Tag Archives: feeding

An Ultimate Night Out with Mommybites (Recap)!

15 Dec

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Last Tuesday, I joined other parents and Mommybites for an Ultimate Night Out at the New Yorker Hotel.  The night began with a comedy show with  Lisa Blythe Perlman and Carolyn Castiglia.  After the show, moms, dads, and friends gathered for drinks, appetizers, and tasty desserts.  In addition to mingling, parents shopped and learned about new products and services available.  Parents left with a generous gift bag filled with products from sponsors and some walked away with raffle prizes from strollers to a round of golf.

Highlighted Companies/ Sponsors included:

New York Kids Club:

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NYKC has six locations around  New York City.  They have opened locations on Long Island and their first overseas center in Beijing, China.  The Children Enrichment center offers a preschool program (3 hours for 2,3, or 5 days a week) as well as creative and innovative kids classes, day camps, birthday celebrations, and special events!    Daily open plays in the indoor gym are perfect for cold winter days or when there is bad weather.   Afterschool programs are available with a walk over option from local schools by a NYKC staff member.

We have been a New York Kids Club family since my oldest took her first class at 6 months. Both girls have attended the preschool program which has been fantastic.  NYKC offers fun drop off events on Fridays and during the weekend, if you need to run errands or you and your spouse want to grab a bite to eat or have a little time together.  Both of my girls started attending the themed Pajama Parties (Fridays 6-8) at 2 1/2 and always have fun.  The coaches are always energetic, fun, and the girls talk about them for days after.

For more information visit www.nykidsclub.com and while you are there check out their blog.

Inwood Country Club:

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My husband loves to play golf any chance he gets.  Living in the city, I never thought about joining a country club because I didn’t want to spend hours in the car just for an afternoon at the pool while my husband golfs. Inwood Country Club is a private, member owned country club Located 20 miles outside of Manhattan on the South Shore of Long Island.  It sounds and looks like a great little escape from the city. Memberships include access to:

  •  The Golf Club
  • The Tennis ClubTennis members have the use of the Inwood Beach Club, the newly renovated state of the art Heath Club and limited use of the historic Inwood golf course.  All levels welcome, clinics are available for beginners!
  • The Health Club:  Newly renovated, state-of-the-art Health Club, with equipment ranging from free weights to the most sophisticated Cybex machines, also provides access to personal trainers, yoga classes, a masseuse, barber shop, steam room, and sauna. 
  • The Beach Club, located a few minutes from the main clubhouse, transportation runs to and from the main club house.  Play a round of golf, then head to beach to let the kids build sand castles.
  • The Clubhouse
  • The Guest Suites: Suites are located on the 2nd and 3rd floor of the club house and are available for seasonal rentals.

The club is family friendly offering programs and clinics for children while parents play a round of golf, a game of tennis, or head to the Atlantic Beach Club.  The Country Club is also available for events.  Contact Inwood Country Club for membership details, prices, and more information on programs and clinics available.

Image from Inwoodcc.org

Image from Inwoodcc.org

Ella’s Kitchen:

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When it’s time to transition your child to solids, Ella’s Kitchen offers a variety of organic baby food options from new eaters (4 months) to toddlers (10 months and up) with lots of great flavors. Their meals and snacks are broken down into 3 stages, which go from smooth purees to more texture as the child gets older and learn to chew.  The stages are:

Ella’s also offers a selection of food for special diets which include gluten-free, lactose free, and vegetarian options.  Ella’s Kitchen is also free of peanuts and soy!  Their meals are perfect for on-the-go eating.  My girls love Ella’s Kitchen!  They still snack on Smoothie Fruits and Puffits.  Some flavors I would have been interested to try when my girls were younger are  the Ella’s 1 Blueberry Pear Baby BrekkieElla’s 2 Spaghetti and Meatballs, and Ella’s 3 Thai Curry Vegetables.  For more information visit Ella’s Kitchen.com and be sure to check out Stuff for the Senses.  Available at Whole Foods.

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GetTaxi:  

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When the weather is bad or I am with my girls, getting a taxi is challenging.  They are either full or the taxi’s don’t want to stop because I have the girls.  GetTaxi, which began in Europe, recently launched in New York City.  GetTaxi is an on-demand taxi service.  Simply download the app for iphone or android, then make your reservation.  A  “G-Car” will pick you up and take you to your destination (watch it in action).  The app allows customers to know their drivers information as well as their license plates after the reservation is made.  When booked in advanced you are able to request car seats for your little ones, an option that is great to have especially when traveling longer distances to the airports.  Because they just launched, a 2 hour advanced reservation is required.  At peak times, a maximum surcharge of $5 will be added to your fare.  At all times there is a standard rate (see sample below). No more waiting, searching for an open taxi, or paying ridiculous prices during peak times!  Looking forward to giving it a try!  Check out this video

Image from GetTaxi

Image from GetTaxi

It was a wonderful night out with friends!  It was so nice to meet so many wonderful vendors and sponsors!  Looking forward to the next Ultimate Night Out with Mommybites!

