Northern VA Mom Resources

Two months ago today I had my second little girl, and I've been on maternity leave looking for things to do. I realized that if I can keep my toddler busy our days go much more smoothly! I started to compile a list of resources I've been using or have heard about and thought I'd share it on a blog for others to use. Keep in mind, this is generally northern VA specific, but some of them are universal.

Any that I have personally tried and can vouch for are marked with a star.

FITNESS

*Fit4Mom: Offers classes like Stroller Strides and Stroller Barre for moms with their little one using the stroller and engaging the kids throughout the class. I personally participate in the Vienna/Falls Church group and love it! They have a maternity plan that allows unlimited classes for two months, which is great while you're on maternity leave! Website: http://fit4mom.com/

Moms Run This Town: Running group with one chapter in Herndon/Reston. Website: http://momsrunthistown.com/herndonrestonva/

Beloved Yoga: Located in Reston, they have Mommy/baby yoga classes and you can meet mommies there. The instructor is wonderful and has sponsored free mommy/baby days in the past for baby massage, sign language, etc. Website: http://www.belovedyoga.com/

Sun & Moon Yoga: Locations in Arlington and Fairfax with prenatal and mom/baby yoga classes. Website: http://www.sunandmoonstudio.com/

CLASSES

Reston Community Center: Reston Community Center has fantastic baby music and swim classes where you can meet other moms. If you are a Reston resident or employee you pay the Reston rate too. Website: http://www.restoncommunitycenter.com/

*Fairfax County Parktakes: Classes that range from swimming, to camps, to cooking, to dance, etc. Cheaper for Fairfax County residents, but open to anyone. Website: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes/

NoVA Playlabs: NoVA Playlabs in Chantilly offers play space for children, including classes like baby sign language. Website: http://www.novaplaylabs.com/

PLAY SPACE FOR CHILDREN

Chibis: Chibis' (pronounced: CHEE-bees) mission is to provide an Open Play environment where parents can have fun with their children or socialize with friends while their children enjoy our fun, safe, CLEAN playground. Personalized parties & private events are also their specialty! Website: http://www.chibisindoorplayground.com/

Busy Bees: This play area is located in Falls Church. Adults and children under age 1 are free and there's free coffee/tea and wifi! It's $15 and you can come in and out of the facility, the fee is good for the entire day. Website: http://www.busybeesplay.com/

*PB & Jack: This play area is located in Fairfax. Note that no outside food is allowed so they can keep the facility 100% nut free. Website: http://www.pbandjack.com/

CONSIGNMENT/HANDMEDOWNS

*Dulles Reuses Baby Items: This Facebook group allows moms to sell - or sometimes give away - baby gear (e.g., swings, sound machines), baby clothes (up to 2 years), and maternity clothes. Website: https://www.facebook.com/groups/388460154524424/

Consignment Mommies: Website listing consignment sales near you. There are some huge spring ones at Dulles Sportsplex and in Ashburn. Website: http://consignmentmommies.com/

Swap.com: According to one neighbor of mine, the quality is outstanding. Website: www.swap.com

Freecycle: You can sign up for our local freecycle chapter. People give away baby clothes & supplies daily on it and it's a great free resource for things. Website: www.frecycle.net

BREASTFEEDING RESOURCES

La Leche League USA: There is a national Facebook page and local chapter Facebook pages. Websites: https://www.facebook.com/LaLecheLeagueUSA/

La Leche League Herndon/Reston: Our local chapter has open meetings every Tuesday from 1-3pm at the Starbucks in Fox Mill. Website: https://www.facebook.com/La-Leche-League-of-Herndon-Reston-PM-161853187215480/?fref=ts

*LLL Mother-to-Mother Forums: I found this group INCREDIBLE when I was nursing and didn't have enough people to get advice from. You can pose questions and get multiple perspectives, and you can share the information you've learned. Website: https://www.facebook.com/groups/LLLI.Breastfeeding.Support/?fref=nf

BLOGS/WEBSITES

*Dulles Moms: They cover every topic imaginable! Website: www.dullesmoms.com

*Super Healthy Kids: This site has fun recipes and food ideas for families with kids.  Website: http://www.superhealthykids.com - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/superhealthykids/

*A Mighty Girl: I love this website for it's great powerful stories about women and girls. It also provides books and movies that help demonstrate how "mighty" girls can be by age level. Website: http://www.amightygirl.com/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amightygirl/?fref=ts

OTHER

Baby Wearing: There is a DC baby wearing chapter where you can "borrow" baby carriers and slings from their carrier library and meet other mommies that way too. Website: https://www.facebook.com/BWIofDCMDVA

Couponing: Ways to Earn Gift Cards

Since back to school just happened, and that means fall, which means soon to come are the holidays, I thought everyone could use some insight to how I've found ways to earn gift cards to Amazon and Starbucks with little to no effort.

