Saturday, February 22, 2014

Reef Indy Goes Camping

Reef and family went on their first camping trip together at the South Carlsbad State Beach.

Dad and Reef Indy enjoy their time together at the South Carlsbad State Beach.

Dad and Reef Indy enjoy their time together at the South Carlsbad State Beach.

Dad and Reef Indy enjoy their time together at the South Carlsbad State Beach.

Reef Indy loved the South Carlsbad State Beach.

Dad and Reef Indy enjoy their time together at the South Carlsbad State Beach.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Soulphisticated Ladies Season 1
(Episodes 1-4) Book Review

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

Note: This serial is not suitable for readers under the age of 18.

Product Description:


Episode 1

Four Successful Women Are Struggling With the Weighty Issues of Life - Men, Love, Money & Power

Life Has Never Been More Real

In this high octane serial drama, Selah, Moria, Gennifer and Vashti are lifelong friends. But when dirty little secrets and unexpected rivalries threaten their tumultuous relationships everything they thought was real is questioned. Bonds are broken and the loyalty that was once there is gone. Will their problems overwhelm them or will they take control of their lives and start leading with their souls?

Episode 2

What happens when a man can't run far enough from his past?

Things become complicated...

Soulphisticated Ladies Thorne; Episode 2 (Season 1) is the flashback episode, charting the backstory of Selah, Gabriel and Thorne. Faced with some hard choices, Selah is doing the best she can to secure her future. There's something she wants and someone who's just got to have her. Tensions brew until they explode. Check out this episode of Soulphisticated Ladies, you won't want to miss it!

Episode 3

Drama is brewing with the ladies of Broad Wall.

Questions are answered, secrets are revealed and someone may lose it all. What will happen with the ladies and the men they love? Who will reveal a shocking secret?

Episode 4

Fear & Anger are Powerful Motivators

How would it make you react?

Selah, Gennifer, Vashti and Moria are dealing with the most outrageous turn of events. Their lives have been turned upside down. Someone is puppeteering things in Broad Wall and the ladies are all entrapped in their snare. What will happen at the end of this season of Soulphisticated Ladies?


Review

Oma’s Pros:

This book was very easy to read and fast-paced; which Oma just loves. It was very much like reading a TV script – entertaining.

Oma’s Cons:

Oma had difficulty relating to the characters. Therefore, focus proved problematic.

You can find Soulphisticated Ladies Season 1 (Episodes 1-4)
by author Jaha Knight here on Amazon. 


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.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Reef Indy's First Tooth

Reef Indy's first tooth popped through yesterday.
Reef Indy's first tooth popped through yesterday.


Cutting teeth isn't one of those milestones a baby reaches all at once. Transitioning from that gummy grin to a mouthful of gleaming teeth is a rite of passage that can take your little one three years to complete. Whenever the first tooth peeks through, celebrate it by taking pictures and noting its arrival date in your child's baby book.

Poor Reef Indy had to suffer through his family taking a gaggle of snapshots before one finally captured this baby milestone.

While some babies breeze through the teething process, many seem to struggle with it and feel uncomfortable. Among the symptoms you may notice in your teething baby:

  • Drooling (which can lead to a facial rash)
  • Gum swelling and sensitivity
  • Irritability or fussiness
  • Biting behavior
  • Refusing food
  • Sleep problems

Teething may be accompanied by a slight fever or an upset stomach. If your baby has a fever higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit or 38.3 degrees Celsius, is vomiting, has diarrhea, or has any other symptoms that worry you, don’t just chalk it up to teething. Give his doctor a call.

Monday, February 17, 2014

Reef Loves His Applesauce

The Goodness of Apples for Baby: 

 

Reef Indy (5.5 Months) is ready for his applesauce
Reef Indy (5.5 Months) is ready for his applesauce

"An Apple a Day" as the old saying goes is indeed good for your health. Apples are truly a wonder fruit and they may be one on your baby's first foods.

One of the most important nutritional components of Apples is that they contain two types of fiber; insoluble fiber and soluble fiber. Both the insoluble fiber in apples and their soluble fiber pectin, help maintain bowel regularity (thus helping to prevent diverticulosis and colon cancer). The insoluble fiber works like roughage, while the soluble fiber (pectin), helps keep the bowels regular (avoiding constipation, avoiding diarrhea) and specifically affects the makeup of the stool. Pectin will firm up the stool as it is a soluble fiber.

While the study of apples' health benefits is still in very early stages, research to date suggests that apples and apple nutrients may play a role in promoting human health in a number of ways. Apples may help maintain good healthy by promoting cardiovascular health by lowering LDL cholesterol and inhibiting LDL oxidation, and reducing the risk of certain types of stroke; maintaining a healthy weight, as part of a low-fat, fiber-rich diet; promoting lung health, by countering the effects of oxidative damage; promoting prostate, liver and colon health, by inhibiting the growth of related cancer tumors; and promoting bone health, by providing a good source of the dietary mineral boron

Making your own applesauce both easy and healthy!


  • Step 1: Use Fresh Organic Apples
  • Step 2: Wash & Peel the Apple
  • Step 3: Core & Chop the Apple
  • Step 4: Cook the Apple*
  • Step 5: Puree or Mash the Apple
  • Step 6: Serve the Applesauce

Baby applesauce is extremely versatile. Serve it plain or mix it with another puree or two to introduce your baby to new flavors and textures. 

