New York Trains vs. Chicago Trains

VS

So during my visit home, I was very excited to see how to maneuver around New York using the trains with a baby. Since I use the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) quite often to get around Chicago, it was bound to be easier in NY considering the MTA (Mass Transit Authority) is one of the largest train systems in the world, right? Well, let me tell you....

After taking the train to Midway in Chicago, I totally forgot that there was none from LaGuardia to the city. Whoops. Being a native New Yorker, you can imagine my embarrassment of getting lost not once, not twice but three times on the train. Either we got on the wrong one or went in the wrong direction. Why? Because New York is so thorough in their transit system that they not only have trains numbered but lettered, on many different platforms, with many elevators (and escalators) and they even have three (that's right, THREE) A trains all of which start at one stop but end at three separate stops.

With all of this being said, the train rides were not bad. They were pretty frequent, there was always a spot for us to sit down (believe it or not!) and there were many other moms on the train who were traveling as well.

So here is a breakdown of pros and cons that I've experienced from both transit systems so far.

Chicago

Pros

• There is elevator access at three downtown locations
• The trains run pretty late (if you happen to be out clubbing with your kids)
  
• There are heating stations at the stops so you feel like a lil Chicken Nugget while you wait
• The stations are pretty clean and rat free
• There are trains that take you directly to the airport
• Many stations now have flat screen tvs with the weather and time
  

Cons

• There are only three elevator locations in the loop
• There are times that the elevators don't work (like the ones in the airport)
  
• The trains are narrow so you can't really fit the stroller on the train without blocking someone in
• You tend to get really dirty looks if you get on a train at certain hours (especially rush hour)
  

New York

Pros

• There are many, many trains to take you to almost every part of the city
• The trains operate 24 hours
• The trains are very spacious so you have room for stroller
• Believe it or not, people are very courteous to help with the stroller
• There are news/snack stands in some of the stations
• There is plenty of room to change a diaper in the stroller and no one gives you funny looks (I know first hand)
• The newer trains have screens that list the upcoming stops

Cons

• It is very easy to get lost or confused (Con- there are lots of maps in the stations)
• There is a very annoying alarm goes off every time you open the doors
• There are many, many stairs to use if there is no elevator. Many, many...many stairs
• There are some pretty strange people on the train, but with a population of 10 million there's bound to be a weirdo or two
• There is no direct train that takes you to the airports

So which train system is the best? It is hard to say without being biased, I mean being from New York I'll always think that what the city has to offer is better than anywhere else. Although Chicago's trains are cleaner my vote is for New York! The reasons I deem New York the winner are:

1. You get one hell of a workout going up and down all those stairs
2. There are more train cars and they are bigger, longer (giggedy) and can fit more strollers
3. You can take the train almost anywhere without having to worry about transferring to a bus or walking too far.
   

What are your thoughts of mass transit? Do you have any interesting stories? Email them to me at mitc@momsinthecity.net

Great Christmas Gift Video

This video is definitely one of my favorites. Who knew that Nintendo 64 was that great. (Obviously not enough people otherwise they'd still be around, right??)

iPhone application "Shake Baby"- FAIL!

So I'm sure you fellow moms have heard about this application already, but it still shocks me that someone thought that this was a good, and profitable, idea!



This application for iPhone has crying babies and you shake the iPhone until the baby stopping crying and has two red X's over it's eyes. Apparently this was released on a Monday by Apple themselves but removed by that Wednesday. For shame Apple. Two thumbs down.

Read more here!

Mammogram- Shammogram the government says!

OK, so yes they are not fun, they hurt and they flatten our breast into crepes but weren't we always taught "better safe than sorry"? Breast cancer is a battle that is being fought everyday, marathons are being run and money raised to find cures, and the government is suggesting to take the chance and wait until we are 50 to test for a cancer that we could potentially at 49 years old?

What's worse is that we are being told that we should just stick with the self examinations, but how often do you examine yourself and assume you feel a lump in your breast? Or do self examinations at all for that matter? What's next? Telling people not to get HIV test?

