**The products for this review were provided by Tommee Tippee. All opinions are my own. 

Breastfeeding is a special experience, but it can also be difficult at times because of the constant need to be with your baby.  I was able to breastfeed my son Cameron for fourteen months and I was lucky because it came easily to him and he was one of those chug-it-till-it's-gone babies.   Very efficient.  But even so, I remember there were times when I was so grateful for my breast pump and bottles so that I could have a much needed break.  Thankfully, Tommee Tippee understands this important need for moms as well!  

Tommee Tippee has a line of Closer to Nature products that are designed for easy transition between breast and bottle.  The right products can help moms not feel limited if they are heading back to work or stepping out without baby.  

**Normally, I would take a lot of my own pictures to share so you could see the products being used in real life.  However, since these products are all white or clear in color I found them difficult to photograph.  So I included a few of my own, but most are from the Tommee Tippee website.  

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Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Single Manual Breast Pump

Choosing a breast pump can be a big decision.  Do you spend $30 or $300?  A lot of this decision depends on how often you plan to use it.  However, even if you're a stay at home mom, a breast pump is definitely a nifty thing to have around.  It can give you a lot more flexibility in your day to day life.  

My favorite thing about the Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Single Manual Breast Pump is that it is simple and comfortable to use.  The handle feels smooth and easy to grip and the pump provides just enough suction to be effective, but it isn't too rough on tender nipples.  The soft-touch flexible cup (the part that touches your breast) is also very comfortable.

The pump comes with one bottle, an extra milk storage pot and six disposable breast pads as an added bonus to get you started.  The entire kit comes in a clear BPA-Free plastic storage case to keep items sanitary while not in use.  

The pump is quiet for a breast pump.  I'd compare it to the sound a spray bottle of Windex makes when in use.  So it's not silent, but the sound isn't too squeaky, which is nice.  

Key Features:

• Only 3 parts - quick and easy to assemble and clean
• Included inside: 1x 150ml/ 5oz. Closer To Nature Bottle, 1 x Milk Storage Pot, 6 x Disposable Breast Pads

*This product retails at a reasonable $40-$45 at Target and Babies R Us

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Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Disposable Breast Pads

Disposable Breast Pads are a god-send, especially in those early weeks when milk production can be at it's highest.  Breastfeeding can be a beautiful thing, but I think we can all agree that leaking through your shirt is not so beautiful and pretty embarrassing.  These breast pads are wrapped in packs of two, making them easy to store in your diaper bag or in a drawer.  

I really liked how soft they felt and the fact that they looked discreet underneath clothing.  There's a peel-off backing so you can stick them in place to your nursing bra.  

Key Features:

• Ultra-absorbent
• Contoured to fit
• Thin and discreet
• Silky soft lining
• Non-slip
• Breathable

Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Nipple Shields

I never needed to use nipple shields when breastfeeding Cameron, but I know from other people that when you need them they are a complete lifesaver.  These tiny little things can be the difference between a mom who is ready to give up breastfeeding because it is too painful or one who has just enough relief to push through the discomfort.  

Key Features:

• Acts like a second skin, protecting sore and cracked nipples
• Air-flow pockets are kind to skin
• Silicone gently flexes and stretches with movement of nipple
• Allows skin-to-skin contact with baby while breastfeeding
• Comes with case for microwave sterilizing and hygienic storage

Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature 5 oz. Added Comfort Bottle

If you've been browsing the aisles of baby bottles in a store, you've probably noticed the Tommee Tippee bottles because the bottles themselves and their packaging stands out as being unique.

Tommee Tippee's award-winning range of BPA-free baby bottles have been designed with breastfeeding experts to encourage your baby’s natural feeding action.  The bottles have a nice design and unique curves that make holding the bottle easy for the user or for baby if they feel like helping.  

The Closer to Nature Added Comfort Bottle is a new product from Tommee Tippee.  It is specially designed to help reduce air bubbles in the milk and to encourage a good latch-on at the nipple to help reduce the risk of baby ingesting air during feeding.  However, the extra pieces can later be removed as your child gets older so there are less parts to wash.  

Each bottle comes with a nifty mini cleaning brush for cleaning out the narrow tube inside the bottle.  (Thank you for thinking of that Tommee Tippee!)

Key Features:

• Superior venting
• Easy latch on
• Reduced risk of baby ingesting air during feeding

I've really enjoyed using the Tommee Tippee products because they all seem to follow through with their promises about quality and comfort for mom and baby.  You can connect with Tommee Tippee on Facebook and Twitter. 

