Crawligator #giftlist #holidays

I'm pretty excited to share this baby item with you. It's called a Crawligator. What better way to spend having tummy time, then on a fun toy?

My niece Margaret is getting a Crawligator from me. It will be interesting to see how it works for a child that has special needs. My main concern is the G-button port she has for taking in additional breast milk. How will it fit into the Crawligator? Maybe it will work just fine. My sister does give her tummy time. She is able to nurse, but has to supplement. 

You can see her port here:

Little Miss Margaret is getting a pink Crawligator, for Christmas. I hope I'm able to see this kind of smile on Christmas day. Even if it's through a Zoom meeting.

About the Crawligator:

Crawligator Tummy Time rolling Toy provides mobility for infants 6 to 12 months old. Margaret will be about 4 months old. This is something she'll have to grow into. 

JPMA Innovation Award Winner 2019 builds strength, develops gross motor skills and supports independence. 

Pediatric physical therapist recommended. 

Designed to move on a hard floor surface. Lucky for my sister, she has hard wood floors. Sleek contoured surface allows the child to rest comfortably on their stomach. 

MADE IN USA. Free Shipping on The Kiddy Crawler - Order Now for Free Shipping! Cost is $39.99.

Where to get the Crawligator:

https://www.thecrawligator.com/ 

It comes in different colors: Green and Pink

Disclaimer: I will get this product, for free in exchange for an honest review. 

#thanksgiving #turkey #baby Outfit Review

It’s a little hard not being able to see and bond with my niece Margaret. I know that with having Trisomy 18 they get many sicknesses easily, but their life expectancy is short. I'd like to spend more time with her, but I hate the idea of me accidentally passing covid on to her! 

My nephew Emerson is 9 1/2, and pretty much out of it all the time with his seizure meds. He doesn't smile, notice that you're even there, track you, and falls asleep sitting up. I hate what meds have done to him, yet on the other hand he needs them. 

I'm thankful for Margaret:

I asked my sister to take a picture of her in the thanksgiving outfit I was to review. It's not the best photo. At least she got a good one of her in the pink dress, with the hat her first grade brother made her. 

The Thanksgiving outfit is super cute though! It comes with a My first Thanks giving onesie, pants that have food all over them, a hat and headband that match the pants.

You can get this cute set on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08G8G9WVX.

Sizes:

• 0-3
• 3-6
• 6-12
• 12-18

My sister told me she's was just starting to fit in 3-6 months. He's got fluff, and I think it fits. 

There are 3 outfit designs. 

What do you like better on baby girls - hats or bows?

Thanksgiving is usually one of my favorite holidays. I like the food, and the company. I don't know what we'll do this year. We've talked about all having our turn with my parents. They'd get 3 Thanksgivings. I have a single aunt that needs someone to take her in. We've also talked about doing a zoom meeting where we all make the same things, and eat whatever is called out. Not exactly the same, but what's one to do? 

Nebraska hospitals are climbing in numbers. It won't help if we all have gatherings with people we don't usually hang with. 

What are you doing for the holidays? 

Disclaimer: I got this product, for a discounted price in exchange for an honest review. 

Fall Clothes for a Baby

I just got this cute baby girl outfit to review, for my niece Margaret. 

She has Trisomy 18 like her big brother Emerson does. She's still in the hospital. Only my mom, dad, sister and brother-in-law have been able able to see her. That's not counting the numerous doctors and nurses that have helped her. 

She's had a MRI, EEG, and a sleep study done. She's for the most part doing well. We've known that she needed jaw surgery, but after the sleep study that doctor wants to make that happen ASAP. Lots going on, for them. It's a good thing my parents are retired, and can help out.  

When I get the opportunity to review clothes for Margaret, I jump on it! They've only had boys this far, so why not get neutral or girl clothes? All baby clothes are so cute. 

Recently I got a fall outfit to review. You can get it here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08G134KKM, for $10.98-$11.98.

Colors:

• Mustard Yellow
• Pink
• White

I thought with fall, the mustard color would be great. Plus we've been having this discussion - do baby girls have to wear pink? Some family members say, "Yes", while other family members say that color has no gender. I don't think pink always needs to be on girls. I watched an old video once that said pink used to be a boy color, and blue was for girls. Before that all babies wore white gowns to make it easier to change diapers, and bleach out stains. What do you think? Is pink a girl color, and blue a boy color? 

