A Perfect Pet for Payton: Book Review & Giveaway!

Are you familiar with the 5 Love Languages books? The 5 Love Languages is written by Gary Chapman, and he suggests that there are 5 different love languages that we all speak, and we feel love when people speak to us in our primary love language. They are very insightful books and help you understand how to show love to your spouse and kids in a way that works best for them personally!


Well, this adorable book, A Perfect Pet for Payton, is a children's book that teaches kids about the 5 love languages in a way that is fun and easy for them to understand. Join twins Peyton and Penny on their amazing birthday adventure!  Children and parents alike will experience firsthand the power of the love languages as they cuddle up and spend precious time together reading this book over and over again.

"This wonderfully imaginative children’s hardcover book by bestselling authors Gary Chapman and Rick Osborne, featuring four-color illustrations (with hidden details!) by Wilson Williams, Jr., will help children learn the importance of love. Based on Gary’s highly successful The 5 Love Languages®, A Perfect Pet for Peyton tells an entertaining and playful story of five children who each, with the help of Mr. Chapman and the unique pets at his special emporium, discover their own personal love language. Children and parents alike will experience firsthand the power of the love languages as they cuddle up and spend precious time together reading this book over and over again."

My little guy loved looking at the beautiful illustrations, as well as searching for special items noted in the book, on each page. My only reservation about this book is that it is a very long children's book, so for younger children, you would probably need to read it over a few nights to finish it. Older kids would have a longer attention span. Aside from that, I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the 5 Love Languages, or for anyone who loves a great family fun, and educational book.

Buy It: You can purchase this book on Amazon.com

WIN IT! The folks at Northfield Publishing have offered one of my readers their own hardcover copy of A Perfect Pet for Payton! ($16.99 value!) This would make a great birthday gift!

ENTER TO WIN! There are TWO Mandatory Entries! All other entries are optional, but the more you complete, the better chance you have at winning! Leave one comment per entry.

1) Mandatory: Let me know if you have (or not) read any of the Love Language books!

2) Mandatory: Follow n.c. baby blog via GFC (or tell me if you already do)

3) Follow n.c. baby blog on facebook

4) Tweet about this giveaway! You can do this once daily! Please leave link to tweet.

5) PIN any picture from this post on your Pinterest account! leave me your link to your pin. (If you need a Pinterest invite, email me!)

6) Blog about this giveaway and leave your link so I can find it! (+3 entries, leave 3 comments)

7) Enter any other of my CURRENT giveaways ( 1 entry for each giveaway entered)

8) Subscribe to n.c. baby blog via email ( on right side of blog)

9) Add my n.c. baby blog button to your blog! (+3 entries, leave 3 comments!)

GOOD LUCK!!! Giveaway will close 4/13 at 11:59 pm EST. Giveaway is open to US and Canada readers! Winner will be picked the following day by Random.org and will be emailed and announced on the blog. Winner has 48 hours to confirm their prize, otherwise a new winner will be chosen. Thank you to Northfield Publishing for the review product and the giveaway prize!

Northfield Publishing provided a sample for my review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100 percent my own.

GUEST POST from "The Party Works"

I'm excited to have my first guest post here on n.c. baby blog! And this is THE perfect timing for the subject- toddler birthday parties. {B} will be turning 2 in just a couple weeks and I am hosting a birthday party for our friends and their kids! I was excited to read through some of their ideas and learn a little bit more about how to keep a toddler birthday under control, and make it go off without a hitch! Enjoy this guest post from, The Party Works!

How to Stay Sane at Your Toddler’s Birthday Party

You love spending time with your toddler, but the thought of spending an afternoon with 10 or more toddlers might make you a little apprehensive. Toddlers are curious, and they can get into a lot of trouble, especially when they get together in a group. Fortunately, a birthday party for toddlers doesn’t have to be a nightmare for you. You have the power to ensure that your little one has a lovely birthday party, and you have the power to keep everything under control, including your stress levels. Here are a few pointers to help you out as you plan, prepare, and throw your toddler his or her next birthday party:

1. Host the shindig at your house.

You’ll have to spend more time setting up and cleaning up if you throw the party at your house. However, you’ll also be able to control more variables and more carefully supervise the kids. Plus, you won’t have to worry about having to quickly calm down five crying toddlers in a public place.

