Wordless Wednesday: A Sweet Moment, Daddy & Son

Suprise! It's A Giveaway! Literary Love Hop

Welcome to the Literary Love Giveaway Hop! This hop is brought to you by Views From the 'Ville and Money Saving Mindy! After entering this giveaway be sure to hop around on the blog list below and see what other great contests there are!

I have a big announcement that may shed some light on why you haven't seen much on my blog the last few weeks. I have been struggling with morning sickness! That's right! We are expecting our second little kiwi in February 2013 and I am cracking open my favorite book on pregnancy, What To Expect When You Are Expecting! I am excited that the plural from my blog name will finally be true as I will have two little kiwis when Logan becomes a big brother. We used this photo of the 3 of us to announce our news to our family: 

So part of this first trimester is awful morning sickness for me. I was sick with my son too, so I saw it coming but it is different this time as I hear each pregnancy usually is. For one, I am gagging at everything! Opening the fridge, walking into the pantry, brushing my teeth, and trying to down the many vitamins and pills I need to take. Pre-natal vitamins are a must (as the great book will tell you!) and I had no trouble with them before I became pregnant, but as soon as morning sickness kicked in the huge pills became a dreaded daily chore. If you are like me at all, or have trouble swallowing your regular daily vitamin, you will be as excited as I was to hear about our sponsor!

Vitalah gave me the opportunity to review their first line of products: Oxylent Vitamin Drink Mix. I was sent a pre-natal version which is approved by the American Pregnancy Association. Vitalah was started by world traveler Lisa Lent who brought us Oxylent after beginning her search for the perfect health supplement for her busy, active life.

 "Oxylent is made exclusively with Albion Minerals, and has received Albion’s Gold Medallion, which recognizes products for excellence in mineral fortification.Research has shown that Albion’s chelated minerals exhibit superior absorption over common mineral salts. Oxylent is the only effervescent multivitamin product to be awarded the Albion Gold Medallion". 

 I was so excited to have one less pill to swallow! I had no idea that a drink version of a prenatal even existed until partnering with Oxylent. They also make other multivitamin mixes for adults in several flavors and a mix for children and I received a few samples of them as well. I like that they have a children's mix, which also has no sugar, because my son is still too young to take even the gummy vitamins. A few other powders I have tried for him are too bland and I have to hide them in food. And sometimes he doesn't want to eat what I prepare him, which results in a vitamin wasted. This mix is berry punch flavored and I can put in his juice cup with some water, which I know he will always finish off. My husband tried the regular vitamin mix and said it was a lot like juice and didn't have the aftertaste of some mixes or the bitter aftertaste of swallowing a vitamin pill. I am really enjoying this vitamin mix, it has a great cranberry raspberry flavor and mixes easily into warm water to which I add ice for a cold drink that also keeps me hydrated. I also like that it is sweetened with Stevia so there is no added sugar and it also has no artificial color, flavor, gluten, lactose, or caffeine. I love that it has B6 which is known to help ease nausea as well. It takes me a while to drink anything so sometimes I have to get a spoon and stir in the last bits at the bottom to make sure I get all the good nutrients. I don't mind though. Sometimes I take it on the go in a water bottle and then I can just shake to redistribute the mix if needed.

I was really curious at how the nutrients compared to the vitamin I was taking and here is how the nutrition information breaks down:

It has less Iron than my other vitamin but I like that, because I have also had some constipation (sorry for the TMI!) and less iron should help ease that a little. It also has twice the IU's or mg of many of the other nutrients in my current pill. My current pill also has no B6, Chromium, Potassium, or Magnesium. This looks to be the better supplement by comparison, at least to me.

More great health benefits about Oxylent:

OXYGENATES: The enzymes, SOD and catalase, work together to promote the conversion of toxins into oxygen and water.*

HYDRATES: Important electrolytes control the balance of fluid in the body. They are also important for muscle and nerve function, blood pressure, movement of nutrients into the cells, and the removal of waste product from the cells.*

CIRCULATES: The amino acid L-Arginine promotes healthy blood flow, which significantly improves circulation.*

REJUVENATES: A full range of B vitamins support adrenal health, and immune and nervous systems. Powerful antioxidants in the form of CoQ10, vitamin C, bioflavonoids and are also included.*

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, cure or prevent any disease.

