Good Times at The Pumpkin Ranch

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Make Love Not War & Happy Children

Today is International Day of Peace!

At this very moment, UN peacekeepers around the world are risking their lives in the name of peace.

These men and women in blue helmets – more than 100,000 in total, making them the second largest deployed military in the world – can be found in 16 of the world’s most dangerous conflict areas.

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Happy WW~ 5 months old!

Discuss prevention early!

Teething Tales and To Do’s!

My precious darling is STILL teething! It’s been 6 wks!!!

And today, my tooth hurts! I’m due for a dental appointment that I keep putting off- the dreaded ROOT CANAL. Yes, that’d me! *sigh*

I can’t put it off any longer. I need to get it over with. I’m actually really comfortable at the dentist. It helps that Dr. Li is really nice I’ve been going to him since I was 8 years old. He’s a great guy. I was once part of the “no-cavity” club but those days are long gone. O’well!

Today, I have so much do I don’t even know where to begin! Yikes. Tristan is at my parents and I should be utilizing my time wisely (this counts).

Like a bad mommy,  I missed Clark’s 4 month appt. last week… I completely forget to write it down on my calendar. Oopsie. They sent me a letter threatnening to charge me $50 buckaroo’s! Garsh. It was one of those things I had totally thought about to but never confirmed my suspicions.

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Bike Riding, Baby Wearing, & the Mammoth Mtn. Trail

New ECP Read!

NWF’s Children’s Magazine: Wild Animal Baby!

Outdoor Etiquette: “Lend a Hand. Care for the Land!”

Pure & Heavenly: Earth Mama Angel Baby

Back when I was pregnant with Tristan I had heard of a company named Earth Mama Angel Baby but had never seen it (I live in a small town) until I started looking online for greener baby products. Before conceiving, I’d heard startling information about baby washes containing harmful ingredients. It made me realize, I needed to start doing my research and find natural baby products that did not contain toxic chemicals like phthalates, 1,4-Dioxane, formaldehyde,” etc.

Recently, I was actually able to sample Earth Mama Angel Baby products through swag and for this review. I received a sample of their Bath Blossoms, Bottom Balm and Baby Lotion. I so was excited when I saw EMAB inside my swag bag from The Smart Mama’s book release. I’d always wanted to try their products but just never had the opportunity. Quite honestly, I was going with my easiest most available option…. Burt’s Bees, California Baby and Little Twig. Depending on where we did shopping is what we’d end up with. I’d known about the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Database and have looked up a few things in the past. It never really dawned on me to look up the baby products. I thought I was in the clear. Boy, was I wrong!!!

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New ECP Reads!

A quick update to let you know I have a few new posts up at Eco Childs Play!

- 5 Natural Ways to Cure a Plugged Duct
- Today is Smokey Bear’s 65th birthday…
- At Home In The Water

Hope you’re all enjoying your weekend. Happy reading! 

Natural Remedies for Teething & Happenings

It’s clear that my four month old is teething. Yes, he’s teething this early. Tristan started teething at the end of his 3rd month too and had a full set just after a year. Clark has been very fussy these past few days and uncomfortable. Not to mention the dirty diaper laundry is non stop… Sign #2- runny poop and lot’s of it. I’m surprised at how well he’s taken it so far. Tristan seemed to be a bit fussier (maybe it was the first time mom experience).  I’ve been giving him a dose of Hyland’s, Chamomilla 30X tablets along with teething gel. The teething gel seems pointless at times because with all the drool in his mouth it seems to wash away.

If you’re worried about giving your infant homeopathic tablets you don’t have to be. Simply, dissolve the amount of tablets needed (usually 2) in water and then fill up with an eye dropper and administer that way. I place tablets in a bottle cap and add just enough water to dissolve them. Clark seems to be okay with a tablet in his mouth. I usually try to place it on the sides of his mouth rather than directly on his tongue where he has a tendency to directly spit it out. Clove oil also works much like the gel. Be very careful, not to overuse as it can burn gums and do not apply neat use a carrier oil or vegetable glycerin to dilute.

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The Birth Story: The Day of Dignity

Confident and comfortable with our decision to give birth at home for the second time we knew that the events would unfold much differently and we’d be more prepared. For me, both times giving birth was an empowering experience. Being left alone to birth a new life into this world (in your environment), can put the mind at ease making it easier to relax and be aware.

During birth, I applied the Mongan Method HypnoBirthing techniques and some Bradley basics. The affirmations and breathing techiniques from the HypnoBirthing book helped more than anything. They helped keep me focused and in control.

Two days prior to labor beginning, menstrual like cramp pains would set during the morning but they would subside by the afternoon. The second day- they lasted later into the afternoon so my husband decided to come home from work early. He and I both had a feeling something was going to happen we just weren’t 100% sure. I was feeling guilty that he’d left work early because I started to feel fine as the day went on. I certainly wasn’t in labor- (Yet!)

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