The Shopping Mama

Last Minute Gifts for the New Dad

by Kate on June 16th, 2011 | 5 Comments | Shopping

Do you have a new baby that’s been keeping you busy? Did you just realize that it’s your partner’s first Father’s Day and you haven’t bought a gift yet? Here are a few things that you can get in a pinch that will have a big impact.

The “Manly Diaper Bag” – Skip Hop Duo $60 (Check out our Via Messenger giveaway)

These days, many dads are changing diapers, heating bottles, and schlepping baby gear with the best of us. It’s only fair that they should be allowed to do so with a bag that is not covered in a flower pattern, right? The Skip Hop Duo comes in a variety of solid colors that will appeal to dads and its look is more messenger bag than diaper bag. Plenty of pockets on both the exterior and interior of the bag make accessing wipes and pacifiers a cinch. Plus, it clips on to stroller handles for hands-free travel!

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The “Baby Entertainment System” – iPad2 $500

The price tag is hefty for this item but well worth it. iPads allow you to play music and movies, and even download children’s books, for instant baby distraction. There is also an ever-increasing number of downloadable apps that are designed for babies and toddlers.

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The “Instant Caffeine Dispensary” – Keurig Platinum Brewing System $180 (Use code TSM2011 for 20% off your brewer purchase a CoffeeCow.com)

He waits until the baby falls asleep and tip toes into the kitchen to make coffee. A full pot starts brewing and just as it’s finished, the baby wakes up with a screech and his arms are too full of squirmy child to carry a cup of hot coffee. This one-cup system will ensure that he at least gets a few sips in before being called away by the little one.

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The “Nighttime Nutrition Illuminator” – Cordless LED Grill Light $43

Let’s face it. Sometimes dinner doesn’t happen for new parents until the wee hours of the night and often times it’s Dad who’s making it. The summer season lends itself to easy meals on the grill, but this lamp will definitely help inspire your partner to cook up a feast since it will make it much more likely that he can see it through the haze of sleepy eyes.

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The “Baby Viewer” – Kodak Digital Picture Frame $90

It’s not just dads who find themselves missing their babies during the week day, but this is a great way for a new papa to feel connected to his little one during his 9-5. The Kodak EasyShare has 2GB of memory for storing thousands of pictures. It also has multiple speeds for viewing all of the photos so that Dad can have plenty to look at during even the most boring of conference calls.

Gallery Direct: Fine Art on Canvas {50% Off Discount Code}

by Kate on June 16th, 2011 | 5 Comments | For Mama, Reviews

If you’re looking to update the husband’s giant LeBron poster for something more mature and artistic on the wall (as opposed to the basketball court), it’s time to check out Gallery Direct. With an impressive and varied selection of art at affordable prices, Gallery Direct truly provides fine art for everyone.

Meet Gallery Direct

Ten years ago, Gallery Direct started as a fine art publisher, which is the crucial liaison between artist and audience, responsible for finding the talent, capturing the work, recreating and releasing the work as a limited edition. We quickly noticed our artwork being sold, by third parties, for six to nine times what it should. This did not sit well with our founders, two guys with a vision: Fine Art for Everyone! So we began to frame our images, taking our collection and message directly to you, hence the name Gallery Direct. The art world hasn’t been the same since we came on to the scene.

Fine Art on Canvas

Gallery Direct has several videos on YouTube that explain the process and product of the artwork. This video is a great look at canvas art from Gallery Direct.

Father-Friendly Wall Art

Gallery Direct has a HUGE selection of art in a variety of genres. You can search by subject, artist, theme, color, or whatever you’d like. With my husband in mind, I searched for artwork featuring planes. The result included traditional paintings and this very cool abstract piece that I immediately liked. The colors are cool and it’s not a straight up airplane with propellers (we have enough of those around the house!).

