Jan. 6 contests

LESLIE LOVES VEGGIES GIVEAWAYS

Vino Cotto Giveaway from Montillo Italian Foods
Win a bottle of Vino Cotto di Montillo from Montillo Italian Foods {ARV $15.95} Giveaway at Leslie Loves Veggies  Ends 1/19
 

SIMPLY STACIE GIVEAWAYS

Purple Pig Shirts Giveaway
Win a kid's T-shirt from Purple Pig Shirts Giveaway at Simply Stacie Ends 1/19 

1/5 contests :-)

 EIGHTY MPH MOM GIVEAWAYS
$50 Gift Certificate to 1-800 Baskets
Win a $50 gift certificate to 1-800 Baskets.com  Eighty MPH Mom Giveaway Ends 1/17



MOMA LOVEBUG'S GIVEAWAYS
$20 Gift Card to The Baby's Bundle
Win a $20 Gift Cart to The Baby's Bundle at Moma Lovebug  Ends 1/25


Serious Puzzles Giveaway
Win a choice of the Hoberman Sphere, the Ball of Whacks, or the Butterfly Alphabet Puzzle Giveaway at Moma Lovebug from Serious Puzzles at Serious Shops  Ends 1/26


SWEEPS4BLOGGERS GIVEAWAYS
Totally Toned Arms Book Giveaway
Win the book Totally Toned Arms by Rylan Dugan - 5 Winners {ARV $12.99} Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers  Ends 1/13 

Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters Book Giveaway
Win a copy of the book Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters by Jane Austen and Ben H. Winters {ARV $12.95} Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 1/13 

Brr...it's cold here!

I live in southeast Texas and we tend to have mild winters with very few days below freezing, but ever since I returned on the 1st, it's been cold here for days.  They're predicting a chance of sleet later this week.  It would be my luck that Tessa does not like to wear jackets or sweaters or even long sleeves for that matter. Every time I dress her in a shirt with long sleeves, she says "Long sleeves up!" and promptly pushes her sleeves up to her elbow.  She still has very little hair and doesn't want to keep her cap on either.  This morning, I gave up the struggle for both (though I did manage to tug a sweatshirt over her shirt).  I figured it was warm enough in the car and we would only be out short periods of time walking into the gym and out again.  People must see us though and think I'm a neglectful parent, not even bothering to put a coat on my daughter when it's less than 40 degrees outside.  I do try, but honestly, it's not worth the fight or the tantrums.

We have obviously hit the "terrible twos" and every thing Tessa doesn't like or want to do results in a giant tantrum.  It does get hard not to shout at her sometimes because this girl has quite a stubborn personality (gets it from her daddy, I think!)  When she's not tantruming, she is very sweet although quite high maintenance (wants attention from me or DH 24/7, unless she's working on a poopy diaper).  This child just will not play by herself when we're around, but I witness her playing happily by herself on the monitor in the gym daycare--go figure!

1/4 contest roundup

LESLIE LOVES VEGGIES GIVEAWAYS
Sampler Village Winter Sample Box Giveaway
Win a Winter Sampler Box from Sampler Village {ARV $20} Giveaway at Leslie Loves Veggies  Ends 1/18  

MOMMY MANDY GIVEAWAYS

Betty Crocker's "Bake Life Sweeter" Birthday in a Box Giveaway
Win VIP coupons & baking tools to create a birthday cake from Betty Crocker Giveaway at Mommy Mandy Ends 1/17 

SIMPLY STACIE GIVEAWAYS
Corked by Kathryn Borel Book Giveaway
Win a copy of the book Corked by Kathryn Borel  Giveaway at Simply Stacie Ends 1/12

Ozone Socks Giveaway
Win two pairs of socks from Ozone Socks Giveaway at Simply Stacie Ends 1/12 


My Storytime Friends Giveaway
Win a My Storytime Friends Interactive Toy Giveaway at Simply Stacie Ends 1/12  

Michael Season's Giveaway
Win a  Reusable Lunch Tote with Michael Season's Sweet BBQ Potato Crisps, Baked Chedddar Cheese Curls, Baked Cheddar Cheese Puffs, and Baked Original Multigrain Chips Giveaway at Simply Stacie Ends 1/12

The Survivor's Club Book Giveaway
Win a copy of the book The Survivor's Club by Ben Sherwood - 5 Winners Giveaway at Simply Stacie Ends 1/13

