March for Babies (Kmart is raising the awareness and money)!

Kmart is once again teaming up with the March of Dimes to raise funds to help improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. This is the 27th year that Kmart will be partnering with the March of Dimes and their 18th year as a national sponsor of the March for Babies walk.

“Our long-standing partnership with Kmart has helped to improve infant survival and health in the U.S.,” said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. “In the time that Kmart has supported the March of Dimes, the rate of infant death has declined dramatically. The dedication and generosity of Kmart’s associates and customers has helped us to support the needs of families across the country.”

Kmart, the March of Dimes longest standing corporate supporter and largest contributor to its mission, has raised $79 million on behalf of the organization over the past 26 years. In 2009, Kmart associates raised a record $8.3 million through donations from customers as well as friends and family to benefit the four million babies born each year in this country.

“The annual March of Dimes drive has a special place in our hearts here at Kmart,” said Bruce Johnson, interim chief executive officer and president for Sears Holdings. “Premature births affect both our customers and employees. Many employees in our Kmart family have personally dealt with a premature birth in their own families, so it means a lot to everyone at Kmart to be able to make a difference in the lives of families across the country and give their babies a chance for healthy lives.”

Kmart hopes to set a new fundraising record this year as it passes the $80 million milestone and help even more families. Kmart customers can help the March of Dimes improve the health of babies by making a donation of $1, $5 or $10 at any store cash register through May 31. Funds raised through Kmart stores support the complete range of March of Dimes efforts for mothers and babies, including:
· Funding new and innovative research to save babies from birth defects, premature birth and other leading causes of infant death and disability
· Providing support to families with a baby in newborn intensive care in 90 hospitals nationwide
· Local chapter grants to help women get prenatal care and have healthy pregnancies

March for Babies, the nation’s oldest and best-loved annual walking event, will take place this spring in more than 900 communities in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Support for March for Babies is part of Kmart for Kids, the umbrella program for Kmart’s philanthropic initiatives, which focuses on improving children’s health and wellness.

“The dedication of Kmart associates to rally around our March of Dimes efforts extends both in stores and in the communities where we work and live,” said Johnson. “I’m proud to share that last year more than 1,750 Kmart associates walked in marches across the country. Their personal commitments to giving babies in our country the greatest gift of all – a healthy life – is incredible.”

For more information on how to donate or find the nearest March for Babies, visit www.kmart.com or www.marchforbabies.org.

About Kmart
Kmart, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD), is a mass merchandising company that offers customers quality products through a portfolio of exclusive brands that include Jaclyn Smith, Joe Boxer, County Living and Route 66. For more information visit the company's Web site at www.kmart.com or the Sears Holdings Corporation Web site at www.searsholdings.com.

About March of Dimes
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. The walk starts here at marchforbabies.org. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.

PBM Products...formula & discount coupons! (GIVEAWAY)

I have breastfed all four of my children. I am thankful and happy that my body produced milk for my babies, because it is convenient, healthier, always the right temperature, less to prepare (bottles, nipples, etc.) and it helps my health, too. Breastfeeding your baby is THE BEST food source for babies, however not all moms have that option. Some moms don't produce enough milk, some have to be on medications, some moms have multiples (and nursing would be very tiring), some women can't pump at work, or some moms may just need to supplement formula with milk.

On those occasions, it’s important for new moms to get the best value for their dollar, while also safeguarding baby’s health. According to the 10th edition Consumer Reports Best Baby Products, store-brand infant formula is as nutritious for babies as nationally advertised brands. Moms can save significantly – up to 50%-- by buying store brand infant formula vs. nationally advertised brands.
As of October, a new Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program initiative designed to promote breastfeeding reduces infant-formula subsidies by up to 26%; parents who previously had most of their formula paid for by WIC may now have to purchase formula on their own. Honestly, I only think this is a good idea if the mom medically can produce milk for their baby. Some mom's bodies just don't produce/supply milk. If funds are tight for that mom/family and she is on the WIC program, she now has to figure out another way to feed her baby. Formula is very expensive.
For these moms, and all moms who need to save money in this economy, I recommend that you check out the store brand formula’s safety and value. It very well could be comparable, and you could save a lot of money, while still feeding your baby.