When you pick your favorite print, you can decide between canvas (wrapped or framed), framed paper, or even acrylic and wood. Our canvas art measures an impressive 33 by 40 inches and has the gallery wrap, which means the art goes around the sides of the canvas and looks great from any angle. (the photo below on the right is from the side) The print is currently on a side table in our living room, but it may relocate to our bedroom wall when we move next month. By the way, one of nice thing about the canvas is that it’s lightweight and if, er when, my kids knock it down it won’t get damaged or hurt one of them.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… I am super impressed with the quality of the canvas art. It arrived in a careful package less than a week after I placed the order and looks better in person than I anticipated.

Or Not to Buy… Don’t surprise your husband with this print by Barbara Zoern if he isn’t into abstract art. I really like it. He thinks perhaps it should be called “Abstract Plain” instead of “Abstract Plane”.

Shop! Keep up with the latest from Gallery Direct on Twitter and Facebook. We have an awesome discount for you: use code gdfriends for an impressive 50% off your order. (Code expires July 1.) To give you an idea, the large canvas wrapped art featured here is regularly $127 – it would be a steal for only $63.50!

Thanks to Gallery Direct for providing a sample.

Thursday Giveaway Linky

by Kate on June 16th, 2011 | 5 Comments | Life

Happy Thursday! I’m getting ready for a weekend away with my husband who just returned home last week from his deployment. Yippee!

While you’re here, enter to win an Ice Cream Shop set from Learning Resources and / or a Via Messenger Diaper Bag from Skip Hop.

After you link up head over to Baby Loving Mama to spread the word about your giveaways there, too. And, you must enter the Pampers Miracles Missions $300 American Express card giveaway.

Happy linking!

Partum Me?! An Ode to Charlie's Dad

by Laura on June 15th, 2011 | 5 Comments | Partum Me

A late night conversation between father and son

I spend a lot of time, here, talking about my own adventures in parenthood. What I’ve failed to mention is that I have an amazing partner in this entire experience: my husband, Mike. I’m certainly lucky because Mike is an academic and therefore has a much more flexible schedule that can accommodate Charlie’s needs. But as we approach Mike’s first Father’s Day, I’ve had time to take stock of just how many ways he makes the three of us a family. I thought he deserved some recognition, here, since our society does tend to focus mainly on the mothers when there are plenty of fathers out there who do amazing things for their children.

Mike’s been awesome from the start. We have always been on the same page about wanting to wait until we were truly ready to have kids. Yes, no one is really ready and it wasn’t so much about money for us as it was about being mentally ready for the personal sacrifices that come with having a child. He was patient and supportive when we had a minor fertility issue, and didn’t even bat an eyelash when he had to go through his own…um…testing just to cover all our bases.

At some point during my pregnancy, I decided to take advantage of my employer’s flex schedule program and I proposed a four day work week to my boss. I wanted to save money on daycare but I also wanted to have more time at home with Charlie. I was elated when Mike said he’d like to do the same thing, so that we could each have our own day with Charlie and he’d only have to go to day care three days a week. When people expressed surprise that Mike would want to stay home one day a week to “babysit” his son, he vehemently defended his decision and explained that it’s not babysitting if it’s your child.

And those are just some of the amazing moments that happened before Charlie came into our world. Mike has been a fantastic father and partner from the moment he grabbed my hand as the first c-section incision was made to right now, as he marches around our bedroom at 3 am with Charlie screaming in his arms while he sings funny made-up songs to calm our baby. With the exception of nursing, he has performed every single task that I have. In fact, he’s probably changed more dirty diapers and fed him more bottles, washed more dishes, and done more loads of laundry. Sure, these tasks are done by many dads these days, but it’s Mike’s quickness to offer to do them that is unique. I’ve just never had to ask. For anything. He is always willing to jump to action when we need him and has done so much to support our vision of how we want to raise our son.

My favorite part of the day is when I see Charlie smile at his dad. He’s incredibly lucky to have this man as his father and I plan to remind him of that as often as possible.

What are the things that your spouses do that make you want to celebrate them this Father’s Day?

