On the Go with Lil' J at Walmart Baby Days Sales {$50 Giveaway}

If I'm not at work, I'm usually out with Lil' J trying to find something fun to do. Monday we're going on a bike ride downtown, and Tuesday we may go swimming, or to a yoga class together. We are two girls always on the go.

I've learned how to pack her diaper bag quickly but that doesn't mean I don't usually forget something. I try to keep an extra pair of clothes, of course diapers, and some snacks on hand to keep her happy and entertained while we're out.

Watch the video below to see what we take with us on the go (and to see Lil' J's walking debut).

I love Earth's Best Yogurt Fruit Smoothies. They are tasty, don't need to be refrigerated, and easy to give to Lil' J when we're out and about. She loves them too, and if you're one of those moms who goes nuts over organic stuff, you'll be happy to know they're stamped organic by the USDA. I buy these things close to by the case full and give them to her as a breakfast snack on her way to school.

I also now have the Johnson's Take Along Pack in her diaper bag for emergencies in case I'm out and forgot to pack baby lotion, shampoo, powder, or diaper cream. Or in case a friend is in a bind and needs one of those things. It's all of those things in a travel size pack for under $3.

Growing up my family always joked that we were going to my dad's "favorite store" when wed head out to Walmart. He's a bargain shopper, and I've turned out to be the same way. I love that store. Don't hate.

Right now online Walmart.com is having their Baby Days sale and it continues until September 16th. So you can take advantage of even lower prices than they already offer, and get deals on things for your little ones. I took advantage and got Lil' J a new car seat. She has an infant seat and a kid seat but she needed a convertible for in-between so she can still face backwards. After reading this years car seat ratings from Consumer Reports I decided to get the Graco Comfort Sport seat. I'm not going to go into my confusion over paying $300 for seats that are rated the same or lower, but I will say that I'm stoked that I got a top rated car seat that has exactly what I was looking for for only $80. More expensive doesn't always mean better.

To make her ride more comfortable I also got her a portable DVD player ($55), and a Yo Gabba Gabba DVD ($9.96) to drive me crazy watch while we're getting where we're going.

Last but not least, I'm obsessed with As Seen on TV items, and I've been dying to try the Gyro Bowl ($12.88) and the Pillow Pet ($34.99), so I ordered Lil' J both to test out for me.

I got all but the pillow pet sent to my local store where I could pick it up without any shipping cost.

The estimated delivery date was something like two weeks away but I got them items just three days after placing my order! The pillow pet also arrived the same day to my house.

From now until September 16th you can participate in Walmart's Baby Days sales online. Also, many of the baby items (96 to be exact) qualify for free photo prints too (I personally love uploading pics to their website and picking them up at the store while I'm shopping. It's a genius idea).

I hope you enjoyed Lil' J's and my video as much as we enjoyed making it. Poor thing, I think she's going to be a talker like her mama. Future news anchor maybe? We'll see.

As stated in the video, there's a giveaway. Three winners. 
One will win a $50 Walmart Gift Card.
Another will win an Aveeno Gift Basket.
And another will win a Johnson's Baby Gift Basket. 

Leave a comment below letting me know about your on the go ritual to enter. GFC blog followers or email subscribers get an extra entry. Just leave a comment letting me know you're one. Also make sure you leave an email address so I can contact you if you win.

Giveaway ends next Saturday the 17th at 11:59pm. Good luck!


*This post is sponsored by BabyCenter in conjunction with the BabyCenter Blog Network. All prizes and compensation are provided by BabyCenter, Walmart and Johnson and Johnson. All opinions expresses, as always are my own.

Too Many Accessories?: He Says/ She Says- (and $50 to Amazon Happy Crawlers Contest Announcement!)

She Says: "Have you seen her bow that--"

He Says: "HA HA."

Then she says: "What?"

Then he says: "She has a billion bows. How can I tell them apart?"

Then she says: "Well, I wasn't done!"

Then he says: "Ok..."

Then she says: "Have you seen her bow that looks like this but is pink?"

Then he says: "Oh, in that case... No."

