I love trying out new things for free. Who wouldn't? Come on now, if the product ends up a total bust than you didn't lost a thing....it was free remember? If you absolutely loved the product than maybe you'll want to buy it. At least that's what the manufacturer of the product wants you to do.
One of the websites I belong to is Bzzagent.com. Basically you answer a bunch of surveys and then you wait until an invite comes your way. Then you get the option to accept or decline whatever product they're wanting to have tested. Now comes the best part...TRY IT!! The only thing that they ask in return is complete and honest feedback about it. On Facebook, blogging about it, talking to people....all they want is your honest opinion. The more you talk about the product, the more invites you get to try other products.
I've only been on the website for a couple months and already received an invite to try a new product! It's Hill's Science Diet Ideal Balance dog food. It came in the mail yesterday so we really haven't been able to try it yet but I'll let you know how it goes! My only complaint so far other than the product being for the dogs and not me personally is that it was only a 4 lb. bag. With two large dogs the bag is only going to last 3 days max so not long enough to get any real results. The only thing I'll end up knowing is which food they prefer the taste of better.
I"ll let you know the answer if a few days!
<img src="http://img.bzzagent.com/image/hillsIdealBalance.jpg?Type=activity&Activity=5074572745&Campaign=8634379888&Uid=1270202&token=135ba0448f598d56a65ce9ac25839dca" alt=""/>
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Friday, October 14, 2011
Lessons Learned
I started writing this post after Lane's 6 month appointment and he's now 7 months old. Failing miserably is how I would describe my ability to blog so far. I seriously have no idea where the time goes these days. Next thing I know I'll be planning a 1 year birthday party! Now that we are closer to being 1 year old than being born it makes me think about all the things I've learned in the last 7 months (and plus if I include pregnancy). I had a lot of preconceptions of being a mom and truth be told, a lot of it is how I imagined but there are also something things that I never thought of.
10. Everyone has an opinion: You really have to take what advice people give you with a grain of salt. Every baby is different so the advice isn't applicable half the time. The most annoying thing people told me was 'Get sleep now because you won't when the baby is here!'. Maybe I had a completely different baby than most but I got a descent amount of sleep.....just not all in 1 shot like I did before.
9. Take more pictures and video: I knew Lane would grow up but I just didn't realize how quick. When I look back it seemed like time was moving very slow so I didn't take much for video or pictures but now that I look back it's hard to believe that it's been 7 months already. Thank God for Grandparents that take a crap ton of pictures.
8. Buy newborn size clothes: I've heard multiple times before and after Lane was born to not buy much for newborn size clothes because he'll grow out of them too quick. Boy am I glad that Grandma Patty didn't take their advice! He was in newborn clothes for about 6 weeks and probably could have stayed in them a little longer but I got sick of looking at the same clothes over and over again. It will never hurt to have clothes that you don't use much.
7. Give lots of positive reinforcement to new moms: Writing from experience, the best feeling in the world is someone telling me how good of a mom I am. It is now my mission to make sure and tell my friends that are moms the same thing "You are doing a great job!" and revel when I see the smile on their face.
6. Pregnancy sucks: Don't get me wrong I feel very lucky to have had a pretty easy time getting pregnant and an easy pregnancy compared to other people. I would always hear those women say how much they loved being pregnant and I still think they're crazy. It's just not enjoyable for me and if it was affordable I'd pay someone else to carry my baby for 9 months.
5. I'm always late: According to Mark, I have never been on time a day in my life and it has something to do with this thing called 'Bullock time'. Before having a baby I was on time for work and other things important about 80% of the time. Now I'm lucky if I'm on time 1 day a week for work and for the life of me I can't figure out why. I wake up at a descent time every morning but for some reason I can't get everything together and out the door when I'd like to be. I've even tried waking up 1/2 hour earlier but that didn't make a difference!
4. Brand new products are a waste: I didn't buy much used stuff before Lane but holy cow I learned quick that baby items are expensive. Yes there are a few things that I wouldn't buy used like a car seat or crib but otherwise there is absolutely no reason to spend $80 on a bouncer that he'll use for a few months. Friends, family, garage sales and consignment stores are my best friends. I got the &70 exersaucer for $15 at a garage sale and a huge play kitchen that would've cost $120 for $15 on CraigsList!
3. Family relationships: I was always very close with my parents and think they are the most awesome people in the world. Marks family and I have always gotten along well too but Lane has made us a lot closer than I would've ever thought. I am so lucky to have a great family and have such a great family for in-laws. I hear so many horrible stories about bad family relationships, especially when grandchildren get involved and feel extremely blessed to have a son that brought everybody closer even if the reason people want to see us is because of our child.
