Mail Call: October 17 - 22

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! We drove to Wichita on Saturday to visit my dad's family ~ my Great Gma Mary, Gma Reta and Aunt Tracie. We had a pretty good visit and even got to go to a local pumpkin patch :D

As far as my mailbox goes, I got lots of great freebies and products to review - check it out:

• Pink Ribbon pin (freebie from OneSaleADay.com) 
• Package from Hail Merry which included: a pin, Chocolate Macaroons, and Blonde Macaroons, and brochure (PR for FFF) 
• Inflatable Hair Wig from AlwaysFits.com (PR for FFF) 
• Gift Tag To/From Stickers from Disney Movie Club (freebie) 
• Autograph “plates”x 6 from Gretchen Robin (freebie)
• Basa Body Stick & Lotion (PR & Giveaway for FFF)
• “Heaven is for Real for kids” (BR for FFF)
• Tub Plug x 2 (PR & Giveaway for FFF)
• “The Nametag Principle” (BR for FFF) w/ my name written on it and signed by the author
• Gold Fleur Di Lis earrings from Darcus Tori.com (PR for FFF)
• Kleenex Cool Touch sample from Target (freebie)
• Loopeez shoe tying aid & laces (PR for FFF)
• A package from Smile.ly which included: a freebie coupon for Hunts tomatoes, a freebie coupon for PAM spray, a spatula and a pyrex dish
• 100 x my custom stickers w/the girls’ pics on them (freebie for doing a PR/Giveaway for CustomizedStickers.com)

MAM Rock-a-bye Baby Party

October is almost over, and before it ends I have to share the most exciting news!!! I was selected among many applicants to be a host for MAM's Rock-a-bye Baby Party from Child's Play Party.

What is MAM?

We’re MAM - the small Austrian company with big ideas! From our start in 1976, our mission has been to combine outstanding design, optimal functionality and medical know- how to a line of smart baby products. Starting with one unique pacifier, today MAM’s range includes a variety of intelligent baby design in four key areas- pacifiers, bottles, teethers and oral care. (All BPA-Free!)

The core of our success is the collaboration of professionals who provide visionary design and medical know-how-to everything we do. The result is wonderful products that satisfy the highest expectations of parents and give babies the best start in life.

The Package
Child's Play Party sent me an enormously HUGE box full of goodies for up to 10 guests and myself! The following products were included in up to three colors: Anti-Colic (5 oz & 8 oz), Pacifiers (night), Pacifier clip, Oral Care Rabbit, Training/First Brush Oral Care set, Cooler teether, Bite & Brush teether, Nipples (three different stages) and prizes for my guests as well (a frame, lipgloss, candles, & cookie cutters).

The Party
The party took place on a Sunday afternoon in our playroom (located conveniently downstairs in our house). I had several of my close friends and family attend, along with their babies ages 0 - 2 years old.

Here is baby Gentry sporting one of her favorite pacifiers from MAM!

I gathered together all of my old baby shower bags and divided them into groups - boys, girls and both :D Since some of the products were pink/purple, blue and then green.

A game we played at the party - where you had to bring a picture of your baby. You could compare height, weight, and age, in their very own Birth Announcement.

My oldest loved the Oral Care Rabbit, which teaches your kids how to brush their teeth (starting when they are first born!).

My girls loved modeling for everyone how to use the products!

Along with all the great goodies from the box that was sent, it also included a few game ideas as well...."Test Your Baby I.Q." which was extremely educational! We learned all about MAM, pacifiers, oral care and more! We had several great conversations about colic, SIDS, teething, bottles, breastfeeding and more.

We also loved "Baby Loves to Dance" ~ where all the babies and their mommies danced to music :D

Most of my guests had never even heard of MAM (and I hadn't either!). But when everyone left, they all said how they will definitely be sharing what they learned from my party!

Thank you so much to MAM USA and Child's Play Party, for allowing me to host such an amazing party with my friends and family! And thank you for being so patient, since has taken me almost 2 weeks to have this email posted!

If you would like to learn more about this great company and their incredible products, please visit their website, find them on Facebook, and/or follow them on Twitter! Also, if you are interested in hosting your own party someday (where you get free products that you can keep and share with others) please visit Child's Play Party.

Mail Call: October 10 - 15

I know that I haven't posted any pictures lately...so here is one that I hope you all enjoy! Don't you just love Destin's outfit, that she picked out all by herself? :)

This weekend we didn't really do a whole lot...we went to a wedding on Saturday (where the pic was taken above), then to our very LAME Greenwood festival afterwards (the first one ever). Then Sunday, we had lunch with my mom (Gma Melanie) to celebrate her birthday - where Arwen screamed happily the entire time, and Destin complained of a tummy ache (did I mention she threw up about 8 times this weekend??).

I am not really sure why she got sick, but it was mostly clear and just happened after drinking a lot of milk from her cup. I am thinking we may have to be more careful about cleaning her cups - they just don't seem to get as clean as they need to be. Or maybe just use the throw away cups? Dealing with a child that is throwing up is definitely not fun - I just hope that whatever it is - it goes away soon!

