Aaagh, Friday!

Seriously, is it Friday already?! We are having two dinner parties this weekend (crazy, no?) and I have a zillion things to do, not to mention clean the house top to bottom as we've been embarrassingly lazy about that busy lately. Plus the DH decided it would be a gourmet meal for the Saturday at least, with 5 all new recipes... now we both enjoy cooking but FIVE new recipes with guests as guinea pigs? This is craziness.

But before the craziness begins, I do enjoy my morning coffee and blog reading, and entering giveaways, so I'm procrastinating a little!

The Miracle Blanket - Review

So, I have received a Miracle Blanket and I wanted to tell you about it. Bear in mind, I don't (yet) have a baby so I really can't comment on how well it works. However, I've seen some amazing videos of babies literally going from screaming to sleeping in a matter of minutes with the use of the Miracle Industries Miracle Blanket!

In fact, they are having a video contest right now called Crying to Calm. You can see an image of the contest details here. Basically, if you post a video of your baby going from crying to calm using the Miracle Blanket (continuous footage) on YouTube and follow all the instructions, you could win up to $500! Wow.

If you want to see an example of how well this works, check out Keonte's review over at Parenting on Trial - there's even a video.

Back to my review. First of all, I've been researching swaddling online out of my own curiosity. There are several options. One is to use a regular receiving blanket and try to fold it up in a way to swaddle the baby. This works for some people. Let me just say that while I appreciate the art of origami, it's not what I would prefer to do with a screaming, wriggling infant. Another is to use a swaddling blanket and there are a few different designs out there. Some have wings, some have pockets, some are big and some are small. So which do you choose?

The Miracle Blanket has extra long wings that wrap snugly around baby more than once. This helps when you have a little Houdini who wriggles out of a smaller style and wakes him- or herself up. The longer wings use the baby's own weight to keep everything tucked in, comfortably and softly. There is no velcro, no snaps, nothing hard or scratchy on it. Yet despite the long wings, it is not bulky.

The fabric of the Miracle Blanket is super soft cotton! It says right on the package to wash it first (of course), but even pre-washing it is so soft. None of that starchy feeling and it's not stiff or scratchy. It's also a fairly light weight which is great for little ones that overheat and tend to get rashes.

This product is designed for babies from newborn to 14 weeks. It really is meant to take the pressure off both baby and parents while the baby adjusts to having a great big world around them. The swaddle helps keep limbs from sleep-twitches that disturb the baby's sleep. And you know if baby's sleep is disturbed, so is mum and dad's! I know new parents are exhausted. A product like this, that helps everyone get some rest, is a good thing.

They also offer great product support. There are very clear instructions included with the blanket (with lots of drawings that show exactly how to use it). There is also a helpful video on the Miracle Blanket website.

This would make an awesome gift for new parents. The packaging is professional, the pictures on the label are sweet, the gift of sleep will be much appreciated. If you were debating what to get for the next baby shower I can recommend this. You know there will be 10 different diaper cakes there, do something different. It is reasonably priced at $29.95 (USD) - and they are even having a spring sale of 10% off right now.

The one I got is the Natural Beige and it looks just exactly like the pictures on the website. I opened it up and can see how sensible the design is. Overall - granted, without trying it on a baby (yet!) - I am impressed and would not hesitate to give this as a gift or use it for my own child in the future.

Crack day

Hey! Not that kind of crack! I'm going to the chiropractor today. I've never been before - it's not something my family ever did, although my husband's family swears by it. This one uses some piezoelectric thing called the Pro-Adjuster. I have no idea what to expect.

Guess what it's time for?

More giveaways, of course! :) Yesterday I was too busy so there will be lots today.

For baby:

• {Natural} Mommie's Spring Giveaway continues with a great big giveaway from Speesees. There are three (!) gift sets to be won, including a diaper/laptop bag, a blankie and toy combo and a set of jumpers. All in organic, chemical-free, fair-trade fabrics! Ends April 23.
• Win your choice of CozyCare Cape, Mat, Cloth or Cap from Spa Time Baby at Simply Stacie! I have the Cape and Mat and let me tell you, they are really nice! The fabrics are great quality. I can see these being used for many years and even passed on when the next family member has kids.
• Win a pair of See Kai Run shoes at Annie's Home! I keep writing how cute these are. Well, they keep on being cute - what can I do? Ends May 7th.
• There's another pair of See Kai Run shoes to win at Nurse Mommy! This one ends May 4th.
  
• Win a pair of Jack and Lily shoes at Ladybug Soup! Again, cute! Ends April 27th.
• Win a muslin Dream Blanket from Aden & Anais at Hip Mama's Place. Ends April 20th.
• Win a So Easy Baby Food Kit at Mommies with Cents! This kit makes it easy to make your own baby food. It includes a recipe book, freezing tray and DVD. Ends April 20.
• Win an AIO cloth diaper from Peas and Carrots at Our Life Upstate. Ends April 24th.
  

For the new dad:

• Wow, there aren't many giveaways for dads, at least not that I've seen. Momma in Flip Flops2 is giving away a DVD called Being Dad. It's designed to help de-mystify the process of pregnancy and birth for men. Apparently it's funny and informative! What a great gift for the dad-to-be. Ends April 22nd.

