Our new series, Tiny Birth Stories, is aimed at sharing real-life stories from our readers to our readers. In just 100 words or less, we’re bringing you the raw, the funny and the heartwarming stories you’ve lived while bringing babies into the world. Here are five stories that will have you laughing, crying and nodding your head in solidarity.
From the moment your baby arrives in the world, you have a lot to think about. Safety 1st has products to ensure the safety and well-being of children in cars, homes, and everywhere in between—giving you one less thing to stress about. Learn more about the highest standards of baby safety established by Safety 1st.
I Gave Birth In A Cab- Twice! by Rose M.
Both kids were born in cars, the first was in a Livy cab and the second was in a Green cab. The births happened on the same street less than a mile apart, one in front of a 7-eleven and the other in front of a Dunkin’ Donuts. I have zero modesty as a result.
The Things You’ll Hear Giving Birth To An 11lb baby by Megan M.
Judah was born at 11lbs. There were triplets in the room next to us, all together weighing 12lbs. The nurse came in our room and said “your baby looks like he ate the triplets!”
I Didn’t Know CVS Sold That by Lindsey M.
I squatted down in CVS and pop! I stood frozen in shock at the sensation of warm water gushing all over the floor. We raced home. I didn’t even change, and I hauled 10 bags of luggage down the front steps and I watched my MIL narrowly escape a car accident. My labor stalled for 8 hours. I went on pit, refused an epidural like a freak, and started hallucinating in the final dilation. Three hours later I pushed my baby out, just a shell of my former self, clinging to a squat bar, while infomercials played in the background.
Even The Nurse Was Surprised by Clarissa S.
My blood pressure skyrocketed at 38 weeks, but my body wasn’t ready for labor. 2 hospital days later, my body was exactly the same, and we actually almost went home! That night, I woke up with excruciating contractions beyond my wildest imagination. Suddenly, my water broke, and I felt the desperation of a cat clawing its way out of a box. Shaking uncontrollably, I said that if this was the beginning of labor, I needed an epidural to get me through. The nurse prepared to check for any progression whatsoever, but was shocked to find baby’s head under the sheet!
I Wanted To Go For A Walk In The Woods by Jelena B.
Birth can go the way you want it, you just don’t know! So let go. ;) That was my motto! I trusted the process and that’s probably what helped me most with the birth of my son! I had that dream home birth I was hoping for. In Vermont, in the countryside, where I thought I would have time to walk in the woods but no… When my water broke, everything was pretty quick. I did have time to think about adding the rose petals in the tub! My son arrived after 5h30min. All good, cozy and warm on me.
This post is sponsored by Safety 1st, the leader in home safety for families. Learn more.
Editor’s Note: The National Zoo reopened in May 2021. Admission is free, but visitors must register for timed-entry passes here.
The 163-acre National Zoo has been captivating visitors since way back in 1889, when it was called the National Museum’s Department of Living Animals, and has continued to expand its offerings over the years. Should you go? Of course! Should you have a game plan? You better! To make things easier, here’s a cheat sheet that will help you get the most out of a day spent with furry, feathered, and spiny zoo friends.
The best way to get to the zoo is by public transportation. Period. Both Metro Bus and Metro Rail have stops within walking distance of the Zoo. FYI: While equal distance from both Metro stops, the walk is uphill from the Woodley Park stop and flat from the Cleveland Park stop.The L1 and L2 buses stop right in front of the Zoo's main entrance on Connecticut Avenue. Parking can be reserved before your visit for $30.
Where to Eat
mliu92 via flickr
The Mane Grill is open and serves Elevation Burgers, vegan burgers, chicken tenders, grab and go items, and kid meals on Lion-Tiger Hill. You can grab a slice of Sbarro at Panda Plaza. Feeling the heat? Grab a cone at Carvel at Panda Overlook. Dippin' Dots, Dolci Gelati and Ben & Jerry’s is also available at various locations in the park.
