The Mama Behind The Blog

Wanna know more about Mama Monkmee? Ok here goes. I'm Dawn aka Mama Monkmee. I'm 26 and have 3 little boys, Alex (5), Eian (32 months), & Will (2 months). I'm married to my high school sweet heart Joel.

I started blogging on MySpace on August 23, 2005 my 1st blog entry was.
"Hey everyone. It's me Dawn, and for those of you who dont know me you will very soon.

I just wanted to get this up and running , now I must get back to Alex.
Dawn's the name, Mama's what they call me!"

Not the greatest but everyone has to start somewhere. I moved over to blogger on May 10, 2008. I choose the name Mama Monkmee cuz I loved monkeys and my oldest son Alex called them monkmees.

I blog about my life the ups and downs of raising 3 boys all 30 months apart, my life long love of Joel(ok half my life), my son's Down syndrome and anything and everything in between.

I was your typical 23 year old mom of 1 son and another on the way when Eian was born with Down syndrome. It changed my whole life. It made me a better person. Most importantly it made me a better mom. I wouldn't change Eian for the world. I love him just the way he is.

So me, well I'm a computer geek. I love making graphics. My biggest passion is photography. Although I've been slacking in my photo taking. I deal with anxiety issues. I get stressed out super easy. I used to be a cutter, but I've not gone that route in years. I wont lie life is stressful being a SAHM of 3 small boys. Eian has therapy twice a week outside of the house. It's a 45 min drive to and from his therapy. He also has Early intervention once a week at our house.

I have 2 on bottles, ok not really I have 1 on a bottle and 1 on the breast. I have 2 in diapers. I use cloth diapers, most of the time. I try to live green. I love text messaging. I've been married for 10 months. I got pregnant with Will the night of my bachelorette party. Lol I found out I was pregnant 5 days after I got married.

My 5 year old is a video game nut just like his daddy. He'd play all day if I let him. My 2 year old knows more sign language than I do. My 2 month old is spoiled.

I'm real and this blog is about my real life. I started doing giveaways to give me something todo while nursing Will since I spend a good bit of time hee at the computer.

My husband leaves in 2 months for basic training with the Army. He'll be gone for 16 weeks He'll miss mine, his  and Eian's birthdays. He'll be home in time for christmas. then he'll be gone again. Me and the boys are stay here until next summer when we will join him provided he's somewhere we can go.

If there is anything else you wanna know about me, the boys, our life anything leave a comment and I'll answer it. Thanks

Review & Giveaway #4- Rockin' Green Soap *CLOSED*

Kim from Rockin' Green was nice enough to send me 2 samples of her Rockin' Green  Detergent. I choose Classic Rock in Rage against the Raspberry. I decided to Rock A Soak. I had noticed some of Will's cloth diapers had the stinkies. Let me tell you, when they were washed after soaking for just 2 hours, as I folded them they smelled so clean like brand new. No more stinkies. I will most defiantly be buying more of this for my diapers.

My Rockin' Green Soak (all my dipes at the time)

All my diapers nice and clean.

Later that day the mailman delivered awesome fluffy mail all Will's BumGenius diapers I got from Diaperswappers. So I rocked another soak.

I have another load in the wash right now. This stuff is awesome.

All About Rockin' Green

Rockin’ Green is 100% phosphate free. And dioxin free....petroleum free...and fat free!

It’s also animal by-product free, never tested on animals…biodegradable….and a bunch of other Mother Earth Rockin’ goodness!

Rockin’ Green comes in several different formulas- so there is something for everyone!

•Soft - this formula is designed for those that have sensitive little ones or soft water.

•Classic - this is the original formula, and is great for those with moderate hard water, or just those that are battling with stinkies. Comes in unscented and scented varieties.

•Hard - This formula is designed for the most troubling of water types.

Washing Instructions: washing diapers and clothing should not be a complicated ordeal. Forget everything that you have heard, and keep it simple. You don‘t need extra boosters or add-ons with Rockin’ Green.

1.Savor the smell of your Rockin’ Green detergent…ahh…yummy….

2.Dump your diapers/clothes into the washer and do a cold rinse/wash to get the nasties out prior to the wash cycle. The more water, the better!

