The Girl Is A Mom

What's Wrong With You?

2012-01-17T13:49:59Z

I feel as though it hit me like a ton of bricks or more accurately as though I hit a brick wall. I have had struggles with depression throughout my entire adult life, I was acutely aware that Post Partum Depression was probably just around the corner from my happy-everything is great-post baby state. Maybe it came on slowly over the past few months and I didn't notice the flags? Either way, it hit hard a week ago, leaving me feeling completely debilitated. At first I thought I was just feeling a bit unmotivated, but as it continued, I knew I had no real choice but to get help.

What does PPD feel/look like? If you haven't experience depression before it might take you longer to recognize and everyone has a different experience. There are general symptoms (of course the internet is a wealth of information) and I can only really speak about what post partum depression feels like for me.

I became unable to do anything, basically. Getting out of bed at all was a struggle but I did that because my girls needed me to take care of them. Taking care of them became a bare bones operation during that first week. I would change diapers and feed as necessary but basically that was the extent of what I could do with them. Holding Arya became a struggle, I was not feeling bonded with her. I had no joy or delight in their smiles and laughs. They were clean and fed and in no danger, I never felt as though I would hurt them or myself although this is a more severe symptom of PPD. I should say right now that if you ever have even a passing thought that involves harming your child, call someone for help...midwives, the hospital, your family and get help. No one is going to judge you but you need help.

For a week I sat on the couch reading while my husband was at work. I was unable to clean anything, or leave the house, or talk to people. I cried, I cried a lot. I cried over nothing and everything. PPD makes me feel like everything is amiss. Nothing is right. I am extremely sad and unhappy but I can't quite put a finger on what exactly is wrong. I had a crushing feeling that I was doing everything wrong, failing my children in some way, a general disappointment.

On Friday I just could not take care of my children alone any more, it was doing them no good. My 2 year old was much too aware of my state, telling me repeatedly that she loved me and not to be sad; which made me cry more. I was finally able to work up the courage to call the doctor ( if you have ever suffered from depression then you know what I am talking about) and I went in that day. The doctor I saw was very nice, super helpful and reassuring.

So, I am now medicated, in a way that seems overwhelming. Adjusting to medication is difficult, there are side effects I would rather not have at the moment, such as dizziness. I am taking two medications, one for depression and one for anxiety (another thing I have dealt with throughout adulthood). My medication options are very limited because I breastfeed, but even if you do there are things you can take to help you.I have follow up appointments in the coming weeks. It is in itself overwhelming but I am doing my best not to think about it, sending me into an anxiety spiral.

I definitely do not want to talk about this. I don't want to be writing this post at all, I would much rather keep it in. I also know that I am very lucky to have seen very quickly that I was dealing with Post Partum Depression, something other new mothers may not realize. It is so important for us to allow ourselves to be comfortable telling someone when we need help, not to feel ashamed or embarrassed. There is no reason at all that anyone should be suffering through because they are scared to speak up. I want anyone who hasn't gotten help to know that it's ok, it's not your fault, you aren't to blame, you definitely aren't a bad mother and there is nothing at all to be embarrassed about.

I will do my best to update on progress, I'm sure my medication will start to fully work in the coming weeks. In the mean time I am just trying to push on.

Giveaway: Disney on Ice Dare to Dream

2012-01-04T15:06:08Z

Disney on Ice is already back in Boston with a new show, Dare to Dream! This is great news for those of you that were travelling around the holidays and missed the great show that just came through town. I'm thrilled to offer another 4 pack of tickets to a great show for the family.

"Get tangled up in the newest thrilling show to hit the ice, Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream. Experience Disney’s hilarious hair-raising escapade, Tangled; as Rapunzel, her unlikely companion, Flynn, and Maximus, embark on an uproarious journey that takes adventure to new lengths! Boogie to the beat of the bayou with Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen in a magical, musical journey that all begins with a fateful kiss. And fanciful dreams become reality as Cinderella meets her Prince Charming, with a glass slipper fit for an unforgettable fantasy come true. All your favorite princesses take to the ice in a spectacular finale at the ultimate Disney Princess event of a lifetime! Experience the beauty, sparkle, and spirit when Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream comes to your hometown!"

