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Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

diapers

It’s a Matter of Trust.

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I’m a product junkie. I bounce from brand to brand, always looking for my next favourite product. Ahem – have you seen my stash of lip balms?

If it’s on sale, I’ll try it out. If it’s slapped with a “New and Improved!” seal, I’ll give it a go. I’ve found some of my favourite products through trial and error; Rimmel Kohl Eye Pencils and eos Shave Cream, to name a few.

However, a few nights ago, it dawned on me that there is ONE product that I’ve never dared to cheat on. Through thick and thin – lured by coupons, sales, or manufacturer claims of superiority – I simply haven’t wavered in my loyalty or trust. And, it happens to be a brand that I’ve used on the two individuals who matter most to me in life – my two boys.

The product is Pampers.

This post is written on the heels of Reid meeting a major milestone (TMI alert!) – last night, he pooped in the big boy’s toilet for the very first time! Finally, our potty training efforts have started to move from abysmal to mildly successful. Yes, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and it’s been a damned long tunnel.

Hence, it’s with bittersweet joy that I announce that my relationship with the one product I’ve never considered substituting – the one brand I’ve trusted for over 5 years between 2 boys – is slowly coming to an end. But, I do have a purpose for writing this post –

It’s for every new mom or mom-to-be. I see you, cruising through the diapers aisle, mentally checking out the goods. I see you comparing diaper counts and whipping out your phone to calculate the cost-per-diaper. I see you lifting the store brand of diapers, wondering if they’ll do. I see that little wrinkle in your frown as you decide which diaper will adorn the behind of the precious little life you’re in charge of.

And I’m here to say, “Buy Pampers”.

How can I be so confident in my recommendation? Well, it’s more than just because I’ve used them on my own children and endorse them with enthusiasm and without hesitation. And it’s more than the fact I was a Pampers baby myself. It’s because I’ve been privy to a little insider information… a coveted look behind the scenes, if you will…

Back in June, I was treated to an exclusive tour of the Pampers facility in Cincinnati, Ohio.

As part of my affiliation with the Proctor & Gamble #PGMom program, I had an opportunity to witness the science behind the brand. Ever wonder if those “leak proof” commercials are staged? Or if the rigorous performance testing they undertake is valid? Thanks to an interactive demonstration with Joann Hoover, Principal Researcher at Pampers North America Research & Development, I can honestly say I’m a believer….

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From Pampers to Prada.

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I’ve been in a relationship for almost five years now. At first, it was just an exclusive kind of thing… but then, for a short period of time, I actually had two to contend with. And let me tell you, when you’re going at it two at a time, sometimes, it’s overwhelming.

Of course that only lasted for a few months; the first outgrew it – or rather, I forced a full breakup. You see, we both needed our freedom.

So I was left with just one – back in my comfort zone, if you will. And now, after two and a half years, it looks like I’ll finally be done. I’ll finally be free.

Our home is about to become Pampers-less.

Truthfully? It’s mostly awesome, but also kind of bittersweet. No more diapers means that I officially no longer have babies in my household. Those tender moments – changing a diaper in the middle of the night before a feeding, gently applying cream to those oh-so-soft cheeks – will be replaced with hollers of “Come wipe my bum!” and “Look at this one, it takes up the whole toilet!”

Right.
Splendid.

And so with Reid’s potty training officially underway, I began reminiscing about my relationship with Pampers. Truthfully, in terms of products, it has likely been the most long-lasting, trusted relationship that I’ve had. From the very first hour of their lives, both Ryder and Reid’s sweet little bottoms were coddled with Swaddlers. Through the months that followed, I’ve believed in Pampers’ ability to keep their delicate skin soft and dry; to take them through the night with comfort; and to keep their business contained in the diapers… and off my very expensive leather sectional.

Will it feel strange to not see the familiar green Baby Dry box in the corner of Reid’s room?
Will I miss scanning the flyers for sales, clipping coupons and inputting Gifts to Grow Points?

I’ll never forget the first few moments of Ryder’s life. After enduring over 30 hours of labour and a natural childbirth (someone told me that us “au naturel” mamas have bragging rights for the rest of our lives) I was understandably exhausted. As my head rolled to the side of my hospital bed, I saw the most enduring thing – the nurse showing my husband how to properly diaper Ryder.

