Today is International Day of Peace!

At this very moment, UN peacekeepers around the world are risking their lives in the name of peace.

These men and women in blue helmets – more than 100,000 in total, making them the second largest deployed military in the world – can be found in 16 of the world’s most dangerous conflict areas.

Take action: Sign this petition for a safer world.  Show your support for UN Peacekeepers!

Today is ALSO International Babywearing Week!

Get your baby on!!! 

Get your sling, carrier, wrap and wear your baby! If you dont’ have any of those I highly recommend the ERGOBaby carrier. The ERGO has been a lifesaver for me on many occasions. The ERGO is soothing and most of the time puts my baby to sleep. I like that my baby is close and happy. If either one of my children fusses they’ll stop instantly when held in the ERGO. I’m sure many of you moms have experienced this with other carriers, wraps, slings etc.  I’ve  tried other wearing a sling and wrap but was just so HAPPY with my ERGO. I grab it first each and every time. I’ve hiked with both kids wearing the ERGO, I’ve bowled, gone bike riding, (use safety & caution ),exercised and have done countless other things wearing my babies. It not only puts the baby in a better mood but it also helps us mamas out too! I can get just about anything done around the house while  babywearing. It’s a saving grace at the grocery store or any kind of shopping for that matter. The one thing about babywearing that I can’t get enough of is when my hubby puts it on and wears our children. It’s so damn sexy!! I heart babywearing!

As always, PEACE, LOVE & GREEN HAPPINESS!

And today, my tooth hurts! I’m due for a dental appointment that I keep putting off- the dreaded ROOT CANAL. Yes, that’d me! *sigh*

I can’t put it off any longer. I need to get it over with. I’m actually really comfortable at the dentist. It helps that Dr. Li is really nice I’ve been going to him since I was 8 years old. He’s a great guy. I was once part of the “no-cavity” club but those days are long gone. O’well!

Today, I have so much do I don’t even know where to begin! Yikes. Tristan is at my parents and I should be utilizing my time wisely (this counts).

Like a bad mommy,  I missed Clark’s 4 month appt. last week… I completely forget to write it down on my calendar. Oopsie. They sent me a letter threatnening to charge me $50 buckaroo’s! Garsh. It was one of those things I had totally thought about to but never confirmed my suspicions.

I also need to call the Vital Records office because they have yet to send Clark’s birth certificate through the mail. We filled out the paperwork in June.  Tyler and I knew this was going to backfire. For Tristan we went to LA to their main location in downtown and had no problems. This time, I tried to do the same thing …called for an appt. – was told that no appt. was necessary- drive all the way down there and the receptionist tells me an appt. is necessary…which means we cannot be seen and she then proceeds to tell us that we have a local office. When Tristan was born they were not filing them locally- now they do! We took care of it here and so far nothing has come of it. WTH!

I’m sure it’s still being processed or something but I need to call and find out. I also need to get Clark in for his 4 month appt. that he’ll be 5 mos. for now tomorrow! Can you believe he’s 5 mos. old already.

Last time we checked he weighed 18 lbs. that was a few weeks ago…he’s definitely a “Heffalump”. His height was “off the charts” at his 2 month appt. at 26 inches.

I’ll keep you posted on his stats after I see the doc and get spanked by their office. Damn, I hate this kinda sh*t!

Here is Clark happily teething with his beautiful Amber teething necklace from doudou bebe!

This necklace works wonders and makes my baby look oh so hip! Amber has natural anagelsic properties and releases oils when warm.  When worn against the skin it helps sooth and calm baby. A great natural remedy to eliminate the need of OTC drugs.

A perfect baby shower gift!

He gnaws at everything in sight!

He sleeps peacefully after a combination of the Amber teething necklace, chamomilla tablets, distraction, and a walk!

** Be sure to check out my article about what’s happening in my town at Eco Child’s Play!

NWF’s Children’s Magazine: Wild Animal Baby!

Back when I was pregnant with Tristan I had heard of a company named Earth Mama Angel Baby but had never seen it (I live in a small town) until I started looking online for greener baby products. Before conceiving, I’d heard startling information about baby washes containing harmful ingredients. It made me realize, I needed to start doing my research and find natural baby products that did not contain toxic chemicals like phthalates, 1,4-Dioxane, formaldehyde,” etc.

