Fun Fact for Kids: Giraffes

Here is a fun (and random) fact you can share with your kids and let them ponder...

Giraffes clean their ears with their tongues, which can be almost two feet long. (That puts KISS' Gene Simmons to shame!)

Fun fact courtesy of BabyCenter.com

Stay-dry Bath Apron & Towel Winners: Holiday Season of Giveaways at Houses, Couches, and Babies

Thank you to everyone who entered the Stay-dry Bath Apron and Towel giveaway.

Here are the lucky three winners:

The Mrs. (pink)
Christa Backberg (green)
Carrie (blue)

All three winners please contact us at info@housescouchesandbabies.com to claim your prize.

Happy Holidays!

Nursing Mothers Rejoice...Thank You, Milkscreen!

Nursing your baby is such a wonderful thing for so many reasons. But there is one downside to nursing...everything that you consume, your baby consumes. The most notable and negative ones - medications and alcoholic beverages.

You can't get around medications, but alcoholic beverages can be eliminated from your breast milk by "pumping and dumping." (Yes, you do exactly what it says in the quotation marks.)

But here is my question, how do you know when you need to pump and dump, and how do you know when you have pumped and dumped enough of the "toxic" breast milk?

Enter Milkscreen.

Milkscreen is this fabulous invention that is a test strip that tells you whether your milk contains too much alcohol for baby to drink(blood alcohol above 0.02%). As I have learned from the makers of Milkscreen, studies show that the effects of alcohol begin to appear when an infant consumes breast milk containing alcohol at 0.03% and higher.

Now that I am pretty much done breast feeding my second (and last) child, I know when I have had too much to drink and can't nurse my daughter without pumping and dumping. But the Milkscreen has really served as a lifesaver to let me know when my milk is safe for her to drink.

I tried the Milkscreen just last weekend after attending an amazingly fun holiday party. After applying just a few drops of breast milk to the test strip, I was pleased to find that I had pumped and dumped enough to resume nursing my daughter again.

The holidays are here and New Year's Eve is less than 2 weeks away. If you are a nursing mom and you want to have some fun (as you should), you have to try Milkscreen. The peace of mind is priceless. You can buy Milkscreen at BabiesRUs, Target, or at Upspringbaby.com. Milkscreen retails for $5.99 for a 3 pack of test strips and $19.99 for a 20 pack of test strips.

If you aren't a nursing mom but have a friend that is expecting or currently nursing, this could be a great gift, too!

Having said all this, please drink responsibly.

Savings on See's Candies

From the turnout on the See's Candies gift card giveaway, I know there are a lot of you out there that would love some See's. While I was at Costco today, I noticed that they have gift certificates for (2) one-pound boxes of chocolate for $22.99. At See's, a one-pound box of chocolates is $16.

So, to do the math, you can save a total of $9 for 2 pounds of chocolate. Or as I like to look at it, you can get a pound of some of the best chocolate for just over 10 bucks $11.50). That's not bad!

See's Candies Gift Certificate Winner: Holiday Season of Giveaways

Thank you to everyone that entered this sweet giveaway. Your comments and memories were wonderful to read...isn't funny how something like See's Candies can take us back to a happy time or memory in our lives?!?

And now on to the winner.

Congratulations go out to Souldolphindream, who said:

"Because between the 2 kids, the hubby, 2 dogs, and the 2 cats I need a little me time and this would sure do the trick. A getaway in a piece of chocolate."

Souldolphindream, please contact us at info@housescouchesandbabies.com to claim your prize.

And even though there can only be one winner, I highly encourage those of you who didn't win to pick up a little treat for yourself from See's Candies. Many of you mentioned how you have never tried it before because there aren't any stores in your city or state. But this holiday season, you should buy yourself a chocolate gift.

You can buy a box of 16-oz of chocolate for $15, which is less than $1/ounce, and it is worth every penny. And for those of you that want just specific See's chocolates, you can make your own custom mix. (Forrest Gump was obviously not eating See's Candies in his movie, but he sure should have been!)

Thanks again to all those who entered and stay tuned for many more giveaways. Happy Holidays!

Poingo Reading System Winner: Holiday Season of Giveways at HC&B

Thank you to everyone that entered the Poingo Reading System Giveaway. It truly is a win/win gift for any child and parent.