Buy!(disount below)

Playing School Vacation Week!
Fri. FEB. 17 - Sun. FEB. 26 | TD Garden

3 Easy Steps To Purchase!

CLICK HERE: http://bit.ly/uCPdD3

Step 1: Choose your performance

Step 2: Under Advance or Promotion Ticket Selection, choose the $25 price level

Step 3: Enter code EARLYMOM

DON’T MISS OPENING NIGHT -
TICKETS $15!
Fri. FEB. 17 at the 7:00 PM performance.

Win!

Enter to win tickets to Disney On Ice! opening night, February 17 @ 7pm.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Post Holiday Crafts

2012-01-02T21:12:13Z

The week before Christmas meant our UPS guy was hard at work, there were days when it looked like Amazon.com exploded on our front porch. Shopping online is way easier for me then going to a brick and mortar store because I am with my children 24/7, it's hard to sneak anything past a 2 year old. As I started to unpack all of these cardboard boxes, some sizeable, I thought there must be something we can do with these in lieu of recycling. Most of us remember playing in boxes when we were children, just plain cardboard boxes were pretty awesome. I wanted that for Coraline, but in the interest of going over the top for my kid we took it a bit further.

So, on Christmas Eve, instead of sitting around doing nothing or baking cookies (because I had already made so many the week before) or watching Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer again....we built a play house.

* I took these pictures with my phone, so they aren't the best.

The great thing about having a 2 year old is that she doesn't care what it looks like, as long as it is fun and functional. So, we went over the top with fun colors. The house itself is made of 2 huge boxes and several smaller ones for the roof. I covered a large part of the house in leftover Christmas wrapping paper (stripes) and the rest is covered with colored duct tape, which is super awesome. I hung a strand of led Christmas lights in the house so it wasn't super dark. I might make her curtains and possibly do some more work inside, neither of which Coraline cares one bit about. The entire house cost approximately $10 in duct tape to make...plus the hundreds of dollars worth of Christmas gifts that came in the boxes :)

Welcome 2012

2012-01-01T21:44:09Z

Remember when you were like, 10 and 2012 was the distant future? Remember when the future meant flying cars, meals in pill form and being an adult. Remember when you thought being an adult meant you could stay up as late as you want and eat cookies and ice cream for breakfast? Then you got to college and actually ate cookies and ice cream for breakfast after not going to sleep at all only to find out that it's a recipe for disaster, and that was the moment you began to get old. Then 2012 comes and you look around thinking, "there is no way i can be 32 already and whose kids are these?" Maybe that is just me.

Really though, where does time go. At this time last year I had no idea that I would spend the majority of 2011 pregnant with Arya, it's crazy to think about that. One year can bring a lot of change, be on the lookout. I would post a 2011 year in review but that seems like way more work then I have time for right now. And, in the interest of full disclosure and complete honesty, my memory kind of sucks; a side effect from an over indulgence in too many drugs in my twenties.

What I do remember is that early last year I found out I was pregnant with Arya, we bought a car, we bought a house, we moved. Coraline went from walking to running, from babbling to speaking in sentences, to becoming a full fledged toddler (ie tantrums). Arya was born at 8lbs 5 ounces, giving me the chubby cherub baby that Coraline was not. We took in 3 cats from the street because we are bleeding heart liberals or maybe because of something else I can't put my finger on. I continued to miss my family that live everywhere but Boston and my best friend who selfishly went to grad school in the south. I became Vice President of the Boston Babywearers and built a website for Growing Up Children's Resale Boutique. I attended my first and thus far only blog seminar. I did a terrible job at blog upkeep and friend correspondence during pregnancy. I attempted to get back in the swing of things.

