Easy Mac and Cheese by Kraft Foods~ Life Saver in a Pinch!

I was sent a sample of the Easy Mac and Cheese Dinner by Kraft Foods to try and see what I thought. I put it aside and said that I would eventually try it. With 4 kids in the house ranging from 16 months to 9 years old. We usually make 1-2 boxes of the normal size mac and cheese for one sitting.

I needed something quick and easy for the baby while at my mother in law's this weekend for a birthday party. I threw the pack into the diaper bag and went. My 1 year old did not want the food that was served but I knew that Mac and Cheese was on his approved list. I followed the directions and was a little skeptical about how it would turn out.

It was very easy and tasted almost as good as the box mac and cheese I make on the stove. All I needed was a spoon to fed him. No mess to clean up or measuring spoons. I would definately recommend this to moms that are on the go.

For the Babies & Toddlers Who LOVE Puppies

I have blogged about maternity related products and was asked to give my opinion on AdoraPet Puppies video. The video details mentions for all ages. With 4 enthusiastic kids (9,7,5 and 15 months) ready to try this out with me. The music is very relaxing. It features 4 adorable puppies; hence the name AdoraPet Puppies. My older kids were waiting for something to happen as they watched the puppies play by themselves or all together. This reminds me alot of the Einstein videos. My 15 month old LOVED it! He pointed at the screen, clapped his hands together in excitement. The funniest was to watch him jump up and down in his spider man chair as he watched then jump up and dance. It was so nice to see a smile on his face as he watched.

I would recommend this for small children. My 5,7 and 9 year old lost interest after a few minutes.

If you would like your product reviewed, please contact me. I would love to put my 2 cents in.

Info about product:

AdoraPet Puppies

2009 Seal of Excellence by Creative Child Magazine

http://www.adorapet.com/

$14.99

Are you pregnant and due between February 24th to March 9, 2009?

Here is a great way to earn extra money while pregnant. I strongly recommend the Look Who's Kickin Ultrasounds in Wesley Chapel Florida for their maternity spa that offers 3d/4d ultrasounds. I was contacted and they are looking for pregnant mommies due between February 24th to March 9th 2009. Look Who's Kickin Ultrasounds is owned by a licensed sonographer and works with pregnant mommies both in their maternity spa and in a OB/GYN office for diagnostic testing. To contine their education with new technology and testing, they are looking for expecting moms.

Please see the posting below:

EXPECTING MOTHERS

We are looking for six (6) pregnant mothers with
DUE DATES between Feb. 24 and March 9, 2010

We will be performing a state of the art ultrasound training session for early detection of genetic abnormalities in the first trimester.

This educational training course will be at the

Look Who's Kickin Ultrasounds in Wesley Chapel
2533 Windguard Cr. #102
Wesley Chapel, Fl 33543

Monday: August 24th, 2009
10:00 am-1:00pm

If you qualify to participate, you will receive a $50 Visa gift card for your participation as well as a Special 4D Ultrasound Discount for later in your pregnancy!!

For reservations and more info:
813-909-8080

Cord Blood Banking

As an expectant parent you have so many decisions to make, products and services to research. Finding the best stroller within in your budget is a tough decision. One decision that is commonly overlooked is whether or not to bank your babies cord blood.

I do birthing classes in my town and so many parents have never heard of cord blood banking. I have 4 children. Yes i said 4! They are 9,7,5 & 13 months old. I first heard something when i was pregnant with my 3rd child and really didn't research it. With my last child, it was something that i wanted to check into. We knew that we were not having anymore children and didn't want to pass on something that could possibly benefit my entire family.

What is so special about your newborn's cord blood?

• The newborn's umblicial cord blood is a valuable source of non-controversial stem cells. Cord blood stem cells, like bone marrow stem cells, are free of political and ethical debate.



• The benefits of cord blood stem cells are clear- cord blood has already saved thousands of lives and medical researchers are now exploring potential new uses for conditions like diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
  


• Currently have been successfully used in the treatment of 70 life-threatening diseases
  


• Perfect match for the baby and may also provide potential treatment for other family members as well.

(Information taken from ViaCord's website at www.Viacord.com)

What to look for in a collection and storage company.

