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These simple low pumps look like a great alternative to my beloved Pocos. They come in four colors and sizes 5-10, and they have mostly good reviews. They’re $120 at Zappos. Ivanka Trump Wyle Pump (L-3)Sales of note for 3.28.24
(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)
- Ann Taylor – Up to 40% off your full-price purchase; extra 50% off sale
- Banana Republic Factory – 50-70% off everything plus extra 20% off purchase
- Eloquii – 50% off 2+ items; 40% off 1
- J.Crew – 50% off select styles
- Lands’ End – 10% off your order
- Loft – 50% off everything
- Nordstrom: Give $150 in gift cards, earn a $25 promo card (ends 3/31)
- Talbots – 40% off 1 item; 25% off everything else
- Zappos – 37,000+ women’s sale items! (check out these reader-favorite workwear brands on sale, and some of our favorite kids’ shoe brands on sale)
Kid/Family Sales
- Carter’s – 50% off entire site
- Hanna Andersson – 30% off all swim; up to 30% off HannaJams
- J.Crew Crewcuts – 40% off sitewide; 50% off select swim; 50% off kids’ styles
- Old Navy – 50% off Easter deals
- Target – 20% off Easter styles for all; up to 30% off kitchen & dining; BOGO 50% off shoes & slippers for the family;
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And — here are some of our latest threadjacks of interest – working mom questions asked by the commenters!
- If you’re a working parent of an infant with low sleep needs, how do you function at work when you’re in the throes of baby’s sleep regression?
- Should I cut my childcare down to 12 hours a month if I work from home?
- Will my baby have speech delays if we raise her bilingual?
- Has anyone given birth in a teaching hospital?
- My child eats everything, and my friends’ kids do not – how should I handle? In general, what is the best way to handle when your child has some skill/ability and your friend’s child doesn’t have that skill/ability?
- ADHD moms, give me your tips to help with things like behavior in the classroom, attention to detail, etc?
- I think I suffer from mom rage…
- My husband and kids are gone this weekend – how should I enjoy my free time?
- I’m struggling to be compassionate with a SAHM friend who complains she doesn’t have enough hours of childcare.
- If you exclusively formula fed, what tips do you have for in the hospital and coming home?
- Could I take my 4-yo and 8-yo on a 7-8 day trip to Paris, Lyon, and Madrid?
Mommy and Me classes says
Where can I take my 6 month old for mommy and me classes in NoVa/DC? I looked up gymboree but they only offer classes on Friday afternoon during work hours for infant. Other suggestions?
POSITA says
Where in DC/Nova are you located?
There are great Music Together classes on weekends on Capitol Hill by Mister Mike’s Music.
Arlington Parks and Recs offers lots of weekend classes, but the weekend classes do fill up fast.
We also took good Sunday morning classes on baby sign, swimming, and gymnastics (for tots, not babies) at the JCC near DuPont.
Mommy and Me classes says
I am in Falls Church.
Thanks for the recs. Any of these you would recommend in particular for encouraging baby to roll around, play and interact with other kiddos (observing mostly)?
Never been to a mommy and me class so I dont know if they all are like that. Thanks!
POSITA says
At six months most classes focus on interactions between the baby and caregiver, but the babies do check each other out.
For rolling and movement, I might look for a baby yoga class. It’s fun to take one near your home so that you can get to know other moms. I’m not sure what Falls Church or Fairfax County offers, but there must be something.
FCC says
Fan Favorites in Falls Church –
– The Little Gym activity classes;
– MoBu Kids open play and classes (sign up for a class and you get free open play);
– Mary Riley Library does open play a few times a week for the baby to toddler set (check the city website for times – lots of times available in Dec.);
– Falls Church Community Center – Open Gym Fridays – they put out lots of toddler toys (like play mats, tunnels, etc.) on Fridays (check the city website for time, but I think it’s like 10 to 2);
– Music Together with Maddie – a LONG time Music Together teacher, one of the best in the area (we liked her better than the Arlington teachers) – sign up on the FCC website;
– Activity Class – if your baby isn’t walking yet – on the FCC website.