**This review was made possible by Double Duty Divas and Luvs. I was provided the featured product free of charge to facilitate my review, but all opinions are 100% mine.

My 1 year old has always been a good sleeper, that is, unless his diaper gets too full and it leaks. Then he's up, along with the rest of us and it's often difficult to get back to sleep. Good quality diapers aren't always the easiest to find, especially for nighttime protection...so I was happy when I learned about the new Luvs with Night Lock diapers!

Luvs with Night Lock offers their largest absorbency area EVER to lock away wetness, even overnight! With ultimate overnight protection, both mom and baby get a more restful night sleep! I was curious how well these diapers work, as well as the quality and was thrilled to learn that we were going to have the opportunity to review a package of them.

When our Luvs with Night Lock arrived, I was excited to check them out!

Out of the package the Luvs with Night Lock diaper impressed me right away. It was incredibly soft and flexible. There are some diapers that are tough and uncomfortable, so the quality is something I really appreciate!

As I put them on Caysen, I could tell he was comfortable in them too. Before bedtime, he was running around in them without giving it a second thought. 

Something I really like about the Luvs with Night Lock diapers, is that they have a leak barrier leg that gathers to ensure that leaks are kept away from pajamas and kept in the diaper where they belong! We've been using them with Caysen for a little while now, and have not had any problems with leaks. YAY!

He grabs his diaper before bed, and always points out the fun design! There are two new designs per box. The same funky Luvs monkey with new fun designs!

I've been really happy with the Luvs with Night Lock diapers, and Caysen seems to be as well! I would definitely recommend checking them out when they hit retailer shelves nationwide on September 16, 2013! That day Luvs will be offering a print-at-home coupon at Luvs.com, as well as releasing a new series of beloved "First Kid/Second Kid" commercials on the Luvs YouTube page. You can also connect with Luvs on Facebook and Twitter.

 

Like I said, Luvs with Night Lock isn't available until September 16, 2013 so this was a sneak peak for me of the product. And...Luvs wants to offer the same for one lucky reader!

Win It: One lucky reader is going to WIN a package of Luvs with Night Lock size 4 diapers!  To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter form below!


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*The product for this review was provided by Joovy. However, all opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way. 

Even though school has officially started, we are soaking up every day of warmth that we can. Aside from our usual playing outdoors and taking walks, we also fit in a trip to the zoo this month, which was a lot of fun! Last summer when we went, all three kids were in a stroller. However, Kaelyn is getting older and prefers to walk most places we go now. The boys however, still get tired and need to ride when we're going somewhere all day like the zoo. I knew we'd need a comfortable, easy-to-maneuver double stroller...and Joovy has the perfect option!

I love Joovy products and am proud to be a Joovy Mom. This U.S. based company manufactures premium family gear with a goal to create high quality, useful, attractive and fun products that make life easier for busy parents. We have had the opportunity to review a few of Joovy products over the past couple of years and always find the quality, design and ease of use to be top-notch!

We were sent the Joovy ScooterX2 Orangie double stroller to review. 

Features/Benefits:

• Huge Joovy Canopy with retractable sun visor 
• Super durable 600D Fabric 
• Five point harness
• Independent, Fully Adjustable, Deep Reclining Seats
• Flat Fold Easy, one hand flat fold.
• Cup Holders
• Two zippered pockets and large storage basket
• Linked Brakes 

When our Joovy ScooterX2 arrived, I was excited to check it out. Out of the box I found that there was little assembly. In no time at all I had the stroller put together and ready to use. 

Right away I LOVED the orange color! It's fun, and bright enough that I knew I wouldn't need to look far to spot my husband at the zoo if he was the one pushing the kids. 

I could also tell that the fabric is high quality and something that will be easy to clean. Having used it several times, I am confident it will hold up well and last us a very long time. 

I also love the sleek, modern design! After checking it over, we couldn't wait to test it out! One of the first places we used it was our trip to the zoo. I wanted to take a double stroller where both seats were side by side so there would be no arguing who would sit in the front, or who couldn't see from the back seat. This worked out perfectly!

