Sophia Grace & Rosie’s Royal Adventure DVD Giveaway!

How many parties do you attend during the holidays?! I know New Years is especially a big party night…how about adding a little more fun…AwoX has this amazing Wi-Fi StriimLIGHT that will add a special element of fun to your party!
Who is AwoX?
AwoX manufactures electronic modules for consumer electronics, and final products for leading service providers. AwoX connected devices enable operators to serve premium audio and video services in the home.
What is the StriimLIGHT?
AwoX StriimLIGHT mini Color is a small format Bluetooth-enabled speaker LED that fills your space with music and a rainbow of colors. Enjoy streaming wirelessly from your Bluetooth-equipped music player in seconds.
Easy to integrate with its small size and E14 socket – Plays audio right from your Bluetooth music players, including computers and numerous types of smartphones and tablets – Infrared remote control for light on/off, sound volume setup and mute – Bulb: LED, 110-240v, fits standard E26 or E14 socket
– Speaker: 3 Watts, 200Hz-20KHz
I was so excited to check this out! I set it up while everyone was at work & school and then waited till it was dark out…then I turned off all the lights and hit play on my iPad…the music is extremely clear, and the colored lights are super fun. All the boys want one for their rooms now..lol..it has 9 colors to choose from and a automatic “flash” mode where it cycles through the colors…You can control the volume from your device or the remote.
Here’s a short video of it in “action”
I love this light/speaker and can’t wait to show it off this holiday season! Then just maybe, I’ll share it with the boys…
WHERE TO BUY
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Having all boys and the only girls I have to buy for are 7 hours away, it’s a little hard to find things that they might like for Christmas..so I just channel my inner little girl and pick things that I would like to play with, and I usually get it right. This year i’m loving the little Lalaloopsy Tinies..they are a much tinier version of the Lalaloopsy dolls that the girls already love.
The teeny tiny little dolls are fantastic for small hands that like to carry several around. Kids love to collect things so being able to collect and carry all their favorite dolls at once is fun for them. These Lalaloopsy Tinies are colorful and easy to fit in pockets, or if like my nieces, their purses. In each pack there is a surprise character. It’s exciting to open the pack and see what surprise awaits you in this one!
Lalaloopsy Tinies are available in packs of 10 & a special pack of 18…you can even get the Lalaloopsy Tinies Houses for the kids to use with their tiny dolls! They can create a whole village and can easily store their Tinies inside the houses too!
I think these are so incredibly fun. They are small and soft to the touch and encourage imaginative play. There are more than 100 Tinies available to collect. As an added bonus, girls can string them to create their own jewelry and accessories.
When you are shopping this year for toys that will thrill your kiddos, take a look at the Lalaloopsy Tinies.
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Walmart | Target | ToysRus
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Today is November 17th, World Preemie Day! A whole day to bring awareness to preemies and how strong they all are. My last baby Damien was born unexpectedly 4 weeks early…I’d never had any issues with my other pregnancies and this one was full of scares. We had been under strict weekly observations for months due to a fluid buildup around his tiny little heart. So needless to say he was rushed off after he was born to be seen by a cardiologist. A few lonely scary hours ticked by then we got news that all was well! The only other problem we had been jaundice and had trouble nursing. I’d say all in all we were extremely lucky! Now I would like to share with you the story of little Carlee. Lacey (Carlee’s beautiful mama & blogger at Mama Needs A Bottle) was in my pregnancy group so we shared all our ups and downs together. I hope you enjoy her inspiring story…
My preemie experience started 21 months, 3 weeks, 5 days ago. On January 22, 2013, my sweet daughter, the last of my babies, decided she could no longer wait for her due date. She arrived at 8:11am, 15 inches long, 2lbs 15oz. Apgar scores of 8 & 9! A teeny tiny head FULL of black hair. Hearing her scream was a HUGE sigh of relief. I had only been pregnant with her 27 weeks, 6 days. I was terrified.
