Cari, you will be rocking out in no time!!!

Sometimes, I hate shopping for a baby shower. As a mom, I really wanted the things from my registry…I picked those things out for a reason! However, as the guest, I like a little bit of a surprise, but I also know the mom wants what the mom wants. What’s a girl to do? I found a super baby gift idea that fits the bill.

Nearly every mom will want a baby-friendly video at some point. She may not know it yet, but the day will come when she wants just 5 minutes….just 5 minutes to go to the bathroom without a baby on her hip…just 5 minutes to chat with a friend without interruption….just 5 minutes…to breathe. Here’s where this unique baby gift idea comes in.

That Baby DVD and CD to the shower-shopping rescue! That Baby DVD is a sweet visual for babies through pre-schoolers. I “tested” it on my 2 and 4 year old girls. They were both totally enthralled. To be honest, I thought it might be a little too simple for them. You know, my genius girls watch more “advanced” programs like Dora and Handy Manny. From the very first note, they didn’t move a muscle.

Here’s the idea: the makers of That Baby DVD created acoustic cover versions of popular songs from “our” generation. Each song is then set to animation, live action or a combination. For example, with the song “When We Grow Up,” two puppets sing the song to each other, but it also cuts to live action shots of kids being kids. This song was originally recorded by Dianna Ross, then again as a duet between Michael Jackson and Roberta Flack. In, “Happiness Runs/Circle Game,” there is this fantastic, almost hypnotic, animation that flows and flutters.

The music and animation are catchy, but set at a slower pace than some of the frenetic videos out today. It would be perfect for a baby, of course, but I am excited to use this with my girls when they need to simmer down a bit. Perhaps bed time or while I make dinner, which is always a pretty hairy-eyeball time in my house.

Now for some serious honesty. I love to review products. I love to see what’s new and different. But, when I first received That Baby DVD and CD, I popped in the music one night after the girls went to bed. Seriously, if I can’t stand it, I’m not letting my kids watch it or listen to it. We are a no Barney house simply because of that horrific opening song. And the terrible acting. But mostly because of the song. When we had our first baby, we received over a dozen baby CDs. Guess how many I’ve actually listened to? Zero. I already felt like I was sleeping on my feet. I didn’t need a CD to worsen my condition.

I LOVE this music! I’ve been singing, “Pony Boy,” at the top of my lungs for the last week. I have That Baby CD in my car and I listen to it softly while the girls are with me, but I totally crank it up when they aren’t in the car! Interesting side note…on the animation of this song, a silhouette style is used. When the creators tested this on kids, each one thought this video was about them, that it was them in the video with their parents.

If you want to take a little peeky-poo, click below for a taste of this awesome find. Than, at the first sign of a shower, baby shower that is, head straight to Amazon to purchase That Baby DVD and CD. The baby will love the DVD and the mom will love the CD. Or, keep the CD for yourself. Heck, why wait for a baby shower? Get shopping today!

Now for the GIVEAWAY. Who doesn’t love a giveaway? Rules:

1) Become a fan of That Baby DVD and CD on Facebook. Come back here and post that you’ve completed this required step. Remember, if you don’t complete this step, none of your other entries will be eligible. After the winner is selected, I’ll double check this, so don’t try to be sneaky birds to get around this one.

2) Earn an additional entry for posting a song that should be included on the next version of That Baby DVD/CD (we can hope!!). I vote for My Guy and My Girl or perhaps 8 Days a Week. I thought of “Father Figure” by George Michael, but one split-second later I thought, “Eeewww.”

3) Earn 2 entries for following Miss Mouthy via Feed or email.

4) Earn 3 entries for tweeting about this Giveaway. Post a link to your tweet.

5) Earn 4 entries for blogging about this giveaway. Post the link to your blog post. Don’t be lazy, make an actual post, not just, “I’ve entered this giveaway.” Uh-uh, no way, Sister!

11 possible entries per person. One winner gets BOTH That Baby DVD and CD. It all comes down to Sunday, April 26 at 7 pm Pacific Time according to my laptop.

Let the entries begin!

My Father-in-Law, I’ll call him Grandpa Mouthy, brought us the world best housewarming gift: Guitar Hero! I’m pretty so-so when it comes to video games and music. I like to listen to music, but I sure can’t name who wrote what song when and in what year.

I gave it a try and now I’m addicted! Seriously. I threw my girls in bed early so I could rock for a while. I probably stink, but I think I’m awesome. Isn’t that all the counts?

