Shakalaka

Shakalaka is a shop on Etsy owned by Deb.  She was gracious enough to send me a set of 4 cloth wipes to review.  They are great!  The prints she has are really cute too!  They are flannel on one side and terry cloth on the other.

The size fits my hand perfectly.  At first I was worried that they were a bit too small, but they weren't!  I still had room to wipe at least 4 times with each of these cloth wipes.

Here you can see just how ribbed the terry cloth side is.  It works REALLY well at scrubbing off the junk - wether you're wiping a face or a little tush. =)  But don't worry - it's a soft terry cloth, not scratchy and stiff like some terry that I've encountered in the past.

We've used these for several months now.  The flannel has pilled just a little bit.  They clean up really well - not even one stain can be found (and we tested them on the spaghetti sauce face!)!  These would make a great addition to your stash - or a nice sustainable gift for a mommy-to-be. 

received a set of cloth wipes for review.  All opinions are truthful and my own.  You may have a different experience.  Shakalaka is sponsoring the giveaway of cloth wipes.

Ruthie Truthie: TRUTHlets

Back story: When I was in college, in the middle of Tennessee, through mutual friends, I met a girl named Stephanie. I graduated and moved back home to Virginia, where I met this amazing man. He & I got married, and a few months later, moved to Raleigh, NC where he would start attending seminary to work on his M.Div. We found a church we loved and joined the new members class. Sitting in the first class, we watched people enter the room. In came a couple, I just KNEW that I went to MTSU with them. It had been a couple years, and we had all changed a little, but I KNEW it was Stephanie and Josh (who I also had met at MTSU). They sat down in front of us and I was speechless. We had to go around the room and give a little info about ourselves. My jaw hit the floor as they said they went to MTSU. When I said it, they both spun around and some "wow's" were exchanged! So random and so neat to have our paths cross again. They moved a couple years later to help with a church plant in Florida, but while they were in NC, Stephanie started creating and selling some amazing creations.

Fast forward to now: Stephanie has started Ruthie Truthie (formerly ETC....Cards) and is making TRUTHlets like crazy!

So, what is a TRUTHlet? A super soft, handmade cloth bracelet with your favorite scripture (or quote) printed on it.

The bracelets close with 1-2 buttons and an elastic loop.

The TRUTHlets easily wrap around your wrist and allow your favorite verses to literally be at arm's reach.Stephanie also makes gorgeous Bible covers that can be customized to your specific desires.


Another awesome feature of Ruthie Truthie is the Adoption Fundraising Package.If you are adopting, you can purchase 25 TRUTHlets with a personal message at a discounted rate to resell them to put the funds towards your adoption. Stephanie also suggests using fabric that is representative of your child's culture to add a personal connection for those supporting you!

You can also keep up to date with Stephanie's creations on her Facebook page - be sure to let her know that CDA sent you!

Disclaimer: I received a TRUTHlet free in a giveaway. All opinions are my own.

Cheeky Fluff

Welcome Cheeky Fluff!

Rachael from Cheeky Fluff contacted me and asked me to review a diaper for her. I was sent this cute turtle print diaper to use on my son. Let me just start of by saying this is the cutest diaper ever! Maybe I am just partial to it because I love turtles and its the only turtle diaper I own but seriously look at it! It's so cute!
This diaper features cross over snaps and is a OS diaper. The rise snaps are brown so kind of hard to see in the picture but there are 4 different rise options.

This diaper is made with 100% cotton outer materials, and has a hidden layer of PUL for waterproof-ness and the inside is lined with a soft anti-pill fleece. The diaper is turned and top stitched.

I love the snap colors used on the diaper. The orange snaps really pop on it!

Here is the diaper opened up. I think having two different materials is a really fun look.
The inside of the diaper, like I said above, is lined with a soft anti-pill fleece. The diaper comes with two soakers. A newborn soaker which is made with 6 layers of cotton fleece and the toddler size soaker is made with 5 layers of cotton fleece. As you can see in the picture above the newborn soaker has a snap that you can snap onto the shell or into the toddler size soaker. The toddler size soaker can then snap into the shell, like in the picture below.
Here is a side shot of DS wearing the turtle diaper. I had it put together with both soakers and as you can see it is pretty trim.

Rear-view shot...DS didn't want to hold still for pictures!

And the front. I am able to have this snapped pretty tight around the waist with room for him to chunk up some more. Right now he is pretty average build, not rolly polly and not super skinny.

And here is my little mover doing some tricks for us! Silly boy!

What do I think overall:
-Well we already know I love the print of this diaper. :) The fit on my DS is pretty good right now. We can use the diaper with it snapped down just to the first snap or leave it open. He is kind of in between rise settings but we don't have a problem with it on either setting. I typically use both soakers in the diaper at the same time just because DS is a heavy wetter. Usually around the 2 hour mark when I change diapers there is still plenty of dry material for him to soak so the diaper does hold a good amount. We haven't had any issues with leaking which is something I was wondering about because it is a little narrower between the legs and on the butt unlike most of our other diapers but it has not become and issue at all.

If you are looking for a nice WAHM AI2 diaper system with cute prints you should defiantly check out Cheeky Fluff. The diapers average $20.00 a piece.

Cheeky Fluff sent me a AI2 OS diaper to use and review free of charge. The opinions in this post are my own and I was not paid to write this. My experiences may differ from yours.

The Sili Squeeze

I was looking on FB at some different pages dealing with baby items and I came across this neat little bottle called the Sili Squeeze. I was able to get one and do a review on the product!
This is a 4oz squeeze bottle that you can put anything you want to as far as "squishy" food! Such as yougurt, a smoothie and even baby food! I look at it as instead of buying the expensive food in the bags you can make your own and put it inside of here.

As you can see here all you do is open it up and pour in! Here I am squeezing a gogurt into it. WAY less mess. I squeezed and squeezed and squeezed and it does not leak out nor will your child be able to squeeze it out. I had my 2 year old and my 4 year old and even my 6 year old try to squeeze it out and they could not get it out. All you have to do is suck on it and it comes out!
This is my 2 year old squeezing with all his might to try and get it to come out.

Here he is sucking it out. He said "this is fun mama" They absloutley love this squeeze and they fight over who gets to use it. So easy to use and so easy to clean out too :) As you can see in the picture listed above too there is a string attached to the cover so you will never loose the cover unless it is cut off. the nipple part of the squeeze is durable too. It will not be easy to chew through!



You can visit the Sili squeeze compay's website and get more information.

Modified Momma Creations - OS AI2 Review

I have been a Facebook fan of Modified Momma Creations for some time. I was thrilled when Nikki (the mom behind MMC) agreed to a review of one of her diapers. She sent me this beyond-adorable OOGA AI2 (which I'm really starting to find a love for - the AI2's...I've loved the OOGA print since I first saw it!) ;) There are quite a few things I love about this diaper:

The nice, tight elastic. It is so tight and snug, but it doesn't leave red marks on Caedmon's legs. It also proved to hold in some extreme messes!
The trimness. I don't really mind if my kiddo has 'cloth diaper heiny' or 'fluff butt' (I think fluffy bottoms are pretty dang cute), but, seriously. t.r.i.m.!
The inside has a snap in ZorbII. I had never used Zorb before, I was wow'd...
Nikki has created her AI2's with the option to snap in the front or the back, so boy's have the option to have the insert snapped in the 'business area' :)
Lots of snap options! Since it is one-size (OS), there are two rows of snaps to adjust the rise. There are also cross-over snaps on the waist for those skinny-waisted babies!** Nikki did change her snap configuration since I received this diaper for review. The double row of snaps is now in straight rows as opposed to angles.

If you've never used Zorb before, here is a close up. It is so unbelievably, incredibly soft. And extremely absorbent (hence the name!) It's kind of squishy and stretchy so you can wrap it up and around your little one for a nice, close, snug fit before placing the cover over.
I emailed Nikki and shared with her our first experience with this diaper. Long story short, Caedmon was in this AI2 for about 5 hours (the last of those, asleep on me...yikes!) Having never used the Zorb before, I was really worried those last couple hours...I kept tricking myself into thinking I was feeling...warmth. No. Not a single drop leaked out.

We could always get a nice snug fit, though it did take a couple tries with my squirmier to get it just right. (I felt like the waist tabs looked funny, but my husband, who can see outside of the box, showed me how it would look more "straight" if the cross over snaps were being used). I was worried that the extra "flap" would cause leak issues, but it has not!
As I said, there was always a super snug fit around the thighs, and, even with as snug as the diaper is around his legs, no red marks.
The back elastic provided an amazing fit as well, and did the job holding in the mess created!
On the info page, Nikki highly suggests drying your diapers to extend the life of them (If you remember, I spoke of that in the past as well when I had some diapers repaired). I have been doing that and both the cover and the Zorb dries super fast!

Nikki makes a wide variety of items which you can find on her website, as well as her Hyena Cart, both under the name Modified Momma Creations. You can purchase semi-custom diapers (which can be made into pockets, fitteds, AIO or AI2), electronic sleeves, contoured Zorb inserts and food baggies.

Not only does Nikki make extremely high quality product, her fabric choices are AWESOME. As I browsed her past creations albums, I drooled over the most amazing modern and vintage prints!!

