My PLN "Dear Baby" Entry

In our family we do things a little differently.
Now, I know you are not born yet and, when you read this you will probably say "Mooooom...", but I wanted - no, needed to write this letter.
You are our last born. You are your brother's  greatest wish (and after three girls, your dad and I, while all we wanted was a healthy baby, were very happy to have another boy!).
We aren't traditional in the sense that we have decided when to have children, as you may have noticed with the gap between your sisters (8 years!). We have always had the mindset that, if we were meant to have another baby - we would.
...But it stopped with you.
Our not so little family will be complete the minute we see your face. You will be the last baby we rock to sleep at 3 am, the last we get to watch take their first steps, the last we hear say their first words (please say "mommy" first!), the last we teach to use a potty, read, and ride a bike. You will be our last baby to head off to kindergarten, graduate high school and go off to college.

All these firsts will be lasts for us, and will be very bittersweet, but I am looking forward to every second we get to watch, teach and learn with you.

You have 4 amazing siblings as well. They are all looking forward to meeting you. I know you will love them just as much as they love you. Your brother is an amazing artist and I know he is looking forward to drawing with you and teaching you all of his skills. Your sisters are so excited to finally have a baby brother, I know you will make them proud.

We are all counting down the days until we can hold you and love you... when you are ready to join us.

BIG NEWS!!

Some big news to share...

I have decided to take a huge leap and jump into small business mode!

With recently finding out that we are expecting baby #5 in the fall, I turned my brain to business ideas.  I had been looking at starting a business for a while now, and this was a great push/motivation for me.

So... I will be launching ChunkyBabies in late June or early July.  It is a line of 100% non-toxic, BPA-free, lead-free, food-grade silicone teething accessories. These products have form and function. Not only will they help keep tiny gums busy and soothed, moms and dads can wear them in their every day lives. From necklaces, to bracelets, to pacifier clips, to completely customizable pieces, I've got you covered!

I am very excited about this new venture and I hope to expand on my existing idea and serve the population of people I studied to work with in college. My goal is to expand into production of sensory - based products (I already have designs in mind!) for children with Autism and other sensory or processing difficulties, as well as adults (because, let's face it - Autism doesn't stop at 18!).

I have been working like crazy this week to get most of the social media up and running. I just need to finish original concept designs and post photos. Then, next step is to launch and set up orders.

I will post links to all social media and website as soon as possible in a follow-up post!

I discovered something...

I am not a 4 am mom.

Even after 4 children, I am NOT a 4 am mom.

You know... those moms who are up every day at 4 in the morning, kids down for a nap by 9:30 am, in bed at night at 6 pm.

I am NOT that mom.

My fourth child has given me a run for my money.  Her sleep patterns are nothing like my first 3 children, and she goes through phases where she either doesn't sleep all night, or is up at obscene hours (like this morning... 3:45am). She has made me realize that I am not 20 anymore, I miss my late evenings and, after being a mom for 13 and a half years, I am tiiiireeeddd.

For the last couple years, I enjoyed my routine. Up with my older two for school, an hour for coffee and quiet before my younger two get up around 10-10:30 am. Now, I am either up all night with my busy busy 18 month old, or she wakes me after 2 hours sleep to be up for the day. I drag my tired behind around all morning until my older kids get up, she falls asleep shortly after they leave and then my 3 year old is up for the day...

I am NOT that mom.

I know a lot of moms that can run circles around that schedule, but I am not one of them. By 11 am I look like I have spent 2 months on the Survivor island. There are also moms that take their tots to 8:30 am swim classes... 9:30 am playgroups... afternoon mommy groups...  while I struggle to book time with a friend for coffee at my house because I don't want to nod off in my mug...

Sometimes I wish I were that mom, but I kind of enjoy the disorganized version. My kids are happy, they are comfortable and, despite my lack of sleep, still meet their recommended hours of zzzzzs. I wouldn't trade the sometimes dazed time I spend with them for anything in the world. Especially not the 4 am alone time I get with my 18 month old.  She never wakes in a bad mood so, even if I don't want to get up that early, her playful smile automatically gives me that little boost I need -- to stick a K-cup in the machine.

I will be the first to admit, I sometimes crawl back into bed after my older two leave for school now. That 45 minutes of sleep is very much needed sometimes, and the extra couple hours I sporadically  get are glorious!

I enjoy not being that mom. I am far from perfect, but my kids are happy - and that is worth every sleepless minute and 3 am espresso!

