MIsc

Last week I went to blogger event sponsored by Graco to introduce their new Little Lounger. The get together was fun, especially since I was able to meet several other bloggers from the area.  All the other ladies there were either pregnant or had a baby under one year old. I was the designated Grandma of the day!

The lovely Krystyn from Really, Are You Serious hosted the party. She had some really good food! yummy.

All my kids are grown up, and have children of their own. As a matter of fact, my oldest child, my son, turned 42 years old today, and I can tell you that baby products have certainly changed over the years. Just take a look at this, which is a photo of me and Fabgrandpa, each in our own version of the latest stroller of the era. (Our families didn’t know each other back then) This picture of me was taken some time in 1952:

And this is my son, in his oh so dangerous walker, in 1972. That thing could pinch your fingers off when you folded it up, or it could tip over with baby in it.

The products made for babies these days are not only safer, they are made to be beautiful as well. The Graco Little Lounger in Caraway will fit in nicely with any decor. I received the Little Lounger in Caraway:

I’m going to quote the source of my information, just so I don’t leave any of the good stuff out:

The Graco Little Lounger™ is two products in one: a rocking seat and a vibrating lounger. In rocking seat mode, calm baby with the gentle back and forth motion of the rocking seat. Then, flip down the Rock Locks™ and the seat becomes a vibrating lounger with 2-speed vibration. The ingenious seat has multiple recline positions, so that it’s easy to find just the right position for baby’s comfort. When you’re not using it, Little Lounger folds compactly to store or travel, and a cute toy bar will keep baby occupied.

MSRP: $79.99

 The Key Features of the Little Lounger are that it has a 2 in 1 rocking seat and it vibrates! We all know how babies love the vibration and how it helps them sleep when nothing else can. It has Rock Locks™ that changes the it from a rocker to a stationary vibrating lounger. It is short enough that you can place it next to your bed at night, and reach over to rock it so baby goes back to sleep quickly. With the Multi-position recline baby can rest at any angle that makes them the most comfortable. It has a toy bar with two soft toys to keep the baby entertained but it comes off so it won’t be in the way. And, there is a 3-point harness to keep baby securely in place. The Little Lounger is way safer than anything I had for my babies when they were tiny.

The Graco Little Lounger is exclusively available at Babies R Us in the Caraway fashion; exclusively available at Target in the Dakota and Elm fashions; and exclusively available at buybuy Baby in the Astoria fashion. General line and specialty in the Ardmore fashion

After the presentation about the Little Lounger, we had a yoga instructor who showed us some simple yoga exercises that were suitable for new mothers just home from the hospital. Most of them could be done sitting down, and in less than 15 minutes to relax tense muscles and just renew yourself while the baby sleeps for that precious quarter hour. You can find some of these easy yoga movements at Yogaglo.com.

Because I don’t have a baby anymore, and my youngest grandchild is way too big for it, I am giving my Graco Little Lounger to my friend, Terry, who will be a grandmother for the first time in April. She is so excited to welcoming her new little one to their family. I can’t wait to see the little one in the Little Lounger!

My friend, Colleen, is giving one away on her blog. This toy is part skateboard, part motorcycle and part super engine. I’m helping her spread the word about this because it is such a great prize for someone for Christmas. Just look at the features:

Urban Shredder Features

• 10 MPH

• Maximum Distance on charge- 10 Miles

• Motor Wattage 250

• Battery Run time- 60 minutes, fully charged

• Estimated charge time 12 Hours

Use the Giveaway Tools form to enter. The same widget is on Shibley Smiles so if you enter here, you won’t have to enter over there too.

This post is brought to you by Hallmark

When the package of Hallmark Greeting Cards arrived for my Get Carded Challenge, I knew I would have to wait until this month to send them out. I have so many special people with birthdays this month that there was no other choice.

I was asked to send a card to one person each day for a week, and then write about who I sent them to. This is what the selection of cards looked like:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first card I sent was to my mother and father-in-law. The last time Fabgrandpa and I went to visit them, they gave us the good news that they were going to forgive a loan they made to us. I can not tell you how much of a relief it was for them to do that for us, and although I feel like just a card is not enough, Hallmark has such a way of saying things the way you mean them. I hope they know just how much we love them and appreciate everything they have done for us.

