MOM CONFESSIONALS

Pinch me now! Sometimes I cannot believe the things that land in my lap. For instance, when I was invited to be a #RBabyMom Ambassador I was beyond thrilled! This year has been all about using my influence in social media for the social good. I couldn’t have found a greater partnership than with the RBaby Foundation. I’ve told this story many times, but you might find it hard to believe despite being an RN, when my child is in the ER, all those years of schooling and experience goes right out the door and I am just like any other mom — terrified for their child.  I couldn’t believe that in this day in age, living in America, we had to worry about something as important as basic pediatric ER standards.  I had no idea all Pediatric ERs were not equal.  In that moment, when you’re in the ER, the last thing you want to think about is whether or not they are properly trained or equipped to care for your child.  It was a no brainer, improving Pediatric ER care was something definitely that had to be done and RBaby Foundation needed to be heard.

I tweeted, I posted, I told, I begged everyone I knew to sign the petition.  If you’re a mom, a dad, an aunt or uncle, a grandmother or grandfather, a god-mother, a friend, your life will at some point connect with a pediatric ER.  It  could be for something minor and easily cared for, or something a lot more critical.  I never wish that on anyone, but wouldn’t you want to know that the hospital you wind up at is equipped to properly care for your loved one?

To Thank Us for our efforts (I know totally crazy huh?!), they invited us to be their guest at their 5-year Anniversary celebration the RBaby Foundation 5-Star Food & Wine Gala at the majestic Plaza Hotel in NYC.  Not only were we going to sip fine wines and cocktails while exploring 5-star cuisines from world-renowned chefs, we were getting VIP “Pink” carpet treatment!  Totally insane!  Just for doing what I love!  I was so honored to be an ambassador with some really truly amazing moms and social media influencers.  It was amazing just to see the power of social media doing social good.  That was reward enough, and here they were… spoiling us!  PINCH ME NOW!

Here am I COMPLETELY transformed into a princess! My hair was magically sculpted by Agnes from Federico Hair Salon, channeling Kate Beckinsale. I swear she was using some power tools back there.  She made me laugh as she kept saying, “God Bless your Asian fine, super straight hair! Oh my!”  Here is where you’ll definitely believe I’m a social media junkie.  How did I decide on Kate Beckinsale as my fashion icon for the night? Why Pinterest of course! If you know me, you know I barely wear any make up if any at all.  Mostly because I just don’t have the coordination to get it together.  I am the girl who every skin care expert to dermatologist gasps in horror to learn my method of face care includes the bar soap in my shower.  Ms. Kate Harvie along with some magical make up from Alison Rafaelle transformed me from bleh to glam!  I swear I looked better than I did on my wedding day!  Complete with jewelry curated from Melinda Maria I felt like royalty.  I couldn’t hide my blushing that night.

Enough about me… We ate, we drank, we listened.  It was so humbling to be there to hear the stories, and know while we made great strides, there was still much to be done.   We got to honor the amazing Julia Beck, the founder of Forty Weeks, and a leader in empowering expectant and new mothers.  She was awarded with the RBaby Champion Award and it was well-deserved.  One could only hope to be as an amazing advocate as she.

So yes the magical night is over, but there is still so much more to do!!!  What can you do?  SIGN THE PETITION NOW!  Then go and tell your mother, your brother, your neighbor and everyone you know to SIGN THE PETITION.

What am I going to do?  I am going to continue to spread the word of course!  My team at Trumpeting Media have an amazing project coming up and we are thrilled to announce that RBaby will be our charity of choice to support in more ways than one.  There’s work to be done people!

