Winners of the Fairytale Threads Presale Tickets

And the winners are....

#9 Liza A Martin and #16 Marie. Send me an email at mommy2baustin (at) yahoo.com to claim your tickets!

WIN 2 Presale tickets to Fairytale Threads Childrens' Resale Event

Fairytale Threads is a twice a year consignment event designed to turn clutter into cash and give you the opportunity to shop new and gently worn items for great prices. Their event is coming up on Friday, September 18th from 10a-8p and Saturday, Sept. 19th from 9a-4pm. at the Old Settlers Association - 3300 Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock.

Fairytale Threads is hosting an exclusive Presale event, by invitation only, for their volunteers, consignors and guests on Thursday, Sept. 17th from 7p-9p. During this presale, you'll be able to get an exclusive first peek at the hottest, most sought after items for great low prices before the public sale!

We are giving away 2 PRESALE TICKETS! A random comment will be chosen on Monday, September 7th at midnight. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post telling us how you and your family are saving money these days. Want to increase your chances of winning? To earn an extra entry, leave us a comment if you do the following:

- Become a fan on Facebook or are already a fan
- Follow us on Twitter @mommy2baustin
- If you have a twitter account, RT our tweet on this giveaway
- Follow our blog

For more inf about the event, visit their website at http://www.fairytalethreads.com

Good luck to all and let's save!

Children's Resale Event coming up in September

The current state of the economy has many local families looking for new and creative ways to stretch their budgets while still meeting the needs of their quickly growing children. Fairytale Threads understands that parenting growing children is expensive. The price of diapers and formula alone can be shocking. Then add cribs, bouncers, videos, toys and clothes to the mix. Parents also quickly realize many items are outgrown in a matter of weeks. As they grow, their clothes might last one season, and their taste in toys can change overnight.

The Fairytale Threads owners know this first hand and are giving other parents a way to save and make some money by finding things they need at great prices as well as a venue to sell their own outgrown items. With six children between them, Alecia Goode and Christa Matamoros know the value of a good deal and common sense of stretching every dollar. They also know that outgrown items still have lots of life left in them.

Local families won’t have to go far to find good quality, gently used clothes, toys and gear for their children at a fraction of the price of retail. Over 100 families brought thousands of items to the Fairytale Threads Spring 2009 Event. Thousands of shoppers attened to find what they needed.

Fairytale Threads will host their Fall 2009 Children’s Consignment Event on Friday and Saturday September 18th and 19th, 2009 at the

Old Settlers Association at 3300

Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock.

Public shopping begins on Friday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. and continues through Saturday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Some items will be half price on Saturday. Those who sign up to consign or volunteer have the opportunity to shop before the public!

Fairytale Threads does not accept certain items for resale including car seats or booster seats, children’s jewelry, used feeding or toilet training items, clothing with draw strings around the head or neck, or recalled items. Fairytale Threads also inspects each item to reach a level of confidence that the items offered for resale are indeed safe as well as affordable.

In an effort to pay it forward, consignors, volunteers and shoppers are asked to bring a canned food or pantry item for the Round Rock Area Serving Center’s food bank. Consignors also have the option to donate unsold items to the Round Rock Serving Center’s thrift store, helping local families in need.

If you are looking for ways to help with this event or want more details, you can visit Fairytale Threads website at: http://www.fairytalethreads.com/ or call Fairytale Threads at

512-850-3280.

Spread the word and hope to see you there!

Friday Freebies

Here are some more freebies, coupons and other offers I found! Every little bit helps for our mama wallets! Enjoy, print and SAVE!!! ☺☺☺

• WALMART Free Samples – Enjoy a few freebies while supplies last
• TARGET.COM Discount coupons – Get $5, $10 off your online purchase on various departments
• TARGET Groceries Printable Coupons – Offer expires on 8/22/09
• CVS Pharmacy Printable Coupons – Coupons can be redeemed in-store only. Enter your zipcode for more available offers
• Johnson&Johnson’s Printable coupons – Save up to $8 on baby products
• Nestle Family Special offers and coupons
• BABYTOBEE.COM Special offers and coupons
• YoBaby Yogurt $1.00 OFF coupon – coupons are redeemable 10 days after download
• FREE Graco Baby Essentials Bundle
• Get 7 FREE Gifts from Baby Einstein
• Get $5.00 OFF your Babies-R-Us Registry – With a purchase of $25 or more
  
  

Latest Scoop on Free Diapers and coupons!

