Polkadot Alley GIVEAWAY

I have teamed up with Ashley from The Polkadot Alley to host a giveaway! She has a great selection of custom items for everyone. Moms, single gals, college girls, and lots more fun items. I am def going to scoop some stuff up for B and myself!

Here is what Ashley had to say:

We have awesome products on our site and our biggest sellers are Embossed Stationery, Custom Towel Wraps, T-Shirt Dresses and T-Shirt Quilts, Backpacks & Tote Bags, Monogrammed Baby gifts and so much more!  We are SO excited about the new FB fan page and plan to do auctions where we will offer products at below retail prices in a fun fixed price format. Once we hit 1,000 fans we are going to have our first auction and will offer a BIG giveaway! 

We are giving away a custom stamp and note card set. The winner will choose the stamp of your choice, there is tons of options. Here are a few of my faves.

These stamps are adorable and so convenient for addresses or note cards.

TO ENTER:

Visit her website here and tell me your favorite items. Also, visit her Facebook fan page here and 'like' her page.

WINNER will be announced Thursday. Good luck!!

Sunday Tid Bits

*Yesterday I read on Katies blog a new way to make bacon. I love me some bacon and I just so happen to have some in my fridge for Sunday breakfast. This new way worked great and so much easier than pan-grease splatter-clean up. Try this next time you make bacon!

*Our March for Babies team is moving right along. There is about 60 days to go and I'm working very hard. I am also a volunteer for The March of Dimes to help coordinate the walk. Lots of work but a great cause. If you are interested in making a donation please use the link on my  left sidebar. I am almost at my personal goal and our team goal has been set at $5000.

*We are in a winter wonderland with all the snow we got on Friday. I was really hoping to go right to Spring so I want it to melt fast!!! It's suppose to be 45+* today so maybe it will!

*I am obsessed with the gluten free bakery 45 min from my house. Yes I drive that far for gluten free goodness. Lots of treats from yesterdays trek and some yummy pita bread.

*I have been wanting a pair of gray jeans. I found these J Brand skinnies at Nordy of course. Thoughts?

 *B taking Sun morning naps on dad!

*B will be 18 months tomorrow. A year and a half! Such a big boy! He goes to the Dr on Saturday so I will post stats and pics.

Happy Sunday!

Happy Little Man!

Last night B was being silly with dad. Such a happy boy. And his new fireman jammies are so cute. Size 24mo already!

Seriously teeth, where the F are you?

I got teeth late. I was 13 months when I got my first. D was 6 months old. I expected B to teeth late but he is 17 months and NO teeth. NOT ONE!!! Seriously? I'm half convinced the kid is going through life toothless.

He'll have a fussy night and I get all excited, maybe a tooth? And nothing! I have been saying he is teething for a year and still my little man has a gummy grin! (which I do love)

He doesn't chew on toys which can delay teeth. Chewing helps kiddos pop teeth through. When he had his swallow study done last September we saw all his teeth in x-ray under the gums so I know they are there, they just want to stay there!

Anyone have kiddos who got teeth late?

B has his 18 months check up in two weeks and we can ask the pediatrician her thoughts. Until then we will teach B that chew toys are fun!!

Natural Product Review

I was contacted by Naturally Fresh and asked if I would be interested in doing a product review. Since going chemical free last month I am always looking for new products to try so I jumped at the chance to try them!

I was sent Naturally Fresh Deodorant Crystal, Spray Mist, and MoistStic lip balm.

I must say I am now a fan. Natural deodorant takes awhile to get used to but once you do you will love it too. I feel so much better that I'm not putting aluminum (found in traditional deodorant) on my skin right after I shave my under arms. The link between aluminum and breast cancer made me want to covert and I'm not going back.

I really like the Naturally Fresh products, they keep me dry and smelling great. The lip balm is amazing! I already ordered more for my night stand, diaper bag. It's the best lip balm I've ever tried. I love lip balm with peppermint oil. I feel like this balm actually moisturizes my lips and lasts for a few hours. It also comes in SPF for the summer.

If your looking to make a switch to some natural products, which I suggest all woman to do with there deodorant especially, try Naturally Fresh!

