Wordless Wednesday: Totally Two
By Stephanie | July 1, 2009
Topics: Wordless Wednesday | 7 Comments »
Tuesday Tours: What’s Happening on the Web
By Stephanie | June 30, 2009
Welcome to “Tuesday Tours: What’s Happening on the Web” where I serve as your tour guide and showcase the best contests, freebies, deals, and reads for moms on the web…all in one convenient location.
Contests
I have a Bebe au Lait nursing cover and I use it all of the time. It’s a “breastfeeding essential” in my book. I can breastfeed anywhere – discreetly and comfortably! Enter to win one of your own over at “Deal”ectible Mommies before July 8.
Did you know that JCPenney has a Baby Registry? I took a brief peek at their product offerings and they have some nice things, but I’d like to see more unique products in their line-up (Bebe au Lait, Shower Hug, Majamas pajamas, etc.) and I’d also like to see some in-store amenities for pregnant/nursing moms (nursing lounge, play area for toddlers, free maternity portraits, educational sessions, etc.). All that to say, Mom in the City is giving away a $100 gift card to help promote the registry service. Deadline: July 31.
Cool Deals
DownEast Basics has some classic maternity tees and tanks on sale for $5-$10. That’s a great deal and they look like versatile pieces you could wear for the whole 9 months. Has anyone tried the DownEast Basics brand?
Good Reads
Serena {The Hermit of the Southern March} shares some tips about what to do if you have trouble breastfeeding.
You’re a busy work-at-home-mom with a million things on your plate. Do You Have Time to Volunteer? {Home-Based Working Moms, 6-19-2009}. Read Virginia Williams’ article to find out.
Also by Virginia Williams: What Not to Say to a Parent Who’s Lost a Baby {In the Land of Broken Hearts, 6-14-2009}.
Know someone getting married soon? Pass on this article: The Worst Wedding Traditions {Yahoo! Food, 5-11-2009}. I agree with all of them.
GeekMommy speaks up about bloggers and compensation in her recent post, Why Mommy Bloggers Aren’t Flipping for Just a Sample of Your product {6-9-2009].
Do you text on the road? A recent Car & Driver experiment showed that texting actually could be more dangerous than drinking under the influence of alcohol. Read the full article here: Road test shows texting slows reaction time {cnet news, 6-25-2009}.
Miscellany
This picture makes me cry and makes me want to do to something so that a child never, ever has to be hungry or sick ever again {via npr, 3-2-2006}.
I have way too many books on my to-read list, but this novel looks particularly important – Scared: A Novel On the Edge of the World by Tom Davis. You can dowload the FREE e-book at the above link if you want to read it.
Lindsey {A Kindred Spirit’s Thoughts} shares a photo recipe: How to Make Your Own Baby Rice Cereal.
Do you have a little girl? I bet she’ll love these FREE Paper Dolls by Patty Reed Designs. I think I’m going to print them out for my 2-year-old tomorrow.
Whenever vaccine manufacturers pull their product off the market, I always wonder why. And I think to myself that they should be required to give an explanation.
Do you eat a hearty breakfast each morning? I sometimes do and sometimes don’t. But I’d like to try these on the weekend sometime: Blueberry Cornmeal Pancakes.
For all you iPhone owners: 10 iPhone Apps for Parents {PC Magazine, 4-2-09}. What apps are YOUR favorite?
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*** If you have a contest or an announcement that you think might be a good fit for Tuesday Tours, e-mail me at stephanie@metropolitanmama.net.
Topics: Tuesday Tours | 9 Comments »
Oh, the Places You’ll Go
By Stephanie | June 29, 2009
“You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the girl who’ll decide where to go.
And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)
KID, YOU’LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!”
- Dr. Seuss (Oh, the Places You’ll Go)
Yes, you’ll move mountains and you’ll change the world, Sweet Girl. I just know it.
Our 2-year-old is wearing the Hampus tennies*** (on sale for $23.54) by Vincent Shoes. They are stylish, sporty, and super fun.
Check out a few of the other styles:
Want to buy a pair? Use discount code METROMAMA-20-OFF to get 20% off any regularly priced items (through July 3rd), or shop the summer sale (up to 75% off).
***Note: these shoes are definitely on the “narrow” side so if your toddler has pudgy feet, you might want to consider another style.
Topics: baby/toddler/kids clothing, contests | 6 Comments »
Jabber all you want with the Jabra SP700
By Stephanie | June 28, 2009
“According to the Surface Transportation Policy Project, single mothers spend 75 minutes a day driving, while married women with children drive 66 minutes a day. Eight out of ten women are radio listeners.” – Statistic taken from Mom 3.0 by Maria Bailey
66 minutes A DAY.
