Win a Milk Bank Vacuum Storage System

I'm really excited about a new product from DexBaby, Milk Bank Vacuum Storage System for Breastmilk. If you pump and store breastmilk, then pay attention, because this is revolutionary! When you expose breastmilk to air, it affects the taste. The Milk Bank system includes a vacuum pump that is really easy to use. It vacuum seals your breast milk so you can store it and not worry about it becoming rancid. In fact, breastmilk stored with the Milk Bank system will stay fresher, longer than breastmilk stored using other systems. The storage bottles double as feeding bottles for extra convenience. The bottles are free of Phthalates, PVC and BPA which is of major importance to me. So easy to use, you just pump your milk and then transfer it into the fully compatible storage bottle or feeding bottle. The system also includes an insulated outer feeding bottle that allows the milk to stay warm longer. Studies have shown that babies receive more nutrients when they drink warm milk. Milk Bank also makes a vented feeding bottle. The best thing about it is that it doesn't leak! No matter what I've done, I can't get it to leak. I've been close to tears of frustration with other brand's bottles that leak. The bottles are triple-vented to help prevent colic, spit-up, burping and gas. The Milk Bank products are available exclusively at Babies R Us. For more info visit www.MilkBank.com

I am giving away one Milk Bank Vacuum Storage System, retail value $25. To enter, please leave a comment below including 1) Whether you would keep the system or give it away (don't worry, there are no wrong answers!) and 2) Your e-mail address so I can contact you if you are the winner. The contest ends at noon PST, Monday, February 16, 2009. I will use random.org to select the winner at random. Good luck!

Congratulations!!! Random.org has selected #1 Unrepentant Kulak as the winner. Thanks to everyone for entering!!

Private Callers

What is the deal with people who block their phone numbers for Caller ID? Now there are some people whom I excuse, for example, law enforcement, my pediatrician's home phone and cell phone (because we know crazy parents would be calling ALL the time) and celebrities. I have friends who are famous and oddly they don't all block their numbers, but some do. I think that is reasonable considering how star-crazy people are. But, random people I know who have NO reason to block, I just don't get. If you have Caller ID, then you should not block your number. It's only fair. Especially those who block their number but say, "Hi Elizabeth!" when you call them. How nice! How convenient for THEM that they can see it's me.

Further, if for some reason you need to call someone and do need to block your number for whatever reason, then just do *67 before you dial the rest of the number. I welcome comments on this topic, otherwise, I remain convinced I'm absolutely right.

So..How was the Quaker Inauguration Party?

Everyone has been asking me how the party was: It was SO FUN! Jessica Gottlieb was the model hostess, fielding interviews from the likes of CBS News and making sure all (adult) guests had mimosas. The Daily News photographer, John McCoy stopped by (I'm in the first photo, holding Lulu on the couch in the back). Who was there? The Republican Moms Playgroup, Katee, who I met, but put in her post that she did not meet me...Hmmm...My buddy Kim Tracy Prince did a fabulous post about the party, so go read hers. She got me off the hook. The Slackmistress was NOT wearing slacks. Fellow Los Angeles Moms Blog blogger, Nouvelle Blogger, joined in. Then over in the corner was Fightin' Mad Mary. Cary Bickley wrote her story as well. Ciaran Blumenfeld gave us a long distance shout out from Orange County. The WiFi was overloaded and the oatmeal flowed freely.

Chasing after Chip and Lulu and speaking with everyone did not make it really easy to watch the telecast. However, I did see Aretha's hat, and frankly, what more did I need?

I don't even really like oatmeal much, but I really LOVED the oatmeal at our party! I'm not just saying that, because, heck, I can say whatever I want and it doesn't matter. But it was creamy and yummy and comforting. Chef Vanessa Bathfield of Mother's Helping Hand catered a delicious breakfast spread. Fresh fruits, coffee and juices. Everyone left with samples of Quaker products courtesy of one of the moms whose husband works for Quaker! So, please, go buy some Quaker Oatmeal and then go to www.startwithsubstance.com and enter your bar code. Let's feed it forward and put bowls of oatmeal in front of those who really need it.

A hearty thank you to Quaker for throwing this party for us. Who knew oatmeal could be so much fun? (Click through to all the links in the first paragraph for photos from the event!)

Inaugural Post

I'm over here on the LA Moms Blog today. A tale of political karma.

Inauguration Party - Obama, Oatmeal and Over It ALL

Tomorrow, I'm co-hosting an Inauguration Breakfast Viewing Party with Jessica Gottlieb (at Jessica's house...I'll help clean up). The good, all-American folks at Quaker Oats have kindly offered to cater a breakfast for a fun mix of: Republican Moms, LA Moms Blog Bloggers, actresses, Hollywood types and assorted others. I'm very much looking forward to a hearty bowl of oatmeal and all the toppings Quaker has promised. Although Obama is not my first choice, I will respect his office and support him as my president. Of course, you know I won't shut up when he screws up.

Our party is just one of 11 parties Quaker is sponsoring all over the country. From Anchorage to Washington, DC, we'll all be blogging and Tweeting our updates. Jessica has already fielded some interviews, including KCBS, and we are expecting KNBC tomorrow as well as the Los Angeles Daily News. The party in Chicago will be streaming.

Quaker is using the parties to spread the word about their "Start with Substance" campaign which runs from January 12 through February 28. By visiting http://www.startwithsubstance.com/ and entering the UPC from any Quaker hot cereal, you will be able to donate a bowl of nutritious oatmeal to Share our Strength. Quaker hopes to reach the goal of 1 million bowls. Quaker's "Start with Substance" Campaign, which encourages consumers to feed their families and "fuel it forward" to those less fortunate, gives American families an easy way to answer the call of the President-elect to help others in a time of need.

Chef Vanessa Bathfield, http://www.mothershelpinghand.com/ will be catering the yummy event for us.

This has been a long and interesting campaign, election and run up to the ascension...um....er....inauguration. I just look forward to the future with as much optimism as I can muster! More than anything. I'm so glad it's OVER!

Expressing Motherhood

I'm joining in with an incredible group of moms this weekend. Everyone has a story and mothers especially have powerful stories to tell. This is a collaboration that will have you laughing, crying and most of all--thinking. You don't have to be a mom to "get" the stories in this show. Come on out to see me as Peter Pan Mom --I'll never grow up! The best part? Parking is free! It's Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 7pm at Electric Lodge in Venice. Check out the website for full details ExpressingMotherhood.com. I promise to let you buy me a drink after the show.

Inauguration Party - Top Secret

I'm co-hosting a big inauguration party with my pal Jessica Gottlieb. Inauguration Day, Tuesday, January 20, 2009. Here's the thing.....I can't tell you who is sponsoring. I can't tell you what the sponsor is announcing and I can't tell who the Hollywood moms who will be there are.....Yet.

Stay tuned. I'll let you know RIGHT away!