11.29.10

Knowing When You’re Done

In the last couple of weeks my baby girl {who was once crawling around these hardwood floors and exploring every nook and cranny of this house} is now reaching yet another pivotal milestone; she is giving up the high chair.

It started with some whining when I placed her in the chair to the full on groan which included what I like to call the ‘snake move’ where she slithers and slides making it extremely difficult for me to get her in the chair. Then she pulls the old ‘all out stretch’ by tightening up her entire body including her legs where she completely stiffens herself so hard that I am unable to safely place her in the high chair.

It’s officially over.

And the reality is she’s growing up faster than I could have imagined and she resembles a little girl more than ever now. My baby is quickly disappearing…she has really developed into a beautiful little toddler and even through this process I have to admit, I am done.

No more children.

I’ve known that revelation since the day I gave birth to her but somehow it’s becoming increasingly more concrete or evident.

Or final.

I won’t have a baby to hold anymore.

I won’t have a baby that gives me that first smile or giggle.

I won’t have a baby to teach me something new.

I won’t have a baby. Anymore. Ever.

Because I know that I am done.

Since my daughter has made this jump from baby to toddlerhood in what feels like a matter of days has seemingly made my “I am done” scenario feel so very real.

I am a mother who comes from the camp that firmly believes a woman just knows when she’s done.

But, in this moment…right here, right now – why does it have to feel so final?

{ 62 Comments }
11.26.10

The Big Toy Book: Spot Review and Giveaway

***This contest is now closed. Congratulations Melanie! An email has been sent.***

The Big Toy Book was created by a team of moms who were tired of searching online through various sites in the hopes of finding that perfect product or gift at a great price. Therefore, they developed a space that would cut the guess work out for shoppers and offer some of the most sought after toys in the industry at the most competitive prices all in one site! Laurie Schacht is the founder of The Big Toy Book and she has more than 20 years experience in the toy industry. She is also the President of Adventure Publishing which helps her to stay ahead of the trends. I reviewed a few products from the “Where is Spot?” Private Sale Event from The Big Toy Book:

My daughter is two years-old so this entire gift set is totally up her alley! The Large Plush “Spot” is simply adorable in a yellow colored plush. He is so soft and my daughter loves to squeeze him! Spot is ultra cuddly and super special. The Spot Storybook Zoobie & Book Set comes as one plush toy, soft pillow, and warm blanket all in one! It even includes the book “Spot Sleeps Over” by Eric Hill which is such a fun book. Spot’s Magical Christmas DVD is an adventurous tale in which Spot and his friends help Santa find his special Christmas sleigh, perfect for this time of year! And the original “Where is Spot?” book is also included which helps Spot to learn to tell time. It comes complete with a movable clock so my daughter is able to follow Spot throughout different times of the puppy’s day!

The Big Toy Book also offers a Private Sale Store where you can save up to 70% off of toys during the 3-5 day flash sales! We are talking major savings all in one place for all of your holiday shopping needs. The “Where is Spot?” Private Sale Event is now live at The Big Toy Book and this is just the first of many more exciting private sales to come this holiday season! You can easily browse the main site for toys you adore as well as take advantage of the Free Shipping on any purchase over $25 or more! How do you beat that?

So be sure to sign up for the Private Sale here (it’s completely free and you only need to supply an email address) and check out the full line of products to meet all of your special holiday needs through the full website. You can also follow The Big Toy Book on Twitter and Facebook to stay updated with the latest holiday promotions and information!

The Giveaway:

The Big Toy Book is offering one lucky Theta Mom reader his/her very own “Where is Spot?” Gift Pack valued at $82 and I made this so easy for you to enter!

To Enter: Simply follow my blog publicly and “like” Theta Mom on Facebook and tell me you are. So easy!!

Want an extra entry? Follow me on Twitter and copy/paste this tweet as often as you like: Enter to #win @thebigtoybook #privatesale #giveaway @ThetaMom Perfect gift for your little one this holiday! http://bit.ly/h6vGRJ Pls RT

*This giveaway is open to US residents only and will end on December 3rd. One winner will be selected at random and will be contacted via email. I was provided a large plush Spot, Storybook Zoobie and Set, Magical Christmas DVD and the original Spot book to facilitate this review. These are my own, honest opinions about the products which are reflective of my daughter’s experience.

{ 106 Comments }
11.24.10

Thankful

At a time of year when we reflect on the blessings we have in our life, of course we are thankful for our families and our health. Without either of those two things we would be nothing. But I would like to make an addition to my gratitude list this year and name the material things and other “items” I am thankful for in my life. Nice twist, right?

So pop open some bubbly with me because this is what I’m thankful for on a daily basis in no particular order…

  • Strong coffee
  • Red wine
  • Teeth whitening kits to erase the signs of drinking tons of strong coffee and red wine
  • Good pair of shoes
  • Comfortable and sexy bra
  • Red wine
  • Quality “me” time
  • Rich colored lipstick
  • Did I say red wine?
  • My computer so I can blog and tweet
  • Awesome girl talk with a close friend
  • Red wine
  • ipod full of my favorite music
  • A great manicure with chic nail polish
  • A talented colorist & stylist to keep me looking fabulously blonde
  • Red wine
  • Spanx since it makes me look thinner in a total of two seconds
  • Miraclebody Jeans because they do work miracles
  • Ummm, some red wine
  • Take out and not having to cook
  • Having my mom come over at the crack of dawn to cook the turkey this holiday
  • Betty Crocker mashed potatoes in a box
  • Everything else that comes in a box
  • Did I mention some red wine?

