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Friday, October 31, 2008

Tanya

Those woman issues we all love talking about

So I don't know about you guys but I have had my share of "female issues" to last lifetime plus. Right after we got married I was told to have children soon because I would have a hysterectomy at a young age. Well I have almost made it to 30. That is good news to me! Over the years medical advances have given us as women so many more opportunities than we had 10 years ago when I was given this news. But do you know what your options are? I found this great site that informs us of your different options. From pregnancy to surgery this site covers it all. This site also has a physician finder. I think one the greatest laws ever passed (and I don't know if this was just in Washington or Nation wide) but being able to choose our OB based on who we like not who is on our insurance carriers list!
Here are some astounding facts from a recent email I received from Mom Central on some options many woman do not know about or do not ask about.
"The US News & World reported that, out of the one in four women who receive hysterectomies, approximately 85% are still treated with traditional open abdominal surgical methods, despite the perfection of a decades old laparoscopic procedure that leaves the ovaries and cervix in place."
So I urge you to check out this site and look for a doctor who may be able to find you other options for your female issues.
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Tanya

Say Boo to The Flu

Since posting earlier this week about MRSA, I personally learned more about the flu bug. And what I found is astounding.
Did you know the CDC recommends flu vaccinations for children 6 months to 18 years old?
Many people die every year from the flu. Many times you should get vaccinated if come in contact with the elderly or infants regularly so you don't give them the flu because it is often fatal for them. Here are some quick tips to help you out!
Quick Tips:
Sing & Scrub - Make sure kids wash their hands frequently with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds. That's the time it takes to sing the Happy Birthday song twice. That will clean off any germs that they may unknowingly pick up throughout the day and keep them from passing them on.
Do the Elbow Cough - Cough into elbows, not hands where it's more likely to spread bacteria and viruses through touch.
Disinfect Hot Spots - Disinfect the surfaces kids touch most frequently with disinfecting products.
Follow Good Health Guidelines - Eat right, exercise, and get plenty of sleep. That will help boost your immune system which is your body's way of fighting off the effects of colds and flu.
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Thursday, October 30, 2008

Tanya

Finally picture of cute top!


Here it is as promised!
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Tanya

Candy Recall Just in Time for Halloween! Please Read!

Pirate's Gold Chocolate Coins recalled for containing melamine.
Please read this article at Snopes.com that verifies this is a true story.
This from Canadian Food Inspection Agency website:
"OTTAWA, October 8, 2008 – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume, distribute, or sell the Sherwood Brands Pirate’s Gold Milk Chocolate Coins described below. This product is being recalled due to positive test results for melamine conducted by the CFIA.
The affected product, Sherwood Brands Pirate’s Gold Milk Chocolate Coins, is sold in 840g containers containing 240 pieces per container bearing UPC 0 36077 11240 7 and lot code 1928S1.
This product is sold nationally through Costco stores and may also have been sold in bulk packages or as individual pieces at various dollar and bulk stores across Canada.
If the original product identity and UPC code is not evident, consumers are advised to check with their retailer to determine if they have the affected product.
Retailers and distributors are advised to stop distributing Sherwood Brands Pirate’s Gold Milk Chocolate Coins and to initiate a voluntary recall of this product. The CFIA will be working with the importers to remove the affected product from the marketplace.
There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.
Although the health risk associated with these products is considered to be low, the advisory is being issued as a result of the Government of Canada’s ongoing investigation into milk and milk-derived products sourced in/from China that may have been distributed in Canada.
The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.
Melamine is a chemical compound used in a number of commercial and industrial applications. Canada does not allow its use as a food ingredient.
For more information consumers and industry can call the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday).
For information on receiving recalls by e-mail, or for other food safety facts, visit our web site at www.inspection.gc.ca."

Just to be safe and not trying to find out which brand of coin we get any and all chocolate coins will be thrown out before consumed at our house this year!
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Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Tanya

Week 18/19 Update

Well 14 more days until we find out if Ashlee is Ashlee or a boy! Yesterday morning I woke up to my new personal alarm clock. The rhythmic kicking, moving, swimming, whatever it was but I was able to feel it from the outside of my belly! I have been able to feel her for sometime from within but yesterday was the first time we could feel her from the outside! SO AWESOME! Can't wait until the ultrasound!
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Tanya

My newest FAVORITE juice!