Recently, I was actually able to sample Earth Mama Angel Baby products through swag and for this review. I received a sample of their Bath Blossoms, Bottom Balm and Baby Lotion. I so was excited when I saw EMAB inside my swag bag from The Smart Mama’s book release. I’d always wanted to try their products but just never had the opportunity. Quite honestly, I was going with my easiest most available option…. Burt’s Bees, California Baby and Little Twig. Depending on where we did shopping is what we’d end up with. I’d known about the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Database and have looked up a few things in the past. It never really dawned on me to look up the baby products. I thought I was in the clear. Boy, was I wrong!!!

Last month, on twitter I learned that Earth Mama Angel Baby products received a ZERO rating from the Environmental Working Group (EWG).  After I’d heard the news I was curious to look up the rating on the other brands Ive used (or currently use). I was so shocked my jaw dropped. I’d been thinking I was using NATURAL products when all along the proof is in the pudding!!! Burt’s Bee’s was rated a FOUR (yikes) with a 10 being the highest. Luckily, California Baby is only a ONE. I could not find a rating on Little Twig. All the conventional brands like Johnson and Johnson, Baby Magic, CVS, Gerber etc. received FIVES!!! Meaning that these products are linked to…

Cancer
Developmental/reproductive toxicity
Violations, restrictions & warnings
Allergies/immunotoxicity
Other concerns for ingredients used in this product:
Neurotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Miscellaneous, Multiple, additive exposure sources, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Enhanced skin absorption, Contamination concerns, Occupational hazards

Without this research we parents would not know what products are harmful to our developing babies. I’m very grateful for the EWG’s Skin Deep Database but more importantly I’m truly grateful for companies who CARE. Earth Mama Angel Baby has set the bar high and their products are heavenly. For real!! Not only did I fall in love with their baby lotion and it’s heavenly scent. I feel in love with their baby wash. I love the pump feature and so does my son! It’s easy for him to use and there’s no waste. A little goes a long way with EMAB products. The lotion had a silky soft texture that is key for baby’s delicate skin.

The Baby Bath Blossoms are fantastic!!! These herbs are great to have for babies bath as they calm and soothe a teething or fussy baby. A muslin bag is provided  to place herbs into and use as a wahcloth. I used it the other night in Clark’s bath and it really made a difference. The oatmeal in the herbs softened up the water and the scents of chamomille, rosebud, lavendar and lemon balm filled the bathroom air. Baby Clark enjoyed his bath and slept so well that night. Clark’s teething has put this mama on edge… so I’ve been drinking their Peaceful Mama herbal tea. This tea is  caffeine free andsafe to drink while breastfeeding. It’s a wonderful blend of lemon balm, oatstraw, red raspberry leaf and orange peel. The tea is satisfying and eases my nerves! After a long day of teething, I drink a cup of Peaceful Mama tea to keep me sane. 

All of their products are organic and range from Pregnancy, Labor, Postpartum, Breastfeeding, Angel Baby, and Baby Loss. They even have a birth plan available for woman choosing a natural birth in a hospital setting. I love that they’re supporting women in every way possible!!

Earth Mama Angel Baby believes in selling and producing quality all natural products and believe in the consumer’s happiness as well. After finding out about their ZERO rating, sampling and reviewing their products, you can bet I’m going to make the switch permanently to EMAB. I’m VERY happy knowing that my son’s are safe using EMAB. I highly recommend their products.

EMAB’s products are:

Clinically tested and  formulated with extra care, because EMAB knows that so much of what you put on your baby can be absorbed through the body’s largest organ – the skin!

No artificial dyes or fragrances – that heavenly scent is all-natural, baby!

Cruelty free, toxin-free and certified vegan.

***Find out about the twitter party Earth Mama Angel Baby is hosting…

Our mission statement includes helping to educate mamas so they can make truly informed buying choices.To that end, Earth Mama Angel Baby is proud to host a Twitter Party with amazing experts in the field. We’ve teamed up with our favorite and frankly adorable green mamas for a Twitter party because toxins and babies don’t belong in the same bathtub.

PRIZES to be won!!! Don’t miss out

- 5 Natural Ways to Cure a Plugged Duct
- Today is Smokey Bear’s 65th birthday…
- At Home In The Water

Hope you’re all enjoying your weekend. Happy reading! 