PBM Products, which makes store-brand formula, is offering a free copy of the 368-page Consumer Reports Best Baby Products, a $16.95 value, as well as discount coupons for purchase of Walgreens, Babies “R” Us, Kroger and dozens of other leading store brand formula.

This contest is open to all bloggers/readers of the United States and will end on November 20th. Just leave a comment below telling me why you could use this book and the coupons. You can enter this contest to win the book for a friend or family member if you aren't in need of it. You can come back once each day throughout the contest and enter again by just leaving a friendly comment relevant to the contest, but you MUST do the first entry.

**For extra chances you can: blog this contest, add my button to your site, subscribe to my blog, twitter this contest, and/or visit everyday and add another friendly comment. Lots of chances to win! Don't forget to put the extra comments for the "extra" work. Good luck!**

This review was sponsored by Team Mom. They have supplied me with information to share with my readers, for my personal opinion and option to share with my readers. I was not compensated for my time or written review. Team Mom & PBM Products is supplying the giveaway prize.

Precious Planet from Fisher Price~

Fisher Price always amazes me with the quality products that they come out with! I am so happy that Fisher Price is a name I can feel confident in! Fisher-Price recently came out with a new line~ Precious Planet, and it is so adorable!
The Precious Planet displays such a cute design~ lions, monkeys, giraffes and more...precious animals of the planet! The colors are bright and vibrant, and kids are excited to see the characters! The new Precious Planet Collection collection includes a wide selection of baby gear that parents need and use including a play gym, cradle swing, high chair, baby bouncer, potty, mobile, tub, bedding and more. The Precious Planet Collection retails for $12.99 - $129.99 and is appropriate for newborns and up. One of the Precious Planet products that I have is the Jumperoo! It is such a fun seat to promote activity for babies (and up) to do! It is a great workout, to jump around and work those legs! What great entertainment for them, and they can see everything from sitting in the Jumperoo! I had the Johnny Jump Up with my oldest son, and I always ran into the downfall of not having a door frame to hook it up to. It was a challenge to get the Jump up to hook onto the frame sometimes, too. It made me a bit nervous having my baby hanging from a door frame, because I worried that he would fall.
Fisher-Price's Precious Planet Jumperoo is made with quality, and there is no need to hang it from a door frame. One great feature of the Jumperoo is that the seat rotates. This is great because your little one can look all around, and it promotes more leg movement to get them in the direction they want to see. The Jumperoo requires 3 AA batteries to enjoy the lights, music and animal sounds, but as you can see in the pictures, my kids enjoy it without batteries, too!
The Jumperoo can hold up to 25 pounds, so my daughter (age 2) is thrilled to be able to use it, too. I think there is apart of her that wants to stay the baby. Good thing she is little yet!
There are a lot of toys attached to the Fisher Price Jumperoo so baby can work on the hand-eye coordination. Plus, baby can feel the benefit of making things work with their movements and actions. I just love that Fisher-Price has made a great product for our little ones to jump safely (without a doorway) and it is entertaining. I was impressed with how the Jumperoo comes apart so easy to store it. This is a big plus with us trying to get our home more organized lately. I highly recommend the Fisher-Price Jumperoo for your little one. Suggested retail price is $90.00, and you can find them in local retail stores or online.
Maggie Gyllenhaal , actress, has teamed up with Fisher-Price Inc. to unveil the company’s new Precious Planet Collection of baby gear and newborn toys and to announce the company’s $250,000 donation benefiting the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) this January. “We are very pleased to unveil our new Precious Planet collection and present our donation to the Wildlife Conservation Society,” says Brenda Andolina, Director, Public Relations and Brand Marketing, Fisher-Price. “One of our most popular and enduring toy design themes revolves around the lovable and curious world of animals. We’re very appreciative to organizations like the WCS that are passionate about preserving the animals and habitats we love to bring to life in our toys.”

One "stylin'" little mama!

Madelyn is definitely a "girly girl" and loves to be a little mommy! She is just under 2 years old, and she is already role playing, loving her "babies" and playing "house." My friend, Candace, gave Madelyn a children's sling for Christmas. She said Madelyn is going to want to be like her Mom when the baby comes, so that is why she got her the pouch sling! I can say that I think it was a great gift, and I know Madelyn will use it a lot! She is already loving baby wearing her little babies!
She had such a fun time today walking around carrying her little baby. She kept holding her little dolly and kissing it. Then she would say, "Cute," and give me the sweetest little smile.
Her big brother Caleb's sun glasses were by her, so she decided that she needed to wear them!
She is one styling little girly mama!
One of her favorite sayings right now is, "Look at me!" She loves to show us what she accomplishes!
I love my little princess. It is so much fun having a little girl!

