I don't know a ton about "Green" stuff but...

There's a commercial that airs on my news station all the time that goes "we were green before green was cool." It's a slogan by a pest and lawn care company that uses environmentally friendly products for their services.

I must have heard that a thousand times before I stopped to think about it. "Before green was cool."

Aint that the truth. I thought as I mouthed the phrase I knew was coming.

If anything is trendy right now like no other it's green products.

I'm bombarded with mom emails every morning issuing me a new warning about some product I use that's harmful to my baby and has links to cancer.--Air fresheners, glass cleaners, bleach, cell phones. I might as well move to a bubble and eat dirt.

These emails almost always offer up a green alternative which makes me scratch my head and wonder if that green alternative is the one sponsoring this mass email to scare me.

Well I'll show them. Instead of buying the toxic-free air freshener, I'll just let my house stink. And instead of washing my counters with that natural cleaner...Well, I just won't wash my counters.

Yes, ladies and gentle men, my plan is to just live in filth instead of fear.

Organic Cotton Girls Top from My Natural Baby Boutique

When I told my husband of my plan to stop cleaning, of course he had a smart aleck response.

"So, what's new? I do all of the cleaning."

So my plan to rebel against the toxic clean companies, and their expensive alleged "green" counterparts was short lived. But I haven't given up. I do want to be greener. To live greener, and feel like I'm making a difference. But I also don't want to feel ripped off.

Something that comes from the earth should be cheaper than something that's processed--At least in my mind. I know things that are processed are more often mass-produced, and more likely to cost less to make (at least that's what I hear) but there's gotta be other ways to be thrifty AND green right?

For one, I'm thinking of using vinegar to clean with. I dunno, I hear it gets the job done. I'm not sure what I think of my whole house smelling like vinegar but I imagine it'll be better than the smell of not cleaning. It's worth a try. Until we find out vinegar also has a link to cancer.

I'm also of thinking of joining a community garden. My town has dozens of community gardens and there's a couple right around my house. Organic food can be pricey, but if I grow my own it can be way cheap. I'm talking tomato seeds for like 10 cents. Renting a plot is only like $30 a year or less depending which you plant at. And this way I don't have to dig up my own yard... The plots are already there!

Organic Cotton Pants with Skirt from My Natural Baby Boutique

The only downside is well... The work, and the fact that I've never been able to keep my potted plants alive so umm... This could wind up being a disaster, but it could also be a good learning experience. I'll definitely take a free class before trying. And I'll bring the whole family out. It'll be a good lesson for all of us. Plus Lil' J already likes to eat dirt. She's green.

I doubt I'll ever decide to grow cotton (it just don't seem right in my mind). But apparently non-organic cotton uses lots of cancer-linked pesticides (surprise, surprise!). I'd think it's not the end of the world since you wash your clothes, and you're wearing them, not eating them, but don't quote me on that. If you're still worried, stores like My Natural Baby Boutique make clothes with 100% organic cotton. That's where these cute Earthy-looking clothes are from.
And finally, I'm all about recycling. ALL a-bout-it!! I'm not the best about recycling my own trash (YET)--I'm working on that. But I am saving all of Lil' J's clothes. I don't plan to throw any away. It'll all be donated, used for my next child, or sold. I am also good about buying recycled products. Like clothes for Lil 'J. A good portion of them are second hand. Betcha didn't know that! Yea! I get a lot of her stuff off eBay, and a few things from thrift stores. I even have found some cool etsy shops that up-cycle their clothes. Meaning, taking fabric from an old-something, and turning it into a new-something. Like this skirt from Wendy Miracle and this adorable hair bow from Little Smash:

Upcycled Skirt from Wendy Miracle; Upcycled Bow from Little Smash; Bubble top from HEB

Recycled toilet paper is another way to go. No... It's not what you think. We use cloth wipes for Lil' J but not for us. Recycled toilet paper as in White Cloud Green Earth brand. Like up-cycled clothes, this stuff is made of 100% recycled material, which saves millions of trees. Kruger, the company behind White Cloud Green Earth is also using green energy to run it's factories.

So maybe I am jumping on the "green is cool" bandwagon, but really, is it that bad of a club to be in? Even if we do find out that it's all a hoax next year, or that it's already too late, we're gonna die--At least we gave it a try, and it's a well-meaning club to be in.

