-CLOSED- Thirsties Duo Diaper Review & Giveaway!

I recently had the opportunity to take a Thirsties Duo Diaper for a spin on my little man! Wow! Can I just say that I l-o-v-e this diaper?!? Thirsties sent us the Duo Diaper in the Blackbird print in a size two. My 14 month old son is about 26lbs and super tall. We currently are using the diaper on the middle setting and there is still plenty of room for him to grow and still wear this diaper. 

The Duo Diaper really packs a lot of great diaper qualities into one easy to use diaper. It is a two piece pocket diapering system that combines microfiber terry & hemp/cotton combo insert for adjustable absorption (there are 7 layers in all). 

The inserts get snapped together (so there's no slipping around) and then stuffed under the soft microfleece liner and then it is all wrapped up into an adorable waterproof diaper! Now, at first, I have to say that I was very hesitant about the dual openings of the Duo Diaper. I was so nervous that the inserts were going to come inching out the front of the diaper while little man was running around! Well, nothing has come inching out yet and little man is very active. It definitely stays put once it's in there. *Side note from an email I got from Thirsties: make sure you aren't tucking the insert into the flap of the PUL on the inside. They recommend to not tuck the insert into the flap as it can cause leaking through the stitching by the Aplix.*

Then there is the leg gussets and they are just awesome at their job of keeping, um, well, "stuff" in the diaper where it should be. :) I think that the leg gussets are my favorite feature of the Duo Diaper - they provide such a perfect fit around my sons legs that I never have to worry that any wetness or other surprises will leak out. 

The closure on the Duo Diaper is Aplix and at first I wasn't thrilled about that. But, I have since changed my mind. I am definitely on the fence about whether I prefer Aplix or snaps. I like the adjustability of Aplix, but dislike how some can wear out and not be as "sticky" any more. With snaps you know you are getting a secure fit and they will hold up, but it is not quite as adjustable. Also little man has become quite adept at un-doing Velcro...whether it is on a diaper or shoes or whatever. I was pleasantly surprised however at how sturdy the Aplix is on the Duo Diaper - it was very secure and little man hasn't even tried to un-do it and it definitely seems like it will stand the test of many washings and still be as durable. Another side note from Thirsties: They have plans to release a snap version of the Duo Diaper, for all those parents that prefer snaps over Aplix. Look for it later this year! - exciting!*

The Duo Diaper also has three rows of snaps so that you can adjust the rise to best fit your little one. I love this option since little man is long and fairly thin, it allows me to adjust the rise so that the diaper is long enough and then I can cinch him in the diaper with the Aplix to make sure I get a perfect fit around his waist. 

I am also happy to report that while I have been using the Duo Diaper, we haven't had any leaks! Now, I haven't used it at night yet (partially because I can't bring myself to cover up the cute Blackbird print), but I think with an extra insert in there, this diaper could definitely stand the over-night test. All in all, the Thirsties Duo Diaper is an exceptional diaper. It has so many well thought out features that will help this diaper last on your little one and adjust to their growing little bodies. I definitely want to add some more Duo Diaper's to our stash, I just love them. I'm eye-balling Meadow and Ocean Blue to add to little man's collection! I would highly recommend this diaper to anyone I know.

I though that it was pretty trim!

Here's a little bit about Thirsties the company:

Thirsties is a small (but growing!) cloth diaper company committed to greener parenting and Eco Friendly solutions, not to mention 100% USA Made quality! Erin, founder of Thirsties, started this business with an old sewing machine and $100 5 years ago. Through her hard work and diligence, the company is now one of the leaders in the cloth diaper industry. Our diapers are now made by work at home mothers, and very close to our warehouse, reducing our carbon output. Our customer service reps are experienced cloth diapering moms, and offer our knowledge to our retailers and customers alike.

Here at Thirsties, we aim to provide the very best product and customer service! If you ever have any questions or concerns, please let us know!

I really love that Thirsties diapers are US made! I also appreciate the steps they are taking to be more eco-friendly. Even their packaging can be composted or recycled!

Here are some of the diaper details:

Thirsties Diaper Sizing:

size one:
6-18 lbs (3-8 kg)
0-9 months 

size two:
18-40 lbs (8-18 kg)
9-36 months

Thirsties Diaper Colors/Prints:

Thirsties Diaper Pricing:

$18.50 each for solids
$19.50 each for prints

Thirsties has generously offered one of my readers a Duo Diaper of their very own! You can enter to WIN a Duo Diaper in your choice of color or print!