Giant Panda 411
Mandy Jansen via flickr
Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and Xiao Qi Jiare definitely the resident headline makers at the National Zoo. In fact, they probably attract many of the park’s two million annual visitors. The National Zoo is a leader in giant panda conservation and has been working with China to study, breed and care for these black-and-white beauties since 1972 .Depending on the time and the weather, the giant pandas have a choice to be outside or inside the panda house. The pandas typically have outdoor access until early afternoon.
Safety regulations: Free, pre-timed tickets are required for this exhibit. You can get yours here.
Daily Programs
Something is always happening at the Smithsonian's National Zoo. Daily programs include animal training, feeding demonstrations and keeper talks. Some programs change from week to week. Zoo educators and volunteers try to keep an updated schedule, but due to weather and the needs of the animals, activity times can change. Please be sure to consult a schedule at the Zoo on the day of your visit.
Keeping Your Cool
The Austinot via flickr
It’s no secret…during the summer the Zoo can get rather toasty. When the heat is on, keep cool by strolling through the many mist stations sprinkled throughout the park. Even better, dip your feet in the flowing waters of the American Trail Tide Pool (May 30-Sep. 30), a shallow wave pool open for tiptoe-ing through with replica model sea stars, barnacles and mussels.
Nostalgia alert! It’s time to go back in time and pay some serious homage to your fave Thursday night “friends.” Beauty brand Makeup Revolution just added to its already can’t-miss line of Friends themed products!
The Revolution x Friends line now includes eye shadow palettes based on your fave characters, lipstick kits, sheet masks, a Lobster mirror and even a Joey Ichiban Lipstick for Men.
Each eye shadow palette ($12) comes with nine shades, all with notable names that feature the boys. The Ross palette features the My Sandwich, Leather Pants, Break, White Teeth, Dinosaur, Fossil, Juice Box, Keyboard and Unagi shadows.
The Joey includes Joey (of course), Dr. Drake, Mary Angela, Nap Partner, Trifle, Turkey, Bamboozled, Tribbiani and JR. Chandler’s palette’s shadows include Hello Mr. Bing, Tulsa, Bigger Boat, Hypnosis, The Box, Cups, Eddie, Jack and Erica. As if the three new palettes aren’t enough, you can also nab the I’ll Be There for You 18-piece shadow set ($18).
The boys don’t get all the fun in this collection. The new lip kits ($12) are named after the girls, with a Rachel, Monica and Phoebe. Check out the full line of Revolution x Friends beauty buys at Ulta online and in stores nationwide, or online from Makeup Revolution.
A kid’s show that’s modern, heartwarming and just so darn delightful that even parents will enjoy it? It does exist. Episodes of this original series are short, sweet, and much like chips; you can’t stop at just one. Bluey, a 6-year-old Blue Heeler pup is full of personality with a loveable, curious spirit—dare we say, she’s our spirit animal?! We realize this is an animated show about a family of dogs living down-under, but its realness and relatability draw us in and keep us coming back for more!
Along with adorbs younger sister, Bingo, Bluey loves to turn everyday family life into endless, playful adventures. Dad, Bandit, and mom, Chilli, are like the cool neighbors you want to hang with—they parent with a sense of humor, big heart, and a little self-deprecation every now again, and we can relate. But wait—this is a show for your kids, we swear!
Now your preschooler can bring the fun and imaginative play home with their best Australian buddies! (And if you happen to get in on the action, too, we get it.) Check out these cool new Bluey toys that your little ones will adore just as much as the show!
Bluey Family Home
$39.99
Your kiddos will feel like they're inside the show with this awesome playset! Bluey's family home includes plenty of space to play in the living room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. It comes with two beds, two stools, two sofas, two rugs, a bathtub, toilet, dining room counter, a fridge and, of course, one Bluey figure ready for adventures!
