Soft Bums!

Cloth diapering is amazing! (I was originally against it. My wonderful grandparents offered to pay for a diaper service and I declined. now, I never want to go back to disposables. EVER!) It’s good for baby, the environment and your wallet. There are so many different brands of cloth diapers, so many different kinds (All in Ones, pre-folds, etc.). 

I know I said I loved Mabu Baby™, and I still do. For cloth diapering that is accessible to everyone, Mabu™ is the way to go. However, if you want more bang for your buck, a more absorbent diaper? Then you need some Soft Bums!

I love the Omni shell (outer part of the diaper). They are so flippin’ cute! It’s white with giraffes all over it. Kind of makes you want to go on a safari, doesn’t it?

However, I love Soft Bums! When they say “high performance” they truly mean it! I was having a problem with cloth diapering at night. Every night, Tater would wake up, pajamas soaked. 
Now that I use my Soft Bums Omni Shell and Regular Dry Touch Pod™ and Mini Pod™ together at night, no problems!

I love the Omni shell (outer part of the diaper). The print is giraffes! They are so flippin’ cute! 

What makes Soft Bums unique is their Slide2Size feature around the legs. It makes sizing around baby’s legs so easy. This is so important in preventing leaks. 

I love Soft Bums so much! (I wish they would have sent me a few more diapers… I guess I’ll have to buy some).

Truthfully, this is the softest, cutest and most absorbent diaper/insert system I own. While they are definitely more expensive than Mabu™, I believe in paying for quality. Believe me, they are worth the investment. 

If your interested in purchasing Soft Bums, just want to check them out or scoping an awesome baby shower gift, please check out their website: www.softbums.com!   
***Also, look for a giveaway in January 2012!***
Happy New Year! Modern Mommy

FUZZ BANDZ

                
Throughout time, there have been fads and trends....Furbys™, Tamagutchi Gigapets™, and the all consuming Beanie Babies™...and even Silly Bands™...

Meet the latest, greatest and hottest trend...Fuzz Bandz!

Fuzz Bands are so versatile and are set to become the "Next Big Thing"! You can wear them, use them on your phones, play with them! There is so much you can do with them!

Phone 'em

Wait, there's even more!

Wear 'em  

My mother-in-law came up with a creative way to use her Fuzz Bandz! 

Cane 'em 

Fuzz Bandz are unique in their versatility. You can do a lot with them (I don't think I can stress that enough!) Princess loved them and played all sorts of pretend things with them! (The Hubs and I pretended that they were amoebas.)
I like Fuzz Bandz for their quality as well. They aren't flimsy, which surprised me immediately. They are not like a certain other "band" that has been cheaply imitated.

I do not usually buy things like Fuzz Bandz, but as my children get older, I realize that they like to have the latest and hottest "thing". I think that Fuzz Bandz are a neat and creative item. My daughter loves them, I think a LOT of other kids will too! If you think your kids will like 'em, check out the site: http://fuzzbandz.com/ 

Baby Buddy “Bottle Buddy”

 
Let me introduce you to Modern Mommy’s new best friend! (We’ve been introduced a tad bit late, as Tater will be weaned right around a year, as Princess was).
Bottle Buddy is a completely unique and innovative  

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Bottle Buddy! 

Having the Bottle Buddy is amazing! I never lose count of how many scoops are in the bottle, or trying to make the scoop “just right”. I can’t tell you how many times I fell asleep with my contacts in, just so that I could see to measure the formula! Not only is it easy to use (once you assemble it with the proper insert. There are three, one pink, white and yellow). There are different sized holes, depending on what brand of formula you use.  

I had Hubs do all the assembling!

*Studies by the British Medical Journal have concluded: 

• Manual scooping is very inconsistent due to wide variations in weight of powder per scoop*.The differences can range anywhere between 5.6 grams to 2.8 grams! 
• Consistency is key in keeping baby full and satisfied.

Bottle Buddy is spectacular! I have not found any fault with this machine at all! It has  a lot going for it!

In the middle of the night, when Tater wakes up, I carry him in one arm, assemble the bottle with the other (this is a feat in itself) and then….

