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!!!
Jennifer Clare
I’ve pinned it! http://pinterest.com/charliesmumm/baby-grows/
I tweeted!
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/09/how-i-failed-the-cracker-challenge.html
Since I have to choose one, I’ll say “Lies I Tell My Toddler” is my favorite post. https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/10/lies-i-tell-my-kid.html
Hard to pick a favorite since I have laughed so hard at so many but if I have to….
The day Harlow was born part 2:
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/11/the-day-harlow-was-born-part-ii.html
Picturing the face of the poor intern as you asked him to massage your butt cheek was priceless.
(oh and I follow you on Facebook)
Tweeted for a second chance to win.
My fave was teh 5 most inappropriate children’s books. I now buy “Go the F*ck to Sleep” for every second time mom! (I won’t give it to first timers before the baby is born, for fear of scaring the poor things!) Here’s the link: https://www.mommyshorts.com/2011/05/5-totally-inappropriate-childrens-books.html
There’s an intruder n my house is my all time fav!
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2011/04/id-like-to-report-a-robbery.html
Tweeted!
I’ve only stumbled on your blog recently. But as I’m currently pregnant with my second I have to say that my favorite post so far is “10 Differences between first and second time moms”.
I can already see how I’m different with this one as I will quite frequently forget how far along I am when people ask, I don’t read those weekly pregnancy updates, and not spending hours researching the best baby gear. Go I found it to be a great (and hilarious) post.
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/12/10-differences-between-first-and-second-time-moms.html
I tweeted! (@Lousy_Housewife)
I tweeted this giveaway @breelish
I followed you and pinned it (Sammy Marie)
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/12/10-differences-between-first-and-second-time-moms.html
Loved this one! I am having my second this summer and I can already see how “different” things will be.
My most recent favorite post? Post Maternity Clothes Shopping! https://www.mommyshorts.com/2013/01/shopping-for-post-maternity-clothes-a-play-in-three-acts.html
By far my favorite post:
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/12/10-differences-between-first-and-second-time-moms.html
We just “celebrated” my 2nd childs 1st Birthday and the only difference was instead of a twinkie, it was a cheap ass cupcake from Fry’s.
@karipaday tweeted: I entered to win a $500 @Britax B-Ready Stroller from @MommyShorts http://bit.ly/TpEXH9 #giveaway
10 Differences between 1st and 2nd time Moms. So hilarious and I am about to have my 2nd, so perfect timing=)
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/12/10-differences-between-first-and-second-time-moms.html
Thought this post was funny and so true of visiting places-
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2010/08/grandpas-baby-deathtrap-in-the-hamptons.html
This post is my favorite so far!
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2013/01/10-things-i-didnt-know-about-potty-training.html
ten differences between first and second time moms was great!!
I stumbled onto the shorts via an amazon list, oddly enough – as I was frantically comparison shopping something or other, and clicked through to find the gloriously funny Zoo lessons: https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/07/lessons-learned-at-the-zoo.html At which point, I was hooked, yo.
The one that still has me laughing:Unsexy Parenting
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2011/06/diaper-blowouts-its-a-competitive-sport.html
The one that was so validating: Stranger knows best
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2011/06/stranger-knows-best.html
Really though I’ve only been introduced to your site in the past month and at 19 weeks pregnant with my second daughter (now 17 months) I can’t tell you how much I appreciate some “real” mom stuff to support the ups and downs of what I can only hope are hormone related “We’re really doing this?!?” moments.
Followed you on pinterest and pinned the contest!
Also, I pinned that graphic, I hope that many of my free-things grubbing followers will learn to love you as I have!!
The one with the series of pictures of when Mazzy met Harlow and the story of how Mazzy scammed you into letting her have a lollipop at the hospital by saying she brought it for the baby. Excellence all around.
I also follow you on Pinterest and pinned the page!
http://pinterest.com/pin/165507355028116767/
My fav! This is what we are going through now… https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/08/should-i-break-up-with-my-toddler.html
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/12/10-differences-between-first-and-second-time-moms.html
my favorite! ten differences first time and second time moms
I totally tweeted!
https://twitter.com/lindsayroe/status/294476188485824512
Yesterday’s post had me rolling on the floor! I’m about to start potty training my son but I’m just not motivated…and neither is he!
