SANTA BABY: Kolcraft Stroller

Hello, my name is Cassidy and I have an addiction.

While it is NOT harmful to my health,
it is harmful on the wallet.
What is my addiction?

I am addicted to strollers.

I now have three... and my mother has one. :)
Mind you, they all have their purposes. My Joovy Kooper is lightweight for quick trips or small packing space. My Safety 1st travel system was great when CBug was a newborn... but now too bulky for everyday use. The newest one, Kolcraft's Contours® Options® 3 Wheeler, is my favorite

.

Caden has gotten to the size where he looks just plain silly in his travel system carseat attached to his stroller, but Mommy isn't ready to not be able to see him at all times :) I hated the thought of putting him in a forward facing stroller, but all the strollers that switch to face the handle are SOOO expensive. I couldn't afford to spend $500+ on one stroller.

Then I found the Kolcraft Contours® Options® 3 Wheeler. It was love at first site. It's seat switches to face me while I push him, it's not difficult to operate, and is definitely affordable! It even comes with an attachment for baby carriers! I wish that I had found this stroller BEFORE I got my travel system. It is beyond perfect.

(The handle height is great for both me (at 5'3) and my 6'0 husband!!)
(PS that's Marina from The Mommy Homemaker in the background! She's my IRL BFF!)

One thing that suprised me is how little this three wheeled stroller folds up compared to my travel system 3 wheeled stroller! One of the reasons that I traded in my VW Bug was that I had to put the stroller in the backseat with Caden, losing all my passenger room. I wish I had my Bug now to see if it would pass the test. The Kolcraft Contours® Options® 3 Wheeler almost folds up into a square. It's not long like most strollers. I can even fit the Joovy Kooper in my truck with the Kolcraft! (I now drive a 2008 Dodge Avenger<3 style="font-weight: bold;">

(lol, Caden's Monster costume filled out the bar!)

ABOUT THE KOLCRAFT CONTOURS® OPTIONS® 3 WHEELER:
(from their site)

• Seat Easily Reverses so Parent's Can Always Keep A Close Eye on their Newborn. Toddlers Can Face Forward to See the World!

• The Unique Floating Seat Has Been Designed with Suspension to Give Baby a Comfortable Ride

• Infant Car Seat Attachment Fits Most Brands on the Market

• Seat Fully Reclines in Both Directions For Infant's Comfort

• Its Always a Smooth Ride for Baby with the 8" Front Single Swivel & 12" Rear Never Flat Wheels

• Easy Trigger Folds Quickly and Convenient Free-Stand™ Allows the Stroller to Stand on its Own!

• Removable Parent Tray Keeps Drinks Close

• Child Front Bar Removes Quickly for Child Access

•Infant Head Rest Protects Newborn's Head

• Sunrider Canopy Adjusts in all Directions to Block the Sun

• Large Basket Accommodates All Baby's Gear

• Height Adjustable 5 Point Harness for Safety and Padded Sleeves for Comfort

• Fabric is Constructed of a Wind Resistant and Easy Wipe High Density Nylon Blend. Its Brushed Treatment Adds Softness While Still Being Durable

In the spirit of Christmas, Kolcraft has donated one Contours® Options® 3 Wheeler Stroller for ONE of my readers to win!
(How freakin AWESOME is that?!?!)

To Win:

~ You must fulfill the mandatory entry before additional entries!

~ You must leave each entry in a seperate comment!

~ You must leave an email address that I can reach you at
Mandatory Entry

Let me know what feature you like best about
the Kolcraft Contours® Options® 3 Wheeler stroller.

Additional Entries

1 Entry- Become a Follower of The First time Around! (let me know here)
1 Entry- Become a facebook fan of The First Time Around and Kolcraft! (let me know here)
1 Entry- Become an email subscriber of TFTA! (let me know here)
1 Entry- Grab my SANTA BABY button and let me know where to find it!
1 Entry per current giveaway of mine that you enter :)
1 Entry- Follow 1sttimearound on Twitter and tweet the following:

Win a KOLCRAFT Contours® Options® 3 Wheeler Stroller
during Santa Baby's 1st Christmas Event

@1sttimearound http://twurl.nl/jwgui3

This giveaway will end on December 12th, 2009 at 11:59 pm. At that time I will choose a winner using random.org and let them know via email. Winner will have 48 hours to respond before I choose a new winner using random.org.

SANTA BABY: Baby Harrill

Santa Baby's First Christmas List for Himself!

Caden loves everything soft. Ok, well Caden doesn't care too terribly much yet, but Caden's MOMMY (<--- That's ME!!) loves every baby thing that is soft. Especially if it's greatly made and wonderfully adorable! Which is why I love Baby Harrill.

Baby Harrill offers bibs, laminate bibs, blankets, loveys, changing pads and burp clothes. Almost all of the products incorporate the gorgeous, soft minky fabric. Each item is designed and made with baby in mind, each piece is BEAUTIFUL. I especially love the Ahoy Matey Blanket, the Monkey Boy's Bib, and the Preppy Boy Burp Cloth!

The story behind Baby Harrill:

"When I was pregnant with my second child and I couldn’t find the perfect cradle and crib bumper set, I decided to make my own. I used my sewing skills (thanks mom!) and the love of design and put together something that was unique. Everyone loved them! As I rocked my own “Baby Harrill”, I started to plan. I began making diaper bags, blankets, burp cloths, and I just kept going. I then was asked by friends to make something for their baby as well as gifts to give. I kept getting the same feedback “You need to start a business”. I felt my dream was coming together. I’m happy to say it has expanded from my rocking chair to an online boutique as well as fine retail boutiques near you."

I received a Baby Harrill Minky Green Camo Bib for review purposes. First of all, it's ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS. It is beautifully made, completely flawless. The minky is sooooo soft. I love it. The only fear I had when I first received it was weither or not it would absorb anything and everything I need it to :) It passed the Caden test with flying colors! It was hit with slobber, formular, and baby food... non soaked through or rolled off! I absolutely LOVE this bib, now the question is... Can I get a queen sized blanket?!?! hehe.

Check out Baby Harrill for all
of your baby Holiday shopping needs!

Mr. Santa Baby Caden
definitely gives his stamp of approval!

SANTA BABY:Celery Street

On Santa Baby's List of Gifts for Mom!

I don't know about you all, but I've definitely jumped on the "Going Green" bandwagon since becoming a mom. I want the world to still be a great place when my children are grown :) I look for every opportunity that I can to help make the transition to becoming green, including lightbulbs, reusable grocery bags, and cloth diapers. As we come upon this Christmas season, I really stepped it up, and began looking for awesome Eco friendly gifts! That's how I found Celery Street!

Celery Street is an online store stocked with a TON of eco friendly products! "Enjoy our selection of eco-friendly, recycled, reused, and refurbished gifts, housewares, and other practical items. We are encouraged by all of the fun, chic, and even elegant earth-conscious items being created by our partners. They're better for the earth and therefore better for us!"

"Together we can learn, be more green, and make a difference in our world. Enjoy shopping on Celery Street!"

One pretty cool fact about Celery Street is that they actually have a store front in Indianapolis! Fort Wayne is only a couple of hours from Indy, and one of my good friends lives there, so I'm hoping to visit VERY soon!! I love the products they carry and would love to experience them in person. Some of my favorites include their journal selection, the EcoUsable Stainless Steel Water Bottle w/Wide Top and the Round Coal Gloss Recycled Glass Serving Bowl.

I received the Sonoma Lavender Recycled Cotton After Shower Wrap for review purposes.

"Imagine an entire field of lavender in full bloom tucked between the Mayacamas Mountains, vineyards, and the Pacific Ocean in California. Sonoma Lavender is a family owned business with a vision… a vision of pure organic lavender essential oil that heals and rejuvenates. Can you smell the calm? This same company has created a remarkable cotton knit made with breathable, ecologically-minded recycled yarns. It feels bumpy, soft, natural, and comforting next to your skin. This absorbent after shower wrap is pure “breathable” comfort. Cold water washable. One size fits most."

I absolutely LOVE it! I have wanted a shower wrap for a while now and am so excited to have this lovely, soft, amazing scented wrap. It's made of soft recycled cotton and scented with lavender essential oils. I can definitely see this wrap fitting a wide variaty of sizes as the velcro strips are pretty long. I also like the covereage it provides. It hits my leg at just the right length! All in all, I am extremely happy with the Sonoma Lavender Recycled Cotton After Shower Wrap and have definitely put it to use after each shower... OR BATH! :)

The wonderful people at Celery Street wanted to offer one reader a chance at some Celery Street Action also! They are offering up the chance to win the Rembrandt Virgin and Child - Embellished Manuscript Journal! Super cute and just in time for Christmas lists!

To Win:

~ You must fulfill the mandatory entry before additional entries!

~ You must leave each entry in a seperate comment!

~ You must leave an email address that I can reach you at!

Mandatory Entry

Visit Celery Street and let me know what your favorite Eco-Friendly gift is!!

Additional Entries

1 Entry- Become a Follower of the First time around and Celery Street! (let me know here)
1 Entry- Become a facebook fan of The First Time Around! (let me know here)
1 Entry- Become an email subscriber of TFTA! (let me know here)
1 Entry- Grab my SANTA BABY button and let me know where to find it!
1 Entry per current giveaway of mine that you enter :)
1 Entry- Follow 1sttimearound on Twitter and tweet the following:

Win a Manuscript Journal from Celery Street
during Santa Baby's 1st Christmas Event

@1sttimearound http://twurl.nl/jwgui3

This giveaway will end on December 11th, 2009 at 11:59 pm. At that time I will choose a winner using random.org and let them know via email. Winner will have 48 hours to respond before I choose a new winner using random.org.