Kitschy Kitschy Coo!

Friday, December 3, 2010

HO, HO, NO, HO!

This a picture a Nik from last year with the Santa at Macy's in Chicago. I would love to take Nik back here to see Santa. They really have a fabulous imitation of the North Pole and Santa's Magical Workshop set up within the old Marshall Fields Building. Then, you are led back by an Elf through a winding corridor to a secret room with a fireplace, stockings, a Christmas Tree, and Santa in a Big Chair. It's really fabulous! My sister-in-law met us there last year. You are alone with Santa, and you can take your own pictures, or purchase one as well. But, I think we waited for two hours on a Weekday, so I can't imagine the wait on a Weekend! They should probably just make appointments. My workplace has Santa Sittings, but you haev to make an appointment, and the Cut off was ridiculously early, like the end of October, and who's thinking about that at that time? So, we missed it.

Also, as you can see. Nikolina is not crazy about Santa. It was her first time meeting him here. I gave her to him, and first she just looked at him (which the photographer snapped a shot of, a really adorable picture), and everything seemed alright, then all of a sudden she burst out into these tears. Obviously, we didn't torture her, and we took her back. We felt bad making her wait all that time, and then she obviously was not comfortable. We though about purchasing the one of her crying instead because it was kinda of indicitive of the moment, but we deicided on the one of them looking at each other, which is really sweet!

So, this year, I was bound to let her LOVE Santa. I have been reading her books about Santa. Putting Santas up in the House, Santa ornaments, Saanta movies. We taught her to say "Ho, Ho, Ho." And she seemed to love him. She gets excited when we read the books and wants to skip to the last page where Santa is, whenver she sees the Santa in the house, she walks past, and says "Ho, Ho, Ho." So, a few weeks ago, I thought she was ready. Our town was having free carriage rides with Santa, and we headed over there to meet the Big Guy. We only had to wait through two families, and then we were next. Nik was very excited to see the horsee, and ride on the buggy and we talked about Santa. When our turn came, I tried to lift her up onto the carriage, and she was not having it. She started crying and wiggling away, trying to escape. I thoought she would settle down, so we went ahead on, and we tried to introduce her to Santa, and Santa talked with her, but she was not thrilled. Another girl and her mom shared the ride with us as well, but that did not help. She eventually did calm down, but she was definently afraid of Santa, and maybe the whole thing.

I don't know what it is with Santa and children. He's so jolly, what's the deal? Kids are always screaming. Maybe it's because he's a stranger, and you;re throwing them on his lap, I don't know. I think I may try once more this year with a local Santa, since we may not get up to Chicago again this year! But, it's so expensive! Crazy expensive. Maybe children have to be older to really understand, grasp, and love Santa. When I was little, my mom said, I would always cry around people with white hair, so maybe that's what it is for her too. Who knows. She's loving the Christmas Carols at Church, so I guess that's all that matters. I hope soon, she will grom to LOVE Santa.

Anyone else's child(ren) the same way with Santa?

This was the magical Fairy/Princess at the Restaurant in Macys. She and Nikolina became fast friends. She sprinkled Fairy Dust on her, and sang to her. It was so cute, and we had dinner around the "Traditional Marshall Fields Tree." I would love to take her back there, now that she's a year older. I think she'd love it!

And, a pic of Nik with Daddy at my Brother and Sisiter-in-Law's house on Christmas last year. Wish I had gotten one of the two of us, but you know how Holidays go...

Hope ya'll have a Great Weekend!

Thursday, December 2, 2010

A Smile In My Heart...

Today, I have a smile in my heart. I ran home on lunch to grab a bite, and right behind me was the Fed Ex man. He hoped out jolly as an Elf, and called out, "Lindsay, this is Your Lucky Day!" I knew what he had for me, and he handed me the box, and ask for my signature, wished me a "Merry Christmas" and then off he went, bounding up the truck again before driving gown my street off to deliver another smile to someone.

On my doorstep was the Playtex Diaper Genie Elite II!

As, I mentioned the other day, I won a Playtex Diaper Genie at the Blogger Event in Chicago at Navy Pier. As soon as I won, I knew immediately what I would do with the gift. This year, I had the opportunity to participate in our town's 17th annual Festival of Trees that benefits and raises money for our local Baby Fold. I had the opportunity to meet and decorate a tree with several wonderful people for this wonderful cause. I promise to show pics soon, I've been a little behind:). I have always wanted to donate time and whatever I could to help this organization becuase I think it's a great cause. My mother has participated in this event as well in the past, her tree even won 2nd Place one year! I was so thankful to have this opportunity this year! I still have not heard back on how our tree did, but hopefully, it's adorning someone's family room this Christmas!