Let’s roll! Bluey and Bingo are ready to explore on their individual scooters included in this figure set. When you press Bluey or Bingo’s paw down, they attach to the scooter and are ready to go. The scooters even have moveable wheels and come with helmets for both Bluey and Bingo.
Take Bluey and her family on road trips in the Heeler Four Wheel Drive 4WD Family Vehicle! The top opens up to fit the whole family inside, and it features a roof rack that holds two surfboards. Your kiddo can cruise Bluey and the family to the beach so they can ride the waves. The family vehicle also comes with a fun sticker sheet so your preschooler can decorate the outside of the car.
Get the whole crew together with this four-pack of figures featuring Bluey, Chilli, Bandit and Bingo! These cute poseable figures are the perfect size for preschooler's hands and are compatible with other Bluey toy sets like the Heeler 4WD Family Vehicle and the Family Home Playset. These little toys are perfect for on-the-go play!
Giddyup! Bluey is ready to ride! This magical set includes a Bluey figure, a Unipony figure, a saddle for riding and a bale of hay for Unipony snacking. Recreate fun moments from the show by helping Bluey hop on her Unipony (which she attaches to thanks to the saddle) and head off to adventure!
Celebrate spring with Chuck E. Cheese! The iconic kids’ eatery recently announced the launch of “4 Seasons of Fun.” These all-new immersive experiences will give your kiddo a totally new way to experience the best the beloved brand has to offer.
The fab family-friendly seasonal festivities begin Mar. 1, 2021. Chuck E. Cheese and his new pal Ronnie the Unicorn will bring their Spring-tastic Celebration to restaurants and your home—via online activities. The two-month long spring event includes everything from new menu items to exclusive deals.
photo courtesy of PR Newswire/Chuck E. Cheese
CEO of CEC Entertainment, David McKillips, said in a press release, “At Chuck E. Cheese, each season brings a fresh opportunity for families to gather for fun.” McKillips continued, “Over the last year, we’ve helped families find new ways to celebrate each day. That’s why we’re rolling out our 4 Seasons of Fun in 2021, to encourage special moments all year long. We’re kicking things off with a Spring-tastic Celebration and have pulled out all the stops to bring families exciting new memories, from exclusive treats like our Unicorn Churros to instant-win games and weekday deals on both pizza and play.”
McKillips also noted that the fun won’t end with the Spring-tastic Celebration, “This newly imagined event will be followed by our Summer of Fun, Halloween Boo-tacular and Winter Winner-Land events, so families can join unique celebrations all year round.”
Spring-tastic deals include:
Spring Family Fun Pack (two large one-topping pizzas, one spring dessert, a goody bag, an activity sheet, and a 250 e-ticket voucher for carryout or delivery only) starting at $34.99
Spring FunBreak Bundle (one large one-topping pizza, two soft drinks, two 30-minute play cards, and a spring dessert for in-store use only) starting at $39.99
More Ticket Monday (score up to 500 bonus e-tickets with a food and drink combo purchase)
All You Can Play Wednesday (one hour of All You Can Play for $14.99)
Pizza & Play Friday (get one large cheese pizza for $5 when you spend $25 on games).
Along with the deals, your kiddos will enjoy the new spring treat menu items, including Rainbow Ice Dippin’ Sots, Unicorn Cotton Candy, Rainbow Lollipops and Unicorn Churros!
USDish wants to give you $2,000 to celebrate Galentine’s Day with your BFFs! All you need to do to score this sweet paying gig is fill out an online application and agree to hold a virtual rom-com movie watch party.
If the idea of watching your fave flicks with a bunch of friends (virtually) from the comfort of your own home appeals to you, get ready to make your dreams come true. Last year USDish paid one lucky winner $1,000 to watch 15 hours of The Office. This year the authorized DISH reseller is upping the ante and giving away twice as much money to watch at least three rom-coms.
