Gear and Gadgets

The baby industry is a multi-billion dollar racket! They lure you in with adorable prints and patterns and gear that you essentially cannot live without (insert sarcasm). I can walk into a baby store and instantly fall in love with 6 different carseats and start scheming reasons why we need to purchase new ones. I see baby bedding and decide it is time to redecorate. Since we travel so often, I am always on the lookout for the latest and greatest travel products. I’ve come across a few pieces that I really NEED, until my husband points out how 3 other items we already own are perfectly functional. Ladies…do not go baby shopping with your significant other. They will become easily overwhelmed with the sheer amount of stuff and after a few visits with be a hindrance to your shopping bliss. That is unless they like to shop as much or more than you.

While I love shopping for baby stuff, I have gotten pretty cheap about it. Most is way overpriced, only used for a small window of time, and a pain in the rear to store between babies.  I wish that I had borrowed more of these items. Although, we have gotten great use out of the items we purchased and now I am looking forward to passing it along to others!

The first few times I traveled, I was so worried that my baby would be bored without all of the items that we had at home. Truth of the matter is they will enjoy their new environment and the newness will keep them pretty entertained. However, there are a few items that I do consider to be essential when traveling.  Ideally, if you are traveling to a location that you will consistently visit several times a year (i.e. your parents, in-laws, etc.) it might be a good idea to invest (or frequently borrow) in a few key pieces that will grow with your baby. We have been very fortunate that both sets of grandparents have purchased some of these items for their own homes. It has made traveling much less stressful, and the items get plenty of use. My essential baby travel (and everyday use) items are:

1)   Pack and Play: Your baby can sleep here and it keeps them safely contained as they get a little older. If you plan on having your baby sleep in your room the first few weeks/months, this is a much more practical purchase than a bassinet. Most will come with a bassinet attachment and you have the added bonus of a changing table.  If you find yourself needing to travel with it, they are a little annoying to travel with but well worth the trouble. If you can utilize the ones at the hotel or borrow from a friend, leave the thing at home!  I used to be a snob when it came to borrowing or using ones from the hotel. My mind raced with germs from spit-up, sick babies, diaper blow-outs, you name it. Now I just throw in a small mattress pad and my own sheet. They don’t take up much room and I know they are clean!

2)   Bouncer:  When your baby is little, a bouncer is indispensible. It will help soothe, comfort, and entertain your baby. Splurge for one that has vibrations…so calming! Even after your baby has outgrown the infant needs, you can use it to feed your baby or keep them contained and entertained while you shower, get ready, etc.

3)   Booster Chair with play attachment:  Unless you really plan on utilizing a high chair when your baby is smaller, a great booster is all you need. Once they are strong enough to sit up and keep their necks steady, you will get the most use out of this. The play attachment is an added bonus because it snaps into the tray and keeps baby occupied while you enjoy a relaxing dinner (a girl can at least dream). Booster seats are also nice as they are easy to take with you to a friend’s house without lugging all sorts of other gear.  I have noticed that there now convertible high chair/booster combos that grows with your child. These look interesting and might end up being a good investment. Sadly, I won’t be purchasing any of this new gear so I have to rely on parents of all those new, cute babies!

4)   Stroller/Baby Carrier/Sling:  This one is a bit trickier. I am of firm belief that you don’t ALWAYS have to travel with a stroller. It really depends on where you are going, how you are going to get there, and what you plan to do. In most situations, I rely on my trusty Peanut Shell instead. Both of my babies LOVE being in them (I only use them once they can face out and keep their heads steady). They are versatile and can be used through toddlerhood. My husband prefers his front pack baby carrier. If you can splurge on both a sling and a front pack, I recommend it. At different stages of their lives, you might find both useful. There are a ton of different options out there so my suggestion is to WAIT until your baby arrives and is at the age that you can actually use it and experiment with what will work best for you and the baby. Trust me…MG was tiny and PD is already the size of a toddler!

