Babies Gotta Have It

• The baby had just awakened from her nap…but she very sleepily managed to draw the winning name!  Congratulations Brooke!  I hope you love your “It’s a Boy” or “It’s a Girl” blanket from Spunky Sprout!  If you haven’t checked out this awesome website, do so!  And as always, thank you to everyone who entered and everyone who listed this giveaway.   I have some great giveaways already lined up for the new year so please do keep entering!  And those of you who are repeat entrants–an extra special thank you for your loyalty!  I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it!

I got a sneak peek at this totally lust-worthy My Taggies Giraffe Rocker by the company Taggies just a few days ago.  I looked at his little crooked smile, and I fell head over heels.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, babies love tags.  Babies love toys covered in tags.  Imagine how much your baby will love a toy covered in tags…that he can ride on! The My Taggies Rocker is super soft, super cute, and created with your kid’s safety in mind.  The giraffe’s body is plush and soft, and the wooden handles, foot rests and rockers are all designed to make this nursery safari ride as worry-free for Mama as can be.  This giraffe jimgles as he rocks, has crinkly ears to play with, and is designed for kids 12 months and up.

The My Taggies Giraffe Rocker will be coming to stores in 2009.  Keep an eye out.  I will be (and I’ll let you know as soon as I find one online).  Sometimes you gotta be patient…to find something you’ll really lust.

• Congratulations Anne S. (the winner of four tickets to see “Wintuk” by Cirque du Soleil) and April (the winner of the adorable plush menorah from Pop Judaica)!
• Thank you so much to everyone who entered!  Thank you to One2One Networks and PopJudaica.com for sponsoring these awesome giveaways! Thank you also to everyone who listed them!  I so appreciate it.  Happy Holidays!

What better time than the holidays to celebrate the new baby in your life!  Whether it’s a grandbaby or nephew, godchild or “adopted” niece, this gorgeous blanket from the hip, fun website for kids, Spunky Sprout, would be the perfect gift.  It’s a girl!  It’s a boy!  It’s a baby!  And that would be reason enough to celebrate…even if it wasn’t late December!

A few weeks ago I talked about how super soft blankets are a Baby Must-Have.  I love these “It’s a Girl” and “It’s a Boy” blankets from Austrian designer David Fusseneger.   The colors and patterns are scrumptious. The vintage inspired design is so whimsical.  You’ll love wrapping your baby up in it after bath or first thing in the morning. The blankets are 28″ by 36″, crazy soft, and perfect for play or crib.

Thanks to the wonderful folks at Spunky Sprout, one lucky Babies Gotta Have It reader will win your choice of an “It’s a Boy” or an “It’s a Girl” Blanket.  This would make such a wonderful holiday present or gift for that New Year’s Baby!  You know those hip and funky friends for whom Carter’s or Toys R Us just won’t do?  Check out Spunky Sprout!  Started by two sisters in Florida, Spunky Sprout offers trendy and modern gifts for babies and kids up to 6 years old.  From environmentally friendly baby bottles to independent music, furniture made from sustainable materials to dresses, lighting and mobiles, Spunky Sprout has it all!

Only one reader will win the giveaway…but just in time for your holiday shopping, Spunky Sprout is offering a 10% discount to all Babies Gotta Have It readers!  From now until December 24th use the coupon code: haveit10 when you check out to get your discount!

To Enter the Spunky Sprout Giveaway:

•  Just take a swing by the Spunky Sprout Website, come back and leave a comment on this post telling me what your favorite item is aside from this beautiful blanket. It’s that easy!

***Want an extra chance to win? Blog or twitter about this giveaway, leave me an additional comment letting me know you did (please include the url), and I’ll put your name in the hat twice! Not a blogger? Subscribe to my blog using the button to the right, leave me an additional comment, and you’re entered twice. Or, email a friend about the giveaway, cc me in the message at babiesgottahaveit@gmail.com (I promise I will not spam you or your friends - cross my heart) and you’ll have two entries. Make sure you include your email address with your entry.***

Giveaway open to those with U.S. addresses. Giveaway begins on Sunday December 14th and ends on Sunday December 21st at 11:59 Eastern Standard Time. On Monday December 22nd, my baby girl will draw the winning name and I’ll email you immediately. It’s not a terribly scientific drawing, but I assure you it could not be more random. Thanks for entering!

I really like lists.  I always have.  Right now I’ve taken to making lists on the post it notes my father-in-law puts in our stockings every Christmas.  Ultimately, they are probably not the most efficient media for my list making.  Post it notes are small.  My lists are long.  My husband makes long lists on regular paper and then draws little boxes next to each item so he has something to check when he completes the task. I just draw a line through when I’m done.  To each her own.

