Bonding With My Youngest And the Importance of Premium Care Diapers

This post is sponsored SheSpeaks/Pampers Premium, but all opinions and experiences are my own. #MothersPromise

Elliott is my little bud.

Since it is summer there has been a whole lot of activity (chaos!) around the house with the older siblings home during the day. Usually, it is just Elliott and me.

I gotta say, I may be biased, but my youngest child is a hoot! He is funny, caring, creative and clever. He can turn anything into a toy and never runs out of things to do during the day. Of course, he loves when Mommy can sit down to play with him.

Now that Elliott is a toddler his favorite word is, "No!". When we ask if he needs his pants changed, he yells, "No!" and races off down the hall. It has become one of his favorite games to avoid diaper changes.

My youngest has very sensitive skin and easily breaks out into a rash or chafes if things rub in the wrong places. So I can understand why sometimes he decides to run. But, Walmart has a new option from Pampers that is even more gentle on his skin and makes getting a clean diaper much more pleasant.

Did you notice the Pampers Premium Care Diapers  debut on Walmart shelves this past week?

Diapers are definitely not created equal and these new diapers have:

• Absorb Away Liners: To pull wetness and mess away from baby’s skin
• Breathable Materials: To keep air circulating around baby’s skin
• Extra Absorb Channels: Help to distribute wetness evenly for up to 12 hours of protection - Hypoallergenic - Wetness Indicator: Lets you know when your baby might need a change

Elliott and I put the size 4 Pampers Premium Care Diapers to the test and we both loved how soft they are!

Easy to use, to secure and for him to wear, they did a great job of keeping him dry throughout the day and night. And with the same wetness indicator found on the front (the yellow line will turn blue as it absorbs wetness) I love with Pampers, it is easy to know when my evasive toddler is ready for a new diaper.

It is always easier to bond over Play-Doh or construction trucks when my son is dry and happy.

Whether worn on their own, or under his clothes, these diapers gave him the freedom to run, climb, crawl and play. I love the leg gussets on Pampers diapers. They give me piece of mind throughout the day that we will be accident-free.

I was also sent a fun #MothersPromise kit with a diaper clutch, memory book, promise card and a sturdy box for special keepsakes. I had so many hopes and dreams for each of my children while I carried them to term, and then as they started to grow and develop into individuals. This kit is a great way to keep track of all those hopes, dreams and promises I have for my baby.

I made the promise to each of my children on those late nights nursing that I would support them to be whomever they wanted to be in life. I still stand behind that promise to love them unconditionally.

What promises did you make to your baby?

Pampers #MothersPromise Instagram Giveaway!

Because we all make promises when we bring home our tiny, fragile baby from the hospital, now you can share those promises for a chance to win! There are great prizes like Walmart gift cards and Pampers Premium Care Diapers to be won.

Just head over to SheSpeaks  to enter and information on what you could win by tagging #MothersPromise on an Instagram photo of your baby!  bit.ly/je68mH 

So, what promises did you make to your baby?

Helping Children Like Ours - Pampers and Walmart Team Up to Help Children's Miracle Network

The Walmart gift cards and information have been provided by P&G. All opinions and experiences are my own. Children's Miracle Network Hospitals truly touched out lives.

It is hard to believe that it has been over 7 years since our first visit to a Children's Miracle Network Hospital. After having my first child, we were getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving when we got the call.

They needed us to take our newborn up to Doernbecher Hospital, 3 hours away, for more testing. Some of his newborn test results didn't look good. 

That call came out of the blue. Though I knew of the Children's Hospital, I had never been there. I didn't even know anyone who had needed to go there. I was in shock, frightened and full of so many questions as to why my healthy looking baby needed to be seen immediately.

You could say the bottom dropped out of our reality.

All that initial uncertainty and fear melted away once we arrived at the hospital. It was no uneventful trip either, it is no small feat traveling for 6 hours total with a newborn.

The atmosphere was child-friendly, the staff was helpful and welcoming and we were introduced to a new normal for us. 

My son was diagnosed with PKU (Phenylketonuria) as an infant. It is a metabolic condition caught after delivery when they perform the heel sticks in the hospital. We learned that my son was lacking an enzyme to break down phenylalanine in his blood. Without treatment, it can lead to dramatic and irrevocable brain damage, but with proper dietary therapy and regular blood tests he can lead a long and active life.

For the first year of Owen's life, we made the trek up to the children's hospital once a month so they could closely monitor his blood/phe levels and make sure he was developing normally. With the help of Owen's team, he hit his milestones early and we learned how to raise a child with PKU.

The doctors, dieticians and specialists we have met since that first visit have helped our son to meet his potential. We were taught how to count his exchanges and what foods and in what quantities he can enjoy. He also has a doctor prescribed medical beverage for his phenylalanine-free protein and other nutrients he lacks because he can't eat meat, dairy, nuts, most grains and legumes.

Our regular visits just became part of our new "normal" and our Doernbecher visits became a family event with the help of grandparents

Okay, not all fun... they did include necessary blood draws, but the phlebotomists there are the best and always had a stash of stuffed toys and other diversions to help kids with their fears.

So, when my daughter was born, 2 years later and was diagnosed with the same medical condition, there was no fear. We knew our Children's Miracle Network Hospital would take good care of the entire family and that she would be getting the best of care.

My kids looked forward to their visits, the waiting room which had lots of toys, books and saltwater fish tanks. They also enjoyed meeting other children there at the hospital.

Doernbecher Children's Hospital, our Children's Miracle Network Hospital here in Oregon is a big part of our life, and due to my children's ongoing condition, will be a part of our lives for life. I am so grateful for what these hospitals do to help families through the tough diagnosis period and all the questions that come with lifestyle changes.

But, my children are flourishing, and it would have never happened without the help from The Children's Miracle Network and the support they receive to help families like ours.

And along the way we have met so many others who have received help at Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, so many other children who received answers and the care they needed there. My husband and I always tell people that is where you can find answers and help. They take care of not just the kids and patients, but the whole family.

Did you know that one in 10 kids in North America is treated by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals each year?

Check out this infographic about why Children's Miracle Network Hospitals need our support:

The truth is, it is hard to know just when a child you know and love might need lifesaving treatment or a procedure at a Children's Miracle Network Hospital. The numbers above are eye-opening.

Luckily, Walmart and Pampers are donating $200,000 to CMNH in June of 2015! That is so exciting! Also, you can get in on the giving by purchasing Pamper's Swaddlers at your local Walmart. A portion of the  proceeds will go to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.  

U.S. members hospitals provided $3.4 billion in charity care in 2012, so I am sure there is always a need for donations.  You can visit Walmart.com/cmnh for more information and to make your own donation. 

Do you have a personal story to share about how with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has touched your life? Or do you know of someone who has been helped by the hospitals?

Giveaway Time!!!

I have one (1) $25 Walmart Gift Card to give away to one lucky commenter here. 

Share your story in the comments below. Or help spread the word about Pampers, Walmart, and the Children's Miracle Network and this current promotion.  You can do both for 2 entries! Leave a comment for each entry (up to 2 entries per person). 

Giveaway ends 7/1 at midnight PST. Must be 18 or older to enter, US residents only. The gift card will be mailed directly to the winner. Make sure your email address is in your profile so I can reach you.