Category Archives: Parenting & Family

by Wendy | February 12, 2013

#Ecofriendly Crib Mattress Giveaway from #SoporaBaby {Ends 3/5}

Babies spend SO much time sleeping (or at least we hope they do, at times!), so shouldn’t the surface they sleep on be as safe as possible? Sadly, most conventional mattresses are loaded with toxic fire retardants and other chemicals, especially those that are imported, according to this test by Chicago Tribune. Thankfully, safer options do exist, including the line of U.S. made non-toxic crib mattresses from Sopora.

Normally, the sticking point with eco-friendly mattresses is that they are expensive, especially those that are made in the USA. Now, a safe sleeping surface is affordable with Sopora, the prices start at just $167 for a Classic Crib Mattress! Why buy a conventional, imported mattress when you can get one for a comparable price that’s made right in the U.S.? With Sopora, you can sleep easy knowing your baby is safe!

Our Favorite Features of the Sopora Perfect Crib Mattress:

Greenguard: Children & Schools certified for emissions and off-gassing
Vinyl, PVC, lead, and phthaltes free
Eco-friendly ultra firm high density foam is 100% renewable
Fireproof Chemical Additive FREE
Features new Celliant biologically responsive cover for optimum health, clinically proven to increase oxygen levels in the body
Advanced CoolGel foam regulates body temperature
Dust mite and bed bug proof
Stain and Odor Resistant
Medical Grade Nylon Fabric Cover, Waterproof

Purchase: You can purchase the Sopora Perfect Crib Mattress directly from the brand. They have many other options available, including changing pads and bassinet/cradle mattresses. A few Sopora crib mattresses are also available on Amazon.

Win It! Sopora is offering one lucky winner a Perfect Crib Mattress.

Special thanks to AnaB Social for hosting this giveaway. Huge thanks to all participating bloggers as well! Giveaway ends March 6th at 12:01 am, open to US residents, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below (see directions on how to enter here). Thank you!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: AnaB Social, Eco-Babyz, and all participating event bloggers are not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. ABCs and Garden Peas received no compensation for publishing this post. This product is featured because I feel that it upholds the mission of this blog and would be beneficial to my readers. Thank you for reading!

Catch the Reading Bug with Bookboard: Free 30-day trial!

As a kid, I was rarely seen without my nose in a book. As a college literature major, not much changed (except maybe the size of the books!) So when I became a mom, I couldn’t wait until I could start encouraging my son to have an interest in books, too.

I read to him as a baby, but then he became mobile and I couldn’t read a page without him running off! It never occurred to me that he might not be interested. Luckily, that didn’t last, and now bedtime stories have become our favorite way to wind down, bond, and spend some real QT together. The only problem? Where to keep all those BOOKS!

Luckily, we’ve found Bookboard! It’s a virtual library at your fingertips! This is the digital age, after all…but that doesn’t mean the stories and imagination found within the pages are any less magical.

Continue reading →

11 Comments

Filed under Parenting & Family, Product & Restaurant Reviews, Uncategorized

Tagged as bookboard, free online books, kids books, online books, online reading, reading, young readers

by Wendy | January 22, 2013

Pregnancy Journal: 35 Weeks!

Gettin’ down to the wire, baby!!

Welcome to my Pregnancy Journal: 35 weeks!

Baby is about the size of a coconut! (A 5lb coconut? I think this one might be a little off…no offense, TheBump.com)

Fun facts about Week 35: According to TheBump.com, baby’s hearing is fully developed and now she’s just focusing on gaining fat and filling out. Continue reading →

6 Comments

Filed under My Pregnancy Journal, Parenting & Family, Pregnancy #2!

Tagged as 35 weeks pregnant, My Pregnancy Journal

by Wendy | January 20, 2013

Preparing for a New Adventure: Tandem Nursing

Look what I got in the mail this week… I know, right? I never thought I’d need it. Especially with my kids spaced more than 3 years apart. I have to admit, the thought of nursing both of them – at the same time – is a little daunting. When I started nursing, I’d never even known a nursing mom, so I really am in uncharted territory with this whole thing. The only thing I know for sure is that I committed to a full-term run with my boy, and that run is still going pretty strong. Continue reading →

11 Comments

Filed under Breastfeeding, Parenting & Family, Pregnancy #2!

Tagged as breastfeeding a 3 year old, breastfeeding while pregnant, extended breastfeeding, full term breastfeeding, tandem breastfeeding, tandem nursing

by Wendy | January 15, 2013

Copy Kids Really DO Eat Fruits and Vegetables! DVD Giveaway {Ends 2/10}

Since the day I got that first pink line, my goal was to make sure my child was familiar with lots of different fruits and vegetables. I loved them as a kid, and I had high hopes that he would, too. And he always has.

So, imagine my surprise the other night when he looked at me, squinched his nose in disgust, and said, “No, Mommy. I don’t want that healthy thing on my plate!”

It was an avocado. One of his very first foods.

Knife. Heart.

I was completely floored. So this week, as I wandered the produce department while grocery shopping, contemplating this new development, I remembered a DVD I had at home. It’s called Copy Kids Eat Fruits and Vegetables, and its main purpose is to show kids enjoying their fruits and veggies in the hope of getting your kids to do the same. Pretty simple, right? Kids, unscripted, eating healthy things and having fun.

Simple? Sure. But effective? I was ready to find out.

The DVD is split into 12 yummy chapters, each focusing on a different fruit or vegetable (Bell Peppers, Cucumbers, Carrots, Avocado, Tomatoes, Broccoli, Oranges, Bananas, Raspberries, Strawberries, Apples & Blueberries.) We have NO problem with fruits, but since there is a chapter devoted to avocado, I tossed one into the cart, along with a cucumber, and headed home.

Let me preface this by saying that I was a bit skeptical.

Could something so simple possibly work? Did I really want my son doing anything just because he saw other kids doing it? Doesn’t that go against the way I parent him? Using peer pressure for good instead of evil is still allowing your behavior to be influenced by the masses, isn’t it? Would I actually be happy if my son followed along just because the kids on TV were doing it?

Then I told myself to shut up, and I gave him an avocado and a spoon, and sat him in front of the TV.

The children appeared on the screen, and they ate. One at a time, they smiled, laughed, took bites, and had fun. And you know what? Within minutes, he was scooping up his avocado, too. What!? Yup. It seemed to work. The cucumbers, too (and he’s usually pretty lukewarm about those.)

My husband hid in the kitchen and I caught him peering out, curious to see if there was any merit at all to this method. The look on his face was pretty funny when he saw that it did, in fact, work…and work well.

Our little man even got a little riled up and silly watching the other kids. See how he can stick his face in the avocado and eat like a puppy! Goofball.

After we watched the parts we really needed, he said “Mommy! I want the tomato one!” then proceeded to get really mad at me because we didn’t have a tomato. Same for the broccoli, and the carrot. So I made them for dinner…and now they’re in his belly. Mama <– happy. (But it’s highly suggested to have an array of fruits and veggies on hand for viewing. If your kid wants to go on a veg bender, you should probably be prepared.)

Now, in this case, we’re talking about a child who has always been really good about eating his veggies. And fruit? Well, I have to limit him, actually, or he’d eat nothing else. But I’m willing to go out on a limb here and suggest Copy Kids to any parent who might be concerned about their child’s pickiness at the table.

Why Copy Kids Eat Fruits and Vegetables just might get your kids hooked on fruits and veggies:

It’s produced for children ages 6 months to 5 years, which are key ages for developing healthy eating habits.
The DVD project was inspired by a real mom, Cai Dixon, and her real child, Bella, who was hesitant to try new things…until she saw other kids doing it. A simple concept that proved to be quite effective.
Copy Kids is endorsed by renowned Dr. Jay Gordon, MD, and approved by the USDA. The DVD has since been added to their Education and Training Materials Database for pre-school nutrition.
Copy Kids is the recipient of three childhood excellence awards, including PTPA (Parent Tested, Parent Approved.)

And, there are more DVDs to come! The folks at Copy-Kids Media are using the same successful approach to teach kids about brushing teeth, exercise, tying shoes, and more!

The biggest surprise? My son has wanted to watch Copy Kids Eat Fruit and Vegetables again and again! He calls it his “snack movie” and he seems to really enjoy it. I guess I’d better go shopping…