Now, my problem?

My bottom lip is a little chapped from a serious case of “White Man Overbite.” First off, I’m white. Just Sayin’. But this is a face you will only see on white people when they are really rocking. This guy is perhaps rocking in his bathtub with all his clothes on? Hmmm.

If I offend you, I’m sorry. Find another blog to read.

Here’s another weird thing about me, if you don’t think I’m weird enough. We just got our Guitar Hero 4 days ago. My sister and her family got Rock Band on Christmas. I’m an NOT telling my sister because my master plan is to get really good then very casually suggest we rock a little bit. Now, how does this thing work? What are these colors about? Heehee.  If you ARE my sister or KNOW my sister, quit reading before this paragraph.

I have already picked out my next instrument to master:

I remember before we had kids a mom I knew went over the edge because I fed her 3 year old an entire grape. What in the world? Once I became a mom, I understood what she meant. Choking hazards are everywhere and grapes are included on that list.

However, if you cut each and every grape in half, you just might go crazy. I spotted this neat trick over on To Gnome Me is to Love Me.

Wash your grapes. Find 2 flat lids that are about the same size. Like Gnome, I used the lids from my Smart Spin Storage system (which I ~heart~). Put your grapes on one lid, then put the other lid on top of your grapes. While holding the lid-grape-lid sandwich, run your knife between the lids horizontally. Lift the lid and adore your halved grapes!

I LOVE ideas like this…simple, doable, no expensive products to buy and store. Awsome!! Thanks for sharing, Gnome, and thanks for the pictures, too!

First off, I want to thank Go Fish for donating their AWESOME Snazzy CD! I am grateful for their support! Thanks to you too, readers, for entering and passing along the Luv. Watch for another Go Fish CD giveaway VERY soon!

Now, for the news you’ve been waiting for…

Drumroll…..

The winner of the first ever MissMouthy/MommyFinds Giveaway for 1 Snazzy CD by Go Fish is….

Christin! She says:

i love acapella!! my kids would love this i’m sure and the laughing song sounds good:) thanks!

I used Random.org to keep it on the up and up. Here’s proof!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

19

Timestamp: 2009-01-21 03:45:48 UTC

#19 christin Says:
January 10th, 2009 at 1:42 am e 19

I don’t know about you, but I often wonder if I’m a good parent. My kids eat PB&J more days a week than they should. I spend oodles of time on the computer. They usually have clean clothes, but sometimes it takes some dryer diving. Does that make me a bad parent? Read on…

10 reasons you’re a better parent than you think you are

• by Redsy, on Mon Aug 18, 2008 2:46pm PDT

We live in an advice-rich age and parenting experts are as ubiquitous as pictures of Angelina and her brood. While information is power, too much information can be debilitating.

When it comes to parenting, sometimes it’s nice to remember that many of us, most of us even, know what is right for our kids, without cracking even one book.

Here are 10 reasons you are a better parent than you think you are:

1. You are the best mommy or daddy in the world for your child – Regardless of what the experts or anyone else says, in your child’s eyes you are their one and only. If you can live up to that kind of love and acceptance, you’ll be happier for it.

2. You trust your gut – Most of us try not to get too worried or upset by the proliferation of news stories about lead-poisoned toys or tragic stories of kidnapped children, but it’s not very easy. When push comes to shove, your gut can be your guide. If you feel more than a tingle of doubt, you’ll do the right thing by your child. You’re wired that way.

3. You give the best love you know how to give – Love isn’t perfect or always kind, but you want to be a good parent and you try every day to be the best parent you know how to be.

4. You feed them every day- Not always meals with enough vegetables or fruit, but you feed them, and you worry about their health.  And that makes you a good parent.

5. You smile at them, beam even, and they make you proud – When you smile at your child (and you know you do, often) you are transmitting your love and tenderness. Kids are sponges and they feel every iota of that sweetness.

6. You teach them about wonderful things — You fill their heads with the wishes of childhood — Santa Clause, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny and other wonderful creatures. Even if they don’t believe you, their eyes light up with the spark of imagination.

7. You love them unconditionally, even when you don’t like them very much - Most kids know that you love them no matter what. Even when they have tantrums in the grocery store and hit their sister or brother and refuse to eat their dinner. Even then you love them deeply.

8. You comfort them when they’re scared – Monsters, bad dreams, and things that go bump in the night hold no power over the comfort of your arms and your murmured reassurance.