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2013/01/10-things-i-didnt-know-about-potty-training.html
-Mary Kate Van Sickle
Okay, so you’re on Pinterest and I didn’t know that and now I absolutely can’t wait to follow you.
I basically have yet to read a post of yours that I didn’t love, especially the caption contests (your captions always have me rolling) and I absolutely adore your charts and graphics. Probably my favorite of all time would have to be the one where you talked about whether or not you were ready for another kid. It just really resonated with me at the time and I remember that. (By the way? I’m still not ready, but having a sweet stroller might get me there faster.)
Pinned here! (Ooohhhh… I want this stroller SO bad!)
http://pinterest.com/pin/95420085827053881/
Post partum clothes shopping. https://www.mommyshorts.com/2013/01/shopping-for-post-maternity-clothes-a-play-in-three-acts.html
Normally, I read mommy blogs and I’m laughing and nodding along, relating to these typical experiences but toward the end there is always some reaching and all of a sudden … nope, you lost me, never had THAT experience, wackadoodle.
But the clothing? Wow. Every single observation was spot on. Congrats on perfectly capturing this depressing universal experience!
I love #4 on differences between first and second time moms … still makes me giggle! https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/12/10-differences-between-first-and-second-time-moms.html
& I pinned it. Some day I WILL get lucky in a blog giveaway 🙂 http://pinterest.com/pin/248683210645887536/
Favorite Post would be Intruder in the house.
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2011/04/id-like-to-report-a-robbery.html
There are so many favorites but I guess I would have to say the one that hooked me to your blog is 6 Children’s Books I Want Banned From My House. At the time I was reading a couple of them and I hated them as I read them over and over again. I then decided that it was ok to hide them so they never come out again. https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/01/the-worst-childrens-books.html
Tweeted for second entry…
Tweeted Giveaway
Pinned it for my third entry.
http://pinterest.com/pin/54606214203832240/
Pinned
My favorite so far: fatherhood 101 (if taught by my husband)—https://www.mommyshorts.com/2011/02/fatherhood-101-1.html
So true!!!
I am a new fan of your site, I have been following you on instagram for a while now. I just love the photos you take of your precious children and the name Harlow is to die for! But, anyway, thanks for the chance at this AMAZING giveaway! I am expecting my third babe in June, my other two are older (7 & 8). This would be awesome! Anywho enough babbling…I would have to say this is my favorite post because it is the only one I have viewed thus far.. You have definitely earned yourself new follower though! I will be browsing around now! THANKS!
10 Differences between 1st and 2nd time Moms.
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/12/10-differences-between-first-and-second-time-moms.html
I follow you on fb, tweeted about the giveaway and repined!
I loved both parts of Harlow’s birth story, but the second was particularly entertaining: https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/11/the-day-harlow-was-born-part-ii.html
I have a 4th baby coming soon, so I’ve loved reading through birth stories lately 🙂
Pinned here: http://pinterest.com/pin/124834220893125590/
I tweeted!! @ebephotography
My favorite post is the NYE newborn drinking game! So good and true:)
PINNED!! 🙂 http://pinterest.com/pin/32299322299680170/
@erinbowcutt
Hi, I’ve been following your blog/facebook page for about 3 weeks and have fallen in love! One of my recent favorite posts has been 10 Things I didn’t know about potty training. https://www.mommyshorts.com/2013/01/10-things-i-didnt-know-about-potty-training.html
Favorite post-https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/12/the-new-years-eve-newborn-parent-drinking-game-second-kid-edition.html
My husband and I could not stop laughing.
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/12/the-handy-guide-to-lying-to-your-kids.html
Also repinned!
So hard to pick a favorite, but I love How to Lie to your Children https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/12/the-handy-guide-to-lying-to-your-kids.html
and the other “Lie” posts!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Pinned here:
http://pinterest.com/pin/549650329491684690/
You have been pinned 😉
Excuse me, I just tweeted…@heatherzebell
Pinned- http://pinterest.com/pin/210895195022650507/
Repinned on pinterest
Favorite Post would be Intruder in the house.
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2011/04/id-like-to-report-a-robbery.html
I LOVE this post!