During the Holidays, is when I feel the most joy in my heart, and I have the most urge to want to extend that joy in any way I can to those who need it. I have to stop at every Santa/Volunteer for the Salvation Army ringing a bell and donate if I have money, I can't help it or put caned goods in those bins at the Grocery Store. Ever since I can remember, my mother always took our family to the Toy Store to pick up a toy for the Brotherhood Tree to be gifted to a little boy or girl at Christmas. I did this last year with Nikolina, and I hope to do it ever year forward.

I couldn't wait to drop this gift off, so I rushed over there on my lunch. I knew immidately that this was what I wanted to do to give back. I tried to think if there was anyone else, a nursery, a daycare, a hospital, any other orginization that could benefit more, or to offer it to all of you, but I the Baby Fold was my first thought. I know if I were down on my luck, or needing a helping hand, that is where I would go. Driving away, I saw a large Nativity scene in the window, and I just hope that it finds it's way to a new mother and her new baby girl/boy this Christmas.

Thank you Playtex for making a new Mommy's Christmas this year, and for this generous donation!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas in Chicago.

As, I mentioned yesterday. My mother came with me to Chicago when I attended the Blogger Event at Navy Pier. We rode the train up, stopping to grab Starbucks for the ride. I LOVE taking the Train. There is something about it that is so old world style, so nostalgic. People have been riding the train for generations, it having been a main source of transportation for many years for lots of people. There is something about trains that connects us to years and years ago, that I just don't feel with planes. Although I love any form of transportation becuase it's an Adventure from the norm. A sign of going somewhere, visiting a new place, a place unchartered. I LOVE train stations, especially Union Station, there is so much history there. And, I have a lot of memories of taking the train with my mother at Christmas to see the windows at Marshall Fields. We shared a cab, dropping her off on Michigan Ave, and then myself at Navy Pier. After the event, we met up at Water Tower, then headed to the Bllomingdales building.

I LOVE Christmas in Chicago. There is nothing I love more. The hustle and bustle of shoppers, the windows aglow with gifts and Christmas decorations. Shoppers rushing with their bags full of presents for friends and family. The chill winter air. I love it all. Since my mother had not eaten, yes, I had to eat twice, horrible I know. We decided to eat at Bistro 110. I have never been, and it was fabulous. The Croque Monsieur is TO DIE FOR, and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND it, if you ever go there. Funny enough, my mother ordered Pomme Frites, wanting American fries, and she was a little taken aback, when they actually brought the French style French Fries, known as Pomme Frites. The waitress was kind enough to take them back for the American version. Probably back in the kitchen snickering at us, ha!

I know this is my kind of place becuase they had hats hanging every where in the restaurant. How fabulous!

We had a great lunch and conversation, as I told her about the Event, among other things. And, afterwards, we walked outside, and what was right next door....

They were bustling with comers and goers. We were going to grab some ice cream, and stepped inside. It was very busy. When we walked through the dorr, they presented us with a piece of Peppermint Bark, and after swallowing that, we decided that was good enough, and headed back outside. Outside the store, they had a Hot Chocolate stand set-up, so shoppers could simply grab a cup and move along, how adorable is that. There was a horse and buggy walking through the area, with families, bundled up with blankets and grasping Hot Chocolate. One little girl was giggling hysterically as she passed. Ahh...I LOVE Christmas in Chicago. So sweet. And across the street on teh other side...

Can't beat being surrounded by chocolate at Christmas.

Also, there was also the Annual The Christmas Parade that evening, and my mother and I snuggled amongst city folk and tourists in teh freezing bitter winds of the Chicago Streets hoping to get a peak at Santa. Unfortunately, we had to head back for the last Train before we caught a glimse of the Magical Fellow. And, the story about trying to get a Cab when EVERY Street is blocked off for the Parade, and bumper to bumper traffic is a story for another day. But we made it to teh train station in time, and enjoyed a lovely train ride home, seeing a lot of the same people we saw on the way up, having enjoyed a wonderful taste of Christmas in Chicago.

Don't forget to enter the Giveaway for the $20 Gift Card to Coldstone Creamery if you haven't already done so! See details on Thursday's Post. Contest ends Friday December 10th.

Pregnancy: Week 12.

Pregnancy: Week 12

DATE: December 2, 2010

How far along: 12 Weeks

Total Weight Gained: ???, Unknown, I never weigh myself:)

Current Weight 122

How big is baby?
My little Plum! Mmm, a plum sounds good!

As you move into the second trimester, baby shifts into the growth and maturation stage. After weeks in the critical development stage, almost all of baby's systems are fully formed.

Maternity Clothes: No.

Sleep: Good.

Best Moment of the Week: Watching Nikolina see you on the Sonogram Monitor, Daddy too.

Seeing that you were ok (the Dr. couldn't find your heartbeat on Tuesday at my pre-natal, and moving all over the place. Hearing your heartbeat-155 beats per minute.