  Here's how to enter:
Mandatory Entry:

• First, you must publicly follow my blog via GFC and then head on over to Thirsties and tell me another product you would love to try.

*This mandatory entry must be completed for the rest of your entries to be valid. I will be checking/verifying your comments, if you say you signed up for something or did something, you do need to actually do it for it to count as an entry*

 
Extra Entries:

•  "Like" Thirsties on Facebook and thank them for the review on The Little Hedgehog w/ a link to this giveaway. (2 entries)

• Request the Thirsties catalog (1 entry)

• Tell me what size you would need and which color or print you would love if you won. (1 entry)

•  Add my button to your blog and leave me a link (2 entries)

• Follow The Little Hedgehog on Facebook. (1 entry) 

• Follow me on Twitter: @lttlehedgehog then, comment here with your Twitter ID to get your entry. (1 entry) 

• Tweet about this giveaway. Comment with a direct link to your tweet so I can see it to get your entry!  You may use this tweet or make up your own:  Enter to #Win a Thirsties Duo Diaper from @lttlehedgehog  http://bit.ly/eTWdyc {Ends 2/12} #clothdiapers #giveaway  (1 entry per day)

• Sign up to receive the little hedgehog emails via feedburner and have your subscription verified. (2 entries)

• Blog about this review/giveaway. Be sure to include a link to this review/giveaway. Comment with a link to your blog post to get your entry! (2 entries)

*Don't forget to put your email address in each comment so I can get a hold of you if you are the lucky winner! If I cannot get a hold of you, I will have to draw another winner! Also, I will check to make sure that the winner filled out the mandatory entry.

Open to the US and Canada!

I'll accept entries until Saturday, February 12, 2011 at Midnight PST. I'll select a winner using random.org's random number generator, then email the winner. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email and if I don't get a response, I will have to choose another winner. Again, make sure you leave your email address in your comment!

*Thirsties  will be sending the winner’s prize item to them directly. 

Thank you to Thirsties for providing me with the opportunity to host this review and giveaway at no cost to myself. The item was sent to me free of charge for review and has not influenced my opinion of the product. I have sought to give my honest opinions and experiences on this product. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. Thank you again to Thirsties for sponsoring this review and giveaway!

 

Upcoming CSN Stores Review!

Little man is on the move! He loves to walk, climb, explore and SWING! He absolutely has a blast whenever we go to the park and swing him in those little bucket seats! I love hearing his squeals of joy and seeing his wide, gleeful smile.  Since we live in Southern California, it is sunny, about, oh, 90% of the time and I would just love to start shopping for some swing sets for our little man to play on in his very own back yard! Call me crazy, but I have been eyeballing different swing sets for little man to swing on and play on since he was born! I had such happy and fun memories on mine in my own backyard as a kid that I can't wait to share those fun memories with my son!

Here are some of my favorites: 

CSN Stores is a great place to do your shopping for a swing set or whatever it is you are shopping for! They have over 200 stores, reasonable prices and so many of their items ship for free! I have ordered from them in the past and I have been extremely happy with everything that I have purchased from CSN Stores. Now I just have decide what to do my review on! So many choices... 

*In exchange for writing this post, I will be given a $35 CSN gift code with which to use to purchase an item that I will be reviewing in the future. So keep your eyes peeled to see what I'll be reviewing!*

-CLOSED- Pixiekids Toys Review & GC Giveaway!

I was recently contacted by Melisa of Pixiekids Toys wondering if I would be interested in doing a review of her Eco-friendly felt hedgehog! Squeee! I love hedgehogs!

I checked out Melisa's Etsy site and was immediately giddy! Her Eco-felt hedgehog was sooo cute and her other items were just as adorable! Melisa mailed me my very own little Eco-felt hedgie and he is just so darn hugable (and he is Eco-friendly)!

Pixiekids Toys are all handmade out of Eco-felt. Melisa, who is the artist behind Pixiekids Toys, is a stay-at-home mom to a baby boy who gets the fun job of playing with and testing out all of the food and creatures she makes. Melisa's background as a Speech Language Pathologist and her Montessori Teacher Training has shown itself in her skill in creating educational toys that will help to create fun experiences with quality handmade items. All Pixiekids Toys are made to encourage and foster imaginative play and language development.

