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.
——————————————–
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!!!
One of my favorites and the one I go back and read mainly because being at 40 weeks preggers sucked…
40 Weeks Pregnant: The Pie Chart
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/11/40-weeks-pregnant-the-pie-chart.html
pinned
http://pinterest.com/pin/82894449363496984/
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/10/lies-i-tell-my-kid.html
Im gonna have to go with this b/c its sooo funny. I may have used a few of those on my kids before 🙂
I chuckle at the playground disasters everytime!
tweeted! (laladass)
following and pinned (ljh3822)
Since I’m a fan of the britax Facebook page I came across you through them. I haven’t been a fan that long but with that being said my fav article was the one about the twins. https://www.mommyshorts.com/2013/01/5-reasons-having-twins-is-easier-than-one.html I’m a mom to a 4 year old and 7 month old twins. I pinned and will tweet. Love the b-ready!,,
I’ve liked you on Facebook.
This is actually the first time I’ve seen your blog so by default “The Big Ticket Stroller Giveaway” is my current favorite.
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2013/01/britax-b-ready-giveaway.html
I like the Porn for Moms with Todlers.
It will never happen in real time so it’s nice to imagine from time to time!!! Hahaha
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/02/ryan-gosling-porn-for-moms-of-toddlers.html
I’ve pinned you and I’m now following you on Pinterest. Looking forward to looking over your pins.
My all time favorite post, such a useful resource i bookmarked it to always be handy… “Dr. B and early childhood development”
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2011/06/early-childhood-development.html
Tweeted!! @sdcapato
Pinned also!! sd cap24
Thanks for this offer!!
Fatherhood 101! https://www.mommyshorts.com/2011/02/fatherhood-101-1.html
Pinned too!!! Very excited for this giveaway!!!
My fave is the one about potty training, because we are trying to potty train our 16 month old right now, she showed interest in the potty about a month ago and we bought her one that is the Disney Princess potty, and whenever she tinkles in the potty, music starts to play and says YAY! She absolutely loves to sit on it, fully clothed, with a book all while she makes a “sss” noise and tinkles in her pull-up! Then she asks for a baby wipe and cleans her pants and she waves her hands to signal she is done! She hasn’t quite got it down that she has to pull her pants down to tinkle, like you said in your post though, it’s harder for them to pee with clothes than it is naked. There are times where she asks us to take off all her clothes, just so she can go sit on the potty and all she does is sit there, like she is contemplating life, it’s been a lot harder than I thought it would be. Your post was hilarious! I loved reading it and I really relate to it! Hopefully using the M&M’s will motivate her to actually go in her potty!
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2013/01/10-things-i-didnt-know-about-potty-training.html
I tweeted!
https://twitter.com/StephMartinez92/status/296136034125742080
I pinned it!
http://pinterest.com/pin/162903711493420730/
I tweeted about the giveaway. https://twitter.com/iulai12/status/296137212452552707
10 Differneces between 1st and 2nd time Moms. So funny!
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/12/10-differences-between-first-and-second-time-moms.html
I pinned. http://pinterest.com/pin/2251868535805729/
I just tweeted about the giveaway! Oh please pick me.
https://twitter.com/Tiapru/status/296138654265532416
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2011/07/the-7-phases-of-taking-a-toddler-to-a-wedding.html The World’s Worst Wedding Date…you are hilarious!! I was totally expecting something else by the title. She looks totally happy in the pics. But I can totally relate to your pain.
I like the 10 differences between 1st and 2nd time mommies
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/12/10-differences-between-first-and-second-time-moms.html
My favorite of all time is https://www.mommyshorts.com/2011/07/special-occasion-clothes-for-kids-interview-with-jenny-cooper-from-crew-cuts.html because I’m both obsessed with crewcuts and obsessed with munchkins so fashionably dressed at weddings.
I pinned you!
http://pinterest.com/pin/332422016215211491/
tweeted…
pinned it…
Definitely this one. So true, especially the end.
