Top 15 Moments of 2013! {WW #59 + LINKY}

These are our top moments of 2013. We had so many others, but these are the ones in picture form. :)
Also they may be a little out of order. ;)

Top Moments of 2013

1. We started the year with our first HUGE event for the #GracoJogger.
2. We found out SweetPea has serious allergies to pollen & I became a member of the Claritin Mom Crew.
3. My beautiful niece was born and SweetPea fell in love.
4. We hosted our first Mommy Party. #CadburyHighTea
5. We won a Daddy & Me photo shoot from ENJ Photography with this picture.
6. SweetPea & Daddy went to her 2nd Braves/pro baseball game ever.
7. Memorial Day weekend & this picture was featured in Stonyfield's newsletter. #WakeUpWithStonyfield
8. We loved all the pictures from our ENJ Photography photo shoot.
9. We had a GREAT 4th of July & this picture was featured at A Night Owl's Instagram Hop. #ANOWeekend
10. The Hubby and I celebrated our 6 year wedding anniversary.
11. We found out we were pregnant with baby number 2. {PLEASE GO VOTE FOR THIS PICTURE.}
12. We went on our annual family vacation.
13. My baby girl turned 3.
14. 4th Christmas & continued tradition of seeing Santa. She did GREAT!
15. Starting the new year in my third trimester.

So many other amazing things happened this year, like the Hubby getting promoted, SweetPea going to her first theme park (& a #ANOWeekend FUN Feature), becoming a Nuby Mommy Blogger, or SweetPea ditching the paci, crib, & diapers.
2013 was a GREAT year and I am looking forward to 2014. :)

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So how was your week?
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A Child-Friendly Sanity Saver from Kidoodle.TV

I participated in a Blog Blast program on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Kidoodle.TV. I received a promotional item and a free trial as a thank you for participating.

Kidoodle.TV Child-Friendly Programming
Website - Facebook - Twitter

Although we try to monitor my daughter's screen time, she has been getting more into playing with our iPhones and iPad as sources of entertainment, especially when we are on the go. It can be difficult finding age appropriate stuff for her to watch, and since she just wants to have the freedom to roam, I knew I needed to find a better option.

And that's why I am loving Kidoodle.TV. Designed for children 12 years old and younger, Kidoodle.TV is a service that keeps kids entertained with very little parent involvement. Plus, there is nothing unsafe available to those viewing, so I don’t have to worry about anything inappropriate.

Kidoodle.TV app Review

What I love is that I was able to do 90% of my involvement before I even introduced SweetPea to Kidoodle.TV. Sign up took less than 2 minutes, and then I was taken to the Parent’s Room. Inside, I was able to set up a profile for each child (up to five), so that it could determine what to give her access to based on age. For SweetPea, she can view anything geared towards kids 0-4 years old. Once that was finished, I could select her profile and she was free to choose a show to watch.

The Parent’s Room has pin-protected access, so there is no way the kiddos could go snooping around or change settings. As our daughter get older, it will be nice to keep the older-aged stuff from baby #2 due in March. I could even decide which individual titles either kid could watch by changing access in the Parent’s Room. There is also a time limit feature so your children don’t spend all day staring at a computer or tablet!

I was happy to see that there was an iOS app, meaning I could download and access Kidoodle.TV on my iPhone or iPad. This makes it the perfect solution when traveling, especially during the busy holiday season. It’s also been known to help us at dinner, when she is done eating she wants to leave then there (please tell me my child isn't the only one who does this?).

Kidoodle.TV Holiday Giveaway

Try Kidoodle.TV for FREE and enter by December 31, 2013 to win 1 of 10 tablets or 1 of 10 Kidoodle.TV year-long subscriptions! To enter the giveaway, go to Kidoodle.TV to sign up for a free trial. Follow the on-screen directions and submit!

Atlanta Motor Speedway Gift of Lights {WW #58 + LINKY}

I recently had the opportunity to provide a review of Atlanta Motor Speedway's Gift of Lights on Monday. And I was very excited about the overall experience. The car behind us didn't pay attention to the rules of turning off your headlights, but that is no one's fault except the driver of that vehicle. We did have a little trouble finding the entrance, the signs were poorly lit and since you drive on the track, it didn't take you to the main entrance that we were use to entering through. Since we went on a Monday tickets were only $15 per car load (they are $20 on the weekend), my husband and I thought it would be money well spent (we received a complimentary ticket to provide this review) and have plans to attend every year.

Atlanta Motor Speedway
Atlanta Motor Speedway Gift of Lights
AMS Gift of Lights

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So how was your week?
I would love it if you'd share your picture posts with me.

And please make sure to keep up with us on Instagram:
Instagram
Leave a comment so I can follow back.

Please share the linky:



Please add this badge to your post or side bar before linking up.
These are not requirements, just greatly appreciated. :)
You can see where I link up HERE.

Wordless Wednesday Picture Blog Hop Linky


If you're having trouble adding a badge, click HERE.

I never thought I would have to make a rule to my WW Linky,
but PLEASE do not link up your main blog URL but a direct link to your post.
This is also for Wordless Wednesday posts only, although I appreciate others linking up.
Thank you.