2. Automatic bonding: I'm not real sure what it is about going through childbirth but it's almost as if moms automatically become friends and are willing to talk about almost anything with each other. I have met some amazing moms online that I might know and like better than some of my friends. We are sharing fun and exciting things that are kids are doing because other people probably would get annoyed hearing about all of our crazy obcessions. We are so proud of each other/each others kids and honestly want the best for each other.
1. Breastfeeding: The moms out there that nurse really do deserve a huge pat on the back and that is still not enough. While it's really rewarding it's also as much of a challenge. Okay maybe not a challenge once you get the hang of it and if you never leave your house. It's the feeding while out and about in public that becomes an issue. I've never been able to master nursing without a cover without possibly showing everything and Lane hates being covered so we have to walk back to the car or changing rooms for eating time. The 'other people' are the reason I don't nurse in public...if I saw them giving me nasty looks or saying comments I might explode on them. So I don't put myself in that situation. Lots of people have major issues with breastfeeding and/or pumping at work and I just can't understand why. I could go on forever with this topic but that's another blog in itself. Last note is pumping...wow I hate it and pumping is probably the one thing that will make me wean before Lane turns 1. Anyone that thinks it's enjoyable to take a break & have to go pump should be shot :) I'd much rather take a break and go read a magazine or book. It honestly makes me feel like a cow. Mooooooo.
10. Everyone has an opinion: You really have to take what advice people give you with a grain of salt. Every baby is different so the advice isn't applicable half the time. The most annoying thing people told me was 'Get sleep now because you won't when the baby is here!'. Maybe I had a completely different baby than most but I got a descent amount of sleep.....just not all in 1 shot like I did before.
9. Take more pictures and video: I knew Lane would grow up but I just didn't realize how quick. When I look back it seemed like time was moving very slow so I didn't take much for video or pictures but now that I look back it's hard to believe that it's been 7 months already. Thank God for Grandparents that take a crap ton of pictures.
8. Buy newborn size clothes: I've heard multiple times before and after Lane was born to not buy much for newborn size clothes because he'll grow out of them too quick. Boy am I glad that Grandma Patty didn't take their advice! He was in newborn clothes for about 6 weeks and probably could have stayed in them a little longer but I got sick of looking at the same clothes over and over again. It will never hurt to have clothes that you don't use much.
7. Give lots of positive reinforcement to new moms: Writing from experience, the best feeling in the world is someone telling me how good of a mom I am. It is now my mission to make sure and tell my friends that are moms the same thing "You are doing a great job!" and revel when I see the smile on their face.
6. Pregnancy sucks: Don't get me wrong I feel very lucky to have had a pretty easy time getting pregnant and an easy pregnancy compared to other people. I would always hear those women say how much they loved being pregnant and I still think they're crazy. It's just not enjoyable for me and if it was affordable I'd pay someone else to carry my baby for 9 months.
5. I'm always late: According to Mark, I have never been on time a day in my life and it has something to do with this thing called 'Bullock time'. Before having a baby I was on time for work and other things important about 80% of the time. Now I'm lucky if I'm on time 1 day a week for work and for the life of me I can't figure out why. I wake up at a descent time every morning but for some reason I can't get everything together and out the door when I'd like to be. I've even tried waking up 1/2 hour earlier but that didn't make a difference!
4. Brand new products are a waste: I didn't buy much used stuff before Lane but holy cow I learned quick that baby items are expensive. Yes there are a few things that I wouldn't buy used like a car seat or crib but otherwise there is absolutely no reason to spend $80 on a bouncer that he'll use for a few months. Friends, family, garage sales and consignment stores are my best friends. I got the &70 exersaucer for $15 at a garage sale and a huge play kitchen that would've cost $120 for $15 on CraigsList!
3. Family relationships: I was always very close with my parents and think they are the most awesome people in the world. Marks family and I have always gotten along well too but Lane has made us a lot closer than I would've ever thought. I am so lucky to have a great family and have such a great family for in-laws. I hear so many horrible stories about bad family relationships, especially when grandchildren get involved and feel extremely blessed to have a son that brought everybody closer even if the reason people want to see us is because of our child.
