... weeks pregnant.
Fighting to get all my scripts filled because my ONLY insurance company is convinced that I have a "primary" insurance company that isn't them. Oi.. need to get that straightened out.
Tomorrow I go visit with the birth planner lady. I'm not sure what all I need to tell her, but I have a ton of questions about NICU. Maybe since he's stayed in longer than the doctor initially seemed to think she wanted, he'll be able to avoid NICU - either way, I've got questions and I want to be prepared for it if it happens, at least as prepared as I can be.
I've also got another ultrasound tomorrow to check on baby's swelling and my "extra" fluids. On Monday it looked like I didn't have as much swelling in my own body, but tonight I feel/look very swollen. My blood sugars have been a little more unstable this week because of the insurance issue (couldn't refill my insulin) - but we've got samples now so they should stabilize pretty quickly.
I'm anxious right now. I want this baby out - I feel pregnant... you know - sore back, swollen legs, congested, etc. But also I want to see him and know that he's doing well. At the same time, I don't want him out - I know the longer he's cooked the healthier he should be. AND.. okay, this is silly - this is baby #3 but the thought of giving birth terrifies me... do you KNOW how they get out???
I could opt for a C-section, the doctor would be happy with me if I chose that - but it's not what I want.
Friday he'll be officially 36 weeks. Praying that whenever he arrives he's healthy and we can both leave the hospital quickly.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Tropical Traditions Dish Liquid: Review and Giveaway
*This is a coconut based product*
Bubbles
Bubbles
I know, I know. It's silly, bubbles are NOT a sign that my dishes (or anything else) are getting clean. But the truth is, when I was dishes, I like to see bubbles. I BELIEVE my dishes are getting cleaner when I see the "evidence" of bubbles that stick around for a little while.
Green
I like products that are green. Not so much the color green, but free from added strange chemicals that may or may not harm my family as they are exposed to them over days, weeks, years, etc. I like the color green too. Mostly, I like learning ways to help keep our beautiful world healthy as my children (and hopefully someday grandchildren) are growing up. I also want my kids to live with the expectation that they will do what they can to protect their world and continue to make it a safer place.
Smells
I don't like products that stink. Who does? I'm very particular about the smells that I bring into my house. I don't tend to be big on flowery smells - but I'm not entirely opposed to them either. I do like sweet smells, and natural smells. I'm a very sensory person - the way things smell is definitely important to me.
Function
Why bring a product into my home that has no function, or does not function well? The truth is - we do plenty of that.. silly kid's meal trinkets, stickers, flyers... I'm working on getting rid of those things that have no function or don't function well. These things make clutter in my house and life and I don't like it. Products that work well are important to me, there is no reason to spend my money on things that are going to last for short amounts of time, or not work in the way I expect!
DISH LIQUID
Right, that's what I told you in my title that I was going to post about. Dish liquid. What do "Bubbles, Green, Smells, and Function" have to do with dish washing liquid?
Tropical Traditions (trusted retailer of so many amazing green household products) has a fantastic dish liquid that meets all of these categories. Now.. it says on the bottle that it's "low sudsing". I find that although it is low sudsing, the bubbles last for the entire time I am washing dishes.
I've also discovered that it works better on my dishes than some of the high priced, name brand dish soaps that you can find on your grocery shelves. I add just a teaspoon of soap to my water as I run it and have enough bubbles to wash a whole meal's worth of dishes.
The smell is light, much like many of my children's bubbles (I don't think I'd use these to make bubbles for my children though - I like them too much for my dishes.. my children can use the grocery store stuff).
Information from the Tropical Traditions Website:
Household Traditions Dish Liquid is free of:
- Fragrances
- Dyes
- Petroleum Solvents
- Respiratory and Skin irritants
Household Traditions Dish Liquid is an effective and concentrated dish soap developed by and for people with allergies, asthma and Multiple Chemical Sensitivities.* Household Traditions Dish Liquid is a coconut-based product—it contains nature’s versatile, renewable harvest. With coconut’s natural moisturizing qualities, washing dishes is even soothing to your hands. Household Traditions Dish Liquid is safe for you but tough on dirty, greasy dishes. It breaks down safely and rapidly making it safer for the environment. It is also low sudsing, making it ideal for camping or other outdoor uses. Household Traditions Dish Liquid is free of fragrances, phosphates, petroleum solvents, chlorine, dyes and other common triggers for respiratory or skin irritations.
