Find us faithful (Then Sings My Soul Saturday)

While looking for a song on God's faithfulness for today's 'TSMSS', I accidentally...actually no I don't believe it was an accident, it was a God-incident.... that I came across this soul stirring song by Steve Green.

It is my husband's and my heart desire that God find us faithful when He look at us, that Bunny girl and Bunny Boo will grow being encouraged by our faith and Christ in us. True we fall short so many times, but His Grace picks us up to stride forward in faith.

I pray that when the Lord looks down at your family too, He may find you faithful.



Be encouraged.

Join in the meme initiated by the 'Signs, Wonders and Miracles' blog, post your favorite video and visit the other links.

God bless!

Labels: Christian, God, Reflections, Then Sings My Soul Saturday

posted by Marina@EBMR @ 10:10 AM 1 Comments

CLOSED: Mommy Helps: The Preggo Planner and the Tot Tag (+ Giveaway)

* Click here to view the name(s) of the winner(s)*

When Heather Patterson started Braelyn Bounty Bug she kept it simple with just 2 products- the Prego Planner and the Tot Tag. Doesn't sound like much but as an expectant mother/new mother you will realize that these two products will soon become a part and parcel of your journey as a Mommy to be/New Mommy.


Prego Planner: Mommy's Help #1

Just before Bunny girl arrived into our world, my sister gave me this detailed baby book with lots of pages to fill. The zeal of being a new Mommy started me off with the first few pages filled to the brim with details, clippings and what not.

Today if I go back and look at the book, there are a few pages that have not been filled only because the information required was not pertinent to Bunny girl but yet those blank pages staring back at me is not something I really like! I have considered pulling those pages out but if I do, filled pages leafed together with these ones will come undone too! Sigh!!

Now that's where the Prego Planner is different.
This 7.5" x 9" planner is actually housed in a 3 ring binder. Every single page can be moved around, removed or you can even add additional sheets or 'must saves' into the planner without affecting the other pages in any way. (Definitely my favorite feature of this product!)



The Prego Planner includes

• A 12-month undated calendar (a great gift to stock for baby showers especially as the calendar in undated and can be given to the Expectant Mommy any time of the year.)
  
• Pages to hold critical information such as OBGYN/Midwife contact information, hospital information, insurance information, pharmacy information, test results, questions for the physician and a chart to assist in keeping track of monthly progress. (I love the 'Questions for the Physician' feature as there are times I have questions but forget to ask them while visiting the Doc. This way my 'concerns' can be recorded as they come in mind and then get carried along for my next check up.)
  
• Interview questions for potential pediatricians
• The ultimate nursery checklist to assist with registering for baby showers and keeping track of what items have been fulfilled and what hasn’t. (This is a big help especially as I feel I've forgotten what all I need for a new baby's arrival especially since I had Bunny girl 4 years ago!!)
  
• An essential "acts of kindness" and gift log
• A unique checklist of things to do before baby arrives (Another list that's so useful for me!)
  
• An area for the birth plan
• A hospital packing list for Mom, Dad and Baby (I love that there's a list for Daddy too!)
  
• Family and friends call list (Can't forget anybody, can we?)
  
• Post delivery checklist
• Space for postpartum visit questions
• A handy pocket for paperwork
• Coated and sturdy tabs that make the desired pages readily available

The Prego Planner is big enough to view all that you record without squinting, yet is small enough to pop into an average sized handbag when you go off to the store to list your baby registry stuff or when you go for a Doctor's checkup.


Buy it:

The Prego Planner is available online for 24 US$ or can be bought from one of these stores near you.
** If you order a Preggo Planner TODAY (2/27) you can buy the same for 19.95 US$ only!!**


Tot Tag : Mommy's Help # 2

Ever gone somewhere and realized you forgot to pack an extra change of clothes for baby? Been there, done that? I think all of us, if honest, will admit to having forgotten a 'baby essential' some time or the other. Well, Heather has just given us another 'helper'- the Tot Tag!