And I thought, “Phew. Maybe he can show me how to do it later.”
And I remember feeling a little bit vulnerable, because Ryder was swimming in his newborn diaper.
And I thought, “What have I done?”

Husband went on to be a champion diaper-changer, and I’m still convinced the nurse showed him a critical technique that allows him to consistently have the best time….

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Vanessa Lachey: My Mommy-To-Be Must Haves

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I suppose I can add “Chat with Vanessa Lachey about Baby’s Bum” to my list of awesome things :)

Recently, I had the chance to have a telephone chat with one of the HOTTEST mommies-to-be; Mrs. Vanessa Lachey. You may know her as the co-host of ABC’s Wipeout, former Miss Teen USA, and married to that certified “OMG-how-hot-is-he?” hunk Nick Lachey.

Vanessa and Nick are expecting their first child (a little boy!) in September, and as a first-time mom, she’s just learning about some of the “essential” products for baby (YES to wipes warmers!) – and is happy to share some must-have suggestions that she’s picked up from friends and family.

One line she’s excited to use? Pampers Sensitive Swaddlers and Wipes. Pampers Sensitive Wipes have PureCare lotion which conditions baby’s skin; plus they’re dermatologist tested, hypoallergenic and perfume free. In fact, I insisted on them for both boys until they were at least 6 months old.

In the following interview we chat about surprises while registering for her baby shower, her mommy-to-be must haves, as well as how she thinks diaper duty will be allocated in the Lachey household!

Special thanks to Pampers for inviting me to speak with Vanessa and coordinating our chat!

Pampers Gifts to Grow… Winners!

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Thanks to everyone who entered the Lena Loves… Pampers Gifts to Grow Rewards giveaway. First, I must apologize for my tardiness in posting the results – as mentioned one post below, life has been very hectic! But I’m happy to share some very good news with six (6) lucky winners!

All winners were drawn using Random.org; however, as I don’t want to pollute the esthetics of my blog with a bunch of widget snapshots, you’ll just have to trust me sight unseen. (Please send me an e-mail if you’d like a copy of the winning widgets – I’ll keep them on file for 7 days.)

First up, the GRAND PRIZE: a Gifts to Grow Unsung Heroes prize pack, including a diaper bag autographed by Bethenny Frankel, a package of Pampers diapers, and a Magnetic Tabletop Easel from Alex Toys (just one of the many fabulous rewards you can grab with your points!)

And the winner is… #48 KainsHottie! Congratulations!

Five (5) runners up will receive a Liz Lange diaper clutch, also courtesy of Pampers! And the winners are…

#92 mrsking14
#94 The Palmer Fam
#149 rbailey1958
#233 AmyLynn
#334 esluka

Congratulations all! Please send me an e-mail with your contact details, so that I may have the prize sent to your right away. Thanks again to everyone who participated, and to Pampers!

Pampers Twitter “Shower!”

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For those Tweetin’ Mamas who LOVE Pampers as much as I do, tune in for a “Twitter Shower” tomorrow night  (Tuesday, December 14th) at 7pm EST.

“We’re looking for expectant parents, family members and friends helping gear up a soon-to-be-mom to join us alongside co-host, Party Stylist Amy Belle Isle (of StemParties and OperationShower) for a Twitter Shower on Tuesday, December 14th. Participants will be privy to creative tips on preparing for a baby shower and parenthood debut, but we also want to hear your personal baby shower and registry must-knows!“

Date: Thursday, December 14th, 2010
Time: 4-5pm PST (7-8pm EST)
Hashtag: #MyBabyRegistry
Host: @TwitterMoms
Co-Host: @operationshower
Sponsor: @pampers

A little bird told me that it’ll be tons of fun with GREAT PRIZES to be won (including Pampers prize packs and iPods!), and participants will be provided a special Pampers “Gifts to Grow” coupon code for joining. Mark your calendars!

The Gong Show

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It’s 9:45pm and I’m just about to crash. Tonight, I’m praying that we don’t have another episode of The Gong Show.

