Don't Forget My Pregnancy Poll & Contest!

I'm almost 32 weeks pregnant already with our second baby--can you believe it? So, I thought now would be a good time to remind you of a little contest that I'm running:

The person closest to the correct answer of when the baby will be born and his height and weight will win a set of 3 handmade soap bars from my favorite Ukrainian mall kiosk and online store Craft-o-Land.

FYI: Most folks may know this from my posting, but we are having another boy, so be sure to enter boy in the gender field! My due date is May 2nd. 

ENTER YOUR GUESSES HERE! Enter the game name RocklandMother2 to get to my poll. 

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I Love Mommy Necklaces!

Simple Long Mommy Necklace in
Twilight

I finally treated myself to a beautiful necklace from Mommy Necklaces and I am so impressed! My first Mommy Necklace is everything it claimed it would be--stylish, incredibly well-made, and irresistible (yet safe) for babies and toddlers. Not to mention that it was reasonably priced!

The gorgeous Simple Long necklace at right only cost me $28 including Mommy Necklace's standard $2 shipping cost. And every dollar that I spent before shipping is converted into a reward point that adds up to a Mommy Necklace gift card at 100 points!

Mommy necklaces are colorful bead creations made from USA-manufactured acrylic beads that have been lab-tested for safety. They are meant to be used as a distraction for teething or hip-held babies--they are not meant to be teethed on or left alone with children--while still being stylish enough for evening or everyday wear. Most of the necklaces can be customized, from adding dangling donut charms, accent strands, or matching bracelets and earrings to altering the necklace length or beading structure. And they are guaranteed from breakage and can be re-stranded or altered at any time for a small fee.

Flourish Mommy Necklace in
Diamond

Aside from being pretty, I love that the necklaces are substantial, but do not feel heavy on. You can also tell that the cording used is very sturdy and will not break, as Andrew has already tested by using the necklace  as a seatbelt for his backhoe, unclasping and clasping it a million times, etc. The only change I would make is this: each necklace has a sturdy black break-away clasp. For the lighter colored necklaces, I would love if the clasp could be white or even clear.

I would definitely recommend you get over to Mommy Necklaces and check out their collection. They are a great baby shower gift as well as a gift for yourself. Also, be sure to friend them on Facebook--I just got an awesome deal on the Flourish necklace in diamond (my birthstone!) because I learned it was on-sale via FB. The folks at Mommy Necklaces also generously give away extras and will let you know online, so you'll be wise to follow them now. Happy shopping!

P.S. Don't let my love for blue fool you, Mommy Necklaces has many other colors available!

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Giveaway Time! Kushies Girl's Polka Dot Crib Sheet as Seen on Martha Stewart

So, how did you guys like the Martha Stewart Baby Shower Show that aired last Friday? Did you agree with my thoughts that some of the products were nice but been-here-done-that or do you think I'm just a horrible hormonal pregnant lady? :)

Seriously, though, being at the show taping was great and the baby picks/audience gifts were lovely--and lucky for you I'm giving one away!

Founded in Canada in 1953, Kushies started out in Canada as a doll clothing and accessory manufacturer. Now they make a large array of adorable baby products, including organic layette sets, cloth diapers and the beautiful pink polka dotted fitted crib sheets at right, which I am giving away to one of you!

From the website: Kushies premium quality 100% cotton flannel sheets are available in adorable pre-assorted boy, girl, and neutral colors and prints to match any nursery!  All fitted sheets are fully elasticized for a perfect fit. Finished edges for quality & durability. Sized to allow for shrinkage - fits perfectly after each wash.

To enter to win a pink polka dotted 100% cotton flannel fitted crib sheet from Kushies, please leave a comment below by 11:59 on February 29th. I'll contact the winner on March 1st. Good luck!

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Review: MusicClasses4Kids - Kids' Music Classes in Rockland, Bergen & Passaic

Andrew is obviously going to be the next big music star (see exhibit A), so we gladly signed up for MusicClasses4Kids Winter 2012 session at the New City, NY location after attending a free trial class back in January. We love this creative music education program and are happy to have been going there long enough now that we can finally recommend it to you! 

Exhibit A: Rock God

Created by Mark Pent (Mistermusikmark) and Gail Pent (Kupkake), this music program is fun, effective, and so refreshingly far from the computer or TV. Mark--an accomplished professional percussionist and early childhood music and educator--and Gail rely primarily on drums and other percussion instruments, an mp3 player, singing, dancing, storytelling and on-your-feet games during each class. And, wouldn't you believe it, the kids have a ball and learn at lightning-fast speed too.

Proof? Andrew is only 23 months old, but last week at class he was able to create an eighth note structure out of popsicle sticks--and most of the other kids in the class can do it too! He sings the songs we learn in class at home all the time, he can identify a ton of different instruments now, and he pretends to "air" play those instruments CORRECTLY. I am one very proud and impressed mommy. 

Not to mention that Andrew has such fun at each and every hour-long class, dancing under the parachute, making animal sounds, banging on a drum or shaking his egg maracas. He even enjoys it when he doesn't participate exactly as instructed to, such as sitting in the middle of the floor playing a drum while we all have a musical parade around him. The Pent's encourage parent participation, though, even when the little ones aren't paying their full attention. If mom is doing it, Andrew usually comes around. But if he doesn't, its OK too--as long as he does not touch another child (these classes are a rough-house free zone!)  

You can try out a FREE CLASS at the end of March/beginning of April before the Spring 2012 session beings--just check the class schedule HERE for more info. The tuition is $209* for 10 classes (11 including the free class) and babies attending with a sibling up to 8 months are free.This is really great for me as Andrew won't have to miss the next session of classes when the baby arrives--I'll just need to ask someone to come along to occupy the littler one (dads, grandmas, grandpas, any helper guardian is welcome.) *There is a one-time new family fee of $15. There are class locations in New City, Pearl River, Tallman, Butler (NJ), and Ringwood (NJ).  

So, give a free class a try and let me know if you agree with Andrew and me. Then, let's start a toddler band and make like stage moms!  

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