Five Must-Have Baby Products (that I wish I had when my kids were babies) {Giveaway}

When I had my first child, I never thought I would have another shower again. There was no way to keep him happy or quiet, so when someone would come for a short visit I would ask for 10 minutes to throw some water on my face. Then my mother-in-law got me a Bumbo.

Life changed after that for the better. I couldn't believe that anyone could live without one. 

That was about six years ago. 

Now Bumbos are like a basic necessity on any baby registry. 

So when I had the opportunity to visit Dallas Market Hall for PBJ: Play. Baby. Juvenile, a juried trade event for the most innovative gifts and gadgets across the baby and children’s industries!

It was like a wonderland of all the things that made you say "why didn't I think of that?" So here's the rundown of some of my favorite finds that could have made those early months so much easier!

Mixie Baby is the only self-contained 2-in-1 formula bottle, making feedings possible at any time. Formula and water are stored in separate compartments of the bottle.  For feeding, simply press the button on the bottle’s bottom and shake to mix. Mixie is BPA, phthalate and PVC free and is dishwasher and microwave safe. 

Can you imagine later at night being able to make that bottle with a click of the button? And it's even compatible with Dr. Brown's and BornFree nipples! 

The Cup Catcher is a multi-use connector developed by a local Southlake couple to safety tether a sippy cup, bottle, or even your favorite toy to a car seat, highchair, stroller, wheelchair or shopping. 

So instead of spending 10 times an hour picking up the cup off the floor while running through the grocery store or the mall, you could avoid bending over relentlessly! 

Cuddlecloth® is an award-winning and patented instant release & hands free bath towel designed for baby's safety, made for moms convenience. This patented, innovative and practical bath towel bib is made of 100% cotton terry spa velour, one of the largest, thickest towels for baby on the market. 

Remember those first baths and you were so gently with your baby until it came time to pick him/her up with a towel, wondering if you were going to drop them? This is where this towel comes in handy. Just check out this graphic that shows you exactly why you want one of these instead of those terrycloth ducks that don’t have any purpose. 

The Dream by Babyhome  is a highly designed travel cot featuring a unique adjustable leg system that provides three different uses for the same product. Its aluminum structure gives it a modern, sophisticated look complemented by removable and washable fabric in a variety of colors. A foam mattress, a honeycomb breathable pad and a fitted sheet are included.

We had three pack 'n plays; whether it was cheap or expensive we somehow either broke them or couldn't get them put up without screaming an expletive. There's no "set-up" for these and is light as a feather. 

The Emotion also by Babyhome, stands out for its easy maneuverability, compact folding and lightweight. It is a highly popular stroller because of its attractive design and modern colors, while it is also one of the most functional and practical on the market. With the use of available car seat adapters, Emotion becomes a useful stroller from birth to 55 pounds. 

And at the end of all my stroller envy! I mean I've had five strollers and now I've found one that hits everything from cost (approximately $300), durability, comfort and weight! 

"What was your baby product you couldn't live without?"

Answer that and you could win a Mixie Bottle Starter Set ($40!) 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Get Healthy, Get Thrifty and Get Dinner - 9 Recipes Under 400 Calories & Less Than $4

Affiliate links may be included. 

Contrary to the results of many of the dinners I've produced for my family, I actually like to cook. 

Unfortunately, the other parts of life like work, keeping up the house and all that other stuff seem to suck the time and enjoyment of making perfectly delicious meals that are good for my family AND taste good, too. 

15% off your order at eMeals.com when you use code DINNER15! 

Add the fact that I'm really working to get the weight off of me, I just don't have time to plan two sets of every meal - including the grocery store wandering, budget planning and food prep.  I mean I barely have time to make sure I get 8 oz of water...(no joke!) That, my friends, is called a short order cook and unless the kids are going to start tipping, then I'm definitely not going to keep entertaining that idea. 

Emeals takes almost everything off your shoulders by providing a seven-day menu, recipes and the shopping list as well. They do everything short of pushing your grocery cart and washing dishes....and I promise if that service comes up soon, I'll be on that subscription list, too. 

