Baby Jogger City Select Review

This post is sponsored by Buy Buy Baby. I was compensated in exchange for an honest review. As always, all opinions stated are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible.

Looking for a stroller, whether it's your first time or you are ready to upgrade, can be so overwhelming. I did a lot of research when I was pregnant with Fallon. We also visited our local Buy Buy Baby store to ask questions and to test drive some of their floor models in person. It was such a great experience and we left very confident in our decision to purchase the Baby Jogger City Mini single stroller. We've now had it for over 2 years and it's managed to go on all of our adventures but remain is great condition!

After welcoming Axton into our family I knew we would want to get a double stroller but I was in no hurry. I wore him in my wrap for months while Fallon rode solo in our trusty City Mini. But toward the end of the summer I knew it was time to upgrade and was SO excited and grateful to have the chance to work with Buy Buy Baby. We've been so impressed with the Baby Jogger brand and knew that it would be compatible with our Britax infant carseat. I had tested out the City Select with the second seat, asked tons and tons of mama friends and even embarrassed my husband by approaching strangers in public who were strolling with this model to ask them how they felt about it! When I was finally satisfied with my rock solid research, we went forward with our choice and waited excitedly to receive it. 

We have now had the Baby Jogger City Select in onyx with silver trim and the second seat kit for a few weeks and have taken it so many places already! Our family is fairly active so it's been to the park, the zoo, all around our neighborhood, a few pumpkin farms and even apple picking. All the reasons we chose the stroller have been justified and we are so happy that we went with this model! 

Obviously a double stroller is heavier than a single. It has support much more weight! But this one so light compared to many I've tested. The seats lift off with the click of a button and the frame is so easy to fold, just hold + push and it collapses for easy trunk storage. I especially love that the adapter pieces are so simple to take on and off and there are L and R markers to know which side to put them on at a glance. They can also stay on while the stroller frame is collapsed! One of my favorite features is the hand break. That may sound silly but wow does it make quick stops to put a pacifier back in or toss the toddler a snack so easy. The storage basket is spacious and can be accessed from both sides and the front when the stroller is only being used to seat one child. The handle is adjustable to suit all heights and both seats are the same size so there will not be any arguing over who gets one over the other! Did I mention that the fabric is removable and machine washable?! If you have a third child or just want the capability to stroll with three kiddos there is a glider board attachment. Lastly but arguably the coolest feature of all, drumroll please......with the Baby Jogger City Select there are 16 possible configurations for this stroller!

We are thrilled to have a stroller to push around both of our babies in on all of our adventures that meets all of our requirements and has so far lived up to our standards. Most importantly, the Baby Jogger City Select is Fallon approved, and she can be quite tough to please. The day it arrived she was so excited that she sat in it in our living room for so long that we thought she had fallen asleep! Now that my friends, is a stroller success story!

Breastfeeding Bravely

This post is sponsored by Kindred Bravely. I was compensated in exchange for an honest review. As always, all opinions stated are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible.

If someone told me 3 years ago that I would breastfeed two babies, mostly exclusively, I would have genuinely laughed. I never thought I'd breastfeed at all let alone this much. And actually enjoy it. I fully supported my friends who breastfed before me, never batted an eye at women doing it at the park or at a restaurant, and have always found it to be perfectly normal and natural. I just didn't think it was for me. 

When I was about halfway through my first pregnancy something just changed. I knew without a doubt I was going to try to breastfeed. I still can't tell you why but I like to think it was all part of the plan to prepare me on some level for the way my daughter would arrive into this world. You can read her birth story here, but let's just say it was quite dramatic. I found myself not only willing to breastfeed but desperately wanting to be able to. We struggled hard in the beginning. Every day was a fight but that little voice inside me said to just keep going. After 6 weeks of putting my all into it, Fallon and I found our groove. So much so that she only wanted me from there on out. I fed her with my body alone for the next 13 months when she decided she was ready to move on. 

There is nothing anyone can tell you that will fully prepare you to be a mother or for the journey that is breastfeeding. Each story is so beautifully unique. But so many of us struggle in silence. Breastfeeding is tough! It's natural but does not always come so naturally. You and baby have to learn to dance together, find your very own rhythm. It's a brave thing to do. It's also just as brave to recognize your limits and do what is best for you and your child. Whether you breastfeed exclusively, pump and bottle feed, a combination of both or simply bottle feed with formula, you are brave for following your heart. But if you plan to breastfeed, there are definitely a few ways to help make it the most enjoyable experience possible. 

Get nursing clothing you love. Let me repeat that. Get nursing clothing you love. The first time around I didn't ask around. I didn't buy quality items and I didn't replace them when I realized they weren't very helpful. My second breastfeeding experience has been vastly different from my first. Axton latched immediately after birth and we didn't struggle in those early weeks like I had the first time around. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't easy peasy. There were tears and frustration, a lot of nipple cream and even more persistence. But what a world of difference it made to have a nursing bra I actually like! 

If you've been following along with my story you know that this time around I have talked about only one brand of nursing attire that I actually felt was worth sharing. Kindred Bravely is a company that believes living every day as a mom is an act of bravery. And I whole heartedly agree. So when I was contacted for the post, I jumped at the opportunity to work with a brand that I already loved and want to continue to support. The Marvella Luxe bra is my hands down absolute favorite nursing bra ever. It doesn't even seem like a nursing bra. It's very comfortable and supportive, looks great under all my clothes and easily folds down out of the way with one simple motion. I'm also loving the French Terry Racerback bra to sleep or lounge around in. Comfort is key, especially in those early days and I barely even know I'm wearing this bra, it's so light and soft. And the most versatile piece I own is the Simply Sublime tank. I can sleep it in, throw a cardigan or jacket over it to wear out or wear it underneath not so nursing friendly tops that I may not even wear otherwise. 

