Disney Live! Mickey's Rockin' Road Show

DISNEY LIVE! MICKEY’S ROCKIN’ ROAD SHOW TAKES AUDIENCES ON HILARIOUS, HIGH-ENERGY ADVENTURE WITH FAVORITE DISNEY CHARACTERS
Brand-New, Live Stage Production Produced by Feld Entertainment
Stars Mickey Mouse and Friends in Original Storyline with Contemporary Twist

Disney Live! Mickey’s Rockin’ Road Show, Feld Entertainment’s newest stage production, whisks audiences on a wacky, fun-filled journey with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald and Goofy as they embark on a talent search adventure filled with unexpected, exciting encounters and favorite Disney friends. As this original storyline unfolds, families will sing, dance and laugh along with the ever-lovable Tigger; Cinderella and her conniving stepsisters; and for the first time in Disney Live! history, Buzz Lightyear, Woody and friends from Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story.
“In Disney Live! Mickey’s Rockin’ Road Show, fun knows no boundaries,” says Producer Kenneth Feld. “Audiences will feel like they’re seeing a cartoon come to life as they experience the humor, hijinks, twists and turns of Mickey’s road trip and talent show. The only rules are ‘cartoon rules,’ and anything goes.”

“Families will feel like they are traveling alongside Mickey and Minnie as they set off on an exciting theatrical excursion, right in their hometown,” Producer Alana Feld comments. “Disney Live! Mickey’s Rockin’ Road Show is a combination of hilarious escapades, hip music and modern choreography that fuse together to present the Disney characters like you’ve never seen them before.”

As a special bonus, fifteen minutes before every performance, families are treated to the Playhouse Disney Pre-Show Party. This interactive experience features a live host as she gets the audience revved up for the show with fun video highlights from Playhouse Disney favorites “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,” “Handy Manny,” “Imagination Movers,” “Special Agent Oso” and “Jungle Junction.” The Pre-Show party is free to all ticket holders.

The excitement begins when Mickey and his pals decide to put on a talent show, with Mickey as the director, Minnie as the costume designer, Goofy as the clumsy stagehand and Donald in charge of the big “Ka-Pow”! Realizing that they need more performers, they embark on a road trip in Mickey’s fantastical bus, where they face a series of misadventures and eventually round up a few friends to help put on their show.

“What sets this show apart is how we unite characters that normally exist in separate worlds and incorporate the kind of music that kids listen to everyday to create a fresh, original story,” says Director Jay Smith. “We want families to feel like they’ve played as much a part in the show as those on stage, so whether they join Cinderella as she sings ‘Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo,’ bounce along with Tigger to ‘The Whoop-De-Dooper Bounce’ or rock and roll to songs by the Jonas Brothers and Hannah Montana, there is really something for everyone.”

The show is based on the concept of a live cartoon, and writer Bradley Zweig sets the stage for fun when Mickey surprises his pals with the vehicle for their adventure: an amazing bus equipped with unusual gadgets. When the characters need to get over a mountain during their talent search, the push of a button inflates a hot air balloon from the roof. When the bus rolls into the ocean, the flip of a switch transforms it into a submarine. “These are things that only happen in cartoons, but we’re doing them live on stage. You don’t explain them; they just happen,” says Zweig. “In a cartoon, nothing is impossible. The silliest, craziest, funniest things can happen for no reason whatsoever, and in Disney Live! Mickey’s Rockin’ Road Show, they do.”

The Mickey Mouse Bus was developed by the Feld Entertainment props team led by the show’s scenic designer and Feld Entertainment Vice President of Scenic Elements Rick Papineau. Special effects like the hot air balloon, periscope and propeller advance the storyline as the characters move from location to location.

To transport audiences on their virtual journey, the bus functions in conjunction with original video content displayed on a giant projection screen. Created by Feld Entertainment Video Designer Ilja Nowodworski, the animated video establishes multiple scenic environments and captures the essence of each character’s world. When Mickey and his friends are traveling to their next destination, the digital video images move to create the illusion that the bus is traveling and the characters are able to zoom up and down hills and around curves, drive underwater and float through the clouds.

