There are a lot of things I would have done differently had I planned for my second child when I had my first.
For instance, I might have made Mazzy's room more gender neutral instead of the girliest room alive (I lucked out with that one). I wouldn't have given my mother piles of baby clothes to store without sorting and labeling them by size. And I wouldn't have bought a huge single dresser instead of leaving room for two.
But the biggest mistake I made was buying a ridiculously expensive single stroller (I'll leave the price up to your imagination) that couldn't eventually accomodate my second.
Thankfully, I have this blog, and nice people sometimes give me stuff for free. After Harlow was born, Britax kindly sent me their basic B-Ready stroller complete with all the components to turn it into a double. (Before you get jealous, know that I am up at 1am writing this post while you are fast asleep.)
The Britax B-Ready is a modular single stroller that can also accommodate an infant carseat (or two if you have twins), a bassinet and a second seat in over 14 different configurations— the mind boggles, doesn't it?
For the urban dweller, like myself, it has large foam wheels for navigating snowy sidewalks or dirt paths in Central Park, a large amount of storage underneath the seat, perfect for shoplifting diapers at Whole Foods, and most importantly, an easily collapsible frame so you can quickly break it down and stick it in the trunk of a taxi without making a harried mom spectacle of yourself while stopping traffic.
I've been using it for a few weeks now and it handles way better than my single stroller— I barely have to use any arm strength to push both kids. And the components are super easy to interchange, and this is coming from someone who usually asks her husband to do this sort of thing for her.
Look, here's me, traveling all the way to the Upper East Side by myself to meet a friend at the Met. With my old stroller, I never ventured outside of walking distance.
And here's Mazzy looking pleased as punch in the second seat:
To commemorate the Mommy Shorts Facebook Fanpage reaching 10,000 fans, Britax has agreed to give a B-Ready Stroller ($500), in the color of your choice, to one lucky reader. Just to be clear— that's the basic single stroller— the additional components come separately and you can purchase to add-on when necessary. For instance, the second seat costs $150.
I wish I could give you all strollers to thank you for reading my stories and sharing your own over the past two plus years, but alas, I am not Oprah.
Only 7,990,016 fans to go.
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GIVEAWAY RULES
1) You must be a Mommy Shorts Facebook Fan to enter. If you are not one already, you can become one by clicking here. Then answer the following self-serving/ego-inflating question in the comment section below:
What is your favorite Mommy Shorts post of all time? Leave the title and link.
2) For a second entry, tweet about the giveaway. Then leave a second comment that you did so. Example tweet:
I entered to win a $500 @Britax B-Ready Stroller from @MommyShorts http://bit.ly/TpEXH9 #giveaway
3) For a third entry, follow Mommy Shorts on Pinterest and pin this post using the top graphic. Then leave a third comment saying you did so.
Winner will be announced Friday, February 8th.
GOOD LUCK!!!
I tweeted:))) (@clearskiesphoto)
I pinned too! http://pinterest.com/pin/74520568806244847/
The thing that has made me laugh the hardest and show to everyone is the “Birthday Cake Fails” pics. But I would have to say that the post I love the most is the very first one that I read. It introduced me to your page and hit so close to home. My husband and I relate!
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/08/my-marriage-then-now.html
I just LOVE them all…
10 Differences between 1st and 2nd time Moms.
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/12/10-differences-between-first-and-second-time-moms.html I love all your posts, and your girls are beautiful!!
Definitely How To Scare the Parents of a Newborn: https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/04/how-to-scare-parents-of-a-newborn.html
I can never decide whether to be relieved or angry when I hear how much more active/loud my daughter is than the average child…usually I settle on a mix of jealous and resigned.
Living in Germany with few English-speaking friends, let alone mom friends, your posts really do help me feel a bit more connected/a bit less crazy. Thank you!
I loved the difference between first and second time moms.
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/12/10-differences-between-first-and-second-time-moms.html
Also loved Mazzy’s 3rd bday party post for how beautiful it looked (and what a great idea it was)! Especially for having a new baby to have to take care of at the same time!
Thank you 🙂
Jen
I just started reading your blog, but Lies I tell my Toddler cracked me up! https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/10/lies-i-tell-my-kid.html
I tweeted.
I just discovered you, so I would have to say my favorite post so far is Toddler Facebook News Feed. I think I will have many more favorites along the way!
Following you on Pinterest, too!
Just tweeted!
Pinned and tweeted and I’d link but I’m on my iPad and I don’t know how to and my husband is 1500 miles away! But I’ll tell you that I loved the letter to Skyler Zoe. I’ve thought those exact same thoughts!
One of the first blog posts of yours that I read that cracked me up was
The World’s Worst Wedding Date
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2011/07/the-7-phases-of-taking-a-toddler-to-a-wedding.html
Probably because we had just got married and it reminded me of the toddlers at my wedding!
