Spread RSV Awareness & Keep Our Babies Healthy #RSVProtection

Before Liam was born, I knew very little about RSV and, although I knew to keep hands clean and babies away from germs, I did not know just how important those things can be. Liam was born 5 weeks early and was in the hospital for two weeks until his lungs had fully developed. During this time, my husband and I were lucky enough to take some classes offered by the hospital, which prepared us for taking our little preemie home with us. One of the things we talked about at length was Respiratory Synctial Virus.

Liam on the day he was born. He was very much at risk for RSV during this time.

What is RSV? 

It is a virus that infects the lungs and most children will catch RSV by the age of two, but 2/3 of moms have never even heard of RSV! However, RSV is especially dangerous for babies and preemies. It is very contagious and can take up to three weeks to fully recover and stop spreading the virus! This is why the doctors kept such a close eye on Liam. Since his lungs were not fully developed and he was on breathing tubes for a few days, he was at a very high risk for contracting RSV from other babies in the NICU area. If he were to get RSV, this could lead to a very serious lung infection and further hospitalization. One of the other preemies had RSV and they had to keep him away from all the other babies and take extra precautions so the other babies did not catch it.

The day we finally brought Liam home sweet home!

Winter time is when RSV is at its peak and children are more at risk for catching it. In Georgia, RSV season typically goes from November until April. This is why we must do what we can to keep our babies and children healthy and germ free, especially when in school. Teachers do what they can to keep sickness in the classroom to a minimum, but some viruses still manage to get in. When Josiah is in school, he often brings home colds and viruses, which eventually pass on to the entire family. There are some great ways to help prevent this from happening and to help prevent RSV, which you can find on the RSV Prevention website and below!

Here are some tips:

1. Keep hands clean! We not only keep antibacterial wipes and gel in our diaper bag, but always go straight to the bathroom for hand washing before we eat and when we get home from being in town or outside playtime. This is such an important tip and we've definitely noticed a difference in viruses in our home since we've started paying more attention to clean hands.

2. Keep baby away from large crowds! We didn't take Liam out anywhere until he was a few weeks old because when you go out in crowds, you never know who is sick, who could be smoking nearby and what other germs are around. We actually bought a breathable mesh cloth to put over Josiah's stroller for when we went walking to keep others from touching him, which was very helpful!

Instead of taking the boys out on the weekends, we invite family over and cookout!

3. Never let people smoke around your baby and children. It is bad for their lungs, health and increases the risk for RSV. Plus, it just stinks! If only my mom knew just how bad smoke was when I was a baby, she never would have smoked around me.

4. Keep toys, bedding, clothing, and touchable items clean! Anything your babies or children touch can potentially have germs attached! This is why we keep antibacterial wipes nearby. My son's school actually sent home a list of items they needed for the classroom and I saw antibacterial wipes on the list. I went straight to the store and bought several containers for them because they can definitely use them on a daily basis to keep the classroom clean.

How do you help prevent RSV? 

For our home, I want to keep everything clean. This means, if Liam and Josiah can possibly get their hands on something, then it needs to be cleaned often! That's why we have a cleaning day once a week. I can go through and even get the kids to help out so they learn good cleaning skills, too. They actually enjoy cleaning day (wonder how long this will last?), so this has been great help for me. Plus, getting them to wash their hands is a must. Since their little hands touch everything in sight, I know they could have germs all over them, so we wash often!

Liam is always happy to wash his hands!

Like I said, before having Liam, I knew very little about RSV, but know that I do know, I feel like it is my mission to help spread the word, encourage other parents to learn about RSV and how they can prevent it in their own homes. Please help spread RSV Awareness and let other parents know what they can do to prevent it!