Thanks for making it to the bottom of my ramblings in this post. If you've survived, congratulations, now it's time for some freebies...
You can buy Green Earth TP or paper towels and get 50% more right now. You can also use this coupon to get another $1.50 off. If you like free money, join their twitter party tomorrow where they'll be giving away Walmart gift cards from 1-2pm CST. Use hashtag #earthday and #green to party.


If you comment and let me know what you like from My Natural Baby Boutique, you'll be entered to win $20 to their cute clothing store. The first 5 people to say the code phrase "yo wassup" in the comments, gets $15 off their order of $50 or more. 

And finally, everyone who comments on this post letting me know an item they like from Planet Gear.com which sells clothes and other goodies for 70% off retail prices, will be entered to win this mother/daughter set of water bottles. You can also find them here on twitter or facebook. I believe you'll also get a free $10 credit by using that link *crossing my fingers that's how that works*.

All comments for prizes should be submitted by the 3rd please!

*I'm a White Cloud blogger and am compensated for my time preparing this post. All of my silly opinions are my own.

Lookin' Fly On My Delivery Day in My Hot Mama Gowns

I have a confession... A big one. See, before I was pregnant I made fun of pregnant people... Well, not really, but I made fun of some of the things they do... Like bringing their own gowns to the hospital.

Yep, I saw it on a blog once and had to laugh and write a post about it. I thought it was the funniest/ lamest thing I had ever seen. Now here I am... Not even two years later bringing not one, but TWO gowns to the hospital. Yea, I'm feeling a little sheepish (and hypocritical) seeing what I wrote before.

My oh my, how time can change things, I'm a testament of that! I also said I'd have a Beemer before a Baby or a Lexus before a Little one and Lawd knows that didn't happen either! I'm sure this eating my words thing will become a regular commodity as I journey through motherhood.

To my defense, the gowns I got are WAY cuter than the others (also more than $50... But hey, I'm making more money than I was then), and they also double as great nursing gowns and totally beat the regular old gowns they give you at the hospital. And I, my friends, am ANYTHING but regular.

Some people care about having an unmedicated birth... I care about feeling good. And looking good, will help me feel good. I'm just being me and doin' me (as said in my birthing theme song "Over", by Drake) and doin' me is looking fly... Or at least trying to.

This will be the biggest, most exciting day of my life, next to my wedding day, and I was sure to look good for that day, so I want to look and feel nice for this day too.
So, what better way to look fly than to wear a Hot Mama Gown? I first heard about them when they donated one of their beautiful gowns during my March of Dimes fundraiser raffle! I knew once I got pregnant I'd be getting one. Luckily, they love me and my blog so they offered to send me one to review. My problem... I'm too indecisive and couldn't choose just one, PLUS they came out with new swaddle blankets that made my decision even more difficult. So what I do? I bought a second gown and a matching blanket. It was a pregnancy present to myself, and the only "maternity" wear I've bought my ENTIRE pregnancy (I never went and bought those maternity jeans... Or anything else for that matter).

The nice thing though is wearing my gowns won't have to stop once I give birth to Lil' J. It's perfect for nursing, and a nice nightgown to wear around the house.
I know some are probably saying "Umm girrrrl... You don't even KNOW how messy and gross it gets during labor" You're right... I don't. But I DO know that these gowns are made with a fancy organic cotton that can be easily ridden of stains.

So, what I think of them? Well, I think they're great, they're comfortable, they button down the back, so they're easily accessible for hospital staff, but your booty isn't showing when you're walking around (I'm oober shy when it comes to nakedness). They're not cheaply made to be worn one time, which I love, because I'd love to just wear them around the house when Lil' J and I are at home during my leave. There's so much thought and detail in every snap and closure, it's not just thrown together. It's made to last. They also have amazing access for breastfeeding which will come in handy especially at the hospital, but at home too!

They look nice enough to where I can answer the door in them, and not look like a crazy old lady in my PJs but not so fancy to where I won't want Spawnie's poop on them. Well, not that anyone wants poop on them... I mean it's not super delicate, and washes well.

