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  • Author unknown

    26 links we appreciate

    http://blog.rookiemoms.com/26-links-we-appreciate/
    106 days ago in RookieMoms Blog · Authority: 23

    So we had a “blog blast” last week. How fun is that? We wrangled some prize bags and asked a bunch of parent bloggers to blog about their rookie year as a mom. Here are the results: Secret Mom Thoughts: Adventures Rockin’ Mama: A Rookie at Heart Flibbs.com: Battling Yoda and Diaper Flaps at the Same Time Susie J: Dining in a Wine-List Restaurant with Kids PhotoChick: Flashback Fridays Featuring Awesome Outings Cheese Party: Flying With Baby Times Ten Midwestern MommyFrom Target to Take Out: My Rookie Mom Year Havoc and Mayhem: How Not to Take Your Newborn to Florida Get a Grip Mom: Hug-a-By Baby Temporarily Me: Integrating Into a New World: Rookie Style Thrifty Toddler: It’s the Breakfast Club, Baby! MotherGooseMouse: Leaving on a Jet Plane How Much Is a Duck Worth: Mommy Needs Out Field Trip, and a Fun Site Shout Out! My Family Loves It: My First Year as a MOM: Restaurants, Playgroup & Hockey! Mayberry Mom: Never Too Young for Happy Hour WhitneyandRyan.comThe One Where Julian was a Frat Boy MamaDrama: Outings with your kids ~ OR ~ IfWeDon’tGetOutaThisHouseRightNowI’mGoingToGoCrazy!! After The Bubbly: Pumps to Pampers: My First Year of Motherhood Baby PhD: Rug Shopping with a 2 Month Old One in 36 million: Sand in His Butt-Crack Frankly Frivolous: Strawberries and Greeks for Baby The Dana Files: Take Me Out to the Mall Game Zrob: This Time Last Year - First Time Eating Out The Kiddie Clique: The Torturing of Charlotte Motherhood Uncensored: What to Wear at BlogHer 2008: A Sleeping Baby And a Baby: Who Doesn’t Love a Montage?

  • Author unknown

    Kinzin: Here’s What They’re Saying So Far

    http://blog.parentbloggers.com/2008/05/13/kinzin-heres-what-...
    108 days ago in The Parent Bloggers Network · Authority: 316

