Resolution Report

So it's been too long since I updated you guys on my resolutions. I've been exercising everyday. I'm very proud of that. I think I'm ready to start adding in some variety and more intensity. I'm thinking about starting the Couch to 5k program. I'm just afraid of failing at it, so I'm struggling with whether I want to try. The eating still isn't great. My biggest issue is planning. I'm only going to do well if I plan ahead. I have been working on that this week. I need to plan out meals and snacks and have them available. I've got a bad habit of going half the day without eating and then putting anything in my mouth because I'm starving.

I've been working on getting the house more organized with an overall goal of easing some of my stress. My husband has really been putting forth an effort to help around the house, and it's making a huge difference. I love a man that will fold laundry (something I hate with a passion).

On the financial front, I've been doing well at keeping up with my favorite blogs that help me find the best grocery deals and bargains. I can definitely do better and so will continue to work on that as well.

I hope those of you out there that made New Year's resolutions haven't given up on them. I'd love to hear about your progress.

Wordless Wednesday-What's better than a giant lollipop?

Wordless Wednesday: Life is tough

Tommee Tippee Review

I try to review products that I'm interested in and feel like other moms would be interested in as well. I was very interested in learning more about the products offered by Tommee Tippee. Thanks to Mom Bloggers Club, I was given the opportunity to do so.


Until very recently I had never heard of this company. I've learned that Tommee Tippee has been around since 1965 and is the number one brand of infant and toddler feeding products in Great Britain. Their products are sold in 45 countries around the world. They've received tons of awards and accolades. That's pretty impressive in my book. This past January the company began selling their products in the U.S. at Babies R Us stores nationwide and will be available at Toys R Us beginning in March.






Tommee Tippee sent me the Closer to Nature bottles to try with Ava and the Stage 5 Explora Insulated Cups for Abby to try. Even though she's 6 years old, Abby isn't the most graceful child and I still like for her to use these types of cups in the car or if she's drinking in other places besides the kitchen.





We'll start with the bottles. The first think I noticed and liked is the size and shape. I like that they are wide. We are having to do formula. With the wide opening, you are much less likely to spill powder on your counter. The nipples are silicone, and the base is wider. Looking at it does make me think that the way it feels to the baby must be closer to the feel of a real breast against the mouth than a lot of nipples. Also, all of the bottles are BPA and phthalate free. I wasn't sure about these nipples, only because the only nipples I've ever been able to get Ava to take are the latex nipples. I don't know what it is about the silicone nipples, but she gets the funniest look on her face and just lets the formula run out of her mouth. Well, she did the same thing with this nipple, much to my disappointment. I tried the two different sizes that came with the bottle and she just wasn't having anything to do with it. I would think that this would be a great bottle to try with a baby who has been breastfeeding for awhile and may need to start using a bottle.

Next, we tried the Explora Cups with Abby. I let her do her own review. This was at breakfast so the hair is not combed and she is still in her mis-matched pajamas (pretty much how she looks on non-school days). She like the girly colors and I liked the size. I also like that they are insulated, because the spoiled child requires "fresh" drinks whenever her drinks are no longer cold enough. I meant to get her to try to shake them to see if they would leak, but forgot to do so. You'll notice I got her to try to drink with the valves in at first. She's way past trying to suck to get something out and definitely had to work hard to get anything. They describe these as truly spill proof, and so far it appears they are correct. These have been through the dishwasher a few times and so far still look new, with no peeling or breakdown of the plastic.

Overall, I'm happy with these products and would recommend them without hesitation. The company has a great reputation with products that are quite popular with moms all over the world.

Dear FTC: I was supplied with products from Tommee Tippee as a reviewer for the Mom Bloggers Club.

Zing Zang Zoom - The Circus is Coming - Giveaway

I haven't been to the circus in years. I remember going as a kid. I really enjoyed all of the excitement that comes a long with the circus. I can't wait to take my girls to the circus this year. I have no doubt they will love it. It really is a magical experience! Can you tell I'm excited?

As stated in the flyer below, you can get a discount on a 4-pack of tickets to a weekday show for $44 or $4 off a weekend ticket by using the code MOM at Ticketmaster. Additional tickets are still $11.

I'm also excited to have the opportunity to give away a family 4-pack to opening night in Cincinnati on March 10th at U.S. Bank Arena! Thanks to Mom Central for the opportunity to do so.

All you need to do is leave a comment and tell me what you like best about the circus.

