Wishes and Kisses Review and Giveaway

Wishes and Kisses by Sandra Magsamen is by far my favorite clothing line out for babies right now!! At my baby shower, I received two adorable outfits that came with these cute little hangers that said Wishes and Kisses! They were the cutest things I had ever seen. I am using the pink dress, that I got that says "a beary special girl", to have baby Natalie's hospital picture taken. I thought my friend Tonya had went to some really expensive boutique called Wishes and Kisses to purchase them. Turns out Wal-Mart carries them!! And for a really great price too! The outfits I have were only $8 each and I have seen some on sale at Wal-Mart for as little as $3!!

 

About Sandra

Sandra Magsamen is an amazing woman. She is an artist, art therapist, mom, award-winning author of Living Artfully and the creator of the lifestyle brands Messages from the Heart, Wishes & Kisses and From the Studio of Sandra Magsamen. She started out in 1987 designing ceramic, tokens, plaques, and pottery right out of her kitchen. In 1991, Sandra founded Table Tiles, Inc., which, in less than 10 years became a multimillion-dollar gift business. In 1997, she began licensing her ideas. Since then, she has designed successful collections such as: Corel, Creative Imaginations; Department 56; Glitterati; Hamco; Kids Line; Lenox, Little Brown; Peking Handicraft; Rashti & Rashti, Rizzoli USA; PBS; Scholastic; Simon & Schuster's Free Press; Stewart, Tabori & Chang; Sunrise Greetings; Triboro and Topsville. In 2008, Sandra debuted Messages from the Heart BABY at JCPenney, a new infant lifestyle brand, which includes infant clothing, photo albums, piggy banks, plush blankets, infant bedding, and diaper bags! Also in 2008, Sandra's Wishes & Kisses brand debuted nationwide at Wal-Mart. Her newborn apparel collection has bright prints, bold colors and soft fabrics that encourages snuggling, smiles, and comfort.

Wishes and Kisses

Please take a minute to look over Sandra's website! http://www.sandramagsamen.com/

Sandra also has some adorable Halloween outfits available at Wal-Mart for only $12. Click HERE to view them at Walmart.com!

~The Giveaway~

Sandra has decided to giveaway the "beary special boy" or "beary special girl" outfit of your choice to one lucky winner!

~To Enter~

Become a follower of this blog. {with Google Friend Connect}

Located on the right sidebar. If you are already a follower, let me know in your comment.

~Extra Entries~

*Extra entries are only to be done after the first initial entry is completed.*
*Leave a separate comment and a visible email address for each entry.*

2 extra entries if you subscribe to my blog via email. Located on the right sidebar.

2 extra entries if you tell me how you found my blog

2 extra entries if you comment on any other non-giveaway post

3 extra entries if you add my button to your blog 

3 extra entries if you blog about this giveaway

~Giveaway Rules~

Contest ends November 21st at midnight. An email address is required to enter. Please leave it in your comment, or make sure one is visible for me to find in your blogger profile. If you qualify for additional entries please comment separately telling me which options you have used. The winner is selected randomly through the use of random.org and will be announced on 11/22/09. To claim your prize(s), reply to your notification email. Winner will be asked to respond with full contact information within 72 hours of being notified. Prize(s) not claimed will be forfeited and a new winner will be selected.

Thanks for entering and Good Luck!!

38 Weeks

I had a doctors appointment today and everything didn't go as planned. I haven't had any problems my whole pregnancy and been very healthy until last week! I found out last week that at the last few appointments my blood pressure had been slightly elevated. Today it was 152/72 which is very high. I had been a little concerned anyways because my hands and feet have been really swollen which could be a sign of preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia only occurs in about 5% of pregnancies. It is a condition diagnosed by high blood pressure and protein in the urine. Other symptoms include swelling, weight gain, headaches, and changes in vision however many women do not experience all of these.

At my appointment today I had some protein in my urine. Only +1 which is a small amount but you shouldn't have any. This could mean I have preeclampsia which is serious condition that could cause seizures, coma, and even death. I have been put on bed rest until further notice. I had blood work done today and my midwife wants to see again on Monday.

If my blood pressure is still elevated Monday, and depending on what the blood work says, I may end up being induced on Thursday! I don't mind being induced as long as me and baby Natalie are fine. Having a nice planned, controlled birth kinda sounds nice! Leave me a comment with some advise if you have had preeclampsia or know someone who did. Any words of encouragement would be nice too!

For more information on preeclampsia visit the Preeclampsia Foundation website.    

Full Term!!

If I went into labor today, all of Natalie's internal organs would be developed enough to function outside the womb! Most babies weigh almost 7 pounds by 37 weeks and measure around 20 inches. Boys are typically heavier and longer than girls though!