Read more here about what the American Cancer Society feels about this change.

StorkCraft Crib Recall

Moms beware, the largest crib recall is on the horizon.

I'm not sure what is scarier- the fact that four babies have died recently because of the defective cribs, or the fact that they are recalling all cribs that were manufactured between 1993- 2009 totaling out to millions of cribs.

The cribs were manufactured by a Canadian company called StorkCraft There have been many reported incidents with these drop-side cribs, over 60 of them from the US. This is the 2ND recall this year from Stork Craft, the first being in January where they recalled a million cribs due to issues with the support brackets. It makes sense that the StorkCraft website is not working as this recall is sure to be their last.

Read more here.

Good ole Monday

Toys R Us Dressing Table

It's hard to find subtle differences in dressing tables since they all are pretty consistent in design, with exception to this new dressing table from Babies R Us.

The dressing table which has a sleigh design not only has two large storage shelves, but also has the convenience of a drawer under the changing pad! If you buy this piece for a mere $150 it is free shipping and you'll get a free bottle. (Grant it, the bottles are being given away with every $75 online purchase but who doesn't love the word free?)

Go here for more information.

Moms Love Shoes! Interview with Eidia Lush!

Have a love for shoes? What woman doesn't! What about a pair that is not only designed just for you but is also affordable? Almost sounds too good to be true, that is until you see it for yourself at Eidia Lush.

Eidia Lush specializes in shoes "designed by you", giving you the ability to customize your perfect shoe maing choices such as round or pointed toe, to selecting which pattern suits you best!

MITC was able to talk with Nicole about her inspiration on Eidia Lush as well as how she maintains working on her site, a dayjob and being a mother!

MITC: So, what inspired you to start Eidia Lush and what does the name mean?

Nicole: Unique clothing and creative women inspired me to start this. I've always been in to putting my own personal twist on the clothing I wear and I wanted every woman to have the same opportunity to do this to their own shoes. I wanted it to be easy for women to showcase their personality through their shoe design.

An "Eidia Lush" is a woman who thrives off of individuality and truly embraces who she is as a person. She's not afraid to be different. Her uniqueness is naturally shown through her style. I got the initial idea after reading an entry in Urban Dictionary for the word "Eidia".

MITC: What does your typical work day look like?

Nicole:Haha...You're going to think I'm crazy.

It varies, but here's what it's been lately:

6:45am - Wake up to my son, Zayden jumping in bed saying "Good morning mommy!" Sometimes I help my husband get him ready to take to daycare...but sometimes if I'm feeling extra lazy or tired, I'll just lay around and let my husband do it...hehe.

7:00am - They're out the door and I quickly check my email, Twitter, FB, etc.

7:15am - Jump in the shower and start my daily "getting ready routine"..which usually revolves around which new EL prototype shoes I'm going to wear for the day and how I'll really call attention to them...free marketing ;)

8:30am (or at least it should be...usually it ends up being closer to 8:45) - Out the door to catch the blue line to work.

9:00am - I'm a Interactive Designer by day, so during this time I'm focused on that job...of course with many interval Eidia Lush brainstorming sessions and email checks.

12:00pm - When I'll usually take my lunch and run my mommy errands as well as any for the business (call daycare to check on Zayden, ship shoes, check on the cobblers and the current orders in our design studio, etc)

1:00pm - Back to my corporate day job.

5:00pm - Hop back on the blue line home to meet my babies (the little guy and my hubby). I'm fortunate to have my husband usually drop off Zayden and pick him up from daycare. We usually spend the next 3 1/2 hours eating dinner, goofing around together, or watching Batman or Transformers (his two favorite at the moment).

8:30pm - Put my son to bed after much begging from him to stay awake longer.