Tweeted and pinned (although I may have pinned the wrong graphic,…)
I like the “oh the places mommy wont go” post lol As a first time mom to be I found it so funny!
I tweeted 🙂
https://twitter.com/croe321/status/297757246505508864
I haven’t been a reader for terribly long so looking at every one else’s links to older posts and clicking over has been fun. I even came across this gem….
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/05/how-to-sell-poop-in-a-box.html
My new favorite post…How to Sell Poop in a Box. That Mazzy is too cute! 🙂
10 Differences Between 1st and 2nd Time Moms 🙂
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/12/10-differences-between-first-and-second-time-moms.html
Ok, it included posts from different moms, but “Unsexy Parenting: Now a Competitive Sport”
(https://www.mommyshorts.com/2011/06/diaper-blowouts-its-a-competitive-sport.html) made me do the silent-squeeze-your-eyes-shut-laugh-your-ass-off. I’m now obsessively reading old posts because they’re just so damned funny!
Followed and pinned!:)
Wow Ilana, I just stumbled across your blog and I’m so glad I did! You speak the truth and give it in an entertaining way! I’m going to read more when my little one goes to bed but so far the “12 things I didn’t know about potty training but wish I did” makes me LOL. And of course I’m a facebook fan 🙂
I tweeted and follow you on Twitter! https://twitter.com/Mommy2Cayden10/status/298207328593907712
I tweeted about this at @yparkosewich. Fingers crossed!!!!!!
My favorite by far is Dear Katie Holmes. https://www.mommyshorts.com/2011/01/dear-katie-holmes.html.
Pinned it here http://pinterest.com/JennHowerton/lucy-stuff/
Intruder in the House:
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2011/04/id-like-to-report-a-robbery.html
My favorite post is The 10 differences between 1st and 2nd time Moms. 🙂
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/12/10-differences-between-first-and-second-time-moms.html
I tweeted! @SarahVlogs
Pinned! Sarahfd3
I liked you on facebook and my favorite post is: https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/02/comment-competition-worst-wedding-mishaps.html
Makes me feel better about my own wedding where:
– My period started in the middle of the wedding rehearsal
– My ex-boyfriend was one of the groomsmen, got super drunk, and made himself the center of attention by cutting in on the mother-son dance and going around to all the tables to introduce his new girlfriend to the entire wedding while the bridal party was supposed to be eating so that my husband and I could go and greet our guests.
– Said ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend went around telling people that I’d ignored her at the rehearsal because I’d only given her a ‘half-hug’ and didn’t ask about her trip. Oh, and she was overheard making a comment about her boyfriend and me in the church while waiting for the wedding to begin.
Here is a link to my tweet:
https://mobile.twitter.com/Agape_Loves/status/299222625312468993
Here is a link to my Pinterest pin entry:
http://pinterest.com/pin/205617539209336777/
I follow on fb
I like the potty training post because I am potty traing my son right now, lots of useful ideas
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2013/01/10-things-i-didnt-know-about-potty-training.html
i tweeted
https://twitter.com/angukena1/status/299551227082047490
I pinned on pinterest
http://pinterest.com/pin/492510909219455580/
10 differences between 1st and 2nd time moms
I mostly love all the posts with pics of Mazzy. She’s sooo pretty!
Ever Wanted a Man to Experience the Pain of Childbirth? How about Two? (VIDEO)
that was hilarious. 🙂
Best post has to be the baby-shaming https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/09/baby-shaming-is-the-new-dog-shaming.html
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2011/12/hm-giveaway.html My daughter is out dressing me. Pick me!
i tweeted @laurenlamoureux https://twitter.com/laurenlamoureux/status/299610285851942912
I LOVED toddler Facebook!
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2013/01/toddler-facebook-news-feed.html
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/04/how-to-scare-parents-of-a-newborn.html
How to scare parents of a newborn. Pick me! please?
i pinned http://pinterest.com/pin/85357355409690528/
All of them 🙂
We currently have a 12 week old, and this one totally applies to our house right now!! https://www.mommyshorts.com/2011/02/fatherhood-101-1.html
P.S. Shameless plug here, but a certain airline *ahem, United* broke my stroller on my trip home, and wouldn’t you know it? They don’t replace the strollers they break!
I especially love Porn for Moms and the birthing stories. Thanks for all the laughs. I keep reading people’s responses and find my head nodding in agreement to all of them.
Intruder in the House!
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2011/04/id-like-to-report-a-robbery.html
Intruder in the House!
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2011/04/id-like-to-report-a-robbery.html
My favorite is Lies I Tell My Toddler!
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/10/lies-i-tell-my-kid.html
Love the potty training post. They are all pretty damn funny, though!
I like hearing about men in labour:) Also, all of them.
