LOVE LOVE LOVE the Nuby Octopus Floating Bath Toy

We're a huge fan of bath time in this house... and all of our toys have pretty much been replaced by Nuby. I've always had an issue with cheap toys that suck in water and get slimy and mildew in them. Gross. Nothing worse then squirting a toy at a baby and a chunk of who knows what comes out... not cool in my book. When I became a Nuby Mommy Blogger the first things on my list were new toys and Nuby has gone ABOVE and beyond my expectations. I have been so thrilled with every single one of them.

The newest one on our list has been the Octopus Floating Bath Toy... It sits on top of the water and comes with three little rings that you toss onto its arms. Ms. Rozzlyn LOVES it. Its easy for her to hold on to - which is great because the first thing she wanted to do was poke and touch all the little bumps.

Its great for hand/eye coordination while she tries to put the rings on the arms... and of course even the older boys have fun making a game of it too. I definitely recommend getting your hands on one of these! They're made to last and you won't be sorry :)

Currently available:
Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Nuby-Octopus-Bath-Time-Toss/dp/B008CDR7LW
Sears - http://www.sears.com/nuby-octopus-bath-time-toss/p-SPM651109014?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

Get social with nuby! They are always going amazing giveaways so be sure to follow them! www.facebook.com/nubyusa www.twitter.com/nubyusa www.pinterest.com/nubyusa www.instagram.com/nubyusa

Nuby One Touch Electric Warmer and Sterilizer Review

Last week we had the opportunity to try out the Nuby One Touch Electric Warmer and Sterilizer - and it couldn't have come at a better time... this winter has just been a vicious cycle of colds, flus, and stomach bugs... and the best way to stop that train in its tracks? Getting rid of the germs...

My favorite feature about this gem is that it sterilizes all the little pieces that go directly into Ms. Rozzlyns mouth... pacifiers, bottle nipples, etc. So when were battling the germs... just popping the paci's into the sterilizer is an easy way to get them all germ free in minutes. All you have to do is pour the required amount of water into the base, insert your items, and hit the button... and it shuts off when its done. Its that simple!

And when you're done - it doubles as a warmer for bottles and jars of baby food. This is a MUST have for any parent... and definitely something I can see using long after were done with the baby phase. There are always small things that need sterilizing... and it works great for all the sippy cup parts too!

"The 2-in-1 design of this Natural Touch™ Warmer and Sterilizer evenly and safely warms breast milk, formula and baby food. Or you can use it as a quick and easy-to-use sterilizer for bottles and pacifiers. It sterilizes in just minutes! Simply use measuring cup (included) to add water, load the sterilizer and touch the button to start."

Nuby Easy Grip Bowl with Long Handle Spoon video review!

Want to hear me sound like a total goofball? Well now is your chance!! Check out this video review that I did on my new favorite Nuby product! The Nuby sectioned Easy Grip Bowl.
"Our sectioned Easy Grip™ Bowl is perfect for feeding time because it is easy for mom to hold and has multiple compartments for different foods. The soft ergonomic design of the thumb rest allows the bowl to be held with either hand in a comfortable and more natural feeding position. It comes with a seal-tight lid that features an automatic steam vent which allows the sealed bowl to be microwaved safely. This unique feature prevents nasty splashes in the microwave and allows the bowl to go from refrigerator to microwave without any problems. This bowl comes complete with a uniquely designed long handle spoon which helps make feeding time easier for mom and baby. Its long handle design makes reaching the bottom of taller baby jars and bowls easy - no more messy finger tips!"

We're not the only ones throwing a baby shower!

Hey mama's! After you're done entering our giveaways over here... stop by "Love, Sara Sophia" this week.. she is having a HUGE baby shower bash for a friend of hers... so far on the list... MamaRoo plush... Misfit Menagerie... Sakura Bloom sling, and many more to come! Be sure to keep checking back with her... because like with our shower, for every item her friend gets, she is giving one away as well!! Ill try to remember to keep updating/reminding you... tell your friends!

