Caring for Baby Teeth

 Caring for your baby’s teeth are just as important as caring for your own.  Those tiny little teeth hold a place for your baby’s adult teeth and by brushing you are securing a safe and healthy mouth in your little love.  Without this proper hygiene you will allow bacteria and plaque to stick around and the bacteria alone can be harmful to not only your baby’s teeth but their overall health. 

When do you start brushing their teeth?

You should start caring for your baby’s mouth right away, before teeth push through you can use a small piece of gauze or a moist washcloth to gently clean their gums twice a day, especially after feedings and before bed.

After your baby’s first teeth start to peek through, you can begin to use a toothbrush but you should choose a soft brush with a small head and a large handle to prevent slipping.  Before they are 1, just use a wet toothbrush, after that you can consult your doctor for approved non-fluoridated toothpaste. 

Radius Toothbrush has a Pure Baby Toothbrush that is perfect for your love! With 8,000 ultra soft premium bristles, you can be sure it will help you provide the best dental care possible.  Miss Aly loves brushing her teeth, and it was extra comforting knowing this toothbrush is completely dye free and safe for her to use.  She was able to hold on to the handle really well and the size was excellent for her.  Pure Baby Toothbrushes are also really easy to find.  They are available at Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, and amazon for those of you who like to do your shopping online. 

For more information check out the Radius Website: CLICK HERE 

 

 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above free for review purposes. Regardless, I will only recommend products that I have personally tested/tried and believe will be a good fit for my readers.

Easy Dinner Rolls

The other day I went on a cooking spree from chocolate cake to homemade mashed potatoes and then some dinner rolls. But if you know me, you know I either burn everything or it comes out tasting like dirt, so when I found a few recipes that were not only easy but successful I just had to share! Here is the roll recipe I teased you guys with.

• Prep: 25 min. + rising Bake: 15 min. + cooling
• Yield: 13 Servings

Ingredients

• 2 to 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 package (1/4 ounce) quick-rise yeast
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup warm water (120° to 130°)
• 2 tablespoons plus 4 teaspoons butter, melted, divided
• 3/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic salt ( I used garlic powder instead because I was out of salt and they turned out great!)

Directions

• In a large bowl, combine 1-1/2 cups flour, sugar, yeast and salt. Add water and 2 tablespoons butter; beat on medium speed for 3 minutes or until smooth. Stir in cheese and enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
• Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 4-6 minutes. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Divide into 13 pieces. Shape each into a ball. Place in a greased 9-in. round baking pan. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 30 minutes.
• Bake at 375° for 11-14 minutes or until lightly browned. Combine the honey, garlic salt and remaining butter; brush over rolls. Cool on a wire rack. Yield: 13 rolls.

TETON SPORTS

Summer is right around the corner and for the boys that means camping trips, sleep overs and lots of fun and exciting things to do.  But the extra beds or a comfy place to sleep can be hard to find.  While I was on the search for some sleeping cots, I came across TETON Sports and found some really “manly” sleeping bags.  Now please understand, if I say cute, which is what I really mean, then the boys will think they are girlish or not for them because nothing can be cute at their age. 

So on with the “manly” sleeping bags.   From TETON Sports we received a Celsius Jr.Boys Sleeping Bag and the quality for a children’s sleeping bag is far beyond expectations.  Being over 5 feet long, the bag will should fit my monsters well into their teenage years, (hopefully) and being lightweight its easy for them to roll up on their own. 

One thing that really surprised me is the temperature rating, -7* C/+20*F.  Ok, it may just be me, but I’m not camping anywhere when its 20 degrees out.  But at least I know if the boys have a scouting trip in the winter, they will be warm. 

With summer right around the corner, I encourage you to check out TETON.  A sleeping bag on the hard ground isn’t my first choice for sleeping arrangements but the kids like camping so it will have to do.  Now to just break up the fight over who gets it because both Jeramiah and Maison liked this one!

Celsius Jr. Boys Sleeping Bag

TETON SPORTS HOMEPAGE                    FACEBOOK 

 TETON SPORTS Ships to the lower 48 states.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above free for review purposes. Regardless, I will only recommend products that I have personally tested/tried and believe will be a good fit for my readers. AlyGators is not responsible for any Giveaway items. All giveaway items will be shipped directly from the company that sponsors our giveaway.

Little Punkin Pie

I received these yesterday and just couldn’t wait a single minute longer to tell you about Little Punkin Pie!  These handmade burp clothes are gorgeous!