It Has a Hat, or Hair Tie

That's yet another thing we disagree on. Travis thinks big bows, flowers, and ties on babies look so dumb. I don't mind them. I just can't tie them all pretty like.  

Sizes, for This Outfit:

• 0-3 Month
• 3-6 Month
• 6-12 Month
• 12-18 Month

I love that it doesn’t have built in feet. Often times babies have smaller or longer legs that just don’t fit right in them. I like the snaps, that make diaper changing easier. 

Are you ready for fall?

Disclaimer: I got this product, for a discounted price in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Random Tid bits

1. This week my sister had her baby girl. What I thought would be a really positive experience has flipped into being difficult. Margaret (my niece) was breech. They got her flipped, so my sister was induced. The umbilical cord was wrapped around her legs and arms. Off to an emergency C-Section she went. My sister lost a lot of blood.  
   
   They took Margaret, and put her in the NICU. She was having mini seizures, so she got put on a cooling mat. I thought in the photos she looked more like her brother Emerson that has Trisomy 18, than her other brothers. 
   
   
2. When my sister was pregnant she got a blood test. All results showed that Margaret is normal. We now know she does have Trisomy 18 like Emerson does. 
   
   
3. I've been feeling excited with a new baby about to happen, sad that she had to be taken via c-section, angry that her brothers that have no chromosome problems will have even more attention taken from them, and not knowing how to feel. I love my nephew Emerson,  but he's a lot of of work. He has had tons of medical issues. He’ll never know what it’s like to live without pain. 
   
   
   
   
   
4. If someone taught a Psychology course...my family that has at least 3 carriers of Trisomy 18 would be a great topic. Should someone that wants to have kids, have them if they carry this to pass on? So much could be brought up: God, Life, Quality of Life, Medical Needs, Late Term Abortion, and so on. Late term abortion would have never been an option, for my sister, but it’s a topic that would be brought up. It's hard to know how to feel and talk about. We put other animals down that are in pain, but we don't with humans. I'm not saying we should. I just don't know how I feel about it all. 
   
   
5. To make this random, online learning is going to work...I think. We've had our bumps. I took Isaak in twice, for tech support. I thought it was his account. Turns out he was using Teams in the browser, and not the downloaded app. Errors occur with that. He's good now. What's really wonderful is that he got a new ipad on Friday. It will work so much better than the old PC they gave him. Isaak likes that he can hear the teacher! No random kids talking. Homework is all put in one place.
   
   The district has made adjustments along the way. Kindergarten, first and second graders now have 1/2 days, with bigger breaks. I think that's a smart move.
   
   What do you think about online learning? Is it working where you live?

A Dress for Halloween

Halloween is so fun! Although I don't know how into the holiday I will be this year. When I worked at an art school, it was a blast. When the boys were in elementary school they had a Fall Festival. Many peoople dressed up for that as well. My costumes were used for a few events. Now I'm not really needing a costume. Possibly Halloween socks, or a shirt will be all I need. 

I do like to pass on my love for Halloween to others. 

My niece to be is going to get a Halloween dress from me. 

What I like about this outfit:

• It's themed wonderfully for Halloween!
• At first I didn't like that there were some things right side up, and other things upside down, but now I like it. Babies lay down. No matter how they lay, you can see the fun designs. 
• The colors are pretty.
• I love my boys, but now I can get something girly. 

What I dislike about this outfit:

• The skirt wrinkles fairly easily.
• The pumpkin gets hidden by the skirt. It would have been better if it was sewn higher up. 
• I wish it was a onesie under the skirt; instead of a shirt. Babies never keep shirts tucked in. 
  
  

Overall it's a cute outfit!

Where to get it?

 

You can get this outfit, and another cute one similar on Amazon for $10.98 to $12.98: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07V7SRVJJ. 

Sizes:

• 6-12 Month
• 12-18 Month
• 18-24 Month
• 2T-3T
• 3T-4T

Considering that my niece Margaret is due mid August, I would have ordered a 3-6 month. They didn't have this size. My sister is a seamstress, so she might be able to adjust the dress part. Really it would look cute with a black or white shirt. 

About the Bow:

I like bows, but only if they aren't covering the babies head. Some bows are just too big in my opinion. This one is a fairly small size. 

Do you like bows on babies? 

Is Halloween a holiday you enjoy?

Disclaimer: I got this product, for a discounted price in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Hello World - Baby Clothing Review

What do you buy someone that has 4 kids and one soon to be added to the mix?

