Easy Way to Give Back!

Are you looking for ways to give back this holiday season?

How would you like a super simple way to make a big difference?

Nuk has teamed up with Operation Smile to donate $10,000 to children who really need a smile this holiday season!  

For every person that registers at Nuk the company will donate $1.  Sign up, and spread the word!  Let's give some children a special smile this holiday season.

Nuk has been working with children who have cleft lips or a cleft palate and have designed a special line of products to help these children who have trouble using a standard bottle.

In case you didn't know, Operation Smile provides free surgeries to repair cleft lip, cleft palate, and other facial deformities.  Often children who are born with severe cleft conditions are unable to eat, speak, socialize, or even smile.  In some places these children are shunned or rejected.  More often their parents just can't afford the surgeries to give their child a normal life.

Through the help of medical volunteers, Operation Smile has been providing free surgeries for children around the world since 1982!

This is a super simple way to give back this holiday season and make a difference for children who really need it.

To learn more about Operation Smile, head over to their webpage.

Daily Vegas ~ Winner Winner, and other important meanderings...

Wasn't I just whining about it being Monday?? This week has FLOWN by!! And creeped on all at the same time. Operation No Bouncer is going VERY well. But now Squishy's getting his I-teeth. Those Buggers are mean!! Last night he woke up SCREAMING at 5am and didn't go back to sleep until nearly 6:30am. Poor baby. I hate that stinking teething monster. I can't wait for him to be gone so I can have my sweet little happy Squish back!

TEETHING MONSTER!!

Have you read SuperBaby by Dr. Jenn Berman yet?? Well, Melissa over at The Life of a Sippy Cup Mom is going to get a chance to - because she is is the winner of the SuperBaby Giveaway!! Melissa has 48 hours to respond before I draw a new winner.

Seriously, this is one of the better parenting books I have had the chance to read, so if you see it, be sure to pick it up and give it a read.

(EDIT: I am soo sorry to any last minute enteries. I thought today was the 29th... Please forgive me closing the contest a few hours early. - Oh Sleep Deprivation Brain - you kill me!!)

We are going to be spending our weekend enjoying many Halloween Festivities. This costume sure has gotten it's $11 worth!! Yes, I bought it last year after Halloween at Pottery Barn. A total steal!

Check out what a difference a year makes!!

Finally, have you taken moment to Blog to Win a Snack Happened reusable bag by Itzy Ritzy! We made it so easy all you have to do is copy and paste the post on your blog! And just like that you are helping to raise awareness for world hunger relief. Not to mention you will have 5 entries just like that to win one of 20 Itzy Ritzy Snack Happened Special Edition World Hunger Relief Bags!!

Itzy Ritzy Snack Happened Bags ~ Giveaway to Raise Awareness for World Hunger Relief

On Sunday, Lolo at Crazy about My Baybah, and I told you about our amazing mommy night out at an Itzy Ritzy and Yum! Brands charity event to help raise money for World Hunger Relief. Now we are asking for your help to spread the word about this important cause!

Look how cute the Snack Happened Bags are!

Kelly Douglas creator of Itzy Ritzy gave us 10 World Hunger Relief branded Snack Happened bags to giveaway to our fabulous readers. These Snack Happened Bags are not only super cute, they are also reusable, washable, FDA approved and PBA Free. All important things for a momma. They are the perfect size (7" X 7") to hold snacks, sandwiches, fruit, and more, and are perfect for school lunches, car and plane trips, camping, travel, and whatever else you can think of. Snack Happened bag has been a huge hit with Lolo's teacher friends in the lunch room and my mama friends at playgroup.

Giveaway!

Itzy Ritzy has graciously offered to giveaway 1 Snack Happened snack bag to 20 lucky winners!! 10 readers of Crazy About My Baybah, and 10 readers of Family and Life in Las Vegas!!

Can't wait to win:

You can purchase a set of 2 World Hunger Relief branded Snack Happened bags for $20.85. Your purchase will help feed 40 children!!

Here is how to enter:

Here is how you can help us spread the word!! The Mandatory entry is to blog about how easy it is for one person to make a difference and help the World Hunger Relief using the paragraphs below. Then come back and comment with the link to your post. (5 entries - comment 5 separate times) (You do not have to post in bold, and you may use the Snack Happened picture in this post.)

