I don't  know about your kids...but when MD was a baby, he HATED baths.
Like "hate" doesn't even begin to describe it.
You would have thought we were bapitizing him into the fires of hell with that bathwater.
Luckily, the tides have changed.
MD LOVES BATHS!
It's his favorite time of day.
We actually only give him a bath every-other-day, unless he gets really messy, so I guess it's technically his favorite part of every-other-day. :)
I've been wanting to get some cute pictures of him in the tub to hang on our not-so-newly painted bathroom walls.
And...I finally got some :)

Happy "Tubby Time", everyone :)
XOXO
Laurel

I LOVE doing reviews on this blog.
Why?
Well, mainly because I love trying new things...and when I love them (or hate them) I love sharing the good (or bad) news.
Also, because as a mom to a young'in, I often feel completely overwhelmed by the massive amounts of products that are available at my disposal.
I'd rather read someone else's experience with a product or service before trying it out for myself.
So, I was excited to try out Citrus Lane, and see what it was all about.

So, what is it?
(No, they don't deliver fresh fruit)

Citrus Lane is a monthly subscription...box.
It's not a magazine or newspaper (which usually come to mind  when "subscription" is said.
They are boxes that are delivered every month to your home and they are full of "goodies".
They have similar boxes for various other interests...."Bark Box" for people oddly obsessed with their dogs (no judgement..I used to be one), "Nature Box" for health-nuts, etc.
Citrus lane is  focused on children (babies).
When you go to their website to sign up you can indicate the age & gender of your child.
They then will send you 1 box per month of "goodies" for your  child.

In my mind...these had a few benefits.
1) It gives MD something exciting to open every month (Hello! Every month is Christmas!)
2) It gives me new toys/products/etc that I maybe wouldn't have known of or  thought were good to buy until they sit in  my living room.
3) It satisfies my insatiable need to have the something delivered to my home (Hi my name is Laurel, and I'm addicted to online shopping....Hi Laurel!)

I was very excited about our 1st month's delivery because I got it half off. Yes, I'm addicted to online shopping DEALS. Let me make that very clear.
Normally, the box runs around $25 per month.
I say "runs" because you actually get it cheaper the longer subscription you sign up for.

And today...it arrived.

I took a sneak-peek before picking MD up from daycare.

Then I let him unwrap everything when he got home.
Guess what his favorite product was? Oh yeah...the tissue paper.
Okay..that was only at first, then he got more into it.

So, I know what you're all thinking...because it's exactly what I was wondering...
What was in it? And was it worth it?
Let me tell you...
For the November box we received 4 "items" and 2 "discounts" but I would really only say 1 "discount" because the other one was kind of a half-ass discount.
Here's our loot (and the retail cost). I figure this way I can answer both questions at once :)

All-in-all I definitely got my money's worth.
The bath toy boat alone cost more than what I paid for the box itself.
I was pleasantly surprised to see a few items that were in the category of items I was already thinking I needed for MD.
We definitely needed more bath toys...and I had looked at purchasing the same exact reusable snack bags, but never got around to it.
Also, only have 1 set of "toddler" dinner utensils, so it will be nice to add another set.

I am definitely going to try another month to see if we can go 2-for-2 here.
I've signed myself up for a 3 month subscription to save money on the total cost.
Signing up for 3 months brings your total down from $25 per month to $19.

Best part?
I have a way for you to save mucho-dinero off of your cost!
First, click on this link.
That will bring you to the page where you can sign up for your own subscription.
Even if you only want to do 1 month...you can save $10 off that month by signing up through my link.
PLUS, Baby MD gets $10 off too :) It's a win-win.
You customize your box to the gender & age of your specific child so you'll get specific toys/games/etc based on your child's needs/wants/development.
Enjoy!

XOXO
Laurel

Today, my family celebrated Thanksgiving.
We didn't discuss Plymouth Rock.
We didn't carve a turkey.
We ate pizza.
Why?
Because who knows if the pilgrims really ate turkey, and stuffing, and pumpkin pie.
I'm 99% sure green bean casserole was not involved in the first Thanksgiving.
See, when you're married (and your siblings are married) you get  the experience the joy of split holidays.
It's impossible for everyone and their in-laws, and their siblings' in-laws, and their in-laws' in-laws, to celebrate in one place at one time (and survive). Kidding. But seriously, it's not possible.
So every other year my side of the  family celebrates together on a day that is not the 4th Thursday in November.
Usually we have our "traditional" meal.
This year, we stepped outside the box.
It was awesome.
We...

