Graco Harmony High Chair Recall

All Graco Harmony High Chairs have been recalled.  You can order a repair kit online for Free and it is also Free Shipping.
I got a notice in the mail today so I thought it would be good to share with everyone.
Clink on this link Graco High Chair Recall to order your repair kit today.  It will take about 6 to 8 weeks in the mail.  They state that on the order form, but I had to order a repair kit for our stroller earlier this year and it didn't take that long.  It is recommended you stop using it until you receive your repair kit and install it.
The website has instructions on how to install the repair kit.  Click on this link for instructions on a PDF file Rapair kit installation instructions.

Bath and Body Works giveaway

Staying Lean in Oakland - $25 GC Bath and Body Works Giveaway
Go to the link above and follow instructions on how to enter.  This is AWESOME!! 
I always buy their Wallflowers for our home.  They last a long time and when people visit our home they always compliment how nice it smells even with 4 cats and a baby.  :o)

Good Luck!!

Super Saver Saturday

I usually go shopping on Mondays.  It just works better for us and that way I get to spend more time with my husband on Satudays.  However, today I had to do an emergency run to Publix because our son is still vomiting (he started on Tuesday and has been on and off since).  The deal I got was amazing!!  I got 1 gallon of Lactose Free Milk, 4 bottles of unflavored Pedialyte, a Yoplait Greek yogurt, and a bottle of Bailey's Coffee Creamer.  I only spent $11.67!!!!  The funny part was that the lady in front of me at the cash register was saving a bundle too.  She spent under $30 and saved over $70.  My total savings were $20.61.  I had $19.83 worth of coupons.  Coupons are AWESOME!!!!

New Features to come

As I get more organized with my blog, I will be adding new features to it.
One new feature I will be starting this Monday, Lord willing, is Menu Plan Mondays.  My dear friend and sister in Christ, Mary Jo, joined a while back and I recently saw it on her blog Covenant Homemaking.  She inspired me to start planning our meals so that I don't scramble thru the kitchen to try and put something together.  I started last Monday but could not post it due to our cat incident.  Read This Post for the full story on that.  I have to say it was super helpful so I decided to implement it into my blog hopping I can inspire others.

I will also be sharing my savings for the week on my shopping trips.  This will help keep me accountable to stay within budget every single week from now on.  I will be linking up to Money Saving Mom website.  Make sure and check her website.  She has awesome tips on how to save!  Also, check this website out I Heart Publix.  She has awesome deals as well and tips on how to save the most at Publix.

I mentioned last night that I will be adding a Parents tip of the Day feature.  This one is my own, so feel free to let all your friends who are parents or parents to be to follow my blog to read more great tips.  Also, please share your own tips that worked for you and your family!

Parents Tips

Parents Magazine has a section in every issue called It Worked for Me.  In it, readers send in their parenting tips to share with other readers.  Only a few are selected for every issue.
I have been consolidating the ones that I think are very helpful.  I will be adding a Post every week called Parents Tips of the Day.  I have not picked a day yet in which I will post it on a regular basis so keep an eye out for it soon.
In the meantime, here are some tips that I would like to share with you today.

• Look Book for Baby:  So that your baby will let you read your own magazine or book in peace, create this easy to make look book for your baby.  Cut out some pictures from magazines, newspapers, old books, etc. and slide them into sheet protectors.  Add the sheet protectors to a binder and  . . . there you go!  Baby has his/her own book!!
• Label Maker:  I had already shared this one thru Facebook a few weeks ago but I will share it again for those readers who missed it.  Write your child's name with permanent marker on a wide rubber band.  Slip the rubber band around your child's cup (or bottle or sippy cup)  and now each child knows who's drink belongs to who.
• Taco solution for older kids:  Soft tacos can be messy even though they are yummy.  To avoid the mess, use a mini chip bag clip to clip the top of the soft taco tortilla together.  

Look for more exciting tips to come!!  Enjoy!!
Feel free to share your Parents tips.

Do's and Don'ts when your child is vomiting

OK, so this one I had to use this week.  Our week was full of trials.  First, our cat Sebastian (1 of 4 cats!) had an accident involving a door, the tip of his tail, and my husband.  Needless to say I had to take him to the vet first thing Monday morning.  He ended up having part of his tail amputated and was sent home with antibiotics and pain meds.  Later that evening, he decided to play with his tail and bit on it and made it bleed so I had to drive back to the vet.  He ended up spending the night at the cat hospital.  He is now wearing a cone on his head to keep him from biting his tail.  His stitches come out in a week.

Then, on Tuesday evening, our son started vomiting.  He woke up on Wednesday morning at 4 am vomiting again.  He was fine the rest of Wednesday but vomited again Wednesday evening.  He went to the doctor early Thursday morning and the doctor gave me some tips on how to keep him hydrated and also what kind of solid foods he is allowed to eat for now.  I also got some tips from the book The Complete and Authoritative Guide: Caring for Your Baby and Young Child.  I got the book FREE from Publix when I signed up for their Baby Club.

Do...:

• ...Provide plenty of fluids.  Examples are water, Gatorade or Powerade, Pedialyte, Lactose Free Milk for those children who can't go without it (like my baby!) 
• ...Provide certain solid foods like bananas, apple sauce, saltine crackers, cheerios, and white rice.
• ...Avoid anything with sugar like Sprite or 7Up soda, fruit juice, and Jello.  This will make them go to the bathroom and do #2!  We want to try and avoid diarrhea.
• ...Check for signs of dehydration like fewer than 3 diaper changes in 24 hrs, dry tears, and dry mouth.

Don"t...:

• ...Provide whole milk.  If your child is asking or crying for milk, give them Lactose Free milk instead.
• ...Provide any heavy foods like pizza, chicken nuggets, fries, etc.
• ...Provide anything with sugar.  I repeat this one because our pediatrician stated this is very important to keep the child from getting diarrhea.
• ...Hesitate!!  If you suspect your child is suffering from dehydration call your pediatrician right away or take your child to the ER.

Below are some guidelines as to how to provide your child with fluids during the first 24 hours:

• Wait two to three hours after the last vomiting incident before providing fluids.  After that time has lapsed, give the child 1 to 2 ounces of cool water every half hour to an hour for four feedings.
• If the child is able to keep the water down, then provide 2 ounces of an electrolyte solution alternated with 2 ounces of cool water every half hour for two feedings.
• If the child is able to keep that down, then add half strength milk or formula (depending on the age) and continue to increase the quantity of fluids slowly to 3 to 4 ounces every three to four hours.
• After 12 to 24 hours with no additional vomiting, you can gradually return your child to their normal diet but continue to give them plenty of fluids.

I hope this post is helpful.  I know these tips helped me deal with our son's vomiting this week.

Home Garden Update

I had posted before that I am starting a home garden to grow our own veggies and in the future maybe fruits too.  So far I have a tomato plant and a Green Pepper plant going.  See photos below.

Today, I planted Basil, Rosemary, and Onions.  I will post photos once they start to grow. 
I will need to transplant the Tomato and Green Peppers plants in Mid April outdoors.  I will continue to update and place photos of the plants after I transplant them and as they grow and produce veggies. 
I am very excited about the outcome.