Melisa has used pretend play as a way to encourage language development when conducting speech therapy with students, and she is inspired by that experience. Imaginative play is also a great way to encourage cooperative play. For example, parents can use Pixiekids Toys play food sets to help their little ones learn names of fruits and vegetables, colors, and can teach them to count as they take them out of the grocery bag. Kids can even use the play food sets with their friends to open a pretend grocery store or farmers market, or have a pretend restaurant! The possibilities are endless!

When I was first perusing Pixiekids Toys, I wanted to learn what Eco-felt was. I learned that Eco-felt is felt that is manufactured from recycled plastic bottles! How awesome and green is that! Now that is definitely a product I can stand behind and want my little man to be able to play with. "Hedgie" measures approx 8" wide and is about 9.5" tall...and is stuffed to perfection! Also, I wanted to note that all of the pieces are appliqued and it is not coming apart folks! I always like to know whether or not something is baby safe, because my little man can go to town chewing on things! This Eco-felt hedgehog is safe for even the youngest baby out there!

I love, love, love my little felt hedgehog! He is so cute that I just want to hug him and squeeze him every time I see him. My little man feels the same way about him. It was so funny, I was taking some pictures the day I got my little Eco-felt hedgie and then, Zoom! Out of nowhere little man swooped in for the steal! He got his little paws on him and carries him around showing him off to daddy (but kept a firm grip on hedgie, lest someone tried to steal him back). I am so happy that little man loves playing with and carrying little hedgie around!

Stuffed full of cute, felt-y, hedgehogy-ness

Wait?!? Where'd you come from?

Hedgie's been swiped!

Can I keep him mom? (How can I say no to that face?)

Melisa of Pixiekids Toys makes more than just adorable little Eco-felt hedgehogs, she also makes a wide variety of Eco-friendly felt play food and quite a few different woodland creatures! You will definitely want to take a look through her Etsy shop for some wonderful toys that will spark the imagination, promote healthy eating habits, and encourage language development through creative and dramatic play! There is something special for child in your life!

Here are some of my favorite food items from Pixiekids Toys:

TEA SET - Eco Friendly Felt Play Food - Princess Tea Party Set on Silver Platter - Pink - Deliciously scented sugar cookies - $39.95 (I would love to play with this with a daughter someday!)

Handmade Eco Friendly Felt Play Food - Grociery Bag with 8 Fruits and Vegetables - banana, apple, tomato, pumpkin, squash, eggplant, orange, carrot -$39.95

Handmade Eco-Friendly Felt Play Food Toy - Sushi, chopsticks, wooden serving box - $26.95

I just can't wait to play "restaurant" and "kitchen" with little man! The play foods that Melissa has created are so adorable and look like so much fun to play with! Just looking at them makes me want to play with them too!

I was able to ask Melisa some questions about how she got started and where her inspiration comes from. I hope that you feel like you can get to know Melisa and Pixiekids Toys a little bit better, just like I did!

What inspired the name, Pixiekids Toys and Gifts, for your Etsy shop?

I used to have a tie-dye business when my nine-year-old was a baby and I named that one Pixiekids Tie Dye.  When I started making toys, it was natural that I keep the name.  I like the name because I think it reminds people of the special whimsical time in childhood when imagination seems so real :)

How long has your Etsy shop been open?
I've had my shop open since October of 2010.

Do you remember the first item you sold in your Etsy shop?
The first item that I sold was one of my Waldorf baby dolls.  It was a birthday gift for the customer's grandson, so I got to gift wrap it and include a birthday card, which was fun!

How long have you been making Eco-felt toys? Did someone teach you or did you pick it up on your own?
I started making eco-felt toys in October when I was beginning to think about Christmas gifts for my two boys and my nieces and nephews.  I really liked that the eco-felt was manufactured from recycled plastic bottles - it added another level of conscientiousness to the toys because not only were they handmade, they were also eco-friendly!  I learned how to sew as a kid, and my mom taught me how to make some of my own clothes when I was still in elementary school.  She is a masterful quilter, so I feel like I couldn't help but learn to sew.  I like looking at Japanese craft books for inspiration for my designs.  I can't read a word of Japanese, but the pictures are great - it's an amazing craft that is very popular in Japan.

