Natural Baltic Amber Teething Necklace/Natural Newborn Hop

Welcome to the Natural Newborn Giveaway Hop, hosted by Happy Mothering, Going Green with the Grizls and Ashley Suzanne through the Green Moms Network! As part of this great event, a group of bloggers are offering prizes valued at $15 or more! You'll find the list of participating bloggers under the Rafflecopter form.

Our hosts have also put together an awesome grand prize valued at more than $500! The grand prize includes a:

• Lullaby Earth 2-Stage Crib Mattress
• Green Babies Body Care Set
• Boba Baby Wrap
• Balboa Baby Adjustable Sling
• 4-Pack of Imse Vimse Newborn Cloth Diapers (sponsored by Pure & Simple Baby)
• Holistic Baby Sleep System

You can gain extra entries into the grand prize by entering all of the giveaways on blogs participating in the Natural Newborn event. Click here to access the grand prize entry form!


I am sure by now you all have heard of Amber Teething Necklaces. I don't know if your like me, but I wanted to try them, however I really questioned, whether they truly worked or not. However after a couple of months of my little one wearing one, I took it off. I noticed she was having a hard day. I put her Amber Necklace back on and within an hour I saw a difference. I was sold. The proof did not stop there though. When she began getting her teeth in, I felt so bad for her. You could see the skin trying to tear away from her gums, the were red and swollen. They even had little spots of blood one day. Yet she did not cry or even fuss. She wasn't slobbering, she wasn't biting on things. I honestly would not have had any idea she was teething at all had I not seen her gums.

     
  I did a little more research at this point. I found where the natural acid seeps into your skin and is a natural anesthetic. There were even tribes, who would wear the amber believing that it would strengthen them. It has been used for generations as a natural pain reliever, for arthritis, teething, migraines and more.
   I was very interested in the migraine claim, as I suffer from these. I have to say, I wore two teething necklaces for several weeks and did not have one migraine. Now when I bought my own necklace ( I am guessing it did not have as much amber on it, also it was polished) I did get a headache, but it was no where near the pain level I was used to.
   I love our Baltic Amber necklaces. My children think they look cool, which they do. I love that we have a natural pain reliever and even preventive. I chose to go with a Raw Baltic amber. Only because, my thoughts are, why polish out some of that acid. Do the polished necklaces work as well, I would image so, most babies are wearing polished. it is just my own personal choice to go with Raw Baltic Amber. If you are wanting to go natural, these necklaces are a must. I personally feel so strongly about my necklaces I have decided to sell them, to close friends at least.
  However today you have the chance to win one just by entering below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

How do I feel about another baby???

