Can a necklace really help reflux?

Since having LB, I feel like my life has turned into a whirlwind of craziness!  Do any of you ever feel that way?  It seems like we're always going somewhere or doing something...and when I am home I'm trying to wash the ever-growing dishes and laundry.  I have so many things I have been reviewing (including several books), and I have been wanting to share them all with you, but I haven't had any time to sit down and think (and I want you to be able to understand my reviews haha). 

What I want to talk about today is laundry...I know, boring stuff!  Seriously though, since LB was born my laundry pile is crazy!  It is always a huge pile, and it's not just because she likes to be held.  It's because she has reflux. And spits up. A ton!  It's bad when you have to give a disclaimer before you let someone hold your child, but anytime someone wants to hold her I feel like I need to tell them she's probably going to cover them in spit up. And she almost always does.  Having a reflux baby is no fun...the laundry is crazy, but a lot of times she just seems uncomfortable.  She has been on Prilosec and Zantac, but neither seem to make her feel much better, and I just felt sorry for her...so I started looking for another solution.

Several moms suggested a Hazelwood necklace from Inspired By Finn.  I know what you're thinking.  How can a necklace help reflux?  I thought the same thing, so I started reading about it.  The Hazelwood actually soaks up the excess acid in the body.  It can relieve many acid-related ailments such as acid reflux, ulcers, heartburn, and other acid-related ailments. They can also take the edge off of heartburn and morning sickness during pregnancy.  Hazel wood also helps relieve skin problems such as (psoriasis, eczema, acne, and diaper rash) constipation, headaches, migraines, canker sores, and the occurrence of dental cavities when these ailments are related to excessive acid in the body (and sometimes they are not).  The necklaces do not contain chemical or any medicines, it is just Hazelwood (well, ours has pearl accent beads).

I was very intrigued after reading about them, so I ordered one. The youth necklaces are about $30, which I thought was a great price if it would work.  I waited impatiently to get it in, and she has been wearing it ever since.  We're on month 2 now, and I have definitely noticed a difference!  She doesn't spit up nearly as much!  She does still spit up some, but everyone that was around her before the necklace can definitely see there is a difference.  I have had so many people tell me how cute her necklace is, and when I go on to tell them what it does, they are always amazed!  If you or your child has reflux problems, I would definitely recommend this necklace!

Here is a picture of LB in her necklace

Be sure to check out Inspired By Finn on Facebook and tell her So Mommy sent you!

Look for a review of the Amber necklace for pain coming soon!

Paradise Valley

I recently received "Paradise Valley" by Dale Cramer from Bethany House Publishing.  While I received the book free, the opinions below are my own. 

Summary from CBD.com:

An Amish settlement in Ohio has run afoul of a law requiring their children to attend public school. Caleb Bender and his neighbors are arrested for neglect, with the state ordering the children be placed in an institution. Among them are Caleb's teenage daughter, Rachel, and the boy she has her eye on, Jake Weaver. Romance blooms between the two when Rachel helps Jake escape the children's home.

Searching for a place to relocate his family where no such laws apply, Caleb learns there's inexpensive land for sale in Mexico, a place called Paradise Valley. Despite rumors of instability in the wake of the Mexican revolution, the Amish community decides this is their answer. And since it was Caleb's idea, he and his family will be the pioneers. They will send for the others once he's established a foothold and assessed the situation.

My Review:

Before this book, I wasn't a huge fan of Amish fiction.  I liked to read them, but they weren't my favorite.  Dale Cramer did a wonderful job writing "Paradise Valley."  I didn't want to stop reading until the end!  My family has moved a lot since I was younger, so I completely sympathized with the daughters during the move.  While my moves were never this drastic, it was always hard to leave friends.  When daughter Rachel found out she was leaving her first love, she was very upset.  Another unmarried daughter feared she would never marry because they were leaving all of her potential 'mates'.  This family showed how important it is to stick together in these hard times.  When they were feeling down, another family member would be there for them.  There were many dangers awaiting the family in Paradise Valley, but thanks to "Gott" (God) they found help when they needed it.  I really enjoyed this book, and I can't wait to read more by this author!

The Lady of Bolton Hill

 

I received "The lady of Bolton Hill" by Elizabeth Camden from Bethany House Publishing.  No other compensation was received, and the review is my own opinion.

Brief synopsis from CBD.com:

"Female journalists are rare in 1879, but American-born Clara Endicott has finally made a name for herself with her provocative articles championing London's poor. When the backlash from her work forces a return home to Baltimore, Clara finds herself face-to-face with a childhood sweetheart who is no longer the impoverished factory worker she once knew. In her absence, Daniel Tremain has become a powerful industry giant and Clara finds him as enigmatic as ever. However, Daniel's success is fueled by resentment from past wounds and Clara's deeply-held beliefs about God's grace force Daniel to confront his own motives. When Clara's very life is endangered by one of Daniel's adversaries, they must face a reckoning neither of them ever could have foreseen."

My Review

This book shows a women who knows her purpose in life and wants to follow God to get there.  It was nice to read a book about a women "back in the day" going after what she wanted, no matter the cost (even getting thrown in jail).  She also shows unmarried girls that you don't have to settle for a guy if he isn't what God wants you to have.  Clara knew she couldn't marry Daniel if he didn't share her beliefs, and she told him as much.  I really enjoyed reading this book.  It isn't an extremely exciting thriller or anything, but it was definitely a good read complete with fights, theives, and plots to kill!

Are We There Yet? Review and Giveaway

Are We There Yet?