Happy Pizza Thanksgiving, Everyone :)
XOXO
Laurel

I was so excited yesterday when I got a call from my brother in law.
He had a camera.
A BEAUTIFUL camera.
And he didn't want it anymore...did I want to buy it?
Um..yes.
Don't get me wrong, this is not a photography blog.
I am by no means a photographer.
The pictures on this blog are 99% iPhone and that's fine by me.
But honestly, I'd like to have higher quality pictures, and not just for the blog.
So I bought it...and have been trying it out since last night.

This post is a summary of Saturday morning moments that are so precious to me.
Told by pictures...from my new-to-me camera :)
I say Saturday specifically, because Sunday is usually smashed together in the rush to get ready and out the door for church.
So here we go.

Happy Weekend!
XOXO
Laurel

Do you want to start out 2014 with more money in your bank account?
I know I sure as hell do.
And really...who doesn't?!
I have to argue, though, that parents of young children are among some of the LEAST likely people to start out 2014 with more money in their bank account.
Babies are expensive.
Not even just expensive...ridiculously exepensive.
Are they worth it? Yes.

Now, if you're like me, you're already trying to figure out ways to save money while raising a little one.
My biggest friend in this game...COUPONS.
I LOVE COUPONS.
If I can't buy something on sale or with a coupon, it's not happening.
I have to say, though, the whole process of "couponing" is way over my head.
I'm neither patient or organized enough to get the most out of clipping coupons.

Let me give you an example of how this works (doesn't work) in my life.
-Sunday morning...go grab the paper.
Oooo look at all of the great baby coupons!
Well there's one in this flier, another in this flier, another in that one...
Clip...Clip...Clip.
MD! Don't touch Mommy's coupons please!
Oh, you put that one in your mouth? Okay, well I guess we didn't need $0.50 off wipes anyways..right? (Yes, we did).
Okay I'm going to put them in an envelope.
I don't have an envelope.
I'll put them in my bilfold.
That's full of old coupons that I don't feel like going through right now.
I'll put them in our kitchen drawer.
Yes! Kitchen drawer! Perfect!
2 months later...
DAMNIT! These are all expired!!!!

So, imagine my excitement when I was approached by Alana with Shopper Incite who wanted me to help spread the word about Mommy Savings.
What is Mommy Savings, you may ask?
Well, doesn't the name say enough?!

Mommy Savings is a quarterly coupon book (that is free) which can save you TONS on every day items you'd be buying anyways for your little one.
Best part...it's FREE!
No junk mail, no gimmicks, no selling your address to other sales companies...it's all good.

As my usual rule goes, I asked Alana to send me a copy of one of the coupon books to scope it out.
I wasn't going to waste your time if it wasn't worth it.
Oh...but IT IS!!!

So, here's what I got in the mail.
This is the Q3 coupon book which expires at the end of December.
That means all ya'll get the opportunity to sign up for the Q1 book for next year which comes out January 1st.

So what is it?
It's a coupon book/shopping planner/meal planner/milestone tracker/advice giver/etc.

Not only does the book hold manufacturer coupons for MULTIPLE brands, but it also gives hints & tips for various things such as meal planning, life stage, and more.

So what do we have inside?
LOTS of coupons.
This book is much thicker than I expected, and literally every other page is full of coupons.
Diapers, wipes, bath products, toys, clothes...everything.
And we're talking QUALITY brand names.
Stuff for moms too (as you can see, Pantene coupons were some of those included in the Q3 book)!

The best comparison I can make, is to the Target coupon book that I get every few months with coupons (only to be used at Target) that are all baby related. It's really helpful that they put them all together so you don't have to clip & sort yourself. Except this book has literally 10+ times the coupons in that Target mailer. It's awesome.

This is the coupon I was the most excited about from the  book.
There's nothing like having something in mind that you want to purchase for your little one, and then finding a coupon to match.
It's like magic!
So I've been wanting to buy a Crane humidifier for MD's room (because they're adorable) but I NEVER find them on sale.
Oh, but here I found a coupon for $15 off.
Yes, Please!