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I turn on the radio, my TV and even twitter and next to 50 Shades of Grey, the trending topic is attachment parenting. Time Magazine’s latest cover of a young hip mom with a toddler standing on a chair attached to her boob is shocking to say the least.  At the same time, it doesn’t seem so odd to me. By definition I seem like I practice attachment parenting. My son is about 2 and a half years old now and I am still breastfeeding and we co-sleep. Although I am not ashamed to admit this because its instinctive to me, I do often find myself gauging who I say this too and I often follow up with the sentence, I know I need to start weaning him. Then again, I feel like I have a crutch, my son is severely allergic to cow dairy, and of course I also mentally justify it because my son has a brain tumor. I wear it like a defensive armor – don’t judge me, my son may be dying, I will do what I want and if I want to be attached to my son and spend every waking minute basking in his love, I will because I don’t know how many days or weeks or months or even years he has and I don’t want to regret a minute of it. I even switched careers to spend and maximize my time with my children. I always tell anyone who questions my choices, I didn’t have children for someone else to take care of them or raise them. I’ve never defined his attachment to me other than simply a phase toddler boys go thru, but if I am an attachment parent, then so be it.
According to Dr. Sears, founder of the term “Attachment Parenting”, infants’ brains are “hardwired with strong needs to be nurtured and to remain physically close to the primary caregiver, usually the mother, during the first few years of life.” I agree!

While my husband has always been incredibly supportive of my commitment to breastfeeding, I can see him waning as my son can now throw full on temper tantrums to get his “nai nai“.  Why does society want to make me feel ashamed about doing something so natural all around the world?  I love this article by USA Today entitled, Breast-feeding a 3-year-old is normal, anthropologist says

Breast milk is one of the only sources of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids that build brain tissue… It isn’t until age 5 or 6 that “95% of brain growth has been reached, and that’s also about the time that the child’s immune system is ramped up to full production,”  says Katherine Dettwyler, a professor of anthropology at the University of Delaware in Newark, Del.

I think our time with them as youngsters who so wholeheartly love us with all their hearts is all too short and soon they will run off to be with their friends, want not to hold your hands anymore and be independent. I’ve seen it many times with my nieces and nephews, my friend’s children and years later, all is well. I don’t know any grown ups that are still attached to their mothers physically rather I admire the many close mother/son relationships that I do observe. I think it’s sweet and it speaks a lot to the character of that man, who respects, loves and adores his mother. I am slowly weaning my son off breastmilk, but it’s not a hard stop, I’m not forcing it.  He only nurses when he wakes up and when he goes to bed.  I don’t know any teenagers still breastfeeding.

As for the co-sleeping, I know those days are numbered too and when he’s ready, he will go and sleep in his big boy bed on his own. In fact, last night, with my sister visiting from Beirut and the aerobed pulled out, he actually wanted to sleep in the bouncy bed with his sister.  He only lasted about an hour, but it was a step towards moving out of our bed.

I am not an extreme Attachment Parent. Yes my sex life had to get a little more creative with baby making three in the bed, but at the same time it made it more fun too. The careful planning, the anticipation.

So what do you think about Time Magazine’s new cover? Attachment Parenting?

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As a mom, nothing is more scary than when your child needs emergency medical care.  Your first instinct is to head to the Emergency Department (otherwise known more colloquially as ER) where you will place your entire trusted care of your child in their hands.  It would be shocking to learn that not all Emergency Departments are equipped, not only with the tools, but also the properly trained staff to care for your child.  Just because it says Pediatric Emergency Department on the outside of the building does not mean that they are an emergency department that is equipped to care for a child in a medical crisis.

RBaby Foundation is is the first and only not-for-profit foundation uniquely focused on saving babies lives through improving pediatric emergency care.

R Baby Foundation is dedicated to ensuring that babies, including those in the first month of life suffering from viral infections and other infectious diseases, receive the highest quality of care and service through supporting life-saving pediatric training, education, research, treatment and equipment.

