It's Black Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Busiest shopping day of the year, but I'm keeping my tushie inside where it's warm and my coffee cup stays full. :) Why would I want to leave these comforts and brave the crazy crowds when there are so many good deals I can get online?

Cloth Cycle

• FREE Shipping today through Cyber Monday!

Diaper Lab

• FREE Shipping on every order!

• Every order over $50 will be entereed into the "Golden Turkey" contest! Prizes include:
  
  
  ** Amazon Kindle
  ** Sakura Bloom Essential Silk Ring Sling
  ** IPOD Shuffle with $50 ITunes Gift Card

• Every order over $100 will also receive a free gift (value of $10.95 or more) with their order!

• FuzziBunz Smalls & Mediums are $10.95

• Bum Genius 4.0's are Buy 5 get 1 Free

• Gently Used is an extra 10% off

• Clearance Items are an extra 15% off

• Bummis Liners are Buy 4 get 1 Free

• All accessories, doublers and liners are 10% off
  
  
  AND MUCH MORE!!! Use code BLACKFRIDAY10 to receive all the awesome deals!!!

For Mom and Keiki

• Rockin Green: Secret Scent will be available. Limit 1 per customer
• Purchase Lulu's in the Fluff or Charlie's Laundry soap and receive a free wooden laundry scoop (not the same as the ones for purchase)
• Purchase a combination TummyTub and stool, and receive a free Natural Sea Sponge
• Wooltopia Dryer Balls: Unscented and scented --$5 each.
• Buddha Bunz Dryer Balls: Available in Christmas scents
• With a Bravado Bra/Tank purchase, receive a free pack of Bravado Bikini Panties
• With the purchase of a Flip Day Pack, receive a free bumGenius Odor Remover Spray
• With the purchase of 5 Doopsy Diapers, receive 1 free.
• With the purchase of 2 Doopsy Diapers, receive 1 free DOOPSY™ "All in One Insert" with PUL + 4 Layers of Bamboo Double Loop Terry
• With any EcoNuts Purchase, receive a free EcoNuts Vegan Lip Balm
• With the purchase of a Planet Wise wipe pouch with flannel wipes, receive a free pack of Honey Chunks
• With the purchase of 3 Fuzzi Bunz Diapers, receive a free SwaddleEzee Blanket
• With the purchase of a Bosom Baby Nursing Pillow, receive a free pair of Milk Diapers cotton nursing pads
• With any $100 purchase, receive a free $15 gift certificate/coupon.
• Many items are also on sale!
  
  ***Free items will not show up in shopping cart, but will be confirmed via email. In "remarks" section of order, specify color/size/type, etc., if necessary for free item. All free items are subject to availability of stock and only available while supplies last. For the $15 gift certificate/coupon, purchase must be $100 after all discounts taken.

Butzie Covers

• UT & Titans diapers $20 (regularly $30)
• Organic Bib & Burp Cloth Sets $3.50 (regularly $5.50)
• Milk Bath $6.50 (regularly $10.99)
• Bath Salts $7.49 (regularly $9.49)
• Oatmeal Bath $2.75 (regularly $5.50)
• Natural Soaps $3 (regularly $5.50)
• Heiny Huggers fitted $7 (regularly $10.50)
• Happy Hempys fitted $14 regularly $16.00)
• Bumkins AIO $14.00 (regularly $25.95)
• Advocacy T-Shirts $4 (regularly $7.50)
• Fuzzi Bunz Perfect Size $10.95 (regularly $17.95)
• Fuzzi Bunz One Size $13.95 (regularly $19.95)
• Little G wipes $3.35 (regularly $3.99)
• KaWaii One Size Diapers $8 (regularly $12)
• Bum Wraps $5 (regularly $8.50)
• Momma Pads Buy 2 get one FREE
• Nursing pads 2 sets/ $2.50 (regularly $2/set)

Sweet Lil Dimples

• Special Preorder price on KaWaii Diapers through the 27th.
• FREE Shipping on ALL products

Kae's Kloset

Urban Sprout Baby Boutique

• All in stock items up to 45% off! (Black Friday - Cyber Monday)

StuckOnARock Bowtique

• All instock is 35% off, customs are 20% and military discount still applies.

