Mommy and Maven

Mirror, Mirror ...

2009-05-28T12:08:00.004-04:00

Today is picture day at LLB's school. I have a weird philosophy about picture day, in that I don't do the "dress up" thing. Don't get me wrong we wear our nice clothes, but we don't go ALL OUT. Even for sittings I do with professionals I stick to nice but basic clothes. Keep in mind, I have a daughter who I LOVE to shop for, so she has lots of clothes and 90% of them are "nice", what I am referring to are frilly dresses and fancy shoes. I like her to look like she does in regular life for her pictures to capture her properly.

So this morning I picked out what I thought was an adorable little outfit, leggings under a very-cute floral printed a-line dress. She looked adorable. Well low and behold we were 5 minutes from school when LLB started whimpering in the back seat, when I asked her what was wrong I got this in response, "my dress isn't PRETTY. I won't look pretty in my pictures." As I tried to explain how pretty I thought she was and how I LOVED her outfit she only proceeded to cry and tell me I was wrong.

My heart broke ... she's 3 years old ... and I felt bad on a myriad of levels. And yes I'm aware that I'm adding my own emotional baggage to this situation.

Level 1 -- Basic Guilt
I had failed my child, by not picking some frilly frock for her to twirl around and say "Cheese" in.

Level 2 -- Self-Esteem Issues
I've suffered through self-esteem issues for 90% of my life. And while these insecurities define me, I hope and pray my child won't face them in the debilitating ways that I have.

Level 3 -- Raising a Conformist
My wonderful, independent child suddenly wants to be just like everyone else ... and I am not allowing her to do that.

Level 4 -- Irrationality
I probably felt the worst for even experiencing Levels 1-3, I'm the adult here, I've done nothing "wrong" and this won't scar her for life. But in the essence of Level 2, I wouldn't be me if I didn't beat myself up.

It got worse as I tried to drop her off at school, she cried actual tears and told me how "unpretty" she was. Stab me in the heart while you're at it kid, why dontcha? I explained to her that she didn't have to take a picture if she didn't feel like it. It was her choice, and then we said a tearful goodbye and I was left to drive home contemplating this traumatic experience.

Before you roll your eyes at me, I realize she is three years old, and that this is only the first of probably a million future instances of similar "issues" that I'll have to face. I just wish these instances didn't fuel my own insecurities so terribly ... I might have to be admitted to a psych ward during the teen years!

Beauty Is in the Eye of the Beholder,
Bronwyn

P.S. Her school just IMed to say she did GREAT during photos and even pulled the SuperModel pose! I guess the only one scarred by this experience will be me ... ah the joys of Mommyhood!

Losing Sight But Regaining Clarity

2009-04-19T08:24:00.003-04:00

I'm usually fairly light hearted in my blog, but I needed to tackle something that's been swirling around the mommy-sphere for the past couple weeks. Someone losing a child always makes me step back and pause. Those moments when our heads swirl, the fears become overwhelming ... it's almost too much to process.

I heard the news about Maddie Spohr right as it happened, and while I never knew Maddie, or her parents, my heart was ripped to pieces for them. The loss of a child is so profound, so heart wrenching that I sometimes can't even cope. I read their beautiful memories of their amazing little girl, I watched their memorial video and just cried. Once I get past the passing of that beautiful girl I'm left worrying about the parents. How do you go on from something like that?

Then I think of one of my dearest and bestest friends Kat ... Kat and her husband, John, lost their little Kylie to SIDS when she was only 3 and a half months old. Of all the details I know about how the loss affected them the one that brings me clarity is one she only recently shared with me.

Over dinner one night she described sitting in the car after leaving the hospital without their little Kylie and how she and John looked at the empty car seat in the back. Somewhere in the despair of the event they turned to each other and declared that they wouldn't lose each other. As she uttered the words with tears in her eyes, my skin erupted in tingles.

I always think of the effect a loss can have on one person and the isolation and depression that can come with it. And I've always wondered if my own relationship could survive those deepest darknesses. But Kat's words gave me the inspiration to go home and hug my husband tighter. We always think to hug our children tighter when we hear stories about the loss of a child, but I promised myself to hug my husband tighter, too.

I know for a fact that what got my friends through those dark times was their love for each other. And their strength in their love for each other inspires me every day. I love my child with unfaltering depth, as we all do. But it's my husband, who I love with all that I am. I would do anything to protect and shield my child from anything that might cause her harm. But it's my husband who I will face those harms with. He is my partner, the person I chose to share my life with, and together (as a team) I know there is nothing we can't do.

I hope that the Spohrs lean on each other as they weather this rocky road ahead and learn from the strength of their own love. To my friends Kat and John, know that I draw constant inspiration from, and am always in admiration of, the love that you two share.

Hand in hand is how you do it,
Bronwyn

The Punisher

2009-03-13T08:25:00.003-04:00

LLB is three ... forget the terrible twos, this three year old business is much worse. There are days when I feel like I'm at my wit's end and can't deal with it anymore. My biggest complaint is she won't listen, shocking for a three year old I know! But seriously, I find myself repeating things at least 5 times and it KILLS me!

I'm efficient, I'm a multi-tasker and I HATE repeating myself. DETEST IT! So herein the problem lies ... even if I recognize that her doing something on the first shot isn't necessarily realistic, I cannot take having to repeat myself that many times. Timeouts are a regular in this house, for a kid who used to see the timeout chair once or twice a week at most, she's now averaging 2-4 times a day!

The part I hate the most is I'm fairly certain that I'm not setting a good example. It can't be good that I give her a million chances to do something I want her to do. And it especially can't be good when I threaten her with punishment (for example: "if you don't pick up those toys" -- on the 5th time of asking -- "I will throw them out" -- then as I pick them up to trash them she freaks out and actually snaps to it).

I know I'm not the first, and not the last, to go through this. And I know that what she's doing is right on par with her age. But I need some help with how to punish her properly and effectively because at this rate she's going to be on timeout until she's 12.

If you have punishment or even parenting tips for how to handle this please, please, PLEASE share them!

Three Is Not Company,
Bronwyn

A Case of Ms.-taken Identity

2009-02-26T20:25:00.007-05:00

I was at dinner the other night with my BFF and her daughter when LLB interrupted us chatting adults by saying, "KAT! KAT!" Kat is the name of my BFF whom we were dining with. This was one of the first times that my daughter had shown an interest in talking to an adult. I interrupted her and told her to say "Ms. Kat", and then was surprised that I had done that.

I'm not one of those people who feels that all children should address adults as Mr., Mrs., or Ms. I'm all for showing respect and some formal conventions, but this isn't one I thought I subscribed to, until now. I'm torn -- I didn't like that she was interrupting our conversation and it felt odd having my three year old using an adult's first name. But I'm not sure I want her to have to address all adults as Mr. or Ms. I certainly don't want her friends calling me Ms. anything.

I'd love to hear what others do with this problem ... do you make your kids use formal titles? Do you even go one step further and do titles with last names, versus first names? I have friends who are very into formal titles and I feel it would be odd for her to have refer to some people with a title and not with others. Who'd have thought a three or two letter word could cause so much dilemma?

She Shoots, She Ms.-es,
Bronwyn

Mom 2.0 Summit

2009-02-20T08:28:00.000-05:00

I don't know what the future of this little space holds, but I'm inspired sitting around so many wonderful mommy bloggers at the Mom 2.0 Summit so I think there might be something brewing on the horizon!

Stay Tuned ... if you're even still out there

Bronwyn

Let's Get Political

2008-08-23T12:30:00.011-04:00

I grew up in the Washington, DC area so politics were a constant source of discussion in my household. I'll spare you my actual political views as they have nothing to do with what I aim to do on here ... but what does relate is political clothing for tots!

Shirts with all sorts of political jargon on them exist all over the net, but I compiled a list of some of the ones I thought were the cutest. You'll notice my 50/50 split between parties ... who says we can't all get along?

First up is Kidoodle Tee's "Democrat in training" and "Republican in training tees." For $13.99 you can get a cute toddler tee that tells the whole world which party your child will grow up supporting.

The "Don't Blame Me..." tee from SavvyTot is one my personal faves. It makes a nice political point without affiliating itself with any one side. Let's be honest our children may grow up to *GASP* support a different political party and there's not a whole lot we can do about that.

This "You down with GOP..." tee from Pollytod, actually made me giggle, Naughty by Nature's 'OPP' was an anthem of the early 90s and to affiliate itself with the conservative side is just a piece of irony all in itself. Nonetheless, this tee is sure to get some attention.

I, personally, don't like shirts that offer up such a bold message, as the "My diaper is like a ..." tee from GabbyTees on a young child. Everyone knows what the missing word is and for most of us it's the more rude way of saying "poop." That being said, there are those among us who feel strongly about our beliefs and actually might a kick out of seeing their toddler in this tee.

I love a cute slogan and "My Mama's for Obama" by Sandbox Threads one delivers the perfect punch. I also appreciate that it shows that the tot's mama is the one supporting Obama. We all know toddlers could care less who the president is -- as long at that person doesn't take away ice cream or playgrounds. So I think it's a wise idea (in political situations) to let the opinion stick with the parents.

The "Weepublican" tee from Kidoodle Tees is just all around cute. From the adorable elephant graphic to the tiny tot messaging at the bottom this tee is perfect for all the wee-publicans.

I was surprised at the shortage of cute slogan tees for McCain supporters. While there's plenty of conservative pride clothing , there isn't a lot of McCain-specific creativity. Obama, on the other hand, has cutesy tee after tee aimed at supporting him. This "Obama Baby" shirt is another one that shows a fun, creative flair.

Rock the Vote,
Bronwyn

Do Fortune Cookies Really Predict Anything?

2008-08-21T21:57:00.004-04:00

OK don't get me wrong, I'm not an idiot, I know that the fortunes you find inside a cookie don't mean JACK! BUT I'm all about signs and omens and tonight I think I got one ...

I opened two cookies, one for LLB and one for myself. And while the fortunes themselves were completely unimportant, it was what was on the back that caught my eye. On the back of mine was "JUNE" with the Chinese character spelling and then the phonetic Chinese pronunciation. On the back of LLB's was "GIRL" with the Chinese character spelling and then the phonetic Chinese pronunciation.
I'm pretty confident that we'll have another child. Not right now, new job has held up that progress. But I'm thinking we'll want to get pregnant early next year.

I'd LOVE a May baby or even a June baby and that's where the fortune comes in. I felt like it was telling me I'd have a June baby ... or get pregnant in June ... and then LLB's fortune made me think it would be a girl. I'm THAT mom who wants girls. Don't flame me, I think many moms know a specific sex of a child that they want, some are just afraid to say it, and some are happy with whatever. While a little boy would be something different and I'd be quite excited ... I really want another girl.

FIrst of all we have ALL girly stuff. I'm not a gender neutral kind of gal, LLB's room is VERY girly. Incorporating a boy into that would be a nightmare. And I would feel the need to add a boy splash if we had a boy. We also only have 2 bedrooms, so two girls sharing a room would be nice. I'm an only child, so the thought of a sibling is something foreign to me, but as warm as the thought is, I like the thought of sisters even more.

I think LLB would make a fabulous big sister and I just really think my whole life will be balanced with 2 little girls. So the question is what do those signs mean? I guess we'll have to tempt fate and see what happens. I'm a litte "freaked out" that all my friends who had girls first had boys second ... hmmm

Thinking Pink,
Bronwyn

Site Rave: MomsLikeMe.com

2008-08-18T08:30:00.003-04:00

I'm always on the lookout for cool new sites, ones that help enrich our lives, or just offer cool features. As a mom I'm always looking for new mom sites that provide us with info and connect us to one another. New moms need support from other moms who are going through the same things as them and of course from ones who've "been there, done that." But I'm quite proud to present you with MomsLikeMe.com.

I actually work on this site and take great pride in what we're bringing to the masses. Currently we have sites in 27 cities and before the fall is over we'll have triple that. The concept is simple connect moms in ways they never could before on a local level.

Give moms resources like boards/forums to post questions for help and advice or just to share random stories. Help them find other like-minded moms with groups and let them organize calendars easily, as well. Let them carve a personal space on this social networking site with a personal profile and content aggregator for their posts and photos. Finding a pediatrician referral, sharing photos, getting advice and arranging playdates has never been easier.

Check out MomsLikeMe.com for a list of cities where there are sites and check out what cities will be rolling out over the next couple months.

Moms Unite,
Bronwyn

What Every Working Mother Dreads

2008-08-16T23:30:00.003-04:00

I had the week from hell last week and I was working around the clock -- my life was barely my own but I did the best I could to be there for my family and tend to my daughter. Thursday was an important launch day for me (more on that in a moment) and I knew the day would be a long one. At about 2:30PM my daughter's teacher IMed (yes they IM and email us and I LOVE it) me and said that LLB was sad and crying (not really sobbing or tearful crying, but a sad whine) and saying "I want my mommy." My heart leapt into my throat. There as NO way I could leave work but it broke me heart to think it.

See I, like most working moms, promised myself and, in turn, her that I would always be there for her. That my every act would still be for her and if she needed me I would be there. Thursday I wasn't able to do that. Now mind you, my 2.5 year old was fine 5 minutes later. I watched her on the webcam and saw that she was happily playing again. But for a fleeting moment I felt completely lost.

While this feeling sucked, it did open my eyes. First of all, every mom will likely have a moment where they feel like they let their child down, whether they work or not. And I stand by my decision to work and know that I am doing the best thing for her, my husband and my FAMILY! She didn't even realized that I didn't go get her and our lives went on. But I know that held her extra close this weekend and made sure the blackberry and laptop weren't out on her watch so she could have my undivided attention.

She Works Hard for the Money,
Bronwyn

Site Rave: Shop It To Me

2008-06-20T22:01:00.003-04:00

I'm not often WOWed by a website these days. I feel like I've seen it all, and while some sites have cool design, etc. most are just reinventions of things that already existed. All that ended when I was referred to ShopItToMe.com!

Obviously I like to shop, and like any GOOD shopper I appreciate a good sale. But who has the time to track down and even keep up with who's having a sale when? I think the only sale I know to count on every year is Nordstrom's Half Yearly Sale!!!! You simply tell ShopItToMe.com your favorite brands and items you shop for. You can select women, men and children's clothing. Then you select your favorite brands, they have an exhaustive list of 537 brands, your favorite ones should be listed -- Gap, 7 for All Mankind, Nine West, Marc Jacobs, the list goes on ... I was really impressed with their selection.

Then you tell it your size and what items you shop for, ie dresses, pants, shoes, accessories, there's almost nothing this site hasn't thought of. Lastly of course you create a log in and store your personal data. After you complete registration you will receive a daily email chock full of items you would be interested in. Every day I look forward to this email, and it's probably the only one I can say that about, and every day it doesn't disappoint. Now if only it could help me hide the purchases from my husband we would be cooking.

You are seriously missing out if you haven't signed up for ShopItToMe.com, see for yourself, if you don't like it you can just deactivate your account later. I promise you will like it though!

Shop, 2, 3, Shop, 2, 3,
Bronwyn

Neutrogena Fresh Cooling Body Mist Sunblock Review

2008-06-07T21:08:00.004-04:00

I'm your typical Irish, fair-skinned girl, and I tend to burn before I tan. So today before hitting the pool I hooked the LLB up with her sunblock and then tested out Neutrogena's new Fresh Cooling Body Mist Sunblock in SPF 70. And I can sum up my opinion of this product with one statement, where has it been all my life?

First of all it applies so easily. Spray it on and let it dry, it feels super-cool on the skin (which came in handy during follow-up applications in the hot sun) and sprays evenly. I just let the spray cover me generously and didn't think twice about it. And after 3-4 hours in the hot, hot sun I didn't have a piece of burn on my body, I'm a believer.

Best of all I didn't get any nasty, thick, goopy lotion on my hands and I didn't need to have anyone apply sunblock on me. I was able to spray myself all over all by myself. My ONLY complaint would be the slightly chemical-ly smell it has, but what do you expect from a spray-on sunblock?

From the House of the Rising Sun(block),
Bronwyn

RAMBLING: A Fresh Start

2008-06-06T10:53:00.002-04:00

I had to take a break from writing here for a number of reasons that I won't bore you with. But I'm happy to say that I'm back -- I hope you haven't all run off in boredom.

I'd like to get this back to what it was meant to be, a spot for people to see what's going on in this mom's world. I love seeing what's new for styles and trends and posting my finds and I love chatting with people about their children and offering advice where I can. Sometimes just saying it out loud is all the support a person needs! So please come back and say hi if you can. And I promise to try my best to entertain you along the way.

The Man Can't Hold Me Down,
Bronwyn

RAMBLING: Remember When ...

2008-01-25T20:20:00.000-05:00

car seats looked like this?

I don't, but my mom sure does. I'm up in Long Island, New York cleaning out my grandfather's house (he's in assisted living now), and she found that car seat in a closet. I used to ride in that thing. SERIOUSLY. I don't know what good it did, the buckle was USELESS.