A girl can never have too many accessories. 

What say you?
Guess how many bows and headbands she has! I'll send one to the commenter who guesses the closest! *hint* those pictured at the top are only a fraction!

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Caption Contest Giveaway Greatness!

A lot of you are really good at captioning photos, and Happy Crawlers, Lil' J and I are teaming up for you to use that hidden talent to win some moolah and accessories yourself.

Many opportunities to win multiple prizes when you enter this Caption Contest with Baby Makin(g) Machine and HappyCrawlers! You can win a $50 Amazon gift card and/or HappyCrawlers prize packs!

Here's how to enter:

Mandatory Entry 1 (worth 5 entries): Like (if you don’t already) the HappyCrawlers’ Facebook page and then write a cute caption for 1 of the photos I took in the album Lil J for HappyCrawlers on the HappyCrawlers’ Facebook page.

Mandatory Entry 2 (worth 5 entries): Like (if you don’t already) Baby Makin(g)Machine on Facebook

Optional Entry 3 (worth 5 entries): Tell your friends to “like” your caption. Friends can also create captions of their own at this time.

Optional Entry 4 (worth 1 entry): Follow HappyCrawlers on Twitter.

Optional Entry 5 (worth 1 entry): Follow Baby Makin(g) Mama on Twitter.

Optional Entry 6 (worth 1 entry daily): Tweet daily about the giveaway with the hashtags: #HappyCrawlers #BabyMakingMama #giveaway #contest #win

Goodies!
Prize 1: 3 pack of HappyCrawlers’ leg warmers of your choice to winner who is selected to have the cutest caption. I will choose this winner. (Sorry, no bribes taken).
Prize 2: 3 pack of HappyCrawlers’ leg warmers of your choice to person selected in random drawing based on all the additional chances for entry into contest.
Prize 3: $50 Amazon gift card to 1 winner. The 10 captions with the most “likes” will be entered for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card. It will be a random drawing of the 10 people whose comments have the most “likes”.

Contest Dates: Aug. 10th at midnight- Sept. 12th at midnight (Eastern standard time)

Note: The winners will be notified by email and have 48 hours to respond via email to hello@HappyCrawlers.com. Must be 18 years old by contest dates to enter. Contest open to all residents of the United States and Canada. Mandatory entries must be completed in order to qualify for any additional entries. This promotion isn’t being sponsored by, or associated, with Facebook. Good luck and have fun with it! BIG thanks to Happy Crawlers for sponsoring this contest!

Craigslist Psycho

Earlier this year we bought a new high definition TV. I get free cable and free HDTV and my husband couldn't stand not having a high definition TV to watch it on. So after months and month of begging and saving we invested in his new favorite toy.

But standing it it's way was our old TV... Flat screen, HUGE tube in the back. Weighing over 200 pounds for sure. My husband was so eager to get rid of it, he asked me to put it up on Craigslist in the "free" section. I did. Bad idea.

All of three minutes later I got a swarm of calls from people, one after another asking if I "still had the TV" ...Well yea, I just listed it. I'd get 3 new voicemails while I was one the phone with one person asking for directions to our house. Text messages as well. Quickly I realized this wasn't the way to do it. I should have asked for at least $25 or something to weed people out.

One old man I talked to I could hardly understand because his country accent was so thick. He proceeded to tell me how he rem embed his first TV, and the experiences he's had with his recent TVs. I pulled the phone away from my ear for a moment so my husband could hear part of his life story, and we muffled our laughs about the hilarity of this experience.

I took the listing off and made it a race between two people to come and get it. One guy lived down the street and got there long before the other left his house, so I called to let him know not to worry about it. He was upset... Apparently he wanted this TV for his mom who's TV broke or something.

I've had my fair share of Craigslist experiences. It's a great tool, when used correctly, but you can get burned too.

Once I was so excited to buy a set of leather couches only to see another couple walking away with them just as I arrived at this guys house... Who I drove an hour to meet and buy the couches from.

Other times I've scored big on an item I would have paid 5 times the price for at a retail store.

