Baby Shower Celebration: My Day Registry Review and Giveaway (open worldwide)

A couple of days ago I shared a little bit about mydayregistry.com.

Baby Shower Celebration: Sponsor Spotlight: My Day Registry

What better way to celebrate the birth of a child than to register the day as his or her very own. I have saved this very special sponsor for last. A way to close out my Baby Shower Celebration with a bang. I realize these giveaways have gone on a lot longer than planned. After having 6 other children you would have thought I would have known that there was no way I was going to have decent computer time with a newborn. I hope you have enjoyed all the great Baby and Mommy giveaways that have been a part of my Baby Shower Celebration. Now, to spotlight my last sponsor. 

"MyDayRegistry is a unique online registry that allows you to dedicate and register a specific day to recognize a special person or event in your life. It's a great way to let family and friends know how much they mean to you and makes for a creative and thoughtful gift that lasts a lifetime! "

What a wonderful and unique gift to give someone for the birth of their baby. 

"When you dedicate a day to yourself or a loved one, you receive a beautifully framed certificate as proof of registration and ownership."

Every certificate is printed on a beautiful high quality parchment paper and personalized for your special occasion in modern calligraphy.

The certificate is then set in a contemporary floating frame of your choice—a perfect conversation piece for the home or office!

Of course, registering the birth of a baby would be awesome, a wonderful welcome into this world. But there are so many other occasions you could choose from. 

Wedding Day

Anniversaries

Birthdays (especially milestone birthdays like Sweet 16)

Mother's Day (how about 1st Mother's Day)

Father's Day( yep, 1st Father's Day would be special too)

Graduation (preschool, high school, college, etc)

And the list goes on and on. What special day can you think of that you would like to commemorate? Would you want to register a day for yourself? Would you register the day for someone special in your life? 

The possibilities are endless!!

Not only do you get to register the day in one of three registries (your state, your country-United States, United Kingdom, Canada or Australia, or worldwide) and receive an awesome certificate like the one pictured above, but you also get to create your online profile.

"Every registered owner receives an online profile that can be personalized with pictures, video, and more!

Every owner's exclusive title and ownership rights are recorded in the official International Day Registry database."

Head on over to mydayregistry.com and check it out. 

And then stop by next week for my review and a great giveaway. Just a little hint, there will be more than one winner!!
(And if you are a blogger, stop by here to join in with my Free Blogger Opp)

The Baby Shower Celebration has obviously been extended so please ignore the dates on the image (I just didn't have any time to make a new one) It was extended because of several unforeseen circumstances. 

Baby Shower Celebration: The Miracle Blanket Review and Giveaway

About a week ago I shared a little bit about The Miracle Blanket.

This really is a unique and innovative swaddle blanket. At first I wasn't sure if I had received this blanket too late. Baby Harold has been preferring his arms out of the swaddle when I was wrapping him in his other blankets. But, I decided to give The Miracle Blanket a shot.

Ever since he has been sick he has been sleeping in the car seat. When we were in the hospital, every time I laid him down he woke back up coughing.  So I have been very leery about laying him on his back. Looking at it that way, I received the Miracle Blanket at just the right time. As baby Harold has finally gotten rid of his cough and we are done with his breathing treatments I felt safe laying him on his back during the night.

He did not mind his arms being confined (though it looks like he did as I was swaddling him) and he slept several hours. And it really was so easy to swaddle him in this blanket. As I stated in my Sponsor Spotlight post, it may not look like a traditional blanket, but it works wonderfully. No wondering where the baby's arms should go. The arm flaps gently hold the baby's arms down by his side. And then you just wrap the right side up and over the baby followed by the left over and under and around. No fiddling with the blanket to make sure it is at the right angle or length. And there are no snaps, buttons, Velcro or zippers to deal with in the middle of the night. In addition, it is very well made. This blanket is a winner in my book. You have got to check  it out. 