SAHM/WAHM/NOTCM

I'm a lot of people around this house... Im #1, the mom.... #2, the wife.... the chef, the maid, butler, the chauffeur, the teacher, the friend, the teammate, the seamstress, the designer, the shipper, the customer service representative, the marketing manager, the web designer, the promoter,  the babysitter, the blogger and the list goes on and on.... Im a Stay At Home Mom.... but a Work at Home Mom...... and in my book, that makes me a Never Off the Clock Mom.... sometimes it is so hard for me to shut off... I find myself sitting down to send an email, thinking about what pictures should be edited and listed. I sit down at the machine and think about what packages I should be packing... and I spend hours packing packages, all while thinking about how much I should be getting done on the sewing machine. Finding a balance between work life & home life has been impossible... Why? Because they are the same.  Zaq and I bicker about this often... Its impossible for me to just sit down with my husband and relax, Im always sneaking peeks at the iPhone to check emails, or thinking about what i "should" be doing, even though spending time with him is at the top of my list, it never seems to get the full attention it deserves... there is always something to be done, stuck in the back of my mind... Now don't get me wrong, I wouldn't change my career path for anything... I absolutely love what I have created and couldn't be more happy. Any job you can do in your PJ's, and love.... is a job worth keeping... I just wish that sometimes I could shut off my brain.  For example, last night, it was 4:30 am and I was laying in bed sending work emails... I think most normal people were sleeping. Now, that being said, I'm not exactly normal when it comes to the store. I bend over backwards for customers, and try to keep my customer service very high... (trust me) there are a lot of etsy shops that don't keep up the same standards. And my guess would be that they sleep a little easier at night... Somehow my "days off" have changed meaning... instead of sewing, it just means running errands like shipping packages, and picking up fabric... Maybe even cleaning the office... Or it means the weekly "deep clean" of the house... My dinner plans have changed from elaborate chicken parmesan and steak & potatoes... to crock pot turkey chili, crock pot beef and noodles, tater tot hot dish and baked rotini... these are all things that can be made in the AM while my Keurig spits out its first cup of coffee (out of 3 for the day) and my kids eat breakfast... they either cook on low all day, or get thrown in the oven when Zaq's on his way home... (the dinners, not the kids... i don't recommend baking children.) You dont want to know what I live off when he is NOT here.... but Ill tell you anyways. Lean Pockets - Spinach & Artichoke... & Mr. Changs Microwavable shrimp or vegetable egg rolls. Gross right? Totally... don't worry. I always feed the kids proper, and usually organic meals... I just don't as usual take care of myself in the same manner.

I know so many work at home moms (and dads) that deal with these same daily trials... some just as busy, some busier... but i gotta know. How do you do it? Can you shut off? Even if just for a little while... or Am I crazy? I would love some input on the matter, as Im sure there is plenty to be heard :) Love you guys... and i miss blogging... i just (duh, me) have been so busy I havn't had any time... but today i made time just to share this little rant with you.... look forward to hearing what you have to say!

Swinger Sunday - "The Mommy Thing"

Welcome Brooke - from Brooke Van Gory to the stage... i love Brookie... and im sure you all do/will too.. 


Most days, I wake up in the morning, and want to shove the blankets over my face, and go back to sleep. But I drag my butt out of bed, and get to doing what I do. Which is be a mommy. Now here is the kicker. I have some friends that are mommies, and they have kids no older then 3, and they cannot for the life of themselves understand why I have such a tough time on a day to day basis.

Well, here goes the gist of it. With a baby, you get 12 hours of sleep out of them after they start sleeping through the night. OK, I have that, Gory is almost 1, so that is doable. And I work from home, so that would allow for me to have time after 8pm to work, and I could work during nap time, and life would be dandy! But Evan, on the other hand, well, now that is a whole other different story. I wake up at 6am to get Gory out of bed, then wake up Evan to get him ready for school, I feel Gory a bottle, while making sure all Evan's homework is in his backpack, drive him to school, and come back real quick to feed Gory breakfast. At 2pm, I load Gory BACK into the car (nap be damned at this point) to pick Evan UP from school. Get home to start his homework (did I forget to mention that Evan is special needs, and ADD, and it sometimes takes up to 2 hours a night for homework!??!) make dinner, and then try to clean up a bit. And now that Evan is almost 10, his bedtime is 9:00. So that is hard, It is hard finding time to balance a school aged tween with an infant. It is hard for Evan to understand that Gory sometimes needs things, and I need to help him, and put Evan on the back burner for a minute. It is harder then I ever imagined. But you know what?
I have the best 2 sons I anyone could ever wish for. Evan is the most caring brother to Gory, and having him be older, makes him respect Gory even more, and he is patient to a fault. Gory loves Evan, and calls for him each morning to come see him in his room. The bone between them is magical, and on the days when I feel like I am about to lose it, it is the love of these two brothers that makes me realize that I am doing this mommy thing right.