5)   Activity Center/Walker:  Now this is not a make or break item, but it certainly helps. There are plenty of activity centers that will last through many developmental stages. Some have seats that later convert to a stand-alone play center.  Walkers are a controversial subject so do what you feel is best for your child. Both of my children loved using them, it is a useful alternative to an activity center for pre-walkers and are usually pretty easy to store. Like with all baby gear, use smart judgment, supervise your child, and don’t use for it for anything but it’s intended purpose.

6)  Age appropriate toys:  You will need far fewer toys than you actually think. Just take a few that will keep them entertained. You are probably going to be so busy that most of the toys are left unused.

As I look over this list, even though it is only 6 items it looks MASSIVE. This list is really ideal for traveling to homes, relatives, and if you are traveling by car and have room. If you are going to more of a destination, you will obviously not be checking your activity center on the plane. You just need to get creative. A stroller will double as high chair if needed. The carseat (I intentionally left this off the list as it is a no brainer…you HAVE to have one) can be used for several purposes. Pack light but pack the necessities. My overall advice is to borrow when you can. It is convenient, practical, and every penny counts when you add a child into the mix. I spend way more on my children than I do on myself. Keeping your baby safe is the ultimate rule of thumb. If you can splurge after that…go for it!

And one final word of advice, unless you know you are "one and done" buy gender neutral items. The little professor spent many of his early days in a pink, butterfly swing and a pink and gray pack n play with gender neutral sheets . Not a huge deal but something to think about!!

More to come on favorite baby items and a few other thoughtful topics I have been pondering...

(Note: The links in this post are for informational purposes only. Most of them are items we used but others are just pretty darn cute!)

Traveling Tots

I am exhausted and struggling to recover, but I don’t think my life will be in order until later this weekend. On Sunday we returned from a 6 day road trip, I went back to the office on Monday, and my husband is heading out of state until Saturday night. On top of all this, Wednesday and Thursday are gymnastics and dance nights for my daughter. Nothing like carting two kids around town and waiting in a small cramped room with an antsy baby and 75 other parents. Of course, I am still trying to get the house in some semblance of order and tackle my favorite chore of all…laundry.

Traveling wasn’t always such a tiresome and overwhelming experience. I vaguely remember the days when our trek from Stillwater to San Antonio was relaxing, enjoyable, and when 8.5+ hours in the car with my spouse was a time to reconnect. There was a time when flying to Columbus was an opportunity to finish a good book and maybe sneak in a little nap.  And I can’t forget about vacations…I am sure that one day I will go on one again and maybe even sleep!

My daughter has traveled so much in her 3 short years that she now has her own frequent flier numbers. The little professor would have his own too but for now he can still fly for free. Over the last 3 years, I have had more than my share of travel experiences. I would like to think that I have travel gear and packing down to a science, but every trip I inevitably forget something. Packing for a 3 year old really isn’t too bad. I get together her clothes and toothbrush, and she is responsible for her toy bag. I still have to modify the contents of her backpack, but overall it is a pretty good system. Now that I have a baby thrown into the mix, my whole routine is off.

My little man has already logged 3 car trips to Texas, a flight to Ohio, and another plane ride to San Antonio. This is about 4 trips more than I had planned after his birth. In fact, this was supposed to be a “no travel” holiday season but obviously that didn’t happen. There is just so much STUFF that a baby needs. The running list of necessities includes: clothes, diapers, wipes, bottles, pump, pacifiers, socks, a few toys, baby food, baby snacks, blankets, teething items, and a partridge in a pear tree. As I write this list, I am positive that I have already forgotten something. Then you have to think of all the things you might also need if your destination doesn’t have them: a play crib, sheets, mattress pad, baby proofing items (if mobile),  carseat, stroller, booster seat/high chair, stoller, baby carrier, larger play items if you are going to be there for quite some time. Whew…