• Financial stability of the company. In today's economy, we really need to fully research our options before making our decision



• Where the cord blood is stored? You want to make sure that it is not in an area that is succeptable to natural disasters. Such as flooding, hurricanes, earthquakes, etc.



• What is the company doing to advance what our babies cord blood can be used for?



• Price is always important but remember, the cheapest is not always the best
  
  Now that you have the questions, now what do you do? The world wide web is a vast wealth of information. You can google, "cord blood banking" and will come up with many websites including the companies that collect and store your blood for you.
  

As I mentioned, I banked my babies cord blood. I personally choose ViaCord. I had the opportunity of meeting the Account Manager for the area that I live in. She asked me if I was going to bank? I said no, and that started me thinking why am I not at least going to look into this. After researching the companies, I choose ViaCord. My husband and I had many discussions of whether to spend the money or not. He is a research chemist in a pharmaceutical company. This is what I found out about ViaCord from a regular mom's perspective.

• The company is publicly owned and is financially sound. They have been in the leader in cord blood perservation and research since 1993.



• The blood is stored outside of a major airport hub in Cinncinnati in a state of the art cryopreservation facility.



• I believe that Viacord is the only cord blood preservation companies that have a dedicated team to further research with cord blood.
  


• Pricing is competitive and in line with the CBR. What swayed my decision was the research done in house by ViaCord. That showed my family that they were dedicated to expanding the technology of cord blood. If you are in the medical profession or active military, there may be additional savings.



• They offer a baby registery. You can have family and friends donate towards the cost of your banking.



• My OB was very educated on ViaCord and recommended that I check into it before my delivery date.

Whether you are expecting your first child and on your 4th life myself, this is a very important decision. For more information or to view a short presentation of cord blood banking, you can visit www.brainshark.com/viacord/Sherri_Spaw.

I currently have $400 OFF Coupons that expire mid June. If your are interested, please email me at slspaw@verizon.net for more information.

Pregnant & what to wear for the holiday parties?

Before we know it the Christmas parties will begin. If you are pregnant, this is not a fun time. You may already be worried or upset with the growing wasteline or what is left of your waistline. I have GREAT NEWS for you! Maternity fashions have changed from 10 years ago and designers are keeping up with current trends.

The best style for pregnant moms are either things that stretch or a A-line cut. A-line cuts, you need to be worried more with the bustline than the waistline. Look for free flowing fabrics that are forgiving. Some style dresses can we taken in after baby for a whole new look.

Enjoy the holidays and feel confident in the body that you have been given while carrying your baby.

To find more dresses like the ones shown, visit www.HSTMaternity.com

Her Special Time Maternity Now Opens By Appt Only in Wesley Chapel, Florida

Calling all Tampa Bay Pregnant Hip Mommas!

Her Special Time Maternity Boutique closed their retail store front in 2007 and has continued to run as a exclusive online maternity boutique since at http://www.hstmaternity.com/. They have had so many Tampa pregnant moms call wanting to know when and where they would re-open. As of December 2008, they will be showing their maternity collections at Look Who's Kickin Ultrasound in Wesley Chapel on an Appointment Only basis. You can still shop the top maternity designers close to home.

Here is how it will work: Check out the website at http://www.hstmaternity.com/. You will call their customer service line at 813-907-2727 to schedule a day and time. The Tampa pregnant moms will view the website and let the stylist know what type of items they are looking for. Those items will be available for viewing and trying on during the scheduled appointment. Some things are internet exclusive items only and are shipped directly from the designers warehouse.

A great solution for the fashionable pregnant momma. If motherhood maternity or Target is not your cup of tea, then give them a call for your private viewing and fitting.

You can call either Look Who's Kickin Ultrasound in Wesley Chapel 813-909-8080 or Her Special Time Maternity directly at 813-907-2727 to schedule your appointment.

Maternity Swimsuits

It is cooling off and you have a vacation coming up. What do you do when the stores have already removed the maternity swimsuits from the sales floor. Don't worry! You can find maternity swimsuits on line 12 months out of the year. There is one maternity designer, Nicole Michelle that produces swimsuits all year around.

Many maternity swimsuits look like regular swimsuits! You can wear them while pregnant and after baby arrives. I know personally, my son is 5 months old and I still like to cover the left over baby belly up.

Whether you are looking for a triangle top swimsuit or a bandeau style, http://www.hstmaternity.com/ will be able to help.