The last two weeks.... Part one

So on January 22nd a week after Nolan came home sick from school and ended up with an upper respiratory infection, I spiked a fever. After a night full of acetominophen it was under control and gone but left me with insane mucus and a very bad cough. I spent the weekend coughing and hoping I'd recover fast. When it hit Monday and my cough seemed worse I called the OB. Once again, they said they wouldn't see me sick so I had to go to my GP even though I was almost 38weeks. 

GP diagnosed upper respiratory infection that was pretty severe and gave me a rescue inhaler with steroids and an antibiotic. I did saline nebulizer treatments in between. If you know me, you know I prefer no medicine while pregnant and during delivery. Even when not pregnant, I take medicine that heals but not that just masks symptoms. 

After having influenza A a few short weeks before this in December and now this new issue, this pregnancy I have been forced to medicate just to get through. 

For the past week or so before this (all of January) I had been somewhat itchy. No rash was present and it wasn't really where my skin was stretched. On Tuesday Jan. 27 I started getting unbearably itchy. It was enough that I couldn't sleep most of the night. I rewashed all my clothes in free and clear and took a water only bath a few times. Still no rash and only mild normal swelling. I worried maybe the antibiotic I was taking had made normal itching worse and also googled and found out about Cholestasis of pregnancy. Basically it's where your liver isn't functioning properly and bike is building up. Other symptoms fit too. I got in to my OB Wednesday morning and was still coughing horribly and relying on the inhaler. 

Doctor checked and monitored baby who was moving well and then ordered liver rests fearing cholestasis (liver issue) too. He switched my antibiotic as a precaution. He then said they could do the bloodwork draw there immediately and would call results of liver testing back to me ASAP. Turns out when I went to the nurses the test require fasting and they sent me home to wait until the next morning, Thursday, and to go to a lab for the draw. 

We went out to lunch all together and my cough started getting worse again back to somewhat nonstop. During nap time I laid down too and used my rescue inhaler as needed. When I woke I had an intense backache across my lower rib cage along my side and back. It was excruciating when I coughed, which was very very often. Bracing didn't help as this would shoot across my back not really belly. At this point, I rated the pain a 10 out of 10 ranking up there worse than the natural labor I'd done with Carter. It was evening time when I realized I wasn't sure I could wait all night and try to go back to my OB in the morning. Tim agreed after seeing my pain levels and knowing my normal tolerance. We dropped the boys in to bed and called our neighbor who was amazing and hung out at the house. Off to the ER we went. 

Cars DisneySide Party!!

We were lucky enough to be chosen to host another Disney Side party this year. Can't wait to show our friends our Disney Side. In the mean time, here is the goodie box unveiling!!

Zoku Pops and Tryazon

I won an in home party through Tryazon to try out Zoku products. I hosted a Holiday Pops Party utilizing their fun products!! So what's Zoku you're thinking? They have an innovative frozen pop maker that is my new favorite toy. I stow it in my freezer so anytime in 3-5min I can have a fun frozen treat. The first time we tried it out the kids had asked for desert and I had nothing. Quickly I grabbed hot chocolate and marshmallows and made a popsicle! Zoku to the rescue.

We were also lucky enough to try out their slush maker and chocolate station accessory kit. Who doesn't want to dip their popsicles into chocolate?!?! Besides just simple popsicles elaborate Pinterest ready creations are easy to make!! I have to admit my first few tries have been tasty but not works of art. I've been inspired by all the great ideas online though. They have kits that allow you to cut fruit into small adorable shapes and place inside the popsicles. Tips on how to make aye red popsicles and even slanted decorative ones.

Here is some of my inspiration....

For our party we combined my neighborhood's Christmas event with a pre festivities meal. To top off the awesome BBQ we made our dessert. It started with red pop, a personal favorite, then I added whipped cream and chopped strawberries and topped it off with 100% fruit juice.

I popped it back in the freezer for five minutes...

...and here is what came out!

Don't worry they were way more tasty than they looked! So, if you want a fun treat that's affordable to make, check out all Zoku has to offer. They are available on their website and my favorite place to shop, Amazon!

I received the above mentioned products in order to host an at home party utilizing them and sharing our findings with my blogging community.