Okay so I am probably the last to try this stuff but last week I was at the hospital cafe getting some breakfast after having blood drawn and I wanted juice. Recently I have been making strawberry smoothies at home with frozen strawberries and yogurt. I can't seem to get enough fruit. So instead of the same old OJ I decided to take the plunge and try it, Naked Juice!
Well if you have not tried it you are missing out! I have had one EVERYDAY since! These things are GREAT! So far I have only tried the Mango Madness and the Red Machine. But WOW! Just like the smoothies I make at home but now I can have them anywhere, even at work!
So if you have not tried them, go do it now! They taste great and are full of vitamins! I'm calling the local Costco to see if they carry it, if not I'm requesting it!
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Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Tanya

Stop MRSA Now!

Well cold and flu season is upon us! If you have not gotten your flu shot yet WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? Along with cold and flu season is a very serious and many times fatal year-round infection we all need to be worried about as well, MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. This infection is an antibiotic resistant Staph infection. I personally know two people who in the last year have contracted this infection. One got it from her unnamed gym, the other from the hospital. So what can you do to prevent MRSA? Below are some tips found on the Stop MRSA Now website.
  • Scrub up - Wash hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 15 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand rub sanitizer.
  • Wipe it down - Use a disinfecting bleach solution to wipe down and disinfect hard surfaces. (1 tablespoon of disinfecting bleach diluted in 1 quart of water)
  • Cover your cuts - Keep any nicks or wounds covered with a clean, dry bandage until healed.
  • Keep to yourself - Do not share personal items, like towels or razors, that come into contact with bare skin.
  • Use a barrier - Keep a towel or clothing between skin and shared equipment.
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Monday, October 27, 2008

Tanya

The Learning Habits of a 4-year old

So Carson is learning the art of negotiation. Well at least he is trying to. We are trying to teach him when he asks to do thing or asks for something our answer is the answer. No negotiating. For example, he will ask if he can bring his reflective necklace into daycare. He is told no because the rules are no taking toys into daycare. But instead of accepting that answer he replies, "but I need it so no one will run me over." Good negotiating but not the proper way to accept the answer from mommy or daddy. So needless to say we have had long talks about the answer you get is the answer. Don't ask a second or third time. Makes the days awful long. But man he is SO stinking cute!
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Friday, October 24, 2008

Tanya

Art Ideas for your little ones!

So my 4-year old LOVES art. He loves to do art, coloring, cutting, painting (messy factor) and look at art. Unfortunately art is messy but there are ways arouCheck Spellingnd that. But also I often run out of ideas more than anything, so we color a lot. I recently found this WONDERFUL blog called, Let's Explore - Creative Activities for Preschoolers. Personally, I feel it does not matter how old your child is, if they love art projects then you have to subscribe to this blog. The first thing I bought from their store was the rock crayons and some rubbing plates for the Bird Rubbings + Book craft. I got them in like 2 days! WOW! Quick shipping. From a post last week I was able to add the supplies to my Amazon order. I got the paint bellows and some stencils for the Autumn Splatter Tree craft. Now I just have to hold off to give them to the little one for Christmas! I highly suggest this blog! Great ideas daily.
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Thursday, October 23, 2008

Tanya

Teething Bling! Review and Giveaway

My favorite part of this year's 24/7 MOMS Conference was MOMS Favorites (like Oprah's Favorites). We got tons of great, new mom products. One of my favorites was Teething Bling by SmartMom. All of the conference participants got at least one of these great products. They are fashionable jewelry that can be worn, and chewed on by your teething children. What a GREAT concept. When you children are young all they want to do is pull at your jewelery and eat it. With Teething Bling they can! There is also a breakaway clasp so you won't get chocked and the necklace will not break! They come in may different colors. They also have bracelets and key chains. According to the information I received the products are made from silicone that is phthalate and lead free, non-toxic, dishwasher-safe and federally approved. Even if you are not a mom you may know a mom who could use one of these great products. They are great for moms, aunts, and grandmas too! SmartMom was very generous in sending me 7 necklace and bangles sets to give a way to my readers.