Do you know how easy it is for one person to make a difference in the lives of many? There are approximately 1 billion hungry people around the world today. Malnutrition and hunger are the #1 risk to health worldwide. Greater than AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis combined!

Itzy Ritzy has teamed with Yum! Brands and joined in the fight against world hunger. Special Edition Snack Happened™ bags can be purchased at www.fromhungertohope.com with 100% of the profits going to the World Hunger Relief Organization. One dollar provides a meal to 4 hungry children at school.

In addition to the items available for sale on www.fromhungertohope.com you can donate directly to the cause. Did you know that $5 can feed 20 people, $10 feeds 40, and $20 feeds 80 people? Itzy Ritzy, Yum! Brands and the World Hunger Relief Organization are showing us how easy it is for one person to make a big difference.

This post is part of a giveaway to raise awareness for World Hunger Relief. Please visit Family and Life in Las Vegas and Crazy about my Baybah to learn how you can get involved.

Extra Entries:
Become a fan of Itzy Ritzy on Facebook. (1 entry)
Follow Itzy Ritzy on Twitter. (1 entry)
Become a fan of The World Hunger Relief on Facebook. (1 entry)
Follow The World Hunger Relief on Twitter. (1 entry)
Tweet "Blog to help raise awareness for World Hunger Relief. Do good and #win a @ItzyRitzy snack happened reusable bag http://tinyurl.com/2fnuwor RT" (1 entry)

Good luck!

This giveaway is open to US residents 18 and up, and will end on November 6, 2010 at 11:59 pm PST. Random.org will select the winners. We will contact you by email, and you will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is picked.

Disclosure: We received the product listed above to giveaway to help raise awareness for the World Hunger Relief. The items will be mailed out personally by Emily and Lolo.

Call to Action ~ Giveaway with Donation from Itzy Ritzy, Yum!, and the World Hunger Relief Organization.

Photo is from the World Hunger Relief's Facebook Page

Last Tuesday, Lolo from Crazy about My Baybah, and I were invited by Itzy Ritzy to a charity event at the Crystal Casino in City Center. There Itzy Ritzy had partnered with Yum! Brands World Hunger Relief to raise money for the United Nations World Food Program, and other hunger relief organizations. There was a celebrity Red Carpet event where stars like Joley Fisher, Ali Landry, Jen Bunny, Larry Birkhead, and Shar Jackson all came out to support this fabulous cause!

Photo's are from the World Hunger Relief's Facebook Page

It was a nice night of dancing, yummy cakes and treats, and a silent auction where we all donated to the 2010 World Hunger Relief campaign. It was a super fun night, but for Lolo and me it really resonated at the impact one person can have. If everyone donated just $10, each of us could feed 40 children! We spend $5 on coffee without blinking an eye, so what was $10?

Kelly Douglas - Creator of Itzy Ritzy
Photo is from the World Hunger Relief's Facebook Page

After the event we spoke to Kelly Douglas creator of Itzy Ritzy who agreed to let us have some of the specially designed “Snack Happened” reusable snack bags to giveaway to our fabulous readers.

You can purchase the specially designed snack happens reusable bags from www.fromhungertohope.com, where a percentage of your sale goes to WFP.

Thanks to the generosity of Itzy Ritzy we have 20 Snack Happened Bags to Giveaway to readers who help raise awareness you can enter the giveaway for a cause here!!

Look how cute the Snack Happened Bags are!

$1 feeds 4 hungry mouths, $5 feeds 20, $10 feeds 40. Talk about the impact just one person and a few dollars can truly have. Give what you can, these bags retail for $10 each.

Family and Life in Las Vegas and Crazy about My Baybah will be personally paying for the shipping of these bags to you. That is how much we believe in the WFP, and other hunger relief organizations. As mothers we all know the love a child can bring into your life. Won’t you help other mothers and fathers who struggle to make sure their children are fed? Donate Here.

There are more than 1 Billion Hungry People around the world today, and in the past 3 years World Hunger Relief has raised nearly $60 Million for the WFP and other hunger organizations creating over 250 Million Meals for hungry mouths.

