You'll Flip for this . . .

How would you like to win a Flip digital video camera ?! One of these sweet little gadgets is being given away by Deal Seeking Mom. Click over and leave her a comment with your best money-saving tip, and you'll be in the running for a Flip. Giveaway ends Sunday, September 7th.

Summer Memories: A Trip to SeaWorld

We didn't have any travel plans this summer, but we were lucky enough to take a day trip to SeaWorld; it was my first-ever visit and I can't wait to go again! The day was a long one for Pudding Pie, but she was a trooper. It rained on and off and we got pretty soaked, but it was so steaming hot, we welcomed the dousings. We watched a spectacular dolphin show and Pudding Pie, who adores dolphins, was riveted.

The dolphins do their thing.

Pudding Pie and Mommy watch in awe.

The highlight of the day was the much-anticipated Shamu show, and it was spectacular. The Killer Whales are magnificent and not only are their handlers just wonderful with the animals, they also have the best jobs in the world. I'd love to get up every morning and do what they do! I wish I could share great photos, but it was during this show that Pudding Pie could hold on no longer. I watched most of the show from the way back, while desperately trying to help Pudding Pie work through her mini meltdown. (Her Dad didn't get to see too much, he was sent to find the stroller so we could put the pooped one to bed.)

We got to feed the dolphins, we visited the huge aquarium, and we hung out at my personal favorite, the Penguin exhibit. Pudding Pie has a giant stuffed penguin at home and it rocked her world to see the real deal right in front of her!

Pudding Pie and Mommy check out the sharks.

We brought the stroller, but this was Pudding Pie's preferred mode of transport.

Of course, there are also the breathtaking, stomach-churning rides. Pudding Pie's dad went on a few, but I declined. My nephew persuaded me to go on one pretty tame ride and I did - under duress, and with the assurance that I would be forever cool in his eyes if I did. Pudding Pie loved the gently spinning paint cans, her first-ever ride!

The makings of a thrill seeker . . . more guts than her mama.

Like I said, it was a day trip, we got there as early as we could, had a blast, then made our way home and wearily fell into bed around midnight. Pudding Pie usually likes to wake up around midnight, but on this night she was kind to her mom and she didn't. In fact she almost slept through the night - almost!

*This post is being submitted in We Are THAT Family's Sizzling Summer Vacation Spectacle

Getting Out The Vote

Trisha at momdot is aiming to get herself a spot on the Hot Blogger calendar. It is my duty as a momdotter to get out the vote so, without futher ado, I give you a compelling reason:

The birth of Pudding Pie

Pudding Pie arrives. Note the dugs being administered to mom,

(bottom right).

Over at Momdot.com, they're asking for the story of your delivery as part of a contest they're holding. I could write pages on the biggest event of my life, but I won't subject to you that. So, as briefly as I can, here's the story of the delivery of Pudding Pie.

I worked a full day at work the day I went into labor, but my back ached all day and I could not get comfortable. Labor did not cross my mind, I was still almost two weeks from my due date so it couldn't be happening. I drove my hour commute home that evening and I couldn't get comfortable the whole trip, it was awful.

Once home, the contractions stepped up and the pain started to come and go at quite regular intervals. (Yes, this is when it dawned on me that labor was officially in progress.) And once I knew it was labor, the contractions seemed to get stronger and closer together . . . I think if I'd stayed in denial I may have last much longer without an epidural! After a few calls to my OB, she decided the contractions were close enough, and we sped off to the hospital.

This is the part where you get to see what a tough cookie I am. The minute we walked into Labor and Delivery, I started begging for an epidural; the nurses were getting me signed in and hooked up and I just kept urging them to stick that needle in. So much for working through the pain.

I got my epidural and sweet relief came quickly - but lasted briefly. As soon as the epidural began to work and I lost feeling in the contraction-wracked part of my body, I began to feel claustraphobic. I didn't factor in the whole helplessly-numb-from-the-waist-down feeling and just I hated it. I felt like a beached whale, I was convinced I was lying with my head hanging backwards - I wasn't. Someone shooed everyone out, turned off the light and tried closing the door - to give me some rest. I had a fit; I wanted the lights on, the doors open and people surrounding me and I most certainly did not want to be alone. It was the worst feeling of claustraphobia I've ever experienced. I think the nurses had a party when I left because I was a handful. Giving birth took a back seat to this completely irrational, but overwhelming fear.

Just to add a little fun, my body decided it didn't like the epidural and my blood pressure kept dropping. Not to be left out, my soon-to-be-born daughter decided she didn't like labor, andher heart rate dropped lower with every contraction. Quite the carnival atmosphere!

Then, swooping in to save the day, came Wonder Woman - I mean my OB GYN. She calmly said that it seemed being born wasn't my daughter 'favorite thing to do' and she recommended a c-section. She didn't add that giving birth was clearly not my strength either, but she could have.

So I was wheeled into surgery, my daughter was quickly yanked out and I got to meet her for a few seconds. Then, at my request, I drifted into sweet oblivion with the help of some wonderful drugs, while my OB GYN finished surgery. I'm probably not the most stoic individual you'll ever meet . . .

Wordless Wednesday

Snow White & her peeps.

All things baby

One of my favorite bloggy hangouts these days is momdot.com, there's always something fun going on over there, I can't resist checking in daily (ok, several times a day . . ! ) Actually, there's a contest going on over there right now; they're giving away a bunch of too, too cute stuff for babies, and when I say too cute, I do mean it!

Here's what is up for grabs: Little Ladybug Designs is giving away a Mommy Calling Card design. How wonderfully handy for when you meet a potential new playmate at the park! Go check out her site, I really love the personalized Jungle wall art.