Tropical Traditions Dish Liquid is top of the line. It is also on SALE right now! Check out their current prices!
This stuff lasts a long time and is well worth the cost of buying it right away.
Tropical Traditions has offered to send one of my readers a bottle of dish liquid to try for themselves!
Go Green Giveaway Event: Dandelion Layette Giveaway!
This is a sticky post - it will remain at the top of my blog until the end of this event - please scroll down to see new posts!
It's HERE! Time for the Go Green Giveaway Event!
If you haven't read my spotlight on Dandelion, Earth Friendly Products, now is the time to make sure you do it!
Dandelion is a fantastic, family-friendly company with a focus on high quality safe products, especially for baby and toddler! For this event, they are offering one of my readers the chance to win a Layette Set, including a long sleeved onesie and a receiving blanket! This prize is worth $36.98 plus shipping!
Make sure to check out some of the other blogs participating in the Go Green Event this week!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
oh poop ...
Don't you hate it when you push "publish" too soon... the Go Green Event starts at midnight tonight, you can read about it, but you can't enter it yet... sorry!
... and then I was attacked by the lioness!
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| Image from fredmiranda.com |
Sadly, this is the last week of our zoo's "regular" season. On the 9th they close their doors for the fall/winter. They will be opening for a special series of Halloween events, but as members, we only get a discount, not free admission - so most likely, we will not be going to the zoo after this week.
A very generous lady from Mr. Crum's work gave us a ride ticket for the family to use up. We've been working on using it over the last few weeks and really enjoying the excuse to ride the train, sky safari, carousel, and boats. I still haven't figured out which ride is Monkey's favorite.
Because Crackers is not yet 2, he cannot ride the sky safari. I thought that rule was silly - that is - until today when I went on the terrifying ride through the sky with Monkey today. I had been so excited about it. Mr. Crum went with him a few weeks ago while Crackers and I watched - now it was finally my turn. Oh my goodness! Of all the frightening things you can do at the zoo, this might be about the top of the line! I mean.. I had to have been at least 30 feet in the air on a swing with a 3 year old and my 9 month pregnant belly.. terrified that my preschooler and I would plummet to our deaths at any moment. Straight into the mouth of a hungry lion. Okay - so the ride does not go over any animals at all. I'm sure that's a safety standard for any ride at the zoo. We finally, after about an hour of fearful riding, made it back to the start and leapt off of the ride and into the waiting arms of the ride attendant - a friendly older man.
Then - we went on a walk through Africa. That place is BIG and SCARY! Did you know there are large deer like creatures called Sitatunga - just waiting to stare you down when you try to stalk them. There are also monkeys, defensive mama monkeys that will fight to their peril to make sure their babies are safe. GIANT birds like pelicans and storks. Then... you come to the hyenas. The hyenas are obviously vicious - you can tell by the way they lay next to the glass of their enclosure just waiting to pounce on some unsuspecting young person.
Next... are the lions. Oh yes, I said LIONS! Bill and Ina. Bill casually lays on the top of the ridge watching over his small (very small) pride. - I'm pretty sure that when we were on that terrifying journey through the sky, I saw him stalking the cars on the road that runs near their enclosure. I bet he's making plans to eat one of them when they're not looking.
While Bill distracts their onlookers, Ina quietly lays near the glass viewing area. She's sweet and innocent, calm and relaxed. That is... until a very pregnant woman and her small child sit down to watch the big cats. Then.. she yawns, convincingly... and SPRINGS UP - she slowly ambles over to the glass and bats at the face of the perfectly harmless pregnant woman... AND TRIES TO BITE HER HEAD OFF! Seriously.. she tried to bite my head! She walked a few steps away, then came back and did it again - swat and bite! YIKES!
I am so glad that there was glass in between us!
And to think, I wondered why Monkey was always nervous when we visited the lions.. he knows he'd make a tasty snack.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Go Green Giveaway Event
Are you interested in living a greener life?