The other night we enjoyed Garlic Shrimp with Blistered Tomatoes and Linguine and it didn't take me any time at all except boiling the water. Thankfully with my 33 years of experience, I have water boiling down. And with the help of eMeals, you'll have dinner making down and can actually spend time of the fun stuff...like dishes, laundry and good night kisses. 

Low Calorie Dinner Recipe: Garlic Shrimp with Blistered Tomatoes and Linguine

Ingredients

• 12 oz uncooked whole grain linguine
• 2 pints cherry or grape tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• ½ teaspoon salt, divided
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup crumbled feta cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat broiler.
2. Cook pasta according to package directions.
3. Meanwhile, toss tomatoes with 1 tablespoon oil, ¼ teaspoon salt and red pepper on a rimmed baking sheet.
4. Broil 4 to 5 minutes or until tomatoes burst.
5. Melt butter in a large skillet with remaining 1 tablespoon oil.
6. Sprinkle shrimp with ¼ teaspoon salt; saute shrimp and garlic 2 to 3 minutes or until shrimp turn pink.
7. Toss shrimp with tomato mixture.
8. Divide pasta evenly among 6 shallow bowls.
9. Top with shrimp and tomato mixture.
10. Sprinkle each serving with cheese.

Not into seafood or working on a Paleo diet? Emeals has those options, too. Just check out this recipe for Clean Eating Thai Pork Lettuce Wraps. 

At less than $4 and under 400 calories, I think that looks like a winner. So take the work at dinner and get your eMeals delivered to you each week with everything you need to plan for great, healthy dinners. 

Check out more of these 9 low-calories recipes and more with this eMeals preview!

Then make sure you get your Emeals soon! 

Make Healthy Eating Easy with Facts Up Front

“This is a sponsored post written by me on the behalf of the Facts Up Front program.”

While the chance to go to the grocery store to enjoy a hot cup of designer coffee, taste the new cheeses at the deli department while listening to the perfectly customized soundtrack (with no set time limit) is right up my alley for a fun way to spend my Saturday, it’s not normally the case or the most important part of my trip.

As a mom, I’m on the move and most occasions you’ll see my whip into the store with five minutes to complete a 30-minute trip. And that’s really hard when you are a label reader like me; picking up each product and flipping it over to check out the calories, the fat and how best I can squeeze in the most nutrition into what my family eats and drinks. Unfortunately, if you multiply the number of goods in my cart to the amount of time it takes to find the item, pick it up, turn it over and read the stats…well this mom doesn't have time for that and probably neither do you.

The grocery store experience has come a long way, but the Facts Up Front initiative is one of the best upgrades yet. A voluntary initiative led by the Grocery Manufacturers Association in 2011, Facts Up Front brings important information from the Nutrition Facts panel (normally found on the side or back of the label) and displays it in a simple and easy-to-use format on the front of food and beverage products.

Specifically, the Facts Up Front label displays four basic icons: calories, saturated fat, sodium and sugars, representing the key nutrients for which dietary guidance recommend limiting consumption in the diet as determined by the Food and Drug Administration.

FACTS UP FRONT LABEL EXAMPLE

Basically, the label makes locating some of the most nutritional facts easier to find without picking up the product, finding the stats and trying to discern quickly if this is a product that fits your family’s nutritional needs – making it a huge time AND money saver!

Just check out this helpful video on how to save time and money with Facts Up Front.

The Facts Up Front website http://www.factsupfront.org also contains interactive tools like a nutrition calculator, an interactive label, a nutritional interactive quiz, shopping tips, and delicious recipes.

With the Nutrition Calculator, in five simple questions the calculator provides caloric intake, along with the suggested amounts of daily nutrients needed for each day, including fiber, protein and Vitamin C. This way you can determine your estimated daily nutrient needs for themselves and their family members in order to maintain a wholesome diet and weight. Then with that knowledge head to the grocery store to find the Facts Up Front labels that match the recommended nutritional values.