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day! We aren't too big on V-day around here but I do love an excuse to wear red and have red nails!! We are eating dinner at home tonight with B. I have the Rib-eyes marinating, yum!

Enjoy your day of love!

Play Time...B style

Play time looks a little different in our house with a 17 month old who is special needs. But either way he loves to play....his way! We have some equipment we received from the Early Intervention program we use for his therapy. It is beyond awesome. The state pays for all his therapy and equipment, which can get pricey for some of these things. Right now we have a few key pieces we use. And the stander and chair we ordered should be here this week!!

His bench. It's adjustable as he grows. It's perfect for sitting with and have a flat slip free surface to balance on. He is learning to push on music toys. His Lion is his favorite.

 

His ball. Which is just an exercise ball from Target. He can learn to balance on it and strengthen his muscles. He likes when we bounce it, the movement is fun for him and it works his muscles harder. He sits on it too.

Sitting time. He likes to have his music toys with him.

The wedge. Perfect for tummy time since it has a little tilt. It's not slip surface helps with balance.

Not your typical play time but therapy time is play time for us. And B loves it....most of the time!!

Scoliosis

This is a scary word but we are used to scary words around here.

Today B had an appointment with an Orthopedic Dr to check his spine/bones. Children with low tone (weak muscles) and brain damage are at greater risk for bone problems specifically scoliosis. We knew this check up was coming, it's been on our radar. We got an x-ray and sat with the Dr to review his case.

B indeed has a small curve in his spine, it's called Nueromuscular Scoliosis. His curve is very small, not causing him any pain, and not restricting his activity any.

Some kids can also have issues with there hips because of the lack of activity. B's hips look great she said!! They are developing as they should and are strong.

Kids spines have the most rapid growth between birth-2 and the teenage years. B will be followed every 3 months with an x-ray until he is 2 and then the follow ups will be less. There is always a chance it will get worse but also that it will never change. We just need to watch it and continue with his therapies to strengthen his body. Worse case would be a need for surgery down the road, fingers crossed we don't ever cross that bridge.

As a mom to a special needs child I have developed a thick skin and a huge medical knowledge but I am sad that this is just one more thing B will have to overcome. And us as parents will have to manage. I am happy that it really was good news given the circumstances and I will do what I can to make sure it doesn't get worse.

My little man is such a fighter and inspiration. He has a million drs and a handful of medical issues but his spirit is so happy all the time.

He was so tired today he couldn't stay awake for the exam, LOL, too cute.

Catching up....

When your grandparents email you to ask if everything is OK because you haven't blogged in forever, you know it's time to get your butt in gear!

What's going on in the Helvey's world??

*I finally joined Pinterest again my better judgment and I am hooked. Yes please send Pinterest anonymous info! And they have an iPhone app, I'm in trouble!

*Tax season may  be the death of me this year. We file separately and D owes over $2k. I would like to send a big f u to the IRS!

*In college I had my Tragus pierced and one day it randomly fell out. The last few years I had wanted to get it done again but feared I was too old. One day on a whim I decided to do it again. Age is all relative right?

Here is what I want. Once it heals fully I can put this cute little stud in.

*My mom and I went to a gluten free bakery and cafe yesterday, one hour south of our house. It was awesome. A whole store full of yummy goodness that I can eat. I brought home lots of sweets and ate them all, then felt like ass. LOL. It was worth it!

*I need a vacation, like really bad. But (see above about taxes) that's not happening this year!!

*Brayden has an appointment with an orthopedic dr to check his bones. Kids with low tone in there trunk (weak muscles) can have problems with spine curving so we want to see him and make sure B's on the right track.

*The weather has been awesome. A 35+* winter, yes please!

*The Superbowl was blah. Yup I said it. I don't like Madona and the commercials were so so. The naked M&M's was my fave.

*I found an awesome GF beer.

*B has been having some poop issues lately. Poor man has been constipated for awhile. His GI dr put him on a dose of Miralax and success! Happy (and smelly) baby!! LOL.

*On my quest to be green and chemical free I have found new wipes for B, because I realized his Huggies Natural Care wipes are not natural! Seventh Generation wipes are awesome. If you buy online in the bulk box they are the same price!

OK back to Pinterest....