What inspired you to start using Eco-felt?
I first saw Eco-felt when I was shopping at Joann's fabric and immediately loved the concept.  We try to reduce, reuse and recycle as much as possible in our home, so it is only natural that I would want to use eco-friendly products when making toys.

What is your favorite item to make?
This is a hard question!  The short answer is that my favorite item to make is whatever NEW design that I'm working on.  I love thinking of a new creature or felt food play set and working on it until it turns out just right.  I have to say that the sushi is pretty fun as well.  I'm a big fan of sushi, so it always makes me hungry :)

What is the age recommendation for your felt foods?   
Age recommendation - any age for the eco-felt creatures because I applique all pieces so none should be able to come loose, even with chewing.  The grocery and fruits and vegetable sets should also be appropriate for any age.  I am currently working on a version of the breakfast in bed set that would be appropriate for all ages - it will have a banana that peels instead of the strawberries (which might pose a choking hazard for under 3s) and no fabric paint on the cinnamon roll (which could peel off with excessive chewing).  I can also make the cinnamon roll bakery set without the fabric paint frosting so that it is appropriate for all ages.  The sushi set is recommended only for kids age 3 and older who are beyond the risk of a choking hazard - the wasabi and ginger in the set are small enough that they may pose a choking risk.  My husband makes the wooden boxes that come with the sushi sets and he takes extra care to make sure they are sanded well enough that they are smooth and not have any risk for splinters.

What would be the perfect way to spend a day?
It sounds corny, but I just love staying home with my six-month-old.  I couldn't ask for a more perfect way to spend the day!  It's what inspired me to try to turn Pixiekids Toys into a business.  I took the school year off to stay home with him (I'm a speech language pathologist) and decided that I really wanted to find a way to extend my stay for more than just the one year.  Other than that, I'm a really big reader, so spending the day reading a good book with a cup of hot chai is always fun.  We also love to go ice skating as a family, so we'd have to fit that into the "perfect day" as well :)

Now that you know a little bit more about the who, what, when, where and why of Pixiekids Toys, here is a sneek peek into some new designs that Melissa is working on:

• Eco-felt Creatures: Snowy Owl and Ferret

• Play food sets - Pizza Bistro Set, Shish-kabob and Grill set, Interactive Gardening Set, Coffee Shop Set  ---> ...Ooooh! I can't wait to see the Coffee Shop Set! I'll have to teach little man how to brew the perfect cup-o-joe for his mommy. ;)

If you happen to be in the area, here are some shops that carry Pixiekids Toys items:
Periwinkle in Toronto
The Paper Crane Gallery and Studio in Bloomington, IN
Vix Emporium in Philadelphia, PA
The Glitter Workshop in Madison, WI
soon to add:
Happy Delusions in Renton (Seattle), WA
All Things Kids in Austin, TX

 

What was your favorite item from her shop? Did you see something that you thought would be perfect for your little one? You can shop Pixiekids Toys Etsy page here. You can also become a fan of her Facebook page! Happy Shopping!

-Or-

You can enter to WIN a a $10 gift certificate to Pixiekids Toys Etsy shop!

  Here's how to enter:
Mandatory Entry:

• Visit Pixiekids Toys Etsy shop and tell me what you would use the $10 gift certificate on if you won!

*This mandatory entry must be completed for the rest of your entries to be valid. I will be checking/verifying your comments, if you say you signed up for something or did something, you do need to actually do it for it to count as an entry*

 

Extra Entries:

•  "Like" Pixiekids Toys on Facebook and let them know that The Little Hedgehog sent you. (2 entries)

•   "Heart"/ Add to Favorites the Pixiekids Toys Etsy shop (include your your Etsy name in your comment) (1 entry)

• PURCHASE anything from Pixiekids Toys Etsy shop during the duration of this giveaway (Leave Order # or some way for me to confirm) (10 entries!)

