Throughout my childhood, I had my fair share of experience of being ill. And, when I started working at a daycare a few years ago, I had germs thrown at me from every direction. So, when AHCC was brought to my attention I was genuinely excited to try it out. The main puprose of AHCC is to improve your immune system by enhancing the fuction of NK cells, DC cells, T cells, Macrophages, and Cytoklines.
Use Your Words: A Writing Guide for Mothers by Kate Hopper is the first book to focus on the craft of writing using motherhood as the lens. It focuses on the craft of creative nonfiction and teaches the skills that mothers need to hone their ability and turn motherhood stories into art.
What I love about this book is the way it is structured and organized. In every chapter, Kate teaches you a skill, then she gives you an example from her own personal life, then she gives you an example of how famous authors used the skill, and then finally she gives you a couple of writing prompts for you to give it a try.
I am very interested in writing my motherhood stories, but often find it difficult to begin or what I should focus on and how I should get my story across. Kate outlines the basics of getting started by suggesting three writing exercises that will help get your mind ready to pour the story you’ve always wanted to write. One important element that Kate mentions, which I have a difficult time with (even as I write this!) is to “turn off your internal editor”. Often times, editing your story as you write it ruins the thrill and voice in your writing. It leaves you forgetting what you wanted to write because it messes up your train of thought with every edit that you make initially.
I think it’s important for every mom to write her motherhood stories so that your memories can live on. I really enjoyed this book and I recommend it to moms who have a hard time getting started on writing their stories, like me. I am going to take this book with me on my trip this summer so I can really improve my writing while I’m away and finally write the stories that I’ve been putting off this year.
Writing Prompt: Sensory Details as a Way to Begin
Think about the time when your child (or one of your children) was born, when she first arrived home, or even before she was born. If you adopted your child, maybe you want to focus on the first time you saw her photo. Is there a certain smell, sound, taste, texture, or picture that comes to mind? Start with that. Write it down. What other concrete details do you remember? Let your mind wander. Jump from image to image. Try to use as many sensory, concrete details as you can. Don’t pick up your pen—just keep moving it across the paper—and don’t worry about grammar or spelling.
If those early days and months feel too far removed, choose another period in your child’s life that seemed particularly vivid to you, and begin writing details from that time.
Respond to the writing prompt in 600 words of less and e-mail Emily with your writing prompt at <emilylhedges@yahoo.com>. At the end of the book tour, Kate Hopper will choose the best piece for publication on Literary Mama the first week of June! Kate plans to award the winning writer a free hour-long phone consultation as well! This is a HUGE opportunity for those of you that enjoy writing and sharing your story with the world.
In honor of the book tour, we are also going to be giving away a copy of Use Your Words: A Writing Guide for Mothers to one lucky reader. To enter the giveaway, simply use the Rafflecopter widget below to collect your entries. This giveaway will end on May 31st.
Kate Hopper teaches writing online and at The Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis, where she lives with her husband and two daughters. Kate holds an MFA in creative writing from the University of Minnesota and has been the recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship, a Minnesota State Arts Board Grant, and a Sustainable Arts Grant. Her writing has appeared in a number of journals, including Brevity, Literary Mama, and The New York Times online. She is an editor at Literary Mama. For more information about Kate’s writing and classes, visit www.katehopper.com.
Disclosure: I received a complementary copy of Use Your Words: A Writing Guide for Mothers to facilitate this review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are my own.
As a parent, I know how frustrating it can be to try to put your baby to sleep, especially when you think you’ve tried it all. But did you know that white noise if your baby’s best friend? White noise, usually in the form of nature sounds (like rain), can be the trick to putting your baby to sleep.
