Most of all, she is close to my heart – usually resting on my chest. We are almost never apart, she and I. Still intertwined, cocooned together though she is no longer inside me.

Even so, there are moments when hands need to be free and we have always appreciated having a bouncer on-hand. Lightweight and well-designed, the BabyBjorn Babysitter Balance tops products in the category. The seat is safe and soft – and bounces with the baby’s movements (so much nicer than electric vibrations). I particularly appreciate the “no-frills” elegance and the understated style.

Rated for newborn babies up to approximately 2 years old, you can purchase the seat in a wide variety of colors. An organic option is also available. The fabric is, of course, removable and machine-washable for easy care.

Since we’re in Arizona and the summer is almost upon us (the high was 91 today), we have the Babysitter Balance Air, which is crafted out of a breathable mesh for baby’s comfort.

You can buy it on Amazon and get free shipping!

WIN IT! One winner will receive a BabyBjorn Babysitter Balance (~$150)! To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Monday, May 21 at 11:59 p.m. All generic comments like “Enter me!” or “Love it” will be disqualified. Winner must provide a US mailing address.

* Thanks to BabyBjorn for providing two balance seats – one for review and one for this giveaway. 

Three kids later and we’ve never owned one. We’ve always just put a changing pad on top of a dresser.

Summer Infant’s 4-sided changing pad ($25) is an excellent option. Highly rated on Amazon, the pad is thicker than most and cradles the baby as she is changed. The contoured sides ensure baby’s safety, while the plush material of the cover (~$15) keeps her comfy. Our newborn always seems super content when we place her on the ultra-soft surface. I recommend both products.

WIN IT! One winner will receive a Summer Infant 4-Sided Changing Pad and Ultra Plush Cover! To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Monday, May 21 at 11:59 p.m. All generic comments like “Enter me!” or “Love it” will be disqualified. Winner must provide a US mailing address.

* Thanks to Summer Infant for providing two pads – one for review and one for this giveaway. 

On the rare occasion that we find ourselves with the flu or the sniffles, I do what my mom always did. I increase fluids (especially water), increase rest (lots of sleep and lounging about), and increase touch (holding my little ones close, sometimes all through the night).

We also have a little mental catalog of home remedies: vitamin C for colds, honey for coughs, plain yogurt for UTIs, and humidifiers for stuffy noses.

Crane offers a wide variety of humidifiers – with different size, colors, and features. The Adorable humidifiers [pictured below] are shaped like animals and cartoon characters…and sure to be adored by little ones. We received Chauncey the Polar Bear for review and were quickly impressed. He’s quiet (so important!), powerful, portable…not to mention adorable! Oscar the Owl and Elliot the Elephant are our other favorites.

WIN IT! One winner will receive a Crane Humidifier – your choice of either an adorable or drop style! To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Sunday, May 20 at 11:59 p.m. All generic comments like “Enter me!” or “Love it” will be disqualified. Winner must provide a US or Canadian mailing address.

* Thanks to Crane for providing two humidifiers – one for review and one for this giveaway. 

Our 5-year-old is in a cushy high-back leather Monterey Booster from Diono (previously Sunshine Kids). We took off the back a few months ago, but then decided to put it back on again. Never can be too safe.

Our 3-year-old is in this gorgeous plum-colored Radian RXT Car Seat, which features outstanding safety features and vibrant, attractive colors. The 5-point harness seat works as a rear-facing seat (5-45 pounds), a forward-facing seat (20-80 pounds), and then later converts to a booster (up to 120 pounds) – which adds up to a real money-saver! Our preschooler can almost buckle herself in and also likes the fact that she has a cup holder of her own. As for me, I appreciate that the seat features a narrower profile than many on the market…a definite plus when you’re trying to squeeze three car seats in a tight space.

The seat also folds up into a backpack, making it super convenient for frequent travelers.

Take a peek at this good looking seat:

You can buy it on Amazon and get free shipping!

What features do you look for when you shop for a car seat?

WIN IT! One winner will receive a Diono Radian RXT Car Seat ($285)! To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Friday, May 18 at 11:59 p.m. All generic comments like “Enter me!” or “Love it” will be disqualified. Winner must provide a US mailing address.

* Thanks to Diono for providing two car seats – one for review and one for this giveaway. 

Among the 40 items is the Shower Hug – a super soft band that you wear around your boobs during pregnancy and postpartum to protect them from the stinging water rays in the shower. I would have been miserable showering without it for those first few weeks postpartum.

The new Belmama Gift Bundle by Belmama & Cherub includes a Shower Hug, plus 3 luxuriously soft burp cloths and 3 wash clothes. The material is downy to the touch and sure to be welcomed by any newborn’s delicate skin. All of the items come wrapped in tulle for a very pretty presentation. All in all? A lovely baby shower gift for a mom-to-be.

WIN IT! One winner will receive a Shower Hug Belmama Bundle ($59.95)! To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Thursday, May 17 at 11:59 p.m. All generic comments like “Enter me!” or “Love it” will be disqualified. Winner must provide a US mailing address.

* Thanks to Shower Hug for providing two bundles – one for review and one for this giveaway. 

That said, breastfeeding isn’t always easy. In fact, sometimes it’s downright hard. There’s a definite “adjustment period.”

And certain products do make it easier…

For example, I really appreciated having the Glamourmom Mbody Starter Nursing Bra on-hand these past few weeks. The bra offers especially great support for when your milk comes in. It’s stretchy and soft so it’s ideal for day or night use…and the clasps are super easy so you don’t have to struggle in your nighttime nursing stupor. Also, the bra has a higher cut than most (more like a sports bra) so it’s more modest. Available in nude or black, the bra is available for sizes 34B through 40G.