We also buzz Doodlehopper’s train set fairly regularly. I’ll send the link to the FCC website in a follow-up post.
FCC says
LInk to Parks and Rec FCC – http://www.fallschurchva.gov/452/Recreation-Parks
Also, Playtime and Mother Goose Rhyme Time at the Library are big draws: http://www.fallschurchva.gov/658/Preschool-Story-Time
RDC says
I just signed up for a class at MoBu kids which I think is in falls church. I’ve heard good things. Arlington county does water babies (year round) if you’re interested in that.
Cdn lawyer says
Looking for some advice/commiseration. My almost 6 month old is a generally happy baby with no sign yet of stranger anxiety. She for the most part will happily be held with/play with anyone. With one exception- my mother in law. My LO will be happily playing with me or her dad and when my MIl arrives will burst into tears. This is literally the only time she cries with tears. I can tell my MIL is getting upset by it but trying not to show it- because what can you do, she is just a baby! In laws live 10 minutes away and see LO at least once a week. We are trying to increase visits to see if that helps. Any advice?
POSITA says
Hmm… Does your MIL have white hair or glasses? Both of those can sometimes spook babies. Strong perfume can also turn off babies.
Anonymous says
Neither. Both me and my mom wear glasses and MiL doesn’t though. Hmm
CPA Lady says
My daughter was terrified of her daycare director for a while and would start crying every time she came into her classroom. I think she just grew out of that fear.
She is still scared of my FIL, who has both white hair and glasses, and who is incapable of reading body language, so he keeps bothering her when she’s giving clear indications that she’s scared and doesn’t want him to keep doing whatever it is he’s doing.
One thing that has worked with my daughter, when she was first getting to know my MIL was to see my MIL interacting with our cat. My daughter loves our cat and once she saw our cat with my MIL, she warmed up a lot more quickly. I think it also helps to just interact with the person without there being any focus on the baby. That way the baby gets to observe your interaction and see that you are comfortable with the other person. If all else fails: time.
mascot says
Stranger anxiety and people preference go in phases and she will eventually come around. Can MIL keep the greetings low key rather than rush in and greet baby? I’d try having MIL basically ignore baby for a while and then try to interact. Or, interact with baby while you or dad hold her. Let her set her comfort level and don’t stress that this is somehow the indication that it will be like this forever.
Anon says
I would try to always stay in the room when your mother in law visits. My daughter started getting really shy/unhappy with my mom and then I realized that it was because when my mom came over I would often run out to do an errand, grab a shower or go workout in the basement so my daughter associated my mom with me leaving. Once I started staying in the room, she was fine again.
Anonymous says
Thanks. This is a good point- they have often been coming over while I run an errand.
Meg Murry says
Yes, your LO may have learned that Grandma showing up = Mommy leaving, so maybe if Grandma starting coming over and just sat and played with you and LO for a few visits that would help. Don’t hand her over to Grandma right away, just have Grandma sit near you while you hold her.
hoola hoopa says
I think this is it!
Definitely have them over a few times while you stay – preferably in very close contact.
Nursery Organization says
Anyone have any organization tips for baby stuff? We are in the process of putting together the nursery (FTM) and I am overwhelmed by ALL THE STUFF (and we actually went fairly minimal on the baby gear due to my hatred of clutter). I am normally super organized and can’t figure out where to put all the stuff (like the bazillion pacifiers). Anyone have any suggestions, including specific organization products that worked well? Also open to tips on organizing baby clothes for the future and as he grows out of them – are storage tubs the best way to go?
Famouscait says
For organizing baby clothes as they are outgrown: I bought the size L or XL Ziploc bags. Each size goes into a ziploc, which get stored in a clear tub. Based on our volume, I was able to store all NB – 9m clothes (plus baby bibs and hats, etc.) in one big plastic tub. As for other organization, the Hemnes 8 drawer dresser from Ikea holds all our baby gear and clothes (not toys) in the nursery.
