Young At Heart Mommy

Managing Motherhood Through Love & Laughter

What To Expect When You’re Expecting Giveaway!

A look at love through the eyes of five interconnected couples experiencing the thrills and surprises of having a baby, and ultimately coming to understand the universal truth that no matter what you plan for, life doesn’t always deliver what’s expected.

This movie was beyond funny and gave you a look into the lives of expecting parents in a variety of situations. I really enjoyed it and the “What To Expect..” series is a must for new parents and existing. The books really do contain everything you need to know through your parenting journey!
What to Expect When You’re Expecting, 4th Edition
Announcing a brand new, cover-to-cover revision of America’s pregnancy bible. What to Expect When You’re Expecting is a perennial New York Times bestseller and one of USA Today‘s 25 most influential books of the past 25 years. It’s read by more than 90% of pregnant women who read a pregnancy book–the most iconic, must-have book for parents-to-be, with over 14.5 million copies in print.
Now comes the Fourth Edition, a new book for a new generation of expectant moms–featuring a new look, a fresh perspective, and a friendlier-than-ever voice. It’s filled with the most up-to-date information reflecting not only what’s new in pregnancy, but what’s relevant to pregnant women. Heidi Murkoff has rewritten every section of the book, answering dozens of new questions and including loads of new asked-for material, such as a detailed week-by-week fetal development section in each of the monthly chapters, an expanded chapter on pre-conception, and a brand new one on carrying multiples. More comprehensive, reassuring, and empathetic than ever, the Fourth Edition incorporates the most recent developments in obstetrics and addresses the most current lifestyle trends (from tattooing and belly piercing to Botox and aromatherapy). There’s more than ever on pregnancy matters practical (including an expanded section on workplace concerns), physical (with more symptoms, more solutions), emotional (more advice on riding the mood roller coaster), nutritional (from low-carb to vegan, from junk food–dependent to caffeine-addicted), and sexual (what’s hot and what’s not in pregnant lovemaking), as well as much more support for that very important partner in parenting, the dad-to-be.
Overflowing with tips, helpful hints, and humor (a pregnant woman’s best friend), this new edition is more accessible and easier to use than ever before. It’s everything parents-to-be have come to expect from What to Expect… only better.

Everything new parents need to know about the care (and feeding) of an infant, from the authors of What to Expect® When You’re Expecting. Covers monthly growth and development, feeding for every age and stage, sleep strategies that really work.

Filled with the most practical tips (how to give a bath, decode your baby’s crying, what to buy for baby, and when to return to work) and the most up-to-date medical advice (the latest on vaccines, vitamins, illnesses, SIDS, safety, and more).

Reassuring Answers to Hundreds of Questions, including:

  • What’s the best kind of car seat for my newborn?
  • How do I know if my baby’s getting enough to eat?
  • How can I tell if my baby is really sick? When should I call the doctor?
  • Should I sign my baby up for classes?
  • Should I be worried that my baby isn’t crawling yet?
  • How do I cope with my colicky baby?

The only book on infant care to address the physical as well as the emotional needs of the entire family.

What to Expect the Second Year: From 12 to 24 Months
Heidi Murkoff’s What to Expect has delivered again. Announcing the arrival of a brand-new member of the What to Expect family: What to Expect the Second Year. The essential sequel to What to Expect the First Year, with 9.7 million copies in print, What to Expect the Second Year picks up the action at baby’s first birthday, and takes parents through what can only be called “the wonder year”—12 jam-packed (and jam-smeared) months of memorable milestones (from first steps to first words, first scribbles to first friends), lightning-speed learning, endless explorations driven by insatiable curiosity. Not to mention a year of challenges, both for toddlers and the parents who love them, but don’t always love their behaviors (picky eating, negativity, separation anxiety, bedtime battles, biting, and tantrums).
Comprehensive, reassuring, empathetic, realistic, and practical, What to Expect the Second Year is filled with solutions, strategies, and plenty of parental pep talks. It helps parents decode the fascinating, complicated, sometimes maddening, always adorable little person last year’s baby has become.

From the first birthday to the second, this must-have book covers everything parents need to know in an easy-to-access, topic-by-topic format, with chapters on growth, feeding, sleeping, behaviors of every conceivable kind, discipline (including teaching right from wrong), and keeping a toddler healthy and safe as he or she takes on the world. There’s a developmental time line of the second year plus special “milestone” boxes throughout that help parents keep track of their toddler’s development. Thinking of traveling with tot in tow? There’s a chapter for that, too.

Prize Pack bonus includes the What to Expect When You’re Expecting Soundtrack and a $25 Fandango Gift Certificate to send you and your choice of guests to the movies!
Giveaway ends June 9 at 11:59PM EST. Open to the US residents only; must be 18 years of age or older to enter.
Enter to win the What to Expect When You’re Expecting prize package below using the rafflecopter form.

a Rafflecopter giveaway Disclosure: I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. Young At Heart Mommy is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment.