    If you’ve ever worried about posting pictures online in a way that your friends and family can see them, but no one else can, then you’ll want to check out Kinzin, a totally private photo and information sharing website that helps families connect. This free service allows parents to upload and maintain pictures and information and then only share it with a specific group of people. And those people can’t forward it to anyone else. For me, however, the best and most interesting part of the website (since even my own in-laws can barely use the fairly simple set-up) is the photo mailing service. As I wrote in my review, I found this to be worth its weight in gold. For just $2.99/month per address, they will send up to 10 pictures. REAL. LIVE. PICTURES. I’m pretty sure I won the Mother’s Day jackpot. So, if you’ve got grandparents who complain about never getting pictures, this might be the service for you. But that’s just my opinion. Let’s see how our bloggers have fared with both the web based service as well as the photo mailing component of Kinzin. An important component to any of these types of service is ease of use, particularly since the people using it are probably not going to be the most technically savvy. One mom had this to say “Setting up your distribution list is as simple as typing in the name and email list and my family had no trouble viewing them once accepting their privately emailed invitation.” In a similar vein, this mom said “This service is extremely easy for less tech-savvy grandparents to view. Simply send them an invite e-mail, and they can then access the photos. There is very little clicking involved, and each section is clearly labeled, making it less likely to cause any confusion.” Added another mom “So far, I’ve found that the photos are easy to upload, and you can add titles and descriptions of each picture if you’d like.” This blogger’s family had no problems figuring it out! “It’s an easy, private photo sharing site that even my most technologically-dumb family members can navigate. I was easily able to share our account with them and they were easily able to register and view the pictures that we uploaded.” Parents noted that it was indeed completely secure. ” This feature was so secure that I was unable to use the link I sent to one invitee on a different computer than theirs.” Others noted that while the service is private, you can elect to make it public and connect with other parents. “From there, you can make photo books with the pictures you’ve uploaded or even connect with other parents online, if that’s your thing. I prefer just keeping my pictures private for my close relatives and good friends to view whenever they so desire.” Additionally, the bloggers noted specific features of the web based component that they liked. - I also like that you can set up profiles of your kids with a current picture and a blurb telling what they are up to right now, what their favorite things currently are, and even add a wish list of things they’d like for special occasions like birthdays and Christmas. How wonderful would that be for those family and friends who live far away and aren’t able to keep up what your kids are busy with these days. - The “Photo Book” feature of Kinzin is smart. There are definitely events that show geographically significant information about my kids, or other personal details that I wouldn’t want in a Flickr photoset. Or, I may want to highlight only a few “best” photos on Flickr, whereas I could put up a whole unedited book on Kinzin for the grandparents who don’t mind seeing a gazillion photos of the same kid differing only on a slight angle or pose. Overall, the bloggers’ favorite feature was the photo mailing service. Bloggers commented on the quality of the pictures. “My order just arrived, and the finishing is lovely, and the colors are great. I love that the photos are matte finished, and have the photo name printed on the front of the photo.” One blogger, who found a few small glitches with the web component felt that the photo mailing service redeemed any issues that he had. “This is a great feature for those of us (like me) who have parents who do not “do” digital. The packages are cleanly presented, and the prints are excellent on high quality paper (our first set came on Fuji paper).” One blogger did caution users in that what you see is what you get — make sure you upload good quality photos as this is just a printing service (no retouching included!). “A word of caution about the prints - make sure the quality of your digital photos are exactly what you want. Kinzin is not going to touch up or make your dodgy pictures look nicer for you. What you upload is what you get. Just keep that in mind when you’re manipulating your pictures into something unrecognizable and they’re all cropped strangely.” Some folks had mixed emotions about the titles on the photos, which is an option that you get to choose (although some bloggers stated it was difficult to find. “I do NOT like the title on the prints. I mean, who wants words on their chin (see left). When I complained about said words on chin, I found out that they’re now working to make this option more visible along with a link to show you what the option actually entails and, of course, you are able to deselect it. Fabulous. My experience is now perfect.” And best of all, our bloggers had very happy family members! “I’ve been using it for a couple of weeks now, the first shipment of photos of Gabe shipped out this week, and so far I’ve received rave reviews. Everyone has updated pictures, and I didn’t have to do anything! It’s a win-win situation! Plus, the grandparents are happy!” Added another “All 3 were very impressed with the pictures - they are beautifully printed, and come in a nice envelope. My grandmother lives in an assisted living place, and her pictures came at breakfast, and she was the talk of the dining room! She was so proud to show off her great-grandchildren!” One blogger completely surprised her family and this is what she summized: “Her [family member] strong hint that this is the perfect gift idea for families who live apart from grandchildren and loved ones definitely let’s me know we’ll be using Kinzin again in the future.” Stay tuned for more Kinzin reviews, and try the service out for yourself! Based on the reactions of these family members, it will make a fantastic father’s day gift for some lucky grandpa. Today! Cheese Party, Lawyer Mama, Wed 5/14 - Letters to My Daughters, Mom Reviews Thurs 5/15 - Binkytown, Krississippi, Thurs 5/22 - FINAL ROUND UP – We have some Blog Blast Winners to announce! (And stay tuned for a great one this Friday — speaking of grandparents… Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Cause Winners (Johnson and Johnson Gift Basket courtesy of JnJ and $25 donation to Global Giving Charity of their choice courtesy of PBN): http://creaturebug.typepad.com/creature_bug/2008/05/the-year-i-buy.html http://rerunandjungleclown.blogspot.com/2008/05/one-mama-bloggers-baby-gardening-cause.html http://www.musingsofahousewife.com/musings_of_a_housewife/2008/05/hallmark-strike.html http://cheeseparty.blogspot.com/2008/05/making-it-all-worthwhile.html http://submommy.blogspot.com/2008/05/my-ugly-feet.html http://stuffreviews.blogspot.com/2008/04/mothers-day-doesnt-have-to-be-another.html http://andababy.blogspot.com/2008/05/mother-of-all-mixers.html http://jasonncaryn.blogspot.com/2008/05/greatest-gift.html http://amommystory.blogspot.com/2008/05/this-mothers-day-just-leave-me-alone.html http://ngunderground.blogspot.com/2008/05/what-i-want-for-mothers-day.html Rookie Moms Blog Blast Winners (a super duper prize pack of all kinds of cool stuff!) http://www.temporarilyme.com/2008/05/09/integrating-into-a-new-world-rookie-style/ http://thekiddieclique.com/main/?p=213 (If you haven’t been emailed yet and you see your blog up here, then email us!)

