whichever comes first.

I am participating in the SITS Halloween Celebration. Join me!

Things I'm Loving This Thursday

This might turn into a weekly post...maybe even a linky!

1. Sleep Baby Sleep Radio on Pandora, which we stream through our Roku box. I love Laurie Berkner's music for children and Jewel's Lullaby album is a life-saver. I don't know what it is about that woman's voice that puts Marlie right to sleep, but God BLESS her!

2. Songs that celebrate little, black girls and their hair:

3. Neem Oil. Adding a few drops to my shampoo is keeping my scalp dandruff-free!
   

Get Deals on Home Decor for the Fall and Winter

There is something about the Fall and Winter months that put me in a makeover mood. I like to decorate my home to match the time of year. Nothing drastic, a few simple changes to put me in the spirit of the season.

I have my eye on a new bedspread from the BedBathstore online. They have a nice collection of chenille & matelasse bedspreads at discounts of up to 83% off retail price. My grandmother had a white Medallion chenille bedspread with the fringes just like the one pictured on the site. You could bounce a bag of quarters on her bed, she kept it so neat.

Seasonal table runners and place mats are another easy and inexpensive way to change up your home decor. I like how easy it is to find holiday themed items on the BedBathstore site. The left sidebar lists a number of popular categories for one-click searching. Nice!

Don't think I forget about the outside! Just because it's getting cold doesn't mean you have to stay inside to stay warm. You can enjoy your porch, patio or deck with one of Bedbathstore's many outdoor fireplaces. I am adding one of these to my Christmas list. I want to be sipping hot chocolate and munching on S'mores this Winter while sitting in front of my new fire pit!

This great thing about BedBathstore is that they are constantly running specials on top of the savings they already offer. Yesterday's deal was free shipping on orders over $50 for Texas shoppers. A special offer customized for me, what more could I ask for?!

24/7 Online Tutoring Service

The last time I was visiting my family in Miami, my little sister asked me to help her with her math homework. I would have rather have had my eyelashes plucked out one by one. It's not that I am bad at math, it just doesn't come as easily to me as other subjects. Math makes my brain sweat.

Regardless, I sat down with my 13-year-old sister and tried to remember the formula for volume. I wish I had known about TutorVista...it would have saved us both a headache. TutorVista is an online tutoring company that offers an unlimited monthly tutoring package for only $99.99 a month for all subjects, including 4th grade math, 5th grade math and even Algebra 2. Tutoring is available 24/7. Students can use the service as much as they want, whenever they need it. There is a free demo for first time users so you can try the service for free.

Online tutoring is a convenient solution for families with schedules that conflict with traditional tutoring centers. It would have been nice to have online tutoring back when I was in school and needed help adding fractions and graphing linear equations.

Wordless Wednesday: Yabba Dabba Doosie!

CLOSED...Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil Review & Giveaway

Coconuts are an exotic fruit that does not get enough respect in my opinion. Coconut water is packed with hydrating electrolytes. Coconut milk is nutrient-rich in medium chain fatty acids plus vitamins B12 and D. Coconut oil has so many practical uses such as a hair and skin moisturizer, and it is unmatched as a healthy substitute for butter or lard in cooking and baking.

Imagine my glee when I was approved to do a review for Tropical Traditions, makers of dozens of coconut products. I have been stalking their website for months and finally got up the nerve to ask. I was sent a quart of certified organic Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil to try. According to the website, this is the highest quality coconut oil they have to offer. You may be asking what's the difference. The answer is in the process. The Philippines-based founders of Tropical Traditions have perfected a method of making this premium, unrefined virgin coconut oil by hand with a centuries-old process that produces the oil without using heat, chemicals or solvents. You can learn more about it in this video interview with Brian Shilhavy, CEO Tropical Traditions.

The first thing I made with my Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut oil was sweet potato fries:

The fries turned out wonderfully light and crispy and they smelled so good too! The coconut oil added a pleasant flavor without overpowering the sweet potato. It definitely enhanced the taste. I also baked some heavenly, gluten/dairy-free peanut butter chocolate chip cookies with the coconut oil, but I ate a cookie monster stole them all before I could snap a photo. I cannot wait to try some of the coconut recipes on the Tropical Traditions site!

Shop: The Organic Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil is buy 1 get 1 free until Thursday October 28th, that's $37.50 for two 32 oz jars! You can also receive a complimentary copy of the Virgin Coconut Oil book with your first online order by typing in my User ID # 5632947 when selecting "Referred by a friend" under the "How did you hear of us?" drop down menu after you complete your account information. The book will be automatically added to your order. If you have problems, please contact customer service and someone will gladly help.

Win: One lucky Marlie and Me reader is going to win a quart of Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil.
Mandatory first entry: Check out the hundreds of free coconut recipes on the Tropical Traditions site and leave a comment here telling me one recipe you'd like to try. If you are commenting as Anonymous, please include first name and an email address
All extra entries listed below are worth one (1) additional admission into this giveaway. Please leave a separate comments for each extra entry you complete)Extra Entries for Supporting the Sponsor:

• Subscribe to the Tropical Traditions sales newsletter
  
• Follow Tropical Traditions on Twitter (leave Twitter name)

Standard Extra Entries:

• Be a current or new follower of Marlie and Me via Google Friend Connect
• Be a current or new subscriber of Marlie and Me via email (subscription must be activated)
• Grab my button (leave the URL in your comment)
• New! Add Marlie and Me to your blog roll (leave the URL in your comment)
• New! Follow Marlie and Me at Networked Blogs on Facebook (leave your FB initials)
• New! Follow me on Twitter and tweet this message (leave the URL to the tweet in your comment): I just entered to win a quart of Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil @Mommy2Marlie #giveaway
  