So here, just for list-o-philes like me, is “Baby Lists,” by Elaine Farber. “Baby Lists” is a book comprised entirely of lists to help new or expecting parents get organized for baby. Needless to say, I could have used a copy of this book.

As someone who runs a must-have baby products blog, I was initially interested in the second half of the book: “Necessities and Nice-Things-To-Have-Lists.”  Let me say, this book is comprehensive!  Everything from stroller cup holders to sleep sacks is discussed thoroughly, online sources are provided, and quantities needed are listed according to the number of babies you are having! In no way do you need to buy everything in this book…but the book says that up front.  They lay out what they feel are necessities and then present everything…and I mean everything…that you might want in addition.  Take the book a chapter at a time so as to avoid being overwhelmed, consider your lifestyle, your budget and then take the handy check-lists (with circles to check…just for you honey) to the baby store.  The online sources are useful.  They are in no way complete.  And they tend to favor the bigger, more well-known vendors.  A little research will reveal many other sources for the items discussed in the book–with more environmentally friendly options available in some categories.  But I’m happy to say that many of my picks are their picks as well.

But this isn’t a book entirely about stuff.  The first half of the book, “Becoming-Baby-Ready Lists” is truly invaluable. Contained in this section are equally comprehensive lists that will guide you as you choose a hospital, create your birth plan, hire a nanny, pack for the hospital, pack your diaper bag and more.  Each list is presented in a simple, straightforward manner allowing you to make your own choices, free of any advice.  The tone is truly neutral and informative and incredibly helpful. I have already made my own mini-lists (on post it notes, big surprise) based on the information found in the  chapters on “Childproofing Your Home” and “Stocking Your Medicine Chest.”

“Baby Lists” is a genuinely useful resource for any new or expecting parent.  What can I say? Put it on your list.

I have some really sad news.  I don’t know any details, but Katie & Co., the wonderful children’s clothier based in my hometown of Lewisburg, PA is going out of business.  When I learn more, I’ll tell you more.

The very dim bright side of this is that they are having sales galore.  Everything in the Lewisburg Outlet store is 40% off the lowest price until December 23rd…when the Market Street store closes.  For everyone outside of Central PA, the online store is offering 50% off your entire order with the coupon code “dec50″ with free shipping on all orders over $200.

Planning a summer wedding?  A christening? Just looking for a unique and wonderful holiday gift?  Check out Katie & Co. for exquisite clothing for children and babies.

• Congratulations Melinda!  I hope you really enjoy the show!  Thank you so very much to every one who entered…and I’d love to have you all enter my current giveaways including a four pack of tickets to Cirque du Soleil on Sunday December 28th!  A warm holiday thank you to everyone who listed this giveaway.  If I have not thrown you some link love, let me know!  I am so grateful and I don’t want to miss anyone.
• And I told you I’d try to get the baby to wear a Santa hat. Cute, huh?

I have always wanted to run away to the circus. When I was a girl, my swingset had a trapeze. I spent more hours upside down on that thing that I did right side up.  Then I wanted to be lion trainer. A few years later in middle school when I decided I really wanted to be an actress, I consoled myself with the fact that I’d still be able to do “Circus of the Stars.” Did I mention I grew up in the 80’s?

I won a newspaper essay contest when I was in elementary school and got two tickets to a small, traveling circus that pitched a tent in a grocery store parking lot in Bryan, Texas. To the best of my memory, the essay was about riding the lion at the front of the circus parade. I saw the Ringling Brothers three ring spectacular in Boston Garden a few years before that.  Not surprisingly, I remember the glittery and to me, very exotic trapeze artists the most. And when my husband turned 30, we went to the Big Apple Circus.  He had never been to any circus.  I thought that the best way to celebrate that milestone was with some silliness.  And feats of daring.

This year, I saw perhaps the most magical circus I’ve ever seen. Cirque du Soleil’s beautiful show, “Wintuk” is like nothing I’ve ever seen.  It is, quite simply, exhilarating.  Unlike other circuses I have seen, Cirque du Soleil interweaves highly original, surprising and often quite funny circus acts seamlessly into character, narrative and music to create a beautiful, simple story that can be followed by the youngest and oldest of audience members.  The final moments are truly spectacular and involve every single person watching in a lovely and refresing way.  And as a city gal, the amazingly fun urban quality of the first “act” was a hoot.  I’m guessing you have never seen a circus act that involves roller blades, skateboards, bicycles, very large hills, flights of stairs, park benches and overturned garbage cans.  It’s something you’ve gotta see to believe.  And I was pretty well swept away for the duration of the show.

Babies can’t have all the fun. Now and then Mama’s gotta forget herself (let someone else keep seven balls in the air at one time for a change) and get lost in a magical snowstorm of acrobats and puppets and music and trampolines.  Every once and a while…Mama’s gotta run away to the circus.

The Cirque du Soleil “Wintuk” Giveaway and Discount Coupon!

