Let's just skip winter!

January in Chicago I am usually bundled in a parka, gloves, hat, scarf, boots. But today it is 50+ degrees here. Global warming? We have had a warm winter, with some snow falls mixed in. I'm not complaining, I would rather just skip over winter and go straight to Spring but this weather is weird!

And the projected forecast the next few days is upper 30's/40's. Maybe we can just go right to Spring? Or nature will play a cruel joke and we will get tons of snow and freezing in Feb/March. Either way I am dreaming of flats and warm Spring days!

These boots were made for walking....well standing

We ordered B a stander last month, to help him be in the standing position and get off his back. It takes 3 months to receive the equipment so in the mean time we got referred to an orthopedist to get some leg braces custom made for B. (AFO's)

Wednesday I went to the office to pick them up and they are super cute. I surprised D with the design I chose a few weeks ago. (He's a Packer fan and I'm a Bears fan). B will wear them during the day to get a good stretch in his feet and help with correct foot position. He will wear them when he is in the stander to assist with correct positioning to teach the body what it is suppose to do.

All the special needs equipment and tools have been getting is a little overwhelming at first but all this stuff is really helping B and that makes me happy!

And because there is nothing better than a sleeping babies face....

Perfectly Posh WINNER

I loved reading about the ways you like to be pampered. Makes me want to book myself a massage and a mani-pedi...hint hint for the hubby!

The winner was chosen at random and she is:

Kristen at First Name Smith
All I really need is a glass of wine. But i'll take a bath. And a pedicure if someone is offering!

Congrats! You have won the Perfectly Posh Lovey Dovey gift set. Please send me your email and I'll pass your info along. Enjoy a little pampering momma!

livelovelaughblog@yahoo.com

Perfectly Posh GIVEAWAY

Just in time for Valentine's Day and I have a pamper-rific giveaway!!! Erin from Perfectly Posh is giving away the Lovey Dovey set to one of my readers.

Lovey Dovey set (a $29 value): 

Pink Vanilla Massage Mud, Bubble Love Bombinator & a Lovey Dovey Soap Set (pink, sparkling & Vanilla Confetti).

Here is a little info on this fab line...

 

Perfectly Posh is a brand new company that launched in October of 2011. 

All of Perfectly Posh's products are made right here in the United States. Perfectly Posh is proud to say there are no parabens, no animal bi-products, no animal testing, no SLS, no gluten or soy in their products. 

The products are filled with vitamin E, which makes your skin feel fantastic. We currently have 40 products, but will be doubling that in March!

I am a fan and no chemicals and gluten free. Can't beat that.

Leave me a comment and let me know your favorite way to pamper yourself or be pampered!!! One lucky winner will be picked at random. 

Winner announced FRIDAY!!

Product Review

Now that the 'going green' overhaul is in full effect I thought it was time to do some reviews of what I have found. It's been fun to research and find new things. I feel better already.

Deodorant-
On recommendation of the Whole Foods lady I am trying Life Stinks powder. It's been hard to get used to since I have been using a solid deodorant my whole life. I am not 100% happy with it but again it's like comparing apples to oranges. I am going to stick with it since I am committed to using a natural product and getting rid of the nasty aluminum in regular deodorant. The link to breast cancer is just too scary and not worth it.

Alba Brand-
I have there lotion, shave cream, face scrub, body scrub, shampoo-conditioner, styling cream. I am in love with this brand. I have been happy with each product I have tried. They carry natural sunscreen that will be great in the summer.

Dr Bronners-
I have been using this soap for a few years and I can't rave enough about it. I keep the peppermint, lavender, and almond in my shower so I can choose my scent for the day. It is the best soap I have ever used.

California Baby-
I don't know why I didn't use this brand form day one that B was born. It is everything they say it is and more. I use the Calendula line because B has sensitive-eczema prone skin. His skin has been so soft and clear of any dry skin. The cream can be used as a diaper rash cream if needed so we are using that for the booty as well. It's a bit pricier but it's worth it. I plan to order the half gallon sizes online to save money.

Hand sanitizer-
Clean Well brand was suggested to me by the lady at Whole Foods and it's great stuff. I hated using Purell because it smelled and if it made it's way to your mouth it tasted horrible. This stuff is alcohol free and kid safe. They also carry cleaning products which I have not tried yet.