Syd says
We also have the Hemnes and absolutely love it. We bought the drawer organizer boxes as well so we keep bits and pieces like extra pacifiers, nail clipper, etc. organized in one of the dresser drawers. We use it as a changing table on top and purchased a rectangular basket with more ikea organizer cubes inside for diapers/cream/etc.
Anonymous says
I did this except with vacuum seal bags. I kept one in the closet and once it was full, it got zipped, vacuumed and put in the attic.
grey falcon says
We also have the Hemnes, and it’s great. As a bonus, the top is exactly the right height for a changing pad.
Lkl says
Months after our baby stopped using them, I am still finding pacifiers everywhere (coat pockets, random drawers, etc.) so I guess our system was STASH THEM EVERYWHERE.
Other than that, we just have a changing table with fabric bins from Target underneath that have worked for 9+ months to store diapers, burp cloths, swaddles/receiving blankets/crib sheets, and all current-size clothes. Diaper changing supplies just go on top of the changing table. Too big or too small clothes go in the (TINY TINY) nursery closet or in bins in the attic (yes, plastic tubs are the way to go). Huge diaper and wipes boxes stay in the basement. We put a little side table by the glider for nursing supplies (lansinoh, kleenex, water bottle, etc.) and later formula bottles.
Not sure what we’ll do when baby’s clothes are too big for the bin system, but it’s worked great so far and looks like it’ll be fine for another year or so.
Lkl says
for toys — some are on a bookshelf shelf, but the nursery is minuscule and we don’t spend much time there, so mostly they just live in a basket in the living room. Or, you know, all over the floor.
shortperson says
we had the container store outfit baby’s closet with the elfa system for about $400 (during their annual january sale). it compressed her clothes to about one-third the space and left lots of shelving for toys, extra clothes etc. she also uses my old malm tall narrow dresser which has a bunch of small drawers. so far she has plenty of space, although the bins of too-big and too-small clothes live in the garage. this january we will be elfa-izing the garage.
Anonymous says
we use storage tubs. Also, I know you said you’ve gone lowkey, but wait to buy stuff! My daughter only liked her wubba, we had two that we rotated, and then was over it. you really may not need stuff you think you need.
at any given point i have a storage tub where i toss LO’s clothes when she outgrows them. Every three months, I put that one away (even if not full) and start a new one. But yeah, my LO’s stuff fits in her changing table and on one closet rod because baby clothes are small. Wait on swing or mamaroo or whatever because you don’t know what they’ll like – that’s another space killer that only appeals to some babies. i bought too many crib sheets (she has like four and 2 would have been good). Sorry, not really an answer to your question, but if you only bring in what they need at any given age, it’s much more manageable than already being geared up for a nine month old when a newborn doesn’t even use toys. if that makes any sense?
and some stuff, we’ve just consolidated with the household things. for example, washcloths – we store hers with ours and use them interchangeably. her
OP says
I’m really glad you addressed the crib sheets! I’ve been trying to post that question here the last couple days and it keeps getting moderated for some unknown reason. We have 2 sets currently and were going to register for a 3rd to have on hand to avoid a middle of the night emergency.
Anonymous says
Here is the most genius way to make your crib: mattress, waterproof mattress pad, crib sheet, another waterproof mattress pad, another crib sheet. Then, if there is a middle-of-the-night emergency, you just rip off the top two layers (which someday you will be able to do one-handed while holding or possible br3astfeeding your child), and have a clean bed. Also, always have a back up blanket/wubba/paci/security stuffed animal, in case one gets soiled.
NewMomAnon says
Word of warning: if you do this, have a clean set not installed on the bed. We tried this during the newborn days, had a particularly bad blow-out, and in removing the top set we ended up soiling the lower set too. Oops.
OP says
Thank you all! I will get a cheap third sheet and use the suggested method of making the crib.