It’s clear that my four month old is teething. Yes, he’s teething this early. Tristan started teething at the end of his 3rd month too and had a full set just after a year. Clark has been very fussy these past few days and uncomfortable. Not to mention the dirty diaper laundry is non stop… Sign #2- runny poop and lot’s of it. I’m surprised at how well he’s taken it so far. Tristan seemed to be a bit fussier (maybe it was the first time mom experience).  I’ve been giving him a dose of Hyland’s, Chamomilla 30X tablets along with teething gel. The teething gel seems pointless at times because with all the drool in his mouth it seems to wash away.

If you’re worried about giving your infant homeopathic tablets you don’t have to be. Simply, dissolve the amount of tablets needed (usually 2) in water and then fill up with an eye dropper and administer that way. I place tablets in a bottle cap and add just enough water to dissolve them. Clark seems to be okay with a tablet in his mouth. I usually try to place it on the sides of his mouth rather than directly on his tongue where he has a tendency to directly spit it out. Clove oil also works much like the gel. Be very careful, not to overuse as it can burn gums and do not apply neat use a carrier oil or vegetable glycerin to dilute.

I have a slew of natural teether’s and organic plush teether’s… I freeze the plush frog and elf and so far he prefers to put his entire fist in his mouth. He likes Sophie the Giraffe too, but again, his hand makes it’s way into his mouth in no time. For now, because he’s still developing his grabbing skills I think he’s happy with his hand. Once he gets better at holding things I’ll try giving him a carrot. Tristan loved carrots to soothe itchy gum’s. It’s lot’s of extra love and comfort right now. His naps have been shorter and he’s waking up earlier. Other than the teething Clark has been such a happy baby. I honestly don’t think I’ve seen a baby smile so much. It’s very enlightening. Looking forward to a smile with some toofer’s.

You know what I don’t have but would love to get? Teething bling. I think that product is genius. Clark is always pulling on my necklace and taking it to his mouth. Teething bling seems like the perfect way to keep your poor teething baby occupied while soothing his gum’s too. Or how about those Amber teething necklaces? I always wanted to get one for Tristan but never did get the chance; same with the teething bling. Anyone have either of these products? What do you think? I love Amber. Do they make one for adults? LOL! No, really, it’s my favorite natural stone- I’d totally rock one.  Hey, and I even have a bad tooth…hmmm….maybe I’m onto something here! Which BTW, I have used clove oil for when it aches and it works wonders.

With teething taking place (hasn’t even cut a tooth yet), having a plugged duct, potty training, parenting, laundry, the hub working late and weekends, the house being in shambles, LIFE, LIFE, LIFE and more LIFE! I could go on- but I won’t. It seems right now that the summer bug has bit. I feel like I’m still un-packing from our trip… AND yet we leave for another trip to Mammoth next Sunday! Crazy. I’m very excited about our trip though. It’s really all I have to look forward to, in order to keep my sanity. This time we are going with my family. Family vacations are fun but with kids and the whole bit I know there’s stress involved there too. Stress! ACK! Which is why those hot springs are really going to be nice at the end of the day.

For the most part, I’ve been trying to focus on the boys and their needs lately. Tristan has asked a few times for “mama’s milk”- he’s also brought me his sippy cup and asked me to fill it with “mama’s milk”. My heart melts every time and part of me wants to give in. Today, he caught me off guard while I was talking to Clark! I’m not sure how I feel about Tristan regressing. I know there’s a lot of transitions being a 2 yr. old which is why I think he’s going after the boobs! We’ll see. Tristan has really come along way these days. His vocabulary has really beefed up and since we’ve been home from the first get away he’s been a chatter box and has seemed to matured. It’s amazing how in a weeks time how much children retain and how much of it they then use.

I’m so glad it’s Friday and the end of the week. Even if that means my husband has to work all weekend. It’s still the weekend. I don’t have much planned except to finalize the grocery and necessity list for our trip and catch up on tidying our house. I’d like to include a few raw meals and snacks to take with. Trying to prepare foods that we can use again in another meal. We’re also going to make 2-3 meals in advance for the trip. Stress relief may be at the end of the tunnel… Good times ahead!

Anyway, just a quick filler on what’s going on here- not a juicy post on eco friendly happenings more like La Mama Naturale happenings…

Have a great weekend!

P.S.

To see Clark’s newly recorded vlog…check out the Newbaby widget in the left side bar.