Crib Bumpers Suck! Use Wonder Bumpers!

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Crib bumpers suck.  And here’s why.

(AND… how I solved those problems with a product I found called Wonder Bumpers).

Wonder Bumpers are everything their names states them to be!

My problem started when I began to use cloth diapers with my daughter…she would often leak through leading to lots of sheet changes. This was extremely difficult because the crib bumper would get in the way.

The bumper I was using was really cute (stars design from Pottery Barn) but also has like a billion ties that held it onto the crib rails.

So logically I took it off the crib. Then in the middle of the night I would here “thuds” from my daughters head hitting the exposed rails.

Uh-oh…that’s not good either.

Crib Bumpers Suck. Here’s how I solved it by using Wonder Bumpers.

So when I stumbled upon Wonder Bumpers I knew they were the solution I was looking for, but didn’t know existed.

They mount onto each rail via zipper and you will need to count the number of rails that you will need to cover before you order. They do take a little time to install but once its done – you can still easily take the mattress out and change the sheets with no problem.

Best of all..

There is no worries about your little one hitting their head or concern about suffocation from a traditional bumper (although I still feel that this is sorta rare – it is certainly a fear for new parents).

Check out the great patterns and options at http://www.gomamagodesigns.com

They also have teething guards and sheets in the same soft minky fabric that their bumpers come in to match!

Baby girl loves her new crib makeover with wonder bumpers!

 

**I was provided a complimentary package of wonder bumpers to try for this review. Thoughts in this post are my own. ProjectMommy.com shares no liability in product defects.

Blood Cord Banking with Maze Laboratories

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To bank or not to bank your babies blood cord….

It is a REALLY tough decision. I literally made my decision and received my the kit to take to the hospital just 3 days before my daughter was born.
I research many options. Some were really expensive and then some had courier fees and some did not, some included other services or free tissue banking.
For some reason it all seemed so overwhelming that I just wanted to me done with everything and forget it.
Until…
I came across M.A.Z.E.
When you call you talk to a real person at the company and they work with you to make sure that all your questions get answered and help you to get your kit as quickly as possible (especially if you are about ready to pop, just like I was!)

Plan your Midwest Island Getaway!

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We were recently invited to climb aboard Miller Ferry Lineto travel to Put-in-Bay. It had been several years since I had been to the island and only ever as a day tripper, so I was looking forward to the opportunity to have two whole days to explore the island. My husband and I thought it would also be a great way to celebrate our 10th anniversary.

While there though I came across lots of ideas for a return trip with our kids for an awesome family vacation as well as an adults weekend away and my top 5 suggestions for both trip itineraries are below!

There is truly more than enough to keep you busy all through the weekend! (Tip: If you want to avoid the crowds and save some money during their peak season of June-August.. try to go mid-week!)
Get Directions & Island Coupons Here!

Here are my top 5 picks for your Put-In-Bay family island getaway and for a great weekend with friends or your significant other for an adults only getaway !
Family Vacation Island Getaway:
There is so much to do on a family vacation to PIB!
1. Golf cart and bicycle travel is fun for adults and kids alike. Once you get off the Miller Ferry you will find golf cart rentals from Island Bike and Cart Rental. They were really nice and able to get me started out on my Put-In-Bay journey!
2. A visit to Put-In-Bay is not complete without a trip to Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial, which was established to honor those who fought in the Battle of Lake Erie, during the War of 1812, and to celebrate the long-lasting peace between Britain, Canada and the U.S. The incredible view at the top also gives you a view of Canada!
3. Check out the Family Fun Center at Perry’s Cave! They have mini-golf, rock-climbing, gemstone mining, a serene butterfly house, Fort-AMAZE’N and of course Perry’s Cave, which is a wonder of rock formations and a very old ancient spring and new this year is Gotcha Laser Tag.
Underground in Perry’s Cave

My prize for finishing the maze!

4. The Put-In-Bay Tour Train is a great way to see the island, especially if you did not rent a golf cart and would like to see the island through a more formal guided tour! If your kids are older, check out the Segway tours offered on the island a unique way to get around such a unique place.


5. Number 5 is sort of a mish/mash of several fun things to do with kids downtown.. DeRivera Park is a waterfront park in the center of town with a great playground, across the street is the Candy Bar candy store and Kimberly’s carousel is a lot of fun.