Diapeze

• Buy 3 Get 1 FREE Diapeze or Traineze  OR
• Buy 1 Get 1 Half Off all EZ Products
• HUGE 2000 Fan Celebration is going on right now!

Randumosity

• Free Shipping on all orders over $35.00
• Free Ouchie Pad with any set of 6 or more
• Free Wet Bag with any set of 8 or more
• Buy 1 Get 1 Half Off on all Singles

 
Baby Frills

• Buy One set of Leg Warmers and get a Second Set of Leg Warmers (of equal or lesser value) HALF PRICE!
• FREE Embroidery on any Applique Tee!

Make sure to visit us on Facebook for even more Black Friday Sales!!

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Can You Un-Naturally Cut Fries?

I couldn't help but laugh when I saw this in my email. Wendy' is unveiling their new Natural-Cut Fries with Sea Salt.

My family does eat fast food every once in a while, but I understand that what I'm eating is not healthy. I also understand that these fries probably won't be much healthier than Wendy's other fries. Unfortunately, there are many people who will see "Natural" on the label and think, "Hey, that must be good for me."

The only thing I can see that makes these fries "Natural" is the fact that there is still a smidgen of potato peels left on them. I'm not sure if that's healthier or not considering the chemicals and fertilizers used on potato fields?

As for the sea salt, there's no real difference in the chemical makeup between sea salt and regular table salt. Table salt tends to be processed more heavily than sea salt, but they both have around the same sodium content.

I haven't tried these fries yet, but I'm sure I will someday. The big thing to remember is everything in moderation. Just because "Natural" is on the label doesn't mean it's good for you.

**EDIT**

I just did a quick search on Wendy's Fries and I can't find anywhere that says their original fries are made out of anything other than potatoes, and the normal additives to keep them fresh and protect colors. Here's the nutrition info that I found on Wendy's site:

Potatoes, Vegetable Oil (contains one or more of the following: soy oil, canola oil, cottonseed oil, sunflower oil), Dextrose, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate (to protect natural color). Cooked in Soy, Corn, Cottonseed, & Hydrogenated Soy Oil. Cooked in the same oil as menu items that contain Wheat, Egg, Milk, and Fish (where available). Seasoned with Salt.



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Today's Daily Deals 11/22

 Zulily has added 9 new deals today with savings of up to 65% off! Plus, you can still purchase from 23 other active deals!

~Box Creations - only $19.99 (50% off). 

~Petit Ami - up to 50%off

~Koko and Me & Ko - up to 50% off

~Hairbows.com - up to 40% off

~Huddy Buddy - up to 50% off

~Pura Bottles

~Teaposey - up to 60% off

~Paramour - up to 40% off

~Crocs - up to 65% off. I've been looking for some shoes to wear around the house and for quick outside trips and I think these would be perfect:

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Eversave has a hot deal today - and only in limited quantities!

$25 for $50 worth of all-natural food, home goods, beauty essentials and gifts from AbesMarket.com

This store carries everything from natural cold remedies to pancake mix! I purchased two of these vouchers and I'm sure I'll be shopping at this store long after I've used my savings.

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Get 25% off your DiscoveryStore.com order when you use the code "FAMILY" at checkout.

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Plum District's deal for today is $25 for $50 worth of merchandise from Hello Hanna.

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Haute Look has a bunch of deals listed but the one I'm really excited about is the Classic Gifts For Kids. You'll find ImagiPlay, Green Toys and many other great brands in this category.

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The Husband Project: Project 16

Let Him Know You Think He's Hot

Today's project is to let your husband know that you're attracted to him physically. Just like us, our husbands want to know that we find them desirable and attractive. As Kathi says, "This is the project to remind him that he still 'does it' for you."

Think about what attracted you to your husband in the first place. Not just his sense of humor or good heart, what physically attracted you to him? The first thing I noticed was my husband's ice blue eyes and his strong arms. Of course, he still has those penetrating blue eyes and his arms are just as strong but what I usually notice these days is when he doesn't see the grocery list I give him or doesn't use those arms to take out the trash.