Baby Einstein celebrates 10 years!

Baby Einstein has products that cover a wide range of developmentally appropriate products for babies and toddlers. Baby Einstein products are created from a baby's point-of-view. The videos use real world objects, music, art, language, poetry and nature, providing you an opportunity to introduce your baby to the world around them in playful and enriching ways. The DVD are great to watch with your child to talk about what is being shown.
Mom Central is working with Baby Einstein to promote the celebration of their 10 year Anniversary! I was sent the 10th Anniversary Special Edition Baby Mozart DVD, Touch and Feel Farm Animals board book, and the Lullaby Classics CD for review. I love the classical music in the DVD and CD.
The Lullaby Classics CD has 17 classical music selections and you get 35 minutes of great music to share with your baby. The board book, Touch and Feel Farm Animals, was a hit with my kids. They loved talking about the animals, and feeling the sensory pictures. Our family loves books, and Baby Einstein's was loved. The Baby Mozart (10th Anniversary) DVD was another fun watch for my kids. We talked about all the shapes, and colors in the DVD. I think my kids liked the puppets best. The puppets are entertaining and engaging with the kids.
We think that Baby Einstein's products are fun! A great way to build communication with you and your baby. It is also a great way to spark questions and imagination with your tots!

Baby Bistro Brands! Review and Giveaway!

Contest is closed~winner is Mom2boys! Congratulations! Since she didn't leave an e-mail address and her blog doesn't allow comments, I can't contact her. If she doesn't contact me by 5/29, I will pick a new winner. Thanks for all who entered the giveaway!

I am so excited about being pregnant again! I am really excited to try out my new Baby Bistro Brands Box! The Baby Bistro Brands Box, now in its second edition, provides up-to-date nutritional information you need to feed your baby for the first twelve months. It includes safety rules, shopping tips, numerous recipes, and prenatal suggestions. The recipe card format allows you to find the information you want, when you need it, and then take it with you! The box is fun to read, and is inviting to look at with its soft colors and artwork. Here is what a sample card looks like:

This amazing recipe box is geared toward the 0-12 month babies. I love how the recipe cards go in order staring at prenatal! It is a great resource to have when I don't know what to eat (with pregnancy), or fix for my little newborn. The categories are in separate tabs: Starters(Pre-birth help and tips), First Course (all the safety tips/food allergies/educational), then entrees 0-4 months, 4-6 months, 6-8 months, 8-12 months. The last two tabs are for A La Carte (supplements for pregnant mom, nursing moms, and babies) and Desserts (helpful resources, and a note to appreciate your baby). What a helpful informative box for the first year, starting with pregnancy!

The retail value of this great educational and helpful product is $27.95~ click here to purchase one!

Christina, M.S., Nutrition Educator, is the founder of the Baby Bistro Brands box! Here is what Christina says, "In 2001, I graduated with my masters in nutrition and my sister had a baby. Everyone loved the joy of a new baby, and realized how many questions tired new mothers ask. I understood from my sister’s and girlfriends’ questions that there was a lot of confusion about infant nutrition among mothers. We all agreed the more accessible the information they needed, the better. So, we formed BBB, our baby, to help you raise your babies!"

WANT TO WIN A BABY BISTRO BRANDS BOX??

Christina has generously offered to sponsor a giveaway here on Sassyfrazz! You must be a resident of the United States...blogger or non-blogger. Go to the Baby Bistro Brands site, and look around. Find another product that Christina offers! Leave a comment on this post telling me if you would use this for yourself, or who you would give it to. This contest will be open until May 23, at 7:00 PM CST.

Baby items: Buskins and Jazzy Toes: A review

I love finding shoes for Madelyn! I love the Buskins shoes that I just heard about. I like them because they are soft soled, lightweight, and flexible.

Pediatricians now recommend that children up to two years of age go barefoot (when practical and safe). As we all know, going barefoot isn't always acceptable or safe. I would love to be barefoot or in slippers all the time. Soft-soled leather shoes serve this purpose. The soft baby shoes enables children’s feet to grow naturally and to flex when they walk. A soft-soled shoe also enables them to sense the ground beneath their feet and to grasp with their toes as they learn how to walk.