•  Publicly follow my blog (2 entries)

•  Add my button to your blog and leave me a link (2 entries) 

• Follow me on Twitter: @lttlehedgehog then, comment here with your Twitter ID to get your entry. (1 entry) 

• Tweet about this giveaway. Comment with a direct link to your tweet so I can see it to get your entry!  You may use this tweet or make up your own:  Enter to #Win a $10 GC to Pixiekids Toys Etsy shop from @lttlehedgehog http://bit.ly/dMii0H {Ends 2/11} #green #eco #giveaway  (1 entry per day)

• Sign up to receive the little hedgehog emails via feedburner and have your subscription verified. (2 entries)

• Blog about this review/giveaway. Be sure to include a link to this review/giveaway. Comment with a link to your blog post to get your entry! (2 entries)

*Don't forget to put your email address in each comment so I can get a hold of you if you are the lucky winner! If I cannot get a hold of you, I will have to draw another winner! Also, I will check to make sure that the winner filled out the mandatory entry.

Open Worldwide!

I'll accept entries until Friday, February 11, 2011 at Midnight PST. I'll select a winner using random.org's random number generator, then email the winner. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email and if I don't get a response, I will have to choose another winner. Again, make sure you leave your email address in your comment!

*Pixiekids Toys will be sending the winner’s gift certificate item to them directly. 

Thank you to Melisa of Pixiekids Toys for providing me with the opportunity to host this review and giveaway at no cost to myself. The item was sent to me free of charge for review and has not influenced my opinion of the product. I have sought to give my honest opinions and experiences on this product. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. Thank you again to Pixiekids Toys for sponsoring this review and giveaway!

Winner!

Drum-roll please...

The winner of the Eco Cup Ceramic Hot Drink Cup giveaway is:

Will Tri who said...

    I like the 3 Sprout organic hanging wall organizer and follow your blog.

Congratulations Will Tri! Thank you to everyone who entered and thank you also to EcoMom for sponsoring this wonderful review and giveaway!

 

Germs, Germs.. Everywhere!

Well, I'm sick now too (well I have been for the past couple of days). Little man was just getting better, then he decided to share his germs with me (how sweet of him). Now, he has re-caught his cold and has an appointment with his doctor tomorrow morning. He has a drippy nose, a rattly chest, a mild cough, a fever and he's teething. :p Is it normal for a 14 month old to be getting his first molars in yet? The bottom left one has already burst through and the top left is edging in. So, that adds a lot of drool and fussy-ness to the whole being sick thing. I was so glad they could fit me in on a Saturday since his fever really kicked up a notch today. I should probably go to the doctor as well, but we shall see how I feel on Monday. 

I am sorry that things have gotten off to a slow start this year, but hopefully my posts will pick up again once the cold bug is kicked to the curb! My head is so stuffed up (which doesn't help the thinking process much) and I feel like I have cotton stuffed up my nose into my brain. My throat hurts...wahh!!! (whose the bigger baby around here, me or little man?) Then there is the coughing...I'm not going to describe the lovely things that come up and out when I cough... Anywho, hopefully things will get back to normal...SOON!

I Have A Sick Chick!

Well, little man has taken a turn for the worse! :( Today he woke up extra early and had a runny nose. Then... a croupy cough reared its ugly head. So, I spent most of the day wiping his runny little nose, wiping his drooly chin and making whatever funny faces I could to bring a smile to my little man's face. We also spent some quality time in the bathroom with the hot steamy shower going.

*Sigh* My poor baby is not a happy camper. :( He was not too happy about bed time either. I spent a good bit of time with him perched in the Ergo, rocking and singing to him with the shower going. Sleep finally overcame him and I just pray that this is a short lived cold and that he can get well soon! 

I'm Still Here!

Yes, I'm still here! So sorry that I have been sooo silent for over a week! Shame on me! *tsk, tsk*

Well, I have to say, I haven't been sitting around twiddling my thumbs. A little over a week ago, hubby, little man and I piled into our car and headed north to visit my parents on the beautiful Monterey Bay. Hubby had a long work trip coming up, do we thought we would visit my family and take little man to see some of the "sights" that I grew up seeing. So, we get to my parents house and settled right in. Little man always sleeps in the pack-n-play in our room...which is always an adjustment for us, because he sleeps in his own room at our home. Well. lets just say, I hear every snore and rolling over motion and whimper and well, every single-little-noise! It doesn't make for the most restful night for me.

