LilSugar

Strollin': Win a phil & teds Vibe!

LilSugar — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 01:00:00 -0700

One lucky mama is about to get a brand new set of wheels! Our friends at Right Start were nice enough to give us a black sleek and chic phil & teds Vibe ($700) so one lucky mom and her tot can get strollin' in style!

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The contest is open to US residents only and ends on Oct. 12, 2008, at 5 p.m. PDT. For Official Rules, click here.

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Strollin': Baby Jogger City Classic Single

babysugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 13:00:32 -0700

Mommies on the run can appreciate the ease and comfort of the Baby Jogger City Classic Single ($400). The reclining padded pushchair allows plush seating for precious cargo and the Quick-Fold Technology is one of the best collapses I've seen on any stroller. One simple pull on the back of the stroller and the chair is down in a flash. At 21 pounds, it's no easy task to lift the bugger, but it is on the lighter end of athletic strollers.

To see my other thoughts on the Baby Jogger City Classic Single, read more.

Like the BOB, the Baby Jogger City Classic has an adapter for car seats, making it useful from an early age. A major bonus is that it can handle a child up to 75 pounds! Also similar to the BOB Revolution, it has a front swivel wheel that can lock in place should that be a requirement. The handle bar is adjustable, which is nice for parents who like to switch it up occasionally. As for amenities, there is a basket under the seat and zipped mesh pockets for stowing items and an accompanying three panel sun canopy that provides ample shielding from the sun or nasty weather for comfortable outings.

There's one major caveat that comes with this buggy though - it is NOT equipped for jogging. This left me scratching my head. It looks like a jogger and the name implies it's a jogger, but technically, it's not. Having said that many people use different "non-jogging" strollers to troll along for exercise. If you're an Iron-Man type trainer, you may want to invest in a jogger that actually lives up to its name.

We will be finishing off our mini season of original stroller reviews with a special giveaway in October. Stay tuned for more details.

Strollin': Maclaren Techno XT

babysugar — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 14:00:01 -0700

What do Matilda Ledger, Ramona Gyllenhall, Violet Affleck, and Alexander Schreiber have in common? They all cruise around in the Maclaren Techno XT. King of the lightweight stroller category, Maclaren dominates with five options all under 17 pounds.

Weighing in at 14.2 pounds, the Maclaren Techno XT offers the ease of an umbrella stroller with a few extra perks. To see why the Techno XT is a crowd pleaser, read more.

Commonly seen on the streets of NYC, moms on the go appreciate the buggy's portability that does not forsake the child's comfort or security. The reclining padded seats, extendable foot and leg rests, and five-point harness keep tots pleasantly pampered for an afternoon of strolling. Similar to the Maclaren Volo, it simply collapses with the use of one hand. Like many more expensive travel systems, the seat reclines, making it suitable for newborns through 55 pounds. Another bonus that usually comes with pricier pushchairs is the adjustable handles, which is parent pleaser for those towering at different heights. Like most other Maclarens, the mesh basket underneath the seat provides ample storage with easy access.

At $280, there are certainly plenty of positives that have convinced moms to buy the buggy. For all of those pros, there's got to be at least one con. Here it is - the plastic wheels keep it light but also provide a less than smooth ride, especially compared to the Bugaboo Cameleon or others in that category. But at that price, it seems to me that you get a lot with the Maclaren Techno XT.

Tell me what you think about the Maclaren Techno XT!

Strollin': Lightweight Strollers

babysugar — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 13:00:00 -0700

Last week I reviewed five of the top travel system strollers on the market. This week, I'm taking it down a notch and honing in on more reasonable lightweight strollers from Right Start.

Often used for travel, quick trips to the park, a stroll to the local eatery or in the trunk of the car, lightweight buggies often help moms get from point a to point b without much hassle or concern. As practicality is the name of the game, the price tag often reflects that. Stay tuned this week to see which pushchairs are up for the test!

We will be finishing off our mini season of original stroller reviews with a special giveaway in October. Stay tuned for more details.

Strollin': lilsugar's Stroller Reviews

babysugar — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 12:00:00 -0700

One of the toughest baby gear decisions a mother-to-be has to make is which stroller to buy. With all the options available, it's near impossible to test drive every ride. So, I took the liberty of reviewing a vast assortment of buggies for all of you mommies in a stroller quandary.
Right Start graciously showed me some of their inventory covering various categories - travel systems, lightweight, jogger and double strollers. In the next few weeks, I will spotlight each stroller. At the end of all the reviews, we'll be giving away one stroller to a lucky lilsugar reader! So stay tuned and get ready for the onslaught of stroller information. First up, travel systems!