And the winner is...dddiva, who said:

"I would love to win this for Ian, he is 2 and LOVES books and I think this would really help him to read earlier on his own."

dddiva, please contact us at info@housescouchesandbabies.com to claim your prize.

For those of you that would still like to get the Poingo for that special little someone,You can find the Poingo Reading Systemat all major retailers (Target, Costco, ToysRUs, etc.).

Holiday Tipping

We all know that times are a little tougher this year than they have been the past few years. But that doesn't mean you can just avoid tipping the people that have worked for you all year (hoping and expecting a tip.) If you didn't, it would be just like a sales person being told that the company isn't doing well so s/he isn't getting the bonus s/he earned.

Having said that, here are some holiday tipping guidelines from the Emily Post Institute:

- Regular babysitter: One evening’s pay and a small gift (from the kids)
- Cleaning person: One week’s pay or the cost of one visit
- Child’s teacher: A small gift or note from you and a small gift from your child
- Hairstylist/colorist: The cost of one visit, or a gift equalling that amount (such as a bottle of champagne)
- Newspaper delivery person: $10 to $30
- Postal carrier: Mail carriers are forbidden to accept cash, however, the U.S. Postal Service allows gifts worth less than $20.
- Garage attendants: $10 to $30
- Gardener: $20 to $50 each
- Pool cleaner: The cost of one cleaning
- Pet groomer: The cost of one session or gift
- Dog walker: Up to one week’s pay or gift
- Building superintendent: $20 to $80 or gift
- Handyman: $15 to $40

For more on holiday tipping, click here.

Image courtesy of Lifescript.com

Britney Spears' Circus CD Winner: Holiday Season of Giveaways from HC&B

Thank you to everyone that entered the Britney Spears' Circus CD giveaway. You are not alone with your wanting of the CD because she sold over 500,000 copies of Circus last week alone!

On to the winner...Congratulations goes to Kelly W. from St. George, Utah, who said:

"Yay! Another mommy who loves Britney! I saw her on GMA this morning, too. I would love to win her new CD. Thanks for the contest!"

Kelly W., please contact us at info@housescouchesandbabies.com to redeem your prize!

And for those of you that didn't win, Click here to purchase Britney Spears' Circus for just $8.99!

Holiday Season of Giveaways: Stay-Dry Bath Apron & Towel

If I have said it once, I have said it a thousand times...I love the Stay Dry Bath Apron & Towel! It is truly one of those items that made such a difference in my life as a mom from my first child to the second. I could have avoided so many soaked outfits when I was bathing my son if I had the Stay-dry back then. (Check out this You-Tube demonstration to see how it works.)



And now, there are so many places you can buy a Stay Dry Bath Apron & Towel- including Babies R Us. This is especially great because expectant moms can add this wonderful product to their baby registries. I am telling you, if you buy an expectant mother this bath apron, they won't need any of the other hooded towels out there. (Most of my hooded towels have just sat in a drawer since my daughter was born. Well, except when the Stay-Dry is the in the laundry pile.)
So that you can see just how great the Stay Dry Bath Apron & Towelis, (3) lucky HC&B readers have the opportunity to win a Stay-dry. It comes in three colors (pink, blue, and green), and one winner will be selected for each color.

Here's how to enter:

• Post a comment explaining why you would like to win the Stay-dry Bath Apron & Towel. Please include the color you would prefer most (blue, pink, or green)
• Also include your name and location in your comment (IE. city/state/country)
• Please submit your comment by Midnight PST on Tuesday, December 23.

The winner will be announced here at Houses, Couches, and Babies shortly after December 23. Please keep checking back as winners will not be contacted.

Good luck and Stay-dry!

(Side note: If you go looking for the Stay-Dry at Babies R Us, unfortunately, they don't carry it in-store. I was just there on Saturday looking for one, and they said it was an online only item. However, if you do go to Babies R Us, ask some that works there if they will ever carry it in-store. The more requests they get for a product, the more likely they will start carrying it.)

Holiday Season of Giveaways: $50 Gift Certificate to See's Candies...Sweet!

Milk Chocolate....Good! Dark Chocolate...Good! Nuts and Chews...Good!

While most people will say they are watching what they eat during the holidays, no one can resist a great Chocolate Gift. And my favorite chocolates come from See's Candies.