Really?
I have to tell you that, on most days, my “drive time” is 0 minutes a day. Or maybe 15 minutes a day. Max.
But I may be a bit unconventional in this area.
Or it may be because I have two little ones (a 2 year old and a 3 month old). Couple that with the fact that I run a work-from-home business…and it all amounts to “staying in” quite a bit.
That said, when I am on the road or when we vacation as a family, it sure is handy to have a Jabra SP700 bluetooth speakerphone ($99.99) in the vehicle.
The Jabra SP700 allows you to make and take calls safely and easily. The little device even “announces” when a call is coming in. It’s super simple to set up – you just clip it on to your sun visor and go. The clip also allows you to move it from car-to-go…or even into your house…with ease. As an added bonus, you can play all your own tunes and podcasts from your phone, instead of listening to ads, self-absorbed DJs, and swaggering talk show hosts. Cool, don’t you think?
You can read about all of the other benefits and technical specifications over at Jabra’s website, but – essentially – it’s a useful device that will help keep you safe on the road…whether you drive 15 minutes a day or 75 minutes a day.
YOUR TURN: How many minutes a day do you spend behind the wheel? When you’re in the car, what do you listen to – politics, pop, or pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake?
WIN IT! There will be TWO winners. Each winner will receive a Jabra SP700 ($99.99). To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Monday, July 6 at midnight (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).
Topics: contests, product review, traveling with baby | 114 Comments »
9 Tips for Stress-Less Family Vacations
By Stephanie | June 28, 2009
Notice I am using my own made-up word: stress-less.
Not stress-free and not stressless.
These tips will help you stress LESS, but will not guarantee a 100% peaceful trip {Is that possible when kids are involved?}.
Here are some fun ideas to get your “creative juices” flowing as you plan for upcoming vacations:
1. Never underestimate the power of food. Pre-pack a cooler or insulated bag with snacks and drinks galore. The best items to choose are healthy snack foods that are a little different than your typical snack time fare. Consider: grapes, cheeries, orange slices, beef jerky, fruit roll-ups, mini muffins, cherry tomatoes, carrot sticks, granola bars, homemade cookies, juice boxes, and water bottles.
2. Or presents. Wrap a few small presents and let your kids open them at designated intervals throughout the trip. The best presents will provide some kind of entertainment: a pack of Old Maid cards, a Travel Bingo set, a new children’s book or young adult novel, a journal with a fun pen, a disposable camera with a list of items to photograph, a sketchbook with colored pencils, paper dolls, etc.
3. Or good old-fashioned games. Remember the Alphabet Game? Find all of the letters from A-Z as you drive. That’s always a winner. And don’t forget Hangman, Twenty Questions, and Tic-Tac-Toe. Or you could print out some FREE mazes, word searches, and bingo cards from your home printer ahead of time (You can find more printable car games and coloring pages here and here).
4. Consider Rental Homes before booking a hotel. More space. A washer & dryer. Multiple bedrooms. A full kitchen. Possibly even a swimming pool and swingset. Seriously – homes are the way to go, especially for families with babies and toddlers. You can start your search at: Home Away or Vacation Rentals.
5. If you have to book a hotel, choose a suite-style room. Do not – I repeat: DO NOT – book a typical hotel room. If you do, you’ll be left with two options when your kids go to bed: (1) go to bed WITH them and have no adult time (no fun at all) or (2) whisper quietly in a dark room and try not to wake up the kids (not fun either). Do yourself a favor and go with a suite. But remember: renting a house is the best option.
6. Invite another family (or two). This is seriously the best idea ever. Invite another couple and their kids to join you. In fact, this fits nicely with tip #4 because you can all rent a house together and STILL have more room than you would at a hotel. Then, after all the kids are bathed and the prayers are said and the little ones are all tucked into bed, all of the adults can congregate for movies, chatting, and a bottle of wine.
7. Invite grandparents. This is another excellent option. If you happen to have cool parents and/or in-laws, why not invite one set to come along? It will be fun for you, fun for your kids…and you might even get a chance to sneak away with your spouse for a date.
8. Choose an all-inclusive vacation. Any kind of all-inclusive resort or “package” is a good thing to consider. It may seem expensive at first, but you’ll probably be able to relax knowing “everything” (meals, drinks, entertainment, etc.) is covered once you arrive at your destination.
9. Choose a Staycation. Stay home…or at least close to home. Visit some of the area attractions in your state. Rent a home in a city two hours away from yours. Or set up tents in your backyard or living room. If you invite the kids to get involved in the planning, this vacation could actually turn out to be your very best.