Head over to The Miracle Blanket site to check out this great blanket. They have several patterns/colors to choose from. While you are there, check out the other great products they carry including Miracle Sounds CDs. And don't forget about their current special discount:
$5 dollars off the regular price of $29.95
Buy any 2 Miracle Blankets and get an additional 15% discount on all 
the Miracle Blankets in your order.
 And don't forget to check them out on Facebook and Twitter. 

As a part of my Baby Shower Celebration, I have been offered the opportunity to do a giveaway of a Miracle Blanket of the winners choice. Isn't that awesome! 

This giveaway is open to residents of US and Canada. 

The giveaway runs from 12:01am May 10th- 11:59pm May 26th

I know I do not usually have so many entries on my Rafflecopter forms. However, these wonderful ladies are helping to share my Baby Shower Celebration and I offered them a spot or two on said form. Remember, you don't have to fill in every entry (there are only 2 mandatory entries) but each entry you complete increases your chances for winning and I would love for you to follow these great ladies who are helping me. 

Disclosure: I received  a Miracle Blanket for free as a part of my Baby Shower Celebration. This did not in any way influence my review. I only recommend products I use personally and will be good for my readers. This post contains affiliate links. Clicking on these links benefits Tots and Me at no cost to you.

Free Sign Ups for Baby Shower Celebration-The Miracle Blanket

Join with me in my Baby Shower Celebration. The next giveaway is going to be for a really neat, innovative swaddle blanket called, The Miracle Blanket. 

You can sign up for free, no fees at all. All I ask is that you help get the word out about my giveaway to help celebrate our baby boy.  I ask that you post the giveaway with Rafflecopter on your blog when it goes live on May 10th. In addition, I ask that you post on Facebook and/or Twitter 10 times during the event. If you agree to do this you can sign up and receive 1 Free link on my Rafflecopter form. You may choose Facebook or Twitter.

In addition, if you share about these Free Sign Ups on your blog or Facebook page I will give you a second link (again, Facebook or Twitter).  However, this is completely optional.

Sign ups are open until May 8th at 8pm.

You can check out the form for the complete details. For more information about this specific giveaway's product you may check out my Sponsor Spotlight post for Miracle Blanket.

Click here to sign up to participate in my Baby Shower Celebration Miracle Blanket event

edit: just a note that there has been a slight change in the requirements. I am no longer requiring you to post 10 times on Facebook or Twitter during the event. I do ask that you post about it on Facebook, Twitter and/or Google+ the day it goes live to get the word out. Then, share to your heart's content. However, the more it is shared the more potential entries. 

Aden + Anais Swaddle Review and Giveaway

About a week ago I shared a little bit about aden + anais

I was sent an organic oasis swaddle from the organic muslin collection. I was thrilled to find out that the organic collection swaddles were designed especially for sensitive skin, seeing as I have very sensitive skin as does Amelia. So, better to be safe than sorry, huh.  

Check out this awesome swaddle blanket:

      

I wanted to show how big this blanket is. In the above picture it is laid out on my bed which is queen sized.   

I find it highly meaningful that as baby Harold is being swaddled he slowly calms down. I have surely learned a lot about swaddling with this baby. Too bad he is our last. Would have loved to have known these secrets 19 years ago with Floyd. 

The aden + anais swaddle blanket is made of natural cotton muslin which makes it a highly breathable fabric, perfect for this warming time of year. I discovered that this fabric truly is quite durable for being so delicate. It doesn't look like it would be so durable. But as I tested out the stretchiness while swaddling the baby I realized it is very well made. And soft, it is so soft. When I was reading information on the aden + anais website I discovered this material gets softer with repeated washings. I just love this blanket. 

You have got to check out all the great blankets available from aden + anais (along with their other wonderful products). Their contemporary prints are adorable and all their blankets are made of cotton muslin. 

And don't forget to check them out on Facebook and Twitter.

  

As a part of my Baby Shower Celebration aden + anais has offered a great giveaway for my readers (that's you).  One of you is going to get a Classic Collection 4 pack of your choice. 

Just fill in the Rafflecopter below. 