 *Bring water to a boil in a medium-size saucepan. Reduce heat until bubbles are soft. Cook apple chunks until tender. Check apples after 10 minutes -- it's important to minimize cooking time to help preserve vitamins and minerals. When apples are tender, drain and rinse with cold water for three minutes to stop the cooking process. 

Oma will be making Reef Indy some applesauce for his dinner tonight!

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Skate Park Moves Closer To Reality
Reef’s Dad's Community Involvement





The idea grew to fruition in October of 2013. What began as a small group of Valley Center residents trying to make a dream a reality, took on its own driving force within the community.


Adults and Kids Alike Enjoy the Temporary Ramp
Adults and Kids Alike Enjoy the Temporary Ramp

The people rallied together and with a temporary ramp is in place, the first fundraiser for the Valley Center Skate Park demonstrated what parental love can accomplish. “Come out to Support our Youth and Help Make Change Happen!” was the theme of the day.

Zack Smith Enjoys His Turn On The Ramp
Zack Smith Enjoys His Turn On The Ramp

If there were any doubts regarding the need for a skate park in Valley Center, the well-attended fundraiser proved there is a real thirst among the local skateboarding community. More than 300 people showed up for the all-day event to skate, win raffle prizes, and meet pro skaters like Jake Brown and Neal Mims.

The Valley Center Parks and Recreation District Board approved usage of the property under the condition that the skaters join an association or create a nonprofit by the end of the year to cover liability. It is estimated that $60,000 to $80,000 is needed to build the skate park.

Mouse, Reef Indy and his Dad-Zack pose at the Autograph Session
Mouse*, Reef Indy and Zack pose at the Autograph Session

Reef Indy’s Dad (Zack) is a devoted skateboarder. In the last four months, he has been dedicated to the progress of the Valley Center Skate Park. On 02/08/2014, they completed the second twelve-yard pour thanks to all the donators of time, money, and/or material.

“It has been a great experience to help with this Skate Park. We still have a lot more work to do, but one more pour and some pool coping and we will have a skate-able piece of concrete for the kids and of course, the adults!!!” Zack explained with a chuckle.

New Dad, and owner of Zack Smith Plumbing and Contracting, Zack has not only donated his time and money, but his construction expertise to this worthwhile project.

Photos From The Second Pour




IMPORTANT:

The Valley Center Skate Park is made possibly completely by donations! If anyone needs a donation sheet please let us know!!! You can email the author of this post at aellen@promotorsports1.com.

Your donations are tax-deductible. The Skate Park is not just for skaters! It has become a friendly a place to hang with friends and family.

*Mouse is a local North County San Diego artist that's been making sick stenciled grip for a few years now.

Creative - Cute Baby Hacks

Worried when your baby coughs at night – try this to help sooth him/her.
Worried when your baby coughs at night – try this to help sooth him/her.
Tie a blanket around a table for a kid-sized hammock. Make sure to tie it tight!
Tie a blanket around a table for a kid-sized hammock. Make sure to tie it tight!
A cupcake holder around a popsicle stick will keep little hands from getting sticky on hot days.
A cupcake holder around a popsicle stick will keep
little hands from getting sticky on hot days.
You can place a pacifier in a filled ice cube tray and freeze it to soothe teething gums!
You can place a pacifier in a filled ice cube tray
and freeze it to soothe teething gums!
Use a laundry basket to keep baby safer and bath toys from floating away.
A cut pool noodle will prevent little fingers from getting slammed in doors.
A cut pool noodle will prevent little fingers from getting slammed in doors.
Cut a hole in a pacifier and stick a dropper in it to
make taking medicine slightly less traumatizing.

Saturday, February 8, 2014

The Juppy Baby Walker
Review + Giveaway

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

Reef Indy is only five-months old; therefore Oma thought that the “Juppy” might be too advanced for his enjoyment. Boy was Oma totally incorrect.

This energetic young toddler loved his Juppy Baby Walker Momentum experience.

The Juppy "Momentum" is a solution to a previously recognized but unsolved challenge for parents of babies beginning to walk. Babies strong enough to begin walking but not strong enough to walk alone.

The Juppy builds confidence in your baby and teaches balance while you maintain your natural posture, eliminating the grueling task of hunching over while teaching your baby to walk.

Oma was very pleased with the quality of this product.

  • Made of 100% Breathable Cotton
  • Free Matching Satin Drawstring Bag
  • Velcro Straps That Provide Added Safety and Adjustment
  • The Only Baby Walker That Fits In A Purse!
  • Longer Adjustable Straps That Work For Even The Tallest Person
Oma was also excited about the enjoyment and exercise the Juppy provide Reef Indy. The Juppy is definitely “must have” for any new Mother or Oma!

What a great baby shower gift idea.




Juppy Social Media Sites








 

Giveaway 

Want to win one of your very own? One “Oma Loves U!” reader will get the chance! To enter: Just fill out the RaffleCopter form below! Open to US only, Must be 18+ to enter.


a Rafflecopter giveaway



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.