The first time I traveled, my daughter was 6 weeks old and I packed HALF of her wardrobe. I wish this was an exaggeration but sadly it is not. In my head, she needed at least 3 outfits a day because she would likely go through that many with accidents. So for a 5 day trip, there were 15 outfits plus a couple extras (like 10). I may have forgotten that washing clothes was actually an option. Then, we were going somewhere relatively cold so she needed a snowsuit. I BOUGHT MY BABY A SNOWSUIT! Please consider how ridiculous this was. First, you don’t put the darn thing on the baby before you put them in a carseat because that just isn’t safe. And after you get to your destination, are you really going to take 10 minutes to wrestle it on in the cramped quarters of the tiny car you, your in-laws, hubby, and baby have all crammed yourself into…no. Needless to say I returned it without even trying it on, but it made the trip just in case. I also packed 6 bottles….just in case. She was primarily nursing and we hadn’t even introduced a bottle yet, but I didn’t want to be caught unprepared. In the case of baby travels, too much preparation can in fact be a very bad thing. I would also like to think that hormones also played a large role in my irrational thinking. It takes quite some time before us new moms can even remember what we had for breakfast much less formulate rational thoughts!

So even though now I still pack at the last minute, at least I have a pretty solid routine. The kids share a carry-on rolling suitcase with one outfit per day plus one extra (if we are going somewhere with a washer/drier).  If no washing facilities then I throw in extras based on how many days we will be gone. When it comes to my own suitcase, I go as low key as possible. I’m not trying to make any fashion statements so a few pairs of jeans, leggings, cute but comfy shirts, and a couple of pairs of shoes. I want to be cute, but all of my items must be functional. I choose clothes that can be casual or dress up easily. I promise that this works!  I only take the jewelry I am wearing as it minimizes lost items or having to keep up with a little bag of jewels (ha ha).  When it comes to all of the “extra stuff,” I collect it all in a central location so I have a visual of what might be missing before I toss it in my suitcase. (Important note:  always leave plenty of extra room in your suitcase. You will inevitable return with way more stuff than you expect.) If I’m really on top of things (which is rare), I make a list. Yet, somehow my lists never seem to be complete.

Worst case scenario…you forget something. In most situations, it won’t be anything too major. So this week I will continue with travels, packing, baby gear, etc. These are the things that are most on my mind these days especially because in a few months we are going on a MAJOR family vacation. While we aren’t leaving until April, I think I need to start planning now!

Chica Band Winners!

Wonderful friends! Thank you so much for participating and I apologize for the delay in announcement. Another Oklahoma snow storm resulted in an early departure for my sister's Texas wedding. Lucky for us we beat the storm! After two days of last minute wedding errands and kid wrangling, I finally have a moment to update everyone.

Without waiting any longer...the winners of the chica bands are Palvih and Kara! Ladies, please e-mail me (acdroste at gmail dot com) with your contact info so Chica Bands can send you your prize! Thank you again to this wonderful company for supporting this!

I am looking forward to more of these in the future!

All participants' entry(or more) was randomly entered into a numbered spreadsheet. I then used random.org to generate the winning numbers. 

Operation Shrink a Booty...and a Belly...and Tone These Thighs...Maybe

The fact of the matter is I, like many women in America, have body issues. I look at certain areas of my body and just flat out don’t like them. Some people would look at me and think that I am crazy. That I should be happy with my size, weight, and my post baby curves. Sometimes it is difficult to accept those changes with open arms. Bless my dear, sweet, husband…he tells me every day that I am beautiful. He just doesn’t understand how I don’t always share his view.

The problem is I struggle with finding the time to run, practice Pilates, or even make it to the gym to renew my membership.  I know I would feel better if I was doing something instead of coming up with excuses. Excuses, excuses, excuses…I have a whole slew of them. The Little Professor still isn’t sleeping through the night…I already get up at 5:00 am…there is too much cleaning to do after the kids go to bed…I’m too tired…there is a mountain of laundry that must be tackled…I NEED that bowl of ice cream more than I need to run. Logically I know that if I exercised then I wouldn’t be so tired. I also know that the minute I stop breastfeeding all of those bowls of ice cream are going to catch up with me. I love the fact that I can eat whatever I want and not gain weight. Don’t hate me…a girl needs her calcium and primarily in the ice cream form! Nursing a baby for 8 months+ is a lot of work, and at the end of the day I am exhausted! My other excuse is that I can’t lose the weight too fast or it might impact my supply. So why risk it? Yeah…not really a healthy attitude to have.

