Munchkin Mesh Teether/Feeder (Review):

This is my review on the Munchkin mesh teether/feeder.

Fresh Food Feeder

A safe mesh feeder to jumpstart healthy eating habits - because fresh food from a feeder beats fast food from a jar. It's the little things^®. (right off the munchkin website)

I only posted the orange/pink as that is the one I bought my daughter. But they do have 3 other colors if I remember correctly. Ok give me a min and I’ll post the other colors and at the bottom of my review post other pictures. There’s green/blue, and yellow/green.

There are other similar types out there like the Sassy Teething Feeder and the Baby Safe Feeder Starter Kit. I only have the Munchkin one, as I really didn’t want to wait to get it and Wal-Mart only had the Munchkin one.

Let’s start out with the Cons: only 1 for me is that it doesn’t have a cap like the sassy one does. The only other thing but it really doesn't bother me much is it can be very messy, but they all can be.

Pros: I absolutely love this mesh teether/feeder and so does my daughter. She loves when I freeze pears, bananas, squash and sweet potatoes. I haven’t tried any other foods yet, but I am going to try cantaloupe once it’s ripe enough. You can buy either a package of 1 or 2.

I really like that I can give Kira fresh food or freeze fresh food and give it to her in the Mesh feeder and not risk a choking hazard. Of course you still have to watch your child with the mesh teether/feeder, and before giving it to your child make sure there are no tears in the mesh and that it is not coming apart, but that’s with everything from binky’s to bottle nipples.

I have told my friends and family who have a teething baby or toddler and they went out and bought one and they love it too. They are so happy they asked me what I was doing to help Kira and her teething. They said their child was miserable from teething and nothing was working but once they tried the frozen foods in the mesh feeder their babies felt better.

It’s very easy to use, not too hard to clean. To use just clasp the little pins and push down, put the fresh fruits or veggies in, or the frozen food and close the top. To clean just open the tops run warm water through while rubbing the mesh between your fingers, soak in hot water for 5 minutes then run hot water through or put it in the dishwasher (top rack only).

Just a Quick Update:

I have 4 posts & 1 review that are not published I have not finished them yet. I will finish asap. Thanks for you & patience.

Topic - Breastfeeding:

I breastfed my son and I am breastfeeding my daughter. I personally feel that breastfeeding is healthier then formula. I personally don't trust formula.


Reason: Scientists. Key words here, Science and tests. Now not all science is bad, but it's not all good either. Think of it this way: most scientific studies and testing are done on rats, mice, dogs, cats, rabbits, non-human primates, guinea pigs and farm animals. Mainly mice and rats are used. Roughly 90% of testing is done on mice and rats.


Anyway I feel that breastfeeding brings about a stronger and closer bond between mother and child. Breastfeeding is a natural, safer and better food choice for babies. Otherwise why else do our bodies produce milk? Here are a few reasons as to why I say that breastfeeding is a better food choice.

• Mother's milk is rich in nutrients and disease-fighting antibodies. 

• Lymphocytes that help babies resist infections and help to protect from allergies. 

• Lowers your stress levels. 

• Women have a greater chance of not suffering from ovarian or breast cancer. 

Now I want to bring up a highly controversial, talked about, brought-up and criticized topic. Breastfeeding: How old is too old? So just how old is too old to still be breastfeeding your child? Well that depends on what you and your child feel. I personally want the breastfeed at least till the age of two years or until my child weans. Whichever comes first.

With my son I breastfed until he started weaning himself at 13 months, by 14 months he was done breastfeeding. Now what I really wanted but I didn't tell him he had to stop, he stopped all by himself. I left it up to my child.

I am still breastfeeding my daughter at 6 months. I am leaving the choice up to her. I will least breastfeed until she is one, plus she won't take any formula (which I am happy about), as we had to try it since when she was 3 months old I got really sick and my supply dramatically dropped. But it didn't matter how hungry she was or what formula we tried, she just would not take it. So she really didn't eat much for 2 days, even though I kept giving her the breast. I kept pumping throughout the day but the most I would get was 2 or 3 ounces total a day. But I didn't give up and now she's 6 months and healthy. Kira is getting as much milk she needs to keep her healthy and full. 

So, how old is too old to be breastfeeding? It's all up to you and your child. But unless you don't want to continue to breastfeed, I would leave that choice up to your child(ren).

Raising a Child with a Disability:

Meet my son Hayden James, who was born on July 12, 2009 at 11:48am weighing 7lbs 10oz and 22in long.  Hayden was born with Spinal Bifida or as the doctors called it Meningocele, were a cyst on the thoracic vertebrae-T4 was pooling up with spinal fluid, because the spine had not fully closed. He had to have surgery to fix it. For the first 3-4 months of Hayden's life he was not allowed to do things other babies were able to do. 