Ever since I was a little girl, I always wanted 3 kids. I had my mind set on 2 boys and 1 girl just like my mom had. My first came as a surprise when I had a positive pregnancy test 2 days before my 18th birthday! Ian has been a huge blessing in our lives from that moment on. Josh and I were so young, that we waited to have another. We started trying for our second the summer of 2010, but after 11 months of trying, I deleted my ovulation tracker and felt like another baby would never happen. I found out I was pregnant a week or two after deleting that ovulation tracker. Mason has been our little firecracker ever since! After having Mason at 27, I decided I would wait a few years to have my last. My mom and Grandma would tell me to just have them close in age and get it over with. Ha! No way, ladies! That’s just crazy! Well, I missed my appointment or my IUD and BAM! I was pregnant again by the time Mason was 6 months old! I couldn’t believe it! I remember feeling a little sad that Mason wouldn’t have the same alone time that Ian got for so many years.
My pregnancy started off fine. Some all day sickness for a few weeks (Not anywhere near how sick I was with Mason!). Early on I had a LOT of pelvic pain. I figured it was because I had JUST been pregnant and I was now 28 years old! Everyone figured it was normal or maybe that I was exaggerating a little. (Don’t we all figure the pregnant lady is exaggerating a little bit?) I was really in pain a lot of the time. I told the midwife, she didn’t think too much of it at the time. We paid to find out the Gender early like we did with Mason’s pregnancy thank to The Images of Life in Melbourne. Everyone was ready for a girl! I didn’t get my hopes up too high for a girl. “IT’S A GIRL!” I cried like a little baby! Wow! “Are you sure?” I had to make sure I could start baby girl shopping right away! After being outnumbered by boys, I was so excited to be able to add a sweet little girl to our family. I even already had a name picked out, Chanel Lynn (of course changed to Carlee Mae).
After we bought tons of pink and let everyone know a sweet baby girl would arrive sometime in April, we resumed our life as normal. A SAHM of a 9-year-old and a 9 month old while 5 months pregnant! Still in pain most of the time. It hurt to walk. I felt like something was ripping apart! Once I reached 27 weeks, Mason had just turned ONE and my mom was just coming home from visiting my Aunt in CT. I was home and discovered blood streaked, mucous discharge and immediately visited Dr. Google!! He told me that it sounds like part of my mucous plug! I never noticed losing it with my 1st two full term pregnancies. I didn’t even have another appointment for another whole week and a half! My mom was due home the next day, If it was still a little bloody, I would just have her take me to the hospital while Josh worked
The next day, I told my dad to have my Mom call me on their way home from the airport. I explained to her what was going on and said, ” I can always see if I can get into the dr tomorrow if you’re tired!” She said, “Yes, please!” At my appointment, I explained what was going on and was asked if I wanted to have my cervix checked. Well, sure! “You’re 2 centimeters dilated! What’s up with that?” HA! you tell me! You’re the Doctor! He told me I need to now go home and be on bed rest. Didn’t really give any explanation as to why I was already dilating. I went home and packed my stuff up to go stay at my moms. Josh was working 6 days a week in the afternoon/evening and that wouldn’t work with a 1-year-old at home!
At my moms, she was the best. Asking if I needed anything or filling my cup with water. I was really hard for me to let someone wait on me so much! I have always been the one taking care of everyone! So I still took showers with Mason who decided to start walking the DAY I was put on bed rest! Go figure! Anytime I would move around, I was having what I thought were Braxton Hicks contractions. They never hurt, just a little uncomfortable or annoying. I was put on bed rest on Thursday, January 17th, 2013.
On Sunday, the 20th, I just had a weird feeling. Can’t really describe it, just felt weird. I figured if I still felt that way the next day, I would go to the ER as instructed by my OB. Monday, I still felt weird and a little constipated. Off to the ER we went. They brought me into the “High Risk ” Pregnancy room and did a UA and the usual blood pressure and temperature readings. Normal. They called my Dr and then did a Fetal Fibronecton test that was positive. (Definition of Fetal Fibronectin from Mayo Clinic:
Fetal fibronectin is a protein that acts as a “glue” during pregnancy, attaching the amniotic sac — the fluid-filled membrane that cushions your baby in the uterus — to the lining of the uterus.
Fetal fibronectin is often present in vaginal discharge before week 22 of pregnancy. Fetal fibronectin also begins to break down and can be detected in vaginal discharge toward the end of pregnancy.
If your health care provider is concerned about preterm labor, he or she might test a swab of secretions near your cervix for the presence of fetal fibronectin between week 22 and week 34 of pregnancy. A positive fetal fibronectin test is a clue that the “glue” has been disturbed and you’re at increased risk of preterm labor.
