Thursday, June 5, 2014

Life With 3 Is A "Breeze"... Said No Mom Ever. Except Now.

I remember reading somewhere that, when surveyed, the average Mom of Three (MOT) said that her biggest challenge with three kids was that she only had two arms. I read this little tidbit long before I even entertained the thought of having a third baby and it's amazing how quickly after birthing our newest addition that I looked around the OR wondering where a third (and let's face it, fourth) arm might be hiding.  

Sure, all moms could use an extra hand (or two, or ten). It's one of those Shared Motherly Desires that bonds together those of us in the trenches, specifically when our offspring are acting particularly, what's the word... hellacious. 

For me, my biggest challenge is often navigating parking lots and crossing streets while simultaneously trying to herd what feels like a pack of feral cats but is really just my 4 year old and 2 year old. It's in those moments that I wish I could tie them both to the baby's stroller and drag them close behind me. 

Which baby product company offers that stroller attachment? Hello, cash cow!

Although our home environment is much less stressful than, say, a parking lot full of cars, I continue to struggle with Having Two Arms And Three Children (HTATC. Look it up, I'm certain it's a syndrome). 

Can you picture me trying to spread peanut butter on a sandwich, build a garbage truck from only red and yellow Duplo blocks (exasperated sigh, MOM!) while nursing the baby and pry an overzealous two year old down from the kitchen table? If you can, then you just witnessed yesterday's twelve o' clock hour in our home, just one out of the twenty-four hours in the day. 

You can only imagine what the other hours must look like. 

As a MOT, when everyone is melting down over various life disappointments, not only is it difficult to think straight over all the screaming but it's difficult to decide in that moment whose needs to meet first. 

I've quickly learned, in my six weeks as a MOT, that addressing the older twos' needs, the two that can understand, relate and negotiate, is usually the best way to deal with the drama. This often requires putting the baby down, in a safe place, while tending to the Drama of the Hour (DOH). 

Do you know what else often requires the use of two or more hands? Baby equipment. Whether it's a stroller, high chair or baby pen, most "safe baby spaces" on the market require the use of two hands to operate. That doesn't work for this MOT. I need something I can manipulate with one hand and one hand only and something that doesn't send me into a fit of muttered curse words and screams that would rival the screams and shouts of the DOH. 

Always use your playard on a flat, even surface.


Want in on a little sanity-saving secret? No, it's not wine (today,) it's the 4Moms Breeze. Whether I use it as a bassinet next to our bed or a safe space to place the baby while on the main level of our home, away from poky fingers and inquiring big brothers, it only requires the use of one hand to open and close. It's that easy. After several weeks of using the Breeze, I can say without a doubt that I am a Breeze Believer. 


Whether we're on the main level of the house, in the yard gardening, getting ready for bed at night or road tripping to Gammie and Poppy's house in New Jersey, the Breeze makes this MOT's life that much easier. 

From diaper changes to cat naps to "Mommy Just Needs A Minute," the 4Moms Breeze has been a MOT must-have. Just look at this lady- nary a sweat broken nor manicure chipped while setting up the 4Moms Breeze. 

breeze Fold Stepsbreeze Fold Stepsbreeze Fold Steps



In fact, I would almost trade the use of a third arm for our 4Moms Breeze, that's how much I love it. And I'm not the only one who loves it. 

Head on over to the 4Moms Facebook page to read other mothers' testimonials as they share their Breeze Believer stories during the Breeze Blog Tour and offer their readers the chance to win their own Breeze all month long! 4Moms is also running a contest on their Facebook page - A Breeze A Day daily giveaway! The contest has four rounds, each one starting on a Sunday in June. You enter once each round to be eligible for that week's daily drawings.

Today and for the next seven days, you can enter right here on I Love You More Than Carrots for your chance to win a 4Moms Breeze! Giveaway is open to residents of both the U.S. and Canada! No purchase necessary to enter. Entry is easy! Use the Rafflecopter widget below. Winner will be contacted via email and announced once confirmed. Good luck to all those who enter! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


      This post is sponsored by my working relationship with the incredible 4Moms brand.
All thoughts and opinions exchanged above are honest and my own. I received product
free of charge in exchange for said thoughts. No financial compensation was received.
I'm a true 4Moms fan and know you will  be too!  


Follow on Bloglovin

604 comments :

  1. Breeze! We borrowed one for a vacation and my baby slept in it no problem. What a saving grave when in a strange place.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I would love to win one of these to make our crazy life a little easier!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love the mamaroo, it has great reviews and seems like a necessary addition to any nursery!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love the Origami stroller and the Breeze.

