Potty Training Tips #parenting #pottytraining #pottytrainingtips

My daughter is now 2 years old and ready to potty train.  I think the hardest part is being consistent as parents when it comes to potty training our little ones.  My daughter has shown that she is ready for a while now, but honestly with our schedules I have failed on being consistent with her.  Giving it another try this week, and really sticking to a schedule.  I don't remember everything I did with my son years back, but I remember it being so easy but after having multiple children I have learned, just like every pregnancy is different, every child is different.

No matter what kind of parent you are, it will be different every time - if you have more than one child.  Don't be hard on yourself of your child when potty training.  It will take time, and persistence.  Speak to your child and keep offering their potty seat often during the day.  On top of persistence, my next tip of all would be to not start too early in your attempts.  If you see your child knows when she/he is going in her diaper, that is one sign.  If you see your child hiding when they go, they are most likely ready.  If they are verbal and telling you when they go or after they go, they are most likely ready.  I find that if you start too early it can be both discouraging for you and your child.   

If you are home with your child and able to stay on top of it - a child can be fully potty trained in as little time as 2 weeks.  I have read reward systems work for some kids, but with my son I didn't have any.  I don't have a reward system going on with my daughter either, just simple praise and letting her know she is a big girl when she does a good job.  Naturally the excitement shows when she does succeed! :)

As far as potty training diapers go, I don't have experience with them.  As I mentioned, my son was very easy to potty train.  I remember one day, just telling him he is a big boy, letting him know there is no diaper so he has to go potty in his big boy seat and it worked.  I also *think* real big kid underwear motivates them, as well as wets them if they go, so they are more aware of what the whole purpose of going in the potty is all about.

So if you are potty training, keep at it, and good luck.  Remember every child is different, feel free to stop, and try again another time.  Oh..and be ready to clean up after accidents because they will happen. ;)




   

What is Nesting? #pregnancy #pregnant #3rdtrimester

This isn't my first pregnancy so I'm very familiar with the natural instincts of nesting that kick in around the third trimester.  Every time I was so sure I won't start freaking out a bit to get things ready for baby, but every time I did - and I am now. 

My "symptoms" of nesting so far in my pregnancy has been wanting to clean everyday.  Not just the usual cleaning that I do, but dig through every drawer, and will even start re-arranging furniture.  I have been nonstop for the last week, and can't stop thinking about what else I can do next.  I think of it as a bird looking for the best nest for baby, much like in one of our bedtime reads from Dr.Seuss "The Best Nest."   

Every one is different in the way they nest.  If you are near the end of your pregnancy and suddenly wake up with the sudden urge to clean and re-organize..you are most likely nesting.  It's the urge you get to get ready for baby's arrival.  It's said that it is similar to the urge every one gets during "spring cleaning" time, you've been cooped up all winter long and get the urge to brighten things up and renew.

If you are nesting, just remember to be safe.  I've gotten the urge to move furniture around, which I have done - but I make sure to not lift.  I have even went around painting in the past while hubby was at work, and if you are like me - make sure to wear a mask.  Use your common sense don't overdo anything, get ready for baby and enjoy every moment.  If it's your first pregnancy, think of it as your first motherly instincts kicking it..enjoy! :)    

B Toys - Alpha B Tical - Puzzle Board Review

I received a free sample, all opinions are a 100% my own.  No other compensation was provided.

My daughter loves to sing the alphabet song, and is showing so much interest in learning the alphabet lately.  I love items to help motivate her interest in learning, and the B. Alphabet puzzle plank is definitely one of them.  I have always loved the colorful B. line of products for my kids, and happy to have learned more about them.  She copies her brother while he reads, and scribbles so I had been wanting to get her some fun items to start teaching her the alphabet, this is one of them.

My daughter asks for her puzzle board right after nap time, and her brother helps her.