Seriously who couldn't get out of that buckle? My mom even chuckles because at the time that seat was bought it was the top of the line model, fairly expensive and by today's standards not worth a penny.

That's the funny thing about cleaning out a grandparents' house. You find stuff. My favorite part is the old pictures. I love seeing my mom growing up, though there seem to only be pictures of her when she was like 1 and then in college haha. Not sure what happened inbetween there. Then there's my grandmother who HATED having her picture taken, so much so that she was NOTORIOUS for cutting herself out of pictures. You'll find what look like delightful pictures with someone's head missing! That headless person is ALWAYS my grandmother. And it makes me sad because she meant the world to me and if I could I would have a million photographs of her.

Speaking of, I think the saddest part about someone dying is forgetting what they look like. I know what my grandmother looked like, BUT from photographs. I was only 9 when she passed away and can't remember what she PHYSICALLY looked like in my memories. I remember things about her, her silver hair and impeccable clothing. Her shoe collection and handbags. Eating lunch and watching soap operas. Her telling my grandfather to "Slow Down Pete" when he was driving too fast or the way she would rub my arm to sooth me before bed. I remember her calling me punkin and just showering me with the most love I think I could ever try to describe. But I can't remember HER! And it's heartbreaking. When I dream about her, it's her presence, not her. When I think of her, it's her presence. I suppose this means that she's living on, but it saddens me that I can't remember her!

I Want to be in the Arms of the Angel,
Bronwyn

RAMBLING: Balls Dropping and Promises Made

2007-12-31T23:11:00.000-05:00

It's time to usher in a New Year! And while 2007 held a lot of great memories for me, there are many I'm ready to move on from. I'm not one for resolutions, but I do usually try to make little promises to myself. No one is perfect, we're all striving to do better in one way or another, and to me resolutions should be our acknowledgments of where we fall short and come with a plan to make it all better.

I thought maybe if I put them on paper and let the world see them, I might hold myself more accountable to them. So, here goes:

Count to Five More Often -- I have a SHORT fuse and I need to make it a bit longer. I am very proud of some of my recent methods of remaining calm in the face of stress. I only hope to make those methods even stronger in 2008.
Stop and Smell the Roses -- I don't take the time necessary to revel in life sometimes. I have an amazing daughter and husband and I need to enjoy every second with them. I hope in 2008 to slow down just a tad and enjoy life's moments more.
Be More Selfish -- For some people being more selfless is a common resolution, but I'm already pretty selfless. I put myself just about last on every priority list. I need to learn to say no and do what I need to do for ME a little more!

I also aim to blog a bit more. I had great intentions when I started this site. And while I've been better about updating it then any other site I've ever had, it's still not something I do often enough. I hope everyone has a safe and happy new year!

Onward and Upward,
Bronwyn

RAMBLING: Meet My Mini Me -- Ms. Chatterbox

2007-12-25T20:06:00.000-05:00

Someone flicked a switch for LLB and she talks up a storm now. And I mean CONSTANTLY. Mommy sit here, Mommy for you, Mommy bless you ... the list goes on. The way she says Mommy could literally melt my heart and she's truly the most loving little girl.

She's at that point though where when she points out something, whatever it may be, you must acknowledge what she's saying OR else she will repeat it over and over until you do. Sometimes it's quite painful, really.

But I love seeing how her brain has developed and how she's able to put together sentences and statements now. For instance, just last night we were driving home and my husband said something quite silly, I laughed at him, he laughed, she laughed her fake "I'm laughing because everyone else is" laugh and then said "FUNNY" with complete sarcasm. We died. We asked her if she was saying "funny" because were honestly shocked she said it and she said, "You're FUNNY!" Watching her understand and process things is the most amazing part.

Doesn't This Thing Have a Mute Button?,
Bronwyn

RAMBLING: Baby Fever And Not the Temperature Kind

2007-12-22T14:34:00.000-05:00

I have baby fever. I feel like everyone around me is pregnant and if not planning on being pregnant soon. I have been doing a stroller piece for the Celebrity Baby Blog and some of them come with amazing-looking bassinets. Not to mention all the new baby products that come out everyday.

I THINK I want another baby. But I don't KNOW if do. And that's where I sit. I thought LLB would be an only child when I got pregnant with her. I'm an only child, and initially thought I would not have an only child and then just before becoming pregnant realized the "benefits." I'm a working mom, say what you want about that, but I LOVE what I do and I LOVE my child, too. I feel like I have the best of each world. I knew that being a working mom meant my attention was already slightly split and having more then one child would mean even more division. This wasn't an idea I liked.

I decided early on, that even IF we wanted another baby we would wait until LLB was 2. I wanted to wait until 2 for a couple of reasons. If you haven't figured it out, I'm a fairly high strung individual. I'm just wired that way. I'm slightly OCD and always computing something in my brain. I wanted to see what my sweet girl would be like at the terrible 2s before I decided to have another. I also wanted to see what I was like dealing with her. Could I handle her? On a good day yes, on a bad day I feel like a terrible mom.

I like that right now I can focus all my energy and passion and ... EVERYTHING on her. I also am not sure I can handle the "stress" of another baby. I love my husband dearly but he's not much help and lord knows with 2 kids I would need his help. We live in a VERY small house, hubby reminds me everyday that people have multiple kids in 1 bedroom apartments all the time. I'm not that kind of person. I don't just decide to have a baby to have a baby, I plan, I lay it out and a 2 bedroom house with 4 inhabitants is not in my plan.

I also know that my baby fever is a result of my baby becoming a full fledged toddler. She's not my sweet, little, cuddly baby anymore. And I need to make sure that I don't decide to have another because I'm hoping to "rewind" time. It doesn't work that way.

Also, LLB was a DREAM baby. Seriously, we were extremely lucky, I think the only problem we had with her prior to 15 months was that she didn't sleep through the night (I'm talking about 10-12 hour stretches) until sometime around 9-12 months. That was it. I know the chances of baby #2 being as good are minimal, I'm not that lucky.

My pregnancy wasn't bad but it wasn't a dream, I had Gestational Diabetes and was VERY uncomfortable at the end. I also became very antsy, I'm an instant gratification person and waiting for the baby to appear was killing me. I'd hope with baby #2 this wouldn't be the case, but who knows.

Lastly, how often can you "tempt" fate. I saw a baby at Best Buy yesterday who was disabled, a beautiful little girl, and she made my heart leap. I was always worried that LLB would have some sort of disability, and I don't know if I can trust that baby #2 wouldn't have something wrong with it. This sounds incredibly vain, I know, I promise I don't intend it that way. I am seriously not cut out to handle a special needs child, and I think it takes a lot of personal insight to know that about yourself and openly admit it. I admire those parents who raise above the disorders and raise amazing kids. I just don't think I could.

Sorry for the brain dump, but all this leads me back to... when do you know you want another? Does it just click one day? UGH! I know that I have approx a year to make this decision, as I don't want them too far apart. After 2008 I think this shop will close down.

Baby, Baby, Baby,
Bronwyn

ATW: Round-Up Week of December 17

2007-12-21T12:17:00.000-05:00

Life was good this week, Jamie Lynn Spears' pregnancy kept me busy and so did some other random assignments.

Coat of Arms: Find Your Perfect Winter Coat (mary-kateandashley.com)
Bundle Up: Steal Violet Affleck's Jacket Style (Celebrity Baby Blog)
CBB reader's reactions to Jamie Lynn Spears' pregnancy news (Celebrity Baby Blog)
How to talk to your kids about Jamie Lynn Spears' pregnancy (Celebrity Baby Blog)
Top Five Children's Holiday CDs (MomFinds)
CBB ranks 6th on Top 10 Celebrity Blog List (Celebrity Baby Blog)
Everyday Glam (mary-kateandashley.com)
Celebrity Style: Bags We Are “Desperate” To Get (SheFinds)
Giveaway: Celebrity Bump Bag as Seen on 'The View' (Celebrity Baby Blog)

Get Clickin',
Bronwyn

RAMBLING: Visions of New Computers Dance in My Head

2007-12-20T09:12:00.000-05:00

The hubby offered to buy me an iMac I've been eying for Christmas. I want it badly, but I have a PowerBook and a PC that runs pretty well. I'm becoming more and more used to Macs but I still have some issues on them and overall can work twice as efficiently on a PC. I'm a computer nerd, I know how to fix many problems that arise and I get asked for help all the time. When it comes to the Mac I don't feel like an expert.

But as a result I have no idea what I WANT for christmas. My list is pretty dismal and even what's on my list will be hard to get. Here's what I have:

Beverly Hills, 90210 Season 3 DVD
I didn't buy it the day it came out because I figured it was an easy XMas Bonus, so it better be under my tree. I'm an addict, what can I say?

UGG Dakota Slipper
These look absolutely comfy and would be so cute with basic outfits. I love that my feet would be warm without the whole boot, overheating my poor ankles and legs.

UGG® Australia 'Cardy' Classic Boot
The crochet UGG has slipped under my radar, I wasn't sure I wanted them. Considering they would look colossal on my size 9 feet. Then I saw these! I'm in love. Too bad they're practically sold out EVERYWHERE.

See, I told you it was a sad list. I'm truly at the point in my life where it's like what do you get the person who has EVERYTHING and if she doesn't have it, she buys it for herself!?!?! The good news is, the hubby can do no wrong. As long as he puts thought into it I love everything he gets me.

What is on YOUR list for Christmas? Do share!

Santa Baby,
Bronwyn

RAMBLING: It's Elmo Time -- UPDATE

2007-12-18T17:34:00.000-05:00

LLB loved Sesame Street: When Elmo Grows Up. She sat still the ENTIRE time. And even said hello and goodbye to some of the characters as they walked on and left the stage. I've never seen her so captivated by something and I was shocked at how well she behaved.

Needless to say I'll be getting us more tickets to Sesame Street shows. I'm not sure she's ready for The Wiggles yet.

Growing Up Is Fun to Do,
Bronwyn

RAMBLING: It's Elmo Time

2007-12-16T14:27:00.000-05:00

Today we are taking LLB to see Sesame Street Live: When Elmo Grows Up. I think she's going to love it. Elmo has been a recognizable character for her for some time now. But just in the past few weeks she's become OBSESSED. She'll bring me the remote and "demand" Elmo. The joy of a DVR is that I have the show set to record everytime it's on, so there's always a couple of episodes stored up.

This is the ONLY show that she really has any interest in. And she will request that I fast forward through parts that don't involve our little red, furry friend. So all in all she prob only watches like a 1/2 hour of the show, if even.

I am sure she won't sit still, but the price was CHEAP and I figured it was worth trying and seeing how she does. I'll let you know how the show went later. Just wish us luck!

That's Elmo's World,
Bronwyn

RAMBLING: Greetings From the Other Side

2007-12-15T13:29:00.000-05:00

You might be wondering what the heck I mean by that. I can't recall how much I've discussed this on here, and rather then search I'm just going to fill you in. I was laid off from my job at AOL back in October. It was nothing personal just a change in direction, but it truly did rock my world.

I've been with AOL since 2001!!!!! That's a long time, and I started as an intern, so my ENTIRE career has been at AOL. My professional identity is wrapped in their walls and I truly feel a sense of loss right now. The good news is I feel a slight sense of relief today as I type this. Friday, the 14th was my last day, as I was kept around on a transition team for 2 months to help tie up a project.

I didn't blog at all this week because when I wasn't finishing that project I was slightly depressed and I needed to refocus and recenter. The good news is I'm back. I don't know officially what's next with me. As I find out I'll clue you all in. But right now I'm just looking forward to the holidays with my family and a little "down time."

I'll have more time then ever to blog, so expect to see me posting on here quite a bit more and of course on my other sites as well. I'll miss AOL but I know this is what's best and that there is something BIG out there waiting for me.

I've Made the Jump,
Bronwyn

ATW: Round-Up Week of December 3

2007-12-07T14:38:00.000-05:00

Yeah, I suck at doing this weekly. But hey this was a good week, I got a lot of bylines! Check them out.

Top Five Gift Ideas for the Teen Babysitter (MomFinds)
Heidi Klum's stroller of choice for exercise (Celebrity Baby Blog)
Mad for Metallic: Steal Suri Cruise's Shoe Style (Celebrity Baby Blog)
MomFinds Solution: Car Seat Covers Offer Valuable Protection (MomFinds
Mom Find: Pad Lightly With the Cross Town Clutch (MomFinds)

Get Clickin',
Bronwyn

RAMBLING: Jav-ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!

2007-12-07T14:20:00.001-05:00

Hello, my name is Bronwyn and I'm addicted to coffee. Please raise your hands if you feel the same way. My love affair with coffee began at a Starbucks in Alexandria when I was a senior in high school. I remember when it opened. Back then I only went a couple times a week and Frappuccinos were my beverage of choice. Then in college I discovered the White Chocolate Mocha and fancy lattes became my forte.

Now as a grown adult I usually prefer a simple cup of joe to any fancy latte, though that doesn't stop me from ordering one now and then. I've tried just about every fancy latte that Starbucks has ever put out. And while I know that Starbucks isn't the best coffee in the world I have a true brand affinity for them.

Now to the problem, I would drink coffee all day long if I could. Not because of the caffeine but coffee is my social drink. I love to meet people for coffee, run to get coffee with people, even just make people a cup of coffee. Everything about the routine is social and it really soothes me.

And lastly, my shopping angle kicks in. After all my first addiction IS shopping. Have you seen their new personalized gift cards. Too bad I change my drinks every 3 days, because they babies are ADORABLE! This is where my photographic memory comes in handy and several of my friends will be getting them with their fave drink on it!

Lattes All Around,
Bronwyn

RAMBLING: Hot Holiday Toys

2007-12-05T13:40:00.000-05:00

I have a day job... it pays the bills, well it will until December 14, but I will get into that some other time. My day job is probably the coolest one on the planet. I do content for KOL, AOL's kids service. If you've never been to the site, check it out, among my responsibilities are KOL Style, KOL Jr and KOL Toy Time, which brings me to the subject of my post.

Every year on KOL Toy Time we publish a Hot Holiday Toy list. All the products in each age group are selected by yours truly and come with my personal recommendation on them. So if you're still at a loss for what to give that hard-to-please kid in your life here are my faves!

http://kids.aol.com/hot-holiday-toys/toys-for-ages-9-12
http://kids.aol.com/hot-holiday-toys/toys-for-ages-6-8
http://kids.aol.com/hot-holiday-toys/toys-for-ages-under-6
http://kids.aol.com/hot-holiday-toys/video-games

Here's the breakdown:

Toys for Ages 9-12
Bratz Life Game by MGA
Dream Life Superstar by Hasbro
Girl Tech Video Journal by Radica
Hannah Montana/'HSM2' DVD Board Games by Mattel
Jenga Girl Talk by Hasbro
Tamagotchi Connection V4.5 by Bandai
Technic Motorized Bulldozer by LEGO
The Game of Life: Twists and Turns by Hasbro
Tyco R/C Tri-Clops Mutant by Mattel
UB Funkeys by Mattel

Toys for Ages 6-8
Barbie Girls by Mattel
Bratz Adventures in Learning Globe by MGA
Eyeclops by Jakks Pacific
Hannah Montana In-Concert Pop Stage and Dolls by PlayAlong
HyperDash by WildPlanet
Monopoly Junior Disney Channel Edition by Hasbro
Nerf N-Strike Disk Shot by Hasbro
Pixel Chix Roomies by Mattel
Spotz Maker by Zizzle
Tranformers Movie Ultimate Bumblebee by Hasbro

Toys for Ages Under 6
Candy Land Castle Game by Hasbro
Care Bears 25th Anniversary Bear by PlayAlong
Clickstart: My First Computer by LeapFrog
Crayola Beginnings First Marks by Binney-Smith
Easy Link Internet Launch Pad by Fisher-Price
Furreal Friends S'Mores Pony by Hasbro
Hooked On Phonics Talking Smart Sticks by Zizzle
Little Tikes Play Smarter Cook N Learn Kitchen by MGA
Playskool Made for Me Digital Music Player by Hasbro
TMX Friends Ernie and Cookie by Fisher-Price

Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,
Bronwyn

RAMBLING: Juicy for Juicy

2007-12-03T14:26:00.000-05:00

Sadly I have to admit that I'm EXTREMELY impressionable. It's quite pathetic. My current "dilemma" is simple really, I want a Juicy Charm Bracelet. The sad part is that for at least 2 years I've scoffed at them. Mainly because they are HUGE, the links on the bracelet are twice the size of a normal one and the charms are VERY big. Though I never said they weren't cute. Some of the charms have some super-cool features, like the 2007 Special Edition Gingerbread House that opens from the bottom to show a dog. So stinkin' cute!

It's not very expensive though once you add in all the charms I want, it ain't cheap. But I've certainly asked hubby to spend a pretty penny on Tiffany & Co. in the past. My problem is this, first of all I feel like I'm jumping on the bandwagon. All of a sudden, something I've snubbed in the past is on my drool list. And second of all, I have a MILLION charm bracelets. Well not a million, but I have the silver heart tag bracelet, a bracelet with bug charms (both from T&Co.), a charm bracelet I've had since I was a child with all sorts of cute charms on it and another one that hubby gave me as a push present with baby shoes on it. Two of them have no extra charms on them but the ones they originally came with and yet I want more.

