As December picks up and I am desperately trying to keep my head above water (I must have been nuts thinking Christmas on maternity leave would be simpler than normal,) I can honestly say that I have felt like my life has been overrun by monsters for the past little while.
Mostly, it is the toddler. He is at that stage where he is testing boundaries. He tests how far he can push me before I push back. He tests how much pain his little brother can endure. He is exploring the realm of deliberate misbehaviour and I am already over it.
There is a reason we called Cameron “Monster” right from the start. He was big and chunky and he was constantly making these growly little coos. It was unbelievably cute. But now, as he is older and toddlerhood has taken hold of him, his monster tendencies have become a little less endearing.
There are times when I am ready for the day to be over before it has even begun.
I totally need to make monsterhood cute again.
So this year for Christmas, Rosco is going to be under our tree.
Rosco is a loveable monster with an infectious laugh (or so I’m told). He is never far from the centre of attention and can charitably be described as ‘spirited.’*
That sounds like every toddler I know doesn’t sound familiar at all!
I don’t know what it is about that ridiculously cute red and yellow monster that reminds me that my kid is just going through a phase and that this too shall pass. It isn’t the monstrous parts of toddlerhood that I want to remember, but the rest of it. I want to remember how vulnerable but brave Cameron was when he went to the dentist yesterday. I want to remember how much he looks forward making a Christmas ornament with me each day. I want to remember that little mop head of his and that precious little smile and the way he will still sit on my lap or kiss me on the lips.
Since I am sure I am not the only one dealing with a case or two of the Monsters this holiday season, I have a Rosco to give away to you! I can’t tell you how excited I am to give this away! Upon receiving the Roscos in the mail, I was blown away by how large (see size comparison to my iPhone) and well made (high quality micro polar fleece) these stuffies are. If you are looking for a cute and unique Christmas gift for a child, you absolutely cannot go wrong with any of the Monster Factory monsters. They each come with a name and a charming back story. (Rosco works in an upscale mac-and-cheese food truck called Cheeser’s Palace… of course!)
Enter using the Rafflecopter app below. The only requirement for entry is to leave a comment telling me if you have noticed things getting a little monstrous this holiday season, but if you want more entries, there will be some other options as well. Giveaway is open to residents of Canada or the United States. (Rosco will be shipped curtesy of me, so if anyone who lives somewhere other than Can or US would like to enter, you are very welcome to pay for the shipping.) Last full day of the giveaway is December 16th.
If you want to take my advice and get a Monster Factory monster for someone on your gift list this year, I am lucky enough to share with my readers a promo code that will give you 10% off! Use the code MOMMIRACLE10 – expires on January 31, 2013.
Don’t forget to spread some love around and follow Monster Factor on Twitter (@_monsterfactor) and Like Monster Factory on Facebook!
*Description from the website.
The small print: The Monster Factory provided me with two Rosco monsters; one to review and keep, and one to give away. As always, all opinions are my own and are never bought.
Monstrous is the right word. We’ve even had some growling from our boys (both cute and wicked) and even baby sister. They don’t get why Mommy is baking so much and giving them so little (cookie exchanges are a mystery to the under 5 crowd!).
Stephanie Potter recently posted..Taste of Heaven
Oh my goodness! Things are SO monstrous! My students are having a hard time containing their excitement (we usually finish a week before the holidays but this year we are in session until the 21st) They are forgetting the true meaning of christmas so I created an “Acts of kindness jar”. Everyday for the last 15 days of school before christmas we draw an “act” and every student is required to fulfill it and write a reflection journal! On top of that, my niece is so overwhelmed with the lights, decorations, etc. that the christmas tree has been moved to the dinning room!!!
I also deal with a little monster in our house these days! He will be 3 in 12 days and this cute stuffy would be a really nice Birthday or Christmas present for him ;). Merry Christmas and a happy new year!
This is just too cute! We actually call my little guy the “Cheerio Monster,” and I just recently bought him a little sweatshirt with monster horns on the hood. So this little stuffy would be perfect for my little monster!
Merry Christmas!
Megan recently posted..The Monotony, The Routine…The Excitement?
I LOVE this!! Gabe has DEFINITELY been a “Monster” of his own lately pushing boundaries. But I love your words of wisdom so much Laura of wanting to remember the “Braveness” of the little monster, or the cuteness of him – you always serve me such a great reminder for my own life – and my own little man. :) love it (AGAIN)
Lots of monsters this year with a toddler in the house. I’m trying to be a minimalist this year – fewer decorations, fewer gifts – this all adds up to fewer distractions, more time to focus on what’s important. I find that misbehaviour peaks when I’m most distracted (trying to cook/work etc.,), so I try to minimize those activities, at least when the little munchkin is awake!
