[*Amy*]

OK mamas, I actually stole this idea from the December thread <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/bag.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Bag">: but it looked like a really nice and fun idea. Is anyone interested? I'll do all of the coordinating for those who would like to participate.<br><br><br>
INSTRUCTIONS:<br>
So here at MDC, there's a whole section of the Trading Post devoted to swapping. How that works is you post an In Search Of (ISO) list. Since this is a welcome to the 2nd trimester swap, you could ask for maternity stuff, favorite foods or drinks, art projects, baby clothes/diapers/gear, stuff to pamper yourself, gift certificates, etc. Specify what condition you'd like things in.<br><br>
Then, you'd look through people's ISO lists to see who you have stuff to send to. You look for one person that you have $15-$20 worth of stuff (always best to error on the side of generosity) to send them (before shipping).<br><br>
After all the ISOs are posted, then you figure out the people that you want to send something to, you PM me with your picks (choose 2-3 people so that I have an easier time matching people up but you will only send a package to ONE mama) and include YOUR name & address.<br><br>
When I have all the picks, I'll PM you with the person you'll be sending to along with their name/address.<br><br>
From there you'll have a week to get your package together and mail it with a Delivery Confirmation.<br><br>
Any questions? Any interest? I'm going to go small and set the limit at 15 person limit for this.<br><br><b>IMPORTANT DATES:</b><br>
Monday June 6th - deadline to let me know you'd like to participate and to PM me with the 2-3 mamas whose ISO list you can best fulfill<br>
Friday June 10th - I will notify you of your match<br>
Friday June 17th - You mail your package to your matched mama!<br><br>
Questions and participation messages should go in this thread, so that others can see your question and any replies and your ISO list, and you can PM me when you have chosen the person you'd like to send a package to.<br><br>
If this works, it could be a good ol' time! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngbiggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="orange big grin">

 

[MamaFern]

YES!! im in <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"> ill have to see what i have and think of what i need or would like..

 

[kel]

Normally I would love to - but with going to school full-time and other big things going on right now I just can't commit. If we do this again 3rd trimester I'm in.<br><br>
A lot of the time in these kinds of swaps people also list things they have to offer or can make - just a suggestion.

 

[3for3hb]

I'd love to do it too but I'm with kel about doing it in the 3rd tri again. We are moving this weekend and I just can't be sure we'll have internet connections all set up etc in time to do it. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/irked.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="irked">:

 

[flapjack]

If anyone's prepared to post internationally, I'd love to do it... if not, I'll just watch on the sidelines.

 

[DreamsInDigital]

I don't have access to the TP, so as much as I would love to participate, I would not be able to if it were done that way. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/greensad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="greensad">

 

[*Amy*]

DID, it would just be between us, not through the TP, so you are totally welcome!<br><br>
I forgot so many people were moving, darn it! Bad timing on my part. Well I'm still happy to do it for those who can, and we can try again in the 3rd Tri for everyone else. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/wink1.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="wink1">

 

[beachbaby]

I'm in! I'll be thinking of my ISO list. Do you want us to post what we have to offer, too? Thinking a lot of us knitting mamas could make stuff to swap....<br><br>
Thanks Amy, for organizing this!

 

[*Amy*]

Let's not post what we can offer, only because things might get wayyyy too complicated! :LOL Instead, if you know that you would like something mama-made, include it in your ISO list, and that way crafty mamas can choose you as their match. Make sense?

 

[DreamsInDigital]

For me:<br>
Post-partum mama cloth, handmade would be awesome<br>
Cloth nursing pads<br>
Sleep pants, size medium in flannel or cotton<br><br><br>
For baby:<br>
Snappis or diaper pins<br>
Chinese or Indian prefolds<br>
Cloth or wood toys<br><br>
And anything handmade by a WAHM or a creative mama would be greatly appreciated!

 

[BensMom]

I'm in.<br><br>
I also saw another expecting club did a birth beads swap and I thought that would be cool. Each mama sent beads to one person who separated them out and sent one of each to everyone. Seemed like a cool thing to, to make your own birthing necklace or bracelet and know that your entire EC is "with you" on the big day! So if anyone is interested, maybe we can do that for the 3rd tri!<br><br>
But I am in for this swap. Do we post our lists in this thread or will you start another for that?

 

[Awaken]

Sure, I'm in! I hope I understand exactly what we're doing, though! Darn, I just ordered a bunch of books from amazon that I'm sure you mamas would have had to send on! Oh well.

 

[Awaken]

I"m going to check out the Dec. thread so I can visualize the process better!