To enhance the experience, Papineau incorporated multiple scenic projection panels that flank the screen to create an extension of the backdrop. “The panels are made directly from video screen shots, so it looks like the images run out of the screen,” says Papineau. Because the panels can configure many different scenic combinations, audiences are able to enjoy a truly visual experience as the scenic backdrop takes them through country hillsides, a cactus-filled desert, a royal village and other picturesque locales.

Costume Designer Scott Lane’s youthful and colorful designs enhance the playful, contemporary feel of Disney Live! Mickey’s Rockin’ Road Show. “I wanted to incorporate bright, fun ‘kid’ colors so the show is like a coloring book and yet keep the silhouettes of today,” says Lane. To create costumes that reflect current youth fashion trends, Lane used clothing catalogs and magazines as inspiration and then added his own touch by infusing vibrant primary colors and mixing patterns. He also looked to current pop star fashion for the costume designs of the host and male ensemble, incorporating vests, ties, untucked shirts and pinstripe pants to create a casual and preppy look, reflective of current trends.

For the Disney characters, Lane maintained traditional silhouettes, but added a modern flair. Cinderella first appears in her classic ball gown crafted from 45-year-old vintage fabric, but with the help of the Fairy Godmother, it magically transforms into a sequined, beaded, light blue dress with accents of pink flowers. One of Lane’s challenges was designing an outfit for Mickey Mouse that is timeless, yet current, and reflects his active, youthful personality. To convey both vibes, Lane dressed Mickey in red plaid shorts, a multi-colored striped shirt and tie, a blue vest and sneakers during the road trip, and then switched to a classic showbiz look: a bold three-piece suit with red, white, yellow and black polka dots and stripes.

Disney Live! Mickey’s Rockin’ Road Show features a unique blend of music that incorporates both timeless and remixed Disney songs, along with hip tunes that pave the way for choreographer Robbie Mackey’s distinctive dance numbers. From Cinderella’s comical tap-dancing stepsisters and a Broadway-style kick line to a knee-slapping hoedown and Tigger’s hip-hop-inspired bounce routine, Mackey combines a range of dance styles to create an energetic and fresh look that conveys a classic yet contemporary feel.

Host Chris Chatman provides the link between the audience and the characters throughout the show. The 23-year-old Chatman, one of the final 54 contestants in “American Idol” Season 8, guides families along the road trip and energizes them with his charisma, impressive vocals and dance moves.

Mackey collaborated with Music Director Stan Beard to choose pieces of music that support the action on stage and deliver the right tempo for the choreography. “The music is the energy behind everything,” Beard comments. “We wanted to show a different side of traditional characters so we used the song selection to add a little edge, which opened up endless possibilities for fresh takes on well-known Disney friends.”

For Tigger’s talent show number, Mackey choreographed an athletic, upbeat routine set to “Bounce, Bounce,” a re-mixed version of R&B artist J.Moss’ “Jump, Jump.” The scene showcases Tigger flanked by four backup dancers in an exciting, fast-paced music video-style routine. “It’s a current, very hip section of the show, and everyone in the audience bounces as much as the dancers on stage,” says Mackey.
Lighting Designer Sam Doty sets the mood of the show by creating colorful and vibrant lighting designs that transform the stage and complement the music as they transport audiences to each destination. “The music’s really fun and upbeat, and I wanted to match that,” says Doty. “Everything’s based on the music and the action of the show.” Tigger performs his hip-hop routine while subtle tiger stripe gobos embellish the proscenium and the stage floor. The stepsisters’ clumsy antics are supplemented by sharp, crazy lighting cues, while Cinderella’s elegant solo is matched by beautiful, soft pink, blue and purple lights. For scenes where the Mickey Mouse Bus is traveling, Doty mimics the motion on the screen so that the lights move with the road, like shadows going by.

Throughout the process, Doty was conscious of the practicality of lighting a children’s show. “It’s very important for kids to see the faces of the characters they love, while creating the environment of the scene and keeping the lighting fun and exciting,” he says.

