Wordless Wednesday

Win FREE prizes until 5/2....

First, we’ll play a several shower games...

Blog on our your own site to win prizes or leave a comment below to play (if you do not have a blog)...be sure to list your top 5 prize choices; then after you’ve written your post, you can sign the Mr. Linky at the bottom of this post so that others can come by and visit your party post. This is also how we will be able to visit your link and judge the top winners.

On your own blog, be sure to create a “Cyber Shower Party Post” and then include as many responses to the following games as you’d like.

If you do not blog, please make sure to leave an email address or link in your comment so you can be contacted should you win.


Second, I will show you all the awesome gifts that I received....
I have received some very generous and creative gifts that I would love to review & share with all of you. If only I had some of these products with my son....Thank you so much to all the participating companies!

Third, you can leave a comment on this post to enter yourself in the random drawing for the rest of the prizes...
If you want to be entered in the draw for prizes, include a COMMENT on this post and please include your top 5 choices for prizes. Happy Panda will randomly draw numbers for the rest of the prizes. As each prize is picked and assigned to a winner, it will be removed from the prize vault. Happy Panda will continue drawing random numbers and handing out prizes until the prizes are all gone.

*Judging for the top 4 prizes will end at 12pm cst Friday, May 2nd. Winners will be posted here on Saturday, May 3rd by 2pm cst. If you see your name listed as a prize winner please email CyberBabyShower@gmail.com and we will put you in touch directly with the sponsor offering the prize to make shipping arrangements.

Be sure to include your top 5 prize choices when answering the games so we can award you what you would like!


GAME #1Guess how many jelly beans are in the baby bottle...leave your guess in the comment section below.











GAME #2
Show everyone your best baby bump! (Unfortunately you do need a blog to participate in this game) Post a picture on your blog site to share with us and link back to this shower by signing Mr. Linky.

GAME #3
Guess how many diapers were used to make this Nursing Diaper Cake made by Sweet Pea Cakes.











GAME#4
Share with us your labor/delivery story...feel free to include pictures when posting this game on your blogging site.

My reviews...

Now for my reviews....
Stuff for Sprouts “is fun, natural skincare for kids. Because kids shouldn't crunch.” I received the most adorable gift set that included 2 little stuffed sprouts for my son and the new baby, Beach Lotion, Lawn Cream, and Chocolate Lip Stuff. I have a redhead so these products are right up my alley with his very fair and sensitive skin. My favorite product so far, has to be the Chocolate lip stuff. Nick always has chapped lips, as well as chapped skin all around his mouth. He will not fight me to apply this chocolate lip balm for sure! I LOVE how the lip stuff is packaged in a tiny deodorant-looking container. It makes applying so easy!

Many thanks to Happy Panda for organizing and making this shower possible! Owner, Pamela Kramer, sent me a wonderful gift basket filled with unique Happy Panda goodies. The gifts included a Happy Panda Onsie for the baby, matching onsie and HP tee shirt for Nick & baby Gunn, diapers, washcloths, and an adorable and soft Panda bear. Thank you so much!

Kaboodle Kids sent this adorable Giraffe outfit for the baby. We are an animal lover family so this gift will be loved by my little man as well. “Our high quality cotton garments are manufactured in South Africa, a premier exporter to boutiques worldwide. We've selected brands of exceptional quality, with natural, child-friendly fabrics, stitching and design.”

Good Thoughts Paper Company sent me an adorable “Mommy’s Notes” pad that is just up my alley given that I also own Chesapeake Ribbons. A chic stationery notepad tied with an adorable bow, comes with 60 personalized sheets, perforated for easy tear-off. In addition this notepad, I also received a sample packet of cute & stylish note cards, great to have on-hand for all occasions.


The Diaper Clutch I love this diaper clutch, especially after using the “Diapees & Wipees” with my first child. The reason I like the diaper clutch is simply for the fact that they have designed a compartment to hold the wipes. Instead of actually taking out the wipe case and then opening to access, you can just lift the flap and voila! This clutch will also fit approx. 2 of my size 6 pampers diapers, as my 2.5 yr. is not potty trained yet!? Just enough to run out to the do my errands or play at the park.

See my Designs by Shauna gave me a fabulous blog make over! She was awesome to work with and had so many wonderful ideas to help me along. She is a fellow stay-at-home mom who offers a variety of services with very affordable pricing. I have even received her help with my own business website, Chesapeake Ribbons.

