ER Trip & Hand Sanitizer

Last night we made a trip to the children's emergency room at the downtown hospital. Little Caroline has had a stomach bug and it decided to come back. We went at the Dr's request, she was concerned it was not just a stomach virus but a serious stomach condition, plus her breathing was off and thought it might be the dreaded RSV.

We got there and it's amazing how fast they move along a baby. We didn't get anywhere near other sick kids we were in isolation. They did IV fluids and a sonogram to check her intestines and stomach and her breathing was monitored. All clear, except we saw a ton of gas bubbles. Turns out she doesn't have reflux just a gassy tummy. One issue solved. I've got to switch bottles

So the verdict, a stomach virus just as we initially thought. Which brings me to:

I've got to do a better job keeping little hands and people away from Caroline. I posted a while back we weren't going to get out much well, that's impossible with 3 other children highly involved in activities. Who was I kidding? I can't live in a bubble so I'm going to take extra precautions.

I was asked to review this 6 hour hand sanitizer last week from mom select. I couldn't think of a better time for us. Let me tell you this is all I will buy now. 6 hours! Check it out http://www.outlastgerms.com/ . I was given 10 bottles so I will be passing them out to our close friends and family who come in frequent contact with her. I also put a bottle in each of the kids school bag.

Little Caroline with the bottle and her "Don't touch me sign". My church friend Melanie picked up this hang tag, she's a NICU nurse. Thank you!

Morning Sickness Stopper... giveaway!

UPDATE: THE WINNER IS COMMENT # 3 JENNJILLA

CONGRATS and Thanks for all those who entered.

I am now 26 weeks pregnant and I still get morning sickness. When I saw a chance to review a product from Mom Select for morning sickness.

I jumped at the chance.

These little B-natal pops are great! I am wishing I'd had a box for the last 25 weeks.

This is a must have for all pregnant moms with sickness. Check out their website for more info and where to get them.

Any pregnant moms out there? Trying to get pregnant? Perhaps you have a friend who is expecting. What a gift!

Leave a comment below and I will select one person to receive a free package of B-natal TheraPops or lozenges.

Fisher Price TRIO Giveaway!

Look what arrived yesterday.... a Fisher Price TRIO Building Set!

We've anticipated the arrival for several days. This is my first product review and giveaway.

Look at the excited little ones. Ready to play!

Madeline (2) also enjoyed playing. The pieces were just the right size for her little hands. They snap together with ease. It didn't take long for Will (5) to find the directions and start building. The directions were very easy for him to follow.
At the end of the play session this is what I found...
My favorite part (as a mom) is the plastic storage container. Nice and neat organized storage.

Kid bonus, the lid is a building surface to display their creations.

Look what I found at 7am this morning. Will was ready for some playtime before school.

I visited the Fisher Price site. I think the TRIO Cargo Loader might be a birthday purchase.

One lucky commenter will receive their very own Fisher Price TRIO Building Set a $20 value!


Enter now by leaving a comment below! The contest ends on Wednesday, September 9th.

Extra Entries:

• Post the contest on your blog then leave a comment telling me about the post
• Become a follower

If you can't wait here is a $5 off coupon! http://www.fisher-price.com/us/trio/ The offer expires 10/1

Name Brand Chips vs. Store Brand

Have you ever compared store brand and name brand chips next to each other? Well I did. Let me share the shocking results

(not really but it sure sounds good)

I bought two bags of Wavy potato chips. We ate half of each bag then evaluated...

Here is a photo of the Store Brand Wavy Chips. Ummm do you see wave? The Name Brand Wavy Chips now that is a wavy chip.

My results:
The Store Brand

• Most of the bag was broken into small pieces
• It was greasier
• The taste was not as good but pretty close
• It was only $1.75

The Name Brand

• The chips stayed in big pieces
• Not as greasy as the store brand
• Classic taste
• It was $3.00

The Verdict- Pay the extra $1.25 for chips that are dip worthy. I made ranch dip and the small remnants of chips made it very frustrating to get my dip. They just broke into the dip making crumbly mess

Thrifty Thursday- House Smell?

I like my house to smell great, all the time. Something about walking through the door and a whiff of a yummy smell, so welcoming. Somehow it makes me think my house is always clean.

If money was no option I could spent hundreds a month on expensive candles, warmers, plug ins and other junk. What are my favorite smelly frugal products?

• Glade Plug-in's - I can always find some of coupon for Glade. I've used the Vanilla smell and now that it is spring I am rotating to the Hawaiian Breeze.


• Candles- Wal-mart carries inexpensive and highly effective candles. Try the candlelite brand. I discovered the Coconut Lime smell. It is EXACTLY like the Bath and Body works coconut lime verbena which is $20. The wal-mart one is only $5.


• More Candles- Kirklands in my opinion has the best candles. The jars are about $7 and they last at least a month. When the candle gets low about 1/4 left I stop burning it and put on my candle warmer.
  

Candles always make a nice gift for a female co-worker, friend or relative. Yes, my friends often receive candles as gifts. A great place to find discount boutique candles for gifts is Ross and Tuesday Morning.

When I want to splurge on a candle I purchase... Tyler Candles in Vanilla Rumba. I will purchase the votives and melt in my candle warmer as a frugal alternative to the big candle jars.

What is your favorite home candle scent? My all time favorite is the cake smell.

Boxed Wine- Error

Update to post on boxed wine: My husband (Posh Josh) pointed out that the boxed wine holds 4 bottles not 3. I will blame my error on drinking while blogging :)

Thrifty Thursday - Boxed Wine

I am a mom of 3 kids. I stay at home with them and I've been happily married for 8 years. Yes..... I like to drink red wine at night. I say it is for my heart but honestly it is my reward for a hard days work.

Let me see... I am a vintage reserve type of girl on a Boone's Farm budget! Well, we have found a wonderful happy medium. We discovered Boxed wine, yes really we did! You get 3 bottles worth in one sealed box no waste. Some nights you need more than others :)

Here are my favorite boxed wines:

Black Box Wine - My favorite is the Cabernet, but we've also tried and enjoyed the Shiraz and Merlot. I purchase mine at Wal-mart it is about $20.

Turning Leaf Merlot- this isn't quite as good as Black Box but it is cheaper. I can get this for $16 for a box. I've only tried the Merlot.

Least Favorite:

I want to give a thumbs down to: Wine Cube Cabernet Sauvignon. This is the box you can buy at Super Target. They even have some cute box covers honestly is bad! I threw the box out not even finishing it. But then again that is just my taste. Cost $14