I have to mention that I know I do not usually have so many entries on my Rafflecopter forms. However, these wonderful ladies are helping to share my Baby Shower Celebration and I offered them a spot or two on said form. Remember, you don't have to fill in every entry (there are only 2 mandatory entries) but each entry you complete increases your chances for winning and I would love for you to follow these great ladies who are helping me. 

This giveaway runs from May 6th through May 19th 11:59pm

Disclosure: I received  the organic oasis swaddle for free as a part of my Baby Shower Celebration. This did not in any way influence my review. I only recommend products I use personally and will be good for my readers. 

Free Sign Ups for Baby Shower Celebration

Baby Shower Celebration

Free Blogger Sign Up

Okay, it only just dawned on me that I have been sharing all these other Free Blogger Opportunities, but I haven't been sharing my own on my blog. Not real brilliant. Anyway, if you are looking for a FREE blogging opportunity in which to increase your numbers you might consider joining in on my Baby Shower Celebration Events. The current one is accepting sign ups until 8pm tonight. (However, if I forget to close sign ups because I am taking care of children feel free to sign up.)

I am looking for some bloggers to help promote my Baby Shower Celebration Giveaways. My Baby Shower Celebration has been extended due to some unforseen circumstances and I would like help spreading the word that it is still on. For the current giveaway for Aden + Anais Swaddle Blankets, I am asking simply that you post the Review and Giveaway Post by May 6th and share on Facebook or Twitter at least 10 times during the Giveaway. In return for your help promoting this giveaway I will give you your choice of Twitter or Facebook link on the Rafflecopter form.

Sponsor requirement: Your blog must have an Alexa ranking of 500,000 or less (Sorry, this is their requirement. I have a couple more giveaways coming up and I don't think there will be such a requirement)

Sign up until May 4th 8pm
I will send HTML code for the giveaway by 10pm on May 5th
Have post up by May 6th at 6pm
Giveaway runs May 6th 12:01am through May 19th 11:59pm

Prize: 4 pack Classic Muslin Swaddle {49.95 value}
Giveaway is open to US

Required:
You must have a family friendly blog
You must post the giveaway and submit a direct link to the giveaway (form WILL be provided)
You must join the Tots and Me Celebrations and More Facebook Group
You must have an Alexa rank of 500,000 or less

Optional:
If you share about this Free Blogger Sign Up I will give you a second link on the Rafflecopter (Facebook or Twitter)

I will supply the blog post which will include a review, pictures and the Rafflecopter form.
I will send it to the email you provide and include it on the Facebook page

There are a couple more Baby Shower Celebration Reviews and Giveaways coming up.

To sign up fill out the form by clicking here.

Baby Shower Celebration: Sponsor Spotlight: Miracle Blanket

I discovered another unique and innovative way to swaddle a baby. It is called miracle blanket.

I realize it doesn't quite look like a blanket when you first glance at it does it. And yet, when you see the result, it looks like a baby wrapped in a swaddle blanket (which it is of course). 

The creator of Miracle Blanket is Mike Gatten and he came to develop this blanket out of desperation. He and his wife were looking for a solution to calm their colicky baby. This is what they discovered in their research:

1. Swaddling is the most helpful ingredient in every effective calming method,
2. Holding your baby on your forearm, face-down (or face-forward) while rocking or jiggling him (gently) seems to enhance the calming effect, and
3. Using a pacifier and making a loud shushing sound in his ear further adds to the effectiveness.

He then discovered he needed to find a way to keep a baby swaddled to prevent twitching and flailing that didn't involve complex folds, arm pockets, adjustments for different size babies, buttons, Velcro or straps.

So the Miracle Blanket was born.