3.Add the detergent and do a hot wash. Use 2-3 Tbsp* per load. For HE machines or those with soft water use 1-2 Tbsp*. Rockin’ Green is good for clothes and diapers. So toss a couple tablespoons in there!

4.Double Rinse.

5.Enjoy your clean fluff!

Buy It: Rockin' Green

Win It:  Kim has awesomely offered my readers a chance to win a 45 load bag of Rockin' Green in their choice of scent/formula.

You must be a Mama Monkmee Google Follower to participate.


Mandatory Entry: Visit Rockin' Green and tell me what scent/formula you'd want.

Extra Entries (Available Only After Required Entry is Complete):

Must include email address if not listed in profile. Each entry must be a separate comment.

*Fan Mama Monkmee on FaceBook (Leave your first name & last initial) -1entry
*Fan Rockin' Green on FaceBook (Leave your first name & last initial) -1entry
*Subscribe to Mama Monkmee via Email (Subscription must be confirmed) -2 entries
*Follow Mama Monkmee on Twitter (Leave twitter name) -1 entry
*Follow Rockin' Green on Twitter (Leave twitter name) -1 entry
*Grab my blog button (Leave link -3 entries
*Grab my giveaway button (Leave link) -5 entries
*Blog about this giveaway (Leave link) -3 entries
*Tweet about this giveaway (Leave link) -1 entry daily
*Join Rockin' Green's Newsletter (on their home page) -3 entries
*Purchase any item from Rockin’ Green - 5 entries

ReTweet- Win a full size bag of @rockingreensoap from @adjolly http://tinyurl.com/36n7elq Ends 6/29

RULES: Open to U.S & Canada Residents. Giveaway Ends June 29th, 2010 at 11:59pm CST. Winner will be selected using Random.org and emailed. You will have 48 hours to respond. If no response prize will be forfeited and a new winner selected.

*This is MY honest and true opinion about this product that I was sent free of charge to review. I was not paid to say these things*

2 Months Already...Where Did Time Go!

It's hard to believe that he's changed that much in 2 months.  Will is 2 months old today. I'm so blessed to have 3 wonderful, smart and healthy boys. and in 5 years I will have my little girl. Yes with Joel going Army we will be able to adopt our little girl in 5 years and not 10 like we planned. I'm so happy.

I got fluffy mail today and gosh it makes me happy.

I got 15 small BumGenius AIO diapers (I have 5 more on the way) Now I can Cloth Diaper Will fulltime no more sposies. WooHoo!

I got this awesome Nursing Necklace (I'll write more on it later)

I also got E's new sandals (they squeak) and a couple things to review to giveaway here on Mama Monkmee. I have some pretty cool things coming up here in the next few weeks. Stay tuned!!!

Fluffy Butts

I started using Cloth diapers when E was 18 months old. I loved them, super cute and saved $$ too. We I got pregnant with Will I went to part time cloth diapering. Well Will is almost 2 months old and with a job chance coming soon for Joe I'm going back to full time cloth diapering both boys again. Working on Will's stash now.

Fluff Mail Friday with Pictures

Fluff Mail Friday

So I checked the mail today and We had fluffy mail. Woo Hoo.

Eian got his cookie monster set


His Cookie Monster Fleece Shorties from Happy Booty Boutique

Cookie Monster Shirt and Diaper from Chunky Monkey Diapers

He'll be wearing it later today. I'll post pictures

Eian Rocks Out In Cloth!

I ordered him his 1st Cloth Diaper advocacy shirt from 'Nuff Said teeshop for tots. It says I Rock Out With My Cloth Out. He wore it yesterday with his red Chunky Monkey Diaper. Too cute ain't he.

Speaking of Chunky Monkey Diapers, Christy the Mom behind the diapers.(Totally awesome mom) made this for Eian. We are totally obsessed with Cookie Monster and He'll be getting Uber Cute Cookie Monster set this week. Woo Hoo I'll share pictures soon.

As you all know I cloth diaper 95% of the time. Eian is a super soaker so we do use disposables at night so I don't wake up with a wet bed since we co-sleep.

Be watching I'll be doing a give away soon.