The Tot Tag is a 3.3" x 2.1" laminated dual card. The 1st card, featuring one of my favorite verses " I am fearfully and wonderfully made" tightly overlaps over the contact details (Name, Address, Telephone Number) printed on the second card, thereby keeping this information hidden from public view, unless physically moved.

The back of the 2nd card has that essential Diaper Bag Checklist:

• Diapers
• Changing Pad
• Bottle(s)
• Bib
• Gas Relief Drops
• Diaper Rash Cream
• Stain Remover Wipes
• Wipes
• Change of Clothes
  
• Burp Cloths
• Pacifiers
• Diaper Sacks
• Fever Reducer
• Toy(s)

Yes, everything you'd possibly need for that outing with baby has been listed! This is also helpful if you have 'Daddy' helping you pack that bag.


Buy it:

The Tot Tag is available online for 3 US$ or can be bought from one of these stores near you.


Win it:

One reader will have the opportunity to win a Prego Planner and Tot Tagof choice.


Here's how you can win it:

1. Mandatory entry (without this, all other entries will be disqualified)-

Visit Braelyn Bounty Bug and tell me which Prego Planner you would pick.

Additional entries: (1 entry each)

-2. Fan Braelyn Bounty Bug on Facebook

-3. Follow Braelyn Bounty Bug on Twitter

-4. Follow the Braelyn Bounty blog. If you are pregnant, you can have an opportunity to be featured on Heather's Spotlight (And you will receive a free Tot Tag)

- 5. Subscribe to my blog via email or Follow my blog

- 6. Blog about this giveaway (leave a comment with a link to your blog post)

- 7. Follow me on Twitter and tweet once daily...

RT @ebmommy I'm trying to win the Preggo Planner & the Tot Tag on EBMR's http://tinyurl.com/ybczgc7 #giveaway #baby #maternity #sweeps #ebmr

- 8. Fan me on Facebook.

-9. Snag my Blog button

-10. Vote for Energizer Bunny's Mommy Reports in the Giveaway Blog Contest


This giveaway is open to US residents, 18 years and above. 1 winner will be chosen with the random.org generator on March 13 2010 at 10 pm Central time.




** EBMR Disclaimer: Braelyn Bounty Bug sent me the Preggo Planner and Tot tag for review purposes only. This review has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.**

Labels: baby gear, Barelyn Bounty Bug, Mommy and Baby giveaways, Prego Planner, Reviews / Giveaways, Tot Tag

posted by Marina@EBMR @ 6:58 AM 89 Comments

CLOSED: Staying Safe at Disney with Vital ID Bands (+Giveaway)

Belly Charms also carries a variety of other ID Tags to cater specifically to travel, medical alerts etc.


Win it:

One reader will have the opportunity to win a Safety Identification Wristband of choice.


Here's how you can win it:

1. Mandatory entry (without this, all other entries will be disqualified)-

Visit Belly Charms and tell me which Safety Identification Wristband you would pick.

Additional entries: (1 entry each)

-2. Fan Belly Charms on Facebook

-3. Follow Belly Charms on Twitter

- 4. Subscribe to my blog via email or Follow my blog

- 5. Blog about this giveaway (leave a comment with a link to your blog post)

- 6. Follow me on Twitter and tweet once daily...

RT @ebmommy I'm trying to win a Vital ID Band to keep my child safe http://tinyurl.com/yatnjn4 #giveaway #sweeps #Disney #childsafety #ebmr

- 7. Fan me on Facebook.

-8. Snag my Blog button

-9. Vote for Energizer Bunny's Mommy Reports in the Giveaway Blog Contest


This giveaway is open to US residents, 18 years and above. 1 winner will be chosen with the random.org generator on March 13 2010 at 10 pm Central time.