We will be finishing off our mini season of original stroller reviews with a special giveaway in October. Stay tuned for more details.

Mom-Me Time: Flash Cards Lend Mama a Hand

babysugar — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 08:00:42 -0800

If you're in need of a break, but your kid is running around - I've got a game for you. I play it with my babe when I am wiped out. It keeps her interested and both of us interacting. To see my trick, read more.

Before you can use the game for a lil rest and relaxation, you have to spend some time getting your child familiar with flash cards. I have a few different sets that I switch up, but my girl loves the alphabet set from Right Start ($6) and the Eric Carle ($15) animal/alphabet set.

Before I prop my legs up and take a break on the couch, I lay the cards out on the carpet. Then I'll say to her, "Can you bring me the hippo?" and she hurriedly walks over to the blue hippo card, picks it up and delivers it to me so I can place it in my pile. She gets giddy as I cheer her for her accomplishments while I revive.

Marcia Cross Gives Thanks Early This Year

babysugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:30:53 -0800

Known as the buttoned-up and tightly wound kitchen queen on Desperate Housewives, Marcia Cross appears to be quite the opposite when seen about town toting her two tots to the local playground for a swing in the park or a roll in the grass. Though the multitasking mum certainly has her hands full and plenty of mouths to feed in her own home, the drama mama took time out of her Sunday afternoon to dish on motherhood, balancing a career, her fortunate life and how she gives back to the community.

How do you teach your children about giving back?

I have to be very honest and say that I'm in this very strange interim of wanting the world to seem like this perfect lovely place because they're 2-and-a-half... to then introducing them to the idea that other people have less. It's going to start soon, I think around the holidays. The way I try to do it is in simple ways. I have things in the house and I say, "Why don't we give this to so and so?" And I will say somebody else's child and "If you're finished with that, why don't you give that to so and so?" I've noticed that they'll come up with that on their own now, which makes me so happy... I can't yet go to the place where there are other kids that are hungry... maybe in another year. I don't know exactly. I think just teaching empathy and then teaching giving in that sort of way is how I've started and hopefully it will grow from there in terms of how lucky we are... We say Grace and we say prayers at night. Prayers to me is just sitting around and saying what you're grateful for. One answer that my daughter Eden says all the time, which I love, is "Outside," which is such a beautiful thing to say thank you for, which we take for granted.

What kinds of things do the girls do to make you laugh?

My girls are really funny. They're actually little jokesters. They do twists on words already, or I call them my little minxies. They dance, they do imitations of other kids dancing, they make up songs, they make up lyrics. It's all so silly but I think every mother just adores their own child and I'm the same way. They make me laugh all the time.

To see what the striking redhead has to say about balancing motherhood and her career, her character Bree, and what she is most thankful for, read more.

Are there any similarities between Bree and Marcia Cross?

Wow. I wish there were more because she's so organized and such the domestic diva, which I am not. But I think in her own twisted way, Bree has a big heart and a passion for life. Although, I'm thinking about what she's doing right now and we don't have that in common... she's having a little extra passion right now (giggle). At the moment, I'm going to say there's a little less in common than more.

How do you raise your kids and have a career?

I think some days I do it more gracefully than others. And other days it takes its tolls. Like any parent, I go through times where things are going great and then I have a week where both of my daughters are sick and so I'm trying to juggle work and home-life and it's hard and it's stressful and I think it would be unrealistic to say otherwise. I think that mothers manage an incredible workload. Whether you're a stay-at-home mother or you have a job as well, it's a very full life and certainly one that I dreamed about and always wanted. And even given that there are days that are challenging, because you can only be in so many places at once... whether it's at work or with your kids, or sometimes you just really want a nap so it's a full-time job.

What are you thankful for?

Health. Health of my family, health of my friends, health of my parents, who thank God, are still with me. I'm grateful that I have a family that I always dreamed about. I'm grateful for the job that I have. I get to do what I love. I'm grateful that I get the opportunity to be a spokesperson for things I feel are important.

