Therefore when making our registry for baby number two, which is a boy, NUK pacifiers and Learner’s Cups were placed on our registry. We knew what worked for us with our previous child, so we didn’t want to try anything different four our baby boy. Weeks after placing the items on the registry, I came across an email regarding NUK’s new 2012 product line. Their new 2012 product line is the TrendLine design. The TrendLine design is perfect for both genders and the designs are absolutely adorable. You will be able to find the TrendLine design on NUK pacifiers, bottles, and learning cups.

I was blessed with the opportunity to review a NUK TrendLineLearning Cup, TrendLine matching pacifiers, and the Camo pacifier for our baby boy.

First off, I love NUK pacifiers because of their design. We never had an issue with red marks around the mouth from baby sucking on the pacifier. Also during the breastfeeding stages NUK pacifiers have never caused nipple confusion for us, because the natural shape mimics the shape of the mother’s nipple during breastfeeding. The pacifiers are absolutely adorable, I love the new Trendline design, the ABC design along with the “BOY” graphics are perfect for our little man. My favorite is the Camo pacifier. As an army wife, we are always purchasing items that represent the army/camo design and NUK did an awesome job incorporating the Camo design onto a pacifier. Of course, all NUK pacifiers are BPA free and promote proper teeth alignment.

The new Trendline Learner’s Cup has many features including:

-Flows easily when sipped
-Helps make the transition from breast to bottle to cup easier
-Spill-proof soft spout – designed to be gentle on gums while teaching baby to drink from a spout
-Extra-wide neck for easier cleaning & filling
-Easy-grip handles, ergonomically shaped with anti-slip soft grips, make it easy for baby to hold
-Available in silicone, 5oz

My favorite features are:

-Wide Neck Design: makes it easier to clean
-Alignment: The handles are easy to align up with the spout so drinking out of the cup is easy on baby

Disclosure: I received a TrendLine Learner Cup and pacifiers for free in order to try the product and form an opinion for this review. I was not compensated in any other manner. The opinions expressed above are my own any claims should be verified on the sponsor’s site.

GIVEAWAY

NUK is generously giving away the Trendline Collection to one lucky reader of Pajama Mommy Community! One lucky reader will receive the TrendLine Learner’s Cup with matching pacifiers.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

One in five girls in the United States is sexually abused each year. Some do not disclose sexual abuse until they are much older. These children find themselves in foster care if their parent does not protect them from ongoing harm. The most common perpetrators are boyfriends, step-parents, and relatives, with 80% of the perpetrators being within the birth family. Studies have shown that in the aftermath of sexual abuse, 50% of sexually abused girls later become juvenile delinquents, run away, are significantly more aggressive, engage in promiscuous activities when poverty is factored in, engage in drug related activities, can self-mutilate, have uncontrolled outbursts of rage, need to always be in control of situations, and become abusive towards boyfriends, or get into abusive relationships. Sexually abused children and teens also develop eating disorders, and have guilt, shame, anxiety and depression, and poor self-esteem.

So how can we make our girls fight back and become resilient young teens? How do we protect our young girls and teach them the right ways of coping?

Here are the top five techniques that have worked very successfully in my practice with teen girls (www.thesupportivefosterparent.com):

• Develop Body Boundaries: Sexually abused girls tend to have poor body boundaries. TEACH body space, appropriate distance, hugging from the side, not pushing themselves into others’ in the front, and maintaining appropriate distance from males

• Teens and Dating: Sexually abused teens also either get victimized or become aggressive towards their dating partner. Develop self-worth in young teens, teach them to respect their bodies, teach them about being a woman in this world and be a role model for your teen. They learn from your actions, not just words.

• Manage Eating Disorders: Eating can be excessive with binging and purging, or refusal to eat at all. Both forms are ways young girls attempt to control their environment. This need to control comes from the helplessness and lack of control due to sexual abuse. Food is a way that a young teen can exert power over adults and cause anxiety in others. Anorexia and Bulimia are common with these teens. To develop a healthy sense of control, provide your young teen with healthy foods, give her areas of her life over which she has control and allow her to make decisions about the foods she eats. Making a fuss about how much she is eating is going to worsen the situation and strengthen the eating disorder instead of reducing it. Rather, make food fun, use humor at dinner and provide her with healthy childhood snacks she loved. Creating a low tension environment with a relaxed family non-judgmental environment will gradually relax your young teen daughter and she will substitute food with activities that you have introduced her to in which she can exert control and feel empowered.

• Deal with Bouts of Rage: Intense rage reactions are fairly common in children with sexual abuse histories and they can sometimes get violent. Often they are misdiagnosed as being Bipolar and placed on medication to keep them calm. However, their rage is a primitive reaction to the emotional trauma of sexual abuse and can be explosive. What works for these teens is trauma therapy and most importantly predictability. They dislike sudden changes, unpredictable actions, sudden changes in schedules, and power struggles more so than the average teen. Allowing your teen time to regroup, holding her when she wants you to, and giving her space when she asks for it so that she can bolster her defenses will help her handle stress, get “unstuck” and cope with new situations better. What will worsen this situation is forcing her to talk to you when she is not ready and forcing her to complete chores and engaging in a power struggle.

• How to Handle Panic Attacks: Bouts of anxiety with fear of choking up, nausea, trembling, fearing that the walls are closing in and that she is going to die are all too common for our sexually abused teen. Create resilience by identifying the triggers that have caused the anxiety and combat these triggers by pairing them with healthy effective empowering activities. The negative effect of these triggers will disappear over time, and your teen will become resilient and strong.

Successful parenting of your sexually abused female teenager will depend on CONSISTENCY, CALMNESS and CREATIVITY; the three Cs of parenting children with boundary issues.

About Dr. Kalyani Gopal

Dr. Kalyani Gopal is a licensed clinical psychologist with special interests in child sexual abuse assessment and treatment, attachment issues, and foster care assessment, adjustment and training. She serves on the Lake County, Ind., Child Protection and Child Fatality teams, and was the recipient of the Outstanding Service to Lake County award in 2004.

By Ed and Ellen Schack

Realizing whole-life success is possible. The secret lies in creating and committing to boundaries that keep work and home life separate, so that you may remain career-driven while also carving out as much quality family, couple and “me” time as possible. This helps to reduce anxiety and stress for you, your romantic relationship, and a family unit at large.