WIN IT! One winner will receive a Glamourmom Mbody Starter Nursing Bra ($39)! To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Thursday, May 17 at 11:59 p.m. All generic comments like “Enter me!” or “Love it” will be disqualified. Winner must provide a US mailing address.

* Thanks to Glamourmom for providing two bras – one for review and one for this giveaway. 

I started with an awesome pre-packed labor bag by Duffle Your Bag. It was a wonderful luxury and provided me with a fantastic place to pack all of my labor/recover essentials.

Inside the sturdy and spacious canvas bag were these items:

• terry cloth robe (wore it within the first 72 hours)
• slipper socks (wore once when my feet got the chills)
• slippers (wore off-and-on for the 1st week)
• toiletry bag (great for keeping toiletries accessible)
• toothbrush and toothpaste (so nice to not have to pack my super fancy electric one)
• mouthwash (great to have, but didn’t end up using)
• shampoo/conditioner/body wash/lotion/lip balm (same as above)
• 8 sanitary pads & 3 pairs of mesh underwear (used them all)
• 3 peppermints (Mmm. Such a nice treat post-labor!)
• baby set: shirt, pant, booties, blanket, and stuffed toy (we left the stuffed toy at home, but…used this outfit to bring the baby home!)
• address book and pen (unused at the center, but great for jotting down to-dos and grocery lists at home)

I also added a few things of my own to the bag:

• a nursing tank from Japanese Weekend
• stretchy bottoms – my GymGirl from SkirtSports
• Lansinoh Lanolin
• Lansinoh disposable nursing pads
• Sahale Snacks – Valdosta Blend
• a handful of Pampers Swaddlers diapers in size N
• 1 container of Kirkland Signature baby wipes
• 2 aden + anais swaddling blankets
• DSLR camera and my phone
• a second baby outfit – just in case!
• 2 pairs of itty bitty mittens
• bath towel for the car ride home

Overall, I felt super happy with my packed bag. The Duffle Your Bag provided a great starting place…and then I supplemented with other items I knew I would want.

My recommendation to Duffle Your Bag would be to swap out the shower cap, baby blanket, and/or address book for nursing pads or lanolin instead. Also, itty bitty baby mittens would be more useful than a stuffed bunny (though he was cute!).

If I ever give birth again (we’ll see!), I recommend to myself to also pack a pair of super stretchy yoga/sweat pants and…more mints!

What did YOU pack in your labor bag? What would you consider to be essential/non-essential?

WIN IT! One winner will receive a Standard Labor Bag ($59.95) by Duffle Your Bag! To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Wednesday, May 16 at 11:59 p.m. All generic comments like “Enter me!” or “Love it” will be disqualified. Winner must provide a US mailing address.

* Thanks to Duffle Your Bag for providing two bags – one for review and one for this giveaway. 

These delectable cakes are made with diapers, toiletries, and toys for a fun gift that won’t go unused. Best of all, the cakes feature Pampers Swaddlers diapers…our family’s favorite brand of disposables for newborns! You can opt for either a cake with Johnson’s baby products or Burt’s Bee’s products (a more natural option). I’d love to see future cakes made with Aveeno or Arbonne soaps and creams. Also, wouldn’t a book-themed cake be READiculously rad?

A cake like this would be an especially perfect centerpiece for a shower. It’s the kind of decor that is guaranteed to be noticed, but that will also be a delightful post-party gift.

WIN IT! One winner will receive a three-tier diaper cake from the Bestselling Diaper Cakes category – to be used for yourself or as a gift! To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Tuesday, May 15 at 11:59 p.m. All generic comments like “Enter me!” or “Love it” will be disqualified. Winner must provide a US mailing address.

* Thanks to Diaper Cakewalk for providing two cakes – one for review and one for this giveaway. 

My secret weapon for this pregnancy? The BLANQI Body Styler, an under-the-clothes garment with a killer design. The shaper smooths out my hips and back, supports my belly, and helps to hold my pants up (a necessary precaution).

In the past, I’ve mentioned that I make good use of belly bands throughout my pregnancy. The BLANQI beats out those bands in the comfort department. The over-the-arm design allows for extra support as your belly swells.

I wear my black BLANQI almost every single time that I go out. In fact, it’s almost to the point where I don’t want to leave the house if it’s in the hamper.

Needless to say, I highly recommend this styler to moms-to-be.

WIN IT! One winner will receive a BLANQI Body Styler ($68)! To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Monday, May 14 at 11:59 p.m. All generic comments like “Enter me!” or “Love it” will be disqualified. Winner must provide a US mailing address.

* Thanks to BLANQI for providing two body stylers – one for review and one for this giveaway. 

In honor of  our newest newborn and the beautiful person she is (and is becoming), I have a week of giveaways planned.

I’ll be giving away products specifically related to pregnancy, the postpartum period, and babies. Remember that I take great care in selecting the products I feature here and always welcome your questions/concerns. Have fun!

• BLANQI Body Styler (May 14)
• Diaper Cakewalk (May 15)
• Standard Labor Bag by Duffle Your Bag (May 16)
• Glamourmom Mbody Starter Nursing Bra (May 17)
• Belmama Bundle With Shower Hug (May 17)
• Radian RXT Car Seat by Diono (May 18)
• Crane Humidifier (May 20)
• BabyBjorn Babysitter Balance (May 21)

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