Second Time Around

Wordless Wednesday: Practicing to be a Big Brother

2012-02-01T08:51:00.000-07:00

EatSmart Winner!

2012-02-01T08:49:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all of you who took the time to enter the EatSmart Precision Premium Bathroom Scale Giveaway. This is an awesome scale, so if you are in the market for a scale, I highly recommend you check it out! Now to find out who the lucky winner is...using random.org, the winner is:

#166 eclairre

Congratulations! The winner has been emailed and has 48 hours to respond or sadly a new winner will be drawn. Don't forget to enter all the other great giveaways I have going on now!

Stopain Cold Review & Giveaway

2012-01-31T22:06:00.001-07:00

Did you know that an estimated 76.5 million Americans suffer from incidences of pain, especially in the winter months when the cool weather aggravates the muscles and joints? I know that my body seems to have a lot more aches and pains in the winter. Fortunately, there is Stopain Cold which does exactly what the name says...stops pain.

About Stopain Cold

The active ingredient in Stopain is menthol, recognized by the FDA as an analgesic indicated for the temporary relief for minor pains and stiffness of arthritis, muscle aches, strains and simple backaches. It also contains peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil, recognized by the FDA for their analgesic properties. Extra-strength Stopain formulas are also formulated with glucosamine and MSM, essential nutrients that support joint health and mobility.

Stopain is also proud to be a Proceeds Sponsor of the Arthritis Foundation. The Stopain labels feature this sponsorship and for every unit of Stopain products sold, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Arthritis Foundation with a minimum contribution of $25,000.

Stopain Cold comes in Regular Strength Gel, Extra Strength Roll-On, Extra Strength Spray, and Regular Strength Spray. I was sent the Extra Strength Roll-On to review.

Stopain Cold gives immediate pain relief from arthritis, muscle aches, and back pain. It provides long-lasting pain relief. It really does work immediately. We tried it out and as soon as you roll it onto the place where your pain was, you could immediately feel it working. Your pain would disappear and in it's place you had a nice cooling sensation that lasted for hours. The pain continued to stay away all day. There is no mess and no stain with the product. There is a light medicinal scent to it but it's not too strong and doesn't last for too long.

We love Stopain Cold and are amazed at how quickly and effectively it works. So don't deal with pain this winter and instead stop the pain it's tracks with Stopain Cold.

GIVEAWAY: Thanks to Stopain Cold, one LUCKY winner will receive a bottle of Stopain Cold Roll-On just like I reviewed.

MANDATORY: To enter, you MUST be a public Google Friend Connect Follower of my blog AND tell me why you want to win Stopain Cold. (must do both, but is only one entry)
**Open to US ONLY (No PO BOX). Must be 18+ to enter. All entries that do not meet the mandatory entry will not be eligible to win. You MUST leave an email address or have it visible in your profile to be eligible to win.**

EXTRA ENTRIES:

**Please remember to leave one comment per each entry. So, if you get 5 entries, leave 5 comments. If you only leave one comment, then you only get one entry! Remember to leave an email address.**

-"Like" StopCold on Facebook
-Follow StopCold on Twitter

-Become a Facebook Fan/"Like" Second Time Around

-Post on Facebook about this Giveaway (including a link to this giveaway) (2 Entries)

-Subscribe to my blog by Email (3 Entries)

-Enter any of my current giveaways and tell me which ones (1 Entry for Each Giveaway Entered)

-Follow me on Twitter AND Tweet this giveaway and leave me the link to your tweet (1 Entry, Once Daily)

#win a Bottle of @stopain Cold Roll-On and Stop Pain Fast @tobinsmommy08 Ends 2/21 http://bit.ly/yD9fBA Open to US #giveaway

-Grab my Button and post it on your blog (3 Entries)

-Grab my Baby Shower Event Button and post it on your blog (don't forget to comment here so you can get extra entries into the event) (3 Entries)

-Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link to your post (3 Entries)

-Leave a relevant comment on an FEBRUARY non-giveaway post and tell me which ones (1 Entry Per Post, Limit 5)

This giveaway will end on February 21st at 10pm (MST). The winners will be drawn by random.org and will be notified by e-mail as well as announced on this blog. The winners will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner(s) will be chosen. Good Luck to all of you!

**I received the product I reviewed free of charge so I could do an honest review. I did not receive any other compensation. My reviews are 100% my own and others may have different opinions. A BIG thanks to Stopain Cold for the opportunity to host this great giveaway!**

EatSmart Precision Bathroom Scale ENDS TONIGHT!!! Low Entries!

2012-01-31T10:08:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to get your entries into the EatSmart Precision Digital Bathroom Scale Giveaway (ARV $59.95). This is an awesome scale that is not only accurate but also has a very sophisticated look. Right now there are less than 150 entries and lots of extra entries available, so be sure to get your entries in now! Good Luck!

Relieve Muscle Pain Fast With Arnicare Gel Review & Giveaway

2012-01-31T09:49:00.002-07:00

My husband has been working out a lot lately and so he comes home from the gym a lot with sore muscles. I also have muscle pains due to my pregnancy. So we were excited to try out Arnicare® Arnica Gel.

About Arnicare® Arnica Gel

Brought to you by Boiron, world leader in homeopathic medicines, Arnicare Gel, made from Arnica montana , works naturally to ease muscle pain and stiffness. It also works to reduce swelling and discoloration of bruises. Arnica is a mountain plant from the daisy family and has been used for centuries as a natural pain reliever and is recommended today by doctors, plastic surgeons and pharmacists—and used by professional athletes—worldwide.

Since Arnicare works naturally with your body, there’s no risk of overdose, no contraindications, no drug interactions, and no side effects when used as directed. This unscented homeopathic gel is quickly absorbed by the skin, it’s non-greasy and paraben-free, and it does not contain methyl salicylate or camphor—common ingredients found in many pain relief creams which can be toxic in large doses. This makes Arnicare Gel safe for the whole family.

Since I am pregnant, I have to be careful of what I put in and on my body. So I was so happy to find out that Arnicare works naturally and is homeopathic. This makes it safe for me to use while I am pregnant. I love the relief I get when I use it on my achy and sore muscles. Remember though, as with any medicine, women who are pregnant should check with their doctor before using Arnicare. It's unscented and is not greasy. My husband really enjoys using it too and he immediately starts to feel relief when he uses it.

Arnicare Gel can be purchased at Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid and Whole Foods, as well as independent pharmacies and health food stores. Arnicare is also available in several other forms, including cream, ointment, oral pellets and tablets. Suggested retail price for Arnicare Gel 2.6 oz is $9.99. So don't suffer with aches and pains, instead get Arnicare® Arnica Gel.

GIVEAWAY: Thanks to Arnicare, one LUCKY winner will receive a tube of Arnicare Arnica Gel .

MANDATORY: To enter, you MUST be a public Google Friend Connect Follower of my blog AND tell me why you would like to win.
**Open to US ONLY . Must be 18+ to enter. All entries that do not meet the mandatory entry will not be eligible to win. You MUST leave an email address or have it visible in your profile to be eligible to win.**

EXTRA ENTRIES:

**Please remember to leave one comment per each entry. So, if you get 5 entries, leave 5 comments. If you only leave one comment, then you only get one entry! Remember to leave an email address.**

-"Like" Arnicare on Facebook
-Follow Arnicare on Twitter
-Become a Facebook Fan/"Like" Second Time Around

-Post on Facebook about this Giveaway (including a link to this giveaway) (2 Entries)

-Subscribe to my blog by Email (3 Entries)

-Enter any of my current giveaways and tell me which ones (1 Entry for Each Giveaway Entered)

-Follow me on Twitter AND Tweet this giveaway and leave me the link to your tweet (1 Entry, Once Daily)

#win a @ArnicareUSA Arnica Gel to Relieve Sore Muscles and Bruises @tobinsmommy08 Ends 2/21 http://bit.ly/xwFUvv Open to US #giveaway

-Grab my Button and post it on your blog (2 Entries)

-Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link to your post (3 Entries)

-Leave a relevant comment on an JANUARY/FEBRUARY non-giveaway post and tell me which ones (1 Entry Per Post, Limit 5)

**I received the product I reviewed free of charge so I could do an honest review. I did not receive any other compensation. My reviews are 100% my own and others may have different opinions. A BIG thanks to Arnicare for the opportunity to host this great giveaway!**

Bashful Bump Maternity Bodysuits Review & Giveaway (Open to US & Canada)

2012-01-30T09:01:00.002-07:00

I am so happy that I am pregnant, but with that baby bump comes some major wardrobe changes. I love that there are so many cute and chic maternity clothes, but I keep finding that parts of my body that I would rather cover keep on becoming exposed. My tops always seem to ride up and I get so sick of tugging them down and even undershirts don't really work. So when I learned about Bashful Bump Maternity Bodysuits, I was so excited!

About Bashful Bump (from their website)

These cute and long maternity tops give you peace of mind. Bashful Bump Maternity Bodysuits are patented, one piece, maternity must-haves. Never again will you worry about lower belly or indecent backside exposure. Your long bodysuits will keep your pregnant bump modestly covered and you looking your best in your trendy mom-to-be maternity fashion. Flattering, sexy, basic, and trendy at the same time, you can order these maternity tops black or white, full-seat or thong panty. Each of the four maternity top styles comes with a built in shelf-bra for light support, making your own bra optional when layering your bodysuit under other maternity tops or sweaters. The top's nylon/spandex fabric is stretchy and smooth and looks great dressed up for a night out or dressed down for a prenatal workout. Wear these maternity tops alone and dress them up or layer them under other maternity tops. They're a modern maternity essential!

The bodysuits come in 4 different styles: camisole, tank top, cap sleeve, and three-quarter sleeve. They also come in your choice of white or black and full seat bodysuit or thong bodysuit. The sizes go from small to x-large.

I received the Cap Sleeve Maternity Bodysuit in white. I decided to get a medium since I am over 7 months pregnant and it fit me perfectly and I still have some room to grow. I was surprised at how comfortable the bodysuit was and how stylish it looks! My husband commented that it looked great on me and he did this without me asking, which does not happen too often! It has a built-in shelf bra for added support which I really like. I love that the bodysuit really shows off my bump, but nothing else! It works great as an undershirt or looks great just by itself!

The bodysuit has snaps on the bottom (just like a baby onesie) and are towards the front of the bodysuit so you can easily snap them on and off. It makes going to the bathroom a lot easier than having to take off the entire bodysuit.

I am very impressed with the bodysuit and I wish I had known about these a long time ago. If we end up having another baby after this one, I will definitely be purchasing several more of these awesome bodysuits! I highly recommend you check out Bashful Bump and their incredible line of maternity bodysuits.

GIVEAWAY: Thanks to Bashful Bump, one LUCKY winner will receive their choice of Bashful Bump Maternity Bodysuit.

MANDATORY: To enter, you MUST be a public Google Friend Connect Follower of my blog AND visit Bashful Bump and tell me which maternity bodysuit you will pick if you are the lucky winner!
**Open to US & Canada (No PO BOX). Must be 18+ to enter. All entries that do not meet the mandatory entry will not be eligible to win. You MUST leave an email address or have it visible in your profile to be eligible to win.**

EXTRA ENTRIES:

**Please remember to leave one comment per each entry. So, if you get 5 entries, leave 5 comments. If you only leave one comment, then you only get one entry! Remember to leave an email address.**

-"Like" Bashful Bump on Facebook (Bashful Bump fans get free shipping, so a great incentive for becoming a fan!)

-Follow Bashful Bump on Twitter

-Become a Facebook Fan/"Like" Second Time Around

-Post on Facebook about this Giveaway (including a link to this giveaway) (2 Entries)

-Subscribe to my blog by Email (3 Entries)

-Enter any of my current giveaways and tell me which ones (1 Entry for Each Giveaway Entered)

-Follow me on Twitter AND Tweet this giveaway and leave me the link to your tweet (1 Entry, Once Daily)

#win Your Choice of @BashfulBump Maternity Bodysuit @tobinsmommy08 Ends 2/21 http://bit.ly/zJtnQv Open to US & Canada #giveaway

-Grab my Button and post it on your blog (3 Entries)

-Grab my Baby Shower Event Button and post it on your blog (don't forget to comment here so you can get extra entries into the event) (3 Entries)

-Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link to your post (3 Entries)

-Leave a relevant comment on an JANUARY/FEBRUARY non-giveaway post and tell me which ones (1 Entry Per Post, Limit 5)

**I received the product I reviewed free of charge so I could do an honest review. I did not receive any other compensation. My reviews are 100% my own and others may have different opinions. A BIG thanks to Bashful Bump for the opportunity to host this great giveaway!**

My 3 Year Old Tried to Fly

2012-01-30T08:50:00.000-07:00

So Tobin and I decided to watch "Tinkerbell The Great Fairy Rescue" movie because we had the DVD but had never watched it. Tobin loved it, but in the movie the little girl and her dad get sprinkled with fairy dust and they get to fly. Tobin turned to me with huge eyes and said, "I want to fly"! I explained to him that people don't fly except for in airplanes, helicopters, and rocket ships. He looked more determined and said, "I'm going to fly". I just explained again and again that people can't fly on their own and didn't think anymore of it. The next day we were busy playing and while we were playing he ran into the other room. Next thing I hear is a loud thump and Tobin wailing. I ran in to find Tobin between our coffee table and fireplace hearth with a big bump on his forehead. I asked Tobin what happened and after he calmed down he told me "I tried to fly, but it didn't work. I flapped my arms like a bird but it just didn't work". I told him again that people do not fly but he once again looked at me determined and said, "I'm going to fly". Oh, boy! I can't believe this is already happening at 3 years old. My husband was like that too, except he tried jumping off the roof! I refuse to let him tell Tobin that story! I was hoping that Tobin's bump on his forehead would teach him a lesson, but instead it seems to have made him more determined.

Has anyone else dealt with something like this? How do you convince a 3 year old that they can't fly?

EdenFantasys Has What You Need to Make a Perfect Valentine's Day

2012-01-29T12:11:00.001-07:00

**THIS POST IS FOR MATURE ADULTS ONLY. IF YOU ARE UNDER 18, PLEASE STOP READING NOW. THANKS!**

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and it's the perfect time to let your sweetheart know how much you love them. You can show them how much you love them by pampering them and EdenFantasys has everything you need to create the perfect Valentine's Day!

EdenFantasys has more than just sex toys (although they do have a wide variety to choose from) they also have a great bath & body selection, lingerie, makeup, candles, massage oils, and so much more! Here is some of their latest products:

Terme Trio Hair Care Set comes with everything you need to pamper your hair. It includes a mini hair & body powder, softening shampoo, and hydrating conditioner.

The Diamond Lip Gloss is something I have actually purchased already. I absolutely love this lip gloss! It comes in creamy white, pink icicle, and gold glimmer and I bought the pink icicle lip gloss. It looks great over my regular lip stick to add a little sparkle and create a great pout. It also looks great alone for a more natural but beautiful look. It also smells great and doesn't feel sticky on my lips.

For me, Valentine's Day isn't complete without buying some new sexy lingerie to make the night special. I think the I Love You Babydoll or the Bedroom Bordello Corset would be great choices! So be sure to visit EdenFantasys and create the perfect Valentine's Day!

**I will be receiving a gift card in exchange for this post. No other compensation was received. My thoughts are 100% my own and others may have different opinions. A BIG thanks to EdenFantasys for the opportunity.**

PediaCare Acetaminophen Infant & Childrens Liquid Review & Giveaway

2012-01-26T09:47:00.001-07:00

I am a huge fan of PediaCare and I am always raving about it. Acetaminophen is one of the most commonly used pain and fever relievers for infants and children and is safe and effective when used as directed. Having a sick child can be scary and sometimes the dosing can seem confusing and I know many parents who have accidently given their child the wrong dosing. Now, dosing has been made even easier for parents and safer for children as the new PediaCare single-concentration acetaminophen products hit store shelves.

PediaCare® now offer additional product enhancements, including age-appropriate dosing devices. Infant products will now contain a special dosing syringe and flow restrictors on the bottles; children’s products, for ages 2 to 11 years, will have the bottles with flow restrictors, and continue to contain dosing cups. Both infant and children’s formulations will continue to have weight-based instructions on the package, as well.