In addition R Baby is educating and empowering parents with resources to better understand their medical options and make more informed choices in their care.  Before I became an RN, I remember going to the Emergency Room with my daughter and completely trusting them with my child’s care.  Everyone was a doctor to me.  Little did I know that most of them were residents, doctor’s in training, practicing on my child.  As an RN now, I cringe every time I think of that day when they asked both my husband and I to step outside as they performed a spinal tap on my child. I thought my child was getting top priority care when a handful of doctors entered the room and closed the door.  I was just a scared mom who wasn’t informed.  An absolute must read is their PDF entitled: What you need to know about Emergency Rooms

Before your child has a medical emergency, visit R Baby Foundation’s Emergency Resource Page for information on preparing before a medical situation arises and understanding your options.

I am proud to be an #RBabyMom, not just as a mother who has spent many times in the ER with her child, but as a Registered Nurse, who when is in the ER with her child, is only a mom who is scared for her child.

At the end of the day, you are your child’s best advocate.  If you don’t think a doctor or nurse is understanding your concerns, make them understand them.

If you have a moment, please join R Baby Foundation in petitioning the US Senate, the US House of Representatives & the Council of State Governments for a better, clearer definition of a Pediatric Emergency Department, mandatory pediatric equipment and supplies in all EDs, and increased pediatric training for ED doctors.  To sign the petition, please visit: http://www.change.org/petitions/demand-that-your-emergency-department-is-prepared-for-your-child

Feeling inspired? Spread the word, visit RBaby Foundation’s Volunteer page for more ways to engage and share the message.

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Hi Ho! Hi Ho!  It’s off to Disney we go!  We are soooooo ready for our trip to Disney next week and the #DisneySMMoms Conference!  I have been scouring the internet, reading books after books and poaching seasoned moms all around for those special, somewhat secret, in-the know experiences.  This is my kids first time going to Disney and I am determined to make it as Magical as can be. Here are tips that I have found that I think are quite Magical indeed!

