Product Reviews

All right friends, it's that time again...I've been trying some new products, and I've also been going back to old favorites. I've also been using coupons to get things free from CVS (a little addiction going on there) Anyway, here are some of my new and old FAVORITE THINGS!! (And if you've tried any of these things and DON'T like them, feel free to let me know. I won't feel bad! I'm no expert. I'm open to trying new things too, so let me know what things you love as well.)
*Hard Anodized Cookware:
I can't tell you what brand I have, because I don't know. Last year I desperately needed some pots and pans, but I wanted stuff that was durable and safe. I have had some concerns about the coatings on non-stick pans these days so I looked in to other options. I almost got stainless steel until I stumbled upon an amazing deal on amazon.com. I LOVE HARD ANODIZED!!! First, you should know they are NOT dishwasher safe. I didn't know that, but I don't care. They are so easy to clean. They heat up faster than other cookware I've used, they cook things evenly, and they are so dang durable. I highly recommend you get some. I got a similar set for under $50, so be patient and find a good deal. You don't need to pay hundred of dollars.

* Tae Bo Advanced.
Billy Blanks is a good instructor, but the original Advanced workout is my all time favorite. It ruined me because every other workout video has just bored me to tears ever since.
I haven't been able to find it for years (except on VHS) so we are in LUCK! Some blessed soul just uploaded it to youtube in 6 segments. You've got to try it!! Go HERE to get started. It will make you DRIP SWEAT. You'll be burning the calories like crazy, and at the end (floor workout!) YOUR BUNS WILL BE BURNING!!! I LOVE IT!! Have a towel and water ready, you'll need it! Oh, and ignore his tight spandex crotch, ok? He's really motivational, if you can get past the pants.*Aveeno Shower & Bath Oil
I found it on clearance, had a coupon, and just bought it for no reason. But I and ended up LOVING it. I thought it was an in-shower moisturizer but I was wrong. You put it on right after you get out. It makes my skin super soft (does a better job than lotion) and with very little greasy residue.
*Carefree Ultra Protection Pantiliners:
I normally buy the cheapest little liners I can find, but when CVS had a coupon promo that made them free (actually a moneymaker for you coupon gurus) I stocked up. Like, somehow I have 17 packages in my closet. But they are AWESOME!! They are the softest things ever, and they have the sticky tape things in all the right places. Watch for coupons and get these for way cheap, or get a coupon or request a free sample HERE
*Avon Perfect Wear Eyewriter
I've tried a lot of Avon products because you can get them shipped to your house for free. This is the only product I order again and again. I love it. It's a liquid eyeliner, I think it's easy to use (I smudge with a wet q-tip after putting it on so the line isn't too severe) and it lasts forever, and then washes right off.*Revlon Color Stay Mineral Mousse
This was another CVS freebie. I buy almost all my makeup at drugstores, but not foundation. That's one thing I will spend more $$ on. So I was surprised when this mineral mousse foundation worked so great! (Normal price is around $9.99). The color blended perfectly with my skin and had awesome coverage, and didn't sit in the fine/dry lines on my face very much. The only thing I wasn't crazy about was the scent, but it's not too strong. Try it out if you can get it for a good deal.
* Maybelline Pulse Perfection Mascara
I was so excited to try this mascara. I know Lancome makes a higher end version of it. It's the mascara with a vibrating wand. I was able to get it for $6, but I think it's normally around $12-15 (high for a drugstore mascara.) Pros: It definitely volumizes. It lengthens well too. I used it on Sunday and Samuel asked me if I had fake eyelashes on. And that was without the vibrator turned on. I can't see a big difference when it vibrates. Cons: It can get a little clumpy. And it doesn't last as long as I think it should. 10 hours post-application it was flaking. That's happened more than once. I'm a contact wearer so I don't like that. But I am still using it. I'm giving it a partial recommendation, especially if you can get a great deal on it. Don't pay full price for it.
*California Pizza Kitchen Five Cheese & Tomato Pizza
So, they sell these in the restaurant and I order it every time. It has basil sprinkled on it and is so cheesy and delicious. Here's the good news: They sell them in the frozen food aisle at your grocery store and THEY TASTE EXACTLY LIKE THE ONES IN THE RESTAURANT. I just picked a few up for $4 at the grocery store yesterday. Kalia loves it, Samuel loves it...and (secret confession) when I was pregnant with Annaliese I would eat a whole pizza (in one sitting) at least once a week. That's about 1000 calories and 45 grams of fat in one meal. And that's why I pack on the pounds during pregnancy my friends. TRY THIS PIZZA. Right after you do Tae Bo Advanced.