Lkl says
We have only two crib sheets, which has been fine for more than 9 months but I keep meaning to get a third in case the baby’s sick one night.
Maddie Ross says
Eh, I wouldn’t worry too much – esp. at the infant stage – about getting another sheet. We’ve had exactly one middle of the night incident that required a sheet change in nearly 3 years (and it was puke, so she actually ended up in bed with us anyway, so I just plunked it all in the washer in the middle of the night and replaced later). If you’re doing daycare, you will likely end up needing crib sheets for that. We actually send our nice sheets, since we bought like 4 sets (unnecessarily). Most people use some from target or something.
MDMom says
Just be forewarned- even if you try to go minimal, people will buy you all kinds of stuff as gifts. My baby is 6 mos and I have a bunch of 9 month + toys in basement that im wrapping up for Christmas. I have stuff down there that’s 1 yr and even 18 months+! I appreciate the generosity but let’s just say I’m glad we have a basement.
PregLawyer says
I created wall storage. Our nursery has a small footprint and a small closet that we already use for storage of other things, so I needed to create space. I used the Pottery Barn Build Your Own Gabrielle Organization Components (regular Pottery Barn, not Pottery Barn kids). It uses some heavy duty peg rails that you can then hang baskets, shelves, and canvas hampers from. We set up a wall unit by our small dresser that holds all our diapers, stuffed animals, and lotions/wipes/pacifiers/etc. I’m going to get another peg rail and do some canvas bags for dirty clothes and more toys.
Also, echoing what other posters have said, I have a smaller dresser that also serves as the changing table (with the Keekaroo Peanut!). The top two drawers are for washcloths, burp cloths, hats, socks, onesies. The middle big drawer is for clothes he currently wears. This is PLENTY of room for clothes that currently fit him. The bottom big drawer is for sleepsacks and clothes he is waiting to size into. We moved all the clothes he’s sized out of into one bin in the basement. Jackets, towels and bibs go on my awesome peg rail system.
PregLawyer says
More storage things we do: “collectors” shelves (with rails) for books to get them on the wall, and not in a bookshelf. We have one storage trunk where we keep extra diapers and wipes. We have a rock n play that folds up and stores in the corner between crib and dresser. We then have a designated baby area in our living room with activity mat and activity center. Then we have a small soft basket that holds all the baby toys in the living room.
In the bathroom I have a corner wire shelf that sits on the bench in our shower/tub area that holds baby wash, bath toys, and bath cups. We got a foam “Bath Sponge” as a gift (I think it’s the Babies R Us Turtle Bath Sponge) that serves as his baby bath. You just put it on the bottom of the tub, fill the tub with 6 inches of water, and voila – baby bath. The Bath Sponge just lives propped upright in the back of the shower so it fully drains in between uses.
The kitchen is the last area with lots of stuff. We just sized out of the small 4-5 oz bottles, so those will probably get put into storage soon. I have one cabinet where I keep everything: bottles, bottle brush, pump supplies, baby food (other than the stuff I make and store in the freezer), formula (we mainly use breastmilk, so this is just for emergencies), purified water, baby spoons. We have the Boon Lawn drying rack thingie, which lives below the baby cabinet.
Famouscait says
Help! My kiddo (13m) starts transitioning to his next daycare classroom next week, and he needs shoes. Currently, he doesn’t hardly ever wear socks, much less shoes. He is also on the verge of walking, but not there yet. I know the brands people here seems to like (Robeez, See Kai Run, Stride Rite) but I am at a loss for exactly what type of shoes to buy. Can someone please link me to a few suggestions? Also, does he wear socks with these things? For some reason, the whole shoe game really stresses me out (probably because it means my baby will look more toddler than baby… booo.) The only baby store I have in my town is a Caters, so something I can order online (and quickly) would be great. Thank you!!
rakma says
These were DD’s first sneakers: http://www.striderite.com/en/srt-soft-motion-damien-sneaker/12612B.html?dwvar_12612B_color=BB54038#cgid=boy-shoes-sneakers&start=1, she wore socks with them.