Surprise moment of the Week: Finding out we were 12 weeks along, not 8 weeks!! Surprise!

And, that I may be at risk for Placenta Previa. I have a follow up Sonogram in 2 Weeks.

Movement:Sometimes, I think I feel little flutters, sudden movements, I'm sure it's you! (though I'm no supposed to feel anything yet!)

Food Craving:Starbucks Mocha Frapuccinos, no whip. This habit will break me, ha!

South Beach Bars.Yogurt. Milk

Food Aversions: None

Morning Sickness: No. Sometimes I feel a little nauseated if I don't eat enough or get dehydrated, or take my pre-natal on an empty stomach. Usually fleeting. Sometimes, my tummy gets a little upset after eating.

Gender: Unknown

Symptoms: Puffy Belly! Little tired sometimes.

What I miss: Flat Tummy, ha! Picking Up Nikolina without hesitiation, and carrying her around on my hip.

What I'm looking forward to: Feeling the Baby Kick, usually around 20 weeks! And, hoping that I am no longer at risk for Placenta Previa so I can go back to carrying/holding Nikolina.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Chicago Blogger Event and A Very Cold Christmas Giveaway!

On November 20th, I had a Fabulous Opportunity to attend My First Ever Blogger Event in Chicago, hosted by Team Mom and Child's Play. It was a wonderful opportunity for me, and I am SO EXCITED to share my experience with all of you and a Giveaway for my FABULOUS readers!

The Event kicked off with an Open Panel Discussion with several Popular Mommy Bloggers answering questions and offering advice on their experience and inspiration on blogging. It was a fabulous meet/greet, followed by many great questions, and honest, open, direct and informative discussion from some Top Mommy Bloggers. I really enjoyed being able to participate and simply having an open ear to all they had to say.

It was their First Ever Chicago Blogger Event, held at fabulous Navy Pier, on the same weekend as the Chicago Toy and Game Fair, which was right next door. When Nik gets older, I would love to bring her back for the Toy and Game Fair event! It looked like a lot of fun. There were kids running everywhere! It ended up being a beautiful day, and I really enjoyed the venue.

They had a fabulous Brunch for us after the Panel Discussion. Complete with Mimosas. Mmm.. Look at that spread!

I by-passed the Food and moved straight to the Vendor tables! Shocking, I know. I was so excited to get to speak with all these fabulous vendors. My first stop was Playtex Baby. She showed me their new sippy cup, called the "Sipster", and gave me a free sample (I of course picked out the pink/purple cup for Nik, which is going in her stocking), along with some other goodies, including another cup, spoons, and a little portable computer mouse that the hubs snatched up as soon as I got home, he uses it constantly. He knew I had brought it home specifically for him, ha! I raved to them about how Playtex are the only cups we use. They are the only ones I have never had problems with, and they are completely leak proof!

The Sipster was designed by a feeding specialist and a Pediatrician to help foster independant drinking skills. It would make a great first sippy cup for you little one!

My next stop was Restaurant.com. I have heard of Restaurant.com, but have never researched the organization before. They are a resource/referral network for thousands of restaurants across the US. Just go to their website, and type in your city, and they will connect you with loads of restaurants in your area, even providing menus online. You can earn discounts and rewards if you dine out often. You can also earn Restaurant.com Gift certificates by shoppping at your favorite places including, Gap, Blockbuster, Sony, Mac, and Discover. They gifted the bloggers a $50 Gift Certificate out to eat, and hubs and I are so excited for our night out on the town! Gift someone a "Dinner of the Month" Club for Christmas this year, where they receive a $25 Gift Card Each Month! You can find out more about Restaurant.com HERE!!!

My next stop was Cold Stone Creamery. Ironically the night before the event, I really had a craving for Cold Stone and was going to take the pumpkin in there to share some ice cream. But, I was able to wait knowing they would be in attendance at the Event. I was so excited for a free sample! I first learned about Cold Stone while in Arizonia with my extended family and In-laws who have a home there. I had no idea what flavor combination to chose, so my niece stated that she would pick for me, and we sat and ate our ice cream in the Shopping Courtyard, and I remember how incredibly fabulous it was! I wished that we had one where we lived, and then a couple years later, one opened in our town! Everyone in town was so thrilled, and it is always packed! Coldstone introduced us to their Eight Layer Ice Cream Cake and they brought two flavors for us to sample. I had the Health, and it was to die for. Great to pick-up for birthdays, anniversarys, a work event, or for the Holidays! How can you not like candy ice cream, ice cream should also be accompanied by candy and chocolate!

