My Signing Baby

Have you ever wondered how much your baby knows? I mean they come out as this little tiny living bean. What does their brain know? What does it understand?" Luz took my by surprise yesterday when she signed "milk" back to me. She just turned 6 months old, and i am in shock. I am so proud. We call it teta or tetita in our house (this is our nursing word) and you can even see after she does the sign, she TRYS to say TETA and she mouths it perfect, but now sound comes out. I know more signs are in the making! I am so excited for this journey with her.

Sams Club Pink Promotion Giveaway

I love to see big stores giving back. My aunt had breast cancer and I can not believe what a scary time it is for families. It is companies like Sams Club, and shoppers like you that can make a big difference. I am ready for my next trip to Sams club and will be looking for pink packaging so i can be sure that my money is helping to make a difference. I hope you will to!

Give back by purchasing your favorite cereal or snack! This October, by making simple everyday purchases at Sam’s Club, you can help support breast cancer education and research. Beginning September 19th, Sam’s Club stores will feature exclusive pink packaging on some of your favorite participating General Mills products in recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

-For 5 years, General Mills has partnered with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Foundation to bring breast cancer support to local communities, and this year they are making their annual donation of $2 million to the foundation to advance breast cancer research and support education and community outreach projects.

-Purchase specially-marked General Mills products like Cheerios and Fiber One 90 Calorie Brownies at your local Sam’s Club and help decide how half of that contribution will be donated by voting at PinkTogether.com from now until April 14, 2012.

-General Mills’ donations will be divided between two important Komen programs: the Treatment and Assistance Program, which assists women in securing care they otherwise may not be able to afford, and Prevention Research, which helps unlock the keys to preventing breast cancer. Voting results will be announced on Mother’s Day 2012.

Sam’s Club and General Mills through MyBlogSpark ia giving one of my readers a $25.00 giftcard to Sams Club! Contest end 10/20/2011

Mandatory Entries:
1.be a follower via GFC or email
2.tell me In what ways they give back to help the fight against breast cancer?

Additional Entries:
1. Like La Vida Buena on FB
2. Like Sams Club on FB
3. Like Pink Together on FB



“Disclosure: The information and gift card(s) have been provided by Sam’s Club and General Mills through MyBlogSpark.”

Cloth diapers - 6 months later review

So I began cloth diapering at birth for Luz. I took pictures of her in various ones and now 6 months later, i have done it again to show everyone how they are. I the pictures together so you can see how they fit on a newborn and a 6 month old.
All NB pics are taken when Luz was first born or within a few weeks. She was not over 8pds in any photo
All 6 months shots were just taken at 15lbs 8oz and 25 3/4in


I will start with the Softbums. Alot of diapering mommas LOVE softbums. They can rave and use this as their only diapering system. For me, it didnt work. I always had leaks, adjusting the inner drawstring was a pain and I made a nice trade for some beautiful longies instead.I also did not like that the cover had a fleece inner. I like the option of wiping down my covers, rather that getting stinky fleece. I can honestly say I was going to make this my whole stash before luz arrived, and I am VERY happy i didnt!

GMD Orange Edge Prefolds for the newborn ROCK! I LOVE LOVE LOVE them. I have since sold them, but I now use the yellow edge and Those are amazing as well. Soon it will be time to upgrade to the Red edge. GMD are perfect width for the snappi. We were able to fit in the orange edge for 2 months or so and then i started to make the switch over to the yellow edge.

Here is the Yellow Edge GMD. These are my go to diaper at home. Luz still lays still for me to change her, which i am sure will change soon and then i might have to change my options. But for now i can get a really nice fold and they contain nicely, especially with a thirsties cover

This is a small Fluff and Stuff fitted. I dont use this much but I wanted to say it is awsome and has a great fit still. Its super trim, and after just pulling it out for the updated picture, I will probably keep it in rotation.

Newborn Muttaquin. If you are going to use fitteds i couldnt recommend these any more. I absolutley loved them. This was actually Loco's diaper from when he was first born. They have a snap down for the cord stump. This fit till about 12pds, but was as absorbant as i needed it to be.