** EBMR Disclaimer: Belly Charms sent me an ID band for review purposes only. This review has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.**

Labels: Belly Charms, Child Safety, Disney, Reviews / Giveaways, Social Media Moms Celebration 2010, Vital ID Bands

posted by Marina@EBMR @ 6:08 AM 96 Comments

CLOSED: Getting Practical with Wee Rascals (+ GC Giveaway)

* Click here to view the name(s) of the winner(s)*

Early on this year I stumbled upon this Canadian site that offers some of the most practical things you'd need for a baby at home. More than just 1 product caught my eye and I know I will have to re-visit the store once Bunny Boo arrives!

Wee Rascals is a Mommy-Daughter venture that just shouts out 'PRACTICAL' in every way. I mean where else would you find Pee Pee Teepees for your son's potential squirt attacks?


Or how about 100% Organic Stay Put Bibs that don't flap over your little one's face thanks to flying arms in the midst of a messy, 'food all over the bib' meal?


Wee Rascals also carries my new favorite baby product- Sleep Sacks

And another baby essential, receiving blankets.


Having twins of her own, Rebecca Crawford realized her babies 1st receiving blankets were too small for them as they grew, so her Mommy (a professional seamstress, with 30 years of experience) just made larger ones for her darling grand-babies and the idea of selling extra large receiving blankets was born! (Yes...Mommies just have the best ideas!!)

I'm so happy Bunny Boo was sent two extra large cotton flannel receiving blankets. I know I won't use them for swaddling but when our summers get too warm I know these would be great light blankets for when our little one catches a shut eye.


I personally think buying extra large receiving blankets is such a practical product for new parents especially since one can put these blankets into good use even several months after the baby arrives without seeing toes popping out from the ends. (Definitely worth the money spent, without a doubt!)


Buy it:

A Chic Bebe Turquoise triple pack similar to Bunny Boo's can be bought for 28.50 Canadian Dollars. (Please note that all products are priced in Canadian Dollars)


Win it:

One reader will have the opportunity to win a 25$ gift certificate that may be used to buy anything on the Wee Rascals site.


Here's how you can win it:

1. Mandatory entry (without this, all other entries will be disqualified)-

Labels: baby gear, Mommy and Baby giveaways, Reviews / Giveaways, Wee Rascals

posted by Marina@EBMR @ 5:14 PM 97 Comments

Giveaways Junction!- 2 giveaways end on 2/27 (MckLinky Blog Hop)

*
2 awesome giveaways end this Saturday (2/27/'10). Is your name in the hat for each?

(I will keep adding to this list as each giveaway goes live. Makes it easier to use as your reference base OR you can use the lists on the right, in the margin.)

And more giveaways

* Todd English 8" Green Pan open frying pan (2/27)
* 2 25$ Fashion Playtes gift certificates (2/27)
* DIY Flower Arranging dvd (3/6)
* Set of Alphabotz Super Phonic Decoder cards (3/6)
* Boca Beth Beginner Set (3/6)
* 3T Cat Sweater from Sweaters by Lee (3/6)
* 20$ H-E-B GC (3/6)
* BIG, FAT General Mills Giveaway (3/7)- 6 winners

Mommy & Baby giveaways

* Moody Mamas 50$ merchandise (3/6)
* Elegant Mommy 25$ GC (3/6)
* HALO SleepSack (3/13)
* Sleep Number Maternity Pillow (3/13)
* 25$ Petit Couture GC (3/13)


Hop around the Blogosphere through the Linky below and enter some more great contests but before you hop off, would you help show your appreciation by casting a vote for Energizer Bunny's Mommy Reports in the Web's Top Giveaway Blog contest?
Thanks so much!

If you're entering any of the giveaways on this blog, remember to put in an additional entry letting me know that you voted. (This holds good for all giveaways live till March 2 2010.)


(Don't forget you can also add your giveaways on my 'Tuesdays Treasures Giveaway Linky'-a new Linky is put up every Tuesday)

Labels: MckLinky Blog Hop, Mommy and Baby giveaways, More giveaways, Reviews / Giveaways

posted by Marina@EBMR @ 4:36 PM 1 Comments

CLOSED: Win a 20$ HEB Gift Card. (+ Spurs Tickets!)- 2 Giveaways!!

