Sol Loves - Lillebaby's Eurotote - Bringing Home Preemie Extra

Bringing Home Preemie is our 5 part suppplement of products and services that I have come to love and use regularly with my own now just over 8lb. "preemie".



My little one loves to be wrapped up tight, swaddled and all cozy warm. I, personally, love products that multi-task to fulfill several duties beautifully. Lillebaby's Eurotote does just that.

It is a light-weight, multi-weather cradle carrier, rather similar to a moses basket-minus the basket, a bunting bag, travel mat and fits right into our car seat and stroller without disturbing Sollie. He loves it; you simply place your baby in the center, snuggle them all tight and then carry the bag with two easily adjustable straps.

It is a nice alternative to our sling; it's washable and it's just as easy for my tall 6'5'' hubby as it is for me to use. The Eurotote also comes in a variety of colors for fashionable mixing and matching.

To purchase online, visit Scandinavian Child's website, http://www.scichild.com/where_to_buy.cfm

Capitol Moms Visits: The Purple Goose - Great Local Find

Last week, in conjunction with the Washington Post series, ParentingInc, Capitol Moms visited Del Ray's The Purple Goose for the first time to shop for couple of our Motherhood Resource Service Clients.

It was a fabulous visit. We were looking for a special present for one of our clients and found the most adorable finds from adorable tutus to a wide selection of See Kai Run shoes, Robeez, pretty girl dresses, "Bring Me Home" outfits for boys and girls and unique accessories.

The Mom and Daughter Duo that own the store make shopping so much fun and have offerings in a variety of prices; I'm pretty sure that you find something for any little girl.

Visit them online at http://www.thepurplegoose.com or in Del Ray at 2005 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22301

To learn more about becoming a Motherhood Resource Service client, visit http://www.capitolmoms.org/Motherhood.html

Bringing Home Preemie - The Goods, Pt.1

Almost three months ago, I gave birth to a beautiful, little boy, Solomon, ten weeks early. After a month and a day in the NICU, he came home and the real fun began. There's nothing like a two year old and a newborn preemie under the roof to make life interesting... and even more amazing.

Here is a list of some of the products that we love and use with Sollie most everyday.

1) Peanut Shell Sling in Black Micro-fleece He loves to be all snuggled up and close to my chest in this fabulous sling. I used Peanut Shell's with my first and now with my second, I love them even more. I recommend Peanut Shell's to all of clients that are requesting ideas on baby carrying. I love the smooth, strechy fabric and the versatility of black. We will be ordering one in a spring/summer color soon.

Picture from and shop at Peanut Shell's site www.goo-ga.com

2) Soothie pacifer and bottles
While in the NICU, he was started on the Soothie pacifiers. They come in various colors, but they are soft, one piece pacis made of hospital-grade silicone and are notoriously hard to find, but we found after three trips, newly stocked at our local Target and at Diapers.com. Just this week, we started trying the bottles after depleting our hospital stash and after going several rounds, un-successfully, with expensive other brands. He seems to love them -- we'll give it another week and do a follow-up review on the bottles.

Picture from and shop at www.diapers.com or at www.Target.com for bottles and paci

Parenting Inc.: Washington Post's Series on the Costs of Parenting

Washington Post writer and fellow mom Annys Shin has started a three part series on the costs of parenting. This week's issue is on Non-toxic Toys and the price of buying peace of mind.

She touches on the costs and issues associated with organic mattresses, lead-laden toys, cloth diapers, BPA-free bottles and the like. With the explosion of green products and the numerous recalls this is a debate that parents will probably continue to have.

To read the article, click the link below.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/29/AR2008022903658.html

It all leaves me with a question, how much would I or you pay for peace of mind?

The next issue focuses on Services, like Capitol Moms Motherhood Resource Service, that are designed to aid busy parents.

