Tuesday, January 31, 2012

INKtastic Giveaway WINNER!


  • Name: Chelsie Sawyer Facebook
  • Option: Join my Blog Frog Community
  • Extra Info: 
  • Time: Sun Jan 29 2012 00:00:00 GMT-0500 (Eastern Standard Time)

Congratulations Chelsie!! Chelsie has 48 hours to reply to my email to claim her prize before I will be forced to choose another winner. Thanks to all for following and entering!!

Monday, January 30, 2012

No Slippy Hair Clippy Review & Giveaway



"No Slippy Hair Clippy® is well known for creating the non-slip hair accessories® category,
and is still the finest product of its kind anywhere!"



As a mother to one adorable little girl (hey, so what if I'm biased!), I love dressing her up in cute dresses, shoes, and of course, doing her hair. Merasia LOVES getting her hair done. She is constantly asking for "hair ties" to do her hair or her hair clips. Up until recently, we didn't have a lot of hair clips to use for her hair, or the ones we did have always seemed to be slipping or falling out.....and Merasia is devastated when her hair clips or hair ties slip or fall out. She always says "Oh no, mommy! Oh no!" and asks me to "Fix it."


I was skeptical when I first found No Slippy Hair Clippy's website. Really? Hair clippies that don't slip and actually stay in? Needless to say, I found that highly unlikely....


From their website:


"Our first "no-slip hair clip" was invented out of sheer frustration in 2000. It took a mom with an almost-bald baby girl to invent a hair clip that would stay securely in place and look cute. For countless generations, baby girls have often been mistaken for boys, and until No Slippy Hair Clippy® opened its doors in 2001, you couldn’t find a hair accessory created specifically to stay in baby-fine hair. Thanks to us, your daughter’s generation no longer has to worry about being mistaken for a BOY!


Our hair clips are quite unique, with a patent pending. Originally designed with a magnet to enhance the hold, we now use a more expensive Plush Swiss Velvet wrapped completely around the metal clip, to provide an identical snug, secure grip. It’s now  lighter weight, and so soft she won’t even know it’s there! Our clips won’t hurt if she pulls them out, either, and because we use the highest quality clips available, they don’t bend easily, like others do. Truly the world’s finestnon-slip clip®!"


I was sent several different hair clips to try out for review. I was sent the Emily bow, 2 peace sign clipettes in black, the Belinda pinch clip in turquoise, and a cute little butterfly clip that I can't seem to find right now on the website. I also was sent a cute pink hair clip holder for review!






I love all of these hair clips!!! First off, they completely proved me wrong in my doubts of them being completely non slippy or not....they definitely do NOT slip out of Merasia's hair! I love that the clip parts of these clippies are manufactured with nice soft velvet to prevent pulling hair and help them stay put.



The first clips Merasia wanted to try out were the peace sign clipettes.



These clips looked ADORABLE in her hair, and I love how snug they stayed the whole day! She was super cute too, and really loved these clips. I'm sure part of the reason was because they weren't getting snagged in her hair or pulling it, and they stayed in so she didn't have to have me fix them multiple times a day.


I had some pictures of her with the other clips in, but for some reason can't find them now! :-(


We did go to a local inside carnival thing a couple weeks ago with the kiddos, and she wore the pink bow clip, and it stayed in the entire day, even through her going in the bounce house, playing games, running around, and going in the ball tunnel....




Merasia has worn all of these clips at least once, and most, more then a few times. She loves them all, and so do I! They all stay put throughout the day, even when she is playing at her hardest! And when we do take them out, there is no pulling or snagging her hair, and they are very comfortable for her to wear all day and sometimes she even falls asleep for her nap with them in, but it doesn't seem to bother her one bit. 


I love the clip holder too! Right before we got these clips in for review, she got a few hair clips from her aunt for her birthday, and now, I have somewhere to hang all of her hair clippies that helps keep them safe (by that I mean not lost....), organized, and within easy reach whenever she feels like wearing her hair clippies.



There are so many options for No Slippy Hair Clippy...there are some way cute ones for babies, and even stylish and cute ones for teens and mamas! I love the large selection they have to offer! And the prices absolutely cannot be beat. The quality is amazing, too, which is an added bonus. 