BabyBoudoir is donating a personalized Diaper Wipes Case, talk about adding a bit of style to an otherwise rather mundane task. Also, check out their crib bedding, you'll be reaching for your credit card!

My Embroidered Gifts is giving away a Satineesnugs Duck with embroidery. This site has heaps of darling personalized gifts. I particularly like the ceramic birth plates, I think they're a lovely keepsake.

And to round off this delightful chunk of baby stuff, we have a princess-themed burp cloth set from One Posh Kid; a site that is full of haute must-haves, I'd like to snag a Flower Couture tank for my daughter.

So stop by Momdot.com, check out these sites (they are a treat) - and throw your name in the hat for this cute contest!

90 Years young

Today is my Granny's 90th birthday. I sent her a card, chocolates, photos of her youngest grandchild. My family celebrated her milestone with a little birthday bash yesterday afternoon. I couldn't be there, but apparently it went well.

I called during the festivities yesterday and she was in fine form. She told me she has to use a walker and she is going a little deaf, but otherwise, she assures me she still has all her "faculties".

She called my husband by my brother-in-law's name; she told me my daughter would 'tell me all about the party', when she actually meant my mom - I think; (my daughter is a year-and-half and is here with me). I had to talk very loudly in order for her to hear plus the delay on the transatlantic call was terrible, and we kept talking over each other.

I was begining to despair of having a decent conversation. Then she scolded me for spending my money on the phone call and, just as I was defending myself, she scolded me for not visiting - she said I'd better hurry up because she couldn't promise she'd make it to her next birthday, in fact she went on to say she rather hoped she wouldn't. This made me smile. My gran is still the same: feisty and delighting in it.

A few things about my gran: She was born in 1918. She was married to my grandfather for just over 50 years. Her two kids gave her six grandchildren and she now has ten great grandchildren with one en route. She has yet to meet my daughter, her youngest great grandchild. She used to smoke like a chimney (she finally quit after angina set in); she drinks a whiskey and milk nightcap every evening before bed - and she has done this for as long as I can recall.

She worked most of her life, but she's never been anywhere near a computer, I don't think she's used a cell phone, she certainly doesn't own one. She doesn't drive anymore - to her chagrin. She had a rather unpredictable African Grey parrot for ever, and she is devoted to her Maltese poodles.

She has the smallest feet I've ever seen on an adult. My sister and I used to love to play dress up with her dozens of pairs of teetering high heels, but I wasn't even into my teens before I couldn't squeeze into them anymore.

She once got mightily upset with me because I told her she was heterosexual . . . She once had everyone baffled in a game of charades with her mime of the novel 'Wuthering Heights", she thought the title was 'Withering Heights", so she kept weaving around and'withering' herself away, while her audience looked on mystified. There's more to this story, but some things are best left as family business.

These days, she is physically frail: her knees hurt; her back aches; she's losing her hearing and her world has shrunk to the downstairs level of my aunt's home, but her feisty spirit is still strong, and I am so glad to hear it.

Happy birthday Granny, you are awesome!

Mark your calendars!

September 1st will mark the start of a huge party to celebrate the launch of Bits From A Brit, a new sister site to Parents with Style. They'll be reviewing heaps of products - and giving a bunch away too. So mark your calendars and remember to stop by and check 'em out; this sounds like it's going to be one fun tea party!

Something to soothe a suffering behind

There’s nothing worse than diaper rash and, with my little one, it doesn’t take much to bring it on. We change diapers fastidiously; the amount of money we spend on diapers each week will attest to that. Yet still, my toddler will become afflicted with a nasty rash and, not only will I feel just awful for her, I’ll also feel personally responsible for causing that irritated little behind. I coat her in diaper rash cream and, eventually, the rash subsides, but it usually takes several days of suffering before it’s cleared up.

I have recently learned that severe diaper rash can be the result of yeast coming into contact with irritated skin and bringing on a yeast infection. This is where Vusion ointment comes in. Vusion is a prescription strength medication that helps fight diaper rash that also has a documented yeast infection. Vusion is steroid-free and gentle enough to treat babies as young as four weeks old - and it is the only FDA approved medication to treat this type of diaper rash with yeast infection

Vusion is only available through prescription so, the next time we visit our pediatrician, I will be asking him about this. If your little one suffers the same plight, I recommend you do the same.

Visit http://www.vusionbaby.com/to learn more about this product and to find out about a $25.00 rebate offer.

This review is courtesy of Mom Central

Where did she learn this?

This afternoon, my daughter made me giggle and I have to tell you why. The story has a sprinkling of potty humor involved, so brace yourself. (I promise it's tame.)

I had a friend over for afternoon tea. We were chit-chatting away, my daughter was amusing herself clambering on to and off of the sofa. In the midst of teatime festivities, I heard her toot - loudly. I looked at her open-mouthed.

"Did you just toot?"

She didn't miss a beat. She gave me a quick look, scurried over to the other side of the room and grabbed her much-loved dolly. Then (and every word of this is true), she sniffed her baby's behind, crinkled up her nose and waved her chubby little hand back and forth in front of her nose in the 'peww!' motion.

She was blaming the toot on her dolly!

I was stunned - and impressed. Such a smooth recovery, she's not even two!

My friend and I were quite overcome by these antics but, while we were having a hearty chuckle, Pudding Pie didn't miss a beat. She resumed her couch gymnastics, apparently with a clear conscience. As far as she was concerned, the case was closed.

I guess it is. We'll have to give that dolly a bit of a lesson in etiquette though.