This afternoon after eating lunch, and Arwen taking her nap...we walked to the park and watched daddy "practice" catching/hitting softballs for his game tonight. I think he is supposed to play another two weeks, and then he will be finished until next year.

Now for this week's mail call...

• Shadora sent me a necklace for doing a PR/Giveaway w/them via FFF (freebie)
• M magazine for KC moms (freebie)
• Lovable Labels holiday pack (PR/Giveaway for FFF)
• Digiorno coupon for $2.00 off
• L&M cigarette coupons (YUCK!)
• MyClyns (PR/Giveaway for FFF)
• Free Halloween card that I made from Tinyprints.com (sent to my Great Gma Mary)
• Solutions magazine/catalog
• I-Say package ~ shampoo & conditioner (full bottles to try out ~ freebie)
• "Healing with Words" (BR for FFF)

Mail Call: October 3 - 8

Hello! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! On Monday (last week), I went for my 1 month checkup on my Lasik eye surgery ~ and they said I am seeing 20/10 in both eyes! Which is better than what I was seeing before the surgery - absolutely amazing!! Then the girls and I went to the park for about an hour to play. I am loving this Fall weather here! Its a mix between spring/summer - not too hot, not too cold.

Tuesday, our friends came over for a Burrito Party (sponsored by Reds - a PR/Giveaway I am hosting for FFF). It was nice to spend some time with them :D The rest of the week was pretty laid back - the girls and I went to the park a couple times. The weather here has been in the upper 70s to low 80s all week. Its crazy to think that in Colorado (where my Dad & Stepmom live) it is SNOWING!!! WOW!

I hope everyone out there had a wonderful week/weekend! We went to our niece's 9th birthday - I still remember her 1st :( I just know that our girls are growing to grow up that fast too...sigh...

Check out all the great stuff that came in the mail this week...

• Copper bracelet from DarcusTori.com (freebie)
• Heart shaped diamond earrings from DarcusTori.com (freebie)
• Incredibum's Package ~ came with 1 cloth diaper, 1 wipe and 1 wetbag (PR & Giveaway for FFF)
• Spike Your Juice (PR & Giveaway for FFF)
• Muscle Soak Bath Salts from SF Bath Salt Comp. (PR & Giveaway for FFF)
• "When God Whispers Your Name" (BR for FFF)
• "Save our species" Coloring book from EPA (freebie)
• T-shirt for Destin from 2chix.com (PR & Giveaway for FFF)
• Tommee Tippee Manual Breast Pump (freebie - I won this in a giveaway!)
• Shutterfly books x 2 (freebies - one for me, and one for my mom as a surprise bday gift)
• Tiny Prints birthday card for my mom (freebie)
• Smilely Halloween Cookies (PR for FFF)
• My Canvas from CanvasPeople (freebie - just had to pay S&H)
• House Party package ~ Everybody Dance PS3 party...it came with: 1 Everybody Dance game, 1 demo disc, 18 cups, 18 coasters, 18 bracelets, 18 Glitter tubes, 18 coupons and as a BONUS 10 magic decoders
• Darcus Tori Round Black Onyx Stud Earrings (PR for FFF)
• "Unions = Jobs" bumper stickers x 2

I am sure I am forgetting something...but had a really great week :D Feel free to comment and tell me what you got in your mailbox this week!

Mail Call: September 26 - October 1

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! We went to Worlds of Fun with some friends on Saturday night, and to my dismay it was incredibly packed. I really wanted to go to the Haunted Houses there (they have over 6 to choose from), but each one had a line over 2 hours long! Yikes!

Check out all the great freebies and products that I got this week in the mail to review:

• Teas’ Tea grocery bag & 2 samples of their tea (PR for FFF)
• Cottonelle toilet paper cover (freebie)
• BOGO FREE Borden pint wyb 1 gallon of Borden Milk coupon (freebie)
• “Turn Setbacks into Greenbacks” book (BR for FFF)
• “Visual Marketing” book (BR for FFF)
• Huggie’s coupons
• Pamper’s Gift to Grow REWARD ~ I ordered a Melissa and Doug chunky board puzzle for the girls (I think I might save this for a Christmas gift)…came with a small FREE pkg of wipes & coupons too :D
• Heely’s shoes for ME (PR for FFF)
• P&G coupon booklet (over $35 worth of savings!)
• Cover Me Strap (PR for FFF)
• Freschetta Fresh Connection package – filled with FREE coupon for Freschetta Pizza (12 oz or larger) and 2 pair of Freschetta Proud to Support Pink earphones (PR & Giveaway for FFF)
• The Couponizer (PR & Giveaway for FFF)
• Red’s Burrito Box – filled with 10 burritos (2 chicken, 2 steak, 3 bean & rice, and 3 turkey & mole), a t-shirt, a folder with info & a button to wear (PR & Giveaway for FFF)
• Sibu Beauty package ~ Sea Buckthorn Hydrating Serum & Face/Body Bar (PR & Giveaway for FFF)
• Swiffer (freebie)
• Loveable Labels ~ Halloween labels (PR & Giveaway for FFF)

October is here!