My next stop was Toy State. If you aren't familiar with the Brandname, they make those battery operated trucks, cars, and excavators that are probably roaming around your house. I recognized the CAT Symbol/Brand immediately. My Mother-In-Law purchased a motorized, remote-control CAT Excavator/Digger that my triplet nieces/nephew and Nikolina are obsessed with. They all go crazy over this toy and can't wait fo their turn to make it move themself, and to be a mini-operator and pick random toys up and drop them back on the ground. They gifted us a truck to take home that lights up and makes noise. They also all play a different song. I already wrapped it for Nik, and Josh, especially is super excited to open it with Nik.

My next stop was MEGA Brand Toys. I was really excited to stop here as well. Our old daycare provider gifted Nikolina a set of Mega Blocks for Christmas last year (the pink and white ones). She was a little young at the time, and mostly she just put them in her mouth bc she was teething at the time. But as she got older, she has become obsessed with them. she plays with them EVERYDAY and I am constantly picking them up and finding them up in random places of the house, ha! She says "blocks" or what sounds like the word, blocks, and then motions for you to sit with her, saying "sit" with a little lysp, and you have to sit and build with her. She loves to build, but she also loves to knock them down, and thinks it's the funniest thing ever, and she laughs out loud when they go tumbling down.

See those boxes stacked up on the side. You will never believe this, but they hold a Mega Blocks "Thomas and Friends Adventures on Misty Island" that you may have seen advertised on TV lately for the Christmas Season.

They gifted one of these to every blogger there. Can you believe that! I literally hugged the representative right there! I was so excited to show the hubs, and neither one of us CAN WAIT to open this on Christmas with Nik. Well worth the trip. My mom (who came with me for the day, and we seperated and met back up after the event)couldn't believe it when I showed it to her. And, the woman at the restaurant that we went to later that day, saw it, and said, "Wow, that looks like something, I would want to play with." We said, "I know, right. How fun is this!" Nik loves looking at Choo Choos in her picture book, and can even make the Chugg A Chugg A Choo Choo motion and pulls the whistle too! She is going to love this. I already have it wrapped and ready to open!

The next stop was Backyard Safari Outfitters and Zillionz Brand Toys. I had not seen this brand, but I also have a 20 month old Girl. I asked her if they were at Toys R Us (our only toystore) and she stated "Yes," so I am definently going to look them up next time Nik and I are at the toystore. They had some fabulously fun products for camping that looked liek so much fun. Nik has a bug net/bug container, and she loves it. These toys would be right up her ally. And my mother-in-law is gifting Nikolina a tent for Christmas, so I know come Spring/Summer next year we will be looking into some of their imaginative "Safari" toys. They gifted us a little green lantern, that will be perfect for Nik's new tent. She will be so excited. I'm sure she will turn it on and off constantly and want to hide/play in the tent, read books etc. The lantern is going in her stocking for Christmas.

Zillionz Brand makes a lot of educational toys that help children count and learn about saving money, including banks, cash registers, vault and ATMs. Must have been developed by a banker, ha! But their products are really great, and I already have three piggy banks for Nik and a talking play pig piggy bank. I think teaching kids about money and the importance of saving money is a great value to have. I had several things like that when I was little, and they are a great educational, but fun way for children to learn about money.

The next stop was In Zone Brands Beverages. I have seen these beverages at our local toystore and grocery store. A little boy at Nik's daycare always has one. Nik LOVES juice. We try not to give her too much, but she is obsessed with it, second only to milk. She says it so cute, like "Juze" and makes the sign for drink in Sign Language, and it's so adorable. I usually try to buy watered down juice for Tots or water down juice myself when she's sick or for a special treat. In Zone, not only has juice for big kids, but they also had little juice containers for Tots, with less sugar. I was so thrilled! And, they have all your children's favorite characters too! There are so many to choose from. Nik's is going in her stocking,a dn she will LOVE it! I'm sure she'll want to drink it right away, right then. The reps said that you can even wash them out, and re-use them as well, so one will last you longer than a one time use.

Mary Kay was also there. The food was wonderful, and I sat by some wonderful ladies. I really enjoyed talkkign with all of them, and hearing about their lives and blogs. We shared some great conversation and lots of laughs. I was so thankful to have had this opportunity to attend this event. What a great event, than you Child's Play and Team Mom! Your event was a True Success! It's going to be a wonderful Christmas at our house thanks to this event! Be sure to check back for any add reviews after Christmas of these fabulous toys! At the end, they raffled off some prizes. I won a Playtex Diaper Genie, and since the Hubs and I already have one, I will be donating mine to our Local Baby Fold. I can't wait to drop it off. Hopefully, it will make some New Mom's Christmas!

AND NOW, for my very FIRST GIVEAWAY! Cold Stone Creamery gifted us bloggers a $20 Gift Certificate to Cold Stone, but...they also gifted me a $20 Gift Certificate to be raffled off to one of my LUCKY READERS, and that's....ALL OF YOU!!!