For lunch or dinner, check out the Chicken Patio, which is a family-friendly, classic institution on PIB.
**If you are staying overnight and looking for additional activities for the kids, check out Adventure Bay


Adult Weekend Getaway…
1. During the day, grab some super-duper, make-your-mouth-water, Lobster Bisque from the Boardwalk – you may think its a bit pricy for soup, but trust me – splurge while your on the island and enjoy – you will thank me later 😉

View from Put-In-Bay Winery

2. Close by the Boardwalk is the Put-In-Bay winery, with a great selection of wines and great service! The view is amazing. Purchase a glass and enjoy the lake view from their porch.

Full moon and a cozy fire at The Keys

3. Check out dinner at the Keys, where you can find the Nagoya Sushi restaurant and they have a wonderful lakeside location with some welcoming adirondack chairs and cozy fire at night . If you are looking for a place to cool off during the day, this is also a great spot to be. They have mist fans and lots of frozen libations at their Fat Tuesday bar downstairs to help all your cares wane away (at least while you’re on the island 😉 )

4. Pub crawling at PIB is tradition, ney, an institution. Even if you aren’t much of a wine or beer enthusiast, the atmosphere is light-hearted and each tavern has its own theme and entertainment throughout the week. You can go from Blues to Rock to Country Bands to Dueling Piano’s to DJs and even Bag Pipes or find a spot at an outdoor bar with the sand under your feet and swings instead of barstools!

TIP: There are several taxi’s that operate late into the night to make sure all guest return to their lodging safely, so please be safe and use a taxi to get into town if you plan on making a long night of it.

Click here for a list of local restaurant and watering holes

5. For a post-pub crawl (or should I say PIB crawl? ) treat, grab a pizza at the Put-In-Bay Brewing Company (which has some great beers to try if you like craft brews!)
TIP: These are just the top 5 I discovered on my weekend there…there is so much more to do, see, enjoy and savour which I hope to discover on my next trip there!

Why we love Miller Ferry…
  • Friendly staff, on-time service
  • Free day & overnight parking
  • Low, Affordable Fairs (just $7 for adults and $15 to bring your car!)
  • Trip to Put-in-Bay in under 20 minutes
  • Children 5 years & younger ride Free
Boarding the Miller Ferry

Bon Voyage!

Check out the Miller Ferry Blog !
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Try some Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes this weekend!

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My newest love when it comes to pancakes may not be new to everyone else, but it is to me.

Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes

I love banana and [dark] chocolate chip pancakes. Here is why:

Balance of sweet of the chocolate, (and if you use dark chocolate chips, it will also be more bitter and a better compliment to the flavor of the banana, if you ask me.

Make the pancake batter as you normally would.

Slice a Banana into 4 long quarters and slice width-wise.

Add dark chocolate chips. Stir until banas and chocolate chips are distributed in the pancake batter

Test a griddle by using a few drops of water. If the water sizzles… the griddle is hot enough…test a small bit of batter to see if its too hot. (Usually Med-Med/High is the way to go)

Use with REAL warmed maple syrup and add a few banana slices on top.

Voila! Enjoy!

What’s the best nursing cover to buy?

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I have had the chance to test out many different nursing covers during my 2 years of nursing and finally took some time to write down what I have learned to save you from making the same mistakes I did.

My best advice when it comes to selecting the best nursing cover? Spend more now… save more later.

The first one tested was the The First Years Nursing Wrap. This one features a couple standard patterns to choose from and is made of a polyester material which gets very warm for mom and baby inside. What really turned me off from this one is the coverage it provided. a It has a price point about $15. Don’t count on using the First Years cover in the summer – the fabric can make it pretty stuffy for your little one (note: the fabric isn’t actually a health hazard, just not very comfortable when the weather is warm).

The second one we tested was from Udder Covers and this one was slightly better in both design and allowed plenty of air for baby. Unfortunately if you are larger than a petite size 8 to 10 or nursing an older baby, the coverage may not be adequate.

The total price on Udder Covers for their “free” cover was $11.95 (which they say is for shipping), This price is probably equivalent to the quality of the product, so it’s not necessarily overpriced, but if coverage and keeping your modesty are important then I suggest you invest a little bit more. I was disappointed in the quality of fabric – which was very thin and will NOT work if your nurser is a wiggler. You will likely find yourself getting frustrated, especially as a child gets older and wants to wiggle even more. Would this work great as a cover for pumping milk? Absolutely!