This is why they have separate rooms

Most of the time Kalia is finding a way to torture Annaliese (maybe tease is a better word) but she is usually screaming for me to come rescue her. She was fairly toleant in this video clip, but I'm afraid she's going to grow up and be a mean little thing, and scratch/bite/kick other kids in the nursery, like her mama supposedly did. Here, once again, Kalia woke Annaliese up from her nap.I think my favorite part is how Annie's face keeps getting smooshed into the mesh. Kalia woke her up from naps/bedtime so many times...I finally got smart and started start locking her in while she's sleeping. Kalia did figure out how to open the door with a key, but now the keys are hidden and Kalia is only torturing her little sis when she is already awake.

Haircut

Several of you saw this already on facebook, but this is my haircut. I'm wishing for a little more volume (like Stacy!) but she's got a professional doing her hair, and I don't even know how to use a round brush. Anyway, I still can't get over how dark my hair is growing in. The top 3-4 inches is my new natural color. When did I cease to be a blonde? Can we blame it on pregnancy hormones? I've had a lot of those in the last 2 years.

Me

1. I got a good haircut. Five inches off. I feel like a new woman. I would have gone for the full 8+ inches and donated to locks of love, but they don't take hair that has been bleached. It probably falls apart when they try to make wigs out of it. Oh well. I went to the closest, cheapest place (Cost Cutters) and I got lucky and left so happy (love it when that happens.) It looks kind of like Stacy London's hair, which I've always wanted.

2. I can't find time to make dinner. In an effort to change this, I am creating a dinner calendar with easy ideas, and I'm going to try to make them early in the day and refrigerate for later. The late afternoon is just a stressful time. I don't know how everybody does it.

3. I've started a new thing: I'm trying to eat a piece of fruit before every meal. I also take extra Omega oils as a supplement, and then some other great vitamins. I cannot BELIEVE the difference in my energy levels. For one thing, I no longer have to nap every day (I used to in Vegas, I couldn't make it through the morning, I'd have to go back to bed.) I had no idea that my junky, sugary diet was dragging me down so much. I still have bad days (or weeks) where I fall back into the junk, but then my body starts slowing down, and you know, it just might be worth the hassle to eat healthy. There's an amazing book I've been reading that has helped me make changes, I'll tell you about it later.

4. Does anyone know how to REALLY get your post-baby pooch to go away? I feel pretty good about the weight loss, but then I sit down and have all this mush on my stomach. Someone tell me your secret. Is pilates really the cure? I'm sure just exercising would be a good start.

5. The house that we're renting has 3 offers on it. That's good news because #1, the listing has been taken down so we don't have to show the house anymore. The last week before they pulled the listing, realtors came to show the house EIGHT times in one week. I was ready to move out into a tent after that week. It was so annoying. I'm glad that's over. #2, the more offers there are, the longer the process will take. Short sales can take forever. From what I've learned about them, chances are we'll be here another 3-6 months. I'm happy about that. If the offers fall through, which happens frequently, it will all start over again.

6. I started an ebay business. Not a huge one, but one day at Marshalls I found Robeez shoes, brand new, selling for $9.99. I went home, checked on ebay, and they were selling for $15-20. (Full retail is $34.95.) So I went back, bought all 23 pairs (on my credit card of course!) and started selling them. It's going well! It's a pretty easy way to make money! But I've already learned that the 3-6 month size are not in high demand. I will probably return about half of those. I went to a second Marshalls store today and bought 9 more pair of the bigger sizes. It will be nice to have a little extra spending money around here. But the shoes are so cute, I want to keep them for Annaliese. I must be strong! Course, her birthday is almost here...

