Reef Indy’s First Day On The Jobsite

Every father and son deserve quality time together. Reef and his daddy never had any issues with bonding. Zack has been a “hands-on” father since the moment of Reef Indy’s birth.

March 16th was Reef’s first day on Dad’s jobsite. As you can see from photo’s below, Father and Son had a wonderful experience. 

A father's influence on his son's personal development is often unseen but nonetheless real. The relationship a boy has with his father greatly shapes the man he will become in the future. 

Reef Indy is going to become a very talented, creative and kind man.

The Perfect Bib by Toppy Toddler Review + Giveaway

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

Perfect Bib was born when a parent wanted to make his life easier. T.J. Kendale, a father of two, was simply baffled when he found himself cleaning every time his son ate. He was busy and had things to do, places to go and people to see. Sound familiar? 

Surprisingly enough, bibs he found in stores really didn't work. Determined to find a solution to this all this cleaning, he marched into his bedroom and began using his T-Shirts to cover his son and the table. IT WORKED! For him, this was a game changer and since then, feeding his then, 18 month old son, became a breeze and a joyful experience - just how it's supposed to be.

Oma’s grandson, Reef Indy is just six months old but already expressing an interest in eating by himself. Oma knows that the ‘Perfect Bib by Toppy Toddler’ will help keep Oma’s kitchen tidy!

What Oma really likes about the ‘Perfect Bib by Toppy Toddler’ is the fact that this bib is waterproof and easy to clean. It is a 3 in 1 system that will keep Reef's clothes, the table and most importantly - the floor clean!

Added bonus – the bib is really cute!

It’s GIVEAWAY time! One of Oma’s lucky readers can enter and win… the PERFECT BIB (ARV $11.99). To enter: Just fill out the RaffleCopter form below! Open to US only, Must be 18+ to enter. 

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Perfect Bib is perfect for high chairs and perfect for tables. Eco-friendly, waterproof and American Made quality for that perfect touch. 

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.

WEDDING DREAMS A Motivational Photography Book EBook Review

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

Reef Indy’s parent’s wedding is rapidly approaching. Swept up in all the hustle, bustle and excitement of this joyous occasion, Oma is always on the lookout for marriage related items. (just check out Oma’s Pewter with Ivory Inlay Enamel Cross Statue Review)

Therefore Oma was pleased to have the opportunity to review WEDDING DREAMS - A Motivational Photography Book by Suzy Liebermann 

WEDDING DREAMS is a MOTIVATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY BOOK created for your inspiration and daily meditation. Phantasize about a dream wedding while enjoying motivational quotes.

This book is just nineteen pages long. However, Oma found it very refreshing. While the photos and quotes are wedding oriented, they were also a wonderful reminder of what is important to maintaining a satisfying marriage.

“Marriage is like life itself a great,
wonderful adventure”

This book would make a fantastic wedding gift and also a great gift to give to someone for the marriage anniversary.

After rain - there is sunshine

after a tear - comes a smile

even if you have to wait

For a little while

You can buy this e-book on Amazon by clicking here.

 

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.

Look Who Is Six Months Old

It is hard to believe that Reef Indy was born a half a year ago. In just six short months, Reef has started to learn how to communicate and is beginning to eat solid foods. He is starting to sit up alone and can get himself to his toys (although Oma would not call it “crawling” yet.) Reef is also able to entertain himself for longer periods of time. 

What a joy and blessing Reef Indy is to his entire family.

5:2 Diet And Training February 2014 - Month 2

As promised, this is Oma’s monthly progress report regarding her advancement on the 5:2 diet. This month was not as successful as January.

Oma lost two (2) pounds
in the month of February 2014!

However, after checking back through the food journal – that two pound weight loss was truly a victory. First off – Oma was sick with a cold for two weeks. That made dieting and exercising almost impossible for half the month. Then after right after that, Oma and Opa spent four-fun-filled days in Laughlin, Nevada.

