Blog Tour: THAT BABY DVD AND CD

Wednesday, April 30, 2008 by Bethany

I'm a sucker for some decent kid's music and television shows. As a work from home parent 3 - 4 days a week, I need more than 15 minutes of work time (and a bit of me time when I can grab it). So, I was delighted when MotherTalk offered up a cool bundle of music and a DVD centered on children (yep, I use the television to babysit every now and again).

Here's the details, right from THAT BABY website:

That Baby DVD and That Baby CD are groundbreaking products full of fun music and visuals for kids age 0-5. Rather than relying on the old nursery rhymes or music box tones of other kids’ videos, these really rock. We’ve taken great songs – songs that you may have sung at camp or put on a mix tape in your youth – and reworked them with fantastic new acoustic and vocal arrangements.

Combining the music of artists like Fleetwood Mac, Natalie Merchant, Joni Mitchell, and The Pretenders with rich, colorful visuals, That Baby DVD is sure to bring a smile to the face of the child in your life. The CD features all the music from the DVD, plus three bonus songs written by Bob Marley, The Beatles, and Paul Simon.
As soon as this package arrived my almost 6 year old boy was chomping at the bit to watch the DVD. It's a movie. With a kid on the cover, how can he NOT be getting a new "show" to watch. And that he did. Even though, it was really centered on a younger audience. A bit older than my 8 month old daughter. Though she found the collages and puppets definitely pleasing. Even after we played it three times.

The CD however, has been an even bigger splash for our frequent car rides to pre-school and back. The Kiddo hums and sings songs as we gander the few miles to his day care. And I know he likes it because he requests the music. Even more than his Alvin and the Chipmunks CD. Which, in my opinion, scores this music set a huge 5 stars. I can almost hear nails on the chalkboard each time Alvin launches into a solo.

So THAT BABY has captured the hearts of my kids. Mostly the boy, since he can at least tell me he likes it. Though The Peanut definitely doesn't fuss as much with it on. But she's like that with any music right now.

My son's only complaint, "Why didn't they put a faster song first. Like Pony Boy."

Yeah, my kid's a Springsteen fan. Gotta love 'em!

And here's some incentive if you want to but this package yourself--Enter the coupon code MotherTalk when purchasing at THAT BABY DVD website and save 20% on your entire order! From now until May 18th, all orders using the coupon code "MotherTalk" will be entered in a drawing to win a new iPod nano.

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12:30 AM | | 4 comments

Never Without a Burp Rag

Monday, October 22, 2007 by Bethany

Imagine a chef with a drip cloth neatly tucked on the belt of his apron. You know, the towel to dry his hands on, wipe a mess? Yeah that one. Crisp white, folded thing that doesn't leave his side as he prepare scrumptious meals for all the high-end restaurant patrons.

Okay. No imagine a mom of two. The youngest being just under 2 months old. Who nurses roughly every 2 hours a day. And burps. And on occasion doesn't know when to stop nursing. And burps up the goodness of her last meal. Add in an almost 5 year old boy to the mix. One who loves to wash things off in the bathroom sink. Color on the kitchen table. Drip ketchup onto the table, floor, chair... you get the idea. And you see where this drip cloth thing can work for the mom. Right?

Only mine is an official burp rag. Or cloth diaper. And it usually has some sorta girl pattern of flowers, hearts, pink colors, teddy bears. And it is neatly tucked into the squinched waistline of my pants. Or crammed partially into my jeans pocket.

Seriously, it should be part of the official mommy uniform. Then we can work on making it a bit more fashionable.

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2:13 PM | | 0 comments

Riddle me this...

Friday, October 19, 2007 by Bethany

I'm thinking of a word uttered (or muttered depending on the day) by every mother on the planet. Especially when it is late(r) at night and the house has yet to be cleaned and children that were rough to put to bed. Oh, and that very same mother, hasn't even started to do what she really wanted to do today.

For me, that was write. And read. But others--that could be a favorite television show, paint her toe nails, lie in a coma....

Any guesses?

Hint: This particular word starts with the letter E.

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11:33 PM | | 0 comments

Imagine that...

Monday, June 18, 2007 by Bethany

The kiddo took a nap--the first in many months--all on his own today. Without prodding, bribing, convincing, or a forceful word.

Maybe I'm not failing at this motherhood thing after all.