• New! Vote for Marlie and Me at Picket Fence Blogs (click button above Google Friend Connect widget)

The rules:

• This giveaway will end on 11/12/10 at 11:59 pm CST
• Winner will be chosen randomly from all comments posted using Random.org
• The winner will be notified by email and have 48 hours to respond. Please make sure I can contact you either by having an email address visible on your blog profile or leave your email address in your comment(s).
• In the event the prize is not claimed in the allotted time another winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to US/Canada. Must be at least 18 years of age to participate. Void where prohibited.
• By accepting the prize, the winner is granting permission to be identified as such.The winner's mailing address will be forwarded to the sponsor for prize fulfillment.
• The winner has one (1) month from the date of claiming the prize to report any problems (lost shipment, broken product). I will not be responsible for resolving issues after this time.
• Entries that do not follow instructions or are falsified will be disqualified

Baby Log: 1 Year and 10 Weeks Old

I was babysitting for a friend on Friday. She has a 19 month old and a 3 month old. I couldn't believe how much of the infant stuff I had forgotten like they spit up (a lot) and pee more often! It just reminded me about how fast babies grow up. Marlie is becoming more independent each day and is such a good, little helper! Her favorite task is to feed our dog Butters. She takes this "chore" very seriously from walking gingerly with the scoop so none of the dog food falls out to meticulously filling his bowl with the bits one by one. He gets impatient sometimes because he just wants to eat, but he knows better than to snap at her. Marlie can also:

• Wash up for mealtime. When I put some soap in her palm she rubs her hands together and puts them under the faucet.
• Drink from a big girl cup.
  
• Brush her teeth.
• Fetch her shoes when I tell her to get ready to go.

We attended her school's Fall Festival on Friday evening. Those are always a blast. The kids and some of the parents wore costumes. Here is Marlie dressed up as Pebbles Flintstone (she really should be Bam Bam with the way she bangs on everything). I think she needs a stuffed Dino to accessorize her costume. That would set it off.

Our whole family is dressing up as the Flintstone family this Halloween. I can't wait to show you pictures! There are a lot of cool Halloween photo contests that I am going to enter:

1. Parenting by Dummies Happily (un)Haunted Halloween Photo Contest. What: add your Halloween photo post to her linky. Deadline: Nov. 1. Prize: $25 gift card to Celebrate Express and a $25 iTunes gift card (random drawing)
   
2. The Secret Is in The Sauce (SITS) Celebrate Halloween with your SITStahs and Shutterfly. What: over three days, link up your posts about various Halloween topics. Deadline: October 30-Nov. 1. Prize: Canon Rebel T2i digital SLR camera.
3. Giveaway Blogs Spook-A-Look Halloween Photo Contest. What: create a blog post with photo entry and one paragraph description, include affiliate links, and upload to the website. Deadline: Nov. 2. Top Prize: $100 Target Gift Card plus an 18x24 Gallery Wrapped Canvas Print, Runner Up: $50 Target Gift Card plus a 16x20 Rolled Canvas Print (voting).

Get those Halloween photos onto your blogs and enter some of these contests!

Winners of Giveaways Ending Oct. 18-22

By Rico Shen (Rico Shen) [CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0], via Wikimedia Commons

A few giveaways ended recently. I had a ball selecting the winners at Random.org. All the winners' entries have be validated and they have been notified. Here they are!

• 250 Die Cut Business Cards from UPrinting.com...#6, The Redhead Riter

• Rockin' Green Detergent...#155, Janine

• Tillamook Cheese Prize Package...#27, RomaPR

Congratulations to the winners and thanks to everyone who entered! Don't forget these active giveaways. Enter today for your chance to win one of the great prizes:

Amber Teething Necklace ends 10.29
EcoMom $15 Gift certificate ends 11.5

Fluff & Stuff(ing) is Coming...

Thanksgiving is a few short weeks away! One thing I am thankful for is my baby girl.

I am so grateful to have her in my life that I decided to throw a Happy Stash-giving event to celebrate. For one week in November I will be hosting giveaways for fabulous fluff and cloth diapering accessories.

I have lined up some great products from well-known companies such as Mother-Ease and Bummas as well as handmade items from WAHMS. It's going to be a cloth diapering extravaganza!

So subscribe to Marlie and Me by email, RSS feed or Twitter so that you don't miss your chance to enter to win some fluff & stuff(ing)!

Help Me Pick a Potty from CSN Stores!

Have you shopped at any of the CSN Stores online? If not, what are you waiting for?! CSN has over 200 online stores where you can find everything from wardrobes to fantastic fitness equipment to cookware! I have ordered from CSN Stores time and time again, and I have never been disappointed.

For this review, I am going to buy a potty chair to start elimination communication with Marlie. Uh, why didn't someone warn me that it would be so difficult to decide?! Yesterday's simple potty chair has evolved into a 21st century, ergonomic device. After an hour of reading of reading product descriptions and customer reviews, I have narrowed down my choices to these three:

1. The Baby Bjorn Potty Chair has a back rest and a removable cup that makes clean-up easy (no need to pick up the entire potty to tip it in the toilet), but it does not have a lid...does that even matter? I worry that the splash guard will get in the way and make it impossible for her to sit down without help. $27.95








2. The Boon Potty Bench has storage compartments for toilet paper or wipes and doubles as a stool. It is also portable...have potty, will travel! $34.00











3. The Prince Lionheart PottyPOD is similar to the Bjorn (removable cup), but it has no back rest. A big plus is hat it's the only antimicrobial potty on the market. It sits lower to the ground, but has adjustable height for taller children. The seat looks very comfy! I wish it had sides for her to hold on to for balance. $39.99






So tell me what you think. I especially want to hear if you have a better recommendation for early potty learning. Remember my girl is a lightweight so she needs a potty chair that she isn't go to fall into. Stay tuned to see which potty chair I picked and how we like it!