But never had I had an experience quite like one of my most recent ones... In my search for the perfect nursery dresser.

I was nearly nine months pregnant and eager to put all of Lil' J's clothes in them before she arrived. I just knew she was going to be early (joke was on me).

See, we don't have much room in the nursery, so we didn't want a changing table. Instead, I'd been looking for a nice-sized-dresser that has a wide top so it can also double as a changing table once I throw a cushion on top. Delta, the company that made the crib I own has a great one!

I started searching and found the perfect dresser. Delta Canton Espresso Dresser. Matched the crib perfectly, was new in box (so I could transport it in my car) and they were only asking $100.

I wrote to the lister and asked about the dresser. He still had it! But he said it was more "cheery" than "espresso" colored.

"That's ok!!" I wrote back.

He was out of town until Sunday... That's ok! I'm off Monday, great, we'll buy it then.

Sunday I write.

No response.

I call. Leave a message.

No response.

I probably should give up at this point because he's probaby some crazy Craigslist person anyway who was just disappointed after I said I would bring my husband along to pick up the dresser, who knows. But I didn't stop.

I wrote again, and again. To my credit, I would have stopped but he still had the listing up, and every time I searched for another dresser that one would come up and I'd get SO excited for a split second... Then remember it was the jerk who keeps ignoring me.

Finally I gave it one last shot and wrote him this honest email.

"Hi Tim,

Me again! I noticed you still have the listing up for the dresser and every time I search craigslist it haunts me. I wanted to see if you want to get rid of it and be $100 richer while also making a preggo very very happy to finally have a dresser for her nursery. Please just let me know if it's gone or whatever one way or another so I can stop torturing myself! Thanks! Jennifer"

No response. But a few days later the listing was deleted.

It was a sad ending... At that point, but I ended up just putting up a "Wanted" listing for what I was looking for and got a GREAT deal on exactly what I wanted!
I got this pretty white dresser that goes perfect in the nursery. But I turned it from that to this.

In all of ten minutes, by switching out the drawer knobs with fancy snazzy ones from Kids Decor Inc.

So the moral of the story... I'm a little crazy when it comes to getting what I want. I can kinda be a psycho. But sometimes when that means finding killer deals for my daughter, it's worth it (a week ago I got a $155 swing for $50 and she LOVES it!).

Like what I did with a dresser it took me months to find? Jazzy up your kid's room with adorable decor from Kids Decor Inc. Get 15% off your total order at the store using code: "BMM15".

Everyone who comments on this post before October 1st at 11:59pm will be entered to win a $40 gift certificate to Kids Decor Inc. If you follow them on Facebook or Twitter, you'll get an extra entry! Good luck!

Shopping Spree: The Best Way to Make Up for Shots

No one likes getting shots. Lord knows I didn't. Heck, I still don't. So when Lil' J had her first round last week I about lost it. Ok, actually I DID lose it. She freaked out too but had forgotten about it a couple minutes later. I on the other hand, couldn't get the memory out of my head. She was laughing and cooing one second, the next she was turning red and screaming her head off. And there I was holding her arms down. I felt like a jerk. I told myself I wouldn't, but I cried too.

I promised her I'd make up for it and I did. Right after the appointment with the mean nurse we went to Old Navy's baby sale and had a little shopping spree. We scored BIG!

Two jean skirts, a pair of pants, a sweater dress, two bohemian-style dresses, a pair of sparkly moccasins, a beautiful long sweater, and a jean jacket that she can wear with it all--All for $117!

At first I had put the pants back cause I thought the total was going to be closer to $200 but when the lady rang me up and the total only came to $107 I went back to get the adorable brown pants (and I think the FIRST pair of pants I've bought for her).

Everything I bought (minus the jacket) was on sale for $5-15!

Sadly, Lil' J slept through all the shopping, but she was happy to take part in a photoshoot when she was feeling herself again. I am so blessed to have this little angel in my life!

She measured 95th percentile for height and 90th for weight so I got almost everything in 6-12 month size so she can wear it longer. The dresses I think she'll be able to wear as shirts even when she's older.

