Monday, December 19, 2011

Pregnancy 2.0 Mommy Party

I was provided the opportunity to host a Pregnancy 2.0 Mommy Party from Mommy Parties and Mom Select with some great products provided by sponsors such as Britax, Baby Plus, Xlear, and Snuggle Buddies.

Being pregnant and having three pregnant sisters this was the perfect opportunity for me to share some of these great products with friends and family while getting together for some fun at the same time. My sisters and I had a great time planning all the details and got a little extra creative with some handmade decorations that everyone loved.

decor food

For treats we had yummy mini raspberry cheesecakes and bruschetta with fruit salsa.

DSC_0122My three year old who is going to be a big sister in April 2012 sometimes thinks she’s “the baby”. This stroller is great to use when pushing her around, but not necessarily as pictured – she is right at the weight requirement for the Britax B-Safe car seat- 30lbs and as you can see here it’s attached to the top of the stroller, which is my favorite feature when shopping for a stroller and infant car seat. My infant car seat absolutely has to just be able to click on easily to the stroller so I don’t have to worry about taking the baby in and out. The infant car seat is definitely top of the line and one I’d recommend to friends. I love that it can hold a baby up to 30lbs with the new suggestions of keeping your child facing backwards for longer with a 32 inch length capacity- my kids always seemed to grow out of their infant car seats quickly so this is a very nice feature. Car seats can be so expensive so you hate to have to buy new ones after only a year. of use. The straps are easy to adjust and the car seat itself, padding wise- while obviously I didn’t lay down in it feels comfortable. My biggest complaint with infant car seats is that no matter what they just seem to be heavy and this one doesn’t really differ from the ones I’ve used with my other three kids however it doesn’t seem to be any worse. It’s just something you learn to live with- building up those arm muscles and again I love that it clicks in easily to the stroller so I don’t necessarily have to carry it around everywhere. I also love the ease that it clicks in and out of the base, which is a definite must when using in vehicles, in fact I often try to buy an additional base to keep in our second vehicle just so I don’t have to mess with the seatbelt. I love the color- as it seems gender neutral. We didn’t actually know if we were having a boy or girl when we received the car seat but now that we know we’re having a boy I’m glad it wasn’t pink Smile. This model comes in both black and red, my preference- the red.

britax-b-safe-80-3f1-lB-Safe Infant Car Seat:

  • Weight Capacity accommodates from 4-30 pounds and up to 32 inches.
  • Side Impact Protection distributes crash forces, shields from vehicle intrusion, and contains the head and body.
  • Tangle-Free,  Five-Point Harness distributes crash forces across the strongest parts of the body and provides a secure fit.
  • Four Harness Heights and Two Buckle Positions for your growing child.
  • Integrated CLICK & GO adapter system works with BRITAX B-Series strollers.
  • MSRP: $179.99

Being pregnant with my fourth child I’ve been through many different strollers and have some strong opinions as to what a stroller must be able to do and the Britax B-Agile Stroller definitely met all of my requirements. Again I love the red color and love that it seems gender neutral enough to use for multiple kids.

Easy to Put Together: The stroller was super easy to put together- I’ve definitely found myself with other strollers sitting there for hours trying to figure out the confusing directions and then realize I was missing pieces, but the Britax all just clicked together and you were good to go. It’s also nice to know that it was so easy I could probably figure it out without the directions if I needed to take it apart and put it back together again.

Easy to Maneuver: My three year old, while barely tall enough has had a blast pushing this around the house and I just know that she’s going to want to do the same when her baby brother is born- her only problem is that she’s a little too short to do this without running into something, lol. That being said I stand at 5’4” and the stroller is definitely a comfortable height for me to push around without having to stoop over. The maneuverability of the stroller is great. I’ve run into quite a few umbrella strollers and even higher end strollers in my experience that the wheels just don’t turn right or easily and you end up struggling with corners but not this one! The Britax B-Agile stroller is easy to move and even spin around and without much force, like I said my three year old can push this stroller around with ease.