Here are the instructions from the Miracle Blanket website showing how easy it appears it is to use the blanket:

Step One: Lay the blanket on a flat surface with the foot pouch at the bottom and lay baby between armflaps with tops of shoulders slightly above top of blanket. Step Two: Fold the armflaps over the outside of your baby's arms and tuck them snugly under her back on each side. IMPORTANT: You should lift the baby's bottom to be sure the armflaps are flat and snug under baby's back. Step Three:Pull the footpocket up over the feet. NOTE: Some babies' feet may not reach the foot pocket yet. This is okay: It will be there for them as they grow. Step Four: Fold the right side of the blanket over your baby's belly and tuck it under the left arm pit (her right). This flap should wrap all the way under the baby's back. Step Five: Wrap the left side of the blanket over the top of her belly and all the way around her until you run out of blanket. This is where it is important to pull the blanket snug. THE BLANKET MUST BE PULLED SNUG. If you would like to see this in action, here is the link to the Miracle Blanket site where they share a video of a baby being swaddled in it. Head on over to there site and check it out. Here are the FAQs And the benefits of using The Miracle Blanket  Check out the various colors/patterns along with their other products Right now you can take advantage of their special- $5 off the regular price and buy any two Miracle Blankets and get an additional 15% discount on all the Miracle Blankets in your order. What are you waiting for, head on over and check it out. You can check them out at their website: www.miracleblanket.com And on Facebook and Twitter.

Don't forget to stop back during the Baby Shower Celebration for an opportunity to enter a giveaway for your own Miracle Blanket.

The Baby Shower Celebration has been extended so please ignore the dates on the image (I just don't have time to make a new one) It was extended because of several unforeseen circumstances. So stay tuned for more great Sponsor Spotlights, Reviews and Giveaways.

Baby Shower Celebration: mybabyclothes.com outfit review and giveaway

A couple of months ago I shared a little bit about mybabyclothes.com

I was sent the Baby Aspen Baby M.D. Three-Piece Layette Set. I just fell in love with this outfit when I was browsing their site. It comes packaged in this cute little "doctor's bag."

And it unfolds to show it off all set up. 

The outfit comes complete with a surgical hat and booties. And look closely, there is a stethoscope around the neck and even a pen in the pocket. I just love the cute little details. Such attention was given to detail that the stethoscope actually goes all the way around to the back of the neck. I was even able to have baby Harold's initials embroidered on. I just couldn't pass this up. It was the closest I could come to a nurses uniform. Daddy is an LPN and uncle is a P.A. (physician's assistant).

Doesn't he look so cute. Can you see this in his future?

Yes, it is a tad big for him yet. This is a 0-6 size so he has room to grow into it. Meaning he can wear it for a long time. 

I think the addition of the booties was just priceless. It really looks like a doctor's outfit. I have to admit I left the booties attached to the outfit as they were packaged. He tends to kick socks and booties off and I didn't want to lose these booties.

Had to get a shot of daddy in his scrubs with the baby in his outfit. Don't they make a sweet pair.

I just love the idea behind this outfit and the quality is great . Mybabyclothes.com has some of the cutest and most unique outfits I have ever seen. You don't have anyone in the medical profession in your home? Not as interested in this outfit as I am? How about a Camo Layette Set

Or a Baseball Three Piece Layette Set

And that is only the tip of the iceberg! There are so many other baby clothes to choose from.  Cute little hats for boys or girls can be found. And if you are looking specifically for a girl, they have the cutest tutus and headbands among so many other cute outfits and accessories.  What are you waiting for? Head on over and check them out. 

I am so thankful they agreed to help sponsor my Baby Shower Giveaway, and they have been so patient with me. What a great company this is. 

Don't forget to check out mybabyclothes.com. 

You can also visit them on Facebook and Twitter.

And check out their internet newspaper for parents, Parentsnewz on Facebook and Twitter.

After you check out what they carry I am sure you would love to win a $25 GC so you can get something for yourself or perhaps as a baby shower gift. Just fill in the Rafflecopter below. 

I have to mention that I know I do not usually have so many entries on my Rafflecopter forms. However, these wonderful ladies are helping to share my Baby Shower Celebration and I offered them a spot or two on said form. Remember, you don't have to fill in every entry (there are only 2 mandatory entries) but each entry you complete increases your chances for winning and I would love for you to follow these great ladies who are helping me. 