Skip Hop Via Messenger Diaper Bag {Dad's Day Giveaway}

by Kate on June 15th, 2011 | 5 Comments | Giveaways

Still running around trying to figure out what to get the new dad in your life for Father’s Day? We’ve got a great solution for you: a Skip Hop Diaper Bag. The Skip Hop brand is one of our favorites and the smart practical design we love is evident in the diaper bags. Parents have raved about the ever-expanding Skip Hop Diaper Bag collection and one of the staples is the versatile Via Messenger Bag.

Meet the Via Messenger Diaper Bag

The Skip Hop VIA MESSENGER is an amazingly organized and functional diaper bag with a super sleek style. With eighteen pockets, the VIA MESSENGER has spots for everything you and baby need when you hit the road. There are bottle pockets, compartments for food, cups, toys and more. There’s also a special pocket protected by Agion® antimicrobial lining which helps reduce odor-causing bacteria. The VIA MESSENGER includes the new Shuttle Clips; a unique strap and fastening system that allows the VIA to attach neatly and conveniently to the handlebars of any stroller and then convert into a cool, hip messenger-style diaper bag. When attached to the stroller, you can leave the shoulder strap attached or remove it for a cleaner look. The VIA MESSENGER includes magnetic closures throughout and a comfy shoulder pad.

Stylish Diaper Bag for Dads

I’ll admit that I am quite drawn to very feminine diaper bags that my husband would not be caught dead carrying. On the other hand, there are some diaper bags marketed toward men that I find rather unfortunate and would prefer not to carry. In the peaceful and practical middle is Skip Hop and the Via Messenger. Simple, stylish design + high functionality = diaper bag winner for all parents.

The bag comes in four solid colors that won’t scare dad and are wardrobe friendly for mom. The Via Messenger has an impressive 18 (yes, eighteen!) pockets, including zippered pockets and spots for up to four bottles or sippy cups, and has lighter color interior to make it easy to find things inside. It can easily transform from a shoulder or messenger style bag to a stroller bag that attaches to your tot’s ride.

I’m telling you… after hearing about my husband’s day of traveling around a new city with both kids today I think we both wish he’d have had the convenience and practicality that comes with the Via Messenger!

More from the Skip Hop Diaper Bag Collection

In addition to the Via Messenger, Skip Hop offers other styles to meet the needs of parents on the go.

Duo Diaper Bag ($58)

Bento (included on our list of Summer Must Haves for Families, $99)

Via Backpack ($70)

Shop! The Via Messenger Diaper Bag is available in black, red, lime and platinum for $80. Use promo code DAD at SkipHop.com for Free Shipping through June 19. The bags are also available on Amazon (some with two-day free shipping through Amazon Mom .

Win! A Skip Hop Via Messenger Diaper Bag ($80 value)!

How to Enter: Check out Skip Hop and leave a comment with another product that would make a parent’s life easier.

Bonus Entries – valid only after completing the first required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.

Follow Skip Hop AND The Shopping Mama on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway.
Dads and moms would love to carry – and WIN – the Skip Hop Via Messenger. Giveaway @TheShoppingMama http://bit.ly/ihOXIE
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Giveaway ends June 24. Open to US residents only.

Thanks to Skip Hop for providing the giveaway prize.

Thoughts on Baby Number Two

by Malia on June 14th, 2011 | 5 Comments | Life, Parenting

I nearly titled this post “Thoughts on Number Two”, which as a newly pregnant mom of a toddler just starting to consider potty training would also be appropriate (I think I dreamed about poo last night). I’m actually planning to share my thoughts (and fears) about BABY number two in this post. Being pregnant and having a baby comes with a whole list of, “Wait, no one ever told me I’d have to do that!” moments and I’m discovering that baby number two comes with it’s own set of new and special (note the sarcasm) moments.

Sleeping

You may have noticed that I haven’t published any posts for a while. That’s because I’ve been sleeping Every. Single. Time the kid takes a nap. Whew! I thought I was tired with the first one. Add in running after a toddler, feeding, washing, changing and entertaining said toddler, not to mention working full time, and I am exhausted. I’m almost 13 weeks and I think it’s getting better, but I can’t even imagine the end of the 3rd trimester and I don’t know how you moms of 3+ do it.

