What I am loving right now - Part 2

I am almost as addicted to strollers as I am to diaper bags and birthday t-shirts (see past posts if this does not ring a bell). But in this instance, I am far more diligent about research. It's a lot like the way I am about cars. My friends gave me HELL when I decided to hand over my "I am still a cool mom" card and go for a minivan. They even kidnapped the new ride and pimped it out to such an extreme, that when I saw it I nearly peed my pants. With that said, I am not really a car person. If Consumer Reports gives it an A and it has all of the gizmos and gadgets I need for the kids, I am golden. By the way for all of you with our much more stylin cars - I LOVE MY MINIVAN!

So you can imagine that though I love amenities on a stroller, I love practicality more. And that, my dear readers is why I must extol the virtues of our (not so new anymore) Graco Ipo www.gracobaby.com/catalog/product.aspx?modelNumber=6C00LTE&subCatId=27 umbrella stroller. I needed something fast and easy for the 1 1/2 year old in my house who hates being in a stroller, but at times still must. The Chicco we had from my older daughter was only OK and on it's last leg. Now I am sure most of you did not even know that the Honda of strollers (Graco) had an umbrella stroller - but they do. It is newish and available at both www.target.com and www.babiesrus.com. Best part is that like most of my cars - it is brown. What is better than a stroller in the same color as the dirt your kids will put all over it? I have been very happy thus far with this stroller. Though, I must confess that the sunshade is a little short and does not always cover my daughter's face well enough. But that is truly my one and only issue. The price is right, decent storage underneath, easy to open and close, easy to buckle, light enough, carrying strap attached. All in all an A in my book!

Bla, bla, blog

There is nothing quite like blogging about blogs. Seems almost redundant. However, I would feel selfish if I were not to share two new favorites. Keep in mind that I have never before written about a Columbus based blog or company for that matter. So it makes me proud to be able to do so. Check out this guys blog all about the best places for breakfast. Makes me hungry and jealous all at once. I want that much free time I tell you.

breakfastwithnick.blogspot.com -

He is witty, informed and best of all he loves my favorite meal of the day.

Another great one, super chock full of information from news about Columbus to additional foodie reviews is columbusunderground.com.

What am I loving right now - Part 1

Since we have just gotten thought the holiday season I have several kids/mom products that I am ringing in the new year with. You will all (or at least the "all" of you who spend too much time acting like virtual maps for me) be thrilled to know that I did receive the Garmin Nuvi 200 http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-n%C3%BCvi-3-5-Inch-Portable-Navigator/dp/B000NVZE5M
for the holiday's (g-d bless the in-laws) and I am obsessed. I have even been using "Kit" (named both for the Night Rider talking car and b/c she sounds a lot like a Kate) to get to places I am totally familiar with. I love the she tells me if there is a better way to get there. She is also a welcome addition to my kids entertainment in the car. They love to predict what she will say next and they think she is just too funny. This model is reasonable priced, can be moved from vehicle to vehicle, speaks out loud so you never have to unsafely look at the screen. It does not say the streets by name like some of the more expensive models, but that has yet to be an issue for us. Kit and I are fast BFF's and I think this will be a long term relationship.

Another place to find me

This is shameless self promotion I know. I am quoted on page 55 of the February issue of Parenting magazine. Does it count as your 15 minutes if it's in print? How do they measure the length of time that counts as? I hope I get a few more, b/c I am pretty sure I have a few more tricks up my sleeve.

she's baaaaaack.....

I am bad, I have no excuse. Life gets in the way. But, with that said I am back!

My poor little smurf :(

To whom it may concern -

My 15 month old daughter wore a C.C. Clothing by Sami outfit yesterday. This outfit was purchased as a gift from Denny’s clothing in Long Island, NY. The outfit is turquoise, and by the end of the day so was my daughter. The outfit turned most of her skin blue and she has now broken out in hives everywhere her skin was touched by the clothes. I have bathed her thoroughly and she is still blue. I have had to give her Benadryl and am watching her closely for any additional reaction, per my pediatrician. I am very concerned that an outfit made for children would produce this type of problem. I expect that someone from your office will get back with me very quickly to let me know what type of dye is used in your clothing and to assure me that this will never happen to another child.

I have taken digital pictures of both the blue skin and the hives for my own records and would be happy to share, if you would care to see them.

Thank you,
Signed by me

The letter above is one I sent this morning to C.C. Clothing by Sami's (http://ccbysami.com/contactus.html) email contact person. Of course, their website does not have an actual phone number or person to talk to. I also called the store where the outfit was purchased to see if they could provide me with a contact or phone number (http://www.dennyschildrenswear.com/index.htm) The manager said she'd get back to me tomorrow.

Keep in mind that this brand is carried at several high end kids boutiques as well as Nordstrom and many upscale kids clothes websites - shopbop.com, babylaundryboutique.com and poshtots.com to name a few. Please note that this is not a slam on these sites, all of which are great. I am listing them here merely to illustrate the quality of the clothing one would expect to find there and how wide the distribution of this brand is.

I wish I may, I wish I might...

As promised - our wish lists. Keep in mind that these were wants, not needs and sent to our families only as guides, not a hard and fast list.

4 year old girl
http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/3T2QNG4YH5UNJ/ref=cm_wl_rlist_go

15 month old girl
http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/1QTI7TX3U6UIB/ref=cm_wl_rlist_go

Also, for both girls

• any of the CD’s by Justin Roberts

• they both REALLY need new bathing suits (2T and 4T, click below for one idea)

http://www.landsend.com/ix/girls-clothing/Girls/Swimwear/index.html?seq=1~2~3&catNumbers=400~421&visible=1~2~1&store=le&sort=Recommended&tab=4


Me and my husband joint

1. Portable Navigation System - any of the ones below

• Garmin Street Pilot c340
• Garmin Street Pilot c550
• Garmin Nuvi 200

2. Gift card to Crate and Barrel so we can replace all of the broken dishes and glasses we got for our wedding
3. Self cleaning toaster oven - ours is from the year of the flood

Husband

1. New Naots – brown suede, two strap sandal (Santa Barbara) Yes, my honey is a throw back.
   
2. New Briefcase
   
3. Knob Creek 9 years old 100 proof
4. Bladerunner Box set

Me

1. Slippers – bootie or high sock type (gap and old navy have great ones)
2. PJ Sets – Marshalls, Filenes, TJMax carry really nice ones and nicely marked down. Victoria’s Secret also has good ones.
   
3. New laptop carrier