Today, I'm going to put on those rose colored glasses again and see all the qualities that make my husband sexy. I'm going to do a little flirting and let him know he still sweeps me off my feet.


Tomorrow's project is to give your husband some time off.

 

♡

Today's Daily Deals 11/21

I love this time of year! Sooooo many great deals!

Amazon's Deal of the Day is 57% off the Christmas Classics which include Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman. Make sure to check out their Lightning Deals too. Right now you can buy Pixelmator image editing software for Mac for only $11.99. That's 80% off!!

I also noticed that Amazon has a new Amazon Mom program. It sounds like a good deal, but I wish they'd discount more baby products other than just disposable diapers and wipes.

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Zulily added 5 more deals today:
~Under the Nile - up to 70% off
~Penelope Peapod - up to 40% off
~pur cashmere - up to 60% off
~Laura Ashley - 50% off
~Zubels - up to 45% off

You can still get in on the Charlie Banana Diapers & Wipes deal for up to 35% savings!

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The Mini Social has 11 different deals going on right now, including some very cute hats and sweaters from Yellow Label Kids for over half off!

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I'm not sure how many of you are near a Pamida, but they are having TRIPLE coupons today and tomorrow. They will triple any manufacturer's coupons up to $1.00!! I'll be heading to our Pamida tomorrow.


 

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The Husband Project: Project 15

What Not to Wear

Pitching the Pajama Pants

Today's project is to get rid of one item of clothing you know your husband is not in love with. You know the one - those old sweats, the raggedy slippers, or that over-sized sweatshirt. Your husband might not even notice that you've gotten rid of it. But, I can almost guarantee that he's noticed every time you've worn it.

Kathi compiled a list of ten items that should never be worn around your husband:

1. Team Jerseys (I don't completely agree with this one. I'm not a big football fan, but hubby always comments when I wear a Husker item)
2. Overalls (I had to LOL at this one because Kathi put in parentheses 'unless you both work on a farm'. So, I guess that means I can get away with this.)
3. Running shoes for anything other than running (I'm not sure if this counts, but I wear tennis shoes all the time!)
4. Mom jeans
5. Any sweater with a Christmas tree or pumpkin on it.
6. Long floral dresses that tie in the back. They make your figure look dumpy.
7. Acid-washed anything.
8. Underwear that has any form of safety pin attached to it.
9. Nursing bras. (While I was nursing, I wore these all the time. Thankfully, you can now find really nice looking nursing bras. But, if you're not nursing and still wearing these, I say it's time to get rid of them or box them up.)
10. Anything that an ex-boyfriend has ever given you.

This project could not have been more perfect for me. I have the most god awful gaucho pants that are made of this weird black slinky material and are about two sizes too big for me. I even think they're ugly and would never wear them in public - long story behind why I bought them. But, that didn't stop me from changing into them at night, even when my husband made a comment every time I wore them. Those will be getting thrown out today.

Do you have a piece of clothing that your hubby absolutely does not like? Will you be parting with it today?

Tomorrow's project is to let your husband know that you're attracted to him physically.

♡

Today's Daily Deals

My favorite deal for today is the Charlie Banana Diapers over at Zulily.com! You can save up to 35% off! Read my review of Charlie Banana Diapers here: http://clothchronicles.blogspot.com/2010/09/charlie-banana-review-giveaway.html.

Zulily has about 25 other brands of products right now with savings up to 65%, including some educational books, toys, dresses for mom, and some super cute nursing outfits!! This is definitely a good time to get some Christmas shopping done.

Over at Eversave, you can get $50 in book rentals from BookSwim.com for only $21! There's still time to take advantage of the $50 worth of eco friendly handbags for only $22.

My Type A personality is loving the deal over at Mamapedia - $15 for $30 worth of merchandise from The Organized Parent. I already bought 2 vouchers!

As usual, Target has a few good deals today:

Foodsaver Food Sealer Vacuum for $94.50

Coby Flash Memory Camcorder for $45.00

and Thomas the Train Cool Mist Humidifier for $24.99

Fabric.com has all vinyl fabric at 15% off. This includes PUL! Check out the Michael Miller Laminated Cotton if your looking into making some kid friendly products. A lot of laminated cotton, oilcloth, and vinyl are NOT lead or pthalate free, but these are CPSIA compliant.