  • Author unknown

    Rookie Moms - Blog Blast & Final Round-Up

    http://blog.parentbloggers.com/2008/05/09/rookie-moms-blog-b...
    112 days ago in The Parent Bloggers Network · Authority: 316

    Whether you’re home all day with your baby, or you’re together before and after work and on weekends, sometimes it’s hard to know what to do with this little person who doesn’t talk or walk. Your baby’s not going to say “Hey Mom, let’s go to the coffee shop and get you a treat!” The key to survival is getting out of the house. So, we’re asking you to tell us what baby-friendly outings worked for you during your rookie year as a mom? Did you take your baby to a pub so often that you considered changing his name to Norm? Did your little one learn to snooze under the stars while you and your husband maintained a date night at the drive-in? Share your “[insert word]” outing - best, silliest, bravest (you get the idea…) - from that first year. This week we’re collaborating with Heather Gibbs Flett and Whitney Moss, authors of The Rookie Mom’s Handbook and fellow PBN bloggers, to inspire new moms to have more fun during their first year of motherhood. After the births of their first babies and finding that their days were embarrassingly boring, Heather and Whitney challenged each other to post their favorite activities on a shared blog (www.rookiemoms.com) until they reached one activity for each day of the baby’s first year. Now, the best of these ideas and loads of new ones are combined in an adorable handbook with whimsical illustrations. Here’s how to participate: Tell us about your “[insert word]” outings from your rookie mom year. Post anytime this weekend - Friday, May 9 through Sunday, May 11. Make sure to link http://www.rookiemoms.com and http://blog.parentbloggers.com somewhere in your post. Then email us the link to your post at parentbloggers@gmail.com. We’ll be linking them up on our blog all weekend long, so be creative with your title! What can you win? One of two fantastic gift bags filled with more than $250 worth of goodies for moms, including the brand new BABYBJÖRN®Baby Carrier Synergy, a child’s gardening kit from Smith & Hawken, a baby tshirt from Scout Organic Baby, and of course, a copy of The Rookie Mom’s Handbook. Two winners will be drawn at random. Plus, Heather and Whitney will choose their three favorite posts and feature them on their website! Check out these posts: Adventures A Rookie at Heart Battling Yoda and Diaper Flaps at the Same Time Dining in a Wine-List Restaurant with Kids Flashback Fridays Featuring Awesome Outings Flying With Baby Times Ten From Target to Take Out: My Rookie Mom Year How Not to Take Your Newborn to Florida Hug-a-By Baby Integrating Into a New World: Rookie Style It’s the Breakfast Club, Baby! Leaving on a Jet Plane Mommy Needs Out Field Trip, and a Fun Site Shout Out! My First Year as a MOM: Restaurants, Playgroup & Hockey! Never Too Young for Happy Hour The One Where Julian was a Frat Boy Outings with your kids ~ OR ~ IfWeDon’tGetOutaThisHouseRightNowI’mGoingToGoCrazy!! Pumps to Pampers: My First Year of Motherhood Rug Shopping with a 2 Month Old Sand in His Butt-Crack Strawberries and Greeks for Baby Take Me Out to the Mall Game This Time Last Year - First Time Eating Out The Torturing of Charlotte What to Wear at BlogHer 2008: A Sleeping Baby Who Doesn’t Love a Montage? —- Here’s what our bloggers are saying about their fantastic new book: Most seasoned mothers will tell you the secret to keeping sane and enjoying the gig is to engage in fun activities that get you outside the house. Enjoy a beautiful day and take a walk. Meet up with friends at a museum. The point is, DO NOT isolate