Friday, April 30, 2010

Favorites Friday: Drool-worthy Diapers

Ive been on a total diaper kick lately... ALLLLL I  wanna do is buy new diapers... but seeing as Zave is so close to potty training age, its silly to buy new... so ive been stalking diaper swappers... I need to get rid of a bunch that I dont use anymore... and then if zaq ever lets me have baby #3 Ill just save the current stash for him/her... ANYWAYS... This weeks favorites friday post is dedicated to all the cloth on etsy that i would LOVE to fluff my stash with...

#1: lastminuteboutique - Red & Black Pirate Booty Wool Soaker
#2: The Eli Monster - Anarchy OS fitted diaper
#3: Brookiellen - Guitar Dot Diaper Cover
#4: BananaBottoms - Fitted Organic Bamboo Diaper "Ninjas"
#5: NorthernMom - Skull HEads OS pocket Diaper w/ Bamboo
#6: Guerillafluff - XLRG Side Snapping Diaper w/ Rockin Green Detergent
#7: Monkeez - OS Organic Bamboo Fitted "Zaney Zebra"
#8: LibertysBelle - Fleece DIaper soaker - Sweet Child 'O Mine (Have this, LOVE it... great soakers)
#9: FLuffyMail -  Movie Theatre Size 2 Hemp diaper

You know I could go onnnnnn and onnnnnnnn about all the rad etsy cloth diaper goodies on etsy... like rad wet bags... cloth friendly diaper bags from Brooke Van Gory... reusable wipes... Wee Essentials soap bits (free sample in RockerByeBaby orders) but I only had room for 9... :) Do any of you have any of these items? Or items from these sellers? Id love to hear your opinion!

And sellers *** we would LOVE to try them out! We host a review & giveaway every Tuesday and would be honored to have you join us! Just contact me on etsy (RockerByeBaby) or send me an email. Rockerbyebaby@gmail.com

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Thursdays Tunes - NeverShoutNever!

Yes, Brooke... its another one of those pop/punk songs that Beki and I love... and like it or not, you will probably love it... lol


Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Wordless Wednesday - Me wordless? Not so much...

So, I know today is supposed to be "Wordless Wednesday" But there is WAY to much to shout about... For starters.. Mommy The Kids have a play date at Chuck E Cheese today.... Thats pretty much awesomeness... Gotta love social time!

I went to the Gym today... feeling pretty good... trying to get my fat ass back in shape,  regain my girlish figure.... "tighten up"a bit...

BEst news of all? I just snagged two @BarleyandBirch t-shirts for only $10 each!!!!! You MUST go to this site... Its pretty much the awesomest ever and i MUST figure out how to be apart of this... but for now, im there to shop!! Its called The Mini Social... go set up an account, and then you have access to all of these insane 3 day sales... Barley & Birch shirts are usually around $27 each and right now they are just $10. Limited time & limited selection... so hurry hurry hurry!
hat
hat

I snagged up these to in a 6t to stash away for their next size... seeing as by the time this last order shows up i will have....... 8 4t shirts i believe? Yeah... its an obsession... can't go wrong with organic, eco friendly goodness with adorableness screened on the front. Win-Win. So yeah! HURRY! They will go fast!! Remember, just click here and set up an account at The Mini Social... and then click barley and birch... you can shop from all the other sales too with one shopping cart... oh and Pili you should totally snag some for R cuz they ship overseas!

Wordless Wednesday - Hipstamatic iphone app.

Im in love with this new photography app for the iPhone... Thanks Amanda :)




Tuesday, April 27, 2010

The Baby Blogging Bash update!! More prizes!

Many have heard you talking about how my best friend Aymee from back home is PREGNANT! SOOO exciting... and she is having a little princess named Maddie. YAY! Well, while in my pity party slump I decided that even though I am so far away, I can still throw a rad baby shower for her!! Thats where the Blog Bash comes in... We have LOADS of prizes arranged... lots of fun game ideas... and like last week... here is THIS weeks sneak peek into some of shops where the prizes are coming from!!
This weeks peek:










if your interested in joining in the giveaway PLEASE let me know, we would LOVE LOVE LOVE to have you!!

WINNERS of the Chase Dreams Giveaway!!

Big winner: PICK YOUR PRIZE FROM THEIR STORE!
#1: 59!!
Winner isss....