I loved this show, and I know you will love it too.  Thanks to the lovely folks at One2One Network, one lucky Babies Gotta Have It reader will win a four pack of tickets to see “Wintuk” on Sunday December 28, 2008 at 2pm.  “Wintuk” is performing at the WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

“Wintuk” from Cirque du Soleil is an exciting winter adventure about a boy’s quest for snow. The show weaves thrilling new acrobatics, breathtaking theatrical effects and memorable songs into an extraordinary journey to an imaginary land called Wintuk. The boy and his companions – a mysterious female shaman, a fearless young girl and a yellow-bellied man – deliver endless excitement, exhilaration and intrigue. “Wintuk” is playful, musical, and bursts with the energy of the city and the magic of a wonderland. This seasonal story, which features a cast of 50 performers from Cirque du Soleil, is back this year with a mind-blowing new trampoline act and astounding puppet creations by Michael Curry.

• To Enter the Giveaway: The performers are jumping through hoops for this giveaway–not you!  It’s the holidays!  So just leave a comment on the site saying who you’d take with you to the show and you’ll be entered to win. It’s that easy!

***Want an extra chance to win? Blog or twitter about this giveaway, leave me an additional comment letting me know you did (please include the url), and I’ll put your name in the hat twice! Not a blogger? Subscribe to my blog using the button to the right, leave me an additional comment, and you’re entered twice.  Or, email a friend about the giveaway, cc me in the message at babiesgottahaveit@gmail.com (I promise I will not spam you or your friends - cross my heart) and you’ll have two entries. Make sure you include your email address with your entry.  Two entries max per person.***

Giveaway open to those with U.S. addresses.  Giveaway begins on Monday December 8th and ends on Friday December 12th at 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time.  On Monday December 15th, my baby girl will draw the winning name, and I’ll email you immediately.  I will do my best to get her to wear a Santa hat while she’s picking the name.  You will see it all on video.  It’s not a terribly scientific drawing, but I assure you it could not be more random.  Thanks for entering!

If you don’t win the giveaway or if you don’t want to leave your opportunity to see this spectacular show to chance, One2One Network is offering a Friends & Family Special 25% Off Deal on select tickets! 

Simply use the Promo Code: ONE2ONE when you buy your tickets for the following Show Dates and Times listed in the link below.  The promo code is ONLY good for the show times and dates mentioned in the link.  This offer expires December 23, 2008 so buy now if you’re interested!

To Buy with the Coupon Code click: HERE!

• Congrats Jennifer C. from Mommyhood is Thankless!  You’re the winner of the beautiful fleece poncho from Po Po’s!  I hope you enjoy it.
• Thank you so much to everyone who entered.  Especially to you faithful who are entering multiple giveaways.  I so appreciate it and I’m brainstorming ways to show you how much!   Thank you also to everyone who linked to the giveaway.  I have many of your buttons in my sidebar, but if you are linking often and I haven’t shared the love back, please let me know and I’ll fix it!
• I have so many more giveaways coming up.  It’s that time of year!  So please check back.  Thrilling giveaway for tickets to Cirque Du Soleil starts on Monday!

This is the time of year we want to share our family and religious traditions with our kids! But toddlers and open flame so don’t mix. So just in time for Chanukah, Pop Judaica offers a wonderful, super-soft, plush stuffed menorah that you and your kids will have a great time using. It comes with nine candles, and front and back storage pockets to hold them. The candles easily come in and out of the menorah and the pockets so you and your babies can “light” them together!

And be sure to check out Pop Judaica for lots more fabulous Chanukah gifts…they have a terrific selection of gifts that kids and babies gotta have…but also fun and beautiful things for moms and dads too!  (The Menorah Blahnik Holiday Cards are so something that Mama’s Gotta Have!)

To Enter the Pop Judaica Plush Menorah Giveaway:

•  Just take a swing by the Pop Judaica Website, come back and leave a comment on this post telling me what your favorite item is aside from this groovy menorah. It’s that easy!

***Want an extra chance to win? Blog or twitter about this giveaway, leave me an additional comment letting me know you did (please include the url), and I’ll put your name in the hat twice! Not a blogger? Subscribe to my blog using the button to the right, leave me an additional comment, and you’re entered twice. Or, email a friend about the giveaway, cc me in the message at babiesgottahaveit@gmail.com (I promise I will not spam you or your friends - cross my heart) and you’ll have two entries. Make sure you include your email address with your entry.***

Giveaway open to those with U.S. addresses. Giveaway begins on Thursday December 4th and ends on Sunday December 14th at 11:59 Eastern Standard Time. On Monday December 15th, my baby girl will draw the winning name and I’ll email you immediately. It’s not a terribly scientific drawing, but I assure you it could not be more random. Thanks for entering!