I was also now 3 cm dilated. I was being admitted for very strict bed rest. I cried more because it was my first nght away from Mason than being admitted on bedrest. Delivering her the next day didn’t even seem possible. I was 27 weeks 5 days pregnant.
That night, I couldn’t sleep. I was hooked up to monitors, IV fluids and Magnesium Sulfate (to stop any contractions), a catheter, and had many pillows and blankets! I stayed up and googled 28 week preemie all night. The more I read, the better I felt. I knew that we could handle any obstacle thrown in our way. My best friends younger twin sisters were born at 26 weeks and are now beautiful 24 year olds. I knew that even with the many challenges they faced, they have grown to be such beautiful ladies! The ultrasound I had that night showed she was close to 3lbs give or take a few ounces. What a relief! I maybe dozed off a little here and there, but by 4:30 AM, I had the most painful “bladder spasms” I swore were being caused by the catheter! I also noticed I was bleeding, which scared me! I rang the nurse who chalked it up to me having my cervix checked previously that night. By 6 am they seemed pretty regular and I could kid of predict when it would happen. (Let me just say that with my 2 previous pregnancies, I NEVER had regular contractions. NEVER!) at 6:50 am I rang the nurse again, the CNA picked up and informed me that it was almost shift change and that she would let the next nurse know. Uhhhh what? I was ready to rip that catheter OUT! I was on a contraction monitor, I saw no contractions registering. I called the nurses station again at 7:05. PLEASE come in here! The new nurse came in and immediately asked what was going on. After explaining, she felt my belly and said, “Ohhh you are having contractions!”, “Feel that?” The CNA from last shift put the monitor on wrong. hmmmm not surprised! My new nurse, Megan, called my Dr who had he check my cervix. “Um, you’re 8 almost 9 cm! We are going to the delivery room!” WHAT?! Delivery room? These were the questions in my mind, but out loud a calm, “OK.” came out. I smiled at all of the staff who watched me get wheeled away! Apparently I was the talk of the maternity ward and NICU.
By the time my Dr came in, I was 10 cm! My mom had taken Ian to school and he had an awards assembly that morning. I couldn’t get ahold of her. Josh had worked 13 hours the day before, he was still sleeping at 7:45 am, so I texted my Mother in Law, “Carlee is on the way!” She texted back, “I’m praying for you and Carlee!” so I called her and said….Can you please come up here! She said YES! ON MY WAY!
The nurse started to break my water while they waited for the neonatal staff to arrive. I still can’t believe how calm I was. I started pushing and right before she was born, My Mother in Law came in! 8:11 am Carlee Mae Cozza was born screaming! I was so happy to hear that tiny scream! They started examining her and I remember just having a huge smile on my face! She is alive and is crying! I was nervous since I was only able to get 1 of 2 steroid shots for her lungs! Before she was taken to the NICU, I was able to kiss her sweet little face. She looked like a tiny little mouse! I was full of adrenaline!
It was a few hours before they were able to let me see her in the NICU. My heart broke when I saw her. Her head wrapped up and face covered with the cpap machine. I couldn’t pick her up and just hold her. I could only rub on her little leg and foot. I was scared. I knew she was in good hands, but I was nervous. When I was back in my room, I often sat there and just thought, “Why MY daughter?” “Why, period?” There were still no answers as to WHY this even happened.
Carlee stayed in the NICU for a total of 6 weeks 5 days. She came home March 10th 2013. The time she spent in the NICU was hard. Juggling the toddler at home, the almost 10 year old at home, and going up to the hospital twice a day! It was rough (looking back now I realize that I was probably a little depressed by the situation during and after) I didn’t sleep much and worried constantly. The nurses there were all so amazing! I will be forever grateful for all of their love and care during that time! Without them, I don’t think I would have made it! I feel teary eyed just thinking about it all. I didn’t get to hold my baby until she was 4 days old. I didn’t get to really nurse her until she was 5 1/2 weeks old. She was able to finally eat from a bottle at 5 weeks old. All accomplished before she was supposed to even be born. She hade a grade 1 brain bleed that thankfully stopped by her follow up ultrasound! The girl is AMAZING!