Disclosure: I received  the Baby Aspen Baby MD layette set for free as a part of my Baby Shower Celebration. This did not in any way influence my review. I only recommend products I use personally and will be good for my readers.

Baby Shower Celebration: Sponsor Spotlight: Aden + Anais

Well, I have been introduced to another great company that specializes in swaddle blankets. Like the Swaddle Design blankets that I already reviewed, these muslin swaddle blankets by Aden + Anais are large in size, perfect for swaddling. Here is a little bit about how this company came about directly from their site,

"As a young woman growing up in Australia, our founder Raegan Moya-Jones was introduced to many traditional practices of motherhood. One of them in particular-- swaddling babies in generously sized, gentle muslin sheets-- amazed her. Even the fussiest babies seemed to sleep more peacefully in muslin. Despite the hot days and the cold nights, muslin swaddles helped keep babies comfortable. And, most importantly, the very act of swaddling seemed to build a bond between mothers and their babies. 

When she moved to the U.S. and started her own family, Raegan couldn’t find any swaddles like the ones she remembered from home. The only swaddles available were too small. Or made of much-too-thick flannel. Or, simply, unattractive. 

And so, aden + anais was born. And within months of hitting the market, aden + anais swaddles starting popping up in magazines, on blogs for new mothers, in virtually every celebrity gift registry, and in stores around the country.

Today, aden + anais, has brought the legacy of muslin together with fashion forward design to create a line of products that are as stylish as they are useful; and as simple as they are beautiful. We believe in muslin-- the way it looks, the way it feels, the way it works-- to improve the lives of babies and their mothers no matter who they are or where they live. 

The proof is in every product we make. "

You may ask, as I did, why muslin though? Here is an answer, again from their site,

"The lightweight muslin also permits air to circulate around the baby's body, while still providing comfort and warmth without the worry that the baby may overheat in moderate weather. Cotton muslin is also a workhorse fabric, in that wraps woven from this natural fiber stands up to repeated washings only becoming softer -- and better -- with age. "

Sounds great, doesn't it?

They have a wide variety of swaddle blanket in such cute collections of designs. You can purchase single blankets, 2 pack, 3 pack or 4 pack sets depending on what collection you prefer. There is the classic collection, the cozy collection, the organic collection or the bamboo collection. 

Here, check out a some of the blankets they offer:

Classic collection

Cozy Collection

Organic Collection

Bamboo Collection

Their products have expanded beyond swaddle blankets though. They also carry sleeping bags, bibs and burp cloths, towels and washcloths, dream blankets, and security blankets (issies). All of which are made with muslin except the terry hooded towels.

You can check all of their great products out at their site. And don't forget to check them out on Facebook and Twitter.

Don't forget to stop back during the Baby Shower Celebration for an opportunity to enter a giveaway for your own Aden + Anais product.

The Baby Shower Celebration has been extended so please ignore the dates on the image (I just don't have time to make a new one) It was extended because of several unforeseen circumstances. So stay tuned for more great Sponsor Spotlights, Reviews and Giveaways.

Swaddle Designs Review and Giveaway-April 21-May 5

A few weeks ago I shared a little bit about Swaddle Designs

We were sent an Angry Birds Body Suit and a Angry Birds Marquisette Blanket to try out. I have to tell you I was a little leery at first with it being Angry Birds. I had hardly ever heard of them. I was not sure if this was a show or a video game or what. And the name doesn't sound very babyish. (What can I say, I don't pay attention to popular culture, never have).  Little did I know that, 

"Angry Birds by Rovio is a phenomenally popular game.  Angry Birds is the

fastest growing brand in the world with over 600 million downloads.  Little

boys and girls, teens, men, women, grandmas and grandpas - all love playing

Angry Birds.  The game is entertaining to people of all ages, genders and

geographies, and is fun for family members to play together during snuggle

time"

After receiving the blanket and bodysuit I decided the Angry Birds were quite cute and suddenly my hubby was obsessed with the game on his phone. 