Not only could both boys see everything well, but the stroller was extremely easy to maneuver. The wheels have sealed bearings so pushing two kids around is much easier than I had expected. The double front wheels also make it extremely stable. Overall it's a nice, lightweight size. Even though it's a double stroller, it didn't feel like it with how easy it was to push and the fact that it could get through any door we went through. At just 30 inches it's a very nice width, not too big, yet not too small where the kids are uncomfortable. Love it!

Speaking of comfortable, the kids loved the ride! Each seat is independent, fully adjustable and deep reclining. They're spacious and have a one-hand recline system that locks in infinite positions all the way down to 149º for a near flat napping position. I love that they are such comfortable seats to begin with, and then on top of it to have each of them recline separately is really nice! While we were at the zoo, Caysen was getting sleepy, so we reclined his seat back so he could rest, while Kaden sat up and continued to enjoy all of the animals and fun. 

The ScooterX2 also includes Joovy's signature oversized canopy which worked out well for us the day we went to the zoo. It was a hot day and the canopy helped to keep the boys cool and shaded from the sun. I appreciated the viewing window so I could see them even when the canopy was down.

 

Along with the canopies helping to keep them cool, the boys were also able to keep their drinks close to them so they could stay hydrated throughout the day. There is a mesh pocket in each seat which is where we kept their cups. It worked out great!

There's also two cup holders for parents along the back side of the stroller which I love! Not many strollers have a way to accommodate drinks for parents so this was a nice feature to have! 

When it comes to a stroller, storage is also important! Thankfully, the ScooterX2 did not disappoint in this area either! There is a large basket - bigger than any stroller basket on the market! It is giant and wonderful for parents who are carrying jackets, diaper bags, etc. We have found it to be easily accessible, and even when we're shopping we have room for our personal items as well as our shopping bags.

There's even two zippered pockets for phones, wallets, snacks, etc. We kept our money and cell phones in these pockets. That way they were safe and secure, while still easy to access when we needed them.

The Joovy ScooterX2 really does have everything I could want in a double stroller. The only thing that I was left wondering, is just how easy it would be to fold. Afterall, it is a double stroller and I couldn't help but wonder if it would be more difficult or bulky once folded. Thankfully, my concerns were put to rest after I saw just how easy it is! It has an easy one hand flat fold! Not only that, but it folds down to 30" wide x 37" long x 17" high which is a very nice size.

We've really enjoyed the Joovy ScooterX2 and all it has to offer parents with more than one child. The quality is fantastic, it's easy to maneuver, and makes life easier with the reclining seats, large canopies, impressive storage and more! Joovy says it best on their website... "The ScooterX2 gives you the features you demand, the fashion you expect and the quality Joovy is known for - all at a reasonable price".

You can learn more about the ScooterX2 and other products from Joovy at www.Joovy.com. You can also connect with Joovy on Twitter and Facebook.

Buy It: You can purchase the Joovy Scooter X2 for $229.99 in three different colors.

**The product for this review was provided by Adelina Madelina. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way. 

With three young children, a diaper bag is a must for our family. Between the diapers, wipes, extra clothes, and bibs, we have it with us wherever we go. I carry a diaper bag more than I do my own purse, which is why I look for those that are stylish and functional.
 
That's why I'm thankful for Adelina Madelina and their stylish diaper bags for the modern mom on-the-go.

 

Adelina Madelina was founded in 2013 and offers a collection of charming diapers bags in whimsical colors. With a goal to brighten the days of busy moms everywhere, these diaper bags are versatile, organized and stylish all in one!

As a busy, on-the-go mom myself, I was thrilled to learn about the launch of the new Adelina Madelina collection of stylish diaper bags. This new line allows moms to be organized, to be fashionable, and give back (1% of ALL sales of Adelina Madelina is donated to the Autism Research Institute). How neat is that?!

As I browsed the Adelina Madelina website for the first time, I was impressed with their unique collection of charming diaper bags. I could tell that these were created with originality and fashion in mind! I couldn't wait to check one out for myself!

I love all things girly, so I was thrilled when the adorable Here to There Tote in Blush/Slate arrived!

 

I absolutely love the colors. No matter if your baby is a boy or a girl, this is one stylish diaper bag for any mama. I love it! The quality also impressed me right away! The 100% polyester body with 100% polyurethane trim is something I can tell is durable and will hold up well for a very long time. It's also easy to clean and PVC-Free which is much appreciated!

Of course, aside from the appearance and overall appeal, I was interested to see just how versatile and functional this diaper bag was. 