Then we take two days to go have some fun around town. Well, I kinda over did it carrying little man around and doing a hiking trip. So, I'm about to get into the shower when I twist or turn or did something squiffy and a sharp pain runs through my shoulder and neck.... uh-oh. I pinched a nerve in my neck! (I think, since I did self-diagnose) Oh boy! Lets just say, getting dressed was no easy task! I had to keep convincing myself that no one has ever died from a pinched nerve or from pain. I then hobbled out to the living room and proceeded to lie on the floor, using little man's boppy pillow for neck support, as I let him crawl and step and walk and play around me. Two advil and an excellent neck massage later, I was semi-mobile. No fun. Then, that night, I saw my mom's amber necklace sitting on the counter and thought to myself, "Hmmm, I wonder how that would work for me?" The next morning, I put it on and seriously, the tension seemed to just slide off of my shoulders! Now, I'm not saying it was 100% better, but it was about a 90% improvement. I looked at my hubby and mom and in disbelief told them! If I wasn't a believer in amber before, I sure am now! I am never going to take little man's off again! I have since pilfered my mom's amber necklace and have worn it every day since...yay for being able to move my neck again!



Love this necklace!

There's a line from My Big Fat Greek Wedding that I kept thinking of while my neck was giving me grief: "The men may be the head of the house but the women are the neck and they can turn the head anyway they want." Ahhh... the neck really does have so much control (and when you have no control of your neck, you realize this).  So, I sat down at my mom's computer to work on my blog while my neck was out of commission. I must have looked ridiculous sitting there, so stiff and only able to scooch the mouse about! Haha! This brings me to my second dilemma. The internet connection. (insert doom-and-gloom music here) It is soooo slow here. I mean, it is like molasses in the winter! Ok, maybe that's being a little dramatic, but, you get the point. So, I was immediately discouraged and decided to postpone blogging until I felt up to fighting the good fight with the internet. I did however, realize that I have a lot to be thankful for - my newer and faster computer and our lightning speed internet at home!

Next item on the list of distractions from blogging: Little Man. I believe that teething is to blame though. So, little man has always had a rough time teething, but this round is being particularly pesky. The other day he was unusually fussy and clingy and he would just burst into tears if I was out of eye-sight. I love being loved-on by my little man, but, I was still trying to also baby my tender neck as I was babying my baby boy. He also seemed to have sprung a leak from his mouth. There was a constant stream of drool that was accumulating on his chin, neck, shirt and whatever happened to make it's way into his mouth. We went through many burp rags that day. So, bed-time came and instead of going to sleep like he normally does, he cried and whimpered and cried and fussed and cried some more. No amount of rocking or holding or feeding or soothing seemed to comfort him. I was at my wits end.

So, I ended up quickly getting ready for bed, I held my little man and sang, "The Wheels On the Bus" to him (his current fave) and patted his back as we danced around the room. Just as he was about to nod off, I layed down in bed with him on my chest, he startled a little, but then relaxed and dozed off to sleep. Ah, sweet, peaceful sleep that was such a battle to accomplish. He soon rolled into the crook of my arm and just looked so perfect as he clutched his little monkey blankee. I couldn't sleep, I felt like a new mommy watching her baby sleep for the first time. It was so sweet and just perfect. He would whimper awake every half hour to an hour and I would rub his back and sing to him again. Then somewhere around the 3am mark, he decided to roll into a horizontal position with his feet in my neck. Not so sweet and perfect. But, I highly value a sleeping baby, so I let the sleeping baby sleep. I did not.

So, after all of that...today I finally feel like I am recovered both mobility-wise and sleep-wise to write something that is at least semi-coherent and that I can deal with the frustration of a slow interenet connection and work on a computer that is not mine and does not have any of "my stuff" on it.

That's my story and I do hope to do better over the coming months! I do not mean to be away from the blogging world for so long. I missed writing...a lot! (as you can probably tell by this lengthy post)

I hope everyone is having a wonderful day and look for some fun new post coming and some reviews and giveaways too! Fun, fun, fun!

Last Day to Save $10 at the Mini Social!

Wanted to remind everyone that today is the last day to use the code: merry10 to get $10 off your order at the Mini Social! They have some super cute new sales going on right now too!

Need an invitation to shop the Mini Social? You can follow my invitation link to shop!

Happy Shopping!