Interested In Product Testing? Check out my Top 3!

So, a while back, I said I would give a run down of some of the ways I get to test products at home - for FREE! I have many different sites that range from free samples to review sites that I am a member of, but I am just going to focus on the big 3. I will create a post about some of the "smaller" or not-as-frequently-used sites.

I am going to start with My Top 3. These are my tried and true, been with them for a while, always full-size product companies. Now, let's get started!



1. BzzAgent

BzzAgent is the program I have been with the longest. It offers product testing campaigns to Canadians, Americans and has expanded to the UK and other countries over the years. I have had many campaigns over the past few years, ranging from deodorant to shampoo and conditioner, even toothpaste and a toothbrush! 

I get roughly 3-4 campaigns per year. When new campaigns open up, I usually get an email letting me know that a campaign has opened up that I qualify for. I log in and can accept or decline the product (I have never declined though!). Once I receive the product in the mail, I try it out and then log in to write my review. The activities have been expanding based on social media trends so, right now, here are some activities you can expect to complete:

- Post to Facebook

- Post to Twitter

- Post on Instagram

- Create a Board on Pinterest

- Post a Review on Amazon

and

- Write about interactions with people you have spread "Bzz" about your product to.

When I am not involved in a campaign, BzzAgent has now started to provide smaller activities that I can complete to keep me active. The more active you are with BzzAgent, the higher chance of qualifying for campaigns.

2. Influenster 

Influenster is another company which focuses more on beauty products (I have found, anyway), but also offers the opportunity to test a wide variety of products. You can link your Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, blog, Tumblr, YouTube and other social media accounts to boost your influence score. You write reviews, ask/answer questions, complete campaign activities which include:

- Post to Instagram

- Post to Facebook

- Post on Twitter

- Review your product on Amazon 

This is the only one of my top 3 that has an App! 

3. ChickAdvisor

ChickAdvisor is solely Canadian! It offers a wide variety of products to test, from makeup to chocolate! The only requirement I have seen is that you write a review within 14 days of receiving your product. You can write reviews on other products you have tried, as well, to earn points. Points give you a higher chance of qualifying for campaigns and enters you into a draw each month to win gift cards.

ChickAdvisor now also offers a Premium feature, where you pay a minimal fee for boxes of products throughout the year - similar to other subscription services. 

I have been with ChickAdvisor for quite a while. I have tested sunscreens, dry shampoos and chocolate bars, participated in twitter cooking classes, and more! They now offer a men's program as well "XY Stuff".

Christmas is Coming?!

This Christmas is going to be crazy!

This is the first year in a while that I:
a) haven't been too broke to afford it
b) haven't been able to just shop when I need to (something I fixed today!)
c) managed to start my shopping before December 20th!

Having 4 kids changes the way one would shop for Christmas.  This year, I have done more online shopping that I have in my life... and it feels good.  Especially now that both of my under 3s are sick! I can shop without having to take my babies out in the cold, try to wrestle them to blow their noses, or pry toys out of their hands as I browse.

If we go back about a month ago, I accidentally melted my baby carrier in the dryer.  I thought it would be OK to only put it in for 10 minutes. I was horribly wrong.
*Note to self: Never, never, never again*
As a result, I now have no carrier. So this means a lot of time spent at home browsing the online retailers to try to have all of my children's gifts shipped to my door as quick as possible. I am about 90% finished now!

I am actually loving this! I am almost done shopping!!  A lot of retailers have really awesome sales on baby/toddler stuff this time of year, and I managed to take care of some of my shopping on Black Friday/Cyber Monday. My two older ones are waaayyy harder to shop for. Their tastes are pretty expensive, and it gets worse as they age! Amazon was amazing for my older two, and Walmart was actually really great too!

Luckily there are places like Melissa & Doug, Mastermind Toys, and Toys R Us that keep the costs down with crazy sales! I managed to pick up a few things that were "Daily Deals" at Toys R Us - and their selection of Peppa Pig stuff was beyond anything I could have imagined!

I will say this, shopping for 4 children at Christmas time shouldn't have to break the bank. May retailers offer so many sales between Black Friday and Christmas that it makes it easier to get almost everything on your little one's Christmas list for decent prices.  I use a lot of cash back and retailer apps to curb the costs as well.  I will post a breakdown of how they all work soon.