YOUR TURN: What tips would you add to this list? How do you make family trips more enjoyable?
Topics: Uncategorized, traveling with baby | 10 Comments »
Solutions for Motion Sickness
By Stephanie | June 27, 2009
When I was in high school (see photo: left), I went on this adventure trip one summer and went backpacking, rock climbing, white water rafting, and…ocean kayaking.
I liked backpacking and white water rafting a lot (and I’d love to do both again), but rock climbing scared me (to be quite honest). Ocean kayaking was an experience that I’m glad I had, but I probably wouldn’t choose to do it again.
…because the “gentle” rolling of the waves got the better of me…or my stomach, actually.
I had to throw up over the side of the kayak – several times.
Actually, I’m quite an expert on the topic of motion sickness overall because I have had the good fortune of throwing up in quite a few airports, airlines, boats, and vehicles across America and around the world. I even threw up on my way home from BlogHer last year (actually, that was because I was pregnant, but still…).
If you, your spouse, or one of your kids has a propensity toward motion sickness, it is wise to “think ahead” when planning vacations – to “prep” as much as possible to prevent or alleviate the symptoms.
Consider these 5 tips:
1. Drive. Traveling by car? Drive. I very rarely get sick when I’m the one behind the wheel. Obviously this one doesn’t work for kids, but I shouldn’t have to point that out, right?
2. Sit in the front. If you’re traveling in a group, don’t be shy. Don’t be gracious and let somebody else steal the passenger seat. I assure you that it’s more thoughtful to take the front seat than to be sick-to-your-stomach for the duration of the road trip.
3. Travel by night. By car or by air, I am much less likely to get bitten by the motion sickness mosquito if the sun isn’t shining overhead. I haven’t confirmed this tip by science, but it seems to work pretty well for me.
4. Have a little in your stomach, but not too much. This same rule applies for all you “crazies” that like to go on thriller rides at amusement parks. Don’t start your trip with an empty stomach. But don’t be overstuffed either. A comfortable “medium” is preferred. Eat a light, healthy meal before getting in the car or boarding the airplane. That’s a good rule of thumb for kids and adults, regardless of motion sickness tendencies.
5. Be a prepared packer. Pack a carry-on bag with “emergency” items: Ziploc gallon size bags, baby wipes, water bottles, stomach-neutralizing snacks (crackers are a good choice), and something to suck/chew on (gum/drops).
You may also want to stock up on a few of these products – just in case.
Sea Bands – Do these really work? I have no idea, but I often wear them when I travel anyway. They’re little “bracelets” that you wear on your wrist that put pressure on the “Nei Kuan acupressure point” to help prevent nausea. Anything that *might* help is a shoo-in, especially when they only cost about $8/pair.
Queasy Pops – Created with herbal and natural ingredients, these drops and pops are specifically designed to ease queasy tummies. There are several varieties to choose from – organic, kids, pops, or drops. There are quite a few flavors as well: Ginger, Banana, Natural Cola, Sour Raspberry, Green Tea with lemon, Peppermint, Cinnamon, Green Apple, and Papaya. The pops retail for between $3.95-$6.50 and are sold at maternity stores, some pharmacies, and on the Three Lollies website.
YOUR TURN: Do you (or does someone in your family) experience motion sickness? What cures/remedies would you recommend?
WIN IT! There will be three winners. Each winner will receive 1 container of Organic Queasy Drops ($4.95), 1 container of Queasy Pop Kids ($3.95), and 1 container of Organic Queasy Pink ($6.50). To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Sunday, July 5 at midnight (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).
Topics: traveling with baby | 9 Comments »
Themed Weekend: Family Vacation
By Stephanie | June 26, 2009
When it comes to traveling, I’m all about the destination.
I know you’re supposed to enjoy the journey too and I try, but – if I could say, “Beam me up, Scottie!” and arrive safely in Paris, London, New Zealand, or North Carolina…I would.
I wouldn’t miss the cramped spaces in cars, the icky fast food stops, the airport delays, the not-cleaned-often-enough airplane seats, the stifling regurgitated airplane air, the missed nap times, etc. That part of traveling? So NOT my favorite.
When we reach the destination, however, I’m Miss Fun-In-The-Sun (or rain or snow or whatever the case may be). I want to see the sights, to meet the people, to experience everything, and – yes – to relax too.
But since I can’t skip ahead to the destination, I figure I might as well do my best to make the experience on the road or in the air as fun and stress-less as possible. I want to savor the moments because the fact is that many of my fondest traveling memories have been in the car – especially pre-kids, when my husband and I would have long conversations about a million different things.