FYI, the pictures of me in these gowns were initially taken by my husband, but just as much as he hates being in pictures, he hates taking them too, and the ones we took together didn't look as good with the flash, so I did my own self-portrait shoot in the nursery.
So, want to know my plan for wearing them? I bought the pink Grace gown to wear during labor. I wanted to buy pink to remind me of Cora's Story (a must read, beautiful baby who reminds me to get Lil' J her first Congenital Heart Disease test). I bought Lil' J a matching swaddle blanket that hopefully we can put her in shortly after she's born for pictures.THEN, after I'm all cleaned up, I'll change into my Antoinette gown, which I think looks GREAT for pictures. My hair and makeup will be touched up, and we'll be ready to go.
On a side note... Other fly-making things in my (pre)hospital bag are: Fake eyelashes, hair rollers, and makeup (just the natural-looking kind). Hate all you want... I'm doin' me!

Be sure to check out HotMamaGowns.com or follow @HotMamaGowns on Twitter to stay up to date on the latest deals and styles!

Lillebaby EveryWear Carrier Giveaway!

Baby carriers anyone? If you missed my MomTV show last week shame on you. I showed off this awesome carrier which I cannot wait to tote Ladybug around in.

We have a sling, a couple of wraps a mei tai, and an Organic Lillebaby EveryWear Baby Carrier. Out of all of them I must say this one feel the most secure, sturdy, and hard core. Granted, I don't have MY baby to try in all of them, I have tested them out on some other little ones, and I've been practicing getting them all on and off.

Note: My penguin has no legs, it's not the same proportion as a baby, and I'm 8 months preggo so you're not getting the FULL effect here, but you can see it none the less.
One thing I love about this carrier is that there's four different ways you can wear it, so you don't need a different carrier for each position, it's all in one!

Here's the four positions:
1) Front inward facing: This position can be used with a baby 7 to 25 lbs but you must use the infant cradle and harness that is sold separately for babies 7-15 lbs.

2) Front outward facing: Once your baby is able to support their head to about 25 lbs, you can have your child face outward.

3) Hip Carrier: As your baby grows (15-43 lbs), you can give your child a ride on your hip with this carrier position. Note: Although we love the high weight limit, our 40 lb child is walking – not riding on our hip!

4) Back Carrier: When your child is able to sit independently (6+ months) to 43 lbs, you can give him a ride and support him on your back with this position.

Red Haute Mama – red with cream lining
Essential Black – black with black lining
Cocoa Couture – chocolate with cream lining
Whole Latte Love – latte with cream lining

I'm personally glad they don't have pink cause I'd be sure to have gotten that one and my husband would refuse to wear it. They were smart in deciding these gender-neutral colors!
Other Lillebaby EveryWear™ Features:

Ergonomic Design:

• Allows the child's legs to be at a 90% angle to support an optimal sitting position for hip, pelvis and spine growth.
• Disperses the child's weight between their hips and thighs to minimize spine compression.
• Gentle Motion Suspension System™ absorbs child's weight and movement
• Balances the baby's weight to parent's hips and shoulders
• Alleviates physical stress for the parent

Comfortable for Both Parent and Child:
• Dual-density foam-padded waist belt is pre-curved to hug the hips and provide greater comfort and load-carrying control.
• Padding continues under buckle to shield hips from the impact of the buckle.
• Shoulder pads inspired by High Performance back packs for maximum comfort and air flow.
• Removable and adjustable shoulder pads to fit a wide range of body types.
• High back supports baby's head.

Convenient
• Adjustable Chest strap with Double Response Suspension System makes the EveryWear easy to get on and off.
• Two front pockets for keys or cell phone.
• Zippered pocket fits most diapers and wipe holders.
• 100% Jersey cotton hood to cover baby's head.
• Soft lining and 100% lightweight microfiber exterior is wind and water repellent.
• Enforced edges for strength and durability.
• Available accessories: Infant Cradle & Harness, Sling Converter, Waist Extension Strap and Storage Bag.

I've stuffed the little pocket and it can fit a diaper too! My husband also likes the carrier and I can totally picture him carrying Spawnie around like "mini me" as he says. Ours, the organic kind is made with bamboo and organic cotton and it also has some nice extra padding on the shoulder straps. I'm pretty sure I'll be making Spawnie walk her own little butt around when she weighs 40lbs but it's nice to know that if we're going on a hike or something together and she gets tired we'll be able to pop her in here for a long time.