The Facts Up Front program is growing with more than 50 manufacturers, retailers and wholesalers voluntarily implementing this special labeling on their branded and private label products including Nestle, Post Foods, Ocean Spray, PepsiCo, Campbell’s, General Mills, Coca-Cola, Kellogg’s, Kraft, and Heinz as well as retailers like Kroger. For a full list of Facts Up Front partners, visit http://factsupfront.org/Partners.

While there’s no technology developed to keep your refrigerator and pantry stocked with all the healthy and delicious products all time without going to the grocery store, the Facts Up Front initiative does make it easier and quicker to be informed and choose the right items for your family when you do go.

Then you might still have time and money for that latte when you’re done.

What’s your family’s healthiest go-to meal?

“This is a sponsored post written by me on the behalf of the Facts Up Front program.”

Cleaner Teeth, Healthier Heart with Waterpik Aquarius Professional Water Flosser

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Waterpik. #NewAgeinWaterFlossing  #Ad.

I have a love-hate relationship with my teeth.

Unfortunately, my teeth have always been a source of stress for me with a mouth full of crowns and braces hardware. I'd like to say that if you took the money spent on my teeth, I'd probably be driving a Mercedes.

As an adult I've worked to maintain a healthy regimen of dental hygiene; now for me AND being a good example to my kids, but it's hard to keep it up, especially trying to stay on top of flossing for all of us.

Thankfully, dealing with that crazy roll of floss and keeping my kids still isn't necessary with the use of the Waterpik Aquarius Professional Water Flosser. Clinically proven up to 50% more effective for improving gum health vs. string floss and to remove up to 99.9% of plaque from treated areas in 3 seconds, the Waterpik makes our night time "brush your teeth" ritual much easier with a fun way to take care of your chompers. 

In the past the idea of pulling out a big, complicated machine seemed to be too overwhelming and too unattractive to leave on the bathroom counter sink, but the compact design of this new Waterpik makes set up and clean up a snap as well as the easy on and off on the wand. I can tell you from my own experience, that button alone ensures there's a lot less mess when you get a mouth full of water and you're trying to spit while getting to the machine to turn off the button. *It's the little things that make a real difference! * 

Also, having a child with a heart defect, dental care is that much more important. Did you know there is a link between good dental hygiene and a healthy heart? While I'm no doctor, the relationship between the two is enough reason everyone should spend more than just a few seconds scraping those bristles across your pearly whites. While having your own teeth and having a nice shiny smile is something we all should consider a priority, a healthy heart gives you enough reason to make time for brushing and flossing daily.

With the Waterpik Aquarius Professional Water Flosser I was able to almost start using it straight out of the box. Following the quick instructions, it just a few minutes I had a mouth full of clean teeth as it the Waterpik removed plaque and debris deep between teeth and below the gumline where brushing and traditional flossing can't reach. Once I was done, I was able to lined up the kids to show them how it worked. With 7 different flosser tips and the floss/massage option, we all had fun finding just the right mode and tool to clean our teeth. 

Waterpik Aquarius Professional Water Flosser comes with 7 tips made to fit your individual needs including: 
3 - Classic Jet Tips
1 - Plaque Seeker® Tip
1 - Orthodontic Tip
1 - Pik Pocket™ Tip
1 - Toothbrush Tip

Just having a "machine" made it fun for the kids to clean their teeth. And the clean feel in mouth gave me that "I just got back from the dentist" feeling like when you get a new car. Clean up with a snap and I was able to slide it under the sink easily until our next use! 

As I get older, keeping my teeth healthy and clean is huge priority and teaching my kids the importance of healthy dental care regimen is one of the many things I want to teach my kids. With the Waterpik Aquarius Professional Water Flosser I am able to do that for all of us and probably save money too with less visits to the dentist! 

Right now until March 31, 2014, get free shipping on your Waterpik Aquarius Professional Water Flosser with the code "FREESHIPWP660" on the Waterpik website. 

Happy Flossing! 

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Waterpik.

How GameStop Changed My "No Gaming Zone" Rule

Note: I was invited to an event at GameStop to learn about gaming and products. I was given a gift card, but all thoughts here are my own. 