The biggest expense when the baby comes home comes down to the amount of diapers he will have to go through...A newborn uses an average of 8-10 diapers a DAY! We're talking about 240-300 diapers just in their first month of life! The # of diapers does decrease as your child gets older, but by the time he turns 1, you probably would have already changed over 3,000 diapers!

I've compiled a list of some useful sites that offer free samples, and valuable coupns on different brand name diapers. If you happen to spot one, please share it with us!

• HUGGIES Special offer mailing list – Have Huggies coupons delivered to your home when you sign up for their mailing list
• DIAPERS.COM $5 OFF Diapers Discounts – Get $5 off diapers or formula/ 10% off other items for 1st time customers (free shipping)
• FREE SAMPLE New Huggies Pure & Natural diapers – Will mail you a coupon along with sample
• FREE Potty Training Kit from Pampers – samples, coupons, and a guide to potty training
• Huggies Little Swimmers $1.50 OFF coupon - Get $1.50 off! Limit one coupon per household per month.
• LUVS Diapers $1 OFF coupon – Get $1 off mailed to your home
• Seventh Generation $2 OFF Diapers – Must sign-in to redeem coupons and can be printed twice within 30 days. Other coupons from Seventh Generation are available too.

Must Have Items for your Baby Registry

With so many things going through your mind during your pregnancy, finding out what you need for your little one's arrival as you create a baby registry can be quite an overwhelming task. I personally love checklists! All the suggestions on what your baby will need are laid out for you, simplifying your time and efforts! Baby Coco, a local baby boutique in Austin carries a wonderful selection of items for your baby's nursery and the newest and most stylish trends for new mamas! Their Nursery Checklist is a must have for your Baby Registry! If you are in the Austin area, Baby Coco offers a great baby registry service, which includes gift wrapping and even will email a copy of your baby registry to your any family or friends that are interested.

Here are some MUST HAVE items offered at Baby Coco:


Diaper Bags: At Baby Coco, they don’t believe in carrying some big, plain tote for a diaper bag. This is your new purse! There’s no reason to stop carrying chic bags when you become a mama.

Get your husband his own bag too. Husbands forget to re-stock your bag when they are done carrying it. Not good when you are out and about and out of wipes. Also, it gives a man some dignity. :)


Slings: Highly recommended to all mamas registering. They are a life-saver! Baby Coco carries Serena and Lily Market Slings, The Peanut Shell pouch slings and Zolowear rings slings.

Cheyenne Beard, the store's manager, or one of her friendly staff members will be happy to help mamas find the right sling for their lifestyle. They will make sure you get the right fit and will even help you how to use them!

Feed Me Journal: This is one of Baby Coco's personal favorites to give. At the hospital or in your lactation class, they usually only give you one photocopied sheet to help keep track of feedings. Unfortunately, I didn't know this hidden gem existed and ended up making countless copies and before I knew it, I had sheets of nursing, sleeping and pooping schedules laying all over our breakfast table!!

This little book is small and fits easily into your purse or diaper bag. It also works for breast-feeding or bottle-feeding mamas and includes space for adding solid foods.

To view Baby Coco's complete selection, you can check them out online or visit their beautiful boutique located on

Baby Coco

Kerbey Lane Village

1515-B West 35 th Street

Austin, Texas 78703

512.377.2626

Yummy beverages for Mamas this summer!

Mamas! Treat yourselves for a Happy Hour!! What a better way to cool off this summer with a delicious drink! They're so good, you won't even tell they are alcohol-free! Don't feel guilty on these little indulgence. It's for the baby too, right? :) ENJOY!