Keep Rockin' mama... we talk daily... we rant daily... sometimes we laugh, sometimes yell... sometimes wanna cry... but your right... were working our asses off and doing this mommy thing right... 

So - theres no denying it was a stressful day... The boys & I dont get out much... and when we do, it seems like its always crazy... And trick or treating? with about 10 other people and 8 toddlers?

Yeah... no dice...

Zavery wanted to eat the candy as soon as he got it... and would throw a fit if he didn't get to... Izzaq wanted to run at the front of the pack and NOT hold hands... and it was just too much to handle without zaq being here. But, it wasn't all bad... not at all... in between all the drama and the meltdowns we had alot of fun cute moments...
The boys & Maddie all sitting down for lunch...

Playing Piano...

snuggling with Maddie after their nap...

The photoshoot at the park... *oh you just wait... itll be FAB!*


But the best best best part of all...
was we pulled into the driveway... and I gave them once last chance to Trick or Treat... I loaded them into the stroller and we walked around until izzaq said he wanted to go home... and we loaded up on more candy... they each had a piece... and stood and took photos for me. It was SUCH a nice end to the day... and reminded me... no matter how dramatic they can be... and how much of a pain in my rear... im still a lucky lucky lucky mama... They may be a handful... but theyre damn cute when they wanna be... ;) Hope everyone had a good Halloween...

A Sad little Sunday Something...

Sad mama...
hubby is gone for the weekend... I just had WAY too much work to do... and with crabby babies, decided to stay home. I have bouncing back and forth between babies & the sewing machine for 24 hours... got about 4-5 hours of sleep, MAYBE... And just wanted to take a little time out to blog. While I brewed yet ANOTHER pot of coffee in 24 hours...

Ya know - I may be an anxious, overwhelmed spaz 90% of the time... Trying to jugging my growing store... a clean house... happy children... and a... well, um... lets say a satisfied husband... It doesn't leave much time for happy & relaxed reflectionBut the other 10%... like this last hour... I can still sit back and realize im a very lucky girl. The boys took a crappy nap... but today I didn't care...I went up there... snuggled with Zave... we giggled... pretended to sleep & snore and then... pop up & *RAWR* and scare IzzaQ... it was fun... I got sweet texts from ZaQ... saying he missed me and hoped my day was going well... Can you believe after 4 years we still miss eachother? My ADD brain jsut flashed to the movie Super Bad...
*Evan's Mom (Stacy Edwards): "You gonna miss each other?"
*Evan: "No. Miss each other? No, thank you. I don't-- I don't miss each other."
*Seth: "Yeah, I'm gonna cry myself to sleep everynight."
*Evan: "Me too."
I Knocked out some orders & the LIttle Peanut Boutique bunch as well... etc. etc. etc. overall a good day... and its not over. But it was mainly good for one reason... because I let it... Sometimes it is SO hard just to let yourself have a good day... I know it sounds silly... but usually its the stupidest things that can ruin it for me... Pizza on my carpet... Ants in my garage... bad naps... fighting kids... and after all that... all it takes is one comment from zaq... spoken in the wrong tone to make my head spin... and then after HIS long day, he will come home and im just a bitch... he didnt ask for it... and he didn't do it... Its not like he called Izzaq and said, "hey dude... be sure to mess with your mom today... its not like she does anything around here," lol *at least I hope he's not!!* So yeah, my point is... i gotta learn to roll with it better... shit happens... and you just gotta get over it. Cuz lets face it, it could totally be worse... Which brings me to the inspiration of this post... A article I came across today on twitter... It is me 100%... over caffinated... over anxious... and over-bitchy, lol
*sometimes... not always i promise... but mostly...*

SIPPY CUPS ARE FOR DOUBLE FRAPPUCCINOS By: Dani Klein Modisett:

"His jacket and backpack are so dirty he looks like a homeless person," my husband said to me on the phone after dropping my son off for the school bus this morning.

