The Craft

I've had two dilemmas the past week or so. 1. Trying to figure out how to perform the art of baby headband making, like I discussed in a previous post. And 2. thinking of a way to hold my first giveaway!... That's right! I'm going on a week-long cruise next week (a post to come on it soon) and I'm thinking of having a little contest while I'm gone.

Well, I think I've figured out how to make these beautiful little crafty delights and I'm going to experiment and give my first few away!! Details on the giveaway will come next week, but aren't you so happy I'm giving this a try? I'm still thinking of something cute for little boys (have any ideas? I'm up for experiments). Oh, don't be mad if their ugly. Ok? I didn't say I'm perfect. I'll have more details on the contest next week!

The 23rd Birthday

I woke up today thinking "Well how did I do in that poll?" I went to bed last night seeing I had about a 14 vote lead. I woke up this morning seeing I had lost by 6 votes! 6 votes! We tied with a 31% lead... More than 200 votes ahead of the 3rd place blog.

I turned in a couple of hours early last night. I finished my campaigning around 10 pm...I was secretly hoping one of the other blogs would pull a Mitt Romney and endorse me. I'm pretty sure most of my work friends who voted for me either didn't know what a Mormon was, or didn't know what a blog was.. so thank you guys for chipping in! Thank you everyone else too who voted for me, and voted from multiple computers! I'll forever love you! The blog that beat me by six votes is a very crafty mommy blog, so if you're into that...

Anyway, I was happy with how I did. I've only had this blog for a month and a half and look at all of you wonderful people visiting! This is great! Maybe one day when I've been blogging for years and years and ACTUALLY have kids, I'll be more popular and win the dang contest. Anyway, I'm not bitter or anything.

I worked today. After work I went for another trip to Brazil. I almost chickened out but the receptionist talked me into sticking to my plan. I still requested the bite towel but I didn't need it as much this time. I'm telling you ladies, a lot of you say you couldn't do this... If you can have a kid you can do this! I can't imagine it being the same amount of pain. Plus, this is over in about 15 minutes!

My hub-a-lub surprised me with flowers at work today! Pink roses! If you couldn't tell pink is my favorite color. We went to our spot, Olive Garden, for dinner. Yum!

That's about all! Feeling a little under the weather and hoping I can kick it before my CRUISE Saturday! Woo! I recommend one if you haven't done one before! Went on one for my honeymoon, it was a 3 night cruise, a blast, and I'm super excited about this one.

You know how when you first get married you think everything is going to be all cute and perfect... Oh, that was just me? Well the whole time I was on our honeymoon cruise I couldn't wait to get home and decorate out apartment, set up the appliances and start cooking. Three weeks later I was ready for another vacation and four years later I'm finally getting around to it!

Guess what?!? I successfully made some cute baby bows! I'm soooo proud! You guys are going to love them! Want to see a picture of my first one? Ok!

I like the interchanging flowers and I'll do at least 2 per set! I am excited to have homemade stuff as a part of my first giveaway while I'm gone... Details posting on Saturday!

I'm off to enjoy the rest of my birthday, thanks again for your continued reads and comments... I never stop loving them! And once I get back I'll be a full-fledged replier too!

The 100th Post

Wow this came too soon! Well, not too soon, but sooner than I thought. I started this blog just a little more than 3 months ago. Man... And I've hit 100 posts already? Am I driving you crazy yet? I hope not! I'm really having fun with this blog and I imagine it'll be a fun keepsake for me once I have spawn and they are old enough to read and develop an interest of knowing where they came from before they were even a twinkle in my eye. Hmm... Then again, maybe I won't want them to know this side of me.

Most of all I've enjoyed connecting with you all. Your comments are inspiring and sooo informative. They're NEVER too long (yes, even if they're longer than my initial post). I read every one and read all of your blogs and websites as well so please, don't stop!

Anywhoo, in honor of my 100th post and my love for you all, I'm going to give away a gift. But this isn't any ordinary gift... This is something I wanted to keep, but why? So my husband can stare at me, and my collection of future baby stuff and laugh? No... I don't need any more of that, so I'm going to give it to YOU!

Want to know what it is? It's an ADORABLE infant headwrap! My poor kids. I hope I have girls but even if I do I fear they'll be destined to wear pink on a daily basis...Not only that but pink things with flowers, things like these from Born 2 Impress! Jenniffer Powell owns the company and all of the stuff is handmade. She found my blog and decided to sponsor this giveaway!