You might be saying, buy the Juicy charms and add them to your existing bracelets. That's not an option. All of my bracelets are sterling silver, my metal of choice, and the Juicy ones are gold colored :-\. Secondly, if I load this thing up with Holiday Charms what will I do the rest of the year around? I can't break the thought of it though. I think about it all the time. And this usually means I will succumb to the pressure.

Charmed, I'm Sure,
Bronwyn

Rambling: Time for a Transition

2007-12-01T13:02:00.000-05:00

LLB is starting to try to climb out of her crib. All I've caught her doing so far is getting her leg up on the bar of her crib. But I'm sure she could pull herself up and over if she really tried. She's not ready for a big girl bed though, so I'm a little at a loss here...

Do I wait until she falls? Do I wait until she does it regularly? Right now it's maybe once or twice a week that she does it. We have a full size twin in her room. I do not want to do a toddler bed, so what do I do about that? She can get off the twin bed with no problem, but not sure she's ready to sleep on it.

I thought we would wait until she was closer to 3 for this, didn't think that I'd be worrying about it before she even turned 2. UGH Anyone have any advice?

Spider-Man Is My Baby's Daddy,
Bronwyn

REVIEW: Baby GAP's Winter Line

2007-11-27T20:35:00.000-05:00

I forgot to mention something else I bought on Black Friday. LLB and I went to a parade in a local town, well I played the "Bad Mommy" card and my child was TERRIBLY under-dressed. I had the JJ Cole Bundle Me on her stroller but she needed a coat and hat and even mittens. OK, who am I kidding? What toddler keeps on mittens? But she needed some accessories.

I piled on the sweatshirts, and wandered into Baby Gap while I waited for my friend to arrive. In there I found the cutest winter accessories. I purchased this hat.

Sowflake pom-pom hat $16.50
It looked absolutely adorable on LLB. I'll try to dig up a pic of her in it later.

It's too bad I didn't see this hat when I made my purchase, because it's equally cute.

Snowflake pom-pom hat $16.50
GAP actually wrote it as Sowflake :-P I love a good typo

And let's not even discuss the matching sweater!

Snowflake cardigan $34.50

I also like these 2-in-1 graphic shirts. The prints are cute and I like the faux-layered style.

2-in-1 polka-dot graphic T $16.50

I think I might use this dress in our holiday greeting card, I can't decide though.

Multi-striped sweater dress $34.50

Oh, A Shopping We Will Go,
Bronwyn

RAMBLING: Black Friday in HD

2007-11-24T20:18:00.001-05:00

Hubby and I have been debating making the move to a HD TV. In fact for over a year we've really debated it. I really wanted a Sony Bravia XBR2, $2500 UGH! Hubby definitely didn't want to spend that much. I just didn't want to spend that much and see a newer model the next week for the same price or even less.

Well Black Friday, we hit the stores. I hit Best Buy at 9AM they had an external hard drive I wanted, the Western Digital Essential Edition 500GB for $99. Alas, they were sold out. :-\ So when hubby and I decided to check out Circuit City after LLB's nap on Friday, I wasn't optimistic. First of all they only had one TV on sale that fit what we wanted, and I wasn't sure I wanted it.

We hadn't made it out of the first row when I saw a beautiful Sony TV with a little piece of paper hanging next to it that said Unadvertised Price $1399. Hubby and I were pretty excited. We got it fired up to check out the picture and then had them look up how many they might have left. Turned out they had several and it was actually $1199.

Sony Bravia 40" KDL40V2500

Hubby was sold, so a little while later we walked out with it and have been happy hi-def-ers ever since. DirecTV won't be out until Thurs so for now we're really just watching standard def but hey it gets the job done. I still have some gifts to pick up for people, but I'm already off to a great start (TV purchase aside).

Shop 'Til You Drop,
Bronwyn

REVIEW: Books to Gobble Up

2007-11-20T21:32:00.000-05:00

I want the LLB's 2nd Thanksgiving to be a good one. So I've been looking for some cute items I can gift her with, that aren't a big deal.

Spot's Thanksgiving by Eric Hill
Everyone's favorite little puppy is celebrating Thanksgiving. Each family member helps Spot get ready for the holiday, teaching him valuable lessons along the way.

Corduroy's Thanksgiving by Lisa McCue
Toddlers will delight at watching Corduroy celebrate Thanksgiving with his friends.

Countdown to Thanksgiving by Jodi Huelin
Get your children counting down to Thanksgiving with this cute book. From 10 family members to one big feast, kids will love this counting book.

Tasty Thanksgiving Feast by Suzy-jane Tanner
Henrietta Hen and her friends have cooked up treats and are ready to celebrate. This is a peel the flap book that will leave children guessing what's under each page.

Turkey Treats for All,
Bronwyn

RAMBLING: Oh Happy Day

2007-11-18T20:33:00.000-05:00

If you're the mom of a toddler you should appreciate this. My daughter is almost 2, and while she's a couple months shy of the title, the Terrible Twos have made some appearances in our lives. People remind me that she's still an excellent child. But of course I can't help but notice her behavioral tendencies.

She is testing me, pushing me to my limit ALWAYS! But not today. We had our weekly playdate at our house and I thought it would be a disaster. I was worried that she wouldn't want to share her toys with her friends. She behaved ... like a DREAM! Not once did I hear her raise her voice and when she did get a little cranky I reminded her that we were taking turns and she stopped and waited. STOPPED AND WAITED!

Nap time was more gloriousness, she went down easily. Stayed asleep for 2.5 hours and woke up in a GREAT mood. We were then off to Target to play with Lyssa and again she was excellent. I could go on, but seriously you get the point, even at dinner she sat quietly and BEHAVED.

I don't know who this child is, but she is welcome anytime. I think these moments come up just at the point with a toddler where you would send them away if you could, to remind you that they are lovable little creatures. I'm so proud of her tonight that I'm beaming and I swear my heart swelled a little more.

I'm sure tomorrow I'll pay the price, but hey I'll take what I can get at this point.

Basking in the Glow,
Bronwyn

REVIEW: Ugg Or Uggly?

2007-11-15T14:40:00.000-05:00

I will admit I have several pairs of Uggs, when I preggers I lived in them. I will not lie to you and say I think they're cute I think they're heinous BUT they are comfy and warm. I also like the fun colors, it's an easy way to infuse some color into your wardrobe! So when I saw these I was torn.

Ugg Australia Wahine Embroidered Boot

They are visually stunning! The embroidery is beautiful and I love the chocolate brown backing with the bright-colored flowers. But are they ugly? I can't decide. Part of me screams YES they're disgusting. But part of me really likes them, and to be honest I might even order them!

What do you think? Check them out at neimanmarcus.com!

Lugging My Uggs Around,
Bronwyn

RAMBLING: I See Said the Blind Girl

2007-11-14T20:25:00.000-05:00

LLB was still hanging out in a rear-facing seat. I had read how much safer it was and honestly she wasn't bothered by not facing forward. She didn't know any differently and she is barely 22 pounds so I felt so much better knowing she was safe.

Lately though she's been pitching fits in her carseat. It had nothing to do with being rear-facing, again she didn't know any better. But I knew if I flipped her it would give her something "new" in the car and she would likely stop pitching a fit.

So the seat was flipped around last night. My first thought was how much bigger my backseat looked with the seat turned around. It was like the rear-facing seat had eclipsed 1/2 the back of my car for almost 2 years! She was happy to get into it this morning. I commented on how much more she would be able to see. To which she proclaimed "I SEE!" Now this goes back to my glasses, when I take them off I proclaim, "I can't see" to her to stress how important they are. Then when I put them back on I say, "I can see!" She has taken to stealing my line.

The whole ride to childcare she shouted "I SEE!" over and over. It was hysterically wonderful. The clincher was when we arrived at the childcare center. I went around to take her out. To which she told me, "no." She then kicked, screamed and wriggled in her seat, the way she used to do as I loaded her INTO the carseat before. When I got her out she kept shouting "Seat! Seat!" to me. It was her way of telling me to put her back.

It was adorable, she didn't want to get out of her seat. Heading home from work had much the same effect. We get home, she whines about leaving the car. I suppose it's better then listening to her scream the whole car ride somewhere.

Smack It Up, Flip It, Rub It Down,
Bronwyn

REVIEW: Old Navy's Outerwear Sale

2007-11-13T14:29:00.000-05:00

I swear I should work for Old Navy, the amount of FREE advertising and mentions I do for them. Oh well! From now until November 16, Old Navy (online and in stores) is doing their 40% on outerwear sale. This is a GREAT deal and one you should act on if you've been needing a winter coat for you or anyone in the family.

I snatched up a red pea coat. A little primer on me, red pea coats are my signature outerwear. I'm nothing without one! So I was delighted that Old Navy offered this beauty in a stunning cherry red! It's unlined, but that's fine with me, and the adorable, printed inner-stitching makes up for it! And don't let the word cropped mislead you, it's a pretty standard length. The green is kind of a cool color, too -- if you ask me!

Women's Cropped Toggle Peacoats
Available in Green, Light Heather Grey, Navy Blue, Red Plaid, and Red (not avail online)
Regularly $78 -- On Sale for $46.80

Vests and I have a love/hate relationship. This are tends to be too cold for them, but they can look super-cute when layered properly. Though when I was pregnant I LIVED IN Old Navy's maternity vest, so they do come in handy.

Women's Frost-Free Hooded Vests
Available in True Blue, Coffee Grounds and Navy Blue
Regularly $49.50 -- On Sale for $29.70

I'm all for a guy in a tailored, nicely fitting jacket. Big puffy winter jackets are just so thuggish to me, though they serve their purpose! So this simple zip-up jacket looks casual enough for everyday where, yet would also look GREAT with dress slacks.

Men's Wool-Blend Zip Jackets
Available in Heather Charcoal and New Black
Regularly $58 -- On Sale for $34.80

I don't know what it is about this particular jacket but I really like the simple styling. The two-tone coloring makes it look very cool and it looks like it would be VERY warm!

Color-Blocked Snowboarder Jackets for Baby
Available in Eclipse, Bugs and Geisha Red
Regularly $34.50 -- On Sale for $20.70

Toggles are big this season, so don't let your little girl miss out on this cool trend. This jacket isn't too thick but it also isn't too thin. It will fit snugly in a carseat and yet keep your little one warm and comfy. The white color might be hard to maintain though and the pink is a bit too girly!

Hooded Toggle Coats for Baby
Available in Sugar Cookie and Pink (not avail online)
Regularly $34.50 -- On Sale for $20.70

There were some really cute girl coat alternative that I don't see online, so this is one deal where shopping your local store is probably your best bet.

It's Gonna Be a Cold One,
Bronwyn

RAMBLING: Smooth Me Out

2007-11-10T12:26:00.000-05:00

I have a friend who is hardcore granola, she cloth diapers, buys everything organic, you name it. And I totally admire her. She's the first person I turn to when I need ideas on nutrition for LLB and even myself.

Recently I was trying to get more good for you foods in our systems and she told me about her smoothie recipe. I realize she's not the ONLY one to make this smoothie, but all my credit goes to her for this fabulous recipe.

You'll need a whey or soy protein powder, flax seed oil, bananas, frozen peaches, vanilla yogurt, dairy or soy milk and mango or blueberries (I prefer mango). My friend uses a powder from Trader Joes called Very Green which adds some veggie nutrients, blueberries help disquise the smoothie from being green. At her recommendation I buy all frozen organic fruits, except for banana which I buy fresh and chop up and freeze before it turns brown. You can sub out the organic as you see fit, you'll get the same fruit benefits without it. For the milk I actually use Vanilla Soy milk but you can certainly use whole milk. For the whey powder I do a vanilla flavored one.

I put the fruit in first, for LLB and I put in about 1/2 a banana, 4 peach slices, 4 mango chunks then about a cup of yogurt and a cup of milk, 1-2 teaspoons of flax seed oil, 1 scoop of whey protein powder and I blend. I usually add the powder after I blend the first ingredients so that it blends into the liquids properly. The trick is to make one and learn from there. For the first few times I changed my recipe a little to get it just right.

It's a nice filling snack, I do it primarily after breakfast or for the after nap snack. LLB loves it and I feel great knowing she's getting a great serving of fruit and other nutrients!

Blended Just Right,
Bronwyn

ATW: Round-Up Week of Nov. 5

2007-11-09T15:54:00.000-05:00

New weekly post, ATW -- Around The Web, takes my running list of posts on other blogs I work for and gives them to you in a clean "digest." Enjoy!

Salma Hayek has it all in the clutch (Celebrity Baby Blog)
Celebrity Find: The Royal Skin Treatment from Mama Mio (MomFinds)
DadFinds Friday: Slingin’ Babies (MomFinds)
Deal of the Day: Save 30% off Entire Gymboree Purchase (MomFinds)
Baby Find: Holiday Shoes and Giving from Robeez (MomFinds)
Nod Off Easily With Celebrity-Loved Pillowcases (Celebrity Baby Blog)
Earn Your Stripes: Get Violet Affleck's Rugby Stripes (Celebrity Baby Blog)
Let It All Hang Out While Holding It In (SheFinds)

Get Clickin',
Bronwyn

Edit: OOPS I originally dubbed this AOW, not sure why, I think I was out of it when I wrote that :-P

RAMBLING: A Rant on Handbags and the People Who Carry Them

2007-11-08T21:04:00.000-05:00

I'm a snob, a handbag snob to be exact. I LOVE shoes and I drool over Manolos, Choos and Louboutins BUT it's handbags that I LIVE for. I can spot a bag a mile away and in many cases tell who made it. But I'm not a designer handbag snob. As in I appreciate a good Marc Jacobs bag and even turn green when my friend Deanne shows up with a new one, but you don't have to be rockin' a Fendi to earn my respect.

Let me break it down for you. My skin crawls at the sight of Louis Vuitton monogram bags, in fact just about ANY logo-heavy bag. Do you really need to show off that badly? I'll admit when Jessica Simpson rocked her Louis in the first season of Newlyweds I attempted to use a FLouis (fake Louis). It got old. I realized a million soccer moms around me all had the same bag and only one of them prob actually had the real deal. I can spot the fakes from the real, it's not complicated really. BUT, how good can you feel about a bag that you paid thousands of dollars for that everyone else has a knock-off of and most people couldn't even tell yours was real in comparison. Now when I see someone with one I immediately shed a couple of respect points for the person.

Pardon me if I sound bitchy, but my bottom line is simple. I like a sexy handbag, I like clean lines, good quality and the brand name could be designer or unknown for all I care. I've come to really love a couple of brands, Rafe, BCBG Max Azria, 1154 Lill Studio and even Isaac Mizrahi for Target. One of these days I will probably pick up a Marc Jacobs and maybe even a Dior, I've wanted one long enough, but I won't be doing it so everyone else knows what I have. I'll be doing it for ME!

It's a Sickness Really,
Bronwyn

REVIEW: 1154 Lill Studio Bags -- Drea Update

2007-11-08T14:03:00.000-05:00

Courtesy of my friend Kere, a 1154 Lill Rep, we have the first peek at the Drea. She also demonstrates size in relation to the Andi and how it reverses. I CANNOT WAIT to get mine! The images are a bit distorted as she sent them in a word doc and I had to make them .jpgs. Excuse the coloring and behold the glory!

Size is same as Andi

Exterior side with buckle wrap

Reversed, with weighted buckle

Handbags = Happiness,
Bronwyn

REVIEW: Buntings -- Baby It's Cold Outside

2007-11-07T19:48:00.000-05:00

LLB was born in February, and in February around here it's still freezing. So I knew I had to get her a bunting. My mom purchased us a snowsuit but I knew that you had to be careful with snowsuits and carseats. So I debated the JJ Cole Bundle Me.

It was one of the last things on my registry and I hadn't gotten around to getting it when I went in to labor. Ironically it arrived while I was in the hospital but I didn't open it until we got home. So the snowsuit got us home from the hospital. But from then on I used the Bundle Me. I went with the Bundle Me Urban in Ice and it was perfect.

The outer is made of quilted nylon that protects against wind and rain. And the inner is made of microsuede that warmth and even a touch of style. LLB seemed to like how soft it was against her skin and I liked that I didn't have to layer blankets on her and worry that they might fall off. The handy zipper closure ensures that the child stays bundled in and nothing falls out. Best of all it can pull up all the way to the top of the seat, helping shield baby from snow and rain!

When LLB outgrew her infant one I purchased a toddler one and this is one item I recommend for anyone. If you don't live in an area that gets super-cold they make light-weight versions, too.

