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Dear Audrey :: Five Weeks Old

May 19, 2012 By 14 Comments

4 weeks old in chair Dear Audrey :: Five Weeks Old 4 weeks old half smile Dear Audrey :: Five Weeks Old baby pkolino little reader Dear Audrey :: Five Weeks Old

You are five weeks old – long and lovely and smiley in the mornings.

Sometimes you laugh in your sleep.

You lift your head with stunning strength.

When your daddy talks, it is fully apparent that you know his voice – and you are contented in his arms.

If I try to dress you in frilly and buttony outfits, you protest, preferring the simple comfort of onesies.

Every night, you nurse like crazy before bedtime. I stare into your reflective blue eyes and you hold my hand. Then, you sleep a 6-7 hour stretch (amazing).

You sleep on a queen size bed, right in between your dad and me. I hear your every breath. You inchworm your way across the bed, perpendicular. Tim & I look at each other and smile, clinging to a square inch of our sides of the bed.

Your biggest big sister just walked up and asked, “Are you writing a post about Audrey?” I answered in the affirmative.

She thought for a moment and then told me what I should write…”SAY: I had a newborn baby and I love her so much and we’re so grateful for her. And she’s so cute. Especially her little toes when you look at them.”

That pretty much sums it up.

Filed Under: Babies Tagged With: ,

BabyBjorn Babysitter Balance [giveaway]

May 14, 2012 By 172 Comments

big sister holding baby1 BabyBjorn Babysitter Balance [giveaway]She is a baby in arms. Always held. Forever passed between her adoring daddy and her two big sisters who fight for the chance to cuddle her.

Most of all, she is close to my heart – usually resting on my chest. We are almost never apart, she and I. Still intertwined, cocooned together though she is no longer inside me.

Even so, there are moments when hands need to be free and we have always appreciated having a bouncer on-hand. Lightweight and well-designed, the BabyBjorn Babysitter Balance tops products in the category. The seat is safe and soft – and bounces with the baby’s movements (so much nicer than electric vibrations). I particularly appreciate the “no-frills” elegance and the understated style.

Rated for newborn babies up to approximately 2 years old, you can purchase the seat in a wide variety of colors. An organic option is also available. The fabric is, of course, removable and machine-washable for easy care.

Since we’re in Arizona and the summer is almost upon us (the high was 91 today), we have the Babysitter Balance Air, which is crafted out of a breathable mesh for baby’s comfort.

You can buy it on Amazon and get free shipping!

babybjorn babysitter balance air1 BabyBjorn Babysitter Balance [giveaway] babybjorn babysitter balance organic BabyBjorn Babysitter Balance [giveaway] babysitter balance original BabyBjorn Babysitter Balance [giveaway]

WIN IT! One winner will receive a BabyBjorn Babysitter Balance (~$150)! To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Monday, May 21 at 11:59 p.m. All generic comments like “Enter me!” or “Love it” will be disqualified. Winner must provide a US mailing address.

* Thanks to BabyBjorn for providing two balance seats – one for review and one for this giveaway. 

Filed Under: Babies, Baby Products Tagged With: ,

Summer Infant 4-Sided Changing Pad + Cover [giveaway]

May 14, 2012 By 37 Comments

summer infant 4 sided changing pad Summer Infant 4 Sided Changing Pad + Cover [giveaway]Cross “changing table” off of your list of MUST-HAVE baby items. Those shiny wood tables at Babies R Us are undeniably pretty, but – if you’re looking to cut costs – be rest assured that they’re certainly not necessary.

Three kids later and we’ve never owned one. We’ve always just put a changing pad on top of a dresser.

Summer Infant’s 4-sided changing pad ($25) is an excellent option. Highly rated on Amazon, the pad is thicker than most and cradles the baby as she is changed. The contoured sides ensure baby’s safety, while the plush material of the cover (~$15) keeps her comfy. Our newborn always seems super content when we place her on the ultra-soft surface. I recommend both products.

WIN IT! One winner will receive a Summer Infant 4-Sided Changing Pad and Ultra Plush Cover! To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Monday, May 21 at 11:59 p.m. All generic comments like “Enter me!” or “Love it” will be disqualified. Winner must provide a US mailing address.

* Thanks to Summer Infant for providing two pads – one for review and one for this giveaway. 

Filed Under: Babies, Baby Products Tagged With: ,

Crane Humidifier [giveaway]

May 13, 2012 By 133 Comments

We are exceedingly grateful that our girls very rarely get sick.

On the rare occasion that we find ourselves with the flu or the sniffles, I do what my mom always did. I increase fluids (especially water), increase rest (lots of sleep and lounging about), and increase touch (holding my little ones close, sometimes all through the night).

We also have a little mental catalog of home remedies: vitamin C for colds, honey for coughs, plain yogurt for UTIs, and humidifiers for stuffy noses.

Crane offers a wide variety of humidifiers – with different size, colors, and features. The Adorable humidifiers [pictured below] are shaped like animals and cartoon characters…and sure to be adored by little ones. We received Chauncey the Polar Bear for review and were quickly impressed. He’s quiet (so important!), powerful, portable…not to mention adorable! Oscar the Owl and Elliot the Elephant are our other favorites.

chauncey the polar bear humidifier Crane Humidifier [giveaway] oscar the owl humidifier1 Crane Humidifier [giveaway] elliot the elephant humidifier Crane Humidifier [giveaway]cocoa the dog humidifier Crane Humidifier [giveaway]

WIN IT! One winner will receive a Crane Humidifier – your choice of either an adorable or drop style! To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Sunday, May 20 at 11:59 p.m. All generic comments like “Enter me!” or “Love it” will be disqualified. Winner must provide a US or Canadian mailing address.