    ReplyDelete
  5. As a MOT myself, I thoroughly enjoy reading your blog and look forward to your instagram posts as well. You seriously do feel like you need a third arm often! Thanks for making me laugh my way through some hellacious days of my own :-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. The breeze looks great!! I would love to get the mama roo! Love your photo of babe in the yard. Perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'd LOVE to get a mamaRoo for the new baby, but not sure if it's in the budget this time around. We'll see! I'm working on it. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. This mom of four (I KNOW, right!?) was just about to be all sassy and say: "You know what they'll never make one-hand operational? A stroller! And that's what we really need."

    Then I went to the website and saw the "Just touch a button" stroller. I'm sitting here all slackjawed.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love the mamaroo! I think it would be very soothing to a newborn! Really hope to get one before our newest little one arrives in August!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I would love the chance to win! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I would love the chance to win! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Rockaroo all the way - I've heard SUCH amazing things about them!

    ReplyDelete
  13. We had the mamaroo with my first and it was amazing. I think the Origami stroller is out of control- who wouldnt want something so high tech!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I think my gadget loving hubby and I would love to own the Origami too bad I'd have to sell my husband to buy it haha!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Ugh, you are making me want the whole 4Moms line for this new little one on the way!

    ReplyDelete
  16. First time hearing about this brand - thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  17. First time hearing about this brand/products - thanks for sharing! Love your blog & Instagram!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm about to enter the MOT zone at the end of July! I would love the breeze just moving into a two story house it would be great for the first floor and it's not an eyesore to leave out. I would also love the mamaroo!

    ReplyDelete
  19. As I am about to enter the MOT zone at the end of July and just have moved into a two story house. I would love the Breeze for the main floor and it's not an eyesore to have sit out all the time. I would also love the mamaroo

    ReplyDelete
  20. The Mamaroo & the Breeze are definitely on my list!

    ReplyDelete
  21. The Mamaroo and the Breeze are definitely on my list!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I think the mamaroo is pretty cool. Wish I had one for my daughter!

    ReplyDelete
  23. The mamaroo looks pretty cool!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Mamaroo is my all time fav!!! I was was worried if my little one would like it be he absutely LOVES it! 4moms is such a fantastic mom friendly company!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. This Breeze looks so simple that it's currently at the top of my list after fighting with out current pack and play every time we need to move it...

    ReplyDelete
  26. I don't have any of their products yet but have been dying for the mamaroo since I had my first baby and now that #2 is on the way that's exactly what I need.

    ReplyDelete
  27. The Breeze is currently at the top of my list after fighting with our pack and play every time we move it.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Mamaroo - we already bought one for Baby #2 and I cannot wait to use it!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I wish I had bought the mamaroo for my second baby, who is now almost 9 months! She would have loved that!

    ReplyDelete
  30. The Breeze and Mamaroo are on my list right now just because I've heard SO many amazing things about them. I'm really crossing my fingers though for this one!

    ReplyDelete
  31. The Breeze and Mamaroo are already on my registry because SO many people have told me amazing things about them. I'm crossing my fingers though because we will absolutely need this for Addison once she arrives!

    ReplyDelete
  32. We have the mamaroo but have been dying for the breeze!

    ReplyDelete
  33. All their products looks great. I think the Origami stroller would be fabulous.

    ReplyDelete
  34. New Mom of Three here - 4 weeks in and I NEED this!!!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Trying to be a MOT-- definitely need that extra hand in 4Moms!

    ReplyDelete
  36. The mamaroo will be a must for me and my husband when we have our baby - the car simulation works wonders with my nephew!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Love 4moms products!!! With baby #2 just weeks away, I'd love the breeze!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  38. I love 4moms products!!! With baby #2 just weeks away, I'd love the breeze!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  39. I love the simplicity of the breeze. I have 2 under 2 right now and this would be amazing for me to win!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Pregnant with my second one and this looks like just the thing I need with my active 3 year old boy!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Pregnant with twins and this would be great!!!

    ReplyDelete
  42. First off- I'm only a mother of 1 currently but I want 3 kids so I absolutely adore reading your blog and see myself in your shoes in a few years! We also share a sense of humor- you crack me up! Now onto which 4moms products I'm crushing on- that's a hard one! We love our mamaroo but I would also love the rockaroo, breeze, and I would kill for the origami- talk about simplicity with that thing!

    ReplyDelete
  43. I totally want to try the mamaroo or rockaroo!

    ReplyDelete
  44. I am looking forward to seeing the new stroller they are advertising!

    ReplyDelete
  45. I love this breeze and would love to win one!!

    ReplyDelete
  46. I love this breeze and would love to win one!!