The Activators Giveaway
Win a copy of the CD-My Gym Children’s Fitness Center Presents Aaron Nigel Smith Featuring The Activators - 2 Winners Giveaway at Simply Stacie Ends 1/15

Mrs. Smith Diaper Bag Giveaway
Win a Diaper Bag from Mrs. Smith Giveaway at Simply Stacie Ends 1/16 

Pur Minerals Giveaway
Win a Pur Minerals Blush in Neutral, Eye Shadow in Rose and Lipstick in Rose Giveaway at Simply Stacie  Ends 1/18


SWEEPS4BLOGGERS GIVEAWAYS
Add More ~ing to Your Life Book Giveaway
Win a copy of the book Add More ~ing to Your Life by Gabrielle Berenstein Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 1/12

Death of a Valentine by M.C. Beaton Book Giveaway
Win the 25th installment in M.C. Beaton's excellent Hamish Macbeth mystery series {ARV $23.99} - 5 Winners Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers  Ends 1/13
 

1/3 Giveaways

Sweeps4Bloggers Giveaways
Quantum Health Oral Health Kit Giveaway
Win an Oral Health Kit that includes Lip Clear Lysine+, Canker Cover and OraMoist {ARV $27} Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 1/11

The Imperial Cruise by James Bradley Audio Book Giveaway
Win a copy of the book The Imperial Cruise by James Bradley – Audio Book – 3 Winners{ARV $39.98}  Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 1/12


Tropical Traditions Organic Coconut Peanut Butter Giveaway
Win a jar of Organic Coconut Peanut Butter from Tropical Traditions {ARV $14.99} Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 1/12


Leslie Loves Veggies Giveaways

Rich's Coffee Rich Creamer/Rich Whip Topping Coupon Giveaway
Win a coupon for a free Rich's non-dairy Coffee Rich Creamer or non-dairy Rich Whip Topping {ARV $4}  Giveaway at Leslie Loves Veggies Ends 1/10


Cookware.com Giveaway
Win a Rachael Ray Porcelain Enamel 18" x 9.6" Double Burner Griddle in Orange {ARV $49.95}Giveaway at Leslie Loves Veggies  Ends 1/17

Nicole's Nickels Giveaways
$100 American Express Gift Card & Robe & Slippers Giveaway
Win a robe & slippers set plus a $100 American Express Gift Card from Halls Giveaway at Nicole's Nickels Ends 1/4 9 PM EST

Cozy Wallet Gift Basket Giveaway
Win a gift basket from Cozy Wallet containing Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair, Sammy – sammysmooth Laminating Hair Polish, Sammy – beyond repair professional intensive hair masque, Impress Silkening Body Lotion – Tangerine Spice, Philosophy Amazing Grace Shampoo, Calvin Klein runway radiance illuminating cream, Candeo Forest Aromatherapy Tealights, Pop Chips potato chips, Kind Fruit and Nut Delight, and illy issimo Latte Macchiato Giveaway at Nicole's Nickels Ends 1/4 9 PM EST

Chelsea Said So
BabyLegs Giveaway
Win a pair of BabyLegs (winner's choice from Basic Collection) 24 hr. Giveaway Giveaway at Chelsea Said So Ends 1/3 4 PM CST


Mommies With Cents
Tinycandy's Gift Book Giveaway
Win a copy of the book Tinycandy's GiftGiveaway at Mommies with Cents  Ends 1/5


Insignia Digital Picture Frame Giveaway
Win an Insignia Digital Photo Frame Giveaway at Mommies with Cents  Ends 1/6 

Insignia Digital Photo Key Chain
Win an Insignia Digital Photo Key Chain Giveaway at Mommies with Cents Ends 1/8  

1/2 contest roundup

Sweeps4Bloggers Giveaways

Anne Geddes Tiger Jacket Giveaway
Win an Anne Geddes Tiger Jacket - 2 Winners Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 1/4

True Blue by David Baldacci Audio Book Giveaway
Win the Audio Book True Blue by David Baldacci - 3 Winners Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 1/4

Thomas & Friends Splish Splash Splosh DVD Giveaway
Win a Splish Splash Splosh Thomas & Friends DVD - 2 Winners Giveaway at Sweeps4Blogger Ends 1/5