Product Information
Bundle Me Urban
Made by JJ Cole
Use with car seats, strollers, and joggers
Wind and water resistant
Machine washable
Removable top for easy temperature control
Crash tested- FMVSS 213
Allows safety straps to rest directly on child
Priced at approximately $50
Find yours on Google

Buying Tip: These items pop up on sale all the time, especially as the seasons draw to an end, so keep an eye on the sales and try to buy ahead. I scored my Toddler sized one for almost half price!

On a Cold Winter's Night,
Bronwyn

RAMBLING: Pushing Daises Fashion Fantastic

2007-11-06T15:59:00.000-05:00

I set my TiVO for Pushing Daisies way back when ... then never watched it. I let the episodes pile up and even debated cancelling the Season Pass or just deleting the eps. But I didn't, they stayed and finally this weekend, when LLB was too sick for us to leave the house, I watched them. And I LOVED them! All 5 of them! HA!

Besides the absolutely adorable story line and cute narrations, the fashions are to-die-for! My only complaint would be the excessive use of boobs, I mean seriously do we have to have cleavage in EVERY dang shot? But that aside the dresses bring us back to a simpler time and are almost Stepford Wife-ish! And yet I drool.

From head-to-toe they accesorize the characters, bringing hats, pumps and purses to the forefront and delighting my eyes. I've not been this impressed with costume prep since 'Sex and the City' and I have yet to be disappointed by an ensemble. I also have to commend them on their use of color, this is no black and white area, they use pinks, reds, even yellows! I'm in love!

Dress Me Up in Your Clothes,
Bronwyn

REVIEW: 1154 Lill Studio Bags

2007-11-03T20:49:00.000-04:00

I love accessories, bags and shoes in particular. And several years ago I was introduced to 1154 Lill Studio. The concept is simple and yet great. You select the bag shape and then the fabrics you want. The options are almost endless and in the end you have a bag that's literally all your own.

The bags are excellently crafted and hold up to lots of abuse. The prices are reasonable, says the girl who pays a pretty penny for bags, and come in practical sizes that anyone could love. You can order on line at www.1154lill.com or if they have a representative in your area throw a party yourself and see the fabrics in person, this is the way to go if you can.

At my party last night I was able to order two I had been yearning for. Here's a peek at them.

The first bag I bought was a Donna, it's huge and magnificent and I wanted one so bad I could taste it. With the help of stylist/assistant Lyssa I was able to put together a bag that I think will look amazing. I used White out Branches as the main body fabric. Rosita as the top and base and Dotted Tuxedo as the straps. When I logged on today and saw the bag I wasn't sure how much I loved it, but I'm sure when I touch it I'll salivate.

The second was an Andi but then our rep, Kere told me about the Drea and I had to have it. It doesn't come out until Monday so you'll have to wait for the image of that one. But it's essentially an Andi with a shorter body and buckle flap. I did Walnut Faux Suede for the handle, interior pocket and top accent. And I did Deco Ivy on the body.

I'll post the Drea when it's on the site.

Happiness Is in the Bag,
Bronwyn

RAMBLING: What a Week

2007-11-03T20:39:00.000-04:00

I spent some serious dough this week and unfortunately 90% of it was on dang car parts! :-\ I suddenly wish I lived in a city and didn't even have to bother with the stupid things. Tuesday it was two new tires and an alignment. Wednesday it was a state inspection and rear brake job. Thursday it was an emissions inspection and a trip to DMV as my tags expired on 10/31. Needless to say almost one thousand dollars and countless hours later I was done. Thank the lord. Too bad I have to go back in a month for a front brake job.

Friday I co-hosted a purse party with one of gal pals. It was a blast, and I have a post coming up next with my review of these hot bags! LLB has some cold bug and is not quite herself. BLAH! I'm hoping she wakes up a new toddler for her sake and mine.

I've done some personal shopping this week, too. Carters had an adorable hat and mitten set that I picked up for LLB though I picked up the 12-24 month size instead of the 2T-3T I meant to so I have to exchange it. Poor kid has a HUGE head! I found some adorable long sleeve shirts for LLB at Gap Outlet. I realized even though the kid needed new clothes like a hole in the head that she didn't have ANY long sleeves. Well that problem is fixed now.

And of course my final purchase was at my purse party last night! Review coming right up.

Point Me to the Nearest Shopaholics Anonymous Meeting,
Bronwyn

REVIEW: Old Navy's New Stuff

2007-11-01T11:51:00.000-04:00

I'm almost always pleasantly surprised by Old Navy's spring and fall lines. This fall is no exception. I was in there the other day and while I left with only thing for myself (and of course several for LLB HA!) I was smitten with several things.

Women's Printed Turtleneck Dresses -- $32.50
This is the ONE thing I bought myself and I LOVE it. I am really into the new sweater dress trend but I have to be careful because I get overheated in turtlenecks. This dress gives me this super-cute trend but with the option of not being overheated!

Women's Turtleneck Sweater Dresses -- $36.50
I was thiscloseto buying this one, too. But I knew it would cause me to itch and turn red in the face from the weight of the sweater. It's adorable though!

Women's Wool-Blend Trapeze Peacoats -- $78
If only it came in red, my signature pea coat color. But for under $80 you can't go wrong with these polished and perfected pea coats.

Women's Cummerbund Pencil Skirts -- $34.50
If you have some holiday functions coming up, this skirt will look smashing. Paired with a bright, red blouse or even a nice cardigan you will look dressy and yet be comfy all at the same time.

Women's Cable-Knit Toggle Sweaters -- $34.50
I love sweaters, I have a closet full of them. But I love when they're distinct. So instead of having just a million basic sweaters I buy toggles and cardigans and sweaters that all have a distinct look and feel.

Have you found anything cool lately? Share it! I love to see what people find on their shopping adventures.

Is Old Navy Hiring?,
Bronwyn

Happy Halloween!

2007-10-31T15:23:00.000-04:00

I want to say a HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY Halloween to everyone out there. Please be safe and enjoy your night. Take some extra time tonight to cuddle your little ones close and ensure they're safe while they're out on their adventures. Thanks for stopping by! I'll be back tomorrow with more posts.

Oh and as promised here are the shots of the LLB in her costume. Pics were taken at our local Picture People, we had an EXCELLENT photographer. If you live in the No. VA area and want her info just hit me up!

Trick or Treat,
Bronwyn

REVIEW: Taking Up Polka

2007-10-29T14:52:00.000-04:00

Polka dots, that is! I HEART HEART HEART polka dots, I don't know where the obsession has come from, but alas it's here. A friend just announced her employment with GAP and I found myself on their site, convinced I could find a way to make her use her discount on LLB! Here's what I found:

Polka-dot knit pants
Cute dots aside, these pants are brown and pink, only my FAVORITE color combo. Consider them sold.

\
Hooded polka-dot dress
It's sick really, I'm so typical and easy to figure out. Brown, check. Pink, check. Polka Dots, check. DONE!

2-in-1 polka-dot graphic T
Gasp! It's not pink or brown but it is SUPER-cute and, of course, polka-dotted.

Bunny slope long sleep set
I think the ONLY thing I like better than polka dots right now is pajamas. This has been obsession since before LLB was born. Little kid pajamas are just too cute. LLB has a MILLION pairs and counting. Add polka dots and I'm there.

Phew, I think I'm seeing spots now. Now get to shopping!

Going Around in Circles,
Bronwyn

RAMBLING: Feeling Slightly Giddy

2007-10-29T14:42:00.001-04:00

Some of you have happened by my blog thanks to my recent intro over at CBB! First of all, welcome and second of all, thank you! I checked my traffic stats, yeah I'm a nerd -- though I do online content for a living, so come on you had to know I live and die by numbers -- and have a traffic thingy on my blog.

The day my intro showed up on CBB my traffic skyrocketed (I use the word skyrocketed loosely here) it wasn't in the millions or anything. But, I digress, TONS of you found your way to my humble little blog and some of you even commented on some posts. So I wanted to greet you warmly and tell you that I hope you'll come back, and come back OFTEN!

It's quite silly but seeing people commenting on my posts or even just coming by my blog really does excite me. I've been swallowed by a HUGE corporation long enough to feel like one of the millions and this blog reminds me that I'm really one IN a million. Yes I'm being cheesy, but it's true that I'm nothing without my fans (again I use the word loosely)!

If you have comments, suggestions, praise or even loathing, please post it. I promise to do my best to educate, entertain and/or just make you laugh at or with me every chance I get.

I'm Walking on Sunshine,
Bronwyn

REVIEW: Toddler Tunes

2007-10-27T13:00:00.000-04:00

I have a hard time with music for the LLB. I am a musical person, I live my life by music. So imagine my horror when I pop in a children's CD and hear some middle-aged man singing children's songs in a cheesy voice.

Thankfully my day job affords me certain benefits, one of them getting free children's music CDs. There is some REALLY GOOD talent out there and I hope to share them with you.

You Are My Little Bird by Elizabeth Mitchell
There is just something beautifully pure about this CD. Elizabeth Mitchell's voice is folk-y and pretty and her songs are beautiful. I absolutely ADORE her rendition of Bob Marley's Three Little Birds.
Best Tracks: Little Liza Jane, Who's My Pretty Baby, Little Bird Little Bird, Peace Like a River, Three Little Birds
Have a listen to some of the songs on KOL Jr.

A Duck in New York City by Connie Kaldor
This CD is fun and playful with some very silly songs that LLB and I love.
Best Tracks: If You Love a Hippopotamus, Laundry Bag, Belly Button, Honey Honey Honey, Quack Quack Quack
Have a listen to some of the songs on KOL Jr.

More coming soon...

Music to My Ears,
Bronwyn

REVIEW: Infant Car Seat -- Protecting Your Most Precious Cargo

2007-10-25T21:05:00.000-04:00

I did so much reading on car seats, I feel like a walking encyclopedia on them. That being said, the one thing I learned is that the BEST car seat is the one that fits in YOUR car and is installed CORRECTLY. I chose to do an infant carrier car seat for my sweet pea. This was so that I could take her out of the car in the seat and tote her around easily.

The question was which brand to go with. I teetered between the Peg Perego, Graco and Britax infant models. My final decision was made based on the following questions:
--Which seat was easiest to use?
--Which seat had the lowest recall rate?
--Which seat did better in crast tests?

All these questions led me to one seat, the Graco SnugRide. It had the lowest recall rate, did GREAT in crash tests and was VERY easy to use. I purchased mine as part of a travel system, it was a Laura Ashley print and that made it a little more expensive. The best part about it being the best choice was that it was also cheaper then other two, came in better, fun prints and actually weighed less then most of them.

One caveat, Consumer Reports released a VERY controversial study early this year that deemed 90% of Infant Car Seats as unsafe. They retracted the study when it came out that the speeds tested were nearly 70MPH, not 38.5 which is the standard the NHTSA uses. I took one thing away from that study though, 2 seats, one of them the Graco SnugRide with EPS passed. I certainly would feel better knowing that my child was in a seat that tested well at excessive speed as well as lower speeds!

I know nothing about the safety of the latest Peg Perego Viaggio TRI-FIX, Maxi-Cosi Mico or Orbit Baby system seats. There have been tons of changes to manufacturers' lineups so make sure you read up if you're debating another brand.

Product Information
SnugRide Carseat With EPS
Made by Graco
5-Point harness ensures that baby is in the seat tightly
Equipped with LATCH system to ensure easy installation
Equipped with belt fastening system in case your car doesn't have LATCH capability
Priced at approximately $90
Find yours at GracoBaby.com

Buying Tip: Read up on crash tests, carseats change all the time. Make sure you get your professionally installed, or at least checked by a safety inspector. Don't EVER buy a carseat used, they are no good once they have been in an accident and you have NO WAY of knowing whether it was in one or not. Lastly, make sure you register your seat with the manufacturer so that they can keep you posted on recalls.

Roll Out,
Bronwyn

JUST IN: Bumbo Seats Recalled

2007-10-25T20:57:00.000-04:00

No sooner do I review the Bumbo seat then it gets recalled! Here are the details on the recall:

"About a million Bumbo Baby Sitter seats are being recalled because of the risk of serious head injury.
The baby seats aren't car seats. The bottom of the seat is round and flat. It's made of a single piece of molded foam with a foam divider for the kids' legs. On the front of the seat is the word 'Bumbo' with the image of an elephant. The seats come in yellow, blue, purple, pink, aqua, and lime green.
'If the seat is placed on a table, countertop, chair, or other elevated surface, young children can arch their backs, flip out of the Bumbo seat, and fall on the floor, posing a risk of serious head injuries,' states the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
The CPSC has gotten reports of 28 kids who fell out of the Bumbo Baby Sitter seat, including three children who fractured their skulls. Those children's baby seats had been placed on tables.
The CPSC advises consumers only to use the baby seat at ground level and to never leave a child unattended.
Consumers can call Bumbo International at (877) 932-8626 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to get new warning stickers and instructions.
The new warning states: 'WARNING: Prevent Falls; Never use on any elevated surface.'
More information and a picture of the recalled baby seat are available on the CPSC web site."
source: WebMD

I first understood the news as saying they wanted the seats back. But it's really just that you need a new sticker, a sticker that should be common sense. Don't place your child in the Bumbo on a raised surface. You never know what a child can/will do in one, so why take the chance. It's unfortunate that any child got hurt using one, and I appreciate all safety measures.

No Such Thing As Too Safe,
Bronwyn

RAMBLING: They Say It's Your Birthday

2007-10-24T20:35:00.000-04:00

Today is my birthday and I LOVE to look at horoscopes for "If Today Is Your Birthday." So here are some of the ones for me today:

"You are without a doubt a person of strong magnetic presence and will always be at your best when in the company of the other sex. Your dramatic flair and larger than life gestures attract the attention of those around you and result in your being considered the life of the party. You are a very devoted family person and loyal to the needs of loved ones. You adhere to the principles of domestic life and the needs of children too. In matters of finance, you are very capable in stretching a dollar and always appear to be well to do even if you're scratching. Venus being your ruler grants you exceptional taste and refinement in your life choices and attire too! Music, art and literature will always be an important ingredient of your life! Your lucky colours are white and cream, rose and pink. Your lucky numbers and years of important change are 6, 15, 24, 33, 42, 51, 60, 69, 78."

"The year ahead is one of rapid growth and insistent self-expression. Your social life is bound to involve some fireworks as changes are required of existing relationships. Opportunities to advance in your career come when you employ strategy in your decision making. The need to make changes, and for more freedom in your life in general, can lead to restlessness this year. Life is very busy and quick in pace. Be sure to avoid overly impulsive actions."

"Happy Birthday, Scorpio! Because you put so much heart and soul into everything you do, your feelings can be hurt when others fail to notice. It’s difficult to reconcile others’ half-hearted gestures or hypocrisy with your Herculean efforts. Others’ oversight or lack of interest can leave you feeling blue, misunderstood - even jealous. You sometimes give in to waves of resentment or disappointment, mostly because others fail to acknowledge your consideration or affection. When you no longer expect affirmation from others, you truly become free. Possessed with enormous curiosity and a burning need to merge with the object of your desire, you appear to be in a constant state of transformation and passionate evolution. This can sometimes make life pretty exhausting. You’re so determined to get things right that you can become moody and frustrated with your work. No matter how superb your efforts, you nearly always find something missing or wrong. You’re highly spiritual, even mystical, and may dream of things just before they occur. Déjà vu moments are not particularly unusual for you. Your prescient vision of the world is a wondrous thing that must be shared with others. Your fertile brain is capable of developing innovations in so many areas, from seductive artistic expression to high tech medical research. You’re a misunderstood maverick in a world of followers, but your powerful desire for acceptance may rein in some of your wilder notions. In other words, there’s a lot more to you than meets the untrained eye."

"Resist the temptation to buy everything you want this year. You can do that later, after your investments start paying off."

"It's okay to be serious about your aims in life but not so serious that you lose your ability to have fun. Every time you feel the corners of your mouth begin to turn down this year you must think of something amusing that gets you smiling again. It's not so hard - life is meant to be fun."

"You protect your privacy, and resent it when people try to pry into your personal life. Try to find a way to keep your boundaries strong without scaring friends away. It's up to you to find new ways to do the same old things now that the Moon is in your 6th House of Familiar Routine. Your habits have become a bit stale, so it's certainly time to spice them up. Although you may be rather cautious now, don't be afraid to try something different. Paradoxically, you can make your life more enjoyable and more stable by breaking up the stuck patterns."

So there you have it -- Me in a nutshell. I found the first and third to be the most accurate to me.

Will You Still Need Me When I'm 54,
Bronwyn

REVIEW: Trick or Treat Toys

2007-10-23T14:44:00.000-04:00

We all know I'm a bit silly, but I want to give my child a "gift" for Halloween. Nothing big, fancy or expensive, but something cute that has to do with Halloween.

I debated a couple of books, but wound up giving her the books early, as I didn't see the point in reading about Halloween AFTER the holiday. I LOVE Halloween, I love the dressing up, the fun of being scared and most of all the CANDY! So, if you're like me and want to present your little one with a present, here are some options.

Happy Halloween, Biscuit!
I bought this adorable book for the LLB and she loves reading it. It follows Biscuit and a little girl on their trick-or-treating adventures!

