Parent Profile - NYC

Meet Jessie and her beautiful daughters Drew and Harper, our first Parent Profile family of the new year!


Name: Jessie Wixon

Family: Husband Miles and daughters Drew and Harper

Occupation: Stay at home mom and public relations freelancer

Jessie's daughters and what they're into:
Drew, age 26 months: Loves her baby sister and sometimes wants to hug her so tight she can't breathe! Just learned about princesses over Christmas and adores them. Loves to play dress up, run, sing, read books and play with her baby dolls all day. She's an independent girl and very ready for preschool!

Harper, age 7 months: Talking up a storm and loves to say "Dada" to her Daddy. Smiles and giggles through her nose all day and adores her big sister to the point where she'd rather watch her than eat! Such a happy, easy going baby. We are very lucky!

Hometown:
New York City

Other cities where Jessie has lived:
I grew up in Massachusetts, lived in Washington, D.C. and my parents currently live in Cape Cod.

Jessie's favorite Itzy Ritzy fabrics:
Central Park West and Funky Monkey Pink

Jessie's one piece of advice for someone about to become a first time parent:
I'd tell them to laugh a lot and enjoy their kids as kids. Don't structure them too much when they are young because you only have them at home with you for so long, so enjoy every moment-it really goes by so quickly!

Jessie's go-to quick and easy meal for her kids:
Hard-boiled eggs, whole wheat pasta and edamame - quick, easy and healthy!

Jessie's parenting trick:
Don't give into the whining! Kids are smart and they know they can get to you, so hold your ground and make sure they speak in their "nice" voice. And I am a firm believer in the Miracle Blanket for babies. Both my kids are great sleepers and I swear it's all because of this blanket!

Jessie's favorite guilty pleasure magazine and TV show:
US Magazine, The Hills and Gossip Girl

The one fashion item Jessie cannot live without:
My alphabet charm necklace with 'M', 'D' and 'H' on it for Miles, Drew and Harper. I wear it everyday.

If Jessie could go anywhere tomorrow on an all expense paid vacation, where would she go and with whom?
I'd probably go back to East Africa with my husband (and take the kids when they were old enough). We spent two weeks there for our honeymoon. Or I'd love to go scuba diving in the Red Sea.

Something else we should know about Jessie:
My oldest daughter gets car sick and I can't tell you how many times the Itzy Ritzy Ritzy Rider has saved me. I just take it off, throw it in the wash when we get to our destination and back on it goes! It's been a lifesaver.


Thank you, Jessie!

Itzy Ritzy is a Hit in the UK

UK account Coochie Coo and blog My Funny Bunny are running a competition for Itzy Ritzy gear. Check out this quote a fan submitted about her favorite Itzy Ritzy product:

"I just love the Ritzy Sitzy shopping trolley cover to bits. What a brilliant idea - best thing I've seen in a long time! I cringe every time I take my baby granddaughter shopping and spend about ten minutes wiping the trolley down with Dettol wipes, and that's after drying it usually, I then spend the shopping trip trying to stop her chewing it! Not easy! This is such a simple, practical idea, and looks so stylish and comfy too - much better than being plonked in a cold metal seat covered in goodness knows what! She'd be the envy of all the other babies! Excellent idea too for babies who are a bit wary of shopping trolleys as it will make it look more familiar. Great for in restaurants too!" - Vee

Itzy Ritzy Fan

Little baby Liam looks like a model posing with his Itzy Ritzy blanket! Local Chicago photographer, Alicia (www.alicias.com) took these gorgeous photos for Liam's newborn pictures.

Itzy Ritzy Fans!

The O’Neill twins, Emma and Declan, are showing off their personal style with Itzy Ritzy!

Local Celebrity: Itzy Ritzy Fan, Elaine

Congratulations to our local celebrity, Elaine and her miracle pregnancy!

Elaine and her husband Dave are an Illinois couple with two adorable twin boys, Alexander and Nathan, and expecting naturally-conceived, identical triplet girls. The chances of identical triplets? It ranges from 1 in 160,000 to 1 in 200 million! Elaine is set to deliver the three girls, Emma, Ainsley and Samantha, this Thursday. Itzy Ritzy wishes Elaine and her family the best of luck!

Want to learn more?
Check out Elaine's blog
Watch her feature on ABC 7 Chicago News under the section HealthBeat

Itzy Ritzy Fan

Baker 'rides in style' with his Avocado Damask Ritzy Rider! How cute!

Parent Profile: All The Way From Europe!

This month's Parent Profile takes us overseas to meet Lise, an Itzy Ritzy fan from Norway, and her three adorable sons! Lise recently visited the Itzy Ritzy headquarters in Chicago during a stay with her cousin, Itzy Ritzy's CEO Kelly Douglas. Lise met with the Itzy Ritzy Design Team and provided European fashion inspiration for our new custom fabric launching next spring.

Name: Lise Vold

Family: Husband Gunnar, and sons Filip, Fredrik & Nikolai

Occupation: Social worker and mother of 3 boys

Lise's kids & what they are into:
Filip (age 5)- Playdates, soccer, Playstation, Gameboy, movies, hiking and biking. Filip is super social and loves to talk - all the time!

Fredrik (soon to be 3)- Dressing up, playing outside, reading books and watching movies. Fredrik is active and always on the go, he really looks up to his big brother and is quite the copycat.

Nikolai (6 months)- Putting anything and everything into his mouth. He gets lots of attention, hugs and kisses from his brothers. He is one happy and easy baby.

Hometown:
Sandnes , Norway

Other cities where Lise has lived:
I have, in my childhood, lived in England and Holland and spent a year in Kansas as an exchange student. I have also lived in Oslo during my childhood years and again when I studied to be a social worker.

Lise's one piece of advice for someone about to become a first time parent:
Take it easy! Make and take time to enjoy every phase. Pick your battles and be consistent. Remember to laugh and have some fun too!
I guess that was more than one piece of advice!

Lise's go-to quick & easy meal for her kids:
Fruit & raisins - I cut up all types of fruit up and watch it disappear.

Lise's parenting trick:
It is not really a trick, but my boys always have to say thank you for dinner and carry their plate to the counter top by the dishwasher. It is amazing what little kids actually can manage and how most of the time, they enjoy helping out.

What are the biggest differences in parenting in the US and in Norway?
I think that Norwegian kids spend more time outdoors playing, biking, hiking in the mountains and skiing.

What are some hot European trends?
Retro fabrics, clothes and wallpaper and the colors purple and grey.

The one fashion item Lise cannot live without:
A nice big purse - I need the room with 3 kids.

If Lise could go anywhere tomorrow on an all expense paid vacation, where would she go and with whom?
I love traveling, so it is hard to decide we I would go - back to New York, Thailand or South Africa? Or somewhere were I haven't been, like Australia or Kenya?
Sorry kids...not coming! I think I would take my husband Gunnar to New York again. I think it is important to take time and just be girlfriend and boyfriend. Missing the kids is good thing!

Something else we should know about Lise:
I like to cook and include the boys when I have the time and energy to do so. They love to help and learn what is healthy, but they have also become good at trying different foods. My kids love avocados, tomatoes, fried onions, olives, feta cheese and parmesan cheese. My 5 year old wants a cook book for Christmas and says he can't wait till he can make us dinner!

Thank you, Lise, for being an Itzy Ritzy parent and sharing your thoughts!