preparing the perfect nursery

I had the pleasure of participating in another Momversation video last month on preparing the perfect nursery. I wanted to offer a few additional thoughts on the subject, and I welcome any other suggestions you might have, too. My girls' room (part nursery/part toddler destruction zone) is an ongoing project, but I've had so much fun picking out the color scheme, Big Girl Bed quilt and bedding, etc. thus far. I have storage issues galore, but I'm saving that for another post coming up.

Anyway, we touch on it in the video, but I really don't feel like you have to go overboard with your baby's nursery. Generally, I feel like less is more, and I think that translates to interior decorating, too. As I mention in the video, I put my old dresser in the baby's room, and it's worked out really well.  I painted it over and we have changing pad on top, with room for diaper caddy and a few other misc. items.

I love the idea of putting a few sentimental items in the room as well. In our first nursery, I had my silver baby cup sitting on a bookshelf alongside a pair of Husband's baby shoes that his mother had dipped in copper. Pretty neat. The walls were painted a light yellow (we kept the first little gal's sex a surprise), but with an added bonus: my dear friend from childhood, a very talented artist and mama to three little gals, flew up to NYC and painted a gorgeous mural on the wall of a tree and a few birds. Perfectly lovely, and it made a tiny room (and former "office/junk storage/man cave") a really special place to be.

Well, that and the cute little baby living there. :)

Our first nursery:

beautiful chaos

I think a friend of mine, also a mother of two children, described it best.

Life these days is beautiful chaos.

The term has really stuck in my head, during the wonderful moments and the not-so-wonderful. And it has a lot to do with why I haven't blogged in over a month. I felt the days of maternity leave slipping by so fast once December hit that I just wanted to spend every available moment with my little gals. Couple that with the hectic rush of the holidays, car travel to Wisconsin for Christmas (!!) and getting my head around returning to work and you have one slightly-exasperated-yet-trying-to-savor-every-moment mama. Which left me exhausted. And seriously questioning my multi-tasking skills.

I returned to work last Tuesday, and it was depressing as hell (can't think of a more eloquent way to put it...) I must admit, however, that I've found falling back into a schedule somewhat comforting in a way. And it means that every available moment at home is jam-packed with:

hugs
wails
kisses
whining
giggles
crying
smiles
tears
there's 2 there's 4 there's 6 there's 8...
tickling
pouting
LOVE

Beautiful chaos.

We are learning how to manage it all, this new life with children who are growing so fast I desperately want to freeze time. With work. Added responsibilities. Schedules. Our days are challenging at times but so incredibly worth it.

And hopefully I can find some time to write about it here.

Here's to more blogging in 2012, and a happy/healthy/laughter-filled year for all of you!
 

1st museum visit... American Museum of Natural History

 

New Years Eve



holiday shopping with H&M... and a giveaway!

I quickly discovered H&M, the Swedish clothing giant, shortly after arriving in NYC. My first job as a recent college graduate covered my rent, bagels and beer (not necessarily in that order), and there wasn't a lot left to spend on clothes. H&M became my "go to" spot for fashionable duds on a budget.

Eleven years later, I'm still shopping at H&M. Quite simply, I have the highest respect for fashion, just not its price tag! During my first pregnancy, I was so happy to discover their maternity line (I lived in their black leggings and skinny jeans for 9 months), and subsequently, H&M's fun and trendy clothes for babies and kids. So naturally, when I was invited along with a group of NYC bloggers to a morning of shopping at their store near Penn Station (with a $100 gift card to be exact), I accepted in a nanosecond. Woohoo!

 

I knew without a doubt that I'd come home with some great clothes for my little gals (4 interchangeable outfits including 2 sweaters, 2 pairs of pants, 2 shirts, hats, mittens and a pair of shoes), but here's a few cool things I learned throughout the day: H&M's baby line is made exclusively of organic cotton, and they restrict the use of hazardous chemicals in manufacturing. The company's vision is to run in a "socially, environmentally and economically sustainable way," which I think is something everyone can get behind, especially in today's economic climate.

Toddler S aka Big Sister in one of her adorable outfits:

Now to the fun stuff!  Baby Meets City and H&M would like to help you out with holiday shopping this month. We're giving away a $100 gift card AND a VIP discount card which will give you 25% off on your H&M purchases through June 30, 2012.

HOW TO ENTER: Visit H&M, then leave a comment and and tell me one item you'd purchase with your gift card.

Additional entries (please leave a separate entry for each):
-- Follow Baby Meets City through Google Friend Connect on the top left of the page.
-- "Like" Baby Meets City on Facebook, and "like" any one of my status updates.
-- Follow H&M on Twitter -- @hmusa

Good luck! A winner will be randomly selected via Random.org next Wednesday, December 14th. Don't forget to leave contact info on one of your comments so I know how to reach you!

All readers can get 20% off a single item by signing up for H&M's newsletter: http://www.hm.com/ us/newsletter. The coupon will be emailed to you directly.

sneak peek

So I couldn't resist...

See below for a couple pictures of my cuties from our Saturday photo shoot at PhotoOp. Recently named "Best Portrait Studio" by New York Magazine, I knew we would be in good hands upon arrival in their Upper West Side studio (a sleek & modern space that felt cozy at the same time... how'd they do that?). While my official review is forthcoming, I wanted to show everyone whom I'm most thankful for this Thanksgiving week.

I'm also excited to inform all the procrastinators out there who may or may not have thought about holiday cards yet (I'm raising my hand, too, don't worry) of a special event going on next week sponsored by the lovely ladies of Moms and the City.