If you are looking for well-made, quality nursing cover, then my pick is The Peanut Shell Nursing Cover from Farallon brands. The fabric is great and holds it shape well. The clasp is actually like a buckle you would find on overalls, making it easy to latch and much more likely to stay in place instead of the loops you find on covers.

One of my favorite features of The Peanut Shell Nursing Cover are the pockets inside the cover extra storage for teethers, phone, burp cloth, etc. Best of all – it does what a cover should do…keeps your business, well… your business and makes nursing while out and about a lot less stressful. The Peanut Shell Nursing Cover will run you about $21-$35 depending on where you purchase it.

Brands that were looked at in the store, but not tested…

While comparable in price, we cannot offer a full-review of the Bebe Au Lait Nursing Cover or Hooter Hiders Nursing Covers. We did look at both in person and the fabric and quality for Bebe Au Lait Nursing Cover seems to be similar to the The Peanut Shell, however the Hooter Hiders version seems to be lacking in at somewhat in fabric quality when compared to the previous two, but does feature storage pockets and overall seems to be close to par of the other higher end covers.

What are your thought? Are there other covers that you have tried – what did or didn’t you like about them? Any other thoughts on the brands in this review?

Happy Nursing!

Disclaimer: I was given the Peanut Shell cover to try at cost for this review. No other brands were provided free or at a discount and the research for this article was all my own.

Mess Matz Makes Life Easier!

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Love doing craft projects with the kids but hate the mess?

We have found a great solution that will pay for itself in time and money of ruined carpets, tables, floors and tablecloths, etc.

It is called Mess Matz and we had a chance to talk with its inventor and father of 2, Ted Robertson.

My little guy using his “Mess Mat” for pumpkin carving


“MessMatz are great for any project,” said Ted Robertson, MessMatz.com Founder and Creative Director. “I tell my daughter she can work on anything she wants, and get as creative and messy as she can, as long as she uses her MessMatz. And her projects are messy for sure!”

Mess Matz has a patent pending lip which keeps spills and messes within work area, is weighted and is made of sturdy rubber so it stays in place, while holding upto everyday wear and tear…and rolls up for easy storage when not in use.

How can the Mess Matz help keep your house mess-free?


  • Easy set up

  • Patent Pending design with the perimeter lip and roll up storage
  • Food Safe and Non-Toxic
  • Very durable for years of use and enjoyment
  • Easy cleanup
  • Easy storage
  • Thousands of Uses!

Coloring Easter Egg
Painting projects
Playdough
Glue
Crafting
Painting projects
Pumpkin Carving
Puzzles
Cooking/Baking Activities





More about Mess Matz:

To use:
Unroll your MessMatz™ on any flat surface. The mat should lay flat after a few minutes at room temperature. MessMatz™ are designed with a rubber memory but do not always lay completely flat. Sometimes it is useful to roll your MessMatz™ in the opposite direction and then return it to its normal shape. Use your MessMatz™ for any fun, creative or messy project, whether on a table, on the floor, in the garage, or anywhere else!
Food Contact:
MessMatz™ are certified as non-toxic and food-safe. However, if the MessMatz™ comes into contact with any materials that will not wash out, such as paint or harsh chemicals, do not eat directly off the mat. Do not use with food and/or food products after harsh chemical use. It has been our customer’s experience that they have several MessMatz™ for inside use and several MessMatz™ for garage/outside use, etc.
Cleanup:
Pick up your MessMatz™ by the corners and dump the mess in the trash or sink. MessMatz™ are cleanable with most any type of cleaning agent or simply with water and scrubbing. Do not place in dishwasher or washing machine, hand wash only.
Storage:
Simply roll up your MessMatz™ and store it back in the box or roll up and secure with a hook and loop fabric or a simple rubber band. You of course can store your MessMatz™ flat as well. Do not fold or crimp the mat, however, as it is designed to be stored rolled or flat.
What makes a MessMatz unique?

Happy Fat Tuesday! The History of the King Cake

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Each year we celebrate Fat Tuesday with a King Cake…


People always ask me … “What is a King Cake?”

Basically the King Cake celebrates the Wise Men’s journey to seek out Baby Jesus (no the wise men did not have cars so it took awhile to get to Bethlehem 😉

So as not to humiliate myself by trying to explain the rest of the details…here is more info I found elsewhere…

“The King Cake is believed to have originated in France around the 12th century. These early Europeans celebrated the coming of the three wise men bearing gifts twelve days after Christmas calling it the Feast of the epiphany, Twelfth Night, or King’s Day.