This is the Grovia System. I have mixed feeling about it, but i guess I like it enough that I havent sold it yet. I like the look of the covers. They work great with their pod system or with a prefold underneath. I do not like the cotton on top, it leave the baby wet all the time. BUT i do think they have just came out with a stay dry top, which if they did is very awsome. They system is a bit bulky on a NB, but its a cloth diaper so dont expect more! I used the covers with a prefold more at the nb stage, and now we use the snap in inserts. I love that i can go out with 2 covers and 5 pods and i have enough diapers without filling my diaper bag.
Grovia WITH snap-in

Grovia as cover over orange snappi'd GMD

Grovia with Snap-In

Grovia with GMD prefold

Here is the Grovia AIO. These are nice. They are so cute to see under dresses. Again, I have mixed feeling. I do take them as a go out diaper as well, but still, I dont know if I LOVE them. They are not stay dry either and i have had a bit of leakage.

Thirsties covers. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the thirsties cover! They are perfect for newborn and baby alike. I NEVER get leaks and trust them to the fullest. This is the size 1. IT still fits luz 6 months later. Cant beat that. I have to say that i DO NOT like the snap covers. they really just sit in the drawer cause i can never get a decent fit with them

Both are taken over a gmd orange prefold.

6 months later, still size 1. Now over a GMD Yellow Edge

Now to sum it all up. I use the prefolds at home and the grovia for going out. I have a Sunbaby on the way which i cant wait to try. They are so cheap and get great reviews. I would also like to get my hands on some Fuzzi Bunz. I use to LOVE them when Loco was a baby so we will see. I am not sure what i will buy when i sell my Yellow edge PF, since that time is comming. I do like that for the money i can get 12 prefolds....12 diapers. BUT when Luz starts crawling it isnt always easy to snappi a prefold on a baby. I will have to try some more out. I wont be adding to my Grovia system, and will have to see how some more diaper trials go. I really am considering switching to a nice set of Fuzzi Bunz.I have never tried the one size but would like to.....

HAPPY DIAPERING!

Pre'fense Winner!

According to random.org comment #1 is our winner! Leaner. expect an email shortly!

May The Force Be With You - GIVEAWAY

Calling all Star WarsTM fans! Now you can take the Star Wars adventures to new heights by bringing home STAR WARS THE COMPLETE SAGA on Blu-ray Disc September 16th. Relive the unforgettable moments and experience the spectacular adventure of STAR WARS The Complete Saga in a way only Blu-ray can deliver

This incredible collection unites all six Episodes together for the first time in stunning high definition with the purest digital sound in the galaxy. With over 40 hours of thrilling special features, including all-new content created exclusively for this release, you can journey deeper into the Star Wars universe and discover more than ever before. Feel the Force of STAR WARS The Complete Saga on Blu-ray this September!

In honor of the release, select General Mills Big G cereals have a limited edition Star Wars good versus evil image on their packaging, which when combined creates a full panoramic poster.
Exclusively at Walmart, look for specially marked boxes of Big G cereals, including Honey Nut Cheerios®, Cinnamon Toast Crunch®, and Lucky Charms®. Collect all three to create a Star Wars panoramic poster showcasing your favorite characters, like Darth VadarTM, Luke SkywalkerTM, Han SoloTM, Princess LeiaTM and more.

Marking the first time ever that the full Saga is available in one complete collection, the 9-disc STAR WARS: THE COMPLETE SAGA will be available on Blu-ray September 16th, courtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd. and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.
May the force be with you as you check out these Star Wars boxes at your local Walmart for a limited time only!

Now for one of my readers,General Mills Through myblogspark is allowing me to offer a giveaway. They are going to send the winner
One box of each of the following cereals to form their own Star Wars panoramic poster:
Honey Nut Cheerios
Cinnamon Toast Crunch
Lucky Charms
$25 Walmart gift card

The winner will be chosen Randomly October 15 at midnight

MANDATORY entry:
-Tell me your favorite Star Wars Character
-Like LA Vida Buena on Facebook

Addition Entries
-Follow me through email or GFC
-Comment on any non giveaway post
-Tell me your favorite General Mills Cereal

"Disclosure: The cereal, gift card, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark."

