A little effing "toy story" for you...

I wanna share a little about my day with you... and I want to start by saying, Zavery is absolutely obsessed with Toy Story... now, at first I found this to be ADORABLE, because I remember growing up when my little brother Austin would drag around his Woody doll... literally everywhere. we. would. go. So it was cute to see Zave follow in those same steps with Buzz... This all started walking through Wal-Mart barf one day to get some poly-fill... As we walked past the toy isle because I am a total idiot Zave saw a buzz dolll, and went absolutely nuts for it... Giant piece of plastic crap? No... Flashing lights, loud noises... and real live ninja chopping action? NO thank you... wings that pop out like weapons and flash lights? Umm. duh. $30? Abso-friggen-luetely not... I found cute little toddler style buzz... the wings snapped on and popped off... the helmet stayed open... and there was ONE button... and a nice soft plastic... just one button to get him to say his 3 little sayings... This cute little buzz was totally tot friendly... about half the size as the big one and not nearly as obnoxious... oh... and most importantly? It was like $10... 



(as i write this he is literally climbing on top of me to point out that its a picture of buzz...)
This Buzz kept him completely happy and content for over a month... it went everywhere with us... It jumped from couch to couch with Zave saying "To Infinity & Beyond" and even with all my anti platic toy-ness... i liked it. HE was being creative... and I loved watching him create these little adventures with Buzz... and I loved the comfort it gave him when going to bed... now - last night all that changed... hubby went one a little shopping spree trip with his boss to check out the local competition... merchandising... blah blah blah BORING and on this trip... He dropped into the Disney store... (are you cringing yet? You know where this is going) Daddy saw the big Buzz... now for the Buzz crazed toddler this is heaven, right? Wrong.. its been an absolute effing disaster... Daddy was SOOO excited... he had already taken bux outta the box and all the wires and what not holding him in... ready for fun... and when daddy pulled that buzz outta the box it was like all his hopes and dreams came true... The real. big. buzz.

• Press button to hear five different Buzz phrases  
• Features voice sampler and sound effects
• Press button for wing release
• Press arm laser button for laser light and sound!
• Retractable helmet
• Poseable joints
• Buzz's Space Ranger suit features special glow in the dark effect! 
• Plastic
• 12'' H
• Requires  2 AA batteries, included
• Ages 3+

WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD - Small Parts. Not for children under 3 years. 

This Buzz is SO over the top that is has been nothing but drama since he opened it... My little TWO year old Zavery just can't keep up with Buzz... since he is totally jointed, he doesn't stand on his own like he wants him two... The wing release button is so hard to push that he can't do it... and when Daddy offer to help its a total meltdown... cuz little Zavery is still throwing two year old tantrums... He is hard plastic (and already scratched up), clunky and loud... and most likely lt will be broken with the month. Last night... Zave was up until almost 11pm fighting about buzz... finally, I had to take him away... Zavery drifted off to sleep... Big buzz was downstairs... and Little Buzz slept alone on the floor under the bed :( I woke up this morning to a screaming toddler who had snuck downstairs before me... OMG is everything ok!? No... its a disaster... Buzz's wings wont open... OH YES, because he still can't push the damn button in... In the two hours that we have been awake it has been nothing but Buzz Drama...Which is awesome... because Zavery is pretty much drama all the time anyways... so extra drama is always welcomed...  the wings... those STUPID wings!! And if I have to hear the static of that laser one more time, i may have to cut off buzz's arm...  I can already feel myself plotting the disappearance of Big Buzz... Craigslist? Maybe I can trick someone into buying him on Diaper Swappeers... Cute Buzzlight year toy! haha NOT So yeah, I feel so bad because daddy tried so hard to come up with such a fun surprise for him... and now were both ready to lose our minds over this little effing "toy story"... i miss little buzz... *pout*

Favorites Friday: Gotta stay Positive

Like "The Hold Steady" say - ya gotta stay positive... and among all the sadness and angst surrounding the last week... i like to think i have done just that... Has it been hard to find positivity following a miscarriage? Totally... but im doing it... im keeping really busy in the store... spending lots of extra quality time with the boys... getting out there in the sunshine... and well, obviously - retail therapy... lots & lots of shopping... after all... we will be trying again right away... and hoping for the best... So, in honor of that... I think it was only appropriate for our "back to blogging" favorites Friday to be about all the gender neutral things I wanna snag for the future #3...or as zaq says.... Z3PO... dork