Nickelodeon's ParentsConnect: "We're not perfect, we're parents"

We are always looking for new resources and recently Capitol Moms was introduced to a new one -- ParentsConnect.com

So I joined and did some searching and found lots of great information and some rockin' giveaways. I love the crafts, Baby section, current Black History celebration and the spotlight on activities. ParentsConnect is a fast growing, parenting community that focuses on parents with kids of all ages, in utero and beyond. Here you can find:

· The 25th Hour Contest-a chance to win $5,000 worth of prizing (ending on Feb. 29th)(which I just entered -- Hope I, or you win)

· GoCityKids.com- the premier authority on local kid and family activities
(great links for the DC area!!)
· New daily content, downloads, Celebrity Q & A’s, scrap booking and more

Join me at www.parentsconnect.com

Good eating --- fast with Nigella Express

I am a foodie. Cooking is one of my more pleasurable hobbies; not saying that I make dinner every night, but it's close. I love days of slow baking and the delicious smell of bread or cookies baking in the oven, but with my busy life these days -- there just isn't that kind of time, that's why I love Nigella Lawson's Nigella Express.

Nigella Express is the accompanying book to the hit Food Network Show. The gist is think Good Food Fast. I've had the book for about a month now and have tried many of the recipes to much success -- my favorite is the Banana Butterscotch Muffins, which I sub Dark Chocolate Chips for and I add a handful of raw oats to up the health quotient...

Seriously yummy with minimal effort and universally liked around my household, just what this busy mommy likes.

Shop at www.nigella.com or click this link to Amazon.

Picture taken from Amazon.com

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And as an incentive for signing up, one lucky reader will win a prize pack worth $200 stuffed full of products reviewed on the Capitol Moms and Capitol Moms2Be sites.

To sign-up, enter in the box to the right of this post.

Free Shipping, $5 off ... Diapers, Bottles and Formula... oh, my at Diapers.com

Free shipping for orders over $50, exactly what I'm looking for and great prices... all offered at Diapers.com

So, I brought home a preemie. He was a beautiful 2lb. 6oz baby boy; we stayed in the NICU for a month and a day, and now,at just over 2 months, we are all at home and he is a even more handsome 6lbs. 11oz. with alot of stuff, just like with his sister, he needs alot of stuff, but some of it is a little hard to find and I have an affliction -- I can't seem to leave Target with just what I meant to get, other things start calling my name and that's where www.diapers.com comes in.

I thought it would just be diapers, which they do have, even carrying size Preemie, at prices comparable to Target and Walmart, but they also carry Neosure formula, Poly-vi-sol and those blasted, hard-to-find Soothie pacifers that they use in the NICU. I found everything I was looking for, I placed my order on Friday night and it came on Monday afternoon. How cool is that?

You can try them out at www.diapers.com or by calling 1-800-DIAPERS. If it is your first order, you can receive $5 off AND FREE SHIPPING on orders of $50 or more, by using the referral code CAPMOMS.

momAgenda on Sale

Ok, did I mention that I love planners. My love-affair with dayplanners started back in my days of working on the Hill. It grew while when I left to teach high school and now with the arrival of my 2 little ones, particularly my preemie, it has become even more important.

I write everything from doodles to doctor visits to hopefully planned hot date nights in the confines of my planner that I don't leave the house without. One of my favorites is momAgenda by Nina Resteri.

I find myself feeling a little more stylish and slightly pampered when I open my momAgenda. I also love that there is space for everyone in my household, me, Hubby, Z and Sol. Our schedules are beautifully laid out, side by side. There is also great space for contacts, resources and daydream planning.

You can grab yourself a momAgenda for up to 50% off at www.momagenda.com

EVENT: District Sample Sale, Tuesday, March 4, 2008, 6:30pm-9:30pm

Oooh, Sample Sale. Who doesn't love great clothes, cocktails and proceeds that go to a great charity like Martha's Table? Sounds like a plan to me and a great excuse to for a Mommy Time Out.

Starting today at 10:00am tickets go on sale for this year's District Sample Sale. It will be held on March 4, 2008 at The Galleria at Lafayette Centre, 1155 21st Street, NW, Washington, DC.

Some of the boutiques participating include Daisy Too!, (one of my personal faves) The Proper Topper, Muleh and Wink!.

For one of DC's hottest tickets, click http://www.districtsamplesale.com/tickets.html Also, note there will be no tickets on sale at the door and tickets go fast.

Happy Shopping.
Source: DC Scout

Mama Loves Giveaways at Pinks and Blues

Who does love a good giveaway?? I do, and the girls at Pinks and Blues have a great system at their supplement Mama Loves Giveaways.

The Girls team up with equally fabulous companies and giveaway goodies to the mama-readers. The current cool gift is a Phil and Ted's Vibe Stroller from Tots-on-the-Go.