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The Husband Project: Bonus Project 2

Lingerie Shopping, a Gift for Both of You

Your Bonus Project for this week is to buy a piece of lingerie that both you and your husband will love--then put it to good use.

Does the thought of wearing some skimpy lingerie make you squirm? Here's the thing, if you're not comfortable in it, then it's not much use to either one of you. You don't have to look like a Victoria's Secret model but I'm sure you could find something sexier than those sweatpants you've been wearing to bed.

Kathi lists the basics that every woman should have in her lingerie wardrobe:

• Silky pajamas - These don't have to show a lot of skin, but you can wear each piece separately (the bottoms with a silky camisole, the top all by itself).
• Silky camisole and boy shorts - You can mix and match these with your pajamas or wear them together.
• Kimono - This looks great on everyone and still covers enough. Plus, you're husband will be busy imagining what's underneath!
• Lacy bra and matching underwear - This is one I need to work on. I'm pretty sure I haven't had a cute matching set since we were first married.
• You can also add some optional items to make things a little more fun like some fabulous heels, a teddy, and a boa.

For tonight, and preferably most nights, wear something sexy to sleep in and get rid of that old t-shirt or sweats. If you're wearing one of his old shirts that he doesn't want to wear anymore, than he probably doesn't want to see it on you either. :)

If you're not too thrilled about this project, there's an article titled "The Real Woman's Guide to Lingerie Shopping" in the back of The Husband Project that you should really check out.
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The Husband Project: Project 14

Cook Something for Your Husband

Today's project is to make your husband something special in the kitchen.

Let's face it - Men like it when we cook for them. I'm not sure if it's something that their genetically predisposed to or if they are just falling into the gender stereotypes. Speaking for myself, I love cooking and I would just rather cook my own food. Now, if someone else wanted to do the dishes, I'd be fine with that.

Hubby on the other hand...he would much rather have me cook for him. Don't get me wrong, he does his fair share of cooking but he always enjoys the food more when I cook.

Maybe you don't like cooking or you just don't have much time with everything else you're doing. That's fine. There are some great recipes that you can make ahead of time. Just freeze them and then pop them in the oven later on. Do a google search for meals under 30 minutes and you'll find a bunch of options.

Don't forget about your slow cooker. That can be a busy mom's best friend.  We probably use our slow cooker 3-4 times a week because it's so easy. My absolute favorite place to find slow cooker recipes is at A Year of Slow Cooking.

If you are already a fabulous cook, never underestimate the appeal of 'guy food' - Sloppy Joes, chicken wings, hot dogs, fries... My husband's favorite meal is hamburger and fries and as far as he's concerned, I don't make that nearly enough. So, I'll usually make a juicy burger and crispy fries once a week. I do make it a little bit healthier by using beef for the cattle we raise and I make the fries out of russet potatoes and bake them instead of frying.

What's your husband's favorite food, or type of food? Do you think you could start making that once a week?

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Eco Compare - A New Blog Series

Ever since we started using cloth diapers, I've been trying to make greener choices in other areas of our home, but it hasn't been going so well. I've really been holding onto some of my very non environmentally safe products just because I didn't think there was a green version that could match it. So, I've decided to bring you along on my journey to compare eco friendly products with their ungreen counterparts. Since I also love being frugal, I'm going to try to *safely* make homemade versions of the products too. I'll be comparing everything from makeup and deodorants to degreasers and shower cleaners. 

I placed my order at Alice.com (a fantastic site!) and already received my box full of green products. I bought some toilet bowl cleaner, degreaser, bathroom cleaner, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, and even some plastic bags that are eco friendly. I'll start my first post in December comparing the toilet bowl cleaner to the products we already use. Definitely not glamorous, but I'm sure our holiday guests will appreciate a clean toilet. :)

Are there any products that you've been afraid to give up for a greener version? Let me know and I'll put them to the test.

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*CLOSED* HootHootBaby OS Diaper Review & Giveaway

The winner is...

Wendy F. who chose the Blue Dot Minky!!!