Consider these tactical strategies that will help working professionals better balance their family, personal and career life:

• ·Be totally accessible to business contacts ONLY during regular working hours whether 9-5 Monday through Friday or other set working hours. Ensure all vendors, business partners, colleagues and clients understand that this is the company culture or your personal policy.
• ·Have a personal cell phone that is only for family and friends so you can leave the business phone behind on family outings, personal “me” time at the health club or with friends. Answer the business phone, fax or email ONLY during business hours.
• · No Friday afternoon critical endeavors or fire drills. Stack the more labor intensive, mission critical tasks – and those that require third-party involvement or input – early in the week and taper down so that by Friday you can essentially focus on housekeeping items. This strategy can help you avoid weekend work loads and other infringements on what should now be your personal time.
• · Just as you schedule professional obligations, also schedule time off personal family and couple activities. And, don’t forget to put in “me time” to exercise, relax, or spend time with friends. It doesn’t matter if it is a few hours or days, or a small or large activity – put it on the calendar and plan around it to make it happen!
• · If you are a business owner or manage staff in an operation with extended hours, create processes and protocols that can handle most situations when you are unavailable in the “off” hours or otherwise. Also ensure all staffers understand you are to only be contacted in true emergencies (don’t forget to define “true emergency” as well!) and that you have empowered them to support you properly when you are not accessible and make executive decisions in your absence.

There are also a few key principals that can go a long way toward establishing work/life balance and harmony, especially when you are in a relationship with an equally success-minded person:

• Establish Open Lines of Communication. Communication is vital to any healthy relationship whether business and personal. It is important to ensure that everyone, including yourself, be able to express themselves no matter what as this helps diffuse misunderstandings and alleviates stress and time spent on repairing these downed communication lines.

• Operate with Respect, Balance, and Recognition. It’s important to have go-to people to lean on in both the career and non-career aspects. This may mean using a mentor, career coach or business consultant who can take the company to the next level or a personal confidant who can help you make personal changes, improve communication, resolve issues and become better people.

• Identify your Neutral Zone. It is not easy to maintain happy and healthy relationships on a personal or professional level. There will be discord and disagreement, so finding a neutral zone is important where each person can go to get away from stress or the angst of a difficult moment. Establish a place of “escape” from such difficulties, so that you can clear your head, regroup and productively deal with the situation at hand.

• Focus on Social Responsibility on the Inside and Out. Establishing a business and a family life based on a philosophy of social responsibility can generate a great deal of satisfaction. Whether it is the idea to “pay it forward” by helping those who are less fortunate or creating a bucket list based on what you and/or your company can do for others not only makes a difference in others’ lives, but it also enriches your own life – and that of your employees – and makes it feel more fulfilling.

Regardless of whether you’re a business owner, a manager, executive or professional, it’s easy to get off kilter – especially when under excessive stress and pressure at work or at home. Career demands can cause family disruptions, while other variables like tightening budgets can create friction at home and at the job. However, there are ways to manage such circumstances and, in doing so, regain control of your own personal and professional satisfaction. Start with these action items above and you’ll be well on your way.

The CEO Couple Ed and Ellen Schack are living examples of work/life/family balance based on key principles that foster healthy a marriage, business growth, and managing the rigor of everyday life: Respect, Communication, Partnership, Fun, Family, Faith, Balance, and Well-Being combined with many operational components of business like Strategy, Vision, and Competition. They may be reached online at www.theceocouple.com and via Twitter #theceocouple.

My children have taught me so much in the course of their short few years of life.  There are no more excuses.  I am solely responsible for my two small children and have nothing but their best interest at heart.  Frivolous spending and random road trips came to a halt.  Saving money, cutting costs and planning became top priority.

And though my children are still very young, the thought of college lingers in the back of my mind.  College is expensive.  I’m paying back my student loans and not even finished with school yet– and I want better for my children.  I do not want them to stress about the financial strain getting a good, solid college education can cost.  I am signed up for a program called UPromise and currently looking into a company called Mission Tuition.

Their program looks promising and will help me put away money towards my children’s education, all the while shopping for products and brands that I trust.  Signing up and shopping is easy.  When you sign up with their program, they open an educational account.  To begin savings, you shop on-line at Mission Tuition.  The advertised rebates available at each of their retailers goes directly into a savings account.  There is no waiting for a special card to come into the mail to begin savings, you simply use your existing debit or credit cards to make the purchases .  Another added bonus is that if your card allows you to earn miles or points, you will still accumulate those benefits with your purchase.  So really, it’s a win-win situation.

And still, children go missing.

Every day in the United States, 2,000 youngsters are reported missing, according to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. Each year, 58,000 are taken by people unrelated to them and 200,000 are snatched by members of their own families. Sadly, there’s no relief in knowing the child may be with family.

George Molho knows that only too well. As a 7-year-old in 1978, he was taken to Greece from his home in Houston by his father, a man with a brutal temper, an obsessive need for control and a sadistic desire to inflict pain. No one, not even his mother, believed him when he anticipated his father’s plan to spirit him away and tried to warn them, Molho writes in his new memoir, Scarred.

Now a passionate advocate for child kidnapping and abuse victims, Molho says awareness of the problem and efforts to develop solutions that protect children should be a top national priority.

“One thing every parent can do to protect their children comes right from my own experience – and I don’t think parents know how very important it is,” Molho says.

“My mother thought I was being paranoid when I shared my worries with her. She took me to a psychologist, who said I was making up the story because I was upset that my parents weren’t living together anymore.”

When young children express fear or concern about even a close friend or family member, adults tend to chalk it up to shyness, a ploy for attention, or fantasy, Molho says.

“Trust your child’s instincts,” he says. “If they act uncomfortable around someone because they can’t verbalize their
feelings, or if they tell you they’re uncomfortable, trust them. No matter who it is, if they tell you a person scares them, protect them.”

Molho offers these other lesser-known tips for protecting children from kidnappers, whether they’re friends or family:

• TEACH CHILDREN HOW TO FIB ON THE PHONE. If they’re home alone, for instance, and someone calls asking to speak to their mother or father, they might say, “My mother’s busy in the kitchen right now and asked me to answer the phone and take a message.” Put them to the test by having someone they don’t know, one of your friends or co-workers, call.

• MAKE APPROVED LISTS OF PEOPLE WHO WILL DELIVER ANY IMPORTANT NEWS TO THEM. If Mom or Dad is in trouble or hurt, only these people will know and will tell the child. Even if Uncle Bob tells them Mom is in the hospital and the child needs to go with Uncle Bob, if he’s not on the approved list, the child should not go. This is a common ploy.

• TEACH THEM, TRAIN THEM AND GIVE THEM PERMISSION TO DEFEND THEMSELVES. This is very important and it saves lives. Most children are taught to be polite and respect adults; it’s far safer to risk offending an adult – even if it turns out the adult meant no harm. Screaming, kicking and running away are perfectly acceptable if a stranger grabs your arm – even if the stranger is smiling sweetly.

ABOUT GEORGE MOLHO
George Molho worked as a health-care consultant for 15 years before becoming a writer and public speaker, addressing domestic abuse, child abduction, and recovering from trauma through self-reflection. He lives in Houston, where he has volunteered as a board member for several Texas charities and agencies that assist children and the elderly.

