10 months...

Today my little miracle is 10 months old...how did that happen?  She's moments away from walking on her own and working on 4 new teeth.  She makes me a better person in every way...

Vitamin C Serum: the new mom's skin savior!

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

As a mom the last thing I have time for is primping and preening in front of a mirror.  Imagine my excitement when I discovered a product that has actually improved my skin to the point where I look fresh and glowing without any work!  I just apply a few drops of Valentia Skin Care's Even Glow Serum to my face and neck in the morning and rub it in like a lotion, add a little mascara and I'm done.  Over the first week or two I noticed my dark under eye circles were fading and my skin tone was more even.  I look more awake and refreshed...amazing!

As a semi-crunchy mom I also love that it boasts 98% natural ingredients, some are even organic.  I like being able to identify what I am putting on my skin.  I could try to explain everything in my own words but even though the vitamin C serum makes me look well rested I am still a tired mamma so please allow me to share their explanation of the key ingredients:

"Vitamin C: With a 20% concentration does more than boost the body’s immune system; it also provides many benefits to keep the skin tight, smooth and looking ageless. Vitamin C has been scientifically proven to reduces the effects of sun exposure on the skin, including sunburn, sun spots, redness and wrinkles.

In addition to helping reduce the signs of aging, Vitamin C is essential for everyday maintenance to strengthen and smooth out the skin, as well as neutralizing free radicals before they can damage the skin. 

***Our additional Key Ingredients below were all selected for their ability to enhance and support Vitamin C's effect on the skin. 

Organic Rosehip Seed Oil & Organic Sea Buckthorn Oil - These oils promote skin hydration and lock in moisture to protect your skin from signs of aging and improve its beauty and youthfulness. Rosehip Oil specifically has been used in medical communities around the world for those with serious skin ailments and only recently has North America learned to embrace natural solutions from our ancestors. These two organic oils are full of antioxidants and therefore act as the perfect supporting cast for our best friend - Vitamin C

Resistem (Plant Stem Cells) - This provides the perfect mix of protection from stress-related aging and promotes skin detoxification. Resistem will help your skin regenerate faster while protecting it from environmental stressors.

Hyaluronic Acid (Botanical) - Holding up to 1000 times its weight in water and drawing moisture out of the environment and onto the surface of your skin ,there is not a more effective moisturizing agent on the market today. Penetrates deeply, and actives collagen production for a fresher, younger, firmer, and brighter complexion

Green Tea Extact- The catechins in green tea are a potent antioxidant which also contribute to the overall anti-inflammatory and anti-irritant benefits of this ancient health and beauty secret."

Ok back to my thoughts...I love it!  The only drawback that I found is that because the vitamin C serum flushes the toxins from the pores it can cause a little acne flair up in the beginning.  To me it was a small price to pay for happy, healthy skin, and it was a very minor issue.  The company has some amazing tricks for facial masks and are quick to respond if you have any questions or concerns.  Again, I love this product and plan on using it forever!

If you are interested in trying it out yourself it is easily available thru amazon and does qualify for free shipping.  A little bit goes a long way so you do get your money's worth.  If you do try the vitamin C serum I would love to hear what you think.  I hope you love your new, fresh skin just as much as I do!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Happy Mother's Day to all of us...

Today is such a bittersweet day...all week people have said to me, "oh, it's your first Mother's Day, congratulations!"  I wish it was that simple...yes, it is the first Mother's Day where I get to hold my beautiful child, but in my heart, mind and soul I have been a mother for 8 years.  Today I hold those three precious angels in my heart along with all of you who are either dreading this day completely or feel a similar bittersweet-ness as I do...and in my arms I hold my miracle baby Juniper.

I went thru my third loss around the same time that a mother in California did.  She was brave enough to make a few YouTube videos about her grieving process and then she and her husband went on to start some pretty popular channels chronicling their daily life as well as her next pregnancy.  Last year on Mother's Day she made a very poignant tribute to all mothers and this year she kept the tradition going.  Here are the links to both the videos, so grab your tissues and happy Mother's Day to us all!

http://ctt.ec/94iy7+

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MosAkwGMJYM

Be kind...

Just checking in...

