Free Baby Magazine - February 2010

The May Issue of the Free Baby Magazine is here!

Monday, May 17, 2010

Win a 2010 Burley D'lite

Burley is giving away a 2010 Burley D'lite bike trailer with the jogging stroller attachment.

To win, just subscribe to our magazine. (Go here)
If you are already subscribed, you are already entered to win! Easy!

The winner will be chosen on Friday, May 21st and will be notified by email.

The Burley D’lite is the highest quality bike trailer
on the road and features the best safety and
comfort features for your children. It includes two
five-point harnesses, reclining seat, adjustable sun
shade, parking brake, height adjustable handlebar,
removable seat pad and shoulder harness, and
bowed sides to allow for more shoulder room. The
bike tow bar can easily be swapped out for the
jogging stroller attachment.

I use the Burley D’lite every day with my kids. It is a great way for me to exercise, reduce the gas emissions from driving my car, and plus it is a ton of fun. My girls, ages 3 and 1, love it and are often in the trailer for more than an hour at a time while I jog or ride my bike with no complaints. The cover is great because it keeps out wind, snow, sun, and rain. They are completely protected from the elements. There is a storage area in the back, which is big enough to fit a few bags of groceries, a stack of books from the library, or a ball and some mitts for the park. I can’t stop raving about how useful this trailer is. For more information on Burley products, go to www.burley.com. The Burley D’lite is available for purchase in Utah at Bingham
Cyclery http://binghamcyclery.com/, or Taylors Bike Shop http://taylorsbikeshop.com/




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Monday, April 5, 2010

Winner of the $100 gift card to DownEast Basics


Ashley C is the winner of the $100 gift card to DownEast Basics.

We had 29 people enter April Fool's Day Joke ideas. We used random.org to help us choose the winner.

Congratulations, Ashley!

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Winner of the Kolcraft double stroller

Chelsea M is the winner of the Kolcraft Contours® Options® II Tandem. She had 92 comments and 11 "likes."

This is her entry that won:

My little family would LOVE to win the Kolcraft Tandem stroller! We're going to need it, because we have TWINS on the way! I wonder if my 3 year old can push the stroller while I jog next to them? :) I'll have a lot of baby-weight to work off! This stroller looks so awesome, and would be a welcome replacement to our ...yard-sale-purchased 20-year old single stroller with 2 flat tires....
I'm drooling over this Contour Options II Tandem - I promise I'll be dreaming of it every night until the contest is over! Thanks for doing this contest and for a great magazine! And thanks in advance to all my friends/family (and any other kind souls out there) for voting for us!



Be sure to support Kolcraft: http://www.kolcraft.com/products/strollers/3/212

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Friday, March 5, 2010

Win a $100 Gift Card to Down East Basics!


That's right!! Win a $100 gift card to Down East Basics simply by letting us know your favorite idea for a April Fool's Day prank/joke. The winner will be drawn at random on April 2, 2010. Post your comment on our Facebook Fan Page to be entered to win!


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Win This Stroller!



Win this Contours® Options® II Tandem stroller courtesy of Kolcraft!!

The Contours® Options® II Tandem is the perfect stroller to give you the flexibility needed as a parent. For 1 or 2 kids, infant or toddlers, everyone has a great view in any direction with its reversible seats! It is the ultimate stroller with lots of options for your ever changing life style!


So how can this stroller be yours? That is for you to tell us! Leave a comment on our Facebook Fan Page telling us why you deserve to win this stroller in 400 words or less. Then, get your friends to vote for your story by commenting on your post! (They will have to Follow our Fan Page in order to do so!) They can vote once per day, (only one vote, per person, per day will be counted) so remind them to go and vote every day on your post!

The winner will be announced April 2, 2010.


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Just My Lullaby Drawing Winner!!


Congratulations to LeiLoni Harrison Piegdon!! She won the Just My Lullaby CD courtesy of Just My Lullaby! Here is how the drawing went down:
39 Blog Followers
71 Twitter Followers
202 Facebook Followers
= 312 Total


Random.org number between 1 and 312 = 282 and 282 is Facebook Follower #172!

