Reflo Cup - a smart alternative to "sippy cups"

The Reflo Smart Cup ™ is a revolutionary new concept in training cups. It's a smart alternative to sippy cups and a great transitional tool for your children to learn to drink from an open cup.

Got it with the intent of my 4 year old using it,but my 2 year old has done GREAT with it. Great idea.

She loves being a big girl and using it at the table when everyone else has a regular cup. I think the cups are fantastic and in just one night she was tipping them up correctly and drinking from them like a pro! If they do drop it or knock it over it doesn't ALL rush out and spill. That's my favorite feature, the flow control! It's BPA-free, phthalate-free and dishwasher safe, the Reflo Smart Cup ™ is designed for safety and hygiene with no moving parts to trap dirt and germs. 

Available in four translucent cup colors:

• Red Violet
• Blue
• Green
• Clear

Each Reflo Smart Cup ™ holds up to 6 ounces of your child's favorite pulp-free beverage.

You can purchase from The Reflo site or they are also available on the Sweet bottoms baby site.

  It has a simple insert that controls the flow. It isnt "spill proof" but doesn't let a whole bunch rush out. But no matter how they turn it will come out like a regular cup from any spot on the cup. Best part is without the insert its just a reg cup!

 

 

AP fail

Sometimes I just feel like I'm doing a horrible job at this parent thing. I LOVE my kids, but I know I don't show it to them enough.
I have so Little patience these days.. I snap at the smallest thing. I know that has a little to do with my being all hormonal and pregnant and stuff , plus the hubs being deployed..but still it gets to me.
I spank out of anger...when I've ALWAYS said I'd never do that.
I yell, I ignore, I just get it all wrong some days.
My daily prayer is just.. God, help me get this right..more than wrong. But some days I just feel like I get it the opposite.
I've always wanted to be that stereotypical AP mom, but I just FAIL at a LOT of it.

The world already expects our kids to grow up TOO fast.
A 4 year is expected to be able to sit still be quiet and act... like he's 15 already. Well I'll tell you my 4 year old just CANT do that lol. He is loud , he has TONS of energy and when he is tired ..he is WIRED.  We all too often expect our kids to act so "perfect" that we forget that we as adults are FAR from that "perfect" we expect them to be. I catch myself getting mad at my son for spilling something then Ill turn around and spill my own drink and think..well then Jess.. how bout fussing at yourself as well.
We get upset with our kids for doing things we have TOLD them not to do, but how many times do you do something you KNOW you shouldn't?
I guess I'm just not "hip" enough lol to be FULL ON hardcore crunchy LOL.
Some FUN facts about this mom:)
1) I gave birth in a hospital.. twice.. and fully plan to this third time. and GASP epidural ready! Im a wimp when it comes to pain. I could never homebirth.
2) Only bf Dustin 3 months.. but Emmy yea we went a full 22 months..and a little part time after that LOL
3) CO-sleeping parents here def LOL Dustin slept in the bed forever and well ...Emmys beside me in bed now.. We are def gonna need a bigger bed for when this child gets here, lol.
4) I didn't cloth diaper OR babywear Dustin.. but did both with Emmy and plan on both with this child.
5) I TRY to be a little healthier and avoid lots of chemicals in my home.. making my own stuff or buying green and local.

For some people I may look like a boob slinging hippie... but to a lot of hardcore APs, Im still as silky and horrible as the rest of the moms who use sposies and use the cry it out method (to which I do not believe in BTW )

But anyways, I dont vow to change completely overnight...because I know its hard and will take time. But I have some WONDERFUL role model friends (if your reading you know who you are) and I know they will be there to support all my decisions and help me along the way without judging... but all while being honest:)

A Military Wife

 This is floating around facebook and I love it. I miss my hubby, but I am proud of him!
If he re-enlists...I'll be there to follow gladly. And if he doesn't...I'll still follow:) Love you Ryan!

A Military Wife

Lots of moving...
Moving...
Moving...
Moving far from home...
Moving two cars, three kids and one dog...all riding with HER of course.
Moving sofas to basements because they won't go in THIS house;
Moving curtains that won't fit;
Moving jobs and certifications and professional development hours.
Moving away from friends;
Moving toward new friends;
Moving her most important luggage: her trunk full of memories.

Often waiting...
Waiting...
Waiting...
Waiting for housing.
Waiting for orders.
Waiting for deployments.
Waiting for phone calls.
Waiting for reunions.
Waiting for the new curtains to arrive.
Waiting for him to come home, For dinner...AGAIN!

They call her 'Military Dependent', but she knows better:
She is fiercely In-Dependent.

She can balance a check book;
Handle the yard work;
Fix a noisy toilet;
Bury the family pet...
She is intimately familiar with drywall anchors and toggle bolts.
She can file the taxes;
Sell a house;
Buy a car;
Or set up a move... .....all with ONE Power of Attorney.

She welcomes neighbors that don't welcome her.
She reinvents her career with every PCS;
Locates a house in the desert, The Arctic, Or the deep south.
And learns to call them all 'home'.
She MAKES them all home.