I wrote this review while participating in a campaign for Mom Central Consulting on behalf of MedImmune and I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

Keep Up With Love, Life & Happiness With The New Twyxt App

Being a mom means staying on the go pretty much all the time. My husband is a lawyer and works a great deal of the day, so this does not leave much time for us to be together. Together alone? That's even less likely! Keeping up with our weekly schedule has become quite a problem and we often cannot remember what is going on with each other's schedules. It's simply and utterly frustrating. Well, it was, but now we have the situation under control with Twyxt, an app currently available at the iTunes App Store.

What is Twyxt? It is a modern and fun way to keep up with your partner! Twyxt a unique private network allowing couples to share information with each other. You don't have to deal with text messages that mysteriously disappear in cyberspace. With Twyxt you can message, share moods, photos, schedules and much more.

Our Thoughts
I cannot tell you how many times I've tried to text message my husband and never get a reply. I end up getting so angry at him and he didn't even do anything wrong... he was in court or meeting with a client. I just totally forgot! I love that Twyxt offers such an awesome way for us to keep in touch and share our schedules with each other through our couples calendar.

Couples Calendar

Since I am homeschooling the kids now, we participate in many fun activities and go on field trips often. With Twyxt I have been able to take nice pictures and send them to my husband so he can experience them with us. I can document our days and it's like he is there with us and can experience everything, too. He loves this feature!

Photo Album

Twyxt also allows couples to open up a bit to each other by sharing moods. Having a bad day? Need a hug? Just let your loved one know and maybe they will surprise you with something! My husband doesn't share his feelings aloud often, something I think many men do, but in the app they can do so without feeling embarrassed or like they are sharing too much. Knowing my husband had a long, tiring day is actually refreshing to me because I feel the same way sometimes. Plus, I can do something extra special for him when he gets home.

With Valentine's Day nearing, romance is definitely in the air and, after 6 years our love continues to grow. With Twyxt, we are, once again, able to keep up with our hectic schedules, send love notes to each other and have private conversations! Twyxt has been so helpful, romantic, and fun because it's something just for us, which is rare when you have children! Be sure to click the link above and give Twyxt a try with your partner to spice things up a bit and have some fun.

Disclosure: This post was written for Twyxt in exchange for compensation. All opinions written are my own. 

Donations Needed For A Wonderful Cause

Madison Health and Rehab is a 67 bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility, located in the beautiful town of Madison, Georgia. We have a group that meets weekly called the Mad Hatters, this group of Staff members and residents work on making hats for premature babies and hats for nursing home residents.

 We are expanding our projects to include Hats for the Homeless, The Linus Project and Crocheting for Cancer. Both projects are state wide and items will be distributed in the Northeast Georgia area.

We are asking for help in the form of donated yarn, gift cards or monetary donations. Any amount is greatly appreciated.

For more information please feel free to contact Joanne Wrenn or Katrina Rowland at 706-342-3200 or madisonhealth443@bellsouth.net  or send to:
Madison Health and Rehabilitation
2036 S. Main St.
 Madison, Ga 30650

Novica's New Gift Finder Review & $30 GC Giveaway

Novica is a bustling online marketplace for global artisans to express their talents and offer their  wares for sale through the National Geographic network. Novica features an extensive gallery of limited edition and one-of-a-kind handmade gifts, from exquisite jewelry to handmade apparel to globally-inspired home accents. And all this is available at amazing values, delivered right to your door.

After browsing the Novica for a long time (the selection is incredible!) I decided on this classy Assam Constellation Sling Bag:

This cotton tote features crimson constellations on a midnight background and a sheeshasm wood button to close it, and is inspired by traditional Assamese sarongs. It arrived at my house beautifully wrapped with a personal note and story card from the artisan (Manjuri Hazarika of India) tucked inside. Novica wants you to know who you are buying from so you can create a connection with the artist and discover what inspires them. It's a really unique concept!

I like how comfortable the straps are on my shoulder; they are wide but lightweight. The inside is fully lined with a zipper-top pocket and even has a little compartment which is perfect for your cell phone or keys. I take this bag everywhere with me as a shopping tote. It saves some paper and plastic, and makes a striking statement!

