Monday Match-Up 2-27-12

I struggled with what to pick today but I've been using a few CJ's products regularly for MYSELF and I decided that the Mommy's need something for themselves this week. So:

Like I said, all products I use regularly. Here's a little bit more about each and my experiences.

CJ's Natural Deodorant 

I've been using CJ's Deodorant  for close over a year. It's been discontinued, but I've got a few on my self. Come to think of it, why am I offering this up to you when I should totally be hoarding it? Oh well. I started using it because my nursling found entertainment in licking near my armpits. Last thing I wanted was my precious little girl ingesting the Secret Clinical Strength Antiperspirant I had been using!
It takes a little bit for your body to adjust to a natural deodorant. Luckily, my baby brother had warned me of this in advance, or I wouldn't be recommending this product to you today. At first, you'll find yourself applying more and reapplying throughout the day. That is pretty normal while you are adjusting. But now, I apply in the morning, and 95% of the time, I'm good all day. Remember, this is a deodorant, not an antiperspirant. If I know I'll be having a particularly stressful day, I still grab the "other" stuff. I'm about to start working out again, so we'll see how that goes. I mean, you are supposed to stink at the gym, right?

CJ's Creamy Lotion

Ahhhh...CJ's Creamy Lotion. If you have been following my FaceBook for awhile, you may recall me asking about natural/alternative treatments for acne. Well, here is what I did: I stopped using all the stuff I had in the house. I had been using  Neutrogena Washes and Astringent. I now ONLY apply CJ's Lotion after showers and my acne is SO much better. Disclaimer: I do not typically wear make-up. If I do, usually it is just powder or if I'm getting "dressed up" I'll wear the Clinique Tinted Moisturizer, powder and some mascara. If you wear make-up, you'll probably need to use a make-up remover at least. 

Anyway, what I figured out was that I was drying out my skin, which was causing my acne. Duh. I mean, I've only heard that a million times. But when you have oily skin, you think that it doesn't apply to you. Let me tell you friends, IT DOES!

I also use this lotion on my kiddos.

I almost forgot to mention that when I had  a sinus infection recently and the skin around my nose was super dried out, this lotion made things all better without the burn that typical lotions cause.

THE All Purpose Cleaner

I was hesitant to try this because I've always used a bleach/water mix for general cleaning. But when the Apples & Spice, seasonal scent came out, I had to try it! I now use CJ's All Purpose Cleaner for ALL PURPOSE CLEANING. LOL. I use it for the kitchen counters, stove top, inside and outside of cabinets, fronts of appliances.... I also use it for surface cleaning in the bathroom, dusting, wiping down the dining room table, etc. I would not recommend it for cleaning glass and I do recommend checking a small spot before using it on any wood products, but otherwise, it is definitely ALL PURPOSE. And what is better than a clean house that doesn't smell like typical cleaning products?

And finally  there is the Chap Stick! 

Again, with the recent sinus infection and the mouth breathing (it was awesome, let me tell you!), my already chronically chapped lips were in horrible shape. I am not terribly good at remembering where I put things, so I tend to spend half of my days with dry lips, searching for my Chap Stick, but when I find it RELIEF!!!
You can actually feel CJ's Chapstick absorbing into your lips and moisturizing. Can you say that about other brands you've used? I can't. Others seem to make more of a barrier rather than help the situation. I also love that it comes in several wonderful flavors. I'm currently using the Strawberry Lime. YUM!!!

Now, for the deal:

Get a FREE Chap Stick with a purchase of 2 of the other 3 items featured in 

today's Monday Match-Up

To get the free Chap Stick, add it to your cart and use: MMU22712 to reverse the charge.

IF and ONLY IF your Monday Match-Up total does not qualify for free shipping ($25 minimum) then you can use the code: SHIP22712 to receive the free shipping.

*If you add other items to your order, and reach the $25 total, you won't need the code.

As always, you'll receive a 10% off coupon code in your package to be used on 

your NEXT purchase.

Our Back-Story

I feel like I've done this post before, but I don't see it, so what the heck, I'll tell you about my family, why we do what we do and how we got to this point.

John and I (Erica) met in college in Northeast Nebraska. I guess we met once before I remember meeting, so that tells you who made a bigger impression. LOL. Anyway, it took us awhile to go from acquaintances to dating, and then things moved pretty fast and slow at the same time. We got engaged on Christmas morning 2001, were married July 27, 2002 at the age of 21 and moved into our new apartment, in Nashville, TN August 2nd! We were newly weds, he was living somewhere other than his parents home, and 10 hours away from the closest family member all within a weeks time. It was nuts.