Corduroy's Best Halloween Ever!
In 'Corduroy's Best Halloween Ever!' based on Don Freeman's popular character, the fellow gets ready for a Halloween party. His inventive use of a tablecloth earns him costume kudos and extra treats.

Room on the Broom
In this lightweight, witty story, helpful animals find "room on the broom" of a generous witch.

Boo! Made You Jump! (Charlie and Lola)
It’s so very easy for Charlie to scare his little sister, Lola . . . but just once, Lola wants to make Charlie jump. Lola tries absolutely everything she can think of, including practical jokes, dressing up like a creepy ghost, and telling a really scary story. But no matter what she does, nothing seems to work! Will Lola ever make Charlie jump?

Mr. Potato Head -- Trick or Tater
Hasbro sent me one of these and I know the LLB is going to LOVE it! It's a standard Mr. Potato Head with fun costume "accessories."

TY Halloweenie Beanies Ghoulianne
Ghoulianne, a 5 ghost girl with an orange and black ribbon and a pumpkin, has a top loop that allows you to use it as a holiday decoration or to attach it to a backpack, purse or zipper!

Halloween Yahtzee
Featuring glow-in-the-dark Halloween-themed dice, the Halloween Yahtzee game is the first and only game that allows fans to enjoy the shock, fun and excitement of Halloween with classic Yahtzee game play.

What did you buy your little ones for Halloween? What are your kids going dressed as? Are you as excited for Halloween as I am? Just wait 'til next year when LLB will actually understand it!

Boo! Did I Scare You?,
Bronwyn

RAMBLING: Terrible Twos Meet LLB

2007-10-22T20:17:00.000-04:00

I've complained since she was 15 months that the Terrible Twos begin early. But I realized at about 18 months that her problem at 15 months was her communication. Suddenly around 17-18 months that fixed itself, she learned how to communicate a bit better about her needs and I was able to calm her down.

Now the LLB is 20 months old and it's a whole other story. She's looking down the barrel of the two year old gun and she's ready to explode. I try not to take it personally, I try to remember that some of her behavior may be my fault, but not ALL of it is. I try to remember that it's a phase and will pass.

Today she lost it for the first time in public. We were leaving the doctor's office, collarbone is healing nicely by the way, and the appointment time was 1pm. LLB naps from 12:30-3 so from the get go I knew we had an issue. Well she behaved very well for the appointment. I was shocked really. But upon leaving she got irate with me for trying to put her shirt back, what a mean mommy, I am!

She cried and even shouted a bit while we waited for them to make her follow-up appointment. She carried on in a way I've never seen her do and I had no choice but to stand there holding her. She hit me, tried to bite me, she was irate and I couldn't do ANYTHING about it. Finally we finished there and she nuzzled into my neck. The one position she can do that makes me forget what a monster she is!

I probably would have lost my cool with her had we not been in public. So I've done some asking around and found some good tips ... in hopes that I'm not the only one going through this, here they are:

Use Distraction: When your child starts getting worked up, try turning her energy and attention to a new, acceptable activity like playing a favorite tape or singing and dancing.

Stay Calm: A gentle tone of voice says you're in control. Sure, the calm, even-tempered approach may not be immediately rewarding, but you will see the effects as your child increasingly grows toward self-control. (This sounds hard!)

Place in Crib or Playpen: By placing your child in a crib or a playpen, you can remove some of your attention from their tantrum.

When in Public. If your child's behavior is embarrassing you, simply remove her without discussion or fuss. Then, wait until she's completely calm before continuing with your outing.

Don't Use Bribes: It only reinforces the negative behavior and ultimately teaches your child that if she wants something, all she has to do is scream and kick loud enough to get it.

Common Causes of Tantrums:
Frustration, Emotions, Control, Physical Hunger, exhaustion, over stimulation, boredom, not feeling well. Choices, too many or too few.

Welcome to My World,
Bronwyn

RAMBLING: Trick or Treat

2007-10-22T11:41:00.000-04:00

Halloween is a little over a week away, I hope by now you've secured your costumes. Little kids' costumes seem to disappear at rapid fire. I did a couple of Halloween costume galleries for KOL, so if you're looking for an ensemble for the kiddies, check these links out:

Little Kid Costumes
Big Kid Classic Costumes (my buddy Lyssa wrote this one)
Big Kid KOL Costumes

What's the LLB going to be? Why a lion, of course ... ROAAAAAAAAAAR! :-D And she's a darn cute lion if you ask me. You'll have to wait until Halloween to see the pics of her in the costume. Her Ghost candy bag, showed up last week and it's super-cute and worth every penny I paid for it.

I haven't decided how we'll do Halloween just yet. But I think I'll take her to a local 'hood for some early TorT-ing with friends and then do our little cul-de-sac. She's really too young to know what's going on, but I'm excited that we can wander around in her costume this year. We had a Boo Party yesterday at a friend's house and all the kiddies were in costume, it was too cute for words. And on Thursday this week she'll have a Boo Parade at school so she'll get some good use out of her costume.

The larger question is whether I will dress up this year. Probably not, I don't have an event to go to and just not in the mood. What about you? Are you dressing up? What's your kid going to be? SHARE!

Doing the Monster Mash,
Bronwyn

Red Sox Nation

2007-10-20T20:22:00.000-04:00

This has nothing to do with being a Mommy or a Woman BUT I feel the need to show my support!

GO SOX!

JUST IN: Peg Perego Skate Stroller

2007-10-20T12:34:00.000-04:00

I'm in love. I haven't been this ramped up about something since I first saw the announcements for the Bugaboo Cameleon. Peg Perego has just announced it's Skate Stroller. And from the looks of it it will deliver in ways that others have fallen short. It looks like the hybrid child of a Stokke Xplory, Bugaboo Cameleon and even the Quinny Buzz.

First of all it has a bassinet and child seat. The seat can telescope up and down. It has tilt options and of course the child can face outward or inward. And my key selling point ... it folds down into one piece. I simply CANNOT wait to get my hands on this beauty.

The color options aren't nearly as cool as a Bugaboo BUT they are still simple and pretty and if the stroller performs the way it should, the fabric will not matter. Looks like it might run $900 OUCH, here's another peek at it. But regardless, based on what I'm seeing, we might have a mainstream contender to the luxury stroller biz.

Skating on Thin Ice,
Bronwyn

REVIEW: Bouncy Seats -- More Bounce for the Ounce

2007-10-19T20:56:00.000-04:00

OK, so I was prepared to embrace the bouncy seat. Everyone's baby loved them ... they soothed babies to sleep ... they worked magic ... right? Read on ...

I fell in love with the Fisher Price Baby Papasan Bouncy seat that matched my swing. It was soft, plush and BEAUTIFUL. It was quickly added to my registry. The day of my shower came and it wasn't in the gift pile. So my best friend and I hopped over to Babies R Us after the party to pick up some things with the gift cards I had. She wanted to buy me my bouncy seat. So there we were in BRU with the vast selection in front of us, when I spotted the Eddie Bauer Soothing comfort bouncer. It was in light, neutral, tan colors with cute little bear decoration. I still liked my Fisher-Price selection best and then I saw the option that sealed the deal.

It came with a mesh canopy that not only provided nice sun coverage BUT actually could zip up all the way to provide protection from bugs and animals! With two dogs at home I was worried about them having easy access to her. This solved that problem. So, home it came. WELL... 9 months later it's been used maybe 5 times. She didn't care for it. It didn't really soothe her, not that she didn't LIKE it. It just didn't do the trick. That being said, it works for TONS of babies! Just not mine!

Product Information
Soothing Comfort Bouncer - B is For Bear
Made by Eddie Bauer
Two-position netted canopy for outdoor use
Two-position seat (reclines to bassinet for naps)
Two-speed vibration and soothing nature sounds
Adjustable and removable soft toys
Soft padded headrest
Machine washable and dryer-safe quilted seat pad
Priced at approximately $50
Find yours on Google

Buying Tip: Bouncy seats are great for traveling. We took ours on a beach trip with us ... and it helped as a seat for LLB and a place for napping in unfamiliar surroundings.

Bounce Baby, Bounce,
Bronwyn

RAMBLING: To TV or Not to TV?!?!

2007-10-19T12:48:00.000-04:00

Every mom knows this battle well. It probably ranks, in terms of debate, with vaccinating, breastfeeding and well you get the picture. Should little ones watch TV and what are the ramifications of letting them.

We've all seen the reports ...

Early childhood TV watching causes ADD.

Children who watch Baby Einstein videos test lower then those who didn't.

And the latest,

Too much TV watching leads to autism.

To me, these are all scare tactics -- ways to get parents in their guts and make them freak out. Too much TV is a bad thing, I hope EVERYONE is aware of this. But 10-30 minutes of TV every now and then so you, as Mom, can unload the dishwasher or make dinner or just UNWIND is not a bad thing. If it helps both you and the child recharge and take a time-out of sorts, there is NOTHING wrong with it.

If you can't tell by now, I'm a FIRM believer in everything in moderation. There is a GREAT article in the October 2007 issue of Parenting Magazine that addresses this very question. I can't find the article online, I'll try to scan it later. But the woman tackles this the way I've always believed. The trick is monitoring usage, screening the entertainment and being involved. Make sure the images don't move too rapidly or depict scenes your little one can't handle. Look for shows that are targeted at your little one's age range. And limit their intake to little bits here and there. Also participate with them while they watch. Ask questions about the show with them, engage them.

I don't know about you, but my almost 2-year-old will not sit still for a TV program but if it happens to catch her eye she'll watch for a little bit. The larger issue here, in my opinion, is the parent. An involved, loving, caring parent does not have to worry about the small doses of TV their child is "ingesting." It's the parents who use the TV as a babysitter all day that should worry and sadly they likely aren't worried one bit.

Sesame Street Taught Me Everything,
Bronwyn

RAMBLING: Flat-Lining

2007-10-18T20:18:00.000-04:00

I have never liked flat-heeled boots. NEVER! That is until this year. As I took a stroll through Nordstrom a month ago I noticed some of the most amazing boots. And they were FLAT! So here are some of the ones I'm lusting over.

Nine West 'Remlap' Boot
I like the casual, relaxed style of this boot.

Steve Madden 'Touring' Suede Boot
These boots are even more beautiful in person. The grey color is magnificent!

Schutz Rouge Suede Boots
I love the bright, red color of these boots and the lace up detailing.

Aerosoles Flamcoyant
These boots are very simple and yet perfectly styled.

These Boots Are Made for Walking,
Bronwyn

REVIEW: Exersaucer -- Get Moving

2007-10-18T20:08:00.000-04:00

OK, so there are so many different models of Exersaucers on the market that one could go crazy trying to pick one out. I registered for the Evenflo Exersaucer SmartSteps, it looked like a lot of fun and the reviews on Amazon for it were great. It was the most expensive one on the market, but hey if someone else wanted to fork over the money for me, who was I to complain?

Well my baby shower came and the Exersaucer appeared in my gift pile. I was sooooooo excited! Now, I had my nursery set up MONTHS in advance so I was busy putting together toys and gadgets for her already. I decided since the Exersaucer would take up so much space to hold off on putting that together and shoved it under her crib!

At about 3 months I was told by some more experienced mothers that as long as a baby has good head control they are ready to use it. Just place some blankets in front and behind your child to help her/him from flopping around! Well before I could even put the thing together my hubby got a call from his boss, their neighbors were moving and had an exersaucer that had never been used for us. Hubby brought it home the next day. It was the Baby Einstein one made by Graco. I preferred the one I had registered for BUT this one was already assembled and FREE after all... who was I to complain.

A couple weeks after he brought it home I put her in it for the first time. She LOVED it! It was a whole new world for her and I liked how it entertained her and freed up my hands. LLB was never a fan of laying down ... she thought it was for bed time, so the fact that this kept her standing made it an enjoyable activity.

I was able to take my Evenflo one back to Babies R Us and get a store credit, they are EXCELLENT about this kind of thing. But I still like that particular model and would definitely recommend it to other mothers! LLB seemed perfectly happy with the Baby Einstein one though, so I'm glad we kept it.

At 3 months, trying it out for the first time

Product Information
Baby Einstein Discover and Play Activity Center
Made by Graco
Nine interactive toys help develop sensory and motor skills
3-position height adjust grows with your baby
360-degree swivel seat allows baby easy access to tray and toys
Priced at approximately $80
Find yours on Google

Buying Tip: The cloth seat is machine washable in cold water and delicate setting. Metal and plastic parts can be cleaned with household soap or detergent and warm water. If your registering I say go for the Evenflo Exersaucer I mentioned before it has like a MILLION toys and gadgets! The Baby Einstein seat is basic and I've actually come to love that about it, but I can't help but be envious of all the stuff the other one has!

Who Needs a Baby Gym,
Bronwyn

RAMBLING: Layoffs and Locks

2007-10-17T13:37:00.000-04:00

I wanted to update that I still LOVE my haircut and color. Every time I wash it and style it I try a different twist to see if I can perfect it, but it never disappoints. I've not been this excited about my hair in a VERY long time.

And to be honest this is a very good thing, as my self esteem is at an all time low. I was JUST laid off from my full time gig and while I'll be working until December, I'm still looking for work. It doesn't feel good when you send your resume out and receive NOTHING!

I know there's something bigger and better out there, but right now the weight loss, hair and of course my love for my family are what keeps me going. The lesson to all this is to make sure you fix the things you can when you're feeling down. I can't make possible employers call me but I CAN make myself feel great. Positive energy counts for something in this world!

We Are Beautiful In Every Single Way,
Bronwyn

REVIEW: Barbie Girls -- Barbie Goes Digital

2007-10-17T13:29:00.000-04:00

If you have a girl between the ages of 6-10 then you're likely to see Barbie Girls on her Christmas list.

These super-cool and super-cute tiny dolls are actually an MP3 player. They come with intercheangable plates so you can change her clothes, her hair, her accessories or even her attitude with a silly face.

I've done toy coverage for a long time now and I've never seen anything quite like this. It's like the iPod on steroids, but the kind of steroids that people don't get 'roid-rage from! The possibilites and accessories are endless and you can even take your Barbie Girl online for even more fun inside your very own Barbie world.

Suddenly I can't stop singing... "I'm a Barbie girl ... In a Barbie world ... Life's fantastic ... When you're plastic!" Stop the madness, make the song go away. But definitely pick one of these cool girls up!

Wishing I Could Be Barbie,
Bronwyn

REVIEW: Carriers -- A Pain in the ... BACK!

2007-10-14T20:44:00.000-04:00

I love holding my little bean. BUT sometimes, enough is enough. I'm not one of the "Attachment Parenting" people, but I see nothing wrong with "wearing" your baby if it's comfortable for you and your baby likes it. I decided I wanted to try out a carrier. I chose the Baby Bjorn Active Carrier. It offers more support then previous models with a lower back support.

She LOVED the Bjorn, it allowed me to walk the dogs, vacuum, just about anything without her crying. Unfortunately for me, it still put a strain on my back, and wearing her in front of me wasn't always the most optimal position! I tried the PreMaxx Baby Bag ... she HATED it ... lying down wasn't for her. I tried it when she was like 3-4 months old though, so it's possible had I done a laying down one from the start she would have been a bigger fan. So I continued to use the Bjorn, in moderation!

The first time I put it on I was discouraged at the effort it took and thought I wouldn't be using it that often. By the third time I had it down pat and now I can do it with my eyes closed. My lesson is simple, give it several tries before you give up. Practice really does make perfect!

Here are the LLB and I on one particularly COLD winter night, when I needed to walk the dogs.

She was less then one month old when that picture was taken but the Bjorn held her in and I felt she was secure!

Product Information
Active Carrier
Made by Baby Bjorn
Comes in several different colors
Can be worn as early as your baby's first week
Extra back support directs your baby's weight away from your shoulders
Priced at approximately $120
Find yours on Google

Buying Tip: One of my favorite features is how it unhooks at the bottom to make it easy for diaper changes or to even lay down your sleeping baby. Try it on at the store, make sure you like it. Scour eBay and Craigslist for good deals, you don't HAVE to pay full price.

Just Call Me Kanga,
Bronwyn

REVIEW: A Better Belly

2007-10-14T20:24:00.000-04:00

When I was pregnant I heard about the Bella Band. I didn't know of a local store that sold them, and I'd certainly done my share of spandex items that didn't work. So after I had LLB I hit a local boutique and they had them, so I bought one. It's probably one the best things I purchased.

After having LLB I lost a ton of weight, according to the scale I was almost at my skinniest. (By the way this is just ONE reason of MANY why breastfeeding is GREAT) Well my body wasn't skinny though. I still had that tummy pouch and my clothes fit awkwardly. The Bella Band allowed me to wear my old clothes with no problems.

It works VERY simply. It's an elastic band that comes in four sizes (even up to a 24!!!). You select the size based on your pre-pregnancy pants. You can wear it during pregnancy and even after to help hold pants up or smooth the waistline of pants that can't close at the top. I even wear mine still, I love how it smooths my middle out and makes me feel covered.