Thanks to everyone for following us!! Keep a lookout for new giveaways and contests!!


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Monday, March 1, 2010

GIVEAWAY TODAY!

We are giving away a Lullaby CD from Just My Lullaby. It's so easy to enter the contest- just follow our blog, follow us on Twitter, or be our fan on Facebook. Each one gives you an entry into the contest. If you are already following or are our fan, you are already entered!

Winners will be announced Thursday, March 3, 2010. Share this link with your friends and have them enter: (link to blog post)

Reminder: Don't forget to blog about the Free Baby Magazine. The Top Blogger 2010 Contest ends this Friday, so make sure you use this link:



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Sunday, February 28, 2010

Bowtique Mama Giveaway Winners

The winners for the Bowtique Mama giveaway are:

Twitter: @loveletterstore
Facebook: Kristen B.
Blog: Susan Heim (http://susanheim.blogspot.com/)




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Tuesday, February 23, 2010

GIVEAWAY!!


It's time for another giveaway! You get an entry for following us on Twitter, Facebook and here on the blog, for a total of three entries! The prizes are a set of bows courtesy of Bowtique Mama. Check out the sidebar here on the blog for ways to follow us. Thanks!! The drawing will be this Friday, February 26.

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Friday, February 19, 2010

TOP BLOGGER 2010 CONTEST

***Update March 11, 2010***

The Grand Prize Winner is:

Prize- Premier Sponsor Advertising Package includes a full page ad (between the cover and contents page), plus a 150px X 150px web ad on our website for a month, plus a 150 px X 150 px ad in our monthly email newsletter.

Top 10 blogs:
1. alittletipsy.com (Full Page Ad in the April issue of Free Baby Magazine)

Prize: Each blogger will be featured in the April issue of Free Baby Magazine!

The Random Drawing Winner:
Prize: A full page ad in the magazine ($135 Value)


****Contest has ended******

Free Baby Magazine is pleased to announce the Top Blogger 2010 Contest.

HOW TO ENTER

Just link to us on your blog, it's easy!

The more people follow your link, the better your chances are at winning. Winners will be chosen from the top referring blogs and will be featured in the April 2010 issue of
Free Baby Magazine!

There will also be a random drawing for all entries, so even if your blog doesn't get much traffic, you could still be a winner. (Every blog that refers at least one person to www.freebabymagazine.com with be entered to win, whether you refer 1 or 1,000,000)

If you have already linked to us, you are already entered!

PRIZES
-The blog that refers the very most people will be the *Grand Prize Winner* and will receive a Premiere Sponsor Advertising Package ($300 Value), plus we will feature a blog entry in our magazine!
***The Premier Sponsor Advertising Package includes a full page ad (between the cover and contents page), plus a 150px X 150px web ad on our website for a month, plus a 150 px X 150 px ad in our monthly email newsletter.
-The runner-up blog that refers the most people will receive a full page ad in the magazine ($135 Value)
-The top 10 blogs that refer the most people to our site will be featured in the magazine
-The blog that wins the random drawing will also receive a full page ad in the magazine ($135 Value)

TO INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING:
-Place your post in a prominent area on your website.
-Repost every day
-Tell your readers about the contest so that they will want you to win
-Post an entry on your blog inviting your readers to read the magazine and subscribe
-The more referrals you send our way, the higher your chances are of winning.


*SAMPLE POST*
I just found out about the Free Baby Magazine. I have become a fan on their facebook page, I am following them on Twitter and I am also following their blog. I just read the free February issue online, checked out their blog and I really like it. I thought I would share it with you guys!

The cover is so darn cute. Loving the little girl on the cover with her heart shaped lollipop! Some really great articles about babies first shots and the article I got the very most out of was "When You Are Quick to Anger" - great article and I have now subscribed to the magazine. And the photography is OUTSTANDING. It is almost worth it just for the photos.

They are having a Top Blog Contest for whoever can refer the most readers! There is a great prize for the winning blogs!

View the Magazine Here: Free Baby Magazine
Free Subscription Here: Free Baby Magazine SUBSCRIPTION

CONTEST BEGINS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2010 @12:01AM AND ENDS FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 2010 @11:59PM




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Thanks to All of Our Supporters!!