Our family does all our grocery shopping at H-E-B simply because they're true to their name....we personally DO feel that everything IS better at H-E-B, price-wise, quality-wise and deal-wise.

So when I was asked yesterday if I'd like to help with a campaign and offer one of you a giftcard would you think I'd refuse?
No way! So here's the scoop on....


Giveaway 1: the 'Dinner Tonight Giveaway'

H-E-B wants to know what's cooking at your home?

Moroccan Chicken Dinner? Veggie Chili? Tweet H-E-B photos of your #HEBdinner (yes, use the hashtag) using H-E-B products and you could win a 4-pack of Spurs vs Hornets game tickets!

Deadline to enter the Spurs ticket giveaway:

TODAY!! (February 25, 2010)

How many winners will H-E-B pick?

Two!

How do I enter?

Just tweet @HEB your dinner photos from February 10-25, 2010. Show off your cooking tips and be sure to include the #HEBdinner hash tag. Each day we’ll randomly select two winners to receive 4-packs of tickets to the Spurs vs. Hornets home game on Friday, March 5.

* More details from the promotion can be found here.*

Giveaway 2:

If you weren't able to read this post before February 25, 11.30pm, don't despair because I have a 20$ H-E-B giftcard up for grabs!


Here's how you can win it:

1. Mandatory entry (without this, all other entries will be disqualified)-

Tell me what you love about H-E-B.

Labels: HEB, More giveaways, Reviews / Giveaways

posted by Marina@EBMR @ 8:22 AM 60 Comments

CLOSED: Petit Couture (+ Giveaway)

What do you get when you come across 2 Mommies, with similar interests, a keen fashion inclination and a drive to bring their creative ideas to life?

Here's what you will get..... Petit Couture! A 'Mom Made That' clothing brand that only carries modern, artisan, luxury basics collections for fashionable offsprings and their Mamas.

Unlike regular Mommy-Baby brands that showcase regular baby wear, Petit Couture is an exclusive clothing brand that proudly carries exquisite products that are created with a twist.
A little bling here and a little glitz there and voila, you will have baby one-piece that looks like this.....

Made completely in the US of A, this Signature Layette is

• 100% interlock cotton (yes, its soft and once washed will be softer. Frankly in the end, when it comes to my little ones, as long as the material's cotton and ultra comfortable...then I'm sold!)
• Fashioned with signature grosgain ribbon embellishment and
• Rhinestones (can you see those 3 little studs near the label? Oooh-la-la!)

This is available in these sizes : 3-6 mos, 6-12 mos, 12-18 mos and 18-24 mos.

I'm not a 'bling' kind of person, out of preference, so this was a first for me. I'm sure my little Bunny Boo will 'sparkle away' in this unique piece!


*You can find Petit Couture products online or in these stores.*


Buy it:

A Signature Layette similar to Bunny Boo's can be bought for 30 US$ and if you order immediately you will get FREE SHIPPING (till March 1, 2010) when you use the code 'FREESHIPPING1' during checkout.


Win it:

One reader will have the opportunity to win a 25$ gift certificate that may be used to buy anything on the Petit Couture site.


Here's how you can win it:

1. Mandatory entry (without this, all other entries will be disqualified)-

Labels: Mom Made That, Mommy and Baby giveaways, Petit Couture., Reviews / Giveaways

posted by Marina@EBMR @ 7:49 AM 97 Comments

Socially Yours, Kawasaki & Brogan

When I started to blog close to a year ago and when I joined Twitter a few months ago, I thought it was just a great way to publicize my writing, my reviews, the giveaways hosted and basically get the word out about my blog. After listening to two Social Media Gurus at the Disney Social Media Mom's Celebration I realized I have a world of Social Media to embrace....((GASP))!

Thankfully we had 2 great speakers who conveyed their years of experience in less than an hour each, that we may learn from their years in the Social Media arena.

Here's some bling to get your Social Media presence to sparkle effectively......