I will be giving one lucky reader a copy of What To Expect When You Are Expecting, as well as an Oxylent gift pack valued at $55 that includes a camelbak water bottle, a box of Prenatal Oxylent and some other goodies. 

 BUY IT NOW: Visit Oxylent.com!

Use Discount code: TOPOXYLENT

20% off entire order and free shipping with order of 2 boxes or more!

Every purchase helps to support Vitamin Angels: a global organization that provides under-nourished children with nutritional supplements. They reach 24,000,000 children in 43 countries including the US.

Wordless Wednesday: Sup Yo? Sup?

Birthday Bash: A Two Little Sea Stars Giveaway!!

Welcome to the “Summer Fun Birthday Bash” Hosted by Jacqui of Woman of Many Roles and Cristina of Tailor Made Momma. This event will take place from July 9 th 12:01am to July 23rd at 11:59pm EST. For this event we will be celebrating life! Each blog will be hosting a family friendly giveaway! After entering my fantstic giveaway be sure to visit each blog from the linky below the Rafflecopter and enter for your chance to win some really amazing prizes valued at at least $25!

As part of this wonderful birthday bash hop, I have put together a new baby girl gift set for someone expecting this Nov/Dec. Enter to win a great shower gift or items for your new baby girl! I have included some handmade creations from my Etsy shop Two Little Sea Stars as well!

Be sure to check out our Christmas In July Sale! Everything in our Etsy shop, Two Little Sea Stars, a baby boutique, is 20% off through the end of the month!!! Go shop now and save!

Wordless Wednesday: Happy 4th of July!

Wordless Wednesday: Self-Portrait

My 18 month old happened to snap this photo of himself in his car seat while I let him play with the iPad. I think it is totally cute. I call it Logan: A Self-Portrait. :)

Whitney Farms Gardening $3 Coupon Offer!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Whitney Farms for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Hey readers! Are you gardening this summer? I know I am! There is just nothing like a sweet red tomato picked right from the garden with a little sprinkle of salt. Yum! Here in North Carolina our soil is clay after about 5 inches so in our yard we built raised beds. Last year my husband installed one and this year I was so excited when he built me a second bed so I could grow even more veggies. I learned a few things last year but I am still no gardening expert so I love when I come across companies like Whitney Farms® that offer great products and tips to help add some green to my thumb. Here are some pictures of my garden and my cute little gardening helper who also enjoys eating our wonderful summer veggies.

Whitney Farms® has over 25 years of experience in the garden product industry. Whitney Farms plant food is organic, which is really important to me so I am excited to bring Whitney Farms products to the attention of my readers. Their organic plant food and organic soil is 100% natural goodness straight from the earth with low to no dust. It is easy to apply and will give you beautiful flowers and veggies. The plant food contains ORGANIC-GRO which has natural microbes that break down the organic matter into nutrients delivered to your plants. You can relax knowing that your family is eating foods and smelling flowers that are covered in nothing artificial. Organic is not only better for keeping artificial things out but for putting better things into your body as well. I encourage you to do a little research on organic vs. convential plant foods. You will find the proof is in the nutrition. Not only do my organic tomatoes taste better but they have more vitamin C, caroteniods, and polyphenols because they are grown organically. This is benefit that I love and you will too!

.

Whitney Farms® is currently offering a $3 coupon so you can take advantage of their products during the height of growing season. I know I sure going to take advantage of thie opportunity!

Summer Garden: One more Wordless Wednesday!

Wordless Wednesday: New Landscaping

BEFORE: Juniper Bush, vine flowers/shrubs, day lilies, mulch, and natural rock edging:

 AFTER: Brick edging, bush and shrubs removed, added petunias, roses, snap dragons, ground flowers, herbs. Kept day lilies. Added rock bedding: