The Classy Mommy Blog

Here is a recent photo of the "baby boy" belly - taken tonight on Halloween! This time next year we will have a new trick or treater to join Big Sister Mackenzie (the little buzzing bee by my side!) Today I'm 34 weeks and 3 days! The pregnancy is going well and right now we are in the waiting game wondering when the baby may arrive! Will he arrive just at 36 weeks like his sister - or come sooner or later is the million dollar question I wish someone could answer for us! As of my last appointment I was already 1 CM dilated so this means my "pre-term" labor contractions are now actually starting to make some impact. The doctors are no longer concerned given I'm in the safe zone but I hope to go another 10 days to hit 36 weeks.

The baby dropped just after 32 weeks and around 33 weeks I started having significant pelvic pains, pressure, and tingling as I remember happened in the final weeks prior to delivering Mackenzie. The doctors said the baby is very low but although I never dilated prior to delivery last time it is common for Baby # 2 so nothing to get too excited about.

I think I will be holding out for a while longer - my biggest anxiety is wanting to somehow have an early indication of when labor will start to coordinate plans for Mackenzie and having my husband Mike with me. I plan for a natural childbirth if possible as I did this with my daughter too. I had a less than 4 hour labor and delivery for Mackenzie - so I worry about needing to get to the hospital very quickly this time in case I may only suddenly realize I'm about to deliver and when I'm in the transition stage of labor! It is especially deceiving as I can not rely on the timing of my contractions since I get 2-3 minutes apart regular contractions all the time. I may just need to rely on intuition - last time I had great early signals - losing the mucus plug 24 hours ahead of time and then my water breaking to start labor. However, I understand it may not happen again the same at all!

If anyone has any good advice on how their deliveries with their children were the same or different I'd love to hear!

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Congrats to Deb from Grandville, MI for winning a pair of styling Fall Shoes for her little girl from Stride Rite!

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Yipee! We've finally hit the $600 mark as we strive to raise $1000 for the Project Peanut Butter charity with the Classy Mommy Cyber Baby Shower event which will take place on 11/9/07.

We have over 36 companies participating with over 50 prizes already donated for readers! Don't forget to join the fun on November 9th!

If you would like to make a donation or be a sponsor with a giveaway prize, please read the details here.

Thanks!

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Boston Mamas: Postpartum Depression Call to Action The Blog Day for postpartum depression has passed, but it's not too late to make your voice heard via a quick call or email to your senator.

Clever Parents: OH! Organizing Hints: Eco-Friendly Parenting A Clever Parents viewer asks Geralin: Do you have any eco-friendly organizing hints for an average, SUV-driving mom living inside the city limits?

Healthy Bump: A Wonderful Cure for Boo Boos Next time your little one hurts themselves make sure to have a Boo-Bunny on hand to make them feel better.

MomFinds: Tiny Revolutionary Tees Giveaway Win two tees from Tiny Revolutionary and start a fashion revolution. Super-soft, sweatshop-free and socially-conscious, all the tees have positive messages that celebrate the modern family and the modern world.

Moms' Buzz: 7 Ways to Keep the Germs Away! As the weather changes, children are back in school and we are out and about, we bring along germs into our homes. The good news is that it's not rocket science what you need to do to keep a family well-protected from bug-borne illness. Just follow these seven basic steps!

One Chic Mama: Shoes That Walk the Walk We test drove several pairs of Vincent pre-walkers and love these shoes!

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Just 2 weeks before the Classy Mommy Cyber Baby Shower event we have raised a total of $520 for Project Peanut Butter. We're thrilled with the generous support of sponsors! Hopefully, we will hit our $1000 goal!

If you would like to participate, click here for more information!

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Fantastic News! As of October 24 th - our sponsors have contributed $415 to our Cyber Baby Shower goal of raising $1000 for Project Peanut Butter. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!


If any sponsors are interested in making a donation and/or participating in the fun - click here for instructions on receiving details. 28 companies have donated prizes for readers to date!