Time just seems to be flying by lately, and I have been having a hard time staying updated with my blog and shutterfly share site. So since I woke up in the middle of the night, and could not go back to sleep, I figured now is as good a time as any!
For the past month or so, I have been leaving mini updates on my weekly mail call posts. Which seems to picking up quite a bit! Between watching the girls, cleaning the house, cooking three times/day and more...its really hard to find a time to do all the product reviews and giveaways that I would like to. I still am loving every minute of it though! In fact, over the past few weeks I have received some really neat products to review - including leggings for the girls, a Halloween costume for Arwen, hair stuff, books, an entire box full of burritos (YUM!) and more! I will update this week's mail call probably on Sunday night or Monday :)

Destin and Arwen are doing wonderful! I have been slacking on some good updates, but I wanted to share the Destin is now 31 months old! She never ceases to amaze me how incredibly smart she is! She knows all of her ABCs - the sounds, the uppercase letters and words that are associated with each. We are currently working on recognizing lowercase letters, numbers 1 - 20 (which she can already count, I would just like her to see the number and say it aloud), and writing the letters of her name. Some may think that she may be too young to start learning how to write, but she is definitely ready. Destin absolutely loves to draw, paint, color and more...so it seems just right to get her started on learning how to write her name.

Sadly, it seems like Destin is still as strong headed as ever - and does not want to sleep in her own bed. It has been several months (if not longer) since she has slept in her bed all night; and that is after we transfer her from our bed. I just wish there was some type of magic way of encouraging her to sleep in her bed/in her room. I have tried talking to her about why she should sleep in her bed, and that if she does I would give her a "special treat" or a visit to her new favorite place "Chuck E. Cheese". But...she thinks that she should get the special treat/visit whether she sleeps in her bed or not. Now, when I talk to her about it, she says there are monsters in her room :( Does anyone have any suggestions?

Arwen is now 14 months old. She is such an explorer! Climbing, hiding, running, and laughing all the while. Arwen is such a happy girl, but is still very much a "mama's girl". She loves to play with her big sister, but also really enjoys playing by herself sometimes too. Her new love for the past couple months has been "Elmo" and she talks about him all the time. I just love to listen to Arwen talk. She is learning new words, and sounds everyday. Currently, she can make the sounds for the following animals: a duck, cow, dog, cat, monkey, owl, sheep and more! We are still working on recognizing body parts - she likes to stick her finger up her nose, every time I ask her where her nose is! Too funny!

Arwen is still such an amazing sleeper! I am so incredibly thankful for that! I know I have said it before, and I will say it again - I don't think I could handle both girls having sleep issues. Arwen still goes to bed around 8 PM and wakes up about 7:30 AM or so. She has been doing this since she was 6 weeks old! How did we get so lucky?!

Her eating habits haven't been so great though. I noticed that since the pediatrician told me to switch from 2% to whole, that neither one of the girls eats hardly anything. I am wondering if I need to switch back? They both drink milk constantly, and I really think that is what fills them up all day long. No matter what the meal is, or what is being served, they just don't seem to eat a lot. I know my cooking isn't that bad! Ha!

Patrick is doing good...he got hurt last week on the job, and cut his face. From the middle of his forehead, down the bridge of his nose, and under his right eye. Very scary, and very big noticeable mark which will probably leave a scar. We are just very thankful that it did not cause any major damage. He is still playing softball twice a week now, but I am not sure how much longer he can last. After every game he comes home being sore, and with new injuries. I think they are supposed to play until the end of October.

As far as my update goes...my eyes are still doing wonderful since my Lasik. I have my one month appt on Monday. And, I got my check from the insurance this week - which paid for 90%! Woo hoo! It is so amazing to wake up everyday and NOT need my glasses/contacts! My allergies are still drivin me crazy, and I hope that they go away forver and ever. And last but not least, I have been thinking about running/walking a 5K at the end of this month to benefit breast cancer. Someone I love very much was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, and I would like to do it for her. I am wondering how much time and healthy eating/preparing it would take for me to do this though. Does anyone have experience with running or walking a 5K?

Tomorrow night, Patrick and I are going on a much needed date night to World's of Fun. I am so excited to check out all the haunted houses they have! Halloween is one of my favorite holidays! If I had more more I would definitely have every decoration out there! We were supposed to go with our good friends, but since they couldn't find a sitter, and the entire month of October is getting booked up like crazy for both of us...we had to find someone else to go with :( I am so sad that we couldn't go with them, but we have already made plans to go next year in the Spring! We are making plans a year ahead of time!

Well, I think I have "talked" your ear off enough for tonight! I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! And a good start to your October :D Take care, Melissa