I know my posts have been sporadic.  I try to avoid anything with a screen while Juniper is awake.  I am not always successful with that goal but I'm trying.  I need to get better at finding time to write...or should I say using some of the time I have to write.  I often just zone out during her nap times and I know that sometimes that is exactly what I need but it is also a little lazy of me.  New goal: put up a post at least once a week!  Ok, there it is in writing, now to stick with it!

It seems like spring is finally here!  Bring on the sunshine...even though a certain someone likes to rise with the sun these days.  Tomorrow is one of my tough days.  May 5th was the due date for my angel that I lost from the uterine rupture.  I am so grateful to have Juniper in my arms but do miss the what could have been with her angel siblings.  My heart is with them and with all of you that know what these tough days are like.  I love this saying and want to end this little post with it and a big hug for all of you and our loved ones...all of them...

Little shopping trip haul...

I'm not sure if I've ever mentioned this, but I live on an island...an island with no chain stores...so when I am able to venture off I take that opportunity to do some shopping!  Yesterday I had a doctor's appointment on the mainland so that meant a trip to Trader Joes and Babies R Us was in order.  I thought I'd share my little haul...

First stop TJ's!  I love it, not exactly sure what it is, but I could spend hours at Trader Joes.  Unfortunately I only had time for a quick peruse of each aisle but I did come away with some things I needed and for great prices!  Of course I grabbed a jar of coconut oil because as a cloth diapering, semi-crunchy mom I can't live without it.  I also got a jar of tea tree oil since I've heard it is great for using in cloth wipe solution as well as various other capacities.  Lunchtime is always hard for this mamma to get good, nutritious food and I've been hearing a lot of talk about overnight oatmeal so I grabbed some steel cut oats and chia seeds and am going to search some recipes later today.  If anyone has suggestions, please send them my way!

Juniper has grown out of most of her pajamas and I have the remainder of a gift card to BRU so that was my next stop.  First off let me say having a tall baby is a challenge when it comes to sleepwear.  At 8 months she is already height-wise in 9-12 month clothing but the clothing companies seem to stop making one piece sleepers in 12 and up sizes.  Of course my baby dinosaur had to get the dino pjs and daddy found the cute frog ones, both Carter's size 12 (which is really 9-12).  I wanted something in the next size up for summer use so since one piece was not possible at least I found a cute 4-piece set with sea turtles in Carter's size 18 (the "girl" prints/patterns were a little too flashy for my taste).  All the pajamas were 50% off so I got a great deal.

Beau has wanted Juniper to have a shape sorter since it seems like the next step from her stacking toys and we found a really cute turtle option.  She loves it and it will probably be a fun thing to play with in the sand at the beach too.  Juniper loves book time and also visiting the animals at the farm down the street, so when we found a great Eric Carle book with realistic farm animal sounds it was a must have!

I think Juniper's favorite part of the day was going out to eat with mommy and daddy.  I love when I can find something on a menu that she can share with me.  We had a grilled chicken sandwich with cheddar, bacon and avocado, and sweet potato fries.  Daddy had clam chowder and a basket of fried clams.  The weather was beautiful so we even got to sit outside under the awning and enjoy the sunshine.  All in all it was a productive day but it's always nice to come back to the peace of our little island home.

Happy Birthday Spray Pal 2.0!!

I know I have mentioned my love for the Spray Pal but I haven't told you one of the other amazing facts about it...

The creation of the Spray Pal is not only to help all us cloth diapering mammas but also to help one mamma in particular.  Mini Spray Pal 2.0 (Ryan) was born at 25 weeks and had to spend 7 months in the NICU, undergoing numerous surgeries.  He lost his hearing and the lens in one eye, remains on oxygen and is fed with a tube but against all odds he just turned 2 on March 20th!  Every time a Spray Pal is sold it is giving Ryan's mom the ability to stay home and care for him and his big sister.  In honor of this miraculous little boy's birthday Spray Pal and many wonderful businesses, both corporate and WAHMs, are doing two large giveaways!  There are some awesome prizes so please enter and also give Spray Pal 2.0 and his family some love!

http://spray-pal.com/its-here-minispbdaybash-and-giveaway/

a Rafflecopter giveaway