Check out the following video of Dr. Jim Sears as he discusses the changes to single-concentration acetminophen brands with new dosing features:

While PediaCare products will continue to offer effective pain/fever relief, here are a few key highlights of both brands:

PediaCare Infants Fever Reducer/Pain Reliever:

For ages 0-36 months
New special dosing syringe and flow restrictor bottles
Dye free Cherry
New bubble gum flavor as well as cherry and grape
Weight and age-based dosing instructions on packageSuggested retail price for a 2-ounce liquid bottle is $6.99.

PediaCare Children's Fever Reducer/Pain Reliever

For ages 2 -11
Flow restrictor bottle and dosing cup
Dye free Cherry
Cherry or grape flavors
Weight and age-based dosing instructions on package
Suggested retail price for a 4-ounce liquid bottle is $7.59.

PediaCare products are available in mass market retail, supermarkets and drugstores and at pharmacies nationwide. To learn more about the new acetaminophen dosing system visit pediacare.com.

PediaCare is also having a sweepstakes going on right now that you definitely should take a look at and enter. It's for a great prize, but hurry because it ends on January 31, 2012!

PEDIACARE® "GET BACK TO HAPPY" SWEEPS KICKS OFF ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A TRIP TO GREAT WOLF LODGE® RESORT AND A PEDICARE® "GET BACK TO HAPPY" FAMILY PACK
PediaCare is one of the first brands to adopt a new dosing system for infant acetaminophen products, and now they want to help you get your little one back to feeling happy!
Now through January 31, 2012, enter the PediaCare "Get Back to Happy" Sweepstakes for a chance to win one of four fun prizes! One grand prize includes a two-night stay for four (4) at a participating Great Wolf Lodge® resort valued at $1,100, and all winners will receive a PediaCare "Get Back to Happy" Family Pack each valued at $350.
Visit the PediaCare web site, www.pediacare.com or more information about the new acetaminophen dosing changes and a special message from celebrity-pediatrician, Dr. Jim Sears, co-host of the Emmy award-winning medical talk show The Doctors.

I love PediaCare and every time I have given it to Tobin, it does not take long for it to start working. My husband and I usually call it our "magic medicine" because it always seems to instantly transform our son from sick to healthy very quickly. I love the new dosing system and I have already tried out the Children's Fever Reducer/Pain Reliever that I received and the dosing system is so easy. I am a big fan of PediaCare and strongly recommend it!

GIVEAWAY: Thanks to PediaCare, one LUCKY winner will win a bottle of PediaCare Infants Fever Reducer/Pain Reliever and a bottle of PediaCare Children's Fever Reducer/Pain Reliever.

MANDATORY: To enter, you MUST be a public follower of my blog AND visit PediaCare and tell me something you learned or another product you would like to try.
**Open to US ONLY. Must be 18+ to enter. All entries that do not meet the mandatory entry will not be eligible to win. You MUST leave an email address or have it visible in your profile to be eligible to win.**

EXTRA ENTRIES:

**Please remember to leave one comment per each entry. So, if you get 5 entries, leave 5 comments. If you only leave one comment, then you only get one entry! Remember to leave an email address.**

-Become a Facebook Fan/"Like" Second Time Around
-Post on Facebook about this Giveaway (including a link to this giveaway) (2 Entries)

-Subscribe to my blog by Email (3 Entries)

-Enter any of my current giveaways and tell me which ones (1 Entry for Each Giveaway Entered)

-Follow me on Twitter AND Tweet this giveaway and leave me the link to your tweet (1 Entry, Once Daily)

#win PediaCare Infants and Children's Fever Reducer/Pain Reliever @tobinsmommy08 Ends 2/9 http://bit.ly/y1TQxU Open to US #giveaway

-Grab my Button and post it on your blog (2 Entries)

-Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link to your post (3 Entries)

-Leave a relevant comment on an JANUARY/FEBRUARY non-giveaway post and tell me which ones (1 Entry Per Post, Limit 5)

This giveaway will end on February 9th at 10pm (MST). The winners will be drawn by random.org and will be notified by e-mail as well as announced on this blog. The winners will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner(s) will be chosen. Good Luck to all of you!

**I received the products I reviewed free of charge in order to do an honest review. No other compensation was received. My thoughts are 100% my own and others may have different opinions. A BIG thanks to The Family Review Network and PediaCare for the opportunity to review and host this great giveaway**

Wordless Wednesday: Sleeping in a Laundry Basket

2012-01-25T00:43:00.001-07:00

Hello Third Trimester

2012-01-23T11:05:00.000-07:00

I am officially in the third trimester now. I am 7 months pregnant and past the 27 weeks mark so I feel like I can breathe a sigh of relief. Now if Noah comes anytime from now, he has a good chance of surviving. Since my contraction scare, I have been looking forward to getting past 27 weeks.

I have been feeling pretty good. I still get nauseous occasionally and have had some bouts of throwing up still, but for the most part my appetite is back and I'm hungry a lot! Which is probably why I have definitely gained quite a bit of weight recently. I think Noah is going to be a screamer when he's hungry because I always know when I need to feed him because he will start kicking hard and a lot when he's hungry and won't stop until I feed him. Silly little guy! He hates when anything is pressing against him so he's usually kicking when I'm wearing anything tight around my waist and he hates when I wear a seat belt. I am totally into maternity clothes now. I am still able to sleep just fine through the night, but I am definitely getting out of the cute pregnancy stage and I know I am headed towards the uncomfortable part of pregnancy. It's starting to get hard to get off the floor and painting my toes is starting to get to be a bit of a challenge. It's getting hard to carry Tobin around and cuddling on the chair with him in my lap when we read books is starting to become a challenge too.

We are getting so excited about Noah's arrival. I go in for my glucose test this week so I'm hoping everything goes well with that. I am starting to think about what I need for my 2nd baby and things I want to purchase for him, so if you have any suggestions of products that you just love or think are a must-have, leave me a comment below!

My Mommy-Free Trip

2012-01-23T10:53:00.000-07:00

So last week I had the opportunity to go on my first trip without Tobin (and without my husband too). I got to go visit my best friend in Phoenix, Arizona. I had never left Tobin overnight before and I was going to be gone for 3 nights! My trip was a lot of fun! I got to do a lot of relaxing, go out to eat and eat yummy foods like delicious avocado and artichoke enchiladas...YUM!!! The weather was so gorgeous! It was in the 70's the whole time and I just couldn't believe I was wearing sandals and short sleeves in January! We went on lots of walks, shopping, out to the movies, and we even visited the Desert Botantical Gardens which were really cool.

I of course had to get Tobin a little gift and got him his very own cactus...which he loves!

My trip was a lot of fun and I was a little sad to leave since it was so nice to have so much freedom and I really enjoyed the break. BUT I was also so excited to get back to Tobin and my husband. I really missed Tobin, but he did awesome. I told him he could call me anytime he wanted to...and he really did! It was good practice for when I go to the hospital in a few months to have Noah. Before Noah comes, I would also like to take an overnight trip with my husband. So hopefully we can still manage to do that soon too. My husband did great with taking over my role as Mommy, but boy was he glad to have me back! He's still exhausted! So it was nice to hear him say how much he appreciates my role as a Mom and realizes how tiring it is. I love being a Mom, but this trip was definitely what I needed to recharge my batteries and get me ready to be a mom of 2!

Baby Shower Event: Welcoming Baby Noah, Coming Soon in March!

2012-01-19T15:19:00.001-07:00

In celebration of finally having my second child in April, I am having a Baby Shower Event through the month of March. I will be featuring lots of great companies by doing reviews and giveaways. You will be given extra entries into the giveaways by grabbing the Baby Shower Event: Welcoming Baby Noah button (located on the top right hand side of my blog). So be sure you do that before March! Just leave a comment below with the link to your button so you can get the extra entries. Here are just a few of the great sponsors I have lined up already:

PLUS LOTS MORE!!! You won't want to miss out on these great giveaways!

I still have some spaces available for review/giveaway features, so if you would like to have your baby product featured on my blog during the event, please contact me at rachel_demille at yahoo dot com.

I would also love to thank Julie from A Year with Mom and Dad for making me the gorgeous button! She is also pregnant and is doing a pregnancy event on her blog. So be sure to stop by her blog and enter her fun giveaways!

BENGAY® Pain Relief + Massage and BENGAY® Cold Therapy Review

2012-01-19T14:27:00.000-07:00

I know many, including my husband, whose new year's resolutions this year are to exercise. With exercising comes sore muscles, aches and pains, and even injuries. My husband is constantly coming home from a good workout very sore. Sometimes he doesn't want to go back to the gym because he is so sore. Thankfully, BENGAY® has two great products that can help relieve aches and pains so you don't have to miss a workout.

BENGAY® Pain Relief + Massage Gel has massaging nubs which are designed to massage the powerful relief of the BENGAY® gel right into your skin. There is no mess and the applicator design controls the product flow so you don't get too much or too little. There isn't any lingering scent either since the vanishing scent disappears in minutes. My husband loves this and I have used it on my achy muscles too and it works great! I like that I don't feel sticky afterwards because it dries quickly. It relieves our aches and pains and feels great!

BENGAY® Cold Therapy is a menthol pain relieving gel with PRO-COOL™ technology. It has fast acting pain relief and uses the same technology used by chiropractors and physical therapists. I have been to both a chiropractor and physical therapist before and this awesome gel did remind me a lot of the cold therapy I had done before. It provides a fast-acting blast of cold that has a vanishing scent. It works great for muscle and joint strains or sprains and has long-lasting pain relief. My husband and I both love it and it's really helped with our achy muscles.

So don't let pain stop you from achieving your goals and instead, stop your pain with BENGAY®.

**I received the products I reviewed free of charge in order to do an honest review. No compensation was received. My thoughts are 100% my own and others may have a different opinion. A BIG thanks to BENGAY® for the opportunity to review.**

The Baby Nurse Bible by Carole Kramer Arsenault Review

2012-01-19T13:55:00.000-07:00

The Baby Nurse Bible

by Carole Kramer Arsenault, RN, IBCLC

Founder of Boston Baby Nurses

There are lots of books for expecting and new parents—but this one is something special. Carole Kramer Arsenault has devoted her career to infant and pregnancy care, and worked for many years as a labor and delivery nurse, including at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital. She went on to found Boston Baby Nurses, where her team of nurses has helped hundreds of first-time parents adjust to their new role. Now, The Baby Nurse Bible brings Arsenault’s expert guidance to new parents everywhere. Packed with information parents need for the first trimester of pregnancy through baby’s first three months, it offers:

-Guidance on first decisions, including choosing a pediatrician and signing up for childbirth classes
-Answers to hundreds of the most-asked questions that Arsenault fields daily
-Advice on preparing for baby’s arrival and choosing safe, nontoxic home and baby products
-A nurse’s perspective and insider tips on labor, delivery, and how to make the most of the hospital experience
-A complete guide to successful breastfeeding, based on Arsenault’s IBLCE certification
-Flexible daily routines to help parents juggle sleeping, soothing, playtime—and time for themselves—during those first few months
-Suggestions for Dad’s role in the birth process and beyond
-Helpful illustrations throughout, and much more!

My Review
When I am pregnant, I want to read everything I can about being pregnant, labor, and taking care of my newborn baby. The Baby Nurse Bible has everything that I wanted! It's very insightful and has a bunch of questions and answers of things that I never even though of asking or dared to ask, but am now so glad to know the answers. Even though this is my second baby, I still found a lot of great answers and tips. There are tons of great tips in this book!

There are four parts to this book. The first part is about getting ready for your baby's arrival which includes things to do to keep your baby safe, what to buy and pros and cons of which products to purchase, and making healthy and green choices for your family which includes great nutrition tips. The second part of the book is about labor, delivery, and postpartum. The third part of the book is about breastfeeding your baby. The fourth and final part of the book is about taking care of your baby.

I found this book very insightful, well-written, and definitely a must-have for every mom. I found it a very easy book to read and I really enjoyed it. I also learned a lot and it answered so many of my questions and taught me things I didn't even know. Even if you have already given birth to several children, I still think all soon-to-be moms would really enjoy this book and would find it very helpful. I highly recommend it. Be sure to check out Carole's blog as well for more great tips!

**I received the product I reviewed free of charge in order to do an honest review. No compensation was received. My thoughts are 100% my own and others may have different opinions.**

Mr. Chewy Review

2012-01-19T12:36:00.000-07:00

One of my least favorite things to buy at the store is dog food. We have two dogs which means we need to buy the big huge bags of dog food and I can't lift them. So that means I either have to make sure and bring my husband with me (and he hates going to the store) or I have to ask for help from someone (which can take time to find someone and is annoying to do). So I used to dread when we would run out of dog food, but now I no longer do thanks to Mr. Chewy.

Mr. Chewy is an online pet food retailer offering over 70 brands of pet food, treats and supplies. They have pet food and supplies for both dogs and cats. I was amazed at how many different products there were and all the different brands. They literally have something for everyone. There is also a variety of prices so there's something for every budget. If you spend over $49, you get free shipping too!

The site is very user friendly and I had a great time shopping to buy my dogs food and treats. I was able to buy a huge bag of dog food and buy them several treats as well. I loved how I kept receiving emails from Mr. Chewy to update me about my order. My order was sent by Fed-Ex and arrived at my door very quickly and just in time since we had just barely ran out of dog food.

We had ordered a 34.2-lb. bag of Beneful Beef Dry Dog Food. I was so grateful that I didn't have to lug that bag home from a store and instead it was delivered right to my door! My dogs loved the food too!

I also ordered some treats for our dogs too. The prices were all very reasonable and we were able to get two Flossies Spiral Chews and a package of Beggin Strips. Our dogs really loved the treats!

I am very impressed with Mr. Chewy on the quality of products available, fast shipping, and excellent customer service. I highly recommend you check out www.MrChewy.com.

**I received a gift code to Mr. Chewy free of charge in order to do an honest review. My thoughts are 100% my own and others may have different opinions. A BIG thanks to Mr. Chewy for the opportunity to review.**

Gorton's Seafood Grill Your Way to Gorgeous Sweepstakes + Giveaway (3 Winners)

2012-01-19T09:32:00.002-07:00

It's a new year and just in time for another great Gorton's Seafood Giveaway. Now is the time that most people start trying to work on their eating habits and losing weight. Gorton’s Seafood is celebrating the new year and new healthy eating habits by having their Grill Your Way To Gorgeous sweepstakes in which they are giving away a $1,000 wardrobe makeover and over 1,000 first place prices of free Gorton’s Seafood product coupons! To enter the Grill Your Way to Gorgeous sweepstakes go here.

I am a big fan of Gorton's Seafood and I love their grilled options. They have a lot of choices available and are all delicious. I was thrilled when I was sent 3 coupons to try out some of the Gorton's Grilled Seafood.

Classic Grilled Salmon Fillets

We love salmon and I love how easy the Gorton's Classic Grilled Salmon Fillets are to make. There are two fillets per package and you just bake them for about 18-20 minutes and then you have a delicious, healthy meal. The portions are a very decent size and I love that I can serve my family a nutritious meal without a lot of effort.

Grilled Lemon Peppercorn Tilapia

I love Tilapia and I especially love the taste of lemon peppercorn, so this was a win-win combination for me! It's so easy to make and the fillets are the perfect serving size. Best of all, it only has 80 calories per serving! This makes it the perfect meal to serve to my family.

Classic Grilled Shrimp

We haven't had the chance to try out this yummy dish yet, but I am sure it tastes as good as it looks! It is large, tail-on shrimp that is marinated with real herbs and spices and is flame-grilled. It cooks in under 15 minutes and has only 110 calories and 1.5g of fat per serving.

We love Gorton's and highly recommend it. So be sure to check out Gorton's Seafood at your local grocer.

GIVEAWAY: Thanks to Gorton's Seafood, THREE lucky winners will receive 2 free Gorton's Seafood Product Coupons.

MANDATORY: To enter, you MUST visit Gorton's Seafood and tell me what product you would like to try.