Wordless Wednesday: Smashing Pumpkins

Is it More Fun Shopping for Baby Girls?

One of my friends just found out that she is expecting a girl. I told her she was in for a treat because shopping for baby girls is so much fun! There are so many more choices and everything is way cuter. I am discovering more and more that I like baby gear that feature animals like monkey baby clothes.Of course whether you are expecting a baby boy or girl, everyone has an opinion. The constant barrage of questions and advice can be hard to wade through. I remember one relative asking if we were going to get gold or silver studs put in Marlie's ears. We decided not to get her ears pierced because we felt that the decision should be hers when she got older. Since then I have imagined going shopping for earrings with her. Of course her first pair would have to be studs or baby screw back earrings.

I offered to be my friend's personal shopper for everything from decorating the nursery to which bassinet stroller to purchase. I hope my experience and expertise makes her preparations for her little bundle of joy a little less stressful.

CLOSED...Bye Bye Bugs Review + EcoMom $15 Gift Certificate Giveaway

Marlie spends a lot of time outdoors at her Montessori school and on trips with us to the park. It seemed she always came home with insect bites. I was afraid to use anything with DEET, but I was also afraid not use something for fear of diseases like West Nile virus.EcoMom is an invaluable go-to source for safe, effective and eco-friendly baby products. So I was delighted when I received a bottle of Bye Bye Bugs for review. It is made with essentials oils that naturally repel bugs. It was a cinch to apply thanks to it's spray pump design. Marlie put this product to the ultimate test last week...working in the school garden and visits to the Arboretum and State Fair on Saturday (lots of insects in the grass and flying around). She did not get a single bug bite after I used Bye Bye Bugs. I am going to have to borrow it next time because I get eaten alive!

There is stuff for mommies and daddies too at EcoMom. I saw several items that I would put on my wish list (like a certain scrumptious sustainably-produced cashmere sweater). It gives me peace of mind knowing that anything I buy at EcoMom meets a rigorous test for health and environmental safety. Not only does EcoMom carry green products for the entire family, but the company is also a crusader for eco-conscious living. The website is a wealth of information on everything from to how to make healthy snacks for your kids to Green Halloween tips. In fact, there is an EcoMom community where parents can connect, seek advice, share resources and support each other in raising happy and healthy children.

Shop: Between now and November 30, you can use discount code SBBL644 for 15% off your first order. It's easy to become addicted to shopping at EcoMom so consider purchasing an annual EcoPass for $99 (only $8.25/month) which entitles you to 15% discount plus free shipping on every order. The EcoPass pays for itself in as little as 4 orders.

Win: One lucky Marlie and Me reader is going to win a $15 gift certificate to EcoMom

Mandatory first entry: Visit EcoMom and leave a comment here telling me one product you'd buy if you won. If you are commenting as Anonymous, please include first name and an email address
All extra entries listed below are worth one (1) additional admission into this giveaway. Please leave a separate comments for each extra entry you complete)Extra Entries for Supporting the Sponsor:

• Follow EcoMom on Twitter (leave Twitter name)
• Become a fan of EcoMom on Facebook (leave your FB initials)
• Join the EcoMom Newsletter (leave the email address you used to subscribe)

Standard Extra Entries:

• Be a current or new follower of Marlie and Me via Google Friend Connect
• Be a current or new subscriber of Marlie and Me via email (subscription must be activated)
• Grab my button (leave the URL in your comment)
• New! Add Marlie and Me to your blog roll (leave the URL in your comment)
• New! Follow Marlie and Me at Networked Blogs on Facebook (leave your FB initials)
• New! Follow me on Twitter and tweet this message (leave the URL to the tweet in your comment): I just entered to win a $15 EcoMom gift certificate @ http://www.marlieandmommy.blogspot.com #giveaway
  
• New! Vote for Marlie and Me at Picket Fence Blogs (click button above Google Friend Connect widget)

The rules:

• This giveaway will end on 11/5/10 at 11:59 pm CST
• Winner will be chosen randomly from all comments posted using Random.org
• The winner will be notified by email and have 48 hours to respond. Please make sure I can contact you either by having an email address visible on your blog profile or leave your email address in your comment(s).
• In the event the prize is not claimed in the allotted time another winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to US/Canada. Must be at least 18 years of age to participate. Void where prohibited.
• By accepting the prize, the winner is granting permission to be identified as such.The winner's mailing address will be forwarded to the sponsor for prize fulfillment.
• The winner has one (1) month from the date of claiming the prize to report any problems (lost shipment, broken product). I will not be responsible for resolving issues after this time.
• Entries that do not follow instructions or are falsified will be disqualified

Monday Morning Parenting: Natural Relief for the Terrible Tooths

You know when it comes to aches and pains I'm going to seek natural remedies, so it should come as no surprise that I practice the same philosophy when it comes to treating Marlie's ouchies. Here's what's in my toolkit for teething pain relief:

1. amber teething necklace
2. maple wood teething ring
   
3. homeopathic teething tablets
4. 1 drop of clove oil diluted in 1 tbsp of olive oil rubbed on gum to numb pain
5. wrap an ice cube in a washcloth and let baby suckle
   

Baby Log: 1 Year and 9 Weeks Old

This week was far less dramatic, except for when Marlie dropped my cell phone and cracked the battery casing. Now I'm worried that it's leaking radiation and I'll get a brain tumor.

This week in Marlie's universe...