 

 I have this little obsession with owls. I think it began with a stamp I got in a scrapbook kit and I've been hooked ever since. C'mon, they're cute! :) So, of course I was intrigued when I heard about HootHootBaby. I became even more curious when I found out they were from our neighbor state of Kansas. But once I saw their owl fabric, I was hooked!

There was no way I could resist reviewing a diaper like this! Of course, as my husband says, it doesn't matter how cute I think a diaper is if it won't hold poop! Such a wise man!! Luckily, this diaper works as good as it looks. 

When I first got our HootHootBaby fitted diaper, I was immediately impressed with the materials used. With it's Organic Bamboo Fleece and Organic Cotton Velour, it's one of those diapers that you'll rub against your cheek. Any of you CDing mamas know what I mean! When you use both soakers, there is a total of 8 layers of absorbent material! If all that isn't enough for your heavy wetter, just let Libby know and she can add another soaker to your order. 

Inside of the diaper

 My husband put this diaper on little man one morning thinking it was one of our AIO or pocket diapers. I didn't know until I took little man's pants off to change him a couple hours later. I was amazed that his diaper was only slightly damp on the outside. If he'd been running around without his pants compressing the diaper, it probably would've still felt dry on the outside.

You get 2 soakers with your diaper

Another great thing about the HootHootBaby OS diaper is that it truly is a One Size Diaper. Most of our other OS diapers, especially our fitteds, fit our 17 month old son great around the waist still, but their rise is too low so they don't provide the best coverage anymore. Libby had told me that she was sure the rise of the HootHootBaby diaper would fit our son and she was right. I really believe that this diaper will last us through potty training. 

Soakers snap together

The diaper features cross over flaps that will fit a wide range of sizes, from itty bitty babies to chubby toddlers. As with any one size, it might be slightly bulky on an eight pound baby but with diapers this cute, I say put some babylegs on the little one and call it good. HootHootBaby does make a Newborn diaper that will fit babies 6.5 to 14 lbs. I'm pretty sure I'll be buying some of those whenever we have our next baby!

On the smallest settings

I wanted to get some thigh, waist, and rise measurements of our HootHootBaby diaper for this review, but my son took off with my tape measure and I still haven't found it. I promise I'll post some measurements as soon as I get another tape. :)

All in all, I'd say this is a pretty fantastic diaper. If you're having issues with nighttime leaks, I'd definitely suggest trying out a HootHootBaby OS with a wool cover. It also makes a fantastic daytime diaper that could easily be worn up to a couple hours without a cover. The OS diapers cost $20 but for the amount of time your child will be able to wear this diaper, it is completely worth the investment.

Want to get your own HootHootBaby diaper? Visit their website where you can also find Ring Slings and Training Pants. During the month of November, if you spend $45, you'll get 10% off your order. Spend $65, you'll get 15% off your order plus a free doubler. Every order comes with a free wipe and a 2 load sample of Ruby Moon Cloth Diaper Detergent!

Training Pants

Want to win a custom OS HootHootBaby Diaper? Just like HootHootBaby on Facebook then pick out your favorite HootHootBaby fabric at this link: http://www.hoothootbaby.com/fabulous-fabrics.html

Fill out the form below, and you're done!

*Here's a hint - If you don't want to forget that you entered, just leave a comment on this post. You can comment with something as simple as 'Entered' to remind you.

This giveaway will end Tuesday, November 23rd at 11:59pm CST and the winner will be selected the following day. Good Luck!!!  

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*CLOSED* Jodys Designs Review & Giveaway

The Winner is...

Ronnette C!!

Since my main focus is, obviously, on cloth diapers, I don't often get the chance to review non fluff items like toys. So when Jody from Jody's Designs contacted me, I jumped at the chance to try out some of her absolutely fabulous and super cute items!

Imagine my excitement when I opened up my mail and these were waiting for me...

These doughnuts are the perfect size for my little man's hands and are made with acrylic yarn so they're machine washable - a must have when those hands are sticky! The colors grabbed his attention and it wasn't long before he realized how fun these soft toys were to throw around. The doughnuts are small enough to carry in my purse and a great toy for little man to play with while we're at a restaurant or at church. 