I picked out a boy design because it seems like we have been highlighting a lot of girl items lately.  Although I love the pinks and purples that come with little girls, I am really impressed with the color scheme and adorable prints that Little Punkin Pie has put together. The vibrant colors in these cloths really add a sweet touch.

Little Punkin Pie Burp cloths are beyond outstanding and the commercial ones we can by at the store don’t have anything on these!  I have already mentioned out cute these are, but the durability is beyond comparison.  These are high quality material made with a lot of care and I would recommend them not only as a georgous baby shower gift but they are a very practical and useful product to have on hand. 

 The 6-ply cloths are approximately 12.5” x 18” and all fabrics are prewashed to prevent any distortion later on.    Check them out on Little Punkin Pie’s Etsypage, CLICK HERE.   

www.littlepunkinpie.etsy.com

www.littlepunkinpie.blogspot.com

I received one or more of the products mentioned above free for review purposes. Regardless, I will only recommend products that I have personally tested/tried and believe will be a good fit for my readers.

CampusBookRentals.com

College is hard enough but then lets add the rising cost of tuition and books!  Oh my goodness for a few classes the price is getting over the top! I found CampusBookRentals.com to help save a little bit of cash next semester!  The prices are 40-90% off bookstore cost plus they have free shipping both ways!  But if you’re like me, I highlight in every book, and that’s ok to with them!

My biggest concern though is will I be able to get the correct book, and if I order the wrong book then what? Well CampusBookRentals.com offers a Risk-Free 30 Day returns.  That’s even a plus if you decide once your in a class that you want to drop it. 

So up until now, I even have purchase books that I wasn’t able to return to school.  That’s great though, because I am getting ready to participate in their RentBack.com program. 

You simply go online to their site, find your book, ship your book to them for free, and they rent it out to another student and you get paid!  It saves everyone money, especially when a purchase book can cost over $100.  Yes I have paid well over that for a text book, crazy right?!

Next semester is right around the corner, I know where I’m getting my next set of books!  Campusbookrentals.com

Easy Chocolate Cake

So I am getting pretty tired of either overpaying for food or wanting something last minute and having to run out just to get that one thing I am craving. 

Last night I decided I was going to do a little baking.  The boys are always asking for something sweet after dinner, (I don’t know who would have started that one *wink wink) and I was on a roll so why not.

I found this super easy, and a little scary Chocolate Cake recipe and had to give it a try.  There is a step in there that made me a little nervous, but go ahead and follow the directions exactly, I promise it will work. 

My one and only extra tip; don’t forget the sugar!  With Aly and Maison both at my feet, I almost forgot to add the sugar.  Luckily I tasted it before putting it in the pan and realized my almost huge mistake!

 

Easy Chocolate Cake

2 cups white sugar
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water

Directions:

·         Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9 inch cake pans (I just made mine in 9×13 baking pan and increased bake time to 42 minutes)

·         In a medium bowl, stir together the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add the eggs, milk, oil and vanilla, mix for 3 minutes with an electric mixer.

·         Stir in the boiling water by hand (make sure you mix it in well… the batter will look runny, but have faith… it’ll turn out!)

·         Pour evenly into the greased pan(s)

·         Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. (For the 9×13 cake pan I baked it for about 40 minutes… do the toothpick test, it should come out fairly clean).

·         Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to cool completely. (I left mine in the pan, why dirty extra dishes)

·         Delicious by itself, either slightly warm or even chilled! Try it with cool whip, or chilled pie cherries and cool whip!

 

LASSIG Gold Messenger Bag

I can remember when the boys were born I had large diaper bags and they still didn’t seem to fit everything I needed in them.  As a new parent it is hard to know exactly what you need on every outing, and if you were like me, I changed the boy’s clothes after every spec of dirt. 

When I found this Gold Label Messenger Bag from LASSIG I knew 100% this is the perfect bag for a new parent!  This 16 x 13 bag has EVERYTHING and then so much more!

The lining is 100% Polyester and water repellent, meaning if your like me and a bottle starts leaking on the inside, it’s not going to hurt anything and will be an easy clean up. 

The adjustable shoulder strap is nice yes, but then there is a changing mat and a removable all-in-one pouch that you can put the true essentials in for a quick grab on the go.  The removable pouch even has an insulated area to keep a bottle the perfect temperature.  I love this bag!  They have really thought of everything including the fact that it’s reversible.  I especially like the Velcro loop on each side that make a great place for easy access to a set of keys or a cell phone pouch.  After all we only have so many pockets and with a wonderfully large diaper bag, anything can get lost inside. 