  Seven years ago, I had a tubal ligation. I knew I wanted more children in my heart, but I went through with it despite that feeling. A few years later I heard that a tubal reversal was not as expensive as I had thought. I weighed it over and talked with my husband. His reaction was "I didn't want you to have it done in the first place" He wasn't concerned with the cost. I was, only because that would put us thousands in debt. I spoke with a financial guru at our church. He advised against us, because of the debt issue, but told me that I should pray on it and fast, until I hear what God truly wants me to do. I did fast and I prayed. It did not take me long, the first day even to hear God speaking to me. I felt the number eight weighing heavy on me, and at one point I even had the number 8 visualized, almost like it was fading in and out in front of me. Needles to say, I had the surgery and less then a month later I was pregnant with Hadassah.
   When Hadassah was about 10 months I started my cycle again, and got pregnant that month. I was not expecting to have another child so quickly, but I was perfectly ok it. As Syhven got older, my husband made me aware that he really didn't want anymore children. I was at first taken aback. When I first had my reversal, I kept saying we would have as many children as God blessed us with. He knew I was struggling with the choice of, prohibiting another pregnancy. I told him that it was on him though and I would not take any sort of hormonal birth control, and I would not go through another surgery. That if he made the decision to be done then he had to take the proper measures.
  I did wind up pregnant after only one cycle, yet again. However I knew something wasn't right, right away. I did miscarry early on. I was extremely conflicted at this point. I was scared to get pregnant again, but it kind of made me want that eighth baby all the more. I went through another cycle. I began to be "ok" with the thought of being done. I even began to get excited about being able to serve as a Midwife again. I even started studying again.
  A part of me, did , however still want one more child. I almost felt like it was my obligation. After all God told me we would have 8. I am obviously addicted to peeing in a cup and watching that little line move across a home pregnancy test. I figured there is always that chance. When it finally did give me an extremely light positive, I was so excited. I was absolutely thrilled. I did keep it from my husband, out of fear he would be upset. remember he wanted to be done. And every time I end up pregnant, he always thinks I did it on purpose, and that is the only reason I wanted to be intimate with him (not true)
   After about a week, it hit me. I was going to have another baby. I would not be able to serve again for another two years! I still have a little one nursing and sleeping (or not) in bed with me. My plate is full with school aged activities. I already have seven children. My husband and I were just beginning to be able to run to town and have lunch together alone. I could run to the grocery real fast all by myself, I haven't done that, well , ever. My husband and I have a very, how do I say it, love hate relationship. We will be married forever I know, but at times, ugh, well it just worried me, another mouth to feed if...I wasn't so sure I should be excited all of a sudden. I knew my husband wouldn't be.
Gala saw a test drop from my pocket one night and I convinced her and my husband it was chapstick. Then a couple of nights later, I had the opportune time to spill the beans to my kids and husband. My kids were thrilled, Blixon even cried :-) Jamie however was not. For days he didn't say much of anything to me. I felt like, even if I wanted to be excited I shouldn't be because of my husband. People would ask "are you excited" no, I really wasn't, not at that point. Which then only made me feel worse.
  Days went on and that began to change. I started to get a little excited. I told my husband, I felt like I couldn't be excited, because he wasn't happy. He told me, that I could be excited. I started to let go of all of the worry. As silly as it sounds I took the last two pregnancy tests I had and I loved watching that dark line show up. It made me smile. I left those two tests in my bathroom drawer, so that I can look at several times a day. I am getting more and more excited about this baby. I can't wait to feel her ( I am sure it will be a girl, after all look at our track record) and see her grow and hold her in my arms some day.
   I do feel though that after she is here with us, that our family will be complete. I struggled with the idea of being in control of the number of children we have and not giving that to God, but each day I think I am more and more ok
   I look up to those families who have a very large family and never are done per say. I just think that, that is not for us. My husband is not a strong christian and at times has a short temper (not abusive) but I just feel that it would just add more stress to him. I just feel like we are not good enough to have 11, 12 kids, we are not strong enough. I love the lifestyle most large families live. It just seems like that lifestyle is getting harder and harder to live in our home. So more likely then not, after this baby girl is born Jamie will have a vasectomy (if he truly wants to be done) I am ready, I finally feel ready to be done. To move on with the next stage of our lives...

New Name

Yes you still found 7 Kids and Counting. I just thought with a new little baby on the way, I can't keep 7 Kids and Counting. I hope you like the new name, my son thought of it :-) I also have a new site
www.mysippyrunnethover.com
 It should be active within 24 hours. You can still find me through the 7 Kids and Counting. However I owuld love for you to change over to my new Domain. Either way you should be able to find me, hopefully.

Homemade Hop

Check out this Awesome Giveaway Hop. Sign up today!

Our Big News

                                                Big News

                                               Thanks E.P.T.

          
of course I didn't have to double check when E.P.T. said positive

           ok, well I can't help myself it was only a $1 at Dollar General

          so, I am getting a bit obsessive, I can't help it, by the way, the new Answers test does not come with a cover-yucky, won't be using their brand anymore.
 

  I just figured I would try yet another. I know, I know I could coauthor that site www.peeonastick.com haha

 I just took this one, because who doesn't love to see that word :-) 

Wild Mountain Mommies Review, Giveaway

   I love cloth diapers, as all of you know. There are so many cute possibilities out there. Well, I think I just found the cutest diaper ever made! Better still, it works Great to!
                                Wild Mountain Mommies
Wild Mountain Mommies is a Cloth Diapering dream come true! The very kind mommy who sews these diapers does such a fantastic job. A+ in style and function. I have had my Wild Mountain Mommies (super cute) diaper for a month now. I have worn this diaper on my little one during the day and over night. The Wild Mountain Mommies cloth diaper has never left red marks on Syhven, which is hard to say for most other cloth diapers. She has soaked it and she has poo'd in it, no leaks no messes and the fleece liner made clean up a breeze. However my favorite time to wear our Wild Mountain Mommies diaper on Syhven is when we are going somewhere such as Church or out to dinner or somewhere special, because I love showing off how cute it is.

Notice the snaps, OS, so this diaper could be worn at any age

               You really can not get any cuter than this   With a velvety front and an adorable flower print back, and fleece liner, this is one of my favorite diapers.

                                  I sure wish the inside of my panties were this soft :-)

                           I highly recommend the hemp insert that she carries, to go along with the pocket diaper
                                   
    Wild Mountain Mommies also carries cloth diaper wipes, and hemp inserts ( I love that it is not micro-fiber) and cute fleece soakers, she can custom make diapers as well. She carries Sized and One Size diapers, so you can choose which you prefer or buy both. She carries, Hybrids, and AI2's as well. The Wild Mountain Mommies is a one stop cloth diapering shop. You can find so many great diapers at Wild Mountain Mommies.
 Connect with Wild Mountain Mommies on Facebook

 Buy your very own super cute, wonderfully made Wild Mountain Mommies diaper here
    or Wild Mountain Mommies has so graciously offered one lucky reader a chance at winning a Fabulous diaper, just enter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I did recieve this Wild Mountain Mommies diaper free of charge, but as always, the opinions are all my own.