9. You want your child to be happy – Almost more than anything else, you want to see evidence that your child is happy, well-adjusted, and secure. You want this for them more than you want it for yourself.

10. You are their one true love - For so many years, you are your child’s sun, moon, and stars. You are the keeper of their small open hearts, their only one. This essential truth, when fully appreciated, makes parenting the most fulfilling thing you’ll ever do.

Pat yourself on the back, mama and papa. You’re doing a great job!!

Keeping tiny socks and shoes on those sweet little toes was a frustration. On the grand scale of things, not huge. However, if I can take away one little frustration from a new mom, that helps, right?

Robeez are wonderful leather shoes that actually stay on your baby’s feet! Novel concept! It can take a small amount of wrestling to get the tiny toes in there, like getting an octopus into a net bag, but once they are on, they’ll stay all day!

Robeez are washable, which is a tremendous plus. They come in lots of styles…some that look like “traditional shoes” and some that have super cute appliques.

The only negative is that Robeez can be pricey. However, check out the link below…free shipping! They often put shoes on sale. Right now there are at least a dozen for $19.99 and they also have a “free sock with shoe purchase” promotion. Sweet!

Soft sole shoes are recommended for babies and those starting to walk.

Please tell me if you try any of these. I will do my best to get you a prize of some sort and you can be my friend!

I give you permission to tick people off today. Try these things….

1. Leave the copy machine set to reduce 200%, extra dark, 17 inch paper, 99 copies.
2. In the memo field of all your checks, write “for sexual favors.”
3. Specify that your drive-through order is “TO-GO.”
4. If you have a glass eye, tap on it occasionally with your pen while talking to others.
5. Stomp on little plastic ketchup packets.
6. Insist on keeping your car windshield wipers running in all weather conditions “to keep them tuned up.”
7. Reply to everything someone says with “that’s what you think.”
8. Practice making fax and modem noises.
9. Highlight irrelevant information in scientific papers and “cc” them to your boss.
10. Make beeping noises when a large person backs up.
11. Finish all your sentences with the words “in accordance with prophesy.”
12. Signal that a conversation is over by clamping your hands over your ears and grimacing.
13. Disassemble your pen and “accidentally” flip the ink cartridge across the room.
14. Holler random numbers while someone is counting.
15. Adjust the tint on your TV so that all the people are green, and insist to others that you “like it that way.”
16. Staple pages in the middle of the page.
17. Publicly investigate just how slowly you can make a croaking noise.
18. Honk and wave to strangers.
19. Decline to be seated at a restaurant, and simply eat their complimentary mints at the cash register.
20. TYPE IN UPPERCASE.
21. type only in lowercase.
22. dont use any punctuation either
23. Buy a large quantity of orange traffic cones and reroute whole streets.
24. Repeat the following conversation a dozen times.
    “DO YOU HEAR THAT?”
    “What?”
    “Never mind, it’s gone now.”
25. As much as possible, skip rather than walk.
26. Try playing the William Tell Overture by tapping on the bottom of your chin. When nearly done, announce “No, wait, I messed it up,” and repeat.
27. Ask people what gender they are.
28. While making presentations, occasionally bob your head like a parakeet.
29. Sit in your front yard pointing a hair dryer at passing cars to see if they slow down.
30. Sing along at the opera.
31. Go to a poetry recital and ask why each poem doesn’t rhyme.
32. Ask your co-workers mysterious questions and then scribble their answers in a notebook. Mutter something about “psychological profiles.”

I was checking out Tip Junkie this morning, where I read a fantastic guest post by Debbie at Virtually Organized. She wrote about “Choice Management.” The basic idea was that time management is really Choice Management. How do YOU choose to spend your time? I obviously love computer time…and lots of it. Is that better or worse than, say, knitting for hours?  Not really, it’s all about making choices. If I choose computer time, I can’t really complain about not having time to organize my kitchen. It’s all about choices.

What kind of choices do you make? How do you manage your choices?

It was originally posted at Skip To My Lou. The basic idea is to find and collect the clear salad containers you get at grocery store delis. They are #6 plastic. Your kids can color the plastic with permanent markers and punch a hole if you’ll want to hang them on anything, like zipper pulls. BEWARE! They will shrink by about 1/3. Put the new creations on a cookie sheet lined with foil and bake at 350 for 2-3 minutes. They will curl up, then flatten. Take them out right when they flatten! You can even make rings!!

Check out the complete directions at Skip To My Lou. What a fun project on a rainy day!