Baby Basics MONTH 6

Here Are her 6 month stats

15lb 8 oz
27 3/4 inchest


Happy Half Year to my baby girl! I cant believe it has already been 6 months since this little blessing has been a part of our family. She is truely AMAZING! Seriously, I know i say that alot....but its true. I actaully dont mind getting up with her 3 times a night because seeing her is just calming. I walk into her room in the middle of the night, when she needs me, oh she doesnt cry, she just makes this creepy sound with her throat. Anyways, I walk in and there she starts kicking and laughing away. I nurse her a bit and she goes right back to bed. Ahhhh I love this little one,
Lets See what is Luz doing now.
-She can sit all alone, no help at all. Although I am a bit paranoid, I keep the boppy behind her
-She was doing great with solids and then got constipated so I stopped!
-She can stay on her hand and knees for a bit when i put her into the position.
-Now she raises her arms when sitting on the floor so i can pick her up. ITs so cute!

Super Undies Review and HUGE giveaway!

Okay I am so excited to be able to do this review and giveaway. First off, if you have a bedwetter, or pottytrainer.... LISTEN UP! I got to review a pair of Nighttime Super Undies.. When i took them out of the packaging i thought, wow these are HUGE. Then again, they are meant to fit a 6 year old so they have to be big, and they have to old a full on pee, without leaking to hold up to their expectations. My 6 year old has accidents, about 5 out of 7 days a week. I was tired of buying diapers for her, although she is only 43pds, still it wasnt something i enjoyed, neither did she. Pull Ups are just expensive and leak,....alot!
Here is what SuperUndies says on their sight about the nighttime Undies.

What are Super Undies™ Nighttime Underwear?
Nighttime underwear are waterproof bed wetting pants designed to help your child wake up with dry sheets. They come with 9 layers of cotton absorbency built in, and fleece covered elastic legs and waist for a comfortable, and more leak resistent fit.

Who are they for?
Nighttime underwear are for children who wet the bed ages 2-7 yrs old. Larger sizes are being developed!

What do they offer me?
A useful tool in hepling you regain control of your laundry load, and regain some dignity for your child.

Now for my review:

THEY DONT LEAK! I have to say that first, because leaking is a HUGE issue in this house, especially since my daughter sleeps in bed with me!!!! I feel confident that she has her undies on and i dont have to wake up to a wet bed! The fit is awsome. They are soft and comfortable. They are on the bulky side, but i am use to cloth diapers and use to that bulky appearance. Some children this might bother, others not so much. I was surprised that my daughter was okay with it, because she is a picky child. I think the fleece around the waist and legs is what makes them more comfortable. Now she isnt one to go to sleepovers, but i dont think these are discreet enough for a sleep over for the self consious child. We have had accidents with both the step up insert in the undie and without and neither time did we expirience a leak! The insert really doesnt add too much more bulk, but more protection. Here is how the large looks on my little girl

Now here is the good part. Super Undies is giving 3, yep 3 of my readers a chance to own a pair!!!! Also I will be giving a a $20.00 gift code to one of the winners, (on top of their undies) You can pick either the Nighttime Undie or the Pull On Potty Training Pant or the Pocket Potty Training Pant

Here is how you can have your own!

MANDATORY ENTRY:
1.Follow La Vida Buena via GFC or Email

Additional Entry's (leave a comment for each one)

2. Like Super Undies on FB and tell them La Vida Buena Blogspot sent you

3.Like La Vida Buena on FB

4. Comment on this post

5.Blog about this contest (please include the link in your comment)

Winner will be chosen on Oct 10. You will have choice on Trainer, Color and Size. Colors will depend on availabilty and you will be given back up choices! I was not paid for this, but given product for review. All opnions are my own!