Buskins Baby Shoes Features:
100% genuine soft leather
Focus on fit and comfort with 6 sizes for babies from 0-24 months
Velcro fasteners make Buskins easy to put on and stay on
Safe non-skid soft leather soles allow children’s feet to flex when they walk
Handcrafted in Australia
These shoes vary in pricing from $15-40 a pair.

Then, there are cute baby socks! These would make a great baby shower gift for that little newborn! They are stylish and creative. They bring a new meaning to socks. Jazzy Toes are socks that look like shoes!

Adorable socks for little boys are a specialty of Jazzy
Toes. That’s because anyone shopping for a shower gift or a new baby present has noticed that the selection for socks for boys ages 0-24 months is limited.

Each pair of Jazzy Toes socks come with a non-skid grip that helps baby to walk without slipping. Each sixpair set, which contains six colors of one style—for instance, of cowboy boots—is $25 for size 0-12 months, or $27 for 12-24 month sizes.
The variety pack for both boys and girls contains an assortment of six styles in various colors, and are priced at $27 for 0-12 months and $29 for 12-24 months.

Founder Winnie Liu, a mother of two young boys, felt the current offerings were
limited for boys so she created her own team with industrial designer Raymond Hwang. Jazzy Toes offers a truly unique collection of baby socks for new mothers and gift givers. For more information click on their website http://jazzytoes.com/

I think both of these products are creative, fun, very useful, and inventive!

Winnie is giving a generous 10% off couponcode: “Sassyfrazz10” for Jazzy Toes. Just redeem it at checkout on jazzytoes.com. Thank you Winnie!

In Remembrance...

On this day, I would like to have a remembrance. If my little angel would have made it, he or she would have celebrated their first birthday. I was 10 weeks and four days along when I was at the Doctor's office. I was in because I was dealing with a very bad cold, and I thought maybe I had bronchitis. The Dr. I had that day wasn't my regular Dr., and if fact I really didn't like this Dr. at all. (I know that I am spider-webbing, but I just need to vent a little here). She (the Doctor) was just not very personal or friendly. She was just in the mode of "boom, boom, boom...git 'er done." Well, she said, "Do you want to see if we can listen to the heartbeat? You are a little early yet, but we might hear it." With my other two previous pregnancies I heard the heartbeat at 10 weeks, so when she was searching around and no heartbeat came, my heart just sank...and I just felt like something just wasn't right. Then she said, "Well, it is early yet, but by your next appointment, you will get to hear it."
On my way out of the clinic I stopped at the restroom. When I wiped, I got a streak of red...bright red. As you can imagine, my heart dropped, and I instantly was shaking and trembling. I walked back to the nurse station and asked the receptionist if I can see the Dr. again, right away. I was crying by this time. The nurses assistant came out, and I told her that I was spotting. She said, "Ok, we will take you back and have the Dr. take a look." She was sympathetic. She told me that many women spot in their pregnancies, but I hadn't with both my pregnancies...and this one was different. I know she was just trying to be nice (bless her heart) but I knew!
The Dr. came in and told me that she scheduled an ultrasound and that it would just be a few minutes. Those few minutes seemed to last an hour. Then, I went in the dark room. When the Technician started the ultrasound she had such a somber look on her face. I asked her if she saw a heartbeat at all. She told me the baby was measuring 6 weeks and 5 days. I KNOW that I wasn't only 6 weeks along. I told her that was impossible, and I was almost 11 weeks. She asked me if I was sure, and that maybe I had it miscalculated. Are you kidding? I am like clock-work. Ok, OK, I know...I was getting angry. Not at her, but at the fact that my baby was gone. All the excitement and joy for this baby was sucked out of me. I was empty. I was sad...oh, was I sad. The tech said that if the calculation was off, it could be the baby is fine and the heartbeat wasn't showing because it was too early. Well, that was the verdict.
I went back to the room, and the Dr. said that there is a little hope that things are ok. She assured me that women can spot in pregnancy. I was to come back in a couple of days for a blood test to see if numbers go up (showing pregnancy). I knew that the test was a waste of time, because our little baby was already in the arms of Jesus.
On the way home I called Terry to let him know what happened. I was crying...and my chest was heaving! He said that we shouldn't worry about it until we know for sure. I told him I knew.
The next day, at about 1:45, I started cramping. Then it got worse. Then I was in labor...seriously, I was crying out for God to just take the pain away. I just want the baby out. I just want it over. It hurt so much, and more so because I knew there was no joy after the pain. I had Nathaniel call Terry to come home when this started happening. He was fighting fires with the DNR. He couldn't make out what was happening at home, but he did come home as soon as he could. I am glad Nathaniel was home (I home schooled him last year). He was watching Caleb for me while all this was happening.