Then I hung up on him.

I'd just sucked down the last sip of my daily double breakfast cappuccino (you know, for the calcium) and was perhaps a little prickly. Mommy needs some inspiration to wake up lately and I'm finding espresso beans are exactly the right bait to lure me out of bed with a smile on my face. Not without it's price though, like I said, caffeine makes me a little "sensitive," a little trigger happy with the feelings of persecution and rage. Not necessarily in that order.

My husband claims he didn't mean his observations about our ragamuffin as a criticism, but that's how I heard it.

Sure, my ego was swollen and tender from caffeine and warm milk, but isn't it the mother's job to make sure her child looks cared for by keeping him and his stuff clean? Given that, and I do take that as a given, the question is how do I do all that requires and work and make sure all the teachers get cards for their birthdays, and do volunteer work at my son's school, and remember to feed the bunny, not to mention clean his cage?

Am I whining? I hate whining. I hate when people like me who have enough money to put food on the table and keep the heat on and have two healthy children and a spouse they still occasionally find attractive and for some even more perplexing reason still finds them attractive starts complaining about volunteer work or thank you notes. Just. Shut. Up.

I'm getting cranky a little cranky. Latte anyone?"

Quoted from: http://www.momlogic.com/2009/01/coffee_high.php#ixzz0UKYn34NY

That last paragraph is the best... if you skimmed, go back and reread the last part, lol This made my day... I hope it made yours as well... Do me a favor? Try to enjoy the rest of your Sleepy Sunday... *Now that I took up all your time with this blog* But really... Appreciate the little things, at least try... Remind yourself that (like right now) dodging baseballs at the face can be fun while blogging... not just stressful... and like earlier... IzzaQ asking me if I wanted to see his Poopies! Thats not just stinky & gross... Its good! Cuz this time they were in the potty!! AND not hiding under my kitchen table! yay! See... theres always a positive spin... Just gotta look for it... Check there... buried under the laundry pile... No? There in the dirty dishes? Hmmm... it must be next to the trash still waiting to be taken out ;)

I won some awards! Yay!

Id like to thank the academy...
my kids, for always giving me some reason to blog...
my fiance for always supporting me, while driving me crazy at the same time...
and my true love, all the free stuff I get to giveaway to my awesome readers :)

alright alright... maybe that was a little much... haha
but really... thanks for the awards.
I always look through other blogs and think...
hmmm, wonder if Ill ever get one of those... :)
and here we are... today i get one!

I received the...

from Bella Mia Beads
http://www.bellamiabeads.blogspot.com/

To share the blog award love - I have to share it with 15 people...

My 15 people who I think deserve this award :)
1) http://27static27.blogspot.com/ - Just Bakin YUM!
2)http://ravenxxxx.blogspot.com/ - Dirty Pretty Things
3)http://kaboogietwoshoes.blogspot.com/ - Kaboogie
4) http://www.thesitsgirls.com/ - My sits girls!
5) http://www.lifestarringellieandeve.com/
6) http://firstposition.blogspot.com/ - Jessie, First Position
7) http://www.blissnine.com/blog/ - Bliss 9 Nine
8) http://www.aforestfrolic.com/ - A Forest Frolic
9)http://www.myitwins.com/ - by Mama Joss
10)http://stuffbyxtine.blogspot.com/ - Stuff By Xtine
11) http://babyculbygrows.blogspot.com/ - Our Little Famiy of Three
12) http://etsykids.blogspot.com/ - Etsy Kids
13) http://babyboofelt.blogspot.com/ - Baby Boo
14)http://rocky-the-zombie.blogspot.com/ - Rocky the Zombie
15) http://zrustwedding.blogspot.com/ - My other blog, because its pretty :)

and the Honest Scrap award...

from Baby Bees Boutique
http://babybeesboutique.blogspot.com/

"The Honest Scrap award comes with a caveat or two. Firstly, you have to tell your readers ten things about you they may not know, but that are true. Secondly, you have to tag 10 people with the award. Thirdly, let all the people you've given the award to know that they've gotten it (comment on their blogs or something). And finally, make sure you link back to the person who awarded you."