Do you like trying new products?
Do you like to enter giveaways?
Do you need something to do in your spare time from October 5-11?
If your answer is "YES" to any of these questions, I've got a great fun event for you! Yep, I said an event. This is the first time that Crum's This N That has chosen to participate in a big giveaway event and I am looking forward to reading posts and entering contests for all sorts of prizes and prize packages that will help "greenify" my home! Some of these folks have diapers, others have "big kid" prizes.. or products for around the house - I know there are some Tropical Traditions products that will be making an appearance.
Over 50 blogs with prizes. Some blogs have multiple prize packages - I'm talking big, big prizes. Every blog has to offer at least $25 in prizes per package! That's a minimum of $1250 in prizes (but I know personally that there's way more up for grabs than that).
So check out the linky (as soon as it's available). Start picking out the products that you want to learn more about and try to win. And get ready to enter giveaways for your favorite products! Heck, if you don't want the prize, you can give it to your grandma for Christmas... unless it's a diaper, that'd be kind of weird and maybe a little offensive!
Keep your eyes open for the link to find the prizes!
Shoot, this is better than an Easter Egg Hunt.
Go Green Giveaway Event: Sponsor Spotlight - Dandelion, Earth Friendly Goods
It's coming soon! The Go Green Giveaway Event! Over 50 blogs are offering GREEN giveaways with a minimum value of $25 each! You can do the math... there are a ton of chances to win amazing green products for your home and family! Crum's This N That is partnering with Dandelion, Earth Friendly Goods to showcase a fantastic set for your baby (or someone else's baby that you love)! Read on to learn more about Dandelion, Earth Friendly Goods and this great prize package!
Remember this?
This dish is made of corn. It's one of the many fantastic earth friendly products made by Dandelion, Earth-Friendly Goods. I reviewed their fantastic set of plates and bowls over the summer. I highly recommend them for toddlers for so many reasons! Want to know more? Check out the review from July.
-Now-
Baby Crum #3 is expected to arrive any time in the next 5 weeks. That seems like a strange thing to say, but for health reasons he'll likely be sooner than later. As baby enters the world, we're happy to partner with Dandelion once again and tell you all about their fantastic, organic layette set!
Dandelion, Earth Friendly Goods offers a onesie, bib and burp cloth set, blanket, and long sleeved onesie. All of these products are made of chemical-free organic cotton and eco-friendly dyes! They offer a selection of 10 colors (varied availability depending on product). We chose to test a sage colored long sleeved onesie and blanket set for baby Azariah. I think it is a perfect color for a fall baby and cannot wait to try it on him.
What I love about the organic layette set:
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| Sage colored Long Sleeved Onesie and Blanket $36.98 for the set! |
1) It is organic, chemical and dye free. I have no concerns about my baby's contact with strange chemicals when he is wearing this set.
2) It's so soft. I love snuggling a warm baby in soft clothes. Doesn't everyone want to love on that?
3) I love the selection of colors that Dandelion offers their consumers.
4) When comparing prices of similar organic products, Dandelion, Earth Friendly Goods, is very competitive (some of the best prices I can find).
5) Dandelion offers great quality products that I know will last for multiple babies. If we don't have another one, I can hand it down to someone else who is.
A Little More About Dandelion, Earth Friendly Goods
Dandelion offers you peace of mind: products safer for baby, and safer for the planet. But did you know that Dandelion (and Re-Think It, Inc) is creating a Greener work place, too? While going All-the-Way-Green may seem challenging today, we have to begin somewhere! Re-Think It, Inc hopes to inspire others to Re-view… to Re-think how we live and work, and take the steps to do better!
Reducing energy usage, providing staff Reusable drinking containers, and utilizing Recycled paper products, are just the beginning.
The Dandelion Prize Package:
Enter to win a layette set, including a long sleeved onesie and a receiving blanket, in your choice of colors right here! The giveaway will open on Wednesday, October 5 and close on Tuesday, October 11!
For another opportunity to win a great product from Dandelion, Earth Friendly Goods, check out Happenings of the Harper Household!
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