8:40pm - Start working on Eidia Lush work. Currently we're working on our E.L. Couture Collection, so that involves searching for new shoe styles, high end embellishments, and the perfect fabrics. I also work with my developer for any new releases on the site during this time. I do all the design myself right now for www.eidialush.com, so for any new ideas I will be creating the visual designs to pass off to him. You can almost always find me on Twitter and FB at night as well.

Somewhere around 1:00am - Roll into bed.


MITC: Wow! How do you manage to fit it all in?

Well, I almost don't. I have never been so busy before in my life, but what keeps me motivated and positive is that light at the end of the tunnel. I know my family and I have to sacrifice time with each other now in order to get the chance to spend more time with each other later when my husband and I can both quit our day jobs and focus full time on Eidia Lush.

I truly savor every weekend we have together and every evening after work. Time management is the hardest part in all of this...I still haven't quite mastered it. It helps to have my husband keep me grounded and tell me when he thinks we are in need of some quality couple and/or family time.

I try and multi-task while I'm at my day job - like run all my errands on my lunch time instead of afterword or weekends. Another big time saver is that we try to grocery shop on the weekends and get food stocked up for the week that's quick and easy to make after work.

MITC: So what do you do as stress relief?

Nicole: The best de-stresser is just hanging with my family. We'll go to the park or watch a movie. Simple stuff. When I'm not really slammed with a new release or project for the site, instead of staying up late, I will get up extra early to work out or go for a long walk before work.

MITC: So, Nicole, what is your advice for other moms who are trying to start their own business/website?

Nicole: Don't think it can't be done! Don't talk yourself into thinking you're already too busy! I'm not going to lie, it's hard. There will be lots of sacrifice in the beginning. The hardest part though is just getting started. If you have a really good idea for a business, just start by sketching, doodling, and jotting down your thoughts around it. The rest will happen with the determination and motivation that builds up naturally. It helps to have at least one supporter to confide in, bounce ideas off of, and tell you how great it will be.

Some more tactical advice:

* I've found the best time to work creatively on something is after my son has gone to bed and I can concentrate fully without distractions. Most magic happens then :)
* Sounds kinda crazy, but my family and I took a vacation right before the website launched to de-stress and mentally prepare to work our butts off afterwards. I highly recommend doing the same.
* Quickly establish your company though www.Legalzoom.com. You'll save tons of money in the long run and it's very easy. After you get your Tax ID#, you'll get discounts everywhere you go and can start writing EVERYTHING off for taxes.
* Build your presence in the social media world. It will keep you up-to-date with the current trends and ideas related to your business topic. As a mom, we almost have to actively keep up to date and "in the know" because of our busy child-focused lifestyles.

Start customizing your perfect pump at Eidia Lush!!

Wah Wah- Wee Wee, Study says babies cry with accents?

So according to some scientist, there is a distinct dialect in the sweet cries and whines of baby's which carry a hint of native tongue as soon as their second day of living.

How, you might ask, were they able to come to this conclusion? (Or you might ask yourself like I did "Who has that much free time to interpret baby cries and start a study on them?")According to Current Biology french newborns end their cries with a lilt at the end that is typically heard in French and German babies start their cries intensely and then drop off at the end which is similar to the emphasis German parents put in their sentences.

So either this study shows that babies are able to pick up dialect in the womb and have the capabilities to reciprocate the sounds.....or they are saying that Germans and French are just a bunch of whiny babies.

Read more about this study here!

Bottles vs. Bottle liners

When having a baby there are always those split decisions that you have to make: Huggies vs Pampers, blue walls with white trim vs white walls with blue trim, crib vs play yard. And then theres bottles vs bottle liners.

Bottles are no joke! You have the polypropylene/BPA-free, glass sets, wide necks, hands free, ventair, not to mention all the different sizes. Let's not even get into nipples! That's a whole other blog!