I have done a lot in life, I have lived all over the country, travelled and met people that you would believe were straight out of a Kurt Vonnegut story, so I am definitely an "expect the unexpected" kind of thinker. I do know some things will not change in 2012...I will still sit in my house and get a panic attack because I will never have enough time or energy to clean it. I will still have mountains of laundry to wash and fold and put away. Most days will be very "lather, rinse, repeat" in nature. But my daughters will continue to make me laugh with perfectly timed jokes, smiles and dancing. The future...where I won't hold out for a flying car but would settle for a gps that actually work. *

* I feel slightly elitist with this gps comment even though it is true. In 2001 I drove from Pennsylvania to Michigan and back again using a map...a map that was printed on paper which came from trees! I drew the route in red crayon. gps. haha.

Vicks Winter Warm Up or Tips for Cold and Flu Season

2011-12-13T18:55:42Z

Last week was crazy hectic for me, good and bad. On the plus side time flies when you have a million things to do, on the negative side time has flown past before you get to do everything on your list. One of the awesome things I got to take part in was the Winter Warm Up event sponsored by Kaz, the maker of many Vicks products. I jumped at the chance to attend, it's no secret that my daughter is obsessed with Vicks VapoRub and our Vicks Humidifier. True story, Coraline woke up one morning and as I walked into the room she said "Mommy medicine, I did it". I know that I don't leave medicine out, so my eyes quickly scanned the area to put 2 and 2 together. I spotted the Vicks VapoRub on the bedside table and smelled my daughter, she had put it on herself as soon as she woke up. She even screwed the top back on the jar.

Something I am always keen to do is have the chance to listen to some awesome speakers at events. Winter Warm Up was no different, with Dr. Meg Meeker author of the book "10 Habits of Healthy Mothers". Not only is Dr. Meeker an author and pediatrician, she is a mother. Don't you always feel more comfortable getting advice about your children when it comes from another mother? I do. She offered insight into cold and flu season not just as a pediatrician but as a mother who has been there.

I'm not going to lie, a lot of these tips are probably things you already know or things you would think to do if you just trust your instincts, which leads us to tip #1.

#1 Always trust your intuition. I have said this countless times here at The Girl Is A Mom. I can not put enough emphasis on the amazing thing that is a mothers gut instinct. You know your children better then any other person (probably even their fathers) and you know when something is not right. If you think your child is sick or something is off, have them checked out!

#2 Don't let anyone push you aside with some lame answer. I can't tell you how many times I have felt rushed in the doctors office or felt like someone wasn't listening to me. Sometimes I think we hold doctors on some pedestal because they have a hard job or know so much about medicine. I might not know every virus out there or be able to prescribe medication for my child, but I can tell you that I know when something is wrong. I also know when something is more severe then a doctor might be telling me, so you sit in the office and demand answers!

#3 Don't listen to your grandmother! I've definitely said this before also, parenting is different now then it was when we were children and way way more different then when our parents were children. If you get advice that doesn't seem kosher, smile and politely decline....no I don't think I will put my child in an ice bath to bring a fever down, or rub alcohol all over them, or ...insert crazy things that were done to children back in the day.

Definitely some very easy things you can do to help prevent the spread of cold and flu this season (and here in Boston that hits hard).

Flu Vaccine

Wash wash wash those hands

Wash your thermometer (I admit I always forget to do this)

Have your supplies ready before anyone is sick!

Vicks has a great line of products that can help you fight the good fight this year. The new Behind The Ear Thermometer is simply awesome. It is an acurate, noninvasive reading (perfect for the small babies and squirmy toddlers) and it gives a reading in 1 second. I tried this out immediately, of course, and fell in love. Coraline loves anything doctor related so taking her temp. has never been hard, Arya is just little so she doesn't much care. The thing I love most about it aside from the quick read out, it stores the last 8 temp. readings! That is awesome if you have a child with a fever but can't quite remember what the temp. was 30 minutes ago or the first time you took it this morning. Anything over 100 is considered a fever and some children are just fine with a fever. Coraline has never really acted much different between normal and 103. It would take someone who knew Cora really well to ever see that something was wrong with her.

