A Stroller For a Growing Family (Evenflo Sibby Review)
This post was sponsored by Evenflo as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received the Evenflo Sibby Travel System to facilitate my review.
Most of you know that we recently added another member to our family. Now that I'm a mom of 5 children, I feel like I have a pretty good idea of what gear you need when you have a lot of young children!
In my opinion, a travel system is a must! There is always need for a stroller for the baby, and when you have a toddler in the mix, it's nice to be able to let both of them ride.
When I was given the opportunity to review the Evenflo Sibby Travel System, I was really excited to check it out.
At first glance, the thing that interested me the most was that it had space for both the baby and toddler to ride, yet it wouldn't take up nearly as much room in my trunk as a double stroller.
Other things I like about the Evenflo Sibby Travel System:
- Gender neutral, classic fabric
I thought the gray denim-like color was nice. Being a mom of multiple children, I really prefer a gender neutral fabric so that I can use the stroller and car seat over and over no matter what gender subsequent children are. It's also really nice to have something that is not too trendy so that it won't look weird in a few years. Although it has a denim look to it, the fabrice is actually very light and breathable. (There are other colors of fabric available as well.) - Comfortable handle height
This is another important feature in a stroller. You don't want to be stooped over as you push your little one around! - Smooth ride
I was very pleased with how smoothly the stroller rides and how easily the wheels swivel. I have used some strollers that are honestly hard to steer. It's embarrassing to be running a stroller into things because you can't get it to go where you want it to go! I didn't have any problems at all with the Evenflo Sibby. - Large storage basket
This is another must when you are a mom of multilple children. The amount of things you need to have with you requires a lot of space! I was happy with how large the basket under the Evenflo Sibby was. - Easy to adjust the seat up and down
Depending on which child is riding in the stroller, I need to adjust the seat frequently. A younger baby would be lying down more often, while a toddler will usually want to sit up but may get tired and need to lie back too. Just a quick pull on the cord on the back easily allows me to adjust the seat wherever it is needed. - Large canopy
I really love having so much shade over my child when we're out in the sun. If I'm using the car seat with the stroller, I can completely cover the baby by using the canopy from both the stroller and the car seat combined.
What I'd like a little better:
- Canopy does not adjust easily
The canopy does not pull up and down very easily. You have to wrestle with it a little bit to get it to go where you want it to go. This gets old really quick. - Ride Along Board should be larger
If the baby is lying back, there is no room at all for my toddler to ride. Even with the stroller seat adjusted up, there is not much room at all for her to stand. I think the ride along board should extend out a little further so that there is plenty of room to ride.
The Evenflo Sibby Travel System is available at Target. You can check it out and watch a short video here.
The Thing You May Not Know About Debilitating Back Pain During Pregnancy
I made my way out to my vehicle in the chiropractor parking lot as tears of frustration brimmed at the corners of my eyes.
I had just dropped a chunk of money on yet another adjustment and I felt zero relief from the pain in my lower back.
“You need to get in here more often”, they would tell me every time I went.
“Easy for you to say,” I thought. “You're the one who's getting the money. I'm paying money that I don't really have to spend and I've got nothing to show for it.”
I had already been splurging on twice-monthly visits as opposed to the typically prescribed monthly maintenance visit. But this time I was in so much pain that I called only one week after my previous visit and went in for another adjustment.
I couldn't hold the tears in any longer.
“I've spent months in pain and I'm so tired of not being able to walk. I can't run my household or take care of my children. I keep getting adjusted and doing everything I'm supposed to do, but still this lower back pain persists through every pregnancy. I don't think anyone truly understands how bad it is. I need help, but no one seems to get it.”
Not only has the pain been, well, painful, but it's embarrassing as well.
“How cute. You're waddling already.” I've heard that statement with every single pregnancy as I begin to waddle very early on. They think I'm trying to accentuate my pregnancy because I'm so excited about it (I am, obviously, but that's not why I'm waddling.) I'm waddling because I cannot walk. My lower back is in horrible pain, people! But instead I just smile, my face flushed with embarrassment.
As the pregnancy progresses and my belly grows larger and larger, the pain becomes worse and worse. I know I should be exercising throughout the pregnancy, but even just a walk to the end of the driveway is almost more than I can handle.
So I settle in to “wait it out”. “I guess this is just the way it is until after the baby is born.”
But as I sat there that day in the chiropractor parking lot, I had reached the end of my patience. Here I was at 35 weeks along – almost to the end of my pregnancy, but I just could not take the pain any more. My back was so locked up that I had to take my hands and physically move my legs up stairs because they would not lift that high on their own.
When I got home I began to do some searching online to see if there was anything that could be done, but I became more discouraged than ever.
