I have never won anything!

I follow a ton of blogs and most of them I check every day. I enter absolutely every giveaway and without fail I always loose. Well, my luck has changed. I entered a giveaway at the Martha Stewart blog for baby food. A week later I got an email saying I won something, but didn't give any details. There were three things in the giveaway and I was just anticipating what I could have possibly won. So I give my address and wait. They send me a tracking code and I check it daily. Today it finally arrived and I was so giddy with anticipation. There was an official Martha Stewart logo on her address and everything.


I carefully open the box and to my delight I received all three prizes! I am so excited!! I called my mom and my husband to share in my enjoyment. Ok, so what I actually won was...


1) "Beaba baby cook - steam cooker blender" to make your baby food
2) "Beaba multi-portions silicon" to freeze and store the baby food
3) "Beaba babycook book" with yummy recipes to use with the above mentioned

ok, so because I was so blessed to receive this great giveaway I thought I would try them out and give a review to those of you who would be interested in using these products.

The Beaba babycook book

Lets look at the cookbook first. It is written by a Chef who is also a dad who wanted to give his kids the best food possible. He starts out with infants and purees and they develop into interesting discoveries. He presents them in a way to spark curiosity in the child through color, texture and of course taste. He also talks about specific fruits, nuts, vegetables, spices and proteins. He says when they are in season so we can get the most nutrients out of the food. He lists the nutrients as well. He also provides a chart for when to introduce certain foods at what age.

Every recipe has a symbol to show what age is appropriate and how long it will take to make. Usually each recipe has an infant part and an older child adaptation. He also gives "Good Points" tips of how this recipe will help your child. Like carrots are good for eyes and skin and the best way to pick the right carrot. A few chapters are dedicated to the seasons and the food that is most prime during that period.

In the back he describes some of the words used that a normal mom might not know the meaning of.He also gives explanations of certain cooking processes and utensils.
Each page has a beautiful photo of the yummy food and the colors used through the book are pastel and calm.

Beaba Babycook steam cooker blender

I don't have an infant at the moment or one that eats food, so Ben will have to do for this experiment. I chose the recipe "French styled mashed potatoes". I thought this was safe and Ben likes mashed potatoes so this should work great. The directions were very thorough and it seems really easy to run the machine. Kind of like a Cuisinart with a steamer.
So I placed the diced, peeled potatoes in the basket and filled the water to the number 3 line. Then put the lid on and turned it to steam. The little light went off after a second, and I thought this was weird, but I didn't know if it was normal so I just left it for 15 min. I came back and felt the machine. It was hot, but I felt the potatoes and they were cold. When I read the instructions they told me to fill the basket to the line and the tank. I didn't understand this. There is a lid to the left and I thought it was weird I didn't put anything in there to begin with. Well, I was supposed to fill it. So you fill the steamer tank and the basket. Then I set the timer and set it to steam. Then it worked.
Ok, small hiccup, onward...after the 15 min it smelled like yummy potatoes. I took off the lid and they have this cute little spatula to help lift out the steam basket. I drained the water and pured the potatoes into the big basket - minus the steam basket. I add olive oil, butter and parsley and put the mixing top on. I blend it a little and realized I have to use the spatula to push the chunks around for the blades to pick them all up, because there is so much. It worked great and soon it turned into lovely mashed potatoes! I loved the machine and it was easy to use and very quick. Plus the food was steamed so it retains all the nutrients. Cleaning was a breeze by hand and I am supposed to clean the heating tank with vinegar and the directions seem clear and easy.

Benny's take: Yummy! He ate them without any complaint and I tasted them and they were quite good. Nothing like potatoes and cream, but really healthy and good for kids and babies.

Beaba multi-portions silicon

This just looks like a glorified ice cube tray that is silicon. The compartments are huge for an infant, but perfect for an older child. I guess you just don't fill it up all the way for an infant. It says 1 1/4 c total for all the compartments. It has a fun shape and a great lid. It is used in the freezer and is microwaveable and dishwasher safe. I think you could also use this for homemade Popsicles. Because Ben doesn't need to freeze all his food, I think I will make little fruit pops with this... I poured a pink lemonade mix into the center circle and popped in a strawberry. Because it doesn't have a Popsicle lid I used cling wrap and poked a hole in the center and placed a straw cut in half...Freeze away...I will post the results later, I can't wait to share this with you all!