THE EXTRA SPECIAL MAGIC

• Celebrating a first at Disney? Perhaps your first time?  A birthday or even an Anniversary? Let them know at Guest Relations or the concierge at your Disney Resort and you’ll get a special button to commemorate the occasion.
• Riding the monorail to and from your resort?  Get there early and make way all the way to the front.  Ask the pilot if you and your family can “ride in the cockpit with the pilot” for an amazing view of your ride and get your co-pilot license. Unfortunately this perk has disappeared.
• When you use any Disney transportation, the driver or pilot may award you with a special transportation collector card.   NOTE:  Awarding these cards is at the cast member’s discretion—they are instructed to reserve them for special or magical moments, so don’t forget to wear your button!
• Got a special little princess in your life?  Make sure she’s decked out in all her princess gear and throughout the day, she’ll be treated like the royalty she is.  We’ve even heard that if she simply wears a shirt that reads Princess, she’ll get the royal treatment.  This effect is most noticeable for the pre-school set who can’t read yet and will be simply astonished that everyone thinks she is a real life princess!
• Want to be crowned King or Queen for the Day? Visit the Sword in the Stone ceremony, held in front of Prince Charming Regal Carrousel in Fantasyland. Several times a day, Merlin challenges guests to pull the magical Excalibur sword from the stone.  The “strongest” boy or girl will be crowned with a regal crown, cape, and proclamation.
• Oh my husband will be all over this.  Disney has amazing golf experiences with two miniature Golf Courses called Winter Summerland, near Blizzard Beach water park and Fantasia Gardens.  Ask about the “secret hole of the day” after your play—if you get a hole-in-one on the designated hole, you may get a suprise.  Don’t you love surprises?!
• Want to be a part of the Disney Cast, you can get personalized Disney name badges just like Cast Members for the kids.  Cast members will be coming up and saying hi all day!
• Bring some of your kids best friends (stuffed animals) to stay at your resort.  While you’re away, the Mousekeepers might leave a little surprise scene for you. [verified 5/2012]
• Staying at a deluxe Disney Resort, ask for turn down service.  They leave a little surprise behind as well.[verified 5/2012]
• Get to the Disney Water park early and ask to be the Big Kahuna or Ski Captain for the day.  You’ll get VIP Perks like a medal to wear all day, a refillable mug, towels for the whole party, locker rental, and a shaded spot reserved just for your family. What an honor it is!  Be one of the first to enter the park and don’t forget to ask!
• Bring Mickey Gloves to Character meals for special attention and a little fun by staff and castmembers.  We’ve heard Goofy sometimes steals them from you, but not to worry, he does give them back!
• Ask for a table by the wall when going to a character meal and seat the children there. You’ll be able to capture a picture perfect moment when the characters stop by.
• Your little one is too little to ride their favorite attraction?  Ask for a non-rider certificate, you might be surprised to see it signed by a favorite character!
• Request a wake up call from your resort. Rumor has it off-times guarantee Mickey!  When they call, place it on speakerphone so everyone can hear the very cool wake up message from Mickey or one of his friends![verified 5/2012]
•  Tom and Huck were in such a hurry to get to Splash Mountain, they left their paintbrushes behind on Tom Sawyer Island. If you find one, pick it up and take it to a cast member and you just might receive a pass to the front of the line at your favorite attraction.  NOTE: Paintbrushes are not always left out.  I am going to ask a cast member before sending my kids off on a hunt that may produce nothing.
• Find Tinker Bell at Tinker Bell’s Treasures.  Be patient, she is usually flitting about the merchandise. Find the the antique chest of drawers and pay close attention to the keyhole, when you see a flash, peer in for a little surprise!
• I love visiting the Japan pavilion at Epcot but I never knew to look-out for a candy-making demonstration outside the Mitsukoshi department store. The talented artist Miyuki demonstrates “candy artistry” from Tokyo. Miyuki will invite guests to choose an animal, which she will create in just one minute. The guest who suggested the animal gets to keep the candy creation free!  I’m told it’s so beautiful you won’t want to eat it!
• Kidcot Fun Stops are located at each World Showcase pavilion where kids  can get masks to color and decorate with beads and paper charms— Complete a tour of all the  Kidcot Fun Stops around the World Showcase and you might get another surprise!
• Similarly the Animal Kingdom has their Kids Discovery Club animal and nature discovery zones. When a child visits their first station, they are presented with a free Kids Discovery field guide filled with trivia and games.  At each new station, your child will get a special stamp in the field guide and offer something fun to explore, such as fossils, animal tracks, and so on.   Collect all the stickers and you’ll get a prize![verified 5/2012]
• If you’ve travelled abroad, you know how different countries have different versions of Coke.  Well you can sample many of them at Club Cool in Future World in Epcot for FREE!

SOUVENIRS at a Bargain

• Make a free plastic robot souvenir at PlasticWorks in Innoventions East at Future World in Epcot.
• At Innoventions West, kids can make a free frog velcro doll and decorate it with Mickey ears, sunglasses, clothing articles and more. When finished, a cast member will attach a velcro bracelet for your wrist.  This is going to go over well with my little man.
• Many restaurants at Walt Disney World serve a non-alcoholic drink for kids known as Pirate Punch. Each drink comes with a glowing Tinker Bell or Captain Hook clip-on light keepsake. The cups I’m told, themselves make great keepsakes.
• At Sesame Place we got adorable Elmo keepsake plates which have stood the test of time and the counter-service eateries at Walt Disney World have similar black Mickey plates which can be keepsakes as well.
• Got tons of kids to buy for? Perhaps classmates?  A cheap but fun gift is Mickey Mouse shaped straws at the fast food counters in your resort for $.50 each.  Heck, I’ll even grab a bunch to bring the magic home.  Who doesn’t love silly straws?![verified 5/2012 - Found at Cosmo Rays in Tomorrowland]
• Individualized gifts are great but a pack of Character pens usually sold in sets of 6 or more make great gifts with usability and I’m all about function.
• Purchase an official Epcot World Showcase “passport” as you make your way through the World Showcase.  Find a native from each country and you can get a stamp and autograph.  They also have a similar “free” passport at the Animal Kingdom.
• When the husband and I first started dating we had collected pressed pennies.  I wonder if I can dig them up some where.  Disney has penny pressing machines planted all over.  Stock each kid up with shiny pennies and a roll of quarters, each one is 51 cents.  Purchase a penny pressing books to hold your collection.
• Collect guidemaps, menus, plastic cups and plates.  They may someday be a collector’s item!
•  Mickey’s Mart in Downtown Disney Marketplace is also a great place to stock up on cheap souvenirs.  They only sells items for $10 or less.
• Visiting the outlets, check out the Character Premiere store at the Orlando Premium Outlets center.

