CLOSED Marvel's The Avengers GIVEAWAY!!!!

Who's excited for the new Avengers movie?  I am, I am!!!  Who's excited to win a cool Avengers prize pack?  Check it out below! 

ITEMS FOR GIVEAWAY:

MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS t-shirt in adult  sizes of S, M, L, XL
MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS set of 6 buttons
MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS one pair of limited edition 3D glasses

Three chances to win!  The winner will be chosen on May 8th by random.org.  Open to U.S. and Canadian residents only. 

One entry by leaving a comment telling me if you were a super hero, what would your super power be?

One entry if you “Like” MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MarvelsTheAvengers  Leave a comment below letting me know you did.

One entry if you follow MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/avengers  Leave me a comment below letting me know you did.

Check out The Avengers in theaters everywhere May 4th!

CONGRATULATIONS WES H.!  You are the winner of the Avengers prize pack!

Balancing life one kid at a time

When I was a Mommy to one kiddo, I felt like I had all the time in the world. I wasn't rushed out the door. I didn't have to be anywhere. I didn't have to figure out the timing between picking Neil up from school and actually cooking for dinner to be ready and still warm by the time Daddy got home. It was just Neil and Mommy. Even though Neil is now in school 3 full days a week, I feel like I don't have the time to devote to Ava like I did with Neil. What am I doing with my time? I have no idea! Maybe I spend too much time reading Twitter and Facebook. Maybe I spend too much time texting my friends. Maybe I always feel like time is running out before I need to pick Neil up from school. I know I'm not spending too much time cleaning! She is now 6 months old and we have yet to fall into a routine, which is bothering me to no end. I need a routine. She needs a routine. We will get there...together.

How do you balance a multi-kid family?

Sewing is the new black! **GIVEAWAY**

At least for me it is.

My mom taught me how to use her sewing machine when I was about 14. I can't for the life of me think of why or what I made, but I have never forgotten how. I've made lots of things over the years including a cheerleader Halloween costume, pajama pants, boxer shorts for Home Economics, purses and now nursing covers, Boppy pillow covers, and little girls pillowcase dresses. I like to start projects, but I usually never follow through with them. I'm sure if you asked my husband to tell you how many ideas I've had that have fizzled out, he will just roll his eyes and grunt. He is ever so supportive whenever I say, "so honey, I've been thinking..." That usually means $ out the window. He is my biggest fan and will gladly hop in the car and drive me to the craft store. This time is different. I am using my crafty sewing skills and actually bringing $ IN the window, or rather my family's piggy bank, this time.

After high school, I lost interest in sewing (per usual). I asked my mom for a hand-held sewing machine for Christmas a few years ago because I was always hand stitching the hems of my pants. Instead, she bought me a real sewing machine. The interest quickly came back. I can spend all day looking in pattern books! I started making cute things again.

I've always been told I need to sell my creations somewhere, whether it be online or at a craft show. I was never sure if this was the same as family and friends telling a really terrible singer to go on American Idol. I pushed all of my insecurities out the window and decided it was time to go for it. If no one likes my stuff, that's ok. I opened my Etsy shop last November and started with just a few things, which grew into more things, which grew into customers asking for custom made things, which grew into a huge smile on my face. People are actually interested and I have found something I am good at and have actually followed through with! I never really thought anyone would actually find any of my items in the vast world of Etsy.

My sewing machine broke a few weeks ago, so I had to "borrow" my moms machine...the same one I learned how to sew on 16 years ago. I'm pretty sure she knows she isn't ever getting it back.

In keeping the promise to myself to "follow-through" with this business venture, I have created a Facebook page for my store and here is where the giveaway details begin.

Please visit my page HERE and "like" it. I will enter the first 50 names into a drawing to win a Minnie Mouse cosmetic bag like this:If I get 50 "Likes" in 24 hours, I will give away 2 of these!

Wait, there's more! I will enter the first 100 names who "Like" my page into a drawing to win a Minnie Mouse backpack like this:
or this:

You can potentially win BOTH!

To visit my Esty store, go to www.AvaBabyCo.com.

Thank you in advance for everyone's support in my new crafty venture!

Finding Nemo in 3D Coming to Theaters!

I cannot wait for this! Finding Nemo is one of Neil's favorite movies AND favorite stage shows at Disney World! He is going to be so excited when this comes to theaters.

Watch the trailer below!



Find Nemo at your local theater on September 14th. In the meantime, "Like" FINDING NEMO 3D on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PixarFindingNemo

Who's your favorite Finding Nemo fishy?

Talk to a toddler or talk like a toddler?

It's usually both in this household. I became a stay-at-home Mom a little over three years ago and spent the first year and a half playing at home, taking Neil to parks, to Gymboree and for walks in the neighborhood. I decided it was time to join a Mom's Playgroup, not only for him to socialize, but mostly for me to get some adult conversation! Three years ago my days were spent talking finance, mortgages and listening to talk radio during my hour commute to and from the office. It seems a little weird to even type "the office" now. Now my days are spent swapping birthing stores, conversations about babies, toddlers, poop, Chuck E Cheese, a bit of sex (we are women after all), breastfeeding and the latest, Girl Scout cookies. My commute to and from the parks playdates are spent listening to Radio Disney or Chip n' Dale Rescue Rangers. I miss my days at "the office", but the office I've occupied for the last three years is home to the the best (and hardest) job I've ever had. I love my friends and the girl talk we have, but I cherish the conversations with my baby and toddler the most.

For my baby girl

It's not hard to see that this year has brought me many blessings. I served on the 2011 Disney Moms Panel and am extremely excited to be returning next year, but most of all, I have a beautiful baby girl. Even though she doesn't let me sleep more than a couple hours at a time, I am so proud to call her my daughter. At almost four months old, she's showing her sweet-natured personality with her vibrant smiles and adorable little giggles.



She certainly is a Daddy's girl as he seems to be the only one to calm her down when she's really fussy. Her face lights up when he comes home.



She is in love with her big brother. She watches him intently when he's zipping past her playing one of the games he's made up. She loves to give him hugs and kisses all the time. I can't wait until she is old enough to keep up with him!



She completes my perfect family of four and I couldn't be happier to have her in my life. I love you, Ava!

Coming out of my shell

I have a lot to be thankful for as a Disney Moms Panelist, but one of the biggest rewards I have to take away from this unique experience is that it has forced me to come out of my shell. I consider myself socially awkward and shy. I have missed out on many opportunities in that past because I have been afraid to meet new people or try new things for fear that they may make me look silly. When I found out during the application process that a video of ourselves was required for Round 2, I freaked out, as I'm sure many applicants did. The me 10 years ago would have quit right then and there. Making the video was just the beginning of things that would normally make me uncomfortable. Next was a phone interview! After making the panel, the next step was meeting all of the other lucky panelists for training...by myself! EEEK! Then a professional video shoot! An interview on TV for a local station! A phone interview for a local paper! And just recently a Moms Panel Meet & Greet! OH MY GOODNESS!

What's the point of all this? I will be the Matron of Honor in a wedding this Sunday where I have to give a speech in front of over 100 people. Terrifying, right? Not so much! Again, the me from 10 years ago would have done whatever I could to get out of speaking at this wedding. Thank goodness I pushed myself to make that video for Round 2 and continue with the phone interview for Round 3. I still have a long way to go, but I have traveled a long way to get where I am today. I always have to ask myself, "what am I so afraid of?"

What are you afraid of?