At first glance I found 3 exterior pockets...1 front pocket with a magnet closure and 2 side bottle pockets. These are nice pockets for those items that you want to be able to access quickly and frequently. For me those items are pacifiers, kleenex, sippy cup, etc. 

The interior is also very spacious with 1 small zippered pocket, two smaller open pockets and one larger pocket with Velcro closure...not to mention all the space in the center! What I love most about all this space is that it makes it the perfect diaper bag to take with us no matter where we're going. Whether it's a quick trip to the mall, a picnic at the park, or even a weekend getaway...it's large enough to hold all the necessities. 

We have found that there's still plenty of room, even after putting in all of our diapers, wipes, extra clothes, etc. 

Included inside the bag, is a cushioned changing pad and branded wipes case. These are two very much appreciated items that busy moms on-the-go will love to have available to them!

To top it off, this great diaper bag has a zippered top closure which I love! It keeps everything safe and secure when carrying the diaper bag. 

Another feature I like is that it can be carried different ways. There are 2 shoulder-carry straps and a removeable, adjustable cross-body strap. There's also stress-free stroller clips as well! 

Overall I've been really happy with the Adelina Madelina diaper bag. With different carrying options, plenty of pockets, and extra essentials for any mom of little ones...this is a tote that can be taken anywhere a busy mom needs to go. It's even stylish and versatile enough, that when the kids are older and you no longer need a diaper bag anymore, it would make an adorable tote bag as well!. 

If you're looking for a high quality, functional diaper bag for yourself, or a shower gift...I would recommend checking out Adelina Madelina. Available in four styles, including It's a Breeze Backpack, I'll Handle it Hobo, Shadow Me Satchel and Here to There Tote, customers are sure to choose a style and pattern that suits their needs and taste perfectly! 

Buy It: The Adelina Madelina diaper bags range from $74.99-$89.99, available online at www.adelinamadelina.com and Babiesrus.com.

You can also connect with Adelina Madelina on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. 

  

**The products for this review and giveaway were provided by Flattenme. All opinons are my own and were not influenced in any way.

Kaelyn has had a love for reading since the time she was less than a year old. I'd find her flipping through the pages of books, jabbering as she 'read' to herself. At 5 years old, she is now reading many books on her own and I like to encourage that in any way I can. I find one of the best ways to do that, is find books that have repetition, are easy and interesting to follow, and most importantly are meaningful to her. Personalization is a great way to do that. She LOVES books that have her name in them, which is why I was thrilled to learn more about Flattenme and their new line of personalized products!

Flattenme.com has been making award-winning magical personalized products for 6 years. New York Times Best Selling author, Robyn Spizman, wrote the most recent book OWL Always Love You. 

We were sent a personalized copy to review with Kaelyn's name on it. When it first arrived, I was thrilled with the quality! It's a hard cover which lasts much longer than soft-covers. 

I also appreciate the size, as the pages are easy to read and enjoy! Flipping through the pages for the first time I was in awe of the beautiful illustrations. The first time Kaelyn and I read it together, she took much time looking over each page and agreed that they were very well done!

Of course, one of the neatest things about this story is that it's personalized. Kaelyn saw the cover and couldn't get over the fact that it had her name on it! Not just that, but her name was also within the story as well. It makes it that much more fun for her to hear it, and to read it on her own too!

It's neat to have a book that can be personalized for children, but I love the fact that this book lets children know how much they are loved. It's such a special story and one that Kaelyn enjoys us reading to her before bed each night. It's so sweet and definitely a keepsake that she'll hold onto for many years! 

I could see OWL Always Love You being a great keepsake gift idea for a new baby, or even toddlers and older children like Kaelyn. I have several nieces and nephews that I could see getting this book for as a gift. I know they'd adore it! 

If you're looking for a high quality, super sweet, personalized children's book, I would recommend checking out OWL Always Love You! It's really special for the child for whom it's personalized, and has really been a great way to encourage Kaelyn's love for reading too!

Savings Alert: Save 20% with code Back2school until 9/30 on flattenme personalized t-shirts, water bottles, and ABC personalized books! IT's a great way to start out the new school year.

WIN It: One very lucky reader is going to win a gift code to purchase the book OWL Always Love You for a special child in your life! (Winner responsible for shipping cost when placing the order with gift code - a $3.99 flat rate shipping). To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter giveaway form below.

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This giveaway is open to US Only and will end September 10th.