• She's gotten really good at kicking her ball. I think a soccer scholarship might be in her future.
• She's has also developed fast feet and is practically running. Om second thought, change that scholarship to track and field.
• One day she grabbed one of my pens and started scribbling on some paper on the floor. She is such a little Einstein so maybe she will get an academic grant. But why limit her? She can be a scholar-athlete, right?!
• At her follow-up appointment with her pediatrician, Dr. Rogers pointed out that she has six teeth coming in at the same time...that's rough business.
  
• We spent Saturday with our buddies Brandy and Brian and their adorable little girl Orlaith. First we visited the pumpkin patch at the arboretum and had an old-fashioned country picnic. Then we went to the Texas State Fair. Brandy and I rode two roller coasters and took the girls on the carousel. Marlie was not feeling the ponies at first, but she warmed up toward the end. Her daddy took this blurry photo. It was a full and fun-filled day!

Shop at Macy's this Saturday...it's for a Good Cause!

Macy's is making it easy to give back to the community through it's 5th annual Shop for a Cause event on Saturday, October 16. This is your chance to support your favorite charity while shop, shop, shopping!

To participate, simply purchase a $5 discount pass which entitles you to big savings on October 16 at any Macy's store or online at www.macy's.com. Here are the details straight from the event sponsor:

Through Shop For A Cause, Macy’s provides participating organizations with shopping passes to sell for $5 each. Organizations keep 100 percent of every ticket sold. Pass holders will enjoy 20 percent or 10 percent off most regular, sale and clearance purchases all day, plus 25 percent off one regular, sale or clearance item in men’s, women’s or kids apparel or accessories. Some exclusions apply, see pass for details. By purchasing a shopping pass to the event, customers will be supporting their favorite cause while enjoying a day of spectacular discounts, entertainment, special events and a chance to win a $500 shopping spree.

Now go to www.macys.com/shopforacause to find a list of participating charities in your area and buy your pass to shop for a cause on Saturday!

*I was given the opportunity to promote the this event through BlogRollers Media. I was provided a Macy's gift card in exchange for my participation in this campaign. As always, all opinions expressed are my own.

Wordless Wednesday: Getting Carrried Away

CLOSED...The Scoop on Amber Teething Necklaces + Giveaway

I was dismayed when Marlie started teething around 4 months old. I thought I had at least two more months before the drooling, gumming, and pain. Oh, the pain! I could not bear to see my baby suffer and I knew I wanted a natural pain relief product for her.

One of my favorite cloth diapering vendors told me about the amber teething necklace. Like some people, I mistakenly thought the necklace was for chewing and that made me nervous, so I didn't buy one. Then I received an amber teething necklace as a gift. This gave me the opportunity to do my homework. The first lesson learned was that the necklaces were for wearing, not chewing or sucking.

Amber has been used for centuries as a natural analgesic. It releases a pain-killing resin called succinic acid that gets absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream of the wearer. Within a few days of wearing her new necklace, Marlie was no longer irritable and stopped waking up at night from teething pain. Marlie still wears her teething necklace and it has held up really well. She is currently getting those first year molars which are rough, I hate to think how much worse it would be if it weren't for her trusty amber teething necklace.
I am a true believer in the amber teething necklace, but buyer beware...not all necklaces are created equal. When shopping for an amber teething necklace make sure you are purchasing 100% authentic Baltic Amber, not plastic! Real amber necklaces will have irregular-shaped beads that contain debris as opposed to same-size, clear beads, which could be an indication that they were made from a mold. Also make sure that the amber has been naturally harvested and not refined. Heating and pressurizing reduces the healing properties of the amber.

Also, make sure that the necklace you buy is made with a screw clasp, which is more secure than a hook and ring. Another safety feature you want to look for is knotting between each bead so that in the unlikely event that the string is popped, the beads do not scatter reducing the risk of becoming a choking hazard. This is why, by law, retailers have to recommend amber necklaces for children 3+, but I put one on Marlie at 6 months old and I make sure she never bites or pulls on it.

Emma, owner of Amberforsale on Etsy, has graciously agreed to share her expertise with Marlie and Me readers AND give one of her gorgeous amber teething necklaces to a lucky winner, but first some information about her store:

Tell us a little bit about your business...
We sell only genuine Baltic amber jewelry mined from the Baltic sea. This small Baltic region holds 90% of all world deposits of high quality amber. We use only AAA-class, jewelry-grade, raw amber material so you may buy with confidence with us as many people worldwide do. We have produced and sold our products for nearly 10 years and have customers from all over the world especially USA, Canada, Australia and Japan.

What is your advice on how to pick the right necklace and use it?
Obviously safety is paramount and there are a few things to consider: Baltic Sea amber teething necklaces should be worn only under supervision and should be worn under the clothing against the skin. They are short to reduce the risk of getting caught on anything and the child will become desensitized to its presence around his neck. Amber teething necklaces should be removed during naps or night time. All amber teething necklaces have very good healing properties, however from my experience I can say for sure that unpolished amber has more healing properties, just because it's less treated than other amber beads.

Anything else you would like us to know?
Our experience has been great for our three children in which we have not had to experience the horror stories of other parents spending sleepless nights of trying to calm a baby. We have many friends, colleagues and family members who have used these necklaces for years with surprising success for other health problems. See our official web page: http://www.amber-teething-necklaces.co.uk

NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY...

Win It: One lucky Marlie and Me reader is going to win an amber teething necklace of her/his choice from Amberforsale!

Mandatory first entry: Visit Amberforsale and leave a comment here telling me which amber teething necklace you'd pick if you won. If you are commenting as Anonymous, please include first name and an email address
All extra entries are worth one (1) additional admission into this giveaway (leave separate comments for each extra entry you complete)Extra Entries for Supporting the Sponsor:

• Add Amberforsale to your ♥ favorites on Etsy (leave Etsy name)

Standard Extra Entries:

• Be a current or new follower of Marlie and Me via Google Friend Connect
• Be a current or new subscriber of Marlie and Me via email (subscription must be activated)
• Grab my button (leave the URL in your comment)
• New! Add Marlie and Me to your blog roll (leave the URL in your comment)
• New! Follow Marlie and Me at Networked Blogs on Facebook (leave your FB initials)
• New! Follow me on Twitter and tweet this message (leave the URL to the tweet in your comment): I just entered to win an amber teething necklace from Amberforsale @ http://www.marlieandmommy.blogspot.com #giveaway
  
• New! Vote for Marlie and Me at Picket Fence Blogs (click button above Google Friend Connect widget)

The rules:

• This giveaway will end on 10/29 /10 at 11:59 pm CST
• Winner will be chosen randomly from all comments posted using Random.org
• The winner will be notified by email and have 48 hours to respond. Please make sure I can contact you either by having an email address visible on your blog profile or leave your email address in your comment(s).
• In the event the prize is not claimed in the allotted time another winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open Worldwide. Must be at least 18 years of age to participate. Void where prohibited.
• By accepting the prize, the winner is granting permission to be identified as such.The winner's mailing address will be forwarded to the sponsor for prize fulfillment.
• NEW RULE: the winner has one (1) month from the date of claiming the prize to report any problems (lost shipment, broken product). I will not be responsible for resolving issues after this time.
• Entries that do not follow instructions or are falsified will be disqualified

Monday Morning Parenting: Sex and the Baby

WARNING: This post is about sex. No one really wants to talk about, but I do.

The most focused amount of sex me and the husband unit ever had was when we were making a baby. They say practice makes perfect. It never occurred to me to video tape our love-making for posterity's sake. I'm mostly kidding, but there is a small kernel of truth to my wistful thinking. If I had known that those six months of TTC were going to be "it" for awhile, I would have given careful consideration to becoming a video vixen. I could be watching myself doing "it" instead of just wishing I was doing "it."

There were so many hurdles to overcome to regain a normal sex life post-baby. For me, the first problem was atrophic vaginitis, which is basically a lack of lubrication caused by plummeting estrogen levels. It feels so much worse than it sounds, like tiny razor blades nicking you on the insides during intercourse. I had to use an estrogen cream for several weeks. Once I got over that I faced another obstacle...

Low self-esteem. My body did not feel or look like my own. The muscle and tissues in my pelvic region were still in recovery, my breasts had become a feeding trough, and let's not even talk about the sagging, stretch mark-pocked landscape of my abdomen. These were small sacrifices in the name of giving birth to the joy of my life, but I did not anticipate the physiological and psychological fallout. It was as if a seismic tremor had split me in two and it was hard to reconcile the two parts...woman and mother. Where did my baby's need to nurse and bond end and my need for intimacy and pleasure begin? I did not feel sexy, much less like having sex. It took a lot of lot of mental and physical exercise, but I was finally able to find balance in the bedroom and then...

I was hit with chronic lethargy. I am already low-energy due to an anemic disorder, so couple that with a lack of sleep, and I am too tired to do the nasty. Who wants a 2 am booty call when you're fighting for every last zzz? Even when I mustered up the strength to get busy, the baby would inevitably start crying from the other room. I think she has motion sensors hidden in our bed that alert her when her parents are about to get their freak on. Nothing kills the mood for me like a crying baby. But eventually, I found ways around this problem as well like scheduling mommy-daddy time during her REM cycle.

It has taken a full year to hit my sexual stride after having a baby. I don't know if this is average or not. We talk about everything else when it comes to TTC, pregnancy, labor and delivery and baby care, but we fail to have candid conversations with each other about sex after the baby. What is that about? Are we supposed to stop needing/wanting it because we've procreated? I wish there was a manual for this topic, like a What to Expect Out of Sex When You Are Done Expecting.

Care to share your struggles and triumphs to achieve a healthy sex life after having a baby?

Baby Log: 1 year and 8 Weeks Old

The week got off to a rocky start...

• On Sunday, Marlie slid off the changing table again, this time while Damon was on diaper duty. I was in the bathroom and heard him yelling for me to come quickly. I rushed into the nursery to find her dangling upside down over the edge. He had caught her by the leg and needed my help hoisting her back upright. For some reason, that got the rhyme eenie meenie minie moe, catch a tiger by its toe stuck in my head. At Kim's suggestion I moved the changing pad to the floor, which has been nice because she just goes and lays on it when she needs her diaper changed. I think it's time to officially start phase 1 of potty learning. I'm going to get her a potty for the bathroom and start sitting her on it when I make trips to the bathroom and before bath time. I don't expect her to start using it in earnest, but I would like her to start understanding the concept of the pot. I would be awesome to get ahead of the game.
  

• On Monday, I decided to take Marlie to the doctor for her lingering cough (good move #1), but before I did I switched pediatricians (good move #2). The new pediatrician is part of a two-doctor practice, sees fewer patients, and is in our neighborhood. She was very tender and patient with Marlie who squirmed during the entire exam. After listening to Marlie's lungs she suspected bronchiolitis or pneumonia (insert loud, thumping heartbeat sound effect here). Marlie had to get a chest X-ray. Have you seen the medieval torture device masquerading as medical equipment that is used to immobilize children for the X-ray? It looks like this (I had to "borrow" someone's photo from the Web for this illustration because my camera batteries died, and I have zero desire to drive all the way to Big Lots to buy some, but you get the idea...oh, and sorry for the poor job of disguising this person's kid:
  
  
  
  Continuing....I cannot describe the sounds that came out of Marlie as she was strapped in that contraption. It was like listening to puppies being in tossed about in a washing machine. It. was. that. bad. My heart broke as for her. The slides came back showing a small area of pneumonia on her upper right lobe. More heartbreak. After a few days on antibiotics, Marlie is no longer hacking and wheezing. Children get sick. I need to face that fact.