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3:30 PM | | 0 comments

Adventures in Parenting, Part Sickness

Wednesday, January 24, 2007 by Bethany

Somewhere between 2:30am and 4am when I was up for the third time with a coughing kid I realized that I was in one of those Not-So-Nice-Parenthood-Moments. One of the moments where I wonder how I can even function or will function the next day--and then somehow I do. All be it, much more slowly and grouchier, but I manage.

It's the nasty cold that is going around. The runny nose. Fever. And of course the cough. Now a cough for a normal kid is nothing to jump and wave your arms around about. But for my kid--and his constant battle with infant asthma--we have problems. Problems named Abuteral and breathing treatments. When an inkling of a cough is heard, we rush to the nebulizer and our routines begin.

This time around, technically, I should be happy. After 3 nights of constant treatments every four hours, snuggles, and a few tears, the cold just might be a cold and nothing more. Which would be a first in the past 2 years for us. No chest infections. No Predlisone. No pneumonia. What a miracle. But in my head, when I am up for the sixth time for the third night in a row--I wonder what I got myself into.

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11:32 AM | | 0 comments

Let's hope this doesn't add on another year

Thursday, January 04, 2007 by Bethany

Did you know it is my imaginary birthday today? It has come complete with top hats, magic wands, decorations of matchbox cars and stuffed animals adorning the great room, and even a pretend pinatas stuffed with more toys!

Oh, and how can I forget the Happy Birthday serenade sung by the kiddo while being presented with a birthday cake (flavor: French Fries and corn). And a present. A box--yep you guessed it--with even more toys.

I'm one lucky gal.

Update: He even surprised me with some more gifts. And these homeade books--4 to be exact--were each made from tabloid paper. Folded in half. Some just "drawing" books (as he calls them) and others were made with letters (which for just-turned-four-years-old, were quite accurate). The stories (DIFFERENT FACES, A BOOK OF DINASOURS, THE FISH FEEDING BOOK, and GRUMPY PEOPLE) need to be framed. Or kept forever. This kid breaks (and swells) my heart all at once. I want to freeze this moment forever.

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12:50 PM | | 0 comments

Oddities of the Holiday Season

Tuesday, January 02, 2007 by Bethany

After the end-of-the-year holidays things get hazy. I blank out on all things called responsibility and making money and, um, enjoy some dedicated family time. This year was no exception. I spent more quality breakfast with my son and husband than every before and we we only missed afternoon nap time once (and by nap time I mean family nap time). Not once did I lose my cool, and not even twice did I think that the decision to stay home this season wasn't difference. It's going to be the new rule.

Anyway, not to waste valuable Internet blogging space writing about nothing, I'll share some tidbits of the recent holiday/family/new home adventures.

+++

Receiving a collect calls from the local detention center (prison) from "Louie."

Why I received the call is as much a mystery to me as you. But, I was so freaked out, I didn't even listen to all of the recorded woman's voice announcing the caller to learn how to block the damn call. I just shrieked and slammed the phone onto the counter. Oh and demanded the husband answer the phone. Always. And forever.

That lasted until this evening when "Louie" tried a repeat call. The husband obliged to my demands and answered the call. He calmly listened to the recording and blocked any future calls from the facility. Now, we just need to hope no family members get into any trouble with the law.

+++

Apparently, the kiddo has a new found fascination for clouds. Especially ones shaped like flowers, dinosaurs, ships, snowflakes, and worms. I would have loved to join him and his imagination but I was trying to focus on driving into the office the day after a long holiday break.

But the running commentary of the adventures in the sky called Cloud Animals is suppose to continue tomorrow. "So stay tuned," as the kid says, "to Kid Junior."

+++

Speaking of imagination and the kid, have you heard any 4 year old jokes lately? Here's some to wet your noodle:

What do you call a bananas, apple, and orange?
What?
A fruit punch juice box.

Not funny enough try this one:

Knock, knock.
Who's there.
The dog.
The dog who?
The dog who just got sick on the carpet.

Yeah. I know. Knee slappers at best. The kid's making these all up on his own. Can't wait to hear what these evolve into when he is 10. I'm sure they'll include more fart and book jokes than I'd be willing to admit on my blog.

+++

I'm officially back at work. Which means, I am officially in the midst of rewrites on the book as well. Which, then means, posts might be few and far between until I get these revisions out of my system.