8x10 Canvas *DEAL ALERT*

Artscow.com has a great deal right now. Get an 8 x 10 picture made onto a canvas...normally $24.99 each. Use promo code 8x10GPDAY and get TWO 8x10's for free, you just end up paying $8.99 shipping. They don't have to be the same. Did I confuse you? In a nutshell, $8.99 for two 8x10 canvas pics...nice! Ends 9/30/09.

Annaliese-10 months

Blueberries! Her favorite treat. Sometimes her face and hands get stained purple.

Would someone tell me what is going on with these eyes of hers? They have definite brown streaks, but now it looks like they're going LIGHTER but only in certain spots? Cuh-razy! Here's the monthly update on Annaliese, for the Grandmas and for the record:

Weight: 21 lbs

Height: I forgot...I'll fill this in later

She is standing on her own, and has taken 6 or 7 steps. She still prefers crawling and probably will for awhile.

She's putting up with a lot of bullying from Kalia. She'll take it for awhile, but if Kalia holds her and won't let go (7 or 8 times a day) she just starts screaming til I come rescue her. She has a VERY loud yell, one she perfected when she was 2 months old.

She's not really into signing like Kalia was. I've seen her do "more" once or twice, and "milk" but she just looks at me like I'm a weirdo when I do signs with her.

She's at that age where she likes to drop everything on purpose, just to watch it fall. Then she says, "Uh-oh."

She can't have any juice, not even pear or apple, because of the citric acid and ascorbic acid, (it gives her face rashes, cradle cap and makes her cranky) but she LOVES water out of a sippy cup.

I am mixing chamomile tea in with her formula to help her body deal with the allergies and also to help her relax and sleep at night. (I'm a big fan of chamomile myself.)

She says 4 words: Dada, Ni-Ni (ni-night), Uh-oh, and my personal favorite, "Toot" (she says it like the "toot" in "tootsie". I'm still waiting on "mama"

She is a great clapper and gives high fives.

She seems to love music a lot more than Kalia ever did, and I see her bouncing and dancing to music all the time.

She's in the process of cutting all 4 top teeth. She bit me the other day with her razor bottom teeth and almost hit the bone.

She is getting really hard to handle at church. She's almost hyperactive when I try to contain her in the pew. I am confused about this because I thought she was going to be my calm baby.

Still taking 2 naps a day and going to bed at 6 p.m.

Has been nicknamed "Chubbas" by her dad, and so now Kalia calls her that all the time,

Loves to climb up the stairs (but she won't even attempt going down.)

Loves to wave hi to people.

She got called "Thumbelina" by someone at the store the other day. (random!)

Follow up on Birth Control

***DISCLAIMER*** I am talking about menstrual cycles and birth control and sperm and eggs, so DON'T read this if you can't handle it!! Thanks!

Right before Annaliese, I started thinking really hard about what form of birth control I should use after she was born. Having 2 kids in a row, well, let's just say I was motivated to make sure there weren't 3 in a row. I don't think I could have handled it! Also, we didn't have any maternity insurance, so money would have been a problem if baby #3 came along, especially with my history of c-sections and Vbac's.

I asked all of you what birth control you had tried and liked or disliked. It was a very enlightening conversation. (If you want to see that post, go HERE.)

I wanted to follow up and let you know what I chose and how it's working out for me.

As many of you know, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer last year at age 49;It was a very agressive form, but they caught it in time, and after chemo and radiation, she is now cancer free (yahoo!!!) This was obviously a significant event in all our lives, and since it's already running in the family (both grandmas and now my mom) I feel the need to be EXTREMELY careful about any increased risk of breast cancer. I've also become a lot more concerned about hormones that are added to our food, specifically our meat. I'm trying to avoid those too, I think they are definitely not helping our health in any way.