If you look on the B toys website, you will get a great glimpse of how inviting the items are, and why we are huge fans.  I recently learned that they had so many more items than I knew of, so my little ones get more added on the list of toys I want to get them.  The alphabet puzzle features 26 colorful chunky letters that has kept both my children interested while playing with them.     

I was scrolling though the B. Toys website, when I read the B. story and wanted to share this bit from it:
"We want to be a voice to children that says it’s okay to be curious, to be pensive, to be loud, to be happy and sad all at the same time, to be generous, to be afraid, to be quiet, to be wild, to be fun, to be open, to be scientific, to be poetic, to be giddy, to be serious, to be smart, to be free, to be you.
Just B. Just you. B. you."

I think that says allot about the brand.  Check out the alphabet board and the rest of the great items this holiday for the unique awesome little ones in your life. 

Your Kids will Love the Wubble Bubble Ball!

*I received the item for the purpose of review.  All opinions are a 100% my own.  No other compensation was provided.

I first saw a good glimpse of the Wubble Ball at Blogger Bash this past summer, and then was later reminded by my kids interest when they saw a commercial.  I planned on surprising them with it under the tree, but then I got the chance to review it.  It is as fun as everyone thought.  My kids cannot get enough.  It has been a good week since we first opened it up, and they still play with it everyday. 

When you can find a toy that your kids continue to play with, you know you've got a winner.  It comes with it's own battery operated pump, which will transform the flabby soft stuff to a ball that's 3 feet tall in about 2 minutes.  I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was, if you want to see a video on how to, check out their video on YouTube here.  You can kick it, squeeze it, play catch, and so much more.  I am always skeptical at "As Seen on TV" products to see how amazing they really are, but this one like many have been a hit with us.  You don't have to blow it up to 3 feet tall, you can have a smaller wubble ball - like I did with my kids when we were indoors. 

You do have to keep your Wubble Ball away from sharp and pointy objects as it can get ruined, but what's nice is that the package comes with a mail in slip to get a replacement, and you only have to pay 6.99 to get a new one under the lifetime replacement gaurantee. 

All in all, we loved the Wubble Ball, which we all call Wubble Bubble Ball around here.  My 6 year old and almost 2 year old can't get enough of it.  Add it as a possible fun item for the little ones in your lives this holiday season.  It isn't just a favorite in our home, Target has chosen the Wubble Ball as a 2014 Top Toy for the Holiday Season.  Wubble Ball is available at Target, Toys R US and online at www.wubbleball.com, and you can also follow them on twitter @WubbleBall and on Facebook.

More fun facts about the Wubble Bubble Ball:

"~Wubble Bubble Ball is a Family Fun Toy Of The Year Award Winner. The 25 winners are featured in the November 2014 issue of Family Fun Magazine. 
~Inspired by his children's wish for a real bubble to play with, NSI President Frank Landi developed the Wubble™ Bubble Ball to keep children's love for fun, active play alive.
~Wubble has won numerous toy awards, including an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, a National Parenting Center Seal of Approval, a Mr. Dad Approved Award, a Parent's Choice Award and the  Dr. Toy Best 100 Picks Award and more! "

     

Gift the Perfect Case with SPECK Protective Cases this Holiday Season

*I received items for the purpose of this post, all opinions are a 100% my own.  No other compensation was provided.  Photos are from http://speckproducts.com

I don't always have the latest devices as it is hard to keep up these days, but for the ones I do have I like to have the best protection for them - which is why I'm glad I go to try Speck cases.  I personally tried the Venture Folio, Shift Folio, and my absolute favorite the Show Folio for my iPad mini.  I have tried and gone through other cases before, not satisfied and feeling hopeless when it comes to a proper case for my iPad mini until I tried the Speck cases.
 
Speck is the leading designer of award winning, protective cases and covers for smartphones, tablets, and laptops.  If you check out SpeckProducts online you will find just how much they offer, and I am pretty sure you will find the perfect case for you or someone on your holiday gift list this year. 

