Who Loves Carter's? Sweepstakes and $50 Giveaway! Enter by Monday!

Do you love Carter's? I guess that's kind of like asking if you've ever eaten ice cream sans bowl in front of the TV while watching Bravo, Style or E!... Um, HECK YEAH! SERIOUSLY!


So here's the scoop...You have exactly two days left to enter a fab two-part contest from Carter's - entries are due end of day Monday, September 13! So... ummm... yeah - Better get on it, mamas!! Here are all the details:

Carter’s is celebrating the funny things that kids say and do by giving away 70 gift cards worth up to $1,000. Every parent loves sharing stories about their child, and let’s face it, kids are hilarious and they can make you crack up at the most unexpected times! Enter your e-mail or share your funny story for the chance to win a Carter’s gift card. Those interested have until Monday - September 13, 2010 to enter the sweepstakes – no purchase necessary.

Official rules are located here: carters.promo.eprize.com/kids/display_page?page=rules


The Easy-Peezy Sweepstakes (aka No Thought Required): Click HERE and enter your email address for a chance to win...

• Grand prize: 5 winners will receive a $250 Carter's gift card
• First prize: 20 winners will receive a $50 Carter's gift card
• Second prize: 40 winners will receive a $25 Carter's gift card

The "The Funny Thing Is..." Contest (aka Some Thought Required, but Still Pretty Darn Easy-Peezy): Click HERE and enter your email address, and then tell Carter's about the funniest thing your baby has done for a chance to win... You know you've told the story a million times anyway - so now just put it in writing!!

• Grand prize: 1 winner will receive a $1000 Carter's gift card
• First prize: 4 winners will receive a $250 Carter's gift card

JUST FOR SWEET LEIGH MAMA READERS!
And then, once you get done entering the Carter's sweepstakes/contest, fill out the form below for ANOTHER chance to win a $50 Carter's gift card. (Or click HERE to enter if you can't see the form below.) This one is thanks to the super fab Carter's PR folks who kinda just love you all. You have until EOD Sunday the 18th to enter this one - lucky you! One winner will be chosen at random, and will be announced on Monday a.m.

Speechless Saturday: Paige in Boots

I'm not ashamed to admit it - I am totally turning Paige into a Mini-Me! Yesterday Daniel and I stopped by Old Navy so he could get a new pair of jeans and I couldn't help but make a beeline to the children's section. See, ever since I purchased my slouchy brown boots, I've been on the lookout for identical ones for Paige. Don't judge - you know every girl needs a perfect pair of slouchy brown boots for Fall! So I spotted a great pair and as I searched for Paige's size,  Daniel walked up behind me. Here is the conversation that followed:

Daniel: What are you doing?

Me: Ummm... what? Nothing. Nothing. I'm just looking for something.

Daniel: Paige doesn't need shoes. She isn't even walking.

Me: She does. She desperately needs brown slouchy boots.

Daniel: What? Why? What 8-month-old needs brown boots?

Me (trying to distract him): Don't worry about it. Are you going to try on those jeans or what?

Daniel: Yeah. But are you seriously going to get Paige these boots?

And then it happened. These words literally came out of my mouth as naturally as if I was saying my name and phone number.

Me (in an exasperated, unnecessarily loud voice): YES! I planned Paige's ENTIRE Fall/Winter wardrobe around these boots. We NEED the brown slouchy boots!

Needless to say, we got the boots. Mama always wins : )
 

"I Hate to Break it to You Babe, But I'm Not Drowning..."

At the moment, I am 100% obsessed with the new Sara Bareilles song "King of Anything." Love it. Love it. LOVE! IT! It totally reminds me of the phase of life that mommyhood spurs... the phase where you stop giving a hoot about everyone else's opinions and start trusting and relying on yourself and your gut instincts.

I feel like when you find out your prego, you quickly get your priorities in check and figure out what really matters. Then, when the baby arrives, the initial exhaustion and fear of the unknown leads to a vacuum of self-doubt. Am I doing this right? Will I be a good mom? How on earth am I going to take care of this little tiny baby? You ask everyone's opinions and forget about your own maternal instinct. And then finally - after you've heard all the opinions of how everyone else would do it if they were you - you realize that YOU are the one in control. You are the mama... the one who carried this tiny being for 9 months and gave birth to him or her. You are the one who is with the baby 24/7 - who sees the good and the not-so-good. And you start taking everyone's advice with a grain of salt. We may be new mamas, but we're not drowning. We don't need saving. God blessed us with the gift of maternal instincts... and no matter what crazy advice or opinions people throw our way, we know what's best for our individual babies. As the song says, "Who cares if you disagree? You are not me. Who made you King of Anything?"

Keep drinking coffee, stare me down across the table
While I look outside
So many things I’d say if only I were able
But I just keep quiet and count the cars that pass by

You’ve got opinions, man
We’re all entitled to ‘em, but I never asked
So let me thank you for your time, and try not to waste anymore of mine
And get out of here fast

I hate to break it to you babe, but I’m not drowning
There’s no one here to save

Who cares if you disagree?
You are not me
Who made you king of anything?
So you dare tell me who to be?
Who died and made you king of anything?

You sound so innocent, all full of good intent
Swear you know best
But you expect me to jump up on board with you
And ride off into your delusional sunset

I’m not the one who’s lost with no direction
But you’ll never see

You’re so busy making maps with my name on them in all caps
You got the talking down, just not the listening

And who cares if you disagree?
You are not me
Who made you king of anything?
So you dare tell me who to be?
Who died and made you king of anything?

All my life I’ve tried to make everybody happy
While I just hurt and hide
Waiting for someone to tell me it’s my turn to decide

Who cares if you disagree?
You are not me
Who made you king of anything?
So you dare tell me who to be?
Who died and made you king of anything?

Who cares if you disagree?
You are not me
Who made you king of anything?
So you dare tell me who to be?
Who died and made you king of anything?

Let me hold your crown, babe.