Next, I sent a Birthday card to my niece, Stefanie. She is turning 30 this year, and I know that can be a rough birthday for some people. I hope the funny Duck Dynasty card I sent her helps ease her into her third decade.

My son, Seth, has the next birthday in this month, on November 14. He will be 42, and is planning to retire from the Air Force next year. I am really proud of him. Hope he has a wonderful birthday.

Then, on November 25 my daughter, Becca will be 40. She is living in Canada and has already had snow this year. I hope she has a happy, snowy birthday and I hope her card gets to her before her birthday.

The last birthday card I sent was to Adam, Stefanie’s husband. His birthday is November 27. My Mother’s birthday is on the 26th, and another niece and a nephew all have birthdays this month as well. It is really hard to remember them all!

My grandson, Spencer started middle school this year, and my grandson, Owen, started first grade. Those are two special occasions to remember, so I sent them both a back to school card. Their moms tell me that they love to get mail, so these cards will be fun for them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope both boys have a great school year and learn new things every day. I don’t live near any of my special people, so sending letters and cards is one way to help keep communication open with them. Hallmark has card for just about any occasion you can think of, from serious to funny. Who would you send cards to if you were challenged to Get Carded?

Fabgrandma readers can use this discount code: BLOG30 to buy Hallmark greeting cards online at Hallmark.com.

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Etymotic. I received a product to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating

How many times have you or someone in your family said that? I know Fabgrandpa is saying it me all the time, and he gets irritated at me when it happens all day long.  I know I am not as young as I used to be, but the idea that I might need some help with hearing everyday things never really crossed my mind.

It’s not surprising to me, though. My father started losing his hearing when he was in his late fifties, and bought a set of hearing aids that he kept in a drawer. My grandfather had hearing loss as well. I worked as a telephone operator for about eight years, and wore those clunky, heavy, headphones like those that you see in the Lily Tomlin skits about the operator. They played havoc with my ears, and I had yeast infections in them for years even after I left that job.

When I was asked to try the Bean Quiet Sound Amplifiers, which were developed by Etymotic Research Inc., I said I would, but really did not expect them to be very helpful for me. I thought that just because Fabgrandpa mumbles is no reason for ME to need a device that would help me hear quiet sounds.

The box came in the mail, and I let it sit there for a while before I opened it up. I am usually quite eager to open up packages that I get for reviews, but this one, well, to be honest, it just made me feel old. However, when I finally did get them out, and put them in my ears, it was amazing  what I could hear. I was sitting at the dining room table, and I could hear the crickets outside the door in the yard. I could hear what the actors were saying in the movie playing in the living room. And I could hear clearly what Fabgrandpa was saying to me.  The package had everything needed to start using the Bean, including batteries and several sets of inserts so that you can find the one that feels most comfortable in your ears.

Are you like me? Do you not think you need something like this, but you have trouble with these situations:

1. You often ask others to repeat themselves or ask “what?” frequently

2. You need to watch people’s faces carefully when they speak and often comment that people mumble

3. You turn up the radio or TV louder than others

4. You avoid or withdraw from social situation bcause of difficulty following conversations

5. You have difficulty with the following:

• Hearing women’s and children’s voices
• Understanding speech in noisy situations; e.g., restaurants, classrooms or meeting rooms
• Hearing in worship services, lectures and larger venues
• Following a conversation, particularly when more than one person speaks

I’m glad that MomCentral and Etymotic asked me to try these out. I think they will really make a difference in my life, and let me hear the people I love most when they speak to me.

Oh, my goodness! Are you looking for a movie that will keep the kids occupied while you cook that turkey or wrap gifts during the holidays? Then look at this!

This holiday collection boxed set has four complete animated movies included. You’ll get Shrek The Halls, Merry Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda Holiday and Dragons Holiday:Gift of the Night Fury.There are bonus features including games, music videos and more!  My favorite is Shrek, I just love him! Kung Fu Panda cracks me up,too! Dreamworks Holiday Collection DVD set is available for  about $22.

Buy it at Wal-Mart, Target, ebay, and Amazon.com, where it is elegible for free shipping with Prime!