We finished our educations in Nashville and started our family. Funny story: I wanted to have kids right away but he wanted to wait 5 years. We are about 99% positive that our first child was conceived while we were on our vacation, celebrating our 5th anniversary. I guess that's the accountant in him. At the time our first daughter, Elizabeth, was born John was working in the Finance Department at the college we both had graduated from and Erica was working in the Music Industry, from a home office, but also continuing education by earning a Paralegal Certification.

Before Elizabeth was born, I had every intention of using cloth diapers and breatfeeding her. I also had planned on having a natural labor and delivery or at least holding off on the epidural as long as I could. Well, things didn't work out like I planned.

At 36 weeks, my OB told me that my blood pressure was beginning to concern her and that she thought inducing at 37 weeks would be the best option. OK. Sure. You're the Dr., you should know. We got to the hospital at 11:55pm on March 30th, they made us wait until midnight, and then we checked in. We got the standard "you're being induced in a hospital" treatment. Sometime in the middle of the night, I was checked and had made it to 3cm. At that point, I was asked, for about the 100th time, if I was ready for my epidural. I told the nurse I'd like to wait as long as I could. Her response was "If you are up all night with contractions, you'll be too tired to push and end up having to have a C-Section." Scared the CRAP out of me, so I said I'd take it. I then felt nothing, absolutely nothing. Our beautiful, healthy little girl was born at 5:35pm. I had a small episiotomy, which I kinda felt being performed, but that was about it. I then felt nothing in my left leg for 48 hours. I was stuck in that bed, no shower, no walks, for 3 days. It was horrible. But do I regret it? No. I have a beautiful, almost 4 year old, little girl.

I had NO clue about cloth diapers and since none of our friends had kids, no one to ask, so I ended up using disposables. I tried them all...and have an opinion about them all. I wish we had been able to use cloth, or had the time to do more research. But do I regret using disposables? Nope. Again, healthy little girl.

Breastfeeding didn't go well either. We struggled with latch, multiple "consultants" and visits to the pediatrician. They gave me a nipple shield in the hospital and then 2 weeks later told me that I should be pumping because using it would prevent my supply from being what it should be. For 3 and a half weeks I was a wreck. Our 6#7oz little girl was losing weight and I felt it was all my fault. For awhile, every hour, on the hour, I was either nursing, pumping or feeding her a bottle. At that point, we had to start supplementing with formula and eventually, I gave in. I wish it had gone differently, but again, I have no regrets.

In January of 2010, we found out we were expecting our 2nd kiddo. This time I was determined to do things differently, the way I wanted to, regardless of anyone else's opinions. I had already been seeing a Certified Nurse Midwife for my annual exams, so using her for prenatal and L&D was a no-brainer. She's amazing, honestly and completely amazing! If you're in the Norfolk, NE area, Gail Consoli...look her up, use her! She's at Midwest Health Partners. I also hired a doula to help me with the process.

I purchased 12 BumGenius 3.0s during a buy 5 get 1 free sale and 12 BG Elementals to start my Cloth Stash. I'm pretty sure I had them, prepped, and ready to go before I was even showing. LOL. I already had my pump and bottles and all the other baby stuff, all I needed was the baby.

On September 16th, I went in for a pedicure and then to my 36 1/2 wk check up. I was 3 1/2 cm at my appointment! I had no idea I was even in labor. All day I had contractions. John was super busy at work with audits and I wasn't to expect him home before 9:00. Around 8:00, I called and told him he needed to come home because I "though" I was in real labor. Around 10:00 I started having really long contractions that prevented me from feeling the baby move, so we decided to run into town and get checked. Family loaded up and off we went. Gail just happened to already be in the hospital so she got me settled. Again, I was thinking check and then go home. She told me I was staying. Elizabeth hung out with us until about 2am when John's grandma came to get her. It was about 2:30 when I guess I hit the transition phase and things finally started to get painful. But I can't complain because by 4:38 I was holding my beautiful little Isabelle. Completely drug free, I was ready for a shower by 6:30! Completely different experience.

We went home the next day in disposable diapers because my One Size diapers were HUGE on the poor little 6#8oz baby girl.We quickly learned that the DryMax Chemicals in Pampers were burning her little bum and my mother purchased us 24 Diaper Rite Prefolds and 4 Bummis Super Whisper Wraps. LIFE SAVERS!!!! We do disposable diapers from time to time. I'm not going to lie. Sometimes it's just easier.

Breastfeeding went much better this time. She latched on immediately. Ok, wait, I lied just a little. The first 6 weeks were HELL. We had thrush, which got into my breast tissue and I had to take 4 doses of Diflucan to treat it. This actually happened to us twice. Before we knew what the problem was, I would have panic attacks, bawling uncontrollably at the thought of having to nurse her. Once we figured out the thrush, it was smooth sailing. Our daughter, at 17months, has has maybe 12 bottles. We are just now weaning. I would have liked to wean her sooner, but I've treasured our nursing relationship.