Socially Yours, Guy Kawasaki:

Guy Kawasaki is one of the Apple employees responsible for marketing the Mac in 1984. He is the founder of Alltop and the author of his popular personal blog 'How to Change the World'. He has a strong Twitter presence with over 216,000 followers and uses this has his strongest marketing weapon. Guy can be found @guykawasaki

• Tweet out your blog updates atleast 4 times with a 10 hour interval between each tweet. This way readers from different time zones can click onto your link and this will generate greater readership. (Tweeting out a single link more than 4 times will only aggravate a follower!)
  
• Use Objective Marketer or Twitter Feed to tweet out those blog feeds. (You can program your feeds to go out at the set intervals specified by you)
• Find stuff that people find interesting to read, to increase followers. (All your Twitter followers don't need to know updates about your cat!)
• It's important to have people follow you but there are people who can spam up your Twitter page or be a negative presence around. Simply ask them to 'UFM' ! (Oh don't worry, this is a family blog. 'UFM' simply means 'UnFollow Me!')
• Monetize your blog through affiliate programs, banner ads and Google Ads.
• The key to having a successful Twitter Presence is to have more followers. To have more followers, you need to ensure your tweets have high content.

Socially Yours, Chris Brogan:

Chris Brogan is the President of New Marketing Labs, a marketing media agency and to put it simply an authority with the ways of marketing....I learnt a lot from his brief but rich presentation!! Chris authors his own blog- ChrisBrogan and can be found @chrisbrogan. (Oh and did I mention that he has a witty sense of humor?)

• Build relationships with your readers. There's a difference between having an audience (you speak to an audience) and having a community (you speak and interact with your community.)
• It's important to connect with your followers/readers. Companies don't want you to just be a product reviewer. They want you to tell stories to your readers in a human, connected way.
• It's important to let a product sponsor/company hear your side of the story, in the review. It should be your experience, in your words...not a 'Cut' 'Copy' 'Paste' job!
• Your content needs to be simple and understandable for the readers.
• Remember that companies love to receive new ideas from you.
• Grow Bigger Ears.
  
• Focus, Focus, Focus on relationships!
• Listen! Connect! Publish!
• If you run a business, never think your customer is dumb. "Your customer is your wife!" Respect your customer at all times.
  
• Never look down upon any blogger. Little Bloggers DO grow up!
• How to build readers:

1. Be helpful to your readers
2. Make stories smaller and tighter
3. Make sub-headers and bullets to make reading easier.

With Guy Kawasaki and Chris Brogan, I close my Speaker Highlight posts from the Disney Social Media Mom's Celebration but I can't end without acknowledging the people who brought laughs to the day......

MaryEllen Hooper (Stand Up Comedian and author of the blog Stinky Flowers) and




If you missed reading the other Speaker Highlights, hop on over and read:

• Maxine Clark's Gems
• Mommy to Mommy with Marissa J Winokur
• Kathy Ireland's Nuggets of Wisdom
  

* You can read more Social Media Moms Celebration Posts at 5 minutes for Mom *


** EBMR Disclaimer: I was blessed to attend this awesome Disney conference, at a very subsidized package price of 350 US$ only (This included the conference registration, accommodation for our family and Disney World park hopper tickets for 7 days). All expenses for myself and my family were borne by us solely. This review has not been monetarily compensated by Disney and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. **

Labels: Chris Brogan, Disney, Guy Kawasaki, Reflections, Social Media Moms Celebration 2010

posted by Marina@EBMR @ 7:32 AM 2 Comments

Over the Rainbow (+ Book Giveaway)

Somewhere over the Rainbow......we all know the song, we all know the movie and when I think of the song I think of watching 'Dorothy' in the Wizard of Oz, looking up to the sky and singing this with all her heart.

Somewhere over the Rainbow is ranked number 1 on the American Film Institute's list of 100 Greatest Songs in American Films.

I still remember trying to sing this classic in the bathroom as a young girl, aspiring to have as beautiful a voice as Judy Collins!

Memories....yes, memories that bring a smile to my face.