“Here I am almost to the end of my pregnancy, and I have no idea how I am going to deliver this baby. I haven't been able to exercise, so my body is incredibly weak. How am I going to go through labor? My body won't have the strength to do this!”
Finally I decided to post in a Facebook group where a lot of my natural living blogger friends hang out. I have been in that group for years, and we are all very close, with most of our chats having less to do about blogging than they do about seeking health advice or asking for prayer.
Within minutes I had my answer.
“You should get in touch with The Tummy Team. You need to strengthen those core muscles so that your chiropractic adjustments will hold. That will also take a lot of the pressure off your low back.”
“But I only have 5 weeks left in my pregnancy. Is there any chance for relief in that amount of time? And how can I get my body strong enough for labor in that amount of time?”
The answer I received gave me so much hope: “You are definitely not a lost cause! You have 5 weeks left, and the Prenatal Course from The Tummy Team is 6 weeks long and will cross over nicely through birth. I work closely with Kelly, and we have seen ladies experience dramatic relief after just 3-5 days of diligence in their exercises.”
I immediately got up off the bed where I was lying and got onto The Tummy Team website.
To further my excitement at having found some hope, I saw that they also offer a 2 week Prentatal Crash Course, specifically for women who are at the end of pregnancy but need some help preparing their body for labor and delivery.
“Wow! It looks like it is possible to get prepared for labor and delivery even if I only had 2 weeks left!” I thought.
I sent an email to Kelly immediately, and within a day I had begun my first week of classes and exercises.
I have been in the program for only a few days so far, but I know it is going to help!
Already I am much more conscientious of how I carry myself, and I'm learning how to properly activate my core so there is not so much weight pulling on my back.
Whether you're at the beginning of your pregnancy or very close to the end, I know you will benefit from the resources at The Tummy Team.
I am really looking forward to finding some relief to the back pain, being stronger for labor and delivery, and having my body in a better position for recovery once the baby is born.
CHECK OUT THE TUMMY TEAM PRENATAL CORE TRAINING HERE.
Update March 2017: Baby is now 8 months old, so I think it's been long enough for me to give you an accurate update on how The Tummy Team helped the remainder of my pregnancy! 😉
How did it help the pain?
There was a noticeable difference in my level of back pain in just about a week! Now, mind you, I was pretty bad off, so it's not like I went down to zero pain, but just learning the proper technique for activating my core (it's a different technique than a lot of people think) made a HUGE difference. I was able to start walking a little more and build up some strength before labor and delivery.
How did it help labor and delivery?
I loved how the course teaches proper pushing technique so that you don't further damage your core during labor and create a long recovery time. I felt that it really helped me. Also, I have never felt so good after a birth. You know that awful, jello-like feeling you have in your empty belly after the birth? Learning how to splint after birth made a night and day difference. Splinting my belly felt wonderful!
Do you see any additional benefits?
Yes! Now that I am no longer pregnant, I still have proper posture and core activation at the top of my mind. I have greatly reduced the number of chiropractic adjustments I need because my stronger core keeps my back in alignment! I'm still in the Facebook group that all Tummy Team course members receive access to, and Kelly is the sweetest thing ever. She's always accessible for questions or a word of encouragement.
Are there any cons to the Tummy Team course?
The only thing that might be a deterrent to some people is the price. You'll pay $149 for the course, plus Kelly recommends a tummy splint, which will be about $40. Honestly, though, I find it to be a worthy investment. (The relief I found, plus being able to reduce my amount of chiropractor visits made the course totally worth it.)
Some people may not like the fact that you only have access to your course for 6 weeks (plus an additional week of grace if I'm not mistaken.) I personally found that to be a very smart way to run an online course because too many times I have signed up for something that gave me lifetime access, and then never actually completed it because I got too comfortable with the fact that I could come back if I got behind. I liked the extra pressure to complete the class. Plus, having lifetime access to the Facebook group, gives me additional education and encouragement now that my course is completed.
If you're experiencing debilitating back pain, first of all, let me say I am so sorry! I know how miserable it is!
But I also want to let you know there is hope! You will not regret placing yourself under the tender care of Kelly and her team.
CHECK OUT THE TUMMY TEAM PRENATAL CORE TRAINING HERE.
Surviving Life with Kids When Your Husband Isn’t Around
A few days ago, I sent an email asking moms how they survive the long days when their husband isn't around.
We had a weekend where daddy was away, and it was hard! I was mentally high-fiving all the women who solo parent on a regular basis, whether it's because their husband is on deployment or because they're a single mom, or because their husband is away often for work.
I asked all of my readers who experience regular seasons of solo parenting for their best advice so I could share it with you!
