Mom Blog and Baby Blog | Baby Bunching

it became 'our song': a CD giveaway

My son was two weeks old. I remember pacing the dimly lit nursery--the noisy room air conditioner barely audible. Alex was screaming and no one--not me, my husband nor my mom--could settle him. I ran and grabbed a CD a fellow Baby Bunching mom had given to me as a baby gift. She assured me it was one of the better baby music CDs out there, and as I put it in the CD player I prayed it would work.

He continued to scream and I started to cry. Until the song "It's Alright" came on, and its cricket sounds in the background finally calmed him down. It was like magic. He stopped. I don't know if it was the song or the way the song made me feel as I held him. But I stopped crying and he stopped crying and that become "our song."

I carried Sara Hickman's "Newborn" CD around the world with me--twice--when Alex was little. When I couldn't find a CD player, I would sing the songs. (This included a 6-hour plane ride.) Instantly he'd calm down. The entire CD is filled with sweet renditions of classic songs and some of Sara's own. We loved the CD so much that for Alex's first birthday, we bought her second children CD "Toddler," which was equally as beautiful for young kids. We actually listened to it in the car yesterday.

As soon as Anna made her appearance, I introduced her to the CD hoping this would again be the magical CD. And it was! She loved the songs but didn't make a connection with one particular song like Alex did, which was fine. I loved the idea that he and I had "our song." For her first year, we would listen to it as I nursed her late at night, and it still had some magical quality to it. Anna's song came around later and even at the age of three, I'm still singing it to her.

Because I'm so fond of the CD, Sara Hickman and I are giving away both the "Newborn" and "Toddler "CDs as a special Baby Bunching package. It makes a great gift for Baby Bunching moms since each child gets his own CD. A onesie with the child's name is included with the CD and will be sent from her directly. Here's what you have to do: Tell us about a special song you have with your child or one you had with your mom. I'll take responses by Nov. 3 and randomly pick a winner.

and we have a winner...

for the "Sleep is for the Weak" giveaway. Thanks, Deena, (who has an 8-week old and 16-month old) for the great sleep advice.

No, my baby is still not sleeping, but I I did try many of the tips offered up and picked the one that got me closest.  I did not pick the one that involves me holding the baby for six months.  Sorry, Stimey.  (But I did pick a solution that involves a hint of Ferberizing, so don't think I totally discounted your advice.)

Update:  A week ago, baby was so tired he was just falling to pieces.  He was such a mess that we finally decided it would be mean NOT to let him fuss until he finally went to sleep (soothing and reassuring him every 10 minutes or less, of course).  Once he finally knocked out, he slept for 5 hours, got up and ate, and slept for another 5 hours.  Then ran like clockwork for the next 3 days - would wake, eat, play for about an hour and a half, then sleep for a couple of hours, going two five hour stretches at night.  YAY!  Problem solved, right?

Enter Visiting Grandmother.  She wanted to hold him 24 hours a day since she lives far away and only gets to see him every few months.  Which was super, as long as she was providing free babysitting for all three kids while my husband and I happily vacated the premises for date nights.  But now that she is gone and we are stuck with a de-conditioned, non-sleeping baby (again), it kinda sucks.

Back to square one.  Ugh.

write about "a first"

Yes, in fact, we're having another giveaway. But rather than posting the rules on here, please head over to Linda's blog for the instructions. But here's the quick data dump. We'll give away a copy of Writing Motherhood to those who would like to do a little bit of writing. The catch is you have to actually write and post on YOUR blog. Come back here or here on Sept. 22 and post the link in the comment section. The author of Wring Motherhood, Lisa Garrigues, will be strolling about to read your posts. And we'll give away a copy of the book as well. By the way, it's a great book for those who really love to write, but need a little extra inspiration.

Write about a first: the first day of kindergarten, the first day of college, the first grandchild. Or simply begin with the writing start "the first time" and write down the first thing that comes to mind. I'll give extra credit to those who can write about a baby bunching first. The first time you lost your mind. The first time you cried. The first time you felt you just couldn't do this. The first time you realized your kids were best friends. The first time you figured out that you really could do this. 

last day for the giveaway

Today is the last day to enter the "Sleep is for the Weak" giveaway. Post a comment sharing your favorite tips and tricks for getting your Baby Bunch to sleep well.  First poster to get Cara's wee one to sleep through the night (or at least 4 consecutive hours) wins the book.  Accepting comments until September 17th.  We'll even take anything after that, but you gotta comment by the 17th to be eligible to win, because she needs sleep now. We'll draw a winner for the book tonight.

sleep is for the weak. and don't i know it.

On Saturday I attended a book-signing for Sleep is For the Weak.  This quick and entertaining read is a compilation of essays from mommy bloggers such as Finslippy, Surrender Dorothy, Binkytown, Amalah, Three Kid Circus, and more.  I got to meet contributors Kristen Chase (of Motherhood Uncensored, and about to be a Baby Buncher herself), Mir Kamin (Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda), and editor Rita Arens (Surrender, Dorothy).  But most importantly, I got to escape from the house with only one of my three children. 

The book is perfect for Baby Bunchers (i.e. people that have neither the time nor the brain power to read anything longer than the Sunday comics).  The selections are both humorous and poignant, and they are short enough that you can easily pick up, put down, and pick up again without having to remember where you left off.  It bought me two whole days worth of entertainment during nursing sessions, and the occasional story was so moving that it reminded me to actually glance down once in awhile to appreciate and make eye contact with the precious darling that is leeching off of me 20 hours out of the day.  It's definitely worth a read.

And here's your chance!  I've scored a copy to give away!  Since I've got a newborn and I'm sleep deprived, help me out.  Post a comment sharing your favorite tips and tricks for getting your Baby Bunch to sleep well.  First poster to get my wee one to sleep through the night (or at least 4 consecutive hours) wins the book.  Accepting comments until September 17th.  I'll even take anything after that, but you gotta comment by the 17th to be eligible to win, because I need sleep FAST.

first baby bunching giveaway deadline

If you haven't already signed up for our first giveaway, the clock is ticking. We'll draw a winner on August 13. Please make sure we have your contact information so we can actually send you the book:  Pregnancy Instruction Manual: Essential Information, Troubleshooting Tips, And Advice for Parents-to-Be. Even if you're not pregnant, this is a great book to give as a gift to an impending Baby Buncher.