For the ladies:

• Win a FIT2BMOM long sleeve tie top at Now What Baby! This top is great for maternity but also looks great if you're not pregnant! Ends May 15th. *You must be willing to write a short review of the top if you win.
• Win a Hip-T at The Mommy Diaries! I hate to admit it, but I have a muffin top. Yikes! How did that happen?! I need one of these to keep it hidden! Ends April 24th.
  

For the dog:

• Yes, even the dog gets a giveaway today. Mommy Mandy has a set of Pet Head shampoo, conditioner and spray for dogs up for grabs! Ends April 28. I know our dog could use it! This is Cadbury having a happy peanut butter jar moment on our back deck. Let me tell you, peanut butter breath is better than his regular breath! :)
  

Busy Tuesday

I have errands to run! But there is always time for just a few giveaways :)

For baby:

• Win a Dogs and Cats Sleeveless Coverall Bib from Chic Tots at Parents Gear! Looks pretty cute! This would also make a great baby shower gift! Add a cute stuffed dog or cat and a puppy or kitty themed onesie and you're set. Ends April 27th.
• Win a DaBib from Simply Stacie! I have won a DaBib 'DaHugs' bib and I can personally vouch for the quality of fabric and design on this product! I'd love to add a 'DaGiggles' bib to my collection. This one ends April 27th as well.
  

For the ladies:

• Win ecoTOOLS makeup brushes at {Natural} Mommie's blog! Be sure to read her informative review. It sounds like this is a really responsible company making every effort to provide a high-quality product while maintaining sustainability! My kind of company. Giveaway ends April 23rd.

more to come tomorrow...! Meanwhile, I want to do a little 'Heads Up' about an upcoming event I'm excited about. Two of a Kind, Working on a Full House is hosting a Mother's Day Extravaganza! It starts on the 27th of April and lasts for a full two weeks with over 20 giveaways! Wow. This should be good. So mark your calendars!

You can also take a look at the left sidebar here on my blog for upcoming and ongoing giveaway events! I try to keep it up to date. I know sometimes the sidebars just all blur together so I wanted to mention it. The right side is some of my favourite blogs, the left is constantly updated with giveaway events. :)

Today's finds

I'm down with a tension headache and grieving the anniversary of my father's death today. Easter is my least favourite time of the year.

Some quick giveaways I've found recently...

For baby:

• Win a Diaper Cake by Becca from Parents Gear! Valued at $75, this would make an awesome baby shower gift!! Ends April 25th.
• Win a Moby Wrap and a Gro Baby One Size Diaper System at The Cloth Diaper Whisperer in their Fluff Friday giveaway. Ends April 16th. Please note the condition that Canadian winners are responsible for shipping costs!
• Win a onesie or tee from Tomat at Go Graham Go as part of the Spring Bash! Ends April 26th.
• Also at Go Graham Go, win a pair of See Kai Run shoes! This one ends April 22nd.
• More See Kai Run shoes to win at Life Starring Ellie & Eve! Ends on April 22nd as well.
• Win an Angel Rox onesie in size 6-12 months at Now What Baby! The little wings printed on the back of their onesies and other clothes are adorable. Not sure when this one ends.
• Two winners at Give Away Today - one winner gets a bib, burp cloth, and changing pad set from My Three Sons Designs. A second winner will receive an adorable onesie of his or her choice. As you'd imagine from the name, the giveaway starts and ends today, April 13th!
• Win a Woobie bib at Baby Loving Mama! These come in some great designs. Ends April 14th, so hurry!
  

Something useful:

• Win a stylish and functional grocery tote by Glamorous Groceries at The Nifty Thrifty Homemaker! All the stores around here are starting to charge for plastic bags (Finally!). I've been bringing my own cloth bags since the early nineties, but they're not as nice as the hot pink tote up for grabs here! Ends April 20th.
  

Mental break day

I'm going on mental shutdown... too much to think about. It's been a rollercoaster of a weekend so far and I want off.

If you, like me, are ready for some distraction, or just a fun way to spend some time today, here are some giveaways to enter:

For baby:

• Win a magnetic 4-in-1 bib from Bebe au Lait at Monkey Mayhem. I've never seen anything like this. Fantastic design! The only thing I would worry about is that the small magnets could be a choking hazard or cause serious (even fatal) internal problems if swallowed. However, they are sewn right into the bib so it would have to be pretty damaged for them to become accessible. I think a parent with any common sense would keep an eye on that. Ends April 19th.
• {Natural} Mommie has a couple of new giveaways as part of her Spring Giveaway event. You could win a diapering accessories pack from New & Green Baby Co. (a Canadian company!) that includes Bum Bum balm, sherpa wipes and wipe solution cubes. The balm is safe for cloth diapers :) Enter that one here - ends April 19th. Please note, this one is for Canadians only!

For mum:

• Again at {Natural} Mommie, win a set of Moonpads (reuseable cloth feminine pads) of your choice. This one ends April 19 as well.