Close up of our doughnuts. Unfortunately, little man has already moved the Strawberry doughnut to a place only he can find. :)

Besides these awesome doughnuts, Jody's Designs also includes dolls...

stuffed toys... 

and a variety of other play foods...

 

What I really love about Jody's toys is that they'll grow with your child. They are safe for babies, but still fun for older children to play with. Her toys are made with such quality that I know we'll be playing with these for years to come. 

Want to buy your own Jody's Designs toys? Visit the Jody's Designs Store. She has a few items available now, but will be stocking even more items on the 18th.

Want to win a pair of Chocolate and Vanilla doughnuts from Jody's Designs? It's super easy to enter! Just like Jody's Designs on Facebook, then fill out the form below and you're done! 

*Here's a hint - If you don't want to forget that you entered, just leave a comment on this post. You can comment with something as simple as 'Entered' to remind you.

Since I had some technical difficulties with my internet connection, I'm leaving the giveaway open until Tuesday, November 23rd at 11:59pm CST and the winner will be drawn the next day. Good luck!!

♡

The Husband Project: Project 13

On My Mind

Turning Your Thoughts toward Him

Today's project is to set up reminders during your day to think and pray for your husband. Let him know sometime during the day that he has been on your mind.

I'm sure there are a million and one thoughts going through your mind at any given time, just like any other busy mom, but how often are those thoughts about your man? Not about his to do list, but just about him and how much you love him?

I know, you don't need another thing to remember. Trust me, this won't take much effort. Maybe you could put a picture of him on your desk or carry something that reminds you of him in your purse. I'm a scheduler, so I set an alarm on my phone to remind me throughout the day. By the end of the day, I didn't need the alarm anymore because I almost couldn't get my hubby out of my mind. Once I started thinking about some of my favorite memories of him or the wonderful things he does, I thought about him even more.

After you've been thinking about your man, it's time to call him and let him know. It'll make his day to hear that he's been on your mind all day. But, remember that this call is to just let him know that you've been thinking about him; it shouldn't also turn into a call to remind him to pick up some milk or to vent about your day.

For myself, I'm one of those women that calls my husband constantly. I know that I take advantage of the fact that we're both our own bosses, but I need to remember that just because I'm not busy on a certain day, doesn't mean that he has time to sit and chat. So, my best gift to my husband was not calling. Well, I did call to tell him I was thinking about him, but there was no complaining about my day and I only called that one time.

Kathi lists some good boundaries for phone calls:

• He doesn't need to know what you had for lunch, unless he asks.
• He doesn't need a detailed rundown of every awful thing your kids have done.
• He doesn't need to know that you forgot something at the store.

So, put out some reminders and set your alarm so you'll stop and think about your husband throughout the day and then let him know - well, not about the reminders, but that you were thinking about him. Trust me, it'll be worth it!

Tomorrow's project is to cook something for your husband.

♡

The Husband Project: Project 12

Gotcha!

Notice the Great Things He Does

Your project for today is to tell your husband something about him that you think is simply great. Take a second and think about how frustrated we can get when our husbands don't notice our efforts. Organized the closet? I bet your husband didn't even take a second glance. New haircut? How long did it take your husband to say something, if he even noticed at all?

Now, think about the last time your husband mowed the lawn, took out the trash or unclogged the bathtub. Did you thank him or were you just annoyed that it took him so long to get it done? I was definitely the latter. Sure, these are things that you may expect him to do, but I'm sure he'd still like some sort of recognition. I love what Kathi said,

"...here's the thing. When you begin telling your husband how great he is, it raises his bar internally. Men, in every area of their lives, want to live up to the standard that has been set for them. He starts to see himself in a different light - not as the guy who is constantly missing the mark, but the one who surprises himself, and the people around him, with how capable he is."

This whole idea may be new to you and could be sort of awkward at first. That's okay, just start small. Compliment him on something simple, like taking out the trash or unloading the dishwasher. You might have some of those, "it's not fair" thoughts creeping into your head. After all, isn't it his job to help around the house too? Okay, but don't you like to feel appreciated for the all of the things that you do? You may just be surprised when you start getting compliments from your husband. Remember, it's hard to hand out compliments when you're not receiving them.