Is Summer Over Yet?

before I get started I wanna say I love my boys, and would never want to change the fact that I'm their mommy. For the record I've been off my antidepressants for sometime as we have been trying new meds to find the right one. With no luck.

Boy I so loved that 3 hours a day I got without Alex while he was in school. I miss it. Alex is so into everything. Joel sleeps on the couch so mornings I've been trying to make the boys play in the back part of the house due to they are really loud not to mention they have nice rooms they never play in. (note to self. don't buy E any toys on his birthday) So i shut the door to the bath room , my room and the door to the living room leaving A & E's rooms open. But every 5 mins Alex is opening the living room door to say I love you, see what I'm doing , or any little thing he can think of. And while he's got the door open Eian comes in so I have to shoo Alex out, carry Eian to his room, come back shut the door so not to wake up Sir Cranky Pants Joel. (WooHoo I just did my 1st strikeout) This goes on til either Joel wakes up and yells or It gets time for him to go to work. Either way for 1-3 hours.

Then Eian has learned to climb and anything and everything is fair game. Not only does he climb but he stands there and most times falls off whatever he's standing on.(falls, Jumps same thing in this house.) I feel like I'm losing my mind. Terrible 2's with Alex is nothing com paired to Eian. OMG I'm not gonna survive this at all.

So lets talk about me after all it's my blog. I've been on and off antidepressants since 2002 when I graduated High school(sure I needed them long before that but thats another story). I had just came off them when I got pregnant with Alex (didnt think I needed them any more). I was on them while I was pregnant with Eian (dr oked it and i lowered my dose) came off my 3rd trimester. and they put me back on them in the hospital when Eian was 3 days old. ( I was all alone most days as E came early and nobody could get days off and I was just told my baby "might" have Down syndrome). Been on them since. Except when I run out and cant afford to see the dr. (I have no insurance at all). So anyways back to my story. I have a great dr who really cares about me and works with me seeing her Cuz my money problem. My mom and dr suspected I was bipolar ( I did long before them) so when I Ran outta refills this last time, She decided to try me on bipolar meds. Samples bless her heart. 1st was Zprexa 2 weeks no difference(she told me 2 weeks I should see changes) Then Seroquel, Nothing. So they are guessing it's not bipolar. ( I have no clue at this point.) So my mom puts in a call and talks about a high dose antidepressant at nigh a lower dose in the morning and keep taking my xanax( did I forget to tell ya I'm on that one too) anyways. So I'm ok with that whatever gets me functioning again. So I call Friday before Memorial day and the nurse tells me the dr is gone and to call back Tuesday I count down days til then only to be told she's not coming back til Friday. so yesterday they call my prescription is at the desk come get it. I lug both kids in the( who have been driving me insane) Get it head to car buckle both boys in sit down open it up to see what she gave me.

* when I came off my antidepressants to start the bipolar meds I was on 80mg of prozac a day and it still wasn't working all the way*

The dr had wrote me a script for 20mg of prozac a day. WTH!!!! if 80mg wasn't working what makes them think 20mg will. So mom calls but it'll be Monday before they call back. My mom ( a nurse) tells me to just double up til she can get the dr. Cause she knows I NEED my meds for the sake of everyone around me.

So thats why I haven't been talking much. sorry. I did manage to make yesterday a little better and scored a cute diaper for Eian. Can't wait to get it. it's got thing one and thing two on it.

Well it was Sat when I started writing this and now it's Sun. Joel just got home I'm gonna go aggravate him some :)

Not Me! Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I did not do the happy dance when I saw my package was delivered to my post office. I really did not stalk my mail box to see when it came. I would never get so excited over cloth diapers for Eian.

I did not rip open the above package and smile like a goofy monkmee at the custom diapers just for Eian. I do not love Chunky Monkey Diapers that much.

I mean those are not the cutest diapers ever I would never wish my whole stash was those.

I did not just make my 1st 3 Not mes about cloth diapers.

I would never sit here typing this while my kids are yelling at each other in the other room. I would never not get up to check on them unless someone was really crying.

My Cloth Diaper Stash

April 1st- Long Over Due Update

Ok where to start. Well the wireless internet at my moms is DOA. :( So I'm having to use my dad's computer when I can. But I'm about to order internet for joel's house.