 

Quick information on the three cases:

ShowFolio is the first in-car case from Speck made for on-the-road entertainment.  I've gotten the opportunity to try this out on the go with my children in the backseat, it hooks right onto the headrest of the front seat, and hooks right off for on the go.  It is fully functional slim and protective of the iPad mini.  By far my favorite case for the iPad mini. 

 

VentureFolio is a carefully styled case for the frequent traveler. It’s a fully functioning folio case that features magnetic storage pockets perfectly sized for credit cards, cash, and travel documents.  I like this case for when I'm on my own and not with the kids, so I can fully utilize the added convenient storage pockets. 

 

ShiftFolio is a slim, classically styled folio case that delivers the dual-layer protection that only comes with a Speck case. A magnetic cover secures the case shut and automatically triggers the sleep/wake function on your iPad (which all these cases do btw.) Multiple viewing and typing positions make it comfortable to use your iPad while leaning back and relaxing or upright and working.

 

"ShowFolio and ShiftFolio are each $59.95 for the complete system including the Shift Frame and Shift Cover. VentureFolio is $69.95 for the frame and storage pocket cover. Separately, the Shift Covers for each can be purchased for $44.95. The Shift Frame is also available individually for $29.95 - but needs to be combined with any Shift Cover for proper functionality."

 

Get to know more about SPECK at speckproducts.com or follow them on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.  They have so much more to offer, all quality cases they stand behind with a 1 year warranty, and 30 day unconditional guarantee.  You will be sure to find a case for you, and the perfect case for that special someone in your life this holiday season.  This technology driven world we live in, we all care about the devices we use, and nothing beats finding the perfect case - be the one to gift an item that will be valued  by the recipient on your holiday list for a long time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DECK Speakers by SOL REPUBLIC x MOTOROLA {giveaway}

Received the item/s for the purpose of this post.  All opinions are a 100% my own.  No other compensation was provided. Giveaway is sponsored. 

DECK Speakers by SOL REPUBLIC x Motorola.  This is the first speaker system that I have used that lets you sync up to five friends, which makes for added fun when you have company or when you take it outside for a gathering.  I personally have used it carrying it around from room to room playing nursery rhymes for my little one, to using it to read out sight words for my son to listen to and spell out, and of course my husband and I have had our share of music playing on it already.

With the feature that lets you sync up to five friends, you can battle, or simply take turns playing DJ.  I got to test it out, and it really is fun to all be synced.  Everyone gets a choice in music during any family gatherings.  You can choose Heist mode on the device itself.  You have volume controls on top of the DECK, and the device lights up to indicate connection.  Multifunction buttons on the device makes for easier usage.  You can also use the device as a speaker phone, the results for me worked great - clear sound on both ends. 

It has a nice nonslip bottom that I found useful when carrying it around and of course keeps it from moving around while playing music.  It has up to 10 hours of battery life, and like other SOL REPUBLIC devices I've used charges really fast and lasts a long time.  Every time you turn on the device it tells you how many hours of battery life you have left, as well as letting you know when charge is complete. 

The carrying pouch and size makes it convenient to toss in my bag to take anywhere.
"Powered by 360° full sound, DECK sounds great from anywhere in the room. And the super-power wireless feature gives you up to 300 feet of freedom to stay connected and play DJ while roaming the party."
One of it's greatest features has to be it's ability to stay connected wirelessly up to 300 feet, which is one of the reasons why I love taking it outside with me and it makes it easier to control it from the other room when I'm at home as well. 
Here are some other features that make the DECK speakers so great.

Labor day weekend is coming up, if you are going camping or having a get together this will be a great accessory to add to the fun.  We will be taking it camping with us this weekend and I'm sure we'll use it throughout our time.  It is also back to school season and this would be a great for any students or teachers in your life, you'd like to treat with something they'll be sure to use.

Enter below using the Rafflecopter to win one!
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/17ff612435/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway