Posts Tagged ‘for the readers’
Laura on August 24th, 2009
We have one big, glaring problem when we sleep. My husband is a sleeping furnace. This issue is two-fold. He is always warm, and because he radiates heat, I am hot as well. In the summer in Texas, this is no fun.
Thankfully, Select Comfort has come up with a way to keep the two of us nice and cool while we slumber. While we don’t have a Sleep Number bed (yet…), we do have the Select Comfort In Balance Layer.
I was skeptical about whether or not the In Balance Layer would actually keep us cool in the summer, but the first time I layed down on it, it felt immediately cool! Since we’re trying to save money, we keep our home at 75 degrees at night, which is a pretty high temperature for us polar bears. Imagine this: I have been using our down comforter at night because I get COLD.
The Select Comfort In Balance Layer helps you save money and stay cool while you rest-and that makes for a good night’s sleep!
Laura on July 21st, 2009
Hey Friends! Remember our new little shop we just opened? Well, we have seen the actual 12″ x 12″ prints up close and personal, and they are gorgeous! I’m planning a mad uploading session that involves more dinosaurs (Dino-Shores) and more jungle animals (Jungle Jazz). What’s on the horizon for Space Monkey? Well, Zany Monsters, Rag Dolls, and Teddy Bears!
And don’t worry, MumsTheWurd! is not going to turn into the Space Monkey Blog (Space Monkey’s got one of those…), but I’m just excited about this venture into our own business…so, I’ll talk about it from time to time, and also tell you when we’re having sales (like the one going on right now- 15% off with the coupon code “BLASTOFF”).
We’ve also had a bit of publicity already, which is very exciting…BabyLuxe {daily} will review the Jazzy Giraffes in August, but they loved us so much, they put up a special post on Sunday! Wasn’t that sweet? And we also got a mention in NBC DFW’s “Around Town” section.
Is it appropriate for me to say “Boo-Yah”?
Laura on January 16th, 2009
When I was pregnant with Lennon, I knew I had all the answers when it came to mothering a baby. What I was most sure about was that he’d be a great sleeper, and be sleeping through the night within weeks…a couple of months at the most! Noel was a suburb sleeper, and the book that we went by to keep him calm and comforted as an infant would work with Lennon too. I know, I know…all babies are different, but they couldn’t be that different, right?
I’ll give you all a moment to compose yourselves…stop laughing already!
Remember all those months I spent not blogging? It might have had something to do with the fact that not only did I now have the responsibility of two babies (if they’re both still in diapers, they’re still babies!), but we had the overwhelming responsibility of a baby that catnapped, had reflux, and didn’t want to be very far from his mama…for TEN FREAKING MONTHS. Ok, the reflux only lasted a couple months, but the clinginess and crappy sleeping habits lasted a very long time.
Just when I was reaching the point of desperation, who should step in but Elizabeth Pantley, author of The No-Cry Sleep Solution. The No-Cry Series of books offers comforting, soothing ideas for getting your children sleeping soundly without the freak-outs, the drama, and the heartbreaking method of “crying it out”. Pantley gives you tools to assess what your baby really needs when they cry. We had let our situation go on so long, that I believe it had just become habit for Lennon to get up 3-4 times a night to nurse (yes…every, single night for 10 months). We took a leap of faith, and started enacting Pantley’s methods, and lo and behold, within just a few days, we had our boy sleeping through the night!
Now, clearly, I am not going to say that The No-Cry Sleep Solution will work for everyone, but it has worked for us. I like the gentle approach to getting your baby to sleep, and The No-Cry Sleep Solution has been a good solution for my family. We’re all better rested, and definitely happier! Next on my list from the No-Cry Series: The No-Cry Potty Training Solution. I will keep you posted…
Laura on October 19th, 2008
Have you noticed that we have another new Mum? Jaymi, better known as FlipFlopMamma, has joined the awesomeness that is MumsTheWurd! She is the bomb. Welcome her! Jaymi is another babywearing mamma of 3 cool kids that you’ll see from time to time on Mums.
While we’re on the topic of babywearing, I have to tell you about the pouch from Rockin’ Baby Sling! Well, first of all, they’re gorgeous! Secondly, all the pouches and slings are named after songs, and really good songs, at that! Check their huge selection of slings and pouches. You are bound to find one that suits your style! My issue with the pouch has always been that it seems to snug. Not the Rockin’ Baby Pouch-these slings are generously sized. My Medium/Large “I’ll Stop the World and Melt With You” fits me on the smallest setting for carrying Lennon, and on the biggest size for carrying Noel (it’s happened a couple times). Like a sling, this pouch allows you to hold your baby in a variety of ways. Find a way that is comfortable for both you, and your child, and start babywearing! Want another reason to buy from these two Rockin’ Mamas? They give 3% of their profits to Heifer International.