This Thanksgiving, Marcia is encouraging all Facebook mommies to go to My Chinet's Facebook page where they can pick a plate, decorate it and show it on their profile page. By doing this, mommy will feed her soul and donate to the cause of filling someone else's stomach this holiday season.

Mommy Dearest: How Should I Deal With Gender Issues?

babysugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:45:44 -0800

Mommy Dearest,

I have a 4-year-old little girl who seems to fit into the stereotypes surrounding children her age; she loves princesses, makeup, and playing with baby dolls. In an effort to get her to branch out, I have signed her up for soccer with other boys and girls her age. At first, the playtime was terrific - boys and girls running elbow to elbow. Then the coach decided to split them up by gender. Kids generally play with their own sex, so I understood his rationale for dividing them, but at this past practice he decided it was time for the boys to play football while the girls still kicked the ball around. When one of the girls asked the coach why the boys got to play football, he said, "The boys have gotten really good at soccer so we're letting them play football. You guys still need to work on your soccer." All of the mothers on the sideline gasped. While the coach may be right, he is already starting to pigeonhole them into the stereotypes that we moms are trying so hard to avoid. They are such an impressionable age and they are already starting to hear that boys are better than them. I would like to talk with the coach about it, but I don't seem to have the right words. Do you have any advice?

- Antistereotype Soccer Mom

To see Mommy Dearest's response, just read more.

Antistereotype Soccer Mom,

Parents are often conflicted with how to share a gender-divided world with their children. It is commendable that you are trying to take actions to show your girly daughter the other facets of life that don't include tutus and lip gloss, but you may find that not everyone is like minded. It seems the coach could use some, er, coaching in stereotyping. He is probably used to straight talk and may appreciate the candor of a sideline mommy. Rather than make a big issue out of it, I'd simply tell him you want the girls to have the same learning experience as the boys. The larger concern at hand would be how he manages to tell the girls about their routine. I would ask him to explain to the girls that they are equal to the boys and ready to roll with the flag-football punches.

- Mommy Dearest

Submit a question for this feature at the Mommy Dearest Group on our new community page.

Mommy Dearest: In-Laws Call Baby by Another Name

LilSugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:08:41 -0700

Mommy Dearest,

My husband and I put a lot of time into choosing our children's names. We have two boys: Matthew, 3, and August, who is 3 months old. We named our younger son for the month he was born and my in-laws have made it clear that they are not fans of the choice. That doesn't bother me, but the fact that they only refer to our baby by his middle name does. If we wanted his name to be Michael, we would have put that first on the birth certificate. What's more annoying is the fact that it is confusing our older son. Matthew doesn't understand why Grammy and Papa call August "Michael." How can I tell my in-laws to knock it off?

– Annoyed With In-Laws' Nickname

To see the response from Mommy Dearest, read more.

Annoyed With In-Laws' Nickname,

As parents, you and your husband have the right to name your children whatever you choose. While your in-laws don't have to agree with the moniker, it is not their place to make up a new one for your son. Not only is it rude, but it is confusing your older boy. Politely explain this and tell them that you don't want them calling August "Michael" anymore. It's better to confront this issue now rather than later, if and when your lil guy starts responding to both names.

- Mommy Dearest

Submit a question for this feature at the Mommy Dearest Group on our new community page.

Source: Flickr User Futurestreet

Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me: Smells Like Maple Syrup

LilSugar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:00:12 -0700

Many breastfeeding mommas opt for reinforcement in hopes of keeping the good stuff flowing and I was no exception. I started taking the herbs Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle when I noticed my milk supply was dwindling. My child's pediatrician spoke very highly of the natural remedy, and while it did work like a charm, she forgot to mention one side effect that I would've liked to know.

To hear the sweet tale, just read more.

After about four days of persistently popping handfuls of pills several times a day, I noticed that something didn't smell right. Upon further investigation I realized that the something was me - and I smelled just like maple syrup! Not exactly the scent I typically go for. I was completely freaked out when I called the doctor but she said, "Oh yeah, that is how you know it's working - the smell should go away when you stop taking the herbs." I continued pumping up my supply with the herbal supplements (and the stink did go away once I stopped), but that kind of information would have come in handy. Thanks doc.

I now know that a syrupy scent is to be expected when taking Fenugreek, but did you ever notice a smell when taking the herb?

We want to hear your shocking, funny, embarrassing, and insightful pregnancy and motherhood stories. Join our Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me? group over in our LilSugar Community and share your tales and tips.