#1: EcoAryis - Wooden Skull Teether
#2: mere1975 - The Cash Mobile... Modern Paper nursery mobile...
#3: PetitePensieri - Dia De Los Muertos Ribbon Handle Ball
#4: RockyTheZombie - Zombie Skulls & Balloons onesie
#5: Kellifresen - Giraffe Skulls
#6: HelloPrettyBird - Mushrooms on Red Burp Rag
#7: Baby Boo Felt - Boom Box Sensory Block
#8: MissBakersStitches - Personalized Dolly Rattle Teether (Girl or Boy, one of these is a must... maybe a ooak skully one :)
#9: HandMadePretties - Rock N Roll Giant Fleece Themed Ball

If any of you amazing sellers would like to sponsor a review & giveaway, please let me know! We would absolutely love to have you :) Look through older posts to see an example. Thanks!

WINNER OF THE ROCKERBYEBABY GIFT CERTIFICATE!

Two parts... first winner gets $40... second winner picked gets $20 gift certificate/credit in the store.

#1: $40 GC
GEEEEEZE LOUISE! Lynn again!
Now thats a good day!!

RockerByeBaby said... (2)34

Lynn bonus entry

JUNE 11, 2010 12:29 PM

#2: $20

I♥thesecrazykids said... 115

I like you on fb
bcgood83@yahoo.com

JUNE 3, 2010 1:30 PM 

Thursdays Tunes: Chris Wollard & the Ship Thieves

I <3 Chris Wollard... if you a Hot Water Music fan this is a must listen to... a MUST... zaq played this song for me the other day and it makes my heart happy...  i promise everyone can relate...


I walk too slow, it takes me so long to get anywhere
I need to know where we went so wrong to get back again
Am I wasting my breath?
It's hard to think when you're in between what I'm in between
It's hard to say that you know something's wrong. I put it in a song
Am I wasting my breath?
Cause there's no reason left in my rhyme to work it out.
We can work it out.
Take a little time to get it right.

Pouty Pants Rants...

So - this is a blog... and with ALLL of the giveaway crazyness almost coming to a close, i think its time a start really blogging again... lots of stuff all built up in the old noggin just begging to be vented... So here we go... I think bullet points will do nicely...

• Sometimes my husband makes me street rat crazy... our views on parenting are so different 80% of the time that it makes us argue... and were both stubborn... maybe someday we will swallow our pride and start learning from each other.
• I love him more than anything and couldn't imagine being a parent with anyone else... he's an AMAZING daddy... and an even more amazing husband. "Let settle this once and for all... your my one and only, you finish my story... crowned king & kind of this broken world... your kingdom is mine...."
• I love blogging to the world...
• I hate being judged because of it...

• I have an obsession with Hard Apple Cider (beer) i wish it came in a n/a version so i could drink it all day long, lol
• I find much more fulfillment in buying things for other people than buying for myself... 
• I love doing things to make people smile. Be it a plane ticket to visit... A couple nighties in the mail... or freebies in a package... its all good stuff.
• Some days, the store makes me so insane that I think I would sell it for a bottle of wine and a good book...
• I would be lost without my store... Who needs time to read anyways?
• Social Networking has shown me that "real friends" doesn't mean "in real life"... You all know who you are, and i love you all dearly :)
• Some of my best customers have turned into my best friends... i feel silly when you buy stuff... but I appreciate it more than you know...
• Some times... my kids make me so crazy, i consider shipping them Priority Mail to Brooke... 
• Other days, (like today) they are such perfect little adorable angels that I wonder how the hell it is I got so lucky...
• On Friday, I started to have a miscarriage. I was devastated...
• On Saturday, Hubby came home from work early to "take care of me" I took a nap for the first time in probably 3 years... See bullet #2.
• Today I got a negative pregnancy test... its official... i miscarried... I felt selfish for being so upset... there are so many people out there that can't get pregnant and I have two beautiful boys that love me. 
• Today I took the day off work to show the boys how much I love them too. 
• I am 1 year away from a degree in Psychology w/ a minor in Sociology... 
• Ill probably never finish.
• I LOVE love LOVE to shop.... 
• I hate not having money, lol
• The other day i took over 90 photos of Zaq trying to get Zavery to go potty... it was worth every it to get this ONE perfect shot... *shrug*