We run a Vicks humidifier every night in our room, we have a large stand up unit that is about 2 feet tall which I can't find a link to, but we love it. It really acts as a dual use machine providing not just humidity into the air but also the much needed white noise. White noise will do a super job to help your kids sleep better, or yourself. Vicks newest humidifier is the Starry Night Cool Mist. Perfect for the kids rooms, this humidifier provides cool mist and it projects a starry night sky onto the ceiling. I mean let's face it, the poor children are laying sick in their bed, the least we could do is give them something to look at.

I learned a few things about humidity in the house that I didn't know before...

Humidity should be between 40-60%. Don't know what your house is measuring? Get a Humidity Gauge

A study was done recently that shows the flu virus can not thrive when the humidity is between 40% and 60%, which is awesome.

Cool mist or warm mist? It is entirely up to you. I always thought there was a big difference but no, it's really personal preference.

Humidity can really help clear up congestion which I know we all get here in New England during the winter. I feel that especially in older houses (I don't know anyone that has a newer house in New England) it's important to run humidifiers. If your baby or child is congested, like Arya was the other night, take them into the bathroom, run a super hot shower and just sit in the steam. It really clears them up. For older kids, it can help alot to let them run around outside where the air is naturally full of moisture.

Last but not least, saline spray is great for breaking up the gross stuff that gets in kids noses. They hate it. They will not want you to spray saline up their nose, but it really helps. You spray and then suck it out. Dr. Meeker suggested an ear aspirator to really get up there, we use the Nose Frida and love that. Whatever you feel comfortable with works. You are going to feel like a terrible person as your baby screams bloody murder while you spray crap in their nose, but it will help so much!

Thank you so much to Boston Parent Bloggers for the opportunity and to our hosts Kaz (the makers of many Vicks Products) and Finale Bakery in Boston. The dessert and lunch we were given was to die for, you can order online :)

*I was given lunch and a gift back with the aforementioned products for free. I wasn't compensated for this post, the opinions are entirely my own.

Radio City Christmas Spectacular Review/Giveaway

2011-12-09T13:35:21Z

I am from New York, ok I might not have grown up there or technically lived there the majority of my life (at this point I have lived in Massachusetts longer then any other place), but New York is where I am from. I was born in New York, my mother was born and raised in the Bronx, my aunt and grandmother still live there. New York is a place I feel at home and I can honestly say that no one does Christmas like NYC. New York City is the most magical place during Christmas, most of my fondest Christmas memories took place in NYC; visiting the awesome Christmas Tree and ice skating at Rockefeller Center, strolling through F.A.O Schwartz and walking past Radio City with the smell of roasting chestnuts in the air.

The thing is, for all of the magic and awe I experienced, I never actually got to see the Rockettes. So, that is why I could not wait for Coraline to be old enough to start a new Christmas tradition! I jumped at the chance to buy tickets for Coraline and I to see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and then as luck would have it, I was given the opportunity to see the show on December 8th. Because the start time of the Rockettes was 7:30pm, I decided to go with two other mom friends and one of their children instead of a cranky toddler.

What the Rockettes do is amazing, something that seems so simple can be incredibly impressive. The dancing was super fun, as were the lights and effects. I was very impressed this show is entertaining for children and adults alike. I have definitely decided that I will start a tradition of taking my girls every year.

The most amazing part to me...live animals on stage! I totally did not expect a live nativity scene but when sheep and camels (yes camels!) started to walk across the stage, everyone was in awe. From the dancing bears to the flying Santa to the amazing Rockettes, this show is an amazing Christmas tradition.

Discount!

Discounted tickets are onsale now (for non peak performances) when you use the code RoxMom11

Visit www.citicenter.org/radiocity

Win!

Enter to win 4 tickets to The Radio City Christmas Spectacular!

4 tickets to the Wednesday, December 28^th 5pm performance and a MEET and GREET before the show with the World Famous Radio City Rockettes at the Wang Theatre in Boston.

How to Enter (be sure to leave a valid email)

Leave a comment on this post telling me what your favorite Christmas/Holiday tradition is, from your own child or something you have started with your own children!