I must admit, I am partial to See's Candies because as a little girl my grandmother would take me to the mall and we would always get to stop at See's. And as ironic as it may be, I actually didn't like chocolate all that much as a kid...I always opted for the sugar sticks. But I was always willing to try the sample they gave me. (By the way, they still give out a sample!) And now as an adult, I always opt for the chocolate. The seasonal marshmallow chocolates (Marshmallow Trees) are now my favorite!

And guess what? You get to opt for the chocolate, too!

One lucky HC&B reader is going to win a $50 gift certificate to See's Candies.

Here's how to enter:

• Post a comment here explaining why you would like to win the $50 gift certificate to See's Candies.
• In your comment, please be sure to include your name and location (city/state/country)
• Please post your comment by Midnight PST on Friday, December 12

The winner will be announced shortly after December 12. Please check back to see if you have won, as the winner will not be contacted.

P.S. Do you need to raise money for your child's next field trip, youth group, or a school program? Whatever the case may be, See's also has a great Candy Fundraiser program if you need to raise funds. Click here for more details.

Holiday Season of Giveaways: Poingo Reading System

There are so many different things you can buy for your kids/nieces/nephews/grandkids/friends' kids this holiday season. (Just watch a 30 minute show on Nick Jr. and you will get at least 10 ideas. Believe me, my son wants all of them!)

But why not get them something that is fun and beneficial to their development?

Enter Poingo!

The Poingo Reading Systemis a super-fun interactive toy (that looks like a giant pen) that allows children to go on a reading adventure with their favorite characters. Of course, since it involves books, moms love it! But the great news...kids love it, too. My son and a few of his friends have really enjoyed using the Poingo pen, especially since Disney Pixar's Cars and Finding Nemo are just a couple of the fun books to choose from.

I will admit, the Poingo is very similar to LeapFrog's Tag. I have used both with my son and found them both to be reliable. But here is why I prefer the Poingo over the Tag. For starters, the Poingo is a better value (a.k.a. it's cheaper, $34.99 for the Poingo Reading System-2-book Set - Disney Pixar's Cars and Finding Nemo). Secondly, I did notice that the books that come with the Poingo seem a bit more sturdy, which means my son (and 1-year old daughter) can't destroy them as easily.

You can find the Poingo Reading Systemat all major retailers (Target, Costco, ToysRUs, etc.).

And since it is the Holiday Season of Giveaways, (1) lucky HC&B reader is going to win a Poingo Reading System-2-book Set - Disney Pixar's Cars and Finding Nemojust in time for holiday gift-giving!

Here's how to enter:

• Post a comment here at HC&B explaining why you would like to win this prize
• In your comment, please include your name and location (city/state/country)
• Please post your comment by Midnight PST on Wednesday, December 10th

The winner will be announced shortly after December 10. Please check back to see if you have won, as the winner will not be contacted.

Good luck!

Holiday Season of Giveaways: Britney Spears' Circus

Womanizer! Womanizer! Womanizer! Womanizer!

After hearing this song on Good Morning America this morning, it sure does get stuck in your head!

In honor of Ms. Spears' Circus album dropping today, and it being her 27th birthday (oh, to be 27 again!), one lucky HC&B reader can win this brand-new album. This could be a great gift for you or the Britney Spears' fan in your life.

Here's how to enter:

• Leave a comment here at HC&B letting us know why you would like to win this CD.
• In your comment, please include your name and location (city/state/country).
• Please post your comment no later than Midnight PST on Tuesday, December 9.

The winner will be announced shortly after December 9, so please check back to see if you have won. (The winner will not be contacted.)

Good luck! Stay tuned for much more from the Holiday Season of Giveaways!

Holiday Season of Giveaways

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. As my son told everyone he saw on Thanksgiving, "Happy Thanksgiving, it's almost Christmas time!"

And with Christmas time (the holiday season) upon us, that means lots of get-togethers/parties, mistletoe, and oh yeah, shopping for gifts. And perhaps you are like me and every year have no idea what to get for those you love.

Well, this year I have decided to help you (and me!) out by featuring some great gift ideas. And more importantly, they are gifts you have a chance to win!

Stay tuned for more details...The Holiday Season of Giveaways is coming very soon!