• I miss my grandpa.... every... single... day... and I want to get a tattoo of his senior portrait so i can see him... every... single... day.......
• I have over 50 glittersniffer eyeshadows... half of them i dont even use... i need more. ;)
• I envy the fact that Kyle from Barley & Birch has employees...
• I feel bad that Kyle has employees... Im totally obsessive and crazy like she is... and she would probably be less stressed if she did it all on her own... lol
• I feel the need to help everyone I come across... sometimes this puts me in a bad position... and usually, i don't care...
• I hate that I have been gone from MPLS for so long... that by the time I see Aymee again she will have gone from not pregnant, to pregnant, to holding a baby girl. This is way too long... and i have a heavy heart for the fact i want get to feel Maddie kick from inside her big 'ol pregnant belly... I love you Mimi...
• I am secretly in love with the Hannah Montana movie, and get excited when the kids want to watch it... shhhhh PLEASE dont tell. It will ruin my reputation forever.
• I dont tell my mom that I love her enough... mom, i love you.
• I would do pretty much anything to have my old jeep Cherokee back... that "pretty much anything" does not include waiting to have another baby... so I guess I will wait on the jeep.
• Sometimes I wonder why it is my husband still loves me... i'm damaged goods... but still, he loves me anyways. 
• Before I married zaq, we had two kids together. People judged me in the store for my tattoos, piercings, hot pink mohawk, being very young and no ring assuming I was a piece of crap trashy mother... what they didn't know is my "boyfriend" made great money, I was a SAHM/WAHM with a beautiful 4 bedroom house in the suburbs. Don't judge a book by its cover.
• This blog has gone on way too long...
• I could go on for forever... 

So there we have it... my pouty pants rants for the day... its been a crazy and emotionally draining 5 days... yet somehow, my hubby & kids and given me plenty of reasons and ways to smile... thanks for that.... "I can't be me without you," baby... and to all of you who have sent you "sticky baby dust" and your "healing dust" I appreciate it... Lets hope this next round goes better... and that 10 months from now I will be holding a beautiful, healthy baby girl... *cough* or boy of course... ;)

Mentoring Mondays: The Whoa Moment...

Another amazing post by future Maddies mama... Aymee. Loving your posts mimi... :)

The “Whoa” Moment

I don’t know about you, but every once in a while, I have moments where the earth seems to stop spinning on its axis and the gravity of a situation hits me hard. This usually only happens during major life milestones. Graduating high school, getting married, turning 25: these are all instances where, for me, time stopped for a moment and I thought to myself, “whoa.” Either the reality of being pregnant hasn’t hit me yet, or I am very serene about it. I haven’t been able to decipher which one. Adam seems to be breaking this “oh my god” freak-out moment into smaller, more manageable panics and lubricating them with whiskey. He says I was born to be a mother. Yes, in a scientific sense: this is what I’m designed to do, and so maybe that plays a big role. Because this is my most primal purpose, I’m not having that moment of “whoa?” Has nature taken over and put my conscious on autopilot? What I fear is that I’m not taking this seriously enough. As soon as I typed that out, I realized how ridiculous that is. I’m on my second baby book, I religiously follow the dietary suggestions, track weight gain, exercise with the proper restrictions/precautions, I read and play games with my unborn child for brain stimulation. But at the same time, I haven’t had that world-stopping moment. In the first trimester, I would say, “It hasn’t hit me yet because I need to feel her kick.” But that wasn’t it. I’m now in the third trimester where she kicks all the time, and it’s still so surreal. It’s like a movie; as if any minute now, a director will yell “Cut,” the walls of my apartment will part to reveal a set with cameras and crew, and someone will bring me bottled water and powder my nose.