Banana Chocolate Milkshake

Sweet Tart


Ginger-Lime Sparkler


Materni-Tini

Baby and Tot Storytimes

Storytimes are a great way to connect with your child for free! Classes are typically 20-30min and are often offered in public libraries. It's not jut about reading books. It's more about songs and movement! Depending on the age, the instructor may read a very simple book or just show books that you may introduce your child. Your very little ones will enjoy listening to songs, which are often combined with gestures, and watching other babies while they sit on your lap or crawl around the room exploring. As they get older, they will start becoming more engaged and actually participating in the songs and even the stories read. Towards the end of the session, there's usually playtime! A pile of toys in the middle of the room brings the crawlers and walkers together to socialize. It also allows the parents time to meet each other.

Below you'll find storytimes around Austin and surrounding areas, ranging from newborn up to 5 yrs. Please call before attending any of the storytimes listed below as events times and dates may change.

Round Rock Public Library
216 E. Main, Round Rock, TX /512.218.7000

Babytime Storytime /infant – 12 mos /THU at 9:30a
Babytime Storytime /12 mos – 18 mos /FRI at 9:30a
Storytime for toddlers /18mos – 3yrs /WED at 9:30a and THU at 10:30a
Preschool Storytime /3yrs and up /MON at 7:00p, WED at 10:30a, THU at 10:30a
Bilingual Storytime /3yrs – 6 yrs/ TUE at 10:30a

Pflugerville Public Library
102 Tenth Street Pflugerville, TX 78660 /512.251.9185

Bilingual Storytime /All Ages /MON at 10:30a
Toddler Storytime /18mos – 3yrs /TUE at 10:30a
Preschool Storytime /3 yrs – 5yrs /THU at 10:30a
Lapsit Storytime /Infants – 12 mos /FRI at 10:30a

Cedar Park Public Library
550 Discovery Blvd. Cedar Park, TX /512.401.5663

Lapsit Storytime /Infants – 12 mos/ MON, TUE, & THU at 9:45a and MON at 2p
Toddler Storytime /12 mos – 36 mos/ MON, THU at 10:30 a
Family Storytime /All Ages/ SAT at 10 a

Bookpeople
603 N. Lamar Austin, TX /512.472.4288
Storytime /All Ages /TUE, WED at 10:30a and SAT at 11:30 a

Family Connections
825 E 53 ½ St, Bldg E-101 /512.478.5725 ext. 210
Storytime /All Ages/ SAT at 10:00a

Austin Children’s Museum
210 Colorado St /512.472.2499
Austin Kids Storytime /All Ages/ WED: 2p, 4p, & 6p, THU: 2p & 4p, FRI: 11a, 2p, & 4p, SAT at 11:00a

Barnes & Noble Bookstores

Arboretum /10000 Research Blvd #158, Austin, TX 78759 /512.418.8985
Storytime with Ms. Naomi /All Ages /WED at 11:00a

The Homestead Lakeline Crossing 14010 US Hwy. 183, Austin, TX 78717 /512.249.5644
Preschool Storytime /3 yrs – 5yrs /WED at 9:30a, 11:00a

Hill Country Galleria /12701 Hill Country Blvd Ste O-140, Bee Cave, TX 78738 /512.263.7402
Storytime with Ms. Dana /All Ages /MON at 10:30a
Storytime with Ms. Kim /All Ages /TUE at 10:30a
Pajamarama /All Ages /WED at 7:00p
Storytime with Mr. Nick /All Ages /FRI at 10:30a

Sunset Valley Sunset Valley Village /5601 Brodie Lane Suite 300, Austin, TX 78745 512.892.3493
Storytime All Ages SAT at 11:00a

Westlake /701 S. Capital of Texas Hwy.#P860, Austin, TX 78746 /512.328.3155
Storytime /All Ages/ WED at 10:00a
Storytime /All Ages /SAT at 11:00a


Austin Public Library Branches

Cepeda Branch /651 N Pleasant Valley Rd /512.974.7372
Infant Storytime /Infant – 5 yrs /TUE at 10:15a

Faulk Central Library / 800 Guadalupe St / 512.974.7410
Infant Storytime /Infant – 5 yrs /TUE at 10:15a
Infant Storytime /Infant – 5 yrs /THU at 11:00a

Hampton Branch at Oak Hill /5125 Convict Hill Rd. /512. 974.9900
Toddler Storytime /18 mos – 3 yrs /WED at 10:15a
Preschool Storytime /3 yrs – 5 yrs /WED at 11:00a

Howson Branch /2500 Exposition Rd. /512.472.3584
Toddler Storytime /18 mos – 3 yrs /WED at 10:15a
Preschool Storytime /3 yrs – 5 yrs /TUE at 11:00a

Manchaca Road Branch / 5500 Manchaca Rd / 974.8700
Evening Storytime /Infant – 5 yrs /THU at 7p

Millwood Branch Library /12500 Amherst Dr. /512. 974.9880
Infant Storytime /Infant – 5 yrs /WED at 10:15a
Spanish Storytime /Infant – 5 yrs /WED at 11:00a
Preschool Storytime /3 yrs – 5 yrs /TUE at 11:00a

Old Quarry Branch 7/051 Village Center Dr. /512.345.4435
Toddler Storytime /18 mos – 3 yrs /WED at 10:15a

Pleasant Hill Branch /211 E William Cannon Dr/ 512.974.3940
Toddler Storytime /18 mos – 3 yrs /TUE at 10:15a
Preschool Storytime /3 yrs – 5 yrs /TUE at 11:00a

Ruiz Branch / 1600 Grove Blvd / 974.7500
Spanish Storytime /Infant – 5 yrs /THU at 10:15a

SE Austin Community Branch / 5803 Nuckols Crossing Rd / 462.1452
Infant Storytime /Infant – 5 yrs /FRI at 10:15a

Spicewood Springs Branch /8637 Spicewood Springs Rd. /512.974.3800
Toddler Storytime /18 mos – 3 yrs /WED at 10:15a

Windsor Park Branch /5833 Westminster Dr /512.928.0333
Infant Storytime /Infant – 5 yrs /TUE at 10:15a
Pajama Storytime/ Infant – 5 yrs /WED at 7:00p

Yarborough Branch /2200 Hancock Dr/ 512.454.7208
Toddler Storytime /18 mos – 3 yrs/ TUE at 10:15a
Preschool Storytime /3 yrs – 5 yrs /TUE at 11:00a
Books & Babies /12 mos – 18 mos /WED at 10:15a

Fit Mommy2B Tip #8: Get a Prenatal Massage!

Getting a pregnancy massage is a real opportunity to help practice your capacity to let go as you prepare your body for your birth experience! Massages can be adjusted to accomodate your changing body. It is shown that just receiving 20-minute massages, twice weekly in the last trimester, may significantly improve the mom’s neonatal outcome, especially prematurity, labor pain and labor time.

Prenatal Massage presents a number of benefits for the future mommas:

• Reduces stress
• Relieves back discomfort due to changes in body and posture
• Lower prematurity rates
• Reduce labor pain and labor time
• Lower the risk for depression
• Reduce pelvic discomfort
• Lower the need for medication
• Reduce the swelling of ankles and feet
• Improves sleep

If you'd like to know more about the great benefits of prenatal massage, you can view the entire article submitted by Star Doula Summer Greenlees on our Mommy2B website.

Music and Play for Mama and Baby

Unlike any other activity, every single area of the brain is stimulated during music making! The first 6 years for a child are the most critical ones for musical growth. Infants are “wired” to receive music and able to discriminate between melodies and frequencies – this stage is also known as the ‘music babble stage.’ This is also the time where a child learns his surroundings through play. By incorporating the music culture into your child’s live, he will be able to experiment playfully with these musical elements. Parents, caregivers, and teachers can do a great deal to provide the necessary stimulation through music experiences to nurture the young child's music abilities, regardless of your own.

At Heartsong Music, you and your child can experience Music Together®, an the award-winning early childhood music program. These classes are geared for children 0-5 yrs and their parents. Their classes are based on the idea that making music with children, in a community of families, enriches their lives as it promotes musical growth and aptitute. And, above all, it is FUN!
Classes include songs, chants, dancing and instrument play. Even though the class follows a structured sequence of activities, they are presented as informal, where kids and parents are free to explore through movement and music.