Speaking of yes we have moved back in, in order to help both of us with money problems. We are not together right now. I do have hopes that soon we will be but thats a whole different story. But the boys will have their own rooms. Moving sucks.

Our dog is pregnant, she's a brindle pit/bower mix. Jada is a beautiful dog. We have no idea with stay is the father, I hope they look like her.

I am officially a crunchy mom. lol. Ok so E wears cloth diapers at home and I use all natural laundry detergent and Have cloth wipes.

I really love the cloth diapers but I think I may need a different type of inserts in my pocket diapers. as he leaks out the leg elastic. I have a few more diapers ordered. :)

I've been doing good still down in the dumps but thats cause I'm still off my meds. Just don't have the time to get into the dr but I need to.

Eian did end up in the hospital again last week. Monday afternoon to Wednesday night. Same thing as before the respiratory distress from the cold. He was also really dehydrated this time. But he's back to Eian again just on 3 new meds, so thats a total of 5 now.

Alex will be 4 on the 19th. today is actually my original due date with him. It was the right one too, but the dumb Dr changed it. to the 21st. If he had not stopped my labor 3 times when I was already past 37 weeks by the real date I proli would have been able to have him natural and not by c-section. I know when and were Alex was conceived since Joel and I did not live together. I'll save ya from those details lol.

On a more serious note Please Continue Praying For Stellan.

My Projects

Yesterday I spent time at the sewing machine and this is what I got

"Moo" embellished prefold diaper or burp rag


"Boyish Strips" embellished prefold diaper or burp rag

"Cookie Monster" embellished prefold or burp rag

"Girly Flowers" embellished prefold or burp rag

"Girly Dot" set for my niece Kira(I'll get pix of her wearing it soon)

Today I'm gonna try working on some cloth wipes to go with this.

Speech Therapy Tuesday

E had a great day at speech. Ms. A said she was so happy with him. He was talking and signing. Not once did he cry for mama. I'm so proud of my big boy. He did pee out his diaper while at walmart so I had to buy him a new outfit. Too cute. Also I picked up some fabric for some things I'm gonna start working on. I can't wait to start.

A didn't go to school him and daddy over slept, so they spent the day together. Which is just fine by me. :) He's been doing so good with his potty training. he's in his undies all day and night with only a few accidents every couple days. He likes boxer briefs best but it's so hard to find them for his tush, so I think I might try to make him some while I'm working on Eian a diaper or 2.

I talked to Joel today and he's letting me have my car back and keep it in his name (since my credit wont let me get a loan to put it in my name) he's gonna have new brakes put on it and I have to make the car payment and insurance. Fine by me. I'll be glad to give my mom her car back, Her 4 runner uses too much gas lol. Also we've talked about me and the kids moving back in to help both of us with money. it's not a go yet(and may never be) but it's looking better.

Ok so just ordered E 3 new diapers it was buy 2 custom and get one free. SWEET!!! and some sample packs of hand made laundry detergent, also some cloth wipe solution. I also got some PUL fabric ordered to work on my diapers. I'm so excited now I'm lookin for a wetbag. I think I'm addicted to cloth diapers.

Not Me Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I did not forget to call my grandmother and let her know I was on my way with Alex for her to take him to school.

I did not laugh at the mom breaking up a fight between her 2 little boys. After all it would never be my boys fighting in public.

I did not give Eian my cell phone playing Wild Thing to get him to stop crying.

I have not been on DiaperSwappers looking for good ideas for my up coming store. Thats just wrong.

I did not spend $13 a yard for Minky Fabric to make the boys blankets last week, and I most certainly did not buy a yard of 2 different colors.

I am not planning to spend the night with Joel tonight. Even if it was just so he could take Alex to school.

I do not look at craigslist 4-5 times a day. What I'm not cheap.

I am not letting Alex sit in his shirt and underwear and play the Nintendo DS and watch cartoons.

I also am not letting Eian run around in an unbuttoned onesie and over shirt, diaper, and one sock. Crazy I know who would ever do that.

I did not forget to go get Eian's dirty diapers from Joel's house yesterday to wash them.

Eian is not in a disposable diaper because I did not do the above statment.

I do not have 6 websites up at once.

Happy Heiny

he is just too cute in his cloth diapered tush