• Push the bottle under the Bottle Buddy, 
• Press the button and….

TA-DA! Instantaneously, formula dispensed and ready for consumption. It is so easy and so quick! And I don’t have to worry about if I miscounted. Or “Oops, too much in one scoop or not enough?” (Having two kids, that happens more than I care to admit. Call it “mommy brain”)! 


I also love that it’s made from “100% Bisphenol-A free plastic”. BPA can cause all sorts of health problems (according to statistics). Including but not limited to: Obesity, Thyroid problems, neurological issues and all sorts of cancers. Glad to know that I am doing everything I can to limit my children’s exposure to such a harmful chemical!

It can even be washed in the dishwasher (how I wish I had one)!

I have to mention price as well. On the site it’s only 89.99! My guess at a price was actually much higher. For it’s ease of use, convenience and technology, you can’t ask for a better deal!

In my opinion, any mom who formula feeds should have one of these. I have never heard of an automatic formula dispenser before the Bottle Buddy. I want this to become as common as having a microwave or baby monitor. Not just because of it’s convenience, but for babies safety and well being!  

Would you like to know where to buy a Bottle Buddy or just want some information? (This would make a great baby shower gift)! Check out the site: http://www.compacind.com/baby-products/bottlebuddy    
           Modern Mommy

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, Dear Readers! Santa came and went for Princess and Tater! Mommy and Daddy too! Thank you for being my readers! Have a wonderful day!
                  Lots  of Love (and EggNog too),    Modern Mommy

Blue Sky Scrubs

To all my friends whom wear scrubs to work, I found a great site to buy from. They look so comfy! They are so cute! When I first saw the site, I could hardly believe that Blue Sky sold nursing scrubs! They are amazing!
If I was a medical professional, I would definitely want scrubs clothing from BlueSky!

If you want a cute pair of scrubs or just looking for some really affordable ones, check out Blue Sky Scrubs!

Economics

Guest post written by my buddy Angelo Cooper
I am trying to teach my students about supply and demand and how the market works to set the prices of products. I gave them an assignment of choosing a product or service that they wanted to purchase and had them research all the different vendors and find the best deal. They were to list all the different companies or people selling that item or service and what they were charging. They were also supposed to choose which company they would choose to buy from and why. There really were no wrong answers as long as they could defend themselves and their choice. One student chose Satellite TV. She went to several websites to see their prices including http://www.expertsatellite.com/. She ended up choosing a company that was not the lowest price but she backed her choice up by saying that they seems to have the best customer reviews. I thought that was so smart! She of course made 100%. Most of the other students ended up choosing the lowest seller with the lowest price which makes perfect sense also.

Medicare Supplemental Insurance

I know several elderly and disabled people. Many of them depend on Medicare for their insurance needs.As we all know, you have a limited time to change your Medicare before stuck with it for a whole year! 
While your at it, you may need to have insurance for things that Medicare arts A and B don't cover. For that you may need a Medicare Supplement Insurance. 
Tired of paying co-pays, deductibles and a whole bunch of other fees? While I can't promise that all those things can be paid for, I can offer you a site that is a wealth of information. 
If you or a loved one is on Medicare and needs information on Medicare Supplemental Insurance, please check out. these sites:
Medical Supplemental Insurance or CMS

NORAD Santa Tracker!

Do you know what Santa is doing right now? We at Modern mommy Reviews do.....
Do you know how much time is left before Santa comes? 
There are exactly: 4 Days, 3 Hours, 9 minutes and 16 seconds (and counting)!
I have been tracking Santa since Princess was about 2 years old. She loves it! We have all sorts of traditions, including feeding the reindeer, baking all sorts of goodies and (of course) tracking Santa!
This year, on NORAD's Santa site, you can play games, watch video of Santa's 2010 run and track Good St. Nick using Google Earth. 
Want to know how fast Santa's sleigh is? Are your kids into facts? (Princess is certainly all about them).
Here are some cool facts from NORAD, all about Santa's sleigh...