Heartsong Music was founded in 2004 by Carey Youngblood, a certified Montessori teacher who has been involved in teaching children for over 25 years. According to Carey, this program has become a "true community of diverse families and enthusiastic, loving, and talented teachers bonding through musical experiences." (Photo on the left is courtesy of Katie Jo Dixon with Heart Roots Photography)

I was able to experience a class with my 22 month old son and he LOVED IT! At the beginning of each session, families receive a Music Together illustrated songbook and two CDs (one for home and one for the car). Classes are mixed-aged and typically run for 45 minutes. You will find children and their families singing, dancing, and playing instruments together.

You will find some children sit in the parent’s lap, while others independently explore the room, the instruments, and their own movement in relation to the music – As you can see in the picture to the right, I must say my son was the independent one! In this particular part of the class, children and their parents, dance around the room to the rhythm of the music in a circle waving fun-colored scarves.

At the end of the class children and parents gather in a circle and enjoy the “Goodbye song.” This last section of the class is very neat as the teacher passes by each kid (mentioning the kid’s name in the song) and lets them strum the guitar. I'm not a musical person myself, so I don't think I've touched a guitar more than a handful of times! Knowing that my son is getting this experience from early on will be very valuable for his development and love for music! (Photo on the left is courtesy of Katie Jo Dixon with Heart Roots Photography)

Heartsong music is located on 2700 West Anderson Lane, Ste. 320. They are currently offering FREE sample classes! at 10:15 and 11:15am and 3:15 and 4:15pm September 8th, 9th and 12th. Call 371-9506 or visit their website.

The Fall Session will start September 14th and will run through December 12th.

Workout Activities for Mama and Baby: Swimming Lessons

Taking care of a baby is a workout in itself! But once your little one starts crawling and walking, there’s a new world of exploration right before their eyes, and guess who’s going to be breaking a sweat chasing him around?!

To further enhance their motor skills, there are some activities that I have found quite engaging for my little one while getting a fun little workout for me too! Given that it's SO hot here in Austin, the first workout I'll focus on will be on swimming!

Swimming Lessons

You can get your baby involved in swimming as early as 6 months! Your babies will learn to get comfortable in the water and gain confidence, while you learn basic safety skills and holding techniques. Water exercise has been noted to improve your baby’s endurance, coordination, and lung capacity.

Classes are typically in small group settings, so you’ll get the maximum attention from the instructor. They also offer private lessons if you prefer one-on-one training.

To learn more about class schedules and locations, here are some local places that specialize in infant/toddler swimming lessons:

1. Aqua Tots

2. Emler Swim School

3. YMCA of Austin

4. Tom’s Dive and Swim

5. City of Austin Park and Recreation Dept.

Austin's Local Picks: Best Frozen Treat Places

I'm going to start compiling the top 5 favorite for our new and future momma community here in Austin! Given that it's SO hot in Austin, let's start our first one with Frozen Treats. I will run this until the end of the month and then we will pick Mommy2B's top 5 favorite picks!

Vote Here!

Fit Mommy2B Tip #7 - Folic Acid Intake

Folate is a form of vitamin B that helps prevent brain, spinal cord defects, promote healthy birth weight and full-term delivery. The synthetic form of Folate that is found in supplemts and certain foods is called folic acid. It is recommended that pregnant women take 800 -1000 mcg of Folic Acid during their pregnancy. Before and after conception is also adviced.

Here's a list of some food that contain Folic Acid:

- Orange Juice
- Whole wheat bread
- Broccoli
- Bananas
- Cantaloupe
- Spinach
- Fortified cereal
- Asparagus
- Meat
- Beans
- Papaya
- Avocado
- Dry roasted peanuts

If you would like a complete list of foods that contain Folic Acid per serving, check out: http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/folate.asp

Stork Giveaway Winner

Congrats to Jenna for winning the free stork rental. Plase email me to claim your prize :-)

Fit Mommy2B Tip #6: Replacement meal bars during pregnancy

If you're a busy momma, always on the go, you should definitely try the Belly Bar! These granola bars are specifically designed for pregnant women as they are fortified with the right nutrients, such as Folic Acid, Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, DHA, Omega-3s fand it's only 160 cals!. You can even eat these before and after pregnancy. You can get them at your local HEB, Target or Amazon.