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2011/04/id-like-to-report-a-robbery.html
I’m not trying to be a suck-up, but let’s be real for a second: you have a lot of great posts. My absolute favorite is “Intruder in the House.” https://www.mommyshorts.com/2011/04/id-like-to-report-a-robbery.html
Mazzy and my son are just a few months apart and this one has always stuck with me. I just teared up again reading it. Also, I’m pregnant with my second, so my little intruder left me still wanting more. I can’t wait to see all of the other great posts you come up with!
By far my favorite blog posts consist of these letters to celebrity moms yet this one was to my lovely Gucci leather jacket toting Skyler son of Rachel Zoe. lets be real now lol.
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2011/08/i-die-for-skylers-gucci-bomber.html
Tweet tweet… Tweet tweet
https://mobile.twitter.com/kabeeammara/status/296155660729602048
Pinned… http://m.pinterest.com/pin/82683343130892681/
My favorite is the ‘8 Potential Playground Slide Disasters’ https://www.mommyshorts.com/2011/09/playground-slide-fails.html
p.s. I REALLY need this stroller!
favorite is Intruder in the House
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2011/04/id-like-to-report-a-robbery.html
It’s my first pregnancy, so it’s all the things i can look forward to. LOL
Yay! Managed to get it pinned!! Following u on Pinterest
love 10 Differences between 1st and 2nd time Moms.
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/12/10-differences-between-first-and-second-time-moms.html IT IS SOOO TRUE!!
tweeted https://twitter.com/scarlettprisci/status/296214905881784320
pinned! http://pinterest.com/pin/517421444658326782/
https://www.mommyshorts.com/caption-contests/
Hilarious!
I am a fan on facebook and my favorite post is …..https://www.mommyshorts.com/parental-tweets/
I tweeted the give away!
I followed you on Pinterest!
This definitely made me laugh! Great post!
I love the flow chart posts 🙂 My favorite was “WHICH KID’S TV SHOWS ARE YOU DESTINED TO WATCH?”
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/07/childrens-television-flow-chart.html
I pinned it!
http://pinterest.com/pin/66991113179328452/
I posted comment & link on your facebook page!
My favorite!
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/11/the-seven-stages-of-sibling-acceptance.html#more
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/12/10-differences-between-first-and-second-time-moms.html
10 Differences between first and second time moms!! Very informational and funny!
https://twitter.com/daniellecov36/status/296249249958600704
tweet tweet!
Following and Pinned!
http://pinterest.com/pin/28710516346449174/
This one for sure:
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/10/lies-i-tell-my-kid.html
Thanks for the chance!
I love this idea! Great post
This is my favorite post!
I have a couple favorites that I am going through right now.
1. Bedtime Stalling-http://www.scarymommy.com/bedtime-stalling-101/
2. 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
I pinned the Britax Giveaway picture with the link to this page.
The difference between first and second times Moms was very good! 🙂 https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/12/10-differences-between-first-and-second-time-moms.html
I pinned to win!!! Crossing my fingers and wishing myself luck 🙂
Favorite Blog: 10 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND TIME MOMS
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/12/10-differences-between-first-and-second-time-moms.html
It’s so true!
I pinned this post and am following you on Pinterest!! 😉
I also tweeted about this post! Crossing my fingers!!
I even tweeted about my pin about this blog!
There are too many great articles to claim a favorite however the Inappropriate elf was a great one where I was “rolling on the floor” laughing.
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2011/12/the-inappropriate-elf.html
My favorite relatable post, although recent, is “12 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me About Potty Training”. I am in the weeds trying to bowel train my 4-year-old…that’s right I said 4! She urine trained fairly quickly and I thought that potty training would be a breeze. After a year and a half of cleaning poop out of underwear (she refuses to wear a diaper and will remove it and just poop in her pants, or on the floor at times, if that’s the case) I’m sure that she will be pooping in her pants in college. Glad to hear that potty training sucks for everyone! I’m leaving my 2 younger ones to their own devices…they will use the potty when they’re ready!
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2013/01/10-things-i-didnt-know-about-potty-training.html#more
Love this blog!
Pinned it and following!
I would have to say my fav post is Santa, Bring Me Some Sister Wives since that is EXACTLY how I felt this year!! https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/12/santa-bring-me-some-sister-wives.html#more
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2011/12/birth-story.html
Your birth stories are my favorite!