Mommybites connects moms and moms-to-be with parenting resources, education, and support.  Visit Mommybites.com for more information, resources for parents, and details about upcoming events.

Disclaimer: This was a sponsored post.  All information about sponsors/ vendors came from their websites, handouts or speaking with them at the event.

The Biggest Baby Shower

17 Nov

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I remember the day I found out I was pregnant with my first.  It was an exciting time but as I got closer to my due date I started getting nervous.  Shopping was definitely fun but I had no idea what I was going to need or where to begin with my registry.  What do I NEED that will keep my baby safe, healthy, and will help her meet developmental milestones?  I was the first of my friends to get pregnant and I was new to New York so I was clueless about where to shop and what to shop for.

I recently attended The Big City Moms Biggest Baby Shower for the first time.  I wish I had known about this event when I was pregnant with my girls.  On November 13, new and expecting parents gathered at the Metropolitan Pavilion to learn about the latest baby gear, clothing, feeding and services available for a smooth transition to parenthood.  Various brands and representatives were available to educate parents on safety and choosing what’s right for you.  New and expecting parents had the best for baby (and parents) all in one room.  I have to say a lot has changed since my first pregnancy (5 1/2 years ago) and even my second (4 years ago).  I can’t believe how much is out there. Below you can find a little of what parents experienced and saw at the Biggest Baby Shower:

Get Strolling:

Choosing a stroller is challenging.  There are so many things to think about.  Had I known that I was going to have my second so soon, I would have opted for a stroller that could transform to a double and have a wheel board.  I also wish I had pushed a few around before.  Attendees were able to talk to various stroller brand experts to learn the latest features and give strollers a test drive to decide what best suites their new family.  Representatives from Orbit, Joovy, UppaBaby, Mama’s and Papas, Quinny, Britax, and Baby Jogger were in attendance.  So what’s new? Early next year you will be able to design your own stroller on Orbit.com.  A black frame and more fabric color choices will be available.  The Joovy TooQool is a new double stroller with a bumprider board that can be attached (love this stroller).  Also, new to Joovy is the Caboose VaryLight, in stores soon.

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Time to Eat:

Mixie is an awesome bottle, making feeding on the go easier.  Two compartments separate the formula and water. When ready to feed your baby, push a button to dispense formula, then mix.

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Liza from SageSpoonfuls was demonstrating how to make baby food with the SageSpoonfuls Immersion Blender and Food Processor.  Glass jars for storing baby food will be available soon!

SageSpoonfuls Liza Huber with her mom, Susan Lucci,  image from Big City Moms

SageSpoonfuls Liza Huber with her mom, Susan Lucci, image from Big City Moms

A Fashionable Mom and Baby:

Lucky Brand was a favorite when I had my first.  At one point they stopped their baby and kid line.  I was happy to learn at the Biggest Baby Shower that baby and kid clothes are available online and in stores again.   You’ll also want to shop Ruum for your new baby.  The clothes are adorable!

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TWELVElittle offers fashionable and functional diaper bags to help moms look great while carrying everything they need for their new baby.

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TWELVElittle

Keep it Separate:  

I’ve never like packing dirty clothes with clean clothes.  Especially, when my girls were infants and going through multiple outfits a day.  I would go through so many ziplock bags to keep the clothes separate.  Free Like Birdie offers green products to keep your clothes organized and separate without being wasteful.  Great for traveling or diaper bags.

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 In addition to shopping and testing out new products, new parents attended seminars (click for topics discussed and a list of speakers).

Christy Turlington Burns & Jeanne Faulkner from Every Mother Counts spoke about Maternal Health and Birthing Options.  Image from Big City Moms!

Christy Turlington Burns & Jeanne Faulkner from Every Mother Counts spoke about Maternal Health and Birthing Options. Image from Big City Moms!

At the end of the night, parents left with an amazing gift bag stuffed with the products below.  Some also walked away with fabulous prizes!

The Gift Bag

The Gift Bag

Just found out you are expecting?  The Big City Moms Biggest Baby Shower will be back in Spring 2014.  Visit Big City Moms for more information!

 

Disclaimer:  I did not receive compensation for this post.  I received a press/media ticket to attend the event.