5 Weeks and Counting...

So today marks 5 weeks until David leaves for Basic Training. We have a million things to do in the mean time, and one of them on the schedule is potty training.

We've prepared with Gerber Training Pants, and a training ring

I've been doing my best to get Kep excited for potty training. I really hope he'll do well with it. We're planning on starting Thursday or Friday depending on which days he goes to school this week.

What we've done so far:

Purchased- Seat, training pants

Talked about - Potties, What happens with potties, flushing toilets, washing hands, BIG BOY underpants!, and saying "Bye bye diapers!"

Wish us luck!

Co-Sleeping

There is a pile of babies in my bed. Well, a baby and a toddler. They're spread out and so comfortable that I don't even have room to get into bed. My 1 year old daughter is snuggled up to my husband. She's right under his arm, where she's slept since she was 2 weeks old. My son is spread across his feet, he slept in a crib until he was 15 months old, and then decided to join us in bed. This is an issue that will cause debate and arguments. Luckily, we had a doctor who believed in co-sleeping. As long as its done as safe as possible. No comforters at night, one pillow each, using the "H" position. Now that she's over a year, we feel more comfortable with a comforter and pillows. 

They're restless some nights, other nights they sleep soundly. I find myself waking up in a pile of the ones I love, cherishing ever moment of this. When they're older they'll sleep in their own beds (which are more just a decoration at the moment) and I'll miss these days. Its such a gift to have them snuggled so closely, knowing how wonderful it must be for them to feel that safe. 

There are nights they drive me crazy. There are nights I fantasize about them sleeping in their own beds. But for the  most part, I love this and wish these days would stop going by so quickly... 

Organix Tea Tree Mint Shampoo and Conditioner Review

This is seriously my favorite conditioner and shampoo. So, the other day when I was researching some other blog reviews I was disappointed to read them. It seems that many of the reviewers didn't fully understand what they were reviewing. I have the same problem with many of the organic products I use. The problem is they compare them to the competition. Now, this competition is not fair and uses many chemicals which may not be safe. I level the playing field and keep in mind other products that have the same philosophy and use the same ingredients (or more importantly don't use certain ingredients).  I think comparing an organic paraben and sulfate free shampoo to anything else in the shampoo isle is similar to letting olympic athletes use performance enhancing drugs. Its just not fair! 


This shampoo and condition is Sulfate Free & Paraben Free Formulas • Organic Active Ingredients. This is very important to me. I will not choose a formula that has sulfates and parabens. I won't even consider them. So, when I do this review, please keep that in mind. 


I love this shampoo. I believe this shampoo has the best smell of any organic shampoo or conditioner that I have purchased to date. It brings to mind a Girl Scout Thin Mint cookie, and I absolutely LOVE using it! My hair is very manageable and shiny when I'm done using it. I do not have any build up, and its very easy to style. My hair is currently cut in a pixie cut, so the quality of my shampoo and conditioner is very important. Having anything build up will essentially ruin my hair. I believe this shampoo and conditioner is the highest quality and works extremely well with my coarse curly hair. 


I also feel great when using it. The mint is refreshing, and a great way to start or end my day. I don't worry about the ingredients in it, and I'll even consider using it on my toddler if I'm out of his shampoo! I also love that its manufactured in the United States. It also boasts eco-friendly packaging (including the label!) and is recyclable. They never test on animals, another important philosophy for me! 


All in all, a very responsible product of great quality! 


Ratings: (out of 10)


Scent: 8.5


Safe: 7
     *I have seen products with lower ratings (safer ratings) on the cosmetic database, but I think this is a great product! 


Quality: 9


Price: 10 

Update and Giveaway Opportunity (Not on my blog!) in one!

Kepler is growing in leaps and bounds. On Monday I went to have breakfast with his class in the Sukkah. Its part of the Jewish Thanksgiving, there's a lot more back story to it. Sukkot Click here to get the info! It was so great to get to see him with his classmates. He's always my baby, but seeing him among his peers it really struck me that he's a little boy. He did so well! He was sitting still (I was SHOCKED!) and paying attention. How do those teachers DO that anyway? How did his teacher manage to get 8 2 year olds to sit still, when I can't even get ONE to sit still?? He's learning and growing more every day. Its a truly awesome thing to see. He even knows 3 different dances now! I'll have to post some pictures later!

But this brings us now to my other topic, a giveaway opportunity on one of my favorite blogs. MommaInFlipFlops2 has an awesome giveaway for Sid the Science Kid! Which is one of Kep's favorite shows. The giveaway is for a Learning Science Kit. Now, I believe every thing in life is an opportunity to teach, but how cool would a Sid the Science Kid Experiment Kit be for Kep??? Check out her blog, and tell her I sent you! MommaInFlipFlops2


More update later! I still have a Gro-Via biosoaker review coming up! But we're sick as dogs here today. :(

Giveaway alert :)

So, we're finally here and moved in. We're still getting settled, but the computer is unpacked on the floor and ready for me to get back to blogging (or get started!) and get back to some of the reviews that I promised. I have a great one on the way for the Gro-via  Biosoakers and our experience with lots of tips and tricks! I also have my eco-year resolution updates for this month!