The main part of the celebration was the baking of a King’s Cake to honor the three Kings. The cakes were made circular to portray the circular route used by the kings to get to the Christ Child, which was taken to confuse King Herod who was trying to follow the wise men so he could kill the Christ Child. In these early King Cakes a bean, pea, or coin was hidden inside the cake. The person who got the hidden piece was declared King for the day or was said to have good luck in the coming year.

In Louisiana, Twelfth Night also signifies the beginning of the carnival season which ends with Mardi Gras Day. The bean, pea and the coin have been replaced by a small plastic baby to symbolize the Christ Child. The person who gets the baby is expected to carry on the carnival festivities by hosting the next King Cake party. “


So remember…tomorrow…Gym and Then Church for Ash Wednesday…but today…enjoy some King Cake!

Remembering Sandy Hook Victim: Emilie Parker

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If there was one thing that Emilie Parker taught us during brief time on earth is to be kind. As her father said, “My daughter Emilie would be one of the first ones to be standing and giving support to all the victims because that’s the kind of kid she is.”

Here are some my favorite ways to share kindness…
Think of others before yourself even when the days are hard. Give back to your churches and communities whenever you are able. Volunteer. Hug. Encourage. Strengthen others faith in themselves. Strengthen your own faith in others. And yourself. Love unconditionally. Compliment your kids, parents and even your spouse. Call your mom. Listen more than you speak. Never Say Never. Keep an open mind and more importantly and open heart.

We hope that as myself and fellow bloggers wrap up our #27ActsofKindness campaign, inspires you to share kindness with others each day.

When your own time comes, how will you want to be remembered?

Emilie Parker, 6

“My daughter Emilie would be one of the first ones to be standing and giving support to all the victims because that’s the kind of kid she is,” said father Robbie Parker in a statement. He added that she was an artist, always carrying around her pencils and markers to draw pictures or make cards for people.

Read more: http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/12/16/remembering-the-victims-of-the-sandy-hook-elementary-school-shooting/#ixzz2JnrWMAxZ

Remembering Sandy Hook Victim: Dylan Hockley

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This month everyone thinks alot about love. They think about it in alot of different ways. There are the cute Valentine’s. They think about it in regards to chocolate, their significant other, spouse, etc.

But how often do you think of love as a form of kindness? Isn’t that what love is at its core? Therefore, when you do something nice for someone, whether a stranger or friend, essentially you are showing kindness and love. Dylan’s grandmother said, “To know him was to love him”. Is that something people say about you? When you show love and kindness to others it is one of the greatest gifts you can give. Find a way to show kindness to everyone you meet. You never know where people come from, what kind of day they had or the silent battles they may be fighting. The small token of thoughtfulness that you show them could be the best part of their day, week, maybe even month.


Dylan Hockley, 6

Garlic bread, video games and bouncing on the family trampoline with his older brother Jake were some of Dylan Hockley’s favorite things, his grandmother Theresa Moretti told the Boston Herald. Dylan “had the most mischievous little grin,” said Moretti. “To know him was to love him.”

Read more: http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/12/16/remembering-the-victims-of-the-sandy-hook-elementary-school-shooting/#ixzz2J9XBBmPm

Remembering Sandy Hook Victim: Josephine Gay

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My little girl has a birthday on Valentine’s Day. I feel bad for her – every year on her birthday flowers will be overpriced and restaurants overcrowded.

But it could be worse. Having a birthday around Christmas can’t be much fun either. It didn’t seem to bother Josephine though. This spunky little girl with a great sense of humor turned 7, just 3 days before her death.

Birthdays no matter when they are, are important.

Thanks to Facebook, remembering birthdays is now idiot-proof. So make sure to tell friends and family happy birthday, every once in a while, go out of your way to make sure they have a birthday to remember.

Take the day off from work if you can to celebrate your own big day.

After all, we never know how just how many birthdays we might get.


Josephine Gay, 7

Josephine Gay had celebrated her seventh birthday just three days before the massacre. She loved the color purple, and to honor her memory, residents in a new subdivision near Sandy Hook Elementary School hung purple balloons on mailboxes and gates, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Read more: http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/12/16/remembering-the-victims-of-the-sandy-hook-elementary-school-shooting/#ixzz2J9XBBmPm