Its Pirate Party Time!

http://www.tomoson.com/?code=TOPd078bb72b2bc26ddee95f8f935f73a69">>



I am so excited i was able to review Pirate Party Treasure Hunt Riddles Kit
Okay first off this review comes in PERFECT timing for my sons 4 year birthday party. It just so happens that he asked me to make a pirate ship cake, and then I was asked to do this review.
This is delivered to you via PDF file. It comes with EVERYTHING you need to throw an indoor pirate bash! There are invitations that can be printed on worn paper, and included is pirate font. It comes with everything for the scavnger hunt, the clues, where to hide it EVERYTHING! Also there are activity sheets: pirate lingo sheets, a maze, word search and coloring page! This is a complete downloadable package. As far the what the prize can be after the scavenger hunt, thats up to you, for us it is going to be a filled Pinata. But the treasure is up to you!
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.

Source: heyawesome.tumblr.com via Lisa on Pinterest

Pre. fence Review and Giveaway

I was given the oppertunity to review pre.fese, an Alcohol Free foaming hand sanatizer. Now a bit of background on this product.

 • No alcohol! Prefense is made of all-natural ingredients and has absolutely NO alcohol in it!

• Our technology protects you for 24 hours or 10 hand washings!
• Prefense is non-toxic and safe for kids! It will not hurt you if swallowed!
• Prefense is silica based which means it doesn’t dry out your hands like traditional alcohol sanitizers. It actually smooths and softens your hands. You can totally see this when you apply it!
• Prefense protects against staph, strep, E.coli, drug resistant MRSA strains, and more. We fight germs that other hand sanitizers can’t.
• Because “one spray lasts all day” our 1.5 oz Prefense Foaming Hand Sanitizer offers 120 applications, costing only $.08 per day, compared to $1.20 per day with alcohol hand sanitizers.          

Pre fens can be purchased from the prefense websight or also on Amazon

Now my Review:
   This is a pleasent product. It is non sticky, and very soft on my skin. I have used and carry around with me the typical sanatizer with alcohol in it. They leave my hands dry, yet i feel "protected". This left no scent no residue and was just, nice. Now as far as it lasting all day, i am not sure. I am one to reapply as needed for sanatizer, i would think that it comes off....but maybe not! This is def a product I would purchas to use as my in purse sanatizer. I felt it was much gentler on my childrens skin and it didnt have the awful rubbing alcohol smell to it. Now the good part, one of my readers is going to be luck enough to win a large 8oz Prefense which overs 640 applications! Here is how to Enter. (us winners only)

Sponsored by Tomoson.com
this first entry is MANDATORY! (leave a comment for each entry)
1. Leave me a comment telling me what kind of Sanatizer you use, if any!

Additional Entrys
2. Follow my blog via GFC and tell me you did so
3. Follow me on FB and tell me you did so
4. Follow Prefese on  FB
5.  Comment on another one of my blogpost.

Winner will be chosen Randomly on Sept. 26.  GOOD LUCK!

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.

Friday Five

Its been a LONG RAINY DREARY week. So here are my 5 uplifters from the week!

1.) I am thankful that these 2, although they brawl at times, they are best friends. Anywhere we go in public, they have each others back, hold hands, and really make me a proud momma.

2.) I am thankful that its been almost 6 months that Luz has joined us and Loco is still head over heals for her. He wakes up asking for her, goes to bed getting one more kiss from her and plays with her ALL DAY! It use to make me crazy how he was all over her all the time, but ive come to appreciate their realationship and his love for her

3.)I am thankful that i have learned to cook, and despite the kids complaining, i know that they eat healthy, non processed, cooked from scratch meals daily. On vacation i brought along some Annies Mac N Cheese, i mean its vacation, they thought it was the greatest treat in the world!

4.) I am thankful that i own a nebulizer. Seriously, Loco's asthma has been so bad for the past year and getting worse, that if i did not own a nebulizer, especially lately, we would be in the ER everyday. For a 3 year old, he knows when to ask for it day or night. Poor kid

5.)I am thankful for being me. I feel i have grown into such an amazing mother and wife, i am just thankful and content with who i am....something i never felt when i was younger. I have come to peace with who i am, and actaully like myself!

Enjoy the weekend. Despite the rain LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL!