Military Wives are somewhat hasty...
They leap into:
Decorating,
Leadership,
Volunteering,
Career alternatives,
Churches,
And friendships. They don't have 15 years to get to know people.
Their roots are short but flexible.
They plant annuals for themselves and perennials for those who come after them.

Military Wives quickly learn to value each other:
They connect over coffee,
Rely on the spouse network,
Accept offers of friendship and favors.
Record addresses in pencil...

Military Wives have a common bond:
The Military Wife has a husband unlike other husbands; his commitment is unique.
He doesn't have a 'JOB'
He has a 'MISSION' that he can't just decide to quit...
He's on-call for his country 24/7.
But for her, he's the most unreliable guy in town!
His language is foreign
TDY
PCS
OPR
SOS
ACC
BDU
ACU
BAR
CIB
TAD
And so, a Military Wife is a translator for her family and his.
She is the long- distance link to keep them informed;
the glue that holds them together.

A Military Wife has her moments:
She wants to wring his neck;
Dye his uniform pink;
Refuse to move to Siberia;
But she pulls herself together.
Give her a few days,
A travel brochure,
A long hot bath,
A pledge to the flag,
A wedding picture,
And she goes.
She packs.
She moves.
She follows.

Why?
What for?
How come?
You may think it is because she has lost her mind.
But actually it is because she has lost her heart.
It was stolen from her by a man,
Who puts duty first,
Who longs to deploy,
Who salutes the flag,
And whose boots in the doorway remind her that as long as he is her Military Husband,
She will remain his military wife.
And would have it no other way.

--Author Unknown

So here I sit at midnight

Both the kids are asleep, but me ...oh no . There are numerous reasons of course.
1) I put off packing for our short trip to the ville  and decided to do it tonight instead of in the morning (not done though)
2) baby #3 inside is moving quite a bit
3) yea only a picture can describe

yes thats my current bed..

so where am I? sitting BESIDE the bed LOL. I should go get in the FULL size bed with Dustin.. or maybe pick her up and  carry her there.. lol. Maybe I will later.

I have a dr appt tomorrow.. yay for being 20 weeks ! Halfway there if this baby decides to be different and stay in the full 40 weeks. Then the kids have dr appts Friday morning. We just cant seem to shake this horrible cough from the crud from about a month ago.. we have tried everything. 

My kids had fun playing super heros today:) 

I've already ate two peanut butter sandwiches tonight but Im hungry already..again .. SO i best get something and find my way to bed. Tomorrow will come early.  

Sure wish the hubby was online!  Hope he is sleeping well !!!!! <3 u ryan!

Adjusting to Deployment life

I know I know its been three months since I did a personal post. Lets just say , we've been busy.. adjusting!  For one, Ryan's been gone and we miss him terribly. And for second, We are Expecting again!  Found out just weeks after we got here. As of right now we are expecting Smith baby GIRL (as long as that's confirmed at my appt in Jan) come May 20!'

 I haven't really been  in the Christmas mood this year.. it just isn't the same without Ryan here. Ive really tried to be though for the kids! But I CAN say Ive gotten all their presents. even though I never feel like its enough LOL. I'll just be glad to be a family again:) THAT will be the ultimate present . I get to talk to my husband quite often .. but never for more than a little bit so we don't really get to discuss a WHOLE lot.. now and then it'll be for a bit longer. These "hey , how are you, I love you ,bye" conversations just don't cut it. But I AM thankful for them. So thankful for technology.

Bows-N-Ties.com

Since I'm not really a "tie wearer" and my husband isn't available:) I talked my dad into being my model/tie wearer. It didn't take much convincing since this was such a nice tie. Bows n Ties has a WIDE selection of high quality ties available at a great price because they import directly and there are no middle-men. Each of these ties is handmade from finest Jacquard woven silk.

I'm pleased to say that he really enjoyed his tie and it looked awesome! He got tons of compliments on it at church and Im sure it has become a favorite in his collection!
Along with the already great price from Bows n Ties, they have given me a special 20% discount to share! The code is "TR239YU". This will give you a 20% storewide discount at Bows-N-Ties.com

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Halloween Treats/ Trick Or Treat Cookies from Smiley Cookie

   We received the best little treat in the mail the other day ! The perfect gift for this season! These Halloween Gifts are round little cookies  painted like mini Jack O Lanterns. Both the kids gobbled these down and I dont think they lasted more than a couple of days here, But my girl def enjoyed them the most! I managed to sneak a few for myself so I can really say they were great! These cookies are nut free, kosher, and UNDER 100 calories. :)

These nut free, gourmet mini Jack O Lantern Cookies are the perfect Halloween treats for your family, a spooky party, a kids Halloween treat or for neighborhood Trick or Treaters! They are the perfect size for little hands but big enough to for adults to love too. These Halloween Cookies are also available individually wrapped mini Jack O Lanterns available on their site for this Halloween. You can use the coupon code "BLOG10" at checkout to get 10% of any of our unwrapped Halloween cookie gifts!

 Visit SMILEY COOKIE at http://www.smileycookie.com/  for all your cookie needs:) They have cookies for other holidays as well!


I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.