Which is my fav? This is actually a tough one but after serious thought and consideration…hours of deliberation…we have a tie. The Toddler Facebook News Feed (https://www.mommyshorts.com/2013/01/toddler-facebook-news-feed.html) and the 10 Differences between 1st and 2nd time Moms (https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/12/10-differences-between-first-and-second-time-moms.html) Both required tissues!
I do love them all!!!
I am also following you on Pinterest…I don’t Twitter though.
My favorite is “How I failed the cracker challenge” lol
picking a favorite would be like picking my favorite child. or my favorite breath of air. I CAN’T CHOSE!!
I tweeted! @phoenixfoto
My favorite was “How I failed the cracker challenge”
bedtime procrastination but I also like the ones about Mazzy bossing you around. My daughter has started to do that. It is sweet and terrifying all at once…little dictators.
I’m new to your blog but I really like 10 Differences Between 1st and 2nd Time Moms. I’m just trying to get baby pics done so my 2nd doesn’t ask like I did when I was a kid.
Porn for Moms of Toddlers is definitely my favorite!
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/02/ryan-gosling-porn-for-moms-of-toddlers.html
10 differences between first and second time moms!
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/12/10-differences-between-first-and-second-time-moms.html
Love all your posts! Your sense of humor about motherhood is fantastic and uplifting!
Any post detailing the hell that is bedtime with Mazzy is my favorite!
I tweeted!!!!
I love your birth stories, so I will say my fave post is The Day Harlow Was Born, parts 1 and 2: https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/11/the-day-harlow-was-born-birth-story.html#more.
Husband shaming. Closely followed by Hannukah elf shaming. And all the letters to babies.
Pinteresting you too!
Love the evil baby face showdowns.
I haz tweeted, yo.
Pinned it too!
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/10/lies-i-tell-my-kid.html
I find this one soo funny! Though I do love the men having contractions ;)!
I’m already a fan on Facebook. Very tough to pick a favorite, but I think it’s “Grandpa’s Baby Deathtrap in the Hamptons”. I laughed out loud at your descriptions and the photos. I’ve felt very similarly visiting homes of friends with no kids… on friend had a coffee table that we lovingly referred to as the “table of doom” (decorative marbles with candles in the middle, etc…). https://www.mommyshorts.com/2010/08/grandpas-baby-deathtrap-in-the-hamptons.html
I like it all so hard to pick just one! I’ll say the potty training one for today since we are right in the middle of it & I can totally relate!
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2013/01/10-things-i-didnt-know-about-potty-training.html
10 Differences between first time and second time Mom
10 Differences between first time and second time Mom
Tweeted! I am Hippo_25th
I entered to win a $500 @britax B-Ready Stroller from @
My favorite post has to be “The Day Mazzy Was Born.” Why? Because I can totally relate.
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2011/12/birth-story.html
Really, there are so many, but just thinking about baby shaming makes me laugh:
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/09/baby-shaming-is-the-new-dog-shaming.html
I suggested we turn our 2.5 year olds Facebook page into a shaming page and my husband was appalled I thought it was HILARIOUS!
Likes on face book, following and repinned on pinterest 🙂
Following you and pinned the blog post! (hippo25th)
I love reading all of your posts because they make me laugh! I found you through the baby glare off so I guess you could say that is my fave because it led me to your page!! https://www.mommyshorts.com/2011/10/evil-baby-glare-off-tournament-round-1.html
This is my favorite!
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/02/ryan-gosling-porn-for-moms-of-toddlers.html
I tweeted! 🙂
We are in Potty Training mode at my house so right now this is my fave: https://www.mommyshorts.com/2013/01/10-things-i-didnt-know-about-potty-training.html
And last but not least I pinned the graphic! I didn’t know you were on Pinterest but I’m a follower now!!
I echo some of the others here…10 Differences Between 1st and 2nd Time Moms: https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/12/10-differences-between-first-and-second-time-moms.html
Also, I tweeted.
so many favorites but love The Worlds Worst Wedding Date https://www.mommyshorts.com/2011/07/the-7-phases-of-taking-a-toddler-to-a-wedding.html
Just saw this for the first time the other day and I think every man should have to so this. I think the one guy who followed through seemed “changed”. Plus, it would be hilarious to watch.
Should have been attached to my post above. Sorry
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2013/02/ever-wanted-a-man-to-experience-childbirth-how-about-two-video.html
tweeted from @whoneedsshoes7 and pinned here – http://pinterest.com/pin/135600638752660390/
and as a fun multi-tasking fail I first tweeted it from my work’s account… hazards of holding a 8 month baby while tweeting.
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/10/lies-i-tell-my-kid.html
This is my favorite… so funny
I loved this one: https://www.mommyshorts.com/2011/02/fatherhood-101-1.html
This one of course! 🙂
EVIL BABY GLARE-OFF: INTRODUCING THE FINAL 32 CONTESTANTS
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/10/evil-baby-glare-off-introducing-the-final-32-contestants.html
tweeted!
pinned!