But first, if you're going to coupon, make sure you set up an email address specifically for signing up for random stuff you're not really interested in getting tons of mail from. My couponing email address is similar to my regular one, but has ".shop" after it (just as an idea for you!).

  1. Swagbucks  

For the past few years, I've earned Amazon gift cards through Swagbucks. Since 2011, I have earned 17 $5 gift cards....that's $85 I didn't otherwise have! They have other rewards options, but I find Amazon to be the best value. I don't participate in everything on the site (because some of it isn't worth my signing up for various things like insurance!). The activities I do participate in to earn the points towards rewards - and at 450 points I earn a $5 gift card! Some examples include:

• Daily Poll
• NOSO (no obligation special offers)
• Videos
• Games (free ones only!)
• Brand Activities
• Surveys
• Swagcodes (find them on http://sc-s.com)
• Coupon printing (I even print them for friends!)

  2. Pampers Rewards  

I'm the mom of a 7.5 year old little girl who I am in love with! But man, does she go through a lot of diapers. From day 1 we've used Pampers (except for two Huggies diapers - one broke and one leaked; and a box of Honest Company diapers which were great but too expensive). About 2 months in, we realized there were little codes on every Pampers product that could be saved on the Pampers Rewards site! So far I've earned a $5 Starbucks Gift Card, and since we have a Nespresso machine at home, I've decided I won't reload my Starbucks card myself and only use free gift cards I earn. That said, the Starbucks card isn't always available. Right now they have a $10 card to Barnes & Noble and a lot of options for Shutterfly products (which is great for holiday gifts to relatives when you have a child in diapers).


  3. Biore  

On Facebook, Biore has an app to submit codes from their products to earn points. In addition, you can answer trivia questions and make daily pledges to earn even more! For 2800 points you can earn a $5 Starbucks or Amazon gift card.


  4. RecycleBank  

RecycleBank is a great site to learn about environmental impacts of consumer goods, along with ways to save money, energy, and water. Every day you can pledge to do one thing that earns you 5 points. Then every month they have different topics to learn about (e.g., how to save energy in your house) or quizzes to answer (e.g., testing your knowledge of how much trash the U.S. makes each year). For 1500 points you can earn a $5 gift card to Starbucks or Target.


Do you have any other ways that you earn gift cards or free items?

Mom Posts: 3 Lessons Learned from Traveling with an Infant

Yesterday we returned from our first travel adventure with an infant, and I must day, it was highly successful! I caveat this blog by stating that we truly do have an easy baby, and are forever grateful and do not take that for granted!!!! That said, there were still things I learned for next time that I thought I'd share. This is what worked for us, but every infant - and family - is different, so do what works.

Everyone on the first flight was incredibly nice and complimentary! The gate agent took us to the "special assistance" area and we were able to take a shuttle to the plane well before other passengers. The pilot (while waiting for the delayed shuttle of passengers!) came out and said hi, and turns out he has a baby the same age!! Then there was a pilot sitting next to us heading home who said "I've been there" very reassuringly. A lady passed by while boarding and said "I'm sure she'll do great!" and many complimented us on how adorable she was. After a stressful day getting everything ready and navigating the ticketing, security, and gate....it was reassuring and calming to hear everyone's comments!

Here are my three lessons learned:

1. When to Nurse: I knew to nurse her during take-off and landing, but didn't think about how they pressurize the cabin when they shut the door. Our super happy and sleepy baby started screaming for what I thought was no reason, then my husband figured it out. I quickly nursed her and she was fine. I put this lesson into action for the return flight with no issues. 
2. Changing Diapers: I changed a wet diaper on the plane at our seats, but since small planes do not have changing tables, I also learned that I have no idea what I would have done with a dirty diaper situation! No advice here, but a definite realization!!
3. Car Seats: Infant car seats can be installed without a base, which we knew, and even practiced before we left. However, it does not seem to be sucre in the slightest because the seat angle, and the angle of the straps just cannot physically stay where they're supposed to be. The foot end of the seat constantly wants to push down and the head end constantly wants to push up, so I readjusted it EVERY time we got in the car. It was also nearly impossible to get an infant into the seat once installed because the lap belt goes across the whole car seat. Lesson learned: I can't wait till we just need a booster or none at all. 

And we did use the advice from Lindsay's Pursuit of Pink blog, and made cute notes from our daughter and included a pair of ear plugs and a chocolate treat. Everyone thought it was cute!

What lessons did you learn after traveling that you'd wished you'd known before?