I am in love with all of these!

Prices on Amazon.com
Steamer/Blender - $137.50
Silicone - $20.95
Cookbook - $34.95
Total - $193.40

Baby Brother Bonding

I have been wanting to do something to help Ben prepare for his new baby brother, and found this idea to draw a picture for the baby to see through mommy's tummy. So I broke out markers, he has never used them so it was equally exciting for him, and he had a blast drawing. He especially loved my belly button, or where it used to be. Then half way through he started to kiss my tummy, or his baby brother. The marker ink transfered to his face and he ended up looking like a replica of my messy tummy. It was a fun activity and kind of tickled. Maybe next we will draw a picture on paper!

Close call

Tuesday was an interesting day for me. I had a lot on my to do list that day, so I started early. Ben and I get up and water the yard and garden every morning. I am soooo glad we have been doing this all summer, because now our trees are the only ones who have healthy green leaves. The other ones around us are dying. Our trees are the best thing about our property, so it is essential to treat them good. Ok, so we finish watering and get dressed to run errands.

I make a house payment and head on over to Target to fill my prescription for prenatal vitamins. I hadn't ever had to fill it, because my dad sends me extras and I had just run out and needed some. So Ben and I look at the toys, the diaper bags - oh I found a Petunia Pickle Bottom bag that is reasonably priced that I am in love with! Then we run to the bathroom for a potty break. After that it is time to pick up the vitamins. So we then head over to another thrift store that I know has candle stick holders that I am looking for my cupcake stands. I did find exactly what I wanted. Then we go home for Ben's nap time. I had other errands to do that day, but I planned to do them after the nap. Daniel was supposed to work the night shift, so he was at home sleeping. I successfully put Ben to bed with a lot of screaming and protesting. Then Daniel and I sat on the couch and ate lunch while trying to catch up of "Covert Affairs". I started to have really big contractions. I usually have contractions from like week 10 and on, so I don't start keeping track unless they get to be consistent or really painful. These were both. My granny was in town and my mom was going to bring her by to visit while she ran to school for Joe, so when they got here I had her feel my contractions and get her opinion. I started to time them.

They were about 10 min apart and on a pain level of a 6. I lasted to a 6 with Ben's labor and then got an epidural, because I was afraid of what was to come. So The last time I felt this much pain was before Ben came out! Ok so I monitor them for at least an our and a half before I call my doctors office. They tell me to go in NOW! She even asked how far away I was from the hospital. We live approx. two minutes, so now big deal, we were close. So my mom gets Ben ready, Daniel gets dressed, I pack, because I cannot be that unprepared for this baby. I was at least going to take some things. I was trying to save the preparations for the new baby (getting out clothes, setting up the bassinet, packing for the hospital, etc.) for after Ben's Birthday party in a week and a half. So I felt totally unprepared and not ready. We didn't even have the right camera charged.

So Daniel, Ben and I all rushed to the hospital while my mom, granny, and joe were close behind. They would watch Ben in the waiting room. Ok, so we get there and I slowly walk up to the elevator. The contractions are getting closer, probably 5 min apart and I was having to really breath through them. When I got tot the third floor I noticed a lot of people already waiting in the waiting room. As I walked by I heard someone ask really loud "Is she in labor?" I turned around and gave them a "what does it look like I am doing?" look. I continued on my way. I came to the nurse station and promptly told them I was in preterm labor and my doctor had called ahead for me. They rushed me to a room and gave me a gown and a pee cup.

I get ready very slowly due to the nature of the pain I am experiencing. It is really hard to pee when you are contracting. So I get out and on to the bed and they ask me questions and someone puts an I.V. in my right hand. I hate I.V's. A nurse checks my cervix and says I am really thin, but not dilated. They strap monitors on my belly and give me this shot in my arm that is supposed to stop the contractions. They said it would make my heart race and my hair stand on end. It felt more like an anxiety attack all over my body.They also took my blood pressure. The shot worked. The contractions stopped. I still had them, but they weren't consistent or increasing in pain, so it was back to normal. My doctor finally came in and talked to the nurses. He said I was going to stay overnight for observation. They told me if I do go into consistent labor again, they would send me to Springfield, so I can be at the same hospital as the baby. They have to NICU in Branson.