No Slippy Hair Clippies are a MUST HAVE for all mamas and daughters! 


Purchase it: No Slippy Hair Clippies can be purchased at their website.


WIN IT: ONE lucky reader of Mama 2 Multiples is going to WIN a $25 gift certificate to No Slippy Hair Clippies! 


Simply read the instructions CAREFULLY below, and enter using the Rafflecopter form!

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Another Potty Training Update!

Connor and Merasia are doing so well with potty training! They are in undies ALL day, and have NO pee accidents. They usually have one poop accident, around late morning. We are still working on the pooping in the potty thing, but it will come in time! In the meantime....is gets a little messy to clean up poopy underwear, but oh well. It's just part of being a mama and part of potty training! I usually dump the poop in the toilet, and then wipe it up as best I can with a baby wipe, or rinse it in the sink and then let them soak and then throw them in the wash. Of course it will be nice when I don't have to worry about dealing with that regularly though! But, hey...no way am I complaining!

I think it's safe to say, they are day trained, with the exception of that one poop accident a day. Today was the third or fourth day that they went down for their nap in undies, and both woke up 2 or 3 hours later, completely dry. I remind them to potty every half hour or so, but most of the time, I don't need to remind them, they just know to do it themselves.

Next to get down is that darn poop, and night training! :-)


Friday, January 27, 2012

Sandra Magsamen Valentine's Day Products Review & Giveaway

I have had the honor of reviewing Sandra Magsamen products a few times, and have never been disappointed! I absolutely love her products! I know I say that in every review I do of her items, but I cannot stress enough how much I truly do love them all!

For my Valentine's Day review, I received a picture frame, wall plaque, mug, and beautiful necklace.




I have yet to put a photo in the picture frame (need to get some printed!) but it will make a nice addition to my night stand by our bed. It's such a pretty frame!

I hung the wall plaque over our bed and it fits in so well. :-)



I love it! It adds color and decoration to our normally bland bedroom. :-)

And the necklace...I cannot stress enough how much I am IN LOVE with this necklace!! It's sooo beautiful, and I can pair it with any outfit, and it dresses up the most simple, plain outfit so easily!



(Ignore the toothbrushes)

I wore this necklace out the day after I received it, and got soooo many compliments on it! This is a must have and by far my most favorite part of jewelry (next to my wedding rings and charm bracelet with the kiddos birthstones...hehe).

Unfortunately, the mug got broke on the way to me, so I am waiting on a new one, but I am sure I will love that too. You just can't go wrong with Sandra Magsamen products! They decorate your home beautifully, and make the perfect gift for anyone in your life, for any occasion!

All of Sandra's products are made of top quality material and are durable and long lasting. And too cute! :-)

You can purchase these and other products from Sandra at your local Walmart!

Now, for the fun part......

ONE lucky reader of Mama 2 Multiples is going to WIN their choice of a plaque or angel, and a mug or necklace, all of which can be seen below...


To enter, simply read and FOLLOW ALL instructions in the Rafflecopter form below!


Potty Training Update!

Potty training is going oh-so-well in our house! The first day I posted about it, we had a few accidents but nothing terrible. They wanted to nap in their undies, so I let them but was prepared for an accident from each when they woke up, and I was right. They went to daycare Tuesday and Wednesday, so we only potty trained those days in the evenings since daycare doesn't do undies until they have been in them for 2 weeks with no accidents. We started hard core training all day again yesterday, and Connor had one pee accident in the morning and then a poop accident, and Merasia had one pee accident. They wanted to nap in undies instead of diapers, so I let them. Connor went pee before going down, and Merasia didn't have to go. About 10 minutes after I laid them down, Merasia called for me and said she had to go pee, so she sat on the potty, and sure enough, went pee on the potty and then went back to bed. Merasia woke up 2 hours later and I was shocked to find her completely dry!! I had her sit on the potty as soon as she woke up and she went, and then I had a few errands to run and took her with me, in just undies and her clothes, no diaper. She stayed dry the whole time. :-) While we were out and about, hubs called me to tell me Connor woke up DRY! He had napped for 3 hours so I was really surprised he woke up dry. That, and the fact that he has never really been too into potty training as much as Merasia has been. Hubs said he had him sit on the potty as soon as he woke up and he peed a ton, so that was good. They stayed dry the entire rest of the night, through dinner and playing and getting ready for bed. Both Connor and Merasia wanted to wear just undies to bed, but I was positive they wouldn't stay dry the whole night, so to avoid waking up at night to change them and sheets, etc., I insisted they wear diapers, but put their undies on over their diapers so they still got to wear them. :-)