To enter go to http://www.smartmomjewelry.com/ and post a comment about your favorite product and color. Entries will be accepted through November 16, 2008 and I will pick the winner using Random.org. US readers are only eligible. Make sure you leave an email address in your comment or that you have one accessible on your blog so you can be contacted if you win! I will also list the winner on PRIZEYwinners so if you are a subscriber to PRIZEYwinners you do not need to leave your e-mail address. If you do not send me your mailing address within two weeks of notice of winning I will give your prize to someone else.
To get extra credit
Bloggers - Blog about this contest and leave me the link on your comment, or add me to your sidebar and let me know its there.
Non Bloggers (or bloggers) subscribe to my mailing list/RSS feed and earn another entry! Must be a NEW subscription, current subscribers may not use this as extra credit.
Please post your extra credit in a separate post.
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Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Tanya

Our Sexy Planet

In June I posed the question to my readers if plastic bottles were toxic to our bodies, not to mention filling up our landfills. I have to admit, we have not completely stopped using plastic bottles but I have researched our other options. I found this great website called Earthlust. They were nice enough to send me a sample of one of their Stainless Steel Bottle for Cold Beverages. This wonderful water bottle has come in handy and made our plastic bottle use reduce over time.
At Earthlust they make Products for Our Sexy Planet, promoting products to help reduce waste and keep our planet clean and beautiful. They have many different sizes and designs of water bottles. And you hand wash them with diluted vinegar or baking soda. Pretty simple! Check out my new favorite GREEN product site, Earthlust.
Here are some links to some articles on plastic and the possible contaminates they hold:
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Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Tanya

PICTURES!!!!

Ok enough! Here is a belly picture and a picture of the cute top I got from Babies N Bellies (to come as soon as my blog will cooperate!)

17 weeks

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Tanya

Cozi and Betty Crocker have teamed up!

Back in May I blogged about a great new program to help you get organized called Cozi. This is an application you can use on your desktop or online. I got an email this week that Cozi had teamed up with Betty Crocker and now when you use the online app you can also access the Betty Crocker website while assembling your shopping list. 1000's of recipes at your fingertips!
So if you have not already sign up visit Cozi today.
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Monday, October 20, 2008

Tanya

Babies N Bellies

I found this GREAT website while searching for maternity leggings. MOST sites wanted almost or over $50 for leggings! Then I came across Babies N Bellies. Enters leggings, $19.99. What a deal! I contacted the owner of the site and let them know how much I loved their site and they sent my the most wonderful maternity shirt I have ever put on. Seriously it was as comfortable as pajamas! It looked great and felt great. I got TONS of comments at work about the top and how "pregnant" I looked! YEAH, it is about time! Here is a pic!
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Tanya

What Are You Going to be This Year?

Halloween is a very fun time of year at our house. What will everyone be? Last year we were the Incredibles. Yes women and spandex costumes don't mix! Well this year Carson is going to be Handy Manny. Equipped with his handy toolbox, the costume is merely a green shirts and jeans. Now I on the other hand being the expectant mother had to find something to fit the occasion! I found the perfect costume at Halloween Costumes . Why what would be the prefect costume for a pregnant woman you ask? Why a Bun in the Oven of course!!!! And what better for the husband than the Bun Maker!
Be sure to check out Halloween Costumes . They also have a great deal on shipping and you can still get your costume by Halloween!
COUPON: 10OFF100 Spend $100 and get $10 back. Make a purchase where your subtotal equals $100 and more and we give you 10$ back.
COUPON: 50OFF2DA Spend 80$ and we'll take 50% off UPS 2Day Air shipping. Usually the shipping cost is 13-15$ for one typical costume.
COUPON: 90OFFGROUND Spend 60$ and we'll take 90% off UPS Ground shipping. Usually the shipping cost is 6-8$ for one typical costume.
They have costumes for all ages and size! So I pose to my readers, what are you gonna be?
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Friday, October 17, 2008

Tanya

FREE Online Scrapbooking Class

This looks SO cool! I'm signing up! Here are the details.

This class is called Stories In Hand. Check out this post http://spraguelab.squarespace.com/blog/2008/10/10/new-class-stories-in-hand.html

I truly believe that is you scrapbook or not you need to write down your stories. NOT type them. WRITE them. Our stories are precious!

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Thursday, October 16, 2008

Tanya

Week 17

I will be posting a new belly pic this week. I don't feel bigger and know I have lost another pound because I went for a flu shot last week and got weighed. My next follow up appointment is next Wednesday. No, not the ultrasound appointment!
So here is the TMI fact for the week. I have allergies and take allergy meds but at night they wear off, sneezing and pregnancy DON'T mix. Almost peed my pants a couple times tonight!
Until later...
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Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Tanya

October 15th is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day

This post is dedicated to all of my friends and family who have lost children at infancy or pregnancy.