Natalie's growth slows down this week. Her bones are still soft and pliable and will harden after birth. Her immune system continues to strengthen and will continue to get stronger after birth. Right now Natalie is practicing breathing, sucking, sleeping, gazing, and peeing.


My husband and I had pregnancy photos done yesterday! It took about 2 hours. We did some at the studio and some outdoors at the lake. Kelli took over 300 photos! Kelli Hawkins took our pictures for our wedding so when we got pregnant we knew we wanted to use her for our pregnancy photos too! We also plan to have baby pictures done when Natalie is about 2 weeks old. We're going to use one of those pictures for our birth announcements! Check out Kelli's website - http://thecastlephotos.com/

Become a 4moms Insider! Right now 4moms Insider is trying to get 1,000 4moms Insiders by October 31st! As a 4mom Insider you can test products, get special deals, and win cool stuff! You even get a free hat or t-shirt of your choice just for signing up! Anyone can join. New parents, experienced parents, future parents, grandparents, anyone who’s willing to help spread the word. Visit their website to enter!!  

About 4moms
It’s hard to believe that a company called 4moms actually started with 2 guys, but hey, that’s just how it worked out. In 2005 Rob Daley and Henry Thorne - with their 30+ years of business and engineering experience between them – began tackling the juvenile market.

An original focus group brought together 4 real life moms – Jenn, Cindy, Kristen and Elizabeth – for input and expertise (they do have 13 kids between them including three sets of twins.) The success from that meeting prompted us to not only name the brand after them, but make them the face of the company.

Now 4moms is a team of 15 engineers, researchers, and developers who are dedicated to creating innovative products that make life easier for parents like you.

Let them know Amy @ Expecting Our First sent you!!

This week for Breast Cancer Awareness Month volunteer for the Army Of Women! Their goal is to recruit one million women! The Army of Women will help us solve the puzzle as to how breast cancer starts and how to stop it in women! We can be the generation that stops breast cancer once and for all by figuring out what causes this disease and how to prevent it! This is YOUR chance to be part of the research that will end breast cancer!

What is involved?

• Register TODAY and provide us with very basic information such as your name, email, age, city, and state of residence.
• You will receive email updates from us announcing new research studies looking for volunteers with or without breast cancer, just like you. There are many different types of studies. Some might require you to complete a questionnaire, while others might need a sample of blood, urine, saliva, breast fluid, or breast tissue. Some studies might be clinical trials testing a new detection marker or drug. You decide which studies you want to take part in. The email will detail the research project and who and what the researchers need.
• If you fit the criteria and you’d like to participate, all you need to do is “RSVP” and let us know you’ve accepted our “Call to Action.” You will be asked to go through an online screening process to confirm you fit the criteria for the study.
• Once we confirm your eligibility for the specific study, your information will be given to the researcher conducting the study and you will be contacted by the researcher for a secondary screening to make sure you meet the study criteria and answer any questions you might have about study participation.
• You are in complete control and you self select what you want to do! You will never be pressured to take part in any study. The decision to take part is yours — and yours alone.

Breast cancer has been around for decades, but it does not have to be our future. We can be the generation that eliminates breast cancer by identifying what causes this disease and stopping it before it starts. Sign up for your sister, mother, daughter, granddaughter, best friend, and the woman you met last week.

This fall, Welch's is partnering with America’s largest domestic hunger-relief charity, Feeding America. Join Welch's in donating one million glasses to Americans who are at risk of hunger! Did you know, 1 in 8 Americans do not have access to enough food? So far 259,808 glasses have been donated! Just visit the Welch's Harvest of Help website and click on the "Donate Now" button! With every click Welch's will donate eight - 8oz servings of 100% juice to Feeding America. It's free so tell your friends!!


Print your coupon now! You can save $1 on any 46oz or 64oz juice drink by clicking here!

36 Weeks

Natalie is about 6 pounds and 18 1/2 inches long! She is still gaining about a half a pound a week. By the end of this week I'll be considered full term! I had a doctor appointment yesterday and my midwife said I was already dilated a 1/2 cm! I had a Group B Strep test done too! I'll find out the results next week at my weekly appointment!

What is Group B Strep? Practitioners often screen for Group B Strep because it is the most common cause of life-threatening infections in newborns. It can cause pneumonia and meningitis. Group B Strep is a bacterial infection that may be found in a pregnant women's vagina or rectum. 15%-40% of all healthy adult women carry these bacteria in their vagina or lower intestines.

It is possible for a mother to pass Group B Strep onto her baby during delivery. Therefore, every woman should be tested between 35-37 weeks. This is done with a vaginal and rectal swab. If a mother tests positive, she should be treated with antibiotics in labor to prevent the spread of Group B Strep to her baby.

**National Breast Cancer Awareness Month**

Q: What is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month?

A: The National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) organization is a partnership of national public service organizations, professional medical associations, and government agencies working together to promote breast cancer awareness, share information on the disease, and provide greater access to screening services.