 I actually started off pretty strong after the Little Professor was born. I was jogging about 4 weeks after his birth and ran my first postpartum 5K at 8 weeks.  I got up early to run and logged a ¼ Marathon, 10K, 15K, and finished off the season with a ½ Marathon at 6 months. I don’t share all of this to brag, but I was pretty proud of myself. My times weren’t as quick as I would have liked, but I was out there and taking care of myself. I was probably on the worst training schedule ever. Just lucky enough to get a run or two during the week followed up by a long run on the weekends. I promise you this is not the way to train for a ½. I’ve all but abandoned my running partner at this point. She still sends me encouragement and invitations to run, but I feel wholly inadequate to get back out there and pound the pavement (I promise I will make it back Ty…don’t give up on me).

So rewind to about 8 weeks when I tried on my beautiful but not flattering bridesmaid dress. I could get the thing zipped up, but it clings in all the wrong places. Without some serious cleavage control my sister’s wedding might end up with a Janet Jacksonesque wardrobe malfunction moment. (Note to all future brides…if you have a pregnant or nursing mom in your wedding party, make sure the dress has a strap. We need the support!) At that moment I vowed to begin the New Year with healthy eating habits, no sugary snacks, practice Pilates during lunch, and to utilize all of the cute, cold weather running gear I had obtained at Christmas.

Now I am exactly 5 days from the blessed event, and I am afraid to even take the dress out of the bag. It is hanging on my closet door so I don’t forget to pack it, but part of me wonders what would happen if it didn’t make the trip. (Megan if you are reading don’t stress...the dress will make it!) I am so scared that I went and spent $48 on a pair of Spanx. Not the full body version, but ones that are pretty darn close. I am pretty confident that the dress will zip on Saturday, but I am packing an emergency sewing kit just in case. I can’t sew…just hoping someone there will be able to when I bust out of the dress.

All of this rambling for a few simple points. I shouldn’t feel this way. None of us should be so uncomfortable in our own skin. A tiny part of me recognizes that I stopped exercising because I was afraid. Even after all of that running, my body didn’t look how I expected it to. What if I worked really hard at losing weight, but I just never looked how I envisioned? In the end, it doesn’t matter if I never fit back into size 4 jeans, I always have little love handles or that my hips will always be a whole lot wider after birthing two babies. It does matter that I feel comfortable in my own skin. That I exercise, feel good, and pass on HEALTHY habits and a positive body image to my daughter. I am going to stop focusing on what my body looks like and instead how it feels. To enjoy exercise for the benefits it provides instead of as a means to an end. I am going to focus on becoming a runner instead of someone who just enjoys running. Then maybe I’ll notice my booty is a little tighter and my belly a little less saggy. If not, who cares…I’ll just have to go shopping!

Giveaway Reminder-Chica Bands

You have about 24 more hours to enter! The awesome Commander-N-Chica, Meg Perez, is sending two lucky winners their very own bands. We can't thank them enough for their support. Show them some love today and increase your chances to win! As an added bonus...if we get to 75 followers before tomorrow, I will throw in an extra chica band.

Chica Bands

(photo from Runner's World)

I have searched long and hard for headbands. I used to have different bands for everyday wear, working out, coming-home-throwing-on-the-comfy-clothes-get-the-hair-out-of-my-face bands, and sleeping. Yes wearing headbands to sleep is supposedly awful, but I hate wisps of hair caressing my face when I sleep. Not a single band can keep my fine, thin hair in place without constant readjustment or flyaway pieces. Let’s not forget the annoying pain behind the ears after a few hours of wear or worse the accompanying headache from one that is just too tight. And it always seems like the cutest ones are just way too expensive.  When I am running, I need something that keeps the hair out of my face, doesn’t move, doesn’t get nasty from sweat, and holds its shape through multiple uses. Most of your garden variety bands just don’t last or work.