Just after I delivered Hayden the doctor and nurses said ut-oh. They told me nothing for the first 15 minutes. I was upset and worried when I heard them say that, so I kept asking what was wrong, they still didn't tell me until, I got up off the delivery bed and walked over to my son, that's when they showed me his back and told me not to touch my son and that they had no idea what was wrong with him. They needed to have a special ultrasound technician do an ultrasound on his back. We were told that the ultra sound was going to be done Monday morning but the guy that does the ultrasounds was called in so we were able to have it done late Sunday night. Monday morning we got the results from the ultrasound and the technician said it looks like the liquid that formed the cyst was coming from the spinal column and that they would have to have Albany Medical unit come down and look at him and transport him to Albany Medical Center in the NICU unit. Pat and I have been both worried about what’s going on with our son and we both just want him 

better so we can just take him home with us. 

On July 13th 2009 Hayden left in the transport unit before Pat and I (even though I was supposed to go with him, they didn't let me). We left the hospital at 12:30 and went to Wal-Mart to go get my meds that they gave me at the hospital and left for Albany at 1pm on Monday. We got to Albany and found the Ronald McDonald house and we are able to stay there to be able to go visit our son 24 hours a day anytime we want to and we can get a shuttle bus to the building that he is at. Everyone that we have met at the Ronald McDonald house here has been great to both of us. When we both got all settled in and got some food in us we went to see our son for the first time since he had left Oneonta and once we walked in the door to the nursery that he is in he started yelling and we bout though it was kind of cute that he knew that we were there. We were told by the doctor or nurse that's taking care of him at the time that he was on the list to have an MRI done to find out what exactly is going on and what they’re going to do to fix it. We left and ended calling back up at 10pm to see how he was and we found out in a few minutes he was going to be going down for the MRI and to try back in about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Pat and I ended up going back to the hospital at midnight to see how he was and to tell him goodnight. When we got there the nurse had told us that he moved too much and tomorrow (July 14th) that they would have to give him a stronger sedative and try the MRI again.  

July 14th 2009 at 4:30pm, about 20 minutes after we had just got back from the hospital, we found out that Hayden stayed still enough for them to take the MRI. The Neurosurgeon reviewed the MRI and told us that there seems to very low risk of any neurological damage when they go into surgery tomorrow morning at 7:30 am. We were also informed that the surgery should go easy it does not look to be anything complex. In the surgery what they have to do is to go into the spinal column and fix a defect and cut away some of the skin on his back where the cyst is and pull the skin over so it’s a true skin on the outside.

On July 15th 2009 Hayden went in for surgery at 7:30am, it took 6 hours until the surgery was done. During that time I was told by his doctor and the nurses to go get some rest and they would call me when he got out surgery. I tried to sleep but every-time I fell asleep I had nightmares, It was an un-restful and agonizing 6 hours which seemed like forever. I was so scared when he went in for surgery, because I didn't know what was wrong with him or if during the surgery something went wrong. He had surgery and the doctor said it went great. They were able to go in and seal the spinal column up. Dr. Waldman said there was one nerve fiber that was in the cyst but it was not active and doing anything. The other part of the surgery was that they had to remove the skin that was part of the cyst and pull his back skin together and sew that up. Hayden went back to the NICU room and was on a breathing tube until he woke up and they are comfortable that he can start to breathe on his own again. With the results of the surgery there are still a few risks like of infection, but the results also made Pat and I relieved that everything went well. It was hard for me not to be by his side all the time after his surgery. It was hard for me to see my baby boy hooked up to all those tube and machines, I cried every time I saw him like that. Seeing the machines and the tubes hooked up to him made my heart break even more. I keep thinking the worst but keep telling myself everything would be okay, he's as strong as his mommy, if not stronger and that he would pull through. We all would get through this hard time. I told him he wasn't alone and that we were there for him. I just kept talking to him, holding his hand and I breastfed and gave him as much kangaroo time as I could. His surgeon said that was great for me to do, that it would help him in the healing process, due to the touch and comfort of his mama.

On July 19th 2009 we got news that we would get to take Hayden home tomorrow on July 20th 2009. We stayed the night at the hospital in what’s called the Room in room with him and he is not hooked up to anything. 

One thing that is very upsetting is that doctors would ask me why it was never caught by an ultrasound. My answer is always the same, 'I didn't know it what spinal Bifida was or that it could be caught by an ultrasound and they should talk to the ultrasound technicians because I'm not an ultrasound technician. 