My favorite all time post is “The differences in first and second time moms”…HYSTERICAL and SO true (Sorry Drew)
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/12/10-differences-between-first-and-second-time-moms.html
TWEETED! @Jenn11234
& PINNED….woo hoo! Now choose me 😉 (PINTEREST name: Jennifer Jackson Mercer)
One of my favorite posts (hard to choose, though) – Santa Bring Me Some Sister Wives. I fantasize about a sisterhood island a lot ;o)
Facebook Fan!!!!
ELF SHAMING: A NEW HANUKKAH TRADITION
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/12/elf-shaming-a-hanukah-tradition.html
tweet 🙂
i love everything but my favorite is the Evil Baby Glare Off. My daughter made it to the Sweet 16 and I laughed each day at these kids. https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/10/evil-baby-glare-off-2012-round-2.html
Absolute FAVORITE post(s) so far would have to be The Day Harlow Was Born (Parts 1 & 2) https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/11/the-day-harlow-was-born-birth-story.html
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/11/the-day-harlow-was-born-part-ii.html
I’m expecting my first in March and I couldn’t stop laughing imagining all of this happening to me! Made me a little less scared of a crazy delivery–at least I’ll have a story to tell!
Personally my favorite is Porn for Moms of Toddlers… yum.
I love all your lists and charts. But since I had to choose one, I picked the First World Problems, Mommy Edition.
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2011/11/first-world-problems-mommy-edition.html
I just pinned your post!
Tweeted! @b_fitandhappy 🙂
This is my favorite post because my wife deserves a gift like this.
Lies i tell my kid 🙂
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/10/lies-i-tell-my-kid.html#more
Pinned! 🙂
http://pinterest.com/pin/111956740708629204/
Started following on Pinterest and pinned 🙂
It’s hard to pick a fave, but the first one that came to mind was Oh, The Places New Moms Won’t Go, because I love that book and your adaptation was spot-on pure genius!
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/03/oh-the-places-new-moms-wont-go.html
I totally tweeted it!
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2013/01/10-things-i-didnt-know-about-potty-training.html
I tweeted!
I loved https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/10/lies-i-tell-my-kid.html!
I also followed you on Pinterest and I cannot wait to repin everything because you have impeccable taste.
Shopping For Post Maternity Clothes (A Play in Three Acts)
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2013/01/shopping-for-post-maternity-clothes-a-play-in-three-acts.html
Someone had to say it!
I pinned it!
Pinned! http://m.pinterest.com/pin/7388786860728340/
My fave post:
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2013/01/15-resolutions-my-2yo-made-last-year-how-did-she-do.html
I think because I am in the midst toddlerhood and all of these were so hilariously true!!
I like your post on your birth story (in two parts ) when Harlow was born. 🙂
I also pinned it!
There are so many to choose from… But one of my recent favorites was Harlow’s birth story.
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/11/the-day-harlow-was-born-birth-story.html
Is your toddler a better roomate than your college roomate!
Difference between First time and second time moms! hahaaa its so true!!
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/12/10-differences-between-first-and-second-time-moms.html
I just became a fan! Thanks for the great giveaway! Favorite post would have to be this! 🙂 WOOT WOOT!
https://twitter.com/Kimbotspot/status/294503312823296001
I tweeted!
I followed and pinned the giveaway!!
http://pinterest.com/pin/513410426240196429/
PINNED!! @suziejoseguzman
http://pinterest.com/pin/74450200061999778/
All-time favorite post (which, despite Mazzy’s adorableness in that dress, is a post some friends have used to ban young children from their weddings) is The World’s Worst Wedding Date https://www.mommyshorts.com/2011/07/the-7-phases-of-taking-a-toddler-to-a-wedding.html
My all time favorite post is https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/11/index.html “Mazzy’s Mini-me (giveaway). And although I don’t yet have a pinterest or twitter account (shocking I know particularly because I’m still in my 20’s) I should still win! Because I’ll send you a unicorn-pony, true story.
My fave post is for sure “Lies I tell my Toddler”. https://www.mommyshorts.com/2012/10/lies-i-tell-my-kid.html, I even linked to it on my facebook page and got a pretty big response!!
I’m already a facebook fan using my real name — Anais Caccamo.