Fabulous Finds for Fathers Day Sweepstakes May 31-Jun 14

Fabulous Finds For Father's Day Winner Takes All Giveaway (ARV $500)

Do you dread Father’s Day because you can never find the perfect gift? The Collective Media Magic team, Closer To Lucy, Have Sippy Will Travel, Just Like June, 3 Princes and a Princess 2, and That’s What She Said, have found awesome gifts for any dad. Whether he’s high tech, healthy, or laid back, we’ve got a gift that’s sure to please. Join us and our friends as we make dads feel like a king! 


One Grand Prize Winner will receive a prize pack of the following items valued at approximately $500:



A Linksy EA2700 wireless router Router  with unrivaled speed (value $109) -winner cannot have won a Linksy router in the last six months  

 

A copy of Microsoft 2010 (value $119)





A Cafe Press Gift Certificate (value $50)


A Pair of Shoes from Shoes For Crews – Winners Choice 
(no price limit on the pair of shoes! $100 value)



Plus Work Out Gear (winner’s choice of item)  
and a 
Series of Books For Dads (value $30) 

 The Fabulous Finds For Father’s Day  Event will begin at 12:01 AM May 31st and end at 11:59 June 14th. Contest Open to US only due to company shipping restrictions.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Take What You Need..

Last night while I was performing my usual nightly venture into the land of Pinterest, I came across this photo. I couldn’t help but think I saw it for a reason because it encompasses the way I have been feeling lately perfectly. I don’t know why and I still am trying to figure it out but I have had a lot of overwhelming feelings pouring in recently. I can’t even put my finger on what exactly it is.
I always try and look for the positive in life. After everything I have been through, the happy and the sad, this has helped me cope with most of it. In all honesty does anything ever get better when you’re always negative or looking for the worst? I don’t think so.. Therefore this is what I try to do! It’s not always easy but I notice that it has made me a happier person in general.
With being a full time mom, focusing on my school,  my relationship, my friendships, and my family,balancing time for ME can sometimes be hard.  I “need to take” some mommy time. I’m great at multi tasking all aspects of my life but at times i feel very overwhelmed. I miss the care free teenage days when I didn’t have to worry about much of anything. Now that I am an adult, life is a juggling act. There is so much I see in my future but I feel like it is taking forever to get there. I “need to take” a little more patience.

I realize that nobody’s life is perfect. No matter what we see on the outside, someone else out there has it worse than us. Everyone gets stressed, overwhelmed, frustrated, cranky, grumpy,and sometimes just NASTY! For me, this is when i “need to take” a CHILL PILL. It’s okay though. It will always pass. I am thankful to have a supportive family who has stood by my side no matter the struggle. A beautiful daughter that thinks i’m a super hero and never fails to brighten my day. An amazing man who loves me, regardless of my faults, has never tried to change me. A best friend who I can sit on the phone or hours with and always knows the right thing to say. I “need to take” more time to appreciate what I have.

Some days I may “need to take” more than others … but that’s okay because I have a ton of people behind me to fall back on. Life is too short to focus our energy on the imperfections. Don’t be afraid to rely on those who love you for a pick me up. One day they may need to take a little too..

Yankee Man Candles

CatBan_SUM12_730x190_WNew_mancandles 
 The infamous Yankee Candle has utilized their talents and created a new selection for that special man in your life.  This new line of “Man Candles” is available in four different scents. If your other half enjoys having a candle burning in your home but is sick of the flowery girly scents … this is perfect! With Father’s Day right around the corner these will make very nice gifts. I was kind of hoping they would come out with more than four scents but all four are pretty spot on. I only have one question, where are the “Dirty Laundry” or “Guys Night Out” candles? I’m sure they could pull off how a dirty sock and pizza with stale beer smells! I guess that wouldn’t make for a pleasant smell around the house.. 

Riding Mower: Hot sun. Cool breeze. And the intensely summery scent of freshly cut grass.
First Down: Game on! This combination of orange, patchouli, vetiver and leather is as exciting as game day.
Man Town: Escape to the man cave with this masculine blend of spices, woods and musk.
2×4: The warm, unmistakable scent of freshly planed wood and sawdust evokes a sense of confidence and quality. 

They even have football themed candle lids and really cute beer mug jar clingers to pair with the candles!

The large jars are all $27.99 while the medium size jars are $17.99. You can pick these up at your local Yankee store or at YankeeCandle.com 

Toodie’s First Play-doh!

 
I did it. I bought Toodie her first PLAY-DOH set. I couldn’t resist. The kit alone was adorable. You can make your own ice cream cones, popsicles, and milkshakes! I’ve been putting off introducing her to play-doh for a while now but I feel like it’s inevitable since she has started school. After all, how messy could this stuff REALLY be? I might be hitting myself later when it gets stuck in the carpet or up her nose BUT every kid needs to experience it. 

