Queen Bee

I just love Queen Bee on Brentwood Blvd. (between Manchester and Elm). It is a small locally owned drive through. I like it much better than Starbucks. I love that I can drive through and pick something up while running around without having to get my toddler in and out of his seat. The coffee is hot and yummy. They have other drinks as well. Great lemonade. kiddie drinks (or are happy to just refill your tot's cup with water). soups (I've never tried them). baked goods (the raspberry scones are soooo good). It's a great little place to get your caffeine or sugar fix while you are out and about.

Walgreens photo

Get 75 4x6 prints for 9.99 by using the coupon code 75savings
33% off all photo books with coupon code Fall33
Good through October 3

Cotton Babies Garage Sale

I've never participated in this, but here are the details straight from the cotton babies email. Seems like a good way to save if you are in the market for some natural baby care products.

You don't want to miss the Cloth Diaper Garage Sale @ Cotton Babies in St. Louis! There are still spots left to sell, so call to reserve your space today!Fall Cloth Diaper Garage Sale
October 3, 2009 (8 a.m. till 1:00 p.m.)
Back by popular demand... the Cloth Diaper Garage Sale is an event hosted by Cotton Babies for our local customers to come and sell their cloth diaper and natural baby products in a garage sale type environment. For shoppers, this is an amazing opportunity to try out different diapering systems or other natural parenting products without breaking the bank! You should come expecting a great selection of used cloth diapers and other great baby products for sale at great prices!Seller tables will be set up and ready to go when Cotton Babies opens at 8 a.m. We'll provide bagels and coffee throughout the morning.

This is a popular event! We highly recommend that shoppers come early for the best selection. Bring plenty of cash. You will be able to make normal store purchases with your credit card, but, just like a garage sale, the seller tables are cash-only.

Would you like to sell?
We have a limited number of spaces open for parents wanting to sell stuff! There is no charge, but a $10 refundable deposit is required to hold your spot. You do need to bring your own table and change. Childcare is not provided, however nursing infants in a baby carrier are welcome to attend with their parent. Please e-mail store@cottonbabies.com or call 314-849-6400 soon to reserve your space. Directions to our store * Take 270 South to Tesson Ferry Road. * Turn West onto Tesson Ferry Road. * Look for Walgreens - turn left at Kennerly Road. * You'll see Cotton Babies almost immediately. Turn right into the shopping center.Store Contact Information9916 Kennerly Road, St. Louis, MO 63128, 314-849-6400
Special Store HoursThe Cloth Diaper Garage Sale will end at 1 p.m., but the retail store will be open for regular shopping from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Normal Monday-Friday store hours are 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

boogie wipes

I got these the last time my son was sick after reading great reviews about them from other moms. They are saline wipes designed to wipe little noses with. I totally like the idea of a moist gentle wipe to get off the gooped up and stuck on crust from my little guy's nose. At home I often use a warm wet washcloth on his nose. Although I don't absolutely love these wipes as other moms have, and they didn't have my son running to me for nose wipes, I do like them from keeping in the diaper bag, they are much gentler on sensitive sickly noses then the dry tissues I would otherwise use when we are out and about.

click here for the boogie wipes website where you can join the "boogie bunch" and get a $1 off coupon

I found boogie wipes at Walgreens. You can also order them from diapers.com coupon code "Jami" will get you $10 off your first order of $49 or more and go through ebates for cash back.

Do you have a little helper?

If your toddler is like mine he loves to help. My son is great about putting his dirty clothes in the hamper. I'll often hand him items like bibs out of the washer to throw into the dryer. Now I've found a way to include him in other aspects of laundry. I put his folded clothes into a small clean shopping bag (one I had from old navy) for him to carry to his room. Much easier for him to navigate than a basket. And it really does help me out as my hands are free to carry my own clothes. And he looks pretty cute with his bag slung over his shoulder like mommy. He's very proud to be mommy's helper and when he is involved it is so much easier to get what I need to get done done.

Gratutities

I am thankful for. . .

--Jacie

--Good Doctors

--Projects that are going well

Pancakes....keeping them warm

This one certainly falls under "why didn't I think of that sooner"
Making pancakes with my son this weekend I was in a dilemma. If I served him pancakes as they cooked he'd be done before I had cooked the whole batch, but how to really keep pancakes warm and yummy...hmmm....then the answer came to me....stoneware!! I heated a piece of stoneware in the microwave, put the finished pancakes in the stoneware and covered with a clean dishcloth. They all stayed nice and warm as the others cooked and were still warm when we had finished eating. Complete success. This is definitely going to be my new pancake routine.

Calling All STL Yoga Mamas

Yoga for Peace this Saturday September 19, 12:00 noon, at Tower Grove Park.

108 Sun Salutations.

For more information go here.

tyke light Jr

I was very excited about the tyke light jr for our trip. Since we went to Ireland we didn't want to deal with outlet adapter and that this light ran on batteries seemed perfect. It is also small and light weight, great for travel. However, I was slightly disappointed in the amount of light it gave off. Even in the "low" setting the small light illuminated the entire room. Much more light than what my son is used to when sleeping. I do like the idea of being able to see my son if I have to go in to help him during nights in strange places, but this was a bit too much light for him to have on for sleeping. If your child typically sleeps with a significant amount of light than this is a good light for travel or everyday use. If you child is used to less light when he/she sleeps you might want to think again before purchasing.

Home Again, Home Again

Hi folks.
We're home! We had a fantastic vacation, however now my son is sick. yuck. I'll get caught up and start posting again soon.