The time has finally come.  I am ready to take a leap of faith and pick up where I left off.  I want more for my children and myself.  However, I also know that I want to change career paths.  While I am not exactly sure what I am looking for, I know that there are endless possibilities.

I’ve been toying around with getting an online degree, but have always been somewhat skeptical.  Do employers look at these degrees as they would someone who went to an actual offline school?  That is my only hesitation.  Taking classes online would definitely fit into my lifestyle a little easier, but I have to do what is best for myself in the long run.  While I continue searching for an answer to the above question, I have spent hours browsing Degree Jungle. Degree Jungle is an online resource for people looking to sort out their options for getting an online degree.  They focus their site on careful researched rankings of online universities to help better guide you in the decision making process.

Although I put my dreams on hold temporarily, it’s never too late to attend college.

Of course, working in the nursing home has its downside too.  You don’t always get the one on one time with your residents that you would like to have because there are so many other individuals that demand your time as well.  As much as you would love to do something special for and with each and every single resident, it’s hard.

That is something I miss about in home elder care.  I was able to visit client’s homes, take care of them and give them the special one on one attention they deserve.  Knowing that you are not only helping them out, but helping their families as well.  You begin to view your clients in a whole different light.  Rather than being just clients, they become a part of your family.  You get to know them as individuals, their family members and almost everything about their lives.  For me, it’s more than a job.  I live to take care of them.

• They can be used anywhere.
• They come in lots of colors including pink, natural, orange, clear, black, purple, white, and many more.
• Some vibrate for added stimulation.
• They’re life like made out of cyberskin, UR3, silicone, or Jelly.
• Some are even sculpted from the real deal…hot porn star real.
• They’re affordable.

If suction cup mounted dildos is not your thing.. AdultToys.com offers a wide variety of other options. You can order glass dildos, suction mounted dildos, realistic dildos, anal dildos, sex furniture, props, and more. There’s a little bit of something for everyone and at prices that almost everyone can afford. So take a look around the site, pick out a toy or two and their representatives are extremely helpful when helping you complete your purchases. Once the item(s) arrive, take a minute or two to enjoy yourself.

When I heard about Undercover Mama, I thought the undershirt was going to be another cami! I soon found out I was completely wrong and shouldn’t “judge a book by it’s cover.” Undercover Mama is an undershirt designed to go with any bra and any shirt. The undershirt can be used on a regular bra, or a nursing bra – with ease in breastfeeding.

I had the opportunity to review the Undercover Mama and I was really impressed with the quality. The shirt doesn’t have straps, it does strap to your bra, which is very convenient. The shirt is made long with soft, stretchy fabric so I never had any issues with the shirt riding up my belly while walking, running, or playing with my daughter. I also want to stress the comfort in the Undercover Mama being thin and breathable. I stated before how some camis were thick and would cause me to sweat during breastfeeding sessions. Now, it’s not too thin where it’s see through or anything, it’s just..breathable. I wore the Undercover Mama with a regular bra and it fit perfectly. The shirt is made to fit snug, so I think after it washes it might shrink up a little being 95% cotton and I received a small. If you are in between sizes, Undercover Mama recommends you to get the smallest size for the snuggest fit.

(why yes, my bra strap is twisted)

In my opinion, the Undercover Mama is great for nursing, every day wear, and super comfortable. The undershirt is a bit more expensive than what I paid for nursing camis and may be out of budget for some, but the quality and the comfort makes it worth the money.

PAJAMA MOMMY GIVEAWAY

One lucky reader of Pajama Mommy will win an Undercover Mama with choice of color & size.

HOW TO ENTER

You must leave a comment below telling us how Undercover Mama can help you in your adventures with breastfeeding.

BONUS ENTRIES

1. Subscribe to our email RSS Feed with the same email as you use in your comment.

2. Subscribe to our @pjmommy Twitter account.

3. Tweet saying: I’ve entered the Under Cover Mama Giveaway over @pjmommy

4. “Like” or join our Facebook fan page.

CONTEST ENDS: CONTEST CLOSED!

Disclosure

I am usually not a summer-body – I like to stay in the cold house and watch movies. I have a very adventerous daugther who is always on the go, so that means I have to actually go out in the sun and plan trips. Lately, we have been taking her to the YMCA swimming pool and using regular sunblock on her. I have always looked at Wal-Mart for natural sublock but can never find any, I would always just settle for baby sunblock. Recently, I had the opportunity to review different types of sunblock for family and kids and I fell in LOVE. Therefore, I wanted to share my Sunblock Favorites with our readers and guess what? There is a TAN EXTENDER included!!

First off, I want readers to know that these products did arrive during extremely hot weather and the sunblocks were a little runny upon opening. After having time to cool down, they applied easily without a mess.

Jason Sunblock for Kids
Info: Natural, Hypoallergenic, Water Resistant, 45 SPF, Apply 15-20 minutes before sun exposure, Reapply after towel drying, swimming, or sweating. 6 months+

PJ Mommy Approved: Rubs on easily, non-greasy, smells wonderfully, and wasn’t worried when daughter decided to lick some off her arm – since it’s all natural. This product applied easier than the continuous spray we had been using. Reapplied after entering into water and every 45 minutes – just because my daughter has super fair skin. Tip: I have seen on the news lately that every sunscreen/sunblock out there needs to be applied after swimming, sweating, and towel drying. It can rub off in the water!

Jason Sunblock for Family
Info: Natural, Non-greasy, Water Resistant, 45 SPF, Same application as Kids Sunblock.

PJ Mommy Approved: Same smell as Kids Sunblock. I did feel like it was a tiny bit thicker than the Kids Sunblock. My husband actually used it, he would never use the continuous spray we had for babies. We didn’t feel greasy, it was easy to rub in without having any white residue on our skin, and we were outside for 30 minutes in direct sun without getting red. I like that this Sunblock is for the entire family and we will more than likely use it on our daughter when she gets a little older.

Aubrey Natural Saving Face Sunscreen
Info: Zinc Oxide is Active Ingredient. 2.3 oz. Apply 30 minutes before sun exposure.

PJ Mommy Approved: I never use the same sunblock I use on my body as my face. I usually use Eucerin Lotion which contains sunblock, so this is the first time actually trying sunblock on my face. I am very sensitive to products on my face – very acne prone, I was nervous at first to try it. There isn’t a distinct smell, it wasn’t greasy on my face, and the application was kind of thick when applying. I definitely felt like I had coverage while at doors. I didn’t use this product on my daughter’s face, I used the Kids Sunblock.

Aubrey After Sun Face and Body Moisturizer
Info: Contains CoQ10 and Pomegranate: supports cell structure and replenishes/protects the skin’s moisture barrier. Organic.