I wanna share this one with most of the same people...
and a few curve balls :)

1) http://27static27.blogspot.com/ - Just Bakin YUM!
2)http://ravenxxxx.blogspot.com/ - Dirty Pretty Things
3)http://kaboogietwoshoes.blogspot.com/ - Kaboogie
4) http://www.thesitsgirls.com/ - My sits girls!
5) http://www.apsychmommy.com/ - A Psych Mommy
6) http://firstposition.blogspot.com/ - Jessie, First Position
7) http://babyboofelt.blogspot.com/ - Baby Boo
8) http://www.aforestfrolic.com/ - A Forest Frolic
9)http://www.myitwins.com/ - by Mama Joss
10)http://stuffbyxtine.blogspot.com/ - Stuff By Xtine

Thanks guys!

Now: My 10 things you may not know about me for the Honest Scrap award..
#1) I have an insane phobia of Aliens... its pretty insane
#2) I have had both nipples pierced twice.
The first time i took them out when i was pregnant with izzaq... OUCH!
#3) I hate the iPhone - i just dont get what all the hype is about...
#4) Im getting married in July
#5) For the first time in 3 years, I can buy my own femenine products...
thank god for RockerByeBaby... I have gained some independence back.
#6) I was going to school at a private college, Bradley University...
to be a Psychologist in a Mental Institution or Prison. Plans change.
#7) I have a freckle on my bum cheek... i call it my butt freckle
#8) I love taking showers... I would hang out in the shower all day if I could.
#9) I have met some new friends and im totally crossing over to be a hippy...
I carry reusable bags... I have even started cloth diapering every now and then...
AND i have been buying the boys alot of Organic food and tshirts...
#10) There is no number 10, i am out of useless information :)

We Found You Some Fathers Day Freebies!!

Check it out guys!
Another awesome review this week...
Sorry I missed you last week, I was out of town.

But Im here, now... no more tears...
only smiles and laughter...
cuz, this weeks review is TOTALLY worth a few :)

www.gramkinpaperstudio.etsy.com

You HAVE to check them out...
Yes I know, the last review was stationary too...
and amazing, right?
Naughty... silly... etc...
But Gramkin Paper Studio is just straight up...
on the rocks... no sugar rim... funny...
To tell you my favorite would be impossible...
I just can't... This shop is genius...
Lets start with their line of Courtesy Cards...
Ya know when you FINALLY get a break from the kids...
and you sit down at Caribou to sip a coffee...
or maybe at the local Market to pick up a few things...
and just when you start to appreciate the quiet...
there they are... someone elses kids...
screaming, yelling... throwing stuff...
*You think... I COULD HAVE StAYED HOME TO HEAR THIS!!*
I have your solution... ;)

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25685129
A wonderful way to ask for peace and quiet...
from one mommy to another... haha

Now... for you "all occasion" type needs...
when your not quite sure what to say...
you totally need the Lil' Bitch Box...
You can do a mix pack of 5 each of your favorite 2 designs...
OR - my choice... would totally be the random grab bag of 10...
because they're all amazing... you can't go wrong with that...

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24725002

I could go on and on and on about all my favorite stuff from her shop.
And, when she aggreed to do a review/giveaway I was thrilled...
Why? Because its all so awesome...
Lucky me, I got to try out their Fathers Day Card...
and lucky you... you might get one too!
Its perfect... Zaq and I are always so silly with each other...
we have 2 boys, 11 months apart... and things here...
well, sometimes they are just pure insanity...
so this card is TOTALLY the perfect fathers day card for him.
I can't wait until he sees it!
There is no better way than this... to say... Daddy We love you...
Thanks for not leaving :) hahahahahahaha

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25292852

Perfect, right? Well, I have GREAT news...
They gave us a set for you JUST in time for fathers day...
An awesome father day set...
The "perfect" Fathers Day card...
A rad pack of 10 "Cut That Shit Out" note cards...
And a 10 pack of "NO" courtesy cards...

Any daddy would be lucky to get these...
OR... any mommy would be lucky to give daddy the card, and snag the rest... haha

You know the drill!
Lots and lots of comment love to win!
First and most important...
Go check out her shop...
http://www.gramkinpaperstudio.etsy.com
Leave us a comment with your FAVORITES...
and why YOU want... need... should win the goodies :)

As always - ways to gain some extra entries!!