MOUSE SAVERS

• The refillable mugs at each resort are another type of perk. At approximately $13, a refillable mug can go a long way.
• Small bottles of Mickey shampoo and conditioner are available in many Disney resort rooms and make great souvenirs. Use the ones in your room and ask housekeeping staff for a few to take home.
• Investigate the kids’ programs at your Disney resort hotel. The Deluxe resorts usually have kids’ recreation programs such as coloring, crafts, pool games, Hidden Mickey searches, and storytelling at various times for FREE! [verified 5/2012]
• Garden Grocer, www.gardengrocer.com is a grocery delivery service that will bring your pre-ordered groceries for a price comparable to shopping yourself. Another great place online is Amazon.com.
• If you’re staying at the Disney Swan or Dolphin and have a AAA card, they have some exclusive coupons.  Also filed for future reference, purchase park passes at the AAA office and receive a AAA Diamond Preferred Parking Certificate.
• Buy a Disney poncho if it rains.  Pricier than outside but they have free, no questions ask, replacement policy.

EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC

• First stop, making “M” his very own Mickey Mouse ear hat.  You can visit Chapeau Hat Shoppe on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom or Chapeau Hat Shoppe in Downtown Disney.   Tip:  Buy some extra interchangable ears!
• We will be getting “M”s hair done at the Harmony Barbershop in the Magic Kingdom.   You can get a real haircut for about the same price as you would pay at your local barber shop sprinkled with some magic Mickey pixie dust!  If it’s a first haircut, rumor has it you may get a set of ears with First Cut or even a certificate commemorating the occasion! [verified 5/2012]
• I LOVE Mr. Potato head.  A classic toy with so much appeal.  I am so excited to hit the “Potato Bar” inside the Once Upon a Toy store. You can stuff a box full of cool exclusive Disney parts. Be sure to tap your box a few times to stuff it to the max.  Buy the Potato Head body at home for less, then fill up your box with the exclusive Disney-related parts!  For my kids, there is also a My Little Pony version of the stuff-a-box idea and a build-your-own lightsaber station.  Yay!  Something for everyone![verified 5/2012]
• My daughter finally appreciates the gorgeous charm bracelet I bought when she was just a baby.  And word has it, stationed in nearly every Disney gift shop are displays of Disney charms. Heck, I may even get a bracelet started for myself. [verified 5/2012]
• The Lego Imagination Center has a FREE 3,000-square-foot outdoor play area filled with thousands of LEGO blocks.  They also have amazing Lego sculptures which make for a great photo op. Usually the first Tuesday each month at 5pm they host a Monthly Mini Model Build for kids ages 6-14 to build and take home a FREE mini model! [verified 5/2012]

Filed away for our imminent Disney Cruise

• Purchase a fish extender to hang on the fish outside your cabin and you just might find some trinkets gifted by neighbors and cast members throughout your stay!
• Want to make your cabin your home away from home, I am totally in love with this Custom Personalized Captain Mickey Disney Cruise Stateroom Door Magnet found on Etsy for $15.  We haven’t booked our cruise yet, but  I have one ready for the day!