In a nutshell, I took away 3 main pieces of advice:
Have a routine.
“Making a schedule was the best thing I could do. Whether he is home or not, we stick to our schedule and that keeps our children less apt to act out because they know what to expect.”
Almost everyone who wrote in said that their lifesaver was to have a routine that works for them. Keeping a household routine ensures that everything runs as smoothly as possible, which is a must when daddy is not there to rescue you!
Break the routine.
Huh? I know, I know. I just said that everyone was saying to stay on a routine. But, for those mamas who are blessed to have husbands who rarely have to be gone, this one was the best solution.
Because it is out of the norm for daddy to have to be away, staying on the regular routine is hard for kids. Everyone gets a little grouchy because they're missing having dad around. Putting their attention on something different and fun keeps their mind off the fact that dad is gone. For instance, one reader said:
“Sometimes he does have to work on the weekends, and sometimes he has long shifts and has a long commute. We try on those days to do things that we might not do when dad's around, such as play games (he doesn't really do boardgames and stuff), or we'll work on cleaning house or other projects to keep us busy, or maybe watch a movie to kill some time. I know he isn't gone long term, but these are things that we do. Also, one thing the kids love is to plan something special for when dad does get home, such as a special meal or other simple surprise.”
I have found this one to be the case at our house. Fun and different activities to keep everyone busy are the key!
Make time for yourself.
I was surprised at how often this answer came up, but it makes sense! Especially if you are solo parenting on a long term basis, it would be very easy to get worn down! Making self-care a priority is a must if you want to keep your sanity. (Here are 13 Free Ways to Take Care of You!)
A couple different readers said that they sometimes put the kids to bed a little early and invite a friend or two over for some snacks and adult conversation. Great idea!
Any other ideas that you would add to this list? Let's all pitch in to help struggling mamas not just survive, but to thrive in the hard days of solo parenting!
Saying Goodbye to Saggy Diapers
Do you ever look at your child from behind and think “Wow, that looks awful! It looks like her diaper hasn't been changed in a week!”
As a blogger, I have had the opportunity to try out many diapers (will blog for diapers!), but since day 1 of my first child, Pampers has been my favorite brand, and that has never changed.
I consider Pampers the “premium” brand, and what I give to new moms to spoil them at their baby shower.
I didn't think there was a whole lot of room for improvement, so when I heard that Pampers Cruisers were upgraded to have less sag, I was intrigued. I honestly didn't expect them to be much different.
But I was wrong! While the diaper doesn't feel stiffer or seem like it would be less comfortable to my little “Cruiser”, there is definitely a different feel and look to the diaper when it is wet. It stays firm and doesn't sag down making my daughter look like she hasn't had a diaper change in a week.
They have a really good offer on these at Target right now through September 5:
Buy 2 Pampers Giant Packs Get $10 Gift Card
I took advantage of this deal to stock us up for the next little while!
If you get the chance to try out the improved Pampers Cruisers, I know you will like them! Just say no to diaper sag! 🙂
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
How I Get My Babies to Sleep Through the Night
How to get your baby to sleep through the night — that is definitely one of the first things a sleep-deprived new mom wants to know!
First of all, can I just say that I have never understood that thing called “Mommy Wars”?
Why in the world do women get upset because they parent their kids one way and another mom parents hers differently?
I mean, that just really confuses me as to why that's a big deal. Whatever works for one mom is not what works for another mom. So what?
That being said, I'm sharing today how I get my babies to sleep through the night. If it's not what works for you, that's okay. But for some of you who are desperate for a good night's sleep and you think this is something you'd like to try, here's the info.
The main thing that I have done is to put my babies on a feeding and sleeping schedule from the day they are born.
I'm not talking about taking this to the extreme and making your baby scream because it's 2:30 and he's not scheduled to eat until 3:00.
Here's a basic rundown of a typical schedule for a newborn in my house:
7 am- first feeding of the day; play until sleepy; nap until next feeding time
10 am – feed; wake time; sleep
1 pm – feed; wake time; sleep
4 pm – feed; wake time; sleep
7 pm – feed; wake time; sleep
10 pm – last feeding for the evening, go straight to bed for the night
During the day, I wake the baby when it's time to eat if he's still napping.
I can't believe you would wake up a sleeping baby! Why don't you just enjoy the quiet?
In my experience it has always been worth it to do it this way. It helps the baby develop a routine, and pretty soon they begin to feel hungry or sleepy at the times you have scheduled. It works extremely well for me, especially since I have a lot of responsibilities at church. I can have the peace of mind that my baby is not going to be hungry while I'm in the middle of trying to play the piano for the service.