All readers will be able to participate in this exciting event and enter to win reader prizes on November 9th, 2007. See the growing list of the awesome prizes available here!

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Yahoo! Thanks to stride rite for sponsoring this week's Classy Mommy Giveaway. The winner will get a super cute pair of stride rite shoes from their Fall line shipped to their home!

stride rite has all the styles a kid could need this fall.

Every day your child is learning, going, growing more. And that’s why stride rite designers have created the super-stylish shoes for dress-up days and holidays, stylish school days and rough-and-tumble play days. They’re adorable, and so good for them. stride rite shoes come in a wide variety of sizes and widths, all specifically engineered to have the support and flexibility that are essential for your child’s growing feet. And with the help of a stride rite Certified Fit Specialist, their little feet will look good and feel good.

And as the weather starts to get cooler stride rite is welcoming you to their biggest sales event for fall. Visit your local stride rite from October 4 through October 25, 2007 and save 20% on your purchase of two or more pairs of shoes. And you’ll want to stock up – the more you shop, the more you’ll save.

Right now enter to win a super stylish pair of shoes** from stride rite for your little one and remember to tell your friends about stride rite's upcoming Sales event!

**stride rite will send the winner one of their cutest fall styles!

Email colleen@classymommy.com to enter. Please include your shipping address along with the words "stride Rite" in the subject heading. Contest entries must be received by Saturday October 27th.

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Congrats to our 5 winners from the Skip Hop Table Fun contest! And a special thanks to SKIP HOP for sponsoring this fabulous giveaway.

Kristin from Corvallis, OR
Lara from Collegeville, PA
Kathy from Quincey, MA
Renee from Vero Beach, FL
Christine from Phoenixville, PA

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Check out these fun reads on the web - and enter to win a free O Yikes! diaper bag loaded with gear from One Chic Mama! Yipee!!!!!

Boston Mamas: Get Down, Stay Down The Downtime Sleepy hat offers a stylish and functional way to wind your baby down (and discourage strangers from poking and prodding!).

Clever Parents: Operation Shower - Fort Hood Selected for Upcoming Baby Shower for 60 Army Moms Gifts sent from around the country will arrive at Fort Hood, Texas on Saturday, December 8, 2007 as part of a baby shower for 60 Army moms sponsored by Operation Shower.

Healthy Bump: Gestational Diabetes When my sister told me she had gestational diabetes it was the first I had ever heard of this medical condition. I was really concerned for her health and what could happen to her unborn child.

MomFinds: Maternity Fashion Guide for Real Women Petite, plus-sized, tall or curvy— No matter what your size, look chic and stylish throughout your pregnancy.

Moms' Buzz: Fun Facts About Halloween How did Halloween start in the US? What are Jack-o-lanterns, and what is the legend? Where do pumpkins originally come from? Do you know the answers to these questions when your kids ask? Learn these fun facts and be ready to tell your children all about Halloween!

One Chic Mama: O Yikes! It's Another Giveaway Enter to win this cool diaper slingback bag, packed and ready to go

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Fantastic News! As of October 17 th - our sponsors have contributed $245 to our Cyber Baby Shower goal of raising $1000 for Project Peanut Butter. Thank you!

If any sponsors are interested in making a donation and/or participating in the fun - click here for instructions on receiving details.

All readers will be able to participate in this exciting event and enter to win reader prizes on November 9th, 2007.

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Congrats to Sandie from Berlin, New Jersey and Kailani from Ewa Beach, Hawaii for winning the Angelina Ballerina DVD giveway!

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Exciting News! Classy Mommy Readers and Sponsors are all invited to join in the fun!

Pamela, mompreneur and founder of adorable clothing line called Happy Panda, very generously offered to throw a Cyber Baby Shower on November 9th in honor of my impending new arrival.
I thought it would be fantastic if proceeds from this event could also benefit Project Peanut Butter, a cause Classy Mommy supports.