I am so happy this is going so well! We are so close to being fully potty trained, I can taste it!! I cannot wait to only have to buy diapers for one baby for a while!

Will keep updating as we continue our potty training journey! :-)



Wednesday, January 25, 2012

CLICK Espresso Protein Drink WINNER!


PICK THE WINNERSANNOUNCED! (UNDO)

  • X
    • Name: Tawnya Sather Facebook
    • Option: Follow @Mam2Multiples on Twitter
    • Extra Info: @kopperkirlz
    • Time: Sat Jan 21 2012 00:00:00 GMT-0500 (Eastern Standard Time)
  • Congratulations Tawnya!! Tawyna has 24 hours to reply to my email before I will be forced to choose another winner. Thanks to all who entered and thanks to all for following! :-))

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Snap Sac/1 Bag at a Time Review

"We see SnapSac as the next evolution in reusable bags."



From their website:

"SnapSac is a division of 1 Bag at a Time, Inc., a leading supplier of reusable bags to grocery stores, businesses, governments, schools, libraries and community groups.   At 1 Bag at a Time, Inc, we are committed to social, environmental, and economic responsibility.  We strive to live our values every day, and bring you a tote bag that is fashionable and socially responsible, just like you!

We created it to renew excitement about what a bag could be and should be.  Our goal was to give you style, quality, and responsibility—all for about the price of a latte."


When I first came across Snap Sac, I was really impressed. Most of all, I loved the idea behind the product. I loved the fact that these bags are environmentally friendly, yet big enough to hold a lot of items comfortably, and cute to use in public, and not boring colors or unattractive. 

Snap Sac definitely delivers on their commitment to bring consumers a tote that is fashionable and stylish!

For my review, I was sent the grocery tote and super tote, both in the neutral pattern.


I didn't have my camera ready to get pictures of my groceries in the grocery tote when I did my shopping, but I did get some pics when I got home with the groceries in it. 




I know it doesn't look like a lot in these pics, but there was quite a bit in this bag! Here are some more pics with more items...




This bag is very very roomy and I will definitely be using it for my future grocery shopping trips! It's reusable, which is the biggest reason I love it, but it's stylish and roomy, and even with all of these items inside, it still shut tight and nothing fell out while it was being tossed around in the van and carrying it from the van to the house, etc. 


I decided to use the super tote as our new diaper bag. Right after Mason was born, I could usually get away with using one diaper bag for all 3 kids when we went places, if I packed it right! But, it was still a little tight. However, I wanted to avoid taking 2 or 3 diapers bags with us everywhere we went and that has gotten harder as Mason has gotten older and we have more stuff to take with us when we go out and about. 

I tried out the super tote as a diaper bag and I. Am. In. LOVE!!
This bag comfortably fits all of the diapers we need for all 3 kiddos, as well as a tub of wipes, a few changes of clothes for Mason and for the twins if need be (in case of accidents!), snacks, formula, burp cloths, and toys for Mason.



I used this bag for daycare for the first time today, and my mind was quickly made up that I will be using this bag every time we go somewhere and every week that the kids have daycare, because it's so much more easier to use, and there's tons more room!





And after everything we needed was packed, the bag closed easily, everything stayed in place through the ride across town, and there was more than enough room to spare if we needed to add anything to the bag!





Both of these bags are not only stylish, environmentally friendly, and roomy, but made of top quality material. I have tried out other re usable bags in the past that I have bought at my local grocery stores or been given by friends, and none of them have ever been as great as Snap Sac. 