yourself. Whitney and Heather, authors of The Rookie Mom’s Handbook: 250 Activities to do with (and without) your baby know this. And they want to not only share this wisdom but give other moms ideas on where to go and what to do. The moms who reviewed this book had much to say. “The Rookie Moms Handbook: 250 Activities to do with (and without) your baby is a small, easy to read guide chock full of tips on how to survive those first months of motherhood. It’s perfectly sized to fit in your diaper bag and would make a great addition to any baby shower gift. Because who doesn’t need a little more advice, right?” This book is bound to keep a mom busy. Says one blogger, “I did love reading this book and checking out their website, Rookie Moms. With over 250 activities in the book alone, no new mom will be left with that puzzled look of bewilderment and feelings of “what now?” Plus? The Rookie Mom’s Handbook “is written in small bite-sized pieces for your convenience and organized by baby’s age. Reading can’t get any easier than this!” The book isn’t just for new moms. “With each new child come new challenges - including how to fill those long, looooong days. You can’t just toss them all outside or down to the basement and expect them to entertain each other (like our parents did with us, right?). The Rookie Mom’s Handbook is for every mom. I’m in my third rookie year, and I got a bunch of great ideas from this handy book,” says one reviewer. Another blogger (with a second child on the way) added, “I do wish I had this book before my daughter was born but I am glad that I have it now. I’m not a rookie but I’m not an expert either and there are still some ideas I’ll put to use when baby #2 arrives in the next week or so. Wow, that’s coming fast. I better call my Nana (Tip #6 - Grandmothers are extremely useful!)”. Speaking of tips, here’s a sneak peak at a few more of our bloggers’ favorites: #8 (write a ‘did do’ list where you jot down and check off the myriad baby care and other tasks you accomplished during the day), #150 (have a baby food puree swap party), and #247 (create an alphabet inspired DIY collage for your child). Another blogger’s favorite tip involved setting up an e-mail account for baby. “Forgo the baby book; just send them email updates of what they are doing, saying, pooping, you name it.” The creators behind the Rookie Moms Handbook gently remind mothers of aspects they might have forgotten once baby comes along. For example, take advantage of your baby’s age and stage. “I also enjoyed the book because it validated something that I didn’t fully appreciate with my first baby - the idea that these creatures are highly portable and user-friendly in a way that toddlers very often (*cough*) are not.” One blogger mentioned her favorite part of the book was “the mom milestones chart in the back. We all write baby’s firsts in their baby book, but how often do we stop to remember our firsts? ,” the reviewer muses. “They give prompts like “first unpregnant cocktail,” “first public diaper change,” and “mom’s most impressive new bra size.” I wish I could remember some of those details. ” And we know you’ve heard this before, but this advice can’t be said enough: moms are in need of nurturing too. “They offer moms encouragement to take some “ME” time - something that doesn’t come naturally (or easily) for new moms. Knowing the physical and mental drain that comes with being responsible for another human being, Heather and Whitney offer some realistic suggestions to get you out of the house and reconnecting with your former self in no time,” notes the blogger. She goes on to remind us “After all, you’re not just a mom - you’re a person, too!”