They taste really good and come in four flavors: Nuts and Berries, Mellow Oats, Burstin' Chocolate with Orange, and Chocolate Toffee.

Keep one handy in your purse and enjoy after a nice walk, workout, or as a snack. Remember that you should not be on any diet while you're pregnant, so still keep getting your calories from healthy foods.

Fairytale Threads Giveaway Winners

Thanks to all that came in for the Fairytale Threads Consignment event. It's a great place for new mommies to find cool and cheap items for their little ones! We had a few giveaways that weekend and here are our lucky winners:

Stork Rental: Ginnie Mayle

Mini-Bootie cupcakes (set of 4): Sabrina Shaw

New Baby Scrapbook: Angie Nett

Congratutalions!!

2009 Trends in Pregnancy and Parenting

What's hot with moms and moms-to-be in 2009? Find out which mommy trends we think are just about to pop!

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Stork Giveaway

Announce the arrival of your new baby to your friends, neighbors, and family with a beautiful stork in the yard!! Mommy2B is giving away a FREE weekly stork rental, courtesy of

http://www.mypreciousarrival.com/

To participate in this giveaway, just tell us what has been or was the best part about your pregnancy. You do not have to be pregnant at the moment to participate :-) If you follow our blog, you can have 2 entries to this drawing! Just make a 2nd comment and mention that you are following Mommy2B.

A random winner will be chosen on March 7th. Stay tuned!!

Fit Mommy2B Tip#5: Pregnancy Without Pounds

Michelle Moss' Pregnancy Without Pounds provides future mommies with great tips and exercises to help us feel good and sexy!!

Check out her wide selection of e-books and CDs to get you in great shape while pregnant and become a hot MAMA!!

Being a mom is an incredibly rewarding experience, but it's also very demanding. If you have a good solid base of health behaviors, you're going to set yourself up to not only LOOK GOOD, but feel good and have enough energy to enjoy your little one.

Boosting your baby's brain development

Research shows that a child’s brain contains over 100 billion neurons at birth, which will continue to grow during his first years. Your baby’s brain neural connections need to be “wired together” to ensure proper cognitive development. For this reason, parents need to provide their children with enriching activities and experiences to boost their baby’s brain power. These are some simple things you can do for your baby during his first year.

Be attentive to your baby. If your baby shows interest in something, make sure you follow your attention to his interest and talk to him about it expressing joy. Let your baby know that his interests are important to you. Responding to his cries by nurturing him will make him feel emotionally secure. Use diaper time to attract your baby’s attention or even give him massages to calm him and bond with him. Being attentive to your baby helps develop trust. Your baby will be more willing to explore and learn if he feels secure with you. Those signals of emotional security are sent directly to the brain, contributing those neural connections to be wired.

Read to your baby. Pick books with colorful illustrations and point at the pictures and make sounds of the animals as you read along. By reading to your baby, you will be enhancing his “receptive language,” the ability to understand spoken words.

Choose appropriate developmental toys. As your baby explores with the world around him, pick toys that will help him enhance cause-effect, math, or other problem solving skills.

Sing songs to your baby. Help your baby incorporate sounds with body movements, specially hands and fingers during the early stages to enhance fine motor skills development. Songs will also help your baby develop rhythm and language acquisition.

Make mealtime enjoyable. As your baby learns to feed soft foods, say out loud the names of the food he’s eating (or playing with). Express joy as he attempts this task, regardless how messy it may get. This will help create positive emotional brain patterns.

Noteworthy Family Recalls of 2008/ 2007: Check your home for these recalled baby and kid products

Having kids means buying stuff—toys, furniture, clothing, medicine, and more. But sometimes that stuff is later deemed unsafe by the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), the nation's resource for protecting families against unsafe pr

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Snuggly wrap Winner

Congratulations to Emily B. for winning the Christmas giveaway! Send me an email at mommy2baustin@yahoo.com to claim your snuggly wrap.