We survived the rest of the week by employing humor...

• My grandma gave me a laugh on Tuesday (bless her 90-year-old heart...I love me some her!). I was telling her about Marlie's pneumonia diagnosis and she asked me if I got my shot for the heiny flu yet? Huh? It took me a minute to figure out that she was talking about H1N1, you know...the H-I-N-I flu? LOL!
• Marlie was cranky all week which is understandable. She is teething (both bottom lateral incisors have broke through the gum) and she is sick. She hates taking her medicine. To get her to swallow the meds we have to play peek-a-boo and sing the bunny foo-foo song...little bunny foo foo, hoping through the forest, scooping up the field mice and boppin'em on the head. She even tries to make the bunny hands, too adorable! We look like a couple of circus performers hopping around and being silly, but it gets her to take her medicine.
  
• I caved and got a Twitter account. Follow me at Mommy2Marlie. I need to attend Twitterversity because I have no clue what @, # or RT means, how to attend a Twitter party, or the difference between tweetdeck and hootsuite. If anyone is giving a seminar on Twitter, sign me up!
  

HUGE Savings on Classic Toys!

Coupons.com has just listed a shopping cart worth of big savings on many of your favorite toys and games. Check it out and get some Christmas shopping done early!

• $2.00 off (1) PLAYSKOOL MR. POTATO HEAD Classic
• $2.00 off (1) PLAYSKOOL LULLABY GLOWORM
• $5.00 off (1) PLAYSKOOL BUSY BALL POPPER
• $5.00 off (1) PLAYSKOOL SIT N' SPIN
• $2.00 off (1) PLAYSKOOL WHEEL PALS Mini 4-pack
• $2.00 off (1) PLAYSKOOL WHEEL PALS Playset
• $5.00 off (1) PLAYSKOOL EXPLORE 'N GROW
• $5.00 off (1) PLAYSKOOL WEEBLES TREEHOUSE
• $2.00 off (1) PLAYSKOOL WEEBLES 2-pack
• $5.00 off one (1) MLP Rainbow Dash Plane
• $4.00 off (1) U-BUILD MONOPOLY
• $4.00 off the purchase of (1) MONOPOLY Electronic
• $5.00 off any total CHUCK & FRIENDS purchase

The Perfect Gift for the BBQ Man: A Grill Cover!

Today is Damon's birthday.

Happy 35th Birthday to my husband, best friend, lover, baby daddy!

It's not easy to gift shop for my man. Let's just say he is particular. Do any of you also find it difficult to pick out a present for your significant other?

I put a lot of thought into what I buy him, and I usually have it wrapped and ready weeks ahead of his birthday. Not this year. I was coming up empty. I think I have bought him every type of gift under then sun from books to music to movies to golf shirts to boxer briefs to wallets. After 15 years together (10 of those married), I felt fresh out of ideas.

Then it occurred to me that a man might enjoy something to protect one of his prized possessions...his grill! Does your sweetheart lose sleep worrying about his grill-baby being left out in the elements? Then you should look into grill covers*.

Barbecue grill covers would make an excellent gift, don't you agree? They are functional and come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and color patterns to meet the need of any grill master.

Growing Tree Toys Wish List Giveaway!

With Christmas around the corner I have been thinking about creating a wish list of toys and games for Marlie, sort of like a list for Santa except it will go out to family and close friends so I can avoid making trips to retailers in the post-holiday madness to return gifts that I don't approve of.

Growing Tree Toys has a handy wish list tool and they've just announced a sweepstakes prize of an entire Wish List to a single winner!

To enter, simply create a Wish List anytime before October 31st, 2010 and add all your favorite toys to become eligible to win. At the end of October, Growing Tree Toys will pick a random winner from all of the Wish Lists, and that person will win all the toys on their Wish List (up to $1,000)!

I've already created a wish list for Marlie with these favorites: Wheely Bug Ride On Toy, Ducky Baby Spring Float with Canopy. What wish list would be complete without a Radio Flyer Ultimate Classic Wagon!

So, what are you waiting for?! Go create your Wish List today...don't delay the entry deadline is October 31st!

Wordless Wednesday: Just Being Picky

KitchenAid to the Rescue!

I just learned from BRANDfluential about this incredible contest sponsored by KitchenAid to win $8,000 worth of brand new kitchen appliances!

It's called "Rescue My Appliances!" and of course I entered because the kitchen in our Atlanta loft is dreadfully outdated. I submitted this photo:

Pretty bad, huh?!

If you think my kitchen deserves the makeover, please vote from November 3-17. Don't worry...I will remind you!

In the meantime, head over to KitchenAid and submit your own photo between October 5-November 2 for a chance to win! (this is not a contest just for bloggers)

Get Your Juice in the City!

Yoo-hoo! I have to tell you about a great new daily deals site aimed at fun moms. It's called Juice in the City.

Juice in the City aims to bring moms what they really want: insanely good deals on crazy-fun things to do...and great content. Each day Juice in the City features something fun for local moms to do at an incredible price. Juice in the City started in the SF Bay Area and is rolling out new cities across the country every few weeks. Check it out HERE!

Not only is the site fabulous, but you can earn money as an affiliate member like me (regardless of where you live and whether your city is supported)! Check it out and sign up!

Monday Morning Parent: My Baby's Veggie Tales

You should see/hear the reactions we get when we tell people that we are raising Marlie as a vegetarian. Most of it is simple curiosity, like how does she get her protein? I realize we live in America where beef is king (or is it chicken?) and that meat is a diet staple in this country. But it is a big misconception that human children or adults need to eat meat for sustenance. I am not bashing meat-eaters. Hey, I eat it too...although in better qualities and far less quantities than I used to. My point is that meat is a dietary choice not a dietary necessity, not to mention the negative impact that large-scale meat production has on our environment. I'll end my preaching there.