This handmade treasure retails for $24.95! So for less than twenty-five dollars you can support a talented global artisan and snag something gorgeous for yourself or to give as a gift.

Speaking of gifts, Novica has a great Gift Finder on their website which helps you to find something perfect for anyone on your list, even those you would usually consider hard to buy for.

You can also become a “Curator” and display collections of your favorite items on Novica. It's fun to add items to your gallery as well as to browse “Curations” that other Novica customers have put together. Here's one example:

One of my favorite sections at the Novica website is their drinkware collection. Recently, I ordered a set of their blown-glass tumblers for a housewarming gift. No one glass is exactly alike:

Every day, one product at Novica is featured for up to 30% off in their Daily Deal. And you can save $7 on your first purchase with code SAVE7NOVICA at checkout. I hope you enjoy shopping there and supporting global artists as much as I do!

So, now that you've heard all about Novica, how about a giveaway?

One Lucky Reader Will Receive a $30 Novica Gift Code! 

Just use the Rafflecopter code below to enter. This giveaway is open to US Residents, 18+ years of age. Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Leading Lady Lace Nursing Bra Review

I have to admit that I am very picky about the types of bras I wear. I like underwire because it makes me feel secure and I also want them to be pretty even if no one else will see them! When I was pregnant with Liam, I knew I would be breastfeeding and, because all I had were old nursing bras from when Josiah was a baby, it was time to search for new ones. I was quickly reminded just how plain nursing bras can be. I didn't want just any bra, which is why I was so excited to find Leading Lady online.

About Leading Lady

Leading Lady has been around for quite a while, opening its doors back in 1939! So, it is safe to say they know a thing or two about nursing bras and full-figured bras. At first, their bras were made for medical use, but by the 1960s, they started bring style and fashion into play. Skipping to the present, Leading Lady bras can be found at a variety of retailers as well as on their website! These bras have created quite a positive reputation and breastfeeding moms look to Leading Lady for quality, beautiful nursing bras for their needs. They also have full-figured bras and maternity bras, offering up to a size 52G, so if your size is hard to find, they will most likely have it! 

My Thoughts

I reviewed a Leading Lady nursing bra about a year ago and was so impressed by the quality of this bra. This is why I was so excited to receive their Lace-Cup Underwire Nursing Bra in the color violet. The picture of this bra did not prepare me for just how beautiful it really is! The purple is a nice lavender color and the lace is so detailed. They come in a variety of sizes, colors and designs, so moms have a huge variety from which to choose! 

From the outside, my Lace-Cup Underwire Nursing Bra looks just like a regular bra, which is great because even when I am not nursing I want to wear this comfortable bra. On the inside, there is a sling for extra support. When you are ready to nurse, just snap open the clasp, pull down the bra and you are ready for feeding baby! 

Even my husband complemented this bra and had no idea it was a nursing bra. It's truly one of the most beautiful bras I own and, by far, the most comfortable. I've been wearing and washing it for months now and it still looks like new! I have a feeling this one will be around for quite a while. Retailing at only $31.00, this is a quality bra for a great price. We highly recommend Leading Lady!

Feeling Special, Relaxed & Moisturized As A Dove Mom Ambassador #DoveTruth

I was so excited to become a Dove Mom Ambassador for so many reasons, but mostly because I love Dove products. My mom used Dove soap and now I do with my own children. With the dry winter months, my skin suffers more than ever and so does my son Liam's skin Our skin is very sensitive and gets extremely dry during these cold months. Dove is one of the only brands that doesn't dry my skin further or irritate it.
My mother-in-law uses Dove Body Wash and I was excited to tell her they have improved upon the old formula by adding the brand's mildest cleansers with NutriumMoisture. The new Dove formula contains 100% natural moisturizers, which means skin can fully absorb the ingredients and let them go to work moisturizing skin and healing from the inside out. Plus, the formula is one of the mildest on the market!