If you ask me, she looks good in everything.

What do you think? Like her fall wardrobe?

Oh, by the way, everyone who comments on this post before Sunday September 19th at 11:59pm is entered to win a $100 gift card to Old Navy. If you're a blog follower/subscriber (or become one) you get an extra entry. Also, go here to get a special coupon for 30-40% off. It's a fast one so good luck!

PS: I just took this video of her in her other bohemian dress. I just had to share! We had too much fun. The whole video coming for Wordless Wednesday!

*Thanks Old Navy, for sponsoring the shopping spree & giveaway*

A Nickname to Remember

Decorating my daughter's nursery was no freaking joke. To some it may look like a pink dragon threw up all over the room but to me it's awesome! I've never completely decorated a room like I have her nursery. From finding cheap bedroom furniture to making curtains, I did it all on a budget. And there's so much to look at, I can tell she LOVES her room. She really does. She laughs at the mobile I made her, and smiles at her name on he wall above the diaper changer.

I also have a special spot for my favorite nickname. We started with Spawnie. That was her first nickname. Then came Ladybug, Junebug (born in July). Little , Lil' J and here at home I call her a slew of other things.

My husband likes to call her poopy. I sometimes call her Baybee, Little J, Chunky Cheeks, and Cranky Butt. But somehow the nickname I call her more than anything is a name I didn't see myself using for my daughter--fearing it would cause her to be some sort of Diva. Oh, she is a Diva already. Anyway, I call her my Pretty Pretty Princess.

I was inspired by a saying for little girls: "Princess: Daughter of a Heavenly King". What better way to remind her of who she is and where she came from?

My friend Danielle sent us the book "Gigi: God's Little Princess." It was the first book I read to her outside the womb and I want to read it to her often.

I decided I wanted something to remind her of her divine nature so I asked Inspire Your Walls for a favor. I needed my princess quote in a size perfect for above her entryway, and the one blank space left on her wall. I wanted a crown to dot the "i" in Princess, and I wanted it all in a pretty white font. They did it all, fast!

If you're obsessed with vinyl like I am, check out Inspire Your Walls.

When I got it in the mail I was head over heals excited. I didn't want to just put it on the wall since we won't be living here forever and this was something I want to take with us. So I bought and painted a wood panel, and stuck the vinyl on after.

Now, over her doorway hangs a saying I hope she'll look at and reflect on for years every time she leaves her room. The true meaning of her nickname, and who she really is.

Do you use a nickname?

Everyone who comments on this post will be entered to win a $75 gift certificate to CSN Stores--Where you can buy pretty much anything. I got our baby motion monitor from there, and some nursery bookshelves. Blog followers/subscribers get an extra entry.

Giveaway ends at 11:59pm on September 21. Random.org will choose the winner.

50 Weeks Pregnant

I'll never forget how I felt looking in the mirror at myself for the first time after having my baby.

"Spawnie" was gone. And in her place I was given a chunky, round, very noisy and squirmy stranger.

I felt like I had lost a part if me. Or like a loved one had died. I had grown so close to the baby inside of me and this baby in her place just wasn't the same.

It took me a little while to overcome these emotions. I loved my child but missed my pregnant belly. Missed the kicks from within my tummy. Missed the tiny hiccups and watching her try to break loose.

I was falling in love with my daughter on the outside but still longed for the baby inside. In this transition I found the best of both worlds in baby-wearing.

I remember the first time I noticed someone wearing a baby. I was at church and the woman had what looked like her four-year-old sharing a shirt with her.

It looked uncomfortable and I couldn't help but stare.

As I noticed more and more people carrying their babies around in hands-free devices I became more curious. They really look quite brilliant! Before having my daughter I got my hands on every type of carrier I could find. I know me and I'm a trial and error kind of person. I also like variety.

Wraps were one of the most intriguing ones to me. The tiny babies always looked the most cozy in those. But they looked the most complicated. One long piece of fabric and I was supposed to figure out how to get it on me and get my baby safely in it.