(Gong Show – An event marred by confusion, ineptitude and shenanigans.)

Earlier today, in the wee hours of morning, Reid woke up at his usual 2:30am for a little drinkey.

(You should know: For the moment, Reid sleeps in our room. He normally has his last feed at 9:30pm and then gives me 5 wonderful hours before he hungers again. BUT, in the hours leading up to this feed, I normally engorge quite dramatically, as 5 hours of no action = mucho milk. Is there a purpose for this? Keep reading.)

As soon as Reid awoke, I changed him, fed him on the left breast and burped him, only to feel an explosion down below as I held him over my shoulder. Because men have it way too easy, I woke up Mike and asked him to change Reid while I quickly popped out for a pee.

As Mike was changing his diaper, he noticed that he had pooped right through and up his back. He hollered at me to bring a new sleeper. That’s when I realized that I had removed all the baby clothes from the dryer and placed the clothes basket in Ryder’s room to be folded (didn’t happen of course).

GONG!

Quietly, I opened Ryder’s door and proceeded to root in the basket for a sleeper. At this point, Ryder woke up and leaped off the bed, thinking it was morning.

“It’s not time to wake up, sweetheart, go back to sleep,” I pleaded.

Wonder of wonders, he was a good boy and obeyed. Phew.

(You should know: I wash Ryder and Reid’s clothing together, and I normally procrastinate on putting their clothes away until half the basket is empty. Then I’m only folding 50%, ha ha! I hate folding clothes.)

I crept into our bedroom to find Mike with a naked Reid sitting on his leg.

“Put his diaper on!” I cautioned, horrified.

“Oh yeah, I guess I can do that,” he responded in a confused voice. After all, it was 2:30am. No sooner than the words came out, PPPRRRSSHHHH! Poop all over Mike’s leg.

GONG!!

I quickly lunged for the wipes warmer and opened it up – only to notice that we’d run out of wipes. And where is our stash of wipes? In Ryder’s closet, of course.

GONG!!!

(You should know: Ryder’s room is kind of a transitory area – we’ve got the diapers and wipes in his closet, and Reid’s clothing is actually in the one of the dressers. It’s because it will eventually be Reid’s room and Ryder will be bumped down the hall, but for the moment, while Reid’s crib is in our room, we’ve set up Ryder’s toddler bed in the room next to us to keep him close while he transitions to the big boy bed. Did you get that? Even I’m confused.)

So I tiptoed back into Ryder’s room and opened his closet. When I turned around, he was standing behind me holding his blanket.

“Schwing!!!” he cried. (swing)

“It’s not time to go the park, sweetie,” I said. “We’ll play on the swings later, okay?” Then I walked with him to his bed and tucked him in. THANK GOD he was in a cooperative mood.

“WILL YOU HURRY UP! I’VE GOT A TRAIL OF CRAP ON MY LEG!” I heard Mike hiss from our bedroom.

I blew Ryder a kiss and backtracked out of his room as quietly as possible.

Back in the bedroom, I handed Mike the wipes and proceeded to throw Reid’s first sleeper and the change pad cover in the bathtub so I could hose down the poop with water. By this time, Reid was tired of all our shenanigans and began to cry for the right breast. So I grabbed him, pulled open my nightie, and PSSSSSSSS!!!! Remember when I said I was on a 5 hour milk engorgement? Well, I basically started spraying milk everywhere. His face. His hands. His damned sleeper. I fumbled in surprise as I tucked my boob back into my nightie (not quickly enough, I was all thumbs). Then I realized that I had soaked his new sleeper from the neck to the chest area.

GONG!!!!

I made Mike creep in Ryder’s room for yet another sleeper. Mike somehow managed to tuck and roll out of sight before Ryder could see him and jump out of bed. Small problem? In his rush to get back to us, he didn’t close Ryder’s door all the way. We proceeded to change Reid again, who was at this point highly irritated with his loser parents. I went to wash my hands because they were sticky from the milkspray, and when I returned, Ryder was standing in our doorway, wide awake and smiling.

GONG!!!!!

Mike put him to bed and I finally finished the feed. Now let’s all put our hands together and pray that we have an ounce of competency tonight.