Click & Go Adaptor: My favorite part of the stroller is that it has the Click & Go adaptors that work with the BRITAX Chaperone and B-Safe infant car seats. The adaptor was easy to connect to the stroller and then super easy to click the car seat in and out of. (Also compatible with major infant car seat brands, including Graco, Chicco, and Peg Perego, when used with BRITAX infant car seat adapter (sold separately).)

Style & Ease of Folding/Weight: I also love the style and overall look of the B-Agile stroller, while it’s not a jogging stroller it definitely has that slim look to it. I also found that it seems a little less bulky than other strollers I’ve had and a little easier to fit through racks in stores and it’s one handed fold is nice when you’re trying to juggle other things. It only weighs 16.5lbs so while it’s definitely not as light as a cheap umbrella stroller it’s also WAY nicer than an umbrella stroller and I’ve found much lighter than travel system strollers (ones that you could connect the infant car seat too) I’ve used in the past.

Extra Features: My last requirement on a stroller is that it have a basket underneath that is big enough to fit at least a diaper bag in and the B-Agile passes with flying colors there too! The stroller also has infinite seat recline positions, I just hate those strollers where it’s either completely straight up or all the way down without any in between.

Weight Capacity: The stroller is made for birth to 55lbs so my three year old is still well within the weight capacity, in fact I’m pretty sure both my six and seven year old also fit within the weight capacity although I don’t let them get away with being pushed in a stroller unless it’s a RARE occasion where they’ve fallen asleep somewhere, I can’t wake them up and I’d rather not carry them, and I have a second adult with me.

britax-b-agile-47-430-lBRITAX B-Agile Stroller:

  • Weight Capacity accommodates from birth up to 55 pounds.
  • One-Hand, Quick Fold with automatic chassis lock.
  • CLICK & GO integrated adapter system works with BRITAX CHAPERONE and B-SAFE infant car seats.
  • Travel System Compatible with other major infant car seat brands, including Graco, Chicco, and Peg Perego, when used with BRITAX infant car seat adapter (sold separately).
  • Lightweight aluminum frame- 16.5lbs total weight.
  • No re-thread – adjustable, five point harness and head pad with reflective binding.
  • MSRP: $249.99

The third great item that Britax sent was their Award-Winning Baby Carrier. Unfortunately we didn’t have a small baby and my three year old wasn’t cooperating so we weren’t able to try this item out but it definitely looks like a top of the line carrier that is easy to take on and off and will hold an infant from 8lbs to 32lbs. I love the Infant Insert feature because it means my tiny newborn won’t get lost in the carrier. I also love the CarryLong System with padded waist belt and shoulder straps that its meant to help distribute the weight across the shoulders, back and hips for better comfort. This is always my biggest complaint with other carriers when I’m carrying a toddler because it always seems to put a strain on my back, so I look forward to using this one.

britax-baby-carrier-48-4eb-lAward-Winning Baby Carrier:

  • Weight Capacity accommodates infants from 8 pounds to toddlers up to 32 pounds.
  • CarryLong System with padded waist belt and shoulder straps, distributes weight across shoulders, back and hips for maximum extended wear comfort.
  • Removable Infant Insert ensures a comfortable natural sitting position for smaller babies.
  • Multiple Carrying Positions offer parent versatility to face baby inward or outward.
  • Simple Slip On & Off Design makes use quick and effortless.
  • MSRP: $129.99-$139.99