She also had a pair of these for indoor wear, she wore them without socks: http://www.myrobeez.com/shop-boys/soft-soles/
Famouscait says
Thank you! This is super helpful.
hoola hoopa says
+1 Stride Rite Soft Motion
For See Kai Run, you can start with “First Steps” (www.seekairun.com/store/boys#filter=.style_firststeps).
Anonymous says
Those stride rites are my daughter’s first sneakers, too.
Quail says
Just bought a pair each of pedipeds and robeez for my standing ten month old whose daycare demanded shoes. The main helpful thing I found (besides sizing/good for wide or fat feet) was that soft soled shoes for prewalking were called “crib shoes” which I had never heard of. Both were good brands for my fat footed kid and I got them from zappos. Once he’s walking I’ll get some stride rites as those came highly recommended here. So there’s probably no wrong choice but you are probably looking for crib shoes.
Quail says
Oh, and he wears socks, with grippy bottoms (helpful if you have wood floors) with the shoes.
mascot says
This varies by daycare, but check with them if crib shoes/soft soles are still acceptable in the toddler room. Ours wanted shoes with a real sole because the toddler class went outside to play. We did StrideRite and SeeKaiRun. They had options for flexible rubber soles for new walkers. Zappos usually has a bunch of options.
Famouscait says
The director did mention protecting his feet when they went outside to play (wood chip playground) so I’m thinking shoes with a real sole, based on your comment as well. Thank you!!
Anonymous says
We are due with #2 this summer (yay!). Our carseat/ travel system for #1 was a hand-me-down and now, the carseat has expired and the stroller is a PITA. I’m trying to figure out what to get that won’ t be a massive expense and still be useful.
Also, i will have a 3 y/o and an infant. Any good double strollers or sit/stand strollers that work with the infant buckets? I may go that route vs a new travel system.
anon says
In your situation, I would probably get a cheap used snap-n-go (usually $20 or less on craigslist) to use with the expired carseat as a stroller, and then just use a new convertible carseat for the car. (Of course, if you have a baby who will easily transfer from the car while asleep, which we did not, you might want a new infant carrier seat for the car.)
Faye says
We’re using the Joovy Caboose Too for our 3yo and 3 month old. Bucket car seat pops right in the front. Toddler can use the Too seat for long trips or use the sit/stand bench for short ones. The only drawback is lack of access to the storage basket underneath, but that was true of every tandem double stroller we looked at. (And double wide was out of the question, I want to get through doors and shop aisles.) Otherwise, really happy with our choice.
hoola hoopa says
Graco Ready2Grow and City Select are a lot nicer than the Joovy Caboose because carseat carrier is in back facing you (where you want it) and toddler get to be in real seat in front (where they want to be).
I’ve had a few double strollers and strongly dislike tandems. I disliked them so much that I used snap and when preschooler could walk or single stroller for preschooler and baby in ergo.
City Mini double is the best double IMO, but the carseat attachment is expensive, so we just waited until baby could sit. FWIW, I’ve never had a problem getting through doors or aisles.
NewMomAnon says
Does anyone have a good system for winter gear logistics? Hauling a winter jacket, snow pants, and boots to school every day is a pain, and I’m worried that we’ll leave it at school some Friday and have to go through the entire weekend without it. Do you just buy a second set and leave it at school all winter? Or haul it back and forth every week or every night?
And how do people navigate the “no winter coats in car seats” rule when you know you’ll need a full winter coat on arrival? We have to do daycare drop off and pickup in an outdoor parking lot, and it feels wrong to carry her out to the car with no coat, so she has been wearing a fleece jacket for the car ride and I carry her winter coat for playground time. The winter coat is pretty big so I know it’s not safe in the car seat. It’s just so much stuff…..