For more entries, do any or all of the following and please leave a comment for each.

Tweet the giveaway and mention @aprilincinci

Write a blog post on the giveaway and please leave the link in your comment

Post the giveaway on your Facebook page and leave the link in your comment

Follow my blog

The giveaway will run until Friday 2/26 at 12pm. I'll use Random.org to pick the winner. You'll have 24 hours to respond so please keep your eye on your email. Also, make sure I have an email to contact you. Good luck!!

I'll also be doing a giveaway for the show in Dayton, so check back for that.

You might as well take advantage of every chance possible to win! Please check out these great blogs that are also hosting giveaways for the circus in Cincinnati.

Mommy Snacks

Mommy Bits

Nickels N Dimes

ChefDruk Musings

Mommin' It Up

Once A Month Mom

Soft Scrub Total Bath and Bowl-Review and Coupon Giveaway

My house stresses me out! It really does. I love a clean house, but I can never keep mine that way. I'm just way too busy and don't have a lot of time to spend on it. That's one of the reasons I jumped at the opportunity to become a Soft Scrub Club Captain. With that distinction, I get the opportunity to review products. I'm a big fan of all in one type cleaning products. Seriously, I really need something that I can use quickly and be done with it.

With that being said, I was sent a bottle of Soft Scrub Total Bath and Bowl Cleaner to review.





I really did enjoy this product. I cleaned sinks, toilets, showers, and bathtubs. This may sound strange, but I like the way the bottle felt in my hand. It was comfortable to grip and spray. I also especially liked that it sprays upside down.



You can also choose to either use the regular spray or foam. I like the foam for the toilet, bath, and shower. I like the regular spray for sinks and counter tops.

Well, April, does it clean well? I mean that's really what's most important, right? I found that it cleans quite well. I thought about letting something get really grimy so I could get could get really good before and after shots. I couldn't do it so you'll just have to take my word for it.

My favorite things about this product are the ability to use it upside down and changing from foam to regular spray based on my preference.

Would you like to try it out for yourself? Well, I was lucky enough to also be sent a coupon to try this product for free. I'd love to give it to one of my readers. All you need to do is leave me a comment. Tweet this post for an extra entry and leave a comment that you did so.

The giveway will go until Friday, February 19th at 12am, and the winner will be chosen at random.

Thanks to Soft Scrub for the opportunity to try this product.


Edited to add: I just got a sneak peak at the new Soft Scrub Total commercial that will be airing during the February 15th episode of The Bachelor. It's hilarious so be sure not to miss it!

Resolution Report

Take a look here to see my goals for the year. This has been a tough week. My schedule wears me out and I've been so tired. I've done well with working out, and I'm happy with that. I really need to figure out the food situation. I really don't sit down for regular meals 4 days out of the week. When I'm working, things are crazy. I get up about 7am to get Abby off to school. I spend the morning taking care of baby Ava and trying to keep the house out of disaster mode. The morning flies by and then it's time to go to work. Most mornings I don't eat anything for breakfast and I usually don't eat lunch before running out the door. I get to work and realize I'm starving and will go to the cafeteria for food. It's usually not the healthiest option. I try to remember to take something for dinner, but I usually end up in the cafeteria for that as well. There are healthy options and sometimes I do healthy and sometimes I don't. I don't leave work until 12:30am. I'm usually really tired and have to grab something to snack on in the car simply to stay awake. For instance there was a couple of nights I was eating sunflower seeds and drinking Mt. Dew on the drive home. I get home and usually don't get to sleep until around 2am and I'm up and down a couple of times with the baby. Next thing you know, it's time to get up and start all over. By the end of those 4 days I'm a zombie. It's so hard to figure out the eating. I need to be planning ahead and have things prepared to take to work. I can't do the Lean Cuisine thing. I need to figure out snacking so that I have things that are healthier options. I need to eat before I go to work. I know I need more sleep, but there's really nothing I can do about that right now. I'm gonna try to work on a plan and see what I can come up with to help me. I would love suggestions. I did manage to lose a pound this week so I'm happy about that. I also feel like I'm keeping up with the house better, which brings the stress level down quite a bit.

I hope you all are still working on those things you pledged for the new year.