On Tuesday, November 29th, from 3-6pm, gather the family for a FREE mini-shoot at PhotoOp. Did I mention they also have the most adorable holiday cards at their disposal? We're talking one-stop shopping here. You'll also be given a free 5x7 photo of the image you select for your card. There are still timeslots available, so call PhotoOp at (212) 362-1911 to book your appointment!

tick tick tick...

Honestly, where does the time go? My maternity leave is now halfway over, and it's hard to tell where each day has gone, let alone the last 7 weeks. On any given day, I look up and it's 4pm, which I usually find legitimately shocking. Why this same occurrence doesn't happen when I'm at work, I'll never know. Or, I might know, but in the interest of job security, I'll keep those thoughts to myself.

In a weepy, nostalgia-filled moment the other day (if it's possible to be nostalgic for something that happened just 7 weeks ago...), I found myself looking at pictures of my hospital stay. While I kinda sorta spared you the details here, I realize I neglected to mention the one bright and shiny star of my hospital experience (other than Baby Sister, of course).

Exhibit A:

After delivery and feeling less than stellar, I shucked off the bleah and boring gown I was issued upon arrival in favor of an Annie & Isabel creation. I have never been so happy to have some color in my life, and the pink was appropriate, eh?

Sisters Anna & Selena, both registered nurses, began Annie & Isabel (named after their grandmother & great-grandmothers) when they recognized a need. Hospital wear is FAR from making a fashion statement, and the sisters realized they could make many a female patient happy if only they had something better to wear while being cooped up in a hospital room.  Gowns come in a variety of vivid and colorful designs, which will make the one you started out with a fleeting memory at best. Their website is, in fact, filled with testimonials of happy customers, from new mamas to those suffering from cancer.

The first few days of motherhood are exhilarating... and exhausting. We all know when you feel good in what you're wearing, you feel better on the outside... what you might not have known was this extends to hospital gowns. I didn't either, but I'm so glad I found out prior to Baby Sister's arrival. I loved wearing something that met the standards of the hospital, provided full coverage yet was comfortable, stylish and unique at the same time. And I'm not gonna lie, the compliments were fun, too.

A heartfelt thank you to Anna & Selena for sending me a gown to wear during my hospital stay. It came beautifully packaged and ready to go, including a fabric swatch to add to the baby book. Nice touch! This time around, I felt more together, more prepared for the birth. Knowing that I would love what I'd be wearing as I welcomed my daughter into the world only made the experience that much more sweeter.


Disclosure: I was sent an Annie & Isabel gown for review. All opinions expressed herein are my own.

what a difference a month makes...

Happy 1 month Birthday, Baby Sister.

Thank you Sticky Bellies for helping me commemorate today's special milestone. This is quite possibly my new favorite baby shower gift... such a precious and easy way to mark your baby's first year (the line also includes baby's 2nd year and maternity). Stickers peel on and off easily and each month features a colorful design. This is cuteness personified, people.

Because I'm still basking in new Mama glow (and I couldn't decide between two photos), you're getting both. Hurrah. 

Happy weekend!

Sticky Bellies kindly provided me with product for my review. All opinions expressed herein are my own.

review & giveaway: the peanut shell

I never used a sling during Toddler S' infant days (though I eyed others from afar), so decided on this go around I'd like to try one out with Baby Sister. The Peanut Shell graciously sent me one of their adjustable slings, and they're also providing one lucky reader with one of her own (see bottom for details). Hurrah! 

                                     

First, the details:

The adjustable sling is recommended for babies 8 to 26 pounds, and as your baby grows, the ways to wear your little dahlin' will change. Right now, Baby Sister is in what I like to call the "womb" stage at nearly 10 pounds. When I put her in the sling she is nice and cozy... kind of how I imagine she was in my tummy. I've worn the sling now several times, mostly in the apartment and to the doctor's office a few blocks away. I will admit to feeling a bit nervous at first about getting her into the sling itself, as she cries almost every time. BUT- once she is in there she almost immediately falls asleep. It's like a magic trick, honestly.

The sling is comfortable to wear, though I'm not sure I would choose it for trekking around all day. I do, however, think it's perfect for keeping your baby close while doing things around the house, or for short errands in your neighborhood. Your partner can wear it as well - Husband tried it out on the subway and really liked how it felt (see pic below). And yes, Baby Sister took her first trip on the subway in her sling! I like that there is enough material to cover her up on both sides, yet I don't feel like she is drowning in fabric, either (something I thought might concern me initially).

The Peanut Shell slings are an easy way to keep baby comfy and cozy when you need to have your arms free, something I think moms will really appreciate, especially in the early days of your infant's life. Additionally, I look forward to wearing it on my side as Baby Sister grows and can sit upright. Thus, I'm excited to partner with The Peanut Shell on a giveaway! One lucky reader will get to choose an adjustable sling in the pattern of her choice (and there are some cute ones, let me tell ya). See sling details here.

3 easy ways to enter:

1 - Follow Baby Meets City via Google Friend Connect in the top left corner and leave a comment here (if you are already a follower, please let me know with a comment).

2 - "Like" The Peanut Shell's Facebook page and leave a comment here.

3 - Follow The Peanut Shell on Twitter and leave a comment here.

You have 2 weeks to enter and I'll announce a winner on Wednesday, November 9th at 12pm EST via Random.org. The contest is open to US residents only. Good luck!

Baby Sister comfy & cozy

As mentioned, The Peanut Shell provided me with an adjustable sling for this review. All opinions expressed herein are my own.