Thank you for reading this. You can get involved by joining the World Hunger Relief on Facebook and Twitter. Itzy Ritzy can also be found on Twitter and Facebook. We know that each and everyone of you work hard to make your money to provide for your family. We do too. So any amount you choose to donate to such an amazing cause is truly amazing, and from the bottom of our hearts, we thank you.

If you can't donate - help us spread the word in a Giveaway for a Cause!

Lolo and I at the Event!

Photo is from the World Hunger Relief's Facebook Page

Thank you also to Itzy Ritzy, and Yum! Brands for an amazing mommies night out for a good cause!

Link Up:

Itzy Ritzy

Itzy Ritzy Facebook Page

Itzy Ritzy Twitter

World Hunger Relief

World Hunger Relief Facebook Page

World Hunger Relief Twitter

Yum! Brands

Vegas Headliner ~ Deb @ Lucas's Journey with Sensory Processing Disorder

I met Deb through the blogging world, and when I read her story, I was immediately impressed with how dedicated she is to her family, how upbeat she seems to be, how well she balance's her family time, and most of all how big of an advocate she is for her son's. Not to mention she always has a kind word for everyone. In October she is hosting an Event to raise awareness for Sensory Processing Disorder which her youngest son Lucas has. She has done an ENORMOUS amount of work for this event. She has gotten many many companies to donate giveaways for it, and has spent countless hours putting it together. She is currently 2 sponsors away from a goal she set out, and couldn't be happier to be where she is. If you know anyone who would be willing to help her out in this quest to raise awareness for SPD, drop by her blog and let her know...
I am very honored she wanted to guest post. Please read her wonderful post below.







To find out more about Deb and her family visit her blog, check out her Event Link
or find her on Facebook or Twitter. If you post her Event button on your blog and let her know you did by commenting here, you can have 5 extra entries into both the Barefoot Books Giveaway, and A Blanket Full of Love Giveaway.

Tell me about yourself and your family.

I live in NJ with my husband, my 10 year old son Charlie, and my youngest son, Lucas. Life has been like a tornado since we had Lucas. Our quiet little lives were just turned upside down, inside out, and all the way around! It's calmed down quite a bit but we still have our mountains that we need to climb.

Why do you blog; what made you start?

It's funny, I was out to lunch with my Mother and Mother in-law for a Mothers Day lunch. It was the first time I was out alone since I had Lucas. As I was sitting at the table, it just came into my head, that I needed to blog about our life with Lucas! I didn't know how to do it and I never blogged before so I was a little overwhelmed at first. I had to teach myself everything. I just needed contact with the outside world. I had to find and talk with other parents who were going through what I was with Lucas. I love Lucas but to care for him sometimes is almost like having a weight on your chest so heavy that you just can't breathe. I had to find a way to give myself a break and share about some of the things that were eating me up inside, so that I could let it go, and hopefully find hope in another Mothers story.

Name three things you really like to do?

I love painting ceramics, I love playing with my children, there is no greater joy for me than watching my kids laugh, and I love to shop even though I haven't been able to in a VERY long time.

If you had the opportunity to go back and change something in your past, what would it be, and would you do it?

I would have furthered my education. I had a great job with great pay and thought it would last forever! LOL

I'm older now and every year that goes by makes it harder for me to get back into the work place.

What would you do with a million dollars?

I would buy a house and a car first! I would also be able to give Lucas the additional therapy that he needs and can't do right now. I would buy my older son Charlie every video game that he ever wanted.

What would you like to accomplish in your lifetime?

I would love if every one's efforts to raise awareness for SPD were successful so that it would not be an issue for these children to get the care that they should have anymore. There is no feeling worse than not being able to give your child the care that they need because its not covered by insurance.

Our event is happening right now! We have been taking entries since September 1st for our October giveaways. The only requirement is to help with our mission by placing a button on your blog listed here, http://lucasjourneyspd.blogspot.com/2010/08/get-your-first-official-entry-into-our.html

or by sending a tweet or email to the media contacts that we have listed here. http://lucasjourneyspd.blogspot.com/2010/09/sensational-celebration-media-contacts.html

We just revised the entry form to make it a little easier to enter.

We have received over $2,000 in prizes that were donated to help raise awareness for SPD. This turned into so much more than I ever expected! We've had more of a turnout that I could have imagined but we are still in dire need of help getting our message out to the media.