Disclaimer: I received one AI2 in Ooga print for review. All opinions are honest and my own. You may have a different experience.

Inspired by Finn Amber Teething Necklace

Inspired by Finn Amber Teething Necklace

I had been hearing a lot about how amber necklaces really help with teething pain for babies and was curious to see if they really work or if it was just a hype. I wanted to make sure I got a real amber necklace and not just some cheap plastic look alike. I went to Inspired by Finn.


Inspired by Finn is a store on hyena cart that sells baltic amber, hazel wood and gemstone jewelry that all aid in easing many discomforts ranging from back pain, teething and arthritis to eczema, carpal tunnel and even headaches or menstrual cramping. Depending on what your pain is, your needs could easily be met. They carry bracelets, necklaces, anklets and strands that can wrap around your waist. You just need a measurement. Not sure what/how to measure? They provide all the information that you need on a quick link on their page!

A little bit about amber: (taken from Inspired by Finn's Hyena cart page)


"Baltic amber is not a stone, but a fossilized tree resin."

"Historically, Baltic Amber has been used in Europe as a natural and traditional remedy and curative for many ailments for centuries. Long ago it was considered one of the leading medicines of its time. Baltic Amber is the most esteemed amber in the world, and the healing qualities of Baltic Amber make it unlike any other type of amber found in the world.

When baltic amber is worn on the skin, the skin's warmth releases trace amounts of healing oils from the amber. These oils contain succinic acid and are absorbed into the skin.

Baltic Amber has some of the highest concentrations of Succinic Acid found in nature, and this is what makes it so special. Succinic Acid is a natural component of plant and animal tissues, and it's presence in the human body is beneficial in many ways. "



So you are probably wondering "Does it work?" My honest opinion??...keep reading to find out!




Kynlie had gotten her bottom two teeth in when she was about 6 months old with minor issues so I had been prepared for her to start getting in her top teeth a few months later. At 9 months we still had no top "teefers" so I didn't really need to use the necklace. Just before her 1st Birthday she went through a horrible teething phase.



When Kynlie was about 11 months old, she started a series of ear infections that is still going on now. We put on her necklace about a week after the first ear infection realizing it could be in part with teething. She had been on meds for about a week as well so her feeling better could be to do with that but I also believe it had a large part to do with the necklace.

We didn't have her wear it daily for a few reasons. 1. My husband thought I was insane to think that it would work. 2. I have two other kids and I don't want to have to worry checking it all the time to see if it was in her mouth or caught on something and 3. I forgot a lot of the time to put it on. I am a mom-sleep deprived and all so give me a little credit!



Once I committed myself to have her wear it everyday, I noticed a change in her demeanor. She was a lot less fussy, she didn't smack at her head above her ears anymore and she slowed her chewing on her pacifier (that squeaky noise is like nails on a chalkboard to me!) She was definitely a different baby. She felt better. And so did Mommy.

I would like to make a quick note her to say that she wore it only when she was awake and had my full attention. She never wore it for naps and it always came off before bedtime (part of the reason we forgot to put it back on in the mornings.) :) You should do this too!

While we are still on antibiotics to help get rid of the ear infections, she had broken through all four of her top teeth (in one week). One has gone back up into her gums, so we are still using the necklace daily to help while that one comes back down. She generally seems to be a happier mood when she has the necklace on. Not to mention she looks cute!

We did get a few comments on things like "Why does your baby have a necklace on?" and "Isn't that dangerous?" This would start with me telling them about it and that usually led to talking about cloth diapering!

We ordered the lemonade necklace with round beads in a 10.5 inch. As you can see in this picture, it has a unique screw in clasp. There is also a knot between each piece of amber to ensure that if it does break, it will not drop all the beads.



When you get your necklace it will arrive in a little bag in a box with the date and location it was made. In the box is also instructions on care and cleaning of your jewelry and how to preserve it. There is also more information on how your jewelry works and how you can use it. Please note that amber jewelry is not meant to be used as a cure!

Please note: Amber necklaces are NOT for chewing on. They are meant to be kept inside the babies clothes next to the skin where it will work. The pictures taken were just to show the necklace off. :)

If you already own some amber jewelry and are not sure if it is real...try this test. Take a needle or pin and heat it up with a flame. Poke the hot tip into one of the beads. If it melts and stinks, then it is a fake. Amber jewelry will not stink as it is not made of plastic!

Check out Inspired by Finn on:

FACEBOOK

HYENA CART

As I mentioned before, please make sure you are with your baby at all times when he/she is wearing an amber necklace. Take it off for sleepy time and never let baby chew it! I hope you have good results like I did!


I was given a discount to purchase my own amber teething necklace for review. I was not paid for this review and opinions and results were that of my own. Your opinions and results may differ.