Be sure to check out Scandinavian Child's Facebook Page for more information about their other cool products as well as this carrier! You can also follow @Scanchild and @lillebabyusa on Twitter!

There's also a really fun contest going on this summer where you show off you and your little ones in the carrier to win some more prizes in their "Scandinavian Child I Am Everwear Challenge"

{Get One}

You can buy an Organic Lillebaby EveryWear Carrier for $120. Or for $109 right now on Amazon.

{Win One! To Enter:}

Check out Scandinavian Child and let me know in the comments another product you like!

{For Extra Entries: Leave an additional comment if you:}

-Check out this lillebaby carrier product demo and tell me something you learned (2 entries)
-Leave a piece of New Mama advice (I'm gonna print them on cards later!)
-If you RSVPd to the shower

-Follow @lillebabyusa and/or @Scanchild on Twitter AND tweet about this giveaway with a link!

-"Like" Scandinavian Child on Facebook and write a wall comment telling her you saw her on my blog!

-"Like" Baby Makin(g) Machine on Facebook

-Email subscribe to my blog and confirm your email subscription

-Subscribe to my blog using this feedburner

-Vote for my bog on Top Baby Blogs (it's way easy) 1X pr day

-Vote for my blog on Babble

-Add my blog or giveaway button to your blog (1 each)

-Comment on one of my posts on my Project Pregnancy Blog
-Post about this giveaway on your blog

Contest closes June 9th at 11:59pm. Random.org will choose the winner!

Good Luck!

*Thanks Scandinavian child for sending me a product to review and for sponsoring the giveaway. No monetary compensation was accepted. Opinions expressed are mine alone.*

Packing for the Hospital: Pre-Packed Labor and Delivery Bag!

Just 38 days until Ladybug's due date! Time to pack my hospital bag! So continuing my Virtual Baby Shower, meet Babytime Bags!

Without a doubt, packing for the hospital has been one of the most exciting parts of pregnancy for me. It's up there with decorating the nursery. To me it's like packing for a big vacation. We will leave our home as parents-to-be and return with a new little munchkin. SO EXCITING!
It took everything in me to keep from packing my bags at the start of my second trimester. When I'm planning a vacation I love to shop and get my bags organized weeks in advance. Of course the daily hygienic things I keep out until the day before, but sometimes I go as far as to buy new travel-sized things just for the trip. I keep adding to the bag as I go and it's just a fun thing I like to do to build up the excitement of my impending trip!

It's the same way with getting ready for my trip to bringing Ladybug home, but trying to remember everything for this trip can be a little stressful, especially since there are so many things to remember: Birth wishes letter, my adorable hospital gowns, Ladybug's special hats... Plus all of the regular stuff people bring like shampoo and toothpaste.

Problem solved with one of the most glorious things I've seen in all of my pregnancy, the pre-packed labor hospital bags from BabyTime Bags.

The woman behind them is Nia. When she was pregnant with her first son she was under an enormous amount of pressure trying to find a house to buy and she ended up on bedrest for the month prior to his birth due to her high blood pressure.

She wanted to pack her hospital bag herself and just couldn't leave it to her hubby to do (which can't we totally understand?) Being the web-addicted person she is, I tried searching for pre-packed hospital bags. Figuring out what to put in the bag was a bit overwhelming too, so she was hoping this would help.

"I searched high and low with all manner of search terms and only came up with one company {which is still in business and shall remain nameless}," she said. "I wasn't that enthused with the bag and was even less so when I received it. But it served it's purpose and I added a ton of stuff to it."
"I'm a crazy multi-tasker and had been trying to come up with a business to start, but was still looking for that business idea that filled a void. Voila! I realized, 'Hey, there have to be other mommies-to-be out there like me, and there's only this one company and they aren't that great. And I know I can do it MUCH better.' And from there Babytime Bags was created!"

She wanted to start her own business(es) because she knows how hard it is to juggle a family and a career where someone else calls the shots. "As so many other mompreneurs have discovered, while you may work harder when you work for yourself, it's more rewarding and can be done easier when your time and location is flexible," she added!

