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!!!
Favorite post for sure: https://www.mommyshorts.com/2011/04/id-like-to-report-a-robbery.html. I found your blog about 4 weeks after our daughter was born and cried laughing reading this, a laugh that was desperately needed!
i liked you on facebook and loved the post about your daughter out dressing you – what a trendy little tot 😉
I am following on pinterest and pinned – http://pinterest.com/pin/184084703490763387/
Following you on twitter – https://twitter.com/delightcreative/status/295642160265576448
OH, THE PLACES NEW MOMS WON’T GO!
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/03/oh-the-places-new-moms-wont-go.html
Tweeted.
https://twitter.com/catholicfanatic/status/295702974037106689
Following on Pinterest and Pinned.
http://pinterest.com/pin/62276407319267841/
I’ve only been reading for a few months, but one of the first posts I read (and one of my favorites) is Intruder in the House!
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2011/04/id-like-to-report-a-robbery.html
I love the https://www.mommyshorts.com/2013/01/the-silver-fox-and-i.html
Your famous! 🙂
tweet
https://twitter.com/1amypugmire/status/295753737518084096
I follow on pinterest. and pinned
http://pinterest.com/pin/193514115210788973/
of course i’m a fb fan courtney b
and i love the top 5 most inapproriate children books!
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2011/05/5-totally-inappropriate-childrens-books.html
thank you!
tweet
https://twitter.com/MeandBells/status/295892630980677632
following u on pinterest courtney b
pinned http://pinterest.com/pin/77335318573256422/
I love the post about the difference between 1st and 2nd time parents. Can so relate!
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/12/10-differences-between-first-and-second-time-moms.html
Aw, so hard to pick a favorite! This one always stuck in my head, but I can relate to SO many of them…
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/08/my-marriage-then-now.html
Became a fan on Facebook. I think “THE EIGHT STAGES OF SIBLING ACCEPTANCE” is one of my favs!
I followed all your boards on pinterest and am very excited about it!
I have a 7 year old and am expecting my 2nd in July. The “Oh the Places new moms won’t go” was a great laugh for me. I needed a reminder of what I was getting into!
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/03/oh-the-places-new-moms-wont-go.html
My favorite is “If my Toddler Were My Boyfriend We Would Have Broken Up By Now” so funny and honest!
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/08/should-i-break-up-with-my-toddler.html
My favorite post was the day Mazzy was born. Sounded so familiar to our experience. I just recently found your site and love it!
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2011/12/birth-story.html
LIES I TELL MY TODDLER
I tweeted
The post about giving your kid meds and hiding in the bathroom crying. So real!!!
Oooohhh My! Would love to win their new stroller! My fav post of yours is, The New Years Eve Newborn Parent Drinking Game (Second Kid Edition) https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/12/the-new-years-eve-newborn-parent-drinking-game-second-kid-edition.html
Following you on Pinterest!!!!
http://pinterest.com/pin/1548181094019598/
Favorite post: is “Fatherdhood-101-1”
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2011/02/fatherhood-101-1.html
I love this: “[…] Sometimes I think he does these things just so I’ll never ask again.”
Fact!!
I tweeted!
https://twitter.com/SamDegner/status/296014983098159104
All time fav is “Operation: Make the baby laugh” 🙂 🙂
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2010/08/laugh-monkey-laugh.html
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/12/10-differences-between-first-and-second-time-moms.html
Love this one!
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/12/10-differences-between-first-and-second-time-moms.html 10 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND TIME MOMS
1st entry. – My favorite video is the synchronized twins video. Magical 😀
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/08/synchronized-dancing-one-benefit-of-having-twins-video.html
One of my more recent favorite posts was this one: https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/10/lies-i-tell-my-kid.html The lie about the computer breaking if you play the Hokey Pokey more than 3 times has been put to good use over here, which many-a-song!
https://twitter.com/HappyTina0115/status/296016665353781250
My Favorite post so far is “10 things that suck about your kid being sick”. https://www.mommyshorts.com/2013/01/my-coughing-sneezing-three-year-old-tyrant.html
I tweeted about this awesome giveaway!!!!
You’ve been pinned 🙂
As a mother of a toddler, I related to Porn For Moms of Toddlers….I actually almost wrote “toddler p###” and I’m glad i didn’t becuase that would be bad. I need a drink.
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/02/ryan-gosling-porn-for-moms-of-toddlers.html
My favorite is Interview with Honest Toddler
Potty training!!!
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2013/01/10-things-i-didnt-know-about-potty-training.html
My fave post would be this one! Babies in buckets and baskets. Too freaking cute!
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2013/01/babies-in-buckets-and-baskets.html#more
I twitted!
https://twitter.com/brea121605/status/296016923626442754
Tweeted 🙂
I also tweeted an entry! https://twitter.com/BrittanyB68/status/296016798829146112
@Brandie702 tweet done!
I tweeted… https://twitter.com/BetterHalfMommy/status/296017024847605760
http://pinterest.com/happytina0115/the-big-ticket-stroller-giveaway/
Following you on Pinterest as well, and pinned the post!
My favorite post is 40 Weeks: The Pie Chart, because who doesn’t love a good pie chart?!