P.S. Wishing you and your families a wonderful Thanksgiving…I will not feature a TMC blogger this Friday since many of you will be getting a head start on all of that holiday shopping. Instead, I will post an awesome review and giveaway on Black Friday that I know your kids are going to love, so come back on Friday to enter!

P.S.S. And have you heard I am the new Brand Ambassador for The Brag Company? Ladies, check them out as they have a fabulous giveaway going on right now and I know you will want to add their products to your wish list! And on Black Friday only, you can get 20% off everything on the site! Just enter the promo code FRIDAY at check-out. How awesome is that? You can also get to know this fantastic brand by following them on Twitter.

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Black Friday Shopping!!!

{ 40 Comments }
11.21.10

Elf on the Shelf Review and Giveaway

***This contest is now closed. Congratulations Sara! An email has been sent.***

Elf on the Shelf was created by Carol Aebersold and her daughter Chanda Bell. Carol is the author of the book Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition which started out as a hardbound book based on the traditions she remembered growing up as a child herself. She wanted to instill the same kind of Christmas memories of incorporating the elves and how they report back to Santa with her own daughter. Since the launch of that children’s book, this tradition is now loved by families from across the globe who share in the true magic of the season.

The story is based on the idea that Santa has helpers called scout elves who stay in your home at Christmas time to “watch” and see if the children have been ‘naughty or nice.’ The elf then flies to the North Pole and reports to Santa on how they’ve been doing. There are two rules that must be followed though; you must never touch the elf as it may lose its magic and the elf cannot talk (it can only hear and reports directly to Santa). We had the honor of testing out the Elf on the Shelf in our own home and he sits happily high up on our fireplace mantle:

My five year-old son has been so excited since the elf arrived at our house. My son really believes that this magic elf is reporting to Santa so the moment he begins to drive me crazy or doesn’t listen all I have to say is, “I hope the Elf on the Shelf saw that….” and the behavior quickly changes. We also received the 19” plush pal (called the scout elf) who actually flies back and forth to the North Pole. He magically appears at a different part of our house each morning. As soon as my son wakes up, he walks around the house to see where the scout elf has landed. It is the cutest thing I’ve seen and I really have to capture my son’s excitement on film as he searches around the house to see the new spot where the elf has flown.

I can’t wait to continue this tradition with my son and my little girl because it not only generates the magic of Christmas, but it certainly helps this Theta Mom in terms of keeping my kids’ behavior in check around the holidays!!!

You can purchase anything you see in the above photo here and be sure to check out the full line of products to meet all of your special holiday traditions and needs through the full website. You can also follow Elf on the Shelf on Twitter and Facebook to stay updated with the latest holiday promotions and information!

The Giveaway:

The Elf on the Shelf is offering one lucky Theta Mom reader his/her very own Elf on a Shelf 32” Plush Pal and I made this so easy for you to enter!

To Enter: Simply follow my blog publicly and “like” Theta Mom on Facebook and tell me you are. So easy!!

Want an extra entry? Follow me on Twitter and copy/paste this tweet as often as you like: Leave a comment to #win @elfonshelf #giveaway @ThetaMom The perfect gift for your little one this holiday! http://bit.ly/abi1KC Please RT

*This giveaway is open to US residents only and will end on December 1st. One winner will be selected at random and will be contacted via email. I was provided an Elf on the Shelf Christmas Activity book, a 19” Plushee pal with matching skirt, a 32” Plushee Pal and the Elf on a Self Christmas Tradition Gift Set which includes a North Pole scout elf and a hard-bound children’s book with keepsake box from The Elf on a Shelf to facilitate this review. These are my own, honest opinions about the products which are reflective of my family’s experience.

{ 123 Comments }
11.19.10

Featured TMC Blogger: No Longer 25

TMC welcomes Jade, author of the blog No Longer 25. One of the reasons I am excited to feature Jade today is because not only can I relate to the whole “no longer 25 thing” but she has been such a supporter of Theta Mom and she really enjoys this community. She hopes to be a mom one day and she says she loves to read our blogs because it provides inspiration for her! How awesome is that? She is a blogger with such spirit so be sure to show her some TMC comment love! Here is how she describes her blog in her own words:

“Hi there, I’m Jade and I live in Scotland – that’s quite often the thing that initially defines me in the blogging world – there’re not as many bloggers in Scotland as in the USA. The next think you’ll probably realize is that I’m no longer 25 – which is the name of my blog. I decided to start a blog on my 26th birthday – so this seemed like a sensible name.

I’m not a Mum, although I hope one day to be one! Quite a few of my friends are becoming new mummies at the moment; it’s like baby fever around here. I love being a part of TMC though; there are so many inspirational bloggers here and it’s so interesting to get an insight into other people’s lives. What amazes me the most about reading so many of your stories is that there are an infinite number different ways to do things and that you have to pick the ways that work for you.

My blog is a mixture of everything that interests me in life – there’s a lot of travel much of which is associated with my job as a geophysicist and I love telling everyone about how great it is to travel in Scotland too. I also blog about our new kittens, my family and friends, hospitality, food and anything else that I enjoy. I really enjoy discussion and hearing other people’s opinions, I hope you’ll join in the discussion.”

Be sure to check out the blog and follow her on Twitter!

New to TMC? Join us! We LOVE new members!

*In order to be considered as a future Featured TMC Blogger, you must be a member and leave a comment on the blog of the current Feature Blogger. Have a fantastic weekend ladies!

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