**Open to US ONLY. Must be 18+ to enter. All entries that do not meet the mandatory entry will not be eligible to win. You MUST leave an email address or have it visible in your profile to be eligible to win.**

EXTRA ENTRIES:

**Please remember to leave one comment per each entry. So, if you get 5 entries, leave 5 comments. If you only leave one comment, then you only get one entry! Remember to leave an email address.**

-"Like" Gorton's on Facebook

-Tell me which Gorton's Seafood Recipe is your favorite

-Sign up for Gorton's Newsletter (2 Entries)

-Follow Gorton's Seafood on Twitter and tweet once about the Gorton’s Grill Your Way to Gorgeous Giveaway! (just leave me the link to your tweet) (2 Entries)

Gorton’s Grill Your Way to Gorgeous Giveaway! Win Free @gortonsseafood GRILLED Seafood! http://bit.ly/A8B0Zt #eatseafoodtwiceaweek

-Become a Facebook Fan/"Like" Second Time Around

-Post on Facebook about this Giveaway (including a link to this giveaway) (2 Entries)

-Subscribe to my blog by Email (3 Entries)

-Enter any of my current giveaways and tell me which ones (1 Entry for Each Giveaway Entered)

-Follow me on Twitter AND Tweet this giveaway and leave me the link to your tweet (1 Entry, Once Daily)

#win 2 FREE Gorton's Seafood Coupons @tobinsmommy08 Ends 2/9 http://bit.ly/zQKErZ 3 WINNERS!!! #giveaway

-Grab my Button and post it on your blog (2 Entries)

-Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link to your post (3 Entries)

-Leave a relevant comment on an JANUARY/FEBRUARY non-giveaway post and tell me which ones (1 Entry Per Post, Limit 5)

**I received 3 product coupons free of charge so I could do an honest review. I did not receive any other compensation. My reviews are 100% my own and others may have different opinions. A BIG thanks to Gorton's for the opportunity to review & host this great giveaway!**

Noah's Gifts

2012-01-19T09:27:00.000-07:00

Noah still has about about 2 1/2 months before his birth and yet he is already getting spoiled. I am so touched at the beautiful gifts I have already received for Noah from friends and family. Some of the gifts were handmade and I'm so touched that people would go through the time and effort to make these beautiful things. I have also bought Noah a few things already too. I thought I would share some pictures of what we have been receiving:

My good friend made Noah this adorable blanket and burp cloths.

My Mother-in-Law crocheted this adorable baby blanket!

My Mother-in-Law also crocheted these absolutely adorable baby booties!!!

Noah has received several outfits, sleepers, and a toy and bathtowel from friends and family.

These are the outfits, shoes, and bib/burp cloth that I have purchased for Noah so far.

I bought this gorgeous car seat cover set for Noah so that way it looks like he has a brand new car seat!

What gifts or things did you buy for your second child that you just loved or felt like you really needed? Is there anything you would recommend buying for a second child?

My First Night Alone in Almost 4 Years

2012-01-19T09:18:00.000-07:00

Last night I actually got to go to bed whenever I wanted to, didn't have to brush anyone's teeth except my own, didn't have to change any diapers, and was not woken up once by crying or someone calling "Mommy". Why? I am in Phoenix right now and Tobin and my husband are back in Utah. For the first time since Tobin was born, I have left Tobin overnight. I am visiting a friend here for a few days and will be flying back this weekend. Since I am now just months away from giving birth, I figured I better do this now or it will probably be another 4 years before I did. This is definitely a much needed break, but definitely hard for me to do. Tobin is doing great though! I knew mornings would be the hardest for him since I am always there in the mornings for him, so I had wrapped small little gifts that he could open each morning. He is loving that!

In the meantime, I am going to soak up this gorgeous weather and just enjoy myself for a few days. I look forward to getting back to my family, but I will definitely relish these few days to myself!

Learning Resources: New Sprouts Munch It! My Very Own Play Food Review & Giveaway

2012-01-16T10:17:00.001-07:00

Since Tobin is not in preschool right now, I want to make sure he's learning new things whenever he can. The best way to learn is through playing, which is why I love buying educational toys. My favorite place to shop for educational toys is Learning Resources. They have a variety of great products for all ages. Tobin is really into playing pretend kitchen right now, so I was thrilled when we were sent the New Sprouts Munch It! My Very Own Play Food to review.

Tobin was so excited when his play food arrived. I loved that there was such a great variety of food and most of it was nutritional and things I would serve a preschooler or toddler. This way he could actually recognize all of the foods and name them correctly. Here is all the food that is in this fun play set: 2 Slices of Bread, 3-piece Blueberry Muffin, Glass of Milk, 2 Slices of Cheese, Carrot, Juice Box, Mini Bagel, Bowl of Cereal, Bowl of Mac & Cheese, Yogurt Cup, Hot Dog in Bun, Banana, Cookie, Clementine Orange, Apple, and 2 Spoons.

The New Sprouts Munch It! My Very Own Play Food allows your child to serve up yummy, soft, durable plastic food that is familiar to toddlers. So this helps your child with early dramatic play, build their vocabulary, and practice mealtime routines and expand their imagination. There is an activity guide included which gives you more great ideas of how to make this play set educational and get the most out of it.

Tobin had so much fun playing his new set of pretend food. We have quite a few other pretend foods, but this one is his favorite. The colors are bright and the food looks realistic and are all foods that Tobin loves and usually eats. We have so much fun playing with it. For $24.99, I think it's a great price for this set of pretend food and I highly recommend you check it out. Be sure to check out all of the other great Learning Resources products especially their new 2012 products.

GIVEAWAY: Thanks to Learning Resources, one LUCKY winner will win a New Sprouts Munch It! My Very Own Play Food (ARV $24.99) just like the one we reviewed.

MANDATORY: To enter, you MUST be a public follower of my blog AND visit Learning Resources and tell me another product you would love to have that was not mentioned above.
**Open to US ONLY (No PO Box). Must be 18+ to enter. All entries that do not meet the mandatory entry will not be eligible to win. You MUST leave an email address or have it visible in your profile to be eligible to win.**

EXTRA ENTRIES:

**Please remember to leave one comment per each entry. So, if you get 5 entries, leave 5 comments. If you only leave one comment, then you only get one entry! Remember to leave an email address.**

-Follow Learning Resources on Twitter
-"Like" Learning Resources on Facebook AND write on their wall that Second Time Around sent you (2 Entries)
-Follow Learning Resources on YouTube
-Follow Learning Resource's Blog

-Become a Facebook Fan/"Like" Second Time Around
-Post on Facebook about this Giveaway (including a link to this giveaway) (2 Entries)

-Subscribe to my blog by Email (3 Entries)

-Enter any of my current giveaways and tell me which ones (1 Entry for Each Giveaway Entered)

-Follow me on Twitter AND Tweet this giveaway and leave me the link to your tweet (1 Entry, Once Daily)

#win @LearningHandsOn New Sprouts Munch It! My Very Own Play Food Set @tobinsmommy08 Ends 2/6 http://bit.ly/ymhTTi Open to US #giveaway

-Grab my Button and post it on your blog (2 Entries)

-Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link to your post (3 Entries)

-Leave a relevant comment on an JANUARY/FEBRUARY non-giveaway post and tell me which ones (1 Entry Per Post, Limit 5)

This giveaway will end on February 6th at 10pm (MST). The winners will be drawn by random.org and will be notified by e-mail as well as announced on this blog. The winners will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner(s) will be chosen. Good Luck to all of you!

**I received the products I reviewed free of charge in order to do an honest review. No other compensation was received. My thoughts are 100% my own and others may have different opinions. A BIG thanks to Learning Resources for the opportunity to review and host this great giveaway**

Potty Training

2012-01-16T10:01:00.000-07:00

I have been trying on and off since Tobin was 2 to see if he was ready for potty training. I had no luck whatsoever because he just wasn't ready. He's also very stubborn which makes it very difficult. He has now 3 1/2 years old and I am determined to have him potty trained before Noah gets here. So last week I buckled down and started potty training. It went pretty well. Tobin actually peed in the potty quite a bit. He had several accidents and is still trying to get the hang of it. He prefers a diaper and some days will refuse to sit on the potty, but we are getting there. He even pooped in the potty which we rewarded by taking him on the train at the mall. As you can see, he was thrilled with that reward:

Unfortunately, because of the potty training Tobin became very constipated so we ended up back in diapers. I am leaving to go to Arizona (yay, my first trip by myself since Tobin was born) on Wednesday and will be gone until the weekend. So I decided to put a hold on potty training and will just pick it up again once I get back. At least now I know that he can do it. Apparently with Tobin, it's all about bribing so I just need to figure out some good bribes!

Do you have any great potty training tips or advice? If so, I would love to hear it! Just leave a comment below!

Lots of Winners, Are You One of Them?!?!

2012-01-11T08:53:00.000-07:00

We had quite a few great giveaways end last night which means we have winners to draw! Thank you to all of you who took the time to enter them. Let's find out who are lucky winners are. Using random.org, the winners are:

Listerine Total Care Zero

#126 Jessica

#102 janetfaye

Excited 2 Learn Prize Pack

#126 Janet W.

Cover Your Hair $25 Surprise Box

#132 camp3369

Congratulations! The winners have been emailed and have 48 hours to respond or sadly a new winner will be drawn. A BIG thanks to all the wonderful sponsors. Be sure to check out my latest giveaway and also be on the look out for some other great giveaways coming up soon.

Wordless Wednesday: Tobin's Buddies

2012-01-11T08:34:00.000-07:00

Low Entry Giveaways Ending TONIGHT!!!

2012-01-10T08:54:00.000-07:00

Just a quick reminder that 3 great giveaways are ending tonight and they all have low entries! They all end TONIGHT at 10pm MST. Good Luck!

Listerine Total Care Zero Giveaway (2 Winners)

Excited 2 Learn Prize Pack Giveaway

Cover Your Hair $25 Surprise Box of Hair Accessories Giveaway (Open World Wide)

Low Entry Giveaways Ending TOMORROW!

2012-01-09T11:12:00.000-07:00

I have 3 great giveaways ending tomorrow, January 10th. They all have LOW ENTRIES so I just wanted to remind you all about these great giveaways so you can be sure to get your entries in. Good Luck!

Listerine Total Care Zero Giveaway (2 Winners)

Excited 2 Learn Prize Pack Giveaway

Cover Your Hair $25 Surprise Box of Hair Accessories Giveaway (Open World Wide)

EatSmart Precision Premium Digital Bathroom Scale Review & Giveaway

2012-01-09T10:54:00.001-07:00

It's the beginning of a new year and for most of us we are thinking about our weight. Whether it's a New Year's Resolution to lose a certain amount of pounds, losing that extra holiday weight, or just watching your weight. For this reason, we all need a great bathroom scale. I had one that was never accurate and since I wasn't watching my weight I didn't care. Now that I am pregnant, accuracy is very important to me which is why I love the EatSmart Precision Premium Digital Bathroom Scale.

About the EatSmart Precision Bathroom Scale (from their website)

The EatSmart Precision Premium Bathroom Scale has a thin profile and sophisticated look with a large non-slip platform that safely measures up to 400 lbs. With EatSmart's proprietary "step on" technology, there is no more "waking up" your scale by tapping or pressing buttons! The LCD display contains a cool-blue backlight, allowing for easy viewing even in the lowest lit areas of the bathroom or home.

I was so excited to review this great bathroom scale. I first of all love the look of it. It's thin, sleek, and very sophisticated looking. With other scales I have had, you usually had to tap the scale or step on it and wait for it to turn on and then get on and weigh yourself. With this scale, you just step on it and you get instant readings. I love that! It has a large 3.5" LCD display and it's very easy to read the results since it has a cool blue backlight.

It has 4 High Precision Sensors so you get consistent and accurate results. It has 2 measurement modes of pounds or kilos. The max weight is 400 lbs / 180 kgs. It takes 4 AAA batteries and I love that the batteries are included and I also love that it doesn't use hard to find batteries like other scales I have owned.

This scale is so awesome and even my son loves to use it. I have always had a hard time getting him to use a scale, but this one he wants to use every time he goes into the bathroom. It's so nice to know exactly what he weighs. To show you how lightweight and how easy it is to use, check out the video of Tobin testing out the scale:

As you can see, it's so easy that even a three year old can use it. We loved the EatSmart Precision Premium Digital Bathroom Scale and highly recommend it. Right now it's on sale for $32.95 which is a great deal since it's regularly priced at $59.95. So be sure to check it now as well as all the other great EatSmart products.

GIVEAWAY: Thanks to EatSmart, one LUCKY winner will receive an EatSmart Precision Premium Digital Bathroom Scale just like the one I reviewed.

MANDATORY: To enter, you MUST be a public Google Friend Connect Follower of my blog AND visit EatSmart and tell me another product you would love to own.
**Open to US ONLY (No PO Box). Must be 18+ to enter. All entries that do not meet the mandatory entry will not be eligible to win. You MUST leave an email address or have it visible in your profile to be eligible to win.**

EXTRA ENTRIES:

**Please remember to leave one comment per each entry. So, if you get 5 entries, leave 5 comments. If you only leave one comment, then you only get one entry! Remember to leave an email address.**

-"Like" EatSmart Products on Facebook (For January 2012, EatSmart will be donating 50 cents for every Facebook Like to the City Harvest charity...so another good reason to "like" them).
-Follow EatSmart Scales on Twitter
-Subscribe to EatSmart's YouTube Channel (2 Entries)
-Become a Facebook Fan/"Like" Second Time Around

-Post on Facebook about this Giveaway (including a link to this giveaway) (2 Entries)

-Subscribe to my blog by Email (3 Entries)

-Enter any of my current giveaways and tell me which ones (1 Entry for Each Giveaway Entered)

-Follow me on Twitter AND Tweet this giveaway and leave me the link to your tweet (1 Entry, Once Daily)

#win the @EatSmartScales Precision Premium Digital Bathroom Scale @tobinsmommy08 Ends 1/31 http://bit.ly/AoXGpU Open to US #giveaway

-Grab my Button and post it on your blog (2 Entries)

-Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link to your post (3 Entries)

-Leave a relevant comment on an JANUARY non-giveaway post and tell me which ones (1 Entry Per Post, Limit 5)

This giveaway will end on January 31st at 10pm (MST). The winners will be drawn by random.org and will be notified by e-mail as well as announced on this blog. The winners will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner(s) will be chosen. Good Luck to all of you!

**I received the product I reviewed free of charge so I could do an honest review. I did not receive any other compensation. My reviews are 100% my own and others may have different opinions. A BIG thanks to EatSmart for the opportunity to host this great giveaway!**

Wordless Wednesday: Planet Play

2012-01-04T10:38:00.000-07:00

Trop50 True Resolutions

2012-01-02T19:14:00.000-07:00

It's a new year which means many of us are making New Year's Resolutions. Mine usually always include losing at least a few pounds or at least toning up or exercising more. Tropicana has started a great thing on facebook called Trop50 True Resolutions where they are celebrating the real reasons behind New year's resolutions.

This year my New Year's Resolution is to try and cut back on my sugar intake. Since I'm pregnant, losing weight is not an option right now (but will be a huge resolution once Noah is born). I gained over 40 pounds with Tobin and it was so hard to lose all that weight. I think the reason I gained so much was because I love sugar and when I'm pregnant, I seem to crave it even more! So I think a good way for me to try and not gain 40+ pounds with this pregnancy would be to cut back on sugar. Trop50 has 50% less calories and sugar, so I am excited that this delicious juice can really help me with my resolution. I would love to fit back into my skinny jeans by the end of the year and I think cutting back on sugar will be a step in the right direction. So that is the secret motivation behind my resolution, what's yours?

Visit Trop50 True Resolutions on Facebook and you can share your secret motivation as well as earn a coupon for $1 off Trop50 for yourself and $.50¢ off coupons for up to 50 of your friends. What a great deal! You also don't have to use your real name, so if your embarrassed about your true motivation...you can make up a name and no one will have to know it's you!

BONUS!!! Whether you submit a resolution or not, you can also enter a sweepstakes to win a $1,000 gift. So be sure to visit http://www.facebook.com/trop50 to enter and find out the details. The sweepstakes ends 1/31/2012.