The high quality design of the Gold Label Messenger Bag is also antimicrobial and is going to last a very long time! This is absolutely a must have for all you new moms and the perfect baby shower gift for the new mom in your family! 

Ivy Street distributing

Now one lucky winner can win any in-stock Ivy Street Distributing bag!  Get your entries below!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above free for review purposes. Regardless, I will only recommend products that I have personally tested/tried and believe will be a good fit for my readers. AlyGators is not responsible for any Giveaway items. All giveaway items will be shipped directly from the company that sponsors our giveaway.

Krave Jerky

We are huge fans of Jerky so when I found Krave Jerky there was no surprise we had to give it a try! I was pleasantly surprised to find all the different flavors they offered and not only that but the different meats they offered as well!

My favorite is the Basil Citrus Natural Turkey Jerky that doesn’t include any artificial ingredients and still offers a sweet natural flavor.  The citrus and basil blended really well together and even Aly at two years old could enjoy a few bites of this one.  I loved how tender it was and easy to enjoy.

The second bag we tried was the Lemon Garlic Turkey, and although I love lemon garlic seasoning, I wasn’t to sure about trying this on Jerky.  The blend is almost unheard of until now!  The flavor was filling without being overpowering.

While we had the opportunity to try several bags, I have to say I am missing the Sweet Chipotle, I do believe the boys have stolen it! I got to enjoy a bite, but now the bag has vanished and I am pretty sure I saw Mr. Maison with it last night.  The hunt continues to find the missing bag! I guess that means they like it right?

Krave Jerky offers flavors I have never heard of before, and although a little weary about trying them, we were pleasantly surprised at how much we enjoyed every bite! 

Krave Jerky Website         KRAVE IN NEW YORK TIMES

Facebook                Twitter

I received one or more of the products mentioned above free for review purposes. Regardless, I will only recommend products that I have personally tested/tried and believe will be a good fit for my readers.

Wall Slicks

Overall we are a family that likes to remodel and redecorate often and my latest project was the guest bathroom, but sometimes it’s hard to decide just what to put up on the walls. 

When I was offered a set of Wall Slicks, I knew this would be perfect for such a small room without making it feel too crowded.  Personally I had a little bit of trouble getting them to stick to the wall, but hubby swooped in and had no problem at all.  Thank goodness for him because my inpatient abilities get the best of me. 

The selection process also got the best of me because Wall Slicks offers so many different designs that it was really hard to choose just one.  I wanted them all!!!

We have had this set up for about a week now and there is no lifting and they are still staying firm.  For a few months now I had been looking for something to put on this spot of bare wall, and wall slicks really did the trick!  I love how these turned out and can’t wait to place an additional order from them again.

Wall Slicks on Facebook               Wall Slicks on Twitter

 Wall Slicks Website

I received one or more of the products mentioned above free for review purposes. Regardless, I will only recommend products that I have personally tested/tried and believe will be a good fit for my readers. AlyGators is not responsible for any Giveaway items. All giveaway items will be shipped directly from the company that sponsors our giveaway.

Cosmetique Diandra

Spoiled as it may seem, my make up stash is ridicules, but I still love trying new makeup so when I received my shipment of Cosmetique I was ready to paint my colors. 

Wow, another bright lip color!  I am getting used to “stepping out of the box” and am really enjoying it to!  Diandra’ssuper moist Pink Champagne looks really bright in the stick, but goes on beautifully.  What really surprised me though was how long the color last!  After several cups of coffee, eating lunch, and running around town, the color was still as bright and full as the moment I put it on.  I do believe I have found my new favorite lip stick! 

 It doesn’t matter if its summer or winter, a good bronzer is a must!  That’s why I have really enjoyed using Diandra Sun-Kissed Bronzer.  I especially liked how the bronzer blended without looking like you were wearing an additional coating of make up.  Diandra’s Sun Kissedbronzer is perfect for the no-make up days to add just a hint of coverage or to add some color on these really pale winter days.   

My favorite products usually have to do something with my eyes.  I have a really strange eye color and it generally changes to match whatever I am wearing, which in some cases can be a little discouraging when I really want it to pop.  The blends of warm gold’s really hit the spot for adding some extra sparkle.  The colors in Diandra Urban Chic Eye shadow palette were not only rich in their color but also lasted throughout the day.   

The Diandra Cosmetique products are going to be another favorite of mine, and now you can try them out as well in this giveaway! 

 

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