We are really grateful to those who are linking to the magazine!! Please support them by checking out their sites. They really offer some great deals, freebies and giveaways!!!



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Thursday, February 18, 2010

Winner of the Robeez Shoes

To make this as fair as possible, Entries 1-11 are from the people following our blog, Entries 12-28 are from twitter followers, and the last 102 followers are from our fans on facebook. And the winner of the Robeez shoes is... number 85.

So, going down the list of facebook fans, the 57th facebook fan is EMILY BROWN ALLEN!

Emily, we will get in touch with you to mail you the Robeez shoes! :)

Everyone else, stay tuned, another contest is on its way!

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Thanks for the Support!!

I just wanted to say thank you to the great response we are getting from all the moms out there!! You all are AWESOME!! Here are a few of the blogs that are giving us support, make sure you check them out!!

November Sunflower - You can find some great reviews and deals. Tons of freebies! Check it out!!

One Momma Saving Money - Some more great deals!! Can't get enough freebies right?


Thank you all for your support!!


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Thursday, February 11, 2010

Robeez shoes giveaway

We are giving away a pair of Robeez shoes.

It's easy to enter!
We will choose the winner randomly from our Twitter followers, Facebook fans, and blog followers. If you are already our Twitter follower, Facebook fan, or blog follower, then you are already entered to win! Simple! We will use Random.org to choose the winner. The contest will end Tuesday, February 16th.

The more entries you have, the greater your chances of winning!

Tell everyone!




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Finding the right car seat

Finding the right car seat

by Kristen Butikofer


Babies grow out of things so fast: clothes, diapers, shoes. You probably feel like your constantly buying your little one new things. There's one more change, however, you might not have figured into the budget-a new car seat when your little one isn't so little anymore and outgrows their infant carrier. This can happen as early as 5 or 6 months for the adorably chubby baby, or not until a year if your little tyke is on the petite side. Regardless of when it happens, it brings with it a lot of questions about how you can keep your baby safe and comfy in the car.

Most likely your baby will be young enough they still need to be rear-facing (and experts recommend keeping baby facing backward until they reach the weight limit of the car seat, and also at least one year old), so you'll probably need a convertible seat. Convertible seats are called that because they can be used rear-facing as well as forward facing, which extends the amount of time your child will fit in them.

When purchasing a seat you might think that spending more money means getting a better car seat. This isn't always true. All car seats are rated for safety and the right car seat is the one that fits your child, fits your car, and is easy to install and use. The most effective car seat is the one that is installed and used correctly.

There are, however, some features that make certain car seats more appealing than others. Our favorite car seat features are wide straps that won't twist, built in locking clips (which secure the car seat without having to use a separate clip that can be easily lost), head impact protection, and higher weight limits which means the seat will fit your child longer.

In researching the best seats out there, we came across a number of seats which were recommended over and over. Below is a rundown of these seats, and why they merit the high praise.

Britax Marathon, Boulevard, and Decathalon: Though these seats are on the higher end of the price spectrum, they have amenities that make it worthwhile for many parents. They each have built in lock-offs, wide straps, and a weight limit of 65 pounds and a top harness height of 17 inches, meaning it will will probably last until your child needs a booster. Parents we talked to said they loved the ease of securing the car seat into their vehicles and their child into the car seat. A couple of parents mentioned that the seat seems a little narrow for their older children with broad shoulders.

Evenflo Triumph Advance: This seat has a weight limit of 50 pounds and a top harness strap that is 17 inches high. It also has an infinite harness adjuster so you don't have to re-thread the harness to adjust the height. It also has safety foam inserts and a tension knob to get a good fit with the harness. Parents say they like the comfy pillows and the flip-out cup holder. The drawback was that the harness is not removable for cleaning and replacement.

Sunshine Kids Radian 65 and 80: These seats have high harness slots at 18 inches, and a maximum weight of 65 pounds and 80 pounds respectively. They have safety foam inserts and steel frames that make them less bulky then plastic frames. They can also be tethered while in a rearfacing position. Parents love that they fold flat, and have an 8 year lifespan (most seats on have a 6 year year lifespan), The major drawback we found is that it has trouble being secured properly in some cars, so we suggest finding a store that will let you try it out before you buy it.