Brieftons InstantVeg Spiralizer

I've tried out a bunch of vegetable slicer/noodle makers and have to say the Briefton's InstantVeg Spiralizer is by far my favorite. I'm jumping right in to why I loved it! Usually if something isn't amazing I'll just give the facts so my readers can see if it's for them. This post is full of my favorite things about it because it's a keeper in our house!!

The blade is completely out of the way of my hands. No worry of accidentally getting cut. You can see Nolan looking on. He was excited to help turn the handle and make noodles! It's very easy to use and doesn't require a lot of force or pressure to get the vegetables to cut. My first try and I had very little waste with my squash and zucchini and the cit vegetables were all used and not scrap weird shaped pieces I threw out. It makes amazing long ribbons perfect for replacing pasta. My kiddos got excited and ben tried their squash with marinara! That's a big deal!!

Minimal waste

Squash Ribbons!!

If you're looking to add only one kitchen gadget this is it!! Run to Amazon.

I received this product in order to facilitate a review but all opinions are my own!

Frozen Lullabies

Frozen is an insane hit with everyone and their mother it seems!! How perfect that Baby Rockstar has released lullaby renditions of all the awesome songs. We got the CD to try out so my bops put it to the test. I can't wait for Oliver to hear it too!!

The Lullaby Rendition of Frozen is a hit in our house. The melodies have light instruments and bells throughout and bring a very dreamlike mood to any room.

Wondering if your favorite track is included? Here is the list:

• Frozen Heart
• Do You Want to Build a Snowman
• For the First Time in Forever
• Love Is an Open Door
• Let It Go
• Reindeers Are Better Than People
• In Summer
• For the First Time in Forever (Reprise)
• Fixer Upper
• Vuelie
• Heimr Arnadalr

Be sure to check out this CD if you're a Disney fan with little ones!



All opinions are my own. I received this CD in order to facilitate my review. 

Infuser Water Bottle

Being pregnant I'm drinking a ton of water and only more is to come as we move onto baby phase and nursing. I tried out the infuser water bottle which is BPA free and made from PET plastic. It has a wide mouth opening for filling and easy to use flip top lid.

The first few times I made strawberry and mint infused water which was amazing. My only problem was I drank it too fast and kept refilling so my subsequent bottles weren't as flavorful. Maybe I need to slow down!! Next, I tried cucumber and lime. It's refreshing and cool! The bottle is easy to fill and the fruit/veggie collection area is large enough to hold good sized pieces. If you're looking for a way to spice up your water check out this bottle. It's easily available on Amazon with Prime shipping even.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Animal Trackers Club

The wildlife scientist in me loves the idea of a monthly animal geared activity box for kids. Nolan tried out Animal Trackers Club and was thrilled with it. The best way to describe this monthly subscription service is a cross between a homeschool lesson plan and a pinterest board. It has fun activities like crafts, learning sheets, and small toys.

Nolan's activity set came with a fun field kit (metal type lunchbox) where he stored a lot of his favorite nature finds and parts of the pack. There was much more than would fit just inside the small box though!!

Learning included letters, number matching, and wildlife facts and stories. There were portions that worked best for me to help him along and others her did all on his own. Win, win for both of us!!

This kit actually kept Nolan's interest for a long time and wasn't just toy based which I loved. The above picture was snapped days after he originally opened the kit. It was his brother's nap time which means free use of the electronics and TV. Look what is next to him on the floor being ignored!! The phone and his favorite apps! That's a huge success in my book!

Okay here is the part moms love even more... the cost. Usually the monthly subscription boxes are cost prohibitive unless randomly gifted by the grandparents. Animal Trackers Club is just $11.95/mo with $3,95 shipping. It's geared towards ages 3 and above and was perfectly matched for my 5yr old. 

So what exactly do you get? Straight from Animal Trackers website.....

Your child's adventure begins with: 

Introduction to the Animal Trackers Club

Animal Trackers Club Safari Lunchbox

African Savanna Information Card

Cover and Ring for the Safari Animal Photo Collection

Savanna Art Project

Savanna Animal Cards Activity

Each Additional Month You'll Receive

Animal Information Card

Animal Play Figure

Animal Foam Mask

Animal Magnet

Safari Animal Photo Card

Learning Activity

Art Project

I received one or more of the products mentioned in order to facilitate a review. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.