The reality is that I love traveling – the memory-making moments of pandemonium along the journey and the new experiences that await me at the destination (I just happen to like the latter more).
YOUR TURN: When it comes to traveling, are you more of a “destination” person or a “journey” person?
***Stay tuned for product reviews (+ giveaways) and ideas to help you create peaceful and positive vacation experiences…for yourself and for the whole family.
Topics: themed weekends, traveling with baby | 18 Comments »
Newsy News
By Stephanie | June 26, 2009
Enter singing telegram in silly costume.
“Announcement. Announcement. Announcement.”
Yes, my friends, I have a few announcements to make.
No, I’m not pregnant again…if that’s what you are thinking.
These are busy-ness announcements:
FAVORITES : Looking for some new & fabulous bloggers to add to your RSS feed? Check out my “Favorites” page. These are all blogs hand-selected by me because I like the style, tone, theme, and/or person behind the blog. I don’t do link exchanges so these are the “real deal.” I just made some updates. “Out with the old, in with the new,” as they say. I bet you’ll like these blogs as much as I do. Go ahead, take a peek.
SPONSORS : Have you noticed my sponsors over there on my right sidebar? If not, please do. Usborne creates imaginative, interactive, and educational books. Snikiddy is a purveyor of yummy, healthy snacks. Spiffies help you keep your baby’s teeth clean. Preggie Pops quell morning sickness. And Camano Island Coffee Roasters is a family company that sells fresh roasted, fairly traded, organic coffee from around the world - delivered right to your doorstep. Thanks for clicking over when you get a chance. Also, if you have a company, product, or website that you’d like to promote, check out my “Advertise” page or e-mail me at stephanie@metropolitanmama.net.
CONTEST WINNERS : You probably have noticed that I don’t dedicate exclusive posts to announcing contest winners. That’s because I find those posts to be rather boring and not relevant to the majority. If you ever want to know the winner of a particular contest, just check back to the original post and the winner will be posted at the very bottom. Winners are also notified by e-mail. Please note that it usually takes approximately two weeks for me to pick and post contest winners. I’m not SheWoman, after all. I’m a mama who works from 9pm – 1:30am – at a frenzied pace.
SURVEY RESULTS : Thanks to everyone who took my annual reader demographics survey. In case you’re wondering, here are a few of the stats:
- 96% of MM readers are women
- 91% are moms or moms-to-be
- 84% are between 20-40 years old
- 95% read blogs regularly
- 84% have a Facebook account
- 50% have a Twitter account
- 93% shop online
- 35% have purchased something as a result of a Metropolitan Mama review
- Most Popular Column: Themed Weekends (followed by Tuesday Tours)
Speaking of Themed Weekends, I’ll be announcing a new one soon. Stay tuned…
Topics: blogging | 8 Comments »
Wordless Wednesday: Did you happen to know that you are the most beautiful girls in the world?
By Stephanie | June 24, 2009
Topics: About Me, Wordless Wednesday | 14 Comments »
Tuesday Tours: What’s Happening on the Web
By Stephanie | June 24, 2009
Welcome to “Tuesday Tours: What’s Happening on the Web” where I serve as your tour guide and showcase the best contests, freebies, deals, and reads for moms on the web…all in one convenient location.
Contests
Patti {The Dirty Work} is giving away a National Parks Annual Pass, an $80 value. That’s right! You and 3 accompanying adults (and any number of kids) can get into any “federal recreation site” FREE…for a whole year! Enter before June 25.
Win $1,000 to host a 4th of July barbecue bash, courtesy of Hebrew National and 5 Minutes for Mom. Deadline: June 28.
Win a $250 shopping spree to Alice.com (a place where you can buy toilet paper, laundry detergent, shampoo, and other family staples). This kind of giveaway is oddly quite enticing to me because I’m a practical kind of girl. Deadline: July 3.
5 Minutes for Giveaways is giving away a backyard grilling package, worth over $250, including a $100 gift card for beef. Deadline: July 10.
Announcements
Do you have an AMC Theatres in your area? Check out AMC Summer Movie Camp. A family-friendly movie will premiere every Wednesday at 10 a.m. – and tickets are only $1.
Good Reads
This is cool. Just plain cool. Read: Man decorates basement with $10 worth of sharpie {Lexington Herald-Leader, 09-23-2008}.
Read Dr. Yehudi Gordon’s “controversial declaration”: Don’t go back to work for two years – if you want a happy baby {via Mail Online, 6-8-2009}. The title seems to obviously have been contrived by a journalist rather than by Dr. Gordon himself since that isn’t *exactly* what he’s saying, but Gordon does make some very insightful comments about the “American way” of parenting infants.