Cosco Scenera: As we mentioned earlier, higher price doesn't always mean better seat. And at around $40 this seat proves we we're right. With a rear-facing weight limit of 40 pounds and 15 inch harness slots it won't last as long as some other seats, but for the price, it beats out many other seats with smaller weight limits and lower top slot heights. Of course, parents love this seat for the price, but getting a good fit in your car can require some work.

As much as we like these seats, all car seats have their pros and cons, and you have to decide what is right for your child. Getting a good fit is most important in creating a safe traveling environment for your child so we recommend you have your seat installed professionally by a car Seat Safety Technician. Trained techs in you area can be found by going to www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cps/cpsfitting/index.c om and entering your zip code. Many fire stations and police stations will offer to help install car seats, but it's important they have a trained technician on site so you can get the best information on car seat safety. If you're worried about not being able to get a good fit in your car, and don't want to buy a seat that just won't work for you, try going to www.CarSeatData.org. You can plug in your car information and it will help you find a seat that fits nicely in your car.

Always remember that the safest car seat is one that is installed and used correctly!



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Healthy Marriage Week

Here is an informative article in honor of Healthy Marriage Week.

COUPLES WHO REFER TO THEMSELVES AS ‘WE’ ARE HAPPIER THAN THOSE WHO SAY ‘I’, ‘ME’ OR ‘YOU’

By Sherryl Connelly, NY Daily News

If you want a happier marriage, use the magic word: We.

“We-ness” is a language that spouses who are better able to resolve conflicts speak, according to new study from the University of California, Berkeley.

The other good words are “our” and “us.” Pronouns such as “I,” “me” and “you” are a problem, according to the study.

Researchers analyzed 154 middle-aged and older married couples talking about disagreements. The conversations between those who used the “we” words went more smoothly and were less physically stressful on both sides.

The “I” couples were shown to be less satisfied with each other, according to the study.

The study linked the separateness pronouns to unhappy marriages, particularly in older couples.

But more older couples identified as “we” than the middle-aged ones did. It’s likely that facing life’s tough stuff over time and raising families may give a couple a greater sense of shared identity.

“Individuality is a deeply ingrained value in American society, but, at least in the realm of marriage, being part of a ‘we’ is well worth giving up a bit of ‘me,’” said Robert Levenson, professor of psychology and co-author of the study published in the journal of Psychology and Aging.

Earlier studies have shown that “we-ness” versus “me-ness” is a strong indicator of how happy younger couples are. This study shows how the pronoun/identity factor plays out over time as couples either team up or become polarized over disagreements.

“The use of ‘we’ language is a natural outgrowth of a sense of partnership, of being on the same team, and confidence in being able to face problems together,” said co-author Benjamin Seider

Article courtesy of http://www.nydailynews.com

A great resource for more healthy marriage information is www.strongermarriage.com.



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Free Baby Magazine is Go!!!


The long-anticipated Free Baby Magazine is finally here! We hope to bring you the best information at the best price - FREE! I won't be the one doing all the talking here on the blog. We have some great authors lined up and ready to write. They will be bring their experiences from their lives and hopefully we can all learn something.

Jessica, our Editorial Director, asked me to do the honor of writing the first post here on the blog. I have been having the hardest time trying to decide what to post. But being that I am the Marketing Manager for Free Baby Magazine, I decided to talk about what I do best, Marketing!!

Free Baby Magazine is such great resource for parents, we want it to go to as many people as possible!! Utah Baby Guide currently has over 10,000 readers each month. We want to make Free Baby Magazine even bigger!! We need everyone's help! This means you! If you aren't subscribed, GET SUBSCRIBED! If your friends aren't subscribed, send them this link!!!

We are also looking for businesses to partner with us for each monthly issue of Free Baby Magazine. If you run a business, please contact me for ways that we can help you grow your business! There are so many different ways!!

If you can't tell, I am really excited....


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