As you can probably tell from my blog, pink is my favorite color so this Pink with a Green daisy wrap is something I would LOVE to use on my baby girl to decorate her all up for pictures or something! It's hand sewn together so it won't come apart, the flower is also hand sewn together and it has a pretty green rhinestone to top it all off!

So you get an idea of the size, the silk daisy is about 4" wide. I've seen a lot of my friends with little girls have these cute things for baby pictures! Now your little girl/ future little girl or a friend of your's little girl can have one too!

This is what you have to do to enter:

For one entry all you have to do is leave a comment here giving me a piece of motherhood/pregnancy advice.

**For extra entries:

1. If you're not a follower already become a follower of my blog and/or Twitter: @babymakinmachin. And if you're new to following me, don't worry, I try not to be boring.
2. Let me know a topic you'd like me to write about
3. Let me know some cute boy accessory items so I can be excited to maybe one day have a boy.
4. Twitter about this contest or post it on Facebook, your blog or something of that sort and post another comment letting me know! You can leave a seperate comment for each for extra entries.

*Also, check out Born 2 Impress and let me know a MUST HAVE for my future little girl because Lord knows I'm a sucker for all of this cute stuff that'll give you an extra entry as well! :o)

The contest ends: March 28th Good luck!

If you'd like to sponsor a giveaway let me know at babymakingmachine(at)gmail(dot)com

Thank you to Sweeties Sweeps for listing my blog giveaway.

Beautiul Hair Bows and Pins: Kelly Joy Boutique LIVE Giveaway

Be aware of the rules for this LIVE giveaway! Commenter #222 Wins!

Continuing on with my virtual baby shower... You can't celebrate a baby girl without bows, no that's just wrong. I'm in love with these original baby bows from Kelly Joy Boutique.
Kelly has been making hairbows for a couple years but she says she really got into it when she found out she was expecting a little girl (she was born 01.01.10).
"As I looked around shops and online I couldn't believe how expensive hairbows are! I knew I wanted Lily to wear lots of bows, but I wasn't willing to pay the price for bows. I opened my Etsy shop last month and I'm so excited to offer cute bows for a great price! I also started making pins as well. So even if you don't have a little girl, there is something in my shop for you!" She said.

She and her husband have been very happily married for almost 2 years. He is a professional violinist/teacher and she is a work from home Mama to Lily. "I am so thankful for the privilege to stay at home with her."

{New Mama Advice}

Don't stress out if your house isn't clean or dishes are piled in the sink. Spend all the time you can snuggling with your little one because she will grow up before you know it!

Thanks for the tip! I'll let my husband know that's my excuse ;)

{Check out her shop}

Where her adorable bows and headbands start from $2-4! Also, be sure to follow @kellyjoydesigns on twitter and "like" Kelly Joy Boutique on Facebook to learn more!
{win}

She's offering one of you party-goers a $10 gift certificate to her shop and free shipping! So get some pins for yourself, or even bows for yourself or your little one or a friend!

To win you must be commenter #222

{Rules:}

Your first comment must be letting me know your favorite item in Kelly Joy Boutique's Shop. Then you can leave up to 2 (TWO) comments in a row before letting someone else comment before you comment again.

After someone else comments you can comment two more times, and continue in that pattern. The only rule after the first comment is that you must leave a complete sentence (no one-word comments).

{To comment MORE than 2 times in a row}
If you leave a piece of "new mama advice" you can comment 3 times in a row.
If you leave advice and are a blog follower comment 4 times in a row.
And so on with these additional comment credits:
-If you RSVPd to the shower

-Follow @kellyjoydesigns on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway with a link!

-"Like" Kelly Joy Designs on Facebook

-"Like" Baby Makin(g) Machine on Facebook

-Email subscribe to my blog and confirm your email subscription
-Vote for me on Top Baby Blogs

(+1 additional comment for each thing you fulfill!)

So let's say you "earn" 8 comments... Once you comment 8 times, wait for someone to comment after you (at least once) and you can comment again up to 8 times in a row about ANYTHING (in a complete sentence!)

Commenter #222 Wins!! Good luck!

*I was not given anything for this feature/giveaway. Thanks Kelly for sponsoring the prize!*