Do you enjoy babywearing, but find that it takes time away from doing certain things, like exercising (as if hauling around your baby isn’t exercise enough…)? Well, the gals at Chicks-n-Chickens found a way to make it easy for you to get a little workout in while cuddling on your little bundle. The Chicks Lullaby Exercises is a great way to get a little exercise for yourself, keep your baby close, and get them ready to nod off to dreamland. I’ve done Lullaby Exercises with Lennon a few times, and it was pretty great. It was a fun workout, without being too over the top. I really enjoyed the sleep set, which was very relaxing, and did indeed put Lennon right to sleep! Want to try it?
Win it!
Enter here and tell us how you enjoy getting exercise with your kids! Winner will be selected randomly, and contacted via email. Contest ends October 26rd at 10pm (CST).
Laura on October 15th, 2008
We are sad to announce that Fooey USA will be closing it’s virtual doors. However, they are having a closeout sale that you won’t want to miss! It’s all rad stuff, and it’s super cheap! My mom got these shorts for Noel & Lennon (they won’t fit Noel next summer) for $8.99! They are SOOOOO CUTE. Fooey’s also got the best collection of shirts for kids and infants. Some are as low as $3.99, people, but they won’t last! Get over there, and say goodbye to one of the best stores out there. Fooey, we are sorry to see you go!
On a sunnier note, Ashlee has come up with a new name for her store! Nonny & Boo, formerly Nest Baby Sling, now offers even more great items, like wraps (that are the coolest EVER), hoodies, and plushies! As usual, Ashlee’s wares are quite simply the coolest! Pictured here, are Steph and Ivy in nonny & boo’s bamboo sling. We have this sling, and Elliott and I share it. We love it. The fabric is light, but very strong, and it works well going out in the Texas heat. We just heart the lady over at nonny & boo, and you will too.
Laura on October 13th, 2008
If you’re on Twitter, you may already know Erin Ely. Erin is a stay-at-home mom, teacher, and researcher, among other things, and she’s got a PASSION for organics. That’s why she had dedicated herself to selling the some of the highest quality organic products on the market, Miessence. Check out some of the ingredients: Aloe Vera, Chamomile, Avocado Oils…mmmm…doesn’t your skin already feel soft? Miessence offers many different kinds of products. For pregnant mums, there’s the Breast & Belly Balm, which is “completely safe to use during pregnancy, and beyond, to help your skin regain it’s suppleness.” Their line of awesome baby products contains no perfumes, chemicals, essential oils, allergens, or nuts! I received some Miessence Baby Cream Wash from Erin, and I must say, I love it! It will last a long time, as you only need a small amount, and it’s made both of my boys’ skin sooooooo soft! I also don’t have to worry about what I’m putting on their delicate skin-Miessence is completely safe for even the youngins’!
If you want your family to have products that are good for the soul, good for the environment, and good for you & your skin, visit Erin’s Miessence site and order some of the best organic products available!
Naomi on October 4th, 2008
Scholastic’s Storybook Treasures is a collection of DVDs that will make you feel slightly less guilty about using the TV for a babysitter. All kidding aside, these DVDs are the closest thing you’ll find to reading aloud. The narration is slow and steady and purposeful, which is very useful to try and coax kids into reading along if you happen to have the book that it is based upon. Luckily, the titles available in Scholastic’s Storybook Treasures series are all tried and true classics. In fact, the laid-back pacing of these adaptations reminds me of the old classroom filmstrips from my youth, the ones that required you to hang on every word until the beep told you to advance the frame. Such a difference from the frenetic style of today’s action-packed cartoons!
We recently received Make Way for Ducklings…and more delightful duck stories. Robert McCloskey’s sweet story of nesting ducks always makes me smile. And Jasper especially likes this DVD since “duck” is one of the words he can say understandably. Lucky for my little duck lover, this extra-long (76 minutes!) disc also features The Story of Ping, The Ugly Duckling, and Angus and the Ducks, as well as two stories that have non-duck birds in central roles.
If you have a dog lover, Harry the Dirty Dog…and more playful puppy stories may be more your style. There are six canine-centric tales on this 73 minute DVD. Roo loves the one about Harry trying to lose his new sweater from grandma.
The Storybook Treasures DVD I enjoyed most was Where the Wild Things Are…and 5 more stories. I have long been a Maurice Sendak fan and the title story is one of my all-time favorite childrens books. There is also an adaptation of In the Night Kitchen, and I am pleased to report that Mickey’s nethers are unretouched here. (I can’t believe that some libraries censor or remove this book for full frontal nudity… geez, it’s called a penis and half the world has ‘em, right?) The other fantastic thing about this collection is the inclusion of the Nutshell Library. I love reading these to Roo and Jasper, but I must admit that the Carole King versions pretty much blow me away. Duh. I vaguely remember these songs from my youth; they were part of the Really Rosie LP. I wish I still had that!
WIN IT!
Where the Wild Things Are…and 5 more stories (four winners!)
Click HERE to enter and tell us which childhood literary classic you would like to see turned into a Scholastic Storybook Treasures DVD. Contest ends Saturday, October 18th at 10 PM CST. Winner will be chosen randomly and notified via email. Good Luck!!