              Throughout most of my childhood and teenage years, I was so focused on growing up that I didn’t often stop to smell the roses. My first “whoa” memory is sitting on one of hundreds of plastic folding chairs in the middle of the UMSL gymnasium floor amongst my peers, a sea of red caps and gowns. The gym was humming with over a thousand people, students, teachers, parents and other family, talking all at once. After the speeches, I watched as one by one, each row was lead up to the stage. As I was standing in line on the ramp next to the stage, waiting for my name to be called, I thought, “This is it.” The only chapter in my life I could remember was now closing and another chapter was opening before me at the other end of that stage: one that held mysteries as deep as the ocean or space. They do a good job of trying to prepare you for what’s on the other side. I had a plan for my future; I had it all figured out (ha ha). But no one can accurately convey what it will feel like in that very moment when all you know is ending.

              My next “whoa” memory is from my wedding day (I had two that day). I especially love these for obvious reasons. Adam and I both woke up that morning without an alarm clock, refreshed and relaxed. Adam wanted to do nothing that day but keep relaxing until the big event, so he went and did his own thing while I made last minute errands and preparations for the wedding that night (this is my version of relaxing). After decorating the club with my mom’s help, I picked up the flower to wear in my hair from the florist and leisurely got ready at my apartment. In my perfect black strapless satin cocktail dress with tiny velvet polka dots and vintage heels, looking and feeling like a million bucks, I got into my car and drove to the club. On the road, everything seemed to slow down. The air felt heavier to breathe. My skin tingled. I felt like I was floating. I don’t remember the song on the radio now, but it was perfect for the moment. These were the last few minutes of my life that I would be a single woman. After that my life would never be the same, and I knew it. Much like graduating high school, I didn’t know what lie on the other side of that stage. But Unlike graduating, I knew Adam was a part of that unknown and that made it less scary, and more exciting. As I pulled into the parking lot of the club, life came back up to speed. The night went on as planned. The crowd waiting outside was let in and the tiny club packed wall to wall with friends, relatives, and even a few strangers there to see the bands. There was that humming again. The hum of a hundred or so people talking at once. It was time to start the show. I began looking around for the people we needed: our friend who was to marry us—check, my mom (and maid of honor)—check, Adam’s best man—check, and Adam…where was Adam? The room started to spin. I saw a sea of faces but not the one of my fiancé. An ounce of panic started to boil in my stomach. And then at that very moment, I heard “God Only Knows” by the Beach Boys (our intro music) replace the hum of the crowd. The room stopped spinning, and at the center, right in front of me, was Adam. Our eyes locked, and we both smiled a smile that I can only imagine happening again when we hold Madeline in our arms for the first time.

              Maybe I’ll have that “whoa” moment when she’s born and we lock eyes for the first time. Oh god, I can’t wait.

LAst one?! NOT!! Annabellas Designs HUGE hair accessories giveaway!

Does pregnancy brain kick in all ready? Im not sure... according to my due date calculator Im about 5 weeks along... Not sleeping well, exhausted, emotional... so laps in brainz could be another one of those things... anyways... my girlie Sarah has put together an AWESOME set for all of you, and i forgot it :( How? I dunno... its some of the cutest stuffs in history...

Annabella's Designs is owned by my good friend Sarah, who is also a great customer of mine, and quite possible one of the most amazing mommies in history... Sarah is a stay at home mom to ... three... four... no..... FIVE adorable kids... 4 boys and the perfectly adorable princess Annabella... (huge influence on my baby fever). Her hubby is in the Navy and gone quite a bit and somehow she manages to rock it all... Mom/Wife of the Year award for SURE! Now on top of that, in her free time... (HAHA, what free time) she has the cutest Etsy shop for hair accessories... Her prices are totally affordable, and best of all she uses high quality materials... dont be fooled, there are some CHEAP products out there on etsy... and you get what you pay for, and they fall apart in no time... With Annabellas Designs this is not the case... I will be returning again and again if #3 is a girl :) And if not, then definitely for gifts!
Check out this adorableness. :)

Turquoise & Zebra Gem headband

Pink Crochet Hat w/ removable Black clip

Hot Pink & Black Rockabilly Headband
(hmmm wonder where she got that blanket!!)

Leopard Print Clips Trio
And..... awhile back I bought these for Aymee...