PJ Mommy Approved: favorite product by far. Have you ever went outside, had wind/sunburn on your face and it actually hurt to shower afterwards? This happens to me a lot. My daughter’s face gets red just by rubbing it on the carpet or couch. I used this moisturizer mainly on our face after sun-time and even when we were just red-faced. I love the smell, the non-greasy formula, and the easy application. The After Sun rubs in great, it’s not too thick, not too runny and there is enough for your face and body (when needed).

Jason Lip Balm
Info: Contains Beeswax, 25 SPF, Adult & Kid Friendly.

PJ Mommy Approved: I only use all natural/organic products on my daughter’s lips. I do not want her to lick her lips and consume chemicals/products that are not safe for her. Therefore, this product is my favorite when it comes to protecting my daughter’s (and ours!) lips. No smell, rubs on great, didn’t leave any type of junk on our lips, and there isn’t an awful taste (in case consumed).

Australian Gold Moisture Lock Tan Extender
Info: Contains Vitamin E and Native Australian Extracts. Can be used on face and body. Safe to use daily. Apply generously to exposed skin.

PJ Mommy Approved: I didn’t get to use this product, but my husband did. He actually spent an hour laying out in the sun and got a little sunburn. His sunburns usually peel and he is left without a tan. We rubbed this on his sunburn every night and he actually had a tan line! The scent is light, not overwhelming at all. The application is easy to apply – I like the pump method on bottles. I believe this would be perfect for tanners, whether in the sun or the tanning bed (safety first when using a tanning bed, please!).

These are currently my sunblock favorites and will be used in our household for many years. Not only are they organic, safe, and kid friendly, but they are also inexpensive!

WHERE TO BUY?!?

Jason products can be purchased online at: http://www.jason-natural.com/products/sunblock.php

Aubrey products can be purchased online at: http://www.aubrey-organics.com

Australian Gold products can be purchased online or in most retail stores

Disclosure

I was lucky enough to be able to try a few of the many wonderful herbs Queen of Trees offers. The first one on the list was the Luscious Locks Dread Wax. I really really liked it because it doesn’t contain any nasty chemicals or petroleum. When I first tried to use it, it was hard and I had to break it up, but it softened as I used it and it worked wonders on my double-strand twists; it also had my curls looking defined and springy when I took the twists out. I used it to twist my boyfriend’s roots as well, and it was perfect! His dreds were looking mighty fresh for a good minute.

Next was the Sex in a Bottle tincture. It’s an herbal aphrodisiac that is supposed to increase sexual desires, helps with fertility, and helps with blood circulation. I’m used to seeing pills and creams that are supposed to do the job but I’m not trying to go that route. I used this for a few days, and that’s all I needed! It heightens the intensity and it really does make that intimate time with your partner stronger. DEFINITELY recommend!!!

Next were the Anti-Yeast Herbal Tea and the Uterine Fibroid and Ovarian Cyst tincture. The tea, being completely herbal, did not have the best taste but it did the job it was supposed to; I hadn’t had any troubles in months. And at just $4 a bag, it’s definitely worth it for women who have recurrent yeast infections. I have a little hereditary trouble with the ovaries and such, so I figured this might be good to try. Someone close to me also has a very troubling time with ovarian cysts and they cause a lot of pain, so I let her try it, hoping it would calm her pain. After taking it for a few days, she had no complaints of pain, just minor twinges every now and then. She finished off the bottle; I didn’t even get to try it!

Last is the Skinny Minny Fat Burner. I just started back using this after some health issues so I’m still trying to see how it’ll work… but I do know so far that it staves off my appetite pretty well. I’ll keep y’all posted on how it works though, I’m trying to shed this weight!

Queen of Trees is doing a giveaway of ANY ITEM from her shop (excluding the Fit for Fall Packages and the case of Herbal Penicillin), and all PJ Mommy readers receive 30% off using the code PJMOMMY30. For info on how to enter the giveaway, check out the rules below:

::.HOW TO ENTER.::

Visit Queen of Trees and tell us which item you believe would work best for you and why, with the link. THIS IS MANDATORY.

::.BONUS ENTRIES.::

1. Subscribe to our email RSS Feed with the same email as you use in your comment.

2. Subscribe to our @pjmommy Twitter account.

3. Tweet saying: I’ve entered the Queen of Trees Giveaway over @pjmommy

4. “Like” or join our Facebook fan page.

CONTEST ENDS: SEPTEMBER 12 @ MIDNIGHT EST

The Snuza gO! and Snuza Halo may be the answer for you. Both products clip onto the baby’s diaper and safely monitors your baby’s movement. Now, to me this is more convenient and reliable than an under the mattress monitor. As it’s portable, directly on the baby, and can even pick up sound through baby monitors. We co-slept with our child for the first eight months of her life and an under the mattress monitor would have never worked in our bed. The Snuza gO! is the newest monitor. The gO! actually features all the same benefits as Snuza Halo, except gO! is programmed to alarm parents after 20 seconds elapse with no detection of baby’s movement. The Snuza Halo has an unique vibration/rousing function and if movement is not detected for 15 seconds, Halo will actually vibrate and try to stimulate the baby. If after five seconds there is no movement an alarm will be activated with a siren-like sound. The only other main difference I could come across is the price. The Snuza Halo retails for $129 and the Snuza gO retails for $99. Both devices can be purchased from Walgreens.com, Babiesrus.com, and CVS.com.

Disclosure

Patricia Babuka, CEO of GrandCamp Adventures says:

“Make time for family relationships and make that time sacred – whether in person or long distance.”

This statement truly hits home for me. This weekend while on vacation we are going to try one of the following activities recommended by Patricia:

- CREATE A FAMILY HANDSHAKE: Creating a secret family handshake allows for creativity and for kids to feel like they are part of something special that can be passed down from generation to generation.

- TRY: Shake It Up! from grandcamp.com

- COOK OFF! Twist up the summer BBQ with a family cook off. Invite kids into the kitchen to create their favorite family dishes and desserts. Food is always a great way to bring people together and it’s never too early to teach kids family recipe secrets.

- TAKE A TRIP! It’s always fun for parents and kids to go back and time and learn about their family history. This Sunday take a trip to mom and dads’ hometown or where Grandma and Grandpa met.

- DISCOVER FAMILY JEWELS WITH A TREASURE HUNT: Explore your surroundings in a way that will have kids and adults scrambling from clue to clue to find hidden treasures and family jewels. Hide family treasures such as a special family pictures or keepsake from a family trip that will bring back fun family memories and teach kids fun family facts.

- TRY: Longbeard’s Treasure hunt from grandcamp.com

Why don’t you try some of these activies with your family. If you do, please let us know what activities you tried. Not only will these activities bring you closer together, but it’ll help you explore your relationships with the people who are close to your heart.