    ReplyDelete
  47. I would love this when I have to shuffle my little one around to his grandparents' house!

    ReplyDelete
  48. I'm currently pregnant with number 2 and my husband and I were just talking about not having enough hands! I hated the play pen we used for our first, it was so hard to open and close I never moved it! So the breeze would be perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  49. I'm pregnant with number two and my husband and I were just talking about how we don't have enough hands! I hated the play pen we had for our first, it was so hard to open and close so I never moved it! The breeze would be perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  50. I NEED this! I'm already strategizing about where I'm going to stick this third baby when it arrives to keep it safe from two crazy boys AND 3 years into mothering and owning a pack n' play, I STILL don't know how to set it up and take it down on my own (hard to admit). One step sounds amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  51. This mom needs an easy go to product like that! Love it

    ReplyDelete
  52. would love the breeze for my 9 month old!

    ReplyDelete
  53. Would love the breeze for my 9 month old!

    ReplyDelete
  54. For me it's a toss up between the mamaroo and the breeze...I would love one of each : )

    ReplyDelete
  55. I would love to win this fabulous product!!

    ReplyDelete
  56. I have baby #3 on the way in late summer, and I wonder about how I'll handle my 4 and 2 year old boys once baby is here! This product would be a fabulous addition. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  57. I totally need this! I hate our pack n' play and would love the breeze!

    ReplyDelete
  58. The Breeze would be amazing right now! Perfect for playing outside with the three year old while the baby rests.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Love this and so need it for my three week old!

    ReplyDelete
  60. This is definitely something we could put to good use in our 3 story townhouse. There aren't enough "safe from a 3 year old" places to put a newborn on each floor!

    ReplyDelete
  61. Man, where was this when I had my 4 year old?? I love that breeze playard but super adore the origami mini that is coming soon.

    ReplyDelete
  62. Really wish I would have had this with my 4 year old. I would love this Breeze Playard as we are hoping to add a #3 soon. I adore the mini origami stroller coming out too!!

    ReplyDelete
  63. Both of my boys have loved the MamaRoo.

    ReplyDelete
  64. Both of my boys have loved the MamaRoo.

    ReplyDelete
  65. The MamaRoo looks amazing! Seems like you wouldn't need any other seat for the baby.

    ReplyDelete
  66. I really think the Breeze looks fantastic but I love all 4moms products, the mamaroo looks awesome as well.

    ReplyDelete
  67. I love the Breeze and the MamaRoo for baby #3

    ReplyDelete
  68. Love the Mamaroo, have heard such good things about it:)

    ReplyDelete
  69. I need to get my hands on one of these! :)

    ReplyDelete
  70. I can TOTALLY relate to this thinking back to when I first became a MOT.... I feel that I am going to HAVE to have this when I become a MOF (mom of four) this September :)

    ReplyDelete
  71. I can totally relate to this thinking back to when I became a MOT.... now I will need one for sure when I become a MOF (four!!!!) in September!!!

    ReplyDelete
  72. I'd love the breeze! It looks so easy and would be a great thing for our beach vacation!

    ReplyDelete
  73. I love all of the 4Moms products, haven't had a chance to try any of them out yet though. This would be great.

    ReplyDelete
  74. The Breeze! This looks awesome! I've been known to cry, as well as throw a dang pack n play because I couldn't get it to open or close. ha

    ReplyDelete
  75. mamaRoo but I think it looks so peaceful and less like a piece of baby plastic!

    ReplyDelete
  76. I love everything! The origami stroller is so cool though!!

    ReplyDelete
  77. The breeze or the mamaroo but I really love everything!

    ReplyDelete
  78. I totally need this for baby #2 due this fall. It would be perfect for the baby while chasing after my toddler!

    ReplyDelete
  79. One touch stroller and pack play? As a mo, of three myself those sound amazing! We thought the pack ply was broken the first time we tried to set up our graco one. Hours later we had it figured out.

    ReplyDelete
  80. I think the Breeze looks like a lifesaver!

    ReplyDelete
  81. I would love a Breeze or a MamaRoo

    ReplyDelete
  82. The Origami stroller. I LOVE ITS Unique style.

    ReplyDelete
  83. Thanks for sharing your thought!
    I might collecting 4moms products for my first baby.

    ReplyDelete
  84. Saw it at Buy Buy Baby. Looked awesome! We seem to be turning in to a 4moms house :)

    ReplyDelete
  85. The breeze. I have lots of yard work living in the country and need to keep the kids away from snakes.

    ReplyDelete
  86. The breeze would be a great place for my baby to nap on the go

    ReplyDelete
  87. Mamaroo, for sure. My daughter has colic and I am suffering with PPD. It would come in very handy for sure.