2. Make sure parents know they’re invited. 

The more parents and adult supervision you have at the party the better. Fortunately, most parents of toddlers would prefer to stay at birthday parties with their toddlers as opposed to just dropping them off.

3. Get some juice boxes.

Spills are common at toddler birthday parties. Juice boxes are essential to help prevent spills.

4. Create space in the middle of your living room.

Push all the furniture against the walls. The kids are less likely to knock things over if those things are pushed to the side and they have plenty of wiggle room.

5.  Stay on schedule.

It’s generally a good idea to create a schedule for the party of all the activities and other things you want to happen. Creating a schedule will help you make sure you have enough activities planned for the kids ahead of time. Busy kids are less likely to act out. Plus, having a party schedule and sticking to it will help you ensure your toddler gets to do everything he or she wants to do at the party.

Author’s Bio: Lisa is a guest blogger and mom who loves to write about her children, fun things to do with kids, and Super Mario Bros party supplies. 

You can check out The Party Works at www.thepartyworks.com! 

Thanks for an amazing guest post :) 

Chewbeads- Review & Giveaway!

 If you have ever had a child or been around a baby, you know that they put EVERYTHING into their mouths! This includes all of your most favorite jewelry, and your baby doesn't care how much your husband spent on that diamond necklace!

When {B} was born I thought that I could defy the odds and hope that he wouldn't chew on my favorite stuff and that I could still wear cute, fashionable jewelry, and not have to feel like a frumpy new mom that doesn't have style anymore just because she had a kid. Well, I learned my lesson after my most favorite chunky pearl bracelet became his chew toy and is now in my drawer in a plastic baggie, needing some serious TLC.

 And this is where Chewbeads saves my life. Your life. And possibly your babies life! Chewbeads are non-toxic, fashionable necklaces and bracelets that are completely safe for your little ones to chew on! They are made with 100% silicone, similar to the same silicone in pacifiers and bottle nipples, soft on babies gums, easy to clean (dishwasher safe!), made with a breakaway clasp (because we know babies pull) and are great for nursing moms to wear so baby can tug and play with them while feeding.

 Chewbeads come in 18 different colors, 2 different necklace styles, Jane and Hudson, and 2 different bracelet styles, Cornelia and Charles! I chose to review the Jane necklace in Stormy Gray, and the Charles Bangle bracelet in Simply White. I had the hardest time deciding which colors and styles to choose, because they are all so cute! I love how you can still feel stylish wearing a baby teething item. These are truly just like other necklaces I would buy to wear on an everyday basis. I wish I would have had these when {B} was getting the majority of his teeth in. I was happy to see that when I handed him the bracelet, it went immediately into his mouth! Some things never change.

I would highly recommend this to any new or seasoned mom! These also come in gift sets and would be the perfect gift to give at a baby shower!


Buy It: You can head over to the Chewbeads website and purchase any of the styles mentioned! Bracelets are $14.50 and necklaces are $29.50.


WIN IT! Chewbeads has offered  one of my readers a necklace in whatever color they would like! YAY!

ENTER TO WIN! There are TWO Mandatory Entries! All other entries are optional, but the more you complete, the better chance you have at winning! Leave one comment per entry.

1) Mandatory: Let me know which color necklace you would choose if you won!

2) Mandatory: Follow n.c. baby blog via GFC (or tell me if you already do)

3) Follow n.c. baby blog on facebook

4) Like Chewbeads on Facebook!! leave them a comment if you feel like it :)

5) Follow Chewbeads on Twitter!

6) Tweet about this giveaway! You can do this once daily! Please leave link to tweet.

7) PIN any picture from this post on your Pinterest account! leave me your link to your pin. (If you need a Pinterest invite, email me!)