Until about 60 days ago our home was a "No Gaming Zone."

We didn't own a DS, PS, Wii, or any of those things. I really didn't see them as useful or positive for kids or adults alike. 

That was before I stepped into a GameStop at Christmas time to learn a little about gaming. Upon entering, I felt like I was in a whole new world of lingo, battery needs, cords and more. Thankfully I had help with "translation" from a friendly GameStop team member who spent almost an hour helping me learn the basics on personal gaming systems and consoles. Needless to say after my trip, my son was a proud recipient of his own Nintendo 3DS XL - Mario & Luigi Dream Team Bundle.

What was the change of heart? Why did I decide that gaming could be ok?

Let's start with the stats. From the UK Millennium Cohort Study of 11,000 kids tracked over 10 years: 

• Kids who watched 3+ hours of TV, specifically between ages 5-7, had increased behavioral problems
• When video games were introduced to kids as young as 5, there was no effect on the child's attention, behavior, or emotional health
• Many studies suggest that video games help improve hand-eye coordination, memory formation, and can even help dyslexic children to read better
• Basically, games aren't bad for kids!

And another study from the Entertainment Software Association suggests that games are social: 

• 16% play with parents
• 40% play with friends
• 17% play with their spouse or significant other
• 34% play with other family members
• Video games are a family activity
• 40% of parents play video games with their children at least weekly
• Most video games being sold are not inappropriate for kids
• 73% of the 245.6 million video games sold in 2011 were rated Everyone (E), Teen (T) or Everyone 10+ (E10+)
• 91% of games rated by ESRB in 2012 are E, T or E10+

And after an afternoon with GameStop (and a very patient and friendly team member), I learned that it's even possible to afford games with the PowerUp Program. With both a free and paid version, you can reap real benefits. With a Pro membership at $14.99 annually, you score even more points for purchases and get access to exclusive offers, news and events.  You also get special bonus privileges including a welcome coupon that can score you a free game upon completion of online activation. Plus, 10% discounts on all pre-owned game and accessories purchases and 1 year of Game Informer magazine.

And until Feb. 28, there's one more benefit you'll want to ensure you take up on. 

Inspired by the amazing journey portrayed of the new Lightning Returns™: FINAL FANTASY ® XIII (not one of my kid's games) this month’s Epic Reward Giveaway by GameStop will send one lucky winner and a guest on a trip of a lifetime.

The lucky winner and a friend will take a paid trip (food, travel, lodging and spending money
included) to Las Vegas for a dinner and a show. Then they will head to Paris, France to see the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower with a pocket full of spending money to splurge and experience some of the world’s best shopping. It doesn’t stop there. Next stop is Cairo, Egypt to visit the Giza pyramids, the Sphinx Egyptian Museum and the Khan el-Khalil Bazaar. Lastly, they will finish up in Costa Rica by riding ATVs and taking a zip line through the jungles and completing the day by relaxing at a luxurious spa.

PowerUp Rewards members that make transactions at a GameStop store or at www.GameStop.com throughout the month of February will be automatically entered for a chance to win this amazing prize. Eligible transactions include pre-ordering, buying games and accessories or making a trade.

PowerUp Rewards ProTM members automatically receive two entries with each purchase or
trade*. Members can also use their PowerUp Rewards points to get additional entries.

Now that's a "game" worth playing! But remember you've got only until the end of February to enter. 

For more information on becoming a GameStop PowerUp Rewards member, visit www.PowerUpRewards.com and for more information about the GameStop® Epic Reward GiveawayTM, visit www.PowerUpRewards.com/EpicReward.

And remember if you win and you need a plus one, I can make arrangements. 

Say Hola, Ni Hao & Bonjourno to Little Pim Kid Language Program

Research showsthat a child’s brain is wired for picking up new languages easily up until around six years of age. Additionally, the exposure to additional languages helps children to be more successful in school. That’s why having my children enrolled in a bilingual school called Spanish Schoolhouse has been important to me before my children were even born.