Almost one year ago I miscarried my second pregnancy. My husband wanted to wait to tell everyone but I wanted to shout it form the roof tops. What could go wrong? The first pregnancy went off without a problems! Seven weeks into my pregnancy I miscarried. I did not want to talk to anyone I just wanted it to go away and try again. Well we did, and today I am 17 weeks along with my third pregnancy. I thank the Lord every day for this pregnancy and pray that we will have a healthy baby.
October 15th is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day

DEATH IS NOTHING AT ALL.
I have only slipped away into the next room.
I am I, and you are you,
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.

Call me by the old familiar name.
Speak of me in the easy way which you always used.
Put no difference into your tone.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed
At the little jokes that we enjoyed together

Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.

Let my name be ever the household word that it always was.
Let it be spoken without an effort,
Without the ghost of a shadow behind it.

Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was.
There is absolute and unbroken continuity.

What is death but a negligible accident?
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am but waiting for you, for an interval,
Somewhere very near,
Just around the corner.

All is well.

(Henry Scott Holland)
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Tanya

Taking My Blog to the Next Level

Good evening readers! Well I am still here. I have just been taking a short breather! But now I am back and ready to go. So here is a question for you, and I hope to hear form you all.
What do you think about my blog? Honest truth here.
What do you like? What do you dislike? What do you want more of?
Send it to me I am ready to hear it all!
Thanks for reading!
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Sunday, October 12, 2008

Tanya

What a WONDERFUL weekend I had!

To my readers! I had such a wonderful weekend I wanted to share with you! If you did not attend the first ever 24/7 MOMS conference you totally missed out! It was a great weekend event. We got TONS of free cool stuff. We had a wonderful singer, Jenn Alexander. Great speakers, Trisha Novotny, Julie Barnhill, Ginger Braaten, Karen Kennedy, and many many more! You can check out the video of the event below. If you want to stay informed of 24/7 MOMS events join the mailing list at http://www.247moms.com/ Can't wait until next year!!!!


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Friday, October 3, 2008

Tanya

My take on the Kenmore brand!

So here I go another grip but it has to be said. I have wanted a blue washer and dryer ever since they came out. Well a little under a year ago we bought one! The first time we had ever purchased a BRAND NEW washer and dryer. Well like a said a little under a year ago and we have had NOTHING but problems with them! Within the first two weeks I got an ERROR 41 code on the dryer. I called support and she said turn it off let it sit for 15 minutes and start it again. hhhhmmm sounds really time saving doesn't it? NOT! I was furious asked "I just purchased this and I am suppose to turn it off and restart it every time I get and error message?"

So just this week we have found another annoying perk abut the washer this one is even better! So when you first start the washer cycle you get an ERROR F21 code. So I was thinking "Oh great! It's broken!" So I got online to research. Come to find out that MANY other people have this same problem and Kenmore refuses to recall the part that is making this happen. Note "part" it is not the entire machine just ONE PART. So needless to say I cannot start a load of laundry and go run errands. So here is what it does. When the cycle starts and the water starts cleaning out the soap dispenser I get the ERROR code. Then I have to hit the STOP and START button, not once, not twice but THREE times to get it to continue. So I thought "Great that is it? I can handle it." Others mentioned that is did this again throughout the cycle. But I did not have that problem. Well that lasted all of ONE day!

So now after the STOP and START button punching session at the beginning of the cycle, again with 21 minutes left I again have to push STOP and START, so far one time seems to work but tonight it took two.

Oh by the way did I tell you there is this ANNOYING beep every 10 seconds when the ERROR code are flashing until you clear it!
I hope Kenmore Googles themselves everyday and sees this. I have sent a report to consumer reports as well.

So needless to say I cannot leave home when doing laundry, which is, let's see EVERY DAY! Because if I leave it beeping our poor dog thinks it is an alarm and continues to bark until it stops. GOOD DOG! BAD WASHER!
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Thursday, October 2, 2008

Tanya

Week 15

Week 15 is here! And yes we are feeling MUCH better. No sickness for a week now!

Nothing really exciting or eventful this week. Showing more and more everyday of course. I will take another belly shot at 16 weeks. Man 4 months next week! WOW!

The baby is about 4.5"-5" long according to the "charts".

No we don't know the sex yet. That will come on November 12th! But we do still call her Ashlee.
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