8) Blog about this giveaway and leave your link so I can find it! (+3 entries, leave 3 comments)

9) Enter any other of my CURRENT giveaways ( 1 entry for each giveaway entered)

10) Subscribe to n.c. baby blog via email ( on right side of blog)

11) Add my n.c. baby blog button to your blog! (+3 entries, leave 3 comments!)

GOOD LUCK!!! Giveaway will close 4/8 at 11:59 pm EST. Giveaway is open to US and Canada readers! Winner will be picked the following day by Random.org and will be emailed and announced on the blog. Winner has 48 hours to confirm their prize, otherwise a new winner will be chosen. Thank you to Chewbeads for the review product and the giveaway prize!

Chewbeads provided a sample for my review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100 percent my own.

PetCakes- Review and GIVEAWAY!

Nothing says adorable like fuzzy little animals and cute little cupcakes...and both together in ONE?? Can you even handle the cuteness?! :) PetCakes are an adorable collectable plush line for ages 3 and up (although my 2 year old is loving his!). Each Petcake is different, each with their own cupcake liner, and frosting hat, topped with a cherry. When the animal is pushed down inside it's cupcake liner, it becomes a cupcake! You also have the option of completely removing the animal from its liner so you can play with it. The frosting hats, however, are not removable ( but that is ok because they are completely adorable!)

PetCakes are available in series 1, the Puppy Dogs, series 2, Forest Animals, and PetCake minis. I was sent 2 PetCakes from the Forest Series! We received Honey Cakes and Bamboo Berry, the 2 adorable little bears.

Honey Cakes is the brown bear from the Forest series, and has embroidered eyes and features an "orange frosting" hat (with a cherry on top!) and comes in his very own yellow cupcake liner, or "bear bed" as my son calls it.

Bamboo Berry is the adorable Panda bear who also has embroidered eyes and has his very own light blue frosting hat. He is currently residing in a purple cupcake liner! 

I was surprised by the quality and colors each PetCake has to offer! Also, each PetCake comes with its own unique story! {B} loved listening me tell him the story about each of his bears! I can't wait to buy more of these to add to his collection of PetCakes. They are unique, one of a kind, and surely something that is going to be around for the long-haul. 

Buy It: PetCakes can be purchased on their website here.

*Special Offer: Buy (4) or more Petcakes Collectibles plush toys and receive the PetCakes Collectibles Minis - 4 pack FREE!!!  (you only pay an additional $1.99 shipping and handling).

 WIN IT!! PetCakes has generously offered one lucky reader a PetCakes animal of their own. Their prize will also be from the Forest Series and will be chosen by them.  

ENTER TO WIN! There are TWO Mandatory Entries! All other entries are optional, but the more you complete, the better chance you have at winning! Leave one comment per entry.

1) Mandatory: Let me know which Petcake animal is your favorite and who would love it in your house!

2) Mandatory: Follow n.c. baby blog via GFC (or tell me if you already do)

3) Follow n.c. baby blog on facebook

4) Like PetCakes on facebook!! leave them a comment if you feel like it :)

5) Follow PetCakes on Twitter!

6) Tweet about this giveaway! You can do this once daily! Please leave link to tweet.

7) PIN the picture of PetCakes from this post on your Pinterest account! leave me your link to your pin. (If you need a Pinterest invite, email me!)

8) Blog about this giveaway and leave your link so I can find it! (+3 entries, leave 3 comments)

9) Enter any other of my CURRENT giveaways ( 1 entry for each giveaway entered)

10) Subscribe to n.c. baby blog via email ( on right side of blog)

11) Add my n.c. baby blog button to your blog! (+3 entries, leave 3 comments!)

GOOD LUCK!!! Giveaway will close 3/29 at 11:59 pm EST. Giveaway is open to US and Canada readers! Winner will be picked the following day by Random.org and will be emailed and announced on the blog. Winner has 48 hours to confirm their prize, otherwise a new winner will be chosen. Thank you to PetCakes for the review product and the giveaway prize!

PetCakes provided a sample for my review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100 percent my own.