Mostess Creations sent me this beautiful bib and burp cloth made right here in the USA, created by a mom herself. As you can see the front side is crafted with a trendy and stylish cloth while the reverse side is made of a terry cloth fabric, perfect for wiping baby’s face quickly.

Hanes has generously sent me a $50 Gift Certificate to be used online for purchase. Not only do they offer the tee shirts, socks, & underwear, etc…but they also have some great cotton clothes for men & women. Thank you Hanes!

Belmama and Cherub has sent me The Shower Hug, a must-have for all moms that are able to nurse! Made out of a very soft terry cloth fabric, the shower hug wraps around your chest and Velcro’s. There are a few different ways to use this but my favorite right now is to wear when going to bed for those night time leaks. So much more comfortable than wearing a bra and nursing pads! This is also great for engorged breasts – soak in warm water and then wrap yourself to let the soothing begin.













I received this fabulous Diaper Nursing Cake from Sweet Peak Cakes. At first I did not want to open it because it just looked so amazing, but then I read that you can access the goodies by turning the cake upside down & reach through the bottom of the cake. How clever!! The cake is very well made with pamper swaddler diapers, flowers, ribbon (I plan to recycle with my business), and a pretty butterfly that can be hung on the window…perhaps in baby’s nursery? Inside, owner Dawn Weigum, carefully placed 1 handmade nursing cover-up, 1 handmade reversible bib, 1 burp cloth, J&J travel shampoo, wash, lotion, and powder, Trial size Desiten & soothing lotion, nursing pads, and Mother’s Milk Herbal Tea. And if you really want to do the Green thing…keep the cake and recycle for another’s baby shower!? You must check out this website for all varieties of cakes as well as the adorable Diaper Cupcakes!

Good friend and owner, Colleen Padilla of Classy Mommy, sent Nick an adorable Big Brother Tee from one of her favorite Big Bro Big Sister Tee shirt shops, Belli Threads and Little Threads. I cannot wait to put him in his tee shirt once the baby arrives...

Another gift I received is from My Baby Can Talk Series, a complete early language development program recommended by pediatricians, trusted by parents and loved by babies. Crying is one way that babies can communicate – My Baby Can Talk Series offer babies another. “The program offers everything a baby needs to jump start communication before a baby can speak. Babies communicate at a much earlier age than they are able to speak. Research has shown that babies who use sign language tend to speak sooner with larger vocabularies, show an increase in IQ scores and engage in more sophisticated play. The My Baby Can Talk™ series includes three award winning DVDs: My Baby Can Talk – First Signs, My Baby Can Talk – Sharing Signs and My Baby Can Talk – Exploring Signs.

While we're discussing DVD's, I also received this set for Boca Beth. "BOCA BETH CDs and DVDs are your child’s fun and easy introduction to learning Spanish the fun way! She and her language amigo Boca the puppet will get your child moving, shaking and singing in Spanish in no time!" I received the "Mi Casa" DVD and the CD titled "My first songs in Spanish," both will be great to even start using with Nick.

Another great nursing gift I received is from Cushie Pushie. This pillow is "made for breastfeeding mothers by a mother. It is a pillow designed to help you gain the correct breast position for easier breastfeeding. This breastfeeding pillow pushes your breast upward in order to allow easy latching by your nursing baby, while maintaining correct positioning throughout the feeding." If only I had this with Nick!

Pillowcasegram sent me a lovely pillowcase in one of their new fabrics. What I especially love is that they will embroider the baby's name and birth date right on the pillowcase. Owner, Lesley, has graciously offered to do this for me once the baby arrives, especially since I do not know the sex :-) Oh, and I almost forgot...she also included this bar of lavender soaps that smells wonderful! Made by In the Lather soap company.

Another clever product I received was by Sass and Fras. The Baby Bloak is made and invented by a mom out of necessity. "You can put a bloak on a squirmy baby in 10 seconds flat and unlike regular receiving blankets it will stay on. Babies love bloaks as well because they're cuddly. Put a bloak on a baby and create an instantly warm, cozy, soothing atmosphere. The bloak's unique design allows for easy transfer in and out of car seats and strollers and its elasticized neck prevents the bloak from pulling too tightly." I received a yellow light-weight bloak, perfect for those cool summer nights!

The Blue Top Hat sent me an introduction to their Classic Baby Gift, which includes the Baby's First Year book and 12 gifts, one for each month of the year. The first of which is a white fleece blanket with their blue Top Hat logo on the corner. What an awesome idea! The book includes tips each month for baby and parents, as well as a page to record memories and photos

Mommy's Bracelets sent me a beautiful key chain. Very simple but classic looking "Made with solid sterling silver alphabet block beads." Mommy's Bracelets "offer a full selection of personalized name bracelets for any Mother, Mommy, Mom, Grandma, Grandmother, Godmother, Baby, Infant, Toddler, Bride and more!"