Breastfeeding is beautiful. However you do it, wherever you do it. You do you mama. But allow yourself to feel all the feelings that come with it. And don't be afraid to share your struggles! We all need a tribe to support us through those lows and cheer with us during those highs. You do not have to do it alone and whatever you're struggling with, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. 

Make your breastfeeding experience as good as it can be with comfortable nursing wear by Kindred Bravely. You can use code HILARYKB20 for 20% off your first purchase either here or here. We want to hear your story! Share it on Instagram using #breastfeedbravely and tag @hkpfeff523. You are so brave mamas!

The Down Low on Diaper Need

When I was pregnant with Fallon I received so many boxes of diapers that I had a stash for nearly the first 9 months of her life. I was very grateful for the generosity shown by my family and friends then but I have an even stronger appreciation now. I recently learned that one-in-three families struggle to provide diapers for their baby. Insert the emoji with the eyes popping out over this alarming statistic. As a mama of (almost) 2 this is absolutely heartbreaking and I am compelled to help educate people about this issue. 

We have been using Huggies® diapers for Fallon for quite awhile and I am proud to support a brand that is using such a huge platform to spread awareness to the topic of diaper need. Can you imagine not having access to or means to provide diapers for your baby? Parents across the U.S. are faced with choosing between food and diapers and this startling information has driven me to share how we can all help to make a change. If you buy diapers and wipes, you can easily join the Huggies® No Baby Unhugged program in partnership with Walgreens and make a positive impact. From now through April 29, any purchase of Huggies® diapers at Walgreens or Walgreens.com triggers a donation of a day’s worth of diapers to a family in need. A WHOLE DAY! Together these companies have created a power couple and will donate 1.5 million diapers and 250,000 wipes nationwide to the National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN). A wonderful idea you can get behind, right?

I grew up as the big sister and then babysat countless neighborhood kids through my tweens and teens.I already had a lot of experience changing diapers by the time I had a baby, but my husband, not so much. Chris had never changed a diaper in his life and I will never forget the first time he did. It was about 3AM on our first night home with Fallon and I decided that was as good as any to show him the ropes. He fumbled through it by the flashlight on his phone, so careful with her as if she would break when he held her legs. I showed him how to tell the front from the back of the diaper and how to use the tabs to secure it around our baby's tiny waist. 20 months later he could do it in total darkness with his eyes closed but we still chuckle about that first time. Probably many of you have sweet, funny stories like this. But what if you didn't? What if every time you thought about diapers you wondered if you'd be able to afford the next pack or if you'd have access to them at all? I think so often we find ourselves thinking that our small contribution does not make an impact. But if every one of us who had that thought went ahead and joined in anyway, that would be a massive push in the right direction.

You can purchase your favorite Huggies® diapers here to support the Huggies® No Baby Unhugged program or simply make a donation to the National Diaper Bank Network. 

Online Shopping With ShopSmarter

This post is sponsored by ShopSmarter. I was compensated in exchange for an honest review. As always, all opinions stated are my own. Thank you for supported the brands that make this blog possible. 

I'm a huge fan of online shopping. When I used to work at an office job it was such a nice break to do a little retail therapy on my lunch hour right from desk instead of rushing out to a store nearby. And now that I'm a SAHM with a one year old, I appreciate the ability to purchase just about anything at my fingertips. Don't get me wrong, Target trips are not stopping anytime soon, but I do the majority of our household shopping online. So why not be rewarded for that?

Say what? That's right, if you haven't heard of ShopSmarter.com and you're an avid online shopper, you must read on. There are several companies now offering discounts and cash back for online purchases made from participating retailers so why choose ShopSmarter? Well if 10% cash back on all purchases up to $1000 a year doesn't stand out then I don't know what would. But here's the kicker. Approximately once a month you can earn 20% cash back for a limited time! Believe me when I say I have a list of things that can wait to be ordered until that timeframe. And if those perks don't have you hooked yet, the exclusive coupons may grab your attention. ShopSmarter has so many discounts and free shipping offers only available to its members so don't you want in on this?

I realize as a busy mom it can be a pain to have to sign up for one more thing. But it is so easy your kids could probably do it for you. Maybe for a cake pop? Kidding. Okay I'm not. It took me less than 60 seconds, I timed it. And once you're in you can immediately start shopping + earning cash back. ShopSmarter has partnered with thousands of your favorite retailers and you can easily search for them right on the home screen. Looking for something specific but are unsure where you want to buy it from? Or maybe you want to do some price comparisons. Easy. You can just search keywords and you will be presented with options from all participating retailers. As long you are signed into your ShopSmarter account and access the online store sites through the home page your purchase will qualify for cash back. A check with your earnings will be mailed at the end of each quarter. Could it get an easier? I think not. 

So to really be able to give you an honest opinion, I of course had to make some purchases through my new ShopSmarter account. Our master bedroom was in need of a little facelift so I visited my favorite store through the home page. Target, duh. I found the perfect new throw pillows, seriously they are even husband approved, and voila, cash back showed up in my account when my order shipped. I'm a little miffed I didn't know about ShopSmarter sooner. Think of all the savings I missed out on!

Shopping from my bed with my coffee and getting cash back is like something out a dream for me. I mean what will they think of next?! Thank you ShopSmarter for allowing me to save money on all my online purchases and help to support my family.