How can you score this one-day dream job? Fill out an application right here! The winner must set up a virtual viewing party and agree to watch three rom-coms with their friends. You’ll also need to complete a task sheet.
Along with $2,000, you’ll also get a swag bag filled with more than $200 worth of heart-shaped candies, a warm blanket, empowerment books, snacks, and so much more. As if that’s not enough, you’ll also score free streaming access and a video conferencing tool for your virtual viewing party and a delivery dining credit for a mid-movie meal.
Don’t wait to apply for this awesome opportunity. The application period ends Feb. 26 at 12 p.m. MT.
Mother’s and Father’s Day is around the corner and Workman is getting ready to drop the cutest gifts. This year, instead of the traditional flowers and ties, the publishing house is sharing two new adorable fill-in books from kids to their parents.
Each book is packed with color, prompts that are easy for kids to follow and a letter to parents from their child. Kids get to use their own words and drawings to tell mom and dad just how amazing they are. Some fun prompts include “your favorite animal is ______” and “you are terrified of ______” so kiddos can tell the complete story.
You’ll also get a sheet of full-color, illustrated stickers, and a die-cut cover so littles can draw a picture or glue in a photograph.
You can purchase the books about mom and dad starting Mar., 30 on Amazon for $9.95 each.
Trying to get a wiggly baby to be still long enough to take a measurement can be just shy of impossible. Struggle no more, because the new Nanit Smart Sheet, paired with the Nanit Pro camera, aims to solve this problem for parents. Read on to find out how this dynamic duo will have you tracking those milestones easier than ever.
How It Works
Using AI technology, parents lay their baby down on a Smart Sheet in the crib, then access the Nanit App, select the best image and mark the key measurement points on the baby. The camera processes the baby’s height in relation to the proprietary pattern printed on the sheet.
In the app, you can get baby’s real-time height measurement and can store them to track growth over time. More features including a growth chart and time-lapse video compilation will be available later in the year.
What to Buy
The Smart Sheet is actually compatible with all models of Nanit’s baby cameras, so if you’re already part of the Nanit family, you’ll be able to purchase the sheets solo for $34.99 later this month. If you’re new to Nanit, the brand new Nanit Pro has a sleek design & includes enhancements for clearer day & night vision, a small breathing band to track your baby’s breathing motion, faster processing and higher quality sound including for two-way talk, real-time sound notifications and a variety of white noise/background audio.
The Nanit Pro Complete Monitoring System bundle starts at $379, will include a new Nanit Pro camera and one Smart Sheet that gives parents the ability to measure their baby’s height and growth through the camera and associated app.
These new products are currently available for pre-order on Nanit.com and will launch later this month at retailers including Amazon, Target & buybuy Baby.
Just in time for the New Year, Pottery Barn Kids is releasing its first-ever collaboration with Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax. The beloved story of The Lorax is brought to life in colorful and amusing patterns inspired by the characters and famous Truffula trees nestled in the beautiful valley of Seussville.
The new collection includes personalized bedding, pillows and wall art.
Organic Dr. Seuss's The Lorax Sheet Set & Pillowcases
Pottery Barn Kids
This charming sheet set and pillowcases are GOTS certified organic cotton and will have kids ready for bedtime in no time.
Kids can be just like their favorite influencers, actors, or movie makers with VTech’s newest, kid-safe camera kit. The KidiZoom Creator Cam comes with a digital photo and video camera, a green screen sheet, and a selfie stick-slash-tripod — basically, everything kids need to create videos with interesting effects! The camera’s most noteworthy feature is its selection of more than 20 animated backgrounds which, when combined with the green screen sheet, can make kids appear as though they are running from a dinosaur, delivering a weather forecast, driving a car, and more.
The Toy Insider is the go-to source for product information and the latest news about children's toys, tech, and entertainment. Its team of toy experts publishes two annual gift guides—one for summer and one for holiday—and reviews toys 365 days a year on thetoyinsider.com, a trusted resource for parents.