Oh My Goodness, Could that Diaper Stink More?

Okay, the sensitivity to smell thing was bad with baby number one. I got into the habit of always having gum in my bag to “share” with one of my co-workers with dragon breath. But, I was still completely unprepared for the bionic nose plus dirty diaper combination. Wow. I could tell if he’d pooped during nap just by walking down the hall. And changing the diapers? Nearly impossible. Thank goodness that doesn’t last all 9 (err 10) months.

The Fears

Seriously, there are a ton of these and I might have stuck with the one child plan if I’d thought up so many before getting pregnant!

To start, my child is clearly the most wonderful, beautiful, loving, adorable, smart, funny, well behaved, etc. living being on the face of the earth. This brings on all kinds of questions. How could I possibly love number two as much as I love my first? Will I have enough love for number two? Or will I not be able to give as much love to my first? In all seriousness, number one is a pretty easy baby and things were rough at first. What if this one is harder? Will I manage?

What if the second one has health problems? Will I be strong enough to handle them? Will it be unfair to my first?

When will I sleep? (Okay, maybe I’m not over the exhaustion stage.)

Will they like each other? Will they have similar skills or will one be the smart one or the athletic one? Will I know how to show them both enough love and encouragement so the know they don’t have to be the ___ one?

I won’t even start with the Daddy-may-be -deployed when number two is born fears, but I’ll be asking advice for that later when we have a better idea of what is going to happen.

What fears do/did you have about baby number two? What advice can you share?

Miracle Mission Update: Care Packages for NICU Families

by Kate on June 14th, 2011 | 5 Comments | Blogging

I’m currently in Cincinnati catching up with the folks at Pampers as part of the Blogger Baby Board. Part of our day tomorrow will be sharing updates on Pampers’ Miracle Mission campaign and I’m so excited to share the progress and news on my Miracle Mission!

Later this month we’ll be gathering at Firefly Play Cafe, a very cool indoor play space in Columbus, to assemble 25 care packages for families with a baby in the local Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. We have a great group of generous sponsors will are providing some really incredible gifts to these families.

First things first, none of this would be possible without Pampers. It’s their project and I’m just honored to participate! Every care package will include Newborn Swaddlers Diapers and Sensitive Thick Care Wipes.

We’ll be sharing more details about the care packages and the products inside in the next couple weeks, but here’s a sneak peek of all the great goodies in the packages.

Pocket Sized Hand Sanitizer from Bath & Body Works

BabyLegs Newborn

Sticky Bellies Milestone Stickers

SwaddleDesigns Ultimate Receiving Blanket

Sophie the Giraffe

CUSKIBOO

And all that awesomeness will be contained in a colorful reusable bag from BAGGU.

Your Miracle Mission

You can participate in the awesome Pampers Miracle Mission campaign, too. Like Pampers on Facebook and pledge to commit the second Miracle Mission: give dad the time he and baby deserve to bond. For committing to help, you can enter The Little Miracles sweepstakes for a chance to win free diapers and wipes for a year. If Pampers gets 4,000 commitments to complete the mission, Pampers will throw special Father’s Day cook-outs for dads and babies across the country designed to give dads and their babies valuable bonding time.

Disclosure: I am a member of the Pampers Baby Board. I was not compensated for this post.

https://www.facebook.com/pampers#!/pampers?sk=app_160839593975928

the coolest {handmade} tanks for summer

by Kate on June 13th, 2011 | 5 Comments | Shopping

We’ve had nothing but blazing heat so far this summer, and I decided to round up a collection of *the* coolest handmade tanks for the kiddos. I’ve purchased countless handmade tees and tanks for my girls over the past few years, and time and time again, American Apparel is by far a superior tee. Below are my top picks for the coolest summer tanks, made with American Apparel tanks, of course.

Create Your Own Superhero Tank by gorno couture $25