When i saw the “Scoops ‘N Treats” box while shopping the other night, I knew this would be perfect for Toodie. She loves sweet treats, especially ice cream! It is also age appropriate which I was really happy with. It came with 8 play-doh colors, a waffle cone press, popsicle sticks, ice cream cones, and even sundae dishes. Hard to believe all this was packed in that tiny box! Seems like a really great beginners kit for someone starting off with play-doh. Toodie had a blast! Within minutes she was a “PLAY-DOH PRO” telling me how to scoop the ice cream and create a waffle cone. To my astonishment, she didn’t get it on the floor, in her hair, and didn’t feed any of it to our dogs!

Toodie was more occupied with the waffle cone press than the actual PLAY-DOH! The kit came with everything you need to make ice cream cones, sundaes, and popsicles. You had the option of making different color ice cream scoops and decorating them with a cherry on top, swirly designs, and even little hearts. Once she saw me making a mini waffle cone she thought it was really a pancake. She took all her play-doh pieces and pressed all of them into small waffles … or “pancakes” as she calls them. Forget the ice cream! It was all about waffles and pancakes.

Before turning the ice cream scoops into waffles we did assemble a few fun popsicles and ice cream creations. The popsicle was a favorite for both of us. She loved pushing the play-doh into the mold and pushing the stick in. All of them came out so cute and miniature!  The clean up wasn’t too bad and our first attempt at playing with play-doh was successful. If you are just introducing play-doh to your child, I recommend these little kits. It contains everything you need and you can always by additional colors to play with. I found mine at Walmart and from what I saw, they have popcorn maker one too!

Fabulous Finds For Father’s Day FREE Blogger Event!

 
Dads are special the Collective Media Magic team. They have teamed up to bring you one fabulous prize pack to tempt dad, whether he is techy, health conscious, or free spirited.
Just Like June, Have Sippy Will Travel, Closer To Lucy, 3 Princes and A Princess 2,  and That’s What She Said would love for you to join us for this fun, free, follower boosting event! By participating you receive one free link of your choice on the rafflecopter form.

To Participate:
1) Write a Post about the event. Feel free to use the information provided in this post.
2) When you’ve completed your post, please fill out this form.
3) Join our Event Facebook group
4) Post the rafflecopter with the links intact throughout the giveaway.

This event is limited to 30 bloggers on a first come, first serve basis. This event will run from May 31 – June 14. The Event Giveaway Post and Rafflecopter must be posted no earlier than 12:01am May 31 and not later than 11:59pm on May 31 or your entry will be taken off the Rafflecopter.

Prizes:
A Linksy Router (value $109)
A copy of Microsoft 2010 (value $119)
An Eat Smart Retro Scale (value $40)
A Cafe Press Gift Certificate (value $50)
And More Prizes to come!

I’m A Sucker!

               I know I can’t be the only mom in the world that spoils their child just a tad bit. I don’t beat myself up over it. Growing up as an only child I always had the best of everything and didn’t have any siblings to share with. When I look back now, I can definitely see that my family- especially my grandparents- spoiled me to death. Now that I am older, wiser, and more experienced I don’t really look to materialistic things to make me happy. 

               Every other weekend Toodie goes to her other grandparents house to spend time with them and give mommy a break. While I love, love, love… the free time,space, chance to relax …. I miss her terribly! It feels strange not being with her and most of the time I don’t even know what the heck to do with myself. When I go shopping or to the mall I always find myself buying her a little something to leave on her bed as a surprise when she comes home. Now I don’t go and buy a million things or spend a ridiculous amount of money. Sometimes i buy movies, puzzles, a new game for her leap pad, a dress, new pair of pajamas, a sticker book, etc. Different little things. I don’t know how I really got in the habit of doing this but my mom always tells me, “Now look what you started!”
                I remember when I was younger my mom would do the same with me. When I would go away with my grandparents to their vacation home for a week, my mom always made sure to pack me a few surprises for the long car ride there. It was always those teeny bopper magazines, word search puzzle books, and yummy snacks. I always looked forward to those special treats because I knew my mom took the time to pack them for me. I am well aware that by doing this I am creating a little monster but I just can’t help myself. I don’t do it every time she is away or every weekend that she is at grandma’s house. I noticed the more often I was doing this, she would expect it when she came home. Then that would take all the fun out of it and also the whole
“surprise” aspect. I had to start doing it here and there.  But I still love seeing her face when there is a surprise in her room waiting for her when she returns home. 
               I know that most of it has to do with how much I miss her when she is away from me. Usually she is only gone for 2-3 days at the most but that time really kills me. I have been with Toodie every day since she was born. As soon as I gave birth to her I gave up my job and became a stay at home mommy. I never regretted it and I am so thankful I was even able to do so. While i am very fortunate for the situation I am in, I feel like it has also cursed me. I don’t feel complete when Toodie isn’t with me. No matter what I am doing I am always thinking about her and wondering how her day is going. When I am out and about I always have her in mind. If I see a movie she will like at Walmart or a cute dress at the mall, I will pick it up without any thought. It’s like my mind is wired! I guess this is normal huh? Being a first time mom I have nothing to compare it to. It makes my day seeing her eyes wide when she walks in her room and discovers something special waiting for her. Am i a sucker? YEP! Do i mind? Not at all!

Everywhere