Follow The Girl Is A Mom on Facebook! (1 extra entry)

Follow Me on Twitter (1 extra entry)

Subscribe to The Girl Is A Mom via Feedburner (1 extra entry)

Giveaway closes December 14th 11:59pm.

Winner

Winner has been contacted via email.

I was given free tickets to the show for review. I was not paid for the review and the opinions expressed are my own.

Peter Pan 360, Wow!

2011-12-05T14:09:11Z

Last night we were given the opportunity to see Peter Pan 360 at Boston City Hall Plaza, I jumped at the chance of course. Although I love theatre, I had no idea what to expect from this experience.

The Tent!

The production itself takes place inside of a huge tent that is set up on Boston City Hall Plaza. The tent is part of the 360 experience, which means there are amazing projections all around. When Peter Pan and Tinkerbell take Wendy, John and Michael on their first flight from London (400 miles of a virtual 1904 London) to Neverland ( "Second star to the right, then straight on 'til morning") children and adults alike are taken on a wondrous journey. The 12 projectors give 360 degree views and along with the flying characters makes you feel as though you are flying right along with them. Coraline actually lifted her hands into the air, exclaiming "weeee". With a round center stage, seats all around, there is no "bad" seat in this production. Everyone gets the same amazing experience.

The show itself is based on the original book by J. M. Barrie, not the cartoon version some are so familiar with. For some, this may press the bounds of what is suitable for children, every parent is different. I had no problem with the shows content for my 2 year old daughter. There are sword fights, cannon battles, yelling, death and the very sassy Tinkerbell calls Peter a "silly ass" numerous times. I will say however that never did I feel it was in anyway gratuitous, those proclamations go right in line with Tinkerbells character. My daughter was slightly scared when the Pirates came and went, recognizing they were bad guys from the ominous music. She also found Tick Tock the Crocodile frightening each time he appeared.

Coraline reluctantly meets the crocodile

Crocodile and Nana the dog were both sophisticated, human operated, puppets. They were really awesome to see on stage and behind the scenes. Nana made from old blankets, operated by a puppeteer on stage but you totally forget that he is there. The personality the puppeteers are able to instil in their characters is very neat. Tick Tock is a large crocodile run by two puppeteers. He is made from things you would find in a closet, the majority of his frame made from coat hangers, he is adorned with socks, neckties and clothes pins.

The casting of this show was fantastic! Tinkerbell was definitely a favorite among everyone. To me, she looked like a cute punk rock girl complete with boots, messy hair and mannerisms. Peter Pan was very much the boy who never wants to grow up. Hook was both frightening and funny.

Coraline meeting the puppeteer and Mrs. Darling

I would recommend that anyone and everyone go to see this show! Whether or not you have children, you will thoroughly enjoy this experience. It is awe inspiring, wondrous and amazing. They have truly captured everything that J.M.Barrie intended Peter Pan to be, making us all feel as though we are children flying through the sky. From fairies, to mermaids, pirates and indians, I am thrilled that my daughter go to take a journey into the imagination of this show.

Peter Pan 360 is at Boston City Hall Plaza now through December 31th!

Buy Tickets at PeterPanTheShow.com or at 1-888-772-6849 Boston City Hall Plaza Box Office

Tickets from $35-$100

Connect with Peter Pan The Show on Facebook

Follow Peter Pan The Show on Twitter

Time for Two

2011-12-04T12:50:34Z

By far the question I am most asked these days is, how do you find time for two kids? It's the same question I asked of my friends when I was expecting Arya, totally overwhelmed at the thought of dividing time. I'm only 2 months into my job as mother of two girls, an expert I am not (not yet). However, I think I have some answers, so read up if you are thinking of adding to your family, or already pregnant and feeling totally stressed out about this (like I was).

How do you find time for two?

You don't.

That my friends, is the short and honest answer. A mother is just one person, one person who can not possibly attend to the every single need and whim of more then one other person at a time. You can not expect to please everyone. Let's face it, if one of the people that requires your attention is a toddler, you aren't going to be able to please them even if they are the only child. If you have yet to experience the wonders of toddlerhood (whining, screaming, stomping, mischief, general mayhem) you will understand what I am saying at some point. Yes, even those of you who think that your child will escape these completely stereotypical traits, just.you.wait.