Disney Live! Mickey’s Rockin’ Road Show invites audiences to experience a high-energy adventure jam-packed with hip music, eye-catching choreography and one-of-a-kind scenery that combine to create an unforgettable journey full of laughs and surprises with favorite Disney friends.

About Feld Entertainment

Feld Entertainment is the world’s leading producer and presenter of live family entertainment. A privately owned and operated family company, Feld Entertainment is the parent company of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey®, Feld Motor Sports, Disney On Ice, and Disney Live! With more than 5,000 performances annually and tours in over 65 countries on six continents, the company’s shows are seen by more than 30 million people each year.
For more information about Disney Live!, members of the media should visit www.feldentertainment.com.

Free tickets for Mickey and Minnie's Magical Journey

I have four tickets to Mickey and Minnie's Magical Journey in Toronto to giveaway! So I thought I would host a contest!! What a great way to start November.

Here is some information on the show with contest entry information at the end:

JOIN A GLOBETROTTING TOUR OF DISNEY DESTINATIONS IN DISNEY ON ICE PRESENTS
MICKEY & MINNIE’S MAGICAL JOURNEY

Disney On Ice presents Mickey & Minnie’s Magical Journey takes audiences on a fun-filled tour to four exciting destinations filled with favorite Disney friends. With Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse as tour guides, guests will visit the enchanting worlds of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Lilo & Stitch and Peter Pan.
The arena will be filled with music and magic in every scene including an enchanting undersea kingdom with Ariel and Sebastian, a jungle adventure in the African Pride Lands with Simba and Nala, a Hawaiian luau with Lilo and Stitch and a trip to jolly old London with Peter Pan and Tinker Bell.

“It’s an extraordinary show and a family vacation all rolled into one incredible night,” says Producer Kenneth Feld. “You really get a sense you are traveling right alongside Mickey, Minnie and their friends.”

Disney On Ice presents Mickey & Minnie’s Magical Journey features an international team of award-winning skaters, exciting choreography and a musical score filled with familiar Disney hits and rock-and-roll classics the whole family will enjoy.
The unconventional mix of music inspired Choreographer Cindy Stuart to incorporate original moves, like the boisterous pirate line dance. Stuart has also included more classic skating, like David and Nani’s touching surf duet and Prince Eric and Ariel’s tender pas de deux.

“Not only is this show a journey through favorite Disney stories, it is a journey of emotions,” says Director Jerry Bilik. “From the antics of Sebastian, Simba and Stitch, to the high-flying adventures of Peter Pan, the audience will experience excitement, humor and friendship.”

Costume Designer Arthur Boccia has assembled specific and appealing looks for all the Disney locales. Creatures and characters along the way sport everything from nightgowns to grass skirts. Surfer gear and lion’s paws give way to Triton’s fin-clad daughters.

Each destination has its own mood created by Lighting Designer Patrick Dierson. The foggy London skyline that can be seen from the Darling children’s window soon changes to the mysterious forest where Peter Pan and the Lost Boys live in their tree house. Ariel and Sebastian dive into undersea excursions and Lilo and Stitch cavort surfside surrounded by tropical sunlight and foliage.

The many settings of the show are enhanced by Robert Smith’s scenic design both on and above the ice. For example, Lilo’s Hawaiian home is on the ice, while Stitch’s alien planet is depicted above it, creating a multidimensional feel. Captain Hook’s rollicking crew sails across the ice on an enormous 35-foot pirate ship, and King Triton’s daughters emerge for their music lessons from oversized seashells.
To learn more about Disney On Ice, log onto www.disneyonice.com or visit us on Facebook and YouTube.


How To enter:

-Follow the Glow Baby Family Blog and and answer the question Who does King Triton instruct to keep constant supervision over his daughter Ariel?
-Fan the Glow Baby facebook page and leave a comment on the blog
-Follow on Twitter @lindsayGlowbaby and leave a comment on the blog

This contest will end Monday December 6th.

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!
***
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:

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

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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!*