Psalm 31:9 (New International Version)
"Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief."

After it was all done, I just sat crying. Nathaniel came to me and asked if the baby was gone. I said yes. He stood there with the biggest tears in his eyes. I told him it was ok to be sad, and it's ok to cry. Then he just sobbed, and we held each other tight.
Over the next several weeks following the miscarriage I had gone through the grieving process. I don't know why I went through that. I never thought that I would miscarry...but it sure opened my eyes to how precious life is. What a miracle babies are! I know God has a plan. I know that my life is changed because of our loss. But, I will never forget my baby angel.

Psalm 119:50 (New International Version)
"My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life."

Cuteness to strut

We all know our kids are super cute...and we want others to notice their cuteness...why not emphasize it with a funny, hip, and witty shirt? I came across this great website from my friend, Lisa's blog...

Julie Pruitt is the owner of this company of these great tees for babies and tots! They are made on quality fabric and made in the United States! Good stuff!! She started this company in 2004...and she was the only shop like it! Her inspiration came from the students she taught and babysat. She is also donating to P.E.T.A.,UNICEF, and now she will be teaming up with the Silly Wagon and donating for breast cancer awareness.
Right now Trendy Tadpole is offering Free Shipping! Shirts run a little small, and they are 100% cotton. They have a few options for the kind/style of shirt you want:

lap tee: a form fitting t shirt that is stretchy (sizes 12-18m and 18-24m).
snap suit: a one-piece outfit with snaps to change that stinky diaper (short sleeve only in sizes 3-6m and 6-12m).

toddler raglan: a 3/4 sleeve baseball tee with colored sleeves like black or red (sizes 2T, 4T and 6T)
t shirt: self explanatory (sizes 2T, 4T and 6T).

I suggest checking this out...you will be glad you did!!

To Drano, or not to Drano...

I know this may be a little weird, but it has worked a few times. You ever hear of taking the Drano test while you are pregnant? No worries, you don't ingest it, inhale it (please don't do that), you just add a Tablespoon of it to your urine sample. Well, I am not exactly sure if timing is a crucial issue with this test, or not, but I have done this with 2 of my pregnancies, and it was accurate. I know my friend Lisa has done this test with me when we were both pregnant this last time, and it was accurate. Here is what you do, when you are in your second trimester (for sure):

Pee in a cup.

Take the pee in a cup outside (for good ventilation) or, have someone else do step #3.

Add 1 Tablespoon of Crystal Drano to the cup.

Stand back, way back, and watch for the reaction it causes.

The results (usually) mean boy or girl. If there isn't much of a reaction, it is supposed to mean you will have a boy. If it has a big reaction and fuzzes up, it would mean you were carrying a girl. Here are the results from my test when I did it with Lisa.

Lisa had the one on the left, and my test was the one on the right. I didn't know if I was having a boy or girl, but Lisa knew she was having a boy. Obviously, we both had different reactions. She was having a boy. Well, a few months after she had her little boy, I had a girl. Having done this test before, and the results showing a boy (with having a boy), I was sold on the idea that this test works! Well, I have a friend that did this test when she was about 4-5 months along. She didn't get much of a reaction, so we thought for sure she was having a boy. Well, she just had her baby...and SURPRISE, SHE is a girl! Wow...so, maybe that Drano test isn't so accurate, or could the timing be a factor? Could our diet be a factor? I guess that is what we get for trying to figure out if she was a she or a he. :) Maybe God was teaching us a lesson. Who knows??

No name Nephew

My Sister and Brother-in-law just added the 5th baby into their family on Friday, September 7th. He is still without a name. My Sister and her hubby just cannot decide or chose one. I hope they come up with one soon, ....we pray that God will inspire them with a name for their baby soon! :)