So check out her marvelous invention! They sent me a bbLux bag, stuffed with all sorts of goodies! In fact, so much awesomeness I decided to vlog about it! So watch to see the goodies!

I love love love it so much! There's also a letter inside that has a reminder of other things to pack that aren't included. Knowing that I'd need to fit my birthing ball and my hospital gowns in too, (plus bows, blankets and hats for Ladybug... Oh, and my husband's stuff) I did get an additional bag to go with it to pack the extra things they suggest (and more). I got this adorable coordinating duffle from The Groovy Mommy Etsy shop! She was so sweet too, and the bag and monogram was only $25! So... if you need more space, check her out. They could match any Babytime Bag you get (my little discovery!)

Nia has been married for 4 years to her law school sweetheart and they have one son and another on the way (our due dates are close!!).

She loves to travel, especially to Barbados, and doesn't have pets cause she says her 3 boys are enough, but she has some great new mama advice for me!

{New Mama Advice}

"I think the best piece of advice is not to be afraid to let stuff go. Don't try to do everything you did before AND get adjusted to a little one all at the same time. That is hard to do when you are a multi-faceted, hard-working, multi-tasking person and you're used to doing everything {and doing it well}! But until you get the hang of it {and that could take a year or 2} it's okay to focus on baby/family and get to the other stuff when you can. Delegate {especially to hubby}. Make sure you get rest. And enjoy every second of your little one."

Great advice from a great mama! So, would you like one of these awesome bags?

{Get One}

The cost of a Babytime Bag is nearly HALF of what you would pay if you purchased everything individually that is included in this must-have carryall (not to say how much time you will save!). Also, as you will soon find out, this bag will come in handy with your new little one because you can never have enough bags.

They are fun and stylish for one, two, or even three trips to the hospital. Later, your Babytime Bag can be used as a stylish diaper bag or an additional bag for overnight trips. Learn more about Babytime Bags by following @BabyTimeBags on twitter or "liking" Babytime Bags on Facebook.

You can buy one of these on sale from Babytime Bags. She's giving my readers a 10% discount UNTIL the end of the YEAR! Woohoo! Use the code: "FUTUREMAMA10" at checkout!

{WIN One} GIVEAWAY CLOSED!

Or take your chances here first at winning a bbBasic Bag for free! What's in it?

A gorgeous and versatile quilted luggage piece by Quilted Keepers® in one of three vibrant patterns, embroidered with thebbPram logo and personalized for the mother-to-be.

Te bbBasic comes with many practical and indulgent items, such as*:

Evian® face spritz Preggie Pops® Altoids® mints fluffy socks headband and scrunchie organic lip balm hand mirror clock "who to call" list template a Milkband® Lansinoh® cream

Lansinoh® breast pads pen and journal all-natural toothbrush & toothpaste all-natural mouthwash little twig organic body wash little twig organic body lotion plush slippers flip-flops luxurious sleep mask and ear plugs laundry bag bbReference Guide For New Mothers

And that's just SOME of what's in it, not to mention the adorable diaper bag you get to keep! So.... Want to win one of these bags valued at $125!?

{To Enter to Win}

Check out Babytime Bags and let me know your favorite bag and color in the comments section.

{For Extra Entries: Leave an additional comment if you:}

-Leave a piece of New Mama advice (I'm gonna print them on cards later!)
-If you RSVPd to the shower

-Leave a comment on my Youtube video or subscribe to my Youtube page

-Follow @babytimebags on Twitter AND tweet about this giveaway with a link!

-"Like" Babytime Bags on Facebook and write a wall comment telling her you saw her on my blog!

-"Like" Baby Makin(g) Machine on Facebook

-Email subscribe to my blog and confirm your email subscription

-Subscribe to my blog using this feedburner

-Vote for my bog on Top Baby Blogs (it's way easy) 1X pr day

-Vote for my blog on Babble

-Add my blog or giveaway button to your blog (1 each)

-Comment on one of my posts on my Project Pregnancy Blog
-Post about this giveaway on your blog

-Unlimited comments for commenting on any non-giveaway post during the giveaway duration

Contest closes June 8th at 11:59pm. Random.org will choose the winner!

Good Luck!

