babybix blog » Personal Experiences

What would you do with 10 minutes?

brandonsmom — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 00:56:45 +0000

As a busy mom who also has a full-time job and is pregnant with #2, it’s not easy to carve out even 10 minutes of “me time” each day. I generally go straight home and then start cooking – I feel like I’m on Iron Chef sometimes because I am running around trying to get it all done by the time my parents come by with Brandon. Then daddy comes home, we eat, and then we go somewhere to run errands – either Costco, Target, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Toys R Us, the mall, or something like that. When we get back, it’s time to start the “going to bed process” for Brandon, then I take a shower, and put Brandon to bed. Sometimes I fall asleep in his room, and sometimes I get up and go downstairs to do more blog-related stuff. That’s pretty much my day, every day. I guess my 10 minutes are had in the shower.

Sprint has just launched Gaming on the Now Network™, bringing you the first wireless 4G network from a national carrier. Sprint and JuiceBoxJungle have sponsored me to write about what “ten minutes” a day means to me.

Canon Powershot SX210IS

brandonsmom — Sat, 08 May 2010 07:48:34 +0000

I take tons of photos and videos. Tons. There’s so much going on in my life that it’s so easy to forget the little things. Especially with Brandon changing so much lately at age 2, I am trying to capture as much as possible. Already, the way he says certain words are changing, and I can barely remember how he used to say “wuff oo.” I can’t remember what his baby laugh sounded like, and I definitely wish I took more video before.

I have a Canon Powershot SD960IS, which takes HD video and 12.1 megapixel pictures, and I take it with me everywhere I go. Canon just came out with a new camera, the Canon Powershot SX210IS which even better! 14x optical zoom, 14.1 megapixel camera, and HD video recording. It also comes in Purple and Gold (my fave!). My camera is on its last legs, and I’m ready for an upgrade. Hint, hint, hubby. :)

Canon has released the PowerShot SX210 IS, which combines the ability to take great photos & also shoot high definition video. Canon and JuiceBoxJungle sponsored me to write this post, and talk about what shooting video means to my family.

sick as a dog… (extra entry)

brandonsmom — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:00:19 +0000

Sorry I haven’t been updating, I’ve been sick as a dog. I think I caught it at the grocery store, where some lady was hacking and sneezing all over the place right next to something I needed. I held my breath, ran over (literally), grabbed my item, and ran back out, but I don’t think that was good enough. :) My throat is super sore, I can’t breathe out of my nose, and when anything does come out of my nose, it’s not pretty. Ha. I can’t even really sleep well because I can’t breathe well. And if you’re asking yourself why I’m not loading up on some magical over the counter goodies, it’s because…. drum roll… I’m pregnant. Yes, there you have it. I’m 3 months now, so I can finally let the cat out of the bag. Anyway, enough about me. Tell me a story about when you or your kids got a really bad cold for an extra entry to any one giveaway (leave your comment on the giveaway). Hopefully I’ll feel better later and be able to post some new exciting giveaways for you!

Brandon is 2!

brandonsmom — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:45:36 +0000

Brandon turned 2 on Sunday! Bring it on, terrible two’s! :) We had a party at My Gym, and the theme was Disney Pixar’s UP.

I made mini ice cream cone cupcakes, 3d characters from the movie, and had a little dvd player playing the movie. I didn’t realize planning a kid’s birthday party was so much work! We also had goodie bags with UP coloring books, and some of B’s favorite snacks (including some custom Brandon fortune cookies!). I can’t believe my big boy is 2 already! Time flies.

For an extra entry to any (one) giveaway, enter code HappyBdayBrandon!

Survey results, extra entries, and preschool update

brandonsmom — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 02:03:03 +0000

Thanks to everyone who has taken my survey so far! Some of the things I’ve heard you say are that you want more mommy giveaways (like makeup and snacks), organic products, cloth diapers, strollers, and recipes. Thanks for the feedback, and I will try to get you more of those types of giveaways soon! If you haven’t taken my survey yet, you can do so here and get 5 extra entries to any giveaway.