We are also giving entries for any donations made or badges that are purchased that we have for sale which can be found on any page of our blog on the left hand sidebar. All proceeds will be donated to the SPD foundation's event.


Here is the explanation of what SPD is taken from the SPD foundation:
.
About Sensory Processing Disorder (taken from the SPD Foundations site, full explanation can be found at http://www.spdfoundation.net/about-sensory-processing-disorder.html )

Sensory processing (sometimes called "sensory integration" or SI) is a term that refers to the way the nervous system receives messages from the senses and turns them into appropriate motor and behavioral responses. Whether you are biting into a hamburger, riding a bicycle, or reading a book, your successful completion of the activity requires processing sensation or "sensory integration."

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD, formerly known as "sensory integration dysfunction") is a condition that exists when sensory signals don't get organized into appropriate responsesPioneering occupational therapist and neuroscientist A. Jean Ayres, PhD, likened SPD to a neurological "traffic jam" that prevents certain parts of the brain from receiving the information needed to interpret sensory information correctly. A person with SPD finds it difficult to process and act upon information received through the senses, which creates challenges in performing countless everyday tasks. Motor clumsiness, behavioral problems, anxiety, depression, school failure, and other impacts may result if the disorder is not treated effectively.

Symptoms of Sensory Processing Disorder, like those of most disorders, occur within a broad spectrum of severity. While most of us have occasional difficulties processing sensory information, for children and adults with SPD, these difficulties are chronic, and they disrupt everyday life.

What Sensory Processing Disorder looks like

Sensory Processing Disorder can affect people in only one sense–for example, just touch or just sight or just movement–or in multiple senses. One person with SPD may over-respond to sensation and find clothing, physical contact, light, sound, food, or other sensory input to be unbearable. Another might under-respond and show little or no reaction to stimulation, even pain or extreme hot and cold. In children whose sensory processing of messages from the muscles and joints is impaired, posture and motor skills can be affected. These are the "floppy babies" who worry new parents and the kids who get called "klutz" and "spaz" on the playground. Still other children exhibit an appetite for sensation that is in perpetual overdrive. These kids often are misdiagnosed - and inappropriately medicated - for ADHD.

Sensory Processing Disorder is most commonly diagnosed in children, but people who reach adulthood without treatment also experience symptoms and continue to be affected by their inability to accurately and appropriately interpret sensory messages.

These "sensational adults" may have difficulty performing routines and activities involved in work, close relationships, and recreation. Because adults with SPD have struggled for most of their lives, they may also experience depression, underachievement, social isolation, and/or other secondary effects.

Sadly, misdiagnosis is common because many health care professionals are not trained to recognize sensory issues. The Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation is dedicated to researching these issues, educating the public and professionals about their symptoms and treatment, and advocating for those who live with Sensory Processing Disorder and sensory challenges associated with other conditions.

Where Were You When...

Where were you when…

September 11^th happened? A question most, if not all, of my generation and younger can answer in extreme detail. For our parents it was JFK Assassination, or the Moon Landing, or the Columbia Shuttle explosion. For us, it will be September 11^th.

Today marks the ninth anniversary of the attack on our land. And for many my age it marks the day we stopped taking our country and our freedom for granted. Whether that day was the one that made you stopped believing in our government’s choices and fought for change. Or the day that made you sign your papers to serve in the military. September 11^th was a day that our generation of kids began to understand something we had not yet experienced much in our lifetime: Life can change in the blink of an eye. And having the freedom to react how we choose to is part of the privilege of living in a country like America.

Here we are nine years later. It is hard to walk down the street and not run into someone whose life wasn’t changed that day. Maybe they lost a love one or maybe they have a family member serve overseas, but one thing is for sure; every one of them can answer where they were on September 11^th.

I will spend today thinking of all those that died that day. All the loved ones who have been lost to a war against terror since it began, all the birthdays and holidays that have been missed because they were off fighting a war, and all the families that stay behind and keep things running at home. And to those who will not get to celebrate another birthday or holiday. Today is not about supporting the choices our government has made, today is for remembering, and honoring those who died that day, and supporting those who have served everyday since.