Samy said... 59

I love the fortune cookie crayons!
samyrocks92 at msn dot com
#2 runner-up #76 (easter crayons & st. pattys day)

Domestic Diva said... 76

I like the Fortune Cookie Crayons Upcycled / Recycled (set of 12).
#3 Runner UP #29 (easter crayons & st. pattys day)

Blissful Bee Boutique said... 29

My fav. is the Space Exploration Crayons! I would love to win for my son!
kristi.blackstone@yahoo.com


#4 Runner Up #10 (easter crayons & st. pattys day)


Pili said... 10

And of course, I'm your follower in Blogger!


CONGRATS EVERYONE! Ill be in touch for your addresses!!!
Thanks for entering!!

Monday, April 26, 2010

Mentoring Mondays: Monsters


Post 6 from the amazing Adam Thurston... LOVING this new segment :) And I know the followers are too!! Thanks, Adam, for sharing with my readers and I... even though we're so far away... it will be like we've been there all along... :) p.s. you can find his blog here... follow him :) 

Mentoring Mondays
Teaching you to be a Lady while you teach me to be a Dad

Monsters

Hi Madeline.  Just 3 months and change until we can be together.  Getting close now!  When I look back at the past blogs I’ve written, I notice that they tend towards the safer sides of things.  They’re full of what I call “warm fuzzies” and are full of general “oh you can come to me for anything” and “you know I’ll always love you.”  While that’s true until the end of my days, there are more serious and darker things that everyone finds out about eventually.  Now you’re not even born yet and this is stuff you don’t and won’t need to know about for some time.  But I know other parents and soon-to-be parents read this blog and I thought I might throw my two cents out there and see what everyone else had to say.

All children have nightmares about monsters in their closets.  They always have and they always will.  Now I could be wrong on this but I don’t think there’s ever been a documented case of a monster in some poor kid’s closet.  Why and where kids obtain this fear, I’m not sure.  But I remember being afraid of them too.  I hid under my covers to the image of Michael Jackson from the video Thriller.  And this was a good decade before any of us knew that kids had every right to be afraid of Michael Jackson!  I always imagined his face menacing me through my bedroom window.  When I rationalized to my five-year-old self that I was on the second floor and it wasn’t possible for him to stand in midair, my mind immediately conjured up Michael Jackson standing on the Wicked Witch of the West’s broom with her sitting on our roof, legs dangled over the side and cackling at the moon.  I don’t feel like getting into the science or the semantics of why kids are afraid of imaginary monsters.  I’m more interested in preparing them in a healthy way for the real monsters they might encounter. 

Fake “monsters” are easy and I will always say that Seseme Street did it best:  most of their puppet characters were monsters.  Genius!  It just takes a lot of the anxiety right out of the situation.

“Daddy!  Daddy!  There’s a monster in my closet!”
“Well was it Cookie Monster or Harry Monster?  It could’ve been Animal lost on his way to band practice!”

Seseme Street did a lot of the hard work for us.  They even tackled death head-on when Mr. Hooper died and the adult cast mates had to explain death to Big Bird.  So how do we, as parents, prep our kids for the real life monsters?  The child molesters, pederasts, abductors, etc.  The list is nearly endless.  I always say “knowledge is power” but I certainly don’t want to overwhelm or petrify my daughter by telling her about these things.  The flip side of the coin is her being in a situation and maybe not be prepared to handle it.  Obviously we, as parents, have a duty to teach our kids about strangers and what not but where do we draw the TMI-line?  For example:

Parent:  “If a grown-up that you don’t know asks you to get in their car, you should say no.”
Child:  “Why?”
Parent:  “Because they’ll invariably take you to a ramshackle cabin in some deserted woods and rape you.”
Child:  “What does ‘invariably’ mean?

Well, you get the idea.  What is the best way to prepare our children for the horrors of the world.  I will try my best to protect my daughter, with my life if necessary, from the monsters she encounters in her life.  But I would be remiss if I didn’t teach her about them.

So speak up, fellow parents and parents-to-be.  How, what, and when is it appropriate to discuss some of the real horrors and monsters in life?  I’d like some insight/discussion on this.

And Maddie, sorry.  The grown-ups had to do some talking.  I love you and will see you in about three months and one week.

I love you very much

-Your Dad

Thursday, April 22, 2010

HAPPY EARTH DAY!!!


HAPPY EARTH DAY!! 10% of all sales that come in from NOW until SUNDAY go to GREENGRANTS.... (Shop at the etsy store OR the website, either one qualifies :)
"In a way, we are in the business of hope. Global Greengrants Fund is one of only a few sources of support to grassroots groups around the world. Less than 2 percent of U.S. giving goes to international causes and only a fraction of that goes to support grassroots environmental groups." THanks Kyle (Barley & Birch) For pointing me to this amazing organization. If anyone wants to help about their 10% of a purchase, please donate at the link below. Every little bit helps :)
  


Thursdays Tunes - The Promise Ring

Zaq helped pick todays Thursdays Tunes... nice guy, huh? And he with the old standby "The Promise Ring" Red & Blue Jeans... nice choice daddy.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Wordless Wednesday - Lucky

Pictures from Easter Sunday.... im sorry for bragging, but could they be any cuter?? How did I get so lucky... ?




Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Baby Blogging Bash! Read all about it!!

Many have heard you talking about how my best friend Aymee from back home is PREGNANT! SOOO exciting... and she is having a little princess named Maddie. YAY! Well, while in my pity party slump I decided that even though I am so far away, I can still through a rad baby shower for her!! Thats where the Blog Bash comes in... We have LOADS of prizes arranged... lots of fun game ideas...
SOME of these prizes will be coming from stores such as...




and MANNNNY many more!! Amazing right!?!? Im SOOO excited for you all, just WAIT till you see all the prizes... for now, start checking out banner to make your guesses on what you think it may be :) So, Mark your calendars... GIveaways Start 5/5 and run till were outta prizes!!! Those of you that are featured sellers that are NOT mentioned above, never fear... im listing them in bunches... and if your not there but WANT to be apart of the spotlight let me know!! rockerbyebaby@gmail.com and ill let you know all the details :) Thanks guys! And dont forget to greb the button from the side bar if you feel like helping promote. It will count for extra entries once we get started!!
Thanks!


Monday, April 19, 2010

Mentoring Mondays: What You'll Teach Me.


Post 5 from the amazing Adam Thurston... LOVING this new segment :) And I know the followers are too!! Thanks, Adam, for sharing with my readers and I... even though we're so far away... it will be like we've been there all along... :) p.s. you can find his blog here... follow him :) 

Mentoring Mondays

Teaching you to be a Lady while you teach me to be a Dad.


What youll teach me.


Hi Madeline.  I read a book to your mothers stomach last night and you rewarded me be kicking exactly where I was holding my hand.  I have to say it was actually one of the coolest moments Ive ever had in my life.  You havent even drawn breath yet and youre already making your old man into a softy.  Dont tell anyone, okay?  Ive got a rep to maintain. 

So this week I thought we might put a little twist on this series.  Thus far Ive just been passing on general knowledge to you.  But a big part of parenting (Ill wager) is also learning from your kids!  How Daddy?  Why, Im glad you asked little Maddie!  One thing no parent ever wants to see is their child in pain.

See, when I was a kid I rode bikes, skateboards, roller blades and what not.  I never wore any protective padding or helmets or any of that crap.  Hell, my mom, your grandmother, didnt make me wear a seatbelt until I was 8 because that was when the grand state of Missouri mandated that it was law.  As far as the afore mentioned mobile habits,  I got hurt.  A lot.  And what I did was pick myself up , dust myself off, and do it again and again until I didnt get hurt.  All that was expected from us kids was to be in when the street lights came on and to not hurt ourselves too badly.  Nowadays most parents are so scared of their kids possible getting a bloody elbow that they (the parents) wrap their kids in bubble wrap and put those stupid wrist leashes on them as if they were pets.  I think its over reactive and Ill go a step further; I think its irresponsible parenting.  Ive always liked the bit from Lewis C.K. where he says something like Ive gotta take care of you!  They took your footprint at the hospital and gave you a Social Security card!  Youre on the grid motherf*cker!  Theyll come for me if something happens to you!  For better or worse, I think thats what most parents think.  To me it says, Im afraid that if you get hurt, other people will think its my fault and/or Ill feel bad..  I say a kid that isnt covered in dirt and with a couple of Band-Aids hasnt been being a kid.  A kid going out and playing by themselves or with friends is an important and vital part of growing up and Im not going to deny that to you.  Ill trust you because Ill have already taught you some important basics.  Such as:

Learn to walk before you run!  This is an old adage I heard a long time ago and its stuck with me ever since.  I love it because it applies to so much in life.  Learn to walk before you run.  Learn to climb before you jump.  Learn to ride on four wheels before you attempt two.  I suppose the point is to just pace yourself.  That way youll seldom place yourself in over your head.

Dont talk to strangers.  (Soon well devote a whole blog to that and Ill tell you my near-abduction story from when I was a kid.)

Play in groups or be in as public of a place as possible.  Ill also explain the obvious yet necessary importance of this in the afore mentioned upcoming blog.