Photo courtesy of Little Pim

But learning doesn’t stop at home; especially when mama doesn’t have a command of the language, either.

Little Pim, the award-winning foreign language-learning program for young children, has introduced a special-edition product line now available exclusively at select Toys“R”Us^® stores nationwide. The new Spanish, Chinese, and English “Discovery Sets” include three DVDs and a LittlePim plush panda toy, which make learning a new language fun and easy for kids everywhere.

Between birth and the age of six, the human brain is pre-wired for language learning, and Little Pim helps families take advantage of this brief window, by making language learning easy, fun and effective. Their Entertainment Immersion Method^® provides total immersion in the language. The method engages a child’s love of play watching real kids and animation. Little Pim’s proven repetition technique helps children retain new vocabulary.  

There's nothing like hearing your kids actually want to watch an educational show instead of just cartoons! While I wondered if the videos would keep them both interested, they request watching them and enjoy watching them together! 

Inspired by Julia Pimsleur Levine, the daughter of Dr. Paul Pimsleur, creator of the Pimsleur Method, the popular language-learning program for adults, Little Pim was created by her own bilingual childhood.  The Little Pim program is available in 11 languages including Spanish, French, Chinese and Italian. 

And throwing in a stuffed animal never hurt to incentivize kids to do something either. To see how Little Pim works, check out a free 15-minute episode.

Little Pim Special Edition Discovery Sets

$39.95 exclusively at select Toys“R”Us^®nationwide

toysrus.com

Ages 6 months-6 years

$39.95

A great gift idea for birthdays and of course, Christmas!

Why We Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

Food Fridays: 

I'm not a very good Mexican. 

While I may be half, I don't speak Spanish and much to my hubby's dismay, I don't make tortillas or a mean batch of tamales. I don't celebrate Mexican Independence Day and there was no quinceanera for me growing up. However, it was during college working for the office of equity and diversity and a job that allowed me to recognize individuals at the University of North Texas who had impacted diversity efforts, I began to understand the importance of embracing everything about you - including the part of me that I didn't recognize much. 

Now as a parent, while I have not celebrated my ethnic heritage, I felt it was very important my kids were exposed of the Hispanic culture and also to attempt to learn the language to make them more rounded individuals, especially in Texas when almost 40% of the population is of Hispanic descent. That's why I enrolled my kids in a bilingual school called Spanish Schoolhouse that actually teaches the Spanish language along with other preschool - kindergarden skills. It never ceases to amaze me when I hear my 5-year-old speak converse in Spanish with native speakers without any issues or help! Now he not only is he learning to communicate with others, but we are enabling the opportunity to communicate in another language. 

So this week as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, several activities at school have had us busy this week like dress day and our first big project, a report on Venezuela. Of course that also meant we wanted to make it fun, so I went off to find arepas, a traditional Venezuelan "bun" made of cornmeal and filled with meats like pollo (chicken), bistec (steak) and basically anything else you want.

Since mama was busy for work with a huge week of events, that meant I needed to find a place that made arepas instead of attempt to learn how. I had no idea how hard that request would be! But I was able to track down a place that had them, order them from a woman who doesn't speak English and here's what we have ready for our special presentation! 

Overall, I feel I'm providing an opportunity and a chance for my children to be more successful that I have been in my lifetime by being a good communicator. Additionally, I'm helping them to be more rounded individuals to learn other cultures and histories so they can be respectful of people that may seem different, but in actuality are just like them or in their case, just like their mom. 

When Your Little Baby Turns into a Big Boy (Happy Birthday Jackson!)

Wow Mom Wednesday:

I would be remiss not to discuss probably the most life-changing moment in my life - the birth of my son - on his five-year-old birthday. 

It's a huge milestone for our family, especially when we have had the reality that he might not have made it to this point five years ago. But thank goodness we have arrived at this moment and he is here in all his glory (including his new freckles courtesy of his mother.) 

And while there are some cool moments I've been able to have in my 30+ years pre-children, it's is the unexpected, overwhelming joy my children has given me that continues to remind me what is important. 