Slings looked the easiest. Just stick the baby in and you're done. Because of this, I decided to try my sling first. After Lil' J was born I stuck her in and we fell in love. Since she didn't like me to put her down, it was the first time I was able to open my computer and get some things done.

A few days later I got brave enough to try my Sugar Sweet Baby wrap.

I watched a few YouTube videos showing me how to put a wrap on and how to put my baby in it. After watching a few demonstrations I got it down. I tried it a couple of times to get the hang of it and it was really a piece of cake.

When I looked at us in the mirror I noticed I had my baby belly back. Only now my baby was on the outside.

She was cozy in the not-too-stretchy bamboo fabric. And I wasn't overheating. Even in the Texas heat. The best part was I had my hands free to move around the house, and when I did she fell right asleep.

I've worn this thing on all 7 of our flights, and on all but the last she slept through the whole trip! (the last one she wanted to smile and talk to the flight attendants).

During a family reunion I was able to eat while she slept. At BlogHer in New York City she was able to meet people and explore the world from my point of view. And on numerous trips to the grocery store, she gets to escape from her carseat (which she can't stand) and stay close to me as we shop.

A friend asked me what my most practical baby item was and with almost no hesitation I was able to say my Sugar Sweet Baby wrap. I was freaking out about not having a stroller the first month of her life but I honestly didn't need one. Now it's my new go-to item for baby showers.

I'm turning into a big softy... I love having her close to me, more so for me and my comfort than hers. All I have to do is lean over a little and I'm able to kiss her forehead and smell her hair. and she loves it too. I'd say 98% of the time she goes to sleep within minutes of me wrapping her up on me. She's close to my heart and can smell mommy too.

So now I'm on the other side of the fence. I'M the one getting the sometimes-crazy looks (four different strangers asked me if i was carrying a doll--yea, cause I'm that weird) when I'm at the store with her wrapped around me. But most of the time in getting compliments on the idea and how pretty it is.

Now it's so easy to put on I can do it in the dark. Sometimes I put it on before leaving the house and just stick her in it when we get to our destination. Here we are at the nature park.

I sure do miss being pregnant, even though I have my baby now. But until I'm pregnant again I at least get a glimpse of the joy I felt every time I put Little Spawnie in her wrap.

Everyone who comments on this post will be entered to win a Sugar Sweet Baby wrap of their choice. Leave an extra comment if you follow @SugarSweetBaby on Twitter, on Facebook or subscribe to their newsletter via SugarSweetBaby.com.

I noticed a few commenters asking how easy it really is so I recorded this quick video to show you. Lil' J is normally all gussied up but we just finished having some nakey time so don't mind her in her diaper!

You have until 11:59 pm on September 17th to enter. I'll draw a winner using Random.org. Good luck!
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Winner of the $200 photo session from Grand Felicity Photography: #10 Jess from My Silly Monkeys. Congrats! I'll email you to get in touch with the sponsor.
Mention my blog to get 25% off Grand Felicity Photography Packages!

Books, Toys and Snoop, Oh My!

Oh how I look forward to reading to my little girl. I already will grab a book from her little bookshelves, plop myself down and read her a story. I just think it'll be so much cooler once she's here so I can see her reaction.

At first I guess it'll just be blinks, blank stares, quite possibly tears and toots, but that won't keep me from reading a story to her every day and night!
On my baby shower invites, guests were asked to bring a book instead of a card to sign their name in. This quickly multiplied the size of Lil' J's library. From hand puppet books, to touch and feel books, to bigger, children's books, we've got a good stash going now! That and my addiction to Half Priced Books doesn't hurt. I get Dr. Seuss books for a fraction of the normal cost.
There are a few books we don't have yet that I'd like to get fairly soon. For one, I want a children's version of The Good Book... The scriptures I mean. I need some recommendations for that! There's SO many to choose from, and I want to pick a good one.