**I received a coupon for a free bottle of Trop50 for posting this. No other compensation was received. My thoughts are 100% my own and others may have different opinions. A BIG thanks to Tropicana for the opportunity to review.**

6 Months Pregnant

2012-01-02T14:56:00.000-07:00

Okay, technically I'm 6 months and 1 week pregnant since I am 25 weeks this week. I am so excited to meet little Noah in a little over 3 months! I am almost into my 3rd trimester and I'm already filling huge. My stomach has grown a ton!

Noah is very active and loves to kick...usually right when I'm trying to go to sleep of course! Tobin and my husband have both been able to feel him a lot. Noah still keeps kicking around my bladder so I haven't let anyone else feel him yet but occasionally he will flip around and kick up higher. Tobin is so excited about little Noah and can't wait for him to come! He likes to listen to Noah's heartbeat each night with the little doppler we have. He will also randomly just come up to me and give Noah a hug, kiss, or talk or whisper to him. He loves to get anything for Noah and was excited to get Noah an outfit for Christmas that he helped his Daddy pick out.

Noah was spoiled during Christmas and received quite a few gifts that Tobin was more than happy to open! I was touched by how many people thought about Noah this Christmas and got him something. One of these days I need to blog about all the gifts we have received so far...there have been some beautiful things made and bought for him already.

I have been having a lot of heartburn and I have been feeling so huge lately. My appetite has finally came back, which is probably why I have gained quite a bit of weight lately! Noah gets really mad when he is hungry and will kick really hard and a lot until I feed him. I think he's going to be a screamer when he's hungry! At least now a lot of things taste good, but Noah still loves fruits, vegetables, and bread the best. We are so excited about Noah and look forward to meeting him in April!

Happy New Years!

2012-01-02T14:42:00.000-07:00

Happy New Years everyone! I hope all of you had a safe and happy New Years. We celebrated the New Year by having some friends over on New Year's Eve and having a small party. My friend and I made a delicious meal complete with Turkey, mashed potatoes & gravy, stuffing, homemade rolls, and homemade root beer! Tobin was amazed with the homemade root beer and thought it was so cool how it was smoking!

My friend made an awesome homemade apple pie which was so delicious!

I made a delicious trifle which was my first time making one...it was so yummy!

It was a lot of fun and everyone stayed up to see the ball drop...except for Tobin! He ended up falling asleep about 15 minutes before midnight. This was the first year he wasn't awake at midnight on New Year's Eve! It was nice to be able to stay home and ring in 2012 with close friends. I hope everyone had a great New Years and I am looking forward to all that is to come in 2012!

Bijoux Blitz Jewelry Sale at Guy & Eva - LAST DAY!!!

2012-01-02T14:31:00.000-07:00

Today, January 2nd, is the last day of the Bijoux Blitz Jewelry Sale. There are a lot of amazing pieces of jewelry for incredible prices! It ends tonight, so be sure you don't miss out! I like to stock up on great sales like this so I have gifts all year long...as well get some great things for myself! So be sure to check out the sale at Guy & Eva today before it's too late!

**I was not compensated for posting this, however I will be receiving 3 pieces of jewerly for posting this. My thoughts are 100% my own and others may have different opinions.**

Bijoux Blitz Jewelry Sale

2012-01-01T14:55:00.000-07:00

Happy New Year to all of you! If your like me, then you have been hitting a lot of the after Christmas sales. If you aren't into great deals, then you don't want to miss this one! Guy and Eva are having a fantastic sale on beautiful pieces of jewelry! Today they have a lot for only $7! That is a fantastic deal that you can't miss out on! Hurry though, the Bijoux Blitz Jewelry Sale ends January 2nd.

Be sure to follow Guy and Eva on Facebook and Twitter so you can stay up to date on all the fantastic deals.

**I was not compensated for posting this, however I will be receiving 3 pieces of jewerly for posting this. My thoughts are 100% my own and others may have different opinions.**

Bijoux Blitz Jewelry Sale

2011-12-30T10:36:00.000-07:00

Right now there is an incredible Bijoux Blitz Jewelry Sale at Guy & Eva! Today is Day 5 of this incredible sale where they are having an amazing sale with savings up to 70-80% off today! Here are some of the fabulous things they have on sale!

The Serena Necklace - Regular price is $37. Sale price, only $8.

The Naomi Necklace- Regular price is $35. Sale price, only $7.

The Alana Necklace - Regular price is $35. Sale price, only $7.

The Riley Necklace - Regular price is $35. Sale price, only $7.

The Clarice Necklace - Regular price is $36. Sale price, only $8.

This is a fantastic sale and the sale changes each day. These woule make great Valentine's Day Gifts, birthday gifts, and even save them for next Christmas! So be sure you hurry on over to Guy & Eva before the sale ends. Bijoux Blitz Sale will be ending on January 2nd, 2012.

**I was not compensated for posting this, however I will be receiving 3 pieces of jewerly for posting this. My thoughts are 100% my own and others may have different opinions.**

Winner

2011-12-28T11:40:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all of you who entered the Learning Resources Pretend & Play Bakery Set. This is such a fun set and I wish all of you could win but sadly there can only be winner. So let's find out who it is by using random.org and the winner is:

#194 orangefukurou

Congratulations! The winner has been emailed and has 48 hours to respond or sadly a new winner will be drawn. Don't forget about all the other great giveaways I have going on right now...they all have LOW ENTRIES! So now is a good time to get your entries in!

Wordless Wednesday: Christmas

2011-12-28T11:30:00.000-07:00

Learning Resources Pretend & Play Bakery Set ENDS TONIGHT!!!

2011-12-27T08:51:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. I will be trying to get back into the swing of blogging in the next few days, but we have still been having family parties and with my husband being off work all week....we have a lot to do! So I apologize if it's a little slow around here this week, but don't worry...I will get back to blogging more frequently soon and I have some fun giveaways lined up for January.

Anyways, I just wanted to remind all of you that the Learning Resources Pretend & Play Bakery Set Giveaway ends TONIGHT at 10pm MST. This is such a fun little set that Tobin absolutely loves! So be sure you don't miss out! Good Luck!

Merry Christmas!!!

2011-12-24T02:59:00.000-07:00

Happy Holidays from My Family to Yours!!!

Effortless Meals for the Holidays

2011-12-22T21:02:00.000-07:00

Christmas is just a few days away and New Year's Eve will be here shortly after that. I'm lucky and don't have to plan meals for Christmas, but I am having a little New Year's Eve party with a few close friends. So I really need some ideas for some delicious meals and appetizers, but I don't want to be slaving in my kitchen all day. That's why I was so grateful when I was sent some delicious samples from SeaPak and Casa Di Bertacchi Meatballs to review.

I love anything that tastes delicious and is easy to make and all three of these taste wonderful on their own.

The SeaPak Popcorn Shrimp is very easy to make. You can bake it, pan fry, or deep fry it. The whole tail-off shrimp is coated in a light, crisp Japanese-style breading that tastes delicious. Since shrimp includes a healthy dose of Omega-3s and vitamin D per serving, you can feel good about serving this to your family. I loved how quick it was too cook and it tasted delicious! The bag was resealable which I love so I can bake as many or as few as I would like to and the rest can stay fresh until I am ready to make some more. You can use the popcorn in a lot of great recipes or eat it alone. We decided to just eat it alone since I am planning on serving it as an appetizer.

Here is a delicious Jambalaya recipe using the SeaPak Popcorn Shrimp from the former Executive Food Editor of Southern Living, Scott Jones:

Popcorn Shrimp Jambalaya

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 35 minutes

Makes: 4 to 6 Servings

1 (14-oz.) package andouille sausage, cut into 1/4-inchthick slices

1 (10-oz.) package frozen vegetable seasoning blend

1 (32-oz.) container low -sodium, fat-free chicken broth

1 (14.5-oz.) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes with garlic

2 cups uncooked long-grain rice

1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning

1 (20-oz.) package SeaPak Popcorn Shrimp

2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onions

Cook sausage in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, stirring

frequently, 8 to 10 minutes or until browned. Remove sausage with a

slotted spoon; drain on paper towels.

Add vegetable seasoning blend to hot drippings in Dutch oven, and

sauté 3 to 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Add broth, next 3

ingredients and sausage. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat to low , and

cook 18 to 20 minutes or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.

Meanwhile, preheat oven to 450°. Bake Popcorn Shrimp according to

package directions.

Spoon jambalaya into individual bowls or a large serving bowl; top

with Popcorn Shrimp. Top with green onions, and serve immediately.

The Popcorn Fish is made from mild bites of flaky white fish cut from whole Pollock and is in made in fun little bites that even children will love. This would make another great appetizer or just serve it alongside some steamed vegetables and you have a delicious and nutritious balanced meal that anyone will love. It's very easy to make and you can bake it, deep fry, or pan fry it. In less than 15 minutes you have a delicious meal or appetizer. You can pair it with any kind of dipping sauce or make your own. I tried out the delicious Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce recipe that I was sent.

It was easy to make and tasted delicious. Here is the recipe:

Popcorn Fish with Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce

Prep Time: 4 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Makes: About 5 servings

1 (22 oz) package SeaPakŠ Popcorn Fish, f rozen

6 tablespoons mayonnaise

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon honey

Pinch of salt

Cook popcorn fish according to package instructions. Stir mayonnaise,

mustard, honey and salt together in a small bowl. Refrigerate sauce

until popcorn fish are done. Serve Popcorn Fish with sauce and enjoy.

The Casa Di Bertacchi Meatballs are fully-cooked and sold at Sam's Clubs nationwide. They heat up very quickly and can be added to any recipe to make a delicious meal. They also make fantastic appetizers either alone or paired with a sauce. They are so easy to cook and I love that I can even cook them in my slow-cooker. The large resealable bag makes it easy to make as many or as few as you want at a time. Since they are made with quality beef and real Italian ingredients, these meatballs taste delicious every time! We made some just to eat plain and they were so yummy!

For New Year's Eve I plan to cook a bunch in my slow-cooker with a yummy glaze or sauce. There are a lot of great recipes out there for using meatballs and I plan to try a few of them. Here are two great recipes that I was sent:

Fall Cranberry Wrap

Prep Time: 10 minutes Makes: 4 servings

10 Casa Meatballs

4 (6 inch) whole-wheat tortillas

4 tablespoons whole cranberry sauce, divided

1 red apple, thinly sliced

Red cabbage, thinly sliced for garnish

In a microwave, heat meatballs with 1 tablespoon water on high for 1 1/2 -2 minutes,

or until meatballs are hot. Place 5 meatballs down the center of each tortilla.

Spread 2 tablespoons cranberry sauce alongside the meatballs. Place three apples

slices down the center of each tortilla; garnish with thinly sliced red cabbage.

Roll or wrap burrito-style.

Easy BBQ Meatballs

Prep Time: 6 minutes Cook Time: 3 hours Makes: 8 servings

2 lbs. frozen Casa Meatballs

1-20 oz. can of pineapple chunks, drained

2 bell peppers(red, green and/or yellow) cut into bite-size pieces

1-18 oz. bottle of traditional BBQ sauce

4 cups prepared rice

Place frozen meatballs, pineapple chunks and bell pepper pieces into slow cooker.

Pour BBQ sauce over ingredients and stir gently to mix ingredients. Set slow cooker

on high. Heat ingredients for 2 1/2-3 hours, stirring occasionally until hot.

Serve over cooked rice for an easy meal.

So this holiday season, don't stress and instead make some delicious and effortless meals using SeaPak and Casa Di Bertacchi.

**I received the products I reviewed free of charge in order to do an honest review. No other compensation was received. My thoughts are 100% my own and others may have different opinions.**

Marshmallow Snowman

2011-12-22T20:41:00.000-07:00

Last year I did a little Marshmallow Snowman craft with Tobin and he loved it so much that we did it again this year. It is so easy and fun to make.

Here is what you need for each snowman:
-2 big marshmallows
-1 1/2 to 2 pretzel sticks
-part of a fruit by the foot
-markers to draw on the snowman's face.

You just put a pretzel stick (or I use half of a pretzel stick) into one of the big marshmallows and put it halfway in. Then you put the other marshmallow on top. Then you break another pretzel in half and put half of the pretzel on one side and half on the other to make two arms. Then you take part of a Fruit By the Foot and wrap it around your snowman to look like a scarf. Then use a marker to draw a face on your snowman. So easy and turns out so cute.

Do you have any other easy and simple Christmas/Winter crafts for toddlers? Feel free to share below, I always love new craft ideas!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Review

2011-12-22T19:41:00.000-07:00

The Hunger Games

by Suzanne Collins

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games," a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed.

I am a BzzAgent and recently had the opportunity to read The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I have had lots of friends and family tell me I had to read this book. Even people who don't like to read (guys and girls) have read and loved this book. Reading the back of the book I just didn't think this sounded like a book I would enjoy. Boy, was I wrong! Yes, throughout the book I was kind of disturbed by it and horrified at some things, but I couldn't put it down. The author is an amazing writer and the book just came to life. I felt like I was there and I loved it. I highly recommend The Hunger Games to everyone! Even if you don't like to read, you need to read this book.

**I am a BzzAgent and received this book free of charge in order to do an honest review. No other compensation was received. My thoughts are 100% my own and others may have a different opinion.**

Tobin's Gingerbread House

2011-12-21T22:31:00.000-07:00

Tobin loves to make gingerbread houses and I have been making one with him every year since his 2nd Christmas. I was planning on making one with him this year and then my mother-in-law asked if it would be okay if she made one with him. I said it was fine and I'm glad I did because then I ended up on bedrest and we wouldn't have been able to make one. So now Tobin created some special memories with his Grandma as well as made a cute gingerbread house! They did a Ruldolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Gingerbread House and it turned out adorable! Tobin had his grandma put the frosting on and he told her where to put it and then he put all the candies on. He did a great job!

He did get kind of tired after awhile so we ended up taking the house and the rest of the candy home and I finished it with him the next day. So at least I did get to do a little bit of the house with him. It was a lot of fun and I love having a gingerbread house tradition.

Glee Gum Winner!

2011-12-21T22:09:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all of you who took the time to enter the Glee Gum Make Your Own Candy Kit Giveaway. Using random.org the lucky winner is:

#93 Mandy Kauffman

Congratulations! The winner has been emailed and has 48 hours to respond or sadly a new winner will be drawn.

Wordless Wednesday: Oh, What Fun... So Many Christmas Parties!

2011-12-21T09:12:00.000-07:00

Stocking Stuffer Idea: Monkey Brains Hair Collection Review

2011-12-21T08:26:00.000-07:00

The countdown to Christmas is on and I have all my gifts ready to go, but I still need a few stocking stuffers. I like to get practical but fun gifts to put in stockings. I always loved getting new shampoo and hair products in my stocking and that's why this year I'm putting the hair care collection from Monkey Brains in Tobin's stocking!

About Monkey Brains (from their website)

Monkey Brains is a new collection of hair care that allows you to express yourself. To be fun, be cool and be yourself! Look around. How many styles do you spot everyday: spikes, fauxhawks, and controlled messiness... Everyone you see is sporting an individual look! With 2 Gels, 2 Glues, a Pomade, a Hair Refresher and a Shampoo and Conditioner you will be able to rock whatever hairstyle you're feelin' at that moment.One day you don't feel like getting in the shower and the next you're searching for the hair gel. But you're confident about how you want to look on any given day. Monkey Brains gives you the tools to look cool and have fun doing it.

I was thrilled when we were sent some of the Monkey Brains Hair Collection products to review.

Monkey Brains Goop Out Shampoo is a great shampoo that deep cleans to get all the goop out. It leaves your hair clean and soft. I loved using it on Tobin's hair and it gets out all the gunk but still leaves his hair nice and soft.

Monkey Brains Crazy Sticky Hair Gel is the ultimate hold in styling. The gel is an 8 on a scale of 1-10 for hold. It holds all day with no flakes. We recently got Tobin's hair cut and now is super short and we like to spike it up. The gel is amazing and really works all day long. I also didn't find that it was sticky after I put it in his hair so I really liked that. Look at how great his hair looks now:

BEFORE

AFTER

We also received a sample of the Monkey Brains Super Sticky Hair Gel and the Monkey Brains Psycho Sticky Hair Glue.