2. Automatic bonding: I'm not real sure what it is about going through childbirth but it's almost as if moms automatically become friends and are willing to talk about almost anything with each other. I have met some amazing moms online that I might know and like better than some of my friends. We are sharing fun and exciting things that are kids are doing because other people probably would get annoyed hearing about all of our crazy obcessions. We are so proud of each other/each others kids and honestly want the best for each other.
1. Breastfeeding: The moms out there that nurse really do deserve a huge pat on the back and that is still not enough. While it's really rewarding it's also as much of a challenge. Okay maybe not a challenge once you get the hang of it and if you never leave your house. It's the feeding while out and about in public that becomes an issue. I've never been able to master nursing without a cover without possibly showing everything and Lane hates being covered so we have to walk back to the car or changing rooms for eating time. The 'other people' are the reason I don't nurse in public...if I saw them giving me nasty looks or saying comments I might explode on them. So I don't put myself in that situation. Lots of people have major issues with breastfeeding and/or pumping at work and I just can't understand why. I could go on forever with this topic but that's another blog in itself. Last note is pumping...wow I hate it and pumping is probably the one thing that will make me wean before Lane turns 1. Anyone that thinks it's enjoyable to take a break & have to go pump should be shot :) I'd much rather take a break and go read a magazine or book. It honestly makes me feel like a cow. Mooooooo.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Redo
So somehow I deleted my last blog. See, I told you that I had no idea what I was doing! I'm going to restart this now with the 1st blog post. Sorry for the repeat everyone!
Soooo I've been meaning to start this blog since I found out I was pregnant over a year and a half ago. So much so that I actually had the name picked out & started on blogger but never followed through with my 1st post. It has now gotten to the point where I needed to jump in with both feet whether I knew what I was doing or not. Please excuse everything I do on here until I figure out what the heck is going on. So here we go ready or not....don't worry I won't be offended if you never return.
So more or less this 'blog' will probably contain mostly info in the crazy little munchkin that entered my life in March. Lane has probably been the most amazing thing to happen to me (except for the other half of the equation that was needed to make the cutest little baby known to man) and I couldn't imagine my life any different now that it has been flipped upside down and inside out. Seriously, who can not think he is adorable? I sure do.
The rest will probably contain bits and pieces about the rest of our crazy, chaotic house. Let me introduce you to the craziness that insues every day...We've got myself, hubby Mark, monster Lane, crazy dogs Hugo and Caroline, annoying cat Luna, a 55 gallon fish tank and my pony Liz. Now before you say "Holy Batman Amber...you have all that in a tiny 3 bedroom house?" The horse is boarded at a bible camp. Now that really shouldn't count because the horse wouldn't be in the house anyways but this is my blog and I count it dangit. Yes we are crazy because we had all of those same people & animals (minus Lane) in a 1 bedroom apartment for 3 years buuuut that's also why I don't see it as crazy having all of that in our house. Now we have double if not triple the space. That is also the reason that I've wanted to get another dog for the past 2 years. My most recent find....a partially blind and partially deaf Great Dane. I thought he'd be a perfect addition but Mark informed me that he would divorce me if that animal came into our house.
I think this is enough for the 1st post. Now if I can just figure out how to actually post the thing. Wish me luck!
Soooo I've been meaning to start this blog since I found out I was pregnant over a year and a half ago. So much so that I actually had the name picked out & started on blogger but never followed through with my 1st post. It has now gotten to the point where I needed to jump in with both feet whether I knew what I was doing or not. Please excuse everything I do on here until I figure out what the heck is going on. So here we go ready or not....don't worry I won't be offended if you never return.
The rest will probably contain bits and pieces about the rest of our crazy, chaotic house. Let me introduce you to the craziness that insues every day...We've got myself, hubby Mark, monster Lane, crazy dogs Hugo and Caroline, annoying cat Luna, a 55 gallon fish tank and my pony Liz. Now before you say "Holy Batman Amber...you have all that in a tiny 3 bedroom house?" The horse is boarded at a bible camp. Now that really shouldn't count because the horse wouldn't be in the house anyways but this is my blog and I count it dangit. Yes we are crazy because we had all of those same people & animals (minus Lane) in a 1 bedroom apartment for 3 years buuuut that's also why I don't see it as crazy having all of that in our house. Now we have double if not triple the space. That is also the reason that I've wanted to get another dog for the past 2 years. My most recent find....a partially blind and partially deaf Great Dane. I thought he'd be a perfect addition but Mark informed me that he would divorce me if that animal came into our house.
I think this is enough for the 1st post. Now if I can just figure out how to actually post the thing. Wish me luck!
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