It's not hard to prepare vegetarian meals that provide the nourishment that your child's growing body needs. You will need to educate yourself about food and buy a good cookbook. A meatless diet doesn't have to be boring or restrictive. For example, I make (un)fries instead of french fries by boiling a potato, cutting it french-style, coating the pieces in olive or coconut oil, and baking until crisp. Even fruit and veggies can be fun! I smear almond butter on sliced pears, drizzle yogurt on bananas, and sprinkle grounded flax seeds on sweet potatoes. I also experiment with smoothies by mixing greens and fruit with almond or coconut milk for a refreshing treat packed with vitamins and minerals!

Here is a sample of Marlie's daily menu:

Breakfast: scrambled egg, porridge, fruit, almond/coconut milk
Morning Snack: fruit, almond/coconut milk
Lunch: organic Greek yogurt, vegetable, breastmilk
Afternoon Snack: fruit or vegetable*, water
Dinner: beans, vegetable, almond/coconut milk
*fruits and vegetables are bought fresh (preferably organic and locally grown), cooked or ripened to soften, then cut into spears or cubed so she can hold it and feed herself.

Here is a list of Marlie's favorite foods and some of the nutrients they provide:

• almond butter: iron, calcium, protein, riboflavin, folate, Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids
  
• almond milk: calcium, vitamin D, vitamin E, manganese, selenium, Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids
  
• apples: fiber, vitamin C
  
• avocados: fiber, protein, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B6, folate, potassium, magnesium
  
• bananas: vitamin B6, vitamin C, potassium
• beets: vitamin C, fiber, iron, folate, manganese
  
• blueberries: vitamin C, vitamin , manganese (also good source of antioxidants)
  
• carrots: vitamin A
  
• chickpeas/hummus: protein, fiber, iron, folate, manganese,
  
• coconut milk: vitamin B12, vitamin D (also a good source of medium chain fatty acids)
  
• eggs: vitamin B12
• kale: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K
  
• mangoes: vitamin A, vitamin C
• oatmeal, protein, fiber, iron, thiamin, Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids
• peaches: vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium
  
• pears: fiber, vitamin C
  
• pinto beans: protein, fiber, iron, folate
  
• potatoes: fiber, protein, iron, vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium
  
• quinoa cereal: protein, iron, fiber, folate, manganese
• spinach: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, calcium, protein
  
• sweet potatoes: fiber, iron, protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6
  
• tomatoes: vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium
  
• yogurt (Greek-style): protein, calcium (also a good source of probiotics)
  

There are some foods that we let Marlie have occasionally, but I call these the seldom/rarely foods:

• bread (whole grain or sprouted)
  
• cheese
• chips (blue corn tortilla)
• corn/corn grits
  
• fruit juices
• ginger cookies/arrowroot teething biscuits
• pancakes
• pasta
  
• popcorn
• rice
  

Not ready to convert yet? Try a meatless day or two with your family. Happy eating!

Disclaimer: I am not a professional dietitian or a nutritionist. Consult your family physician about making dietary changes. Please be mindful that some foods such as eggs and nuts are not recommended for babies under a year old. Always introduce new foods one at a time and watch for allergic reactions. Report any suspected food allergies to your child's pediatrician.

CLOSED...Rockin' Green Cloth Diaper Detergent: Review and Giveaway

I am about to confess a shameful secret, so brace yourselves...I had a smelly diaper problem. Wait, that's an understatement. Let me try again...I had a FUNKY diaper problem.

The shame began a few months ago when I noticed a lingering odor after I had washed Marlie's cloth diapers. I consulted various cloth diaper forums and discovered the culprits were hard water and my HE laundry machine. In case you didn't know, the E in HE stands for efficiency which is code for uses less water. But cloth diapers need lots of water to wash out the poop, pee and detergent. I tried extra rinses, but that only solved half the problem and used more energy. Imagine an army of water mineral deposits trapping millions of detergent and stink molecules in the diapers and you now have a mental picture of my dilemma. The only thing that kept the stank at bay was twice-a-month stripping (deep-cleaning), a long and tedious process of boiling and then washing the diapers. This method got old real fast.

I knew there had to be a better way, so I went online where my research led me to Rockin' Green. It comes in three different formulas designed for your type of water type and a variety of yummy scents. I was impressed by all the positive comments by Rockin' Green groupies, but was still hesitant. I decide to request some samples for review so I could make up my own mind. Using this handy map tool on their website, I chose the formula best suited for my needs:

As you can see, NE Texas is in the middle of the Hard Rock zone (Why am I not surprised?). I placed my order for Hard Rock and selected Lavender Mint Revival for my choice of scent. The samples arrived on laundry day and I shouted hooray! I decided to perform a full on assault on the enemy in embedded in the diapers by following the stripping instructions, which was very simple. The Rockin' Green FAQ offers THE BEST washing instructions and even laundering tips for certain machines. One trick I learned was that adding extra cold water to the first cycle improved the washing process...and it did help immensely!

I wasn't expecting a miracle for my first experience with Rockin' Green considering that the diapers had months of residue build up, but when the wash was done the ammonia smell was considerably diminished and the diaper fabric looked refreshed (not matted down with build up). I bet those 3 tablespoons of Hard Rock would have gotten the job done if I had let the diapers soak overnight.