When I put the baby down for the night, I don't wake him up until he wakes up on his own. I feed him however many times he wakes up during the night, and in the morning, I try to get him right back on schedule for the day by feeding him around 7 am. If he wakes up at 6:30 hungry, I'll go ahead and feed him and then try to gradually get him back on schedule the rest of the day. For instance, the next feeding time is at 10 am, but he'll probably start getting hungry around 9:30. I can probably hold him off with a pacifier or some other distraction until 9:45, and do the same thing at the next couple feedings until he's back on schedule. If the whole day stays off by 15 – 30 minutes, though, it's not really that big of a deal. I want to be clear and state again that I'm not an advocate of taking the schedule to an extreme and letting baby scream just because it's not time to eat yet. Gently holding him off for a few minutes is an entirely different thing.
When baby is on a routine like this, I always know exactly what he needs. All I have to do is look at the clock to know if he's crying because he's hungry or because he's tired. I have known several families who have followed similar schedules with their babies, and their babies are some of the most easy-going and easy-to-care-for babies I have seen.
After the first 8 – 10 weeks, all 3 of the babies I've had so far have slept through the night. When they are on a consistent routine, their bodies easily adjust to knowing that nighttime is for sleeping and daytime is for eating, playing, and napping.
I keep them in a bassinet in my room until they start sleeping through the night, then I move them to their own room. I have a high need for sleep, and I'm just an all-around better mommy when I get plenty of rest without baby noises keeping me awake. Again, if that's not what you like to do, that's okay too. Do what works for you.
I used the book On Becoming Babywise to help me figure out what type of schedule to make for my babies at different ages. It was helpful to know how often they needed to be eating and sleeping in order to be healthy. I know the book in its entirety is somewhat controversial, but I found the practical info invaluable.
As I've said several times, I know there is not one right way to parent, and all parents will find that different things work better for them.
I've shared what works for me because I was so grateful that someone did the same for me before my first child was born. I had no clue you could help a baby get on a routine. I thought you had to wait until they got themselves on a schedule and play every day by ear. I thought that all babies wanted to nurse all day long and never be put down. That is so not me. I love my babies, and I spend plenty of cuddle time with them, but I would just be one worn out mama if I carried them around and nursed them all day. (Some mama's love it – go superwoman!)
Our days generally run fairly smoothly even when I have a newborn in the house. I know for the most part when they'll be eating and when they'll be sleeping and I can plan my day accordingly. (I hope I'm not shooting myself in the foot by saying these things because I still have 2 more weeks before the newest one will be born! Hopefully he/she won't be the exception!) *Update: Our new baby slept through the night by 6 weeks!
Mama, if you're tired, I sincerely hope you'll find a way to get some rest – whether it's the way I do it or another way that works for you.
Leave a comment and let us know your struggles and/or what works for you!
Other posts you may like:
Rite Aid Tugaboos Diapers: My Experience
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Rite Aid Tugaboos diapers. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.
I'm all about natural living here, but I don't do cloth diapers. If you enjoy it, kudos to you. I don't. Disposables for me all the way.
But as we all know, the cost for those babies (I'm talking about the diapers, not the actual babies) sure does add up!
I do a lot of shopping on Amazon for diapers, and I try to buy them in bulk so that I always have plenty on hand.
But there are those times when I just haven't paid close enough attention to how many were in the closet, and I find myself in panic mode. A last-minute run to the drugstore is not an option.
Of course I look for the cheapest diapers I can find, but there is a difference between money-cheap, and quality-cheap. I look for the money-cheap diapers, but I can't stand quality-cheap diapers. What is the point of even putting a diaper on a kid if it doesn't hold any of their messes inside of it?
If there are no diapers on sale, and I don't have any coupons, the store brand is usually the cheapest option. (Bonus if the store brand is the one on sale!)
I've used Rite Aid Tugaboos several times, and I'm happy to say that while they're often the cheapest option money-wise, they're not cheap quality-wise. They don't feel quite as thick as the name brands, but they hold the mess in, and have a nice comfortable fit. (At least, they look like they do. I haven't personally tried them on.)
Rite Aid Tugaboos have also received some upgrades recently, including increased leakage protection, hypoallergenic inner liner with a cottony soft feel, and a stretchable waist (love that stretchable waist thing!) (Well, the leak protection is pretty important too.)
And if you care about looks (please tell me you're not the mom who takes her kid to Walmart with nothing but a diaper on!), the diapers feature a cute, gender-neutral design.
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Next time you get into panic mode and have to take one of those last-minute drugstore runs for diapers, take my word that you can save a little cash buying Rite Aid Tugaboos and not have to worry that you will have wasted your money.
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Rite Aid.