I just received a very practical gift from Blessed Moms Baby gear today which inlcudes essential baby must-haves: Sip N'Snak, Dwink Juice Box and Baby Light & Clip. The Sip N Snak combines an 80z. Non-spill drink cup with an attached and easily accessible snack container. What a great idea, I only wished I had this for my son! The Dwink Juice Box is a holder designed to fit most individual drink box & pouches…No more squeezing the juice right out through the straw and making a mess. And lastly, the Baby Light & Clip is a very unique product -clippers to do baby's nails while they are sleeping. Be sure to check out the video....

Jus Shar Designs "heirlooms for today and tomorrow" recently sent me a beautiful hat and matching booties along with a adorable bluebird stuffed animal. All are handmade by the owner with such great care. This will definitely be a gift to pass down as a heirloom - I only wish I had this for my son as well.

Another fabulous heirloom gift I received is from The Pink Zebra Boutique & handcrafted by Jaybird Designs. "This beautiful and delicate crocheted baby blanket is sure to become a family heirloom. Made of super soft baby yarn in white with a slight sparkle to it. It will machine wash and dry beautifully, all while getting softer each time!!"

Do you like to party!?....

Chesapeake Ribbons' Baby Cyber Shower starts tomorrow!.....

Hosted by Happy Panda, the cyber shower will take place Monday morning, and run throughout the week.

Games will be posted here, so spread the word & join us to win fabulous prizes and read reviews of the awesome gifts I received!

Woo-hoo!!!! (In honor of my husband....)

Go Flyers!!!!

Now for the 2nd series of the Stanley Cup Playoffs....

FREE Playtex® Drop-Ins® Original Nurser System...BPA-free

As you may have read in a previous post of mine "How safe is your plastic?" there has been a heightened concern of BPA in our plastics...especially baby bottles.

Playtex would like to address the growing public confusion about plastics used in baby bottles. As a demonstration of their commitment, Playtex is offering free samples of the Playtex®
Drop-Ins® Original Nurser System, which are BPA-free!

Simply fill out this super quick & easy form to receive your free Playtex® Drop-Ins® Original Nurser System....I just did!

Wordless Wednesday

I have to admit, I am a little embarressed to show this photo because I hate the way I look(mainly my fat face)....but I said I would give everyone a photo to compare this pregancy to my last!?
What do you think I am having?....I've heard girls "take the beauty right out of you," LOL.
We won't know until the end of June so stay posted.....

To celebrate Earth Day I took Nick to Longwood Gardens with some friends. We walked all over (my back is killing me tonight) but the kids ran and played in fountains...and most importantly, took nice long naps ;-) I cannot wait to return next week to see the new treehouses!

Here is a picture of my little man by one of one the the many fountains in the indoor children's garden:

FREE Giveaway!

Chesapeake Ribbons is giving away a set of 3 bows to one lucky winner!

The set includes: 1 Lauren, 1 Meggan, and 1 Hearts bow.

Each bow is carefully handmade & secured to a 2" ribbon covered alligator clip, making it nearly impossible to slide out of fine hair. Pull back hair & use like a barrette or use as an adorable accent piece to a ponytail. If you love the bows, you will love the coordinating belts even more!!!

Please post a comment if you want to be entered in this contest! A winner will be drawn on 4/30 by 5 pm ET...goodluck!

Life with a 2.5 year old boy...

So I am about 30 weeks pregnant now - never know the exact week since it is the 2nd time around (I am sure you now how that is) - and my 2.5 year old son, Nick, is starting to get interested in my belly. Yesterday he asked me if he could "Pet the baby." Well he started to stroke my large belly but then started hitting it harder & harder!? Then he proceeded to point to my chest and asking me, "What are those!?" Just picture me sitting there with my son trying to explain these are "mommy's boobies and this is the baby in mommy's tummy" ...it was pretty hilarious.

Then, the other day we were at the park with friends. I held my friend's baby so she could run after her 2.5 year old daughter. Nick ran over to me and said, "Mommy, did you have the baby!?" Everyone started laughing...if only it were that easy, right!?