Laura on September 13th, 2008
We now bring you the first in our new series of posts geared toward the Dads, brought to you by the spouses of The Mums. Here’s one by The Father of the Year!
I have, for the most part, loathed shaving ever since I felt required to do it. It just always seemed like a thankless & repetitive job. There was nothing there that I could rally behind. Add razor-burn to that, and I have looked like an unshaven slacker for my entire adult life.
I have shaved every day for the last week. I have looked forward to it. I have even enjoyed it. What?
Enter the Retro Razor and the world of wet shaving with a double-edged razor. This is, most likely, how your grandfather shaved. It is cheaper. It is more earth-friendly. It obliterates razor burn. Interested? I certainly was. 
Chadd Bennett, proprietor of Retro Razor, was kind enough to send me a starter kit to review, as well as answer a lot of questions:
- Will I cut myself to pieces?
- Is it hard to find this stuff?
- How long does one blade last?
- Do I need special soap or shaving cream?
- Will this really help with razor-burn?
After a week of shaving with the Retro, I have some answers:
- The first few times I got a few nicks – nothing more than usual. By the end of the week, I was only getting 1 nick at the most. The trick is to not press down very much with the razor. The blade is sharp – let it do it’s thing.
- It is easy to find stuff on the internet – check out the Retro Razor Store for razors and accoutrements.
- One blade seems to last for 3 shaves – you can get a 5 pack of blades for around $2. Do the math – this is MUCH cheaper than buying those insanely expensive cartridge blades at the grocery store.
- You can use regular shaving cream, but why not try something new? There are a lot of soaps and creams out there that are a lot better for your face. Why not have a little fun with this?
- The coup de grace? No razor-burn. Period.
Added bonus – these blades are 100% recyclable, as opposed to cartridge blades. Even the razor is recyclable, as it is only metal – no batteries, lights, plastic, etc.
Check out this starter kit, with everything you need to get going.
No sexism here – women use them too!
Laura on September 12th, 2008
I can’t believe that I read this book TEN years ago. Seems like a lifetime! I was only 22 when I first read Harry Potter. My husband actually recommended it to me. I was hooked! I don’t care if it makes me a dork. Harry Potter is COOL. And once again, I find myself a decade older, celebrating that Harry Potter is turning 10! If any of you out there are Potter geeks like me, you will be psyched about this contest!!! Yes, I said psyched.
WIN IT!
One (1) Grand Prize
- Complete Box Set Books #1 – #7
- Copy of the 10th Anniversary Edition of ‘Sorcerer’s Stone’
- Collectible Harry Potter Gold Pin
- valued at $195
Four (4) Runners Up
- Copy of the 10th Anniversary Edition of ‘Sorcerer’s Stone’
- Collectible Harry Potter Gold Pin
- Each copy valued at $30
Contest Starts today, 9/12, and will end on October 13th at 11:59 CST.
CLICK HERE TO ENTER, and tell us what your favorite Harry Potter book is. Winners will be chosen randomly and notified via email.
This beautiful collectible edition has been produced in celebration of the 10th anniversary of HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE, in stores September 23rd. It features the following:
- New Jacket artwork by Mary GrandPré
- Additional four-color frontispiece artwork from Mary GrandPré
- Two pages of special content from J.K. Rowling
- Full cloth case with gold stamping
HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE
The wickedly funny debut novel from master storyteller J.K. Rowling tells the story of Harry Potter who, having endured 11 miserable years with his hideous aunt and uncle, is invited on his 11th birthday to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There he learns of his distinguished wizard pedigree—and his frightening destiny.
Thanks to Big Honcho Media and Scholastic for hosting this great giveaway! Go enter!
Laura on September 10th, 2008
I’d like to thank my mom for guest posting! She’s the recepient of this awesome, magnificant messenger bag. I told her she was getting it before I got it in the mail. When I saw it, I had an eeny, weeney ounce of regret, because this bag looks AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!! I’m going to ask her to take a picture of it, but I don’t think a picture will do it justice. My mom is NOT a purse carrier, so I knew this would be great for her, and it’s been a HUGE hit, with her & her pals! Snaptotes offers a classic collection, leather collection, and a mens collection. If you feel like it, give a shoutout to Noel & Lennon’s grandmum (also known as Neena) in the comments!
If you mention a child (or a grandchild) a pet or a vacation, people always ask, “Do you have any pictures?” Show ‘em your Snaptote!
My handy messenger bag has a cushioning case for a laptop, pockets for pens and business cards, and a large flap that displays your favorite pictures.
Best of all, the reproduction quality of the photographs is beyond expectation. The messenger bag I have is a higher end purchase, but they have so many choices on their website of more moderately-priced items – everything from wallets and dopp kits (so men can carry their treasured photos, too) to purses and pouches.
My friends at work want one for themselves or friends. They are so impressed with the quality of the pictures and the features of the bag as a practical carryall.
Take a look for yourself. Snaptotes have lots of choices that are sure to please even the pickiest person!
GET A 10 % DISCOUNT ON SNAPTOTES or at PICSTREET WITH THE COUPON CODE “mums08″!!!