    ReplyDelete
  88. I love the breeze. Name says it all!

    ReplyDelete
  89. saw the origami and thought it was awesome! i really want to try out the breeze!

    ReplyDelete
  90. saw the origami and thought it was cool! now would love to try the breeze!

    ReplyDelete
  91. I think the 4moms rockaRoo would be my favorite item-- besides the Breeze. The rockaRoo would be FUN but the Breeze is just plain needed.

    ReplyDelete
  92. We need this so much right now! 😊

    ReplyDelete
  93. would love to win this...perfect for my little one while we are all outside.

    ReplyDelete
  94. The breeze would definitely be my favorite especially since we have weekly dinner nights with friends and being able to just pack up the breeze for our little ones would be so incredibly useful. Our last pack and play was such a disaster that I ended up giving it away because I hated it so much. This momma has learned her lesson, and baby #2 supplies are all about simplifying our life not making it more difficult.

    ReplyDelete
  95. The mamaroo/rockaroo and the breeze! I hear so many good reviews on them, would love to win, thanks for the chance

    ReplyDelete
  96. The mamaroo/rockaroo and the breeze! I hear so many good reviews on them, would love to win, thanks for the chance

    ReplyDelete
  97. The Breeze is the one I love the most! I do think the car seat looks pretty amazing as well!

    ReplyDelete
  98. The whole line is pretty amazing but id love the breeze!

    ReplyDelete
  99. I could use a new play pen for number three!

    ReplyDelete
  100. Breeze or the stroller most definitely!

    ReplyDelete
  101. The Breeze! It would make life so much easier ;) I have such trouble setting up the traditional kind!

    ReplyDelete
  102. I tried it at MommyCon and it was great! I would love one for my new one coming in October!

    ReplyDelete
  103. I got to try the Breeze at MommyCon and it was awesome! Would be great for baby coming in October!

    ReplyDelete
  104. I have the mamaRoo but would LOVE to have the Origami! What a tricked out stroller! Actually, I just want one of everything!

    ReplyDelete
  105. I have the mamaRoo but would LOVE the Origami. What a tricked out stroller! Actually, I would love to have one of everything from 4moms!

    ReplyDelete
  106. I like the info about the breeze being anlble to set up with one hand.

    ReplyDelete
  107. I would love to win the breeze! It definitely looks so comfortable and I'm sure my baby boy would love it.!

    ReplyDelete
  108. The description of the breeze being easy to set up.

    ReplyDelete
  109. I have the mamaRoo and LOVE it! The breeze looks so great! I hate the look of our ugly pack n play! I'd love the Origami stroller. It is amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  110. I think the origami is awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  111. I've been drooling over 4moms products for months, alas it is out of my price range. Fantastic products!

    ReplyDelete
  112. I would love to win the breeze. It looks so comfortable and I know my baby would love it :)

    ReplyDelete
  113. Great information aabout the breeze

    ReplyDelete
  114. I love this blog - not sure how I haven't found it before now. The breeze deff seems like a winner in the baby gear. Hope I can win one.

    ReplyDelete
  115. The breeze looks amazing!! We love our Momaroo... Our life would be out of control without its the only place our baby likes to be outside of our arms...he loves it.

    ReplyDelete
  116. I wish I had this! It would make life easier.

    ReplyDelete
  117. I love this blog. Not sure how I haven't found it before now. The breeze deff seems like a winner in baby gear. Hope I can win one!

    ReplyDelete
  118. I've wanted a Breeze since being pregnant because it was so easy and SO sturdy; which now knowing our babies personality, she would be rocking the pack n play if she slept in that. I would love to have a Breeze because we would use it for camping...

    ReplyDelete
  119. The breeze looks amazing!! We love our Mamaroo...it's the only place our baby likes to be outside of in our arms... Our lives would be chaos without it!! Love everything 4Moms!!

    ReplyDelete
  120. I would love to try a Mamaroo.

    ReplyDelete
  121. I would love to try a Mamaroo.

    ReplyDelete
  122. The breeze looks amazing!! We love our Momaroo... Our life would be out of control without its the only place our baby likes to be outside of our arms...he loves it.

    ReplyDelete
  123. I have always wanted to have a breeze since before Ariana arrived thanks for its easy of use AND how STURDY it is. Now that I know her personality she would rock the current "play yard" we have if we slept in it.

    ReplyDelete
  124. I love ut all. The mamaroo looks kool

    ReplyDelete
  125. The MamaRoo - I've seen it in stores and it is amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  126. The MamaRoo is honestly my favorite product by 4moms!! I want one of my own so bad for this new baby!!!