So everything quiets down. Daniel takes Ben home and packs things so he can stay at my moms house. Then he gets me dinner from macaroni grill. I really wanted Thai food, but the nurse said no- to much sodium. While he is gone both his mom and dad arrive separately and I update them. I also am given a blood pressure pill. While they are there we hear a lady who is in the middle of labor and delivery and she was NOT happy. Daniel arrives and I am given a priesthood blessing. His parents leave and we eat the most delicious Italian meal ever! We were going to have date night before I had to come in, so Daniel found the channel of the shows we were going to watch for date night on the hospital t.v. We were so glad to have date night, even if it was in the hospital.

So Daniel stayed until 11pm and I tried to get comfortable. My hips ache when I sleep now and that Ben was really uncomfortable for me, so I didn't sleep much that night. My nurse kept coming in and checking on me, giving me my pill, and helping me pee. Finally at 8am I decided to end trying to sleep and then the breakfast lady came in. It was Sister Jensen. She is in young womens with me and her husband is in the bishopric. That was a nice treat. I ate and then texted Daniel. He came over about an hour later and my new nurse said that I was being released! So I was unhooked from that dreadful I.V and monitors. My had kept swelling during the night due to the fluids being pumped into me and the irritation from the needle. My nurse even had to get my blood pressure from my ankle , because she couldn't get an accurate reading from either arm.

So I changed and signed a release form. I had orders to res, rest, REST, and go to my doctor and pick up a prescription for the blood pressure pills. So Daniel and I head on out. My hand would not stop bleeding, so I got more cotton and a new bandage. We drove over to my doctor which is the next building over. We go up stairs and pick up a paper with the prescription. We head to Target to fill it. I get into one of those motorized carts so I don't have to walk. The carts at target are soooooo slow. It is kind of embarrassing how slow they are. I felt like a totally puts, but I kept driving it. I dropped of my prescription and we wandered the store for 20 min. and then exit the store.

There are other details to the day, but the best part is that they contractions stopped and baby is still inside my belly. I was not put on bed rest by my doctor, but Daniel insisted on strict rules. I cannot pick Ben up, Carry anything heavy, I must sleep on the couch a lot, and family will pick up the slack with helping with Ben.

I have been feeling fine. I slept like a baby last night. Ben has wanted me to pick him up and hold him all day, but I have restrained. It breaks my heart, but I have to think of the baby. Hopefully the next time I write about a hospital stay it will include the words: full term and he is out!

July

So July flew by and I find myself in a rush. I have 56 days left until the official due date for this baby boy, but since I will have a c-section my doctor will most likely schedule it early.

I have been trying to finish a few projects to welcome the new little one. I decided to recover the baby car seat and make a cover for nursing. I found this really cute fabric and got right to work. I kept the original cover on and just slipped the new one over top, for added cushion. It turned out really cute. I am very pleased. With Ben I made a hooter hider, but found that it didn't give me the coverage I wanted esp. when Ben got older and could move more. So this time I made a poncho out of cotton. I am really excited to see how it works.

I made pies this month all by myself. I have always made them with my mom or granny, and I think they turned out really cute. I made Ben his own little pie. I made them for my brother Tucker who babysits my dogs and Benjamin for free all of the time. He says he prefers to be paid in pie.

I have been planning Ben's 2nd Birthday party lately and am almost ready. We will have it a month early because the baby will come and I want him to have a special day to himself. It will be a pool part because Ben is such a little fish and loves the water. I have been making a little kitchen from an old night stand for his big present. It has been hilarious building it. I had to go to home depot to find wood. Once found I had to find a helper and I just gave him all the measurements I needed and he cut it all down for me! It was so awesome! Then for two days I put it together. Now that all the pieces are together I painted it yesterday. I need to put some final touches on it, but looking back I think it is so funny that I built a whole little kitchen 8 months pregnant! I hope he likes it!

I also made a chore chart for Ben. He loves it and loves to add little scoops to his cone every day! I created it in Adobe InDesign, printed it at staples, and laminated the scoops. Then applied magnets to all the pieces so it sticks to the fridge!