BabyPlus1Another product that was sent in our party package was the Baby Plus Prenatal Education System, which I had never heard of before. It was definitely an educational experience learning about this product. The Baby Plus system, meant to be used from week 18 on of your pregnancy- twice a day, once in the morning for an hour and once in the evening for an hour, claims to strengthen your baby’s learning  capabilities with naturally-derived audio lessons. By week 18 your baby’s hearing is fully developed and studies have demonstrated that the baby can actually compare and contrast simple sounds. BabyPlus is a developmentally appropriate curriculum that introduces patterns of sound to the prenatal child in the only language he or she understands- the maternal heartbeat. The audio system comes with 16 weeks of different simple sound lessons that can be used through the end of your pregnancy. The unit is small and comes with a comfort pouch it simple slips into and is buckled around the waist to be worn mid-abdomen. While I can’t say that I have seen any of the benefits of using this system because I didn’t use it with my other children and my baby isn’t born yet studies have shown the following benefits from those who have used the unit:

BabyPlus babies at birth and infancy:

  • More readily nurse
  • Display an increased ability to self-soothe
  • More interactive & responsive
  • More relaxed & alert at birth

And, later in life demonstrate:

  • Earlier developmental milestones
  • Improved school readiness
  • Enhanced intellectual abilities
  • Greater capacity & independence
  • Longer attention spans

To me this seems like one of those things that as a parent I wouldn’t be able to tell right away but anything that could be beneficial to my child and possible provide the above benefits (such as a prenatal vitamin does) would be worth trying, especially when it’s so simple and easy to use.

GOODIE BAGS: All of our guests went home a little more educated and with some great goodie bags full of Xlear products and coupons. A few of our special guests also took home a cute little Snuggle Buddy and one lucky mom left with a Xlear diaper/messenger bag.

DSC_0009

Ballerina-Doll-Snuggle-Buddy PADAIDGNONFDFHKF

The award winning Snuggle Buddy is perfect for today’s stylish moms and their little ones. The go anywhere, super cute, lovable plush is sure to become baby’s first best friend But beware; babies can become more attached and you may need a back- up buddy. These favorites are made by Rashti & Rashti, a family owned company dedicated to brining you fun and endearing baby products.

Xlear Products:

DSC_0058Spry Infant Tooth Gel: a delicious all-natural gel for application on the gums and teeth of infants and toddlers. Designed and developed to augment good oral health care during the early years, as recommended by the American Dental Association.

  • Safe to Swallow
  • Calcium Rich
  • Fluoride Free

Also effective for children who struggle with brushing- your little ones will love the natural sweet taste of xylitol.

Spry Dental Defense System Chewing Gum: Available in cinnamon, spearmint, peppermint, and green tea flavors- chewing gum that is sweetened with 100% xylitol. Studies have shown that when combined with normal dental hygiene, regular use of xylitol gums may reduce the risk of tooth decay. spry_gum_spearmint_blister

  • Contains the highest percentage of Xylitol of any chewing gum
  • Dentist and Hygienist recommended
  • Gluten Free
  • Non-GMO
  • No aspartame or artificial sweeteners

Great-tasting and natural flavor- my kids actually LOVED this product!

DSC_0057Xlear Xylitol Sinus Nasal Spray: Xlear (pronounced “clear”) is the only saline nasal spray with all-natural Xylitol, clinically proven to reduce airborne contaminants in the upper respiratory tract while soothing and moisturizing the sinuses and nasal passages. All-natural xylitol is the ingredient that sets our nasal spray apart from all other nasal sprays on the market.

Unlike other antihistamines, Xlear Nasal Spray with xylitol is:

  • Non-drying, soothing and moisturizing
  • Safe for kids and grown ups
  • Safe for use during pregnancy

Perfect during cold and allergy season or anytime you want sinus relief! (My seven year old LOVES this product- she has her own bottle that she uses almost daily.)

A HUGE thanks to Britax, Baby Plus, Snuggle Buddies, Xlear, Mommy Parties and Mom Select for providing us with the opportunity to try all these great products!

2 comments :

  1. Love your party. So great that 3 of your sisters are also pregnant. I am sure they loved the party. Ours was yesterday, and it went very well. My 40 lb 4 year old wanted a ride around the house in the stroller. :)

    Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a lovely party - oh to have sisters. I have none. Glad to have found your blog.
    Nina
    NinalaZina

    ReplyDelete