Disclosure

We were on the market for new all natural (no medicine added) pain relief for teething. I remember going to Blogher ’10 last year and having the opportunity to try natural alternatives from Boiron and thought I would check their website for teething pain relief. To my surprise, they actually had some – Camilia. I found a new love. Not only is Camilia benzocaine free, but it is has no preservatives, flavors, dyes, sugar or artificial sweeteners. It’s truly all natural. Camilia arrived just in time, our daughter is getting a molar teeth on the right side – yikes! My favorite part is Camilia comes in convenient, sterile single-use doses. I no longer have to squeeze gel onto my fingertips and rub them on my daughters gums – yuck! All you have to do is twist cap to open and squeeze into mouth. She didn’t gag, show disgust, and we didn’t even have to hold her down. Camilia can be used every 15 minutes for two more doses. Even though it’s all natural and I know she cannot overdose on it, I still space out the doses for ever 2-3 hours for two more doses. Other great news, you can start Camilia at one month old (if you have an early teether) and not worry about any side-effects! I would say that one box of 15 single-use doses will last us a week, or so. Even though we will be spending more on teething pain relief, we do not have to worry about medications (so hopefully no recalls!), overdoses, or holding her down to give her something to relieve the pain. Totally worth it in our opinion.

my nineteen month old’s teeth

Disclosure

Reading to my children nightly is one of my favorite kept promises to myself. After dinner is our quiet time. We take our nighttime baths, watch at least one cartoon (while Mommy cleans up a little) and then snuggle up in bed to read a book or two. When we received our newest book to review, God Gave Us You, I felt especially excited to read it. My children are at the age now that they are beginning to understand feelings, emotion and everything going on around them.

This book was the perfect way to incorporate feeling and emotions of love. Through the animal characters, illustrations and text, my children have made this a must read at bedtime.

See’s Famous Old Time Candies® are well known and loved throughout the West where the company was founded in 1921. If you were to visit a See’s Candy store, you would find a sparkling clean black and white shop where your candies would be packed to order as you made your candy selection. See’s reputation for friendly old-fashioned service remains unrivaled.

To produce the best possible boxed chocolates, we at See’s acquire the choicest and finest grade raw ingredients from all over the world. Making over 100 varieties of candies, we have maintained our reputation for excellence by strict adherence to See’s “Quality Without Compromise®” motto.

See’s is headquartered in South San Francisco, California with kitchens located in both Los Angeles and South San Francisco delivering fresh chocolates and candies to over 200 See’s shops in the West where See’s Candies are a “Happy Habit®”.

Why not give Dad the best there is? See’s Candy has a huge selection for every Dad, even yours! It will become a delicious tradition , he will look forward to every year!

Caitlin’s mobiles are different from other mobiles I’ve seen, as her mobiles give the illusion of being fashioned in a spiral. They are strung on a wooden circle and the cranes hang at different lengths. The mobile measures about 2 feet long, and it can be easily hung just about anywhere. When I received Caitlin’s package in the mail I didn’t know what to expect. I opened the box, and tucked snuggly in tissue paper was Classic Audrey, with each her birdies and the wooden circle with strings going every which way. My first thought was “How am I gonna untangle this thing?!” But, to my surprise, when I pulled the top loop (where you hang the mobile) upward, each birdie and string fell perfectly into place and I could see the beauty of the piece. Each crane was perfectly crafted, and I was incredibly impressed with the way the mobile hung. It’s beautiful! Caitlin makes cranes using a wide variety of paper and can even do a custom crane for you using the paper or colors you choose. And, she makes confetti! Hand-cut confetti, I might add. I received some in my box of goodies; blue and green circles made of high quality paper. Loved it! There’s so much fun to be had with paper, and Caitlin does it the best. As a thanks to our readers, Caitlin is offering a 15% off coupon using the code PJREADER15 whenever you get something from her shop! Go find your special mobile in her shop, and I’m sure you’ll love it as much as I do!

I enjoy doing crafts every now and then and am redecorating my bedroom so I found a great few items. Plus, my friend Samantha has just announced her engagement and I’m helping her plan the wedding, the shower and the bachelorette party so this was a great find for me personally. They offer so much from place holders to mini cake like decorations. They have wedding bells for confetti options too for those of you who don’t wish to throw rice or want to do your own unique take on things. This site has a lot of great finds for beyond reasonable pricing it is hard to imagine I could have overlooked this site in the past. I’m sure many of you will feel this way. Take some time check it out you won’t be sorry!

April is Autism Awareness Month!!!

Our regular faithful readers know I have a grandson, Jordon age 10 who is Autistic, and I have reviewed and shared several books on Autism here on PJ Mommy.  I have also considered my daughter’s family very lucky that Jordon has a milder case of Autism, but Autism just the same.  We knew at an early age that something was “just not right”, and I have come to hate that term, but it was just that at the beginning.  My daughter and all of us were in a kind of denial, oh he’ll grow out of it, he just processes things differently, and so on until we had no choice but to face the facts and had him tested.  The word Autism hits you between the eyes like a brick and we cried and felt sorry for Jordon for about 2 minutes, and then went into action.  Jordon is an extremely intelligent little boy and his ability to retain EVERYTHING is still to this day just short of amazing.  But I must say that if it were not for the school in Rochester, New York where we live, I think it may have been a different road we traveled.  We were given the Mary McLeod Bethune School No. 45 as his school and he has soared! It is very important that you get the right teachers and he has been in school 45 for 4 years now and his progress is amazing.  He interacts and laughs and jokes and plays with his little sister and everyone he knows now.  I wanted to tell our story so anyone who is in our position can know that there is help out there you just need to look and do the research.  This book the Everyday Advocate is a starting place and answer to those questions that you just don’t know where to find the answer to.  The footwork is all done for you, which is a major part and can be very defeating.  It also gives help for everyday things you just would not think of having to do, or knew you had the right to do or request.  Please, anyone with an autistic child please read this book, it will help save you a lot of frustration and tears so you can get onto the important things like helping you child get some normalcy in their life so they too can soar!

http://responsibilityproject.com/films/responsibility-and-the-arts-lidia-bastianich#fbid=lj-OmEZi4eS

Every day, New York-based chef, author, television host and
restaurateur Lidia Bastianich (of NY's Eataly, Del Posto and
Lidia's Italy) shares her Italian cooking with her family and
all Americans.
Today, Lidia stars in a new film featuring intimate reflections
on her cooking, family history, career and life. The film is part
of a partnership with Liberty Mutual's Responsibility Project. Launched
today, the "Responsibility and the Arts: Lidia Bastianich [1]" film
offers insights into Lidia's passion and the sense of responsibility
she feels toward her customers, those who read her books and those who
have watched her television shows.

About The Responsibility Project by Liberty Mutual

The Responsibility Project , created by Liberty Mutual, is an organic evolution of the company’s advertising campaign that has showcased personal acts of responsibility and daily examples of ordinary people making the decision to do considerate things for strangers. Through The Responsibility Project, Liberty Mutual is using entertaining content as catalysts for examining the decisions that confront people trying to “do the right thing.”