Consider this the official announcement for my lack or blogging participation. But don't count on it lasting forever. I'll need a break every now and again. Which could mean more tidbits. Less thought. And even less insight than normal. Hang around, I promise it will get better. Eventually. At least my head will be out of the fog anyway.

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11:23 PM | | 0 comments

Ringing in the New Year

Saturday, December 30, 2006 by Bethany

The forthcoming posts about the new year, resolutions, dreams, goals, regrets are all about the flood the Internet. And I'm either slightly ahead of the game or behind--but I figure why not join in the madness?

I don't really do the whole January 1st resolution thing. Mostly because I hate the frigid coldness of this part of the year and don't particularly find it inspiring creatively or personally (catch me mid to late summer, and well, I am brimming with new ideas). So, I avoid the lack-luster, half-felt promises this time of year and tend to think backward. I look back at the previous year and collect my thoughts of thankfulness, what I have accomplished, and then take stock for warmer weather (get the headlights cleaned for when I do make my new year goals).

So to not wax too poetic on all the year end greatness (or new year beginnings) let me just say, here's all that I have done in 2006, The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (in no particular order):

The Good
  • Health, prosperity... all that mumbo jumbo.
  • Finally, finally became comfortable with myself as a mom. Parenting style intact and solidifying. Kid growing into a young kid in front of my eyes. And well, just learning that I can parent half-way decently (if not down right fantastic at times). This even surprises me.
  • Committed myself to my fiction writing. Continued to shop around my novel to agents (can anyone say query, query, query?)
  • Found a lovely agent.
  • Confidence to rework my novel a few times more.
  • Sent my novel to submission. Real. Live. Editors. Looked. At. My. Book. Oh my. Anxious doesn't even describe it.
  • Moved to a new city/state just because. Not because of a move. Or a bigger house. Or... well for any reason but because we wanted to. Family lives much (much closer). Cost of living isn't atrocious. And, well, just wanted to move.
  • Found some time for myself. It's been damn hard to carve out that time, but it is damn worth it.
  • Switched to another job. A more creative one. One that has me doing new things I hadn't done in the 11 years prior of my career. Well, except for the meetings. We always have those.
  • I have a social life. One with nights out with friends. Ones where I can take the afternoon and head out for coffee without the kiddo tied to my leg.
  • My new house. Really. I am at my breakfast bar right now, writing. Sipping coffee. Giving myself a pat on the back. Overall, I'm one lucky gal.
  • Disney World. What a nice break from reality. Everyone should try it for a few days.
  • Confidence. The High School Years. The ones I cowered in the corner blushing something fierce because I had something to say. Or the time when I just couldn't voice my opinion about the latest gossip. Those days are gone. I've learned to stand up for myself all around my life and take a bit of control. I mean, who are we living for if it isn't ourselves? (Sorry, that one got a bit too deep).
  • Blogging. Complete entries all of last year. I waste as much time as the rest of you, don't I?
  • Appreciating Hubby and Kid. Honestly, we've had some financial and personal stresses this year. And you know what? Well, they are THERE for me. And that can erase almost any badness beyond this bullet on the 2006 list.
The Bad
  • Owning two homes right now. No one said that when I make a decision I am patient about it. Two mortgages are proof of that.
  • Likelihood of having to take my house off the market til Spring. Honestly, can the house market be that bad.
  • I'm driving a good 40 minutes each way to work (when before it was a whole 7 minutes door to door). Hey but the new digs? Definitely worth it.
  • Kid's in day care almost full time. Or was. Now I am working with him a few days a week. One might think this is a blessing (the work at home thing)--and when he is sickly, it is. When he isn't, some days I wonder what the hell I got myself into. I wouldn't necessarily call this bad, but it isn't ideal.
  • Weeks of house improvements, cleaning, and painting. Oh and moving itself. I hate the pack, move, and unpack routine. It kills me for months afterward.
  • I'm gonna lose time off from work. Apparently I didn't let myself take enough vacation. And I suppose that in and of itself is a bad thing, ain't it?
  • Kiddo's hospital visit (a first and hopefully last). Though thank God it wasn't life threatening.
  • Too few trips North to see my parents, family, and friends. I've been too pre-occupied or otherwise obligated to take the drive to see everyone.
The Ugly
  • The miscarriage. I really can't say anything more about this. I'll end up in a pile of mush. I mean losing a baby at 13 weeks is bad enough. But losing the baby 2 days AFTER you told your boss, co-workers, friends, and some extended family. Nightmare no matter what way you dice it.
  • That damn weight gain again. It got worse after the miscarriage (didn't lose a pound of what I'd gained). It means I must exercise and I hate exercise. All of it. So unless some miracle way to stay aerobic is invented--one in which I enjoy the act of movement, I may have to give-in to my curves.
That's the 2006 recap. Or at least what was memorable--in more ways than one. The Good does out-weigh The Bad and The Ugly, so I know I'll be in for an even more memorable 2007. Or maybe that is just the optimist in me.

