Cant help but ask: Is that the face I make when I sing?

(Disclaimer: This was our Road Trip to Tahoe ~ Please pardon the gross carseat straps. And if you think those are bad you should see my backseat after that trip ... :-/ grrrrrrrr. )

Brooklyn has always liked music and dances to it anytime its on - whether its in the car or a commercial on TV that makes her bust a move. But recently on the way home from work/day care, she started lip singing in the back seat. The view from my rear-view mirror was hysterical. I finally caught it on video on a recent road trip. The lip singing was accompanied with this funky looking face she was making - I have no idea where it came from. .... Made me wonder - is this what I look like when I sing in the car??? :-/

Budget Friendly (super inexpensive) Maternity Alternatives

These are some good options I found for the first few months when Maternity doesnt fit or you just dont want to spend on Maternity. These options will also work post-partum and even for nursing!

The key is flowy, empire waisted, cotton/jersey/stretchy knits, long tanks and tunics. In case theyre short lived - I always find options that are super budget friendly.

Liz Lange Leggings:

If you are pregnant and you dont own these, stop what youre doing click the image and buy these.

You'll thank me, I promise.

Hurley Raceback Tank

Floral Empire Waist Top

Flowy Lightweight Wrap

Striped Double V Top

Seamless Tank

Pleat Knit Top

Stroller Research: Double Strollers

We recently took a trip down to Lullaby Lane - the land of babies & pregnant women - where you can literally test drive the latest & greatest in baby gear.

I went with my husband, my toddler, my 10 yr old & a list like all the other impregnated, baby gear obsessed women. Today we were to tackle Strollers - double strollers to be specific. My list included the following options due to recommendations & budget:

• Baby Jogger City Mini Double
  
• Phil&Ted Sport with Doubles Kit
  
• Valco Latitude Twin
  
• Baby Jogger City Select
  
• Uppa Baby Vista with Rumble Seat

We have the Baby Jogger City Mini and love it! Its so easy to push, to collapse, to store - has made my errands so much easier and less complicated. So we thought that the Baby Jogger City Mini Double was the answer to our prayers. Until we saw it in person, then we realized that pushing something around that wide gave us both heart palpitations. It folds flat & easy just like the single, pushes like a breeze and was great for the price. 

Next we saw the Valco Latitude Twin which was a really nice stroller too! Closes fairly easy (not near as easy as the city mini though) and looks great. Both of these strollers made us realize something though - there was no way we wanted to go the side by side route. With a very independent 14 month old chances are one seat will remain vacant much of the time anyhow. 

So we moved on to the tandem options:

The Uppa Baby Vista with Rumble Seat was much bigger in person than I had imagined. I loved it because of its sleek design and the idea that it could hold a baby seat easily and my toddler. The basket was huge and I really liked the looks of it. My husband quickly snubbed his nose at the price AND the fact that our newborn would never sleep thru Brooklyn repeatedly kicking the seat. This was true - I could see it now: my newborn with a fat lip because Mom wanted the pretty stroller. My toddler is way too wild for this setup.

Unfortunately they didnt have the Baby Jogger City Select in yet but I think it will be pretty much the same issue as the Uppa Baby Vista. Wild Toddler + Easy access to baby with feet = very bad idea.

Lastly we checked out the Phil&Ted Sport with Doubles Kit. This one was a winner for the following reasons:

• Tandem - making navigation easy & trips to the mall still possible even if I can never get out of the house to begin with.
  
• Can convert back to a single stroller as Brooklyn gets older which means I can have only ONE stroller!! ahhhhh - Simplify. 
  
• Price effective: Ive seen them on Craigslist from time to time and deals well under $500 online.
  
• Pushes with ease - Great for walks around the neighborhood.
  
• Still folds up relatively compactly.
  

Click HERE for a great review of the stroller complete with pictures.

This is the Phil&Ted Stroller:

This is the Phil&Ted Stroller Collapsed:

This is the Phil&Ted Stroller in Toddler/Newborn Mode:

(The Toddler goes in the stop seat, newborn lies flat in main seat.)

This is the Phil&Ted Stroller in Toddler/Newborn Mode:

(The is the view from the back - you can see where the newborn will be.)

This is the Phil&Ted Stroller in Toddler/Newborn Mode:

(The Toddler goes in the top seat, Baby 6 mos+ goes in the back.)