I was giddy with excitement when I came across Chica Bands at last year’s Williams Route 66 Marathon expo. The vibrant colors, cute designs, and variety of options were what first caught my eye. In all honesty, I didn’t realize they were “sport bands.” Duh…I was at a race expo…it should have been my first thought. Anyways, my friend and I spent a good 30 minutes agonizing over which bands to purchase. They have skinny (3/8” ) Glitzy Glam bands (absolutely divalicious), thin (1”) varieties in an unending array of patterns and colors, and thick (1 ½”) bands for those who want even more control. You can custom order designs and even purchase tiny bands for your little chicitas. My daughter keeps stealing mine so she will be receiving a few of her own for Valentine’s Day.

These bands are BEAUTIFUL, fun, sassy, versatile, and stay-in-place. I wear mine all the time! My Chica Band is so comfortable that I actually forget I am wearing it. After purchasing my first one, I immediately wore it the next day while running my 1/2 Marathon. There were stretches of the race that were so windy I thought I would blow away, but through it all my hair stayed in place. I didn’t have to readjust during the entire run.

What makes these bands unique is their design. The ribbon band has a velvet backing which gently grips your hair and stays in place. The elastic is thin enough to stay put but won't irritate the most sensitive of heads. There is no yanking, pulling, or slipping.

They are also affordable. I have wasted so much money on cheap headbands only to have them stretch out and lose shape after a couple of uses. A thin band typically runs about $12-$15 (I would spend more), and there are often sales and specials offered through their site or facebook page.  Thick bands will cost you a few dollars more. I abuse my Chica Bands...working out, running around town, wearing them to work, and even sleeping in them. Yes…my Chica Band stays in place while I sleep. Even better, it doesn’t leave that unsightly headband ridge on the top of my head!

Can you tell that I love my Chica Bands? So here is your chance to win your own.  You must be a follower of Momma Are We There Yet to be eligible to win. Follow the instructions below. You have until 12:00 pm CST on February 8, 2011 to get in your entries. I will select a winner (maybe 2)through random.org later that day.

1)      Follow  Momma Are We There Yet

2)      Fan the Chica Band facebook page, come back here, and Comment Here that you did so.

3)      Visit the Chica Bands Website then Comment Here with your favorite design.

4)      Post this giveaway on your Facebook, Twitter, or blog. Comment Here for each.

Good luck!

A Few of My Favorite Things

I am so excited to be sharing these items with you! Over the next week or two I will be adding “favorite things posts” in addition to my various musings. For some of the items, you will have the chance to win your very own! My friends will tell you that I only suggest products that I absolutely LOVE. I’m pretty picky and also cheap (relatively speaking). If I am going to drop a significant amount of cash on something then it had better be worth it. The products you see here are tried and true items that I just can’t live without. Some of them are super practical and others are great gifts or personal indulgences. Hopefully you will enjoy them as well, but this is where I need your help!

I jumped into this blogging journey to have fun, share stories, and engage in a creative project. I didn’t start with any goals or even too much of a focus for the project, but now as I research the blog world I am realizing there are great opportunities for free stuff for readers, sponsorship, networking, and more. All of this is dependent on readership and “followers.” The stronger I build this foundation, the more I will be able to offer to each of you! I love to share and give gifts, but my pocketbook (and my hubby) wouldn’t be able to keep up with everything I want to giveaway. The more you share this blog with others, the better your chances at winning free stuff!

The first giveaway (something I think everyone can use) will start today. If you want to increase your chances to win, follow these instructions:

1)  Click the link on the right to officially “follow” the blog. Following a blog is not the same as subscribing. By following, you are only indicating that this is something you are keeping track of and enjoy (I hope) reading. If you want e-mail notifications every time I add a new posting, then you can subscribe to the blog as well. This is found at the bottom of the page.