If you get asked today where you were on September 11^th, and you begin to recall the details of that day and the weeks to followed, take a moment to remember the feeling that was left inside of each and every one of us that day. Take a moment to remember the fallen, and honor those who continue to serve our country. Take a minute to remember how it felt to realize that life can change in the blink of an eye. Don't forget what this day has meant to you and your life.

Daily Minnesota ~ Wordfilled Wednesday

I couldn't help but stop by and share this (Never) wordless Wednesday post. Yesterday I got to meet some mama's that I have 'known' through a mommy message board since I was pregnant. I had a blast, and even picked up this shirt for Squishy. We may be in MN but Daddy and Squishy are still Packer's fans!

I am so happy to be spending the first day of my last year as a 20-something with my family. The only way this could be any better is if my Hubs were here with us. A birthday hug from him would mean the world to me.

Squish has learned several new Baby-signs while being here in MN. He can now do thank you, eat, more, hat, shoe, all done, milk, train, and TOUCHDOWN!!

Is it time for the touchdown sign yet??

Mama, you forgot my cheese-head!

Let's go already, I'm ready to watch the game!

Also, I just wanted to share that today is the kick off for Blog For a Cause. I have joined in this group writing community designed to bring attention to causes near and dear to our hearts. Each month two causes will be chosen. You can chose to write about them and link up with all the other bloggers who do, or simple just read some wonderful posts about these events. To find out more, check out Nirvana Mama, our host for this meme. Look for my posts later this month.

A Post it Tuesday of a different kind.

I am taking a brief hiatus from my normal post-its to bring you a couple post its that recently became something I have a vested interest in. Over the past year I have been blessed to become friends with a wonderful and amazing mother. Her daughter was diagnosed with Prader-Willi Syndrome at a couple months of age.

If you are anything like me, you probably didn't even know such a thing existed. Please take a minute to read my post-its, check out the website, read her blog, and educate yourself. Knowledge is power, and awareness breeds action. Please bring more awareness to the most common known genetic cause of life-threatening obesity in children. Thank you.

Take a minute to check out my friends's blog as well as the PWS webpage.

http://pwsvegas.blogspot.com/

http://www.pwsausa.org/awareness/

Thanks you Desi for sharing your story with me, for being a friend, and for letting me get to know and love Mackenzie.

Every child is a blessing, and she is one for sure. I look forward to many fun playdates with Squish and Mackenzie in the future. (And hopefully a couple more fun mom nights out too!!)

Happy Tuesday!

Xoxxo,

Us

Days like today...

What a BEAUTIFUL day for such a wonderful event!! Although I woke up a little bleary eyed, having not gotten home until 1am then night before.

(WHAT? It was my first Girl's Night Out since Squish was born, AND it was a Sugarland concert - can you say FUN!!) But I digress...

What event could I possibly be talking about? Well, if all the fund-raising posts I have done, and the link above this entry aren't clues enough - it was the March of Dimes walk for Babies of course.

Our playgroup managed to get 10 of us together, and at last count we raised $894.00!!!

All of us Mommies and 1 Daddy!!

We even had wonderful sponsors who made our tee-shirts! Our fellow playgroup Mommy and her hubby own a diaper service here in town (That I use and LOVE LOVE LOVE).

They were kind enough to design our shirts for us, and make a generous donation to such a great cause! (www.happibunz.com)

All in all the 3 mile walk was spent chatting with other mommies (Squish took the time to snooze), and enjoy the outdoors.

We walked to raise awareness for our friend's daughter who has Prader-Willi. (check out her blog!) And also to help raise money for all the babies who need extra help and love.

Desi and her (sleeping beauty) daughter Mackenzie!

It seemed fitting today that we walked, as an amazing lady whose story I have been following was induced today. Her little boy may only live minutes, hours, or days. (Update: He lived for 12 beautiful hours, and was loved ever minute of it.)

The strength this woman, and other women like her have truly amaze, and inspire me. (http://www.embracingelijah.com). I continue to hold her and her family in my thoughts and prayers.

I am SO grateful to have found such a wonderful group of mommies, and a beautiful group of babies.

Days like today help to remind me how truly blessed I am, and how thankful I am to have everything I do.

Nothing like a little fresh air, friends, and fund-raising to start the day off right!

Squish after he just woke up! He is getting SO big!!

My friend Lolo and Me (and our super cute boys too!)

Finished!