I'll continue with a post next week about how our cloth diapering journey, preferences and business came to be what it is today...and them maybe in another week or so, I'll let you know where I'd like to be.

Thank you for supporting us and what we love!

Oh, and hey, if you are still here and reading this, you can use the voucher code LONGBLOG to get $5 off your next purchase of $50 or more at our site www.IWillWashThem.com.

Please consider subscribing to our blog since we currently do not do a newsletter.

Erica & John
owner
IWillWashThem.com
Follow us on FaceBook! and Twitter, which I neglect.

President's Day Sale 2012!

Monday Match-Up and President's Day are going head to head at I Will Wash Them!!!

The Monday Match-Up will be $5 off, and free shipping when you order EACH OF THE FOLLOWING:
Any 6 NEW prefolds (Bummis and OsoCozy come in 6 packs already, Diaper Rites require 6 singles);
Any Bummis PUL cover; and
Any CJ's BUTTer, Lotion OR Carcass Cleaner.
That is 3 things for the Monday Match-Up.
Enter the code: MMU22012
You will also receive a coupon for 10% off your NEXT purchase that will come in your package.
As always, the Monday Match-Up will ship for free and is good until Sunday night.

Three orders over $50 will be able to use the code: SPRAY to receive a FREE bottle of Eco Sprout Bottom Spray. This is the original formula/bottle. When you hit $50, add a bottle to your cart and enter the code at checkout to watch the cost disappear! This offer is valid until we get the 3 orders in!

And, get 10% off any Planet Wise products with the code PRESIDENT. This offer is TODAY ONLY!

You can get all 3 offers in one order!!!!!

Please e-mail me at Erica@IWillWashThem.com or comment on our FaceBook if you have any trouble!

Planet Wise Wet Bags have arrived!

Wow. Talk about some PRETTY wet bags, huh? There are more sizes and fabrics to choose from than really should be allowed. I'm starting with just a few prints and limited sizes and quantities. For right now (and I mean probably just the next week or two), you will only be able to order in stock products. But, because Planet Wise is so amazingly quick with their shipping, I'm going to start allowing "back orders" of some of the products. I'll be doing the same with Best Bottoms eventually.

For now, take a look at what we have in stock, and PLEASE, tell me if there is something you want. I'll get it in ASAP!

 (There are also Wet/Dry bags, and we do carry those as well. But some info is better than all sometimes.)

Innovative Seam Sealing

Most waterproof material, when sewn, leaves tiny holes in the fabric allowing liquid to seep out over time. After a lot of research, Planet Wise Inc has discovered an innovative way to seal the seams so NO liquid can escape out the waterproof seams.  Try it!  Fill your bag with water and give it a squeeze!

Available in THREE Sizes!

• Small 8"x10" and holds approx. 1-2 cloth diapers
• Medium 13"x16" and holds approx. 8-9 cloth diapers
• Large 18"x21" and holds approx. 16-17 cloth diapers





• PVC Free and Lead Free Zippers
• Reusable to avoid using plastic bags, helping to protect our planet
• Anti-microbial
• Made in the USA
• Many great uses including storing wet/dirty items, swimwear, diapers, shoes, cosmetics, gym bag and the list goes on.
• Made with high quality designer fabrics with coordinating waterproof inner material and locking zipper.
• Each bag is innovatively sewn with hidden seams and sealed for no wicking or leaking. First and ONLY in the industry!
• Resists most stains odors - keeping smells in.

Wet & Dirty Items Swimwear Diapers

Potty Training Cosmetics Shoes

Gym Bag List goes on and on.....

Anti-Microbial PVC Free and Lead Free Zippers Reusable to avoid using plastic bags, helping to protect our planet Made in the USA Made with high quality designer fabrics with coordinating waterproof inner material and locking zipper. Each bag is innovatively sewn with hidden seams and sealed for no wicking or leaking. First and ONLY in the industry!  Patent pending on our waterproof design. Resists most stains odors - keeping smells in.

High quality designer fabrics with coordinating waterproof inner material and locking zipper

Aqua Swirl	Art Deco	Bangle Dots	Black	Blue Recycle	Bumble Dot
Butterflies	Chic Petunia	Chocolate	Daisy Dream	Fiesta	Flame
Funky Flowers	Geometric Studio	Green Meadow	Lime Cocoa Bean	Lime Somersaults	Lime Squares
Love Forever	Meadow Tweets	Midnight Curl	Orange Woods	Organic Earth Links	Organic Garden
Organic Kaleidoscope	Organic Lime Medallions	Organic Navy Circuits	Organic Silver Scroll	Outer Space	Owl
Peace On Earth	Piccolo Dot	Pink Daisy Stripe	River Rock	Sage	Spring Dots
Think Peace