#2) ONE EXTRA COMMENT Follow us (blogger) - Leave a separate comment for being a follower on our blog.

#3) TWO EXTRA ENTRIES Follow/Tweet us (Twitter) - www.twitter.com/RockerByeBaby Leave TWO separate comments for being a follower and TWEETING about this giveaway on Twitter... If your already a twitter follower of ours, TWEET about it for an TWO entries anyways :)Just be sure to leave us your Twitter name so we can check up!

#4) THREE EXTRA ENTRIES!! Write a blog about this giveaway and link back to this review. (leave 3 separate comments with the link to the blog)

#5) FOUR EXTRA ENTRIES!! Buy something from her Shop - leave the link to the transaction in FOUR separate comments...

**Winners are chosen at random so, separate comments are important.

Note to Self Saturday: Keep your mouth shut!! You WILL jinx yourself...

I want to preface this blog by using the definition of "jinx":Jinx\, n. A person, object, influence, or supernatural being which is supposed to bring bad luck or to cause things to go wrong.

Now - for my story...
Ya know "they" always say - if its too good to be true, it probably is...
Or... if your toddlers being good at a restaurant, you NEVER say it outloud...
you dare even THINK it, because the second you do... expect a meltdown. Or, wow... I sure have gotten the house really clean today - just then, a tornado blows through your living room... and only YOUR living room. Or maybe even, yeah, it sure has been a swell day today right honey? Just then your mother in law calls and announces her surprise visit... for a week... and shes staying your spare bedroom... wow, now thats bad luck... OR, ahem... a jinx... but I had one yesterday that will compete pretty well with that...

I was driving with the boys to Wal-Mart... I had to pick up a few things...
Poly-Fil, Printer Ink, Vaccuum bags... a viberator and some lube, wait what!?
No no... i just made that part up...
that would definitely make the story more interesting though!
Now that your listening... ill continue...
... had to pick up a few things...
while on my way, I was thinking of what I would blog about for...
"Note to Self Saturday"....
and I was totally stumped...
*heres where it all went bad*
I thought - wow... I havn't really done anything stupid this week...
*GASP!*
So I got to wal-mart...
grabbed all my goodies...
(including a $9 eco-friendly toddler potty to keep in the sewing studio for potty training... I recommend one in every room)
I put the potty under the cart and proceeded to the checkout...
They nice lady while giggling with the boys rang me up...
and I put the potty back under the cart.
Just then, I realized I left my wallet in the car in my other bag.
OOPS! Silly me...
So I tell her Ill be right back, she holds my items,
and off I go sprinting towards the door pushing the boys.
While running out of the door the alarm goes off...
*Lets remember... I have hot pink hair, a half sleeve of tattoos... and piercings...*
So the lady stops me and as Im running out, I remember... SHIT! The potty is down there.
I hand it to her, explain I have to get my wallet... etc.
Well, that wasn't good enough... 2 people came over.
Asked for my receipt. I pointed down the isle...
exlained the situation and said, my stuff is down there, I have to get my wallet ill be right back. Walk me out if you want.
Im here to spend over $100, why would I steal a $9 potty chair!!??
Finally they agreed and let me go...
While walking out the door... BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP...
it went off again...
I pulled everything out of my bags... my purse shook out the kids blankets, etc.
At this point, I have a gathering of gawkers... (<--- hehe)
A month ago zaq bought me a pack of tongue rings from walmart...
Well, today - it was setting off the alarm. I dont know why...
ive been there a ton of times since... except for, the jinx...
So I pulled it out, handed it to her...
again... asked wehre my receipt was.
I had no clue... it was a month ago!
Finally after an almost 15 minute process...
the security lady realized that you had to get those out of the case and pay at the jewelry counter... adn they let me go...
I ran out, got my wallet... paid...
and hauled butt home with my VERY crabby babies at that point...

Recap:
15 minute trips can go terribly wrong when mixed with a jinx... always, always wear your jinx cup... (like a nut up, but better)

Note To Self:
When things are going good KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!!! You WILL jinx yourself... Dont say it.. dont even think it... just go with it... also, when making a Bee-line to the wal-mart door... be sure your not "stealing" anything...

I Need You: Tell me your funniest, most horrible Jinx that you can remember