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/11/40-weeks-pregnant-the-pie-chart.html#more
Tweeted!
https://twitter.com/DPaape/status/296017511902769154
I pinned.
http://pinterest.com/pin/491947959265986786/
wait let me try this again! I swear I can read directions (mommy brain strikes again!). Love Honest Toddler and here is the linke 🙂 https://www.mommyshorts.com/2013/01/interview-with-honest-toddler.html#more
Thanks for the giveaway!! So here goes…
1. AAF of the FB page, and my favorite post from your website is the Intruder In The House, I can relate!!
http://alphamom.com/parenting/baby/common-enemies-of-babies/
Just pinned it 🙂
2. I tweeted about the giveaway, here is the link:
http://www.babble.com/baby/i-got-a-baby-nurse-for-christmas/
3. I pinned an entry too!
Following & Pinned!
http://pinterest.com/pin/134052526380541110/
Btw, you’ve got some cute ideas on your Pinterest boards! I just might have to stalk your boards for great ideas/products.
Thanks!
Tweeted!!
Lies I tell my toddler.
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/10/lies-i-tell-my-kid.html
So far my favorite post is about naming the baby without my husband. We are expecting in July, and we have had some interesting conversations!
Love lies I tell my toddler!!!
So so true!!
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/12/10-differences-between-first-and-second-time-moms.html
Following on Pinterest!
Tweeted
Love, love the stroller. Need it for second baby.
Pinned!!!
2. Let me try this again, sorry! Tweet!
https://twitter.com/LeightonsCloset/status/296016820501106688
i like the “oh the places new moms won’t go” post.
i like mommyshorts on facebook (lisa ellis)
tweeted it out here! https://twitter.com/martaMharris
And 3. Pinterest!
http://pinterest.com/pin/201958364512118021/
New here, but the 10 THings That Suck About Your Kid Being Sick was great!
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2013/01/my-coughing-sneezing-three-year-old-tyrant.html#more
My favorite is definitely the 10 Differences between 1st and 2nd time Moms.
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/12/10-differences-between-first-and-second-time-moms.html
This is so me and my sister.
P.S. I like you on FB!
Became a fan on Facebook. My favorite post is My Daught is Out Dressing Me. https://www.mommyshorts.com/2011/12/hm-giveaway.html
I can totally relate!
Oh, the places new mommies won’t go is my favorite!
I pinned the picture to Pinterest
tweeted
https://twitter.com/amydowdle/status/296019407761707008
I’ll be honest, it’s my first time visiting, and I desperately want this stroller so my favorite post is The Big Ticket Stroller Giveaway. https://www.mommyshorts.com/2013/01/britax-b-ready-giveaway.html
12 THINGS I WISH SOMEONE HAD TOLD ME ABOUT POTTY TRAINING
The funnies article ever about potty training!! Love it.
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2013/01/10-things-i-didnt-know-about-potty-training.html
Pinned it here! http://pinterest.com/pin/212795151115303600/
love your blog!
follow on pinterest and repinned
http://pinterest.com/pin/137500594845115745/
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2013/01/10-things-i-didnt-know-about-potty-training.html
I like reading on poty training trying to potty traines for months without any success baby #2 on way , dont want two on diapers
My favorite post is the Kids’ Birthday Cake Fails! Hilarious!!!
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2013/01/interview-with-honest-toddler.html
Crossing my fingers!!
I tweeted “I entered to win a $500 @Britax B-Ready Stroller from @MommyShorts http://bit.ly/TpEXH9 #giveaway” Would love to win thsi!!
I liked Mommy Shorts on FB. My favorite post is Interview with an Honest Toddler. It is hilarious!
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2013/01/interview-with-honest-toddler.html#more
12 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me About Potty Training
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2013/01/10-things-i-didnt-know-about-potty-training.html
A really good read https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/12/10-differences-between-first-and-second-time-moms.html#more
10 differences between first and second time moms.
I just found you today on FB! This post was really good. I completely agree!! https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/12/10-differences-between-first-and-second-time-moms.html
Following you on Pinterest!
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2013/01/10-things-i-didnt-know-about-potty-training.html
I love this. We’re about to start potty training. I have a love/hate relationship with this idea.
I tweeted the giveaway! https://twitter.com/Cherylosaurus/status/296021439344148481
Tweeted!
https://twitter.com/meegin/status/296021526334042114
Thank you!
I follow on Pinterest and pinned!
Dad Takes Care of Kid Without TV, I Have Many Questions
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2013/01/dad-takes-care-of-kid-without-tv-i-have-many-questions.html#more
Hi, I am a brand new follower of your blog today and liked you on FB. My favorite blog so far is your review of the Britax Stroller on “The Big Tickets Stroller Giveaway” https://www.mommyshorts.com/2013/01/britax-b-ready-giveaway.html
The 2011 Colossal Cake Smackdown Awards (43 photos)
The first five are the winners of the Colossal Cake Smash Smackdown, but I gave titles to 38 more… Thank you to Crumbs Bakehop for supplying $400 in prizes.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.341869259160223.97081.153515434662274&type=1
Well I am a new fan here, after going through best of, I LOVE https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/02/ryan-gosling-porn-for-moms-of-toddlers.html x0