my skinny stroller

A few weeks ago I mentioned that we were in the market for a lightweight stroller to use on our trip to Florida.  After doing lots {and lots} of comparison shopping I decided on the stroller that I wanted! 

But...then I had to find the best price, of course.  I absolutely refuse to pay more than I have to for something big like this.  In the midst of my research I learned something really valuable.  Did you know that a lot of companies will price match?  I didn't!!  I called Diapers.com on the whim of hoping to talk them into a better deal and the representative told me about their price match guarantee.  I got the stroller I wanted for a significant discount, but still got their free 2 day shipping - yay!  All it took was a little internet searching for the cheapest price, easy peasy.

To make things as simple as possible I had the new stroller shipped directly to my in-law's house in Florida.  I wasn't anxious to have a stroller in the airport anyway and this cut out one leg of that.  Asher rode in the Beco while we made our way through the airport in DC which kept my hands free.

My stroller arrived on our first day in Florida and in about 10 minutes we had it together and ready to roll!

Meet my new Bumbleride Flite!

The Flite just came out last year - if it had existed when I was pregnant, it probably would have been my only stroller!  It's really light {13 pounds - that's less than Asher} and I love how small it folds up.  Check out my trunk space!

When we were shopping around for umbrella strollers it seemed like Asher was smooshed into most of them.  He's only 14 months old, for goodness sake!  How was he going to be comfortable for another few years if he's smooshed now?  I love the space he has in the Bumbleride.  So comfy, cozy with room to grow.

We cruised this stroller all over the sunny streets of Vero Beach.  Asher strolled through the Farmer's Market

down to the beach

and around the neighborhood.

The only time he complained is when the safety harness prevented him from hopping out to greet the dog we saw.  I'm ok with that.  :o)

The one thing that's a bit of a bummer is that the safety bar between the handles that doesn't stay locked down - it pops up a little.  I read about this in every review I found during my research and decided that it wasn't a big enough problem to be a deal breaker for me.  And it isn't.  It's a little annoying, but doesn't effect the function.

All in all, I'm really pleased with my decision!  I'll let you know how things go with time, but so far so good!

suggestions for strolling

Drew and I are taking a flight with Asher pretty soon and I'm thinking about getting a lightweight umbrella-style stroller to make getting through the airport a little easier.  I also think it might be nice to have a more compact option for when our car is packed to the gills {which is every time we leave for more than an overnight trip}.

There are so many options!  Since it's a secondary stroller for us I've been looking on eBay and Craigslist for a gently used one to save some moolah.  I've been able to find every brand that I looked up so far - there are tons of people looking to get rid of strollers that have only been used a few times!

Here are the strollers in the running...

Bumbleride Flite

Maclaren Triumph

Chicco Liteway

Has anyone used any of these?  Pros or cons? 

What kind of lightweight stroller do you use?  I'd love to hear about a different model that you love!

christmas miracle

Christmas is a time to believe in miracles. 

I have more reason than most to believe this year.

Some of you may remember a few weeks ago when I took Asher to his first election.  He was given an "I Voted" sticker from the nice poll workers, but it somehow disappeared on the way home.  When I went to get him out of the car it was completely gone.  I looked everywhere and finally {reluctantly} determined that he ate it??

In preparation for our Christmas vacation I was cleaning out the car yesterday.  I pulled out his car seat's Piddle Pad {that thing majorly saved us from a diaper blowout once and now we'll never travel without it!} and what, to my wondering eyes did appear...

the "I Voted" sticker!

Asher didn't eat it!

It was stuck to the bottom of this pad the whole time.

Now that's a Christmas miracle if I've ever heard of one.

Merry Christmas...every one!

growing up

Lately, I have been thinking about how I can encourage Asher to transition from bottles to a cup.  He's been drinking water from a cup with a straw for several weeks now, but we haven't had as much luck with drinking milk.  Usually he will take a sip or 2, then make a face and push it away.

Then the other night while drinking his bedtime bottle Asher suddenly pushed it away and tried to sit up.  This was pretty strange since he typically drinks every drop and there were still a couple ounces left.  It only took a few seconds for me to realize that he wanted to sit up so we could get right to his story!  Once I started to read he took the bottle back and finished up.

{This boy loves to read these days, by the way.  He'll bring me his books over and over again all day long!  All those toys to choose from and he picks a book - bless his heart - he's my son.}

Well, this might be the perfect solution!  I decided to try giving him his milk in a straw cup last night while reading story after story.  This worked like a charm!  He happily sipped away on my lap while I read all of his favorites.  When he was done drinking we finished up with Goodnight Moon and he went right to bed.

I almost started crying - where did my little baby go?  I'm torn between being really proud of him and sad that he is growing up so quickly.  This is a great thing for him - I know - it's just so much harder on me than it is on him!  I didn't expect that!

He is still nursing in the mornings, so we'll have that for a little while longer.  Plus, not having to wash all the bottle parts any more will be a huge bonus!

On a funnier book note, can you tell that Asher loves dogs?

He picks up this book and turns right to the dog, then yelps and looks over at me!

Mom, it's a dog!  A DOG!

Love it!