I tweeted:
https://twitter.com/JennRCNielsen/status/296292336206508032
🙂
Following and I pinned 🙂
http://pinterest.com/pin/264234703109125288/
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/06/road-trip-bingo.html
I just discovered Mommy Shorts yesterday, but laughed out loud (and loudly) at your story about your daughter throwing up orange foam like an alien baby.
I also pinned you and followed you on pinterest!
SOOOO hope I win…I’ve been laboring over deciding which double stroller to get! I’m 4 months preggo w/my 2nd and we live near Chicago, so I totally understand the benefits of big tires and easy folding!
My Favorite Post is 10 Differences between 1st and 2nd time Moms.
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/12/10-differences-between-first-and-second-time-moms.html
So true lol!
I’m Fallowing Mommy Shorts on Facebook!
I love your HURRICANE SCHMURRICANE post!
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/AddieLuke/status/296305291652390913
pinned this post: http://pinterest.com/pin/263882859388314276/
Pinned here: http://pinterest.com/pin/create/bookmarklet/?media=http%3A%2F%2Fthemommyproject.typepad.com%2F.a%2F6a0133f30ae399970b017d4063521a970c-800wi&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mommyshorts.com%2F2013%2F01%2Fbritax-b-ready-giveaway.html%23&alt=alt&title=The%20Big%20Ticket%20Stroller%20Giveaway%20-%20Mommy%20Shorts&is_video=false&
Claudia Gomez!
Absolutly love your bog… THANK YOU!!
Here is my favorite post…
Operation: Make the baby laugh
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2010/08/laugh-monkey-laugh.html
Also just tweeted about give away and began following you (@gollycindmac is me) I have no idea how to copy that tweet and post it here… I am working on my tech skills 🙂 WOW.. it took me a bit but I am ALSO following you on Pinterest too!!
my favorite post on facebook is “commmon enemies of babies”!
Finally getting around to do #1. I’m new to your blog but after a quick jump around I would say “Thank you cards oh the torture” because I know exactly how you feel.
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2011/02/thank-you-cards-oh-the-torture.html
Loved the birth announcement in
39 WEEKS: THE FINAL COUNTDOWN
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/11/39-weeks-the-final-countdown.html
Im a follower and I pinned it! Thanks for the giveaway!
http://pinterest.com/pin/1548181094027311/
Already a Pinterest follower! Pinned your giveaway! 🙂
I entered my third with twitter.
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/10/lies-i-tell-my-kid.html
thanks for such a great giveaway!!
pinned and commented already!
1/29
https://twitter.com/lisamercy/status/296366877771436032
I’ve enjoyed all the posts I’ve read so far (I’m a new reader) but really laughed when I read 10 Differences Between 1st and 2nd Time Moms (https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/12/10-differences-between-first-and-second-time-moms.html#more)
As a mom of 4, I can honestly say that that post is completely true, especially as the number of kids in the house multiplies!
I tweeted:
https://twitter.com/jdeemarie/status/296422112082677760
I follow you on Pinterest and pinned this post:
http://pinterest.com/pin/289426713522671904/
I love this post
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/12/10-differences-between-first-and-second-time-moms.html
I tweeted about the giveaway
I pinned too 🙂
DIfferences between 1st and 2nd time moms
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/12/10-differences-between-first-and-second-time-moms.html
I tweeted https://twitter.com/BurghBorNRaised/status/296436803114774528
Started following on Pinterest and repinned http://pinterest.com/pin/23573598021667527/
I loved “If My Toddler Were My Boyfriend, We Would Have Broken Up By Now” https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/08/should-i-break-up-with-my-toddler.html — so very true!!
Honestly, I was just laughing at the Toddler Facebook newsfeed” post. It was seriously hilarious! https://www.mommyshorts.com/2013/01/toddler-facebook-news-feed.html
Pinned and followed on Pinterest!
entry # 2! Pinned it =)
http://pinterest.com/pin/58898707598754017/
Im a follower on Pinterest!
http://pinterest.com/puckersbabe/my-life-my-style/
Following u in pin interest
I love this story as our Kieran birth story was a fiasco as well. We are hoping it goes more smoothly this time. https://www.mommyshorts.com/2011/12/birth-story.html#more