Dirty Dozen UPDATE

The Environmental Working Group has updated their organic shopper's guide.
Here is the latest.

Dirty Dozen (worst first)
peaches
apples
bell peppers
celery
nectarines
strawberries
cherries
kale
lettuce
grapes (imported)
carrots
pears

Clean 15 (best first)
onion
avocado
sweet corn
pineapple
mango
asparagus
sweet peas
kiwi
cabbage
eggplant
papaya
watermelon
broccoli
tomato
sweet potatoes

DHA--do you supplement?

I'm sure you've all heard by now about the importance of omega 3's (EPA & DHA) and how they impact brain development and function. Even many prenatal vitamins now include DHA. Of course giving your child supplements is a decision made on a personal basis by you in consultation with your pediatrician. I give my son the children's dha from the nordic natruals brand. If you STL mamas would like to learn more about these products they will have a representative at Whole Foods Galleria September 13, 20, and 27 from 2:00 to 5:00pm. May be worth checking out and seeing what they have to say.

Free Infant Eye Exams

For babies ages 6-12 months.
visit infantsee.org to find a provider
we did this when my son was about 9 months old. they did dilate his eyes at that time so if you have an infant pair of sunglasses bring them along (they gave us something there, but he didn't really keep it on). The exam was easy and my son sat on my lap the whole time. Not at all tramatic.

Quick Tip: learning to walk

Is your little one learning to walk? If so keep those feet bear as much as you can. They can really use their feet better that way, receive the sensory feedback they need from the ground, and feet are naturally non-slip. (would you want to learn to write your name with thick gloves on?) Of course if you're going to a park or someplace with potential hazards they will need protection, but otherwise let the feet be free. Heck, they are so cute anyway who'd want to cover them up?

New Coupon Codes

OshKosh B'gosh
Through 9/7
Get up to 50% off the entire store!
And an extra 30% off already reduced clearance merchandise.
And a $10 Play Card with each $25 purchase. find out more about play cards here.
AND use this coupon to get an additional 20% off any purchase of $50 or more!
(thanks hip2save)

Carter's
Through 9/7
50% off select styles
And an additional 30% off already reduced clearance merchandise
You can also snag a limited edition carter’s diaper bag for just $10 with any $50 or more purchase and you can earn a $10 gift check with each $25 you spend now through September 13th (view more information about their gift check program here).
AND print this coupon to save an additional 20% off any purchase of $50 or more!
(also from hip2save)

Diapers.com
order your Halloween costume by Sept 10 and get $5 of with code SPOOKY09
go through ebates for 1% cash back.

Picture People
Free photo + 35% off. this is a much higher % off than what is usually offered! Remember there is never a sitting few so you could get some great deals with this.
print coupon here or use code BGCER

Going on Vacation

I am leaving soon for vacation so you won't be hearing much from me for a little while. When I return I hope to have lots of road tested travel tips.

Cheers!

Grocery Thursday

Shop 'n Save

$10 off $50 purchase

No coupon needed

excludes: milk, gift cards, alcohol, tobacco

more information available here

Sappington's Farmers Market

8400 Watson Road

$10 off $50 purchase

excludes milk, liquor, etc

get coupon here or in store add

find add here

The Pampered Chef: Stonware

OK, a little bias here since I sell Pampered Chef, but I just love stoneware. It just bakes so great. And makes a great gift for showers, holidays, birthdays, etc. So, what's better than stoneware? Stoneware on special! You can get 20% off most items this month, 60% off one item if you host a show. Interested? Contact your Pampered Chef consultant. Need help? Just leave a comment or email stlmamablog.gmail.com

Babies R Us: Labor Day Sale & Coupons

Click here for deals good Sept 4-7 including:

• $5 off purchase of $25 or more
• 15% off humidifiers
• $2 off any 3 lotions, wash, shampoo, powder, or diaper rash treatments
• $5 gift card when you purchase Seventh Generation value box diapers AND value box wipes
• Buy one Get one 50% off Seventh Generation cleaning products
• Save 2.50 off any 12 Earth's Best jarred baby food (use coupon from earth's best for even more savings)
• and lots more!

Gratutities

Today I am thankful for. . .

--finally getting my ipod to work (after 20 months of having it)

--my son starting to get over his cold

--the compost fairy

Free Sample: Bear Naked Granola Bar

Another yummy free sample. This time for your choice of granola bars or cereal from Bear Naked. Just click here to get yours!

thanks stlmommy

Fruit Fly Solution

If your baby is like mine you have a constant supply of ripe bananas which means you likely also have. . . fruit flies! Well, I stumbled across a great solution. I had a wine bottle that was emptied but of course as it set there by the sink waiting to be recycled a little more wine pooled in the bottom. I few days later I went to rinse the bottle, and to my surprise there were many fruit flies floating in the wine. I assume the sweet wine attracted them into the bottle and then they couldn't find their way out. A lucky coincidence for me. Unfortunately I had already poured what was in the bottle out before I realized what has happened. Since then I have refilled the bottle with a little sugar and apple cider vinegar, this doesn't work quiet as well as the wine however but will work in a pinch. What a cheap and easy solution! Hope it works for you too.

September Events at Babies R Us

I've never been to these so I have no idea how they are, just thought someone might be interested. If you go please leave a comment and let us know how it was.

Breastfeeding 101: Basics of Breastfeeding Workshop

September 15 at 6:30

Buckle up & Boogie

Car Seat Safety Workshop

September 29 at 6:30