Ultimate Babywearing Giveaway Event value of $815 (8 winners) #UltimateBabywearing

Welcome to the Ultimate Babywearing Giveaway Event, hosted by Happy Mothering and Green Moms Media. As part of this event, we’re giving away 8 amazing baby carriers! That means 8 of you will win a baby carrier to help you keep your baby close to you!

Our fabulous babywearing sponsors will be providing the following carriers to our winners:

Baby K’tan Breeze Carrier {$59.95 value; US entries only}

The Baby K’tan Carrier is a ready-to-wear wrap; all the same benefits without all the wrapping! The Breeze carrier features 50% cotton and 50% mesh to make babywearing cooler in the summer. Read Happy Mothering’s review here.

Balboa Baby Adjustable Sling {$60 value; US/CAN entries only}

This comfortable sling was designed in conjunction with Dr. William Sears and is designed for babies that weigh up to 25 pounds. It features a padded strap and heavy-duty nylon rings to make it comfortable and easy to adjust. Read Happy Mothering’s review here.

Beco Gemini Carrier {$130 value; US/CAN entries only}

The Beco Gemini Carrier is a made in the USA from organic cotton. It is very comfortably padded, and can be used in the back carry, hip carry and front carry (inward and outward facing) positions with babies and toddlers ranging from 7-35 pounds. Read Happy Mothering’s review here.

Boba 3G Carrier {$120 value; US entries only}

The Boba 3G is a comfortable soft structured carrier made from 100% cotton. It has a removable hood and plenty of storage. It can be used with babies and toddlers ranging from 7 to 45 pounds, and requires no additional insert for infants. Read Happy Mothering’s review here.

Catbird Baby Mei Tai Carrier {$89 value; US/CAN entries only}

The Catbird Baby Mei Tai Carrier features a beautifully simple design, with no buckles, straps or wrapping required. It has wide padded straps, a small hood and can be used with babies from 8 to 40 pounds in multiple carrying positions. Read Happy Mothering’s review here.

ERGObaby Performance Carrier with Cargo Pack {$163 value; US/CAN entries only}

The ERGObaby Performance carrier is designed for people who love outdoors activities, but don’t want to leave the kids behind (7-45 pound weight limit). It features a mesh lining and high-performance Ripstop water-repellant polyester on the exterior. The Cargo Pack accessory ensures you have plenty of extra storage space for long hikes. Read Happy Mothering’s review here.

Moby Wrap, Sponsored by Thanks Mama {$44.95 value; Worldwide entries}

The Moby Wrap is a versatile, 100% cotton babywearing option that uses your entire back, as well as your shoulders, to carry the weight of your baby. This carrier is being sponsored by Thanks Mama, a family owned cloth diapering and natural parenting store based in Boston, MA. Read Happy Mothering’s review here.

Onya Baby Carrier {$149 value; US/CAN entries only}

  The Onya Baby Carrier is the only babywearing option that allows you to wear your baby not only on your front and back – but also allows you to convert nearly any adult chair into a safe seat for your baby! It can be used with children up to 45 pounds. Read Happy Mothering’s review here. Are you ready for your chance to win one of these awesome baby carriers? Simply complete the Rafflecopter form below. The more entries you complete, the more chances you’ll have to win! Please note: you’ll see this giveaway posted on a number of blogs. Please only enter on one blog. Thanks and good luck! a Rafflecopter giveaway This contest will run through August 14, 2012 at 9:01 pm PST (August 15, 2012 at 12:01 am EST). The winners will be chosen the following day and announced on Happy Mothering and the participating blogs once winners have been confirmed (all entries will be verified). Worldwide entries welcome (each sponsor has individual country requirements). Must be 18 years or older to win. The sponsors provided me with free samples of these products to review, and I was under no obligation to review them if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product. Facebook is in no way affiliated with this contest. Please note that Happy Mothering, Green Moms Media, the Ultimate Babywearing Giveaway Event and participating bloggers are not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes. We have represented each sponsor with the expectation they will fulfill their prize and in a timely manner. We will contact the sponsor regarding your prize(s). The sponsors, in most cases, are shipping their items to you directly. I will make every effort to assist you obtaining your prize. If there is an issue with a sponsor, please notify the blog you won a prize from within 4-6 weeks for assistance, after that we may be unable to assist you.