*Thanks Babytime Bags for sending me a product to review and for sponsoring the giveaway. No monetary compensation was accepted. Opinions expressed are mine alone.*

Beautiful Diaper Cakes from Gift The Bambino

Welcome to the party!! Would you like some cake? What better way to kick off a baby shower? Even a virtual one.

Here, have a cupcake.

It's from Gift The Bambino, an online store that sells the most BEAUTIFUL diaper cakes I've ever seen.

I made a diaper cake once. And it sucked, then I made another diaper cake, and it was much better, but NOTHING compared to these. The cakes I made just used diapers and little flowers and other things. But these cakes... These cakes are much more practical.

They're made with receiving blankets, spoons, socks, bodysuits, washcloths, bibs, and other goodies that your baby needs... Oh, and of course DIAPERS!

Want to see Ladybug's? Gift the Bambino sent us one for our baby shower! It's sooo beautiful and it goes great in her room. So great that I don't dare take it apart. Who needs extra blankets and diapers when you can have this gorgeous decoration in your room?

Some people are different though. My friend I made the first diaper cake for kept hers together, my other friend used the entire thing! I guess I'm not very practical cause mine is sitting up on Ladybug's ledge.Now just check out this extravaganza...

Lauren is the woman behind these beautiful baby cakes and other goodies. She also sells lollipops, donuts, and like you saw, cupcakes. Do you know ANYONE who's actually FROM Delaware? Well, she is! She says she's an entrepreneur at heart and crafty by nature so those two aren't so much something she thought out, just the way she is.

"I started making diaper cakes nearly two years ago," she said. "I didn't use any tutorials or anything and had only seen one previously. The cakes are not extremely hard to make but the pops, cupcakes and other items are a little difficult. I always say 'Onesies weren't made to be cupcakes, ya know?'"

Lauren is 27, just a couple of weeks from her second wedding anniversary, and she and her husband have a pet rabbit named Dizzle.

You can check her out on Twitter. She's @Giftthebambino on twitter and you can "Like" her Gift The Bambino Page on facebook.

Now a fun thing I'm having all of my virtual baby shower sponsors give during their feature is some new mom advice! Everyone let's respect people's advice cause we all mother differently. I like to take it all in and filter what I get, and you'll get your chance to share yours too!

Lauren is still a Future Mama but since she spends about 50hrs a week with kids, and has worked with kids for years in daycare, party planning, and other things, she had some great tips for this mama-to-be!

{New Mama Advice}

1. When your baby is old enough, teach him or her fall asleep without you by their side. This will free up time for you to get other things done, veg out or spend time with your hubby.

2. Don't fool yourself into thinking your baby can't wriggle or roll his or her way off a high surface. In the first few months, it's easy to get used to them being basically immobile but once they learn to move about they progress FAST and they don't care if they're 3 feet off the ground or not.

3. Don't rush to turn the car seat forward-facing. Baby is a lot safer in the rear-facing position for a lot longer than is typically recommended.

{Get Some}

Be sure to check out this adorable store if you're planning a baby shower or looking for an extra nice somthin' somethin' for your nursery!

Now, would you like to win one of these beautiful diaper cakes? Actually, we'll let you choose. Gift The Bambino is generously donating a $50 gift certificate to one of our lovely party goers!

{To Enter to Win}

Check out Gift The Bambino and let me know your favorite cake in the comments section

{For Extra Entries: Leave an additional comment if you:}

-Leave Ladybug and I some New Mama advice! One per giveaway (and please don't use your same one over and over, I know your ladies like to dish it, so dish!)
-If you RSVPd to the shower

-Be(come) a GFC Follower of my blog

-Follow @Giftthebambino on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway with a link

-"Like" Gift The Bambino on Facebook

-"Like" Baby Makin(g) Machine on Facebook

-Email subscribe to my blog and confirm your email subscription

(1 each)

This giveaway ends May 31st at 11:59pm and Random.org will choose the winner.

Good Luck!

*I was given a cake to celebrate Ladybug, I was not compensated in any way for writing this review. Opinions are all mine. Thanks Lauren for Sponsoring the giveaway!

***Winners****
Chrissy won the Ambiessence DVD
Holli from the Adamsons won the Prenatal Yoga DVD congrats on your baby!
Please email babymakingmachine(at)gmail.com so we can get them to you!