Remember, Christmas is a magical time for your little ones. There is no need to stress about the cost! They are only little once...

Get Target’s weekly ad on your iPhone, iPad or Android mobile device by downloading the retailer’s app. You can also capitalize on Target savings by taking advantage of store pickup. Order online and pick orders up you local store for free and avoid pesky shipping costs, or Target always offers free shipping on orders over $25!

The Children’s Place’s entire website is currently 50-60% off. It’s the perfect time to find outfits kids love for Fall, and cool weather fun. Check out their graphic long-sleeved tees or make it easy on yourself and browse The Children’s Place’s matchables and complete outfits for girls, boys, toddlers and babies.

Been Away... big plans!

So, I have been away for a while. There is a post I have been working on for, I don't  know, 8 months?!

I have also been working on a few other ventures!

One of those have been helping fundraise and promote a family business. I have been busy with all the social media and the blog for The Plaza Theatre in Nipigon, Ontario, Canada.  The theatre was built in the 1940's and closed in 2001. It is now time to give new life to the building! Here is a link to the GoFundMe page.

My second venture is more of a personal one. I am toying with the idea of starting my own business! This thought has been on my mind for months and I am in "business planning mode" at the moment. It is scary but so exciting! I will definitely link to that as soon as everything is final.

I have also been working on some different campaigns from Shopper Army, Influenster and Chick Advisor. No new BzzAgent right now -> 😭😭😭 <- SUPER sad face. I will be sure to update if I get anything new from them.

I have also paired with another company and hope to share a bit about them soon as well.

Check back for updates!

Next blog coming really soon!

Happy Birthday

**Now, this post is somehow making it out of the woodwork earlier than my original post.. not yet complete. I will post it eventually- I think.**

Happy Birthday.
You know who you are.

It has been just over a year and a half since you left. There isn't a day that I don't miss you. There isn't a day that I don't wonder where you are. There isn't a night that I don't look at the stars and hope that you see me...

This isn't getting "easier".
...and today, it's really hard.

Today, your beautiful soul turns 29 - but your body isn't here to celebrate.

Today, 2 years ago, is the last time I talked to you. Which is something I will regret for the rest of my life.

Today, we celebrate a life cut short.

Today, 29 years ago, your mother became a mother.

Today, my heart hurts.

I just want to let you know how much I miss you. I want you to know that, I will never understand why you had to leave. I will never understand your pain.

You had this great light about you. You always smiled through it. I saw you as a strong young woman who tried really hard to achieve your goals. I even remember you texting me once, out of the blue, to ask about something. It was a subject that I didn't think that you would ever consider, but I was glad that you asked me. It was kind of a turning point because it was the first sign that we weren't all kids anymore - which is funny, because you getting married a few months before that never really solidified that for me. I'm glad you came to me. I'm glad that you felt you could come to me.

I remember you coming to visit me a few months before you got married, and I remember thinking how happy you were. You were glowing - you were giddy and funny - so happy.

I remember when you and your sister came to visit a couple years before that too. You were making a long drive back from the East Coast and, even after the long drive, you still found amazing things to say about it. "The trees are sooo pretty" (Now, if you know the area I live in, the trees really ARE pretty - but it's something that someone who lives in a bigger city definitely appreciates more). Watching you with my children was amazing. You were so kind, loving. My daughter was in her veeerrrrrrry inquisitive phase and asked you a bunch of questions. I don't remember the questions, but you handled it like a pro... you sat with them, played with them, joked, laughed... something you perfected as a big sister <3

I remember when I was going through probably THE worst time in my life. I was making horrible choices. One day, there you were. I know we were going to lunch. I remember how you looked at me. It was like you saw past everything and ignored it. You looked at me like I could do no wrong. I felt like crap inside, and you still looked at me like we were kids (we still were I guess, I was 19 and you were 16). I thank you for that. It felt like you were the only one who saw past my faults at the time. Thank you.

Today is so hard.
There will be posts on Facebook, and I will try to read them all. No. I WILL read them all. But, in my usual way, that even I don't understand, I will not acknowledge them. One day I will have the strength, but not yet.

Until then...

Happy Birthday, Cousin.
I love you. I hope you have a fabulous birthday, wherever you are. I hope you can feel the love we have for you.

Strong, beautiful, caring, kind, funny, delicate, stubborn, witty, soft, smart, proud, sophisticated, friendly, generous... just a short list of you.  You were so much more.
I love you.