Makeup-
I got Bare Minerals to try and I love it!! I have been using it for a week and I am super happy. It has taken a while to get used to as everything is in powder form but I'm getting the hang of it. I had never found mascara that would beat my Lancome I was using and this stuff is better. I love that they carry 100+ colors of eye shadow. I can't wait to get more. Now there lip gloss color, it is the most amazing lip stuff I have ever used!! Not sticky, not dry, doesn't get all goopy in the corners of your lips. Love!!

The Hubby-
D has been using the Giovanni brand I got him. It's a unisex brand and the shampoo and face washes/lotions are scent free which is what D wanted and he likes them. I got him Kiss My Face body wash in the Woodland Pine and Ginsing scent and it seems to be a hit.

Hair spray-
I am having a hard time giving up my Loreal aerosol. A lot of the natural hair sprays also have wheat protein in them...not gluten free!! This will be a work in progress for me.

Hand cream-
This is the best hand lotion ever!!!!!! I can't put enough exclamation marks on that one. I use Andalou Naturals. There lavender hand cream is great stuff. It absorbs super quick and works really well. I highly recommend!

I hope this review helps anyone looking for alternative products. I know that all natural can be a bit more pricey but I think cutting the chemicals make it worth it. And if anyone uses natural hair spray...send the suggestions on over!

Product overload!

My last post was about getting the chemicals out of the house and let me tell you I started this with the good intentions to get my family healthy and I am so overwhelmed.

I thought if I'm going to change one thing might as well check on all the products we use. It has been like a domino effect.

I did research on brands and hit the mall this weekend. L'Occtain, Aveda, Origins...all these products I read claim to be natural. Upon visiting the stores and reading labels I learned they are not! I finally decided to try Whole Foods and they are a huge selection of wonderful products. The sales lady working that day, she was a life saver. Lotion, hand soap, hand lotion, natural deodorant, hair gel, shave cream...check check check!!

Next I am going to find D a bath soap he will like. I have been using Dr Bronners soap for a few years and I love it. It's all natural and the best stuff ever! I have 4 scents that I alternate between. D doesn't care for it but I'll keep trying.

It's crazy all the products I own that have chemicals. This is where the overwhelming part come in. Shampoo, conditioner, hair spray, hair gel, shine spray, sunscreen, shaving cream....and worst of all my makeup!!!! Once I started checking all my stuff it was like 'oh my god it's in everything'!!! No wonder cancer rate so high!

I really want to do this 100% so I am willing to find a new makeup line I like. I have heard rave reviews about Bare Minerals. Anyone use there products?

Some of you asked what I use now.

I use Kiehl's natural line for face wash, face lotion. (I buy it at Nordstrom) I found Alba lotion, shave cream, hair styling cream, sugar scrub I love, why haven't I been using this shave cream all my life? The deodorant is from Life Stinks, so far I like it. It's a powder, weird I know, but it's working well. I worked out this morning and no smell! Kiss my Face hand soap.

B used Johnson's Naturals as a baby and then I switched to Aveeno so I'm going back to the Naturals and I got him some Baby Bee soap and lotion. I used it on him last night and today he has a small rash. Looks like eczema or hives? So we'll see if his skin just doesn't like the Baby Bee line.

I am really committed to changing over our products, without wasting what I have and spending a fortune of course. Actually some of the stuff I found so far is cheap than what I was buying. It's kind of like when I found out I had Celiac and had to change most of all my foods. It was overwhelming at first and now it's just normal for me. I eat foods without gluten, I'm used to it. This will become easy too. Slowly and surely the change is good!!! Does this mean I'm Green now??

Out with the bad....

I have been thinking about getting all the chemical products out of my house for awhile. A lot of beauty products contain parabens and the nasty PEG in the ingredients. I am stubborn and I like my products but I decided it is time. Chemicals all over my skin and B's skin....can't be good in the long run. I eat mostly healthy foods so why not do the same on the outside.

I am obsessed with my hand cream and body lotion. Kiehl's. But unfortunately there it was, PEG in the bottle. I am silently morning the loss of these wonderful products but I must say goodbye. I use there face care products and they are all 100% natural so no worries there.