The Sleeping Baby, Happy Parents CD aims to soothe your baby to sleep with their “Soothing Tropical Rain to Help Your Baby Sleep” soundtrack. While doing research for their project, Sleeping Baby, Happy Parents learned that for centuries, caregivers utilized the power of nature to lull their babies to sleep. The calming sounds of rainstorms, ocean waves, rivers flowing, and even the whistling wind can help your baby fall asleep because of the consistency in the rhythm. Read More →
Woombie offers a variety of woombie swaddles, blankets, eco cushions, sleepers, and more that are perfect for your babies and toddlers. These product are innovative, fun, and colorful and are bound to keep your baby happy and comfy.
Up for review, I received a Eco’Baby Donut and a Cozy Dry towel. Pictured above, you see Baby Mal (my friend’s son) lying on the Eco’Baby Donut. The Eco’Baby Donut is the perfect cushion for infants from 0 to 2 years of age. It’s made of 90% Polyester, 10% cotton, and has ultra-plush minky dot fabric- making it extremely soft and comfortable for babies.
The Eco’Baby Donut features sides that zip to fold in half, creating a bonus carry bag and ensuring a clean environment. I love that this cushion folds in half this way because it makes it a whole lot easier to carry, especially if you’re holding your baby. This feature also allows you to take it with you to the daycare, when traveling, or visiting with others. The Eco’Baby Donut is great to use if you want to put baby on the floor but don’t have a blanket on hand, and is also great for diaper changes if you don’t have a changing mat on hand. You can even allow your infant to take naps on the Eco’Baby donut if your infant is at least 1 years old.
The Eco’Baby Donut allows your baby to lie comfortably on the floor, without suffering from the stiffness of the actual floor. The cushion is soft enough to keep your baby comfy, yet stiff enough to hold your baby’s weight. Baby Mal was so comfy and happy lying on the Eco’Baby Donut. I know that Zach would have just dragged it around the room because he doesn’t like to sit in place very often, so he would’ve used this as a toy haha. I highly recommend this to moms with infants, especially moms that travel often.
We all know that swaddling your baby is one of the best things you can do to help your baby transition into life outside of the womb. The Woombie is a swaddling sack that provides the safest and most comfortable swaddle for your baby- gently hugging the shoulders, tummy, and hips. It allows for natural movement, softly cocooning your baby without restricting mobility or development.
The Woombie CozyDry is the perfect after bath solution. It’s a mix between a hooded towel and a woombie swaddle! The CozyDry wraps your baby in a soft, absorbent towel that provides comfort and warmth while drying your baby after bath time. I love that the CozyDry is in the shape of a woombie because it allows babies to feel more secure after bath time. I know that right after his bath, Zach likes to be wrapped quickly in a towel and snuggled in my arms until he is warm. The CozyDry allows me to do this in a faster way.
The Cozy Dry is very easy to use. You simply unzip it, and place your baby inside, and then zip it back up while tucking your baby’s arms snuggly to his sides. Zach enjoyed having his arms tucked inside, but then he wanted his arms out so after he was dry I unzipped the Cozy Dry for him. My favorite part of the Cozy Dry is that is comes with a hood so that I can dry Zach’s hair simultaneously. You can even use the hood to hang the Cozy Dry with, so it’s convenient in more than one way.
The Cozy Dry also features a 2-way zipper that allows for easy diaper application while the upper body remains warm and snug. I love this feature because it makes dressing your baby so much easier. If there’s one thing Zach doesn’t like, its when I have to unwrap his towel so that I can put his diaper and clothes on. So, the Cozy Dry keeps Zach happier during this process. If your baby has the same preferences, than I would definitely recommend this product to you.
Buy It:
The Eco’Baby Donut retails for $49.99
The Cozy Dry retails for $26
We are giving away one Eco’Baby Donut and one Cozy Dry! There will be 2 winners! The first winner will get their preference of a Eco’baby Donut or Cozy Dry, and the 2nd winner will get the other item. To enter, please use the Rafflecopter widget below.
This giveaway is open to US only, and will end on May 31st.
Disclosure: I received the above mentioned product(s) to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