Visit the Girls at www.pinksandblues.com and click the Mama Loves Giveaways link.

When you add one more, looking for great prices and products -- found them both at Albee Baby

Ok, so I shouldn't have been surprised by the amount of stuff that you need when you add one more. Receiving blankets, carseats, strollers, carriers, bottles, bibs, onesies, breast pumps, nursing pads just to name a few things, and that's not even counting the gifts and neccesities for big sister. It's alot and could be overwhelming.

When my son made his entrance early, we realized just how not ready we were and the scramble began. Thankfully as a part of the Resource Service, I already had experience locating products on the fly, but for some reason it makes it a little different when you can't make up your own mind.

This is why I love Albee Baby, a great site as an off-shoot of the Manhattan-based Albee Baby Carriage. They carry a great selection of new baby gear products and supplies, by all brands that you already know and love.

We just order a double-stroller, I was in debate about the whole idea, but later decided that a 2 year old is not quite ready to be stroller free. Service was excellent, the stroller arrived on my doorstep about 3 days from the night that I placed the order and I just saw my stroller in one of the major baby warehouse's circular's for about $80 more.

Visit www.albeebaby.com to view their range and see for yourself.

Photos:Albee Baby

Be sure to visit our sister blog, Capitol Moms Maternity Edition

This week on Capitol Moms Maternity Edition, you will find our picks for great nursing bras, the scoop on Juicy Couture Maternity and other fun posts from Capitol Moms.

Visit http://capitolmoms2be.blogspot.com

Pinks and Blues Virtual Baby Shower

I was recently introduced to this great site, Pinks and Blues. It touches on some of my favorite things, celebrity trends, great products for mamas, their little ones and families in general, not to mention they have this great thing called Mama Giveaways.

Their newest highlight is a special Virtual Baby Shower for NBC's The Office's Angela Kinsey where one special mama-to-be will receive the same great goodies that she receives. Pinks and Blues has rounded up some fabulous sponsors like Hanes, Robeez, Strollometer, Mabel's Labels, Tots On-the-Go, Posh Peacock, Skimbaco, Secure2Me, Be So Beautiful Baby, Rag & Bone and Bambina Ballerina.

To enter, click the link and share the story of one fabulous mama before February 14.

For more details, http://pinksandbluesgirls.wordpress.com/pinks-blues-virtual-baby-shower/

Preemies Today Fund-dinner

Help Spread the Word and Join Us In Support of Preemies Today at Dream Dinners

(Preemies Today is a non-profit support organization that supports families of children that are in the NICU or born as Preemies. During our stay at INOVA Alexandria, this group provided great resources and information during a trying, growing time. For more information visit, www.PreemiesToday.org)

Dream Dinners is one of the area’s leading meal preparation companies which prides itself on healthy menu options.

When: February 26, 2008
Time: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Cost: $25.00*
*Price includes the cost of one meal for a family of four. Proceeds from the event will help support Preemies Today Programs

RSVP by February 23, 2008
Menu Options will be available mid-January. www.dreamdinners.com

Attend one of two locations:
Richland Business Center on Route 7
21430 Cedar Drive #107
Sterling, VA 20164
and
1701 Rockville Pike, Space B-7
Rockville, MD 20852

EVENT: Pajama Yoga at Moore than Yoga

Pajama YogaTM
This pleasurable class is designed to experience a pleasant, peaceful and playful time in your pajamas while doing yoga postures. Pajamas are the perfect attire for yoga because they are plush and pliable allowing for a powerful exploration with your self. This is a fun class for all ages - birth on up. Come lounge in your loose fitting pajamas while enjoying yoga.

SATURDAY, January 26, 2008 5:00 – 5:45 PM

Pre-register by: Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Space is limited and preparation is necessary.

Pre-registration Fee: $9 for adults; $6 for children 6 – 17 yrs old; $4 for children 3 – 5 yrs old; & FREE for babies – 2 yrs old *****Add $5 after pre-registration date.

Everyone wear your pajamas. Each person brings a blanket and a towel or a mat. Bring an open mind, a loosey goosey body & wear pajamas!!!