Back to the blog topic, I suppose the point is that youll be teaching me to relax a little and not be so tense about your safety.  Now dont get me wrong.  Parents are generally always committed to the safety of their kids and I am no different.  Im just going to not try and take it overboard.  Nor does this mean Im going to let you run around with scissors or manhandle firearms.  Just that Im going to be constantly teaching you about situations and/or actions and then letting you take your own first steps towards them.  And as stated on previous posts, Ill always be there to catch you when you fall.  Should you fall and Im not there to see it, come home and Ill kiss the booboo, apply a Band-Aid and, if you want, send you on your way for more adventures.

If we look at the subtitle to the blog, it is Teaching you to be a Lady while you teach me to be a Dad.  I suppose Ill have to learn to live with another Lady in the house.  The other lady of course being your mother.  But your mother is my peer.  Shes also used to my sarcasm and unique form of wit which mainly means I make her roll her eyes and smile several times a day.  But you arent going to grasp sarcasm and unique wit for quite some time.  This means I have to relearn how to speak.  I need to be a male role model for you after all.  Ill need to learn a new form of patience.  Whether you mean to or not, you will test me in ways Ive never experienced.  I imagine the main thing Ill learn from you is the afore mentioned patience.  I tend to be somewhat reactionary and just want to fix problems as they happen.  The thing is, youll have to learn to fix things too.  So as soon as Im done learning it, Ill teach you patience.  Ill even loan you my Cliff notes.  See, were in this whole thing together.  Father/daughter.  Were both in uncharted territory for each other.  But Ill steer us to safety.  I dont have a map but I can see the lighthouse.  A wise man once told me that being an adult doesnt  necessarily mean that you know the answer to everything.  It just means that you have to make the best decision that you can.  That thought used to scare me.  It doesnt scare me as much anymore.  As I raise you and you temper me, Ill know more and then be in a better position to make better decisions.  This in turn will help me to teach you to make better decisions.  Which means together you and I will hopefully be two pretty smart people.  So thats the plan, Maddie.  Well get there together.

I love you, Maddie.

-Your Dad

Uncle Adam - this one got to me... everyone knows i have no father/daughter relationship aside from the once a month, "how ya doing? love you." text... and every post I read makes me more and more excited for Ms. Maddie to get here. Shes got a great daddy already... keep up the great parenting. Your miles ahead of MANY other "dads" out there... i knew you'd be great... 

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Swinger Sunday: Its Personal... by Glamasaurus

Meet Andreanna from the cutest shop in the world... Glamasaurus


When Amber asked me to do this I was at a loss for what to write about I could write something deeply personal but when it comes down to it I am insanely private.  I guess it's just I worry what people would think Maybe they would assume I am fishing for pity.  Or maybe they would think my story is fabricated.

    Instead of writing something that could delve into a depressing post I think I will just talk about my daughter. Isabella was born the day before my birthday on August 20, 2007.  It was oddly cold that day.
    Since that day everything changed. Being a child who had to grow up too quickly I never want her to go through that. So sometimes instead of cleaning up the house we sit around and cuddle. We slack off on cooking elaborate meals and share PB&J. We watch cartoons and sit in our jammies.
    Not to say I slack off as a mom but instead of focusing on what is important in the adult world maybe I would rather focus on the most beautiful treasure in my world. My house may not be spotless and my hair may be a mess but I have the most important reward of all. The love of my little girl.
    So this did turn into something personal...

and yes... of course thats a RockerByeBaby blanket... ;)

Friday, April 16, 2010

Favorites Friday: Diet? What diet?

I was sitting here drinking my green tea... snacking on some carrots & hummus... and all I can think about are the Vintage Confections Red Velvet truffles... *dies* so I thought that this week MUST be on all the yummy desserts on etsy... and for the next hour while I put this together ill be thinking, diet? What diet!? and drooling over all this yummi-ness...

#1: Vintage Confections: Red Velvet Cake truffles (sadly, she isn't shipping chocolate this summer, but check out all her other year round goodies!!!)
#2: TheChocolateSprinkle: Organic Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies (MUST try these!!!)
#3: BlissBrownies: Ghirardelli Triple Chocolate Chip Brownies (*drool* hubby would kill for these)
#4: DivineCupcake: Organic & Vegan Mocha Cupcake Mix (yes. I said Organic AND Vegan... MUST TRY!!)
#5: FriendlyCreations: PeanutButter Explosion Cup (is this what heaven looks like? Also available in VEGAN form!!!)
#6: Nikid: Belgian White Chocolate Organic Dried Cranberries and Almond (I think I could eat this, pretending its healthy since its organic & lots of fruit... so its like... guilt free... right?? just say yes.)
#7: SinnersSaintsSweets: Double Chocolate Caramel Pecan Pretzel (yummmm... get in my belly.)
#8: Calabasascandyco: Organic Coffee Truffles (buzzzzz, can i start each morning with this?)
#9: ASugarAffair: Cookies N Cream Chocolate (Zaq loveeeeeeees Oreo bark)