The Haba Fantasy Blocks giveaway from Oompa Toys is ending tonight! Check out Twitter for an extra entry, if you haven’t already. And here’s another one, since there are only a few hours left… LastChanceOompa. These are really great blocks, and would be a great addition to any kid’s toy collection!

As for preschool, we waited in line for THREE days, and secured a spot in the preschool we wanted! Go us! Actually, go Daddy! He really took one for the team. :) Hopefully Brandon likes it! He starts in September.

Extra entry time…

brandonsmom — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:54:49 +0000

Ok, so I’m super stressing about preschools right now! Brandon is going to be 2 in March, and I already have to stress about this?? How much earlier can this start? In the womb?? Haha. Everyone I’ve talked to is already standing in line, or on a wait list, or already enrolled in their 2’s program. Some of them are 2 days a week, some are half day, some are every day, all the different teaching methods, is he going to be ready for this in September? OMG.

Anyway, for your extra entry, tell me a story (you know how I love stories) about preschool – yours, your kids’, your friends’ kids, love it, hate it, whatever. Leave a comment on any giveaway, but just one please for this extra entry. Cross your fingers for me, as I’ve just sent my husband to go wait in line to get us on the wait list so we can pay the application fee for a CHANCE to get in.

Happy New Year!

brandonsmom — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 00:27:02 +0000

Wow, it’s 2010! We got a little crazy and had some sparkling apple cider (I’m still nursing). I can’t believe I started this blog almost exactly a year ago. It’s been a fun, at times difficult, busy, rewarding, eye-opening, learning experience for me. I enjoy keeping this blog, but I also have a full-time job, so it’s definitely been a lot of work. I love being able to share new products and companies with my readers, and Brandon is a great guinea pig. Check out all of the great sponsors I’ve had the opportunity to work with over the year. I hope you’ve enjoyed the journey with me so far, and I look forward to a great 2010. I love to hear from my readers, so please let me know what you think, if you have any ideas, or what types of products you’d like to be introduced to.

Happy New Year!

babybix – monthly view (and poop)

brandonsmom — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:46:55 +0000

I haven’t written much about our main site, babybix.com lately, because of all the Holiday fun. I know we have a lot of new users, and I wanted to point out our fairly new feature, Monthly View. It’s been really helpful for me lately, because Brandon has a funky poop schedule. He poos about once a week or so? Crazy, huh? Doctor says it’s ok, but I like to monitor it to make sure he doesn’t go too much longer than that. I don’t really keep track of pee diapers anymore, but the total sleep time is interesting.

How often does your kid poop? Do you use the monthly view tab?

18 month shots + blood test

brandonsmom — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 21:40:43 +0000

Brandon had his 18-month checkup yesterday, and he had to get his blood tested first. They had 2 different people try in both arms, and pricked him a total of 3 separate times, each time digging around in there. Poor baby. The part he hates most is being held down, I think.

Then we had our well-baby visit, where they told us he is 95th percentile for height and weight, and off the charts for head circumference. They also asked some questions to determine if he is at risk for autism, and it looks like he’s not. Then he had to get 3 shots – DTAP, HIB, and HepA. Unfortunately, he’s having a reaction to the DTAP, I think, and he has some flu-like symptoms with runny/stuffy nose and some gagging/vomiting. Poor Brandon. I hope it goes away soon!

If you’re using babybix.com, don’t forget your can mark your immunizations under Health and Medicine > View Vaccinations. This is great because last time, they accidentally forgot to mark down that he took his Hep B shot already, and I had to remind them!

gilroy gardens: $9.99 admission

brandonsmom — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 21:22:38 +0000

I just recently discovered Giloy Gardens. I LOVE IT! It’s such a great park for kids, with all kinds of water features including a waterfall and plenty of water play areas, and plenty of rides for kids of all ages. There are plenty of rides that parents can ride with their kids, and lots that kids can ride on their own when they are ready.

Right now, they have a petting zoo, and I can’t wait for the Holiday Lights festival! We liked it so much after our first visit that we became members! If you buy a season pass right now, you get free admission for the rest of this year, along with next year AND free parking AND discounts at the restaurants!

There’s a coupon right now for $9.99 admission through 11/29. Click here for details.