One of the biggest benefits to the planner (besides the massive amount of coupons, the fact that it's free, the HUGE variety of brands they utilize, and the fact that you're hearing about it right now...is the result of the experiment that I performed.
Alana sent me 2 coupon books to review. They were the same book, but just so I'd have a few to look at.
I sat down on the floor and started going through the contents.
MD, inevitably, came over to where I was and tried to steal my book.
Luckily, I had 2, and saw an opportunity to really put this book to the test. So I gave him the one I was looking at to "play with".
MD (as I mentioned in an earlier post) is EXTREMELY rough, especially when it comes to paper products. He loves to rip paper. So I wanted to see how well this coupon book could hold up to MD's rough-housing.
Needless to say, it was successful. The pages of the coupon book are nice and thick so they don't rip easily (except at the coupon perforation of course). MD flipped through those pages like he was reading the book himself, albiet an upside-down book.
No rips...no tears...success!!



So here's the nitty gritty, this company is still in the beginning stages with this product, meaning that you have serious inside-scoop.
At this point they're still tracking different demographics/stores/success/etc.
That is why Alana asked if my readers would be interested in being included in this initial group of coupon books (I, of course, said that you would be).
So what does this mean for you?
You get a free coupon book.
End of story.
They will not contact you in any way, other than to send your book(s) to save money with.

So HOW, Laurel, do I sign up for this amazing offer?
Simple, click here.
Type in your first name & email address.

But Laurel, why aren't they asking for my address?
Well, that's the one little trick.
In order for their official launch to work, they need to have a large group of moms who will be receiving their flier.
So, once you sign up you are on the list. Your spot is reserved. Once they reach their number (which they are hoping will be by Jan 1st) you will get an email requesting your address so they can mail you your very own coupon book.

But Laurel, I don't want to WAIT for my coupon book!
I completely understand.
Patience is not a gift of mine either.
So here's what you can do...SHARE THIS POST!
The more people you can get to sign up for the coupon book the faster they will reach the number needed to send them out.
So share this info with all of your mommy friends and we help speed this process along!
Don't forget to sign yourself up here!

XOXO
Laurel

AHHH...November.
That wonderful time when social media blows up with THANKS.
"Thanks" challenges.
"Thanks" lists.
"Thanks" everything.
"Thanks"vember.

Am I the only one who finds it mildly annoying?
I mean...I get it, it's good to remember to be thankful.
But the lists people put out are so predictable it just makes me want to punch something.
Oh weird, you're thankful for your family/faith/home/car/happiness/etc. Mind Blowing. Because I thought you hated all of those things. Thank GOODNESS "Thanksvember" came around so you could set me straight.
Also..is it just me, or are some of their "THANKS" items just really bragging opportunities?
I'm really thankful for my beautiful new home with real hardwood floors and vaulted ceilints, with deeded lake access, and a pool, and a moat with a drawbridge, and a dragon...and...
And some of their "THANKS" items are more like wishes...not reality.
I'm really thankful for my wonderfully amazing fiance who listens to my every thought and does so many chores around the house and always remembers everything I ask of him and LOVES watching  Say Yes To The Dress & planning our wedding with me!!!!!!

So, in order to truly display my annoyance...
I'm making my own damn list.
A list of shit that I'm thankful for...that is not stuff you think of every day.
It's the stuff you really DO need to be reminded to be thankful for.

1) Yellow Stop Lights. Not only are they your preverbial "get out of jail free" card when you're in a rush and going through an area with stop lights, but they also are one of those games you don't realize is a game until your halfway through playing it.
Can you make it before it turns red?! WEEEEE'LL SEEEEE!!!!
2) Microwaves. For those nights (every night) when I really don't have an ounce of energy to cook.
3) DVR. So I don't have to base my life around what time my favorite show(s) are on T.V.
4) Wine. So I have an excuse to sit on my ass and watch my DVR. Yes, I'll empty the dishwasher...just let me finish my wine.
5) Pony Tail holders. For those days (every day) when I'm too lazy to blowdry/straighten/style my hair. It also leads to the idea that I may have worked out or be planning to work out that day. Neither is ever true.
    -Also see: "yoga pants"
6) Dumb People. For helping me feel smart(er) on a daily basis.
7) Online shopping. So I don't have to make any real effort (get dressed, shower, drive, etc) to engage in my favorite hobby. *Bonus thanks for companies with free returns..for those damn impulse buys.
8) Dry Shampoo.  Enough said.
Just realizing how lazy and unhygienic this list is making me sound
We need a quick turnaround here.
9) A Full Refridgerator. No, this isn't some "cheesy" answer that talks about how I'm thankful to have food on my table when so many others don't. No. This is about the fact that when I'm hungry I really appreciate having options at my finger tips. Simple as that.
10) People who keep their plungers next to their toilet. You know, to prevent that akward moment when you're at someone's house and drop a giant crap in their toilet, and it plugs, and there's no plunger in sight....so you have to go out of the bathroom and ask where it is and then plunge it, the whole time knowing they know what you did. Side Note: Our plunger is next to our toilet. You're welcome.
11) Facebook. For  letting me keep tabs on people I normally would completely forget existed, at all times. Thanks for making cyber-stalking "normal" and accessible.
12) November. For inspiring people to remember things they are thankful for...and then rubbing it in to the whole world :)