For our Classy Mommy Readers, come visit the Cyber Shower on November 9th. You will be able to enter for the chance to win a prize from a super selection of door prizes by posting comments on the Classy Mommy blog or on your own personal blog.

For potential sponsors, retailers, companies or brands looking to participate please email CyberBabyShower@gmail.com for details.

Check out our growing list of reader prizes and donations raised to date here.

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Win more Classy Mommy Swag that is loved by celebs and parents looking for the cutting edge in prenatal development!

Baby Plus has provided a Prenatal Education System that was gifted to stars like Halle Berry and Nicole Richie to celebrate this season’s best accessory “The Bump” by Jewels and Pinstripes.

One lucky mom will win their own Baby Plus Prenatal Education system valued at $150. Email colleen@classymommy.com with your name and email address to entered for your chance to enter.

Baby Plus is a prenatal education system that you can begin to use anytime from 18-32 weeks in your pregnancy. Baby Plus plays progressively altered versions of the maternal heartbeat, which according to scientists is the true language of the prenatal environment. I gave Baby Plus a go as I entered my 19th week, when the babies hearing is considered developed to begin the process. Baby Plus is super easy to use and comfortable to wear. You will hear the hearbeat sound of the machine - as will of course the growing baby inside you! You can continue our normal activities, but you are supposed to wear Baby Plus 2X per day for an hour during each session. Countless testimonies exist where parents rave about the results and scientific studies show "Baby Plus" babies reach many developmental milestones sooner - not to mention that newborns seem to develop better sleeping patterns ! Give it a try!

Classy Mommy is a huge fan of Jewels and Pinstripes given their eye for style along with their belief in giving back. Founded in October of 2004, Jewels and Pinstripes is a premier designer of luxury gift bags, specializing in celebrity and VIP gift bags for charity and high profile events. Inspired by the dedication of the organizations we work with, Jewels and Pinstripes regulary donates one autographed gift bag from each event that is auctioned online and proceeds given to charity of event's choice. So far, Jewels and Pinstripes has raised over $200,000!

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Enjoy this weekend dose from some of Classy Mommy's favorite Mommy Bloggers. Classy Mommy is also a big fan of Liliuputians NYC as reviewed by Clever Parents! And be sure to read about over $1500 of giveaways from Mod*Mom!!!

Boston Mamas: Apples Juicy, Apples Round Learn more about the season's abundant apples, including fab apple recipes for babies, toddlers, and adults!

Clever Parents: Online Boutique of the Week - Liliputians NYC Are you forever on a quest to find for unique clothing for your child to fit her free spirit? Do you find yourself drawn to vintage, whimsical and brightly colored looks in the finest fabrics? Are heirloom quality and craftsmanship an important part of what you look for in clothing? If so, Heather Flottmann, designer and owner of Liliputians NYC has a treat in store for you.

Healthy Bump: Must Have List for Expectant Mothers Being pregnant is a wonderful time. From the feeling of excitement when the doctor confirms the pregnancy or the little line turns the right color to the pleasure you bring to your families faces when you announce your great news...

MomFinds: Rocket Boy Clock Giveaway Win a whimsical Rocket Boy Clock from Timeworks Clocks Storytime Collection. Never be late again and spark your child’s imagination all at the same time.

Moms' Buzz: Tips for a Healthier Halloween For the majority of us, Halloween treats mostly mean giving out candy, but it does not have to be that way. You can actually give healthier alternatives, and kids will still love your treats!

One Chic Mama: Helping You Stay Sane The MomME Weekly Planner from LobotoME helps keep moms organized.

mod*mom: Giveaways Reminder Three awesome giveaways valued over $1500.

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It's been a while since I posted a pregnancy update. For all you inquiring minds wondering about the sex of my future arrival, I'm happy to share the news that " It's a Boy! " We're at a standstill on names - every name I love my husband can't stand and vice versa. So for the time being, we all refer to the baby as simply " baby boy". I think this name will be sticking long after he is born!