Normally I'd say a gift card for a meal. BUT my sister's about to have a girl, when she has had all boys. She needs girly things.

Meet my newest soon to be niece Margaret! 

She's 4 pound right now.

I got a cute gown for Margaret to review called Hello World!

I heart gowns because they make it so easy to change diapers! 

About Hello World:

• It came in 0-3 month size only. I kind of wish they had it in 3-6 month size as well. Not all babies are tiny.
• It's 100% cotton, so soft!
• It came with a hat
• It's $13.98
• You can get it on Amazon Prime http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08B34RV93

I sent the link over to my sister, asking if she liked Hello World or the New the the Crew gown better? I thought I could use the code, for either. She liked New to the Crew. The code wouldn't work for New to the Crew, so I bought that one. It makes since she'd like that one considering she has 4 kids already. 

• They had this one in a 3-6 month, so I got that
• New to the Crew came with a hat and a hair bow
• It's $10.89

My sister said that my brother-in-law and her have had disagreements on clothes. He likes plain things, and she likes flowery, and patterned things. I think these two gowns are a good compromise. 

Which one do you like better? New to the Crew or Hello World.

Disclaimer: I got Hello World for a discounted price to help with this review. I was not told what to say. All opinions are my own.

WW: Rice Rice Baby {Linky}

We have a new store in our neighborhood that sells rice, for super cheap. We picked some up. When we got home, Isaak put the rice against his torso and said, "Mom I'm pregnant." He had a rice, rice baby!

When was the last wedding that you went to? 

WW: Doves {Linky}

When we went on vacation we woke up to the sound of a dove. It was right out our front door. It was pretty cool to watch them. 

Meet Mamma:

Meet Baby:

How to be a Mindful Mommy

Becoming a parent is, of course, a huge blessing and a wonderful experience: nothing quite compares to being a mommy. It’s also true though, that since the birth of your little love, you’ve likely struggled to find much time for yourself; the morning flies by before you’ve had a chance to brush your hair and change out of your pajamas. January quickly becomes June, and other than marking the milestones in your baby’s development, life becomes a bit of a blur!

If you can relate to this feeling, then perhaps introducing some elements of mindfulness in your daily life will help you reconnect.

Make Mindful Movements

The next time you’re walking around the block, with your little one in a stroller, take a moment to really observe the space around you. Look at your neighbors’ front doors: how many different colors can you count? Getting into the practice of being alert and connected to your surroundings, rather than inside your mind with an internal monologue planning what else needs to be done in the day, will allow you to take greater ownership of your time.

Even if you’re housebound most of the day, you can make your movements more mindful when doing anything from brushing your teeth to chopping vegetables.

Use the Time You Get to Nurture Yourself

Regardless of whether your child takes long or short naps, you can steal back little portions of time and spend them on yourself. For sure, get the dishes washed and toys packed away so you’ve got space to breathe, and then sit yourself down for a short meditation practice. You can feel the benefits from even 5 minutes spent breathing mindfully; reducing stress and anxiety, especially if you’re having a stressful day.

You don’t even need to put your child down to sleep to meditate, by purchasing a baby mobile or sound machine, the little one can be simply taking their own timeout while you do the same. If you’re worried about leaving them awake and unattended, take a comfortable seat on the floor of their nursery — you never know, you might find the sound machine calming for you too! If you’re in the market for baby bedtime entertainment, an online parent guide will lead you in the right direction.

Mommy Baby Yoga

A craze that’s blowing up right now, and for good reason, is the practice of mommy-baby yoga. Whether you look for a yoga studio near you, or just find a class or tutorial online, yoga can further strengthen the wonderful bond you’ve got with your child through stroking and soothing techniques. It also won’t hurt if you want to get your pre-baby body back!

If you’ve only recently given birth, consult an expert opinion before you start any rigorous exercise though.

Mindful moms raise mindful children

As a parent, you’ll know the importance of leading by example. If you can adopt mindfulness in your everyday life — through mindful movements, short meditations or yoga — the benefits will transfer to your child too.

Disclaimer: This is a guest post.

InstaNatural Baby Shampoo Review

My boys have had sensitive skin most of their lives. I truly think their skin troubles started when they were given a lot of antibiotics when they were babies. Soon after all those antibiotics they started getting eczema that they didn't have prior to that. Whenever they have a flair up probiotics help.