It’s certainly not getting easier to sit around the table with your family and a wholesome dinner. If you’re a working mom, you probably drive straight from work to pick your kids up from practice or another after-school activity. Grabbing a few burgers on the way home or eating sandwiches in front of the TV can be an inviting option when you’ve such had a long day. And, it’s hard to make kids themselves sit still for 30 minutes to share a little time around the dinner table. There are benefits to making the effort to have a family meal, however. Even if you can’t do it every night, consider making it a 2 or 3 times a week tradition.

Being Here Now: Sitting down to eat is a form of thoughtful meditation. It’s a time to relax and reflect on the day, in a conscious manner. Try it sometime—eating while standing in front of the fridge or while watching TV just isn’t the same. Sitting around a table lets everyone in your family have a little chill out time from work, from homework, from cell phones and other technology. It’s a type of relaxation that we don’t get enough of these days.

Create Stability: For kids, stability is created by events they can anticipate, that happen again and again. Making family dinner a usual occurrence in your household is one easy way to provide this stability, and to give your kids a sense of control in their lives. Several scientific studies have found a significant positive correlation between a family’s eating habits and the amount of conflict they experience. Families with healthy, stable eating habits had less turbulent relationships than those who ate junk in front of the TV.

My own family, while growing up, was not without problems. My older brother decided to drop out of high school and fought with my dad constantly. Through it all, we still had family dinner (although my brother didn’t always attend). As a younger kid, this stability helped me understand that we were going to get through the difficult period, and that things were going to be okay.

Make Time to Talk: Especially as your kids move into their teen years, actually talking to them about anything of note can become difficult. They clam up, and respond to any questions with a head nod or a mumbling “uh huh.” Eating around a table naturally encourages talking; it’s a low-stress environment for sharing and communicating with one another. It’s is a great opportunity to sneak meaningful discussions into your time with your preteen or teen, without them even noticing.

Eat Better: With nearly ¾ of the U.S. population overweight or obese, many people are doing all they can to stay healthy. Eating meals around a table is a simple step you can take for you and your family, to ensure that everyone eats better. Why? The more conscious you are of eating, the likelier you are to only eat the amount of food you actually need. Unlike eating in front of the TV, you won’t be shoveling food into your mouth without even noticing it.

And, meals served around a table are likelier themselves to be healthier. When is the last time you served a butter-laden bowl of instant mac and cheese for a family meal around the table? You’re more likely to put together a balanced dinner when it’s served in a bit more formal setting. So what’s the bottom line about family dinners? They help you relax, reconnect, eat, and feel better. They take a little more energy, but will certainly pay off over time for you and your family.

Puff’s has two ways to comfort your family’s sneezes and sniffles.  One tissue has lotion for soothing care the other no lotion, but strength to spare.  There is something for every nose issue.  Plus lotion delivers 2 times the moisturizers to your nose.  Puffs Plus lotion with “Vicks”  delivers soothing lotion plus the comforting scent of Vicks.  Puffs Ultra Soft and Strong Holds up better to help keep the “ewww” from breaking through!  And Puffs basic, an everyday tissue for noses in need.

And now they have a pPuff’s on the go travel pack, perfect for….everywhere!

Healthy habits help keep sickness away. Try these tips with your family today.

1. Wash Your Hands

It’s the single most effective way to keep from catching a cold or spreading one to someone else.

When to Wash

• Before you eat or touch food
• After you use the bathroom
• After you change a diaper
• When you come in from working or playing outdoors
• After you touch or play with an animal
• After you cough, sneeze, or blow your nose

How to Wash

1. Wet your hands with warm running water.
2. Apply a small amount of liquid or bar soap.
3. Rub your hands together about 10 times (for roughly 20 seconds), the time it takes you and your toddler to sing the “alphabet song.” Rub all the way back to your wrists and out to the tips of your fingers.
4. Rinse your hands under the running water.
5. Dry your hands thoroughly with a clean paper towel, and throw the towel into the trash.

2. Practice Healthy Habits

• Eat right, sleep tight, and exercise often to keep your immune system strong—and illness at bay.
• Dispose of used tissues in the trash—not in your pocket or on surfaces in your home.
• Clean household surfaces frequently. Use a detergent and warm water (or a mild disinfectant) to wipe objects and surfaces you or your toddler touch.
• Provide separate (or disposable) cups and towels in the kitchen and bathroom for each member of your family. By keeping each family member’s cups, towels, and toothbrushes separate, you’ll help keep germs from spreading.
• Strengthen the immune system of every member of your family by ensuring plenty of rest, proper nutrition, and moderate exercise.

3. Catch Some Z’s

Lack of sleep can reduce immune functioning, making you susceptible to sickness. So make sure you get plenty of shut-eye.

4. Soften Your Blows

Proper nose care can help prevent the spread of colds and alleviate symptoms if you do catch a cold. Keep these tips in mind to soften your blows.

Blow your nose gently with a soft, clean tissue to help clear your nose of mucus. You’ll breathe easier and reduce the spread of germs. Use one of our preferred Puffs products to help soothe sore and stuffy noses.

www.SniffleSolutions.com

Potty training has never been easier with the Little Looster Booster.  This special stool is designed to wrap around the base of the toilet to give your kids extra support, stability and comfort without getting in the way of the adults. We were given a Little Looster Booster to try with my granddaughter Chloe.  She is almost 4 and a tiny little thing.  She would not use one of those portable potty training seats that you move around for toddlers from day one.  She went right to the toilet and said she wanted to go in there!  The big problem with that with all children is they have to do a balancing act just to stay afloat! Well, now the kids can get on the toilet and feel safe and balanced.  The Little looster Booster stool is perfect and you never have to move it.  It is just right for everyone.  The kids can climb up on it and feel safe, and the adults can do their thing and it never get in the way.  What a smart idea and thank goodness, as Chloe was so tired of having me hold onto her every time she had to use the potty.  She truly feels like a “big” girl going potty! Thank you Little Looster! Check it out at: www.littlelooster.com.

Strapless—If the bodice is simple and unadorned, opt for a princess necklace ending one or two inches above the dress. If it is intricate, or features an embellished waistline, like Chelsea Clinton’s beaded tulle extravaganza, follow her savvy decision to leave her neck beautifully bare.

Sweetheart—With this visually-appealing style, no necklace is needed; just rely on the power of the dress itself to show off your neck and shoulders.

V-neck—The shape of this style demands that you accessorize with a perfect necklace. Opt for a simple chain with an interesting pendant; make sure the pendant dangles halfway between the base of your throat and the point of the v-neck. If you have an heirloom charm you want to show off, have it set on a chain and wear it as a necklace.

Halter—This style, especially if the straps are beaded or embellished, is its own necklace—just make sure you have a great pair of earrings or a hair accessory.