My friend got me a lotion and soap for my birthday from a brand called 100 percent pure and I really like them. I think I'll try and love it just as much.

Now as far as B goes. I love his Aveeno creamy wash but it's loaded with chemicals. His Aveeno lotion is fine but I think I want to switch over to Baby Bee. There whole line is all natural. Has anyone tried this?? Or any other chemical free stuff you like? We use Johnsons Natual line but I'm not super happy with the lotion.

Has anyone else gone natural?? I notice my shampoo and hair spray is loaded too....small steps. One thing at a time!

The Brayden Bunch-second annual walk!

The Brayden Bunch is back for the second year to join the March for Babies walk!! Our walk is set for April 29th and we have lots of work to do before then. Last year my team and I raised over $5000 to go to March of Dimes research for healthy babies. This year we hope to beat it!

I would love the blog world support again this year. If your in the area we'd love to see you. If you have the platform I'd love you to blog about the cause and raise awareness. If you feel it right in your hearts I'd love for you to donate and help our team and this wonderful cause.

Please visit our team page for more info. We are very excited to be apart of this years walk and continue our fight in honor of our own fighter, B!

Brayden-4 days old

On the move

With B's delays and disabilities he is pretty stationary. He is content on his play mat but you can tell he desperately wants to move. He mastered rolling from front to back early on, mainly because he hates to be on his tummy. Lately he has been so close to rolling form back to front. You can see him motor planning and the determination on his face. Well, Tues he did it! And again this morning. He has an accomplished smile on his face.

These are huge steps for us! We relish in each milestone he hits. Proud momma!

Resolution FAIL

One of my goals/resolutions for this year was to be a better blogger and I must say I get a big fat FAIL already. I feel like with blogging I go through phases. I will be super awesome and post every day and then I go to a blah phase and post twice a week. Not sure why but I have been feeling the blah phase lately. Maybe it's winter and everything tends to go a bit slower in general? Any who I want to blog more and be a better blogger and blog reader, guilty in that department too!

Off my lazy train and back to blogging....B will stay on the lazy train!

The worst day 1-4-11

This day, Jan 4, last year Brayden went in for his second surgery. His crainiotomy and EVD drain. Even though B had a total of five surgeries with each being hard on me, this one was the hardest. A crainiotomy is major surgery and scary. Even the word brain surgery still scares me. This was our last ditch effort to get rid of the infection that B had had for so long. If this didn't work we were out of options. Even this didn't come with a 100% guarantee. It wasn't even a question at the time. I remember meeting with the surgeon, agreeing to the surgery and then 30 minutes later B was under. It was a long 3 hour wait and when he came back he looked rough for sure. Still sedated from surgery and the meds they give for the breathing tube but he looked worn out, so did I!

We all know this story has a happy ending but the next few weeks after this operation were tough on us. B ended up needing three additional surgeries after this one and each of them had great results.

I still get sad when I see these pictures and how sick B was. Breaks my heart.

The towel was for his eyes to shield the light. He was hyper sensitive. He ended up needing heat lamps for two days because the crainiotomy had effected the temperature control part of the brain for a few days. B still has temperature issues. He gets cold easily.

This is today. Happy little man with no signs of any surgery, you can't even see the scars! We've come a long way!

A New Year

Today I am feeling my age and still recovering from New Years Eve festivities. A night out these days means two days of recovery. I remember being 21 in college and having multiple nights of going out in a row and feeling great. Now one night every 3-4 months is all I can take.

We had a great time and a fabulous meal. I tried duck for the first time, yum!

My friends Amy and I. She has tons of pictures on her camera that I will get soon of the night.

This year are happy to be starting out at home and healthy. Last year we woke up New Years Day in the ICU with a very sick baby. The start of our year was rough but as the year went on things kept going up and we star this year on the up!

I never make resolutions because I think I just set myself up to fail but I have a few goals.

*Save more money than I spend.

*Be more patient. Being a parent has taught me tons of patience but I still have a ways to go.

*Have more dates with the hubby.

*Plan a trip. I am way overdue for a vacation. I am thinking wine country in northern cali.

*Be a better blogger!!

I hope you all had a wonderful New Year and your 2012 is fulfilling.

Off to play with my ladies man....