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happy birthday, sweet boy

One year ago we welcomed you into our arms. It seems so surreal that an entire year has passed. All the worries we had before you were born have come and gone. You are my angel baby and every time you look into my eyes with that inevitable sparkle I am reminded why you were given to me. Our bond is so special and I don’t think I can describe what you mean to me. Your even keeled personality, deep bellied laughs that sometimes sound like a goat, your gorgeous blue eyes that strangers stop to talk to us about and the journey you’ve overcome is remarkable. You’re turning into a little boy and I wish I could just bottle you up and keep you this small forever. I miss those first few months where you could only sleep with me holding you tight in my arms. Your love for your sister melts my heart and how you already play so well with another. You both make eachother laugh when one is sad, you throw a ball to one another, and yes, you’ve already got one heck of an arm. I dread the day where you tell me you’ve found “the” girl. It’s silly that these worries already race through my mind but you’re my baby and will be forever. Thank you for making me a stronger person this past year, if you would’ve asked me thirteen months ago I would have said I couldn’t do it. Today, I stand a proud momma and laugh at our minimal struggles. Bugs, I love you with all my heart and I wish you the happiest first birthday.

brayden’s birthday bash giveaway event!

It’s here! Brayden’s first birthday is this Thursday! In honor of his birth and his cleft lip journey we have partnered up with great brands to bring My PB+J readers a fabulous giveaway!

As many of you know our son, Brayden, was born with a cleft lip. He was given the gift of cleft repair surgery through our amazing insurance plan provided through UPS and by Dr. Jordan Sinow and his team. While we find ourselves very fortunate we also feel very blessed. Our family has made a pledge to help other children in need of cleft repair surgery through awareness and donations. We have partnered with Operation Smile to Share Brayden’s Smile by raising enough money for four surgeries. While this may sound like a lot, it isn’t. One surgery costs a minimal $240 and with your help we hope to reach our goal by his repair anniversary on February 1st. If you wish to donate to this life changing cause please visit here.

The birthday bash giveaway is brought to you by these amazing brands:

One My PB+J reader will win this amazing giveaway package valued at $300!

The giveaway begins today and will run through Sunday. The winner will be announced Monday morning. To enter the giveaway please use the rafflecopter form below. Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

tegu magnetic wooden blocks {review}

I was first introduced to Tegu magnetic blocks while sitting at the Martha Stewart keynote luncheon at BlogHer. I fell in the love with the magnetic blocks right away and knew that our children would soar with the endless imaginative possibilities that playtime would bring.

Tegu is one of those feel-good for-profit companies that is bringing positive social impact to the country of Honduras. The toy business was founded to address unemployment, neglected natural and human resources and the need for entrepreneurship in Honduras. The wooden blocks encourage imaginative play, where some toys leave children without this developmental tool.

We were sent the 22-piece Tegu Tints set. I was initially impressed with the colors of the blocks, as we all know children respond to colorful things and these blocks were no exception! Payton got to playing right away and immediately started telling me how she was building a bridge to keep the sea monsters away and then moved on telling me how the pirate ship sank her boat. She sat quietly playing for a while. Now, my child loves toys like every other child out there but she will usually lose interest after about thirty minutes. She played quietly for over an hour and when she joined me during my adult craft time she sat next to me explaining the colors and what each blocks role was in her ocean. The block set encouraged her and it didn’t end with just her! Our little man got into the action as well, stacking the blocks and figuring out how to rearrange the magnetic ends. The company states the blocks are perfect from anyone from ages 0-99 and they are spot on! I ditched my craft and we all sat playing together, I couldn’t ask for a better toy for my growing children!

Tegu doesn’t stop at just blocks. They also offer mobility pieces which bring that car to life, travel totes, pocket pouch prism which would be ideal for the car or while dining out. If you wish you can also make a donation to schooling or to planting trees in Honduras. It just makes me happy thinking about this company and it’s mission. I know we will be adding to our collection!

I encourage you to follow Tegu on Facebook and on Twitter for exciting news and offers. Make sure to let them know that My PB+J sent you!

Win a Tegu Block Set!

Tegu has so graciously offered one My PB+J reader a 22-Piece Tegu Tints block set in the first birthday giveaway bash package!

This giveaway will begin on October 15th and will run through the 21st. Make sure to come back during those dates for your chance to win!

Disclaimer: I received a Tegu 22-piece block set for review purposes only. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I personally use and believe my readers would enjoy.

toot-toot!

Yes, why that would be me tooting my own horn. My little recipe for pumpkin steel cut oats was highlighted on The Huffington Post – Taste blog yesterday. Ten other blogs were showcased on how to jazz up your plain hot cereal. There are some great ideas like the Nutella oatmeal topped with banana. Um, that is seriously a great concoction to take oats over the top! Okay, my look-at-me, ahh-ha moment is over.

P.S. Remember to come back next Monday when the 1st Birthday Giveaway Bash goes LIVE!

the nûby grip n’ sip cup {review}

Eight days from now we will have a one-year-old! Eek! With that being said our baby boy is transitioning to big boy bottles and finding the “right” one has been difficult. He likes to nom on them and throw them across the room. When we introduced the Nûby grip n’ sip cup to him with his morning milk he did not refuse it. While he still had fun playing with it there wasn’t milk spraying everywhere, this is a huge plus! Needless to say, I think we’ve found our match during this transition!

disclaimer: I received the product listed above for review purposes only. However, all opinions expressed are 100% my own and I only recommend products that I would personally use or believe my readers would enjoy.