 

Reading is something that I love to do with my kids. I've always enjoyed it since I was little, and I want to instill that same love for reading in my children. It's fun to see them learning new things, working on important skills such as speech, listening, reading and of course learning how much fun reading can be! 

I keep my eye out for fun books that I know they'll enjoy, especially my youngest who loves interactive books. That's why I was thrilled to learn about Munch! by Matthew Van Fleet!

Munch! is a board book that invites little fingers to touch, press, and lift. When I read more about it, I knew it would be something all my kids would love, but especially Caysen who is almost 2. 

When the board book arrived, I was happy with the excellent quality. This is a book that will hold up for years to come, and for that I'm thankful. We'll be able to enjoy it for a long time!

Not only is the story cute, but the best part is the four clever pull tabs and seven tickleable textures that captivates children and engages them in the story and what is happening. They love to see the different kinds of critter mouths and the amazing things they can do. Along the way, sounds, colors and actions are introduced in a fun way too! My favorite is when the tab is pulled for the beaver, it makes the sound of a beaver biting wood. So fun!

My kids love the Pelican and pulling the tab to see all the fish inside his mouth. They are fascinated with the fact that they can actually make the mouth open and close. 

As I said, Caysen especially enjoys this book, but so does my 3 year old! He enjoys pulling the tabs and touching the different textures.

 

I've been really happy with this sturdy book and would definitely recommend it to other families. It's meant for ages 2-6, but is definitely one the entire family will enjoy.

Munch! will be available in stores August 27, 2013! You can learn more on the official website. You can also learn more about the author and his creative process when making his interactive children's books in the video here.


WIN IT: One very lucky reader is going to win Munch, Sniff and Lick interactive books!

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  This giveaway is open to US Only and will end September 6.

 **I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for TruGreen. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

During the summer months, our lawn becomes an outdoor living space where we entertain and spend a lot of time with family and friends. From BBQs to pool parties, we have many fond memories each year! Spending so much time in our yard means we want our lawn to look its best once summertime begins. Unfortunately, summer can be one of the toughest time to maintain a beautiful, green lawn though. No matter how hard my hubby and I try, we often still see brown and bare spots.

That's why I am thankful for TruGreen. For those who aren't familiar, TruGreen is an industry leader and the nation's largest professional lawn care company. They want to help educate homeowners on proper summer lawn care in order to give you striking curb appeal and even help raise a home's value! 

TruGreen's specialized lawn services are designed to specifically meet your lawn's needs at key stages throughout the year based on climate, grass type, soil condition and usage. A certified lawn specialist can develop a tailored lawn plan to give your lawn exactly what it needs at the right time. How neat is that?! 

 

When we were selling our home a couple of years ago, we got comments that the curb appeal could have been better. I feel like we could have sold our home more quickly had we taken advantage of TrueGreen services and tips! The curb appeal of our current home is what we loved and noticed right away when we saw it for the first time.

I'm thankful for TruGreen and the benefits of their services can have for lawns, trees and shrubs year round! Not only does it help lawns look great, but having a nice yard truly does enhance curb appeal! They've even created three new summer webisodes where licensed contractor and TV host, Jason Cameron, talks about how your home can be judged by its lawn. The series of episodes includes useful tips from its website.

I found the summer episode two to be very interesting. I really didn't realize that bare spots can occur from too much water. We tend to water our grass a lot during the summer time (daily) to help it come back from the harsh winter weather, but I've learned that may not be helping it. In this episode, Cameron shares simple tips for proper watering of lawns, including placing a one-inch deep empty food can in the middle of your yard to measure depth of water collected each watering cycle. The recommendation to water in the early morning also makes sense, since watering later in the day may leave sitting water and cause problems with root rot or fungal diseases. You can check out the webisode below...it's been very eye-opening for us!

Although hard to believe it's that time of year already, Fall is nearing. I have also learned more about how fall is the ideal time to prep lawns, trees and shrubs for spring's growth cycle and the next home buying season. here are a couple of tips:

• Fall lawn tip #1: Use corrective pruning in the fall to prevent dead or overgrown plants from detracting from your home’s personality. Proper pruning in the fall can enhance a plant’s growth in the spring.

• Fall lawn tip #2: Help your lawn breathe through fall core aeration to strengthen roots. And give lawn, tree and shrub roots a good fall feed to provide them the energy to prepare for a hard spring workout. Roots continue active growth before the dormant winter months and store reserves needed for growth in spring.