Sleigh Technical Data

Designer & Builder	K. Kringle & Elves, Inc.
Probable First Flight	Dec. 24, 343 A.D.
Home Base	North Pole
Length	75 cc (candy canes) / 150 lp (lollipops)
Width	40 cc / 80 lp
Height	55 cc / 110 lp
Note: L Length, width and height are without reindeer Weight at takeoff 75,000 gd (gumdrops) Passenger weight at takeoff Santa Claus 260 pounds Weight of gifts at takeoff 60,000 tons Weight at landing 80,000 gd (ice & snow accumulation) Passenger weight at landing 1,260 pounds Propulsion Nine (9) rp (reindeer power) Armament Antlers (purely defensive) Fuel Hay, oats and carrots (for reindeer) Emissions Classified Climbing speed One “T” (Twinkle of an eye) Max speed Here is the link for NORAD's Santa tracker: http://www.noradsanta.org Faster than starlight

Nicki the Eval Gal Giveaways!

My friend, Nicki the Eval Gal, is hosting a lot of Giveaways! Just in time for the holidays or a baby shower! 


http://clothreviews.blogspot.com/2011/12/1000-followers-flip-giveaway.html

Mabu Baby Diaper Giveaway!

Glow Crazy

 
Glow Crazy reminds me of childhood (back in the 90’s). Every summer I looked forward to writing my name with sparklers, in the sky. It was a very unique experience, to write your name in the air and to see it almost hover for a moment. It was like magic! It was the only time you could do something like that! 

Until now! Glow Crazy takes that magic and makes it a reality! Now, no matter the weather or circumstance your kids can light up the sky (or at least their rooms). No need to wait until Independence Day anymore! 

You can do so much with it. You can make shadows, using your hand on any object that happens to be handy. You can use stencils (they come with it)! You can draw freehand and let your imagination run wild!

The Hubs creation!

 
Glow Crazy is amazing! And you truly do get the most for your money with this one, dear readers!
For $19.99 (USD), plus shipping, you get: 

• Dual Glow Wand (Uses both a large and small point).
• 4 Stencils (includes space images, cars, aquatic life, etc.).
• 3 colored sheets (They’re reusable).
• 3 Jumbo sheets (again, they’re reusable).

Princess wrote "princess" and a smiley!

That’s an amazing deal! And trust me, the fun you and your kids will have with this is priceless! It is really an imaginative, unique and affordable product! If you want to order Glow Crazy for the holidays, birthdays or whatever occasion you can think of, please check out: https://www.glowcrazy.com/ 

I have just one complaint….How am I ever going to get Princess to sleep now?

           Happy Holidays, Modern Mommy

Mabu Baby!

Oh my gosh! I love cloth diapering….This is the first time I have ever used a cloth diaper, ever! It’s actually much easier than I thought it would be! Before, I used Huggies™ diapers. (I usually spend around $30.00 every two weeks on diapers and wipes. There are 52 weeks in a year, if you divide that into bi-weekly increments. $30.00 x 26 =  $780.00. If baby spends 2 years in diapers, that’s $780 x 2 =  $1560.00 on diapers and wipes!) WOW!

I have to get a few more diapers and a lot more washable inserts! Right now, I only have three diapers. Two size 2 (Midi’s). I also have one size 3/4 (Maxi). Each size has weight guidelines. 

I wanted to use cloth diapers because of them being more ECONMICAL and more environmentally friendly. Mabu is both!

Lets talk about what they’re made of: The washable insert's outer layer is called EcoWix™, exclusive to Mabu Baby. It’s made from certified 100% recycled plastic bottles and natural bamboo white charcoal. The micro-gaps in the yarn provide much better absorption and wicking than other fabrics. (It’s so very soft, like terry cloth)!

I didn’t think there was a really economical cloth option. I thought that you could only buy them online or that you had to make your own (like my sister).

I also thought that it was too much work to use cloth diapers. Every time I change Tater, instead of running to the trash can, I just take it back to my locking bucket. (The lock is VERY important, so that my babes never get into the bucket, for fear of drowning!). I fill it with a capful of BioKleen Bac Out and fill it partially with water. I put the diaper, insert and all, in. (And poopy diapers? Have no fear, just dump the offending number 2 in the toilet and then place diaper in container).  Then, whenever I’m putting in a load of laundry, I add the diapers and I’m done! It’s really, really easy!
 
All that changed when I found Mabu Baby. I found them online, however, they are available at select Wal-Marts all across the country. You can buy a starter kit for around $30.00.  

Mabu Baby Eco-Diaper System starter kits come in four sizes that are similar to disposable sizes, with everything you need to get started. There are two complete diapers in each kit:
• 2 diaper outers (outermost layer of the diaper)
• 2 snap-in pad holders (holds the soft, fluffy insert in place)
• 2 washable diaper pads (those soft inserts, I told you about)!
  plus
• 2 disposable diaper pads (looks a bit like a menstrual pad) and 
• 5 liners (I haven’t used these yet).

Mabu Baby has an amazing, affordable product (they have literally changed my life)! They are unique in their goal. They offer convenience, affordability and the option to choose whether you use a disposable liner or cloth. They are so easy to use (just like diapering with disposable diapers). I can’t say enough wonderful things about Mabu Baby. We are officially cloth diapering exclusively! 

I have one complaint about Mabu Baby diapers….They only come in white. I would love to see some patterned options!  

Are you are interested in a unique, affordable and convenient alternative to disposable diapers? Are you a “green” mama? Are you curious as to what cloth diapering is all about? Please check out: http://mabubaby.com/! You’ll be glad you did, I know I am!!
         Happy Holidays, Modern Mommy

Bloggers: Want To Review & Giveaway a Hot Gift Idea?

 

Check out Diamond Candles!
Diamond Candles Company is inviting bloggers to review and giveaway their Precious Soy Candles. These candles are an AWESOME and unique gift idea because hidden inside each candle is a precious ring that is valued at $10-$100-$500-$1000! It is exciting to think about what sort of prize awaits you in the glittery ring pouch embedded in the candle wax!
Interested bloggers can read more and apply for the chance for this review and giveaway at the Celebrate Woman Today official blog post announcement!!

Lifeguard Press

I received two really cool products from Lifeguard Press. 

The first is a little paint can of gummy bears from Dylan’s Candy Bar. I am not a huge fan of Gummy Bears, because I thought they all kind of tasted the same and were hard to chew. I was partially wrong!

I was pleasantly surprised at how good the bears tasted. Each one was a very distinctive flavor. I wasn’t wrong on how hard they were to chew. I found them tough to chew, however, the rest of Team Modern Mommy Reviews (other than Tater) was keen on them and insisted that their “chewiness” was perfect for gummy bears.

I absolutely loved the taste of these bears (and ate a bit more than I should have…It may be evident on my hips quite soon)!

We also received a pretty  Lilly Pulitzer “Floaters” Melamine place set (plate, bowl, fork and spoon). It is cute! It has flowers and seahorses in a pink and green color combination. Princess loved it! (She loves anything of the aquatic, feline and insect variety)!

I thought I would love the set for it’s originality, durability and cuteness. And I do!





I have just one concern with the place setting. I researched what “melamine” is. According to Wikipedia, melamine is: Melamine is combined with formaldehyde to produce melamine resin, a very durable thermosetting plastic used in Formica, and melamine foam, a polymeric cleaning product. The end products include countertops, dry erase boards, fabrics, glues, housewares, dinnerware, cooking spoons, guitar saddles, guitar nuts, acoustic foam paneling, and flame retardants. Melamine is one of the major components in Pigment Yellow 150, a colorant in inks and plastics.

However, if I had known what melamine was, I might not have chosen the dish set. There are lots of cute coordinating items, like a place mat, and watch bands, I would recommend checking out the “Floaters” theme in one of those, because the Lilly Pulitzer pattern is just too cute to pass up!

So, for Modern Mommy, safety is a concern. I love the Dylan’s Candy Bar gummy bears…Yummy! The Lilly Pulitzer set is beautiful! 

If you want to check out Lilly Pulitzer, Dylan’s Candy Bar or one of the many awesome brands and products that Lifeguard Press carries,including various stationary, iPhone cases, wrapping paper, dog accessories, and lots of other items, please check out Lifeguard Press:http://www.lifeguardpress.com!


                        Happy Holidays, Modern Mommy