The Super Sticky Hair Gel is a 10++ on a scale of 1-10 for hold. It has all day holding power with no flakes to hold your craziest hair style.

If you want a gravity-defying style, then you need to try the Psycho Sticky Hair Glue. This awesome product is a 12+ hold on a scale of 1-10 for hold.

So this holiday season, be sure to check out Monkey Brains. They make great stocking stuffers and also helps get your hair ready for the holidays. You can check out the Monkey Brains Website to find a store near you.

Christmas Elf Boy Costume Review

2011-12-21T08:15:00.001-07:00

Tobin loves to dress up and I think all kids love to dress up all year long and not just for Halloween. Did you know that HalloweenCostumes.com has a wide variety of Christmas Costumes to choose from? Whether you need a Santa Costume, Elf Costume, Nativity Character Costume, or even a Mrs. Claus Costume, you will find it there.

I had so much fun looking at all the cute Christmas costumes that they have available. I didn't know there was such a wide variety. I also thought the prices were very affordable. Here are a few of my favorites:

Buddy the Elf Costume

Child Mrs. Claus Costume

Plus Size Premiere Santa Suit

Kids Christmas Story Bunny Costume

Sweet Angel Costume

I was excited to be sent the Christmas Elf Boy Costume to review. This adorable costume comes complete with a green velveteen jacket and faux fur collar that buttons up in the front. It comes with matching pants and a red velvet belt that has a miniature gold buckle. The pants have an elastic waist and fit Tobin perfectly. The red and white striped hat with faux fur trim and pom pom complete the outfit.

Tobin looked adorable in the costume and he thought it was very comfortable. He actually didn't want to take it off! He wore it all day and had to show it off to everyone and they all thought he was so adorable. It really seemed to brighten up everyone's holidays, because no one could resist smiling when they saw Tobin dressed up as an adorable elf!

We loved the Christmas Elf Boy Costume and Tobin has decided he's going to be an elf for Halloween too. Plus, he thinks he's going to help Santa this year because he definitely is dressed to be Santa's helper! For only $25.99, I think this is a great buy. I highly recommend you check out all the wonderful Christmas Costumes from HalloweenCostumes.com.

**I received the product I reviewed free of charge in order to do an honest review. No other compensation was received. My thoughts are 100% my own and others may have different opinions. A BIG thanks to HalloweenCostumes.com for the opportunity to review**

The Looney Tunes Show: Season 1, Vol. 2 DVD Review

2011-12-21T06:47:00.000-07:00

The Looney Tunes Show: Season 1, Vol. 2

This half-hour animated comedy series starring Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck is no longer confined to 7-minute shorts. Bugs and Daffy are out of the woods and living in the suburbs among such colorful neighbors as Yosemite Sam, Granny, Tweety and Sylvester. In addition to each episode’s main story, The Looney Tunes Show also features “cartoons within a cartoon.” The Tasmanian Devil, Speedy Gonzales, Marvin the Martian and other classic characters sing original songs in two-minute music videos called Merrie Melodies . The legendary Looney Tunes cartoons are getting a 21st century relaunch and a CGI overhaul for a new generation.

I grew up watching The Looney Tunes Show so I was so excited to review the The Looney Tunes Show: Season 1, Vol. 2. Tobin is 3 1/2 and has never seen The Looney Tunes Show yet so I was excited to introduce it to him. He loved it and I enjoyed watching all of my favorite characters back in action again, such as Bugs Bunny, Tweety and Sylvester, and of course The Tasmanian Devil. Tobin especially loves the two-minute Merrie Melodies where the classic characters sing original songs. I really enjoyed watching it with Tobin and I highly recommend you check it out.

Glee Gum Candy Kit Giveaway Ends Tonight - LOW ENTRIES!!!

2011-12-21T05:22:00.000-07:00

Don't forget that the Glee Gum Make Your Own Candy Kit Giveaway ENDS TONIGHT at 10pm MST. The winner will get their choice of candy kit and these are great projects for your kids (make great gifts too)! So be sure you get your entries in before it's too late! Right now there are LOW ENTRIES. Good Luck!

Tobin's Visit with Santa!

2011-12-20T10:13:00.000-07:00

Tobin was a very lucky boy this year and Santa came to his house! Tobin couldn't believe Santa was in his own house and at first he was a little nervous, but he went right up to him and sat on his lap.

He was being really quiet so I didn't think he would talk to Santa, but when Santa asked what he wanted Tobin was very loud and animated! He asked for a big train table. Tobin did great and even gave Santa a hug.

Then the dogs seemed like they wanted to see Santa, so we let Harley get his picture with Santa. Kenny sheds so he didn't get to.

Now Tobin is just counting down the days for Christmas so he can see if Santa is going to bring his train table or not. He is definitely at the age where he seems to understand about Santa and this will be the first year that we leave out cookies and milk for Santa. So it's going to be a lot of fun! Tobin keeps reminding his Dad to make sure that the fireplace is off on Christmas Eve night so that Santa doesn't get hurt. We are getting very excited for Christmas, how about you?

Winners!

2011-12-20T09:49:00.000-07:00

I have another round of winners today. Thank you to all who took the time to enter these two fun giveaways. So let's find out who the lucky winners are! Using random.org the winners are:

Gorton's Seafood

#232 CherylS22

#270 pmj

#242 Penny W

Family Movie Night XBOX Kinect Prize Pack

#210 Kimbuckjr

Congratulations! The winners have been emailed and have 48 hours to respond or sadly a new winner will be drawn. Don't forget about all the other great giveaways going on now!

Cover Your Hair Review & Giveaway (Open World Wide)

2011-12-19T09:06:00.001-07:00

Wearing and buying hair accessories is a lot of fun which is why I love to shop at Cover Your Hair. They have such a large selection of hair accessories that I had no idea that there were so many different choices!

Cover Your Hair continually seems to grow and have a lot more choices. They not only have hair accessories for women, but now they also have them for babies and children! Here are some of the great products they have to offer:

Baby Headbands and Baby Hats

Hair Clips

Snoods

Women's Headbands

Since it is winter, I really wanted something to keep my ears warm. Hats don't look very good on me, so I was searching for something that would look cute, not mess up my hair, and keep my ears nice and warm. I was thrilled when I found the Cable Knit Faux Fur Ear Muffs.

I always loved ear muffs growing up, but these ones were a bit more stylish (although Cover Your Hair does sell regular ear muffs as well). They are very warm and look so cute! You can wear them on or behind your head so that way you don't mess up your hair. They also come in a variety of colors. I was sent a pair in beige. I wasn't thrilled with the color (I would have preferred white or another color) but once I put them on and realized how warm they were, I didn't care. I thought they looked very cute and best of all, my ears didn't get cold!

They are a little bit tight on the ears (so that way they can stay on your ears and not fall off) so after a few hours I have to take them off. I don't think that's a big deal though because after a few hours in the cold, I'm already heading inside anyways. For $9.99, I think this is a must-have winter accessory. Even my 3 year old thinks it's fun to wear!

They have such a wide variety of head accessories that you are sure to find out what you are looking for. So be sure you check out Cover your Hair.

BUY IT: You can purchase Cover Your Hair Products online and right now Cover Your Hair is offering Second Time Around readers 20% off by using the promo code: blog1231, but hurry because this code expires on 12/31/11.

GIVEAWAY: Thanks to Cover Your Hair, one LUCKY winner will receive a $25 Box of Surprise Hair Accessories!

MANDATORY: To enter, you MUST be a public follower of my blog AND visit Cover Your Hair and tell me another product (not mentioned here) that you would love to own.
**Open World Wide. Must be 18+ to enter. All entries that do not meet the mandatory entry will not be eligible to win. You MUST leave an email address or have it visible in your profile to be eligible to win.**

EXTRA ENTRIES:

**Please remember to leave one comment per each entry. So, if you get 5 entries, leave 5 comments. If you only leave one comment, then you only get one entry! Remember to leave an email address.**

-Follow Cover Your Hair's Blog with Google Friend Connect
-Follow Cover Your Hair on Networked Blogs (click "follow this blog" on the Networked Blog Box)
-Follow Cover Your Hair on Twitter
-Add http://www.hairaccessoryblog.com/ to your blog roll (2 Entries)
-Add http://www.coveryourhair.com/ to your blog roll (2 Entries)

-Become a Facebook Fan of Cover Your Hair
-Subscribe to Cover Your Hair on You Tube (2 Entries)

-Enter Natalie's Cover Your Hair Giveaway (2 Entries)

-Become a Facebook Fan/"Like" Second Time Around
-Post on Facebook about this Giveaway (including a link to this giveaway) (2 Entries)

-Subscribe to my blog by Email (3 Entries)

-Enter any of my current giveaways and tell me which ones (1 Entry for Each Giveaway Entered)

-Follow me on Twitter AND Tweet this giveaway and leave me the link to your tweet (1 Entry, Once Daily)

#win $25 Surprise Box of Hair Accessories from Cover Your Hair @tobinsmommy08 Ends 12/19 http://bit.ly/vahPFy Open World Wide #giveaway

-Grab my Button and post it on your blog (2 Entries)

-Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link to your post (3 Entries)

-Leave a relevant comment on an DECEMBER/JANUARY non-giveaway post and tell me which ones (1 Entry Per Post, Limit 5)

This giveaway will end on January 10th at 10pm (MST). The winners will be drawn by random.org and will be notified by e-mail as well as announced on this blog. The winners will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner(s) will be chosen. Good Luck to all of you!

**I received the products I reviewed free of charge in order to do an honest review. No other compensation was received. My thoughts are 100% my own and others may have different opinions. A BIG thanks to Cover Your Hair for the opportunity to review and host this great giveaway**

Two Giveaways Ending Tonight!

2011-12-19T07:43:00.000-07:00

Don't forget that two great giveaways end tonight at 10pm MST. So be sure you get your entries in now before it's too late! Good Luck!

Gorton's Seafood Giveaway (3 Winners)

Family Movie Night XBOX Kinect Game Prize Pack Giveaway

Tobin's Not the Only One Excited About Christmas!

2011-12-18T03:23:00.000-07:00

So Tobin is beyond thrilled that Christmas is almost here. Every day he has asked me if Santa was coming yet. With being on bedrest, I'm so grateful that I still have another week to finish preparing for Christmas (can you believe it's in one week from today?!?!). Well, I have discovered that it's not just kids that are excited for Christmas, our dogs seem to be excited too! How can I tell? Well, I have had to remove all of their gifts from under the tree because apparently they can tell which ones are for them. A few weeks ago I had wrapped up two big buckets of dog treats (one for each dog) and then place them under the tree BEHIND other gifts. Later that day we left for 20 minutes and when we returned home, this is what we discovered:

They had actually moved the other presents aside to pull out one of the gifts, rip open the paper, and then tear into the container. I guess I now know that they are capable of opening presents! So not only do I have a very excited little boy ready for Christmas....

....but I also have two excited dogs as well!

Hallmark Winner

2011-12-18T03:13:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all who entered the Holiday Gift Guide: Hallmark Prize Pack Giveaway. If you need a last minute gift, the Hallmark Recordable Storybooks would make a fantastic gift! So let's find out who won! Using random.org, the lucky winner is:

#37 mummytotwoboys

Congratulations! The winner has been emailed and has 48 hours to respond or sadly a new winner will be drawn. A BIG thanks to Hallmark for sponsoring this awesome giveaway!

Hallmark Prize Pack Ends Tonight! (LOW ENTRIES)

2011-12-17T07:47:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to get your entries into the Hallmark Prize Pack Giveaway! It ends tonight at 10pm MST and the winner will receive two recordable storybooks and a keepsake ornament. This is an awesome prize that you won't want to miss out on so hurry and get your entries in now before it's too late! There are low entries right now and lots of ways to get extra entries. Good Luck!

Excited 2 Learn Sibling Packet (I'm Going to be a big Brother!) Review & Prize Pack Giveaway (Open to US & Canada)

2011-12-16T11:19:00.001-07:00

Since I decided not to put Tobin in preschool yet, I have been trying to teach him at home. So I love to introduce educational products and toys to him as much as I can. I think products that are fun really do help him to get excited to learn. That is why I was so excited when I learned about all the great products at Excited 2 Learn.

About Excited 2 Learn (from their website)

Wish your little one could calm down when frustrated, go to bed without a fight or use the potty with excitement?
Excited 2 Learn charts, schedules and games were created by twin sisters, moms and teachers who know exactly how you feel. We create resources and tools that will help you and your child transform routine tasks into playful accomplishments!
The Excited 2 Learn product line:
Features original watercolor artwork
High quality and made in America
Created out of love for children, art and education
Custom and personalized options

Excited 2 Learn has so many great products that can be great resources in helping to teach your child. They children's games, charts & schedules, teacher resources, and even baby gifts and products. I think the "Please Don't Ring the Doorbell..." Sign would make a great gift for any new or soon-to-be mommy!

I think the I Can Use the Potty! would be a great chart to get since we are trying to potty train Tobin. You can also purchase Hippo's Reward Chart to go with it. I think these would be great resources for potty training.

There were so many great products to choose from, but I was really interested in the Sibling Pack (I'm Going to be a Big Brother!).

We are expecting our 2nd baby in April and I have been trying to figure out ways to get Tobin involved and excited about being a big brother. This packet seemed to be the perfect answer! Here is what comes in the packet:

* Ready to Decorate Big Brother Poster
* What Does The Baby Look Like? Activity
* Interview Questions
* List of Picture Books
* Preparing Your Child for the Arrival of a New Little One
* Detailed checklist and description for: during pregnancy, at the hospital, and once the baby arrives home
* “Shhhhh! Our Baby is Sleeping” Nursery Sign
* High Five Certificate

We also received the optional "I Am a Great Big Brother" dinosaur reward chart. The reward chart is designed to help big siblings embrace their new role as a caring older sibling. It's a great and interactive way to help them feel valued and encourage positive behavior. So when Tobin is being a good big brother, then he will earn a token to attach to the chart (the chart and tokens are laminated and stick on with velcro). Once all 5 tokens are earned, the child receives a star! We'll then be rewarding Tobin with special rewards (such a fun outing and special prize) when he gets his stars.

I love how the packet has a lot of great tips on how to prepare your child for when the new baby arrives. There was a lot of helpful advice that I will definitely be using and have already been implementing some of the advice already. I also thought the list of books was another great resource. I am planning on checking out several of them and give them to Tobin over the next few months.

Tobin's favorite item from the packet was the Ready to Decorate Big Brother Poster. This is a great way to get your little one involved. Tobin thought it was so cute that there were two dogs on the poster and he immediately said that the bigger dog was himself and the little dog was Noah (his soon-to-be baby brother). Tobin had so much fun coloring the poster and then we hung it on Noah's door. Tobin was so proud of himself and he loves to show it off to anyone who comes over!

My personal favorite item from this packet was the “Shhhhh! Our Baby is Sleeping” Nursery Sign. On one side it has a green "Go" sign which means that your child (or anyone) can come into the room.

The other side has a red "Stop" sign which means your child (or anyone) needs to be quiet because the baby is sleeping. I love it and have already been teaching Tobin what the different signs mean. He now knows that if he sees the stop sign, he needs to be quiet and he can't go into the baby's room.

There are some other fun activity pages that Tobin and I will be doing as Noah's due date arrives as well as after Noah comes. There is a cute High Five Certificate where I can put Tobin and Noah's handprints on it. I think that will be really cute and something special to frame and put in Noah's room.

We loved the Sibling Packet and I think it's a great way to get Tobin ready to be a big brother. Excited 2 Learn has a variety of great products and one lucky winner will get their choice the following:

Easy-to-Write Cards

Find a Match Games

These look like great products, so find out how to enter below!

GIVEAWAY: Thanks to Excited 2 Learn, one LUCKY winner will win their choice of Easy-to-Write Cards and their choice of Find a Match Games.