 

[BensMom]

It sounds more complicated than it is. All you have to worry about to start is posting a list of your "wants" and "needs", keeping in mind the $15-20 limit.<br><br>
Then once all the lists are posted, you go through and tell *Amy* who you can send to. Like if someone wants a Maya Wrap sling and you have an extra, then you choose that mama. Or if they want diapers and you can make one, you choose that mama.<br><br>
*Amy* will then do all the work and assign us each a mama, hopefully from who we chose, but not always.<br><br>
Then you just send your package and we all get to post about the cool stuff we received! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[*Amy*]

Yeah, it took me a couple of days to figure out the deal too. I'll try to simplify:<br><br>
* All interested mamas who would like to both <b>give</b> and <b>receive</b> a gift will post their ISO list here, in this thread (but don't post what you can give, <b>only what you'd like to receive</b>).<br><br>
* Your ISO list can include anything you might like for yourself or your babe, including <b>mama-made</b> items that someone else may make.<br><br>
* If you participate, you scan through the other mamas' ISO lists and see if you can provide <b>$15-$20</b> worth of stuff to any given mama (this can include <b>stuff YOU make</b>!)<br><br>
* On <b>June 6th</b>, you PM me and indicate, in order of preference, the 2 or 3 mamas that have ISO lists that best match what you can *give*. <b>I will only assign you one mama</b> to which you'll send your gift, but I ask that you give me the names of 2-3 so I can make the best matches for everyone.<br><br>
* On <b>June 10th</b>, I will PM you with your mama match (username, real name, address) and then you will have one week to get your package together!<br><br>
* All packages should be mailed out by <b>June 17th</b>.<br><br>
Does this help? I know it seems kind of complicated, but I think it'll be easy once we get going.<br><br>
So, for everyone who has already agreed to participate, go ahead and <b>post your ISO list</b>! You can edit your original post, or just post a new message with your wish list! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/winky.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Wink"><br><br><i>Thanks Bensmom, you said it better than I did!!</i> <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/wink1.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="wink1">

 

[SoggyGranolaMomma]

Ok, I'm in. Here is my "ISO List" <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngbiggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="orange big grin"><ul><li>Bradley Method Book</li>
<li>Maya Wrap</li>
<li>Bella Band</li>
<li>Size "Small" maternity shorts</li>
<li>Breastfeeding Books</li>
<li>"Starter" set of CDs (I've never done it but am aching to try!)</li>
</ul><br>
I haven't seen any other lists from anyone else, so I'm not sure what I can offer. Is there another place people post their lists or is it supposed to be in this thread? <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/bag.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Bag">: I can be somewhat dense on occasion. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/shy.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="innocent">

 

[beachbaby]

SoggyGranolaMom--yep, I think we're supposed to post ISO on this thread. I'm gonna post mine right now, so you won't be the only one! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/wink1.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="wink1">

 

[beachbaby]

ok, I put a bunch of stuff in order to make it easier for folks... <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/shy.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="innocent"><br><br>
(check out the December board thread for ideas--lots of good ones there!)<br><br><b>Mama stuff</b><br>
*size M maternity Ts or tanks<br>
*size M cotton pj bottoms (not nec. maternity)--stripes, flowers, or any funky prints<br>
*any Burt's Bees products<br>
*any kind of pregnancy teas<br><br><b>Diapering</b> (used is fine!)<br>
*infant prefolds<br>
*snappis<br>
*Kissaluvs size O<br>
*wetbag<br><br><b>breastfeeding gear</b><br>
*nursing pads<br>
*nursing necklace<br>
*boppy/nursing pillow<br>
*breastfeeding books<br><br><b>other stuff</b><br>
*board books<br>
*homemade toys--dolls, wooden toys, etc.<br>
*any homemade/natural baby products (Baby Bees, etc.)

 

[*Amy*]

Very cool! It is fun to see other peoples' ISO lists. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngbiggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="orange big grin"> Here's mine:<br><br><b>For me:</b><br>
Sweatshirts, maternity or not, size M - preferably without the stretchy waistband, and not fleece/performance fleece (GU is fine)<br>
Videos/DVDs of natural birth or water birth (copies are fine)<br>
Books on gentle discipline<br>
GC to Target, Borders, Amazon, etc.<br>
Lemon-Verbeena lotion from Bath & Body Works<br>
"Fresh Mint Therapy" body lotion made by Healing Garden (available at grocery stores/Target) or any similar minty-smelling lotion<br>
My Brest Friend or Boppy nursing pillow<br>
nursing beads<br>
Hypnobabies tapes or CDs (like the good sleep, or positive pregnancy; copies are fine)<br>
Sex and the City (Seasons 4, 5, and 6 on DVD)<br>
"Diaper Free" or other EC resources<br><br><b>For Babe:</b><br>
**Anything mama-made** <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/thumb.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="thumbs up"><br>
Spare cloth dipes, especially AIOs or Kissaluvs (like anyone's going to part with those! :LOL )<br>
Baby Bee stuff<br>
CD of lullabies, either instrumental or sung by adults (ie, not those CDs of kids singing lullabies)<br>
Umm....anything else, really. We don't have much for the baby yet!

 

[BensMom]

Ok, I may add to my list as you guys give me ideas. :LOL<br><br><b>For Mama:</b><br>
Homemade WAHM soaps (lavender, earthy)<br>
2x summer maternity shirts<br>
2x maternity jeans<br>
Hypnobabies CDs (copies ok, if you are ok with that)<br>
65" Birth Ball (the one I have is too small! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/greensad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="greensad"> )<br>
A fetoscope (just a thought.... <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngtongue.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Stick Out Tongue"> )<br><br><b>For Babe:</b><br>
*Anything mama made*<br>
Knitted hats, booties<br>
Robeez or other type of leather bootie shoe (0-6 mo)<br>
Felted Wool Ball (with bell inside) or other felted toys<br><br><b>Diaper stuff:</b><br>
Fabric for diaper making - PUL (prints or solids), wool flannel, cotton knit prints, MM Windpro<br>
Knitted wool soaker<br>
Infant sized Chinese Prefolds