I'm careful about what I use on them for bath products. Oftentimes I still buy them baby shampoo and wash. I recently got InstaNatural Baby Shampoo to review. 

It came all wrapped in plastic, and the handle was in lock position. It wasn't hard to unlock the top.

It has a really cute giraffe vector image on the front with a pattern of spring graphics. It's gender neutral. 

How did it work on my boys?

They like it. It doesn't have any artificial dyes or scents added. It does have some chemicals added to help it suds up. 

Specialized Blend of Fruity Extracts:

• Cucumber
• Kiwi
• Apple
• Cranberry
• Pomegranate
• Blueberry 
• Strawberry

These extracts in addition to Sunflower Seed Oil give your baby the nourishment and hydration he or she needs to grow healthy-looking hair.

Cost for 20 oz:

$29.97, but on sale for 12.95

Disclaimer: I received this InstaNatural Baby Shampoo at a discount for the purpose of this review. The opinions are 100% mine.

Cousin Time

My youngest nephew Edison was crawling around in circles. All the boys were following him. I wish I would have gotten the camera out sooner. The other photos I got were blurry because the kids were moving around so much. Isaak loves Edison so much. He's a real baby magnet.

Mica and my nephew Edison

My Nephew's Evan and Edison. Edison's brothers that are Mica and Isaak's ages come up to grab their brother. It's like they are mini parents.

Are you a baby person? I am.

WW: A New Cousin Arrived {Linky}

My sister had her baby early Saturday morning. His name is Edison Robert, but his brother that's 6 and Isaak both call him Ederson. He's already developed the nickname Edders. This is baby #2 welcomed in our extended family this month. We have 1 more due soon.

My sister Terra AKA Aunt Terra with Edison.

The boys checking him out.

Mica with Edison, and Isaak with Edison.

Isaak said, "Really Mica, Edison's head is 14 feet?!" Really his head is 14 inches, which I guess is big. My boys had tiny heads.

 Just a shot of Edison with his reddish hair. I think it will be strawberry blondish. It's hard to tell because their hair color changes. Once a red head, usually always a red head.

My sister AKA Aunt Terra, and Brother-in-law AKA Uncle Tyson. They have Emerson (2 1/2) that wouldn't sleep Friday night along with Edison. They have 2 more kids that aren't even on the bed: Evan (9) and Elijah (6) that weren't at the hospital at the time. Boy will their hands be full! Big families are hard, but one with a special needs son is even harder.

I have to say that they were so lucky. The night after they left the hospital there was severe thunderstorm. Where the hospital is was hit the worst.

If you have a moment enter my low entry giveaway for Chamberlain's Leather Milk Leather Care Liniment No. 1. It's a great leather cleaner and makes leather products look new again. There is also a giveaway up for HCF | Happy • Calm • Focussed - It's a full vitamin, that increases brain development.

New Cousin

Last weekend I went to visit my cousin that just had a baby girl. There are so many boys, it's nice to hold a girl for once.

Isaak went in saying, "Babies are lame." to, "I want to hold her again." He's always liked babies, but someone at school told him that babies aren't cool. Anyone his age tends to be a bit of a follower. I told him that babies are special.

Mica used to be awkward around babies. Now he loves them. The problem with that evening was that when the baby was handed to him she was doing this:

She was certainly hungry. LOL For her size she eats just fine. She was only 5 pounds something at birth. Coming from a Mom (ME) that had major troubles with breastfeeding in the beginning, this is a success! She looks like she latches great!

Instead Mica read Thomas books to my cousin's son.

This little guy has an obsession with ears. He kept playing with Mica's eat. Mica was thinking, What the heck?

I got my baby fix to. Can you tell I like babies?

My cousin had a scare. The baby had a clogged tear duct. I know that's common. Her pediatrician didn't know that, that is what she had. Off to the NICU she went. They did an expensive scan before a doctor there even saw her. The doctor came in, popped it, and the fluid drained. Now I'm sure they will get a lovely expensive bill in the mail.

I can't count how much I've spent on my boys for no reason at all. Doctors worried me for no reason at all to. Things like that piss me off.

*An update on my soon to be nephew: My sister still hasn't had him. She'll get induced next week; if he isn't here yet. It's a good thing that he's not here just yet. My nephew Emerson has strep throat, so we think. They didn't do a culture because he throws up a lot. He sure did have the symptoms. The new baby Edison can hibernate a little bit longer. I just hope my sister Terra doesn't get strep throat! Imagine delivering, and being sick to.