Not sure where to start? Kathi gives us a few ideas to focus on:

• Providing for your family (even if you're both working)
• His faithfulness to you
• His leadership in your home
• His parenting abilities
• How he makes you feel about yourself
• His provision of security in your home

Some other great ideas Kathi has include keeping pen and paper nearby and writing down your husband's great qualities as they come to mind and asking others to help come up with all of the great things your man does.

This was another project that made my husband take a step back. When you normally hear your wife nagging at you to get something done and then all of a sudden she's complimenting you, I'm sure it could be a little unnerving. Since starting this project, I've started noticing so many more things that make my husband a great man and I've been on the receiving end of the compliments too! I think by acknowledging all of the great things he does for our family, it has made him realize how hard I work too.

Our next project is Project 13: Turning Your Thoughts toward Him

♡

The Husband Project Update

I need to apologize for dropping the ball and not posting any Husband Projects for about a week. In the chaos that is my house, the book ended up in a box of fabric that went down to the laundry room and I couldn't find it. Lame...but true. :)

So, tomorrow I'm going to pick up where we left off - Project 12 - Notice the Great Things He Does. We do have a little group I created on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_161498527202135&ap=1 - which I think maybe one person is active in right now? LOL But, maybe things will pick up so feel free to join or just follow along here on the blog.

♡

What's with all the Mama Drama???

Bottle vs Breastfeeding

Cloth vs Disposable

Crazy Organic SAHM Mom vs Tightly Scheduled Working Mom

Tell me I am not the only one that finds it so discouraging to ALL mothers when I come across an article or another specialist telling us the RIGHT way to raise our children. One person says that the only type of milk that should touch your baby's lips before their 1st birthday is breastmilk. Another person says that breastfeeding is a prison that reverts women back to the dark ages. One study says that children of working moms are extremely happy children, another study shows that children of stay at home moms are even happier.

Maybe it's because I'm sort of a contradiction. Some of my parenting beliefs fall right into the attachment/natural parenting category; but I still do plenty of things that are far from the natural parenting concepts. I feel like I don't really fit into any parenting stereotype. I'm not natural enough to be an attached parent and I'm not conventional enough to be considered mainstream.

My labor was not natural. I was induced and gladly accepted the epidural. I breastfed, but we also used formula. I made our own baby food and we eat mainly organic, but I don't freak out when a family member gives my son processed foods. We vaccinate. I loved our sling and I wore my son all the time, but we never once considered co-sleeping. We now use cloth diapers, but we did start out with disposables. I am now a work-at-home mom, but if we hadn't had the daycare drama, I'd probably still be working outside of the home.

My point is, why do women always have to judge each other? I could care less if another woman is making her own baby food or babywearing. What I care about is that she loves her child and is giving her child the best that she can. By now, I'm sure we all know that breastfeeding is best for babies, but it can be very hard for some women. I worked outside of the home until my son was a little over 4 months old and I could pump all day long and still only get anywhere from 4-8 oz. I pumped as much as I could and it just wasn't enough, so we had to supplement with formula. Thankfully, my son easily transitioned from breastmilk to formula and back so I was still able to nurse while I was home.

I think that instead of pointing fingers at each other, maybe we should look into ways to educate each other without all the judgment. Look into educating our doctors about the dangers of inductions and epidurals. Get involved with state agencies to help educate new mothers about the benefits of breastfeeding and where to find help if they need it.

I know there are great resources out there that are already involved in these types of education, but those resources are usually centered in large cities and rarely found in less populated areas. If I had access to this education while I was pregnant, I would've fought the induction and I probably would've tried harder to exclusively breastfeed. Alas, the only nursing help I had was while I was in the hospital by a nurse that was a little bit too touchy for my taste and told me if my son ever bit me while nursing, "just slap his cheek and he'll stop". No, of course, I never did slap my son while he nursed - but that gives you an idea of the sort of education I received.

So, maybe the next time a pregnant friend tells you there's no way she could breastfeed, or cloth diaper, or babywear, or whatever else, instead of breaking out the "Don't you want to do what's best for your baby?", how about saying something like, "Well if you decide to (fill in the blank) let me know, and I'd be happy to help."

♡