But the big debate right now is the bottles vs bottle liners. Is either better for your baby? There are some simple pros and cons for both:


Bottles
Pro-Unlimited use
Pro- Sturdy
Pro- Glass bottles are Earth friendly
Con- If not cleaned properly can cause baby to get sick


Liners
Pro- Can easily toss after each use
Pro- The liners collapse as your baby feeds for less air, less gas and less colic discomfort.
Con- Not very Earth friendly

So with this information in hand, which is best? I think it comes down to your dedication to cleaning and convenience. Bottles are traditional and although there can be risks of their cleanliness causing your child to be sick, that also takes affect in sterilized and clean nipples as well. Liners are especially convenient in the matter of when cleaning the only responsibility you generally have is to clean the base and the nipple versus the whole bottle.

My vote is for the liners out of sheer convenience and lack of a dishwasher.

Though...it is hard not to get bottles when you have funky bottle cleaners like these!

Sassy BPA Free No Scratch Bottle Brush
for less than $5!
Available at Baby's R US

Getting to know your baby

Can't get a man to make your coffee, get a robot!

Some tasks can feel so overbearing; washing dishes, vacuuming, making coffee....

Well here is a little buddy to help with at least one of those tasks- a small robot that makes coffee for you! This little manga inspired robot was created by a person in Japan who goes by the name of Clockwork who did a great job marrying cute with coffee.

If you want to get techincal and have an idea of what makes this robot run here is a tidbit. (And I won't lie...I have NO clue what it means, but it doesn't mean it's not important....I guess)

The robot is a reduced version of Kondo KHR-2HV and it uses 20 digial KRS-788HV servos plus one GWS-PICO-STD servo motor and they are all controlled by a PCB located in the head.

Wine + Chocolate = Happiness!

How could it not? And thanks to the Dove website, they've even paired wines with chocolate to get the best flavors and enjoyment out of the two when paired together. Here are some notations on what they feel is fitting:

DOVE® Silky Smooth Milk Chocolate with a Merlot or a Tawny Port. The Merlot adds a substance and body to each silky smooth taste, while the nutty Tawny Port brings out the creamy caramel flavor hidden in each bit e of DOVE® Milk Chocolate.

DOVE® Silky Smooth Dark Chocolate - With a subtle, fruity Ruby Port. The essence of a dark chocolate like DOVE® - with its notes of red fruit, plums, cherries and vanilla balances perfectly with a glass of sweet port.

Visit Dove for more info!

Welcome to the movies, mom!

Tired of hearing your friends talk about that movie that just came out that you've been wanting to see but your babysitter canceled at the last minute or your kid is now sick which forces you to sit at home and watch Kung Fu Panda on HBO....again??

Well wait no more! We now have the golden opportunity to watch movies as soon as they hit the theater! Baby Pictures lists theaters that are geared towards a parents enjoyment by listing complexes that not only host the movie showings but accommodate us by being stroller friendly, having changing stations and even managing to adjust to lighting and sound so the baby isn't bothered by the sonic boom of Transformers!

Take advantage and take your baby or kids with you to see movies that are out now in a participating theater near you!

Go here for listings of theaters near you!

Yellow Pages Booster Seat

Your kid still can't reach the top of the table yet? Don't spring for that fancy booster seat or high chair (Bloom high chair, anyone?) Instead go with tradition and grab the Yellow Pages! No, not that free one that you've neglected at your front door, the one that's available at Perpetual Kid for $20. This foam formed Yellow Book replica even has a hand-crafted butt-print for your young one to sit comfortably at the table...and with such style!!!

Falling Leaves Cinnamon Martini

Here are the instructions on how to make!

4 ounces premium vodka
1 ounce Grand Marnier
2 ounces Goldshlager, refrigerated
2 cinnamon sticks
Ice

Combine the vodka and Grand Marnier in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously until ice cold. Strain into martini glasses and then add Goldshlager (we don't want to leave the gold in the cocktail shaker with the ice so we add it to the martinis after they are strained).

Garnish with cinnamon sticks. Serves two.

Finally! Porn For Moms!!

Maybe not the porn you were expecting, but it'll definitely get your emotions off with sweet, dreamable quotes that we all wish our boyfriends or husbands would say.