What a wonderful idea then to bring back that popular song for our children to enjoy and what better way to do that than through a book ....Over the Rainbow


with bright art from Eric Puybaret that transports you along that journey 'over the rainbow'.

The artwork Eric used for this book was originally painted by him on linen and scanned to give the book that 'Collector's Edition' touch from the first page till the end.

My sister is an awesome artist and I've saved our copy of Over the Rainbow for her as I know she will appreciate the work much more with her keen, artistic eye.

Over the Rainbow is a 26 paged hardcover, jacketed gift book that includes a cd with Judy Collins famous rendition of this song and two additional songs. This Imagine Books publication is a book for all ages.


Buy it:

Over the Rainbow originally retails for 17.95US$ but you can buy the same on Amazon.com for a discounted price of 12.21 US$


Win it:

Two readers will have the opportunity to win a copy of Over the Rainbow (the book and audio cd) each.


Here's how you can win it:

1. Mandatory entry (without this, all other entries will be disqualified)-

Labels: More giveaways, Over the Rainbow, Reviews / Giveaways

posted by Marina@EBMR @ 11:55 PM 26 Comments

CLOSED: The BIG, FAT General Mills-Atari-Target Giveaway

General Mills, Target and Atari have joined forces to bring out 5 limited edition Retro Cereal boxes that will only be sold in Target stores from February 14- March 7 2010.

The Retro packages will have a different game or prize featured on each of the 5 Cereals.

Here's the scoop from General Mills themselves.....

Cheerios: Favorite family fun games you played as a child--Remember Bullwinkle? How old were you when you first watched Bullwinkle and Rocky? Do you have any merchandise of these characters to share with your kids?

Honey Nut Cheerios: The Atari Flashback. What was your favorite game? You have a chance to show off your game skills to your kids by going online to atari.com to start playing some of the classic games. For a chance to win your very own Atari Flashback 2+ game system with the original ones and more, go to RetroGameGiveaway.com.

Cinnamon Toast Crunch: Remember when Cinnamon Toast first came in a bowl? With that, came a favorite toy that remains popular today...even on the golf course...the famous Flyer. How many of those did you collect as a child and play with your friends?

Lucky Charms: Remember putting on puppet shows as a kid? How simple it was to make them and you could find your favorites on the back of cereal packages. Did you ever master the Leprechaun Puppet?

Trix: Back by popular demand, the door-hanger. How simple they were to cut-out and "keep-out" brothers and sisters from entering you room! Do you have a crazy hang-up? What's your favorite saying to put on your door?

General Mills sent us the 5 limited edition Retro packs and a limited edition Retro Tee for review


and though the pictures on the boxes were different from the Current designs I have to confirm that the contents taste just the same, just as crispy and the Honey Nut Cheerios still rule in our home!!

Want to take a look at the 5 Featured Cereals with their new Retro look, against their Current look? Here goes......

PICTURE 1

PICTURE 2

PICTURE 3

PICTURE 4

PICTURE 5


So what's the BIG, FAT Giveaway?

Okay so now you must be wondering what the BIG, FAT Giveaway is about right?

Well, thanks to General Mills, Target and Atari I'm going to pick 6 winners.


WOW! What can I win?

5 winners will win a super-duper prize package that will include:

• 1 sample each of the limited edition General Mills Big G Retro cereal boxes (if you look at my 'sample' boxes you will see how huge they are!!)
• 1 Retro design T-shirt (I love mine because I absolutely love Honey Nut Cheerios!) and
  
• 1 10$ Target Gift card (Can I hear a big Yippee?!!)

The 6th winner will be our super-duper Grand Prize winner and the super-duper big prize is......
an Atari Flashback 2 Game Console!!!


Hurry!!! Tell me how I can enter!

That's real easy. You will have 7 modes of entry and till March 7th, 2010 to enter.


1. Mandatory entry (without this, all other entries will be disqualified)-

Labels: Atari, General Mills, More giveaways, Reviews / Giveaways, target

posted by Marina@EBMR @ 5:19 PM 386 Comments