Breast cancer is heavily related to hormones, in fact one type of breast cancer is driven by hormones, meaning your hormones is what feeds the tumors and makes them grow.

I don't mean to scare any of you, since the studies have shown that oral contraceptives only very slightly increase your risk of breast cancer. However, that was enough for me. Especially when you combine it with the fact that I am a MOODY BEAST on any sort of hormonal birth control, even the Mini-pill (you take it when you're nursing a baby...it's progersterone only, no estrogen). My doctor told me it wouldn't make me moody. OH, BUT IT DID!!! My body just seems to have big reactions, even to tiny doses of hormones, so I felt really good about going with the Paragard IUD.

The Paragard is an IUD that does not put any hormones into your body. It just releases tiny amounts of copper into your uterus and that naturally prevents pregnancy. It's been used for a LONG time, which was very important to me, because some of the newer forms of birth control have not a lot of testing to prove they're safe, so they are sometimes recalled and lawsuits happen, etc. etc. etc.

A concerned friend knew I was going to try the Paragard. She emailed me and told me that she and her husband considered IUD's a form of abortion. Scary, eh? So I immediately looked into it and came to the conclusion that it's definitely not a form of abortion, since pregnancy, conception, even the egg being fertilized...is completely prevented in the first place. The IUD affects the movement of the sperm so they can't get to the egg. It also changes the lining of the uterus to prevent the egg from implantation.

My insurance did not cover IUD's, and when I told my doctor that, he suggested I order one online from a canadian pharmacy. He wrote me a prescription so that I could do it. (He's LDS.) I was so glad he did that. I got it for $80 instead of $400. I highly recommend it.

I had the IUD put in last January, so it's been in for 9 months. The insertion was easy, only a tad of discomfot, and I've never felt or noticed it since. Samuel can not tell it's there. It prevents pregnancy by 99.9% (only 8 out of 1000 get pregnant while on it.) I never have to remember to take a pill, I never have spotting or irregular bleeding, my cycle is very normal, and I have not had any side effects, except for one:

This is the only drawback to the Paragard. It makes you have heavier bleeding and longer periods. Before I was married, I would have a 4 day period, every 21 days. Sometimes moodiness and back pain, but mostly simple, short periods. I didn't know HOW much the Paragard would affect that, so I decided just to try it and see. If I hated it, I would switch to the Mirena, which IS hormonal, but gives you short/non-existent periods. (I may try it someday, I know most people really like it.)

I now have 7 day periods instead of 4. I have 2 days that are heavy. Really heavy, like, having to buy the highest absorbancy tampon made, and changing it every 2-3 hours (Tampax just came out with a higher absorbancy, called "Ultra" and I LOVE it, it's perfect for those days.) My cycle is longer too, it's every 30 days now instead of 21. That kind of makes up for the longer/heavier period. I had heavy cramps the first 3 months, but I don't get them anymore. I am really happy with the Paragard, mostly because I am not MOODY (beyond the normal of course!)

There is one other side effect that is not a problem, in fact, it kind of adds to the sex life, but I'm not sure I want to fully disclose it to all my readers. If you are considering the Paragard for yourself, or you just really want to know, feel free to e-mail me and I'll explain it privately.

Finally, the Paragard is NOT recommended for anyone that:
*has had a tubal/ectopic pregnancy
*has a copper allergy (obviously)
*is prone to pelvic infections
*has severe pain during menstrual cycles (you'd hate to make it worse, eh!?!) As another friend pinted out, if you already have a 7 day cycle, you probably don't want to make it any longer!!

Oh, one other thing. The very first month I had the Paragard in, I was like, 2 weeks late on getting my period. I was sure I was pregnant. I was FREAKING OUT, Annaliese was only 2 months old! Luckily my body was just adjusting and now it's a normal predictable pattern.

Well, hope you liked all those details, I'm sure some would call that T.M.I. but oh well! I believe in being well informed. Hope this helps some of you.