Anonymous says
I only do a winter jacket. It’s not nearly cold enough here for snow pants and boots. She can wear her sneakers. Once there’s snow on the ground, I’ll send boots. Since I have to bring home her nap blankets every Friday, I don’t mind bringing the boots too.
NewMomAnon says
We have several inches of snow already and it does get very cold here. Toddlers go outside unless it is below zero, I think. Maybe the answer is just suck it up and remember to bring everything and remember to bring it all home….daycare has some “loaner” items in case we forget.
HSAL says
Below 0? That’s insane.
TK says
I hear you. My solution so far has been to leave boots / snow pants at school each day and wear a fleece for the walk to/from the car, and try to remember to bring snow gear on Friday night. Its dark when I drop him off and pick him up, so he won’t need the gear to play outside at home during the week.
I really don’t want to have to buy a spare set, since he’ll outgrow it by next winter, but if I’m considering buying a spare set of bibs / boots at Goodwill to have at home, just in case I forget one Friday night at school.
MDMom says
For daycare pick up/drop off, baby wears a thin coat in car (fleece or similar with hood) and I put a blanket over him. I wrap the blanket around him while I carry him in, leave it there, and same on way out. I have a full bunting thing that I leave there for when they go out in stroller. If its really cold, I let the car warm up a little before I put him in. For older kids that walk themselves, I’ve seen various car seat ponchos and similar. I think lucieslist had a post on this recently, but I might be thinking of a different site…
NewMomAnon says
Hmm, I hadn’t thought of a car seat poncho – does it get left in the car or does the kid wear it to walk around too? I’m mostly concerned about the walk to and from the car, and the amount of time it takes me to open the car door and get my (squirmy) toddler situated in a car seat. My car is in a heated garage overnight, and is warmed up by the time I get to daycare in the evening, so I’m not as concerned about the car ride being cold.
I’ll have to look at ponchos. And I may look at Goodwill for a second set of boots/snowpants just in case; with all the transitions between daycare and between her dad and myself, there are lots of opportunities for things to be left behind.
MDMom says
This blog has a good post about different carseat friendly options for various ages (including ponchos):
http://thecarseatlady.com/warmandsafe/
RDC says
Interesting – have been pondering the same thing. I’m thinking of leaving a full set at daycare (coat, hat, gloves – not cold enough here for bibs) that I got at a consignment sale and then buying a nicer set for home. Although he’ll probably end up using the daycare set more!
EP-er says
For daycare, I keep a separate bag on a hook by the garage door with the boots, snow coat & pants, and extra mittens/hat. We schlep the extra bag to school and home again. Our car is in the garage, so she gets in and I wrap a warm blanket around her after she is buckled up. I can carry her into school like that, although honestly it is such a short walk, sometimes she just runs in with no coat. When we are done playing in the snow at home & the clothes are dry, they go back into the back. (It is one of those nylon packable bags.)
For elementary school, we have to wait outside for the bus. Usually the shoes & snow pants go in the backpack & he wears the rest. We are in a cold climate, too — so the schools are used to the gear. Luckily, he hasn’t forgotten his stuff yet — and at 7 I would take that as a learning opportunity: if you can’t remember to bring home your winter gear from school, then you can’t play outside over the weekend. We use a hook by the garage door for his backpack & gear, too.
RR says
I so dislike that Ivanka Trump usually doesn’t go above a size 10.
Anglophile says
I need some breast milk storage help – I’m at the tail end of my first overnight trip away from my 8 month old and have filled all of the breast milk storage I brought with me (a lesson for next time). Does it seem nuts to empty a sealed plastic water bottle (without drinking directly from the bottle) to use for breast milk overflow and then just transfer the milk to a breast milk storage bag when I get home this evening? Any other suggestions if this seems like a bad idea?
Anonymous says
I routinely used Nalgene bottles to transport milk when I was pumping. TSA usually gave me the side eye but I never had any real issues.
Anglophile says
I actually have a Swell bottle with me – that probably makes more sense than a plastic bottle. Thanks for the tip!