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6:05 PM | | 0 comments

Bedtime Stalling

Wednesday, December 27, 2006 by Bethany

Him: "Look! The clock says 10:10."
Me: "It sure does."
Him: "Is that late?"
Me: "Yes. Very. You should be sleeping when it says 9:10."
...
Him: "Now it says 10:11. Think I am doing good."

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11:29 PM | | 0 comments

Are you pimpin' out on me?

Monday, December 11, 2006 by Bethany

You are trying to get me crazy!
- the Kiddo, 4 years old

Honestly, I don't know what I did to deserve days of nut-ball issues and a housing adventure that just doesn't end (that would be the selling and buying thing. And unpaid back tax bills). It was like all hope of Monday being pleasant came pounding through the sky in a bolt of lightening to spear me through the heart to taunt me. Or at least jeer me into a early morning conference call, that ended so quickly I was mistakenly disallusioned the day might get better. That is until I set a goal to finish my latest project deadline.

But, hey, enough about work. I might get fired (note timestamp, Internets. It is after-hours. Thankyouverymuch). Not that you find the work stuff that interesting-- no one does. I'm a technical writer. There isn't anything too exciting about that. No matter what way I spin it.

The other part of my angst comes from home upheaval. Aside from moving my ass north a few 30 miles, packing all my belongings, and belaboring the point that I am paying on two mortgages--I am again a stay-at-home-working mom three days a week. Yes, that means, the kiddo--all four years of him--is with me full time three days a week to keep me distracted from the day job. Err, I mean, quietly playing at the kitchen table while I am pining away at my deadlines.

At first I thought this little shift back to the good ole days would be welcome. I'd get to take little excursions to the grocery store, Target, and when the weather breaks a bit build a snowman (or watch from the window). Hell, I daydreamed about getting back to homelife a bit. I'm not too womanly to admit that jumping back into full time work guns a blaring was fine (even glorious) at first. Then, I got homesick (or kid-sick).

But, now, I'm groveling. I'm part-time mom worker and I'm not liking being back at home with the kid. Sure, I love not missing a beat with him--knowing he took his nap and ate his lunch. But having to occupy him all day? I'd rather be at the office.

Sure, I'm exhaggerating some, as it is my blog and I have a right, but the differences from a 2 year old (as he was the first time around when I worked from home) and a 4 year old are tremendous.

First, he can talk a lot. From great big long sentences that entertwine, require me to think of appropriate responses, and almost always request some form of my attention to the fact that he he is independent can make for a bit of a challenging day. The whole I-can-dress-myself-Mom part is wonderful (who would have thought that that the kid can match a Spiderman T-shirt and Superman pants that actually match and are adequately warm for a gusty winter day in Chicagoland). But this is what is killing me--"Mom? What are we going to do today?"

The question seems simple enough--eat breakfast, brush teeth, get dressed, play, watch a bit of television. But then the inevitable happens. The question that has me running haywire through each and every room of my house, "What's next?"

And as every good 4 year old does, he holds me to it--no matter WHAT I tell him. Want to color? Sure, then right after we watch Go Diego Go! we sure as hell better break out the crayons and tablet of paper or hell will break loose. Did I say we might build a Lego bridge? Oh, pardon me for having to take a call from work--or say finish eating my own lunch before 3 in the afternoon.

Two short years ago, I thought I was juggling too much--motherhood, working from home full time, a husband who worked long hours, a wild terror of a dog, two cats (one quite sickly), and a two year old. But the thing is, I had no idea what it was like to do all of the above (without the sick cat. she pulled through), with a four year old. Sure he can take care of himself a bit but when do the universal pointed finger to lips to be quiet sign he's learned it doesn't mean a damn thing. Even when I am mid-sentence with a Vice President of something or other.

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4:27 PM | | 0 comments