Nifty IPhone App

How many of you out there have heard of Mango Health? It's an app for iphones. I downloaded it sometime last year to help me keep up with when to take my daily medication. I'm sure you're wondering what this has to do with GG, so hang in there and I promise to get to that! I have a beta blocker that has to be taken twice a day for my heart. I was having a really hard time remembering it everyday so I went in search of something, anything really that could help me out that was designed strictly for medication. That's how I came across Mango Health. Once it alerts you and you take your medication you click a button that states: "I Took It". Every day that you take your meds correctly you get points for that day. 

As you earn points you get put into a drawing to win gift cards or you can even donate to a cause. A few weeks ago I hit level 7 and I got a message that tells me I won. I chose a $75 dollar gift card to target. That's right- $75 dollars and all I had to do was keep up with my medicine. Not only do I always take my meds with Mango Health, but I'm also earning points and with each new level I have another chance to win. I think it's pretty darn nifty.

Now, what pray tell did I buy with this gift card? Goodies for GG! I still have almost $10 on the card after buying him a pair of jean shorts and the three toys below:

LeapFrog® My Puppy Pal - Scout

Fisher-Price® Laugh and Learn Love to Play Puppy

Fisher-Price Deluxe Stroller Activity Center

 

I do have to admit that Scout and the stroller activity center are our favorites. Scout can plug into a smartphone and be customized. Not only does he say GG's name, but he also spells it and relates to favorite color, food and animal. The stroller activity center has been going everywhere with us. It fits on GG's rock 'n play sleeper as well as his car seat and he loves it!

Building a Tribe.

Hello again friends. I hope Father's Day was wonderful for all of you out there! We took a family picture to commemorate the day - same as we did on Mother's Day!

GG is growing like a little weed! It blows my mind that he's getting so big. In exactly one week our little man will be 2 months old. It's so crazy!! I love that he's cooing more and making eye contact. He's also just started flailing around a lot. Oh, and he's so close to laughing out loud. He tries so hard to laugh and talk, but not much really comes out yet. While I do miss him being a tiny baby I'm thrilled that his personality is beginning to come out.

Now to the real meaning of my post: Building a Tribe. If you've never heard of Tara Wagner you should check her out. I have been inspired by her for a long time now. She has some amazing ideas not just for parenting, but for being a spiritual, functional, happy woman. One of her stances is that every woman needs a tribe. It wasn't until I became a mom that this actually hit me. I suddenly have this realization that I need other women, specifically other moms, that I can connect with. I need other women that carry some of the same ideals and parenting styles that I myself have. I wasn't raised in the way that I want to raise GG and I know that there are going to be times that I need advice and guidance. I would also like to be there to advise and guide other women when they need it. I want a tribe. I currently have my husband, Chris, my "person" Jenna and a few other good friends, not to mention some wonderful family members, but I need so much more than that.

After searching around, getting the word out and sharing what I was looking for in a mommy group with no luck I have decided to build one.. ergh.. start one I should say. I've begun a facebook group and am so happy to see it growing! I cannot wait for our first meet up/play date. I'm not only excited to be finding like minded mommies, but I love the idea of GG getting friends out of it that he can grow up with!!

KidCo PeaPod Travel Bed

I'm so excited that GG's PeaPod came in yesterday! I spent several days over the past couple of weeks researching mini portable cribs and other contraptions trying to find the perfect item that could be taken with us to the beach, on camping trips, going to the pool and even if we decided to go out fishing for a day. Nothing I found seemed to be exactly what I was looking for until I came across the KidCo PeaPod travel bed. Before you ask, no this is not a sponsored post - I'm just THIS EXCITED about it! I wanted something that I would be able to put GG in, but not something as structured/boxed in and hard to carry around as the portable cribs can be. I also wanted something that wouldn't get too hot and UV protection is a must! We have a pack 'n play, but I'm certain it would get very old having to pack it up all of the time. We live in Florida and the summers here are meant for the beach or a swimming pool, so we will be traveling a lot once GG has his shots.

It's a perfect fit for what I was looking for. Here are the specs per overstock.com where I ordered ours from:

The KidCo PeaPod Travel Bed features a compact, portable design that makes it a great sleep environment for short visits or long trips. This travel bed is surrounded by lightweight mesh that promotes air flow and acts as an insect screen. This 2.5-pound travel bed folds and fits into a carry-on suitcase. The UV protection and anchor straps for ground attachment are welcome features for outdoor use.

• Lightweight mesh, great for airflow and as an insect screen
• Self-contained Micro-lite sleeping pad
• Comes fully assembled with sleeping pad attached to outside bottom of PeaPod
• Sleeping pad can be removed for easy cleaning
• Large front zipper panel for easy access
• UV protection
• Package contents: One (1) travel bed with removable sleeping pad, inflatable mattress, and carrying bag
• JPMA Certified: Yes
• Mattress included: Inflatable air mattress
• Assembly required: No
• Recommended age: 3 years old
• Materials: Metal/nylon
• Color: Cranberry
• Brand: Kidco
• Model: P3010
• Dimensions (closed): 16.5 inches high x 3 inches wide x 16.5 inches long
• Dimensions (open): 18 inches high x 28 inches wide x 46 inches long

Here are some pictures that I took in case anyone wants a better view. Click on image for larger view.

Btw - I was able to get this item with free shipping plus $10 off of the order at overstock.com!

Someone... quick, stop the clock!

The only thing that stays the same is everything changes everything changes.

 I cannot believe that a month and nine days has gone by since GG entered this world! A week and a half ago he'd already grown out of his newborn clothes and moved up to the 0-3 months ones. I'm almost 31, so I've had a handle on just how fast time goes for many years now, but THIS!?! This has pushed it to a whole new level! Where did my teeny tiny little newborn go?

GG spent his first week in the hospital, on the third day he was transferred to the NICU for observation. There was risk of a seizure, which in newborns can be very dangerous. We are so lucky and blessed that he got to come home exactly 7 days after his birth! I cannot get over how much he changes on a daily bases. I still stare at him for hours and find it hard to ever put him down. Sharing him is tough, but I know that if others love him even half as much as I do- it would just be plain cruel for me not to let them spend time holding him and loving on him. Besides, I can still watch him when someone else is holding him!

GG has colic along with a few sensory issues. The sensory issues have been gradually getting better, the colic not so much, but we deal the best we can - even if it means mommie has to stay up most of the night rocking our little man. I know that this is just phase in his life that, like that teeny tiny little newborn we use to hold, will be gone quicker than we can imagine. I'm trying to cherish every single second: from the nasty poops, the sleepless nights, and all the amazing things in between because once this is gone, there's no getting it back!

So many times in the past I've been told, as I'm sure hundreds of you have - "It's different when it's yours."  As cliche as it sounds, it's true. I love my nieces and nephews and I never would have imagined that I could love any child more than I love them and maybe it's not that I love GG more, but it's on a completely different scale. I love him with every ounce of my soul. I can't remember what our lives were without him in it.