2)  Suggest “Momma Are We There Yet” to your friends. After they follow the site, have them comment on this post with your information. A simple “Janie R. suggested this blog” is perfect. This will earn additional entries for you!

Every giveaway post will have additional instructions, so be sure to read closely! If you have a product you would like to have reviewed, e-mail me and we will chat it out!

Cabin Fever

First off my apologies for not posting earlier this week. I know I promised a giveaway and my first round of "favorite things." I haven't forgotten or even put it on the back burner, I will start it either later today or first thing tomorrow. I promise it will be worth the wait! The last few days have been filled with hastily finishing work projects, battling crazy Walmart shoppers stuffing their carts with every last consumable product (someone please tell me why they sold out of celery and 8,000 eggs), and planning kid friendly activities all in preparation for our Oklahoma blizzard. Those of you in the northeast should be laughing at us right about now. We did in fact have a blizzard with considerable snow drifts, but I probably didn't need to be snowed in for three days. Coming up with no fewer than 75 art/craft/cooking projects and games per day for a preschooler is more exhausting than putting in a full week at the office with overtime. This is compounded when you only expect to be trapped for one day. In the end, being snowbound=not a single moment of alone time. Not good for this momma who needs plenty of time to debrief each day!

So the roads are still packed with snow, pretty slick in spots, and a step outside leaves your body shaking with bone chilling temps, but overall it is not worth another city semi shut-down. By lunchtime of day two we were all just a bit nuts so my husband shoveled half the driveway and took the mom mobile (my beloved Chevy Traverse-LOVE this car) out for a test run. The Ohio native declared the roads passable so we bundled up and headed out to a little place that I fondly refer to as paradise.

I've mentioned before that while we live in a college town with a major university, it is still a small town. We have two super Walmarts, Old Navy, and plenty of adorable local owned businesses but no Target and not many kid friendly locales. We do however have Chik-fil-a. Ours is like no other in the country. Fast food is fast food...right? Wrong!

This particular establishment is about as family friendly as you can get. These days instead of heading to the bars we head to Chik-Fil-A for a good time. While there we are surrounded by "our people." A quick glance around the place reveals numerous parents all with small children under the age of 5. The parents are enjoying a meal in peace (with fresh flowers on every table!) while their children are playing on a CLEAN, closed off, indoor playground designed only for little kids. It is not uncommon to see children pulling on the handle to the door of the playground (placed ingeniously at their level) and running back and forth between playing and eating. This all but eliminates the need for parents to leave their table. The visible stress levels melt away from faces as soon as they enter the restaurant. I imagine the prerequisite for working there is to say "It's my pleasure" with  heartfelt desire 800 times during the interview process. Each employee shares this statement with every customer, and they always seem to be saying it from a place of true commitment to customer service. Unlike other establishments, they tell you to sit down and when your food is ready they bring it to you. Being able to focus on getting the kids settled without 10 trips to the counter, dropping the beloved "best ever monkey" into ketchup, or spilling the contents of the diaper bag is a lifesaver!  The employees offer all the help you need with a wonderful smile, care, and laugh if you look like you need one.

I think it is important to find these gems in our communities and frequent them regularly. Just the mention of Chik-Fil-A can turn our daughter's sour mood into a delightful one. In fact, we often see many of the same families visit after visit. It is nice to make connections with new people and our daughter enjoys making new friends. Added bonus...the food is consistently delicious with plenty of healthy options and nobody cares if your child has a massive meltdown in the middle of the place. In fact, some understanding parent will probably offer to watch after your other children while you calm the crazy one. We have plenty of other kid activities in the local cities, but some days we just don't have time to drive the hour there and back so instead we get creative. Creativity is truly the key to good parenting and a successful marriage. Don't be afraid to think outside of the box and try something new. Worst case scenario...the activity fails. On the positive though, your failed activity might lend way to a new discovery.

From now on, I will look at snow days with appreciation and just another chance to test my mom skills! Thank you Chik-Fil-A. Thank you for allowing my family and others to eat lunch and hang out there for hours. We will be back again soon!