These are my new favorite items and come more than highly recommended from this mama! :-)


Purchase It: You can purchase the two bags seen here and many other varieties of Snap Sac bags at their website HERE.

(Excuse the repetition, if any...it's late, Mason was up a lot last night, and I'm exhausted! ;-) )

**DISCLAIMER** I received the above product(s) from Snap Sac free of charge in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was received. However, all opinions are strictly my own.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Dear Mason

Dear Mason,


Though I love you dearly......


I do not, however, love the fact that I found myself covered in your poop this evening after your very eventful poop blow out.


Just sayin'.


Love,
Mommy




Adventures in Potty Training

We had a potty training breakthrough last night.....

Connor POOPED on the potty!!!!

Waaaay back when the twins were about 14 or 15 months old, we started sitting them on the potty once a day, usually right before baths and bed, to get them used to the potty. We didn't push, just let them lead the way. The first night, they both peed on the potty. The second night, Merasia pooped. I can't quite recall if Connor has ever pooped on the potty before...I'm sure it's in his baby book somewhere though. :-)

So, yesterday afternoon, I broke out the big boy and big girl undies for Connor and Merasia, and we went to town pottying! 

Around 7 or 7:30 last night, I was putting Mason down for the night, and the twins were in the bathroom working on some potty time. I heard Merasia start yelling, "Mommy, Nuh-Cuh (what she calls Connor) POOP!" Merasia doesn't usually lie, and usually knows what she's talking about it, so I rushed out of Mason's room, and imagine my surprise when I walked into the bathroom and saw a nice big poop in their potty!!! I started clapping and screeching in true mommy fashion, and told Connor what a big boy he was and what a good job he did. He just stood there and smiled. So modest. :-)


Needless to say, I was pretty inspired by that poop, and decided to go with hardcore potty training today! The twins woke up, and I took off their diapers and put them both in undies and a t shirt for the whole day. They each only had a few accidents the whole day. Not too bad, really. One time, Connor had an accident and then Merasia started telling me she had peed.....I think it was because she saw me cater to Connor when he had his accident and change his undies, so she was copying him. Oh, the joys of twins! ;-)

They each had one poop accident, but no big deal. I figured as much! We were able to avoid diapers all day though. I was going to put them in a diaper at nap time, because I know they can't make it dry that whole time yet, but they didn't want to, so to avoid a meltdown, I gave in and let them keep their undies on instead. Of course they were both wet when they woke up, so we put clean undies on and the rest of the afternoon/evening went well, and they never had a diaper on until bed time. 

Overall, I'd call is a pretty successful day. Tomorrow they go to daycare, and I will send them in diapers but send some undies along with them, in case their daycare provider gets brave. I look forward to this new chapter in their lives though...even if it is one more reminder how fast my babies are growing up.


Sunday, January 22, 2012

Children's Chestal & Camilia Teething Medicine - Review & Giveaway

With the combination of the winter months and all 3 kiddos going to daycare for the first time a couple days a week, there has been no shortage of sickness in our house for the past few months. It seems every week someone has a runny nose or a cough...and Bronchitis has been especially present too. There's not much on the market I have found that works well for the kids coughs. There are a few over the counter things I have tried, but haven't seen much for results. 


I discovered Children's Chestal recently, and decided I may be interested in giving it a try. It was something new I hadn't seen or heard of before, so I figured it was definitely worth a shot! 


I received a bottle of Children's Chestal cough syrup and Camilia teething medicine to review. Both of these products are all natural, which was the first thing that drew me to them. I don't like using antibiotics or strong medications, even over the counter pain relievers such as Tylenol, if I absolutely don't have to. If I can avoid it, or use a more natural alternative, I will choose that first. 


Mason has been the most sick in our house, and since the Chestal sough syrup is for ages 2 and older, I wasn't able to use it until just recently, when Connor started showing signs of Bronchitis or the common cold. Last night when we put him to bed, he was unable to comfortably fall asleep quickly because he couldn't stop coughing. It was the perfect time to give this medicine a trial run! The honey taste in this medicine is very appealing to kids, so there is no hesitation in them taking it. Within 10 minutes of Connor taking this, he was out asleep with no coughing. He did wake up later in the night, probably from coughing again since it had been a few hours since he first took the medicine, but a few hours of solid sleep from a sick child is amazing! 