One last thing it's great for is breastfeeding, I lived in camisoles but this thing does the trick of keeping you belly covered if you're modest. I was/am very modest when I nurse, I didn't want any skin showing and this band helped keep me covered.

It definitely works but if you're like me and want to see for yourself before you do an online order, see if a local boutique near you carries it. If you're sold and ready to order, babystyle.com carries them online.

Stop Sucking It In,
Bronwyn

JUST IN: Sale at Pottery Barn Kids on Halloween

2007-10-13T15:33:00.001-04:00

I finally have something other then a review or rambling to post! I had been meaning to order LLB one of the super cute Halloween treat bags that Pottery Barn Kids was selling, they were only $12 and had free shipping.

Sounded like a deal to me. So today I hopped over to www.potterybarnkids.com and not only did I order her the Ghost bag I had been wanting but it was on SALE! $6.99!!!!! Plus the $6 for personalization and FREE shipping, I almost had to buy more just so I wouldn't feel silly for shipping one small, CHEAP item.

I'm silly I know. This by the way is how I manage to be a shopaholic, $13? That's cheap, let's pick up a couple more sale items because they're a good deal and next thing you know I've spent upwards of $60! Well since the bag was free shipping and nothing else I was considering buying was, I went with just the bag. I even had an old PBKids gift card with $3 on it so I only had to spend $10 myself. It's a great day now where can I spend another $50? HAHA!

Shopaholic and Proud,
Bronwyn

RAMBLING: Adventures in the ER

2007-10-13T09:20:00.000-04:00

We survived this long without a visit but Thursday we were off to the ER. LLB fell at daycare and they asked me to come get her. She fell while outside on her shoulder and cried if you touched it :-\ Arrived at the ER at approx 12PM and 2 hours later it was nothing. Doctor thought it was a broken clavicle but x-rays showed nothing. They also sent us back to x-ray her arm after the clavicle proved to be fine. We ate some lunch, she was in a GREAT mood. We got her home and she was doing great. She was playing outside with Hubby and she decided to jump off the stairs, obviously she isn’t good at it yet. She fell and landed on her hands and knees. She was a mess after that. I also think her teeth are bothering her so it’s been hard to pinpoint any real source of pain.

Sent her to daycare yesterday with strict orders that if she wasn’t doing OK to call me and I’d come get her in a heartbeat. They knew I meant it and with the occasional whine they said she was fine. I picked her up around 3PM and we did our usual routine, light play and dinner and then bedtime. She seemed to be doing OK to me. She would occasionally whine or cry a little but overall she was good. We ate dinner and got ready for bed. I had examined her a couple of times and decided nothing seemed to be off. After her bath though I noticed some swelling. The doc had said that would happen so I was worried but not ALARMED. We were waiting for Hubby to bring us some Motrin and when he got home, he was worried. Made us head to ER. So we did.

Arrived at 8:30PM, I commented pulling in that I was thinking we’d be out by 11PM… 11PM came and went and we weren’t even back in a room yet :-\ Needless to say 4 hours, one x-ray and one sling later we had a broken clavicle. When she fell while Hubby was watching her on Thursday she must have broken it, so either she had a hairline that they couldn’t see and that forced it OR she just couldn’t catch herself properly with the pain and broke it. Either way the girl has a broken clavicle and is doing great considering. Here are some x-rays and a shot of her with the sling. Which by the way she wanted gone 5 min after the pic.

October 11, 2007 1:30 PM

October 13, 2007 12:00 AM

Sticks and Stones May Break Her Bones,
Bronwyn

REVIEW: Boppy -- Not Just For Breastfeeding

2007-10-12T14:45:00.000-04:00

The usefulness of The Boppy is often understated. Many write it off as just for breastfeeders ... this is not the case. It is true that The Boppy is GREAT as a breastfeeding pillow, you place it around your middle in your lap to rest your arms and/or the baby on. Mom whose babies had reflux said it's helpful for keeping their little ones in an elevated position. But it's also great as a BABY pillow. When you're little one is in what I like to call the blob phase, you can place him or her on it like I did with LLB in the pic below. They sleep peacefully like this and it can allow you to keep them close while they do.

It also comes in handy during tummy time, just place your child on their tummy with the ring of The Boppy around them. Make sure the edge of the pillow hits just at your baby's arm pits. LLB started enjoying tummy time a million times more when this was done. Here's another pic to show how this is done.

Best of all the girl in me LOVED all the fun prints they come in, you can even pick up slipcovers along the way! I have to admit I was a little "sad" when I was in Target the other day and saw the special Boppy Tummy Time pillow, as this was new and not around when LLB was born. It looked perfect, but to be honest, the original one we had was PERFECT and it would have been yet another toy I had kicking around here after the fact!

Product Information
The Original Boppy Pillow
Made by Boppy
Come in MANY prints and fabric coverings
Is easy to wash and take care of
Priced at approximately $25
Find yours at Froogle

Buying Tip: I think it's wise to get a Bare Naked Boppy (a plain Boppy) and some slipcovers. This way you are going the most economical route and you get to change the look of your Boppy constantly to make it feel new. The Boppy made for tummy time is nice and all but if you're feeling cheap you can easily just throw some toys in front of your Boppy to achieve a similar effect! Splurge if you want though, I know I often do!

Boppy to the Toppy,
Bronwyn

RAMBLING: When Water's Not Just Water

2007-10-12T14:36:00.000-04:00

I'm a water snob. I first developed a love affair with water when I was in Paris back in 1997. I couldn't drink enough of it and it made me feel great. I've never been a big soda drinker so it wasn't hard to switch to the plain stuff.

In 2003 when I did Weight Watchers the first time, water was a key part of the weight loss. They STRESS the importance of drinking water and it's part of your daily menu plan. A couple years back I tried a bottle of Fiji Water. I don't even remember where I was or what made me buy it. I think I was in NY and I think it was the square bottle but who knows. From first sip I was enamored. It's sooo smooth and clean tasting. I know it's water, what can be so special about it. I promise you if you try it you'll know the difference.

The problem is I can't go back. Drinking Deer Park is like drinking dirty water to me, it's just not the same. So I have created a nasty $1.80 a day habit! Hey it could be causing me cancer, so it could be worse. I also love spotting other people, celebrities, people on the street even people in television shows or movies drinking it. I feel like I'm in an elite club. Will someone please remind me that it's just water?

Down at the Watering Hole,
Bronwyn

RAMBLING: Good Night Moon

2007-10-10T21:10:00.000-04:00

LLB and I have a GREAT good night routine. And it began when she was very young. We did a bath, a book, a nursing session and then bed. Now the nursing session is gone but instead we read several books and have a sip of water.

I love the routine, I love the ease of it and how natural it feels. I hate when it's rushed and I even feel sad when I know I won't be putting her down (which has only happened a couple times).

LLB has an iPod that plays a specific playlist all night long in her room, it's called the Good Night Moon mix and it's a hodge podge of slow songs that mellow me (and I hope HER) out.

We read the same three books every night, Sleepyhead, Good Night Moon and The Owl and the Pussycat. She loves the books, and loves to find the mouse in the pages of Good Night Moon. I love that she likes book so much and I think she would have me read at least 5 to her if she had her way.

The Quiet Old Lady Whipsering Hush,
Bronwyn

RAMBLING: Me, Me, ME!

2007-10-09T17:30:00.000-04:00

I started something back at the beginning of summer. I called it Mommy Dinner Night. It became a ritual. Once a month me and a group of my best mommy friends get together for dinner. We're all working moms and we cherish this time. It's guilt-free time and a great chance to play catch up and chat about our kids without chasing them around a playground.

I have to admit I have the best group of mommy friends in the world. I have an online set who I met when I first found out I was pregnant with Antonia. We started on a message board and moved to an email loop. I have several that I'm VERY CLOSE with, and who I would truly go insane without. And as a whole I like the entire lot of the email loop. We bounce ideas of each other, offer support and even have a heated debate every now and then -- We are women with hormones after all!

Then I have a set that I met at my hospital after I gave birth to LLB. It was a group for new mommies and it met at 9AM on Wednesdays. We didn't make it for at least the first month haha, but once I got into the habit of it, I LOVED it. We were able to support once and another and more importantly prove that we are not alone in this parenting thing.

Out of that larger group there are about 5 of us who meet regularly. We do Mommy Dinner, Mommy Poker, playdates and more. We have pictures of our kids at just about every phase of life together and it warms my heart to know that this is probably the beginning of some beautiful friendships for LLB.

So I wanted to stress the importance of Me Time after you have a baby! It is unlikely that you will cease to be a mother again, but you're still YOU! Go out, take a break, take a breather whatever it is. I nursed LLB so in the beginning it was hard for me to do this, but now I'm grateful for the time. I have yet to spend a night without her, and I'm not sure when I'll do that, but leaving her in the perfectly capable hands of her father is a blessing!

Reconnect with other adults, if socialization is important to you. If girlfriends aren't crucial to you just hit a coffee shop or book store and mellow out. Heck even a trip to Target sometimes does the trick. Don't get me wrong the LLB is my little best friend I take her everywhere. But when I do get away by myself for errands, it can be such a relief!

Me, Myself and I,
Bronwyn

REVIEW: Bumbo -- Wonder Seat of the 21st Century

2007-10-08T20:48:00.000-04:00

In the past year, the Bumbo seat has become a hot commodity! They've been known to sell out at most mass retailers and can earn a pretty penny on eBay. The supply has gotten better as the demand evened out, and I was able to get my hands on one a little over a month ago.

The seat is made from a low-density foam material. It has a deep middle that the child sinks into and the back wall helps support them in a sitting position. I couldn't believe how grown up the LLB looked in hers. It is easy to take with you and can be used on ANY flat hard surface. Best of all, it's super-easy to clean, just wipe it down!

They make a great on-the-go highchair, just pop it in place and feed. They now have trays for toys and feeding, so the seat is more versatile then ever. I can't even stress how amazing this seat is and what a true helper it is.

The bad news is your child will outgrow it pretty fast. Once they start arching their backs or become mobile this seat will lose it's luster and join the pile of retired things! All in all, for the price you really can't beat it. If you're smart you'll get it before your child turns 5 months and get some REAL use out of it! Also, as I stated the resell on eBay is pretty good and there's always craigslist, too!

LLB enjoyed it when we first got it

Then she learned to do this!

Product Information
Bumbo Seat
Made by Bumbo
Comes in five fun colors
Doesn't require any uncomfortable straps or fasteners
Baby’s own body weight keeps baby in place
Priced at approximately $40
Find yours on Google

Buying Tip: Start using this seat whenever your child has good head control and seems to enjoy sitting upright. They'll enjoy the view. As with MOST baby products, NEVER leave your child unattended in it.

Now I'm a Believer,
Bronwyn

RAMBLING: Adventures in Pumpkin Land

2007-10-08T20:32:00.000-04:00

I took today off to play with some Mommy Friends and their little ones. LLB and I hit the local animal farm that does a wonderful Pumpkinville setup. LLB was free and I was $11 and it was worth every stinkin' penny.

LLB played with the animals, getting to pet and touch a cow, sheep, goat and more. We took a hayride, and she actually behaved the whole time. She did the moon bounce with her girlfriends, a sight that you had to see to believe. Four toddlers and a moonbounce is a GRAND thing!!!!

We had a hot dog for lunch and brought a LLB-sized pumpkin home with us.

It was a GRAND day. The kind that makes you want the crisp air of fall to come already and one that makes you want to smother your little one in kisses. I write this because I think you should run, not walk, to your nearest fall festival farm or garden and enjoy a day with your little one. You will thank me for it. I promise!

Pumped Up for Pumpkins,
Bronwyn

RAMBLING: Fall-ing Flat

2007-10-07T20:18:00.000-04:00

Last year I fell in love with flats. I used to hate them, but now they're one of my most-lusted after objects. And this fall offers some truly delicious choices.

Steve Madden 'Liraa' Flat
Super-cute patterned flat with buckle at the back.

Façade 'Nadia' Animal Print Mary Jane
The boots had me at hello but these flats have my undivided attention. Giraffe-print, calf hair flats in a simple Mary-Jane style.

Jessica Simpson 'Lester' Flat
A simple ballerina flat that is wicked cute and comfortable. I bought a pair for spring and have worn them out, I'll just have to snatch up another pair.

Sam Edelman 'Carmen' Chain Detail Plaid Flat
Brown plaid is the quintessential fall trend. And these beauties are the perfect addition to your autumn wardrobe.

Steve Madden 'Cannon' Suede Flat
Beautiful, brilliant red suede makes these babies drool worthy.

Sugar 'Round Up' Mary Jane
If you want to wear sneakers but don't want to sacrifice your style these are GREAT!

As you can see I have a love affair with shoes, one that my husband can't even begin to understand. To him they're things you put on your FEET ... to me they're things your feet are HONORED to wear!

Point Me to the Shoe Department,
Bronwyn

REVIEW: Infant Bathtub -- So Fresh and So Clean

2007-10-06T20:38:00.000-04:00

If you've never washed a baby before, you're in for a real surprise! They are slippery when wet and once you add soap, forget about it.

I was thrilled to get my infant safety bath tub from a friend at my baby shower. It was a simple blue tub with a green mesh liner that attached at the top and bottom to the tub to hold baby safely in the water. While you should never, EVER leave baby unattended in a tub, the green mesh liner helped me by not requiring I keep one hand on her at all times. It really frees you up a bit to help keep them clean and makes you feel a bit safer by bathing them in something more their size!

A friend of mine had a fancier Fisher-Price Aquarium themed one. While I liked the theme, it really wasn't any different then the one I had and mine did JUST the trick!

Product Information
Sure Comfort Newborn to Toddler Tub
Made by The First Years
The upright backrest provides additional support for toddlers.
Fits double and single kitchen sinks
Toys, wash towel or rinse water can be held in the built-in basin
Mildew-resistant pads are machine washable and quick drying for easy clean up
A temperature guard drain plug changes color to indicate when water is too hot
Priced at approximately $15
Find yours on Google

Buying Tip: The thing I liked best about my particular model is it is made to accommodate infants and toddlers. One side has a steep slope to it for baby to recline. And the other is an actual seat for your older baby. We used this tub until LLB was at least 1 year old. The only reason we stopped was because we moved and our new bathroom didn't have room for it.

Let's Get Sudsy,
Bronwyn

*this is a reposting of a review originally posted 11/01/06

RAMBLING: Battle of the Bulge

2007-10-06T13:02:00.000-04:00

Ever since I found the ONE picture, I've been doing Weight Watchers. I did it YEARS ago so for now I'm trying to do it on my own. Don't get me wrong I know the meetings work, I just would prefer to do this my way to prove to myself that I can do it. I've lost about 3 pounds in one week. I'm feeling better already and it's done wonders for my self esteem. Between the hair and the weight I feel like I'm on my way to being a new person.

I have one big problem with the Weight Watchers program though. It doesn't necessarily pay to eat good-for-you food on it. Yes, fruits are low in point values and you can opt for fat free or low fat items. But in general organic, whole grain, etc. food seems to be higher in points. The lower point items seem to always be the processed foods. This is frustrating, because I am trying to eat healthier as well as lose the weight.

I suppose that's the way of the world, nothing is ever eay or "fair" oh well. Again the brightside is that I've lost approximately 3 pounds and I'm not hungry!

Wasting Away to Nothing,
Bronwyn

RAMBLING: Random Sleep Issues UPDATE

2007-10-05T22:24:00.000-04:00

It would appear that the LLB is afraid of the dark even it's just a slight fear. She won't let you leave her in her room in darkness. But if the door is slightly open and she has a light on in her room (we have a three-setting light with a VERY dim setting) she does A-OK. I'm still trying to figure out what the deal is exactly, but it helps to have a slight fix to our problem so she can sleep.

On an interesting note she went down fine last night for the hubby ... I asked him what his trick was, he said he left the door ajar which is what I did tonight. But I still had to go back once and rub her back. Hmmm maybe Daddy really has the magic touch. I'm sure by the time I figure this one out she'll have a new "problem." :-P

To Sleep Perchance to Dream,
Bronwyn

REVIEW: Wipes Warmers -- What's the Deal?

2007-10-05T21:57:00.000-04:00

The wipes warmer is a HEATED debate (pun intended :-P)! Do they really work? Does the baby even care? Do they dry out the wipes? The questions are numerous. And there isn't an answer to them all, but I know this much ...

Shortly before the LLB was born my friend Michelle had her daughter, when I asked her to tell me what items she loved, she offered a great laundry list of stuff. One of her items was a wipes warmer. Now, by this time I had already done my reading on Amazon.com (I love reading people's reviews) and had added one to my registry. But it was nice to hear her insight, especially since she is a bit more frugal then me and wasn't buying EVERYTHING under the sun. Sorry for the tangent, now to what she said, she said something to the effect of while she doesn't know for sure that her daughter liked it, she certainly didn't wriggle and protest being wiped with a wipe from the warmer on a cold day/night!