The pearl necklace is a classic for brides: it’s traditional and timeless, and yet it has never been more current than right now. The romantic luster of pearls coordinates naturally with off-white or ivory dresses, while diamonds may be too bright for these colors. Plus, pearls are an affordable choice, and you will be able to proudly wear your bridal necklace for many years to come. If you opt for pearls, whether for a necklace or a lovely pair of pearl studs, look for Akoya or South Sea pearls—the most luxurious and high-quality pearl varieties on the market—and stay away from tacky-looking imitations and low-luster freshwater pearls. It’s your wedding day; you deserve the best.

Trend alert: Pearl-loving brides are now opting for pearls in soft colors, like pale pinks and blues, or even black and gray. Pearls can even be incorporated in trendy torsade necklaces—multiple strands of pearls, chains and stones wrapped together and held with a clasp. These modern styles work best with simple dresses and sleek silhouettes.

Bracelets

Although bracelets fell out of favor for many years, the current trend in strapless dresses has made bracelets the new favorite jewelry piece for the modern bride. Almost every celebrity bride sports a bracelet of some kind, from Chelsea Clinton’s restrained tennis bracelet to Ivanka Trump’s set of diamond link bracelets. You can incorporate an antique or heirloom bracelet into your look, or feature that very first gift your new husband ever gave you.

Unless your dress has wrist-length sleeves or you are wearing gloves (more on that later), you can always count on a simple bracelet to add a touch of flair to your bridal look. Make sure the bracelet fits and won’t get damaged or slide off when you dance—if you’re worried, you can always remove a delicate bracelet before the first dance.

Brides who are looking for a more casual, beachy style or an exotic touch can try layering a few simple metal bangles. Even a more formal style can benefit from the playful sparkle of two or more contrasting bracelets—try a gold bangle with a diamond-studded cuff. The great part about using more than one bracelet is that you can always wear them separately on less formal occasions—a single dramatic piece may be harder to wear later.

There are three primary kinds of bracelets: bangle, link and beaded. The bangle consists of a stiff circle of metal and is the most casual or modern style, depending on embellishment. Link bracelets, like the ever-popular tennis bracelet, consist of flexible links that conform to your wrist and are closed with a clasp. They are the most traditional for formal bridal jewelry looks. Beaded bracelets—simple string bracelets strung with beads—are comfortable and can be quite elegant-looking with a wedding ensemble.

Trend alert: Statement cuffs are a bigger trend than ever, especially for modern dress styles.  Penelope Cruz married Javier Bardem in a dramatic sculptural bright white dress paired with a dramatic statement diamond cuff. Pearls are also showing up in bracelets in the form of pearl-studded bangles and twisted bracelets that incorporate pearls, loose diamonds, chains, and even lace. Simple bracelets with sentimental charms are also popular.

Earrings

Whether your dress is simple or over-the-top, your hair is up or down, almost every bride opts for some kind of earrings as a part of her wedding jewelry ensemble. Earrings are the ultimate jewelry item—comfortable, affordable, and universally flattering, there is a pair of earrings perfect for every bride.

Without a doubt, diamond studs are the most popular earrings for brides. No matter what you are wearing, you cannot go wrong with a pair of subtle but sparkly diamond stud earrings. It’s the perfect choice if you are planning to wear a statement necklace or an embellished neckline. Plus, if you plan to wear your hair down, it’s best to choose earrings that won’t compete for attention and won’t get caught in your sleek tresses.

If you are wearing pearls in a necklace or bracelet, pearl studs are a classic touch that you are sure to wear again and again, even years after the wedding. Pearls are comfortable and won’t weigh you down when it’s time to party!

Other brides are opting for drop earrings, a slightly bigger style than studs but still very traditional and wearable. Small hoops are another way to get a touch of sparkle without overloading. If you are planning to wear your hair down, diamond-studded hoop earrings will be noticeable without competing for attention.

The biggest trend in wedding jewelry is chandelier earrings. Celebrity wedding ensembles have been featuring bigger and bigger creations made of diamonds, gold, pearls, and nearly every gemstone imaginable. A word of warning: never wear earrings that touch your shoulder—it’s a trendy look that won’t withstand the test of time. Some brides opt for faux diamonds as a cost-cutting measure; that’s ok, but don’t get enormous fakes which won’t at least look real. Narrow drop earrings can give you the eye-catching look of chandeliers without overpowering you—plus they slim the face more than wider styles. Or opt for simple, diamond-free gold chandelier earrings in simple organic-looking styles, that you are likely to wear again and again.

If you do choose a more dramatic earring style, consider wearing your hair up or at least pulled back away from your face, to give those stunners the spotlight they deserve and create a more cohesive look. The rule of thumb for earrings is this: opt for dramatic earrings only if your neck is bare and you are wearing a minimal hairstyle. An opulent necklace or a tiara is great, but don’t pair them with oversized earrings or you risk looking like a medieval princess.

Trend alert: The trendiest brides of 2011 are going bold with art-deco inspired chandelier earrings and colorful influences like gemstones. Breaking away from the matchy-matchy look of jewelry sets and matched dresses, they are opting for creative contrasts between the style of their wedding dresses and the jewelry pieces they pair with them.

Other Accessories

Most brides choose not to wear any rings besides their engagement and wedding rings. Bridal trends for 2011 call for chunky cocktail rings and gemstone pieces, but it’s probably best to follow that advice with caution—you don’t want anything detracting from the simple beauty of the wedding band and engagement ring. If you are worried that your right hand will look too bare, get a perfect manicure and wear a simple tennis bracelet on your wrist. That being said, if your wedding look is casual and fun, feel free to add a contrasting cocktail ring on the hand opposite your wedding ring. Just make sure it won’t be mistaken for your wedding ring in photos!

Brooches seem like an outdated, old-fashioned piece of jewelry, but they are actually coming back in a big way. Modern brides are putting a 21^st century spin on crystal and diamond brooches by putting them in their hair, adding them to a ribbon belt at the waistline, or using them to gather excess tulle in the back of the dress. Crystal starbursts are especially popular for 2011—add them to headbands, sew them to the dress for an unexpected accent point, or pin them to the ribbon on your bouquet! This is another great way to incorporate a family heirloom in a totally new and modern way.

It takes a certain amount of panache, and certainly the right dress style, but gloves are slowly coming back into style for the most fashion-forward brides. Yes, gloves. Opt for wrist-length white leather gloves for a glamorous way to keep warm at a winter wedding, or don all-out opera length silk gloves with an off-the-shoulder sheath dress for an unmistakable note of vintage elegance and glamour. Trendy brides are even trying out gloves in sharp colors like black and pearl gray. According to long-forgotten fashion rules, the length of the glove is dictated by the length of your sleeve—allow at least two inches of skin between the end of your glove and your sleeve. Of course, if you want to wear gloves at your wedding ceremony, practice taking them off gracefully so you can slip it off at the right moment to receive your ring!