Have a WONDERFUL Wednesday! :D

*Please note that you are NOT required to enter your email, by doing so you may receive a weekly link-up reminder email that you can unsubscribe from at any time.*



Please Vote For Us! :D
Click To Vote For Us @ the Top Baby Blogs Directory! The most popular baby blogs

#HGG Special Offer: The First Years Talk & Soothe Digital Video Monitor

In a few weeks I'll be reviewing the new Talk & Soothe Digital Video Monitor from The First Years. In the meantime, I wanted to share a special offer from The First Years, Target and Snapfish that makes this monitor a great holiday gift for new or expecting parents like me! Through Jan. 31, 2014, customers who purchase specially marked The First Years monitors (the new Talk & Soothe Digital Video Monitor, the Crisp & Clear Double or Single Audio Monitor) in-store at Target will receive a gift from Snapfish, including a FREE classic photo book or a discount off of their entire photo book order.

Target Snapfish First Years Offer

There are so many incredible milestones in the first years of a child’s life. The complete line of award-winning feeding, care, travel and nursery products from The First Years can help new parents reach these milestones safely and happily. From affordable high tech video monitors to the most thoughtful breast pump ever, to the first and only Smartphone-synched car seat, to spill-proof sippy cups with an easy-to-clean one-piece lid, The First Years offers parents the products, and the confidence in them, that will help make raising their child one of life’s most rewarding experiences.

The First Years
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Please Vote For Us! :D
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Natural Ways to Reduce Teething Pain

With all the controversy surrounding pain relief medicines and the chemicals they may contain, parents are searching out natural ways to relieve teething pain. It's not wise to jump to Tylenol every time your child is in a little pain, because they may grow dependent on it. I have actually found these methods of teething relief to be much more effective. My views may differ from yours, but this is based on my personal experience. My daughter just turned three and now has all of her teeth, but I am going to rely on these tried and true methods with my next child as well.


1. Gum Massage All you need is a clean finger for this old-fashioned teething remedy. Gentle counter-pressure from Mom or Dad applied to a baby’s sore gums can help ease the pain of teething. This one works before they have any teeth because a child has teeth they usually bite anything that comes in their mouth (at least my little ones do). You could also try massaging with a baby toothbrush.

2. Cold Spoon - A spoon chilled in the fridge (not the freezer, or it can stick!) can offer much-needed relief. Just apply the rounded part of the spoon to baby’s gums. Best for before any teeth actually break through to avoid the risk of chipping a tooth.

3. Cold Washcloth - Frozen or merely chilled, a cold wet washcloth (dipped in water, breast milk, or—as some mom’s swear by—chamomile tea) can be comforting for baby to gnaw on. My favorite go-to teething relief method. I would take the baby washcloths, soak with cool water, and pop them in the freezer. I always made sure I had some ready to go. And some how they aren't too cold for the little ones hands.

4. Chilled Foods -,If your baby has already started solids, try offering him a cold food like applesauce or yogurt to help soothe gum pain and fill him up. Celery was our favorite.

5. Breastmilk Pops - Freeze some breastmilk in an ice cube tray and make a Popsicle out of them. We call them "boob pops" in our house. ;)

6. Teething Jewelry for Moms Moms of teething babes know that their little ones will grab just about anything within reach and start chomping. Fortunately, specially designed teething jewelry is made to be gummed by little mouths. Made from FDA-approved silicone that is free of phthalates, BPA, PVC, latex, and lead, it’s non-toxic and dishwasher-safe—and made from the same material as many teething toys, but way prettier hanging around your neck or wrist.

7. Rubber Teether - Sophie the Giraffe has been helping babies get through teething for more than 50 years. Made of 100% natural rubber (BPA- and phthalate-free) and food paint, this squeaky toy made in the French Alps will likely to be one of your child's faves, I know my daughter still plays with hers. My family thought I was crazy for spending that much on "a squeak toy", but I don't regret buying it one bit.

8. Cold Fruit - Chilled fruit, like apple slices or banana, placed inside of a mesh feeder can provide relief (and a tasty snack) for a baby with sore gums. Try using a mesh feeder, like the BPA-free Nuby Nibbler™ with Hygienic Cover. We loved ours.

9. Chilled Teether - Placing a solid or liquid-filled teether in the fridge for 15-20 minutes before offering it to baby can amp up its soothing powers. I like the sweet easy-to-grab IcyBite™ Teether Keys BPA- and PVC-free teether from Nuby. I am a Nuby Mommy Blogger and received one recently to review. You can find it in my Holiday Gift Guide because I love it that much!

10. Baltic Amber Teething Necklace - Baltic Amber has been a natural pain relief remedy for hundreds for years. They non-invasive and side effect-free. Baltic amber consists of 3-8% succinic acid, a scientifically examined medical substance used in contemporary medicine. The highest content of the acid is found in the amber cortex, which is the external layer of stone. When a baby is wearing an amber teething necklace, the natural temperature of the skin warms the amber cortex, resulting in the release of succinic acid which is absorbed though in skin into the bloodstream, providing proven pain relief. And the little ones look so darn cute wearing them!

What ways have you found to naturally reduce teething pain?



I received one or more or the items above free of charge to share this post. As always, all opinions are 100% my own. This post contains affiliate links.