ShoeDazzle Giveaway Winner!

 Thank you all for your comments! I hope you had as much fun as I did, perusing the goodies over at ShoeDazzle!

Without further ado, the winner of the free month of ShoeDazzle is:

Enjoy your new shoes, jewelry, or handbag Allyy! (please email me your account info!)

Stay tuned for more giveaways!!

Learning With Hip Hop

Music is a big thing in our house. When I say big, I mean B-I-G.

I am a singer/songwriter and hubby is an audiophile. Between the two of us, it was no surprise when Beaner started asking for Lady GaGa by name when she was about 8 months old. We've tried to expose her to a variety of our music, as well as so-called "kid music". She's a big fan of stuff from Sesame Street, and equally fond of Snack Time by the Barenaked Ladies.

I let her review Mark D Pencil's "Learning With Hip Hop" and I must say, it was a fairly big success. How do I know it was a success? Because she started to dance. That's pretty much the ultimate seal of Beaner approval. That, and if she doesn't like something, she flat out tells me to turn it off and puts her hands over her ears.

I liked the repetition within the songs, the way the entire CD is appropriate for all ages, and how it combines some good beats. One of my biggest pet peeves as a Mom is having to listen or watch something that annoys me AND gets stuck in my head. When I found myself humming "Do You Know Your ABC's?" at the grocery store, I didn't mind.

Verdict: Beaner and Mom approved!

You can listen to some of the tracks on Myspace (HERE) as well as LastFM (HERE).
You can purchase the CD from Mark's website: http://learningwithhiphop.com/

Win a Month of ShoeDazzle!

A few months ago I gushed about my absolutely favorite obsession, ShoeDazzle! If it's possible, I'm even more obsessed now. I have an amazing collection of handbags and shoes and I get compliments on them all the time. They also have jewelry sets, as well as special "dazzledeals" twice a week.

What's the point of this new post? Well, I've decided to share my obsession with you, my awesome readers!

Simply become a follower of Urban Domestic, then head on over to ShoeDazzle's Facebook fan page and "like" them. Once that's done, come back here and leave me a comment about what shoe, handbag, or jewelry item you think is a "must have" for spring.

To see the goods you can either check out the fan page photos tab, or sign up for ShoeDazzle using my invite code and check out your showroom when it's ready. That invite code will also give you 20% off your first item. Don't forget to read the FAQ!

On March 28th I will select one lucky winner (using a random number generator) to receive a free month of ShoeDazzle!

Happy dazzling!

This post is participating in Made by You Mondays at Skip To My Lou 

Tantrums, Thy Name Be Beaner

Today's post was supposed to be a cd review (Hi Mike!) but I had to put it on hold so I could unload about what a hellacious week I'm having here.

Beaner has decided that this is the week where she's going to be a total wanker to her Dad and I. Every simple request, every established routine, every favorite, is all being rejected, or thrown at us. Our sweet, easy going toddler is nowhere to be found and in her place is this raging beast who is prone to melt down if the cat dares to look in her general direction.

As a first time Mom, I'm flying blind here. Is this a phase? Am I oversensitive because I'm tired and I'm making too much of it? Is she feeding off my crap mood? Am I a horrible mother? Was she switched out with robobitchbaby and we are just noticing now?

So many questions, zero answers.

She had me up all night and was then awake for the day at 5am this morning. Of course, meltdowns are rampant today so she's been put down for an unprecedented early nap. She's currently screaming at me from her crib about the pillow she just threw across the room in anger. I'm sorry kiddo, but maybe you shouldn't have thrown your pillow?

I adore my daughter, and she's generally a joy to be around, but this week, let me tell ya, if I was offered an opportunity to run away and join the circus, you can bet your butt I'd take it.

To quote one of my favorite Simpsons lines; Pray....for....Mojo....

The Weaning Journey

I have officially started on my weaning journey with Beaner. For the past 29 months I have breastfed her on demand, exclusively for the first 6 months, much to my discomfort.

I have never been a fan of breastfeeding, despite how much I advocate for it. I have always known that breast is best, and no matter how much I hated it, the idea of not breastfeeding just didn't enter my mind. We worked through bad latch, thrush, nursing strikes, pumping failures, and much frustration and tears, but we did it.  I've put in my time, as they say.

Beaner is extremely verbal, and quite rational, as much as a 2 year old can be, so I was able to tell her that Mommy's "booboos" hurt and were broken and as such, we weren't going to be able to breastfeed before naptime. Instead, we created a special "napsnack" of cheese, veggie crackers, and cow's milk. She thought that was just marvelous and had no issues.

When nighttime came there was a slight resistance and a crease in the brow as she asked about my owies and if I'd seen a Dr. yet. When I told her no, I still had owies, she accepted it with no issue. Last night she whined some in her sleep, a first for her, and cried out for me, without ever really waking up. I had a long night checking on her, listening for her, waiting to cave on the breastfeeding. It didn't happen.

Today there was no issue because she didn't nap here, as she was with her grandpa for the afternoon, and at nighttime she didn't even ask. We're only on day two and I have no illusions that this is far too good and easy to be true, but I do know that the end of our breastfeeding experience is coming soon and that makes me relieved but it also makes me a little sad. Breastfeeding was the one connection her and I had that no one else in the world shared with us. Once that's gone...well, I just don't know. Gone will be the last shred of my sweet, dependent baby, and in her place will be the confident, little girl aching to spread her wings in this world.

Fly high, my dear, fly high.