See, I wasn't one of those gals that even wanted kids. I was the girl that scowled when she had a kid bang the back of her seat on a plane and now of course, I'm the mom with the kid kicking the seat. I hated loud kids in restaurants. And messes, I deplored them. 

Now you know why I really named my blog "Mama Challenge," right? 

Oh how things have changed. But for the better. (Although I still don't like messes, loud kids or kicking your seat, but be reassured I have drink money ready to give you if you sit in front of us on the plane.) 

So while I can still think of the life I was going to lead, it doesn't raise a candle to what my son cotinues to teach me everyday. From how to treat people, the importance of birthday parties, artistic masterpieces and even some Spanish, my kiddo is so awesome. 

And I thought as the parent I was going to be the teacher... (Crazy girl.) 

Recently on one of our little adventures together (even going to the grocery store is an adventure for the two of us), I couldn't make a choice about a purchase. 

"Jackson, which one should we get?" I asked my son. 

He gently leaned over in the cart, grasped both side of my face sweetly and slowly said, "Mama, just trust me." And then he gave me a kiss. 

All I can say whomever marries this boy is going to be the second most luckiest woman in the world. 

Happy Birthday, Jackson Benham Reo! 

5 Reasons Why You Should Try White Cloud Diapers

Try-it Tuesdays:

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of White Cloud Diapers. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

When you have your second child, everything is different. You don't feel compelled to read the baby books, ask every friend their recommendation or stalk the Internet trying to find the best choices for your child. Your first one was your "practice" and you've already spent the time, so you normally just go with whatever you did with the first one. I know when I had my second, there was no question of what brand I was going to use for her diapers.  Not necessarily because it was the best choice, but it's just what we were familiar with. 

So when I had the opportunity to try out a new brand of diapers called White Cloud Diapers and then discuss the brand with some other moms, I thought it might be time to consider something different and it was way past time for a playdate. 

Taking advantage of the spring weather (and unfortunately a good bit of wind), we met at the park so we could keep the kids entertained while we did some diaper talk.  We fed the kids some snacks and did a little oohing and ahhing at how cute all our babies were and then got to business. 

The "business" included a few games (think baby shower fun) to get us all familiar with each other and White Cloud Diapers. I know I was reminded at how hard a baby has to work to take down a baby bottle in a little mom vs. mom contest. (I'd share that photo, but it just wasn't a cute shot at all!) Then I had the chance to meet some new ladies who had driven more than three hours to be there for a our playdate. (That's committment!) 

But admist all the fun, we also spent some time doing our "doodie" of checking out White Cloud Diapers. And since I'm all about sharing my "try-it out" on Tuesdays, I wanted to let you know what I learned!

5 Reasons Why You Should Try White Cloud Diapers: 

1. My daughter has sensitive skin, so I love that White Cloud Diapers are hypoallergenic and fragrance-free.

2. White Cloud diapers have a special ultra-absorbent inner core that wicks away moisture to help keep babies dry and comfortable and the stretchy sides have secure fit so no accidental leakage. (And no special wet surprise when you put your little one on your side!)

3. While my daughter is past the stage, I would have loved when she was in her early stage diapers to have a wetness indicator that changes color to let me know when the baby needs to be changed.

4. Don’t you get tired of Winnie the Pooh? I love that there are fun animal prints on the diaper so my daughter can point out the names of them as she learns them! 

5. Budget friendly is my favorite word and White Cloud Diapers are available around 30 percent cheaper than brand name diapers. (See for yourself!)

Diapering can be one of the biggest expenses in a family’s weekly budget and a great performing diaper is a must-have for parents. In order to make this affordable, Walmart has reintroduced their premium line of White Cloud Diapers to address the needs of today’s busy parents.

White Cloud Diapers provide your baby the highest quality diaper with superior leakage protection, exceptional softness and great fit. White Cloud Diapers are available exclusively at Walmart, where you can find low prices everyday on all your family’s needs. Check them out today!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of #WhiteCloudDiapers.