He walks and talks just fine, and he performs tasks at his age level or a bit above his age level. Hayden is not disabled, at least in my eyes; he was born with a disability. I'm not trying to make light of Spinal Bifida and it wasn't always easy. I would say a disability would be something that causes a task to not be accomplished. But that is just my point of view and opinion. 

I have to say this much. I went to Early Intervention Partners and Parents meetings. They were extremely helpful. I made new friends, like: Ruth F., Michele D., Karen S., Shannon T. (others include (Initials only): BT, KRT, CAS, MS, SM, TJ and TH. They are wonderful people. And I am happy that I met them and became friends with them, they all opened my eyes and helped me in some way or another. 

Quick Post:

So tomorrow I am going to write about 2 things as a parent that I have or am dealing with. 1. Raising a child who has Spinal Bifida. 2. Defending my kids.

I Hate You Mommy:

So on 5/8/12 I got Hayden upset and mad at me.
My mom was here with the dogs and Hayden had a worker from E.I. coming so my mom went to put the dogs in the other room so they couldn't jump on the worker. Well i was trying to joke and mess around with Hayden and I said, we were throwing the dogs away. He got extremely upset and said, 'noooo.' Mind you I said it in a joking way. So I said it again and Hayden started crying. I tried to tell him I was joking and he said, 'NOT JOKING!' at the top of his lungs still while crying. So i kept trying to tell him I was joking and messing around and he just kept crying and saying not joking. Then after my mom got done putting the dogs in the other room I said to Hayden that they were just in the other room and at that moment my almost 3 year old.son said, 'I Hate You Mommy!'
So while Hayden was playing games with the worker I went into his room laid on his bed and held his monk-monk (which used to be my stuffed monkey) and cried. Finally when Pat came in he asked what was wrong and when he finally got me calmed down I told him that Hayden hates me. Now I knew that Hayden really didn't hate me but I still took it to heart. Pat said Hayden doesn't hate you and I said, 'Yes he does.' So Pat took me into the living room and asked Hayden, 'Hayden do you hate mommy?' Hayden said, 'Yes!' So then Pat asked Hayden, 'Hayden do you love mommy?' and Hayden said, 'No!' I was really upset.
My mom tried explaining to me that he doesn't understand that I was joking or what joke was. Then after me and mom got done talking I went inside and pulled Hayden into my arms and was hugging him and I explained that mommy was just trying to joke/kid around, that I was sorry to upset him and that I wasn't trying to hurt his feelings. Hayden then said, 'It's okay mommy.' I said, 'I love you Hayden!' and then Hayden hugged and kissed me and said, 'I love you too mommy.'
So a bit of advice, if your toddler is attached to something and loves something that much, what ever you do, don't try to say something that could upset him/her. They really don't understand the meaning of a joke.

The Mom Pledge:

The Mom Pledge

I am a proud to be a mom. I will conduct myself with integrity in all my online activities. I can lead by example.

I pledge to treat my fellow moms with respect. I will acknowledge that there is no one, "right" way to be a good mom. Each woman makes the choices best for her family.

I believe a healthy dialogue on important issues is a good thing. I will welcome differing opinions when offered in a respectful, non-judgmental manner. And will treat those who do so in kind.

I stand up against cyber bullying. My online space reflects who I am and what I believe in. I will not tolerate comments that are defamatory, hateful or threatening.

I refuse to give those who attack a platform. I will remove their remarks with no mention or response. I can take control.

I want to see moms work together to build one another up, not tear each other down. Words can be used as weapons. I will not engage in that behavior.

I affirm that we are a community. As a member, I will strive to foster goodwill among moms. Together, we can make a difference.  

Just Starting Out: (Re-Edited)

So this blog is going to be about things I deal with as a parent, my opinions and views, my kids and anything else about parenting.

If you would like to request me to write about an experience or how I would deal with something as a parent or questions or concerns as a parent or an expecting parent, anything parenting or pregnancy, please don't hesitate and feel free to comment. I will also do reviews on baby, toddler, pregnancy or parenting products. Let me know if you would like me to review something. If I don't have that particular product but I have something similar I will let you know. Otherwise I will try to get that product or ask someone in my family who may have that product, if I can try it out for a few days.

I am a parent to 2 beautiful kids. Hayden James (my son) born in July of 2009 and Kira Skye (my daughter) born November of 2011. If you would like to know more about my kids feel free to ask in a comment.

I am still considered new to parenthood, but I am learning everyday. I love my kids and I will continue to love them, care for them and help them thrive in a world of opportunities. I want them to reach for the stars and know they can accomplish anything they set there minds on.