The blanket has become one of my favorites to wrap baby Harold up in. I have to say I have another Swaddle Designs receiving blanket. Right about the same time I was contacted with an affirmative from Swaddle Designs to help sponsor my Baby Shower Celebration, I also won an Ultimate Receiving Blanket. While I like the Ultimate Receiving Blanket I still struggle to swaddle with the material of this blanket being thicker. It is a lovely blanket and I use it for multiple things. However, the marquisette blanket is a thinner material and easier for me to swaddle with. Here is a description from their site:

" SwaddleDesigns Marquisette Swaddling Blanket is made from premium cotton in a lightweight open weave design. Marquisette is similar to gauze, however marquisette has a softer hand because of the finer threads and higher thread count. SwaddleDesigns offers the finest, highest quality lightweight swaddling cloths on the market."

I love the large size of these blankets. At first I struggled with them being so big. But after some practice, using the instructions sewn onto the blanket, I have been able to swaddle the baby successfully. 

Ta-da:

Sometimes he will calm down as soon as he realizes he is being wrapped up. 

The only problem I am having now is that he prefers his arms out.

By the way, the rolled up blanket that is helping to prop him up is an Ultimate Receiving Blanket. I have to practice some more with the thicker material to get it to swaddle nicely. But it makes a nice support or regular blanket. Plus I am sure it would make a great cover up for nursing or maybe a floor blanket for play when he gets older. 

The quality of both is remarkable, very highly recommended.

You may have noticed in the above pictures that he is wearing his Angry Birds bodysuit. I just love it. Swaddle Designs carries both long sleeve and short sleeve body suits. They sent us a short sleeve one to review. Which is perfect seeing as the weather is getting warmer. In the picture below it was a chillier day and he was wearing a long sleeve onesie underneath it. 

The quality of the body suit is wonderful. It is made of soft 100% cotton knit and has just the right amount of stretch to it. The neck opening expands perfectly, no snaps to worry about there. Speaking of snaps, the ones in the crotch area are great. Having had many baby outfits over the years, I have had snaps that are too hard to open, some that are too hard to close, some that are both. I also have dealt with snaps that won't stay closed. These snaps stay closed wonderfully and they are not too hard to snap or undo. Just right.

Once again, very highly recommended.

Okay, so I have to share two more pictures. I have tried the body suit with two different outfits and would love to know which you think is cuter. This will be in the Rafflecopter for some easy extra entries.

A) Over the top of a long sleeve onesie with red pants.

B) No extra onesie with denim pants.

The one concern I did have with the body suit is that the red rim cuff is a little tighter than some of the other body suits we have and it was a bit of a struggle to get the long sleeves pulled through without bunching up.  Other than that, the bodysuit is perfect.

You can purchase your own Angry Birds Bodysuits and marquisette receiving blankets, as well as many other designs from Swaddle Design.  The body suits come with your choice of bird in a small image or large image (as shown above).  The blankets come with your choice of bird or with the multi bird print (as shown above). Personally I like the multi-bird print. They also carry Ultimate Receiving Blankets, Swaddle Duos, Baby Lovies, Baby Burpies, zzZipMe Sacks and plush toys in the Angry Birds Collection. 

Don't forget to check them out on Facebook and Twitter.

To help celebrate Baby Harold's birth, Swaddle Designs is offering one lucky reader their choice of Angry Bird body suit (in your choice of bird and size) or an Angry Birds Marquisette Receiving Blanket.

 Just fill in the Rafflecopter form below. I have to mention that I know I do not usually have so many entries on my Rafflecopter forms. However, these wonderful ladies are helping to share my Baby Shower Celebration and I offered them a spot or two on said form. Remember, you don't have to fill in every entry (there are only 2 mandatory entries) but each entry you complete increases your chances for winning and I would love for you to follow these great ladies who are helping me.

Disclosure: I received  an Angry Birds Bodysuit and Marqisette Blanket for free as a part of my Baby Shower Celebration. This did not in any way influence my review. I only recommend products I use personally and will be good for my readers.