Not only is this cough syrup all natural and safe, but it's non drowsy so they can use it any time of day, it's dye free, has no drug interactions, and works naturally with children's little bodies. All of these qualities are what I look for in medications for my children, and it's very rare I ever find anything like this.


From their website:



"Children’s Chestal® is one of the safest brands of cough medicine. It works naturally to relieve your child’s cough.
Children’s Chestal works naturally with the body to improve the productivity of all types of common coughs. First, the natural goodness of honey in Chestal coats and soothes your throat. Then, the blend of safe homeopathic medicines gets to work loosening chest congestion, helping to make coughs more productive for a speedier recovery.
Children’s Chestal is your day and night solution—calming those dry, fitful coughs at bedtime so they don’t prevent sleep, but without drowsy side effects for the day."





We received the Camilia teething medicine just in time, as Mason was teething very, very hard. He still is, but not as bad as he was.


I used it right away! I gave him a dose before bed after several nights of little to no sleep due to his teething discomfort. This medicine is very easy to administer. There are no bottles to accidentely tip over or make a mess with, and nothing to pour into a medicine dropper or have to clean up afterwards. Camilia comes in single use liquid doses that you simply twist the top off of, and pour into baby's mouth. We actually got a fairly good night's rest the first night we tried this teething medicine for Mason. He didn't sleep all night, but he did sleep some, which was better than the nights prior, when he literally was awake all night.


Just like the cough syrup, this teething medicine is all natural, works naturally with your little one's body, and has zero side effects. The active ingredients in Camilia homeopathic medicine are: 


"Chamomilla 9C HPUS – Relieves teething pain accompanied by irritability
Phytolacca decandra 5C HPUS – Relieves painful gums
Rheum officinale 5C HPUS – Relieves minor digestive disorders associated with teething"


I feel good using this product for my baby's sensitive body, instead of something full of nasty and dangerous chemicals. 


Purchase It: You can purchase both of these products by visiting their respective websites, and finding a retailer near you.


WIN IT: ONE lucky reader of Mama 2 Multiples is going to win a bottle of Chestal Cough Syrup!


Follow the instructions below and enter using the Rafflecopter widget. Be sure to read ALL instructions CAREFULLY before entering!



Socks 4 Life Review & Giveaway

It's not secret I love polka dots, and it's not secret I love almost any women's apparel....and that goes for socks! I recently purchased some socks at a local store, but they were cheap and thin and though they had polka dot patterns, they didn't last long before thinning and ripping out.

I recently discovered Socks 4 Life, and their large array of socks for the whole family, from crew socks to children's socks, and even thermal socks, which hubs is especially fond of. 



They have so many socks to choose from, it was hard to pick just one favorite! 


Socks 4 Life not only offers large varieties of almost any kind of socks you can imagine, but they have fun and helpful category pages as well, such as How to Wear Fashion Socks and their recently launched All About Socks.

I chose Yelete Women's Bubble Print Crew Socks for review. I received all of the colors shown at the website. I think its obvious why I chose them...the polka dot design, of course!



I received my socks very quickly, and immediately had to try them out. I ordered the correct size, but the tops of the socks are a little tight on my legs, but not uncomfortable. These socks are so very cute, and everything I expected. They don't feel cheap like my last socks did, so I feel confident that they will last for a while. The colors and patterns were just as vibrant and bright as they looked on the website, so I was completely satisfied all around. I've gotten lots of compliments on them too. :-)

The prices on Socks 4 Life are also completely reasonable and within everyone's price range. And with the wide selection and quality of them, you cannot go wrong!

I will definitely be looking to Socks 4 Life for future purchases, and they will come highly recommended to all of my friends and family. They would make great Christmas presents for next year too! ;-)

Purchase it: You can purchase the socks mentioned above and many, many others at their website.

WIN IT: One lucky reader of Mama 2 Multiples is going to win a $25 gift certificate to Socks 4 Life!

Follow the instructions below on the Rafflecopter widget to enter! Be sure to read ALL instructions carefully before entering!