Aurora Gifts is offering yet another line of adorable products - this time for kids on the go!  They have neckrests, ID tags, and even those cute "By My Side" leads.  Ever since Sydney was a tiny baby she has slept in the car.  At 2 1/2 years old, she STILL falls asleep in the car (she actually did today for an hour long drive)!  She always looks so uncomfortable with her head slumped over in her seat, so I was glad to get to try this out.  She wouldn't put it around her neck before she went to sleep (she still has the toddler "I'm not sleepy" thing going), but as soon as she went to sleep I reached around and put it behind her neck.  She looked a lot more comfortable to me and she seemed to like it as well.  These neckrests retail for about $13. 

 We also received a cute giraffe ID tag, which is awesome for kids bags!  It's a cute fluffy giraffe with a small ID card that slides in.  Definitely not readable from a distance, so I don't mind keeping it on the bag while Sydney wears it.  It just looks like a fluffy "charm" for her bag. These retail for $6.

Don't forget to check out Aurora's website for all of their gifts!  My daughter loves her Milly the Pinkest Kitty!

About Aurora World Inc.Aurora World, Inc. (http://www.auroragift.com/), celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2011, is a leading manufacturer and supplier of high quality, competitively priced plush toys and gifts. Aurora’s name reflects its extensive product lines and growing influence in the worldwide marketplace, as well as its international manufacturing, R&D and distribution resources. Founded in 1981, the Korean company with headquarters in the United States, United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Germany, has ascended quickly to become a respected leader in the world’s toy and gift character and contents industry. Aurora created the international plush toy phenomenon - YooHoo & Friends™ - and its corresponding free, interactive web site (http://www.yoohoofriends.com/), appealing to young children and tweens alike. The company sells its products via a wide variety of retailers including major zoos, high-end toy stores such as Learning Express, top gift chains such as Hallmark and Claire’s as well as hospital gift shops, fine florists, candy stores and gift/stationery stores worldwide.

GIVEAWAY

One lucky reader will win a Kid's ID tag from Aurora Gifts!!

How to Enter: 

(1 entry) - ‘Like’ Aurora Gifts on Facebook HERE
(1 entry) - ‘Like’ So Mommy on Facebook HERE and let me know if you are a new fan
(1 entry) - Mention this giveaway on your facebook page and leave me the link

(1 entry) - Tell me which tag is your favorite!

**This giveaway ends on July 23, 2011 at 5 p.m. CST.  The winner will be selected by random draw and will have 48 hours to respond to our notification email before another winner is selected.  This giveaway is open to US residents only.  I was given a free neckrest and ID tag in exchange for my review.  No other compensation was received.** 

MYHABIT - $25 off code = FREE STUFF!

Click the link above to sign up for MYHABIT.  You can use the code SUMMER25 through August 1st to get $25 off of your purchase (with free shipping!)

I scored a cute kimono top with matching shorts for my daughter earlier today completely free!  They are sold out of a lot right now, but they restock more items every morning, so check early!

Dandelion Tableware

I recently received a set of Dandelion Tableware to try out, and I have to say I was very interested in trying it!  Just so you know, Dandelion makes more than tableware - they make Earth-friendly products for kids - including plush toys, teethers, and clothes!  You can see all of their products HERE.

Now, back to the tableware!  The tableware is BPA free, Phthalate Free, PVC Free, and made from corn!  "Unlike conventional plastic, which is largely made from petroleum, our bioplastic is primarily made from corn! Polylactic acid (PLA) requires significantly less fossil resources, and generates far fewer green house gases than conventional plastic. And corn is a renewable and sustainable resource (from the Dandelion website)." I love that they offer divided plates!  My daughter doesn't seem to mind her foods touching, but I do haha so I love these!  The spoons have a much deeper scoop than most which makes it easier for my daughter to keep foods on them!  Sydney has mastered stabbing foods with a fork, so she doesn't use the Dandelion ones often (they are more for learning).  These are great quality products, and I'm sure we will be using them for years to come! 

The only downfall is that they aren't dishwasher safe, but knowing they are completely safe makes up for that!

Be sure to "like" them on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/boogiefans?sk=wall#!/DandelionEarth



The Gathering Place Review and Giveaway

Who doesn't love a cute applique shirt?  I think they are great - especially for holidays or sibling pictures...or birthdays or pretty much anything!  I found The Gathering Place awhile back through one of my readers.  The ladies that own the store are very nice - and great to work with. 

This is a mom-owned business, which is a plus for me.  I like to help out other moms when I can!  They do applique shirts, monogrammed gifts, jewelry, and more!  You just have to check out their selection. Trust me - they have a lot of beautiful items.

They sent Sydney a cute little Easter shirt to wear.  It had a chick in an egg and her name on it, and I thought it was beautiful!  It has been worn and washed several times now, and I can definitely say that it is excellent quality that will last!  Sydney absolutely loves the shirt.  We have gotten many compliments on it!  After looking through our Easter pictures, I realized I don't have a good close up picture of the design on the shirt, so I took one of just the shirt for you all to see!

Here are a few other items from The Gathering Place:

GIVEAWAY

One lucky reader will win a $15 gift card to use at The Gathering Place!

How to Enter: 

(1 entry) - ‘Like’ The Gathering Place on Facebook HERE
(1 entry) - ‘Like’ So Mommy on Facebook HERE and let me know if you are a new fan
(1 entry) - Mention this giveaway on your facebook page and leave me the link

(1 entry) - Tell me which item is you favorite!

**This giveaway ends on July 5, 2011 at 5 p.m. CST.  The winner will be selected by random draw and will have 48 hours to respond to our notification email before another winner is selected.  This giveaway is open to US residents only.  I was given a free shirt in exchange for my review.  No other compensation was received.**