Wedding shoes need to accomplish two almost contradictory goals—they need to both look fabulous and be comfortable. The easiest way to accomplish this, for most brides, is to wear a fabulous pair of heels, dyed to match the wedding dress, for the ceremony and photos, and then change to ballet flats for the dancing. Another option is to find a pair of ballroom dancing shoes; they are sexy but practical. One bride I know wore incredible red patent leather heels to match her red lipstick, and then changed to white sneakers so she could dance up a storm! Another bride matched her romantic lace dress with ivory suede booties that she could later pair with tights and wear again. If you do plan to change your shoes, talk to your tailor about pinning the skirt of your dress so it won’t get in your way or get damaged when you try to dance.

No matter what bridal look you choose, there is one rule you should never break: be yourself. Wear what makes your comfortable and makes you feel incredible. It’s your special day—whether you want fresh flowers in your hair or a whole stack of bracelets on your arm, you do what works for you. No matter what you wear, your joy and excitement will be your best accessory.

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Having a child’s party or entertainment activity is not simple these days, and in an age when playing Pin the Tail on the Donkey just won’t do, organizers are looking for help.

The fun and imagination that goes into a “make your own teddy bear” workshop can’t be matched and, as the company that inaugurated the “we come to you” teddy bear workshop, Noah’s Ark is much more than child’s play!  Sold in the US and Canada through independent Party Leaders, the children’s plush entertainment company, which started nearly seven years ago has a very strong mission:  to put smiles on kids faces and make a lifetime of magical memories. And that’s what they have been doing more than ever!

Inspired by her dedication to her family and maintaining her daily presence in the home, Dina Amico-Kriescher founded Noah’s Ark Animal Workshop as a personal business in 2003 and began conducting workshops throughout the suburbs of Chicago.

Driven by her entrepreneurial spirit, and the overwhelming response she received from customers and community adults to join in the business opportunity, she soon began developing a national opportunity. In 2004, with the support of her husband, Peter, and direction from her father and brother, John Amico Sr and John Amico Jr, she put her simple plan into action and began to offer entertaining children’s party services to families and children’s organizations in a ‘we come to you’ format by providing in-home and on-site party workshops through a sales force of “Party Leaders.”

As a company that has been built on family values, Dina takes pride in sharing the business opportunity with Party Leaders across the United States and Canada, who are mostly mothers with the passion and desire to build profitable businesses while staying home to raise their children and manage their households.

More than six years later, her business continues to grow, and has broadened to include Bellabeads 925, a high quality jewelry enterprise with a direct-sales distribution channel, offering Party Leaders the opportunity to conduct two lucrative businesses with one unique company.

Each guest will have a magical experience bringing their very own cuddly pal to life by hand-stuffing it and making a wish on rainbow star. It’s fun and easy, with no sewing required!

Please check out their website and start this year with a unique party for your child, one they will remember always!  www.noahsarkworkshop.com.

AM2 Kids Music, which is “taking kids songs to the next level,” has created a CD, Kids Pop 2.0, which includes songs made to appeal to children in this age group. The lyrics of the songs touch on issues important to the childhood experience, such as self-esteem, bullying, and healthy eating.

Abdus Muhammad II, also known as AM2, is a song writer, and created AM2 Kids Music when he realized how important music is in the lives of his own children. He now creates age appropriate music for kids with the help of a Grammy award winning producer.

Kids Pop 2.0 includes the internet hit “I Wanna Be Spongebob” and can be purchased at www.am2kidsmusic.com for $5.00. The website also has a free cell phone wallpaper available, as well as the official “I Wanna Be Spongebob” video for $1.99.

The Droplet is a waterproof remote vibrator that can be used externally or internally. For internal use, you use the “dropper” applicator to insert the Droplet and then pull the dropper. A hygienic cord hangs from the droplet to pull it out when you are ready. Once inserted, a remote control can make use of the Droplet fun and exciting for you and your partner. The up arrow on the remote turns on the Droplet and increases the speed, while the down button decreases the speed and turns the Droplet off. The toy includes six vibration patterns, and pressing the round button cycles through them.

A great sex toy for couples, the Droplet would make an exciting gift for Valentine’s Day, and one that couples can enjoy together. The Sweet V-day kit comes with a pink Droplet and and a Cherry On Top cock ring, which is waterproof and includes two vibrating Cherries.

The Droplet takes 4 AG13 cell batteries, which are included. The remote control uses an included 27A 12v battery. To clean, just wash with soap and water.

I was contacted to personally enact a “Random Act of Zhu” and I jumped at the chance. I was asked, by the makers of Zhu Zhu Pets, to choose a local charity to give away 104 Zhu Zhu Pets to for the holiday season. How amazing is that?!?!

I chose New Horizons in Manchester, New Hampshire. They are the largest homeless shelter in the area. They house and feed a lot of children. Every child that went to New Horizons would receive their very own Zhu Zhu Pet to keep them company. It must be very scary to have to stay at a homeless shelter. These small toys will hopefully help ease some of their anxiety and put a smile on the faces of each child that receives their very own Zhu Zhu Pet.

I also took this opportunity to teach my daughter about charity and donating. When we first received the shipment of Zhu Zhu Pets (13 boxes!) she wanted one for herself. I had to explain to her that they were for children that did not have a lot of toys like her. These toys were going to children in need. Hailey was very happy when she held on to her own Zhu Zhu Pet and realized that other kids were going to be just as happy as her!

Thank you, Zhu Zhu Pets! You made a lot of children very happy this year!

Mini’s for me can be a tough sell, they either are too loud or don’t pack enough punch. While this one is rather loud for the small size it isn’t obnoxiously loud but it does pack the right amount of punch. It is also perfect for couples play. it is small enough to position right next to your clitoris while you’re having an intimate moment.

So when you have a chance check out TheirToy’s.com vibrators selection. They are great toys for an even better price!

Ana is giving away her Latitude Longitude Keepsake Pendant to one lucky PJ Mommy reader! Hold that certain special place close to your heart on a necklace you’ll always be able to keep. And, just for our readers, she’s giving 10% off and free shipping using the code BOMB2011,and it’s active for 30 days. Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, so check out the rules below to enter!

~RULES~

1. Contest is open to ALL READERS! U.S. and abroad!

2. You must leave a comment on our blog saying what places you’d want stamped on your piece and why.

~Additional Entries~

1. Subscribe to our email RSS Feed with the same email as you use in your comment.

2. Subscribe to our @pjmommy Twitter account.

3. Tweet saying: I’ve entered The Pretty Peacock giveaway over @pjmommy

4. “Like” or join our Facebook fan page.

5. “Like” The Pretty Peacock on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/theprettypeacock)

CONTEST ENDS: January 28, 2011 @ MIDNIGHT EST.