To this day, she amazes me. Even right now just twirling around with a baby doll singing. Playing with her brothers. Climbing over the back of the couch. You would never know by just looking at here that she fought harder to live than a lot of people and she isn’t even 2 yet!
For World Preemie Day I will leave you with a few Preemie facts!
Incidence of premature birth in the United States of America
General Incidence
499,008 infants — were born prematurely (less than 37 weeks gestation) in 2003
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)
Rates of preterm birth
In 1995: 11.0% of live births was born preterm
In 2004: 12.5% of live births was born preterm
In 2006: 12.8% of live births was born preterm
Source: March of Dimes – Peristats
Rates of preterm birth in 2004 by race
African American: 17.6%
Native Americans: 13.2%
Hispanics: 12%
Non-Hispanic white: 11.5%
Asians: 10.4%
(Reedy, 2007)
Rates of preterm birth in 2006 by race
African American: 18.3%
Native Americans: 14.1%
Hispanics: 12.1%
THIS POST WAS WRITTEN & SHARED BY LACEY AT MAMA NEEDS A BOTTLE

In March, Disney fans celebrated & cheered the new Live Action “Cinderella,” a modern classic that shines with beauty, imagination…and magic! And now in celebration of the Digital HD and Blu-ray release of Disney’s “Cinderella” on September 15, 2015, Walt Disney Studios is proud to announce the launch of A Million Words of Kindness Campaign.
Inspired by the spirit of Cinderella, this online initiative invites fans everywhere to pledge their commitment to be courageous and kind in the hopes of achieving A Million Words of Kindness in time for World Kindness Day on November 13th, 2015.
While at D23 Expo we had the chance to learn all about this campaign and get the ball rolling with our words of kindness.
There have been many other Words of Kindness added since then, and looking at the site it’s all so magical and inspiring!
In the film “Cinderella,” Ella is told by her mother, “Where there is kindness, there is goodness; and where there is goodness, there is magic.” Now families everywhere can create this magic themselves by submitting words of courage and kindness.
Become and Ambassador of Kindness and join the A Million Words of Kindness Campaign. To join the A Million Words of Kindness Campaign, visit cinderellakindness.com using the hashtags #Cinderella and #bekind or the handle @Cinderellamovie. These kind words and their entrant’s names will then appear on the site’s interactive “Kindness Wall.” Use your words to help make the world a kinder, more magical place!
When you buy Cinderella on Blu-ray, DVD or Digital HD on Disney Movies Anywhere, you can get this gorgeous Cinderella Coach Charm for $8.99 plus S&P ($2.95) Valid only 9/15/15 – 12/22/15.
Cinderella Coach Charm – Actual coach charm size – ¾”h x 7/8”w | Actual necklace size – 19” and works with other charms
Celebrate Disney’s “Cinderella,” a modern classic that shines with beauty, imagination…and magic! Despite being mistreated by her stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and stepsisters, a spirited Ella (Lily James) resolves to take charge of her fate. Add a royal ball, a Fairy Godmother (Helena Bonham-Carter) and a glass slipper, and suddenly – magic becomes reality!
Digital HD/SD, Disney Movies Anywhere (DMA), Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD, and On-Demand
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Cinderella A Million Words of Kindness
If you loved this panel check out a few of the others we attended & other adventures while we were at D23 Expo!
Animation Film Slate | Parks & Resorts | Silly Symphony | Playmation | The Legacy Collection | Disneyland 60 | Disney Shorts | Live Action Film Slate | Disney Interactive |
This event was part of an all expenses paid press trip to Anaheim for the #D23Expo, all experiences and opinions are 100% my own.
Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Magik Play combines the simplicity and fun of traditional toys with STEM learning challenges designed for the iPad. Simple toys and play are important in the way kids learn. Blocks, are one of the best toys for kids to learn through play and they have been around for centuries. It is an excellent platform for families to engage.
Exploratory work has suggested that this sort of ‘tangible interfaces‘ might be particularly suitable for engaging children in playful learning and that the link between physical action and digital effects might lead to increased engagement and reflection.
Each block has a magik spell that irradiates a powerful energy detected by the tablet circuits…No, not really… we use the iPad sensors… but the code wizard did her magik to create an game for your tablet to detect that energy when you bring together the blocks and the tablet. Just follow the instructions and let the “magik” happen!