I'm also trying to get some of the "classics" like Goodnight Moon, Guess How Much I Love You, Cat in The Hat, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, and others I have yet to hear about (which if you know of any good ones please let me know!)
I have a couple of books coming from Incredibundles.com. It's an online store that sells children's gifts in the bundle, so you save money versus buying everything in the bundle separate. They have lots of book bundles, but I saw a toy bundle I had to get. A few friends kept recommending the Sophie giraffe to me... It's a chew toy... Excuse me, teething toy, for babies. SO many people told me their kid/nephew/cousin loved it so I've decided to give it a try.
I'm a little worried that Snoop will get that crazy look in his eyes after the first squeak (yes, she squeaks, I told you it's like a chew toy) and just wait for the opportune time to eat it up. I can just picture it now... Us coming home to find Sophie torn to shreds, Snoop with a satisfied look in his eyes. I guess training a dog to know the difference between his toys and the baby's toys is a battle I'll soon learn to fight.
"I didn't do it" his face will say... And I'll have to remind him that there are Lil' J's toys...And his toys... ... Lil' J and Snoop dog, I just realized our family is beginning to sound like a rap group.

**Update!**

We just got Sophie and our toy bundle and here's Snoop's first reaction:

(yes, I know I'm bad for taunting my dog with a baby toy)

Anyway, adding to Lil' J's toybox, Incredibundles.com is sending her the Learn and Grow Premium Bundle. I'm excited to see how she likes all of the toys, and I can't wait to add the Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes and the touch and feel book to her collection.I'm also thrilled cause I get to share the gift of reading with you! 25 of you! Want a free book, or TWO? I know a lot of you like to show off your kiddos so this shouldn't be hard.

The first 25 Babymakinmachine.com Readers who enter the IncrediBundles.com Happy Baby Contest will receive a free children’s book!
Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Enter the Happy Baby Contest (www.happybabycontest.com) for a chance to win A Year of Diapers and A Year of Triple Paste.
Step 2: Send an email to happybaby@incredibundles.com with “babymakinmachine” in the subject line. IncrediBundles.com will respond with instructions on how to redeem your free book.

BONUS - GET A SECOND BOOK FREE!

“Like” IncrediBundles.com on Facebook to get a second book for free!
If Lil' J starts laughing before August 31st (the entry deadline) we may enter ourselves! If you don't have a baby, and can't borrow one to make a video, there's still a discount code you can use!

Special Discount for all of my readers! Use the coupon code MACH15 good for 15% off any product on the site! Coupon expires 7/15/10.

Want to learn more about IncrediBundles.com?
IncrediBundles.com, the home of extraordinary baby gifts, features a fresh modern twist on the baby gift basket. You won’t find wicker, cellophane or paper shred at this stylish retailer. In their place, the company designed adorably chic reusable storage containers and filled them with the very best award-winning toys, books and products for babies – selected by experts and approved by parents. Whether you are a gift-giver or an expecting mom or dad creating a Registry, be sure to check out their Year of Diapers Subscriptions. An IncrediBundles.com 3, 6, 9 or 12-Month Diaper Subscription is the foolproof gift that is always appreciated.

*Opinions expressed are my own. Thanks Incredibundles.com for letting me experience being a customer and order a bundle set for free.*

Pregnancy Belly Cast: An Experience I'll Never Forget

Before I even found out I was pregnant I made a conscious decision to not take a moment for granted. Enjoy every spout with morning sickness, every kick to the rib, and all the changes I see in my body.

From my cankles, to my big belly, to my outtie, I'm loving it all! (I just said I love my cankles... Wow. But it's true!)

One thing I've always wanted to do is find a way to preserve the shape of my belly. I KNOW belly casts are weird to some people... In fact, my husband gave me a crazy look when I told him he was going to help me with mine and asked "what's the point?" All I can say is I wanted the experience, whether we decide to save it a long time or not, and it would be fun to say I did.

I looked up lots of different belly casts and I wasn't really into some of the styles. Here's some different variations:

(source)

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My husband was leery of me doing one because he didn't want my "boobs showing."

(source)

So I was really excited when I found the Belly Vita Belly Cast Kit from Maternitique.
I tweeted about it a couple of days ago and people were like "your bellycast has clothes on!" But I like it that way, it's a pretty cast but a little more modest if that's your style... And that FOR SURE is my husband's style.