Q: What is the purpose of NBCAM?

A: Since its inception 25 years ago, NBCAM has been at the forefront of promoting awareness of breast cancer issues and has evolved along with the national dialogue on breast cancer. Today, NBCAM recognizes that although many great strides have been made in breast cancer awareness and treatment, there remains much to be accomplished. As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we remain dedicated to educating and empowering women to take charge of their own breast health by practicing regular self-breast exams to identify any changes, scheduling regular visits and annual mammograms with their healthcare provider, adhering to prescribed treatment, and knowing the facts about recurrence.

Tylenol Recall

Tylenol has recalled certain batches of Children's Tylenol and Tylenol Infant Drops due to "the possibility of the presence of a microorganism in a single raw material." The company said an inactive ingredient didn't meet internal testing requirements. B. cepacia bacteria were detected in a portion of raw material that went unused in the finished product. The company said in a letter that no bacteria were found in the finished product, and that the likelihood of a serious medical event is remote. But it said it decided after consulting with the Food and Drug Administration that it would recall the products.The recall does not apply to Children's Tylenol Meltaways and Junior Strength Tylenol Meltaways. The voluntary recall applies only to select lots of Children's and Infants' Tylenol liquid products.

From Tylenol.com...

September 24, 2009

You may have heard that McNeil Consumer Healthcare (the makers of TYLENOL®) is voluntarily recalling certain lots of Children's and Infants' TYLENOL® liquid products that were manufactured between April, 2008 and June, 2008. All products manufactured met internal specifications. However, the company is implementing this recall because during this period, an unused portion of one inactive ingredient did not meet all quality standards. Therefore, as a precautionary measure, it was decided to recall all Children's and Infants' TYLENOL® liquid products listed below, which were made during this time.

Parents and caregivers who have questions or concerns should contact their child's health care provider or our consumer call center at 1-800-962-5357 (available Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time). Consumers can find the lot numbers on the bottom of the box containing the liquid product and also on the sticker that surrounds the product bottle. The lot numbers of the affected products are listed below.

These actions do not apply to Children's TYLENOL® Meltaways and Junior Strength TYLENOL® Meltaways. The voluntary recall applies only to select lots of Children's and Infants' TYLENOL® liquid products.

Make sure to check your lot number!!

35 Weeks!!

Natalie weighs about 5 1/2 pounds and is about 18 inches long!! Most of her basic physical development is complete. Her hearing is totally developed and her kidneys are developed now too. Her liver is beginning to process some waste products. She is head down, face down and my bladder can definitely feel it. I'm up every 2 hours during the night. Sometimes I can sleep for 3 hours and the longest has been 4 hours. I guess I'm getting ready for when she gets here!

We got the curtain tiebacks in the mail from The Butterfly Grove! They look great and really pull the room together! I was worried they would be too small or too large but they are perfect! Now all we need is baby Natalie!



Have you heard of Baby Universe?? BabyUniverse.com carries all kinds of baby care essentials like toys, baby gear, and clothing! Click HERE to enter for a chance to win a $250 Online Gift Card!



The Bump is giving away Mommy Blog Awards! Anyone’s welcome to make a nomination, no matter if you’re a devoted reader or the blogger yourself, so don’t hold back. And remember, a blog can be nominated more than once, so feel free to nominate your faves even if they’ve already received a nod. One lucky grand prize winner will win $1000! You have until Friday, October 9th to nominate you favorite blogs! Please click HERE TO NOMINATE my pregnancy blog!!

34 Weeks Pregnant

By week 34 not much is changing. She continues to gain weight making her skin smoother than ever. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out. She weighs a little over 5 pounds and is over 17 inches long. The soft fur, lanugo, that covered her body for much of her stay in the womb is now almost completely gone. Natalie is beginning to develop her own immune system, instead of relying solely on antibodies received through the placenta. This will come in handy during the flu season!!

The nursery is coming along beautifully! We are still missing our rocking chair because Grandpa David hasn't finished the cushion yet. But the rest of the furniture is set up and in its place! The dresser/changing table that my dad and husband built together has been a life saver. She has ssooo many clothes. The closet and the dresser is full!

The brown curtains we bought from Wal-Mart. I just put them up today! I love them! They were cheap and so easy to put up because it came in a complete set instead of different pieces! I bought some very cute curtain tiebacks but they haven't gotten here yet. I bought them online at The Butterfly Grove! I can't wait to put them up! They are pink butterflies about 4 inches tall. They will match our pink and brown theme! And our butterfly rug!

We didn't want to paint the nursery because we don't own the house and we'd rather spend money in other areas. So, we used these great little peel and stick dots to decorate the room. They are called RoomMates for Kids! Take a look at our nursery before and after RoomMates...

Before...

And After

Other pictures of the nursery!! Leave me a comment letting me know what you think!!!