We received the Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash and also the Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash to try out. I couldn't wait to give them a try during my shower and so far I am totally impressed! I am totally in love with the Deep Moisture Body Wash and the way it immediately makes my skin feel moisturized. Rubbing it on, the body wash almost feels like lotion, but then it fully lathers and cleans my skin thanks to the Glycinate ingredient, which is usually found in much more expensive body washes. I love that the Dove Body Washes are affordable, great for sensitive skin and moisturize so well! It is much different than other soaps and body washes I have tried in the past, which leave my skin looking dry and ashy after a shower.

I am going to be using my Dove Body Wash for the next couple weeks and will report back with my full review. In the meantime, be sure to visit and "Like" Dove on Facebook!

I wrote this review while participating in a Brand Ambassador Campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Dove and received products to facilitate my post and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Little Tikes Kitchen Giveaway Postponed Until Sunday

Hi, everyone! In case you saw the Little Tikes giveaway posted earlier, I had to take it down. It has been postponed until Sunday. :) So, come back then for that awesome giveaway!

Melissa & Doug Giveaway Event

$350 Melissa & Doug Toys Giveaway

Sponsored by Melissa & Doug

Hosted by Coupon Gator Mommy

Co-hosts: Tabby's Pantry,  Monica's Rants, Raves & Reviews, A Little Bit of Everything, Happy Green Mama, Mom to Bed by 8, Homeschooling Mom 4 Two and Dutch Girl's Favorite Things

From puzzles to puppets, plush to play food, magnetic activities, music and more, Melissa & Doug® is one of the leading designers and manufacturers of educational toys and children's products.

Over 23 years ago we started our company in the garage of the home where Doug grew up — we had to be careful not to disturb Doug's parents who were still living there! Thanks to your support, we've been able to move into a real office down the road, a building that actually has separate ladies and men's bathrooms! Our philosophy has remained the same over the years–to make each and every customer a happy and permanent member of the Melissa & Doug family, while offering products with tremendous value, quality and design. Our line offers something for everyone with over 1,000 innovative products for children of all ages! We've always welcomed customer suggestions, and we continually strive to make improvements to our products. We're honored by the faith you place in us and view it as our responsibility to continue to earn your trust in the years to come!

Read Coupon Gator Mommy's Melissa & Doug Toys Review.

Three lucky winners!
 
Grand Prize: $250 in Your Choice of Melissa & Doug Products
1st Runner Up: $50 in Melissa & Doug Products
2nd Runner Up: $50 in Melissa & Doug Products

This giveaway ends Feb. 26, 2013 at 11:59pm EST. 

Open to US and Canada residents.

Good Luck!

Entry-Form

A special thanks to all the amazing bloggers who are participating in this giveaway!

~Disclaimer: I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. YOUR BLOG NAME is not responsible for shipping prize to winner, nor did I accept any compensation for this promotion.~

Free Drive Safe, Spend Safe Guide From Carhiremarket

Winter is here again and weather conditions can be unpredictable. Here in the Georgia mountains, the temperature can reach 70 degrees one day and be 20 degrees the next! We never know when it may snow. This is why it is more important than every to make sure your car is running smoothly. Now is not the time to ignore warning signs because you could potentially put you and other drivers at risk. Plus, you could end up with very expensive mechanic and insurance costs.
We made this mistake once with our brakes and, because we waited so long, we had to replace everything, costing us several hundred dollars. Now we can play it safe with the new Carhiremarket guide called Drive Safe, Spend Safe!

The guide addresses some very important car issues and can help keep your car in tip top condition. From spongy brake pedals to stiff steering wheels, the guide covers a wide range of motoring malfunctions. Also, it can easily be printed out and kept in your glove compartment, so it will be there whenever you need help. This is such a great idea because you never know when you will need advice on car issues.

Be sure to download the free guide here and make sure you are aware of warning signs your car may give. This way you can keep safe and keep others safe, too. Have a great winter and drive safe!

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