XOXO
Laurel

MD is a boy.

Apparently, boys are rough.

This should come as no surprise to me.

I grew up with two bothers.

We didn't play dress-up.

We wrestled.

A lot.

We chased.

Got dirty.

Skinned knees.

We were rough.

MD is rough.

Every single thing he does is rough.

Pet the dogs...no, pull their hair.

Hug the stuffed animal...no, tackle it to the ground.

Flip the page on the book...no, half-tear it out.

Give mommy a kiss...no, bite her face.

I'm done with my milk...chuck the sippy cup at the dogs' heads.

You get the idea.

I can't even count the number of times I've said, "Gentle, Mason".

"Use your gentle hands"

"Careful"

Broken record.

I know it will only get worse.

It's probably a lost cause.

Except the biting...that's a big no-no.

The boy that MD was biting at daycare is no longer at his daycare.

No, MD didn't scare him away.

Apparently the other boys' parents were very understanding about our vampire child.

Regardless..there hasn't been any biting since.

*Somebody PLEASE knock on wood for me!*

So I'm coming into understanding the reality of raising a little boy...who just got done taking a bath, during which he played with his own wiener for 90% of the time.

I am not prepared for this.

XOXO

Laurel

WE HAVE A WINNER!!!
Amber B. was the winner of our YN Farkas giveaway.
Stay tuned for future giveaways :)

WELCOME everybody to The Adventures of Baby MD's first EVER guest post AND giveaway!
(and the crowd goes wild)
I've been looking for an opportunity to have both a guest post and giveaway on the site.
We have another giveaway coming up shortly, but I'm especially excited to combine both of those features into one mega-blog posting.
I'll have the guest post up first, and then scroll to the bottom once you're done reading to hear about the giveaway details :)

Today's guest post comes from a working mother who is also an author.
I would love to know how she has time to come across both of those titles.
My titles range from...working mother & someone who remembers to shower (sometimes).
To...working mother & professional frozen food heater-upper.
To...working mother & semi-sane woman.

Working mother & author is pretty much beyond my abilities.

So I'm super excited to introduce you to Y.N. Farkas.
She writes hilarious books that have beautiful illustrations and rhyming (so your little ones will enjoy them) but are all about the in and out daily humor in being a busy mom.

I was able to read a pre-view of both of her new books and they are, in one word, perfect.
I loved reading about "real life" scenarios.

Both books are available starting TODAY via amazon.com

And here's our post from the author:

Guest Post Topic: Encouragement for Working Moms

My Breast Pump Is My Best Friend: Encouragement for Working Moms

Sometimes I speak to my breast pump. Think that’s weird enough? Often times it talks back.

No, I’m not talking about hallucinations or drunken visions...I’m talking about good ol’ sober heart to hearts with my breast pump in my office (with the door locked and no chance of anyone walking in, obviously).

I guess as a mother of three that’s trying to juggle a thriving profession as an executive in a large non-profit organization, the school lunch schedule, bedtime, and nursing, the only time I really have to myself is when I’m pumping. And I appreciate that time dearly.

As I hold the two pumps to my breast, put all of the paperwork aside, shut off my cell phone, and sit back for a few minutes of relaxation, often I feel (inspired to ‘moo’ out loud and laugh hysterically...but that’s for a different time) driven to talk out loud about my day, my thoughts, and my fears. 

As I divulge my deepest secrets, my reliable sidekick of a breast pump always answers me so obediently, in a faithful, understanding tone. ‘Amen... Amen... Amen...’ I hear my breast pump saying.