Lunch

I hate eating. I really do. For some reason, it just annoys me. Taking the time to sit and eat, it bugs me. OF course, if we go out to eat its great, but i hate cooking and then eating. Anyway, i dont eat breakfast, i drink coffee. i have 2 cups and my day can begin (okay they are HUGE cups). around 11 i eat a lunch....yep thats where this post is going. I have become OBSESSED with my garden and whats in it. So latley EVERY day i eat this, toast with spinach tomatoe and basil topped with mozz cheese....and melted to perfection. doesnt it look perfect!

1st Grader!

I cant believe my oldest is going into 1st grade! The nerves she had....it brought back many memories. Do you remeber those 1st day jitters?? I sure can, that horrible butterfly feeling in your belly. Ah, to be a kid again. She went into school like a champ, i am so proud and miss her already! I can not wait to find out all about her day!!!!

Baby Food Happenings!

First off, i have to admit, I LOVE MAKING MY OWN BABY FOOD! ITs so fresh, so pure, and really not even an extra chore. I usually go to wholesomebabyfood for a refrence and to make sure what i am giving is okay.
Luz is at 5.5 months now and really has days where she loves to eat and other days when she really could care less.
I need to invest in a food steamer to really steam my foods, for now they are just boiled in a bit of water, or makes, or raw. My sister in law gave me a baby bullet and its perfect for making and storing food.
I have seen alot of post latley with people like me who ARENT doing BLW, the hot new fad. honestly, i had thought about it, but gagging babies and me just dont mix, so puress it is. I am going to try to clear up the "how do i begin deeding" question for everyone here.
I never started with rice cereal. The first food Luz ever had was sweet potato at 4 months. She was not ready and got gas...well at least when i read her mind thats what i assume. so i didnt offer and waited till a little over 5 months when she was practically trying to steal food from me.
We did the sweet potatoe baked, whiped through the Bullet in a bit of water and that was it! I began by offering her 1 TBS, once a day. I do try to keep the 4 days rule, but i am already giving that up.
After she was finishing 1 tbs once a day, i increased it to 1 tbs twice a day. I offer her some fruit in the morning and then a vegi at dinner time. Sometimes she finishes it all, and sometimes she doesnt. I almost ALWAYS need to thicken it, and use the Earths Best baby cereal. Although today i am going to make my own barley cereal to begin using.
I have added cinnamon and nutmeg to some foods. mainly carrots. I do notice though that she gets pink around the mouth with the cinnamon, i dont think its an allergic reaction, more of an irritation from it touching her face.
Here is the list that she has eaten. Please if you have any questions, leave a comment and let me know!
FRUITS
pear
peach
banana
avacodo (wasnt a fan)

Vegi
sweet potatoe
carrot
zuchinni

Friday Five

This week are 5 simple things i am thankful for

1. i am thankful we only had 6 inches of water in our basement from Irene

2. i am thankful it all went away by itself!

3. i am thankful that after 2 bee stings at once, i know that ONE of my kids (loco) is NOT allergic

4. i am thankful to have a 6 year old that i can help me out

5. i am thankful for cloth diapers and babylegs in the cool days! (this will get its own blogpost very soon

The child who sleep alone.....

Its funny, after 2 kids, I am proud to show a baby in a crib! I never thought this would happen, i mean, i have the other 2 still in my bed! Loco doesnt even have a bed in the "kid" room anymore, he gets a mattress on the floor. The big girl, well she is IN my bed! Dont get me wrong, i have loved co-sleeping with the kids, but never thought it would go on this long.....

That being said, Luz was moved from her bassinett in my room into a crib in the kids room. I had to get her out, with Loco's bad asthma, he is coughing ALL NIGHT LONG and it was starting to wake her.....

She does great alone,....i think. Lately she has been waking like 3-4 times a night which mommy DOES NOT LIKE. And i try not to rush to her, but im going crazy~Sometimes i nurse her, sometimes i just stick the pacifier back in, sometimes i pick her up for a second to see if she has a burp....

maybe someone has some more advice for me??? I had an open bar all night long for the other babies so they just nursed as they wanted...and i didnt even wake up!

im not all about the CIO, but i have become a more ....not sure what to call it, not so quick to sooth kinda momma. I would love to hear some advice from the more expirienced crib sleeping baby moms!