Rockabilly Clip Trio
I couldn't resist... and just HAD to get her in on the Baby Bash... she glad she joined us! Go check it out... She has all different colors and styles and i promise there is something for everyone. Now, Super Mom Sarah has put together an AWESOME little collection of goodies for your little lady...
Time to drool... :)

7 sets of clips & 2 headbands.. Were looking at a $30 value up for grabs here! And winning is easy as pie...
HOW TO WIN:
#1: Make ANY purchase from AnnabellasDesigns and get 5 extra entries. (items start at $1.99 +)
#2: Follow AnnabellasDesigns on Twitter!
#3: Follow RockerByeBaby on Twitter!
#4: Tweet This: (up to once daily)
"Huge Girl Hair Bows & clips giveaway ($30 value) #babybloggingbash from @CrazyMamaOfFive at the @rockerbyebaby blog http://bit.ly/bsT8GT"
#5: Follow the Annabella's Designs Blog!
#6: Follow the RockerByeBaby blog! (sidebar)
#7: "Like" Annabellas Designs on facebook
#8: "Like" RockerByeBaby on Facebook.
#9: Go to the Annabellas Designs Etsy shop, and heart her store and two items.#10: Put the Rockerbyebaby flash button on your blog or website. (3 extra entries) *sidebar*


****EXTRA BONUS ENTRY****
Upload a photo to photobucket and paste the link or the HTML of your FAVORITE INFANT PICTURE...

LAST GIVEAWAY #10 RockerByeBaby Gift Certificate

YAY! Last but not least, right?!?

I promise Im not going to sit here and rant about all the RockerByeBaby awesomeness that I normally do when sellers have a giveaway... If you follow my blog/store you know ALL about my product and i'm sure a lot of you even have some! Im totally lucky & blessed to have some of the best customers... im not even gunna name, names... you all know who you are... and each one of you helps to put fluff on my babies butt... and food in their bellies... so its to Pay It Forward! Starting with my best friend Mimi, who this awesome shower was for... along with her family chipping in, she is getting set up... crib bedding, boppy cover, cart cover, bibs, blankets, and more... everything lil Maddie could need to be livin in style...  and for you guys... I am giveaway away ONE $40 Gift Certificate to be used towards anything in the store (shipping included)
So maybe you want a blanket w/ shipping ($35+$5)
Or maybe you want a Regent Skulls Polo... And a Skullie!
Or a huge stack of Booger Bashers! lol
Or put it towards the purchase of crib bedding... and pay the extra. Totally whatever you want...
Well not totally... It can not be used towards the purchase of a diaper bag or sling.
But anything else is fair game... ;) And Ill even do it one better... if by Friday, we get over 300 entries, I will give away a SECOND $20 Gift Certificate.... but ONLY over 300 ;)










HOW TO WIN: {Do any or all of these... each one counts as at least one entry}
(Your probably already doing most of these... so this should be easy, lol)
#1: Mandatory: What would you get with your gift certificate!?
#2: Grab the RockerByeBaby FLASH button in the sidebar *3 extra entries*
#3: Follow us on twitter AND tweet this...
"Free $40 Gift Certificate Giveaway for @RockerByeBaby during the #babyblogginbash #punk baby blanket, clothing & more! http://bit.ly/cZAQfI
#4: "Like" us on Facebook
#5: On facebook... "suggest us to 10 friends" *3 extra entries*
(IN YOU COMMENT... LEAVE THE NAMES OF YOUR 10 FRIENDS, I WILL GIVE YOU A BONUS ENTRY FOR EACH ONE THAT FAN'S US!)
#6: Heart our store on etsy - www.rockerbyebaby.etsy.com
and heart 2 items...
#7: Our Hyena Cart is new... mark it as a favorite and check back when we fill it up!
http://hyenacart.com/RockerByeBaby/
#8: Make a purchase from RockerByeBaby (Purchase must be made ON or AFTER 6/1) *5 extra entries*
#9: Follow the RockerByeBaby Blog
BONUS:
#10: Name ONE item that you would like to see in the store that were not yet making...


Since it is going to be impossible to see how is "fanning" from your referrals... if you referred us to 10 friends im automatically giving you +10 entries.... ALSO, we made it over 300 entries, there will also be a $20 winner. HERE WE GO!