{Oh and for anyone who is wondering, we started out using the Nuby straw cup that you see in the first photo, but for some reason it keeps leaking on us.  Hmm...  I looked for a simpler option and found this cup from Munchkin at Wal-Mart for $2.  It's awesome!  Super easy for little hands to hold and, so far, doesn't leak at all.}

wordless wednesday - rockin' the argyle

During one of our pre-baby shopping trips, I bought this hat for Asher at the Baby Gap outlet in Cleveland.  It caught my eye immediately and I loved it! 

It is size 0-6 months so I thought he could wear it all last winter.  Surprise!  Either it's super big or he has a little head because it was huge on him then, but fits great this year!

Asher hates hats and took this one off and threw it out of the stroller twice during our walk.

We'll have to work on that before it gets really cold!

gift of the year

Every year there seems to be some hot gift of the season - remember Tickle Me, Elmo? 

Well, look no further, because I've got the scoop. 

Want to make your baby/toddler belly laugh with joy this Christmas?

It's easy.

Step 1:  Go to your paper recycling pile
Step 2:  Extract an empty diaper/toy/Amazon.com box
Step 3:  Insert baby
Step 4:  Surround with toys {particularly soft friends, like Teddy, for cushion}
Step 5:  Swing your partner round and round - or 'drive' along the floor

Drew turned this empty diaper box into a car for Asher the other day and he loves it!!

He giggles and giggles when we cruise him around the living room in it.  Even when we're too exhausted to push and pull anymore Ash is happy to just sit and play in his box.  Actually, when I try to take him out he cries and clings to the sides.

 
He still like to play with us, just from within his box.

Yesterday Asher was being really whiny for some reason and I kept offering different things to do.  Blocks?  Snack?  Sophie?  No.  No.  No.

Finally I asked if he wanted to get in his box and he smiled and started to clap!  Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

People have been asking us what we're getting Asher for Christmas this year and I answer with a very honest - "we're giving him the box that your gift comes in.  Make it a big one - he's about 25 pounds now."  :o)

favorite thing friday - cupcake toppers

Welcome Fall!

Yesterday I made beef stew in my crock pot for dinner, but was lamenting the fact that it was so warm here {a high of 78} that it just did not seem like stew weather.  It's the end of October!  The leaves are changing!  Where's that crisp air I love?!

Well, it's here now!  We had a 20 degree drop from yesterday to today - yikes.  That was dramatic {and appreciated!} I love fall.
 
This weekend we have big plans for family fun.  It's been such a busy fall that Drew and I haven't had much time for just the 3 of us to hang out.  I'm really looking forward to taking Asher to the pumpkin patch {finally!!} and maybe having a picnic or trip to the aquarium.  Not sure where the weekend will lead us - any suggestions for family fun with a 10 month old?

In the meantime, it's favorite thing friday! 

A few weeks ago the bible study for moms that I attend was throwing a baby 'sprinkle' for 3 moms in our group.  It's a sprinkle, rather than a shower, since these ladies are all expecting their second child.  I love that!

Anyway, I was in charge of snack for the week and wanted to do something 'baby' without going overboard with work and expense.  I've seen cupcake toppers on a few websites recently and thought they were so cute!  What a great way to add decoration!

With keeping the expense down being a primary goal I decided to try my hand and making some myself, rather than buying them.  I plan to make some for Asher's birthday as well, so all of the 'gear' I needed will get more use.

Someday I'll do a detailed post on how exactly I made these, but for now I'll just show off the final product!

Happy Baby - and Friday!

baby fight club

Remember a few weeks ago when I mentioned that if Carl and Karen's baby was a boy the men had big plans to train he and Asher into the world's foremost baby MMA club?

Well, Asher wasn't about to let something as small as them having a girl stop him from learning to be a great fighter.  I try to discourage this, but he's got the bug - what can you do?

With battle comes, of course, battle wounds.

Lest you get the wrong idea and social services start knocking on my door, I'd better come clean and confess that the only thing Asher has been fighting is his crib.

That's right, my tiny dancer was hopping in his crib and fell over, impressively knocking himself on the approximately 0.01% of exposed wood in his bed.  I'm actually not sure how he managed it - but his big ole shiner says he did.

Good thing Grandma W brought him a handy Boo Boo Bunny.  Nothing says tough fightin' man like needing a Boo Boo Bunny, right? 

How cute is this little thing?!  You put the ice cube part in the fridge or freezer then pop it into the soft bunny holder when someone gets a bump and needs some soothing.  

Boo Boo Bunny - I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

new kicks

Asher got his first shoes over the weekend!

I was beginning to feel like a bad mom when I saw that Asher was the only baby sans shoes the last time we were out and about.  It's not exactly cold here yet, but it will be soon and this little guy needs some cold weather foot protection.

Not to mention that it's only a matter of weeks {days?!} before he's up on two feet, walking around.

Grandma and Grandpa W wanted to treat him to his first shoes so we picked some up while they were visiting.

These little sneaks are too cute!  I love the velcro - Ash tried his hardest, but he couldn't get them pulled off.  He did, however, manage to lick the bottom while it was still on his foot.  His flexibility never ceases to amaze me.

He's looking more and more like a little boy and less like a baby every day.  Mommy sob!

{But I'm proud too.  He's so fun now!}