Kim {gratitude365} writes about the pressure to post “interesting” Facebook/Twitter updates and if it really matters in her recent post, “Are status updates another way to keep up with the Joneses?”
Genny of MyCup2Yours is back in the blogosphere…and I’m happy about that. She’s a talented writer with a keen talent for crafting compelling stories from everyday experiences. Her most recent post examines the power of an encouraging word, “The First Mom Monday.”
New study: Breastfeeding leads to better academic achievement in high school and an increased likelihood of attending college {via NewsWise, 6-11-2009}.
“I’m bored.” Have you heard that lately? Print out this list for inspiration: 50 Fun (and Inexpensive) Summer Activities for Kids {via kiwimagonline.com, 6-10-2009}.
Miscellany
I want to send this card to somebody: You Are Amazing {via richiedesign etsy shop}.
Check out this cool photobooth-inspired wedding invitation and RSVP sheet. So creative, don’t you think? I’m not planning to get married ever again, but this same idea could be applied to most any kind of party or event.
I think I posted this last year, but it’s too good not to post again. Watch this 35-second ad about Father Involvement, created by the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse. Great message, funny film. I smile every time I watch it.
Ever had a little kid bump the back of your seat on an airplane? You have three choices: (1) Endure it, (2) Be grumpy about it, or (3) Be creative and gracious like Cathe {Just Something I Made}.
Amy {Progressive Pioneer} shows us how to “Make Your Own BabyLegs.” Brilliant, if you ask me.
When I’m 90, I want to be this beautiful and classy: Mary’s 90th Birthday Bash {via Cristi Owen Photography}.
A beautiful home birth photo montage: the birth of amerlyn grace. It’s a little long, but it made my cry because it reminded me of the range of emotions that accompany birth and the power of that experience.
This recipes looks delicious and kid-friendly: The Tortilla Tower of Doom {via Scribbit}.
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*** If you have a contest or an announcement that you think might be a good fit for Tuesday Tours, e-mail me at stephanie@metropolitanmama.net.
Topics: Tuesday Tours | 10 Comments »
Say It In A BIG Way…with something very small
By Stephanie | June 24, 2009
Think. Think. Think.
You need the *perfect* gift for a friend, co-worker, family member, spouse, or boss.
Something that will stand out. Make an impression. Show you care.
I got ya covered.
Send a letter, birthday card, anniversary card, birth announcement, wedding invitation, thank you card, or graduation card…via the World’s Smallest Postal Service.
It’s a teeny tiny letter transcription service. You write a letter (up to 180 words) – then it’s “magically” transcribed onto tiny stationary, placed in a tiny envelope, and mailed with a magnifying glass to the recipient.
Is that cool or what? The recipient will talk about it FOREVER.
So, whether you want to write an encouraging note to your best friend, a thank you card to your always-understanding boss, a birthday card to mom, or a golden anniversary card to your grandparents – this is sure to be a winner.
At $8/letter, the World’s Smallest Postal Service isn’t ridiculously priced. After all, even a “garden variety” card in the grocery store aisle can run $4 and up. And this is much more than a card. It’s an experience – a bit of fun in a miniature envelope.
So, go ahead. Do something BIG…er, I mean small…to make somebody’s day.
YOUR TURN: Who would you send a card to?
WIN IT! One winner will receive a World’s Smallest Postal Service letter/card of his/her choice ($8.00) by Leafcutter Designs. To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Wednesday, July 1 at midnight (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).
Topics: changing the world, contests | 62 Comments »
DO GOOD with Baked Goods
By Stephanie | June 22, 2009
Today, my 2-year-old and I made miniature chocolate chip muffins (while my 3-month-old watched from her bouncy seat and/or from her perch in my arms).
We poured and we measured and we made a mess of flour and sugar and vanilla. We may have stolen a few chocolate chips from the golden-tipped bag.
Of course, we sampled a few after we pulled them out of the oven {for the record: they were really good}.
Tomorrow, we’ll likely divide them into pretty little packages, tie them with ribbon, and deliver them to a few neighbors.
It was a fun activity to do together. And it will undoubtedly bring joy to the recipients.
Homemade baked goods have a way of creating harmony and happiness and hearts full of gratitude.
If you ever want to spread a little cheer, bake up a loaf of warm bread, a 1/2 dozen blueberry muffins, a scrumptious apple crisp, a plate of crumbly cookies, or a rich New York cheesecake – and give it away.
When you do, consider shopping at Pampered Chef for your bakeware needs.