SURVIVAL TIPS

• I was about to purchase some of those safety tattoos for my kids when I cam across this great tip.  Stop by Guest Relations in the morning and get a tag where you can put your contact information.  Stick them on the inside of your children’s clothing in case you get separated from your child.  I just wonder if staff are trained to look under their clothing for these tags?
• First time at Disney, take the 20-minute ride on the tram at Walt Disney World Railroad Station on Main Street.  It’s a great way to see everything and not get overwhelmed. [verified 5/2012 - can't really see much though as it's mostly behind the scenes, but there are some lovely sets up]
• We here fast-food style serving is the standard at Disney, the best is to be had at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Flame Tree Barbeque [highly recommended!].  At the Magic Kingdom check out Pecos Bill Cafe in Frontierland and Columbia Harbour House in Liberty Square. [verified 5/2012]
• Counter-service eateries can get crowded fast especially at peak times like lunch, get on the line farthest from the door.  They are often the shortest.
• Bringing water or outside food into the parks is prohibited except for medical necessity.  We love the idea of collapsible water bottles which can fold easily and store in your bag.  Once inside the parks, ask for a “cup of ice water” which is free and fill up your water bottles.
• Freeze wash cloths and store them in Ziploc bags for a way to stay cool.
• Copy the numbers on your tickets.  No copier on site, take a phone pic and email them to yourself.  If you ever lose those valuable passes, it makes it a lot easier to replace.
• If you get to the park early, your best tip is to GO LEFT for shorter lines to your favorite rides and attractions!

SHOPPING LIST

• Box of Ziploc bags
• Stain Removers, Shout wipes are my favorite
• Baby wipes
• Waterproof pass protector
• Foldable water bottles
• Pocket Breeze are also a necessity for the summer months and can be cheaply found on Amazon.com
• Sunscreen

MAGICAL LINKS

• Check out this great page on Intercot for Hidden Treasures & Magical Surprises Guide.
• Passporter.com – join their monthly club for a little less than $5 a month.  You can cancel at any time but they include valuable e-books to download for FREE!
• www.PressedCoins.com for a list of Disney Pressed Coin locations.
• DISboards.com
• Hidden Mickeys Guide
• LaughingPlaceStore.com – a great site for Disney souvenirs.
• The Mouse for Less
• Mouse Savers
• Disneyed.com – great tips from seasoned mom Colleen Padilla!
• AllEars.net
• DisneyShopping.com
• Staying off-site, get yourself a Magicard for discount dining.  Use the card to request coupon booklets at the many of the surrounding outlet malls.
• WDW Info
• The Mouse for Less

Got a tip to share?  Please leave a comment!  I want to maximize and make my kid’s first Disney experience the most Magical it can be. 

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If you’ve got a little girl, good chance you found yourself with a Little Mommy.  I got a chance to check out Mattel’s new Little Mommy brand, featuring a fresh new look for girls’ playtime that celebrates the major milestones of motherhood.  These babies are born with style!

“A” loves her Princess and the Potty doll as “M” is just in the midst of potty training.  As any typical sibling rivalry goes, she loves showing off to her baby brother that her princess “goes” potty already.  She gets to sit her doll on her special potty to hear silly sounds and giggly phrases while her doll goes potty.  She then checks to make sure her doll has finished and the flushes to watch the potty go from dirty to clean!  I have to say that part was “interesting” to say the least and hopefully now she won’t forget to flush.  I love that it comes not only with a sparkly sippy cup but a “hand-sanitizer or hand-soap” accessory to enforce good hand hygiene.  If anything I hope “M” rises to the challenge and starts to go potty on his own… one can wish…

Equally as such, I was thrilled to see there was an Asian Little Mommy Sweet as Me Doll who is a rocker like my Little Mommy.

For more information and to browse the new doll line, visit http://www.littlemommy.com/.