MANDATORY: To enter, you MUST be a public follower of my blog AND visit www.excited2learn.com and tell me what product you think would be fun or a big help in your home.
**Open to US & Canada. Must be 18+ to enter. All entries that do not meet the mandatory entry will not be eligible to win. You MUST leave an email address or have it visible in your profile to be eligible to win.**

EXTRA ENTRIES:

**Please remember to leave one comment per each entry. So, if you get 5 entries, leave 5 comments. If you only leave one comment, then you only get one entry! Remember to leave an email address.**

-Like Excited 2 Learn on Facebook

-Leave a comment on Excited 2 Learn's Facebook Wall

-Follow @excited2learn on Twitter

-Mention @excited2learn on Twitter

-Become a Facebook Fan/"Like" Second Time Around
-Post on Facebook about this Giveaway (including a link to this giveaway) (2 Entries)

-Subscribe to my blog by Email (3 Entries)

-Enter any of my current giveaways and tell me which ones (1 Entry for Each Giveaway Entered)

-Follow me on Twitter AND Tweet this giveaway and leave me the link to your tweet (1 Entry, Once Daily)

#win an Awesome @excited2learn Prize Pack @tobinsmommy08 Ends 1/10 http://bit.ly/w0wekh Open to US & Canada #giveaway

-Grab my Button and post it on your blog (2 Entries)

-Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link to your post (3 Entries)

-Leave a relevant comment on an DECEMBER/JANUARY non-giveaway post and tell me which ones (1 Entry Per Post, Limit 5)

**I received the products I reviewed free of charge in order to do an honest review. No other compensation was received. My thoughts are 100% my own and others may have different opinions. A BIG thanks to Excited 2 Learn for the opportunity to review and host this great giveaway**

Listerine Total Care Zero Review & Giveaway (2 Winners)

2011-12-16T11:00:00.001-07:00

I am a big fan of Listerine but sometimes it can be a bit too intense for me. So I was excited to learn about the LISTERINE®'s new Total Care Zero Anticavity Mouthwash.

This is the newest addition to the LISTERINE® family and it is an alcohol-free mouthwash. In addition to its zero alcohol formula, it also features a less intense Fresh Mint flavor. It still provides all the same healthy mouth benefits of LISTERINE® Total Care including:

Helps Prevent Cavities
Restores Enamel
Strengthens Teeth
Kills Bad Breath Germs
Cleans the Whole Mouth
Freshens Breath

I have been using the new LISTERINE®'s Total Care Zero and I have been loving it! It has just a slight burn so I know that it is working, but it's really not intense at all. Usually my eyes water, but not with this mouthwash. Instead it's rather pleasant and leaves my breath smelling minty fresh. I like knowing that it's killing the germs that cause bad breath, protecting my teeth from cavities, and even helping to restore my enamel. To me, that makes this an awesome mouthwash to use.

It is important to take care of your mouth and now you can do it without the burn. So be sure you check out LISTERINE® Total Care Zero.

GIVEAWAY: Thanks to Listerine, TWO Lucky winners will receive a bottle of LISTERINE® Total Care Zero.

MANDATORY: To enter, you MUST be a public Google Friend Connect Follower of my blog AND tell me why you want to try the new LISTERINE® Total Care Zero.

**Open to US ONLY (No PO Box). Must be 18+ to enter. All entries that do not meet the mandatory entry will not be eligible to win. You MUST leave an email address or have it visible in your profile to be eligible to win.**

EXTRA ENTRIES:

**Please remember to leave one comment per each entry. So, if you get 5 entries, leave 5 comments. If you only leave one comment, then you only get one entry! Remember to leave an email address.**

-Become a Facebook Fan/"Like" Second Time Around

-Post on Facebook about this Giveaway (including a link to this giveaway) (2 Entries)

-Subscribe to my blog by Email (3 Entries)

-Enter any of my current giveaways and tell me which ones (1 Entry for Each Giveaway Entered)

-Follow me on Twitter AND Tweet this giveaway and leave me the link to your tweet (1 Entry, Once Daily)

#win LISTERINE®'s new Total Care Zero Anticavity Mouthwash @tobinsmommy08 Ends 1/10 http://bit.ly/v0eYNZ 2 Winners!!! #giveaway

-Grab my Button and post it on your blog (2 Entries)

-Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link to your post (3 Entries)

-Leave a relevant comment on an DECEMBER/JANUARY non-giveaway post and tell me which ones (1 Entry Per Post, Limit 5)

**I received the product I reviewed free of charge so I could do an honest review. I did not receive any other compensation. My reviews are 100% my own and others may have different opinions. A BIG thanks to Listerine for the opportunity to host this great giveaway!**

Let EdenFantasys Stuff Your Stocking this Year!

2011-12-16T10:36:00.000-07:00

**THIS POST IS FOR MATURE ADULTS ONLY. IF YOU ARE UNDER 18, PLEASE STOP READING NOW. THANKS!**

I can't believe Christmas is just a little over a week away. I have most of my big gifts bought and wrapped, but I am still in need of some stocking stuffers. When it comes to my 3 year old, that's easy. I can usually come up with some fun things for my husband too, but "Santa" doesn't ever seem to put much thought into my stocking. Thanks to EdenFantasys, this year my stocking will be stuffed with some products sure to brighten my holidays!

Did you know that EdenFantasys is more than just sex toys? They now have a lot of great bath & body products and beauty products which would make perfect stocking stuffers.

The Lip Lovely Set -Lip Balm would make a great stocking stuffer for me! My lips always gets so chapped in the winter and this set includes a Sugar Kisses Lip Scrub and a Bella's Berry Balm or Rescue Me Lip Treatment. It also comes in two flavors: Peppermint or Strawberry.

Not only do my lips get chapped, but my hands also get very dry. So the Cake Beauty Holiday Handful Trio would be another great gift. It comes with three great lotions: Milkmade (whole vanilla milk and baked raspberry), Unsweet (un-coloured and un-scented), and Vanilla Snow (sweet vanilla cream). I think this is especially perfect if your going to be giving this gift and your not sure which scent they would like. This way they will have 3 great scents and they are bound to like at least one of them!

I love lip gloss, so I am really hoping Santa puts the Winter Wonder Lip Gloss Trio in my stocking this year!

Another product I'm really hoping to get this Christmas is the Cake Beauty Vanilla Snow Woman Glistening Bath and Shower Gel. It comes with a glistening body wash, glistening body mousse, and pink icicle lip gloss! This would make a great gift or stocking stuffer!

Another product that I think would be a lot of fun this holiday season is the 12 Days of Christmas Lip Balm Set. That would be sure to brighten up any girl's holiday!

There's not very many shopping days left, so be sure you let Santa know that you want him to shop for you at EdenFantasys!

Oral-B Stages Winnie the Pooh Viewing Party

2011-12-14T11:44:00.000-07:00

Thanks to MommyParties and Oral-B, I recently had the opportunity to host an Oral-B Stages Winnie the Pooh Viewing Party! I was so excited because I love the Winnie the Pooh movie and I think it's very important to teach kids about oral care as soon as they start to get teeth. So I was thrilled that I got to host this fun party. We were sent a fun party package to help host this great party which included:

-Disney's Winnie the Pooh Movie DVD

-Oral-B Goodie Bags

-Oral-B Balloons

-Popcorn and Popcorn Boxes

-Oral-B Stages Toothpaste in 3 different Disney themes: Cars, Toy Story, and Princess.

-Oral-B Stages Disney's Winnie the Pooh Toothbrushes

-Winnie the Pooh Disney Naturals Hair and Body Wash

-Coupons and Oral-B fact sheets

-Oral-B Flash Cards

The day of our party arrived and we had everything set up for it!

The popcorn was popped and put in popcorn boxes. We added some M&M's and Licorice to make these popcorn boxes filled with yummy treats!

The goodie bags were packed and ready to give to the guests. Each guest received a Winnie the Pooh Oral-B Stages toothbrush and toothpaste, Disney Hair & Body Wash, and coupons and Oral-B fact sheets.

Once the snacks were all set out for the kids and adults, then the guests started to arrive.

We started off with the flash cards that were sent. It was a great way to start off and see if the kids could answer the questions. I loved that they all paid attention and answered the questions...they were all very smart! They learned about healthy foods to eat and to brush their teeth!

The kids then all got their goodie bags and they loved them!

They especially loved the toothbrush and toothpaste!

Then it was time to pass out the snacks and start the movie. The kids were very drawn into the movie and were having a great time watching Winnie the Pooh.

I loved how the kids were so into the movie that when the characters on the movie were singing and dancing around, so were the kids!

The kids favorite part of the party was definitely the toothbrushes and toothpaste! All the parents told me that as soon as they got home, the kids had to use their new toothbrushes and toothpaste. Everyone loved the Hair & Body Wash too!

-Follow Oral-B on Facebook and Twitter.

**I had the opportunity to host this awesome MommyParty and had products provided for by MomSelect and sponsored by Oral-B Stages. No compensation was received. My thoughts are 100% my own and others may have a different opinion.**

Winners!

2011-12-14T11:24:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all of you who entered the giveaways that ended last night. I wish all of you could be winners but sadly there's only one winner for each. So let's find out who won! Using random.org, the lucky winners are:

Savvy Rest Dog Bed

#204 jenzen69

MyBlogSpark Cheerios Prize Pack

#196 Mandy Kauffman

Congratulations! The winners have been emailed and have 48 hours to respond or sadly a new winner will be drawn. Thank you to all who took the time to enter and to the wonderful sponsors.

Contractions at 22 Weeks

2011-12-13T09:44:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been quite a scary and painful weekend for me. On Saturday while I was getting myself and Tobin ready for a Christmas party, I suddenly started getting contractions. They were every 3 minutes and very painful. I immediately called my Mom to watch Tobin and called my husband to have him get home from work. I then went and laid down and drank a ton of water. I eventually got the contractions to 15 minutes apart for the rest of the day. Finally they became irregular and after talking to the on-call doctor, I was put on bed rest.

I saw my doctor yesterday and it doesn't look like the contractions did anything to start labor...thank goodness! So I am still on bed rest for the rest of the week and then I am just supposed to take it easy. So hopefully that will be only scare this pregnancy. Tobin tried to come early at 33 weeks but they were able to stop it so I'm hoping that Noah will stay in there until April. My contractions are starting to wane, so hopefully they will be completely gone in a few days. So now you know why I haven't been around for the last few days but since I have a few boring days in bed ahead of me, I'm hoping I can get some work done. So get ready for some fun giveaways and reviews and hopefully no more of this kind of excitement!

Giveaways Ending TONIGHT!

2011-12-13T09:12:00.000-07:00

There are two great giveaways ending tonight so be sure you get your entries in now! The giveaways end at 10pm MST tonight. Good Luck!

Savvy Rest Organic Dog Bed Giveaway (ARV $119)

MyBlogSpark Cheerios Cheer Prize Pack Giveaway

Kidorable Dragon Knight Collection Review

2011-12-08T11:09:00.000-07:00

I discovered Kidorable about three years ago and I absolutely love their products! They offer fun and functional children apparel and accessories. Most people know them for their rain gear, but they also have a wide variety of other products such as knit hats, scarves, gloves, hangers, book ends, backpacks, and much more!

Kidorable has a variety of styles to choose from that are perfect for every kid's imagination. Tobin has several products from Kidorable and when he is in his Kidorable products, he is those characters! So I was so excited to learn about Kidorable's new Dragon Knight Collection.

This collection is perfect for brave little boys who wants to be Knight's in shining armor! Your child can be ready for anything (especially rain) in this great collection where you can get the rain coat, rain boots, umbrella, backpack, and hangers all in the great Dragon Knight theme.

I was thrilled when we were sent the Dragon Knight Rain Coat to review. Tobin thought it was the coolest rain coat and I loved that it came with a matching hanger. The rain coat is complete with a helmet on the hood. The wooden hanger is in the shape of a dragon and perfect for hanging up this adorable rain coat. The rain coat is made of PU (polyurethane) and has a comfortable polyester lining. It comes in sizes from 1T (12-18 months) up to 6/6X. All coats come with a FREE matching Kidorable hanger. It keeps your child nice and dry. Tobin looks adorable in his new rain coat!

I am a big fan of Kidorable and I will definitely be purchasing more of the Dragon Knight Collection soon. So be sure to check out the new collection as well as all the great collections that Kidorable has to offer.

DEAL ALERT: Kidorable has a great deal right now where you can use coupon code DRAGON7 to receive a free Dragon Knight Umbrella with your order over $20 (make sure to add the Dragon Knight umbrella to your shopping cart first). This is a great deal and it ends December 11, 2011 so be sure you don't miss out!

Baby DeeDee Sleep Nest Winner!

2011-12-08T10:21:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all of you who took the time to enter the Baby DeeDee Sleep Nest Giveaway. This is such a great product and I can't wait to use it on Noah! So let's find out who the lucky winner of their very own Sleep Nest is. Using random.org the winner is:

#15 dannyscotland
Congratulations! The winner has been emailed and has 48 hours to respond or sadly a new winner will be drawn. A BIG thanks to Baby DeeDee for sponsoring this great giveaway!

Holiday Gift Guide: Glee Gum Make Your Own Chewing Gum Kit Review & Giveaway

2011-12-07T11:40:00.003-07:00

Last year I was introduced to a great company called Glee Gum. Glee Gum is all natural chewing gum that is made with harvested rainforest chicle. Their gum is great, but what I really love is their Glee Gum Make Your Own Candy Kits.

Here's a brief description about the Make Your Own Candy Kits:

Available in Make Your Own Chocolate, Make Your Own Chewing Gum, and Make Your Own Gummies, these activity kits are all-natural, educational, and eco-friendly. With pre-packaged ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, everyone aged 8 and up gets a real kick out of making candy from scratch. Focusing on the history behind and the origin of these candies, each kit is designed to captivate your interest, connect you to the global community, and create something yummy to eat in the process!

Glee Gum has three great candy kits to choose from:

Make Your Own Chewing Gum Kit

Make Your Own Gummies Kit

Make Your Own Chocolate Kit

We were excited to try out the Make Your Own Chewing Gum Kit. Tobin loves gum (probably because I rarely let him have it) and he couldn't believe we were going to make it! I love that the instructions are very easy to follow and that they explain everything you need to do. The kit comes with everything you need to make your own chewing gum.

I love that it comes with a microwavable dish that you can use which is great since the chicle gum base is very sticky! We decided to microwave the chicle gum base so that way I wouldn't ruin any of my own pans. I also used a plastic spoon so I wouldn't ruin any of my silverware.

Once the chicle gum base is melted enough so that you can work with it, then you add in the corn syrup and mix it together. It's very sticky!

Then on a smooth surface like a counter or cutting board, you want to sprinkle the confectioner's sugar. Then you roll out your chicle gum base and corn syrup mixture by kneading and rolling. Once it's all mixed up, you divide it into two equal parts.

The kit comes with two natural flavorings, Cinnamon and Cherry. You then work in the flavoring powder to the gum base. Once you have it all mixed, you want to roll it flat and then cut it into pieces. You can then put the remainder gum into wax paper or something similar so that the gum keeps.

Tobin and I both tried out the gum and I thought it was good, but it did have a different texture than I was used to. Tobin loved it and was so proud that we made gum! I love that it's all natural gum and Tobin really likes it.

The Make Your Own Candy Kits are great educational toys designed to connect, create, and captivate. They are recommend for ages 8+, although I have done them with Tobin since he was 2 so I think younger children would still enjoy these but would need a lot of help and adult supervision. I think the Make Your Candy Kits would make great gifts this holiday season so be sure to check them out! To find a store near you that carries the product, please check out the store locator.

GIVEAWAY: Thanks to Glee Gum, one LUCKY winner will win a Make Your Own Candy Kit of their choice.