Speaking of his prudeness... He didn't let me take pictures when he was helping me do my cast. I was trying to sneak one, but I couldn't get to my camera. I asked him to take a photo for me so we could remember the experience and he said "No, cause it'll end up on your blog or Facebook or something"... he knows me too well.

So no photos of the process but I'll tell you how it went.

It was SO easy to do! I guess the normal casts use strips and take awhile to dry, this one was so easy to do (and more modest-looking) because it used one piece of cloth to dip in the mixture and lay on my body.

The woman in the photo in my instructions had a bra on so I was like "oh I'll wear my bra too." I grabbed an old one I'd be ok with throwing away just in case.
Then we went to work! The includes some pampering time for mom. There's a nice aromatherapy oil that comes with it that he rubs on first (I made sure to read that part loud and clear so he knew it was a major step in the process).

After that he mixed the water, powder, and a pinch of salt as instructed, and mixed it up before adding the cloth.

We put the cloth on and went crazy fitting it right blow my collarbone and down around my belly. It dries super fast, which I think is another difference between the normal kind. It was pretty much dry after 10 minutes but we waited 30 to be sure it was done before pulling it off.

Getting it off was the worst part. The lady in the picture had what looked like saran wrap but we didn't have any, so it pulled my peach fuzz out when we were taking it off. It was kind of funny cause here I am tearing up as my husband is trying to pull off this huge cast stuck to my huge stomach, and he's asking me if I want an epidural.

He kept making me laugh but every time I'd laugh it would pull against my skin some more, and then I'd scream OOW! It's an experience we'll remember forever, that's for sure!

We got it off of my body, but the bra I had on got stuck inside the cast so we unsnapped it to get it all the way off of me. My husband then suggested I leave it like that... With the bra inside and just wear it out as a shirt from time to time as a Gaga-like fashion statement.

Here's how it looked right after we were done!The next day I primed the cast but I was pretty sure I wasn't going to paint it like some people do. I'm not a good painter and I didn't want to ruin it. One of my friends on Twitter said she has a painter friend who may make hers look like a ladybug.. The theme of the nursery. I think that would be so cute!

I decided to leave mine white and add a pink bow. I'm very happy with how it turned out, and it already has a nice spot on the ledge in the nursery.Soooo... What do you think of my cast?

Maternitique, the company I got the Belly Vita from, is an excellent online store for women. Their mission is to help women look their best, feel their best and do their best throughout pregnancy, birth and motherhood. Their goal is to help inspire happier mothers, easier births, healthier babies and a safer world—and to do it with uncompromising style.
To that end, they choose products designed for modern women that combine the best of science and traditional wellness—what we call "maternity evolved, naturally." They carefully select natural brands that are safe for you and your baby. They also guarentee your purchase 100%! So they back what they say! Learn more about them by following @Maternitique on twitter or by "Liking" Maternitique on Facebook.
Maternitique has items for every woman, not just moms or pregnant women. Not only do they have items for the nursery and postpartum, they have lots of beauty products for any woman!

They're generously giving one of my blog readers a $50 gift certificate to Maternitique. Just visit their shop and let me know what you'd like to get.

If you follow them on Twitter or "Like" them on facebook, and let them know you found them from my blog, leave an extra comment letting me know each for extra chances to win. My blog followers also get an extra entry.

Giveaway ends June 20th at 11:59pm.
Random.org will choose a winner!

*Thanks Maternitique for sending me the BellyVita to review, and sponsoring this giveaway! As usual, opinions expressed are mine alone*

Utah and Central Texas Family Photography

Remember me showing off my maternity photos last month? Oh you don't? Ok I'll show you again! There's a bunch more on Forever Bliss Photography's site. Ooooh I love them, and they are already put up around the nursery and in different parts of my house (soon to be replaced by newborn photos I'm sure). My husband keeps asking why I have pictures of my stomach up all over the place, I tell him he just doesn't understand.