And finally....as we were driving a few days ago, Nick calls out from the back seat, "Mommy, how's the baby going to come out!?" I was shocked he even thought to ask such an abstract question. So I thought a minute and decided to tell him the more straightfoward approach. "Well Nick, Mommy has to go to the hospital and the doctor is going to help me push the baby out." Now I can only imagine us in the grocery weeks from now and he decides to tell strangers that I am going to push the baby out :-)

Do you have some similar stories? I would love to hear about them so post a comment!

One of my favorite fast and easy meals!

Last-Minute Lasagna

1 24- or 26-ounce jar pasta sauce
2 18-20-ounce refrigerated large cheese ravioli
1 10-ounce box frozen chopped spinach, thawed and excess water squeezed dry
1 8-ounce bag shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup (2 ounces) grated Parmesan

Heat oven to 375° F.

Heat oven to 375? F. Spoon a thin layer of sauce over the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Cover with a single layer of ravioli. Top with half the spinach, half the mozzarella, and a third of the sauce. Repeat with another layer of ravioli and the remaining spinach, mozzarella, and half the remaining sauce. Top with another layer of ravioli and the remaining sauce (not all the ravioli may be needed). Sprinkle with the Parmesan. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until bubbly, 5 to 10 minutes more.

Yield: Makes 6 servings
from Real Simple

Wordless Wednesday

In spirit of my cyber baby shower starting 4/28, hosted by Happy Panda,

I thought it only appropriate to post a pregnancy picture.

This is from my 1st pregnancy...next week I will post a photo from this

pregnancy to compare!

Win this fantastic Trailer Bike on 5 Minutes for Mom!

"The Caboose is a stable, two wheel trailer bike that attaches to a regular bicycle. It is designed especially for children and adults who are not otherwise able to ride a bicycle".

For the next two weeks, 5 Minutes for Mom will be featuring an assortment of toys for a variety of ages. They will have toys for babies, preschoolers and grade school kids.

For the next fourteen days, the rule is FUN!

Click on the above button to learn how to enter their giveaway.

Wordless Wednesday

My little stud....

Cyber baby shower will be here soon! All sorts of prizes and games...

A big "Thank you" to Happy Panda for sponsoring my first cybershower!
I am due June 22nd...so I thought this would be a great way to involve everyone & share some wonderful prizes. The Cybershower will begin here starting April 28th and will last for one week!

Visit Happy Panda's Blog to learn more details and see what prizes we have for you.

How safe are your plastic bottles???

So here's the basic low-down on our plastic bottles according to a segment on this morning's Today Show:
- All plastic bottles have numbers in a triangle on the bottom, ranging from 1- 7.
- #1 is safe to use on a one-time basis (most soda, some water, drinks are found in #1).
- You should avoid and not use, any bottles with the recycle # 3,6, & 7.
- All plastics are degradeable so you should avoid over washing plastic bottles and sippy cups in the dishwasher, or better yet, go to glass!
- And as most of us know, please avoid microwaving plastic...just use your ceramic dishes.

For more info. visit here.

Win a date with your spouse (whoo-hoo) Love Gen X Style!
I have shared my story and hope to win a dinner for two to the restaurant of my choice! The winning story will be the one with the most comments...so please visit this site and vote for me if you like my story ;-)

The winning story will be chosen at the end of their blog tour and will be published in Tricia's monthly newsletter!

Animal Lovers Unite!

Are you watching Oprah today? She dedicates the hour to revealing the inhumane treatment puppies receive before they reach the pet stores.

Thank you Bill Smith, founder of Main Line Rescue here in Chester County, PA,

For getting Oprah's attention!

Visit this link or click on the photo to learn more about the show and why NOT to buy from a pet store.

Here is a picture of our family's rescue from Shepherds to Love in Towson, MD....She was just about to be euthanized before the STL rescued her from an animal shelter!

LUCKY

April FREE Tutu Giveaway!

Win a darling Layered Tutu from Fuzzy Me during the month of April simply by visiting Fuzzy Me's site & filling out their contact page to be entered into the monthly drawing....make sure to let them know how you found Fuzzy Me & leave a valid email address.

Not only does Fuzzy Me carry whimsical tutus, but they also

sell much more...from A-line dresses & hair acceossories to handpainted furniture & baby gear.

The band, Five for Fighting is generously donating $.49 to Autism Speaks for EACH TIME their video is viewed. The funding goes toward research studies so watch the video and PLEASE pass this along to your friends and family. Thank you!

Support Autism Awareness with these unique and handmade products...25% of each sale is donated to Autism Speaks.

Wordless Wednesday

Cousins