Well, maybe it’s just the noise that all breast pumps make while they’re on, but to me it sounds like music to my ears. Support. Love. Encouragement. Ah, what else can a working mother ask for?

Perhaps that is why last week when my seven year old daughter told me all about about her best friends in first grade, when I took a moment to think about who my best friends are, the answer that came to mind were my husband and my breast pump.

Yeah, it’s true...they both rock and I can’t imagine living life without either one of them because both my breast pump and my awesome husband remind me of the same thing; despite my imperfections, I’m a super woman holding down the fort. They quiet my deepest insecurities, and convince me that I’m an awesome momma, even though I work.

You see, I love my kids more than anything in the world. In my vision of utopia, I am hiking all day in open meadows with my three little angels, just smelling the flowers, collecting acorns, and laughing as we roll in the grass. In my dreams I’m home every night for bedtime, pick my kids up from school early to go eat ice cream, and keep my babies at home with me until kindergarten. 

Wow, my milk is coming in just thinking about the theoretical reality of my utopian dreams.

But the truth is that I don’t live in utopia and I’m awoken from my dreams by little cuties jumping on my head at around 5:00am. The truth is that often times my mornings are spent rushing to get all three kids dressed, fed, and  out the door so that I’m not late to work, as my one and half year old follows my around the house, grabbing for my chest, adorably whining ‘nurse! Nurse!’ The truth is that I haven’t stayed home full time with any of my kids, past the age of three months.

Yet despite all of this, the TRUTH is that I’m an awesome, loving mother that is doing the best I can. And every three hours, when I put the hecticness of work on the side and pull out my breast pump to produce for my little sweety the milk that she loves best, I’m reminded of this fact:

I. Freaking. Rock.

And often, my breast pump will even confirm this by answering ‘Amen’. 


About the author:

Y.N. Farkas is the author of the newly-released “Baby Oh Baby” book series, a comedic, illustrated series for parents, highlighting the many joys and challenges of life as a working mom. Follow these parents as they deal with the many humorous and sometimes embarrassing moments of parenthood – from dad’s entire day on his own with the kids in “It’s Daddy’s Day,” to the giggles, spills, and literally “sucky” life of a pumping mom in “The Places I’ve Pumped.”

In addition to her “mom” duties to three cuties under the age of seven, Farkas is the senior vice president of a large non-profit. She relies on her awesome sidekick husband of eight years to help her juggle it all, and has gained enormous respect and awe for single mothers (she often wonders, how the heck do they do it?!?). She considers her greatest feat naturally delivering a 9 ½ pound baby. She has (somewhat hesitantly) chosen the path of breastfeeding, co-sleeping, snuggling,a
and working 10-hour workdays. She feels blessed to have the best of both worlds, and relies on her Jewish faith to keep her strong and going. Farkas’ hobbies consist of doing the laundry, mopping the floor, changing dirty diapers, and cooking healthy meals for her family. She plans on practicing yoga and planting a garden upon retirement.

So now that you've read this post you're probably thinking to yourself...
Self, I'd really like to own one of those hilarious books that YN Farkas wrote.
Well, you're in luck!
YN Farkas is giving away one of her awesomely hilarious books to one, lucky, The Adventures of Baby MD reader.
Here's how it's going to work....we're taking this shit to Facebook.
I've noticed something interesting with The Adventures of Baby MD facebook page.
See, when you start an "organization" page on Facebook, it tracks a LOT of information for you.
What I've noticed through this tracking process is that HUNDREDS of people are constantly coming back and viewing the info on the page daily, but we're not getting very many "likes".
So we're going to encourage people to come out of the shadows and publicly display their "like" of The Adventures of Baby MD.

Here's what I need YOU to do in order to win.
1) You need to "Like" The Adventures of Baby MD on Facebook
(Here's the link to our page)
2) You need to comment on the Facebook post of this blog.
(So when you go on The Adventures of Baby MD page on Facebook, there will be a post that shows a link to this blog post...you need to comment on in)
I really don't care what you write...but "this blog is awesome" or "I like how you swear like you don't care" will suffic
3) In your comment on Facebook, you need to tag one other person who you think would like to win this giveaway!

So there you have it, 3 easy steps, some of you have already completed #1 anyways!
Like, Comment, Tag a friend.

I will close the giveaway on Monday, so you have all weekend to get 'er done.

Remember...even if you're not a mom yourself, this could make an awesome X-Mas gift :)

XOXO
Laurel