MANDATORY: To enter, you MUST be a public follower of my blog AND sign up for Glee Gum's Newsletter.
**Open to US ONLY . Must be 18+ to enter. All entries that do not meet the mandatory entry will not be eligible to win. You MUST leave an email address or have it visible in your profile to be eligible to win.**

EXTRA ENTRIES:

**Please remember to leave one comment per each entry. So, if you get 5 entries, leave 5 comments. If you only leave one comment, then you only get one entry! Remember to leave an email address.**

-Like Glee Gum on Facebook
-Follow Glee Gum on Twitter

-Enter Natalie's Kidorable Umbrella Giveaway (2 Entries)

-Become a Facebook Fan/"Like" Second Time Around
-Post on Facebook about this Giveaway (including a link to this giveaway) (2 Entries)

-Subscribe to my blog by Email (3 Entries)

-Enter any of my current giveaways and tell me which ones (1 Entry for Each Giveaway Entered)

-Follow me on Twitter AND Tweet this giveaway and leave me the link to your tweet (1 Entry, Once Daily)

Holiday Gift Guide: #win Your Choice of Glee Gum Make Your Own Candy Kit @tobinsmommy08 Ends 12/21 http://bit.ly/uLoeCo Open to US #giveaway

-Grab my Button and post it on your blog (2 Entries)

-Grab the Holiday Button and post it on your blog (2 Entries)

-If you grabbed the Holiday Button BEFORE November 1st AND commented on this post you get 5 Extra Entries.

-Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link to your post (3 Entries)

-Leave a relevant comment on an DECEMBER non-giveaway post and tell me which ones (1 Entry Per Post, Limit 5)

This giveaway will end on December 21st at 10pm (MST). The winners will be drawn by random.org and will be notified by e-mail as well as announced on this blog. The winners will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner(s) will be chosen. Good Luck to all of you!

**I received the products I reviewed free of charge in order to do an honest review. No other compensation was received. My thoughts are 100% my own and others may have different opinions. A BIG thanks to Glee Gum for the opportunity to review and host this great giveaway**

Wordless Wednesday: It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

2011-12-07T11:06:00.000-07:00

Holiday Gift Guide: Neat-Oh! ZipBins Review

2011-12-07T08:41:00.001-07:00

By the time Christmas is over, we have a mountain of new toys in our home. So instead of feeling joy over Tobin's new bounty of toys like he is feeling, I usually feel discouraged and annoyed over trying to find a place for everything. This year I feel a lot different because I found a great product called Neat-Oh! ZipBins.

The ZipBin Story (from their website)

Could messiness be the mother of invention? ZipBin® storage originated when my inventive 10-year-old son, Max, and I put our heads together for some true "out-of-the-box" problem solving. Like many boys, Max loves plastic building blocks. And he likes to dump them on the floor-CRASHHH!! Of course, I loved to see Max play, but I groaned when I heard that loud mess of blocks spilling everywhere. Neither Max nor I liked cleaning up all those little pieces.
Inspired by our problem, we thought creatively about how to solve it until... what if Max's toy bin unzipped to a play mat and zipped back up, capturing his toys? That would take the work out of having fun. It would be neat! And that's the name we chose for the company - Neat-Oh!® - that would introduce ZipBin® storage to the world...

ZipBins are an amazing product! Each ZipBin is a storage and playmat all in one. The ZipBin comes in all shapes and sizes. Each adorable container just unzips and you have a fun playmat to play on and when you are done, you just zip it back up and it holds all of the toys inside. I love that they have different themes and some of them even come with a toy.They have ones for Barbies, Lego's, trains, and so much more! Plus the great thing about ZipBins are that they are so cute that you don't need to put them away. So they not only hold your child's toys, but also add a little decoration to your room.

Tobin has tons of cars and I am running out of places to put them. He is also always wanting to take his cars with him when he goes places. So I was thrilled when we were sent the Hot Wheels™ ZipBin® Wheelie PlayPack to review.

Tobin was so excited when our ZipBin arrived and he loved the fact that this ZipBin came with a toy car as well.

The ZipBin PlayPack zips all the way open to reveal a fun play mat which is perfect for racing his cars. It has six slots to fit 6 cars in but we usually just pile in all his cars. He has so much with it!

Once he's all done playing, he just zips it up and puts in all his cars and then zips it close. The best part of all is that this ZipBin is also a backpack! Tobin loves this and it makes it very convenient when he takes it places.

We love our Hot Wheels™ ZipBin® Wheelie PlayPack and I highly recommend that this holiday season you check out all the great products that Neat-Oh! has to offer.

-Follow Neat-Oh! on Twitter and Facebook

**I received the product I reviewed free of charge in order to do an honest review. No other compensation was received. My thoughts are 100% my own and others may have a different opinion. A BIG thanks to Neat-Oh! for the opportunity to review.**

Baby DeeDee Sleep Nest Giveaway ENDS TONIGHT!!!

2011-12-07T07:46:00.000-07:00

The Baby DeeDee Sleep Nest Giveaway ends TONIGHT at 10pm MST. This would make a great baby shower gift or Christmas present to an infant or an expectant Mom. So be sure you don't miss out on this awesome product and go get your entries in now!

Learning Resources Pretend & Play Bakery Set Review & Giveaway

2011-12-06T07:21:00.001-07:00

I have been doing a lot of shopping for the holidays and birthdays these past few weeks and I have purchased a lot of educational toys. One of my favorite places to buy educational toys from is Learning Resources.

Learning Resources has a variety of great educational products for all ages. I have reviewed several products from them in the past and they always become Tobin's favorite toys to play with. I was thrilled when we were sent the Pretend & Play Bakery Set to review.

The Pretend & Play toys are one of Tobin's favorites because he loves to use his imagination. He especially loves to play pretend cooking. So this was perfect for him!

The set has everything your little baker needs to "cook up" some fun! Here is what is included:

Mixing bowl & spoon
Measuring cup
Rolling pin
2 Measuring spoons on ring (tablespoon and teaspoon)
Mixing spoon
Play knife
Cookie tray
4 Cookies (star, crescent, clover, heart)
1 Cookie cutter with suction cup and handle
Cookie dough
Pie with three 2-piece slices (apple, peach, strawberry)
Loaf of bread with 3 slices connected by hook-and-loop fasteners
Crackable egg & egg yolk
2-Piece strawberry connected by hook-and-loop fasteners
Peach slice
Apple slice

Tobin was really excited to play with the Bakery Set. He thought the fact that you could really crack a pretend egg and have a yolk come out was so cool. It offers realistic, hands-on play since you can crack open the egg, so it's great practice! The egg shells are kind of hard to put back together especially with putting the yolk back in side, but Tobin doesn't care and loves it anyways.

It comes with a measuring cup and spoon so your child can pretend to add ingredients into the bowl provided and mix up their treats.

The set also introduces parts of a whole with a sliceable 3-piece loaf of bread and a pie that has three 2-piece slices. Your child can fill the pie with fruit and you match the fruit with the colors. So this is a great way to practice colors with your child as well.

The bread is held together with velcro and you can cut it with the pretend knife that comes with the set. The bread is made of plastic and is kind of squishy so it's a little difficult to cut, but Tobin doesn't seem to mind that at all.

Tobin's favorite part of the set is the cookies. It comes with a rolling pin and a slice of pretend dough that has shapes already cut in it. Then you take the cookie cutter that has a suction cup on it and pick up the cookies with it and place it on the tray.

We love the Learning Resources Pretend & Play Bakery Set and I think it's a great way to let your child explore their imagination. Be sure to check out all the other products from Learning Resources as well. They have a lot to choose from! Just to give you an idea of some of the products they have to offer, here are two things I recently purchased for Tobin for Christmas:

Pretend & Play Rise & Shine Breakfast

Smart Snacks Counting Cookies

So if you are looking for great educational products at affordable prices, then look no further than Learning Resources.

GIVEAWAY: Thanks to Learning Resources, one LUCKY winner will win a Pretend & Play Bakery Set (ARV $29.99) just like the one we reviewed.

MANDATORY: To enter, you MUST be a public follower of my blog AND visit Learning Resources and tell me another product you would love to have that was not mentioned above.
**Open to US ONLY (No PO Box). Must be 18+ to enter. All entries that do not meet the mandatory entry will not be eligible to win. You MUST leave an email address or have it visible in your profile to be eligible to win.**

EXTRA ENTRIES:

**Please remember to leave one comment per each entry. So, if you get 5 entries, leave 5 comments. If you only leave one comment, then you only get one entry! Remember to leave an email address.**

-Become a Facebook Fan/"Like" Second Time Around
-Post on Facebook about this Giveaway (including a link to this giveaway) (2 Entries)

-Subscribe to my blog by Email (3 Entries)

-Enter any of my current giveaways and tell me which ones (1 Entry for Each Giveaway Entered)

-Follow me on Twitter AND Tweet this giveaway and leave me the link to your tweet (1 Entry, Once Daily)

#win a @LearningHandsOn Pretend & Play Bakery Set (ARV $29.99) @tobinsmommy08 Ends 12/27 http://bit.ly/vBas2D Open to US #giveaway

-Grab my Button and post it on your blog (2 Entries)

-Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link to your post (3 Entries)

-Leave a relevant comment on an DECEMBER non-giveaway post and tell me which ones (1 Entry Per Post, Limit 5)

This giveaway will end on December 27th at 10pm (MST). The winners will be drawn by random.org and will be notified by e-mail as well as announced on this blog. The winners will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner(s) will be chosen. Good Luck to all of you!

**I received the products I reviewed free of charge in order to do an honest review. No other compensation was received. My thoughts are 100% my own and others may have different opinions. A BIG thanks to Learning Resources for the opportunity to review and host this great giveaway**

Winners!

2011-12-06T07:05:00.000-07:00

Three Holiday Gift Guide Giveaways ended last night which means we have 3 Lucky winners! Let's find out who they are! Using random.org, the winners are:

PetSmart Holiday Sweater and Toy

#8 Unknown

DownEast Cookie Exchange Kit

#137 Alicia C.

Zak Designs Lunchtime Kit

#223 Orangefukurou

Congratulations! I have emailed the winners and they have 48 hours to respond or sadly a new winner will be drawn. Thank you to all who took the time to enter as well as a BIG thanks to these wonderful sponsors!

I'm Halfway Through My Pregnancy!

2011-12-05T20:31:00.000-07:00

Well, technically I'm a little over halfway since I'm now 21 weeks, but the pictures were from last week when I was at 20 weeks. No matter what, I am definitely halfway through my pregnancy and that's exciting! Noah is kicking like crazy and Tobin and my husband have both been able to feel him. He hasn't turned yet, so when he kicks he is kicking really low (right at my bladder) so I don't let anyone else feel since that's a little too low for comfort. I still don't quite fit into maternity pants just yet but I do fit into size XS and some Small maternity tops. I don't really fit into the jeans I was wearing, so now I have to leave the top button undone. I definitely have a baby bump now and everyone can tell that I am without a doubt pregnant.

I am feeling great, but have been starting to have some heartburn so Tums have become my best friend right now. I am definitely a lot smaller than I was with Tobin and best of all, I haven't been getting fat everywhere like I did when I was pregnant with Tobin. So that's been nice!

I'm looking forward to when I can start shopping for some things for Noah after the holidays. Everyone is getting excited about him and I have already received some cute gifts which I'll have to take pictures of and post sometime soon. We are so excited about little Noah and we can't wait to meet him!

Holiday Gift Guide: Hickory Farms Review

2011-12-05T19:37:00.000-07:00

I love the holiday season and I especially love going to the mall during the holiday season. Want to know why? Yes, the decorations are beautiful and there are some great sales, but the true reason is because I absolutely love the Hickory Farms kiosks that are set up in the mall during the holidays. Every year I head off to the mall as soon as the holidays hit so I can stop and get some delicious Hickory Farms products. I get some for gifts, but most are for us to eat right away! I especially love to get some to eat on Christmas Eve.

I was so excited when we were sent the Party Planner Gift Box to review. This is what was in my gift box:

-Hickory Farms Signature Beef Summer Sausage 7 oz.

-Italian Style Beef Summer Sausage 5 oz.

-Turkey Summer Sausage 5 oz.

-Smoked Gouda 6 oz.

-Farmhouse Cheddar 4 oz.

-Smoked Cheddar Blend 4 oz.

-Mission Jack Blend 4 oz.

-Creamy Swiss Blend 4 oz.

-Sesame, Caraway & Sea Salt Crackers 1.5 oz.

-Sweet Hot Mustard 2.25 oz.

-Cranberry Mustard 2.5 oz.

We had some friends over so I decided it as the perfect time to try out these delicious snacks. The Party Planner Gift Box definitely helps to make hosting a party a lot easier! Everyone loved the delicious taste of the Hickory Farms meats and cheeses.

My favorite is the Hickory Farms Signature Beef Summer Sausage and I have had to go buy several more because I have been craving it since we finished ours off. My husband loved everything, but he especially loved the Turkey Summer Sausage. It has a sweet taste to it so it's very yummy paired with some of the stronger cheeses and also tastes great with the sweet hot mustard. Tobin loved everything, so it's really a great treat for everyone of all ages.

This holiday, for every signature Party Planner gift sold, Hickory Farms will donate $5 to the No Kid Hungry Campaign. Each $5 contribution can help connect children in America to 50 meals. (maximum donation $500,000, through 1/31/11). To learn more, visit nokidhungry.org. I love that and is another great reason to buy this great gift box.

Another great thing about Hickory Farms is that they have a $3, 3 day shipping feature. So that means shipping is only $3 and it ships in 3 days. That is great and means you have plenty of time to order for the holidays.

Hickory Farms wasn't a tradition while I was growing up, but it is definitely a holiday tradition now in my family and I highly recommend it become one of your holiday traditions. So be sure to keep Hickory Farms in mind this holiday season.

Be sure to connect with Hickory Farms on Facebook and Twitter.

**Disclaimer: I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Hickory Farms and received a product sample to facilitate my review.**

Holiday Gift Guide: Hallmark Holiday Tips + Hallmark Prize Pack Giveaway

2011-12-05T09:33:00.003-07:00

The holidays can get very hectic and I know that I get very overwhelmed with all I need to do during this busy season. When it all comes down to it though, this is the season for imperfect moments and it's the memories and time spent with loved ones that really matters most. This holiday season, Hallmark wants to help families connect and enhance their time together by providing these three tips to enjoy holiday traditions:

1. Make Your Tree a Fun Place to Be

Transform your Christmas tree from a holiday decoration to a “family tree.” With more than 300 new Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments to choose from, you can tell your family’s story on every branch. Reminisce over old times, celebrate “firsts,” and capture your kids’ passions.

2. Bring Holiday Tales to Life

Whether you’re far away or side-by-side, you can always share a story with loved ones, thanks to Hallmark Recordable Storybooks. This year, Hallmark holiday Recordable Storybooks not only record a reader’s voice directly into the book; they now feature music! You can read or sing one of six holiday classics — including three new titles —and participate in holiday story time with loved ones even if distance causes them to be apart.

3. Spread Holiday Cheer (Without It Taking All Year!)

Hallmark wants to make it easier and faster for you to spread holiday cheer to loved ones. At Hallmark.com, you can create and send personalized holiday paper cards from the comfort of your own home (you can make the cards in your pajamas if you want)! Simply pick your favorite holiday card design, customize it with a photo and a personal message, upload your address book, and Hallmark will do the rest! From addressing and stamping to mailing your season’s greetings, Hallmark has it all under control.

I think these are great tips! I was so excited when Hallmark sent us two great Hallmark Recordable Storybooks and a Hallmark Keepsake Ornament to review.

We were sent the Santa Claus is Coming to Town Recordable Storybook. This was the perfect one for us because that's Tobin's favorite song! The storybook is really easy to record your own voice and I loved that this book included music in the background. This makes it a very magical book that Tobin will love! I am planning on giving it to him on Christmas Eve and I know he's going to love the fact that he can hear my voice reading it to him. The story is a great and the pictures are beautiful. This would make a great book for any family this holiday season.

We were also sent the On the Night You Were Born Recordable Storybook. We are going to give this to Noah when he is born, but after I recorded my voice I let Tobin look at it. Tobin loved it and thought it was so neat that he could read this book by himself or with me since all he had to do was push a button to hear the story. This book is beautiful and is a great book for any child.

I love both of the Recordable Storybooks and can't wait to purchase more. The pages are thick and sturdy like board book pages so they are great for all ages. There are a variety of different style recordable storybooks to choose from, 6 of which are holiday title storybooks which feature music. These would make great sentimental gifts that would be treasured for years to come.