Random Tuesday Thoughts

Has another week gone by? I swear it seems like I can't distinguish one day from the next anymore. Life is just so busy. Knowing that baby Ava is most likely the last baby for us, I want to slow things down and enjoy the moment. It seems so hard because there is always something that needs to be done. My hubby gets upset with me because he can't ever get me to sit down with him and relax. The thing is that I can't relax if I know there is something to do. Now, that makes it sound like I'm getting all these things done, but I certainly don't feel that way. I feel like I'm running, but getting absolutely nowhere.

My new Etsy Seller of the Week makes the cutest things. Please go take a look!


I'm sooooo tired of winter. I hate, hate, hate cold weather. I can never get warm. It's depressing.

I did some freezer cooking this past weekend. Look here to see what I got accomplished.

That's about it. Here's to a great week!

Head over to The Un Mom blog for more Random Tuesday Thoughts.

Freezer Cooking Update

I posted here about taking part in Freezer Cooking this past weekend. This was my first attempt at preparing several things to put up in the freezer. Here's a list of what I got accomplished.

Crockpot Chicken (1)
Banana Bread (1)
Meatballs (enough for 3 meals)
Ground Chuck (browned 3 pounds)
Marinated Steaks (1 meal)
Marinated Chicken (1 meal)
Cincinnati Style Chili (2 meals)

I think I did pretty good for a first try. What I learned is that I can do way more in a weekend if I plan better. This was a last minute try. Next time I hope to do at least a couple chickens over a weekend. I was surprised at the amount of chicken and broth I got from that one small chicken. I also want to do more baked items to freeze, such as muffins. What I definitely know is that this is something I'll be doing from now on, because it will make life a lot easier. So I would say this weekend was a success.

Oh, and a special thanks goes out to my 6 year old, Abby, for helping entertain baby Ava at critical points in this process!

Etsy Seller of the Week - kraftyladykreations

Each week I feature an Etsy seller who creates items I feel my fellow moms would appreciate. Kathy at KraftyLadyCreations is this week's Etsy seller of the week. I absolutely fell in love with the adorable handmade booties, hats, and blankets for babies. The booties are my favorite. You're sure to fall in love with them. She actually makes high tops! I love these!



I asked Kathy to tell me more about herself and the items she creates.

"I opened my shop on Etsy in January 0f 2007. I have always enjoyed making a variety of different things. I learned how to knit and crochet when I was in grade school, 40 years ago:) I also love to stamp, both cards and scrap booking. About five years ago I decided to quit my job due to health reasons, I turned to yarn to get through it. I made scarves, hats, afghans, dishcloths just because I wanted to make them. I gave many items as gifts or charity donations but soon realized I needed a way to support my yarn obsession. I read about Etsy in my local newspaper and decided to give it a try. My shop began with a variety of different things but it became apparent very soon that the baby booties were the big hit. So I decided to focus primarily on the booties. I added the hats last year so my customers could purchase a set along with the high tops in organic cotton. I am planning on adding some new styles, hats and bootes in 2010.

My favorite booties to make are the high top sneakers probably because I went through a Converse phase myself in my younger years. When my children were babies I loved baby things that were cute but practical too - the fact that the sneaker booties tie on baby's foot makes them even more appealing! I love when I get a custom order for unique color combinations. My most popular sellers are black with red( or pink), the camo colors and the hot pink."

Please go take a look at Kathy's shop. Also, if you're looking for something creative for a baby shower gift, one of Kathy's items would be perfect.

Freezer Cooking-Jumping In

Well, for awhile I've been wanting to try freezer cooking. Life is so hectic that we end up picking up lots of dinners out due to lack of planning and/or laziness. I kept my eye on craigslist and picked up a freezer for only $50. This past Thursday I saw a tweet from Money Saving Mom about freezer cooking this weekend she and Fishmama at Life as Mom are planning. Well, I thought this is perfect timing and said I'd participate. Now, this is of course last minute and I have no clue what I'm doing. It started Friday, but I was working so I decided to try to come up with some sort of plan of what I wanted to make. I don't work on Mondays, so I figure I have that day if I need it. I was also supposed to write this post yesterday and link up with the above post, but things got crazy and it didn't get done. Well, better late than never. Here goes:

I'm going to keep this simple so not to overwhelm myself. Here's what I'm going to concentrate on getting into my freezer over the next couple of days.

BBQ Chicken
Marinated Steaks
Taco Meat
Sloppy Joe Meat
Meatballs
Meatloaf
Spaghetti Sauce
Cincinnati Style Chili
A few pounds of pre cooked ground chuck

I'm also thinking of trying this Crockpot Chicken and Banana Bread