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Thursdays Tunes - D*ck in a Box... lol

We were watching SNL last night and it had a little shout out to this video. I had totally forgotten about it... but its SO funny. Hopefully not too vulgar for my sweet little blog... but its censored! So never fear, lol Little Justin Timberlake has come a long way from the Mickey Mouse Club... lol


Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Wordless Wednesday - New Model... Jared...

New RockerByeBaby model!! - Jared -
What do ya think?! LOL!!
Love ya Jared, but I think ill stick with my cute little baby models, haha.



Monday, April 12, 2010

Mentoring Mondays: School.


Post 4 from the amazing Adam Thurston... LOVING this new segment :) And I know the followers are too!! Thanks, Adam, for sharing with my readers and I... even though we're so far away... it will be like we've been there all along... :) p.s. you can find his blog here... follow him :)

Mentoring Mondays

Teaching you to be a Lady while you teach me to be a Daddy.

School.

Our Western society deems that you will be in school from the time you’re about six until you’re eighteen.  After that, education becomes optional but not really unless you want to earn at the poverty line like your old man.  School, be it grade school or grad school can be pretty tough so I thought we’d discuss some basic survival techniques to ensure maximum safety and minimal humiliation.

First:  The classes WILL NOT be the hardest part of any level of school you attend.  The students will be the hardest part.  Many different scientists across many different fields over the course of many years have all come up with the same conclusion: kids are mean.  While the reasons for this aren’t always clear, just know that it’s a commonly held fact.  And just knowing that fact will see you through many a struggle.  Some of it is shitty parenting.  I mean let’s face it, not every kid is going to have great and cool parents like yours.  They have boring parents that don’t remember what it’s like to be a kid.  Therefore they make their kids behave like adults.  Kids, not being able to cope with that pressure, react and act like little miniature assholes of their parents.  Sadly, you will have to deal with these kids.  They will be snotty and unreasonable and they will have no explanation for it.  While this may be confusing to you, this is just a coping mechanism for them to deal with their own lives and trying to behave towards what they think is “cool.“  It’s also likely that they are overcome by your beauty and kind, gentle nature.  Because you will likely look like this


As you can see, your mother is very beautiful.  Sometimes pretty girls have it hard too.  Other girls are jealous of their looks and boys will pick on them just because they’re overwhelmed by their beauty.  But it gets worse.  You could end up looking like this.



Since you’re a girl, I (and everyone who just saw that last picture) are really pulling for you looking like your mother.  Back to the point, kids can be mean.  Sadly, it gets worse in junior high.  The clique and caste system are in full effect at this point and sometimes it will truly feel like hell.  But at least it’s decent boot camp for high school.  This is where friends and your parents come in to play.  You’ll have made some friends and they will see you through your hard times and you’ll see them through theirs.  And as mentioned in my previous blogs, you can come to your mother and I for anything at all.  We’ll always have time for you.

Second:  Pay attention!  You’re there to get an education.  Your education will be incredibly defining towards what sort of future you’ll have.  What sort of job you’ll get, etc.  It won’t always be easy but we’ll have raised you with a strong work ethic, and because I’ll have been reading to you since you were an infant your reading comprehension is going to be literally off the charts.  And although this is slightly contrary to what I said earlier in this post, school can be fun!  Learning can actually be fun!  You’ll find passions for subjects and those passions may influence you on what sort of job or career you might want to have when you’re older. 

Third:  Teachers.  It’s been awhile since my pupils belonged to a pupil (I punned!) but just like the afore mentioned kids, teachers come in all types.  Most of them are good people that started teaching because they enjoy helping people learn.  Some are old and strict.  Some are young and casual.  You will have your favorites that you’ll remember long after done being a student and some will get under your skin so badly you’ll dread having to walk into their classroom.  And if you’re really unlucky, when you’re in college you’ll have that mid-forties prof that follows you around campus and calls you at odd hours of the night.  But I suppose that’s why you have a dad.  But the point is to learn from them what you can.  Even that strict, crusty old guy might actually know what he’s talking about and it might be something important for you to know. 

Well that about wraps it up for the old man this week, Maddie.  August can’t come soon enough.

I love you.

Your Dad