LOCATION: Bethel UCC, 4347 Arlington Boulevard , Arlington , VA 22203
(Northeast corner of Arlington Boulevard & George Mason Drive. NOTE: Park at the Red Cross & walk on sidewalk)

REGISTRATION & RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED.

Contact: Jennifer Moore at (703) 671-2435 or www.moorethanyoga.com

Here we go, 2008. Desire list 101

Sometimes some of my most clear thinking comes at really awkward hours, like after a 3:00am feeding.

I have spent the last couple of days thinking, and getting adjusted to having my little boy at home, yea!!! and reaquainting myself with the schedule of a newborn and a 2 year old. And while it gives me a new appreciation for those moms of multiples and my own mother for that fact, I have had some time to think and try to see what I would like to see for 2008.

I generally create, what I call, my desire list, a clear, detailed list of things, dreams and adventures that I would like to experience, partake, obtain or create in a given year. It is amazing how when I pick the list back up later, how everything tally on the list is meet. So allow yourself to freely dream, remember the moments of bliss and be clear in what you ask for and send out into the Universe. A woman's desire is a powerful thing, be it for a low-fat, iced latte or a flexible, part-time job to bring in extra income. Metaphysician Florence Shovel Shinn notes in her book that there is a fulfillment for every wish, uttered or un-uttered. I have learned that this is a powerful exercise and shapes my upcoming year -- remember the saying, "Be careful what you ask for, you just might get it."

Fellow Mamas, I challenge you to spend a week, take some time, a luxury to be sure, and think, pray and ponder about the upcoming year, yourself and your needs and wishes and when it is clear in your mind what you would like-- be it a massage, silky new jammies, a double stroller with wheels that go in the same direction that you do or weekly mom-date -- put down on paper and place the list in a safe, but visible place.

Many blessings to you and yours,

Teia

Livie and Luca's Holiday Surprise

Livie and Luca, a great line of kiddie shoes by local area moms, are having a holiday special where a special pair of European quality shoes are deeply discounted everyday.

Here is the post from their newsletter:
Daily December Deals at Livie and Luca Shoes

Please click on our SHOP page daily from December 7th through the 15th.

We will have a different style on sale each day, for one day only, with the discounts getting DEEPER with each day! At the end we'll have a special discounted shipping rate.

Wondering how much the discount is going to be??? Well, you'll have to come and visit us daily to find out! It's a suprise, kind of like opening a new present every morning!

Sincerely,
Amie, Mitzi and Laura
Owners and Moms

Rock-N-Tot: Family-Friendly Fun coming to the DC Area

Thanks to Naomi and Liz for alerting CM to this fun event.

Announcing the newest family event to hit Washington DC, Rock-n-Tot is an afternoon dance party for kids (birth through 12) and their parents (or anyone who has a part in their lives).

Rock-n-Tot was co-created by an Ohio mom and a Maryland mom, in an effort to provide a wholesome event for the whole family, adults and kids alike. The simple premise of this event is to encourage families to spend quality time together, create new relationships and educate themselves with new products (most parent-created!).

Held on the 4th Saturday of each month from 2-5pm, beginning February 23, 2008, UltraBar (911 F Street NW, Washington DC) will be transformed into a kid-friendly zone. The dj plays great music (clean lyrics!) and you'll find bubbles, egg shakers and scarves are a-plenty. Discover face painting, airbrush tattoo artists, complimentary massages and other services for the adults, not to mention free juiceboxes and kid-appropriate snacks!

The founders of Rock-n-Tot have thought of everything - nursing zones, changing stations, even an area to just get away from it all and rejuvenate with toys, books, puzzles and more. Did we mention there are fantastic goody bags and giveaways?

Pre-walkers are admitted free, everyone else must have a ticket. $15/ticket.

For more info, or to purchase tickets: http://www.rock-n-tot.com

3 + 1= The latest edition to the Collier Family....

Introducing the latest edition to the our family, Solomon Elijah Jacob Collier. My sweet, little boy decided to make his arrival nine weeks early and is making his presence known in our world.

Growing rapidly with a head full of hair, big brown eyes and a quiet disposition, we feel blessed to have him in our lives and send our thanks for all the well wishes and greetings sent from family, friends and CM readers alike.

As the new mommy of a premmie and a toddler and a lover of information resources, Capitol Moms will be launching a series of related articles and goodies geared directly to the parents of premmiesith special tips for moms of tots.