The best advice I received was this: someone is going to have to cry. That doesn't make you a bad mother, it just means that with multiple children, you learn how to prioritize needs. You will learn to do this quickly and well. At first you may feel guilty for allowing your child to stand idly by as you ignore their cries to focus on a sibling, soon enough you will learn to tune it out. No joke. I'm not talking about cries because we are hurt, or sick, or in literal need. I'm talking "mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy, see me mommy, painting mommy". Your 2 month old needs to eat, trumps your 2 year old wanting an ice pop. Your 2 year old fell (again) and bumped her head because she was jumping on the couch even though you have said 1000 times to please stop jumping on the couch, trumps your 2 month old wanting to hear Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. See, you get it already. These decisions will make up the majority of your day. Yes, the baby might be crying in her swing while you throw together a peanut butter sandwich for lunch, but she will survive and her turn will be next. Yes, your toddler might be coloring on the walls while you run out of sight to change a poopy diaper, but this is why you bought Washable crayons*.

I totally call bullshit on those moms of multiples who claim they have time for every child, no one wants for attention. Kate and 8 or whats-her-face with the octuplets or the Duggars, bullshit. It is impossible for just one mother to mother multiple children the same way she did one. Someone wants for attention at some point, and i'm not saying it makes you a bad or less effective parent, i'm just saying let's call a spade a spade.

As for love, it just comes. I wondered about the love aspect of having a second child. Your first born, much like your first romantic love, is met with an all encompassing and overwhelming love that consumes you. You ask yourself "If I love this person so much, how can there possibly be room for another". You will find, like all of the mothers before you, that instead of dividing your love in half, your heart in fact; doubles in size. It is amazing (unlike your first romantic love which possibly hardened your heart to all future romantic endeavors).

The same rules apply for staying sane that you hopefully learned already with your first. That being a mother does not define you as a person, if you let it do so you will possibly begin to feel very lost. Continue to do something that you love, that does not revolve around your children, if need be fight for your right to hold onto yourself. It is by no means a simple task to find time for yourself, after all you now have piles of laundry (in addition to the piles you had before having another baby), mountains of dishes, dust bunnies you have names for because it's easier then trying to get rid of them...but those things will wait for you. Believe me, you can clean everyday all day but those tasks will just come back next week anyway. So, tell your husband that you know how hard it is to watch two children at once but he can learn just like you did. Husbands have the added bonus of only having this task for short periods of time. So, once in awhile you are allowed entitled to leave your children in the capable hands of their father while you get a massage, manicure, a cup of coffee, or at the very least; a shower.

Before I wrap up this know it all type post...let me reiterate that I am not perfect. I have been told countless times that I always seem like I have it together which is great to hear but a false representation of reality. I try to have it all together just like every other mom I know...but come on, I'm just like you. Two weeks ago I walked into the kitchen and found Coraline completely naked, standing in the dog water dish with a huge smile on her face as she proclaimed "Bath Mommy!" And not so long ago, after an extremely long day filled with tantrums, screaming, kicking me, smacking me in the face and every other terrible thing a toddler can do jammed into one 6 hour period...when my daughter completely refused to get into her car seat (you've been there right? when they arch their back and will not get into a seated position? instead they flail and yell and stand on the floor of the car) I snapped and yelled "Coraline just get the fuck in the car!" Am I proud of this? Not at all. Do I feel super lucky that my parrot of a 2 year old did not pick up the f-word? Yes. Am I telling you because I know it has happened to you? Yes. Because we all have our bad days, our breaking points and the points that we just think of getting in the car (alone) and driving until we are far away. It's normal. You are normal, you are a great mother not in spite of these moments, but because of them. It would be worse to pretend to your children that you have no emotions, that you are always totally together and in control, none of us are. I want my children to know that sometimes, we all lose it but when we do, we find a way to pull it back together.