He was also a little embarrassed by having to be in the photos and that he had to do "stupid poses" but I told him Tara is a professional, she knows what looks good, and they do look good! She's going to be doing many many more photos for us in the future, if she'll have us, and I'm SO excited to see Lil' J captured by her lens. Hubs isn't looking forward to taking more pictures but I keep telling him he has to... I need to think of some good bribes so he won't whine.

Forever Bliss Photography also does family portraits, engagements, wedding pictures, children's photography and more!

I'm not sure what's cuter here, the announcement or the baby but say it with me... "AWWWWW!" I'm working on making... Yes, making Lil' J's dress for her baby announcement.


Forever Bliss Photography is doing mini sessions for summer and Father's Day. It's a 30 minute session and you get ALL of your edited pictures on a CD (it's about 20-100 photos!)! The special is just $75! For those of you who live in Utah, (I guess in the Provo/Salt Lake general area) or if you live in Central Texas, you can win a FREE mini session from Forever Bliss Photography (remember, that's 20-100 photos edited, on a CD!). Don't live in the area? Sorry... But let your friends who DO live nearby know about this awesome deal!

Just leave a comment letting me know what kind of photos you'd like to have taken! For an extra entry let me know her favorite session posted on her site. Blog followers also get an extra entry!

Contest ends June 14th at 11:59pm.

Random.org will choose a winner! Good Luck!

Making Diaper Bags Look Cool

I never thought I'd be excited to tote around a diaper bag, but I was getting mine organized this week with diapers and such this week and I got all giddy and excited to see how nicely they are all coming together.

I think I have about three diaper bags, two are pink and one is black and pink! My favorite is my Parazul bag, which is so stinkin stylish and I think will keep me feeling like a woman when I have poop all over me and stuff!This handy clutch I have coming out of my diaper bag is a diaper clutch from ModMomMe. Technically I don't need the full diaper bag since the clutch is pretty much all-encompassing, it holds my wipes, diapers, and it's a changing pad. Adorable, no?
It's great especially for women who don't like bulky diaper bags, or just any mom on the go. I haven't put a baby on mine yet but I play with it a lot (yes, I'm a dork) and I'm so excited to use it. I know it's weird but I'm excited to change diapers. I've changed HUNDREDS (I worked in daycare for years... Changing 20 two-year-olds ever 2 hours adds up!) but I'm excited to change my own baby for once!So who designed this cute clutch? My girl Kristen from ModMomMe. We actually went to high school together! We didn't know each other at the time but it's a small world to realize we had some of the same friends! I'm so happy for her, and she's also up for a Leading Moms in Business Award! I voted for her and if you like her clutch you can too, it seriously only takes one second!

Oh, and I bought the cute matching ladybug wipes case that goes inside it from Turtle Taylor ($8).

Ok but back to my cute clutch... This all-in-one changing pad was uniquely designed and handmade by Kristen, with practically and functionality influencing every aspect of it's design. The WipeME 'N DipeME Clutch has everything the active mom needs!
The clutch's strap easily slides over your wrist or snaps onto your stroller. It opens up to a large wipeable changing pad layered with PUL and soft cotton batting for a cush on the tush. The changing pad includes a fold down diaper pocket, featuring 2 elastic straps to hold the wipes case in place. When the daunting task is over simply fold the pocket and sides in and secure it with the velcro closure.

Learn more about ModMomMe by following @ModMomME on Twitter or by checking out her blog. You can also check out the ModMomMe Facebook Page where there's a giveaway right now for her Etsy anniversary!

Check out her shop for more fun items like binky clips, keychains, nursing covers, doggie (or baby) poo bags, and more!

In fact, check out her site and let me know your favorite item! She's offered to do a giveaway for a clutch from her shop for my Full Term of Giveaways! That's a $35 value! You can choose whichever one your want! Just leave a comment and you're entered!

If you also follow @ModMomMe on Twitter, or "like" her on facebook and let her know you saw her on my blog you can get an extra entry (for each). My blog followers also get an extra entry!

Contest ends June 17th at 11:59pm! Random.org will choose the winner! Good Luck!

*These are my opinions alone! Thanks ModMomeMe for sponsoring the review item and giveway item!*