I agree with her 100%! The LLB would allow a normal room-temp wipe to be used, she didn't cry or protest, but when she was a little peanut just home from the hospital I felt somewhat happy when I pulled the already warm wipes form the holder to clean her with. This made her early "sponge baths" easier too, as a warm wipe did a great job of cleaning her off!

There are MANY on the market. The one I list below is the one I decided on after reading the reviews ... it seemed to be the most loved and I can tell you that it works and it works WELL!

Product Information
The Ultimate Wipes Warmer
Made by Lionheart
Ever-Fresh Pillow helps retain moisture and prevents wipes from discoloring
Anti-microbial additive inhibits growth of microorganisms that may cause odors and mildew
Large tub holds all standard refill packs
Auto-lid for instant access to Pop-Up Wipes
Priced at approximately $40
Find yours at Google

Buying Tip: Make sure you position your changing table near an outlet, as the wipes warmer needs to be plugged in. Also, keep in mind, that the Ever-Fresh Pillow will require replacing every once in a while. It's also IMPORTANT that you make sure the pillow is wet, I just added water to mine once a week or so and it did fine.

Playing Clean Up
Bronwyn

RAMBLING: Random Sleep Issues

2007-10-03T21:02:00.000-04:00

I've had it good. For about a year now Antonia has been an EXCELLENT sleeper, in fact I think it was around now that she started sleeping through the night last year. Regardless, even from day one I was blessed. She slept in her crib, yes her FULL crib and actually seemed to like it.

We've had a few hiccups in her sleep pattern when new teeth were coming or she was sick. But something new has come up and I'm a little confused. The usual routine is dinner, bath, pjs, read 2-3 books, drink some water and get in bed. She hugs me, kisses me and then waves me off after I tuck her in. Starting yesterday she won't say goodbye to me, I knew this was a bad sign.

I say goodbye to her anyway and leave the room, shutting the door. A couple minutes later she starts to cry :-\ then screams! Last night I took her out and cuddled her, tried to put her back and she clung to me. So I sat on the bed in her room with her and held her until she fell asleep. Tried to put her in again and she woke up and cried. So I spent more time waiting for her to drift asleep again. Total time spent trying to get her to sleep last night was 1.5 hours.

Tonight I noticed the same pattern beginning. No waving goodbye, cried when I left the room. I went in to her room and hugged her and gave her more water and then laid her back down. She let me lay her down but I couldn't even try to leave the room without her whimpering. So I stood there for approx 20 minutes.

Mind you I know this could be worse. She could be waking throughout the night, this pattern still allows me to get sleep. But I'm a little baffled about what could be wrong all of a sudden? She is napping fine at daycare. She has a nightlight on in her room, but it's not very bright could she be afraid of the dark already? Anyone had this happen? Could it just be an odd form of separation anxiety? HELP if you can.

What Happened to Sleeping Beauty,
Bronwyn

REVIEW: Swings -- The Third Parent

2007-10-03T20:40:00.000-04:00

OK, so I heard someone, though for the life of me I can't remember who, refer to their swing JOKINGLY as the third parent in their household! I hate to admit it, but I agree completely. I FELL IN LOVE early on with the Fisher-Price Papasan set. I wanted the swing and the bouncy seat. The materials looked so plush and felt so soft and the colors were muted and simple. I had to have it. As usual, my lust was for a more expensive item. My husband laughed at me, though this was nothing new!

In the end, I won, and I won cheaply! I found the swing on Craigslist... BARELY used for half the full price. I brought it home at least 3 months (if not more) before LLB was due. I folded it up in the corner of her nursery, and just waited. I feel like I stared at that thing forever, just sitting there. But I knew soon I would put it to use.

Finally my day came, we brought her home. That night she was fussy, I was TIRED and my hubby was in the living room playing on the computer. So I put her in her swing and tried to sleep. Now I won't lie to you and say that it completely entertained her. It certainly helped that night and for many more that came after. She took MANY naps in it, and I'm so glad I had it! The manufacturer warns you not to let babies sleep in the swing because of SIDS ... so please use your best judgement!

Certainly check your local classified ads, you can likely get a good deal on this. The seat cushion is COMPLETELY removable and washes easily, and BEST of all, I didn't notice any significant shrinking to the fabric after a light drying cycle. Fisher-Price CLAIMS that it folds up flat, well, the frame does, but the seat doesn't! So don't expect it to be a compact item to store, though it is easier to store then some.

I will admit I have never used it with the sounds or music playing, but they seem VERY nice. We also barely used the toy bar. This was our nap spot most of the time, and by the time she was taking an interest in the toys, we really were done with it.

The LLB at 4 Days and then at 5 Months in her swing.

Product Information
Nature's Touch Baby Papasan Swing
Made by Fisher-Price
6-speed swing/cradle
Two swinging motions: front to back and side to side
Infant head support insert
Motorized mirrored mobile
8 songs and nature sounds
Two-position reclining seat
Priced at approximately $130
Find yours on Google

Buying Tip: Keep in mind that the standard infant will outgrow this swing fast er then other models because of the seat, I think it's GREAT for infants though! It's a cradle so once baby can sit upright it will start to lose its appeal. On the plus side the seat does have two settings, a more reclined position and upright position that might help it last a bit longer. There are MILLIONS of swings out there, it's just that this is the one I fell in love with.

Swinging From Chandeliers,
Bronwyn

REVIEW: Thermometer -- It's Getting Hot in Here

2007-10-02T19:09:00.000-04:00

There's nothing worse then a sick baby! Well actually probably a colic-y baby, but regardless a sick baby is inevitable.

Every baby will come down with an illness at some point in it's life. Fevers are commonplace as well, so it's important to know what temperature you're little one has. Everyone knows a rectal thermometer is the MOST accurate at taking an infant's temperature. I know that there was no way in hell I was sticking something up my child's butt unless I HAD TO! My reasoning is simple, a decent thermometer will give me a fairly accurate reading. If she has a fever, and we treat it, and it doesn't go down, no rectal thermometer is going to help us! We will know she has a fever period and can work with the pediatrician from there.

So once I made the decision to not go with a rectal I had several more options. They make thermometers that are pacifiers and go in the mouth, ones that go in the ear, ones that go on the temple, and ones that can be used in the mouth or under the arm. I went with an ear one. It gives me a readout VERY quickly and is FAIRLY easy to insert correctly. It does require practice and I usually do 3-4 readings to get an average.

For the heck of it I've tried the pacifier one. LLB won't hold it in her mouth long enough to get a reading, shoot even I won't hold it in that long. And the one time I had to do a rectal wasn't so bad, but I would still rather get a quick and non-messy readout this way.

Product Information
Thermoscan IRT4520
Made by Braun
All readings are display in easy-to-read LCD format
Pre-warmed tip improves measuring accuracy
Guidance system for accurate read
Measures in seconds
Disposable filter
Priced at approximately $40
Find yours on Google

Buying Tip: Make sure you buy one that takes a QUICK AND ACCURATE reading. Nothing's worse then a squirmy, sick child and making them sit still is painful. A good thermometer should be able to take a reading in about a second!

You Give Me Fever,
Bronwyn

*this is a reposting of a review originally posted 11/11/06

RAMBLING: The Unveiling of the Hair

2007-10-02T18:54:00.000-04:00

I appreciate your patience. My computer at work wouldn't read my camera so I had to wait until I got home! But the moment has arrived, here is my new hairdo. I'm still figuring out the styling of it and the pictures don't do it justice. They also give it a slight orange/red hue that isn't REALLY there! There's two face shots and one shot looking down on it from the roots so you can sort of see the highlights.

She did an all over color process to turn it brown, the underside is a GORGEOUS deep brown. And then did three different quadrants of color on top to give it some depth and dimension!

I LOVE IT! What about you, what do you think?

Hair-apy Worked for Me,
Bronwyn

RAMBLING: Playing Dress Up

2007-10-02T09:09:00.000-04:00

One reason why I'm glad I work is the opportunity to dress up. I LOVE dressing up, dresses, skirts, tights, blouses, heels. I LOVE everything about it! I'm still warming up to dresses, for a very long time I have hid my middle region and so shirts and skirts were my thing, a dress was too much of one thing and it didn't usually hide middles well.

The new crop of fall dresses have me salivating though, so here are some of my faves.

Isaac Mizrahi for Target® 3/4-Sleeve Shirtdress - Spanish Brown Print
The shirtdress is HUGE for fall! A busy print like this helps slim a fuller figure and the belted middle can be a godsend if you position it correctly.

The new GO International Designer for Target is Alice Temperley and she has some super-cute British inspired frocks!

Alice Temperley Long-Sleeve Belted Sweater Dress - Ebony/ Antique White
A sleek black dress with stark white detailing is always a winner and the white ribbon belt on this one seals the deal.

BCBGMAXAZRIA 'Cherry Blossom' Dress
The print on this dress is simply irresistible! And the length is JUST right!

Muse Border Print Silk Shift Dress
I just adore this dress. Shift dresses are such a flattering shape on me and anyone, really!

Do you have a favorite fall dress? Do share!

By the way, when I hopped over to Nordstrom to see their dress selection, their front page showcased these and I swear my heart skipped a beat.

Façade 'Robin' Tall Animal Print Boot
Holy hotness, Batman! I found a pair of flats that I actually like better in this way-cool giraffe print. But I'm drooling over here, what about you? My coworker Lyssa snubbed the giraffe, I think she's crazy! SHARE what you think!

Wishing It Was Pay Day,
Bronwyn

RAMBLING: Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow -- UPDATE

2007-10-01T21:01:00.000-04:00

I did it! I got a haircut and some color done. I am overall VERY pleased with it. I went with a layered cut with long bangs (great minds think alike Alanna). I took some time perusing pictures and came up with an OLD shot of Jennifer Aniston with a layered shoulder-length 'do that I liked.

Then I messed around with InStyle.com's new hair makeover tool. It wasn't an exact science but I found a GORGEOUS layered style on Rachel McAdams. Rachel's hair was blond but I messed around with a warm brown with high and low lights. Fall is about brown for me, I love the deep reds and browns of fall hair and I was determined to get something stylish done to my hair.

I obviously didn't want a length this long, but I LOVED how the bangs hit my glasses in my doctored up photo. I even monkeyed around in photoshopped the style shorter. I don't have it saved locally, so you'll have to let your imagination do the magic for you.

So I took all 5 million of my printouts and headed to my stylist. She was excited to hear that I wanted to go brown and immediately got to work. 2.5 hours later I left the salon a new woman! She did a FAB job. I can't wait until I can get my hands on it tomorrow and style it in a chunky, texturized way.

What did I get done? What does it look like? Sorry but you'll have to wait until tomorrow for that! I can't share my hair with the world until I've made it beautiful :-P!

Sidenote: The hubby loves it and the LLB didn't cry when she saw me, so it must not be too drastic or bad!

The Sun (and My Hair)'ll Come Out Tomorrow,
Bronwyn

RAMBLING: Toddlerwide Wrestling Federation

2007-09-29T20:09:00.000-04:00

I posted this on my blog but I'm x-posting it here in hopes someone has some advice.

The LLB has a mean streak. It comes out every evening approximately 1 hour before bed. We have fun rough-housing and goofing around on the floor until she turns into a Gremlin. She smacks, bites, scratches, pulls hair ... I'm lucky I don't have scars, though I always have marks to prove it.

I like playing with her and I don't mind if it gets a little rough, BUT I can't take the outright abuse and I don't like that once she starts she won't stop. Telling her no doesn't seem to do it and punishing her breaks her down to tears and then she goes right back to the behavior.

Has anyone experienced this before? Does anyone have any tips? I've tried time outs, I've tried repeating some of the behaviors back to her without any force (ie LIGHTLY pinching her cheek when she's just pinched mine), I just don't have any more ideas left.

Victim of Parental Abuse,
Bronwyn

REVIEW: Nursing Covers -- Perfectly Discreet

2007-09-28T21:34:00.001-04:00

I was a PROUD nursing mom. I knew how good it was for my daughter and all the benefits it gave to both of us. I was, however, a bit prude-y and didn't want to feel like I was exposing myself in public. So I sought out a nursing cover up. Let me state, that I have no problem with women who nurse in public and don't cover up, that's their perogative, this is all about a personal choice. And I know for a fact I would have had some tough moments feeding my child if I hadn't had this coverup.

When a mommy friend shared this find I was ecstatic. A "nursing cover" is PERFECT. The material is lightweight, so my baby who HATED a blanket on her head, hardly knew it was there. And, most have a plastic at the top that helps create the perfect arch so I could keep an eye on my daughter and still keep covered up. And the come in cool patters, what could I possibly have to complain about?

I, personally bought a Bebe Au Lait cover in the Mayfair print.

There are a ton of other sites out there though. Some other sites that look cool are, Modest Mums, Modest Mommy Cover and Milk Chic.

Buying Tip: There are MANY of these items on eBay and the 'net. So do some searching if you think you can find a better deal or print. They take a TINY bit of practice, by about the 3rd use you will feel pretty confident in it's abilities. I practiced a lot at home before ever leaving the house with it.

Because Breast Is Best,
Bronwyn

*this is a reposting of a review originally posted 02/28/07

RAMBLING: Problems With Plastic

2007-09-28T21:04:00.000-04:00

If you haven't seen the recent debate about BPA and babies' bottles you've missed out. When I read the news I immediately felt terrible about bottles that LLB had used that could have possibly "poisoned" her. As a mom I don't usually need more guilt but sheesh this one sure made me feel terrible. So I did some research and now I want to share my accrued info with you.

There are only a handful of baby/infant bottles on the market that don't contain Bisphenol A (BPA), to my knowledge. The most popular and most famous are the Born Free bottles, as their whole mission has been BPA free feeding from the get-go. Other brands such as MAM and Evenflo do make bottles that don't contain the toxin as well. The Z Report Blog did an EXCELLENT piece on which bottles are BPA free and which aren't, consult their list to check on your bottles. The real trick seems to come in having bottles that aren't completely clear. Sheesh who would have thought a window into a drink could cause so much damage.

What does BPA do? Bisphenol A has been linked by scientists to cancers, impaired immune function, early onset of puberty, obesity, diabetes and hyperactivity!

How does the BPA get into my child's system? The plastic material in containers breaks down through use and releases bisphenol A into liquids and food. This happens from just regular use, heating the bottles causes it to happen.

What about sippy cups? Since most of them aren't clear you will find that sippy cups are made from a safer plastic. The Z Report Blog did a report on sippy cups as well.

I think the worst part about this BPA mess is that it isn't always easy to do the right thing. Changing the bottles is a GREAT first step. If we decided to have another babe (and that's a topic best reserved for another post) I will NOT use any of the "bad bottles." All my Avents will go in the trash! That's the easy part. But not everything puts its plastic number on the bottom. The Avent sippy cups sure don't say what number they are.

A lot of our plastic containers that we store food in or receive food in are bad. It's not always a change that easy to make. The change is simple in theory, eliminate plastics from your everyday. Easier said then done, here are some tips:

Avoid bottles and other food containers made of clear, hard polycarbonate plastic (made from bisphenol A), which may be labeled #7 or PC on the underside. Also avoid polyvinyl chloride (PVC), labeled #3, which can contain phthalates.
Choose plastic food containers, bottles and cups made of #1, #2 and #4 (polyethylene) and softer, opaque #5 (polypropylene) plastics, glass or stainless steel.
Avoid canned foods, including baby formula, which may contain bisphenol A in their lining.
Avoid foods wrapped in plastic.
Do not microwave children's food in plastic or polystyrene.
Do not put plastics in the dishwasher, and dispose of any plastic containers or dishware that look scratched or hazy.

Read the rest of the tips and some more info on BPA over at the Celebrity Baby Blog where I did an entry on Hollywood's response to this.

Going Green in Baby Steps,
Bronwyn

REVIEW: Bath Toys -- So Fresh and So Clean

2007-09-27T20:44:00.000-04:00

LLB absolutely adores bath time. And I know she adores her bath toys as well. We have a couple of things she plays with just about every bath.

First of there's her Animal Bath Squirties! She loves to kiss them goodbye and put them away when bath time is done. She can make the sounds that most of them make and she loves when you squirt her with them.

One thing that has really helped with getting LLB into the bath are these Crayola Color Dotz Bathtub Tints. She loves selecting a color before each bath and they're non toxic so if she drinks a little bath water I don't have to panic.

This isn't a toy, but it does allow me to get LLB's hair rinsed somewhat easily. I have to admit the Shampoo Rinse Cup not the easiest thing to use and a regular cup actually rinses better. But, it keeps the water and shampoo completely out of LLB's eyes and holds a decent amount of water.

Rub a Dub Dub,
Bronwyn

RAMBLING: Nodding to The Land of Nod

2007-09-27T16:11:00.000-04:00

I don't know why I get excited, but I LOVE online baby sites. I love to see what each carries and all the new products. So imagine my sheer excitement when I got an email with this subject line: Imagine Crate and Barrel for Baby. :-P CB has had a baby "area" for a while. And it's ironic that they're calling The Land of Nod a CB for baby considering it carries other people's branded products more then their own.