Here are some examples:

"Now, remember, it's my turn to do the midnight feeding, so don't get up!"

"I'll do the dishes."

"I'll take care of the baby, you're working." (A quote from MY boyfriend!)

The Pregnancy Guide Instruction Manual

If you enjoyed the Baby Starter Kit, you will definitely enjoy the Pregnancy Instruction Manual, jam packed full of helpful information from fertilization to birth and is sure to make for a great gift or good for personal use.

You can buy it easily on Amazon for about $14.00!

Baby food recall for possible Botulism

Plum Organics is recalling its apple and carrot flavored baby food for fear of botulism poisoning. The California-based company announced the recall Tuesday morning, saying the product did not meet FDA requirements.

Read more here.

Cute costume....but what the hell is it??

Ok so I've found a reasonable amount of wacky baby costumes while searching for one for my son, and have actually come across some that are..well...friggin adorable! The problem is I don't know what some of them are! Here are a few that I found:

What the?.... It's a?... Uh...Duck-baby-man? Oh the MorningStar mascot!

Kids! I don't know what's wrong with these kids today.

One of my favorite songs from the great movie Bye Bye Birdie. And if you haven't seen it you need to rent it immediately!

*This clip is even subtitled!!! Awesome!*

Finally, a baby starter kit for dummies....that means us...

When you think you've received all the advice you can from doctor's, your parents, and friends...your baby goes and poops something bright orange or better yet not at all for days. Don't forget those special days that you go to pick him up and he has a nice pile of hot surprise waiting for you in his chair. Or now that he's beginning to teeth he chews on everything he gets a hold of... EVERYTHING- such as cords, body parts (yours), shoes and more. (Thanks son for providing such useful examples.)

Now you can free your mind and the rest will follow with this starter kit about babies. The kit contains:

• The Baby Owner’s Manual
• Growth Chart, with stickers for marking baby’s progress
• Diaper Changing Instructional Poster
• Babysitter’s Memo Pad
• Decorative magnet

and more!

If not for yourself, definitely a handy gift for the expecting. Go here for more info and price!

Items we love - Combi Pod Bouncer

What better than a good ole' two-fer: have a safe fun place to put your baby and listen to your favorite songs on your iPod or MP3 player. The bouncer has a hammock style seat design with 2 position recline, removable toy bar with three wooden toys and a built in sound and vibration unit and with a price tag averaging $70 you can't really go wrong!

Taga Stroller

While extremely versitile and futuristic looking, this stroller/bike combo is only available in Europe and costs a steep $2,500. But it's definitely fun to look at.
www.taga.nl
Read more here, too.

Chicago- Transit raises unFare (get it??)

So last year we had a fare increase that went from $1.75 to $2.00 per ride and a decrease in transfers. Now we are being threatened again with a fare hike to a preposterous $3.00/ride and even increasing the 7 day pass from $23 to $30 dollars! Chicago, jeez! You already put a higher tax on alcohol and snack food so now I can't afford to drink away my sorrows or binge on junk food, now I can barely afford to take the bus to work...or to the store to buy the overpriced booze!


How sad that site will be, me riding a bike with a basket full of wine, chocolate...and my baby! Please, CTA, save me the embarrassment!

..... I don't want to look like this mom....

For a city that was ready to invest almost $3 BILLION dollars to host the Olympics, it's astonishing that they are about to bleed our pockets dry for us to try to travel in the city. Chicago is also working hard to become a very green city, though if these changes were to occur it would cause more people to purchase cars therefore adding to the pollution of the city....and the world! Considering Chicago used to be deemed one of the fattest cities in the states, maybe this is some underlined tactic to get people to start walking more. Now THAT would be impressive.

More Costumes- The Edible Baby

So it's one thing to have your children dressed as cute pumpkins or a pea pod....but when did baby costumes, such as a slice of pizza, become the rave?? Here are some costumes that I've found that brings reality to the saying "So cute I could just eat you!"