Subsequent washes have eliminated the urine odor, set-in stains and detergent build up. Marlie's diapers are like new again. It's like little soap ninjas karate chopped the heck out of the residue then disappeared without a trace. Rockin' Green is a clean rinsing detergent! Plus the ingredients are safe for your baby's delicate skin and the planet. Now I know why Rockin' Green detergent has such a loyal cult following! Call me brainwashed because I already ordered a bag of the 45/90 Hard Rock, this time in the Rage Against the Raspberries scent and I also picked up a set of the wool dryer balls to reduce drying time. Now, I look forward to washing my cloth diapers.Buy It: Rockin' Green is available for purchase online and at retailers near you.

Win It: One lucky Marlie and Me reader is going to win a 45/90 load bag of Rockin' Green detergent in the winner's choice of scent and formula!

Mandatory first entry: Visit Rockin' Green and leave a comment here telling me which scent/formula you'd pick if you won. If you are commenting as Anonymous, please include first name and an email address
Extra Entries: Earn one (1) extra entry for completing each of the following (leave separate comments for each):

• Be a current or new follower of Marlie and Me via Google Friend Connect
• Be a current or new subscriber of Marlie and Me via email (subscription must be activated)
• Grab my button (leave the URL in your comment)
• New! Follow me on Twitter and tweet this giveaway (leave the URL in your comment)
• New! Vote for Marlie and Me at Picket Fence Blogs (click button above Google Friend Connect widget)

The rules:

• This giveaway will end on 10/20 /10 at 11:59 pm CST
• Winner will be chosen randomly from all comments posted using Random.org
• The winner will be notified by email and have 48 hours to respond. Please make sure I can contact you either by having an email address visible on your blog profile or leave your email address in your comment(s).
• In the event the prize is not claimed in the allotted time another winner will be chosen. Giveaway is open to US residents only. Must be at least 18 years of age to participate. Void where prohibited.
• By accepting the prize, the winner is granting permission to be identified as such.The winner's mailing address will be forwarded to the sponsor for prize fulfillment.
• NEW RULE: the winner has one (1) month from the date of claiming the prize to report any problems (lost shipment, broken product). I will not be responsible for resolving issues after this time.
• Entries that do not follow instructions or are falsified will be disqualified

Baby Log: 1 year and 7 Weeks Old

One of the things that I have been dreading since becoming a mom happened on Friday...Marlie removed her diaper and smeared poop all over her crib. That does it. She is wearing a onesie during the day from now on. I removed the poo-covered sheets, blankets, and toys then plunked her down in the bathtub. After getting her cleaned up, the other thing I have been dreading since becoming a mom happened next...she fell off the changing table. I had just laid her down and was reaching for a cloth wipe when she suddenly kicked backward like she was launching into a backstroke and went off the short side of the dresser. I was helpless to stop her fall. It happened so fast, but felt like slow motion. She somersaulted in the air and landed on her stomach. I have never been so glad to have carpet. Her reaction was slow. I think she was stunned at first, but then she started wailing. All I could do was rock and kiss her. My little stunt girl. I have 10 more gray hairs.
Also this week...

• The diaper thing came to a head on Friday, but she had already pulled another stunt earlier in the week when she took off her diaper, peed on the laminate floor in my office, then proceeded to kneel down and lick it up! yuck. gross. ick. disgusting.
• She has regained her appetite and is eating everything she can get her hands on, including two eggs for breakfast. She suddenly likes bananas too.
  
• This week she showed me that she knows what to do with a tissue. If I give her a Boogie Wipe, she wipes her nose and then blows! She's a baby genius, I tell you!
• I have been reading her my all-time favorite children's book, Miss Nelson is Missing. She hates when I read the part of Miss Viola Swamp in a witch voice.
• I took her to our neighborhood park for the first time. I know, I know this outing was long overdue, but we couldn't go in the summer when it was 100+ degrees everyday. Anyway, she loved it. The slide, the swing, the seesaw, the dirt. We are definitely going to go the the park more often.
• This week I won $50 to AnytimeCostumes.com from Minnesota Mama's Must Haves and I won the GLEE Season 1 DVD box set from Parental Views Online Mag!
  

Soapbox Saturday: Sesame Street Made a Boob of Themselves

If you are a parent, you've heard the brouhaha over Katy Perry's guest appearance on Sesame Street. It started when this video was previewed on YouTube:



Irate mothers (I assume they were mothers because what hot-blooded male would object to Katy Perry?) contacted PBS and complained that Miss Perry's outfit was too revealing. They did not want their children to see that much cleavage (the violence in their video games is OK, but that is a different post). Sesame Street succumbed to the pressure and pulled the plug on the episode.

Before I state my opinion on this unfortunate event, I want to make it known that I personally do not like Katy Perry's style of bubblegum pop. The fact that I am not a fan of her music uniquely qualifies me to to enter the fray because I do not take what happened to her as a personal attack. I am also not getting up on my soapbox to defend her honor. I am defending something else called common sense.

I watched the video before the storm broke. I did not think Katy's outfit was racy. I did not find her cleavage offending. We all know Katy Perry's cups overfloweth and maybe that's the root of this whole controversy. Raise your hand if you know at least 5 moms who complain about their sagging boobs? Don't most, if not all women, wish we had full, bouncy breasts like Katy Perry's?

So there you have it...Mom with droopy breasts + Katy Perry's perky bosom in her face=misplaced righteous indignation. That's right! I'm calling out the little green monster, and I am not talking about Oscar.

Sesame Street's decision not to air the episode troubles me for another reason. I am worried about what it teaches little girls about body image. Does this not reinforce the misogynistic attitude that the female body is something to be ashamed of?

Besides, there are more important battles to be fought concerning boobs like breast cancer...um, hello!

So, let me know what you think about this firestorm...

Footnote:
Kat Perry went on to spoof the whole controversy on Saturday Night Live wearing a tight Elmo tee cut down the middle of the neckline. She and her sweater puppies are doing just fine.