* Thanks to Crane for providing two humidifiers – one for review and one for this giveaway. 

Filed Under: Babies, Baby Products

Radian RXT Car Seat by Diono [giveaway]

May 11, 2012 By 220 Comments

peeking out of the truck Radian RXT Car Seat by Diono [giveaway]I’m still in a state of disbelief that we now have THREE car seats in the back seat of our truck. Three little girls to love.

Our 5-year-old is in a cushy high-back leather Monterey Booster from Diono (previously Sunshine Kids). We took off the back a few months ago, but then decided to put it back on again. Never can be too safe.

Our 3-year-old is in this gorgeous plum-colored Radian RXT Car Seat, which features outstanding safety features and vibrant, attractive colors. The 5-point harness seat works as a rear-facing seat (5-45 pounds), a forward-facing seat (20-80 pounds), and then later converts to a booster (up to 120 pounds) – which adds up to a real money-saver! Our preschooler can almost buckle herself in and also likes the fact that she has a cup holder of her own. As for me, I appreciate that the seat features a narrower profile than many on the market…a definite plus when you’re trying to squeeze three car seats in a tight space.

The seat also folds up into a backpack, making it super convenient for frequent travelers.

Take a peek at this good looking seat:

car seat folds into backpack Radian RXT Car Seat by Diono [giveaway] three car seats in back seat Radian RXT Car Seat by Diono [giveaway] radian rxt purple Radian RXT Car Seat by Diono [giveaway]

You can buy it on Amazon and get free shipping!

What features do you look for when you shop for a car seat?

WIN IT! One winner will receive a Diono Radian RXT Car Seat ($285)! To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Friday, May 18 at 11:59 p.m. All generic comments like “Enter me!” or “Love it” will be disqualified. Winner must provide a US mailing address.

* Thanks to Diono for providing two car seats – one for review and one for this giveaway. 

*UPDATE* The winner is #46 Alison. Congratulations!

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Glamourmom Mbody Starter Nursing Bra [giveaway]

May 10, 2012 By 74 Comments

Third time around and I’m still in awe of the miracle of breastfeeding. I’m wonderstruck that my body somehow creates this perfect food for my baby – in the perfect quantity. The milk heals and protects – guarding her from illness, giving her all of the nutrients her mind & body needs.

glamourmom mbody starter nursing bra Glamourmom Mbody Starter Nursing Bra [giveaway]That said, breastfeeding isn’t always easy. In fact, sometimes it’s downright hard. There’s a definite “adjustment period.”

And certain products do make it easier…

For example, I really appreciated having the Glamourmom Mbody Starter Nursing Bra on-hand these past few weeks. The bra offers especially great support for when your milk comes in. It’s stretchy and soft so it’s ideal for day or night use…and the clasps are super easy so you don’t have to struggle in your nighttime nursing stupor. Also, the bra has a higher cut than most (more like a sports bra) so it’s more modest. Available in nude or black, the bra is available for sizes 34B through 40G.

WIN IT! One winner will receive a Glamourmom Mbody Starter Nursing Bra ($39)! To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Thursday, May 17 at 11:59 p.m. All generic comments like “Enter me!” or “Love it” will be disqualified. Winner must provide a US mailing address.

* Thanks to Glamourmom for providing two bras – one for review and one for this giveaway. 

*UPDATE* The winner is #65 Danielle K. Congratulations!

Filed Under: Babies, Breastfeeding Tagged With: ,

Standard Labor Bag by Duffle Your Bag [giveaway]

May 9, 2012 By 116 Comments

standard labor bag Standard Labor Bag by Duffle Your Bag [giveaway]Here’s the complete list of what I packed in my labor bag for the birth center – including what I did and didn’t end up using.

I started with an awesome pre-packed labor bag by Duffle Your Bag. It was a wonderful luxury and provided me with a fantastic place to pack all of my labor/recover essentials.

Inside the sturdy and spacious canvas bag were these items:

  • terry cloth robe (wore it within the first 72 hours)
  • slipper socks (wore once when my feet got the chills)
  • slippers (wore off-and-on for the 1st week)
  • toiletry bag (great for keeping toiletries accessible)
  • toothbrush and toothpaste (so nice to not have to pack my super fancy electric one)
  • mouthwash (great to have, but didn’t end up using)
  • shampoo/conditioner/body wash/lotion/lip balm (same as above)
  • 8 sanitary pads & 3 pairs of mesh underwear (used them all)
  • 3 peppermints (Mmm. Such a nice treat post-labor!)
  • baby set: shirt, pant, booties, blanket, and stuffed toy (we left the stuffed toy at home, but…used this outfit to bring the baby home!)
  • address book and pen (unused at the center, but great for jotting down to-dos and grocery lists at home)

I also added a few things of my own to the bag:

Overall, I felt super happy with my packed bag. The Duffle Your Bag provided a great starting place…and then I supplemented with other items I knew I would want.

My recommendation to Duffle Your Bag would be to swap out the shower cap, baby blanket, and/or address book for nursing pads or lanolin instead. Also, itty bitty baby mittens would be more useful than a stuffed bunny (though he was cute!).

If I ever give birth again (we’ll see!), I recommend to myself to also pack a pair of super stretchy yoga/sweat pants and…more mints!

What did YOU pack in your labor bag? What would you consider to be essential/non-essential?

WIN IT! One winner will receive a Standard Labor Bag ($59.95) by Duffle Your Bag! To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Wednesday, May 16 at 11:59 p.m. All generic comments like “Enter me!” or “Love it” will be disqualified. Winner must provide a US mailing address.

* Thanks to Duffle Your Bag for providing two bags – one for review and one for this giveaway. 

*UPDATE* The winner is #26 Ashley. Congratulations!

Filed Under: Babies, Birth Tagged With: ,