* Washable Crayons ... If you have a toddler, replace your regular crayons!

Disney On Ice Ticket Giveaway

2011-11-18T15:09:37Z

One of the things I try to keep in mind around the holidays is that the number of gifts my children receive will not make or break their Christmas. I think back to my childhood and there are only a handful of items I actually remember getting, a dollhouse, a bike ect. I know there were always tons of gifts under the tree, but most didn't create lasting memories. What I do remember vividly are the experiences I shared with my parents, visiting Storybook Land, driving through the White Mountains, Disneyworld and going to see Disney on Ice. Giving the gift of your time and sharing experiences with your children, those are the things worth spending our money on.

Although Coraline was small that last time Disney on Ice came to the Banknorth Garden here in Boston, she thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It truly is a magical experience worth sharing with your family. The show we saw last time was Toy Story, which Coraline had not even seen at the time. This December Disney on Ice comes to Boston with Treasure Trove. I'm super excited to bring the girls to the new show this year, it makes a perfect Holiday treat.

Discover endless riches when Disney On Ice presents Treasure Trove comes to your hometown! Disney On Ice sets the gold standard with its newest skating spectacular. Get tangled up in Disney’s 50^th animated feature with Rapunzel and Flynn and enter the worlds of your other favorite Disney princesses –Tiana, Cinderella, Jasmine, Ariel, Sleeping Beauty, Belle, Mulan and of course, the one who started it all, Snow White. Ahoy, Mateys! Set sail with Peter Pan, the always sassy Tinker Bell and the cantankerous Captain Hook and his pirate pals on an adventure beyond Never Land! Trek the wilds of Africa with Simba, Nala, Pumbaa and Timon as they discover the true meaning of the ‘Circle of Life.’ Tick-Tock! Tick-Tock! Don’t be late to a very important date with Alice and the Mad Hatter as they march with the Queen of Hearts’ Army Of Cards. Be sure to see this show full of memories guaranteed to last a lifetime.

As a special Christmas gift to my readers, Disney on Ice has generously offered to give one reader a family 4 package of tickets to Disney on Ice Treasure Trove on opening day, December 26th! I'm so excited to be able to share this show with my readers. I hope to see you there.

Buy

Buy your tickets to Disney on Ice with plenty of time to tie them with a bow and leave them under the tree for the kids!

Win

Enter to win 4 tickets to the show December 26th

Must be able to attend the show at the Boston Garden

Mandatory Entry

Post a comment here telling me your favorite Disney movie or Character

Additional Entries (post a comment letting me know which you have done)

Follow The Girl Is A Mom on Facebook

Follow me on Twitter

Winning entry will be chosen December 18th @ 8pm. Entries will be accepted until 7:59pm :)

Winner

Winning number via Random.org

*I did recieve complimentary tickets from Disney on Ice. All opinions expressed above are my own. I was not paid for this post. *

Dear Arya, 1 Month

2011-11-11T14:38:08Z

Dear Arya,

Today marks your 1 month birthday, I can't believe that much time has passed since we welcomed you into the world. I have to admit that not a lot happened in your first month of life, at least not for you. Daddy and I are still working out the logistics of spreading our time and attention between two children. I hate to fall into a trap of constantly comparing you to your older sister but I must say that you are just as laid back as she was as an infant.

Coraline is completely and utterly in love with you. She would be content to simply hold and kiss you all day everyday. Although it has been difficult for her to allow you "nummies" when she wants them, she is really showing what a great big sister she is, we can't expect too much from a 2 year old. You are the bright spot in our days, everyday without fail. When we look back on this time we will say that you ate and slept, that's pretty much the life of a one month old.

You love to smile, I'm not sure if that is on track with other 1 month old children but we catch you laughing and smiling all the time. You light up when Coraline comes to sing to you and love to cuddle with your daddy. We bought you a swing the other day, definitely one of your favorite things so far.

As the months pass I know that we will have many adventures to tell you about, for now I'm content to let this letter serve as a reminder that your family is totally in love with you.

Love,

Mommy