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Earth Day is officially celebrated on April 22 but at Cascadian Farm, they treat every day as Earth Day – working with the Earth, not against it.  We love Cascadian Farm, a brand that has been organic before “organic” was a trend.  It’s funny how once you start a family, eating healthier becomes one of the most important things in your life, but it should always be.  Muddling the world of organics can be a little confusing but brands like Cascadian Farm makes it easy.  With all our staples covered from Breakfast cereals including M’s favorite Clifford Crunch and my favorite French Vanilla Granola which can go on smoothies, yogurt and simply a plain snack to Muir Glen Organic Whole Peeled Tomatoes with Basil, which I didn’t know was a Cascadian Farm brand, which we have been using for years to make the most delicious marinara sauce.  Listening to concerns worldwide, they are now canned in a BPA free liner. You can taste the organic difference and it’s divine!  When I work the night shift at work, I love to stock my bag with Cascadian Farm Granola Bars.  They are a healthy and nutrition snack alternative to all the junk food in the hospital I could be eating.

What is Organic and Why Eat Organic you ask?

Organic refers to the way agricultural products and foods are grown and processed. Organic production is based on a system of farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers. To maintain the integrity of the final product, organic foods are minimally processed without artificial ingredients, preservatives, or irradiation.  Organic foods are grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers or genetically engineered ingredients which you want to avoid especially in young, growing children.  The dangerous effects of these products are just coming light in recent years and the information is simply scary.

FIRE ROASTED TOMATO MARINARA

Heat deep pot with olive oil on medium.  Toss in garlic cloves and roast until golden.  Pour in organic fire roasted diced tomatoes and mushrooms.  Simmer on low for 40 minutes, salt and red pepper to taste.  Serve over pasta or even fish!

For more amazing recipes for cooking organic, check out the Cascadian Farm webpage and Muir Glen webpage.

GIVEAWAY: Enter NOW!  Cascadian Farms wants to help you make eating Organic an everyday occurrence.  From now until April 22nd 2012 – EARTH DAY — you MUST visit this FORM and leave a comment.  ONE (1) lucky winner will win this amazing  Earth Day Celebration Kit, seen above, containing:

• Cascadian Farm products
• VIP coupons for free products
• Amazing recipes
• a gorgeous Picnic cooler basket to tote all the amazing food you’ll be making

For an additional (3) entries – 1st Option – If you follow me on twitter @momconfessional and re-tweet this giveaway (I just entered @momconfessional’s @CascadianFarm #Giveaway and you should too! http://wp.me/pLvfH-1f6) – 2nd Option – If you “like” us on Facebook and share the giveaway with your friends.  – 3rd option – subscribe to Mom Confessionals.  DON’T FORGET to leave a comment with your favorite organic tip and leave a separate entry for each action on this FORM. Giveaway only open to those with U.S. addresses and must be 18 years or older. Giveaway ends on April 22nd 2012 at 11:59 EST. A winner will be selected randomly by Random.org and notified by e-mail.

Check out and “like” the Cascadian Farm Facebook page to find more information on ideas for celebrating Earth Day your way!

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Mamas & Papas Baby Snug is a two stage seat that can be used indoors or outdoors. The first stage is recommended for ages 3 months to 12 months and the second stage is recommended for 12 months and up. Although we had already been gifted with a Bumbo, I gladly agreed to review this product based on the sleek design, and Mia being able to use this product for a much longer time.

The Baby Snug has three major parts – a plastic seat which is used for older babies, a soft insert to be placed on the plastic seat for younger babies, and a plastic tray. There are a few pieces that must be assembled for the plastic tray, but the directions included were clear and it was simple enough. The seat is stylish, well made, very sturdy, and easy to clean. The seat also has a wide base to prevent it from tipping over. The tray is a little difficult to put on as you have to move the baby’s arms/hands out of the way in order to lock the tray in the slots on the sides of the seat. The good news is that once you lock in the tray, it is very secure.

All in all, the seat is great if you plan to use it for a long time. We plan to use it for feeding once the pediatrician gives us the go ahead to start solids since we have not yet purchased a high chair.

The Baby Snug retails for $59.99 and comes in three colors – Teal, Raspberry, and Apple.