But that's neither here nor there. I LOVE the new site. It's got some of the BEST brands and some absolutely adorable stuff I now MUST try.

What's on my must-check-out list?

The Thermos Foogo Sippy Cup. Says it keeps drinks cold for 6 hours AND it it's not made out of any of that terribly toxic BPA plastic! I simply must check it out.

Even though LLB is too old now, the BABYBJORN Beginner Tableware looks way cool. The base is rubber to help it from sliding around and the rolled up edge and bright colors are sure to make this a kiddie fave!

And don't even let me start on the toys! They have some GREAT looking toys.

I think the LLB needs this Jack, the Monkey in the Box, considering her love for making monkey noises, I think this would be a HIT!

If you haven't heard of Sophie the Giraffe, you've been missing out. I've had several friends rave about this teether from France. She has several pointy places that soothe unhappy, teething babies.

They even sell Bla Bla Dolls! I think I'm in love.

Off to Shop (Don't Tell My Husband),
Bronwyn

REVIEW: Bla Bla Black ... Doll?

2007-09-26T19:59:00.000-04:00

On a recent trip to New York with the LLB I found the cutest little toy. Directly across from our hotel was a cute little gift shop and they sold Bla Bla dolls. I have to admit that I was more into them then LLB at first but she now loves her Leopold the Lion doll.

I have to admit that I had never heard of the brand before our stop in that shop. And I don't remember what I paid for the doll, but their site says $32 for the mini one (which is what she has). They aren't the cheapest things but they are absolutely ADORABLE. As I peruse the site I can't help but notice how many more I want. The dolls are so cute and they make bags and hats and, well see for yourself at the site: http://www.blablakids.com.

Product Information
Rag Doll
Made by Bla Bla
Tons of styles to choose from
Bright, vibrant colors
Made well with quality materials
Prices range from $31 - $120
Find yours at BlaBlaKids.com

Buying Tip: I know the price is steep, but these dolls make great gifts and loveys if your child needs one. The characters are wicked cute and kids will delight at how soft and cuddly they are.

Lovey of my Life,
Bronwyn

RAMBLING: 1, 2 Buckle My Shoe

2007-09-26T19:48:00.000-04:00

The LLB has a TERRIBLE habit. It's tragic really. She takes her shoes off ... yes that's right I said it. I know that doesn't sound so bad. But picture it, she's all dressed and ready for "school." I load her in the car and hit the road. Halfway through the trip I hear her say it, "SHOOOOOOOOOOES." And I know it's coming. Sure enough one shoe is off, and the other is on it's way. She then flings them in the car.

When I arrive to her childcare center I'm then stuck searching the car for the shoes. And have to reassemble the LLB before we can head in. Now this might not sound like a problem. But it's annoying and I'm anal. And let's not even talk about the times that she's wearing SOCKS and shoes. She takes both off and I have to battle with her to get them back on.

Does anyone else's toddler do this? My mom took great pleasure in this story, apparently I did this as a child, too. Nice that she doesn't look like me almost at all, but instead picks up my personality traits. Look out world, we've got a Mini-Me!

Shoe Fly Don't Bother Me,
Bronwyn

REVIEW: Cozy Coupe -- Let's Go for a Ride

2007-09-25T19:44:00.001-04:00

Back in the early spring, I heard of some yard sales that were going to be going on in a local town. I made sure LLB and I were ready to roll bright and early and we were on a mission. I was determined to find a Little Tikes Cozy Coupe.

We hit several spots with no luck and then I turned a corner and saw it sitting in a driveway. If we were in a comedy movie my car would have been shown speeding across the street and SCREECHING to a loud halt outside the house. As I pulled up I realized I had to play it low key with the family if I was going to strike a bargain. I don't even remember what I paid for it, but it was a steal as far as I was concerned.

I got it home and LLB played with it for hours. For the next several days she played with it every night just after dinner and before bed. It's been a couple months now and she's not as into it, but it's still one of the best things I bought her.

For anyone whose baby has hit that, "not a baby" -- "not a full-fledged toddler" phase this might be the best bet for you. We've had it since LLB was 13 Months old and I have to say of all her toys it still gets played with the most overall.

My child found a way to tip it over, so you're going to want to monitor your child and make sure they use it safely. She also managed to slide underneath it sometimes when driving, this ironically didn't upset her any of the times she did it.

Product Information
Cozy Coupe
Made by Little Tikes
Comes in several different models and color combinations
Good for outdoor or indoor use
Caster front wheels
Small turning radius
Working door and horn
Clicking key
Stroage compartment in rear
Open-and-close gas cap
Prices range from $59 - $99
Find yours at Google

Buying Tip: This is one product I recommend scouring craigslist, your local want ads or yard sales for. You can get some GREAT deals on it used and it really can hold up under a lot of abuse.

Little Deuce Coupe Where Have You Gone,
Bronwyn

REVIEW: Nail Polishes -- Fall for These Colors

2007-09-25T08:43:00.000-04:00

I'll be the first to admit that I'm in DESPERATE need of a manicure! But, I'm a nail biter -- and skin nibbler, it's GROSS I know!. And therefore find it hard to justify paying someone 15 my hard-earned dollars to work on my hands, that I'll just destroy in 3 day's time.

I prefer to indulge in at-home manicures, so that I can spend that $15 on something for LLB. Let's face it, the kid needs more clothes ... NOT! I also have toted along my own nail polish colors for years, the salons I go to never have updated colors and I also have a soft place in my heart for Essie nail polish and they don't seem to carry it.

Here are my ABSOLUTE favorite colors for fall nails

Essie "Material Girl": A deep plum with a mix of burgundy
*image from All Lacquered Up

Essie "Downtown Brown": The perfect chocolate brown

OPI "Siberian Nights": Deep purple meets black

CND "Hyde in the Park": Sparkly grey metallic
*image from All Lacquered Up

China Glaze "VI": Shimmering coral mixed with burnt orange
*image from All Lacquered Up

CND "Ruby Red": Bright, brilliant red
*image from All Lacquered Up

There you have it, my favorite colors for fall and even the holidays! Now if only I could sit still long enough to do my own nails.

Painting a Perfect 10,
Bronwyn

RAMBLING: The ONE Picture

2007-09-24T20:49:00.000-04:00

Everyone has that ONE picture, the one where they were skinny and therefore happy. I'm not saying happiness is being skinny, but in my world I was happy when I was skinny! I was looking for pictures of me as a child that prove that the LLB is in fact my child, despite having dark hair and eyes and I found my skinny picture.

I can tell from the shirt that I'm wearing that I was at my skinniest when the shot was taken. So this would be from the early spring of 2003 when I was doing Weight Watchers. What's funny is it's not my FAVORITE shot of myself, but yet there's something about it I want to relish.

Now I shall post the picture here to share with you all, in the hopes that tomorrow when I want ANOTHER latte and/or cookie I will instead look at this pic and deprive myself.

I wasn't sure if I wanted to do WeightWatchers again, but now I'm sure I do. Wish me luck!

Weighing My Options,
Bronwyn

REVIEW: Mobiles -- Love for Tiny Love

2007-09-24T10:25:00.000-04:00

While I was expecting I received a list of products that fellow employee parents really liked! I skimmed down it and noticed a mobile that sounded great. I had put my whole nursery together, everything was done, EXCEPT for the mobile. I couldn't find one I liked ... it was a nightmare :-O

When I shared the list with my email loop of other moms expecting in February, I got several responses from the moms on there that that mobile was a TRUE find! I was sold, I didn't need to read anything more about mobiles, I had found the one I wanted. I tracked it down at my local Babies R Us store and happily added it to my registry.

I couldn't wait to see what the LLB would think of it. Well, she LOVED it. Now, mind you, I didn't try any others, so maybe she would have liked the others just as much. But she LOVED this one, and because of that I have actually found a personal love for the company that makes it, Tiny Love. We had several of their stroller/carseat toys and she seemed to truly prefer them.

I was able to take showers and even just mellow out for 15 minutes at a time, while the LLB laid in her crib and watched the little animals go around and around. I was even sad when she finally got so big that I had to take the thing down, it looked so cute on her crib.

Product Information
Symphony in Motion Mobile
Made by Tiny Love
Comes in several models: Light & Motion, Farmyard Animals, Animals, Geometric Shapes and Remote Control
Features three different musical choices (Beethoven, Mozart or Bach):
Plays a fifteen minute snippet of music
Prices range from $30 - $50
Find yours at Google

Buying Tip: The version with the remote is the most expensive... and not necessarily worth it. I never used it, it's nice to have, but the LLB just didn't need the mobile to go longer then the 15 minutes it does. The remote also has a VERY short range so if you're goal is to use it while be invisible to your child you might feel like you're conducting a mission impossible. Tiny Love also listened to parents' feedback and allowed a switch on the newer models for turning the music OFF so you can let other music play while the mobile goes around.

To find out more about their mobiles and great products go to Tiny Love's site.

You Spin Me Right Round,
Bronwyn

*this is a reposting of a review originally posted 07/29/06

RAMBLING: Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow?

2007-09-24T09:02:00.001-04:00

The rejuvenation of the super-bob, AKA Victoria "Posh Spice" Beckham's 'do, has me in a quandry. I fluctuate between long and short hair like most people fluctuate between weights. Don't get me wrong my weight fluctuates, too (see Blue Jean Designer Queen Posting), it's just my hair that I try to pay more attention to!

Back to the question of the day ... should I chop off my hair? I would probably not do anything as severe as the "Posh." My hair is just below my shoulders right now and I'm torn at deciding it's fate. I actually don't mind the length half the time, but I'm in a rut and think I need the change. I have determined that highlights and lowlights for the fall will help. So I'm signed, sealed, delivered on those. But what about the length?

Here's some photographic proof of all my hair iterations ... enjoy the trip and then tell me what you think I should do!

1996 with the Drew Barrymore wicked-short hair

* yes that's me and my hubby at a Prom ... aw, ain't that sweet?

2002 with long hair

*say hello to Joey McIntyre everyone, ah that was a GREAT day

2003 with shorter, layered and lighter hair

2005 with shorter and DARKER hair

2006 with a post-pregnancy bob and highlights

2007 (may) with medium-length and highlighted hair

2007 (current) with long, in desperate need of color hair

Waiting for Your Verdict,
Bronwyn

REVIEW: Play Mats -- Time for Some Fun

2007-09-23T13:54:00.000-04:00

The play mat is a MUST HAVE! Well at least if you live in my house! I have two dogs, an old carpet and not enough time on my hands to keep everything clean. When the Little Love Bug was in the blob phase (the phase where they just lie around all day and can't sit on their own) I liked placing her on her play mat for some solitary time.

We had a great Baby Einstein mat that had all sort of underwater wonders. She thoroughly enjoyed the mat. In the early days tummy time almost always caused her to cry, but with the help of the water animals and the little tummy time pillow on this mat she adjusted. The pillow was perfect for supporting her head off the mat and really seemed to make her more comfortable.

As she got older though this mat became a little too small for her, so I was SUPER EXCITED when I found out about Tiny Love's ActiviTot Developmental Gym! It's a bigger surface and allowed my little peanut some real crawling and rolling around space. It has arches that can be placed in multiple positions and tons of places to hook toys. The fabric is plush and soft and I even dragged it along on outside excursions as a place to play in the outdoors!

LLB at 1 Month Old (Baby Einstein Mat)

LLB at 4 Months Old (Baby Einstein Mat)

LLB at 8 Months Old (Tiny Love Mat)

Product Information
ActiviTot Developmental Gym
Made by Tiny Love
Baby-activated nature music mirror
Tummy time pillow
Two safe, bendable arches
Priced at approximately $80
Find yours at Google

Buying Tip: A play mat is a play mat. Like I said I like this one because it offered a large play surface and lots of customizable options, but for some a smaller, simpler mat will do. In the end go for the one that attracts you! Your baby will likely be enthralled with anything that you like, too!

Tummy Time for All,
Bronwyn

*this is a reposting of a review originally posted 10/25/06

RAMBLING: Blue Jean Designer Queen

2007-09-23T08:43:00.000-04:00

I recently bought a pair of Seven for All Mankind jeans. I had wanted a pair for a very long time, but I got pregnant and then in turn, "fat." I say fat in quotes because I'm one of those people who uses the word fat and then everyone around me goes, no you're NOT! LOL But most designer denim barely goes to size 32 and certainly doesn't beyond. And I couldn't fit a 32 without having a bulge.

Now let's talk about that post-pregnancy bulge for a second. What is that THING? And why doesn't it leave? I am at a decent weight for my height. I, like MOST women, would love to lose 10 or so pounds. But I've come to realize that even with weightloss, my belly still protrudes. It's like a permanent badge that says hey I had a baby.

Oh well, back to the jeans. I bought a pair of Sevens, found them at Nordstrom Rack, still paid a pretty penny but they weren't full price. And I LOVE the damn things. They make my non-existent butt look FAB and they make my already long legs, look slender and longer. People may laugh at the price tag, but seriously NO non-designer denim has that kind of power. The problem would be that now I want MORE pairs.

All in Due Time,
Bronwyn

RAMBLING: The Great Phone Debate

2007-09-22T21:42:00.000-04:00

I HEART gadgets ... anyone who knows even the slightest detail about me knows this! I've been through several iPods in the past 5 years, at least a half dozen phones and a even several computers. It is from my dad that I got this crazy behavior, he gets a new car every 3-4 years, and a new computer (either completely new or new motherboard) probably every year.

My current dilemma is WHAT to get. Here's what I "want":

Blackberry 8830
iPhone or an iPod Touch
Hitachi Mogul
MotoRazr2
Katana II

I have Sprint and am most likely not leaving them, so I have to stick with their lineup, I would be willing to add an account at AT&T for the iPhone, just keep reading. I have a Katana, it's pretty and pink, I like girly things, what can I say? It's seen better days :-\ I don't like leather cases and the thing is really beat up. There is a new Katana II out ... it's decent looking but I still don't think it's as slick as the MotoRazr2. The MotoRazr2 is uber-expensive and only comes in ugly colors right now. Jeez haven't they learned anything, we all want color, PRETTY color at that. I am pretty certain I'll hold out for the cheaper and prettier MotoRazr2, we'll see.

I have a PocketPC phone, the PPC-6600 to be exact. And I actually LOVE the thing. I'm a PC girl who's being slowly wooed by Mac. I have a PowerBook that I'm cheating on my desktop PC with, the PC knows of the Mac's existence but doesn't think my feelings are true. Truth be told, if the PowerBook were an iMac my PC would be collecting dust right now. I'm that smitten with Mac, and that says A LOT! So I think the iPhone looks cool, I'm not an idiot though, when I have a multi-device like an iPhone or PDA I keep a standard phone. I hate talking on bricks. I have corporate exchange email though that will ONLY work on a Crackberry! If I don't do the iPhone I will likely upgrade to an iPod Touch and let LLB have my shiny Video iPod. Did I mention that I'm ADDICTED to gadgets? UGH ... I know there's people in my shoes ... share 'em if you got 'em!

Decisions Be Damned,
Bronwyn

REVIEW: Diaper Pails -- Cuz Poop Happens

2007-09-22T20:58:00.000-04:00

There are certain things about babies that are inevitable. Poopy diapers are but one of them. All babies will have them, we know that. But their rooms don't have to smell like they have them. If you use normal disposable diapers you will need some sort of disposal system. Like I did with most of my purchases I looked to Amazon (back when they were partnered with Babies R Us) for my recommendation. In early 2006, there are really only two worth mentioning, on the market, the Diaper Genie and the Diaper Dekor.

The Diaper Dekor seemed to win hands down, mainly because you didn't need your hands to use it! It has a foot pedal that lifts the lid so you don't need to touch the can at all. No twisting of diapers and best of all you can do it all while holding your baby. You can even transform it into a normal trash can when you're done with a diaper pail. I saw recently a Diaper Genie II is on the market, I know nothing about it, but I would still select my Diaper Dekor again.

Product Information
Diaper Dekor
Made by Regal-Lager
Liner holds 480 newborn and 220 large diapers
Triple seal locks in odors and germs
No assembly required
Priced at approximately $30
Find yours at Google

Buying Tip: The liners aren't too expensive which is a plus and the large capacity means you don't have to replace it constantly. I also just recently discovered that people are making covers for them, so not only will it keep your nursery smelling good but it can keep it looking good, too.

I Poop You Not,
Bronwyn
*this is a reposting of a review originally posted 08/19/06

Welcome!

2007-09-22T20:38:00.000-04:00

I'd like to take a second to welcome you to my blog. This is not my first attempt at a blog, but I think this one will keep me going. I hope to bring you information, opinions and just anecdotes on everything under the sun. A little background on myself, I'm going to be 29 in October. I have been married since May 2003 and I have one child, a daughter, who I shall refer to as the Little Love Bug or LLB. I'm open to suggestion or comments, so as I get further along if you have feedback please share it. Thanks for stopping by!

Follow the Yellow Brick Road,
Bronwyn