Spring Fling Giveaway!

My Little Monkey Boutique has partnered with http://www.mymommysbracelets.com/ and other fabulous WAHM's (Work At Home Moms) to bring you another great giveaway from some of our favorite Mommy and Baby boutiques just in time for spring! I am so excited to be participating in this giveaway...it's bigger and better than ever! There are over 30 prizes available and all you have to do is visit mymommysbracelets.com and leave a comment about your favorite prizes - I hope that you will pick mine as a favorite!

My Little Monkey Boutique is giving away a personalized Name Meaning Print using a photo that you submit! This product makes a wonderful Mother's Day gift, new mom present, scrapbook keepsake or Grandparents gift!

And when you comment over at mymommysbracelets.com tell them that LivingaMomsLife sent you!

My Little Monkey Boutique offers a great variety of gifts for mom that would make unique and fun Mother's Day gifts - stop by my boutique to see my custom Mother's Birthstone necklaces, Mother's Photo Pendant Necklaces and Bracelets, and other beautiful custom jewelry. I also offer decorative items Mom's love, customized Mommy Calling Cards and Mommy Notecards and Hand and Foot Print keepsakes!

Winners of Tough Three's Contest

Congratulations to WAHM Tara! Tara is the winner of the $5 gift certificate to My Little Monkey Boutique.

Congratulations also goes to Candace for her advice on how to deal with three year old terrors :) Candace reminds us to give our children tasks to keep them busy while letting them feel like a big helper. She also suggests giving praises to your child throughout the day to encourage him or her to do the right things. Candace will get the Time Management for Moms Ebook.

Both ladies can contact me at april.barney @ amb-services (take out the spaces) to claim their prizes!

Thank you to everyone who commented! I really enjoyed reading all of your stories and tips.

No One Tells You About ...

the Tough Three-And-a-Halfs! When you're a new mom you hear all sorts of horror stories about the terrible twos. But now one warns you about the real age when your child starts defying all of your requests and his ears totally turn off to your voice.

My three-and-a-half year old son has been a nearly perfect child since even before he was born. I had an extremely easy pregnancy working every day at my job until the day I went into labor. I never even had morning sickness. The birth was just as wonderful - fairly short and sweet for my first child. Reagan has always had a calm and kind demeanor, and for the most part has taken mom and dad's words as the gospel. That is until now.

It's like one day my toddler went from barely sitting on the "Naughty Time Out Step" to being placed there for most the day. He suddenly has forgotten his name - at least when I call it - and his hearing has diminished to only working when the words "ice cream" or "candy" are spoken.

My once easy child now spits, kicks, screams and hits when Mommy or Daddy says something he doesn't want to hear. And the words "Love you Mommy," have been replaced with "Leave Me Alone Mommy."

Now that I'm going through this stage with my toddler friends are starting to admit that they to have been here. It seems like I have at least another year of battles, according to the few people who have walked this path before me.

At least there are some glimmers of the pre- tough three-and-a-half year old child. For now I hold onto the random "You're my best friend, Mommy," and "Great Job, Mommy." I remind myself that there are many phases that I will go through with my son and that we will make it through them all.

So now I'm asking you guys for help. I need to know that I'm not just one of the handful of women I've found so far who have found the three-and-a-halfs to be tougher than the twos. I would love for you to leave a comment with a brief story about your child's 3.5 stage. You women with older children who have been through this, please share how you made it through -a tip, trick or advice would be great!

I'll be offering a $5 gift certificate to My Little Monkey Boutique to one lucky person by using random.org to pick a winner from the comments. All you have to do is comment to be entered!

I'll also give a free Time Management for Moms Ebook to the person who comments with the best tip, trick or advice on how to make it through this tough stage without pulling all of your hair out!

The winners will be chosen Friday, Feb. 29th and announced Saturday, March 1!

Last Day to Enter

Today is the final day to enter the Monogrammed Roll Neck Sweater giveaway! For details just read to the post below that includes the adorable picture of my son wearing his monogrammed sweater! I am taking entried until midnight EST tonight. I will announce the winner on Monday right here on my blog!

Monogrammed Sweater Adds Style to Your Child's Wardrobe - Win One For Your Child

While I'm waiting on a photo for my necklace review on The Polka Dot Daisy, I thought I would go ahead and review one of my most favorite sweaters worn by my son.

Made of 100% cotton, this adorable monogrammed sweater put some style in my son's wardrobe. It is beautifully made, and will be a sweater that I will tuck away and cherish forever. I can see myself opening a box in the attic 20 years from now and having the memories of my son wearing this sweater flood back into my mind.

This beautiful blue monogrammed roll neck sweater comes in three sizes: 0-12 months, 2T and 3T.

Unfortunately my son will only get about a year out of wearing it because I didn't come across it until he was 3. However, if you purchase this sweater in a larger size than what your baby or toddler normally wears, you may be able to get a couple winters out of it.

This monogrammed sweater is available for boys and girls in my online boutique at MyLittleMonkeyBoutique.com. The sweaters are available in navy blue, pink or natural color. The monogrammed letters can be stitched in a variety of colors and styles. You can choose between having your child's initials, a single letter, or his/her name up to six letters.

For a chance at winning a FREE monogrammed sweater:

1. Visit MyLittleMonkeyBoutique.com

2. Post this contest in your blog

3. Come back and comment here with the link to where you posted the contest along with a sentence about your favorite item from MyLittleMonkeyBoutique.com

And voila, you are entered! The winner will be announced Friday, Feb. 8th. Good luck!