GreenSmart Lunch Tote Giveaway
Win a GreenSmart lunch bag in your choice of color & design {ARV $30}- 2 Winners Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 1/5

Lash Mantra Eyelash Serum Giveaway
Win  Lash Mantra & Leon's Organic Eye Care Recipes e-Book {ARV $58}Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 1/5

Barney Please & Thank You DVD Giveaway
Win the Barney Please & Thank You DVD {ARV $14.98}- 2 Winners Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers  Ends 1/6

Tell Me Something True by Leila Cobo Book Giveaway 
Win the book Tell Me Something True by Leila Cobo {ARV $13.99}- 5 Winners Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 1/6 

Revenge Is Shirt Giveaway
Win a men's or women's t-shirt of your choice {ARV $32}Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers  Ends 1/6  

The American Journey of Barack Obama Audio Book Giveaway
Win the audio book The American Journey of Barack Obama {ARV $24.98}- 3 Winners Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 1/7  

Bayes Cleaners Giveaway
Win an Eco-Friendly Variety Pack from Bayes Cleaners {ARV $50} Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 1/7  

Dear Baby Book Giveaway
Win the board book Dear Baby by Carol Casey {ARV $6.99} Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers  Ends 1/7  

Manischewitz Broth Giveaway
Win a can of broth from Manischewitz {ARV $3} - 3 Winners Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers  Ends 1/7


Dear John by Nicholas Sparks Audio Book Giveaway
Win the audio book Dear John by Nicholas Sparks {ARV $17.98} - 3 Winners Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 1/8

The Chic Shall Inherit the Earth by Shelley Adina
Win a copy of the young adult book The Chic Shall Inherit the Earth by Shelley Adina {ARV $9.99} - 5 Winners Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 1/8 

HIT Entertainment Let's Grow DVD Giveaway
Win the HIT Entertainment DVD Let's Grow: Lend a Helping Hand (includes Barney, Bob the Builder, Thomas & Friends, Fireman Sam, Angelina Ballerina) {ARV $14.98} - 2 Winners Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers  Ends 1/10

Kitty's House of Horrors by Carrie Vaughn Book Giveaway
Win the paranormal thriller Kitty's House of Horrors by Carrie Vaughn {ARV $7.99} - 5 Winners Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 1/10

The Concise King Audio Book Giveaway
Win The Concise King Audio Book featuring recordings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. {ARV $19.98} - 3 Winners Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers  Ends 1/10 

Cook in the Kitchen Specialty Food Mixes Giveaway
Win 3 Cook in the Kitchen Specialty Food Mixes--Harvest Garden Vegetable Soup mix, Maple Buckwheat Pancake & Waffle mix, and a mix of the winner's choice {ARV $15}Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers  Ends 1/11  

Get Financially Naked by Manisha Thakor & Sharon Kedar Book Giveaway
Win a copy of the book Get Financially Naked:  How to Talk Money with Your Honey by Manisha Thakor & Sharon Kedar {ARV $12.95} Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 1/11  

The Army of the Republic by Stuart Archer Cohen Book Giveaway
Win the book The Army of the Republic by Stuart Archer Cohen {ARV $15} Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 1/11

Home again!

We made it home yesterday flying from Los Angelos to Houston.  Travel with a toddler is anything but simple, especially with added security measures now.  But this time around we were smart to get a cart for the luggage right away and not strain ourselves carrying all that stuff and Tessa too like we did on the trip out.

Once again, can I say I am SO glad I am still breastfeeding!  It came in so useful for toddler meltdowns.  I nursed in the airport while waiting on DH to get through security (the luggage cart had to go through a separate line) and Tessa about melted down once I took her shoes off for security.  She was not happy anyway at security because she was upset to leave her Tee Tee (MIL) behind.  I nursed on the plane while waiting to take off (it seemed to take forever to load and we were way past our departure time).  I nursed while we took off in the plane and Tessa fell asleep and slept most of the trip.  I felt so bad for a toddler mom seated near us; her LO cried the entire flight and refused to be soothed with a pacifier.  There are some perks to toddler nursing.  And we nursed a bit on the descent.  Yay for the booby!

It is good to be home but now there is paperwork and mail to catch up on.  Tessa did well going  back to the gym daycare this morning (I worried about how she would do since we were gone so long but she did fine).  She likes the regular worker there and she was working this morning.