But the first order of business is a giveaway alert for Zavella Eco-Chic Apparel. I really would LOVE to win this giveaway so I'm hoping random.org really likes me this time. You can find the giveaway at http://mommainflipflops2.blogspot.com/2010/09/zavella-eco-chic-apparel-giveaway.html Bamboo cotton has to be the softest cotton I have felt, and I feel good wearing it. I'm in love with the terracotta long sleeve shirt pictured here. Good luck to you :)

I'm really hoping for some giveaway love! Due to our recent move, I haven't entered many giveaways, and I also have a tragic post coming later. I switched from my cloth diapers (notice I said MY, not Pepper's) and it really has been an emotional switch for me. I loved the cloth diapers, but without a washer/dryer (and without a car) it has been nearly impossible. We have had much luck with the Seventh Generation disposable so far! More on that later :) For now, while you're waiting for a new post... go check out Momma In Flip Flops2! She has awesome giveaways on her facebook page, and be sure to follow her on twitter as well to keep up on all the action :) Let her know I sent you!

Moving Moving Moving...

So we have boxes packed up as high as my shoulders (and I'm 6 foot tall..), a moving truck in our driveway, and almost everything ready to go! Its all coming together for us. I'll probably be MIA for the next few days, but when I get back, look for an update on my Gro-Via BioSoaker experience! I'm stripping my cloth diapers and packing them Tuesday before bed and putting Pepper in a disposable BioSoaker! We're excited and I hope it works out well for our adventure. Pepper is highly allergic to almost every disposable diaper out there (in fact we haven't found one we can use yet...) So we're hoping Gro-Via has a disposable option that works for us! This will allow me to use my shells, and have a soaker pad that I can throw away that is completely biodegradable! Also, according to the package they are flushable inserts! That will allow us to not have to worry about the laundry situation for our first few days there. Stay Tuned :) I'll also have an update on Kepler's preschool experience!


Schedule: Today- Packing Truck

Tuesday 8/31 - Finish Packing the Truck, Pick Up Rental Car, Wash/Strip Diapers

Wednesday 9/1 - 0300 Leave for Virginia!/Move in

Thursday 9/2 - 1900 - Parent's Night at the Jewish Community Center Preschool!

Friday 9/3 - 1200 - Children's Meeting at the Preschool!

30 Minutes of Fluff

Hey Everyone! Check out the Cloth Diaper Whisperer for 30 minutes of Fluff! You have 30 minutes to get on and comment for a chance to win. You have to 1st like them on Facebook, and like Diaper Shops http://www.facebook.com/#!/diapershops, for two entries in a chance to win free cloth diapers! BumGenius and Grovia Up for Grabs today :)


http://www.theclothdiaperwhisperer.com/

Also, while you're there, head over to my facebook and friend me! http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=1042842605

My Yearly Project - To be more Eco-Friendly

Over the next 12 months my family is going through a major change. Starting in 6 days, we'll be moving to a new state! We're so excited. We'll be  moving near my husband's first base that he'll be at in the Army. He'll be headed to SC in January for basic training, and then off to Ft. Eustis VA for AIT (Advanced Training) He'll be living on base for both, but since we'll be living near by him in VA, he'll be able to see the babies more often.

Along with our move, we're changing our lifestyle. For our children, we're making a change to become more eco-friendly. Each month, we've committed ourselves to changing one thing in our lives that will have a positive influence on our children and the world. Follow us on our journey!

For September: We bought bikes and baby seats. We can't wait to get them set up, and when we move we'll be using them as our primary mode of transportation.

October: My goal is to stop using plastic grocery bags and use reusable ones. We may start this a little earlier than October.

And more to come! I'll be adding to this list as we decide on our next ventures in changing our family and living healthier lives.

For now, back to packing! Virginia here we come!

GIVEAWAY!! Doopsy Diaper

My first blog post will be for a diaper giveaway!!!

Please stay tuned for the musings of my life as a military mom with a husband away for training. Expect to see blogs on cloth diapers, cloth diaper care, breastfeeding, A toddler and an infant, etc!!! But for now check out an awesome fan page for Doopsy Diapers!!

Buy 1 Doopsy diaper ($11.96) and get a FREE Organic Changing Pad ($14.99 value) + 1 chance in 15 to win 2 Doopsy "SD" diapers. Details on DOOPSY Facebook Page

Check out their facebook page!