Clete, Barb, Opa and Oma in Laughlin, Nevada

Habitually these typical ‘healthy life’ road blocks would have produced a weight gain. Therefore, Oma’s two-pound loss will be celebrated.

Oma started February by switching the 5:2 diet to the 4:3 version. However, due to the illness this test was not justly vetted. Therefore the 4:3 version of this intermittent fasting diet will be tested again in the future.

For March, the goals are to successfully maintain the 5:2 diet plan and return to a regular exercise program of a minimum of thirty minutes per day for at least four days. (Yes, Oma has been lagging in the exercise portion of this program )

See you next month with another '5:2 Diet with Training' update.

Related Posts: 

5:2 Diet And Training - January 2014 - Month 1

5:2 And Training Book Review and Giveaway

5:2 Diet & Workout Oma’s Future? 

Everything is new for Reef Indy

Having a new baby around is always so much fun.

Everything is new for them and you get to enjoy that wonderment along with your baby.

Reef babbles a lot and laughs easily. He also loves to stay busy and enjoys family time.

This avocado - potato mush is yummy.
Thanks Grandma Wendy for the baby food grinder.

Opa it is raining - Reef's first rainy day outing!

Pewter with Ivory Inlay Enamel Cross Statue Review

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

Oma and Opa are going to celebrate their fortieth marriage anniversary this August. You can imagine the hustle, bustle, and expense of planning the party.

We decided to do an Irish theme with a “ruby” accent. 

Pewter Color Cross Statue with Ivory Enamel Inlay

While everything appears to be a tad above budget; Oma was pleasantly surprised by the affordability of a ‘Pewter Color Cross Statue with Ivory Enamel Inlay’ which is to be used as a place setting decoration! When you purchase eleven or more; they are only $3.49 each.

The cross is both elegant and striking. The Classic Cross design will fit perfectly with our Irish Quaint theme! The Pewter Color Cross Statue with Ivory Enamel Inlay Religious Favor will make a lasting memento of our festive day.

This Cross would also be perfect as:

• Christening favors
• Baptism favors
• Communion favors
• Christian favors
• Religious favors
• Baby favors

Click here to order this item

This generously sized cross is made of a silver pewter colored poly resin with a detailed ivory inlaid enamel design, in a classic cross shape, accented with glistening rhinestones and cut out details for a dramatic effect, perched atop a base with elegant filigree patterned sides.

Size: 5" tall x 3 ½" wide x 1 ¼" deep

Details: Each cross religious favor comes in a textured silver gift box, wrapped and tied with a white satin ribbon and an attached cross themed "For You" tag.

Little Things Favor Website

Little Things Favors Facebook

Little Things Favors Twitter: @lilthingsfavors

Little Things Favors Pinterest

Instagram: @little_things_favors

Google+: +Littlethingsfavors

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.

Reef Indy Goes Camping

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

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.

Reef Indy's First Tooth

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.

Reef Loves His Applesauce

The Goodness of Apples for Baby: 

 

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!

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

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

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 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.

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.

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.

Cut a hole in a pacifier and stick a dropper in it to
make taking medicine slightly less traumatizing.

source

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

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

You Tube

Blog

 

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.

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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.

Dad and Reef Share a Birthday Reef is 5-Months Old

Reef says "Where you going Dad?"

Mom and Reef Say “See you later.”

Selfie from Mountain High – Mom and Dad had a fun time.

Reef Indy’s Five-Month Portrait

Reef Indy Enjoys His Banana With A Fresh Food Feeder by Munchkin

Reef Indy’ Bright Starts Bouncer Allows Oma To Work In The Kitchen

Reef Indy and Opa See Eye to Eye

Happy Fifth Month Birthday Reef - Oma Loves U!

Reef's Mom and Dad celebrated Dad's birthday snowboarding at Mountain High. Oma got to Reef-sit.  Happy Birthday to Zack!  Happy Fifth-Month Birthday Reef - Oma Loves U!