Bounce Bounce Bounce...

I honestly can't think of another product that can take you from pre-pregnancy, to the delivery room, to the nursery, to fussy teething babies, and then to getting you back in shape...

The Bounce-a-bye baby by Luna Lullaby is really a super mutlitasker when it comes to baby products. Though it does resemble an exercise ball (and yes it can be used as one) it comes with an ingenious base that turns this big ball into an all in one pregnancy and baby support center.

Perfect to be used for exercise, that base makes it usable and safe for even those of us who's tummies got as large as whales during pregnancy. I would have loved to have had an exercise ball when I was pregnant with Connor as most exercises became a ridiculous display somewhere after my first trimester. I had considered buying an exercise ball as I had one a few years before and loved it, but the fear of it rolling out from under my huge whale of a stomach seemed like too much of a risk. That great base the Bounce-a-bye comes with solves that problem.

The Bounce-a-bye also functions as a great labor tool, many birthing centers feature birthing balls and you can bring that luxury home. Let me tell you sitting on a birthing ball is heaven when you are having braxton hicks contractions or even just uncomfortable from the weight of the baby pushing on your pelvis. I worked in the ER up till about a month before I gave birth to Connor and on a rare night when the nurses felt sorry for me they would go hijack a birthing ball for me and I would just sit and bounce on it at my desk. Something the squishy nature and having to sit with your legs farther apart takes a lot of the pressure off (at least for me) especially if your carrying low.

Once the baby is home the Bounce-a-bye really earns its weight in gold. If you have an especially colicky baby who is only happy when being "bounced" you will find that you tire out pretty fast. Bounce-a-bye was designed so that you can sit and calm your baby and even breastfeed and bounce at the same time. For nurseries with limited space the ball takes up a lot less space than a rocker and is a fraction of the price so many of you might find it as an economical alternative as well. The cute designs don't hurt either.
Honestly my favorite aspect of the ball is once your past the infant stage if your anything like me your still no where near your pre-pregnancy weight. The Bounce-a-bye is a great exercise ball and you won't have to hide it in the closet every time company comes over. We have the puppy ball and it looks right at home in Connor's room and I can get a few exercises in while he plays. Visitors just assume its a toy and no one is any wiser.

Luna Lullaby is offering 10% off on all orders made through the month of May. Use code : may10r

The Bounce-a-bye is available on Luna Lullaby's web page as well as on Amazon!

DVD Review - Yoga Mommies DVD & Giveaway

I have been dying to start Yoga again since Connor was born but just the thought of going to a class or even attempting to do something solo is just not possible with my son, the monkey, around.. so I kept thinking "There must be something we can do together!" and indeed there is!

When I first moved to Alabama I looked everywhere for a yoga Mommy/Baby class with no success. I admit I was a bit frustrated as in IL we had already pre-enrolled in one before Connor was born. Then I came across Yoga Mommies DVD, what a great idea!

The first time we tried Yoga Mommies it left me wishing we had found it much earlier. Connor is an crazy little Monkey these days so he only stuck around for a few minutes of the DVD but he did enjoy attempting to "ride" me while I was busy with my upward facing dogs and loved using me as a ladder during my stretching. *grin*

Other than Connor's jungle gym antics the DVD is excellent. It offers a variety of ways to incorporate your baby into your daily yoga practice which would be appropriate for a baby of any age (even a brand new baby!) though I would recommend waiting to do some of the stretching exercises for a few months if you have recently had a c section. Connor was born by c section and we have had an unusually long (at least in my opinion) healing time. I actually wasn't able to do any stretching exercises until the 6-7 month mark and even now upward facing dog still is just a tiny bit uncomfortable so I was especially slow with those movements.

The pace of the DVD is great for beginners and really refreshing for new moms who may not be able to keep up with a more advanced routine (Especially if your attempting to wrangle your little monkey between poses like I am!) The scenery is gorgous, and Rebe's son Morgan is sooo adorable, and I wish my son was that well behaved!

I forget as a mom sometimes to relax and just take a few moments to breath. I have to admit this morning after just finishing the DVD I feel more relaxed than I have in months. Not to mention I forgot how great my back feels after doing even a short yoga session!

Yoga Mommies is available for sale on Rebe's website, as well as on Amazon!

Win one!
Rebe has sent an additional copy of Yoga Mommies for one of my readers!

To enter :

• Leave a comment on this post. Go visitYoga Mommies and tell me (from the dvd's description) what you would benefit most from this DVD!! No "i want to win" stuff without a little effort (and I do mean little!)
  
• Make sure there is a way for me to contact you - if your email address is not on your profile or you are not a blogger you may leave it in your comment or email it to me directly (angelaandconnor at gmail dot com)
• To get extra credit :
• For an extra entry :
• Bloggers - Blog about this contest and leave me the link on your comment, or add me to your sidebar and let me know its there.
• This contest will end Feb 6th at midnight!