    ReplyDelete
  127. The MamaRoo - I've seen it in stores and it is amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  128. I haven't actually seen one in person but the Origami stroller is my favorite! It looks so sleek and modern, and the perfect size for our limited trunk space with 4 kiddos!

    ReplyDelete
  129. My husband had to have the MamaRoo. If the Breeze was available when my baby girl was born, it would have been top of my list. She just turned 1, but it came out after. Not sure how we missed the Origami. But hubby wants #2 soon, so we shall see.

    ReplyDelete
  130. I love the mamaroo, but almost wish my boys waited a few month so I could have tried out the new carseat. I bet it great for tired mamas. Just to double check to make sure everything is right.

    ReplyDelete
  131. The macaroni is probably the coolest piece of baby gear ever!

    ReplyDelete
  132. I love the mamaroo, but almost wish my boys waited a few months so I could have tried the new carseat. I bet it will be a life saver for new mamas.

    ReplyDelete
  133. I love the easiness of the breeze!

    ReplyDelete
  134. I haven't personally tried any of the 4 moms products but I am so intrigued by this play yard and the mamaroo

    ReplyDelete
  135. My hubby had to have the MamaRoo for our baby girl. If the Breeze was around when we were expecting (she just turned 1), it would have been top of list. I hate fooling around with our pack n plays. Not sure how we missed the Origami stroller, but will definitely look at for the future little ones.

    ReplyDelete
  136. We love our mamaroo! Would love to have the oragami or the breeze though!

    ReplyDelete
  137. The Breeze! It looks so easy to use!

    ReplyDelete
  138. I totally need one! It's so hard to work in my garden with a 4 month old... maybe this could give me some hands-free time!

    ReplyDelete
  139. I want both the mommaRoo AND the Breeze but I'll settle with one of these. lol

    ReplyDelete
  140. I want both the mommaRoo AND the Breeze but I'll settle for one of these. lol

    ReplyDelete
  141. I love the Origami stroller b/c it looks so neat and has some really cool features! Also loving this play yard!

    ReplyDelete
  142. I love the Mamaroo! It is the coolest baby product I've seen but I need the Breeze seems like a much more practical purchase. I love both products!

    ReplyDelete
  143. Definately the breeze! It looks so easy to put up and nice and sturdy

    ReplyDelete
  144. I have been obsessed with the Breeze since I saw it at MommyCon LA last October. I need this!

    ReplyDelete
  145. Hands down it would be the mamaroo. What a great invention

    ReplyDelete
  146. The breeze! We need one for roadtripping!

    ReplyDelete
  147. The mamaroo is amazing for getting those newborns to sleep!

    ReplyDelete
  148. The breeze looks awesome (and easy!)

    ReplyDelete
  149. The Breeze for sure. With two littles it would come in handy.

    ReplyDelete
  150. I would love to try a mamaroo!

    ReplyDelete
  151. I love them all but the mama too saved my sanity!

    ReplyDelete
  152. I would love to try a mamaroo!

    ReplyDelete
  153. I haven't been able to try any yet but i love the mama roo definitely need for next baby

    ReplyDelete
  154. I love everything but the mama roo saved my sanity!

    ReplyDelete
  155. Havent used any i love the look of the breeze and could definately use it for my youngest but i would have to say a mamaroo is a MUST have with my next baby

    ReplyDelete
  156. I love the Mamaroo because it is so compact and pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  157. Not a MOT...yet. Expecting my first in August. Maybe one day I'll be a MOT.

    ReplyDelete
  158. I love the look of the mamaRoo

    ReplyDelete
  159. The Mamaroo, I play ambiental music so this is the best way to share it with the little one, as you can add mp3s to the rockers. I love that feature. The breeze also rocks, for multitasking mommies, it´s like the best thing ever not to entertain yourself and waste time putting together the playard.

    ReplyDelete
  160. Love the mamaroo and the breeze. Currently expecting my first but it looks so easy and amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  161. i love the breeze, whenever i try to go the beach with a 3 yr old and 9 month all the baby gear and stuff its such a hassle with the breeze i know it would be so much easier

    ReplyDelete
  162. love the breeze because it looks so easy!

    ReplyDelete
  163. The more I read about this the more O want it!

    ReplyDelete
  164. mommaRoo...best swing ever invented

    ReplyDelete
  165. Love the mommaRoo...best swing ever!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for reading ILYMTC. If you have any questions about a post or want to get in touch with me (or any of the cast of characters here at ILYMTC) email me at iloveyoumorethancarrots(at)gmail(dot)com.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...