Elisabeth recently posted..The Jolt
How is that when I’m frustrated with my little ones—you are always posting the same thing. I think at our house we’ve all become a bit of a monster especially towards each other. Like you I want to remember the sweet things of holidays and life with my kids, but I’m becoming mired down in the monotony and stress of mommyhood.
I love those monster baby coos. My little guy makes them all the time!
I have my own toddler monster… And the normally sweet younger toddler had his own monster moment today and clocked his brother in the head with a large wooden Christmas decoration. Le sigh.
2 & 4 certainly have some monstrous challenges. Also? Monsters are in their bedroom dresser drawers, apparently. This is a new development, and one that they find alarming and I find adorable :)
beth@redandhoney recently posted..Death of a Mother
I love it, so cute!! I will try and enter – I actually do have a US shipping address (I know, brilliant, right?). Yay!
Alison recently posted..Now That You’ve Won A Cookbook, Will You Invite Me To Dinner?
My oldest monster is testing independence boundaries and opinions–not fun either. The season is so exciting he can barely stand it!
Such a cute little toy! Things are pretty hectic around here. My kids are monsters and so is mommy. It is especially chaotic with a child with a birthday in December!
Insane Mamacita recently posted..Top Ten Young Adult Novels To Give This Christmas
Yes! Dave is being a little monstrous/grinch-like/scrooge-like as he doesn’t like Christmas (what the?).
But I am attempting to get past it by trying to encourage him and not basing my holiday cheer on his!
Yes, we have growling monsters here; I turn them into angels by hugging them.
I also have always called my baby “monster” cuz of his cute plumpness and my love of monsters which I have hopefully passed on to my baby and baby-to-be. I am a huge Monster Factory fan, their #1 fan in South Dakota for sure. I have a growing monster family as well as a growing people family. :-) I’m newly expecting so I’m at that fun stage of tiredness and nausea, not helpful when trying to get into the holiday spirit with a 17mth old who is “monstrous” sometimes and not in the cute and stuffed way.
I just acquired my first Monster Factory friend this past summer :) His name is Eli and he a bright happy orange. My goddaughter recently met him and would really like a monster friend of her own, so I think there will be more squishy monsters in my future :)
I have my own little monster that is doing the same stuff your guy is doing. I am hoping this gets better soon! Thanks for the chance to win!
I have my own little monster that is doing the same stuff your guy is doing. I am hoping this gets better soon! Thanks for the chance to win!
Christmas is a wonderful season and wishing you all the best.
The monster has definitely been coming out in my little one who has been testing us every step of the way and temper tantrums anytime she doesn’t want to do something or we tell her no. I am hoping this is a short phase and we get through this without too many problems!
Oh, Laura. I so needed to read this post. My eldest has been monstrous for a while, now. I actually said to my husband today that I’m tired of being the mom who has more negative things to say than positive. It was one of those days. Here’s hoping this phase ends, soon. Testing me, testing her sister’s pain threshold, testing herself. Ugh. I wish I’d thought of giving her a Monster. Instead, she’s getting the doll she’s asked for. Maybe a monster would have helped her. *sigh*
Laura, we are SO in the same boat! I have an almost 2.5 year old and a 7 month old and am finding this holiday season frantic! And yes, my sweet, adorable, little girl has been turning into a bit of a monster the last few weeks. I experienced her first tantrum (and at the grocery store of course), have been told “Mommy, I no like you” and have been sent to time-out! I just try to take a deep breath and remember that individuation and boundary testing is normal and healthy. Oh how I sometimes wish I wasn’t nursing and could break open a nice bottle of wine on a particularly harried day!
Max is only 9 months, so not experiencing the toddler monster yet, but he’s a teething monster for sure! With 8 teeth already he’s been teething more than not in his short life and it’s has involved a lot of monstrous cries and sleepless nights. I can’t wait for it to be over…just in time for toddler monster to show up, I’m sure.
Always remember that everyone has a story and theirs may not be a fairytale.
Always remember that everyone has a story and theirs may not be a fairytale. :)
With monsters, treat them with kindness.
Haven’t seen any monsters.
OMG these are way too cute!
I foresee a little monster in my future.
None so far, sadly I’m usually more of the monster ;)
Heather, Mmm… is for Mommy recently posted..Chicken & Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie – Celebrating the Holidays with Cooking Light & The Chew
There is definitely a monster at my house lately, and she presents herself in the form of a cute little 3 year old! I think with all the excitement of Christmas right around the corner, it’s to be expected. :)