I love the Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments and they have a wide variety to choose from. Tobin loves the movie Cars and that was actually his first movie theater experience this year. So we were thrilled when we were sent the International Race Rivals Ornament to review.

This ornament is very cute and Tobin was so excited when he saw it! I love that every year when we put it on the tree, it will remind me of Tobin's love of Cars and remind me of when I took him to his first movie. It will also always remind me of when Tobin was 3. I can't wait to purchase more Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments in the future.

This holiday season, remember that now is the time to enjoy being with your loved ones and create magical memories. Hallmark has a variety of great products to help you get ready for the holidays so be sure to check them out.

Holiday Discount: Thanks to Hallmark, you can get 20% off personalized greetings (minimum purchase $20) at http://www.hallmark.com/. Just use discount code SOCIAL20 (valid 11/1/11 - 1/1/12).

GIVEAWAY: Thanks to Hallmark, one LUCKY winner will receive a Hallmark Prize Pack just like the one I received which includes:

-Hallmark Keepsake Ornament – International Race Rivals (from Cars)

-Hallmark Recordable Storybook – On the Night You Were Born

-Hallmark Recordable Storybook - Santa Clause is Coming to Town

MANDATORY: To enter you MUST be a public Google Friend Connect Follower of my blog AND visit Hallmark and tell me either another Keepsake Ornament or Recordable Storybook (not mentioned above) that you would love to have this holiday season.

**Open to US Only (No PO Boxes). Must be 18+ to enter. All entries that do not meet the mandatory entry will not be eligible to win. You MUST leave an email address or have it visible in your profile to be eligible to win.**

EXTRA ENTRIES:

**Please remember to leave one comment per each entry. So, if you get 5 entries, leave 5 comments. If you only leave one comment, then you only get one entry! Remember to leave an email address.**

-Follow Hallmark on Twitter
-"Like" Hallmark on Facebook
-Enter Natalie's J.R. Watkins Shortbread Cookie Mix Giveaway (2 Entries)

-Become a Facebook Fan/"Like" Second Time Around

-Post on Facebook about this Giveaway (including a link to this giveaway) (2 Entries)

-Subscribe to my blog by Email (3 Entries)

-Enter any of my current giveaways and tell me which ones (1 Entry for Each Giveaway Entered)

-Follow me on Twitter AND Tweet this giveaway and leave me the link to your tweet (1 Entry, Once Daily)

Holiday Gift Guide: #win 2 Hallmark Recordable Storybooks and a Keepsake Ornament @tobinsmommy08 Ends 12/17 http://bit.ly/tnHmbu #giveaway

-Grab my Button and post it on your blog (2 Entries)

-Grab the Holiday Button and post it on your blog (2 Entries)

-If you grabbed the Holiday Button BEFORE November 1st AND commented on this post you get 5 Extra Entries.

-Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link to your post (3 Entries)

-Leave a relevant comment on an DECEMBER non-giveaway post and tell me which ones (1 Entry Per Post, Limit 5)

This giveaway will end on December 17th at 10pm (MST). The winners will be drawn by random.org and will be notified by e-mail as well as announced on this blog. The winners will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner(s) will be chosen. Good Luck to all of you!

**I received the products I reviewed free of charge in order to do an honest review. No other compensation was received. My thoughts are 100% my own and others may have different opinions. A BIG thanks to Hallmark for the opportunity to review and host this great giveaway.**

Giveaways Ending Tonight - LOW ENTRIES!!!

2011-12-05T08:07:00.000-07:00

Just a quick reminder that three Holiday Gift Guide Giveaways are ending tonight. They are all great and several have low entries! So be sure you get your entries in and don't miss out! Good Luck!

PetSmart Martha Stewart Holiday Dog Sweater and Holiday Dog Toy Giveaway - LOW ENTRIES!

Cookie Exchange Kit Giveaway - LOW ENTRIES!!!

Zak Designs Lunchtime Kit Giveaway

Holiday Gift Guide: Gourmet Gift Baskets Review

2011-12-04T19:12:00.000-07:00

I have quite a few people on my shopping list for the holidays who are really hard to shop for. One of my favorite gifts to give is gift baskets because they make great gifts for everyone. So I love to shop at GourmetGiftBaskets.com because they have such a wide variety of great gift baskets for every budget.

I was thrilled when I was sent the Christmas Gift Basket Classic to review. Here is what their website says about this great basket:

One of our most popular Christmas designs, the Christmas Gift Basket Classic is an excellent choice for the home or office. Why? Each Christmas Basket contains a variety of award-winning gourmet snacks that appeal to a wide variety of tastes. With gourmet snacks including a chocolate covered cherries, dark chocolate bar, chocolate chip cookies, almond clustered popcorn, raspberry honey mustard pretzel dip along with pretzels and so much more! So, if you want to send a gift that everyone will love, send one of these delicious Christmas Gift Baskets!

Here is what was included in this great gift basket:

· Almond Pecan-dy Crunch by Morley Candy Makers - 9.25 oz. - This ultra-luxurious candy crunch is made by covering gourmet popcorn and pecans in a rich, smooth caramel glaze.
· Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies by J&M Foods - 6 oz. - Made with only the finest of natural ingredients, these cookies will satisfy even the most discerning chocoholic.
· Dipping Pretzels by East Shore Specialty Foods - 6 oz. - These extraordinary pretzels are the perfect unsalted snack!
· Robert Rothschild Farm Raspberry Honey Mustard Pretzel Dip - 7.8 oz. - This gourmet raspberry honey mustard dip adds a flavorful zing to pretzels, and goes especially well with the East Shore Specialty Foods Dipping Pretzels that we have included in our Gift Baskets for Christmas.
· Salted Peanuts in Box by Feridie's - 7 oz. – Only the finest peanuts, flavored with salt, these gourmet snacks are just as Mother Nature intended.
· Signature Dark Chocolate Bar by Lake Champlain - 3 oz. - This decadent and complex dark chocolate bar will satisfy the cravings of even the most discerning chocolate lover.
· Buttered Peanut Crunch by Old Dominion Peanut Company - 10 oz. - This flavorful peanut crunch is made with only top of the line gourmet peanuts, brown sugar, and “AA” grade butter. Taste them and you will understand that the best ingredients create the best peanut crunch!
· Metropolitan Trail Mix by GourmetGiftBaskets.com - 4 oz. - Our proprietary blend of nuts and dried fruit is a delicious and surprisingly healthy snack.
· Parmesan Artichoke & Garlic Cheese Biscuits by Salem Baking Company - 1.5 oz. - These crumbly biscuits will melt in your mouth leaving a trail of flavor to be savored.
· Chocolate Covered Cherries by Marich - 2.3 oz. - These indulgent gourmet chocolate covered cherries are one of the favorite snacks in our line of Holiday Gift Baskets.

I was drooling the minute I saw this gift basket, it was filled with everything that I love! Everything tasted great and for $59.99, this would make a great gift basket to give anyone. We loved everything, but mine and Tobin's favorite treat was the Chocolate Covered Cherries by Marich. Those were very delicious!

This would make a great gift for anyone as well as any of the other great gift baskets that they have to offer. So this holiday season, be sure to check out Gourmet Gift Baskets.

Be sure to follow Gourmet Gift Baskets on Twitter and Facebook so you can stay up to date on their latest news and deals.

CALLING ALL BLOGGERS:
Do you have a blog? It does not have to be a review blog, it can be any kind of blog. How would you like to make a military donation? Gourmet Gift Baskets will donate two care packages for every blog post written about their Christmas Gifts selection. All you have to do is review their selection of Christmas Gifts, http://www.gourmetgiftbaskets.com/Christmas-Gift-Baskets.asp, and then write a blog post where you discuss their Christmas gift selection and how they can be a great gift for someone. If you are interested, please write a blog post BEFORE December 9th and then either post your link below or send me your link by emailing me at rachel_demille at yahoo dot com. Any questions, just ask me! This would be a great and easy way to give back this holiday season.

**I received the product I reviewed free of charge in order to do an honest review. My thoughts are 100% my own and others may have different opinions. A BIG thanks to GourmetGiftBaskets.com for the opportunity to review.**

Confessions of a Suicidal Policewoman by Thomas Fitzsimmons Review

2011-12-02T16:41:00.000-07:00

"Confessions of a Suicidal Policewoman"

by Thomas Fitzsimmons

Police officers Michael Beckett and Destiny Jones are two of the most compelling characters ever created by novelist Thomas Fitzsimmons. Now the author, who has been called "a worthy successor to Ed McBain" by New York Times bestselling author Steven Coonts, returns with a new tale about the wisecracking, deadly duo. Roving the streets and bars of the Upper East Side of Manhattan, Beckett and Destiny are starting to come to terms with their true feelings for one another when their world suddenly shifts gears. An ex-cop recruits Beckett into his gang of "rockers"-a secret society of vigilante cops who protect businesses from shakedowns for a price. A violent drug ring has taken control of an Upper East Side boutique hotel. The gang needs to be cleaned out and an old girlfriend of Beckett's, an amoral tart who happens to co-own the place, needs saving. This leads Beckett and Destiny into one of the deadliest, most tangled operations of their lives as he pursues the drug kingpin who killed his baby sister, and Destiny is forced to confront life as an invalid or a death with dignity by her own hand.

About Thomas Fitzsimmons

Thomas Fitzsimmons didn’t need to hire a team of researchers to write gritty crime stories. For Fitzsimmons, it was as simple as recalling his life.Fitzsimmons was raised in a family of career cops in an Irish neighborhood in the Bronx, New York. After serving in the U.S. Navy, Fitzsimmons joined the New York City Police Department. During his 10-year career in the South Bronx precinct dramatized in Paul Newman's “Fort Apache-The Bronx,” Fitzsimmons notched numerous arrests, collaring armed robbers, drug kingpins, and arsonists. Currently, Fitzsimmons is a top security consultant to celebrity clients nationwide. A recognized security expert, he has appeared on television shows including “Good Morning America,” “Geraldo Rivera” and “Montel Williams.”

My Review

A few months ago I did a review on Confessions of a Catholic Cop by Thomas Fitzsimmons and I loved the book. So I was excited to read Confessions of a Suicidal Policewoman since it was the second book in the Michael Beckett series. This book basically picked up where the last book had left off. This time you get to know Destiny Jones who used to be Michael Beckett's partner. It went back and forth between Michael Beckett and Destiny Jones and it was great to get to know her. I was sad to see that the relationship between Michael Beckett and his girlfriend, Solana was fizzling, but it was great to see a romantic spark between him and Destiny.

This book was even better than the first (and I loved the first book). You meet a lot of new characters in this book and some are from Beckett's past. Beckett and Destiny end up in the world of Rockers which is basically vigilante cops. This book definitely kept me on the edge of my seat with the dangers that these cops face along with all the twists and turns that this book is filled with. I also found myself fighting tears several times and I liked that this book had everything including romance, violence, tragedy, humor, and suspense. It's a great book and best of all it's a book that both men and women will enjoy. I highly recommend you check out Confessions of a Suicidal Policewoman by Thomas Fitzsimmons.

Follow Thomas Fitzsimmons on Facebook and Twitter.

**I received the book I reviewed free of charge in order to do an honest review. No other compensation was received. My thoughts are 100% my own and others may have different opinions.**

Winners!

2011-12-02T16:00:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all of you who took the time to enter the great giveaways that ended last night. Using random.org the LUCKY winners are:

Asher's Chocolate Smothered Pretzels

#230 jenzen69

Rubbermaid Bento Storage Boxes

#362 Barginmom

Congratulations! The winners have been emailed and have 48 hours to respond or sadly a new winner will be drawn. Don't forget to enter all the other great giveaways going on now!

Two Great Giveaways Ending TONIGHT!!!

2011-12-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

Just a quick reminder that two great giveaways are ending tonight at 10pm MST. So be sure you get your entries in now so you don't miss out!

Asher's Milk Chocolate Smothered Pretzels Giveaway

Rubbermaid Bento Storage Boxes (ARV $113.93) Giveaway

Family Movie Night: "Game of Your Life" + XBOX Kinect Game Prize Pack Giveaway

2011-12-01T08:47:00.004-07:00

I love it when Walmart and P&G team up to bring us Family Movie Night. I look forward to when they air a new movie because I know it's something I can sit down with my entire family and watch. This Friday, December 2nd at 8/7c on NBC there will be a new movie airing called "Game of Your Life". Here is the synopsis:

"When industrious high school gamer Zach Taylor lands a prized scholarship to the prestigious Digital Institute of Game Design (DIGD), his future breaks wide open. The opportunity to study under gaming legend Marcus Bentton and alongside the country’s most creative minds will certainly propel him into a successful career as a video game designer. That is, if he can pass the infamous freshman project that eliminates more than half of the class within the first three months. Paired with brilliant yet socially awkward teammates Phillip and Donald, the trio persuades Sara Ramirez – a determined and striking team leader with whom Zach has a history (and possibly a future) – to join their team. Working off-campus in the teched-out Lincoln Alley loft, the four set out to involve the entire campus in a quirky new social interactive game. But as the group becomes entrenched in the project, Zach learns that his father Billy, a widower, is facing growing financial woes at home. To help out, Zach accepts an opportunity to work directly with Marcus Bentton on a secretive side project that seems too good to be true. The effort requires nearly all of Zach’s time and energy, which he should be devoting to the project. Struggling to keep it together, Zach is torn between his responsibility to his team, his admiration for Bentton and a chance to help his father.

Everything comes to a breaking point when Zach’s team threatens to remove him from the group and the deceptive truth behind Bentton’s project comes to light. With the guidance of Professor Abbie Lambert, Zach must make a decision that not only affects his future, but the lives and livelihoods of the people around him as well. It’s a revealing story that recognizes the magnitude behind the choices we make and the importance loyalty plays in making good decisions."

This looks like a great movie that my whole family will enjoy. I have never been disappointed on any of the Walmart and P&G movies so I'm sure this is going to be another fantastic movie! My family was provided with a fun viewing kit which included an inflatable chair, t-shirt, and a box of Pop Tarts.

We will definitely be enjoying those goodies while we watch the movie.So plan a movie night this Friday, December 2nd and watch "Game of Your Life" on NBC at 8/7c.

GIVEAWAY: Thanks to Walmart and P&G, one LUCKY winner will receive a Game of Your Life Prize Pack which includes a candy tin with candy and popcorn in it and an XBOX Kinect Game (choice of Sports Season 2 or Dance Central 2).

MANDATORY: To enter, you MUST be a public Google Friend Connect Follower of my blog AND tell me if you have seen any of the Family Movie Night movies.

EXTRA ENTRIES:

**Please remember to leave one comment per each entry. So, if you get 5 entries, leave 5 comments. If you only leave one comment, then you only get one entry! Remember to leave an email address.**

-Follow Family Movie Night on Twitter
-"Like" Family Movie Night on Facebook

-Become a Facebook Fan/"Like" Second Time Around

-Post on Facebook about this Giveaway (including a link to this giveaway) (2 Entries)

-Subscribe to my blog by Email (3 Entries)

-Enter any of my current giveaways and tell me which ones (1 Entry for Each Giveaway Entered)

-Follow me on Twitter AND Tweet this giveaway and leave me the link to your tweet (1 Entry, Once Daily)

Family Movie Night: #win Game of Your Life Prize Pack including XBOX Kinect Game @tobinsmommy08 Ends 12/19 http://bit.ly/vjlmZC #giveaway

-Grab my Button and post it on your blog (2 Entries)

-Grab the Holiday Button and post it on your blog (2 Entries)

-Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link to your post (3 Entries)

-Leave a relevant comment on an DECEMBER non-giveaway post and tell me which ones (1 Entry Per Post, Limit 5)

This giveaway will end on December 19th at 10pm (MST). The winners will be drawn by random.org and will be notified by e-mail as well as announced on this blog. The winners will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner(s) will be chosen. Good Luck to all of you!

**I received the product I reviewed free of charge so I could do an honest review. I did not receive any other compensation. My reviews are 100% my own and others may have different opinions. A BIG thanks to Walmart & P&G for the opportunity to host this great giveaway!**