PROS:

• Great design/Stylish
• Well made with a secure wide base (in comparison, the Bumbo may tip over)
• Two stage seat (in comparison, Mia may not be able to use the Bumbo much longer. Chunkier legs may have to cease use of the Bumbo even earlier as they will not fit into the Bumbo.)
• Plastic tray is very secure once it is on

CONS:

• At $59.99, it is a bit pricey for a baby seat (though arguably, you will be using it a lot longer than cheaper seats…)
• The plastic tray was a little annoying to put on
• Even with the insert, the seat may be a little big for smaller babies.

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When you go on a vacation, I believe everyone’s goal is to have the best time ever and yet the planning process is often headache inducing.  Having visited a few cruise ships recently, I am convinced that cruising may be the best vacation option yet.  After visiting the Disney Fantasy, the newest in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, it should be every family’s only option.

I was recently invited to take a very thorough 6-hour family tour of the cruise ship and was absolutely blown away by the Disney Fantasy.  From the moment you step foot onto the ship, you know you’ve been transported somewhere incredibly special.  Exuding first class all the way, and none of the over the top, in your face mouse everywhere scene you would have expected.  There is an understated elegance to even the way the mouse is present.

There is something for every age and every level of engagement.  For kids ages 3 to 10, they have the amazing Oceaneers Club and Oceaneers Lab built with 4 themed spaces like the ever fun Andy’s room from Toy Story where kids can pretend to be a toy or have a turn at the Monster’s Inc.  Laugh Factory.     I know my Ava would be overwhelmed by Pixie Hollow.  Inspired by the series of Tinkerbell movies, this fun interactive space transports children to the magical world inhabited by fairies. A pixie dust tree stands in the corner of the room, with glittering lights twinkling among its leaves, and fun acorn and mushroom stools are sprinkled about for children to sit on. This endearing and tranquil environment is designed for dress-up play, individual craft projects and storytelling sessions.

While the It’s a Small World Nursery, for ages 3 months to 3 years, requires an additional fee, it is a very reasonable $6/hour service charge for the 1^st child and $5/hour for each additional child. It’s a really nice feature to have on a family cruise ship.  The norm being, children under the age of 2 usually staying with their parents, leaving the parent unable to really appreciate the cruising experience.  Open throughout the day, It’s a Small World Nursery invites parents to enjoy more adult-oriented adventures during the cruise while their children are safely cared for by trained Disney counselors.  Parents should provide baby food, formula, milk and bottles as well as include diapers or pull-ups, diaper wipes, extra clothing and a baby blanket or pacifier, if applicable, when dropping off their child.

While these two areas may keep your kids engaged for hours, there are plenty of family-fun activities to be had all around the ship.  I couldn’t help but be impressed by the Aquaduck, the amazing water coaster  and AquaLab, the  1,800-square-foot water play area is designed to delight young Guests and their families.  With unique design details depicting Donald Duck’s nephews  and tons of pop jets, geysers, bubblers and other interactive elements.  Right off the pools with shaded protection from the sun, is the adorable 1500-square-foot Nemo’s Reef for ages 8 and under where parents can watch poolside while sipping a pina colada.

My most favorite experiences had to be going to the Animator’s Palate.  Combining two of my favorite things, eating and design, families are treated to a truly entertaining dining experience.  An experience that’s exclusive to the Disney Fantasy, Sorcerer Mickey leads the fun as black and white explodes into color and “Be Our Guest” reaches new heights. Everybody’s own hand-drawn characters join the colorful production!  I can just picture how excited my kids will be to see their drawings come to life.

This is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the offerings on the Disney Fantasy and we can’t wait to go on our very first cruise, a Disney Cruise! Cause NO ONE does it like Disney.

For more information on the Disney Fantasy, please visit their website at: http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/ships-activities/ships/fantasy/ To plan your very own Disney Cruise experience order their free DVD here.

Here’s a video except from the Disney Fantasy Christening which the husband and I got to attend featuring the ever talented Neil Patrick Harris.  I am still pinching myself.

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