The above photo shows the baby belly in full bloom at 31 weeks. The baby and I are appear to be super healthy but we are still being seen weekly now as I am considered a "higher risk" patient due to my pre-term labor symptoms. I basically contract constantly - literally like a woman in labor as my bad days feature regular contractions every 3 minutes for hours on end. I experienced these same symptoms with my daughter and I never dilated at all prior to delivery. However, I did have her at 36 weeks and 1 day as soon as I ended my "modified" bed rest. Thankfully, this time I also am not dilating - they are regularly checking my cervix. Given the good outcome of 36 weeks last time, they are allowing me to be up and about - but reminding me I need to take it as easy as possible. So it remains to be seen if it was a fluke that Mackenzie arrived early - or that it did indeed have something to do with the contractions.

Yesterday, I had a Fetal Fibronectin Test. We expect and hope the results to be negative, meaning it is unlikely I will deliver for at least 2 more weeks. I'll find out the results later today which will be re-assuring assuming the test comes back negative.

Baby boy's nursery is still in progress - the walls are painted blue and new furniture will be arriving in the coming month! I'll be sure to post pictures once it is nearly complete. Hopefully, my baby boy will not arrive until at least 36 weeks!

I'll keep you posted now that we are in the final countdown!

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Surprise Giveaway! 2 Lucky readers will each get a copy of this fantastic DVD and bonus book that Classy Mommy was able to review yesterday.

This Angelina DVD has multiple episodes, along with the small bonus book, Angelina Ballerina: The Silver Locket - an episode that is also on the DVD. The book is a definite bonus as we were able to read the story, then watch the specific episode, and then go back and read the story again and again. A great way to limit TV time, but also give the kids a treat and discuss what you both reading and seeing! Mackenzie really enjoyed us doing both the book and 11 minute episode this way -not my "girly girl" totally digs Angelina!


Email colleen@classymommy.com with "Angelina" in the Subject title along with your name and address for your chance to win. This Special Edition DVD and Book will be released on October 16th, 2007. Contest ends 10/13/07.

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Classy Mommy digs the stylish and functional kicks from Stride Rite. Take advantage of their sale going on from October 4th - October 24th. Save 20% when you buy 2 or more pairs of shoes!

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Win Classy Mommy Swag! Thanks to Skip Hop for sponsoring our latest yummy giveaway.

5 Lucky winners will each win Skip Hop's trendy TABLE FUN 5 piece feeding set valued at $24.


Classy Mommy loves the functionality and modern style found across Skip Hop's product lines. Known for designing groundbreaking products for the latest generation of parents, Skip Hop has done it again with their latest product launch!

Classy Mommy had the opportunity to test out a Skip Hop product for the first time when we were given the chance to review TABLE FUN, Skip Hop's 5 piece feeding set for tots and kids. The TABLE FUN set is made of melamine with colorful and spunky animal designs. The designs are made by Eleanor Grosch, whose design work is favored by both rock bands and apparal companies.

Mackenzie has the Circus Pals TABLE FUN set shown above in purple. We love how the bowl and plate are a bit bigger than pretty much every other "plastic" kid style set we currently own. And although we adore Elmo in our house, it is a refreshing change of pace to eat a meal (or in my case prepare a meal!) on a modern designer place setting that is both lively, vibrant, and still kid friendly.

Email colleen@classymommy.com with the subject title "Skip Hop Table Fun" and you'll be entered for your chance to win.

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Wow. I always liked this online shop for selling genius mom invented products. Now, Mom 4 Life is going all out with this FANTABULOUS giveaway that will last through the month of October to celebrate their 1st year anniversary.

In addition, for every 5 people that enter to win, they will donate $1 to their local Open Arms Pregnancy Care Center in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho

Click here http://www.mom4life.com/pages/monthofgiveaways.php to see all the fun stuff we are giving away.

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Congrats to Holly from Brookhaven, Mississippi and Jessalyn from Kennesaw, Georgia.

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