A Sad Day at our house.

Today we lost a family member - our dog Daisy Dukes. Daisy got out to a very busy street and was hit by a car. We are devastated. Who knew losing a pet was like losing a family member?

She was a friend to all of us & this is harder than I ever thought it could be ...

Duke hung out at the Lake with us, hung out with us while we did chores, rooted Kalina on at her soccer games, played in the snow with us, got dirty camping with us, watched endless hours of tv with us, Let dad give you messed up haircuts, went on road trips ... She was always there for us.

Great Organizational Ideas

Premium Paige Denim = Sausage Casings?

Babysteals.com was having a steal of a deal on Premium Paige denim Maternity Jeans. I was super excited to get my hands on a pair for a great price. I was even more excited to get them in the mail. 

I busted open the packaged and jumped into them! They were mid thigh when I realized the outlook was grim - these were surely going to suffocate my thighs. 

Yup - sure enough; they looked no better than sausage casings on fresh ground pig. ugh. As if its not enough to sacrifice control of your body to the pregnancy gods and the life growing inside of you - then you have to deal with thin thighed denim. 

Operation hot maternity designer denim = FAIL. 

Team Green needs a girls name.

We are set for a Boys name but still deciding what Baby would be named if its a 'she'. 

You can cast your vote by clicking on the button on the top left.

Girlly Obsessions: Diaper Bags :0?

I have a Diaper Bag - a bag that I really like and still is in great shape, as a matter of fact. But I cant shake the feeling that I *need* a new one. New baby = New Diaper Bag, right?? Whats so crazy about that? One pair of shoes would surely do us good too - but what woman in her right mind only has one pair?

At this stage in my life I don't need nice, cute handbags - my hands are full as it is. I suppose Ive carried my girlly obsession with handbags over to my diaper bags. I want another (you saw the gorgeous Cake one?!) ... but unfortunately my practical, though very loving husband does not see this as necessary.

I continued looking for one that was cute, stylish yet more affordable th

an the Petunia Pickle Bottom and I think I found it! Its durable, large, stylish in my opinion and AFFORDABLE. See - those are words my husband will appreciate.

What do you think??:

Weekend Getaway ~ South Lake Tahoe

My 2 Under 2 wish list - help?!

Moms who have done 2 under 2 - PLEASE chime in & tell me whats missing or a total waste.

• City Mini Double or Valco Ion or Valco Latitude Twin ... or Phil&Ted? (Suggestions??)
• A super yard - for either 'protecting' the newborn or containing the toddler or BOTH.
• Either a stand for the moses basket or a bassinet. DONE!
• New Cover for the carseat! (so unnecessary, im sure)
• New Baby Bathtub ( I hear the eurotub rocks?)
• Miracle Wrap
• Another Monitor (Angel Care? video? regular?)
• Another Highchair?  Booster for Brooklyn, Highchair for Baby
• ANOTHER Crib. 
• a GI-freaking-NORMOUS Diaper Bag
• More bottles, nipples, burp rags, towels(?)
• a couple gender neutral (yellow, white, cream) newborn outfits
• crib sheets & breathable bumper
• new & super easy carrier - have a moby already (any ideas? maybe a sling?)
  
• another white noise machine to keep newborn sleeping thru tantrums.
  

• A new car with a 3rd row?!?! ;) (I said it was a WISH list people!!)

I think Im in love ...

Little too pricy for my budget. But no fear - Im waiting for the outlet sale ;)

Check it out here: 

http://www.laylagrayce.com/Products/Petunia-Pickle-Bottom-Cake-Cosmopolitan-Carry-All-Chocolate-Decadence__PPB92.aspx

14 week comparison

Brooklyn on the left; Baby#3 on the right.

14 Weeks - Baby #3

• How far along?: 14 weeks
• Weight gain: +1 pounds
• Maternity clothes: Yes
• Sleep: normal
• Stretch marks: No
• Movement: not yet
• Best moment of this week: Being out of the first trimester
• Food cravings: sushi, still
• Belly button in or out: In
• What I miss most: sushi
• What I'm looking forward to: next appt
• Weekly wisdom: Patience... enough said
• Milestones: Baby's the size of a lemon (although tummy is the size of a large grapefruit.) The baby can squint, grimace and pee already!